NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1397, 7 August 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Mail.—A further delay in the progress of the Taranaki southward occurred at Nelson. She will not leave Wellington until noon to-day, and consequently the Canterbury mail will not be delivered until to-morrow. Illicit Stills.—We understand that the police and Custom House officers referred to in another paragraph as having made an early inspection of the breweries this morning, came across two illicit stills on different premises. Legal proceedings are pending, and will doub'lees lead to further disclosures. Court and Stage.—lt is rumoured that a case of some interest in theatrical circles in to come off before Mr Gr. L. Mellish, the chief parties being well known in the theatrical and "sporting" world. Some rather startling disclosures are expected.

The European Difficulty.—The Eastern question appears to be by no means settled, notwithstanding the late Conference. A special telegram to the Globe this morning tells us there has been fighting between the Bosnians and Austrians, and that a good deal of bloodshed has been the result. It is said the Sultan has asked for the mediation of Queen Victoria. A Raid on the Breweries.—A body of tha Christchureh police force, divided into squads, accompanied by a body of Custom House officers—also divided into squads ; or perhaps we should rather say. a body of Custom House officers accompanied by a body of police —made a raid upon the Christchureh breweries at an early hour this morning, to wit, between four and five o'clock. What their object was did not appear to be precisely known ; but one thing is certain—that the morning was a very cold one, and that at that time a glass of good beer, whether Vincent's or Manning's, could hurt no one. Some people aver that the object was to make a simultaneous descent upon the whole of the Christchureh liquors in bulk at the breweries, for the purpose of securing a small portion of each as a sample for analysis under the Adulteration of Food Act; while others say that a special telegram had been received from the Government immediately after the delivery of the Financial Statement by the Hon. the Oolonid Treasurer, instructing the authorities to put a lock and key on every drop of beer in every brewer's cellar, in order that the quantity might be fully guaged, and the extra duty of three-halfpence (to take effect from to-day 7fch August), go to swell the diminished coffers of the country. Be this as it may, there can be no doubt that the raid was made, and the few glasses of beer with which the raiders regaled themselves, was small compensation for being dragged out of their beds at four o'olock on a frosty morning.

Railway to thk West Coast. —ln accordance with a desire very generally expressed, and strongly advocated by the " Press " a tew days ago, a number of gentlemen interested in the matter, have taken the preliminary steps for eilling a public meeting on the subject of a through railway from the East to the West Coas-t. A requisition, signed by over fifty persons, was to be to-day presented to his Worship the Mayor, requesting him to call a meeting for the purpose of considering this question at as early a date as possible. There can be no doubt that the promoters of tbe movement are thoroughly in earnest, and if we are to have this muchtalked of railway, it will be by means of the people bestirring themselves. As the wellknown Daniel O'Connell used to say, if you want to obtain the accomplishment of any great public boon you must " agitate, agitate, agitate," and so we say that if the people of this island wish to obtain the railway across from one side to the other, they must hold public meetings on the subject, pass strong resolutions, and let the Government and the House see that they are really in earnest. It is not estimated that the proposed work will cost more than half-a million of money—which, compared with the immense benefits that must be derived by the colony at large—is a mere bagatelle. Not only will the resources of the colony in the shape of gold, coal, timber, &o , be developed to an extent which has hitherto been impossible in this island, but an immense area of country must necessirily be opened, the increased value of which will pay for the railway three or four times over. We hope therefore to see a large attendance at the forthcoming meeting, and resolutions pwssed such as cannot fail to have some effect upon the House.

Supreme Court.—The sittings in banco before their Honors Mr Justice Williams and Mr Justice Johnston, commenced yesterday. The first case was one of considerable interest to the mercantile community, as affecting the construction of contracts to deliver goods, and the liability of the parties under the terms of the contract in case of destruction or 10-s of eoods. The case was one in which Mr Isaac Wilson, of Kaiapoi, was plaintiff, and Messrs G. King and Co., defendants A contract was made between the parties for the sale of a quantity of grain to be delivered f.o.b. in Lyttelton. Due delivery was given, and certain payments made on account. A portion of the grain was in the railway sheds at, the timo of the fire, and was there destroyed. The allegation of the defendants was that this grain had never been delivered to them under the terms of the contract, which was f.o.b. in Lyttelton, and that therefore the plaintiff was still in possesion of the grain destroyed. Under these circumstances the defendants refused to pay for the grain so destroyed. A,u action w;)s brought to recover by trie plaintiff, and it was agreed to refer the same to the arbitration of Mr C, Whitjefoord, R.M. at Kaiapoi, who made big award in favour of the plaintiff, reserving however some points of law for the consideration of the Supreme Court. These, briefly stated, were us follows ; —Whether Ihe defendants, having taken delivery of the grain at Lyttelton, paid for it on account and dealt with it there, both by shipping it seawards and sending portions to Christ church, the plaintiff was not thereby to be taken to have given and the defendants accepted delivery of the grain at the railway sheds, thereby waiving the clause as to placing it f.o.b. in Lyttelton. Secondly, whether the defendants, having received notice of the grain having been placed to their order at the railway sheds, and having accepted a transfer of same, the control of the plaintiff hud not altogether censed as regarded the grain; hence, that the grain was at (.he risk of tho defendants as far as regarded damage by fire, &c. Their Honors, after hearing arguments, decide! both these questions in favor of the plaintiff, and a verdict was entered ior tho plaiiititf' for the amount of the award of the arbitrator. His Honor Mr Justice Johnston intimated that his Honor Mr Justice Williams and himself would sit in baneo four days a week from 11 to 1 and from 2 to 4, to meet the convenience of tbe profession in disposing of the bancp business.

Tir« Police as Prosecutors.—ln a case of embezzlement (-:ays trie Diinedin " Sfar ") Mr Oarew, R.M. at Lawrence, has decided that the police cannot appear as prosecutors. The local "Times " says the decUion holds out a premium for crime.

Lowkr llbathcotb School.—A meeting of the committee of this school was held at the schoolroom on Monday evening The applications for the post of headmaster were considered, and the Rev. Gr. Wilkes was u laniraously elected, vice Mr W. Taylor resigned. Railway Brass Band.—A general meeting of the members of this newly.formed bond was held in the Drawing office at the railway station last evening. After the transaction of some preliminary business, it was arranged that a general meeting tor practice should be called for this evening, with a view to take steps to qualify the members to meet the Dunedin Band on the occasion of the opening of the through line.