NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1307, 28 May 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Canterbury Tramway Company. —This company intend pushing forward their operations as speedily as possible in order to get the lines laid at the earliest possible date. Tenders have been called for the requisite timber, and the other material necessary will be procured in due course. Suggestive. —A hearty laugh was caused last night in the Sydenham Council Chamber by the unwitting transposition of the motto of the borough, made by a member who proposed that a temporary seal should be adopted with the legend, “ Words not deeds.” Visit of the Governor. —A telegram has been received by the City Council announcing that His Excellency the Governor will pay a visit to Christchurch shortly, and remain probably a week or so. The precise date of the Governor’s arrival is not yet fixed.

Canterbury Bush Mission.— The annual meeting of the Canterbury Bush Mission will take place this evening at the rooms of the Young Men’s Christian Association, Colombo street. A report of the work of the Mission for the past year will bo given and other business transacted.

Sudden Death. —A sudden death occurred on Sunday morning at Ashburton. Mrs Wyatt, residing in the north end of the town, was found dead in her bed, having retired on the previous night apparently in her usual health. Disease of the heart is stated to have been the cause of death. Mayor of Eangiora. —An influentially signed requisition, which is published elsewhere, has been presented to Mr Henry Blackett, asking him to become a candidate for the Mayoralty of Eangiora. Mr Blackett has long been intimately connected with the new borough, and has always taken great interest in everything affecting the welfare of the town.

Educational Examinations.— lntending candidates tor appointments under the Board of Education are reminded that applications must bo sent in to the Board on or before June Ist, The examination will be in the subjects set forth in the syllabus for third class certificates, and will be held at the Normal School on the 25th June and following days. Cathedeal Squaee Alteeations.— Now that the work of altering and levelling Cathedral Square has so far proceeded, it can be seen what the design of the city surveyor really is. The broad footway around the centre plantation has been very nearly finished, and when the whole of the projected alterations are complete they will be acknowledged to be a very great improvement. Benefit Conceet. —The committee who have undertaken the work of getting up the benefit concert to Miss Eosina Carandini, have received very encouraging offers of assistance from many well-known musical amateurs, and the concert is likely to be a great success. It will take place at the Oddfellows’ Hall on the 6th June, when the programme presented on the occasion will be of a very attractive character. Youthful Tipplees. —ln a case heard at the E.M. Court, yesterday, several youths gave evidence in which they admitted having been drinking in a public house. One after the other deposed that he had sat there drinking. His Worship reprimanded them for the effrontery they evinced, and cautioned them that they were beginning a career which would end in their becoming confirmed topers. At the same time he instructed the Inspector of Police to warn the landlord of the hotel in which the youths had been drinking that such youthful tipplers should not be encouraged. Colonial Assistance to the Empiee.— Mr Coleman Phillips writes as follows to the “Post:” —In the present crisis of affairs hi Europe I think there will be found many New Zealand colonists, who, like myself, would gladly strengthen the hands of the mother country if we possibly could do so. I therefore beg to propose that in the event of war our Government should raise, arm, and equip a thousand men and place them at the disposal of the Home Government, adding to their Imperial pay a colonial allowance during active service. Hundreds of England’s bravest soldiers reside among us, and I have little doubt that scores will bo found ready and willing to volunteer. If each colony in Australasia were to take similar action, an Australasian Contingent might bo furnished, which would prove as welcome as the one that the Canadian Government proposes to supply. Such an act would be only a graceful token of loyalty to our Queen, and one that would cost us but little. Our friends at home would view it with feelings of gratitude, and our “ stern English creditor,” would not forget it when next wo might seek his assistance. Coubsing Club —A meeting of the stewards of the Coursing Club was held at the Shades, yesterday. Present—Messrs W. G. Judge (in the chair), W. G. Walker, Bishop, Jerome, Anson (lion, sec.), Porter. It was resolved to award the prizes as follows : —Russian Emperor, 1 ; Butterfly, 2 ; Besika Bay, 3 ; Mechanic, d. The conduct of Mr Taylor in disputingthe judge’s decision at the coursing match on the 2it.li was brought before the stewards, and rule 27 was read on subject. After some discussion, Mr Bishop moved, “That the secretary communicate with Mr Taylor, informing him that after considering the matter the stewards have decided to request him to make a written apology to the judge for publication. In the i vent of his not doing so on or before May 31st, that the rule 27, with reference to the infliction of the flue, ho enforced.” Mr Walker seconded the motion, which was agreed to. It was decided that the secretary write to Mr J. Deans for permission to run the Sapling Stakes and Canterbury Gup off on Ids estate. A vote of thanks was passed to the lessee of the North Park for his kindness in allowing the Club to run (heir first meeting on the North Park, and asking him to allow the Puppy Stakes and the other events to be run off thereon on the occasion of the next meeting of the Club, The next meeting was fixed for 3XsL May, at 4 p.w,

Racehorses. —Mr Ray’a racehorses Bide-a-Wee and Lady Ellen arrived by the s.s. Taupo yesterday. The Census. —ln the telegrams thismornng (ho principal result of the census is given, from which it appears that the population of tiro colony in March was 414,171. On March Ist, 1871, the population was 299,514, and in February, 1871, it was 250,393. A Suggestion. —The Sydenham borough has an endowment of 2000 acres in Rakaia, through which the railway will pass. There is to be a station on the reserve, and the name this is to bear is a matter yet to be decided. It was suggested last night that the name should bo Boothtown, in compliment to the first Mayor of the borough.

Sunnyside Asylum. —The sum realised from the benefit given by the Zealandia Minstrels, in aid of the recreation fund of tire Asylum, amounted to about £23, which Mr Seager intends remitting to an old colonist and friend of the institution now in London, with a request that he will purchase a wardrobe for theatrical representations. Mr Sturgeon. —With respect to a paragraph on the subject of Mr Spurgeon’s illhealth, which we quoted a day or two ago from an English paper, the Rev. MrDalloston informs us that ho recently received a letter from Mr Spurgeon, in which the writer stated that although he had been ill, hia health was now re-established. The paragraph in question was therefore incorrect. Death op Me. W. Hobbs. —Another of our old colonists, one who has been identified with Christchurch almost since the earliest days, has passed away in the person of Mr W. Hobbs, sen., who died on Sunday evening somewhat suddenly from effusion of the brain. Mr Hobbs, though not taking any active part in public matters, was very highly respected in private life as an energetic man of business and a good citizen.

Wesleyan Musical Festival. The musical festival in connection with the Durham street Wesleyan Church, will take place on Thursday next, at the church. The programme includes selections from Mozart and other great masters, and Mendelssohn’s cantata “ Festgesang.” The assistance of a number of musical friends has been promised, and the items on the programme will be rendered with full orchestra, choir, and organ, Mr J. T. M. Smith will conduct, and Mr R. T. Searcll preside at the organ. Body Washed Ashore. — A dead body was washed ashore on Saturday at Longbeach. Sergeant Felton started early yesterday morning to bring the corpse to Ashburton for a coroner’s inquest, which will be held today. Various surmises as to the identity of deceased are afloat, amongst which one is that he is the night-watchman supposed to have been drowned from the Himalaya, at Lyttelton, and another that ho probably formed one of the crew of the schooner seen floating bottom-up a fortnight ago off Longbeach.

The Taxation Question. —Wo have received from the author, E, J. Wakefield, a pamphlet entitled “ The taxes in New Zealand : Who pays ? Who doesn’t pay ? Who ought to pay ?” The publication is described as “ a handbook to taxation reform,” and a summary of the proposed reforms is given on page 40. They consist in brief of the abolition of the duties on all articles of food and other necessaries detailed, by which it is estimated that the revenue would lose £531,254. This is to be made up by a tax on all incomes of over £2OO a year ; a tax of £1 per annum as a voter’s right fee on every adult male not receiving £2OO a year ; 2s 6d per acre on all land sales, to bo carried to ordinary revenue ; and 2s 6d an acre on all land acquired by Europeans from natives, and a proportionate rate for leases. These changes Mr Wakefield calculates will leave a net profit on the whole to the revenue of £148,746. The Katikati Settlement—Of this settlement tho “New Zealander” says:— It is now only in its second year, and tho Tanranga local paper of Thursday last says that: —“ The first parcel of wheat grown by the Katikati settlers was brought to town yesterday by Mr H. M. Shepherd, and consist'd of 100 sacks. It was pronounced by millers to be a good sound sample, and was readily sold at 6s per bushel. Now that the lands of Katikati have been found capable of growing first-class wheat, it is hoped that the settlers will pay attention to this branch of farming; and next season wo hope to see thousands of bushels coming forward, so as to obviate the large importations from the South.” That the settlers there mean business, and are willing to help themselves, is also shown by another extract from the same paper, which ‘calls attention to an advertisement in which tho chairman of the Katikati Highway Board invites tenders for the construction of a bridge over the Uritara river. Disappointed Hopes.—Tho “ Wairarapa Register,” complains bitterly of the lengthened period which will elapse before the railway line is completed to Masterton. It remarks —“ It will be remembered that Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan promised, not only that the work would be put under contract as soon as the specifications were prepared, but also that it would be completed with all possible dispatch. ‘ I see no reason,’ said the latter gentleman, ‘ wliy trains shouldllnot runPto Masterton eighteen months after tho lino is completed to Peathorston, for there appear to bo no engineering difficulties, and tho sooner the line is completed the better will it be for you all.’ In the face of this we now learn that the time specified in the contract for the formation is two years ! This, we suppose, means at least three years before the line will be open for traffic to Masterton. We fail to see what necessity there is for giving such a long time. The work is simple enough, and there are no heavy fillings which would require time to settle. Tho bridges are not very extensive or expensive structures, and a good set of men could finish the three of them in twelve months. A lit,tie swamp is all that can cause any difficulty. And yet tho Government gives fully double the time that is actually required. Added to this, another difficulty is not impossible. Those who know best say that there is a considerable difference between the contract price and the engineer’s estimate. We need not say what a miscalculation of this kind might lead^to.”

Commissioners op Licensing Copets.— There are in tlio colony no less than 262 licensing districts, under the Public House Licensing Act, 1873. Of the list of members of these Courts, the following are appointed in the Canterbury district by warrant under the hand of the Governor issued on May 15th inst. For Waipara and Sefton, Messrs F. Courage, W. C. Fendall, C. J. Harper; for Oxford, Messrs J. R. Gorton, R. L. Higgins, W. Fisher; for Rangiora, Messrs J. C. Roys, A. H. Cunningham, S. Heywood ; for Mandeville and Kaiapoi, Messrs O. Dudley, R. L. Higgins, P. Threlkeld ; for Avon, Riccarton, North-west City of Christchurch, South-west City of Christchurch, North-east City of Christchurch, South-east City of Christchurch, Hcathcote, Springs, Lincoln, Halswell, Spreydon, Templeton, and Courtenay, Messrs R. J. S. Harman, G. Leslie Lee, H. J. Tancred; for South Malvern, East Malvern, Malvern, Upper Waimakariri, Lake Coleridge, and Rakaia, Messrs De R. J. Brett, J, A. Mcllraith, W. B. Tosswill ; for Ellesmere, Messrs IT. P. Hill, E. J. Lee, R. B. Willis; for Ashburton and Mount Somers, Messrs J. Grigg, J. E. Trevor, H. T. Winter ; for Town of Lyttelton, Port Victoria, and Port Levy, Messrs T. II Potts, J. T. Rouse, H. R. Webb; for Pigeon Bay, Okain’s Bay, Town of Akaroa and Wainui, and Little River, Messrs 11. 11. Fenton, A. C. Knight, E. C. Latter ; for Mount Peel and Geraldine, Messrs \\ . K. Macdonald, W. Postlethwaite, W. U. Slack ; for Temuka, Messrs E. Elworthy, T. \\ . Hall, J. A. Gammack ; for Levels, Town of Timaru, and Mount Cook, Messrs H. Belfuld, E. Elworthy, T. W. Hall ; for Waimate and Waitaki," Messrs E. Elworthy, J. E. Parker, T. Teschemaker. It will be seen from the above that a subdivision of many of (Re districts, and particularly of the Christchurch district, has taken place. The proclamation makes no reference to any published description of the new districts, nor is any description embodied in it. 8o far us wo are aware, the districts named have in many cases never been defined as required by the Licensing Act, 1873, nor have the definitions of the districts as previously existing been cancelled, nor the Commissioners of those districts relieved y tin l appointments,