NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1404, 15 August 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Mr Marshall's Benefit. —We would again remind our readers t hat (ho benefit ot this gentleman is to take place at the Theatre Royal this evening. West Coast Railway. —The resolutions passed ot the West Const railway meeting on Monday lust have been forwarded by the Mayor to the city members as well as to the Premier. Nominated Immigration. —One hundred and twenty souls, equal to 108 statute aduhs, were nominated at (ho Immigration Office during the past month.

Ass i-Tant Rath Collector. The npp dntment of assistant rate collector to the City Council was last night given to Mr C. J. Barker. For the post, (he salary attached to which is £175 a year, there were forty-three applicants.

Cablegram to Earl Beaconsfield.— The resolut ion passed by the public meeting at the Oddfellows’ Hall on Monday night, congratulating Earl Beaconsfleld on the r suit of the European Congress has been telegraphed to him, at a cost of £9 15s Id. Payment of the amount was passed last night at she City Conned meeting.

Katafoi Volunteer Fire Brigade. —At a meeting on Monday it was resolved, in reply •o a letter from the Rangiora brigade, asking to have the wells of R ingiora test ed with the steam engine, to siy that the brigade would he willing to do so if tie consent of the Borough Council was given to (he removal of the engine.

Discharging Ships at Lyttelton. —The largest number of loaded wagons ever sent away from Lyttelton in one day, went up to Christchurch yesterday. The number was no less than 191, carrying about 1074 tons. Had there been more empty trucks available a still larger day’s work would have been done, several vessels having been kept idle a great part of the afternoon. Foot bridge at East Town Belt. —The City Council have determined to erect a footbridge across the Avon, at the East Town Belt, and have adopted their surveyor’s design for it. The total length of the bridge will bo 128 ft., and its breadth Bft. It will be supported by two piers formed of piles driven into the bed of the river, and by two others formed of piles driven info the bank. The piles will bo 12in. by 12in. The spaces between tl e piers will be filled by light iron arches. Of the three arches thus formed the centre one will have a span of 30ft., the other two having each 20ft. The handrail will be 3ft. 6in. high. The height of the bridge from the water will ho 7ft. The Circus. —There was a very good house at the circus last evening, when a new programme was introduced. The items comprised some very good vaulting by the entire company, led by Mr Hayes, equestrian performances by Mdlle. Annereau and Mr Hayes, acrobatic feats by Messrs Wallace, Walhalla, Agilio, Lewis, Hu f chins, &c. Mdlle. De Granville went through her extraordinary performance with a kitchen chair, holding it in every position without any other support than her teeth. Mr Hayes then went through a very clever equestrian performance, leaping through several balloons with much ease and grace. Mr Benhamo was exceedingly amusing in his act of the butterfly, his postures being highly provocative of laughter. The la perche act by Messrs Wallace and Agilio was also exceedingly good. The same programme will be repeated this evening, and on Saturday a mid-day performance will be given Artillery Ball. —The annual ball of the Christchurch Artillery Volunteers took place last evening at the Oddfellows’ Hull, and was as great a success as those which have preceded it, which is saying a great deal. The room was very prc'tily decorated, the efforts of the sub committee in this direction, aided by ex vdunteerß' nett, beingmost successful. The stage was fitted up as a drawing-room, and on the south side the bat talion flags and those of the corps were displayed. The baud, which was stationed on a dais at the north end, was under the direction of Mr Charles Ooombes, and was most efficient. The supper arrangements, which were under the superintendence of Mr Buggey, left nothing to bo desired, the hill of fare comprising all the delicacies of the season. About 150 were present, including Major Lean, Captains Craig and Warner, Lieutenant Ridcliffe, and other officers, and dancii g was kept np with great spirit from 9 n.m. until an early hour. Altogether the ball was a most enjoyable one. The Akaroa Railway Bill.—On the motion in the House on Thursday that this Bill be committed, tie H n. Mr Richardson drew attention to the fact that the borrowing powers under this Bill were practically unlimited, and in that respect the Bill differed from all others of its class. Did the Government propose to allow the Bill to go through in its present state ? The Hon. Mr Stout pointed out that the consent of the Government must bo obtained to all borrowing. There was no limit to local bodies’ borrowing powers but the limit of their security, and that would operate in this case. The Bill was committed. A long discussion took place on the clause giving the trustees, subject to the approval of the Governor, power to sell certain reclaimed lands. Some members thought there was not sufficient power over the trustees, while on the other hand it was held that the approval of the Governor ought not to be insisted upon, but that all responsibilities should be thrown upon the trustees. The clause was allowed to stand as printed. Several other clauses were discussed at length, but no material alterations were made. Ashburton School Committee.— The appointment of a head-master for the Ashburton school has caused considerable interest to be taken in the proceedings of the school committee, and at the ordinary meeting, held on Tuesday, there was a fair attendance of the public. The members of committee present were—Dr. Stewart (chairman), Messrs Parkin, Williamson, and Shury. On the minutes being read, the chairman, referring to the classification of candidates for the mastership, as given in the minutes, said that he was not responsible for the classification. He had read out the grades of the candidates correctly, and he would not sign the minutes as they stood. Mr Shury wished to know if the chairman held the minutes to be incorrect. The chairman did not say so, but Mr Shury bad made a public statement to the effect that ho (the chairman) had read out incorrect information. What he did read, was read correctly, and he would not sign minutes containing an unfounded aspersion on his veracity. Ultimately the minutes were passed, with a reservation re the classification referred to. Mr Francis Doherty was elected a member of the committee, vice Mr Winter, resigned. Mr Shury moved a number of resolutions to amend the classification of candidates in the minutes, but they were not seconded. The following correspondence was read: —From the secretary .of the Board of Education, stating that copies of the insurance paper had been forwarded for distribution amongst teachers throughout the district. From the department of education, stating that the Government was anxious _ to afford every opportunity to youths attending public schools to obtain Civil Service appointments. From the Canterbury Domain Board, intimating that orders for trees had been posted on the 21st June for Ashburton and Ashburton Forks schools. A telegram was received from Mr Stott, accepting conditional appointment. From the same, stating his readiness to commence duty on the 19th August. From the secretary of the Board of Education, enclosing £2O for incidental expenses. From Mr Cano, architect, forwarding plans of Tinwald school buildings. From the secretary of tiie Board of Education, asking if Mr Stott hid a Privy Council certificate, and if so, to forward it for inspection. _ From the same, saying that Mr Stott’s nomination had not yet been confirmed, and informing the committee that they could nominate another candidate if they wished. From the same, stating that ns Mr Rollcston had resigned his seat on the Board, each school committee could nominate a gentleman to fill his place, and naming the 201 h inst. as the day for receiving such nomination. It was decided to plant the trees received from the Domain Board, temporarily, in the master’s garden. Mr Shury stated he had written to Mr Stott, asking him not to resign hia school until hio appointment was confirmed. It was resolved not to nominate any one for the Board of Education at present,

Famine Prices at Ltell. —By accounts from the Lyell district, there would appear to he a groat scarcity of all kinds of provisions, and famine prices for many articles are obtained. Flour is said to be selling there at £7O per ton, cash. Ashburton Licensed Victuallers. —A irceling of licenced victuallers was held in the Somerset Hotel on Tuesday, 13lh inst., the object of which was to unite in opposing the granting of more licenses likely to affect any of the existing licenses in the county. Mr Shearman was voted to the chair. It was resolved that the chairman be empowered to make arrangements with Mr Branson, if possible, to act as their so ioitoi A letter was received from Mr Geo. Harper, consenting to appear on behalf of the Licensed Victuallers, and to attend the Licensing Court. The meeting adjourned till 26th August. Concert. —MrJ. T. M. Smith’s concert of vocal and instrumental music will take place this evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall. A capital programme has been prepared, comprising several items from the best known composers, and the cantata of “ The Jackdaw of Rheims.” Avonside Entertainment. —In addition to an attractive programme of part songs, glees, and instrument 1 music, &c , a paper entitled “ Holiday Time in I'lgypt,” will be read this evening by the ftev. H. Glasson, Entertainment —'Oic Eastern Foothill and thicket Glut) ; rrpise giving an enter! inment shortly, consisting of readings and songs by well-known amateurs, concluding with a dra raatic representation. The purpose for which the entertainment is given is to provide a suitable enclosure for match purposes during the f orthcoming cricket season. St. Michael’s Entertainment. A Shakspeare programme is advertised for this evening, and should attract a large audience. Mr Hoskins will give readings illustrative of some of Shakspenre’s well known characters, and will also give a lecture on some of his unseen characters. The musical part of the programme is strictly in keeping. The songs, including Orpheus with his lute,” “ Mistress mine,” “ Sigh no more ladies,” and “ Blow, blow, thou wintry wind,” are all from Shakspeare’s plays.