NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1296, 15 May 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Evangelistic Sebvice. —Service will be held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, this evening, at 7.30. Sudden Death. —One of the police constables stationed at Lyttelton, D. Devine, fell down dead in the police station yard, between half-past one and two this afternoon. Death is supposed to have resulted from the breaking of a blood vessel. Constable Devine, who has been in Lyttelton some time, was much respected. Civil Seevicr Examinations. —A series of amended rules for the conduct of Civil Service examinations, to come into force on the first day of next year, are published in the “ Gazette.” Masonic Scholaesiiip. —This scholarship has been erroneously stated as having been waived by B. Green in favor of the Government scholarship. Master Green, so far from this, was the winner of the first Masonic scholarship in Canterbury, and indeed in the colony, and has taken it up. Railway Bates. —An alteration in the rate for carriage of bark on the New Zealand railways, which is dated May 6th, and gazetted May 9th, but which was to take effect from May Ist, is published. Bark, in bundles or bags, is to be carried under class D ; if loose, under class A. A Defaultee. —G. P. Hunter, one of the surveyors engaged by the Government from Sydney, has levanted, being a defaulter to the extent of about £IOOO, money entrusted to him to pay certain accounts due by the department. The matter is in the hands of the police, but up to the present time no trace of his whereabouts lias been discovered.

Inquest at Kaiapoi. —On Tuesday afternoon an inquest was held at Schmidt’s Pier Hotel before C. Dudley, Esq , coroner, uud a jury, of whom Mr E. Parnham was foreman, touching the death of Amy Idalia, the daughter of Dr. Ovenden, aged six months. The evidence showed that the child was found dead in its cot that morning, suifocated with milk from the feeding bottle. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

City Guards Ball. —Inadvertently the City Guards ball was stated in a paragraph yesterday as taking place on the Queen’s Birthday. This is incorrect, the ball taking place on Friday next, the 17th inst.

Inspection of Nuisances. —Mr Hobbs, the city inspector of nuisances, has this week been carrying out a house to house inspection of the south-west portion of the city. He reports that, in many eases, the neglect of sanitary laws bus been most disgraceful. Dangerous Oils.— By Order in Council under the Dangerous Goods Act, 1869, it is declared that all light mineral oils, the specific gravity of which is less than 0.73:5 at a ternnevat tiro of (lOdeg. Fahrenheit., which light, mineral oils include painter’s spirits, cupione, benzine, gasoline, and light naphtha, shall be deemed “specially dangerous” within the meaning of the above Act. Grain at Country Stations. The amount of grain lying at the country stations on the Canterbury lines was materially reduced during the week ending May 11th. From the returns furnished to us by the Railway Department, it appears that on May 4th there were 39,947 bags, equal to 665 truck loads, await mg transit. On May 11th the amount was reduced to 32,318 bugs, equal to 539 truck loads. The stations at which the largest quantity has accumulated are St. Andrew’s, Waitaki South, Alhury, and Ngapura, where there are 3700, 2500, 2283, and 2281 bags respectively. At ten of the stations there to no grain, and it may bo expected that from this time forward the whole fluiiwtit? wftitisg Fill fail rayidlv,

The Salmon in Southland.— The “ Southland Times” says the young salmon at the Wallucefown ponds are growing apace. The net result of the last shipment is expected to be about 2000 fish. Those which have been hatched from the ova packed by Mr Youl are, singularly enough, making the most rapid progress, quite eclipsing Mr Buckland’s lot. The “Christian Herald,” The first number of a periodical bearing the above title ■was issued yesterday by the Wesleyan body in Ashburton. The “ Herald” is a twelve page quarto paper, containing intelligence concerning the Methodist congregations of the district, besides other well-selected matter. The paper is printed for the proprietors by Messrs Turner and Dixon, East street, and will be issued quarterly.

The Golden Point Mine. —The Nelson “ Colonist ” of Saturday last says :—Operations are being extended and vigorously pursued in connection with the Golden Point mine, near Pi -ton, from which quartz covered with gold has been taken. Work in the tunnel is being proceeded with, and a tramway constructed to supersede the present system of carrying tho stuff to the mouth of the tunnel in wheelbarrows. A shaft is also about to be made at the north-west side of the spur.

Coursing Club. —A meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Coursing Club was held at the Shades yesterday afternoon to consider an application from Mr Dunn for the reception of late entries of his dogs for tine Birthday Stakes. After the matter had been fully discussed, Mr W. G. Walker moved — “ That in reference to the application of Mr R. Dunn to be allowed to enter his dogs for the Birthday Stakes, the committee see no reason to depart from tho regulations of the Coursing Club, and regret that Mr Dunn did not enter his dogs in due course.” Mr Anson seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The meeting then adjourned.

The Assembly Buildings. —lt is stated by a Wellington contemporary that great improvements in the way of drainage and ventilation have been made in the Parliamentary Buildings, and that amongst other additions three bath rooms supplied with hot and cold water will be at the disposal of honorable members. There is no mention of the large sheets of glass in the roof having been securely fixed, but with the memory of the narrow escape of the Hon. Mr Barff fresh in their minds, it can hardly be supposed that the House Committee would omit such a very important provision. Brookside Library. —The annual meeting of subscribers was held in the Library on May 6th. There was a numerous attendance. Mr J. Baldwin, secretary, read the advertisement convening the meeting, also the financial statement, which showed a balance in hand of about £lO. He also stated that £2O worth of new books were daily expected from England. The balance sheet and report as read were adopted. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year. President —W. Watson ; treasurer and secretary—W. Baxter; librarian —J. Baldwin; committee, in addition to members of the school committee —Messrs C. Witbell, J. Donald, J. Cole, and G. Holland, Votes of thanks were then passed to the retiring officers and to the librarian, and the meeting adjourned.

The Akaeoa Railway. —The survey of the proposed railway line from Lincoln to Akaroa is just completed, and the plans, &c., will be hurried forward with all despatch in order that they may be ready before Parliament meets. It is now nearly two years since the Act creating the trust was passed. A good deal of delay in undertaking the surveys occurred, and it was not until the last four months that the work was energetically pushed forward, Mr J. R. Browne, under the supeuntendence of Mr Hardy Johnston, beine in charge of it. By clause 21 the Act of 1875 will “absolutely cease and determine” on December 31st, unless other provision shall have been made by the General Assembly. It will, therefore, be necessary, in order to carry on the proposed works, for the tru«t to obtain a continuing Act, and some extended powers will also be needed. With respect to the reclamation works, the final plans have not yet been decided on. These works do not affect the railway directly, bub it is from them that a large portion of the funds are to be derived for carrying it on.

Wethebstone’s Cement. —The Lawrence correspondent of the “Otago Daily Times” writes: —From what I can learn, the cement in Wetherstoue’s is proving satisfactory. Messrs Brown and Gascoigne have decided to erect machinery, and have agreed with Messrs Kincaid and McQueen to erect a ten-head battery as soon as they feel perfectly satisfied with the prospects obtained. There are four claims of ten acres each taken up, and I would suggest to the iron-founders the necessity of encouraging and offering every inducement to the companies to erect batteries. lam sure if two or three are erected there will be room for twenty, for it is a wellknown fact that the cement in the Wetherstone’s is over 400 ft. deep. The deep shaft bottomed is 427 ft.; during the sinking prospects were obtained which are now considered payable if crushed by machinery.

Infants at Tndxtstkial Schools. —The Dunedin “Morning Herald ” has the following sensible remarks:—“The fatal results which follow the practice of taking infants from their mothers and committing them to the Industrial School should be a warning that the laws of nature cannot be violated without the usual consequences taking place. It is grim irony when the form of faith under which the infant is to be brought up is, in the terms of the Act, laid down. This clause is seldom called for, because the infant dies when deprived of motherly care. We are informed that several infants have died at the Industrial School fmm this cause during the past twelve months, and that a remonstrance has been made to the Government by the inspectors. This use of the Industrial School was never contemplated, and it is altogether beside its functions. We do not find fault with those who administer the law, because the special circumstances which may attend each case leave no option to the magistrate. But it is well that the fact should be widely known, in order that those who superintend charitable relief may apply it in a direction where it is so much needed.” Oxford Parish Meeting. —The annual meeting of the members of St. Andrew’s Church, Oxford, was held on the 6ch inst., Rev F. T. Opie, incumbent, presiding. Mr R. H. Parish, churchwarden, read the statement of accounts, showing that the amount received was £3ll 9s sd. On the motion of Dr. Weld, seconded by Mr Paul, the balance sheet was adopted with a vote of thanks to Mr Parish. A conversation took place on the questions of church music and extension of church work. Mr Parish then on behalf of the parishioners, handed Mr Opie a handsome inkstand, purchased for Mrs Opie in recognition of her services as organist. The new chairman made a fitting reply. The officers elected were—Mr Parish, clergyman’s churchwarden ; Mr Paul, people’s warden ; Messrs T. Crowe, H. Meyer, J. Weekes, T. Comyns, and Dr. Weld, vestrymen. Votes of thanks were passed to the lay readers, organist, and Sunday school teachers, as well as to the late church officers and the chairman. Public Meeting at Oust. —A meeting, called by the chairman of the Road Board, was held* in the Board office on Monday, to consider the question of obtaining a general cemetery and placing the recreation reserve in the control of a Domain Board. Mr R. L. Higgins occupied the chair, and having explained the provisions of the General Cemetery Act, as well as the manner in which a grant could now be obtained from the County Council, called on those present to decide upon the matter. Mr J. Head moved that the cemetery on Early’s road be declared the cemetery of the district. Mr Dickinson moved that the reserve on Early’s road and Main road he made a public cemetery. Mr W. Morrison moved that another reserve near the Main road be the cemetery for the district. The last amendment was unanimously agreed to. Messrs R. L. Higgins, J. D. Dickinson, W. Phillips, J. Head, W. Cromie, S. Early, D. Grant, W. E. Leach, and H. Scott were elected trustees for the cemetery. It was subsequently resolved that the same gentlemen should form the members of the Domain Board for the district, A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the wating*

Property Sale. —Yesterday Mr T. Pepp'mell sold to Mr Wynn Williams about two acres of land, near the railway, the price being £4OOO. Timaru Harbor Works.— Our correspondent at Timaru telegraphed last right that news had been received of the Governor having sanctioned the plans and specifications for the proposed harbor works at Timaru. Licensing Meeting. - The time for receiving applications for ’renewals of licenses and for new ones within tho Christchurch district expired on the 3rd inst. The applications received were as follows: —Renewals— Hotels, 58; country hotels, 17; general licenses, 3 ; wine and beer, 11. New licenses— James Mager, Springston; John Toovey, Oxford terrace east and Earbadoes street ; Albert Hamilton, A.rmagh and Earbadoes streets; J. H. Andrews,Ferry road ; F. Jones, junction of Ferry road and Nursery road; P. S. Pryde, Lincoln road ; premises known as Rankin’s store; E. Maples, corner of Salisbury and Madras streets ; T. Russell, Colombo road; John Somers, Colombo road; J. J. Mumford, corner Madras street and South Town Belt; W. Letford, Addington; S. Laurence, Sydenham.

Proposed County Conference.— ln reference to the county conference proposed by the chairman of Westland, the Waikouaili Council carried the following resolution on Friday : —“ That, in the opinion of the Waikouaiti County Council, such a conference as that indicated in the letter from the Westland County Council is highly desirable, and would sugg -st Hawksbury as the place of meeting of such conference.” The time named —the end of May—was considered suitable. It may be necessary to state that Hawksbury is a town in Waikouaiti. It is probable that many counties will agree as to the desirability of the conference, and that most of them will disagree as to the proper place for holding it. The Bruce County Council appointed a Mr Wagner as delegate to the conference, but the Council seems to have been under the impression that the conference was a municipal one, and according to the report in the “ Herald,” Mr Wagner was appointed to represent Milton. The Grey County has resolved that a conference such as that proposed would not be desirable