NEWS OF THE BAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1264, 6 April 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE BAY.

Db. Someeville. —We understand that this gentleman will leave Hokitika for Christchurch on Tuesday morning. He will therefore be due here on Wednesday evening. ; Missing Child.—The little boy, Alfred Bogers, who was lost yesterday on the occasion of the treat to the Lyttelton Borough School, turned up all right yesterday morning at the Bxcecourse Junction, and reached Lyttelton at 11 a.m. Annivebsaby Seevices.—We call the attention of our readers to the advertisement in another column, which announces that the Primitive Methodist Church, Cambridge terrace, will hold its anniversary services tomorrow. The annual soiree will take place on Tuesday evening. Bttbned to Death. —A very sad accident occurred near Ashburton on Thursday, when a little child, named Osborne, aged sixteen months, was burned to death. Particulars will be gathered from the report of the inquest, held yesterday, which appears in another column. A Political Rumotjb.—A correspondent states that a rumour is current in Wellington that Sir W. Fitzherbert will resign the Speakership and assume the leadership of the Opposition, Major Atkinson agreeing t > follow him. This arrangement, add* our informant, is supposed to be in consequence of Sir G. Grey's tendencies towards separation of the islands, exhibited in separating the control of departments in both islands. Pigeon Match. —A match between Messrs E. C. Maxwell and W. Kirkwood, for £2O a side, was shot off yesterday, on the grounds of the Canterbury Gun Club, resulting in a win for the latter. In the first round the competitors tied, and in shooting off Mr Kirkwood scored a win. A return match has been arranged for the same amount so come off shortly. One of the members of the Gun Club then backed himself to kill seven birds consecutively at twenty-one yards rise. He killed all his birds, but two fell out of bounds. He scored on the first three, the fourth fell out of bounds, scored on the fifth and sixth, and the seventh was out of bounds. He thus scored on five, though killing all the seven birds. Mb Stephen Massett.—Christchurch playgoers will be glad to hear that arrangements have been made for this gentleman to give one more of his performances in Christchurch at the Theatre Royal this evening. In addition to Mr Massett's programme, that clever burnt cork delineator, Mr Charles Wallace, will appear, together with Messrs Verner and H. Simmons. Altogether a very attractive programme will be presented. Mr Massett intends to leave Christchurch in a few days on a Southern tour, under the auspices of Mr Henry Seymour as advance agent. He will play for one night each in the following places, commencing with Ashburton on Tuesday next, viz., Temuka, Timaru, Waimate, Oamaru, and Palmerston. In Dunedin Mr Massett proposes to play two nights, It is to be hoped that before he leaves the colony altogether he may be induced to visit Christchurch once more. Centbal Cemeteby.—At the last meeting of the Selwyn County Council a resolution was passed, to the effect that a conference should be held by the Mayors of the Municipalities of Christchurch and Sydenham, the chairman of the Selwyn County Council, and the chairmen of the suburban Boad Boards, to consider the question of a central cemetery for Christchurch and suburbs. The conference of County chairmen having apportioned a certain sum from the grant of the Assembly for the purpose, it became necessary to arrange for its utilisation. Accordingly a meeting of the representatives above-named was held yesterday. There were present — Hon. John Hall (chairman of the Selwyn County Council), presiding; Messrs H. Thomson (Mayor of Christchurch), G. Booth (Mayor of Sydenham), W. Atwood (chairman of the Heathcote Road Board), and J. L. Wilson (chairman of the Avon Boad Board). The following resolutions were agreed to by the conference : —Moved by the Mayor of Christchurch, seconded by Mr J. L. Wilson —"That the question of providing a public cemetery in a central position in the neighborhood of Christchurch, would best be dealt with by a committee, composed of representatives of the County Council, the Mayors of Christchurch and Sydenham, the chairmen of the suburban Road Boards, and representatives of the A T arious religious bodies." Moved by the Mayor of Christchurch, seconded by the Mayor of Sydenham —" That the chairman be requested to communicate the above re-olution to the bodies therein mentioned, requesting their co-opera-tion by appointing representatives as indicated, stating that it is proposed to hold a meeting of the committee at the Provincial Council Chambers, on Friday, 26th April, at 10.30 a.m." The conference then adjourned. A Ciecus Case.—At the B.M. Court yesterday E. L. Libby, lately employed us ringmaster, sued J. A. Bailey, of Cooper and Bailey's Circus, for £lO, steamboat fare to San Francisco, as per agreement, and £4, three days' salary, at the rate of £8 per week. £4 had been paid into Court. Plaintiff had been discharged at Oamaru for drunkenness, and it was contended, on behalf of defendant, that through this indiscretion plaintiff had forfeited all rights under the agreement. Plaintiff admitted that on this occasion he had taken drink with "other food," and that he had been previously cautioned by Mr Bailey. He was, however, not incapable of attending to his business. Witnesses, called by Mr Libby's counsel, stated that he was under the influence of liquor, and though able to go through his performance, could not do it as well as when perfectly sober. Sign or Gonzales, who was present on the occasion, noticed the absence pf the usual sparkle in plaintiff's eye. Mr Austin, employed as clown, and who aaid he was in the habit of perpetrating jokes, showed for the defendant how Libby had forgotten the " gags," thus rendering the performance less successful than it otherwise would have been. Plaintiff was staggering round the ring on this afternoon, and witness had seen him under the influence of liquor on two or three previous occasions while the performance was going on. Another witness remembered that Libby did not perform the cannon ball feat one time as well as he would have done, had he only taken too much water. One of the balls hit his head when it was coming down, but he did not think the ball was much injured. Other evidence was given of the plaintiff having been " under the influence" on other occasions, and one witness remembered his being so during a performance in an inland town in Australia. Further questions elicited the information that this inland town was the city of Geelong, on Corio Bay, and having a population of some 60,000 inhabitants. When asked what he would call Christchurch, the witness said that was what they called them in the part where he,"came from. In giving judgment the Magistrate said plaintiff had broken the agreement, and was not even entitled to the arrears of wages. In paying the £4 into Court Mr Bailey had acted with great liberality and consideration. Judgment would be given for the amount, but the plaintiff would have to pay the professional fee of defendants counsel. During the hearing of the case the Court was crowded with membors of the cirous profession, who seemed to tftkfl B gVCftt jtttsretf ia the ppgci'fidiflgtf*

Mb Wason at Hobobata.—Mr J. C. Wason, M.H.R., held a meeting in the Horonita school room on Thursday, which was fairly attended by the electors of that part. His speech was much the same as that delivered at Sheffield. A few questions were and answered, and a vote of thanks < o him for attending, and also of confidence that, his efforts were directed the right way, was carried, which terminated the proceedings. Mr J. E. Fountaine acted as chairman. Coopeb and Bailbx's Cibcus. —There was a very large attendance yesterday both at the matinee and evening performance of the circus. At the former, by the invitation of Mr Bailey, several of the inmates of Sunnyside Asvlum were present, and enjoyed the performance thoroughly. The side show was also well patronised on each occasion, and the learned pig, the Christy Minstrel?, Mr Chalet the clever ventriloquist, Mr Mitchell the Fire King, and the other artistes taking part in the performance were duly appreciated. To-night there will be an entire change of programme, several new acts being introduced.