NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1396, 6 August 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Financial Statement. —lt is announced this morning in the Ministerial organ (the “New Zealander”) that the Financial Statement will be delivered to-night, notwithstanding what has been said to the contrary. The Defence of the Colony.— Some interesting correspondence yesterday laid upon the table of the House, in reference to the defence of New Zealand, and telegraphed to ns by our Wellington correspondent, will bo found in another part of this issue. Cablegram Interruption. —The Port Darwin line is again interrupted, this time north of Daly Waters. It will be a good thing for the colonies when we have a dupli cate cable, so as not to be placed so much at the mercy of the Port Darwin line, as we have been for the last few months.” Political Eoces Ahead.— The notice of motion given by Mr Curtis, and which will be found under our telegraphic heading of “ Parliamentary Items,” is one of the most important ever brought before the notice of the House, and is likely to provoke a debate that may be as prolonged ns the celebrated Abolition debate itself.’ Briefly, Mr Curtis wishes to take from the Government the power of nominating members to the Legislative Council, and to give that power to the House of Assembly. Other changes are also included in tho motion, but these are the chief. Even should the resolution pass the Lower House, and the Government bring in a Bill as suggested, and carry it, it is hardly likely to pass the “ Lords.” Benefit of Mb John IMabshall.— Benefits of late appear to be the order of tho day, and when they are deserved it must give everybody interested in such matters pleasure to see these appeals for patronage so heartily responded to as they have been during the last few weeks. In no case, however, do we know of a more deserving beni/icier than Mr John Marshall, who was so well and favorably known as the “Johnson” and basso of the Chicago Minstrels and who has, since the dissolution of that troupe, settled dowh in Christchurch. Lately Mr Marshall has been better’known through bis connection with our local “ Zealandia” Minstrels, and the benefit (now fixed to take place on the 15th irst.) has been tendered to him by those “ sable ” gentlemen, as a slight recognition of the trouble and time that he has devoted to their interests —for as their moving spirit and centre man, he has had the most arduous of all duties to perform. A committee of private gentlemen has taken the matter in hand, arid if results can be guagod by popularity, then Mr Marshall should have a big “ ben.” An especially good and original programme will he gore through on the occasion, and a novelty will be introduced in the first part (the “chair” business) in the shape of four “ corner ” men. In the second part, to consist of an olln podridi, quite a host of amateurs have given their services, and their portion of tho entertainment may be looked forward to with pleasure, judging from some of the names we have heard. The tickets are going off very fast, and wo have no doubt Mr Marshall will receive what he well deserves—a bumper house. We should add that the benefit will take place at the Theatre Eoyal.

Ellesmere Eecrbation Ground. —An Order in Council is gazetted bringing the Ellesmere recreation ground under the Public Domains Act, 1860, and appointing the following Board to administer it—Messrs S. Lemon, J. MeKellar, W. Bishop, L, Y. Desborough, and W Graham.

The Cattle Market Eeserve. —At the meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council last evening, a telegram was read advising the Council to take possession at once of the five acres of laud at Addington, claimed by the City Council as the reserve for the cattle market. Probably tho subject will be discussed at the next meeting of the City Council.

Canterbury v. Australian Cricketers. —The arrangements for the matches between Canterbury and the Australian Eleven now in England,, on their return to Victoria, are all but complete. Consent to play on the part of the majority of the team playing here with the Australians has been secured, and under present arrangements they will set forth on their travels about December 16th, Thk San Francisco Mail.—lt will bo seen from the shipping telegrams that the Taranaki, with the San Francisco mail on board, has met with very bad weather, in consequence of which she was delayed off New Plymouth, and only left the Taranaki roadstead at 10.30 yesterday morning. It is not possible therefore that the mail will be delivered in Christchurch before Wednesday evening. Municipal Endowments. - There is trouble in the minds of the Sydenham Council as to the action of the Government in giving them only 855 acres out of the 2000 acre endowment selected. This has been intensified by the fact that a portion of the same reserve has been granted to the Borough of Eangiora. A resolution expressive of the feelings of the Sydenham Council upon tho matter was agreed to last night, and a copy ordered to bo forwarded by telegram to the Government and to tho Canterbury members. _ The latter were also to bo asked to lend their assistance to secure what the Council considers its rights An Inaudible Parliament.— ln some respects it would seem that tho improvements in the Representatives’ chamber during the recess have been made in a wrong direction. One of our Wellington contemporaries says : across tho House of Representatives for the purpose of improving the sound were taken away, and the result has been that the acoustic properties, which before wore anything but what they should be, have become worse instead of better. This was easily perceptible in tho reporters’gallery on Tuesday night ; and if some lion, members had been addressing tho House, it would have been impossible to hear what was said, or to report the speeches made with any degree of accuracy. ’*

The Salmon fob Wanganui:.—Respecting the salmon shipped hence to Wanganui, the “Chronicle” sms:—We are sorry to hear that of the 2CO salmon which left Christchurch for Wanganui a few days bach, only twelve have survived to reach their destination. It is surmised that while waiting in Wellington for transhipment on board the Stormbird, they were left unsupplied with fresh water.

Borough of Ashburton. —In the “Now Zealand Gazette” of August Ist the appointment of Mr Charles Brad dell as town clerk of the borough of Ashburton and returning officer for the first election of mayor, councillors, and auditors is notified. The days appointed for the elections are—for mayor, Monday, 2nd September; for councillors, Wednesday, 4th September, and for auditors, Friday. 6th September. The first meeting of the council is to be held in the Ashburton Town Hall, on Monday, 9th September, at noon.

Holy Trinity Church, Lyttelton.— The Very Rev. the Dean of Christchurch inducted the Rev. Mr Townsend to the incumbency of Holy Trinity Church, Lyttelton, on Sunday last. For the first time, the choir appeared in surplices, the anthem for the morning being, “Oh, how amiable,” from the 84th Psalm, and that in the evening being “ Holiest, breathe an evening blessing.” The sermon was preached in the morning by the Dean, who spoke strongly on the necessity for an assistant curate for the shipping, gaol, &c. In the evening the newly-inducted incumbent preached. There was a full choir of ten men and fourteen boys. Akaeoa County Ridings. —As an instance of how unfairly some of the ridings in this county are represented, the chairman mentioned at the Council meeting on Thursday last that the Little River riding, which has a valuation roll of £10,680, and collected in rales last year £312, has only one member, while Okain’s Bay road district returns three members to the Council, with a valuation roll of £4550, and collecting £256 in rates. As will have been observed from the report of the meeting, the preliminary steps have been taken to place the representation of the two districts on a fairer basis. Canterbury Gaols. —The Chief Gaoler reports on the state of the gaols at the end of July 99 prisoners in confinement at Lyttelton, 48 at Addington, and 19 at Timaru. During the month there were five debtors in imprisonment at Lyttelton and one at Timaru. Of the former one was discharged, the other four remained. On June 30th there were 172 prisoners in the three gaols; the month has therefore diminished the total by six. Since the Ist of February, that is dining the last six months, there have been 668 prisoners discharged from the three gaols, but the total number in gaol at the end of the period is only ten less than at its commencement. The returns do not show how often the same prisoner was in confinement during the period named.

The Premier and the Catholics.— The following is a portion of the proceedings in the House last Wednesday—Mr Johnston inquired of the Premier if the Government intend to place a sum on the estimates this session as a grant in aid of Eoman Catholic schools P He proceeded to read the remarks made on this point by the Premier when addressing a public meeting in Wellington, in which he asserted the right of the Eoman Catholics to special consideration. The Speaker said it was out of order to introduce debateablo matlerjwhen putting a question. Mr Johnston said in that case he would merely call tho attention of the Premier to his utterances before the electors, and ask the question. Sir George Grey said it was not the intention of the Government to make special provision for any denominational schools.

Waiareka-Livingstonk Eatlway.—Wo (“ North Otago Times ”) are informed that a copy of the report of the engineer appointed by the Government to survey the several routes for the proposed extension of the Waiareka Branch Sailway to Livingstone, has been received, and that the report is of a highly satisfactory nature. The route from Windsor to Livingstone is the one recommended—the distance from point to point being sixteen and a half miles, and the greater part of the line level, where grades occur these being generally 1 in 100, or even more easy, and the steep st on the whole line is 1 in 60. There is altogether three-eighths of a mile of tunnelling, but even this might be avoided by a slight detour. The estimated cost of the whole line, which passes through splendid agricultural country, is under £BB,OOO, or £5500 per mile. As will bo seen in another place in this issue, a petition for the construction of the extension by the Government is now in course of signature at Livingstone, and in the Maerewhenua district generally, and as a meeting of the Eailway Committee will shortly lie called to consider the engineer’s report, further action will doubtless be initiated at an early date. Waimakariiu Harbor Board. The monthly meeting of this Board, for the despatch of ordinary business, was held in the Kaiapoi Council Chamber on Friday evening. Present—Messrs Coup (chairman), Parnham, Mathews, Beharrell, Wearing, and Pashby. A letter was read from Mr J. Baker, agreeing to sell the steam engine hired for the dredge for £250. It was decided that the offer bo accepted. An application was made by Mr J. Perrin to be released from a lease of the river reserves. Agreed to. Counsel’s opinion from Mr Cowlishaw on the validity of the recent election and appointment of returning officer was read, intimating that the election was completed by Mr Mathews being allowed to act as a member ; it would he necessary for the Board to appoint its own returning officer. Mr Wearing pointed out that, at the next regular election, the Board would require two returning officers. Tho question of the appointment whs deferred. Accounts, £l2 2s lOd, were parsed. Mr Wearing reported that the dredge would be launched during the ensuing week, and it was decided to obtain a price from the contractors for the machinery for erecting it. After some discussion, it was decided, on the motion of Mr Beharrell — “ That, as the dredge is ready for operations, tho Hon. tho Premier be reminded of his promise to assist the Board with an endowment, and that he be requested to obtain a grant of 3000 acres of land to enable the Board to carry out the objects for which it was constituted.” It was decided also to forward a copy of this resolution to the member for the district. The Board then adjourned. The Sparrow Nuisance at Amberley.— A meeting regarding the sparrow nuisance was held at Amberley on Saturday night. Mr Benn presided, and said that the object to consider was whether it was expedient to destroy the sparrows, and if so, the best means of doing so. No doubt the birds were now increasing to an alarming extent. Mr Coleman would like to sec the number reduced, but thought they were to a certain extent useful in destroying caterpillars. He also feared that, if destroyed in the usual way, the pheasants and other valuable birds might suffer, but as no doubt they were the corngrowers’ enemy, it was as well to consider the best means of keeping them down. Mr Stanton informed the meeting that at Eangiora market he met a Woodend farmer, who informed him that one night he had placed poisoned grain on his paddock, and the result was a bucket full of dead sparrows witbiu a very short time, and he was satisfied that upon further search as many more could have been found. Ho also was assured that at a cost of twopence per acre for all land broken up in the district sufficient poisoned grain could be deposited to effectually suppress tho nuisa> ce. He said he would with pleasure give the mo of a suitable building on his own land for the purpose of preparing the coru. He -would move—“ That a commttee be at once appointed to ascertain what sum could be raised in the district for the purpose.” Seconded by Mr Bristow and canied, Tho following committee was appointed to cany out tho resolution —Messrs Coleman, Stanton, McDonald, Bristow, Benn, and M. Dalziel, with power to add to their number. The Chairman was glad to know that the farmers resolved to take steps for their own protection, und trusted that it would be a matter of discretion with the committee where the poison should be laid. He also wished to remark that fowls were in no danger of being killed by tho corn so prepared. A vote of thunks to the chuir conduced th« meeting.

Members bob Boroughs.—The Sydenham Council l>sfc evening agreed to request the Government to insert in the new Bill for the adjustment of the representation a provision tor a member to represent the Borough of Sydenham. Some of the Councillors expressed their opinion that they would gain nothing by the change, inasmuch as the three members for the city, and the one for the Heathcote represented in part the district. Hence it was argued they were giving up the influence of four members for that of one. South Rakaia.—Yesterday a public meeting was held, at South Rakaia, to protest against the appropriation by the Ashburton County Council of the accrued land fund to the making of a railway from Ashburton to Mount Somers. The meeting was influentially attended, and unanimous in reprobating the proposal. In addition to the question of the railway, the desirability of forming a county, separate from Ashburton and the district south of that town, was discussed, and a resolution in favor of separation was carried by an overwhelming majority. An Artless Representative.—ln seconding the address in reply Mr Hobbs, the now member for Franklin, commenced with the following artless sentences: —“ Mr Hobbs (who was but indistinctly heard from the reporters’ gallery) rose amid applause, and said he hud much pleasure in rising on that occasion to second the motion of the hon. member for Hokitika. Before doing so, however, he ■would, as a new member, crave the indulgence of the House. When ho looked around him, and saw gentlemen whose names were as familiar as household words; men who had made their marks in the colony by their abilities, he experienced s feeling of reverence whilst standing before them.” It was, perhaps,Jas well that the hon. member did not dwell "upon, the sort of marks which some of hi*"fellow representatives have made. At least all admirers of innocence should pray that direct contact with the able men he now so reverences may not induce any revulsion in his feelings. The Canterbury Building Society (Permanent). —Members of this society will see, by advertisement in ano her column, that subscriptions are due this evening. L O.L.—The monthly meeting of the lodge No. 3., C T. 8., will be held this evening, for the election of officers.