NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1406, 17 August 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The late Meeting he Earl Beacons fjeld.—His Worship the Mayor received the following telegram from Earlßeaconafield this morning :—"The Major Canterbury, New Zealand, I cordially thank the people of Canterbury for their congratulations.— Lord BeACONSFIELD. London, August 15th." Tub San Eh.vncisco Mail.—The English mail via Sa.ii Francisco was despatched by the Rotorua yesterday. It consisted of twenty bags from (jhristchurch and one from Lyttelton.

The Police, —Three of the Lyttelton constables, and several of those stationed in Ohrißtchurck, hive resigned, owing to the reducti ms iu pay and the nevy regulatior.s whioh are being introduced by Colonel Whitmore.

Legal.—llis Honor Mr Justice Johnston sat in Chambers at 11 a.m. yesterday. The only case in Chambers was that of Samuel Bake:-, deceased, in which, on the application of Mr Thompson, probate was granted to Hannah Maria Baker as sole executrix.

Tub Impounded Land Fund.—The argument in the case of the Avon Road Board v the Colonial Treasurer will take place before their Honors Mr Justice Johnston and Mr Justice Willi iras in banco on Tuesday. It is anticipated that the Attorney-(General will argue the caee for the G-ovornment. Theatre Royal —Tho dramatic company left yesterday for Wellington, where they will play n of three weeks. Toirght the theatre will be re-opened by the Gheever, Kennedy, and Bent Minstrels, whose powers in tho way of entertaining are spoken of xevy highly by the Australian and Southern papers. The £ro; r pe arrive to-day by the mid-day train from the South, where they have done very excellent business both in Tiuiaru and Oamaru, ' ~_„ i[tii7 , _.._

Footpaths.—Now that the weather is fine it is to be J i oped that steps will be taken shortly to commence laying clown the footpath on the west side of Cathedral square from Keywood's comer to the corner opposite the Bank of New Zealand.

Cause and Effeut.—lt has been remarked that the number of informations laid by the police against persons for allowing cattle to wander has been much less than it used to be. The alleged reason for this is that it does not pay at this season to graze cattle in the streets.

Imported MkbinoS. —By the S.s. Tararua arrived ninety five merino ewes for Messrs Dalgety, Nichols and Co. They were bred at Geelong by Mr John Wilson, of Gala, and arc remarkable close woolled and well covered, showing signs of the most careful breeding. One hundred were shipped, but five died on the passage. East Chbistchtjrch ScnooL Committee.—At a meeting of the East Christchurch school committee, held last night, Mr E. 0. J. Stevens was nominated to fill the vacancy in the Board of Education caused by Mr Rolleston's retirement. It may be explained that under the Act retiring committees hold office until their successors are appointed. Football. —A match was played between the Normal and West Christchurch schools yesterday, which resulted in an easy victory for the former by two goals, both kicked by Crowe to nil. For the Normal Crowe, M'Gregor, Bowman, and Haskins played well, and for the West Christchurch Boag, Brown, Osborne, and Tait. The Honorarium.—Our Parliamentary correspondent telegraphs an item of last evening's proceedings which will no doubt create considerable amusement throughout the colony. Taiaroa had the audacity last night boldly to move the excision of the vote for honorarium. This seems to have caused no ordinary sensation in the House. The motion was of course lost by a large majority. Peace Thanksgiving. The Dean of Christchurch has received the following telegram from the Bishop of Nelson, senior Bishop of the ecclesiastical province in the absence of the Primate :—" Nelson, August 15th. —In the absence of the Primate I recommend the observance of Sunday week us Thanksgiving Day for the preservation of peace, each Bishop or Commissary to make necessary arrangements for Bervice. —Bishop of Nelson."

The Dbedge Ebskine.—The repairs to the dredge Erskine are nearly completed, The two wheels which were broken, and which are respectively Bft. and 4ft. 7m. in diameter, have been replaced by others cast at Messrs John Anderson and Son's Foundry, Christchurch. The wheels are very massive, weighing, the larger two and the smaller one ton. The castings are pronounced excellent, and reflect credit on the firm manufacturing them. They have been placed in their positions in the dredge, and operations will be speedily resumed. Avonside Entertainment.—The third of the winter series came off on Thursday night. The special feature of merit was the part singing for male voices which waß excellent, and under the care of Mr R. Parker glees were capitally rendered. Some songs by Messrs Appleby and Barnet afforded a great musical treat. The audience, although not numerous, seemed to appreciate highly the opportunity afforded them of enjoying really »ood music, and there were frequent demands for repetition, which, however, owing to the length of the programme, had to be denied. The Rev. H. Glasson, the incumbent, read a very interesting paper, recounting the way some officers of a man-of-war spent a holiday in Egypt. A cordial vote of thanks to the Grangers who had come to help and the appropriate glee " Good night" concluded the evening's entertainment. Cantebbuby Coubsing Club— A committee meeting was held at the Shades, on Thursday, the 15th inst. Present—Messrs W. G. Walker (in the chair), Browne, Judge, Jerome, Disher, and Anson. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Messrs A. L. Barker and A. R. F. Johnston were elected members of the club. On the subject of having one judge and slipper for all the clubs in the Middle Island, the secretary was requested to write to the various clubs and report to another meeting, to be held when he received replies. The following dates were decided on for the meetings next season—21st May, 18th June, and 23rd July. A member who was old enough to know better, brought forward a complaint against the slip steward at the last meeting, because he would not break the rules and let Chang run with Flirt, another dog|being then in the slips with the latter dog, Chang being disqualified foi being.late, so Flirt was, of course, entitled to a bye. In fact, if the flag-steward had allowed such a thing, Mr Beard, owner of Flirt, would undoubtedly have protested, and the committee would have been bound to uphold such protest, to say nothing of the very bad precedent it would have established. Members should lodge their own protests at the time, and not get old complaints raked up by a third party. Mr Dunn, the owner of Chang, was particularly told not to take his dog off the ground. The Chmevees, Kennedy and Bent Minstbels.—" Speed the Parting—Welcome the Coming Q-uests" —The Hoskins dramatic company having taken their departure, their place on the boards of the Theatre will tonight be supplied by the celebrated Cheevers, Kennedy and Bent Minstrels, who will, upon this occasion, make their bow collectively to a Christchurch audience. We say " collectively," because several of them are wellknown to the amusement seekers of this town "individually." We might specially mention Mr Horace Bent, whose negro and Dutch comic Uities, when once seen, are not easily forgotten. Mr Campbell, too, the ba*so singer, has on Beveral previous occasions visited New Zealand, and has always been a great favorite. With regard to Mr Martin Siinonsen, who is manager of the troupe, it requires no words from us to infcroducp him to the public, for his connection with opera is hardly likely to be so soon forgotten. Then we have the genial Mr Q-eorge Lingard, who was agent for the U.S. Minstrels in this town about six months ago. This gentleman does not, however, take any part in the " show," except in front of the curtain, where, as agent of the troupe, he will, we are quite sure, be as obliging and courteous as ever. With regard to the other members of the company we are not in a position to say much of our own knowledge, but judging of the reputation they bring with them they should be good. They may be almost said to be the picked negro "team" of Australia, and will doubtless have a successful season in Christchurch. The programme for to-night appears to be a very full and varied one, and no doubt there will be a full house to greet our sable friends. The West Coast Railway.—A difference of opinion of course prevails on the Coast as to the route which a railway connecting the East and West Coasts should take, the Grey people preferring a southern line, and the Jfokitika people one through Westland South, via Haast Pass, into Otago. The latter was advocated s mie four years ago, but since then the project has slept. The " West Coast Times " Luib the following on the subject —Without any survey being made, and with no additional figures to throv7 any movo light en tiie cost of the bridges and cuttings so much spoken of in those days, the public, or a largo section of the public, have become so mesmerised with the hope of Otago influence, that their keen advocacy for the new route appears to us to be altogether too quixotic. We have hero pointed out how the proceedings in respect to railway extension progressed in years gone by, in ord'.r to show that the sudden diversion of attention to the south is unwarranted by sound argument or judgment and to some extent is incomprehensiblc. There is not the least chance of the Legislature sanctioning such an undertaking without the fullest statistics being before it, and if any step is to bo taken towards the construction of a railway to the West Coast this session, one or other of the shorter routes is sure to bo that which will be resolved upon. At the same time if delay is to take place, our members might be induced to urge upon the Government the advisability of having the southern route surveyed, and possibly before the next session of Parliam«nt, the Government would bo in a better position to determine upon what course to adopt.