NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1298, 17 May 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

♦ Insurance Association. —The annual dinner of the Insurance Association was held lust night Scholarships.—The number of competitors who have entered for the Government and Masonic Scholarships is ninety-two. Tub Grand National. —We remind owners of horses nominated for the Grand National Handicap that the acceptances close at Radcliffe’s Hotel at eight o’clock tomorrow evening. Cheviot Election. —The polling for the election of a member of the House of Represents ives for the Cheviot district takes place to-flay. St. Alban’s Ceicket Club. —A meeting of the members of St. Alban’s Cricket Club will be held this evening in tne Public Library, St. Alban’s lane. Gband National Steeplechase. —The rights of booths and privileges at the Grand National B‘eeplechase will be sold by auction at Radchffe’s hoi el on Monday next by Messrs Acland, Campbell, and Co.

The Walmakabihi ~This river was unusually higli on Thursday, in consequence of the heavy rain on the preceding night. The amount of snow on the ranges is very great, and should a nor’-wester set in a serious flood would probably ensue. The Weathee.—The severity of the gale on Wednesday night was felt throughout the Northern districts. At Oxford there was a heavy fall of snow, which remained on the tops of the railway carriages till the train reached Rangiora.

Another Telegraph Interruption,— Once again telegraph communication with Europe is interrupted through a breakage in the Trans-Australian line. A memorandum from the Department states that the interruption is north of Charlotte Waters. Last week it occurred north of Powell’s Creek.

Cemetery Coneebknce. —A meeting of the sub committee appointed to consider the best sites for a general cemetery, and report to the general meeting on the 31st inst. was held yesterday at the Government buildings. No deiinite conclusion as to the ultimate site to be selected was arrived at, but a lengthened discussion took place as to the relative merits of several places proposed. City Guards Ball. —The annual ball of the City Guards will take place at the Oddfellows’ Hall this evening. The committee have worked most energetically to make the ball a success, and there is every probability of a very good attendance. Herr Bunz will provide the music on the occasion, and Mr J, W. Morton has been entrusted with the arrangemi nts for the supper. Couet op Appeal. —The sittings of the Court of Appeal opened on Monday last. The only two cases from Canterbury are Rgina v Henry Brown and Regina v John Simmons, which were tried before his Honor Mr Justice Johnston at last criminal sittings of the Supreme Court, and reserved for the opinion of the Court of Appeal on certain law points raised by the counsel for the defence. Reapers and Binders. —lt is intended to import a string binder in time for next season in connection wdth the McCormick reaper and binder, in order to show that the binding with string cannot be carried out practically. It has been tried in America, but failed, the cord breaking from the swelling after the sheaves are stocked. Farmers who wish to avail themselves of the reapers and binders must, therefore, use wire until something is devised to prevent the string breaking as described. Indebtedness to the Education Board. As will be seen by reference to the meeting of the North Canterbury Education Board,"reported in this day’s issue, the necessary authority has been given to the Chairman of the Board to take legal proceedings for the recovery of arrears due by parents of the children attending Government schools, for the purchase of books supplied to them by the Board. The arrears at present amount to no loss a sum than £1414 14s, Testimonial to Mr Wilkin.— lt is not intended that the expression of esteem to Mr Robert Wilkin shall be confined to the complimentary dinner taking place on the 21st inst. His friends are getting up a testimonial, which it is intended to present to him as a iouvenrr of his long connection with agricultural and pastoral matters here. The exact form it shall take is not, so far as we can learn, yet settled upon. It may be slated that subscription lists are at Mr Charles Clark’s office and other places in the city, and that, already a very considerable sum has been subscribed. Poultry Association. A committee meeting of the above association was held last evening at Radcliffe’s Hotel, Mr W. 0. Hill in the chair. There were also present Messrs G. A. Re ado, Rees, Parker, Stapleton, Hawkes, and W. G. Walker (hon. sec.). Mr Hawkea was elected a member of the subcommittee for the purchase of pens, &0., in the room of Mr Rees. Mr Reade tendered his resignation as hon. treasurer of the association. Mr Walker proposed—“ That the committee accept with sincere regret the resignation of Mr Reade, and beg to tender him a hearty vote of thanks for the manner in which he has carried out the duties of treasurer since the foundation of the society.” Mr Stapleton seconded the motion, which was agreed to. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Walker, that Mr W. C. Hill be elected treasurer. A general meeting of the members was then held, Mr G- A. Reade in the chair. Considerable discussion took place relative to the question of importing stock from England, and finally it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Walker, seconded by Mr Stapleton—“ That the committee be empowered to appoint an agent in England to undertake the purchase of any stock that may be ordered by members. Members ordering stock to fix the maximum price they are prepared to pay for each variety they order, the question of guarantee to bo referred to the managing committee.” A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings. The next meeting of committee was fixed to take place on the 83rd inst.

Inquest. —An inquest was held this afternoon on the body of Ellen Bowling, which was found in the river on Thursday last. The evidence showed that deceased had been in a depressed state of mind for some time, but not sufficiently so to create apprehension that she |contemplated self destruction. The medical evidence showed that death was caused by drowning, and a verdict to that effect was returned. Count? Council. A meeting of the Selwyn County Council was held this morning. A considerable amount of business was disposed of. The most important item was the adoption of the following resolution—“ That in consequence of the position in which this Council is placed by the withholding of its funds by the Colonial Government, it is inexpedient for them to enter upon any duties involving expenditure, or upon any duties which it may not be under a legal necessity undertake.” It was also resolved that the Council be represented at the Conference of County County Councils to be held in Wellington during the Assembly. Boaed of Education.— At the usual fortnightly meeting of the Board of Education, held yesterday, the resignation of Mr Colborne-Voel, as a member of the Board, consequent on his appointment as secretary was received, and the chairman was directed to take the necessary steps to fill the vacant seat by public election. The appointment of examiner under the Board has been accepted by Professor Cook. A considerable amount of routine business was transacted, and the Beard adjourned until Monday, the 20ih instant. Waimakahibi Hahboe Boaed.— An adjourned ordinary meeting of this Board was held at the Kaiapoi Borough Council Chamber on Wednesday evening. Present—Messrs Wearing, Pashby, Parnham, Ellen, Beharrell, and Coup (chairman). The chairman reported the receipt of £3OO from the Eyreton Road Board, and £IOO, on account, from the Kaiapoi Borough Council Tenders were opened from Messrs J. Anderson, W. H. Barnes, R. Moore, and Scott Bros., for machinery, including shafting, spur wheels, and buckets, and for a barge for the dredging plant, Messrs Scott, Bros.' tender to supply the former for £254 14s, and Mr Barnes’ tender to provide the barge for £234 were accepted. The chairman and Mr Wearing were appointed to superintend the construction and erection of the plant. A sum of £5 was passed to Mr C. E. Dudley for preparing plans and specifications. The works are to be completed by July 15th, and operations will be gone on with at once. The Board adjourned, after passing some matters of routine.

COMPFLSOEY EDUCATION AT HoMB.—Dr. Jack (at one time one of Her Majesty’s inspectors) thus writes to the “Times" on the subject of compulsory education : —“ My contention is, that the legal enforcement of school attendance should be as sparing as possible, and that the experience of Glasgow shows that by a great deal of minute and anxious labour an effectual substitute can be found for most of it. But there is much still to do in Glasgow, as in every other large town, and the difficulties of the Board will become greater as they, more and more, nearly cover the whole area of the city with good schools, and become bound to deal with the poorest and recalcitrant stratum of the population. They started two years later than the rest of England, and three years later than London. So far, their system of much persuasion and little punishment has been very successful. They could never have done what they have done without the power of punishment in reserve, but they have done well, I believe, to use it only in the last resort, and with great unwillingness.” Christchurch Railway Employes Sick Benefit Society.—Wo have been furnished by the pre.-idcnt with the following statement of the principles of this society, which has been established since the beginning of the present year, is now in full and active operation, and has proved highly successful. Its sole object, as the name indicates, is to afford relief to members in time of sickness or inability to follow their usual occupations. Its constitution and system of conducting business is of the simplest and least expensive kind, the annual cost being a mere nominal sum in proportion to the number of its members. The offi ers of administration are simply those of president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, auditors, and stewards to visit the sick, all of whom are chosen from the members, and are honorary, except those of secretary and treasurer. The duties of the various officers do not entail loss of time of those engaged, and thus the objects of the society are secured without ostentation and at a minimum cost. There is no restriction as to age or to any department of the railway service, all alike being invited to share in the common benefit in case of need. It is held that the greater the number of members the easier it will be to prove the soundness of the society, and the more extended will be the range of its benefits. In order to attain that end, provision has been made to es'ablish agencies throughout the whole of the Canterbury section, the right of membership being available to all departments. The cost of membership is also within the means of all, viz., 2s 6d entrance fee, and 6d a week contribution, the benefits to commence from date of entrance. The benefits are 20s per week for twelve weeks, 15s per week for twelve weeks more, and 10s a week as long as the member remains sick, or to end of year. There is also a provision, in the case of the death of members or their wives, that the sum of £6 and £3 respectively shall be paid as funeral expenses, which sum is raised by levy on all the members. Not the least noticeable feature of this society, and one that will no doubt commend it to all concerned, is that it is wound up annually. After laying aside Is per member to begin the new year with, the surplus, if any, is divided among the members in proportion to the time they have been in the society.