NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1490, 25 November 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Late Me F. W. Teschesiakeb, M.H R.—We are informed that the funeral of this gentleman will take place at Timaru to-morrow (Tuesday) afternoon, leaving St. Mary’s Church at 1.45. Christchurch friends who may desire to be present can do so by proceeding by the 8.45 a.m. express train. A special will leave Timaru after the funeral, to arrive in Christchurch before 9 p.m, Teeat foe the Orphans. —A grand concert will take place at the Oddfellows’ Hall, on Thursday next, in aid of the funds now collecting for providing a Christmas treat for the children of the Orphan Asylum, when a most attractive programme will be gone through. The nature of its object should procure a bumper house, but, independently of that, the talent secured already is a sufficient guarantee of the excellence of the entertainment promised. We are sure those present will receive the worth of their money. The Late Accident on the Estuaet.— The body of Herbert Lough, who was drowned in the estuary early in November, while engaged in a boating excursion, was recovered this morning shortly after midnight, Two fisherman, named Richard Harper and Thomas Bardon, were engaged in their occupation when the body of the deceased floating by caught in their net, and they di’ew it into the boat and conveyed it to Mrs Sehluter’s Hotel, where an inquest was held this) afternoon at three o’clock. Great credit is duo to Bardon, Harper, and other fishermen, who, since the accident, have been unremitting in their endeavors to recover the dead body, and have at last been successful.

The Convention op Agricultural Associations. —The convention of delegates from the various agricultural societies o,f this island was held at Oamaru, on Saturday morning. It will be seen from the full account of the proceedings telegraphed by our special reporter, that all the necessary preliminaries for the successful establishment of the proposed National Agricultural Association, were agreed upon almost unanimously. Kelly and Leon Minstrels.—To-mor-row evening the Kelly and Leon Minstrel Troupe will make their first appearance in Christchurch at the Theatre Eoyal. Their success in the Northern provinces has been most pronounced, and fully justifies the very flattering criticisms written on their performances by the American and Australian Press. They have very judiciously determined to adhere to the old established prices of admission, instead of the higher tariff previously announced. Theatre Royal. —“ Flying Scud ” drew a good house on Saturday night, and went off very successfully. To-night, the last of the season, is devoted to the benefit of Mr George Q-eddes. It is some years since this gentleman has appealed to the public, and there is no doubt that his popularity will ensure him a good house. A new comedy, entitled “ Paper Wings,” will be presented as the first piece, to be followed by the screaming farce “Stage Struck,” in which Mr Walton, who has kindly given his services, will appear as Jerry Clip, with imitations of popular London vocalists. Mr Haygarth will also appear as Pelham Podge. Canterbury Temperance League—A meeting will be held at the Provincial Council Chambers on Thursday, to consider the formation of the proposed Canterbury Temperance League. A circular has been issued setting forth the objects and proposed organisation of the League. The pledge is to be of a twofold character, the following being the forms suggested : —(1). “ I hereby promise, in the strength of Divine Grace, to abstain, from the use of all intoxicating drinks as beverages, and to discountenance their use in the community.” (2) “I hereby promise to discountenance the drinking customs of society, and to aid the general objects of the League.” Accident at Wainui. An accident of a very serious nature happened to Mrs Hay, sen,, of Pigeon Bay, on Friday evening. Mrs Hay was on her way to visit; some friends at Wainui in a dog cart, which her son, Mr Thomas Hay was driving. While passing tha Native reserve at Wainui, the wheels of tha vehicle came violently into contact with a stone on the road, breaking one of the springe, and throwing the occupants of the dogcart from their seats. After being conveyed to Mr A. 0. Knight’s house, Mrs Hay was seen by Dr Guthrie, of Akaroa, who found that her thigh bone was broken. Dr Guthrie considered the injuries so serious that he at once sent to Christchurch, for additional medical assistance. Later intelligence states that Mrs Hay is not expected to live.

Drowned in Lyttelton Haebob. A very melancholy accident occurred on Saturday at Lyttelton. The caretaker of the Quarantine Station at Quail Island, whose name is Thomas Handcock, came over to Lyttelton on Saturday morning to dispose of vegetables, of which he grows a large number, and to do other business. About halfpast two in the afternoon he started to return, having previously reefed the sail in his boat as the wind was strong and squally from the S.W. There was a high sea running, but he managed the boat all right going across, and got safely round the Point and within a few hundred yards of his home. His wife, who was sittting in his cottage in a room facing the sea, with her children round her, saw him coming. When she looked round again, however, the boat had capsized, and. her husband was astride upon it. He must have felt it gradually sinking under him, for he called out lo her twice, but of course it was impossible for her to render him any aid, and in a few minutes both boat and man had sunk. The poor woman, who had only her children with her on the Island, endeavoured to attract the attention of those on the mainland by lighting fires. Some ballastmen saw her, reported the occurrence at Lyttelton, ana a boat went over and brought Mrs Handcock and her children to Lyttelton. Intelligence was sent lo Mr March, and yesterday morning he came down and went over to the island in the steam launch Lyttelton. The boat was found in about Sit of water some 300 yards from the shore. It was raised, snd found to contain a bushel of wheat and to be well ballasted, so that it was certain to sink after a short interval if it was capsized. No trace of the body of deceased was found. Handcock was about 30 years of age. He was quite sober when lie left L\lit lion on Saturday. It is supposed the boat capsized in a puff, as the sheet was found fast when the boat was raised yesterday.

The New Railways.— The Hon. Minister for Public Works informs the “ Otago Daily Times ” that it is the intention of the Government to proceed with the construction of the various railway lines authorised during last session at as early a date as possible. Arrangements for getting the Strathtaieri line put in hand are in the most forward state, working plans being now ready, and consequently it may be expected tenders will bo called in connection with that line almost immediately. The Pbemiee and the Suitob. —The “ Timaru Herald ” has the following characteristic anecdote of Sir G. Grey :—There is a capital story told of the Premier and a gentleman holding a prominent position, which illustrates, perhaps, as well as anything could, the way in which public business is subordinated to private idiosyncracies, under the present regime. The gentleman in question had long suffered from the neglect by the Ministry of a matter of the first moment to himself and those he represented. The matter was simple enough, and only needed the Premier to give his decision upon it one way or the other. The rest of the Ministers knew all about it, and were quite prepared to deal finally with it; but their chief had put off dealing with it again and again, and would never give anybody a chance to bring it before him. At length the patience of the member—for the gentleman referred to represents a Northern constituency was fairly exhausted, and he determined to make a desperate effort to get his business out of the Premier’s hands altogether. He accordingly found a means to obtain an interview with him alone, and, after detailing the case and describing the distress that he was in about it, begged the Premier as a favour to allow two of the other Ministers to look into it and settle it for the Government. Sir George heard him patiently to the end, when he told him with an air of terrible weariness and dis traction, that he had so many anxieties and cares that his head was well nigh bursting. Changing his manner tben to one of great interest and pleasantness, which raised the hopes of the applicant to the highest pitch, he proceeded to narrate to him an anecdote of a little child who had seen a little mouse come out of a little hole and eat a little bit of cheese, and who had asked him whether he thought God taught the little mouse to eat the cheese. “Now was not that a nice thing for the little creature to say to me ? What I mean to say is, was it not really, though, a very interesting thing ? Do you not think children are most interesting ? &c., &c , &c,, &c. The member tore his hair and lied, and that business remains in statu quo to this day. This story is not only highly characteristic, but it has the further advantage of being strictly true in every particular.