NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1287, 4 May 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Lyttelton Lines. —A number of railway employes were at work yesterday at Lyttelton putting down narrow guage rails on the Tunnel Wharf. Unappreciated Honours. — Mr C. L. Mackie has forfeited his seat in the Ashburton County Council through non-attendance at four consecutive meetings. Steel Bails.— The Mount Somers railway is to be constructed with steel rails. Though the cost of these is considerably higher than that of iron rails, their greater durability more than compensates for the extra price. The City Footpaths.— The City Council have commenced repairing the footpath from the Post office to the Colombo Bridge. This has long been a want, as during the winter it has been almost impossible for ladies to pass along. As before suggested, it would be a still further improvement if the footpath were asphalted and some arrangement made, as in the case of the Armagh street bridge, for the safety of pedestrians. At present it is rather by chance than anything else that serious accidents do not occur. The bridge being uai'row, it is often a hard matter for persons crossing to escape being run over.

Eaxgitata Bridge. —The Rangitata bridge repairs are cow all but completed, and it will bo open for traffic in a few days. Sporting. —The highly bred colt Merlin, recently purchased by Mr R. Ray, has been sold by him to a North Island sportsman. He will in all probability go into Mr Gilligan’s stable. Accident at Gebbie’s Valley. —Clinton Gardiner, a son of Mr 0-arciner, of Purauand the Selwyn, was driving a horse from the latter to the former place on Thursday, when the animal kicked him badly on the knee. Property Sale. —A very large and important sale of landed property was held yesterday by Messrs R. Walton and Co., when a considerable amount was disposed of. A detailed report will be found in the commercial column. Opening Bitsit Lands.— ln reply to a deputation from Palmerston, Mr Ballance lately observed that the whole subject of opening up bush lands before sale was an important one, and that Parliament would, next session, be asked to vote special sums for such works. Attempted Suicide at Kaiapoi. —During Thursday night, Topping, who is still at Wearing’s Kaiapoi Hotel, was at times very violent, and the police, in whose custody he is at present, had to keep a careful watch over him. It is probable the medical men in charge of the case will allow him to bo removed to the Hospital. Pedesxriahism. —The walking match between Bowley and Pentecost, which was postponed on account of the illness of the latter, has now been fixed for May 18th, when it will take place in the Oddfellows’ Hall. Bowley gives Pentecost half an hour start in the fifty miles. As both men are very good walkers a capital contest may be anticipated. Amberley Winter Entertainments. — On Wednesday evening a meeting of the managing committee of the Town Hall Company was held in reference to a series of winter entertainments. Mr Courage occupied the chair, and it was resolved that Messrs Foster, Gilchrist, Holder, Courage, Williams, Higgins, and Mason, lie a committee to arrange for the entertainments. Due notice will be given of the further proceedings. Railways Through Crown Lands.—A letter has been addressed by the Minister Lands to a Mr Loudon, of Foxton, on the subject of tho Hutt-Waikanae Railway. The following portion of this, as an indication of policy, is of interest to the whole colony : “ Assuming that the Legislature, at its next session, assented to the principle that railways through Crown lands, which, are otherwise comparatively speaking useless, shall be constructed out of the proceeds of the lands co be benefited, I do not anticipate that there need be much difficulty in proceeding with the line now in question, as well as many others throughout the colony. I am, &c., J. MaoANDREW.”

Papanui Public Library.— The annual meeting of subscribers to the Papanui Library was held recently. There was a fair attendance. The president, the Eev. F. G. Brittan, occupied the chair, and read the report of the outgoing committee. The finances were shown to be in a prosperous condition, there being a balance in hand of £l3, but regret was expressed that the number of subscribers was so small in proportion to the population. It was recommended that, if possible, another room should be erected attached to the libraiy, to be used as a reading-room. A further supply of new books was also much needed. On the motion of Mr Morgan, seconded by Mr Stewart, the report as read was adopted. The following were elected members of committee for the ensuing year: —Rev. F. G. Brittan, Messrs Matson, Stewart, Sisson, Godfrey, Jennings, Smith, Wild, Morgan, Bishop, Horner, and Derrett. At a meeting of the committee, held afterwards, Mr Brittan was appointed chairman and treasurer, Mr Morgan secretary, Mr H. Derrett librarian, and Mr Godfrey auditor. Yotes of thanks to the retiring officers terminated the proceedings. The Aoents-Geneeal and Eael Carnarvon.— On March 6th the several AgentsGeneral presented the following address to Earl Carnarvon :—“ The A gents-General for the colonies of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, New Zealand, and South Australia respectively do themselves the honor, on the retirement of your lordship from the office of Her Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, to acknowledge the distinguished ability and zeal with which your lordship has, throughout your tenure of that important office, administered its very arduous duties ; and the A gents-General beg at the same time to express their deep sense of the courtesy and promptitude with which your lordship has invariably received and entertained all such communications astheAgentsGeneral, in the discharge of their own official duties, have from time to time had occasion to submit for the consideration of your lordship and Her Majesty’s Government.” In his reply Lord Carnarvon expressed the hope that, during the four years of his of office, the ancient jealousies of “Downing street ” had continued more and more to fade into obscurity, and that there had been a steady growth of confidence in the impartiality and goodwill of the Colonial Minister. City Improvements. The large and commodious furniture shop and showroom about to be erected for Mr G. McClatchie on the site of the one burnt recently, will be an imposing structure, having a frontage of 30ft. by a depth of 70ft., and a basement 7ft. ceiling for oil cloth and heavy goods, having apparatus for lowering; this will be lighted on three sides. The shop front will be of an ornamental character, in cedar, with about 300 ft. of plate glass, iron revolving shutters, and neat verandah. The size of shop will be 27ft. by 67ft., and 13ft. ceiling, with an office 10ft. 6m. x 10ft. This and the back of the shop will bo lighted with circular headed windows, and the back doors will be made to slide. A handsome staircase sft. wide will lead to a landing, where it branches off right and left to reach the showroom. On the landing a large circular headed window filled in with stained and figured glass, will form a feature in this part of the building. showroom will be lighted by five elliptic headed windows in front and three at the back. The light and ventilation, which are ample, seem to have received considerable attention. The front elevation is in the Italian style, freely treated. The walls of the building throughout will be of brick, except the front, where stone will chiefly be used, supported by an iron girder and columns. An ornamental centre piece, with panel, will contain the coat of arms of Glasgow, and the verandah will have a large artistically executed signboard by Mr R. Atkinson, Mr T. S. Lambert is the architect, and when completed the building promises to be a handsome addition to our street architecture, Pullman Railway Oars.—A Pullman car, constructed as a specimen carriage for the Canterbury Railways, has lately been built in the workshops at the Christchurch station, and is as near as possible a fac-simile of the cars in use on the American lines. The car under notice was originally an ordinary firstclass carriage, but has been converted into its present form by the addition of sleeping and toilette compartments. The first compartment differs in no way from the usual first-class passenger carriage, while the second or sleeping berth is furnished with pillows. These, by means of an ingenious contrivance, can be raised to any angle to suit the comfort of the occupant of the berth. The third division is a compact lavatory. The total length of the car is 31ft., including the platform at either end. The ordinary travelling division will seat about fourteen passengers, but the sleeping berths are only two in number. Of course if the experiment proved successful additional sleeping accommodation could be provided by increasing the size of the carriage. Above the lavatory is a tank. The interior of the carriage is handsomely upholstered in green morocco, the lounging seats being especially comfortable. With a view of preventing unnecessary oscillation, the carriage wheels are made to work on the complete bogie system. The noise is reduced to a minimum by means of a false floor, filled with sawdust, and by resting the body of the carriage on indiarubber packings. So perfect is the adjustment, that the car while in rapid motion can turn the sharpest curves with the greatest ease. Altogether the introduction of the Pullman car will supply a want much felt in long railway journeys, and the specimen examined reflects great credit both on its designer and the workmen who carried it out*

1.0.0. F. —Members of the Loyal Avon Lodge are summoned to attend a meeting at the Orange Hall, Worcester street, on Monday evening, to make preparations for the reception of the D.G S. from America. Lyttelton Wintbb Evening Readings. —The first of these entertainments for this season was held on Thursday night at the Colonists’ Hall. A friend from Christchurch whose powers as a magician are well known astonished the Lyttelton folk by his dexterity, not only in performing a number of tricks, but also with his “ aerial suspension ” business. A lady and gentleman gave some vocal music, and a really excellent band was present, one of the members performing a cornet solo in capital style. The president, Mr A. Joyce, explained in his opening address the object for which the meetings were given, and stated that the next of the series would take place on May 17th, when ladies and gentlemen belonging to Lyttelton would provide the whole entertainment, Defebeed Payment.— At the meeting of the Ashburton County Council yesterday, a letter was read from the lessee of the Rakaia Gorge Ferry, stating that he wished to transfer his lease to another man, on the ground that his family was too large to bo supported by the proceeds of the ferry. The lessee also stated that the subsidies to the ferry had not been paid for three-quarters of a year. Two subsidies, of £25 each, duo on account of the second half of 18/7, are payable by the General Government, who can recoup themselves out of the subsidies to Road Boards. The third subsidy, duo on the 31st March, 1878, was payable by the Ashburton and Selwyn County Councils. The former paid the whole amount yesterday, intending to ask the Selwyn Council to refund the half. Me Fodeet Wilkin.— The intention of Mr Robert Wilkin to visit England was mentioned in Thursday’s issue. A meeting of his friends was held yesterday in Messrs Miles, Hassal, and Co.’s offices, and amongst those present were the Hon. John Hall, H. P. Murray-Aynsley, George Gould, W. Reeves, H. H. Hennah, J. Scott Caverhill, J. Palmer, W. Norman, J. Anderson, jun., R Sutherland, S. Gar forth, J. Walls, A. Duncan, W. Henderson, J. Macbeth, J. Fergussou, W. Boag, and J. Mann. The Hon. John Hall was voted to the chair, and stated that the object of the meeting was to consider what steps should be taken to mark, in a fitting manner, the respect in which Mr Wilkin is held by all classes, as well as the appreciation felt for the many services he has rendered to his fellow colonists. The following resolutions were unanimously agreed to : —“ That it is desirable a public dinner should be given to Mr Robert Wilkin, on the occasion of his departure for England, and that a committee be appointed to make the necessary arrangements for this purpose. That, with a view of providing some permanent mark of the appreciation by his fellow colonists of the services rendered by Mr Wilkin to this portion of the colony, it is desirable that a testimonial be presented to him. That, with the view of allowing the contributions to be as general as possible, the subscriptions for the testimonial do not exceed the sum of two guineas each.” Mr H. H. Hennah was requested to act as treasurer, and Mr John Anderson, jun., as secretary, Several sub committees were appointed to carry out the objects in view. Letters of apology for inability to attend, but expressing hearty co-operation, were received from Messrs J. Deans, J. Mcllraith, P. Cunningham, J, Anderson, sen., T. Bruce, W. M. Ross, J. T. Ford, T. M. Hassal, C. C. Aikman, R. H. Rhodes, H. B. Lane, W. Rolleston, J. Pearson, and these gentlemen, with those already named, were appointed a general committee, with power to add to their number. The Oddfellows’ Hall has been secured for the dinner, and from the hearty manner in which the matter has been taken up, it is anticipated that not only Canterbury men, but many throughout the colony will unite in showing their appreciation of the respect in which Mr Wilkin is held.