NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1291, 9 May 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

City Auditors. —The election of auditors for the city is to take place on the Ist of June. Harbor Board,—The Lyttelton Harbor Board meet to-morrow at the G-overnmcnt buildings at 2 p.m. Drainage Board.—The usual ordinary meeting of the Drainage Board will be held at the offices, Hereford street, to-morrow, at 10 30 a.m. Property Sale. —Mr Hawkes sold at his rooms yesterday two acres of land situate on the Eiver Avon, with two houses thereon of six and seven rooms each. The price realised was £1250. Rifle Association. —The couucil of this association will meet this evening at Radcliffe's Hotel, to confirm the list of prize winners at the Easter Monday meeting ; also, to receive balance-sheet and to consider the question of holding another competition on Queen's Birthday. Asphalting- Contract. —The contractor for the street asphalting has made a good start, the locality which has precedence being Worcester street west. Tho south side of this thoroughfare from opposite the Public Library as far as Antigua street is now nearly completed. Corporation Reserve.—The Corporation reserve of 2000 acres, at Geraldine, is to be leased by tendor. The term of the lease is fourteen years, and the rent will be payable half-yearly. Tho tenant will have to erect legal fences within five years, and to observe certain regulations as to cropping, &c, particulars of which can be learned at the town clerk's office. Canterbury Coursing Club.—Owners of dogs intending to compete at the forthcoming coursing meeting, on the 24th May, are reminded that entries for the Birthday Stakes inußt be made with the secretary on or before to-morrow. G-bain Stores Company.—The shares in this company are bsing rapidly taken up by those for whose benefit it has been projected, viz., tho farmers of Canterbury. The provisional directors would find no difficulty in disposing of the whole of the shares to capitalists who recognise their value as an investment, but the directors prefer the farmers as shareholders, as they are most interested in the success of the company. Accident. —An accident occurred on the Riccarton road yesterday afternoon to Mrs R. Rvy. She was driving into town, accompanied by one of her children, and in turning a corner of the road somewhat closely the wheel of the trap struck against a post, throwing Mrs Ray and the little girl out. Unfortunately Mrs Ray's arm was broken and the little girl's leg by the fall. An express was sent into town at once for medical assistance, and last night both were doing as well as could be expected. Hooper's Popular Entertainments.— Mr, Mrs, and Miss Hooper gave performances in Lyttelton on Monday and Tuesday evenings. On both nights there was a good attendance. The evening entertainment was of a most varied character, consisting of a comedietta, songs, and dances, and scenes from a burlesque, and was given in a most spirited manner, eliciting great applause. Grifts of considerable value were distributed after the close of each performance. Cattle on tub Northern Line.—Soon after the up-train to Rangiora had left the Addington station on Wednesday morning, Driver B. Verdon had to shut off steam, as there were about thirty head of cattle on the line. They continued crossing the line till they got to tho Riccarton road, delaying the train about ten minutes. Tho cattlo had escaped from a paddock adjoining the Addington sale-yards. Chess.—With respect to the recent: match between the Christchuroh and Dunedin Chess Clubs, it appears from the Dunedin papers that the umpire at that end has published bis decision upon the seven unfinished games. By tho conditions of the match, all games not completed on the fourth Saturday were to be decided by the two umpires jointly, with a final reference, in case of their disagreement, to Mr Benbow, of Wellington. This being the case, it seems strange that one umpire should have arrived at and published hia decision without any corsultation with his colleague. In one instance he seems to have fallen into a great mistake. In one of the three games which he has pronounced drawn, a very slight inspection of the position shows that tho Christchurch player, whose turn it is to move, can at once win a clear piece, and thus virtually the game. There appears no doubt that this game will eventually be awarded to Christchurch. With this amendment, his decision in all other cases to be agreed with by the other umpire, or upheld by the referee, the score will stand as follows : Christchurch, four games ; Dunedin, three, and two drawn. As we hare explained, however, the other umpire has to give his decision, and perhaps an appeal to be made to Mr BeuboTr, before the wiult U -Infinitely seltjed.

The Muedebeb Sullivan.—A rumor has been circulated that Sullivan was at Havelock, and was recognised by two persons at the Farndon sports on Easter Monday. CANTEBBTJBr Pastobal Rbnts.—ln yesterday's issue it was notified that the sum of £11,980 6i lid was received by the Waste Lands Board on the previous day for pastoral rents. From this amount a refund of £ls 12s 6J, received in error from Vincent county, should be deducted, making the net receipts of the day £11,984 11* SJ, made up as follows:-—Ashley, £2921 5s 9d; Selwyn, £1372 Os Id ; Akaroa, £194 13s ; Ashburton, £I6BB 12s 3d; Geraldiue, £4231 12s Id; Waimate, £IO3O 12s 7d ; Lakes, £BB 14s lid ; Vincent, £339 Is 3d ; Waitski, £7B 2s 6d. The total sum received on this account up to the date named was £30,320 3s 7d. Ohbistchubch Mutual Impeoybment Association.—This society held its usual meeting last night, Mr Connal in the chair. A letter was read from Mr O. 0. Howard declining to accept the vice-presidency of the association, on account of the great distance of his home from town. Mr Wilson was elected to the position. Messrs Allen and Hugh Wilson were elected members. Readings from Shakpspere were then given by Messrs Gapes, J. 0. and W. Prudhoo, Skinner, and Allen, and received a fair amount of criticism. The meeting closed with tho bonediction. The subject for discission at next meeting will be, " Is it desirable to allow free Chinese immigration t" The public are invited to all the meetings of the association.

Employment op Fjsmales.—lt is announced t,hat the Government have appointed Messrs Reynolds, Strode, Fulton, and Bradshaw's commission to inquire into the working of tho Employment of Females Acts. It is not stated whether the inquiry is to extend through the wholo colony, or is to be confined to Otago, to which district the whole of the Commissioners belong. Mr Bradshaw, when represanting Wakaia, was, it will be remembered, the father of tho first New Zealand Act on this subject in 1873. - Subsequent amendments were passed in 1874 and 1875, but the law has really been very little attended to, and the commission will no doubt find plenty of breaches of it to report about.

I O.G-.T.—At the session of the Rainbow No. 84, Lyttelton, on May 2nd, after the usual routine business had been gone through, Sis. F. Aekford, L.D., G.W.C. Templar, assisted by other G.L. officers, proceded to instal the following officers for the ensuing term :—Bro. G. M. Warne, W.C.T. ; Sis. S. Bradley, W.Y.T.; Bro. H. Barker, YV.S.; Bro. W. Young, W.F.S.; Bro. T. Bradley, W.T. ; Bro. J. Loader, W. 0.; Bro. W. Reed, W.M.; Bro. E. Bladder, W.LG.; Bro. W. Radcliffe, W.0.G.; Bro. J. Wilson, W.A.S.; Sis. M. Barker, W.R.H. Supporter ; Sis. J. Bradley, W.L.H. Supporter 5 Sis. M. Bradley, W.D.M. The lodge was then closed in the usual form. Bbookside and Ibtvell Gbain Shed Co.—A meeting of shareholders of the Brookside and Irwell Grain Shed Co. was held at the Irwell Arms Hotel on May 2nd, 1878. Present—Messrs C. Withell (in the chair), J. Boag, Cunningham, Dudley, Stephens, and others. The Chairman stated that the business to be laid before the meeting was the consideration of their financial position. He called upon the secretary to read the balance sheet, together with statement of assets and liabilities. Tho statement as read showed that a bill (£232 15s 61) against the company became due on May 7th, having been glum as payment for cost of building. The Chairman requested discussion of the affairs of the company, and suggestions as to the means for meeting the bill. It was found impoesiblo to place more shares, and the management of the shed by the company was a matter of great difficulty. It was proposed by Mr Boag, seconded by Mr G. Stephens, and carried unanimously—" That the shod be advertised for sale by tender, no tender to be necessarily accepted. Tenders to be sent in to Mr J. Baldwin before Monday, June 3rd." Museum Poetico. —The eastern portico of the Museum is gradually assuming a very handsome appearance. The general features of this addition to the structure are already known, but the ornamental details from the chisel of the artist, Mr J. Smith, will both bear critical examination and are worthy of description. The columns are in four groups supporting the entablature, the ornamentation of the corner group of three columns being already finished. The design is an artistic mingling of foliage and animals' heads carried out in the Gothic style, the general effect being emblematical of the Museum. Amongst the carvings are three birds seen between the leaves, and the heads of a snake, fox, weazel and leopard repreeent the animal kingdom. Mr Smith does his work unaided by any pictoiial design, and undoubtedly exhibits high artistic culture. The decorative portion of the College and Girls' High School, as well as Messrs Lightband and Allan's new premises, were executed by Mr Smith. In the Museum portico the plain columns supporting the entablature are made of the Hoon Hay stone from Sir Cracroft Wilson's quarry, and the Oamaru stone forms the material of the portico itself.

North Canterbury Eace Club. A meeting of this Club, at which there was a large attendance of members, was held on Tuesday evening at Roberts' Club Hotel, Eangiora. The hon. treasurer, Mr R. Ahcrne. presented the balance-sheet, shewing the total receipts of the Club to be £30113s lOd, of which £IBO 10s had be6n paid in stakes at the Easter meeting. The total expenditure had been £228 19a 2d, leaving a credit balance of £72 14s 6d. The statement was adopted and passed, the club however accidentally omitting to thank its secretary. A discussion took placo on the question of obtaining a regular racecourse, as the club's tenure of the present course was very uncertain. It was finally resolved that a committee of Messrs Fulton, Cone, Roberts, and Aherne should wait upon the Council of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, with a view to uniting in the purchase of a site suitable for the agricultural bliow and races also. Mr Cone's protest against Doubtful, the winner of the Maiden Plate, was gone in'o. Evidence was adduced to show that he was identical with Champagne Charlie, who won a maiden race in Nelson. The decision of the stewards was withheld for a week in order to write again to the present owner of the horse. Mr Vallance protested against Swamphen's owner receiving the stakes in the District Hack Eace, having won public money previously. The stales having been paid before the protest was lodged, it was ruled it could not be entertained. After passing some minor matters the club adjourned.

Stabbing a Police Seegeant.—A somewhat serious case of stabbing occurred yesterday in Christchurch. The circumstances as reported by the police are as follow : —At a quarter to six in the evening, Sergeant Hughes went to the house of a man named Samuel Budhain, against whom a warrant has been out for wife desertion in Christchurch so tar back as 1576. On arriving at the house the sergeant aßked Mrs Badharn, who is now living with her husband, if Mr Badham was in. Shf replied in the negative. Tho sergeant, however, seeing Badham sitting inside the house having his supper, went in, told him that there was a warrant out against him, and asked him to go to the watchhouso as soon as he had finished his supper. He refused, and the sergeant reasoned with him, telling him he had better go quietly. Mrs Badham thereupon ordered the sergeant to leave the house, at the same time threatening an assault with the poker which she had in her hand. The sergeant then put his hand on Badham's shoulder, saying " I arrest you by virtue of a warrant, on a charge of wife desertion." Badham immediately struck at Sergeant Hughes with a pocket knife, of which the large blade was open. The blade cut through the officer's jumper and trousers, and wounded him in the lower part of his stomach. Several neighbors, attracted by the cries of Hughes, rushed in, and the prisoner threw the knife on to the floor, where it was found by one of those who had come to the rescue. At the time that Badham and Hughes were struggling together, the former used the expression " I'll have your out; that's the way we do in America." Hughes lost a good deal of blood, and was conveyed to the watchhouso, and: to Dr. Coward'sjin a cab. Dr. Coward dressed the wound, which was found not to bo of a dangerous rtwsdcr.

Cantebbuby Baptist Association. —A correspondent states that the Rev. F. W. Smyth, of one of the English colleges, has been appointed evangelist of the above association, and left London in the ship Soukar, on February 19th. Katapoi Oddfellows' Hall. —In the new hall in Hilton street, it was intended by the managing committee to have erected a gas-making apparatus, so as to illuminate the interior very efficiently. In consequence, how ver, of an. unexpected difficulty at the list moment tho apparatus was not procurable from Dune din, a statement being made to tho secretary that Government had prohibited tho importation of gasoline. Not tobe thwarted, however, tho society forthwith sent an order to England for the engine and a supply of gasoline, which advices report have been shipped on the deck of the Soukar. Inclusive of a supply of material to last several months, the outlay is about £l5O. The number of burners to bo put in the hall will be sixty, and the gasoline light being reported to possess double the brilliancy of common gas, it may be expected that this will bo one of the best lighted public rooms in the Canterbury district.

Football. —At a committee meeting of the Christchurch Football Club, held last night, it was proposed, that in order to facilitate the selection of a team to represent Canterbury in the forthcoming match with Otago, the various clubs in the province should be written to, requesting them to select their teams ei early as possible, in order that a Beries of matches may be played which will enable the selection committee to ohoose a fifteen to represent North Canterbury. It was also proposed to divide the province into two parts, the Rangitata being the dividing line, and that a match be played between North and South Canterbury at as early a date as possible. The team to play against Otago will be chosen from the representatives of the above fifteen. The match on Saturday next will bo the following fifteen v the Club:—W. H. Atack, G. Bell, 0. Bolton, J. J. Collins, E. J. Cotterill, J. R. Evans, E. G. Hawkes, G. S. Mathias, W. Millton, J. Millton, A. M. Ollivier, L. M. Ollirier, W. Potts, M. Smith, and J. Wilkin. Emergency—L. Hawkes. The Fifteen wear scarlet aud black, and the Club blue and white. Mr Hartland will captain the Club, who are requested to roll up punctually. It has been arranged to play a match with Timaru on tho 23rd instant.

G-AS IN ASHBUETON.—Tho question of supplying Ashburton with gas is at present occupying the attention of the inhabitants. Already an application from a Christchurch resident has been submitted to the Road Board, asking for permission to lay down mains in the streets. The Road Board have wisely deferred conuderation of this application till next meeting, aa such things are best in the hands of a public company. Ko one can doubt that in a short time such a company will be formed. The requirements of Ashburton are such as to necessitate having gas. Tho new hotels, stores and other buildings are of a much improved style, with larger rooms, which are but indifferently lighted by kerosene. There is little doubt that the undertaking would pay, even if gas was laid on tho main street, and one hundred and fifty yards down five or six cross streets. In this distance would be comprised five hotels, the railway station, pest office, town hall, banks, and nearly all the stores in the town, besides private houges, which would give a very fair start to a company. In the other streets it would, perhaps, be premature to lay down mains just yet, as the houses are, in many instances, some distance apart. These gaps will, however, soon be filled up when speculators can be induced to accept reasonable offers for their sections.

Little Ritee Telegraph and Post OrnCES.—A meeting of the residents of Little River took place in the schoolroom, a few nights ago, for the purpose of hearing certain communications concerning the Telegraph and Post Offices. Mr A. D. Allan, chairman, stated that he had received certain letters in reference to the telegraph and post office at Little River, which he would read to the meeting. (Correspondence read.) They were aware that before the telegraph and post office could be established here the Government required a quarter-acre of land to be conveyed to them, free of cost, also six bondsmen at £lO each to become sureties for the sum of £6O. In his (the chairman's) mind these sureties would never have to forfeit their money, as the business which would be done by the telegraph alone would more than pay working expenses. He wag so sure of this that he (although he gave the quarter-acre of land) was also willing to become a bondsman. He had also got the names of the required bondsmen. At the same time he was sorry to see some gentlemen in tho district, who had as much interest in this matter as himself, stand aloof, notably Messrs White and Gilliatt. He had written to Mr William White, but that gentleman either ignored his letter or was not alive to the benefits to be derived from these institutions. On the motion of Mr Westropp, seconded by Mr J. Watkins, it was resolved—- " That the chairman write to the Government, requesting them to take immediate steps to have the quarter-acre, kindly given by Mr Allan, surveyed, and that they also be requested to instruct their solicitor to convey the same." Mr Westropp spoke in high terms of the great interest taken by Mr Allan, when anything of importance required doing in the district, and moved a resolution to that effect, which upon being seconded, was carried with cheers. The chairman having briefly returned thanks, the meeting ended.

Additions to thb Sunnyside Asylum.The Government has at length called for tenders for extensive additions to the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum. These additions will comprise a convalescent ward, »nd a refractory and epileptic ward, to be devoted to the accommodation of male patients. The designs are the work of Mr Cane. The new buildings will form the eastern wing, while the old buildings will be the western wing. The old and new will not be contiguous, a space of 150 ft. being left between them, for the erection at some future time of a central block to contain a dining hall, lecture room, library, and school, &c. Though not an exact duplicate of the western wing, the eastern is intended to harmonize with it. The portion devoted to the convalescent ward will be a little in advance of that intended for the refractory and epileptic ward, all monotony being further avoided by the introduction into the elevation of a portico and several bay windows, which also are varied in form. The sky line too is broken by two towers similar in appearance to that of the Canterbury College. The total length of the proposed wing will be 884 ft. The floor of the whole area is to be laid with 6 inches of concrete, the walls will be of brick with stone dressing, the outside brick work to be stuccoed, and the interior walls, above the skirting, to be covered with Parian cement. The building will consist of two storeys, each 13ft. from floor to ceiling. The ground plan shows the whole of the front portion of the convalescent ward to be intended for a " convalescent day room" for twenty-six patients. This room will be 105 ft long and 15ft broad, and from it will open doors leading into two dormitories, 30ft. x 20ft., for eleven patients each, an attendants' room, and four small bedrooms, a refectory and a bath room, a linen store, a larder, and a store closet. A corridor will conduct to the rjfractoiy and epileptic wards, which, as already mentioned, will be a little back from the line of the convalescent ward. Here will be found twenty-six small bedrooms, about Oft. x Bft. each, two "day recesses" each about I7f t. square, two day rooms each 40ft. x 20ft., four dormitories, 21ft. 6in. by 16ft. each, to accommodate twenty-four patients, two lavatories and bath-rooms, a scullery, a store-room, and a larder, &c. The "chamber plan " is almost a duplicate of the ground floor. The towers will have four stories, in which will be placed a number of water tanks. The ventilation, warming, drainage, Sac., are all fully provided for. The roof will be of slate with cast-iron crestings and finials. As a precaution against fire, besides the water tanks already mentioned, a hydrant and hose are to be provided, and all chimney-pieces, fenders, and staircases are to be of stone, the last having wrought-irou standards.

Axaboa Raii-vtat Trust.—A meeting of the above Trust was held at their offices, Hereford street, last night. The report of the engineer was submitted and approved, and other business connected with the Trust traneactod. The meeting then adjourned until June 12th. A report appears elsewhere. Value or Land at Waimatb.—A telegram was received yesterday afternoon by the chairman of the Waste Lands Board, announcing the sale of the police reserve in the township of Waimate on the Bth May. This reserve, which has an area of 2| acres, and was divided into 10 quarter-acre sections, realised the sum of £4740.