NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1481, 14 November 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Theatre Royal.— “ Flying Scud” was performi d again last evening at this place of amusement, and as on previous representations, passed off to the satisfaction of the audience. The same programme is announced for this evening, Am .tkub Opera. —Mr H. Towle has taken the Theatre Royal for a short season of a fortnight, commencing on the 7th January, for the purpose of producing operas by amateurs. The first will be “ Martha.” The Mayoralty.— The rumor that Mr Henry Thompson does not intend to come forward to contest the Mayoralty, is incorrect. It is true that he has not yet been nominated, but he will be prior to the day of the nominations closing—the 20th inst. Selwtn County Election. —The poll for the election of a member of this Council for the Malvern riding was taken yesterday. The result was—McMillan, 182 ; Jebson, 34 ; informal votes, 3. Mr McMillan is therefore tho member-elect. Immigrants per Hydaspes.— All the single women by this ship were readily engaged yesterday, and a much larger number would have found good situations. Al l the families and single men, suitable for farms and stations, were also readily engaged. The Messiah. —The Harmonic SocHy, which, for some time past has been rehear ing the “ Walpurgie,” will not for the present give a public performance, as it is their intention to practise “ The Messiah,” which will be given at tho Oddfellows’ Hall during Christmas week.

Ashburton.— At the R.M. Court, Lyttelton, jesterday, the Bench remarked that Ashburton sent more lunatics from drink to the gaol at Lyttelton than the whole of the rest of Canterbury put together. The Justices stat ed that they intended to call the attention of the Commissioner of Police to the matter. His Excellency the Governor. His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by his private secretary, yesterday visited the College, being shown through the various rooms, where the forms were in full working order. He was shown over tho College by the heai-master, Mr Corfe, and expressed hirmelf highly pleased at the working of the institution.

Bush Fire at French Farm.—A very extensive bush fire (says the “Akaroa Mail”) was raging all day on Sunday, and to a lesser extent yesterday on the ranges behind French Farm. The fire appears to have come over a low saddle between French Farm and the Okute Yalley. Some men who were at work clearing bush for Mr G. Black report having lost all their belongings, tools, tents, and provi sions. The fLe was still burning at the lime of our going to press. Ashburton Races. —The annual meeting of the Ashburton Racing Club opened yesterday, when the weather was all that could be desired and the the attendance good. Te Wheta appropriated the Hurdle Race, the Maiden Plate and Cup falling to Childington and Chancellor respectively. The arrangements m de by the stewards and commir-tee were very good. Sport will be resumed at 12 30 to-day. The details of the racing will be found elsewhere. Westland and the Ministry.— Then is (says the “ West Coast Times”) very little to thank the Government for, notwithstanding all the promises that were made during the progress of the Ministerial tour. We have not full details as yet, but will lay them before our readers as soon as possible, and unless we are greatly mistaken we shall find the same injustice that has been meted out to Westland tor such a series of years perpetuated in the appropriations of the late session.

St, Alban’s Mutual Improvement Asstation. —The annual meeting of the St. Alban’s Mutual Improvement Association was held on Monday evening, November 11th, in their rooms, High street. The treasurer's report showed the receipts for the year to have been £23 5s 4d, and the expenditure £22 12s 6d, leaving a balance in band of 12s IGd. The librarian reported that the number of members was thirty-five, and the number of books 715 ; £lO 8s had been spent in books during the year. The officers elected for the year were—Mr W. H. Wynn Williams, patron; Mr J. A. Efford, president; Mr R. Butterfield, secretary ; Mr C. Restall, treasurer; Mr R. Barter, librarian; Messrs H. Green, R. Bilton, and F. Moor, committee.

Immigrants per Ship Opawa.- The following is a list of the trades and occupations of the immigrants to be landed at Lyttelton by this ship Farm laborers, 52 ; ploughmen, 8 ; mason, 1; baker 1 ; shoemakers, 4 ; tailors, 2 ; gardeners, 3 ; linen draper, 1. Single women—General servants, 15; cooks, 3 ; dairymaids, 2; housemaids, 3 ; nurses, 4 ; laundrymaid, 1; seamstresses, 2. Summary Male adults, 75 ; female do., 60 ; male children, 12 ; female do., 17 ; infants, 4 ; total, 168 souls —149£ statute adults. Nationality— English, 95 ; Scotch, 7; Irish, 66 ; total, 168. Nominated, 39 souls —36 adults. The ship sailed on September 7bh. In addition to the above number there are 122 immigrants to be landed at Timaru. The list can be seen at the Immigration Office. The Circus. —There was a very good house at the circus last evening, when an attractive programme was gone through successfully. The principal item was the representation of the equestrian drama—dear to all circus lovers —of Turpin’s Ride to York. Mr Burton impersonated the dashing highwayman, and did so excellently. The other characters were also well represented, and the piece throughout was put on with great completeness and attention to detail. The company play again this evening, and on Saturday the last mutiny performance will take place. The circus is announced to appear at Xaiapoi on Wednesday next. New Zealand Rifle Association.— A general meeting of the members of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Rifle Association was held last evening at Warner’s Commercial Hotel. The chair was occupied by Major Lean, and there was a very full attendance. The chairman read communications from the secretary of the executive committee at Wellington, in which it was stated that, under the Appropriation Act, the Government had set apart a sum of £2OOO for the association, and also that they would be prepared to hand over targets, tents, and other company appurtenances now in tin ir possession. A circular from the same quarter stated that the prize firing meeting would take place at Nelson, about three miles out of town, the direction of the range being N.W. and SE , backed up by hills. With regard to applications that had been made for free passes for those attending the meeting, the secretary stated that so far as he was aware no such passes would be granted by the Government, He, therefore, advised all competitors to keep a list of their travelling expenses, so that an application might be afterwards made to the Government with a view of having the whole or a portion of it refunded. Arrangements would be made with the Union Shipping Company to carry competitors to Nelson as cheaply as possible. With regard to ammunition, a supply had been obtained, and would be on the ground. There were not a great many rifles in store, and application had better be made for them as early as possible. The price was —For Snyder rifles £3 6s 9d, and Snyder carbines £3 Is 3d. A number of subscriptions were paid from private members and volunteer companies, and several additional names of subscribers were given in. The rules of the association were next considcicd, but were not finally adopted. The following gentlemen were elected a local committee to look after the affairs of the association : Major Lean, Captains Warner and Hawkes, Lieut, Strange, and Mr Slater. In closing the meeting the chairman remark* d that the association might now be considorei to have fairly started, and he hoped it would bo a success, as he saw no reason to doubt. They had started under very fair auspices, and the support accorded to it was most encouraging. He and his colleagues would do their best to make the members and the public acquainted with any thing that might come from the executive committee at Wellington. This association was not intended to be any rival to the existing volunteer forces or to the local rifle associations or clubs. On the contrary, it was rather intended to foster and encourage them, The proceedings thea temioated.

l*iiiZE Firing —The first quarterly prize firing takes place on Saturd*y next, com-mem-ing at 830 am. The chief prizes will be Blake's ch llengecup (£SO), and Petersen’s cup (value £2O). This year there will be four quarterly meetings, and a set of prizes of good value will be given at the close of the year to the highest aggregate scorers for the four meetings lb is expected that there will be a good muster on Saturday, including a goodly number of visitors. Arrangements have been made to convey competitors and and others to the range by omnibus, leaving the Bank of New Zealand corner at 8 a.m. C.K.B. Min steels. — These clever artistes opened last evening at the Gaiety Theatre on their farewell tour. They had a capital house, and were warmly greeted. In the opening part of the programme Messrs T. Campbell, Wrnon R*id, and J. Drayton sang some new ballads very nicely, particularly Mr Campbell’s rendering of “Think of me kindly.” The first part concluded with a well executed sketch, Messrs Oheevers and Kennedy, in their specialities were exceedingly good, the changes being done with great rapidity and effect. Mr Campbell, who was in capital voice, sang a descriptive scena in good style. The comic business, in the hands of Messrs Cheevers and Bent, was kept fully alive. The great event of the evening was Mr Martin Simonsen’s rendering of his violin solo. Mr Simonsen selected Artot’s fantasia on themes from “Sounambula,” and the way in which he performed it proved how thorough a master of the instrument he is. The various well-known melodies were played exquisitely, as well as the florid setting with which the composer has enriched them. A jig by Messrs Cheevers and Kennedy, the ballad “ Then you’ll remember me,” well sung by Mr Yernon Reid, and two farces closed a capital programme. The company appear again this evening. New Zealand Drug Company.— As will be seen by advertisement elsewhere an addition to the list of Joint Stock Companies is proposed to be made in the shape of the New Zealand Drug Company,which proposes to take over the well known business of Messrs Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. The capital of the new company is £200,000 in 100,000 shares of £2 each with power to increase should it bo deemed necessary. Of these, 50,000 shares only are now offered to the public, upon which it is intended to call up 20s per share, as follows : —Deposit payable on application, 5s per share; on allotment, 5s per share; 5s per share three months after allotment, and 5s per share six months after allotment. Should the directors deem it advisable to make any further call, three calendar months’ notice of any such call is to be given. Twenty-five thousand shares, fully paid up, are to be taken by Messrs Kerapthorne, Prosser and Co., the remaining 25,000 shares being reserved for future issue, as may be determined by tho directors. As the business which it is proposed to take over by the new company is now so well established, having branches in the principal cities of New Zealand, tho new company will start with every prospect of a most successful career. Fatal Boat Accident. A fatal boat accident occurred off Sumner yesterday afternoon. and resulted in the drowning of a young man named Herbert Luff, It appears that a party consisting of the deceased, Robert Malcolm, Thomas Delamain, and Frank Triggs, all employees of Messrs Beath and Co., left the boatshed, near Ward’s Brewery, at half-past nine o’clock yesterday morning in a stump outrigger. They proceeded down tho river and round to Sumner, where they started fishing in the estuary. Shortly after they had commenced a heavy north-wester came on, when the boat was overturned, and the whole party were thrown into the water at a distance of about 200 yards from the shore. They managed to turn the boat on its side and to partly support themselves by it, but Delamain, being a good swimmer, struck out for the shore, which he reached in safety. Luff also made an attempt to swim to land, but be became exhausted in the effort, and returned to the boat. In the meantime Delamain had obtained assistance from some fishermen, and with them went back to the outrigger in a punt and safely rescued Triggs and Malcolm, who had been again thrown from the upturned boat by a heavy lurch. Luff, however, was less fortunate, tor just before the punt arrived he lost his hold and sank. Malcolm and Triggs were on the outrigger about three-quarters of an hour before they were rescued. The body of Luff had not been recovered when the party left Sumner for town last evening. On arrival they at once communicated the intelligence to the police. The deceased resided in Cambridge terrace, near the Manchester street bridge, and was twenty years of age. The Yictoeian Ministry.— Says the “Argus” of November 2nd:-In political circles there is much agitation with regard to the proposed embassy to England, and the changes consequent thereupon. A vote for the embassy will be brought down upon an early day, and in submitting it the Chief Secretary is expected to make an important statement. The amount asked for will, it is believed, be £SOOO. The delegates have never been formally selected by the Cabinet, and there ie likely to be an important departure from tho list as already announced. Mr Berry and Professor Pearson are the two certainties of the delegation, but it is now doubtful whether Sir Bryan O’Loghlen will visit England. The ambition of the hon. gentleman points rather to the Supreme Court Bench than to the Agent-Generalship which is about to fall vacant, and which, it has been generally supposed, ho would accept in connexion with the seat for Clare. Should S r Bryan O’Loghlen not proceed to London, Sir C. G. Duffy will most probably take his place on tho commission, without, however, any pledge as to his succession to the post of Agent-General. In this case Sir O. G. Duffy would resign the Speakership of the Assembly, and his place would be taken by Mr Peter Lalor, who is not averse to the promotion, and who would bo spared by his colleagues. Indeed, the peace of the Cabinet in Mr Berry’s absence would be promoted by the change. The Commissionership of Customs would thus be at the disposal of tho Government, and the name of an hon. member representing a largo suburban constituency is confidently mentioned in connexion with the post. It is probable, also, that the office vacated by Mr Cuthbort will be filled up before Mr Berry leaves, and will not be conferred upon a member of the Upper House. These important changes are naturally tho subject of much discussion, and of many rumours.

Sib G. Grey’s Victorian Tbip.— On the proposed trip of the Premier to inoculate the Victorians with the doctrines of reciprocity the “ Timaru Herald” says : —Wo earnestly hope that the rumour regarding Sir Q-. Grey's contemplated free trade crusade in Victoria is true. It would be infinitely better for him to occupy the recess in teaching people there the rudiments of national greatness, and popular prosperity, than in disseminating class hatreds and false principles of government among the people of his own country. We wish him a speedy departure and a prosperous mission, and, if he goes, we shall watch his operations with far greater interest than has over yet attached to any of his political proceedings. Even if he fails immediately to attain his objects, ho cannot but do some good by demonstrating to Victorian politicians and Victorian democrats, that the most advanced views of popular rights are not inseparable from the advocacy of free trade. llis high intellectual powers and that singular personal influence which he undoubtedly possesses, may do more to bring about a change of opinion in that respect than all the dry writings of political economists, or the interested arguments of local partisans. We should dearly like to be present to observe the effects of Sir George Grey’s polished though impassioned orato r y, on a Victorian mob. A man who has succeeded in making the wealthy and independent working classes of New Zealand half believe, despite the evidence of their own senses, that they are down trodden slaves, bereft of the common privileges of freemen by the tyranny of the owners of a few vast estates, may possibly be able to persuade the bigoted Victorian democracy that their beloved protection is a miserable blunder. Should he do so, he will have done what no man was ever able to do before, and he will have established a valid claim to the gratitude and respect of posterity throughout the whole of uo iov portaat mim of the Britisb Empire.

Poxteey Clay heae Oamahu.-A seam of pottery clay (says the‘‘Mail”) of a very superior class exists in St. Andrews Gully, near the coalpit. It is very hard, compact, and fine in the gram, and ot a bluish color, and has been tested in Dunedin, and is stated to be equal to any English production for the manufacture of ordinary while ware. J-his clay could be put in the trucks at P.ipakaio at 15s a too, and is so good as to be worthy of an order from the manager of the Milton Potteries.

Mrs Mortimer Collins has finished a novel left incomplete by her husband, entitled “ Yon Play Me False.” It will be brought out shortly by Messrs. Bentley and Son. Mrs Bateman, who since the death of her hiv-band has managed the Lyceum Theatre with every ability aud credit to herself, has given up the reins of government to MiHenry Irving. “Gdi,6vieve de Brabant was to he produced at the Alhambra on Saturday, 14th September, in which Miss Emily Sold one would make her re-appearance in England after her two years’ tour through America. California, Aust alia, &c., in the character of Drogan, and supported by nearly all the original exponents of the various characters. . The Duke’s Theatre, which has been greatly improved and altered, was announced to re-open on Saturday, September 7th, under the management of Messrs. Wilmot and Clarence Holt, both old N.Z. favorites. Popular prices and attractive plays have been determined upon.

The directors of a theatre In a small town in Westphalia adopted recently an ingenious method of arou-ing public attention. At the bottom of the playbill he announced that ho combined dentistry with theatrical management, and that all purchasers of stalls would be entitled to receive from him a free dental consultation on the following morning. It is said that rn the evening'of the announcement the stalls were filled by persons whose aspect of melancholy expectation was most depressing. The Geeat Easteen.— It is said that the steamship Great Eastern has been purchased by a company, who intend to use her as a cattle boat to ply between Texas and London. She is now being fitted out at Milford Haven and is to have new engines and boilers, manu factuted hv the Clvde Iron Works, at a cost of 500 OOOdols. Refrigerators will be built in her for the purpose of earn ing fresh beef lb is estimated that she will carry 2200 head of cattle and 3600 head of sheep. Mr William Paterson, of Edinburgh, has, the “Academy” says, arranged to ip sue. somewhat in the styJe of the late Sir Widiam Stirling Maxwell’s privately printed folio volumes, a collection of the principal existing portraits of Mary Queen of Sots. The collection will embrace between one and two hundred portraits. A number of facsimiles will also be given from originals which have never been engraved. The volume will be issued under the supervision of Messrs. Havid Laing, Edinburgh, aud Twylie Guild, Glasgow. “The “Straits Times” of the 13th August B ay ß The head gardener in the Botanical Gardens had a rather dangerous adventure on Friday last with the python recently presented to the gardens by the Maharajah of Johore. The creature is sluggish in his habits and allows liberties to be taken with him. On Friday the gardener entered the python’s cage, and was showing to a friend that he could do as he pleased with him, when suddenly, irritated by a kick on the head, the python coiled himself quickly round the gardener’s hi dy, and had well nigh succeeded in squeezing the life out of him be ore arrived in thepl»a.peof Private Jobn Adolphus, of H.M, 28th Regiment, who very plucm)v seiz'd the snake, and, by sheer strength, forced him to let go.”