NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1254, 26 March 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

City Council. The usual meeting of the City Council was held last night. A report appears elsewhere. Law Students’ Examination.— The examination of law students for passing as barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court, commenced yesterday, Legal. —His Honor Mr Justice Williams will sit in chambers on Saturday, March 30th, at 11 a.m., to dispose of any business which may be set down. On Monday his Honor will take the criminal business.

Names of Post Offices. —The names of the post offices formerly known as Carleton and South Ashburton hare been .changed to Bennett’s and Tinwald respectively. The Criminal Session,— The calendar for t!ie April criminal session of the Supreme Court, which opens on the Ist April, appears elsewhere. The number of prisoners for trial is eighteen, though in some instances there are two or three indictments against the same prisoner. Besides the above, there are some cases still pending, in which a commitment is probable. Waimakariri Harbour Board. —At a special meeting held on Monday evening, present, Messrs Beharrell, Ellen, Pashby, Wearing and Coup (chairman), four tenders were opened for an 8-horse power steam engine, and it was decided that the chairman and an engineer be deputed to examine the engines offered, and report to a meeting on Monday evening next. Death. —Many of our readers will learn with regret of the death of Mr F. W. Thiel, which took place this forenoon. The deceased gentleman had been suffering from ill-health for some time, and his death was not unexpected. Mr Thiel was widely known and respected hero, especially amongst the Masonic body. Indeed he was an enthusiast in the cause of the craft, and it will be difficult to fill his place in the order. Inquest. —An inquest was held yesterday at the Hospital before W. J. Coward, Esq., coroner, on the body of Francis Cassidy, who was drowned on Sunday, 17fch instant, while bathing in the Waimakariri. The evidence giyen confirmed the particulars of our previous notice?. The Body had been found washed up on a spit on the north bank of the south branch of the river, by John Hoskins, in the employ of Mr J. Walls, Kaiupoi Island After hearing the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of “Accidentally Drowned.” Presentation at Kaiapoi.— On Tuesday last the members of Mrs Beck’s class, which meets in the vestry of the Wesleyan Church, Kaiapoi, presented her with a silver egg stand and handsomely bound hymn book. The presentation was made on behalf of the class by Mr' G. H. Blackwell, superintendent of the' Sunday School, and the Rev. W. H. Beck thanked' those present, expressing the regret both Mrs Beck and himself felt at being about shortly to leave lyaiopoi, in compliance with the rules of the conference, Mr Stephen Massext. Arrangements have been concluded whereby this gentleman will make his first appearance before a Christchurch audience at the Oddfellows’ Hall on Thursday next. Mr Massett, whether as au elocutionist, humorist, or singer, has the rare faculty of interesting and pleasing his audience to a remarkable extent- He especially excels iu those rare combinations of hpm.br and pathos which Bret Harte and other American authors have made famoiis. Those who have had the pleasure of hearing Mr Massett will feel safe in predicting for him a very cordial welcome in Christchurch. He brings with him credentials of high character from various parts of the wcrhh The only regret is that MihMaswtfc's stay is so short*

Presbytery Meeting. —At a meeting of the Presbytery at the Kaiapoi Presbyterian Church yesterday, the Rev. W. McQ-regor decided to remain at Kaiapoi. Canterbury Gun Club. —The members of this club will hold their next match at the grounds, Papanui, on Friday. A meeting will take place at the Q-arrick Hotel this evening at half-past eight o’clock. Mb Wason and his Constituents.— Mr Wason will address the electors of Coleridge district, at the Malvern schoolroom, Sheffield, on Tuesday 2nd April ; at the Library hall, Ashburton, on Wednesday, 3rd April; and at the Hororata schoolroom on Thursday, 4th April. Each meeting will be held at 7.30 p.m.

American White Fish. —Sir Cracroft Wilson, Chairman of the Acclimatisation Society, had a most successful trip to Lake Coleridge with the young white fish, and havmg travelled all night after leaving the train, placed them without loss in the lake. A report of the trip will be submitted at today’s meeting of the society. The Grey County.—The “Argus” is severe on the reckless manner in which the Grey County Council is plunging into debt. The liabilities are shown to be upwards of ten thousand pounds, and the revenue about £ISOO per month. Our contemporary says — “ The inconsistency of councillors —one moment preaching economy and the next ‘ going it blind ’ into fresh expenditure is astonishing. The chairman did, it is true, make a feeble protest, but it was quite unheeded, and things proceeded in the usual happy-go-lucky manner. But this sort of thing must come to an end somehow, and it may come about sooner than the Council may think.”

Cooper and Bailey’s Circus. —The arrangements for the erection of the mammoth pavilion for the circus are rapidly being carried out. The company arrive on Saturday from Ashburton, and the erection of the tents, which under the system adopted by them, is a work of comparatively slight character, will be completed in a few hours. The corps of agents now here, including Messrs Gaylord, Ball, and Agrati leave to-day for the North. The former gentleman leaves by the April mail boat for South America via San Francisco and New York to make arrangement for a tour of the company there after they leave New Zealand. Pigeon Races. —The pigeon race from Lyttelton to Christchurch, between Mr Walker’s Moonlight and Mr Rees’ Bluebeard was flown off yesterday, with the following result; —Bluebeard was liberated at Lyttelton at 12.45, and arrived at Christchurch at 12.49; Moonlight was liberated at 1.15, and arrived at 1.30. Thus the former won by one minute. The sixth race of the Oolumbarian Society will be flown to-morrow, from Rangiora to Christchurch. About twelve birds are expected to start, viz., Mr Hicks’ Chester, Elvira, and Faugh-a-Ballagh; Mr Harris’s Pardon ; Mr Perry’s Rosoberry; Mr Deacon’s Rainbow, Sunbeam, Blueboy, and Swiveller; Mr Rees’ Triekett, Bluebeard, and Hysteric. Dr. Wallis and the Government. —At a recent meeting of the electors of Eden County Dr. Wallis is reported to have made the following remarks on the inaction of the Government with respect to the main roads —“ They expected when Sir George Grey got into power that something would be done. Sir George Grey’s Government was now in existence for four months, but they had not done one single thing for the roads. Ho considered it a great shame that the Government, which received the tolls and had the means to put, the roads in repair, should not, after all their promises, prove one whit better than the Atkinson Government. If the Government did its duty they would have good roads, and the Government could do it much cheaper than they could themselves under the Counties Act. But Sir George Grey and his Ministry had been so busy running about the country from Dan to Beersheba, that they had no time to attend to these things ; but he hoped they would soon find time.” Cricket. —A match was played on the Sumner ground on Saturday last between elevens of the Normal School C.O. and Sumner C.C., and resulted in an easy victory for Sumner, who won in one innings with a run to spare. For the Normal school Scott contributed 16 runs, but no one else reiched double figures. For Sumner Dunnett put together a capital 20 and Yeats made 13, carrying Ins bat and showing some really good cricket. The match was played in a paddock of Mr Monck’s who took great pains to prepare a good wicket. The weather was delightful, and the visitors, though defeated, enjoyed themselves heartily. On Thursday a match will be played at the Association ground between the Head of the Bay and Midland clubs. The following will bo the latter’s eleven : —Messrs Reeves, Parker, Palajrot, W. H. Atack, W. G. Atack, Warner, Morice, Hislop, Beaumont, Monck, and Horner. Wickets will be pitched at half-past 10 precisely.—The return match, Butchers v. Bakers, was played on the ground of the association yesterday, and resulted in a second victory for the Bakers, who made 66 in their first innings and 55 in their second ; the score on the Butchers’ side was 28 in their first and 25 in their second, leaving the Bakers victorious by one innings and 12 runs. The Butchers were ably captained by Mr Mann and the Bakers by Mr Donohue. Inquest. —An inquest vyag held this morning at the hospital before the Coroner, Dr. Coward, {ind a jury, to enquire into the cause of the death of James Wallace, whose body was found on Sunday in the River Avon, near the Cashel street Bridge. Mr M. Hart was chosen foreman. After the jury had seen the body the following evidence was taken: — George Seabright deposed that on Sunday afternoon he, had gone down to the Riyer Avon, close tq the Cashel street Bridge, when he saw the body of deceased lying in the water at the bottom of the river. It was about twenty-five yards lower down than the bridge, and about six or seven yards from the bank. It was lying face downwards. Witness sent for the police. Sergeant F. H. Morice deposed that about 1.40 p.m. on Sunday, the 24th instant, it was reported tq him that a man was lying in the river as described by the last witness. He went there and saw the body. The water was about three feet deep at the spot. Witness procured a drag and had the body taken out. Deceased was quite dead, and apparently had been so for two or three days. There were no external marks of violence on the body, but there was a little fresh blood on either ear, apparently caused by the drag. Witness had the body removed to the morgue, and, on searching it, found a, memorandum book, a purse containing Is 9d in money, two handkerchiefs, one pipe, a knife, and some tobacco. Henry Allan deposed that ho had known deceased for four years. He was not an intemperate man, though occasionally he had a day w;tl\ his friends. Deceased had stayed with witness from the 9th to the 20th instant. The last time witness saw deceased was on the night of the 20th. It was in witness’s parlour. Deceased had complained of ill-health for some time, and had besn taking medicine for indigestion. At about twenty minutes to eleven pn the night of the 20th witness was talking with deceased. On closing the house witness missed him, but supposed he had gone to bed. A friend, however, calling to see him witness went to his room and discovered that he was not there. Witness wailed till nearly one o’clock, but deceased did not return. Witness thought he had gone to the country, as he had done so oime before without telling any one. On Sunday a policeman asked witness to see the body, and on Monday witness did so, and recognised it as that of James Wallace. During the early part of the week deceased appeared to be desponding and averse to be vyffh coipnapy. Qn Wednesday he kept his room nearly all day. Witness knew no reason for deceased’s depression of spirits. Deceased's relatives reside in Nelson. Decoat ed was not intoxicated in the beginning of the week. Sdinm-l Brown deposed that he "had known deceased for three or four years. Last saw him on Wednesday morning, when he was perfectly sober, but aecmyd in dull spirits, deceased complained of biliousness. ‘ He was a single man. William O’Connor deposed that he had known deceased, who was a sober man, about eight or nine yen’s. Last saw him on Sunday week, from about 2 p.m. till 9 p-rp , when hq appeared very depressed, and told witness that ho had been drinking ft good deal before he came to Christchurch. The jury returned an Ofea yerdiot of “ .Found i

Objection to Pay Rates. —At the Kaiapoi Magistrate’s Court, on Monday, a wood cutter, known as “Schnapps,” urged that, being seventy-four years of age, he was too old to pay municip si rates. In whatever part of the world, whether the Fatherland, England, America, or New Zealand, he had never paid, and because he now had a house it was too late to begin. It was stated the defendant had a large sum of money in the Bank. Defendant replied ho liked to keep his money, and when he died he would have to leave it. The Resident Magistrate asked if he meant to leave it to the municipality. The Defendant—“ No, sir—[laughter]—but I have been free in every country, and ought to be free here.” The Resident Magistrate—- “ Well, the Mayor says we may adjourn the case, and you can ask the Council to remit the claim.”