HEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1420, 3 September 1878, Page 2

HEWS OF THE DAY.

Wuitkbait. —The season for taking whitebait is now beginnings The little fish are reported to bo pretty plentiful. CnAuiTAnLE Aid Collections.—Collections made in the Wesleyan Church, Ivaiapoi, on Sunday, in aid of the charitable aid relief fund of the borough, amounted to £lB Os sd. Ciucus. —The Circus company gave another performance last evening, which was well attended. They appear again this evening, when a good bill will be presented. City Council. —Councillors Toomer and Bird offer themselves as candidates for reolection, and cx-Mayor Q-apes, in reply to an influential requisition, has consented to offer his services to the ratepayers.

Tidal Wave. —What is supposed to have been a tidal wave is reported to have been noticed on Sunday at Sumner, where the sea rose about eighteen inches above the usual high water mark. ' > ! t Constabulary. —The Snyder rifles which were served out to the Canterbury Constabulary twelve months ago have been returned to the Under-Secretary for Defence, in consequence of the force having been demilitarised. The New Tariff. —ln compliance with a largely-signed requisition, his Worship the Mayor has convened a public meeting at the Canterbury Music Hall, to-morrow evening, to take into consideration the present tariff and its bearings upon the people of the country. The C. K. B. Minstrels. —This company loft per Wakatipu last evening for Wellington, where they play a short- season at the Theatre Royal. It is probable that they will re-visit Christchurch about November next, on their way to Melbourne. Re-building. —The debris of the houses in Manchester street, destroyed by fire last Thursday, has been cleared away, and preparations for re-building are in a forward state. The remains of the house in Hereford street, which was burnt some months ago, are also being removed. Local Manufactures. — Two very creditable specimens of local manufacture, in the shape of guard vans for the Dunedin-Christ-church lino, have just been completed in the railway workshops. They are fitted with desks, pigeon-holes, &c., and are really capitally finished in all the details. The department is certainly to be complimented upon the very handsome and substantial appearance of the vans. New Footbaths. —The new footpath from the White Hart corner to the Triangle has been commenced, and will be completed in a few days. When this is done the crowding of the northern side of High street will be obviated. It is to be regretted that the Q-overn-ment have not the footpath across the Town belt from the Terminus Hotel to the railway station, as this would be a very great convenience to the public. Sydenham Borough Council. The Sydenham Borough Council met last night, and transacted a largo amount of business. A report of their proceedings appears in another column. Councillors! Whitelaw and Scott have signified their intention of resigning their seats in the Council, and retiring Councillors Yennell and Buxton do not offer themselves for re-election.

1.0.G.T. —A public meeting took place in the Town Hall, Southbridge, on Thursday evening last, for the advocacy of Good Ternplary. Bro. R. Clephaue, D.D., occupied the chair. Mr H. Bennetts addressed the meeting, Bro. Captain Davis, of the John Knox, then said a few words on Good Templary, after which the chairman, assisted by friends from Christchurch and the Hope of Leeston Lodge, instituted the new lodge, which is called “The Hope of Southbridge, 191.” After the election and installation of officers the lodge was closed in due form. “ The Gtoby op the Peess.” —We would again remind our readers that this evening Mr Thomas Bracken, of Dunedin, will deliver his promised lecture, at the Oddfellows’ Hall, in aid of the Widows and Orphans Fund of the Loyal Avon Lodge of Oddfellows, A.C. Every effort has been made to make the affair a success. Mr Schwartz, the pianiste, will perform an introductory overture, and after the lecture there will bo a short and miscellaneous concert by amateurs of acknowledged ability. That prince of chairmen, Mr John Ollivier, has kindly consented to preside, so that taken altogether, one of the most interesting entertainments of the season may safely be anticipated. Wo understand that the committee have sold over 500 tickets; there is therefore sure to bo a crowded house, and the result cannot fail to bo a very considerable addition to the funds for the benefit of which Mr Bracken will lecture. Visit of His Exceleecy the Goyeenob. —The Governor and suite are expected to leave to-morrow for Lyttelton in H.M.S. Kymphe. It is probable that the Mayor and Borough Council of Lyttelton will present his Excellency with an address of welcome on his landing. On arrival at the Christchurch station the Mayor and City Council of Christchurch will present an address, and will escort His Excellency to the Club. On Thursday he will re-open the Museum, which has been re-arranged since its enlargement, and in tho evening he will bo present at tho banquet given by the Mayor. On Friday morning tho party will leave for Dunedin by tho first through train. The guard of honor will be composed of the Engineers; and City Guards, The escort will bo furnished by the Cavalry ; and the Christchurch Artillery will fire a salute of seventeen guns on His Excellency's arrival at tho railway station. EsiV Telegbaph Station. —The following resolutions were passed at a meeting held at Radcliffe’s Hotel on Saturday evening last, to consider tho advisakleness of erecting a telegraph station near tho thirty-third mile po?t on tho Christchurch and Hokitika road—- “ That in the opinion of this meeting a telegraph station is urgently wanted near the thirty-third mile post on the Christchurch road from Hokitika, to enable the public and those interested in the stock trade from Canterbury to Westland to regulate the supply of stock to both Greymouth, Hokitika, and Ahaura, and thus regulate tho markets, to tho benefit of both consumers and suppliers.” ■“ That in tho opinion of this meeting, in view of tho road from the thirty-third mile poston tho Christ church road to Greymouth, via Lake Brunner, being completed; the best site lor a telegraph station is at the whore the contemplated road to tho Ahaura branchs* from tho said road to Greymouth.” “That Mr T, W- Bruce communicate with the Hon. the Commisuioner of Telegraphs and endeavor to arrange for a ic-iegrgpu station at the desired point.” It was pointed out that tho stock trade between Hokitika and Canterbury was worth to the latter about TI2OO per week. Under these circumstances it was urged that it would not be fuip to make the few engaged in the trade pay all the guarantee, seeing tho very large benefit that would accrue to tho provincial district. The proposed site, it. was shown by reference to tho map, is situate at tho -junction of tho roads leading to tho three principal markets in Westland, and there is also a good proportion of level land. In all probability, therefore, a township would bo formed there, which would augment the revenue derivable ffoip the telegraph olheo by the Hovermseut/,

Spouting. —lnsolvent, late Bide-a-wee, is scratched for the C.J.C. Handicap. Nelson Cloth.— The Nelson Cloth Factory was advertised to bo sold by auction by order of the mortgagee on August 31st. The Ashburton Mayoralty. —Mr Thos. Bullock was yesterday elected first Mayor of the newly-created borough of Ashburton by a majority of sixty-two. The Governor's Aeeiyal.—Wo notice that the Engineers and the City Guards are to parade at the Drill-shed at two o’clock tomorrow for the purpose of receiving His Excellency the Governor. Railway Beidges. —The aggregate length of iron girder bridges in the Canterbury section of the New Zealand railways is 4187 ft,, the wooden bridges 35,417 ft., giving a total length of 72 miles. These bridges have cost about 12 per cent of the gross cost of maintenance, or about 2s 6d per foot. The Mayoeal Banquet. —At the banquet to bo given in the Provincial Council Chamber, by the Mayor of Christchurch, to commemorate the opening of the through railway, a band, under the leadership of Mr Charles Coombs, will be stationed in the southern or reporters’ gallery, the strangers’ gallery being set apart for any ladies who may he present. The Deill Shed. —Some much needed repairs have recently been done to the drill shed. The unevenness of the floor has long been an impediment to the efficient drilling of the several corps. This lias now been remedied, and the holes filled up, largo portions beinjg newly asphalted. The repairs have been effected at the expense of the various companies. Recruit drill is steadily going on, Sergeant-Major Morgan being at much pains to perfect the raw hands in their exercises. Tub Telephone in America. —Upwards of 20,000 telephones are already in operation in the United States, the larger number being those which are licensed by Professor Bell. In Newport, Rhode Island, there are fifty-six telephones in one circuit, and a general conversation may be carried on over the whole town with ease. In Boston there are already 300 telephones connected with the central office, besides a vast number of private instruments. 'J ; Tasmanian Diamonds. —Several diamonds have been found in Tasmania. A parcel of seven of these precious stones, some of them as large as beans, have (says the “ Cornwall Chronicle ”) been artistically cut in London, and have been forwarded to Launr ceston. Four of the gems were found at the drives in the Ringarooma District, and the other three in the Straits Island. Noethehn Railway. —ln the report of Mr Conyers, Commissioner of Railways for the Middle Island to the Secretary for Public Works, lie slates that the three interruptions to traffic—which caused great public inconvenience—on the Northern line, through the damage caused by the Waimakariri, necessitated an expenditure of £2IOO to make the repairs. “ Works (he says) are now in progress which, I have no doubt, will prevent a recurrence of the kind in future, the line being raised above flood level and a 400 ft. opening provided for carrying off floodwater.” Anotheb West Coast Coalfield. —We (“ Grey River Argus ’’) are informed that the promoters of the proposed company to work the coal deposits on the North Beach received a letter from Mr Bridges, their agent in London, to the effect that should the Congress then sitting at Berlin result in an assurance of peace, he apprehended that he would have no difficulty in floating a company with the necessary capital. As peace has been restored, it may be probable that a powerful company will be formed in London for taking up the North Beach lines. The company, we is to be a carrying company as well as a mining company, and will purchase suitable steam colliers. Concert at Lyttelton. —The names of those who have promised to singat the Colonists’ Society’s concert on Thursday next are advertised. Lecture. —The lecture, to be delivered by Mr Thomas Bracken to-night, in aid of the funds of the Loyal Avon Lodge, 1.0.0. F., promises to be a success. Already a large number of tickets have been sold. The lecture will be given in the Oddfellows’ Hall, and the subject choseu is “ The Glory of the Press.” St. Luke’s Bazaar.—The bazaar and gift auction in aid of the liquidation of the debt of St. Luke’s parish will open to-morrow at the Oddfellows’ Hall. In addition to the usual devices for extracting coins from the unwary, arrangements have been entered into with tr.e renowned wizard of the N.N.W., who will hold his magic seances at short intervals. It is also proposed to hold a telephonic concert, the performers whereat will be stationed at Akaroa.