NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1288, 6 May 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

City Council. —The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Council takes place this evening at seven o’clock. Tub Miner’s Dream. —This really clever mechanical production is advertised to bo shown for the last time in Lyttelton to-night. It will well repay a visit. This afternoon the children attending the Borough School were admitted free, through the kindness of tbe proprietors. lue Hospital. —An improvement has been made in the Hospital grounds by asphalting the pathways leading to the various wards of the institution, which up to last week were shingled in the usual uncomfortable pebbly fashion. The improvement is one that will be appreciated both by the patients and visitors to the Hospital. The Attempted Suicide at Kaiapoi.— The man Topping who recently attempted to commit suicide at Kaiapoi was brought into Christchurch on Saturday last and ad mitted into the Hospital. Ho is recovering, and when sufficiently well will be brought before the Resident Magistrate, and will probably bo jreraauded to Kaiapoi ,

Game Laws in Auckland. —The Auckland Acclimatisation Society have resolved to pay a sum of £5 to rangers upon the conviction of any person for olfcnces against the game laws. The Racecourse. —The C.J.C, are carrying out a series of works in connection with the improvement of the running ground. Mr Greenaway is now engaged in top dressing the whole of the course, and it is the intention of the club at an early date to lay down the old plough gallop in grass, which will afford considerable extra accommodation to trainers.

Legal. —Mr Justice Johnston will hold a sitting in banco] and chamoers on Tuesday next, when several judgments in cases which havo been standing over will be delivered. On Thursday also his Honor will sit in chambers and banco in order to dispose of as much business as possible prior to his departure for the Court of Appeal. Catholic Young Men’s Society. —The clergymen of the Barbadoes street Roman Catholic Church have recently invited the young men of their congregation to establish a society for mutual improvement and intellectual recreation. The invitation has been numerously accepted, and the society is in a fair way of becoming a great success.

Malvern Coal. —A [trial of the Malvern coal has been made by the Railway department, to test its applicability as fuel for locomotive engines. By some slight alterations in the Yankee funnel and blast pipe of one of the locomotive engines, it has been adapted for the consumption of the Canterbury coal. The result has been so far satisfactory that its use is found to be more economical for light work than when the engine was supplied with Newcastle coal, though it is said not to be so well adapted for heavy traffic. Amusement for Winter Evenings.—A popular evening resort for the youth of Christchurch just now is the lately opened Califon iau shooting gallery in Colombo street. The chief attraction is the shooting for sweeps, an amusement which combines a trial of marksmanship with a mild form of gambling. The shooting off occupies but a few minutes, and as sweep succeeds sweep with great rapidity, and a considerable percentage is the perquisite of the proprietor, the sport must be decidedly profitable to him. Musical Festival — A very successful practice of the music to be rendered at the forthcoming festival in connection with the Wesleyan Church, took place on Friday evening. The choir will he assisted by many of our leading musical amateurs, and the programme will contain selections from the works of Handel, Haydn, Mozart, and Mendelsohn, many of which have hitherto not been given in Christchurch. The concert will take place at an early date, and judging from the manner in which the rehearsals have gone off, should prove a success. Mb McGee’s Disqualification. The following is the text of the resolution passed by the Auckland Jockey Club, in relation to Mr McGee: —“That Owen Cm ran McGee be disqualified from running any horse, either in his own name or in the name of any other person, on the course belonging to the Auckland Racing Club for the term of two years; and that John McGee, jockey of Falcon, he suspended from riding for a term of twelve months ; and that the horse Falcon be disqualified from running for ever; and a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Southern clubs.” Canterbury Pastoral Rents. Subjoined are particulars of pastoral Tents paid at the Waste Lands 80-vd oiiice on Thursday and Fridas last: Thursday, May 2nd Ashley, £IOB 4s 3d ; Akaroa, £165 11s lOd ; Geraldine, £IOOB 15s lOd ; Selwyn, £26 12s; Ashburton, £405 8d; total, £1714 4s 7d. Friday, May 3rd—Ashley, £1322 6s 4d; Akaroa, £374 12s lOd ; G eraldine, £3105 5s 8d : Vincent, £321 6s 2d; Waitaki, £252 1» 8d ; Selwyn, £IB2B Os ; Ashourton, £1664 16s; Waimate, 2255 7s 9d ; Lakes, £1.5 12s 6d; total, £11,229 17s lid. These sums, added to the amount, already noticed on May 2nd as paid on the pre\ io’tc day, viz , £5710 8s 81, make a total of £18,654 lls 2d received for pastoral rents up to the present time.

Gazette Notices. —A “ Gazette” of April 29th contains regulations under the Rabbit Nuisance Act, 1876, which _ will be in force in any district constituted under that Act, in which the Regulation of Local Elections Act, 187 G, has or shall be brought into force. The “ Gazette ” of May 2nd declares the Regulation of Local Elections Act in force in the Temuka Road Board district. By-laws and regulations are published under which the Eakaio, Waitaki, and Ashburton bridges will bo opened for ordinary tralllc. These arc in substitution of regulations previously issued. Official intimation is given of Mr Lawson’s appointment as Commissioner of Railways for tlie North Island. Statements of tho liabilities and assets for the past quarter of the banks doing business in New Zealand are published, also the Savings Bank returns, ar d import, export, and shipping ret urns for the same quarter. Hotel Ijipeovements.—Mr J. O. Sheppard, of the White Hart, scorns determined not to leave any effort untried to render that hostelry ore of the most commodious and we'l appointed in the city. H> has just had completed a atilt further addition to the already extensive accommodation, which will enable him to supply, to a. great extent, the want so long felt in Christchurch of a good family hotel. By the addition of several suites of rooms, elegantly furnished and fitted, Mr Sheppard has added much to the comfort of the hotel as a whole. Another improvement has been projected which will be a great advantage, both as a precaution against fire and u household convenience. Pending the completion of the proposed water scheme which is to provide a service for the houses of the city, Mr Sheppard has hit upon a very excellent substitute. This is one of the atmospheric gas engines to which reference was made by us some time back, and several of which Mr E. C. Bishop, tho agent here, has recently imported. Taking advantage of their economy, ao well as effective power, Mr Sheppard has arranged for one to be placed in position, which will be utilised in pumping up water from artesian wells into tanks placed at an elevation sufficient t o enable tho supply t o reach all the rooms in the house, A pipe will be laid on to the adjoining large fruiterer’s shop, occupied by Mr Marks, and forming part of the same property. This will supply an ornamental fountain, which is to be placed in the centre of the shop. Pending Elections. —A Q-reymouth paper mentions the probability of MrHeber Newton offering himself as a candidate for the Grey constituency. jjSeveral other names have been mentioned, but Mr Harrison is the only candidate who has definitely announced himself. In his published address Mr Harrison says that he comes forward “in the interests of that liberal party which acknowledges Sir George Grey as its leader.” To this end tho extension of tho franchise, so that every adult male may exercise a vote after a limited residence in the colony ; the readjustment of the representation, so that all parts of tho colony may be properly represented ; shorter Parliaments, and a definite plan for the payment of members, will largely contribute, and measures to their effect will have his cupport. For the Franklin constituency a Mr Richard Hobbs is one candidate announced, whose recommendations appear to be that ho has been a successful man of business, and a “bold” borough councillor ; also that his wealth " will ensure an independent advocacy of any cause which he may espouse,” and that “ a billet” will be no temptation to him. In his address Mr Hobbs says: —“I am in some degree alive to the sacrifices I shall have to make if you choose to return me as your representative, but this I shall not regret, if I can succeed in giving you satisfaction by an honest endeavour to discharge the duties devolving upon me. As a native of the colony, I feel sure that you will believe me when I tell you that I take the deepest interest in its well-b ung, and further that I am not likely to forget the interests of the province of Auckland, and the electoral district of Franklin, where 1 reside.” Beyond this he gives no indication of his views on politics. Another candidate for the same constituency is Mr John Jenkens, of Newmarket, who is as yet unknown to fame. Concerning tho Cheviot election thors is no further intelligence than that contained in the telegram from Kaikoura, ■cubiidftd eleewher'.

Ministerial Announcement. Severn Northern papers announce than Mv SalluuCc will address his constituents during the cur ■ rent month and wil then place ths Mimster’a. programme for the coming sessmr: before the public.

Incendiary Fir-s,—V the course of ths last fortnight several stacks of grain havo been destroyed by fire in this district under circumstances which leave little doubt that incendiarism is a much m«re common crime . than it is comfortubia to ballete. Similar I I’*** have occurred in the South, and at an inquest held at Tokomairiro on Thursday, concerning the destruction of three stacks of wheat, the jury returned a verdict “That some person or persons to this jury unknown wilfully and maliciously set fire to the said stacks.” In this case the owner, aMr Martin, offers a reward of £SO for conviction of the offenders. Ivaiapoi Borough Council Chambers.— The Council has determined to erect new Council offices on the Ferry reserve section in (ho centre of the town, opposite Mr G. Weston’s buildings. The building will have a frontage of 50ft. on the North road. It is intended that the Council-room shall be 24fb. x 16ft., and at each end will be suitable offices for the town clerk and the clerk of the Eyreton Road Board respectively. On Saturday the tender of Mr W. Weston, builder, to do the work at a cost of £335 was accepted. It is intended to finish the chamber and offices in the best possible way, and outwardly the building may be expected to be an ornament to the street. Its central position will render it exceedingly convenient. Grand National Steeplechases.—A conference between a deputation from the Grand National Steeplechase Committee and two of the committee of the C.J.C. was held on Saturday. The gentlemen present were Messrs H. P. Lance (Chairman of C.J.C ), G. G. Stead, (hon. treasurer C.J.C.), and James Campbell, G. P. Williams, and F. Egan (hon. sec.) representing the Steeplechase Committee, The business before the meeting was the consideration of the erection of stone wall, making water jumps, &c. It was decided to proceed with the erection of the wall and the construction of che water jumps. It was further suggested that a bank should be erected near Redwood’s stack. Landholders’ Register. —The following is from the “ New Zealander ” of May 2nd— The Registrar-General has, we believe, been instructed to compile something in the shape of a Doomsday Book for this Colony. It will not show the names of the individual owners of property, but will give the number of proprietors and the extent of their holdings. Thus it will show what extent of land is owned by persons possessing a less area than one acre, the number who own from one to five acres, from five acres to ten acres, and so on. Such a work can scarcely fail to prove of immense value, especially when the question of making laud bear its due proportion of taxation comes to be dealt with by Parliament. Harewood Road. — A meeting of the subscribers to the Harewood Road Public Library was held on Tuesday evening last, Mr G. A. Durey in the chair. The treasurer’s balance-sheet showed the receipts during the past year, together with balance to credit, to have been £llß 7s 7d, and the expenditure for books, repairs to building, and incidental expenses, £IO4J 5s 7d, h aving a balance of £l4 2s in bend. After a vote of thanks to the retiring committee and officers, thj following gentlemen were elected for the ensuing year — Messrs Donald, G-. A, Durey, Nunweek, Mulligan, D. Philpott, Stanley, T. Stanley, and Sutcliffe. Mr G. A. Durey was re-elected president; Mr Stanley, treasurer; and Mr Mulligan, secretary and librarian. A vote of thanks to tne chairman concluded the business of the meeting. The Accident at Rimutaka. —The “New Zealand Timor- ” gives the following particulars of the recent accident in Rimutaka tunnel: —Between half-past seven and eight the men were removing the wooden framework that supported cne concrete lining of : the tunnel, about four chains from the face at the Featherston side. A centre had just been removed when a number of tha ribs, lining, Ac., came down in a body burying several men beneath. The debris was removed as quickly as possible, when it was found that Moriarty had been killed and a man named Matheson seriously injured. Matheson was at once brought in by the train and taken to the Hospital, arriving there about midday. Moriarty was about twentyfive years of age, single, and, as far as is known, had no relatives in the province. The injured man, John Matheson, is frightfully cut about the head and face, and his back and left arm are severely contused, but it is believed there are no bones broken or internal injuries. Both men have been working on the tunnel since the Government took up the job on the failure of the contractors to complete their contract. The body of Moriarty was removed to the nearest building to await an inquest, which will be held to-day. The accident is attributed to faulty construction of the framework.