NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1357, 20 June 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

City Auditors. —The enquiry into the validity of the recent election of city auditors took ploco this afternoon, and the election declared void. County Council Confebknce.—A_ conference of Connty Councils within the district of Canterbury was held to-day to consider the Sheep and Fencing Bills, proposed to be introduced by the Government. The counties represented were Selwjn, Ashley, Waimate, Ashburton, and Akaroa The Bills were gone through, and several alterations suggested, after which the conference adjourned. Acclimatisation. The Acclimatisation Society's gamekeeper was yesterday, at his own request, sworn in as a special constable. Political.—Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley, M.H.R. for Lyttelton, addressed his constituents last night at the Colonists' Hall, Lyttelton. There was a large attendance. A report of the proceedings will be found elsewhere. Rakaia and Ashburton Foeks Railway.—The contract for this railway has been let, and the works will be proceeded with at once, as it is the intention of the directors to have the line open for traffic, if possible, in time for next harvest. Coursing.—The second meeting of the Canterbury Coursing Club for the season will take place in the North Park on Friday, July 21st. An efficient and experienced slipper has been engaged. The first pair of dogs will be in the slips punctually at half-past nine o'clock.

TnE Christchuech and Lyttelton Traffic. —Owing to the capital stock of empty waggons sent to Lytteltoj. yesterday, some unusually long trains of loaded waggons were sent through to Christchurch. One, the longest yet sent over the line, consisted of fifty-one full trucks, and another numbered forty. Education Board of North Canter-bury.—-Thirteen persons have been nominated to fill the vacancy in the Education Board of the district of North Canterbury, caused by tbe resignation of Mr J. V. Colborne-Veel. The election will be held on Thursday, 4th July. Mutual Improvement Association.— This Association met last evening under the chairmanship of the Rev. W. Morley. Two new members, Messrs A. Palmer and Ashwood, were elected. Mr Gfoodsall read an essay entitled good government." The subject for discussion at the next meeting will be—" The endlessness of future punishments."

St. Michael's Chobal Society.—There was a full muster of vocal sts and instrumentalists of this society for the rehearsal of Mendelssohn's "Athalie," and Sterndale Bennett's " May Queen," the public performance of which will be given on Thursday next at St. Michael's schoolroom. The rehearsal last night was in every way most satisfactory.

1.0.0. F., M.U. —The half-yearly meeting of the Loyal Rangiora Lodge was held on Monday evening, when there was a large attendance of brothers. The officers elected and installed were—Bros. G. Fennell, G.M.; G. Luxton, N.G.; T. Shields, V.G-.; E. Pratt, E.S. ; C. Alling'ton, W.; W. Wadey, I.G-.; A. Derbridge, R.H.S.; C. Jennings, L.H.S.; and J. Calder and A. Duncan, auditors.—The half-yearly meeting of the Loyal Kaiapoi Lodge was held on Tuesday evening, when the officers installed were— Bros. W. Moody, Q-.M.; J. T. Squire, N.G. ; P. Bate, V.G.; S. Hardey, E.S.; J. Bugg, W.; J. McDonald, G.; A. T. Clark and G. H. Blackwell, auditors 5 P.G. Fraser, treasurer.

Escape op a Pbisoneb. —One of the prisoners confined in Lyttelton Gaol escaped yesterday. He is a man twenty-one years of age, named James Patrick Casey, and was sentenced at Timaru, on the 12th of last December, to four years' penal servitude. Yesterday he was employed in the gang working on the Governor's Bay road, at the hill leading to Eaupaki, and was under the immediate charge of Principal Warder Ryan. At 2.5 p.m. he suddenly made a bolt, and when Warder Ryan called on him to stop he refused, upon which Mr Ryan fired at him, but missed. The other prisoners were at once marched in in charge of the other officers, and Principal Warder Ryan and Mr Jones, the foreman of works, went in pursuit of prisoner, and after a run of two miles succeeded in capturing him in one of the bushes at Governor's Bay. He had thrown away his shoes in order to run more easily. County Bobeowino. —At the last meeting of the Tuapeka County Council, the following letter was read : —" Masterton,Wairarapa, May 6th, 1878 : Sir, —I am requested by the chairman of the Council of Wairarapa East to forward you a copy of the following resolution passed by this Council, and to request the careful consideration and co-operation of your Council in urging the importance of the question on the Government —" That this Council is of opinion that the Government should be strongly urged during the next session to make provision for raising loans for County purposes by a Central Board of Works, with authority to distribute such amounts among the Counties requiring loans on a definite basis, taking security on local rates; as such a body would undoubtedly be able to raise loans on much more favourable terms than can be done by isolated local bodies.'—l have, &c, R. Wilson, Clerk W.E.C.C." The consideration of the subject was postponed, and notice given of the following resolution —"That this Council fully recognised the necessity that exists for facilities being given to Counties to borrow upon the most favourable circumstances, and will be prepared at the forthcoming Conference to instruct their representative to give the matter his most serious consideration as to the best means to be adopted."

Important Judgment in the R.M. Cottet. —Yesterday morning the Resident Magistrate gave judgment in the case of Saunders and Henderson v Thompson, Andrews, and Alpe. The claim was for the amount of bill accepted by the defendants, two of whom were directors, the third being manager, of the late Co-operative Store. Mr G-arrick appeared for plaintiffs, and MiHarper for defendants. The facts were not disputed, but the point,> reljed upon by the pkintiffs were—that the defendants had accepted the bill in such a manner as to make themselves as individuals liable at common law [7 and 8 Victoria, chap. 110 sect. 45, adopted in the Mercantile Amendment Act, 1880], and that by their non-compliance with the terms of the Joint Stock Companies Act they were liable personally to the penalty for such non-compliance, to wit the payment of the bill. The Resident Magistrate said—- " The judgment will be for the defendants, for it is perfectly clear—from the 48th clause of the Joint Stock Companies Act, which says a promissory note or bill of exchange, shall be deemed to have been accepted or endorsed on behalf of any company registered under the Act if made accepted or endorsed in the name of the company by any person acting under the express or implied authority of the company —that these parties were acting under the implied authority of the company—a fact which was well known to the plaintiffs, who had had similar transactions before. I could find only one minute, that of the 9th May, giving authority to anyone except to Mr Alpe, the manager. Part of his duty was to sign all bills aj.d promissory notes, and to countersign all cheques. There is no provision fo;" anyone else to sign bills. There is a resolution authorising Mr Thompson and others to sign cheques. This is not a case whero the bill has passed into the hands of third parlies ; it is still between the principals, and resolves itself into the axiom of' whose credit were the goods supplied upon ?' It was perfectly well known that they (the plaintiffs) were supplying the goods on the credit of the company. The cases cited did not affect this case in the slightest degree. In that of the Isle of Wight Company, the plaintiff stated that he would only land the money on the personal credit of the directors. As the plaintiffs here supplied the goods on the credit of the company, they must look to the company for payment." Mr G-arrick, with the consent of Mr Harper, asked his Wort-hip to put his judgment in writing, so that an appeal, if it should be found to be desirable, might be made. His Worship promised to comply with the request.

The Hon. Gk M. Wateehouse.—One of the Wellington papers understands that the Hon,. Gk M. Waterhouse will arrive in New Zealand from England in time to take his peat in the Legislative Council next session of Parliament.

The Membee foe Dunstan.—Mr Vincent Pyke, M.H.K., was announced to speak at Alexandra last night, on " The Political Past, Present, and Future," but whether the sketch was to be in the form of a lecture or an enunciation pure and simple of the hon. gentleman's political expressions and actions, does not clearly appear.

The Waipa Constituency.—Mr H. W. Farnall, who formerly represented Rodney in the Assembly, was subsequently immigration officer in Ireland, and ha,s been for some years endeavoring to obtain recognition of his claims against the colony arising out of the termination of his engagement, is spoken of as a candidate for the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr Alfred Cox.

Judge Rogan's Recall. — Re the recall as it has been diplomatically termed, of Judge Rogan, the Napier " Telegraph " explains thus: —" The re-appointment of Mr Rogan to his office as Judge of the Native Lands Court is due, we hear, to the necessity of his signature to memorials of ownership adjudicated upon by him, and to other papers relating to his past duties.

Sheep and Fencing Bills. —In accordance with the suggestion made some time ago by the Ashburton County Council, a conference of County Councils of the provincial district of Canterbury will be held to-dty, for the purpose of discussing the Fencing and Sheep Bills, forwarded by the (3-overnment for consideration by the County Councils,

Mandeyille and Rangiora Road Boaed Election. —There is to be a keen contest for the seat vacated by Mr H. Dudding on this Board. Messrs W. Sansom, jun., E. Mulo )ck, and J. Stalker, are already in the field. The election will take place on the 26th. Mr J. Josling was also a candidate, but retired in favor of Mr Mulcock, who was induced, after much persuasion, to come forward.

Kaiapoi Railway Platpo2m.—An attempt has been made to light up this platform with hand lamps, which to passengers in the approaching trains appear like the footlights of a stage. Directly the passengers step out of the train the lights are quite hidden by the ladies' dresses or piles of luggage. If a decent lamp were placed at an elevation over the platform the much required light would be given. The present arrangement is ineffective and ridiculous.

The Raoehobse Falcon.— Mr O. 0. McGee's racehorse Falcon, which was disqualified by the stewards at the Auckland meeting, met with such serious injuries that it has been found necessary to shoot him. The horse was being ridden at the time by Mr Young, who attempted to leap him over a blind drain. Falcon, however, did not rise, but fell into the drain, breaking his fore-leg near the shoulder. Of course, nothing could be done for the unfortunate animal, and after communicating with his owner, he was shot to put him out of pain.

Municipal Councilloes in Tbouble.— The Cromwell " Argus" hears that informations have been laid, at the instance of Mr John Marsh, against the Mayor and three Borough Councillors, for voting on the question of lessening the width of Melmore Terrace, on the ground that they were personally interested in the matter. Our contemporary presumes the steps taken are under the 75th section of the Municipal Corporations Aot, which runs—" sfo Councillor shall vote upon or take any part in the discussion of any matter before the Council in which he has, directly or indirectly, by himself or his partners, any interest." The maximum penalty is fixed at £SO for each offence.

Cust School Committee. A special meeting of the district school committee was held on Monday evening. Present —Messrs Head (chairman), Cromie, Early, Grant, and O'Farrell. Correspondence was received from the Board of Education re Keat's tender and the expenses incurred by E. E. Searell in attending the scholarship examination. Only two applications were received by the committee for the post of mistress, though the situation is worth £IOO a year. Of the two who applied, one was considered too young for so large a school, and the other had no Canterbury certificate. The chairman waa requested to refer the matter to the Board. It was resolved to call for tenders for planting the school ground, and for gravelling about the school. The committee decided that the holidays should be the la6t week in June. The master's report was read and considered.

Southbbilge.—A meeting of the Mutual Improvement Society was held in the schoolroom, Southbridge, on Monday, 17th June, to receive a paper prepared by the Rev. W. Harper on "The best form of Government." The Rev. W. Harper was requested to take the chair. In the absence, owing to the weather, of many who had expressed a wi6,h to be present, Mr Harper consented to postpone the reading until Monday, Ist July. Questions as to the closing of last season were satisfactorily answered by the late president, Mr Ellwin, who stated, however, that the books and lists had not as yet come to land. It was resolved that the meetings bo held on Monday in each week, as desired by many members, that arrangement being likely to secure a regular attendance. A committee was appointed to draw up a set of rules to be submitted to the meeting of Ist July, for whioh day the election of a president was fixed.

Entertainment.—On Friday evening last an entertainment was given in the Institute Hall at Cust, for the purpose of forming a prize fund in connection with (he day school; Mr John Head, chairman of the school committee, presided. The attendance was very good, notwithstanding the unfavorable state of the weather. The programme consisted of readings, recitations, and song?, together with a number of rounds, &c, very nicely 6ung by the school children, who had been carefully taught by Mrs Searell. One item in the programme, a " Spelling Bee," caused much amusement, fourteen competitors mounting the platform. The Rev. H. n. Hamilton acted as referee, and Mr' Meredith gave out the words. There was some capital spelling. Yotes of thanks were passed to those who hacj. got up the entertainment. The total receipts were £4 8s 6d.

Flattening to Hokitika. —The '*Timaru Herald" holds that Sir George Grey was guilty of no breach of trust, but simply of a practical joke at the expense of Hokifika in suggesting his nephew as a representative. It may yet be hoped that the majority of the Hokitika electors -will show on polling day that the " Herald " has overshot the mark in describing them as follows —A degraded constituency lie at the of the god of thp day—the dispenser of present gifts —ready to. lickhis boots or do anything els 3 that he pulses. They say—" Here are our suffrages. them. Give them to whom .you eVCJSe.' Where thou goest we will go. Thy member shall be our member, and thy vote our vote." What was Sir George to do ? Was he to suggest some one v.ho knew what was what, who had a mind of his own, who might p sfibly criticise his measures, or even support Mr Ballance ? No, decidedly not. That, would have bpen a very tame way of dealing with 3uch material. He 6ould not suggest himself, because he already represents the Thames. So he did the next thing to it. He said, " Here is my nephew. He was with me on the Coast, It's all in the family. Elect him him, and it will be just the same as if you elected ire." In a word, he knew the people he hud to deal with. He assumed he had to deal with a conf tituency of beggars, corrupt and subservient to lhe'ec>re, to whom no insult would be offensive coming from the man in power ; and, quite logically and justifiably, he consulted not their" precious feelings, but only his own expediency in the course he took! We hope that the Hokitika eleetoi s will be consistent and thorough in their li k-spitUe loyulty, and will return Mr George by 'a thumping majority. If they reject him they will snye themselves from political damnation, truly—but they will utterly spoil the best joke that has been eesaved lor many ycaie.

The Naming op Hapttktt. The " Wannnga " furnishes the following :—ln times of old, and even in the present day, when a Maori child had a Maori name given to it, such name was invariably the index to some injury committed, or act done by those to whom tho child was related, and thus history was perpetuated and a knowledge of it preserved in the names of the people of a tribe. The names of the late chief Hapuku had their origin in this way. Some time before Te Hapuku was born, the corpse of the son of the great Hawke's Bay chief, Te Pakiko, was being taken from the settlement in which he died to the sacred place at Waimarama. The procession carrying the corpse, in passing some strangers on the road, or.e of them said, "Is that a codfish (hapuku) which is being carried ?" When tho child was born, Hapuku (codfish) was the name given to it, to keep the insult in remembrance. Karanema was the eldest son of Te Hapuku, who just before he died asked for Aruhe (fern-root) to be given to him -to eat. Hence Hapuku assumed the name of Aruhe to keep the dying wish of his son in remembrance. The Europeans who could not speak Maori, having Iveard that Hapuku stood for codfish, some of them in a joke instead of calling him Hapuku in Maori, said in English, " Well, great fish of the sea," This being translated to the old chief, he put it into Maori and hence his other and last name, "To Ika nui o te Moana."