NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1492, 27 November 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sklwyn County Council. —The first meeting of the newly elected Selwyn County Council was held at noon to-day in the Provincial Council Chambers, all the members being present but Dr. Turnbull. The Hon. John Hall was re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. A good deal of miscellaneous business was transacted, a report of which will apnearin our to-morrow’s issue. 1.0. GT. — A new lodge was opened at Colombo road, Sydenham, last evening by the District Deputy Bro. J. T. Smith, assisted by Bro. H. Bennetts, W.G.C., and Bro. Webber, D.G.W C.T. The name of the new lodge is the Pride of Sydenham, and will meet on Thursday evenings. Bro. T. B. Knight was elected W.C.T., Bro. Scott W.V.T., Bro. Farland W.S., Bro. Henwood W.F.S., Bro. Henwood, junr., W.T., and Bro. Brown W.O. This lodge is likely to do much good in the district. Mayoeal Election. —The polling of votes for the election of Mayor commenced this morning at nine o’clock sharp. The competition between the rival candidates was very brisk, each committee working energetically for their nominee. Expresses, cabs, omnibusses, and private vehicles in the usual manner gaily decorated with the broadsheets and posters generally seen on such occasions were to the fore in large numbers, arriving continually from all parts of the city with their freights of voters. Up to half-past two o’clock, as near as could be ascertained 1150 votes had been recorded, of which the proportions were said to be in favor of Or. Ick 700, and for his Worship the Mayor 450. At this hour the interest was increasing, and although the voting appeared to be in favor of Or. Ick still his Worship’s friends were by no means apprehensive of defeat. In consequence of the rowdy proceedings which took place at the last election of councillors when the state of the poll was declared the same evening, the declaration on this occasion will take place tomorrow at noon. Tempeeancb Hotel Company. —The requisite number of shares in this company are almost made up, and the directors hop* to set it afloat during the next fortnight. Intending supporters and shareholders would do well to come forward. The Thbateical Company.— Mr Hoskins’ theatrical company, under the management of Mr George Geddes, left last night by the Hawea, for Wellington, where they open in “ Our Boys” to-morrow evening. Before reappearing in Christchurch they will visit Napier, and afterwards Dunedin. Map op the Seat of Was. —With this day’s Peess is issued a map of the seat of war. It shows the boundaries of Afghanistan, the various passes by which the country can be entered from India, and the relative positions of some of the principal places likely to come prominently into notice during the progress of hostilities. Padded Room at the Hospital. —This room has undergone a very nec-ssary repair, entailing an expenditure of £2O. It was visited by the members of the Charitable Aid Board after their last meeting, when it was found to be in such a dilapidated condition, that it was resolved to have the necessary repairs done at once. Canteebuey Amateue Minsteel Company.— These amateurs have kindly consented to give an entertainment in aid of the Colonists’ Society on Thursday evening, December sth, The performance will take place at the Society’s hall, Lyttelton, when it is hoped there will be a good house, and that the funds of this very useful society will be largely augmented. Fieb. Shortly after seven o’clock last evening the bells from the Lichfield and Chester street stations rang an alarm, and from the direction in which the people were running, it was evident that the cause of the excitement was in High street. It was found to bo in the back premises of Mr Clarke, tailor, where, in consequence of the gas pipes being disjointed, the gas had escaped, caught alight and set fire to the roof of the room in the rear of the shop Fortunately, assistance being at hand, the fire was soon extinguished with a few buckets of water without doing much damage. As usual, the members of the Fire Brigade were soon on the spot in considerable force, but their services were not required. The Was in Acheen. —A telegram from the Governor-General of the Dutch Indies has been received at the Colonial Office at the Hague announcing the unconditional surrender of Habib Abdul Bachman to Dutch authority. He not only consents to leave, with his followers, the Bay of Olehleb, the Dutch port on the mouth of the Acheen river, but urges the other chiefs to submission. Some of the chieftains seem to be desirous of acting independently of the man who has from the beginning planned and directed the rebellion, but the Dutch consider the Acheen war settled through the strategy and energy of Colonel van der Heyden, who has been raised to the rank of Major-General. Other chiefs are sending in their submission.