NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1500, 6 December 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Distribution of Prizes at the Nobmal School. —The annual distribution of prizes took place at the Normal School this morning in the drill-shed connected with the institution, in the presence of a number of visitors. Mr John Inglis, the chairman of the Board of Education, sent an apology for non-attend-ance, which was caused by its beiug mail day. The number of children present must have been fully BCD, and in his remarks the Principal of the school, Mr C. C. Howard, who made the presentations, referred to the rapid increase which there was, not only in the number of scholars on the books, but in attendance—the average attendance now being over BC3 daily. The dux medals this year, the gift of Messrs Ooates and Co., were carried off by Martha Weir among the girls, and Joseph Hurst Turner among the boys. After the distribution of prizes the school broke up for the holidays, which will terminate on Monday, 20th Januaiy, 1879.

Cantebbuhy Waste Lands.—On 30th November, it was computed that 5,269,248 acres 3 roods 18 perches were still open for disposal in the Canterbury Provincial district. Boaed of Education. —The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board of Education of North Canterbury was held at the Normal School yesterday afternoon, when business of tho usual character was transacted.

The Noemal School. —The examination, in connection with the Normal School, terminated on yesterday, when the school broke up for the Christmas holidays. The prize distribution will take place at an early date. Piwab Pass. —The Piwar defile, to which reference has been made in the cable news from India, lies on the principal line of road from Cabul to Kogat, and is situated about 120 miles by road from the former place, and 84 miles from the Indian frontier.

The Legislative Council.— Apropos of vacancies in the House the Timaru " Herald" says:—Two other vacancies may shortly be looked for, as we have reason to believe that Mr Dignan, member for Auckland City West, and Mr Wood, member for Mataura, are to elevated to the Upper House.

Messes Macandeew and Conyebs.— These two officials left Dunedin yesterday morning for Christchurch. On their way up, they are to make certain examinations of platform and other requirements at Oamaru and Timaru. At the latter place, certain deputations wiU wait upon them. They will arrive in Christchurch by special train about eight o'clock this evening. Mr Macandrew, after making a short stay here, will proceed to Wellington. Wateb Supply.—A meeting of the water supply committee was to have been held yesterday morning, but in consequence of the absence of some of the members it was postponed. It will, however, meet during the week, when a report will be brought up for presentation to the City Council at their meeting on Monday. The report will refer to the recent visit of the Council to Bong's springs, and a water supply for Christchurch. Some new proposals will, it is said, be brought before the next meeting of the Council. Kilwinning Lodge, 5.0., No. 565 —The installation of officers for the above lodge for the ensuing year took place on Saturday, November 30th. The following are the names of those elected : —R.W.M., Bro. Alexander Taylor; S.M., Bro. W. Smith; S.W., James Q-rubb ; J.W., John A. Moutray ; treasurer, John Grrubb ; S.D., Thomas Green ; J D., P. Cotts ; S.S., John Burnip; J.S., J. D. Zellen; I.Gk, J. Mayes ; tyler, F. Arnold.

Speed of the Expbess.—lt has been stated that the next time-table will show that the journey by express train between here and Dunedin wi'l be lessened one hovr. This is not correct, as the only saving will bo ten minutes, which will be made on the other side of Oamaru. It will be necessary to decrease the speed somewhat on this side, as it is found that the light lines of ra ; l are already beginning to suffer. Fiees. —On Wednesday afternoon there was a serious fire on the grass on Mr R. Chapman's run at Spring Park, Moeraki Downs. On Thursday a fire was discovered on the farm premises of Mr H. Blackett at Fernßide. Before this fire was extinguished, it caused a great amount of damage. The buildings were quite destroyed, and also the gorse fencing and some of the wheat crop, as well as a young plantation of about an acre and a half in extent. So serious did affairs look that at 5 p.m. it was deemed advisable to muster the Rangiora Fire Brigade, who, with their engine, proceeded promptly to tho spot. The fire was then got under. Its origin has not been ascertained. Retibing Allowances foe Schoolmastebs. —A short time ago the Board of Education forwarded a letter to the Government from Mr Garrett, the teacher at Greenpark, who was about to retire, after having served eight years. His application to the Government, through tho Board, was that some retiring allowance might bo granted to him. A reply was yesterday read by tbo secretary of the Board of Education, stating that his application could not be entertained. Another and similar application has since been made, the applicant in this case being Mr Borthwick, of German Bay, who is about to retire from toaching in consequence of illness. In his case the certificates showed a length of service of over twelve years. The Board resolved to forward his application to the Government.

Ltttblton Chokal Society.—This society gave their third concert on Wednesday night, and it proved even a greater success than its predecessors, the concerted music heing admirably rendt red, and the solos as a whole very effective. Mr Corriok was of course conductor, Miss Stout pianist©, and the band included Messrs Bonnington, McOardell, Cohen, Senger, Herman, Spensley, Kerr, and Triphook. The orchestra opened the concert with one of Boullon's overtures, which was well rendered, and was followed by the well known "May Day" chorus, given in a very spirited manner by members of the society. Next came the duet " The sailor sighs," which a l<uly and gontleman rendered very expressively, eliciting loud applause. Glover's beautiful duet " The Elfin call," also given admirahly, and the two choruses "Sweet and low" (Barnby). " The forester" (E. Sterling) brought the lirst part to a conclusion. The second part consisted of Birch's operetta " Merry Men of Sherwood Forest," the bright and sparkling music of which was given in such a manner as to show that Mr Corriok had done marvels with the members. The choruses were rendered with remarkable precision, and the solos sung in a most effective manner. The eociety has done Rood work during the past season, nnd the, conductor, Mr Corrick, and pi&male, Misi Stout, both deserve the highest credit, fo* their unwearied devotion to the cause as well as many of the aptjye members, olhcerej and committee.

New Church at Bingsland.—An account will bo found elsewhere of the ceremony of laying the foundation of the now Methodist Free Church at Bingsland. Donation to the Industrial School. — The police of Christchurch have made _ their annual donation, raised by subscription amongst the men this year, amounting to £4 16s, to the Burnham Industrial School. New Members of the Board of Education. —At yesterday's sitting of the Board of Education for North Canterbury, Messrs John Grigg and John C. Wason were appointed to represent the Ashburton High School in that body. Cavalry Dinner.—The annual dinner of the C.Y.C was held last evening at the Commercial Hotel, when there was a good attendance. Mr Cookson put on a splendid spread, which was done ample justice to, and those present spent a very pleasant evening. U.R.C.—Senior pair-oar races for vicecommodore's prize ; Pratt's to the Willows ; will take place on Thursday and Friday, the 12th and 13th instant, at 5.15 p.m. each evening. Scylla :E. R. Morris, F. D. Resteven v Una: J. T. Smith, W. M. Joynt. Scylla ; W. J. Jones, A. E. Hawkins V Una : A. Searell, H. Keith. Scylla: S. C. Kesteven, R Borland v Una : A. H. N. Campbell, J. Duncan. Scylla: J. W. Mansfield, C. Allard vUna: Thomas Searell, R. R. Mansfield. Prizes in Public Schools.—A good deal of dissatisfaction has been shown this year by the various Government schools on account of the usual grant for prizes being withheld. The matter yesterday came under the notice of the Board of Education, who in several cases regretted that they had no funds for the purpose. The formerly granted were not large, being but sixpence per head, but they used to be largely supplemented by private subscription. Inspection of Yeomanry Cavalry,—The half-yearly inspection of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry took place last evening at the drill shed. There was a muster of between forty and fifty men in addition to the band. The contingents present included those from Christchurch, Ashburton, Eangioro,, and Ellesmere. The insppction was made by Lieut.Colonel Packe. The men afterwards marched to the Commercial Hotel, preceded by the band playing various selections. Sudden Death. —A man named Hamilton Gibson died very suddenly at the Irwell on Tuesday, about 1 p.m. The deceased was travelling the Ellesmere district (in which he has been long and favorably known), in charge of the entire horse Admiral, of which he was part owner. He was talking to Mr H. D. Gardiner to his homestead, near the Silwyn, when ho was noticed by Mr Gardiner to throw up his arms and commence vomiting blood. Mr Gardiner rushed to his assistance, and held him in his arms for «. few minutes. His struggles, however, were of short duration, and he dhd in a few moments. Mr Gardiner immediately sent for the police, and Sergeant Barlow had the body removed to the Irwell Hotel, there to await the inquest, which was to bo held before the district Coroner on Thursday afternoon. Tkiiperance Lecture. A lecture was delivered last evening at the Templar Hall, Wore.rster street, by the Rev. Dr. Roseby. In the course of an exhaustive and eloquent addre"?, Dr. Roaeby advocated the adoption of & Local Option Bill as the best cure for the evil of drunkenness, which was now bo rampant in the colonies. He stigmatised all legislation which had taken place in this direction as useless and mischievous, and urgtd upon those present to aid by all means in their power in obtaining for the people the right to say whether or not drinking simps should be established amongst them. He ■confuted the idea that the bringing in of a JLaeo.l Option Bill would necessarily induce •aly SpDg selling, and pointed out that the •whole tendency of legislation had been in the direction of legalising drunkenness. The Durability of Submarine lele--GRAPH Cablks--The expedition sent out to raise the submarine cable of 1866 (says a -contemporary), like the one sent to raise that of 1865, failed to accomplish its mission. In the middle of last year, a new attempt was mode, followed bv more success, for two faults, one on the coaßt of Newfoundland and the other on tho coast of Ireland, were then repaired. In consequence of this the AngloAmerican Company and Telegraph Construction Company fitted out, at their joint expense, two vessels, which put to sea on the 555th of last May, for the purpose of finding aud repairing the cable of 1866. The expedition has just returned to London. It reports having succeeded in grappling and raising; the cable to the surface of the water fifteen different times, but the outer wires were so weakened by oxidation that it broke and was lost again in each case. The engineer in charge oi' the expedition theretoro deemed the work of repair as entirely impracticable, and decided to return home. The unanimous opinion of electricians, says ■" L'ElectricuV is that the two first cibles are defunct, and that ten years may be fixed as the average period that any cable will last which is not better protected against the •corrosive action of ths ocean. Fortunately the new cables are, as wall known, better (provided for in this respect. Railway Employes Library—Tho first annual meeting of the subscribers to this library was biiid at 8 o'clock on Thursday evening in the Library, there being a very »ood attendance. The chair was taken by the president, Mr A. D. Smith, of the locomotive department. The report and glance sheet were read. The receipts during the year have been as follows:iEighteen life members, £5 5s £94 10s; eight honorary members, £2 2s, £l6 16s; twenty-three honorary members, £1 Is, £24 3s; seven honorary members, los6d, £3 13s 6d; two honorary members, 10a, £1; ordinary members, £B2 7s ad; total £222 9s 9d. Tho report and balanceflheet were adopted. Votes 0 f thanks were then passed to the late secretary and treasurer, after which the election of office bearers took place, and resulted as follows : A. D. Smith, president; W. M. Hannay, vice-president; trust ocs, Messrs Verdon, Bur»es«, and Anderson; auditors, Messrs OlUvier and Triggs; treasurer, Mr Dickenson- secretary, Mr Verm? r; assistant-secre-tary Mr P. Ellis ; committee, Messrs Anderson, Ashton, Shaw, Rugg, Finch, Blackmore, Rankin, Abel, Ellis, Burgess, and Stephenson -, librarian, Mr J. Anderson. This library wan only opened on the let of November, 1877, and has since made wonderful progress. Nearly tho whole of the receipts 9a 9:1), •have been expended in tho purchase of works for the library, which now contains _ 500 volumes, and is in a nourishing condition, tharfkfl to tho men themselves and the public, who have supplemented their funds to the extent of £l*o 2s 6d. Tho library contains ■many scientific works by the best authors, m well as a plentiful supply of newspapers, periodicals, magazines, &c. The meeting cxpreasod its thanks to the heads ot the various departments for tho valuable assistance rendered to their institution. The members, while thanking tho Commissioner for the use of the present room, have no doubt, that the library would be much more Bucc€««fulif they could obtain the use ot a more convenient room. It is hoped Government will give a small grant for fitting up a more suitable library and reading room than that which at present exists. Ihe memberfillip at present is 122.