NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1457, 17 October 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Railway Abeangements,— The through traffic to Dunedin has not yet been restored, owing to the damage to the Rangi ata Bridge not having been repaired. The department, however, hope to be able to run through to Dunedin on Friday next. Asubueton County Council. —A meeting of this Council was held yesterday, when a report of the committee on the Rangitata traffic bridge was adopted. The Council then discussed the matter of water supply for the district between the Rakaia and Ashburton rivers.

Increased Militaey Pension.— -An increased pension has been granted by the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital to Thomas Bishop, Royal Canadian Rifles, from Ist April, 1878. This amount is now lying unclaimed in the hands of the Collector of Customs, at Christchurch. Aquatics.— The boat race to which reference was made on Wednesday terminated somewhat tamely. Yesterday, at the hour appointed, the oply crew which put in an appearance was Drake’s, who rowed over the course and claimed the stakes.

Tiieatbe Royal. —“ The Long Strike" was repeated last evening, at the Theatre Royal, to a good house, Mrs Bates as Jane Learoyd, and Mr Bates as Money Penny, were exceedingly good, and received several calls before the curtain. To-night “ Still Waters Run Deep” will be played. Yal Yosb. —Owing to the continued stoppage of the traffic by railway from Dunedin, the Yal Yose Cora Company will be unable to commence their season, as announced, this evening. As soon, however, as communication is restored, which is expected to be about Friday, the opening performance will be given. Revival Seevices. A series of Evangelistic Revival Services are taking place every day this week at the Durham street Wesleyan Church. The services are conducted by the Rev. W. Morley and other ministers of the Wesleyan denomination and lay members of the congregation. A prayer meeting is also held daily, between half-past 12 and half-past 1 o’clock. New Hebeides Mission. —At the close of the usual weekly service at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Lichfield street, last evening, the Rev. Mr Copland delivered another pf his excellent addresses on mission work in the New Hebrides, again explaining fully the objects of the mission, and dwelling at length upon the vast benefit which must accrue from such work throughout the islands of the Pacific. The chair was occupied by the Rev. MrElmslie, and at the close of the address there was a collection in aid of the New Hebrides Mission Fund.

Popular Sports. —The work of making the course for the popular sports, to take place on Anniversary Day, goes on apace The job is, however, found to bo a mush more expensive one than was first anticipated, and instead of costing only some £2O or so, it is likely to cost nearly £6O or £7O. However, as a very considerable amount has been promised in the way of subscriptions, no difficulty is likely to arise. It was expected that the work would be finished by Saturday, but this is impossible, as a great deal yet remains to be done. Accident at the Hinds. —On Tuesday a man named Alexander Logan, a carter, in the employ of Mr Gibson, was crossing the Hinds river with a dray and when in mid stream, the dray upset, turning over on him, He was rescued with difficulty by some men who witnessed the accident, and brought into Ashburton, when it was discovered that no doctor was to be had. After some delay the man was admitted to the hospital, and eventually Dr Stewart saw the patient, whose leg was broken. Every attention was paid to him. English Birds. —Mr Bills, the well-known ornithologist, who has for a long time acted on behalf of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society in the matter of sending over birds from Australia, yesterday arrived from New South Wales by the s.s. Arawata, for the purpose of consulting with the society before proceeding to England to select a large assortment of English birds for this province on their behalf. This will make the fourth trip Mr Bills has made to England with tho same object, and his selections have always given satisfaction. His son has once been to the old country on a similar errand. A special meeting of the Council of the Society will be held at the Commercial Hotel at three o’clock to-morrow, for the purpose of definitely deciding the class of birds to be imported, and giving Mr Bills his final instructions before leaving Singular Accident. —Yesterday morning, shortly before 9 o’clock, the glass front of |M. Bourgeois’ Caf6 Frangais, in Cashel street, was smashed under the following circumstances A carter in the employ of Mr Tillman, contractor, of Manchester street, was trying to back a cart loaded with timber for Mr Simpson’s new premises in High street, down the right, of-way adjoining Mr Bourgeois’ Caf6. The horse being rather difficult to back with the reins, the man got down to go to his head, and at the same time, the animal swerving, drove the end of the timber into Mr Bourgeois’ painted windows, completely destroying the front. The casualty was purely accidental, and the damage will be made good by the carter’s employer. Prairie Hens. —Some months ago the Acclimatisation Society forwarded to Mr R. J, Creighton, at San Francisco, a draft for £SO for the purchase of a consignment of American prairie hens. As the birds have not yet arrived, it is presumed that Mr Creighton found greater difficulty in obtaining them than he expected, and now that he is about to leave San Francisco the society is somewhat anxious as to his successor to look after its interests in that part of the world. As it is said that Mr Creighton is returning to New Zealand shortly, he will no doubt bring down the shipment with him. During his residence in San Francisco he has on all occasions shown great interest in the society’s operations, and has taken much trouble to carry out their wishes. The Fishing Season.— The fishing season commenced yesterday, and up to three o’clock twenty-four licenses had been taken out. These licenses entitle the holders to fish in any of the public streams, except in those portions of the River Avon running through the Domain or through tho Gardens of the Acclimatisation Society. It has come to the knowledge of the officers of the society that during the past few days five large trout have been taken by rod and line from the waters of the Domain. As there is a pretty strong clue to the poacher’s identity, it is likely he will be prosecuted. The gamekeeper has received instructions to carry out the strict letter of the law, and to take proceedings against every offender in this respect. Property op Deceased Hospital Patients. —At the meeting of the Charitable Aid Board on Tuesday evening it was stated that during the week three persons had died in the Hospital, one of whom had no friends or relatives in the colony. So far as was known it appeared that he had left certain property behind him, in tho shape of a few clothes and a watch. In answer to a question from Dr. Turnbull as to what became of such property under the circumstances, it was stated that the clothes were given to tho Charitable Aid Department, and that such things as watches or other trinkets were kept for a space of three months, when they were sold and tho proceeds applied to the same object. It was considered that three months was too short a time to keep such property, in case of any after claim being made by relatives or others, and it was decided that for the future they should be retained in tho possession of the steward for at least six months before being disposed of,

City Rates. —Within the last few days a large number of notices have been served upon the owners of property, where the tenants have failed to pay the rates.. The consequence has been that rates are now coming in very freely, the city authorities having announced their intention of sueing, without further notice. The Road Roller, —This roller is now doing good work at the Racecourse, where it has been engaged in levelling since Friday last. As the charge for the use of the machine is £5 a day, it will—at all events for the time being—well repay the cost of i s importation.

Gun Club. —A pigeon match by members of the Canterbury Gun Club will take place on Tuesday next in a twenty-acre paddock on Mr John Mann's farm, St. Albans, A large attendance of members is requested. Up to the present time, the club have made no arrangements for permanent occupation of a piece of ground on which to erect the necessary pigeon houses, but intend shortly to do 80.

Northern- Importation op Stock.— Messrs T. and S. Morrin, of Auckland, are importing direct from Scotland a magnificent draught entire. He is now on his way to Wellington, in either the Otaki er the Orari. Messrs Maclean and Co. have also had sent over to them from Sydney, twenty very handsome Devon heifers and one fine bull, being first instalment of a choice lot of a hundred, of which the rest are to follow. Meeting of Fishermen op Lake Ellesmeee.—A meeting of all the fishermen of Lake Ellesmere was held at Tamutu, on Tuesday, October 15th, for the purpose of coming to an understanding between themselves as to what measures they should take for the most advantageous disposal of their fish, the hawkers in Christchurch having broken the agreement entered into with them a short time back. It was unanimously decided to elect two of their number to proceed to Christchurch and act as their agents there for the sale of the fish, Thomas Robello and Peter Ferau having been appointed, after filing a standard price per case, the meeting dispersed. Leeston Presbyterian Church. —A meeting of the congregation was held on Wednesday last, to receive reports on the condition of the new church, which had suffered so severely by the recent gale, from Mr S. C. Farr, the architect, and two practical men. The Rev. J. W. Cree occupied the chair, and constituted the meeting. The reports having been read and some questions put, it was moved by Mr David Bcott, and agreed to, “ That the placing again of the building on the foundation be left in the hands of the architect.” And it was also agreed, on the motion of Mr Scott, “That tenders be requested for the completion of the building.” The meeting was then closed with the benediction. The building has now been placed in its proper position by Mr Simpson, of Christchurch. Ashburton Alarms of Eire. —On Tuesday afternoon Messrs Bullock and Co’s, premises had a narrow escape from destruc tion by fire. It appears that a pile of straw and shavings had accumulated at the rear of the building and against the wall, between the present store and the new building, now in course of erection. One of the men, when coming to the store from the yard, observed that this rubbish was in flames, and at once extinguished it. Had it not been taken in time it would have spread underneath the house, where there were plenty of dry shavings, &c., and putting it out would have been a matter of great difficulty if not an impossibility. A house occupied by Mr Barratt, in Wills street, took fire about 2 a.m. on Wednesday, resulting in the kitchen being damaged to the extent of £25. This fire was put out by water from a tank adjoining the house. How either of these fires originated is not known.

Sefton. —A meeting of the directors of the Sefton Town Hall Company was held at Mr Ramsay’s, Sefton Hotel, on Tuesday evening, Mr C. Ff. Pemberton presiding. The secretary, Mr M. Robertson, stated that he had received a letter from Mr John Wilson, asking to be allowed to withdraw his tender for the building of the town hall or to be allowed to modify it. It was resolved that Mr Wilson should be allowed to modify his tender. The Secretary read the terms of the new tender, which was accepted unanimously. Mr Hanna proposed, and Mr Mathers seconded—“ That the hall be erected on the section bought for that purpose.” Mr F. Hodges moved, as an amendment—“ That the section bought for the site for the town hall be sold, and that a more centrally situated site be obtained, and that a reserve of £3O be placed on the section to be sold.” A committee was appointed to select and purchase another site. After some routine business the meeting closed. Gbeendale.— On Sunday the Rev. T. W. Smyth preached two sermons to large congregations, and on Monday a public tea was held in the Baptist Chapel, where a large company met. After the tea had been removed a public meeting was held, Mr J. W. Sawle in the chair. The meeting, which was a very crowded one, commenced by the whole company singing a hymn. A report of the work of the church was given, which showed that it was out of debt, and that there had been a small increase of members during the past year. The report also stated that they intended to build a vestry, having sufficient funds in hand. The Rev. J. Staples, T. W. Smyth and other friends addressed the meeting. The meeting, which was a very pleasant one, closed by singing the doxology. Quarterly Fiee Brigade Meeting.— The quarterly meeting of the Christchurch Fire Brigade was held last evening at the Chaster street station. There was a very good attendance of members, and the chair was occupied by Mr Superintendent Harris. The quarterly report was read, and was considered to be of a very satisfactory character. It was unanimously adopted. A letter was read from Mr Horace Bastings, M.H.R., stating that a sum had been placed upon the estimates to defray the expenses of railway travelling of members of brigades when upon active duty. A letter was read from the secretary of the Dunedin Fire Brigade, expressing the willingness of that body to be present in Christchurch on the 9th November, to hold a picnic in conjunction with the Christchurch brigade, and afterwards at a meeting to elect delegates to arrange as to a general demonstration to take place next year. The meeting passed a resolution that they could not have a picnic on the day in question, as it was the day of the cattle show. It was, however, resolved that the Christchurch men would have great pleasure in entertaining the Dunedin men on the 16th December, which is the day of the annual torchlight procession. Some routine business connected with that procession was then entered into, and a contract for the supply of new torches accepted. North Rakaia Boaed op ConseevaTOES —A meeting of the Board was held at Mr Desborough’s office, Southbridpe, on Monday, the 14th October. Present—Messrs B. J. Lee (in the chair), A. Storey, L. White, and J. J. Loo. The draft of agreement, with plan of land purchased by the Board, signed by Mr Brawley on the Bth October, was accepted and signed by the chairman on behalf of the Board. The Crown grants for the reserves were laid on the table by the chairman, and ordered to be kept in safe custody until wanted. The chairman’s action in reference to leasing the reserves was approved, and the draft of lease submitted by the Board’s solicitor was considered, and with some alight modifications ordered to bo adopted as the basis of lease. The secretary reported on the late heavy freshets, and the satisfactory manner in which the Board’s works had withstood the heavy flood. He also referred to the serious overflows [and scouring which had taken place on Brawley’s frontage, the water having risen to the height of at least four feet over the paddocks. Mr White attended by request, and explained how a repetition of such overflows might be averted now that the Board had secured the right of constructing works on the section. Mr White was urgently requested to take the matter in hand at once. The rate list, compiled by the secretary, was laid on the table and certified as required by the Act. A rate of 6d in the pound was struck and ordered to be levied, payable in one sum on the 14th day of November at the office of Mr Desborough, Southbridgo, who was appointed collector on the usual terms. The meeting then adjourned till Moaday, the 21et inst.