NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1435, 21 September 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Coeeection. —In yesterday’s Court report Chas. Cooke was wrongly stated to have been defendant in a case of riotous conduct at Scott’s Hotel. The fact was that Cooke was the principal witness against another man, who was the culprit. We regret that the error should have occurred. Seeious Case oe Stabbing.— Last Saturday evening, about seven o’clock, a seaman named George Hingart, belonging to the ketch Minnie, then lying at the Steam Wharf on the river Heathcote, went on shore to Cole’s Hotel, where he remained some time, and then returned to the vessel in company with with an Austrian named Alexander Maurice, who was in command of the ketch, and Captain Miller of the Marguerite, the last-named vessel being moored alongside the Minnie. All three went into the cabin of the Marguerite, and Maurice gave Hingarthis pocketknife, to which a corkscrew was attached, for the purpose of opening a bottle of beer. Hingart had some difficulty in performing the operation, and Maurice, irritated by the circumstance, took the knifo from him, and a slight altercation took place between them, terminating in a challenge from Maurice to Hingart to fight him. Hingart accepted the challenge, and went on board the Minnie and commenced to call for a seaman named Cameron, who was below asleep, to come up and see fair play. While Hingart was calling Cameron, Maurice jumped from the Marguerite on to the poop of the Minnie, and springing on to Hingart, struck him across the face with some sharp instrument, inflicting a wound above his left eye, Hingart disengaged himself from Maurice, but the latter closed with him again, and wounded him a second time in the left shoulder. They were eventually separated, and Hingart accused Maurice of stabbing him, which the former asserts Miller admitted. Hingart’s wounds were subsequently treated at the Hospital, and after the lapse of some days he gave information to the police, which led to the apprehension of Maurice. The latter was brought up at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, and remanded until Monday. Naeeow Escape.— Yesterday afternoon, during the excitement caused by the runaway spoken of elsewhere, a little child, running across the road, got under the feet of the horse in a hansom cab. Fortunately the driver was just in time to see it, and pulled his horse short up, and the child was dragged away by a man who was close by. A Good Sign.— At the meeting of the Local Board of Health yesterday, the medical officer reported that there had only been one case of typhoid fever in Christchurch since the last meeting. It was remarked that this was a smaller percentage than had ever come before the Board’s notice before Thbatee Royal. —“ Struck Oil” was again played last night, and will be repeated this evening for the last time, being preceded by “East Lynne.” On Monday Mr G. D. Chaplin, an Australian actor of some celebrity, will make his first appearance in the character of Hamlet, and will be supported by Miss Florence Colville as the Queen, Miss Tilly Andrews as Ophelia, and Mr Charles Burford as the ghost, it being his first appearance this season. Enteetainment. —A very pleasing entertainment took place in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Heathcote, on Thursday evening, in aid of the library funds. The chair was occupied by Mr Richard Davies, who, in his introductory remarks, referred to the advisability of having a good library in the district. G?he bands of Messrs Spensley and Bonnington were present, and during the evening gave three orchestral selections with great effect. Mr Seager, the superintendent of Sunnyside, contributed two cornet solos in his wellknown style, while Mr Yule fairly excelled himself in several humorous readings, which greatly amused the audience. The ladies who contributed songs were Misses Ness, Bennett, and Macketb, and Mrs Amos, and all their contributions were highly appreciated. The Rev, O. Merton and Messrs G. Clark, Crawford, and Overton also gave a number of songs. Taken altogether, the entertainment was one of the most enjoyable ever held in this district. At its close hearty votes of thanks were passed to all who had assisted. It was announced that a similar entertainment, with a similar object, would be given in about a month’s time.

The Licensing Act. —The following are Mr Richmond's question and the Native Minister’s reply regarding the Licensing! Bill on Friday, as reported in the “ Now Zealand Times ” :—Mr Richmond asked the Minister of Justice —In the event of the Government not proceeding with a general Licensing Bill this session, what steps they intend to take to place the various Licensed Victuallers’ Associations in the colony upon an equal footing, by equalising the licensing fees ? The Hon. Mr Sheehan replied that it was the intention of the Government to deal with (his matter specially, and if they did not bring forward a large general measure, they should leave matters as they ivere until nest session. Ellesmeee'Cricket Club.— The annual general meeting of this club was held at the Royal Hotel, Southbridge, on Thursday evening, and was very largely attended by members of the club. Mr ITerdman waa voted to (lie chair, and stated that the prospects of the club wore much bettor than last season, as a number of new members had signified their intention of joining and taking an active interest. On account of tho absence of the secretary, it was thought best to adjourn the meeting till Saturday evening. A Singular Race. —A controversy has taken place in America as to a race of men in the Malay Archipelago, who aro said to live in trees. Professor J. ]). Dana, of Yale College, writes ; —“ There is no doubt in regard to the existence of the small degraded race in the Malay Archipelago, their living in trees, without fixed dwellings, their going naked, leading tho life of a brute, and that of tho most disgusting kind.” He himself saw one of them when at Manilla in (ho Wilkes Exploring Expedition. J)r. S. Weliis Williams, who Ims lived for more than forty years in Eastern Asia, says (hat the French found such people in the interior of Cambodia, a full account of which is given in the “ Rcvuo dos Deux Mondcs.” They lived in trees, to be out of tho way of tigers and other wild beasts.

Canterbury Tramways. A telegram from the Chairman of the Canterbury Tramway Company, who is in Wellington, advises that the Order in Council empowering the construction of the lines proposed by the company has been signed. Runaway. —Yesterday afternoon a pair of ponies ran away in the Papanui road, and dashed furiously over* the Victoria bridge, up Colombo street, and finally wore stopped near the White Hart, the only injury done being to the buggy. , . Lyttelton Orphanage— Thursday, being a fine day, was selected by Mr Sopp, the master of the Orphanage, to take the children for a walk over to Sumner. Sixty-two of the elder children went, and it is needless to say, enjoyed their trip most thoroughly, returning after a long day very tired, but much delighted. They took their dinners with them, and Mr Q-raham, of Sumner, with his usual kindness, regaled them with abundance of new milk. Geological Survey. —The Colonial Secretary, in response to the resolution of the Tuapeka Council’s request for a geological survey of the district, has written as follows : —“ I am directed to inform you that it bad been already decided that the geological survey staff shall commence the next session in another part of the colony. Directions have, however, been given for the preparation of a map, and Dr. Hector will, if possible, have a survey of the Tuapeka district made later on in the season.” St. Andrew’s Entertainment— An entertainment of vocal and instrumental music was given last night in St. Andrew’s schoolroom. The Rev, Charles Fraser occupied the chair, Spensley’s band performed two overtures in capital style, the remainder of the programme, which was selected with taste, and consisted of instrumental solos and duets, interspersed with songs, was rendered by the Messrs Searell, Mr and Mrs Kinsman, Mr Crawford, and Mr Scager. The concert, which terminated at an early hour, gave great satisfaction to those who were present, although the attendance was scarcely commensurate with the excellence of the entertainment.

Serious Accident at Septon. —A serious accident happened to Mr Jus, Stratton, builder, -who is engaged erecting a large workshop for Mr Barclay, opposite the railway station. While engaged fitting the sheets of corrugated iron on the roof, he missed his footing and fell from the top of the roof through the interior of the building, a distance of 25ft. The workmen engaged immediately picked up the unfortunate man and had him taken home. The extent of his injuries had not been ascertained when our message was forwarded, but they were thought to be of a very serious character. New Theatre. —In all probability before very long Christchurch will bo in a position to boast of two temples of the drama. It is reliably stated that a small private company has been formed for the purpose of erecting a second theatre in a central spot. The row theatre will not bo so large as the Royal, but it will be more compact, and every effort will be made to fit it up, not only with comfort but with elegance. All the minute details, both before and behind the curtain, which make a place of this kind acceptable, will bo studied, and the promoters anticipate that, if the project is carried out as planned, it cannot fail to be a very great success. At present the promoters do not wish their names to be publicly mentioned, but no doubt the matter will be brought more fully under notice before very long.