NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1415, 28 August 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Tnß Austbalian Ceicketebs in Amebic*.—lt will be seen by our telegraphic summary of news received to-day, that the Australian Cricketers will play a local team of twenty-two of their American cousins in San Francisco in October next. Miss Alice Mat.—This Australian and New Zealand favorite has achieved another decided success in London, where, at St. James' Theatre, she is sustaining the chief character in Lecocq's comic opera "The Little Duke," which had'previously been produced at the Philharmonic, Islington, where it was a comparative failure. The bright sparkling singing and acting, however, of the Australian prima donna made the piece a great success at the Wost End Theatre, where it is likely to have a long run. Truly Australia and New Zealand would appear to be worthily represented at home, at the present time, in more respects than one. The Metbopolitan Meeting. The weights for the O.J.C. Handicap will appear on Saturday evening next. School of Cookery.—The first of a series of lessons in practical cookery was given by Miss Fidler yesterday afternoon at St. Michael's schoolroom, when there was a very good attendance, mainly composed of ladies. The Impounded land Fund.—The return to the rule nisi in the case of the Avon Road Board v the Colonial Treasurer was yesterday further enlarged at the request of the Attorney-General to September 13th. Railway Teaffic.—The termination of the grain season has led to a considerable diminution in the working staff. The local traffic, however, is keeping up, the returns showing a large increase on that of last season. The Through Tbip to Dunedin.—On the occasion of the trial trip from Christchurch to Dunedin, the ordinary free passes will not be available, all passes being issued by the Minister for Railways. As many as 100 have been issued in Wellington. Municipal.—Professor Ayers has signified his intention of offering himself as a candidate for the office of Councillor at the forthcoming election. Councillor Briggs also intimates that he will stand for re-election. Mb Bent's Benefit.—Mr W. H. Ben* takes his benefit this evening at the Theatre Royal, when a very attractive bill has been prepared. Mr Bent's talents as a comedian are too well known to need comment, and no doubt there will be a crowded house. Guild of the Holy Rood.—On Monday the children attending the Holy Rood Sunday school were entertained at the Oddfellows' Hall, Kaiapoi. During the evening magic lantern slides were exhibited, and at intervals selections of music given. The views were explained by Mr 0. C. Howard. Chamber of Commerce.—The adjourned meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, convened to discuss the alterations in the tariff, was numerously attended yesterday afternoon. The remission of the duty on corn and flour was discussed at great length, the Chamber finally deciding in favor of free trade principles. Gazette Notices. The Regulation of Local Elections Act is brought into force in the Ellesmere road district. The boundaries of the districts of Oxford, Rangiora, Cust, and Kaiapoi, are redefined under the Marriage Act, 1858, the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1875, and the Public Health Act, 1876. Acclimatisation. —At r a meeting of the Board held yesterday it was resolved to communicate with Professor Spencer Baird, of Washington, with a view to the acclimatisation of the American white trout in New Zealand, as well as to obtain such description of American game birds as are likely to prove useful in the colony. The Minsteels.—There was a very large attendance at the Theatre Royal ast night, when the programme of the preceding evening was repeated successfully. By invitation of Messrs Cheevers, Kennedy and Bent, a number of the convalescent patients from the Asylum were present, and they seemed to enjoy themselves most thoroughly. To-night Mr W. H. Bent will take his benefit. Lyttelton Bobough Council.— The annual election of three Councillors for the borough of Lyttelton will be held at the Council Chambers on Thursday, the 12th September. The nomination of candidates will take place at noon on Wednesday, 4th September, and the poll, if necessary, on the day of election, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Accident at Leithfield.—About six o'clock on Monday evening, a man named Joseph Cullimore was riding by the Postoffice, when the horse shied, and threw the rider with considerable force against one of the telegraph poles, and cut his face very severely. He was picked up insensible, and taken to the City Hotel, where his wounds were dressed. He remained unconscious for about an hour. 1.0.0. F., M.U., Rangioba.—At a summoned meeting of the members of the Loyal Rangiora Lodge, held on Monday evening, to decide on the date and manner of celebrating the anniversary, it was resolved that a picnic should take place on October 16th at Akaloa, and a committee of Bros. Stephens, Aherne, Archer, Luxton, Truman, Archer, Payne, Shields, and Derbridge, was elected to manage the same. Malicious Injury.—ln the course of Monday night some malicious individual amused himself by scoring with a diamond several panes of plate glass in the front of the premises adjoining the White Hart right-of-way, in High street, lately taken by Mr Mulligan to open as a drapery establishment. The damage, which was perpetrated in spite of the proximity of a night watchman specially engaged, is estimated at about £6O. Mr Mulligan offers a reward of £3O for the apprehension and conviction of the perpetrator of this piece of mischief, and Mr Hislip, the contractor for fitting up the premises, has further supplemented the reward offered by Mr Mulligan by £ls. Accident at the Station.—Yesterday about midday a man named William Blackmore, in the employ of Messrs Heywood and Co., forwarding agents, met with a serious accident while working in one of the goods sheds at the Christchurch railway station. He was assisting to discharge a low side waggon loaded with bark, and was in the act of drawing one of the sacks from the top of the waggon towards him when his foot got jammed in the opening made by the side of the waggon being unfolded, and the sack falling on his leg, while in this position, broke it close to the ancle. The limb has been set, and the man is progressing favourably.

Baiiayay Passkngeb Bbidge.—The completion of the pa=senger footbridge connecting the arrival and departure platforms in the Christchurch Bailway Station will prove a great convenience to the public, and at the same time relievo the departure platform of much of the traffic necessitated by the crowding together of arriving and departing passengers. The new bridge spanning the permanent way rests on three massive supports, and is 105 ft. long and 6ft. wide. The approaches are by three staircases, also 6ft. in width. By one of these staircases access is gained to the arrival depot, and by another to Manchester street, for readier exit from the station by passengers. The third leads to the departure platform. The height of the bridge from the rails is 13ft., and. passengers are protected from any danger of falling by a barrier 6ft. high running on either side of the bridge to its full extent. The bridge will be lit at night by four lamps, equidistant from each other. The arrival platform is spacious enough for all the requirements of present and future traffic, at least for a long time to come, being 250 ft. long and 20ft. wide, containing an area of 5000 square feet. It has a verandah 150 ft. long, and two avenues of access and egress, one to the cab stand for luggage and the other higher up the street for arriying and departing passengers. Luggage is. conveyed from the arrival to the departure platform by means of a traverse intersecting the rails, and which is on a level with the platform, so that there is no occasion for any lifting. The luggage to be taken across is placed on the traverse on ♦he arrival side, and runs across to the opposite platform. The bridge will be opened in the course of a few days, the only thing remaining to be done being some necessary office accommodation,