NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1375, 12 July 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Wobe at Lyttelton. Owing to the capital supply of empty trucks, a good day's work was done in Lyttelton yesterday, no less than 162 loaded waggons being sent through. This was the heaviest day's work for some months.

Lyttelton Mutual Improvement Association. —A meeting of the above society was held in the Wesleyan schoolroom on the evening of the 10th. A discussion took place, the subject being " Ballot v Open Voting." Both sides of the question were ably argued, but at the conclusion of the argument, on the question being put to the meeting, a majority were in favour of vote by ballot. Cable and Mail Abbangements.—lt will be seen by a telegram published this morning that New Zealand has entered into the arrangement of the Australian Governments on the subject of cable communication with Europe, and has also made an agreement respecting the maintenance of the Cook Strait cable. Some alterations and additions to present mail arrangements have also been agreed upon. The Impounded Land Fund. The "Timaru Herald " of yesterday has a strong, but quite justifiable article on the Ministerial shuffling. The following is the concluding portion :—The farther the Treasury go in this matter, in fact the deeper they get into the mire. Their last manoeuvre is perhaps the most discreditable of all. Having after an unconscionable delay, at length made known how much they really intend to disgorge of the Road Boards' money, and being asked for a statement of the deductions which bring down the amount legally payable to so small a sum, they create further delay by a pretence of making up the accounts. Why ! the accounts might have been made up Bix months ago; ought to have been made months ago ; and must have been made up at all events before the distribution was made to the Road Boards on the 29t,h of June. Such miserable trickery is only worthy of a fraudulent bankrupt, and is simply scandalously disgraceful in the Government of the colony. Presentation. —On Wednesday, after the Kaiapoi school had been dismissed, the scholars and teachers assembled in the main room of the school, when the head master presented to Mr J. Matthews, second master, in their behalf, a purse of sovereigns. Mr Rayner referred to Mr Matthews' connexion with the schools of the town during the past fifteen years, and the good will which all felt towards him. Mr Matthews briefly thanked the scholars for the surprise and expression of their appreciation of his efforts. Remembering the copy-book heading—" Knowledge is power," he trusted they would strive more than ever to attend to the instructions of their teachers, with a view to acquiring that information which would enable them to take responsible positions, and gain the praise of society for their acquirements and industry. He hoped, should he continue to act in his present position, to see many of the promising ones advance considerably before leaving school. He begged to thank them all for the quite unexpected mark of good will. Rechabite Annivebsaby. The anniversary of the Pride of Christchurch Tent of the Independent Order of Rechabites was commemorated last evening by a public tea, followed by a meeting, in the Orange Hall, Worcester street. The hall was tastefully decorated with evergreens for the occasion. Tea was on the tables at six o'clock. A considerable number of members from the several tents were present. The tables were cleared by half-past seven o'closk, and the public, meeting took place, Brother J. T. Smith, of the Pride of Christchurch Tent, presided. Erom his statement it appears that the number of members in the various Tents amounts to 50,000. The Order has spread throughout Great Britain and extended to America, Australia, and _ New Zealand. In New Zealand central district thero are thirty Tents, with a membership of about 800. The accumulated funds amount to about £3500. The Pride of Christchurch Tent has been instituted twelve months, and is now fairly established. In the course of the evening addresses were delivered by the Revs. Smalley, Keast, and Mr W. Early. Singing, music, and a recitation contest also formed part of the evening's proceedings, which were in all respects successful. The meeting terminated about 10 p.m. Pbesentations. —At the close of the proceedings of the lodge of Oddfellows No. 6042, Southbridge, on Wednesday, 10th July, Bro. Daniel Brown, N.G., called upon Bro. William Clark, P.G., who was in specia' attendance, to present Bro. L. V. Desborough with a recognition of his services as secretary and influential member since the foundation of the lodge. Bro. Clark then expressed the conviction of the members that the progress of the lodge from 13 to 84 members had been mainly effected by the exertions of Bro. Desborough. Mr L. V. Desborough in a few words expressed his pleasure at receiving the gift, and in having co-operated to the best of his ability with the officers of the lodge, and that the interests of the lodge would always be dear to him, and the advantages of membership duly represented to his friends. The present consisted of a silver epergne and a flower stand.—Yesterday afternoon the employes of Messrs Hobday and Co. presented Miss Jackson, who is leaving the firm to go to Wellington, with an elaborately finished work-box and writing desk combined. Mr T. Smith, the manager, made the presentation on behalf of the employes, and Mr Hobday, for the firm, added a gold pencil-caße. During the four years Miss Jackson was at Waterloo House she has secured the esteem of her fellow-employes, and they all heartily wish her happiness. Dekd Dbafting by Laymen.—ln the case of Regina v. Salmon (says the " New Zealand Times "), tried on Saturday, a witness named William Bowden, employed in some capacity in the Resident Magistrate's Court, was called, and stated that he had prepared a deed of dissolution of partnership between prisoner and his partners. It appeared witness had received 80s, which he swore was for his time, not payment for services in drawing the deed. Whpn the witness was leaving the box the Chief Justice said—" Ido not think I should bo doing my duty unless 1 expressed publicly my surprise on the one hand that members of the community should entrust to persons like this witness or to any person other than a skilled conveyancer the drawing of an instrument such as a di>*olution of partnership ; on the other hand, I must express my astonishment that persons like this witness should venture, in defianoe of the law, to prepare documents which the Legislature lias declared shall be drawn only by properly qualified and skilled conveyancers. 1 should add that the object of the Legislature is to ensure that persons employed by the public in such matters shall be not only skilled but trustworthy." Mr Barton said Mr Kennedy Maedonald seemed to take a different view from that expressed by his Honor. The Legislature allowed anybody, whether skilled or not, to get a license to do conveyancing under the Land Transfer Act, which will be ultimately the whole conveyancing of the country. He didn't see the difference between those agents and the present instance,

Diocesan- Sunday School Association. —A meeting of this association was held List night in the St. Luke's schoolroom, under the presidency of the Rev. Mr Stack. There was a moderate attendance. The business of the evening was a model scriptural lesson by Mr Q-ee to a cltss of boys and girls. At its conclusion, Mr G-ee invited criticism, and, in response to the invitation, the Rev. Mr Flavell, the chairman, and Mr Blakiston, offered some valuable suggestions, A vote of thanks to Mr G-ee waß then accorded. Canterbury and Chabity.—Commenting on the action of the Canterbury local bodies with respect to the charities, the Auckland "Star" says : -A joint conference of Canterbury local bodies, after considering the temp'ing offer of the Government, carried a resolution in favor "of relieving the embarrassed Colonial Secretary of his troubles, by undertaking the administration of charitable relief, pending parliamentary action. The delegate from Christchurch alone stoutly resisted the decision, on the ground that the cart was going before the horse —that, in fact, permanent legislation should provide for the maintenance of these institutions before local bodies incur any responsibility. There is a good deel of force in this. If the Government are really so generous that they will pay the full subsidies and half the charitable relief, why not put their agreement in businesslike form, and pass an Act giving it al the stability of law. It may, perhaps, be said that a subsequent Government and Parliament would still have power to alter it. Very true, if the representatives of the people so desired, but members have some respect for their constituents, and it is hard to get any majority to ratify an increase of local burdens. Canterbury Baptist Association.—On Wednesday evening last a tea and public meeting in connection with the above association was held in the Hereford street Baptist Church. About IGO persons sat down to tea, which had been amply provided for by several ladies belonging to the various churches connected with the association. After tea a public meeting was held, when the chair was taken by Mr J. W. Sawle, president of the association. The chairman congratulated the friends present upon the success of the meeting, which was more largely attended than any previous one held under the auspices of the association. This, he said, augured favorably for a greater interest being taken in it than previously. He then stated that the object of the present meeting was to welcome their new Evangelist, the Rev. Smith, who had recently arrived from England, Mr Smith would principally labor amongst the country churches of the association, as well as visiting isolated families who were unable to attend any church. He urged those present to give him their hearty sympathy and support. The Rev. Smith, who, on rising, thanked those present for their kind reception of him, gave an account of his conversion, the time he had spent at the Training Institute at Hackney, and the reasons that had led him to come out to New Zealand. He said his main object was not to spread denominationalism, but to preach the doctrines of the Cross. Addresses were also delivered by Rev. C. Dallaston, Messrs R. A. Colee, D. Clarke, and Efford. The meeting was then brought to a close by the Rev. C. Dalleston pronouncing the benediction. Several of Sankey's hymns were sung during the evening, Miss Verrall presiding at the harmonium.

Coursing.—The entries for the Sapling Stakes, to be run on the 2(Jth instant, must be made with the secretary of the Coursing Club to-day. {frflf Volunteer Artillery.—The half-yearly meeting of the Christchurch Artillery will be held this evening immediately after inspection parade. ' L.O.L.—The brethren of the City Crange Lodges, under the presidency of the JJ-W.M., Bro. Revell, will celebrate the anniversary of the 12th July by a dinner at the Terminus Hotel this evening. Timaru Steeplechases. The railway authorities announce that single tickets for Timaru issued at stations north of that town to-morrow will be available for return until Tuesday night next. Congregational Church.—The fifteenth anniversary of the Sunday school connected with Trinity Cnurch will be celebrated by special services on Sunday next. '! he Rev. E. Walker will conduct the morning and evening services, and the Rev. J. Smalleythe children's service, which is to take place at 3 p m.