NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1414, 27 August 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Land Fund Case.— The case of the Avon Road Board v. the Colonial Treasurer was to-day postponed until the 12th instant, when the Attorney-General will bo present, and argue the case for the Government. The Coming Banquet.—lt will be seen from our telegrams that the Mayor and City Council of Dunedin have accepted the invitation of the Mayor of Christchurch to be present at the forthcoming banquet, to be held on the occasion of the opening of the line between the two chief cities of Now Zealand. Doubtless the Mayors and corporations of Wellington and other places will also accept the invitation, so that not only will Christchurch for a day or two bo crowded with political, but it will also be filled to repletion, with municipal wisdom. Unregistered Dogs —lt is really time some steps were taken to thin out the unregistered curs that now daily offend the eye with their .bodies, and make night hideous with their bowlings. We believe that just about this present time the mongrels of Christchurch, for either breed or number, could give their celebrated brethren of Stamboul a long start—and beat them too. Not one brute in twenty that is to bo seen in the streets is registered, and not one in fifty fit to live. They now swarm in such numbers as to have become an unmitigated nuisance, and the sooner the proper authorities take some steps to see the law with regard to registration or destruction —by poisoning, drowning, or otherwise —enforced, the better. Railway Tickets. —We understand that the Railway Department contemplate opening one or two offices in town for the sale of railway tickets almost immediately. As pointed out in an article which appeared in this journal a few days ago, this will be a great public boon. We also learn with pleasure that the ticket-office at the station itself js now to be kept always open, so that there will no longer be a rush for tickets immediately prior to the departure of each train. In connection with the system of ticket-offices in town, we are informed that it has been tried before and failed, and the railway authorities do not hope for any better success this time. It is said that no less than 1600 tickets will have to be kept at each of the offices opened for each of the contingent purchasers —that is to say, between here and the Bluff there are no less than 400 stations, for each of which four kinds of tickets are required, viz , first and second class—single and return —making 1600 in all. This 1600 would have to bo daily multiplied by the probable number of purchasers of tickets, as it would of course be impossible for the railway authorities to tell what particular tickets would be required by travellers. It is said that when these offices were opened on a previous occasion—though we don’t remember such a system having ever been tried in Christchurch —the sale of the tickets was infinitesimally small—almost next to nothing. We can only say that, if this were so, it w r as probably through want of publicity being given. Public Works Statement. —The annual Public Works statement will be delivered by Mr Macandrew this evening, when, if the announcements made by some of our contemporaries are correct, an entirely new policy for the construction of public works will be laid before the country. City Council —The City Council held its fortnightly meeting last night. A committee was appointed to consider the necessity for remodelling the office staff. The desirability of the ward system being introduced was affirmed, and new rules for conducting the proceedings of the Council’s meetings were adopted. Temperance Hotel. — A meeting of the provisional directors of the Temperance Hotel Company was held in the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon, when a draft of the prospectus was drawn up and agreed to. As an influential directory has been secured, the Temperance Hotel scheme is likely to prove successful. Cab-Drivers and Cabs.— There are in the city of Christchurch 109 licensed drivers of cabs, and between 70 and 80 licensed cabs. The works committee of the City Council have just readjusted the cab stands. The readjustment provides standing room for 77 cabs, which, considering that the demand for them is pretty brisk, gives ample accommodation.

The Cikctts. —A good programme was submitted at the circus last evening. Mdlie. DeQ-ranvillo repeated her really wonderful performance with the chair, and Mr Hayes was successful in his equestrian acts. The remainder of the members of the company went through the various items on the programme with much skill. To-night a good bill will bo presented, and to-morrow there will be a special matinee, 1,0.0. F a summoned special meeting of the Loyal Ayon liodge, T.Q.0.F., American constitution, an offer was received from Bro. Thoa. Bracken to deliver his lecture on “The Glory of the Press,” in aid of the funds of the lodge. It was resolved unanimously to accept the offer with thanks, and that the Oddfellows’ Hall bo engaged for the purpose, (he lecture to be delivered on September 3rd, Bro. S. Schwartz having offered his services as pianist on the occasion, his offer was accented with thanks.

Cleopatra’s Needle.—The preparations, says the" ■' Athena.am,” for erecting Cleopatra's Needle are well advanced'. Nearly the whole of the ironwork has been removed, and the inscription on the fourth side is at present in an excellent position for examination and comparison with the various editions which have been given of it. There are several points of interest to be observed with regard to (he paleography of the older or central line and that of the two nearer linos with which it is Hanked, the former being far superior in workmanship and treatment to the later additions. This is particularly remarkable in those parts which have been covered by sand and so protected from injury by weather or design. Some of the hieroglyphics are executed in a different manner ; the circle, for instance, of the middle column of text is slightly raised at the centre; in the side lines it takes the form of a deep and cup-like depression. It isexpeeted that the work will he completed in about two months’ time. The solid base of masonry and granite 1 blocks is being built upon a staying ; above this the Needle will be raised and swung by an armed collar, which will enable the monolith to be balanced, and thus easily transferred from a horizontal to a vertical position,

The Bay of Islands Electobal Business.—The “New Zealand Times” correspondent sent the following message respecting the recent meeting at Hokianga, on the above subject:—John Lundon, Sir George Grey’s political agent, held a meeting of natives and half-castes at his public-house on Saturday, 17th August, and urged them to stand up for their rights. Abuse of pakehas in general was freely scattered. The meeting ended in a “ spree.” D’Ueville’s Island Coppeb. The “Nelson Colonist” of a late date says: — Some of tho finest specimens obtained from D’Urville’s Island Copper Mine were brought to Nelson by Captain M'Gee, of the s.s. Wellington. The ore now obtained in the different veins is so rich that pieces may bo pared like pure copper with a pocket knife. There are now four shafts that have bottomed on the lode, which is five feet thick where last struck, and tho ore is far richer in quality than was ever anticipated. It would appear that the shareholders are in for a good speculation. Accident,— On Sunday evening a butcher, named Charles Noedl, was returning to Christchurch from Rangiora in a spring cart, and overtaking a man on foot, he took him up into the cart with the intention of giving him a lift into town. When about half a mile from tho Junction Hotel, on the Papanui road, ho came in contact with an express coming in the opposite direction, and the man Mr Noedl had taken up was thrown out on to the road. Mr Noedl had him conveyed to tho hospital, when, on examination, one of his arms was found to be badly bruised, but no bones were broken. The injured man was lately in tho employ of Mr Smart, tho asphalte contractor. The West Coast Railway.— The following is a portion of a letter written by Mr Seymour George to a Hokitika resident, and may probably be accepted as some indication of the Government’s views as to the West Coast railway. No doubt those views will be more fully set forth in the Public Works statement which Mr Macandrew is expected to deliver to-night:—l would strongly recommend the route to be left to the Government, or else tho matter may possibly bo long delayed. I fancy Government intend connecting Amberley with Brunner, and I have little doubt but that tho House will vote the money for that route, or at all events sanction it for the sake of getting tho coal, and once that lino was completed there is no doubt that extension down the West Coast would bo carried on through to Dunedin. The 0. K. B. Minstbels. —Tho popularity of this clever company continues unabated. Last night the theatre was well filled to witness the third programme the Minstrels have presented during their stay. In the first part a number of new songs were introduced. All were well sung, but amongst those more especially calling for commendation wore “ Q.ueen of the Night,” very tastefully rendered by Mr Campbell, and “Sweet days gone by,” which was very nicely sung by Mr Yernon Reid. Both of these songs were loudly applauded, as they deserved to be. Mr Bent and Mr Cheevers sang one song each in tho first part, both of which wore exceedingly funny. The stories narrated by Messrs Cheevers and Bent possessed the merit of being original and witty. Tho finale to the first part was one of the best yet done by the Minstrels. In this Mr Bent as a French conductor, Mr Cheevers as a prima donna 1 and Mr Kennedy as a German pro lessor of the big drum, fairly brought down the house. In the opening of the second part Messrs Cheevers and Kennedy introduced some new specialties in change of costume, which were redemanded over and over again, until at last they had to bow their acknowledgments. Mr Oppenheim played a fantasia on Scotch airs for the clarionet very nicely. A duet, “Flow gently,” by Messrs Drayton and Reid, and “ The anchor’s weighed ” by tho latter, both went well. A special act, “The Four Graces, ” in which Messrs Cheevers, Kennedy, Bent, and Campbell appeared, was exceedingly amusing, particularly tho hits on local topics, such as the beer tax, tho building on Hagley Park, 0 ! which were brought in very cleverly. The two farces, “ Our Boys,” and “ A P.M. for a Day,” created much amusement, and generally the performance went excellently from first to last. The same programme will be repeated this evening, and to-morrow Mr W. H. Bent will take his benefit, when an attractive programme will be presented. The troupe conclude their season on Saturday next, opening in Wellington in the ensuing week. Chambee of Commeecb. A special general meeting of the members of the Chamber was held yesterday, at 2 p.m. Present—Messrs J. Anderson (president), Stead, Cameron, Gould, Wood, A. C. Wilson, P. Cunningham, Revans, Inglis, Nathan, Pavitt, Cuff, and Aikman. The chairman said that he had been requested by several members of the Chamber to call a special meeting, to take into consideration the alterations made in the Customs tariff. This was a subject, he might say, which was not only occupying the attention of the members of the Canterbury Chamber, but also those of all the Chambers throughout tho colony. He had received one or two telegrams from other Chambers on the subject, asking him to lay before the Chamber the question of taking off tho duty on grain and Hour. He had consulted on the subject with many gentlemen engaged in the trade, and they agreed that it was not necessary to call a meeting just then. Subsequently he had received a telegram from tho brewers' deputation, now in Wellington, regarding the duty on beer, and asking tho Chamber to consider tho matter. Under those circumstances it had been considered advisable to call a special meeting of the Chamber, to consider the general question of the Customs tariff. Ho would, therefore, call upon the gentlemen who had requested the meeting to be called. Mr 0. W. Turner would like, before proceeding to consider the subject before them, to suggest tho advisability of an adjournment until the next day, because many of the members of tho Chamber were unaware of the meeting taking place, Tho subject was one of very great importance, and it was advisable that they should have a full meeting. Some discussion ensued on the subject of adjournment, and ultimately Mr Turner moved —“That the meeting be adjourned until 230 p.m. next day, and that tho secretary bo instructed to send out a circular to each member, informing him thereof.” Mr Pavitt seconded the motion. After some further discussion, Mr Turner's motion was put, and agreed to.

New Zealand and Beet Sfgab Manffactfeb. —The New Zealand Government, says the “ Ball Mall Budget,” according to a recent despatch, has offered the sum of £SOOO, or £lO a ton, for the first 500 tons of beetroot sugar produced in either of the two large islands. This is evidently a further development of the policy of protection and encouragement of native production at the expense of the general taxpayer which has already found favour in the colony. No doubt if it is thought advisable that Gfovernment should interfere in such matters at all, save for the purpose of raising revenue, the method of offering bonuses to promote the cultivation of particular crops which are likely to be profitable to the whole community is far better in a new country than the imposition of high protective duties to foster manufactures for which the territory is by no means ripe. But the principle itself will not bear examination. If £SOOO, why not £50,000 ? or indeed why stop short of Gfovernment cultivat ion of the Gfovernment lands hy the immigrants P So far New Zealand has prospered under the assisted immigration and public works policy of which the present A gent-General has been the chief advocate. There are many nevertheless who look with alarm at the rapid growth of the debt and the habit of extravagance which seems to be engendered by this heavy borrowing. This commencement of the bonus system will not reassure them. The ordinary trade rule that capital will flow to the most remunerative business applies in New Zealand as elsewhere; and we cannot believe that if the cultivation of beetroot were likely to bo really profitable the numerous landowners would fail to make the experiment without any encouragement from the Government. At any rate there io cause for some alarm at any further extension of Government interference in a colony where bureaucratic influences are already far too powerful.

The Case of Destitution at Ashbubton. —Some charitable person has forwarded to Sergeant Felton the sum of £5, for the benefit of the old man who was found lately starving, in the river bed at Ashburton. Funeeal at Rangioea. — On Monday there was a very largo attendance of friends and neighbors at the funeral of the late Mr James Merton, one of the early settlers in this district, who died on Friday, at the advanced age of eighty-one. His remains were interred in the Church of England cemetery. The Yen. Archdeacon Dudley read the service.