NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1498, 4 December 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

1.0 Q-.T.—We see by advertisement that Mr J. W. Jago will deliver a lecture at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lyttelton, on Thursday next. There will be no charge for admission. Girls’ High School.—The three success £ul competitors at the recent examination of the Girls’ High School were formerly pupils at Christchurch West School. Kelly and Leon Minsteels. The Minstrels had a crowded house last evening, when the programme was repeated. Leon had to respond to a number of encores for his song, “The Girl in Advance of the Times,” and the sketches with the amusing musical trifle, “ Mons. Choufleuri,” went capitally. In the first part Mr Beaumont Reed’s singing, and the various items of what is known as the chair business were loudly applauded. Tonight there there will be an entire change of programme, introducing the London novelty, “The Belles of the Kitchen,” in which the only Leon will appear. The Fiebwoeks on the 16th.—The display of pyrotechnics to take place in Hagley Park on the 16th instant is likely to be on a scale never before attempted in this city, and worthy alike of the occasion and the very large attendance there will bo to witness it. The fireworks will of course be in connection with the fire brigade demonstration, and as a large expenditure will this year be incurred in this demonstration, the brigade wish to obtain something to swell their funds on the night of the display. The superintendent of the brigade has therefore made application to the secretary of the sports committee for the grand stand on that evening in order to make a charge for admission, and thus to help to pay the cost of the show. A Hoax. —Early yesterday morning a man brought a quantity of clothing, comprising three pairs of trousers, waistcoat, and coat to the police station, stating that he had found them on the western bank of the Avon, between the Gloucester street and Worcester street bridges. He was apprehensive that some one had gone into the river and been lost. The police pointed out that a single bather was hardly likely to have left three pairs of trousers behind him. The thing was either a stupid hoax or some one had thrown the old clothes on the river bank to get rid of them. Licensing Coubt.—The Quarterly Licensing Court was held yesterday, and a number of new licenses were granted. Amongst others the license of the A 1 Hotel was conceded at last. A conditional license was also granted for a new hotel at the corner of BarDadoes street and Oxford Terrace. Permission was given to Mr Seabright to erect a new hotel [alongside the Racecourse, and in reply to Mr Wearing’s application for a license for a new hotel on a colossal scale at the corner of Colombo street and Cathedral square, the Bench said that if a building was put up similar to any of the four plans submitted, the license would probably be granted. DANGEROUS Beidgb.—One or tw o narrow escapes have occurred at the Ohoka stream bridge, which is in course of re-erection on the Kaiapoi Drain road. It is stated that at night time no light is left or steps taken to show that horses or vehicles must proceed by the ford. On Monday evening a horseman wont on to the bridge, and his horse falling through the planks was with difficulty extricated. The Eyreton Road Board surveyor, it appears, has made proper provision in the specification for the work, that the contractors shall take all risk, and are to maintain public security in the usual ways. The Stewaet Family.—The playgoers of Christchurch may anticipate a treat in the approaching visit of these clever artistes who, under the title of the Stewart Family, have been delighting the Dunedin people. The company comprises Mr R. Stewart, whose name is familiar to all Australians, and his three daughters, the Misses Docy, Nellie, and Maggie Stewart. Their entertainment, which has been written especially for them by Mr Garnet Walch, is even of a more amusing and diversified character than that of the Salsbury Troubadours. It is truly, as it is described, a mixture of mirth, mimicry, and music. Of the members of the company, Miss Docy Stewart is an actress and vocalist of high talent, whilst Miss Nellie, as an impersonator of character and comedienne, is very attractive. Her sketches are marked with great versatility and life, and she infuses into all her characters a go which makes her a prime favorite with her audience. Miss Maggie is also excellent, and the dresses and appointments are very good. They open at the Oddfellows’ Hall for the Christmas holidays, and no doubt their season here will be as profitable as in Dunedin. Mr H. P. Lyons, who was here with Blondin, acts as advance agent, and the musical director is Mr Harcourt Lee. Annivbhsaey Sports—A meeting of the sports committee was held yesterday at the City Council Chambers, Mr J. Ollivier in the chair. A letter was read from the chairman of the Domain Board, slating that the application of the committee that one publican’s gmd tw,o confectioners’ booths be allowed in the Domain, would be acceded to. The tender of Mr Maddison, for the erection of a grand stand for £27, was accepted. It was decided to admit vehicles only within the gales along the plantation. Some discussion ensued as to letting or sale by auction of the booths, and it was decided that they be sold by auction by Mr Alport, and that the general committee be requested to prepare plans, specifications and conditions, relating to the sale of sites for booths. It was agreed that Messrs Mitchell, Walkden and Wachsman bo requested to provide the necessary appliances for the sports. An application was received from Mr Superintendent Harris, asking that the use of the grand stand bo granted to the members of the fire brigade for the purpose of seating visitors to view the fireworks in the evening, which was acceded to. It war, resired that the security of the foot ■ bridge In Hagley Park be provided for at i once. It was announced that Messrs Coates i and Co., and Petersen and Co. had promised i to give prizes. It was decided that the pro- ] gramme be advertised in Saturday s papers. 1 The meeting then adjourned. ]

Special Seevioe. —A special service has been arranged to take place within the walls of the Cathedral on Anniversary Day, as a welcome to the Primate on his return from the Lambeth Conference. The Primate is expected to reach here in about a week. The service will be under the auspices of the Cathedral Guild, and a majority of the clergy of the diocese will take part in it. The Spaeeow Nuisance.— -The committee of the Woodend andWaikuku Sparrow Clubs met on Monday evening in the district schoolroom of the former township to receive and pay for the sparrows and sparrows’ eggs collected by the boys in the district. Some of the boys had been very successful, one boy having collected 500 eggs. In all they mustered between two and three thousand eggs and two or three hundred birds. Fiee at Courtenay. —Shortly after eleven o’clock on Tuesday morning Mrs Smith, of the Courtenay Hotel, North road, noticed smoke issuing from the stables connected with the hotel. She at once ran in and loosed a mare and foal. A few minutes later the structure, which was a four-stalled stable with three loose boxes, was completely destroyed, together with a dog cart and a large quantity of palings. The origin of the fire is unknown. The property was not insured. Uppee Heathcote School Committee.— The usual monthly meeting was held on Monday, December 2nd, There were present Mr Henderson (chairman), and Messrs Whiting, Comer, Moreland, and Raxworthy. A letter was read from Miss Bowles, assistant-mistress, informing the committee that at the instigation of her friends she had resolved to give up teaching, and tendering her resignation. It was resolved that Miss Bowles’ resignation be accepted with regret. The Christmas holidays were fixed: the school to close on 20th instant and re-open January 27th, 1879. A meeting was fixed for Tuesday, 17th inst., to consider the new standards, which are regarded with great dissatisfaction by the members of the committee. Accident on the Southern Railway. —The Palmerston correspondent of the Dunedin “Herald” telegraphed on Monday—- “ The 9 o’clock goods train from Oamaru to Dunedin, after leaving the Puki-iviti station, and before reaching the Waihemo station, ran off the line. Several of the trucks, together with the guard’s van, were thrown off, some of them down the embankment. The guard escaped with a rather severe shaking. Mr Isaacs, traveller for Messrs Beaver Bros., Dunedin, was the only passenger. He jumped off, and escaped unhurt. The engine came on to Palmerston with the news, and at once returned with a gang of men. Another gang also came from Oamaru, and proceeded to repair the line, which was torn up for a considerable distance. The up goods train was detained here in consequence, and did not depart until the arrival of the Christchurch express and the 3.20 passenger Oamaru train, which came up to time. The men by that time put the line in temporary repair. I have not heard the cause of the mishap. The train was proceeding at a slow rate, but there is a very sharp curve just where the accident happened. Kaiapoi School Committee,— A special meeting of this committee was held on Monday. Present—Messrs Johnston (chairman), Young, Revell, Mathews, Pashby, and Coup. Letters were read from the Board of Education, stating that steps would be taken to amend existing arrangements for paying incidental expenses; also, that the pupil teachers’ examination was postponed from January to March. The secretary reported having summoned several parents to show cause why their children were not attending school. From Mr E. McKenna, V.C., resigning as a member of the committee, owing to his leaving the town. A certificate was received from Flaxton school, stating that Mr T. Stevenson’s children were attending there. The chairman, alluding to the success of the concert in aid of the prize fund, suggested that a treat also ought to be provided after the dietribution of the awards. This was agreed to by all the members present. It was decided to devote £ls for the purchase of prizes, and that the Board’s contribution be applied for, as well as the necessary information of the number of marks obtained by each scholar at last examination. Messrs Revell and Rayner were appointed a sub-committee to select the prizes. The chairman, Messrs Revell, and Mathews agreed to act as a committee to arrange for a treat, the former undertaking to canvass for donations towards"the same. The prize distribution was fixed for the 12th, the treat to take place on the 13 th. The committee then adjourned. The Government Fiee Engine. —At the fire yesterday morning in consequence of there being no water available near |the buildings destroyed, it was found necessary to connect with the water tank at the railway station by means of a great length of hose, which made it exceedingly difficult to use the water effectively. Had the brigade been in a position to use the Government fire engine, which was safe alongside the tank in question, the fire would much sooner have been got under. It seems a great pity that this fine machine, which cost something like £ISOO, cannot be made available in cases where the fire is in the immediate neighborhood. Both the City Council and the various fire insurance companies have on several occasions tried to enter into an arrangement with the authorities with this view, bub always without effect. Inspector Harris made no formal application yesterday, doing the best he could with the engines at his disposal, but for the use of the tank before referred to the thanks of the people of Sydenham are due to the Government. On one occasion, not very long ago, when this water was required for fire extinction purposes, the brigade at once proceeded to break down the fence facing Manchester street. In re-erecting this fence it was so arranged by a slip panel that there is now no difficulty in getting the piper to the water, so that in this respect the Government have done what they can to assist the brigade. At the same time it must be understood that this is for their own benefit, as the Superintendent of the Brigade is armed with powers to outer upon any premises whatever, public or private, from which water can bo obtained.

Fiees in Sydenham.—The late fires in Sydenham have shown the very great necessity that exists for a water supply in that district, and also for the establishment of a fire brigade. At the present time the city fire brigade only has direct authority to work within the city, and the City Council do not consider themselves responsible for any expense that may be incurred outside the bounds. On former occasions the insurance offices have shown themselves willing to bear a portion of the expense. But now that Sydenham is formed into a municipality, it cannot be expected that the City Council should care to be saddled with the expense of extinguishing fires in that borough. The establishment, therefore, of a fire brigade and a fire inspector is absolutely necessary, for at present there is no officer whatever who has the power to order the pulling down of any buildings to save the borough from destruction. Mr Superintendent Harris possesses such power only so far as Christchurch is concerned. A special resolution was passed some time ago by the City Council that they would not defray any expenses that might bo incurred outside the city, and as Mr Harris, as chief of the brigade, was put to some little expense at the fire on Tuesday morning, for working the engines, Ac., it is likely that ho will be considerably out of packet by the transaction. The several fires that have occurred of late show the absolute necessity of some joint action being at once taken in the matter of a water supply, and for this purpose Mr Harris advocates that the municipalities of Christchurch and Sydenham, and the districts of Heathcote and Avon should act together in the matter. His proposal is that the water should be taken from the Heathcote, pumped into a reservoir on the hills, Irom which it could enter Christchurch by an easy descent, only having to come a mile and a quarter before reaching Sydenham, This scheme ho considers would give a supply to the four districts mentioned, sufficient for many years to come for the extinction of fires, flushing of channels, &c. Prof.ssor Bickorbon, in a report on this water, gave it as his opinion that it was quite fit for drinking and culinary purposes.

Thb Obighnai Survey of Cheisthttbch. —A long letter and report from the Chief Surveyor of Christchurch on the original survey of Christchurch was read at Monday s meeting of the City Council, and will be found published elsewhere. Rose Show. —The annual rose show of the Christchurch Horticultural Society took place yesterday, and considering the unfavorable weather that has prevailed, the** was a creditable exhibition. A report will be found elsewhere. The Porestees’ Sroprs.—Great preparations are being made to make these sports, which are to be hela on Boxing Day, on the Caledonian Grounds, Colombo street, a yet greater success than usual. The committee of management, together with Mr S. P. Andrews, who is to act as starter, and Mr Wynn Williams, who will officiate as judge, are doing their best to push matters forward, and judging from the list of prizes and the number and character of the events, their efforts will be successful. In addition to the various races, &c., there is to be a Richardson’s show on the ground, as well as shows and booths of other characters, and all that will be wanted to ensure a pleasant day will be fine weather. Masonic Bail at Ashburton.—The Somerset Lodge ball, held on Monday night at the Town Hall, was a decided success, owing to the arrangements made by the committee. About nine o’clock, dancing commenced, and was kept up with spirit till an early hour next morning. Mr Schwartz’s band furnished the music, which was excellent. The hall was handsomely decorated, flags and evergreens, also pot plants and flowers, being freely used. Refreshments were laid out in the gallery, and Mr Shearman’s large dining-room was converted into the supper-room for the occasion, matting being laid across the lawn to the door of the hall. About ninety people were present, amongst whom were many visitors from the sister lodges. As this was the first ball of its kind held at Ashburton, the Somerset Lodge have much reason to congratulate themselves on its success.