NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1381, 19 July 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Supreme Court. —The civil sittings of the Supreme Court were resumed this morning at ten o’clock, when the case of Bank of Australasia y Pryde was called on. Dr. Foster, with him Mr Q-, Il irper, appeared for the plaintiff. The defendant, who, since the commencement of the action, had filed his schedule of insolvency, was not represented by counsel, but Mr Garrick appeared on behalf of the trustee of the estate, Mr T. B. Craig. A special jury was empannelled, when an argument arose as to the continuance of the case. Ultimately Mr Garrick proposed, on behalf of the trustee, that the case should stand over till next sitting, there being a probability of the plaintiff’s claim being allowed, the trustee undertaking to pay the costs of the day, the costs of the cause to bo paid out of the estate. This concluded the nisi prills business.

Solar Eclipse. —A total eclipse of the sun will take place on July 30th, but will not be visible in New Zealand.

1.0.0. F., M.U —At the half-yearly meeting of the Loyal Volunteer Lodge, No. 5128, North Canterbury district, the ceremony of installation of officers for the ensuing term took place. The names of the brot hers elected are as follows : —N.G., Bro. Ward ; Y.G., Bro. Hobbs; Bro. Bryan takes the G.M. chair ; E S., Bro. Hockin ; W., Bro. Brown ; Tyler, Bro. Smith ; R.S. to N.G., Bro. Gilmore ; L S to N.G., Bro. Rhind; R.S. to V. , Bro. R. McLean ; L.S. to Y.G., Bro. W. McLean ; surgeon, Dr. Doyle; Permanent Secretary, P.P.G.M., Bro. Ashton. The lodge numbers sixty-four members, and the receipts of the evening wpre 16s.

St, Michael’s. —An entertainment was given at the new schoolroom of St. Michael’s Parish last evening. The programme comprised part songs, solos and instrumental selections, a lecture by the Rev. E. GL Penny, and a scene from Sheridan’s comedy of “ The Rivals.” There was a very good attendance, and the various items on the programme were well rendered.

Board op Education.— -At the meeting of the Board of Education held yesterday, a deputation of the East Christchurch school committee submitted certain suggestions, which are detailed in the report. Mr Edge, head master of the Lyttelton school, was appointed inspect or of schools in the place of Mr Hammond appointed to South Canterbury. 1.0 G.T. Anniversary. —A commemorative annual tea meeting of the members and friends of the above order took place last evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street. Addresses were delivered by the ministers of various denominations, and some excellent music by friends to the cause enlivened the proceedings. Trees in Cbanmkb Square,-— Sometime ago attention was directed to the work of destruction carried on by the larrikins of this neighbourhood amongst the trees'? planted round Cranmer square. Now that the planting season has come round again it would be well if the places hitherto occupied by the trees destroyed were filled up with others, care being taken to secure each one by fencing. Presentation.—On Friday last the staff of the Bank of New Zealand assembled to present Mr E. G. Siaveley with a silver tea and coffee service, butter dish and sugar basin, upon the latter of which was a neat inscription bearing testimony to the high esteem in which lie is held by his fellow officers. Mr Staveley, who for some time past held the position of correspondent in the Christchurch Bank, has been promoted to the charge of the Southbridge agency.

Taranaki Larrikins. —Another diabolical attempt (says the “Taranaki Herald”) to throw the train off the line has been made by putting stones on the rails. This time a spot near Sentry Hill has been the scene of operations, and has been the means of smashing a portion of the break of one of the carriages. It is supposed to be the work of some boys, and it is to be hoped that when these young larrikins are caught they will receive such punishment as will make them remember it during their whole lifetime. New Zealand Sponge. —Q-ood serviceable sponge is it seems to be included amongst the resources of the colony, and, if the statement of the Poverty Bay “ Herald” is correct, the establishment of a thriving local industry is by no means improbable, a great deal of sponge being imported. Our contemporary says : That large quantities of sponge may be found growing a short distance from here on the beach. Mr Helps, in Mr Rogan’s office, has shown us some very fine samples, which he has cleaned, and in appearance they seem equal to those purchased in the shops. Judging by the size and quality of those shown to us, these sponges should prove a valuable article to export. Sefxon. —A large meeting of farmers and others residing in this district was held on Wednesday evening, for the purpose of considering the best means to be adopted for the destruction of the sparrows. Mr C. S Edwards was voted to the chair. Mr John Moss proposed—“ That a committee be formed to make enquiries as to the best means to be adopted for the destruction of the sparrows,” which was seconded by Mr John McLeod, and carried. The following gentlemen were elected as a committee —Messrs M. Hanna, J. Ferguson, John Yallance, jun., John McLeod, John Moss, John Baird, 0. S. Edwards, I). Lilly, A. Yallance, jun., S. Wilson, jun., R. Lilly. The chairman was requested to communicate with the secretary of the Kaiapoi Farmers’ Club, asking their advice and instruction as to the best method to adopt for destruction of the sparrows. More Diplomacy. —Respecting Mr Joshua Jones, and the speech he delivered at the Wuitara meeting, the “ Taranaki News ” has the following highly suggestive remarks : “We have referred elsewhere to one Joshua Jones, who, to the great weariness of his hearers, read a so-called speech at the Wait ira meeting last Monday. ‘Mr Joshua Jones’ of Mokau,’ as the 1 Herald ’ calls him, more commonly known as ‘ the Mokau settler who lives in New Plymouth,’ and who evidently has no objection to see the last drop of his partner’s blood shed so long as he acquires some land there, read with so much hesitation and made such bungling over the big words with which the oration was garnished, that evidently it could not have been the offspring of his own brain. We learn that this precious productions has been telegraphed over the colony, so we presume that it was concocted with some object. Could Jones’ illustrious friend (at least he claims him as such), the great ‘ Pro-consul,’ have furnished him with the draft ? ‘ Yerily, the voice is the voice of Jacob, though the hands are the hands of Esau.’ ”

Entertainment at Atonside. The second of the winter series of these popular entertainments was given on Tuesday, the 16th instant, at the schoolroom, and although owing to the bitterly cold night there was not as usual a crowded house, the room was well filled by a highly appreciative audience. The feature in the programme was undoubtedly the readings, which will be understood when we mention that Mr John Ollivier and Mr William Day recounted respectively the mishaps of the family of Potts, and some speeches at the Freemason’s Tavern after a dinner given on behalf of the society for sending blankets and top boots to the subjects of the King of the Cannibal Islands. The songs were rendered almost without exception in a manner much above the average amateur standard, and one, viz., “ The Lover and the Bird,” by a lady previously a stranger at these entertainments, was really a vocal gem. Another lady, also a stranger, sang sweetly the favorite song “Jessie of Dunblane.” It is only justice to state that the accompaniments to the songs were played by the incumbent’s wife in a manner which left nothing to be desired.

Cadetships and Public School Children. — A circular memorandum (says the “Post”), which has been issued by (he Q-ovcrnment to the chairmen of the various school committees throughout the colony, will be read with general interest and approval. It is as follows :—“ Memorandum for chairmen of school committees —In view of the numerous vacancies likely to occur for cadets in the public departments of the Civil Service, the Q-overnment is desirous of giving every encouragement to youths attending the public schools of the colony to obtain such appointments. Tbe chairmen of school committees are therefore requested to forward to the Hon. the Minister of Education, as soon as possible a list of youths over sixteen years of age at present or formerly pupils of public schools, whom they can recommend for ability, good conduct, and general fitness to fill such vacancies as cadets as may be open from time to time. By order, John Hislop. Department of Education, Wellington, 20th June, 1878.”

A New Dramatic Exhibition. A “show” of a peculiar character, says a northern contemporary, is about to leave America for New Zealand. It is the grand and unique dramatic exhibition of “ The Deluge, or Paradise Lost.” It is owned by the energetic Keralfy Brothers, of Philadelphia, and is a drama of a magnificent spectacular kind, something like “ Round the World in Eighty Days.” It illustrates Mill on’s Paradise' Lost, in a dramatic form, supported by a full company of actors and actresses, numbering about forty. M'ss Julia Seaman has from its initial performance represented Satan, and amongst other characters sustained are Abel, Cain, Adam, Eve, Tophet, Ithuriel, Mammon, Raphael, &c. Its scenery is Pandemonium, Garden of Eden, Satan in Judgment, and also a panorama of the aerial voyage of his Satanic Majesty. This massive production was originally represented in New York some two years ago, and since that time has been shown in all the principal cities of the States. From what I know of the Australian people it will come rather rough on their ideas, but I think that the grandeur of the affair will ultimately tend to its success financially—artistically, it is bound to be great. I feel curious to see how Eve will be dressed ; as to Satan, we have him frequently in our fancy balls in a variety of shapes.

The Spabbows.—A ■ correspondent of the “ Auckland Herald ” sends the following to that journal: —lt appears that some farmers have commenced the wholesale poisoning of pheasants, sparrows, and birds in general, in order to protect seed corn. It cannot be too widely known that seed corn can be effectually “ pickled ” without risk to rooks and other birds, and with saving to the farmer. I therefore send you a receipt. Mr James Howard, the eminent agricultural implement maker, Bedford, writes to the “ Times: —“ For a sack of corn (four bushels) take half a-pint of gas tar, 11b. of vitriol, and 1 gallon of hot water. Pour the liquid, well mixed, over the seed with a common watering pot twelve hours before sowing.” Football — The following are the names of the fifteen cho«en t» re; resent the hastern F othall club in the match to he pln.ye i to-morrow alternoon against the Christchurch Club:— Paid. Boulton, Morri=, T. 18. Joynt, W. M. Joyut, Wilson, Kinning, Crowe, E. G. Hawkes, Campbell, Scott, Keith, Johnston, Fooks (captain), Elliott, Emergencies—Gilchrist, Martin, Parson. Play to commence on Oranmcr square at 3 o’clock sharp.