NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1258, 30 March 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Communication with Euhote. — The Port Darwin line is interrupted north of Charlotte Waters. Race Houses.—The race horses Oberon, Atalunta, unci Chanticleer arrived yesterday per Eotorua. The Eoad Eoller. —The steamer was engaged yesterday in rolling metal, which, is now being laid dawn on that section of High street from Colombo to Cashel streets. Supreme Court. —The criminal session of the Supreme Court, the calendar for which has already been published, will open ea Monday m j :?t, at IP a.m., before his Honor Mr Justice Williams. Fokgisg and Uttering.—A man named John Simmons has been committed for trial by the Aksroa Magistrate on a charge of forgo-y. He is accused of having changed the figures upon a cheque from three to thirty-nine pounds. Taluk of City Land. —It is stated that Messrs Miles, Hassal and Co. have disposed of their section of land—a little more than half an acre in extent—at the corner of Manchester Btrec-i, and South town belt, to Mossrs Q-uthrie and Larnach for the sum of £SOOO. The Al Hotel.—The tender of Mr W. Stocks has been accepted for building a new hotel at the corner of Cashel and Colombo streets, on the site formerly occupied by the Al Hotel. The original plans of the building have been considerably modified, with a view to future extension. The a/mount of the contract is between £3OOO and £4OOO.

Kaiapoi Foal, G-eain, and Eoot Show. 1 —ln addition to the number of special prizes ; already announced for this show, which will t:ike place on Thursday next, Messrs B. Petersen and Co. have given a handsome silver cup to be awarded to the largest prizetaker in roots. The entries close to-day, and may be I made with Duncan and Son in Christchurch, as well as at Kaiapoi aad Kangiora, or with the lion, secretary. Peopkety Sale.—Messrs E. Walton and Co. held a well attended sale of town property yesterday at their rooms, when the following properties were disposed of at the undermentioned prices :—Two houses situate corner of Peterborough and Manchester streets, known as Ventnor Villas, £872 10s ; quarter acre of land, with five-roomed cottage close to the Avon and Hagley Park, £3OO ; twenty-three acres of land at Kaiapoi, £46; total proceeds of sale, £l2lß 10s. City Improvements.—During the past few days the city workmen have been engaged in laying concrete channelling along the front of the present Post Office on Colombo street, where it was much needed. It is hoped that the asphalte will soon be laid along this part of the city on the west side of Colombo street. There is a large amount of traffic, particularly near the Post Office, and the loose pebbles which Btill coat the side walks could with advantage be replaced by asphalte. The late Me F. W. Thiel.—AsiSalready announced, the funeral of this gentleman takes place to-morrow, and will be conducted according to the usages of the Masonic craft, of which he was so distinguished a member. The lodges taking part in it will be the St. Augustine, Canterbury, Unanimity, Southern Cross, Lodge of Progress, and Somerset (English Constitution), Canterbury Kilwinning, Eobert Bu>-nB, Thistle (Scotch ConBtitution), and Corinthian (I.O.) The Canterbury Kilwinning E A. Chapter will also take part in the ceremony. The funeral services, both of the Church of England and the Masonic Order, will be performed by Eev. W. E. Paige. The brethren of the various lodges will assemble at the Canterbury Masonic Hall, whence, after the preliminary ceremonies, they will march to the late residence of the deceased brother, and join in the procession to the cemetery. Fabewell Dinneb at Akaeoa. —On Wednesday evening a large number of the friends of Mr Gh H. Saxton (of Messrs Saxton and Williams, Eobinson's Bay) entertained that gentleman at dinner at Eodrigues' Madeira Hotel. Mr Saxton, who is leaving for England, has resided on the Peninsula for upwards of twenty years, and is much respected, being a J.P. and a Licensing Magistrate. The provision made for the occasion was excellent, and the chair was occupied by Mr H. Gh Watkins, the Mayor of Akaroa, the vice-chair being occupied, by Mr H. Piper. The usual loyal toasts, the guest of the evening, the County Cour.oil, the Mayor and Borough Council of Akaroa, the Akaroa and Wainui Eoad Board, and the trade of Akaroa, the Press, and the Ladies were successively proposed and honored. After singing the National Anthem, and wishing Mr Saxton a pleasant voyage, the company broke U P*

The Model Fabm. The Canterbury model or experimental farm is situate near the railway station, Lincoln, and contains 360 acres, the quality ranging from rich swamp land to light loamy soil, the whole being admirably adapted for experiments in agriculture. It is proposed to proceed with the erection of the farm buildings and procure the necessary plant immediately after the arrival of the manager, who was appointed on Thursday. With respect to the qualifications of this gentleman, Mr W. E. Ivcy, it may be state! that he is a member of the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, and' a Fellow of the Chemical Society of London. He is qualified to give instruction, both by lecture and direction, in practical agriculture and chemistry, especially as applied to agriculture. He has a thorough knowledge of agriculture as practised at home, having for several years managed a farm of 600 acres before leaving England, and has had considerable experience in the Australian colonies and New Zealand. He was for over four years chemist to the Agricultural Department of Victoria, and at present holds the office of Scientific Superintendent and Director of the Experimental Farm Reserves. He was lately chosen by the "Victorian Government one of the land classifiers for obtaining data for the imposition of the new land tax. He will probably arrive here by the end of April, and immediately enter upon his duties. Mb Stepex Massett.—Mr Massett gave his second entertainment at the Oddfel'ows'Hall last evening, when there was again a very good house. In the first porlion of the programme he sang two very pretty ballads, both composed by himself, and. entitled respectively " Open the door " and " The dying boy's prayer." The recitations included that most pathetic piece "Beautiful Snow," concerning the authorship of which at the time of its first appearance most romantic stories were told. Mr Massett also gave two poems by Bret Harte, " Master Johnny's next door neighbour " and " Better in the morning," in which he was exceedingly successful. The second part was as amusing as on the preceding evening. The various items, especially the imitations of celebrated men, were received with loud applause—that of Mr Charles Clark especially, from its almost perfect reproduction of the tone and peculiarities of the eminent lecturer, was at once recognised, and received quite an ovation. Mr Massett may be congratulated upon having achieved a complete triumph here as an entertainer, and the only drawback is that his stay amongst us is necessarily of so short duration. We part from Mr Massett with regret, and hope that he will be enabled on some future occasion to again pay us a visit, when our citizens will no doubt «e glad to renew their acquaintance with one to whom they are jndebfcfrd for two of the pleasantest evenings they have had the opportunity of spending for some time past. Mr Massett proceeds from here overland to Dunedin, visiting Ashburton, Timaru, and Oamaru.