NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1519, 30 December 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Inquest.—An inquest was held at the Hospital at 2 o'clock this afternoon, upon the body of William White, aged six years, who was run over on Saturday by a Papmui 'bus, driven by the proprietor, Mr George Daniel Etherington. The first witness examined was the father of the boy, who identified the body as that of his son. The other witnesses were the driver of the 'bus and Henry Barnes and John Beatty Q-retson, the passengers who had witnessed the accident. It seems that the lad had run directly under the horses heads from behind a water cart, whore he had been playing, and was knocked down and run over. He was at once taken to the Hospital where he was found to be quite dead. Death must have been instantaneous, as his spino was dislocated near the neck, and the vessels of the heart were also ruptured. The evidence went to show that no blame whatever was attributable to any person, and the sad occurrence was purely accidental. A verdict to this effect was accordingly returned. The Floods.—ln consequence of the very serious damage done to the North Rangitata Bridge, all railway traffic has been suspended south of that place. Distiuct Drainage Election.—ln reference to the coming election for members of the Christchurch Drainage Board, it will be well for ratepayers to bear in mind that the Drainage Act makes it imperative that no person shall exercise his franchise right unless all rates due at the date of the election shall be paid. This fact borne in mind may prevent disappointment at the polling booth. The Canterbury Ceicketkeb in Australia.- It wi;l be seen from the account of the match between the Canterbury and Builarat teams, cabled by our special correspondent, that the visiting team have gained an easy victory in this their first match On Wednesday and Thursday next, January Ist and 2nd, the match against the East Melbourne Club will be played. This is one of the strongest Australian clubs, and the Canterbury men will have to face much more formidable opponents than at Bjllarat. The New Year's Holidays —Arrangements have been made to bring a large nnmli'r of carriages fro-n Invercargill to Chrietehureh, to meet the demand during the New Year's holidays. The Dunedin-Invercargill Line.—The only portion of the line not open to the public, that between Clinton and Balclutha, is now sufficiently advanced to allow trains to pa*s over it. The line through to Invorcargill will be formally opened in the second week of the new year. TnE Corn Exchange.—A genera meeting of the subscribers to this Exchange was held on Saturday, when a committee was appointed to make arrangements with Messrs Matson and Co. for the continued use of the room ai Tattersall'e. Watch night Services —In accordance with the usual custom, watch-night services, terminating at midnight, wdl be held tomorrow eyeniug iu the Y&riaue Wesleyau Churches.

City Council Election. —The nomination of candidates for the vacant seat in the City Council, caused by the election of Cr. Ick 89 Mayor, took place on Saturday. There was very little interest displayed in the matter, only one candidate, Mr Charles Lezard, being nominated. Mr L>zard was, therefore, declared duly elected, and will take his seat at the ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Council this evening. Kaiapoi Fiee-Bkigade Demonstration. It is expected that the demonstration on New Year's Day will greatly surpass any of the previous efforts made by this brigade, as some of the members have spent several days in making their own fireworks, which are of a superior character to any jet used on similar occasions in the province. The display will be a very grand affair. The procession with torches, in which the members of the brigade, visiting brigades, and fire police will join, takes place at 8 45, The display will then be made, and the illuminated device will be shown about 10 ; after which a Bupper will take place at Schmidt's Pier Hotel. Masonic—On Friday afternoon the members of the Lodge of Unanimity, No. 604, E.C., held a special session, at which the installation of officers for the ensuing year took place. The ceremony was conducted by Bro. H. Thompson, D.D.G-.M., the D.G-.M. Bro. W. Donald, being unavoidably absent through indisposition. Bro. Thompson performed his duties most impressively, and received a warm vote of thanks from the brethren at the instance of the W.M. The following are the officers—W.M., Bro. C. A Rich ; 8.W., Bro. W. B. Allwright; J.W., Bro. 8. Derbidge ; SI),, Bro. A. Joyce; J.D., Bro. R. Kingsford ; treasurer, Bro. S. C. Phillips; secretary, Bro. Or. W. White; organist, Bro. Wiggins; fyler, Bro. Gordon. In the evening a banquet was held, at which there was hearty enjoyment. Thk Clydesdales "pee Mallowdale. — The B.s. Taupo on Saturday night took away with her seven of the Clydesdale horses recently imported by Maclean and Co., of Waikato, per Mallowdale. Their destination is Auckland. Amateue Opeba.—The approaching performance by Mr H. F. Towle's opera class of Flotow's "Martha," which takeß place in the Theatre on 9t,h and 10th January, promises to be a great success, as already a large number of seats have been reserved. The box plan will be opened at 11 a.m. to-day at Mr Merton's music warehouse, High street. A rehearsal of band and chorus is advertised for this evening in the Gaiety Theatre.

Thk Berry Embassy.—lt is stated in the cable news that Mr Berry and Professor Pearson have now Bailed from Melbourne on their mission to England, the object of which is to obtain an alteration in the Victorian Constitution Act. The alteration sought is one which will enable the Lower House of the Assembly to coerce the Upper. Me Q-f.oege Bignold.—This gentleman, supDorted by a very strong company, opened on "Boxing night at the Wellington Opera House In "Henry V." to a crowded and enthusiastic house. Amongst f ,n6 members of the company are several well known in Christehurch, notably Mdlle. Solange Navaro, Messrs H. Power, C. Bur ford, &c. Mr Rignold will open at the Theatre Royal here on the 20th inst. Lyttelton Regatta.—A meeting of the committee was held on Friday night. The various sub-committees reported the action they had taken, and a further sum of money was placed at the disposal of the flagship committee. Mr Rolleeton and Captains Houston, J. W. Clark and Anderson were added to the list of stewards, and a small additional grant for prizes was voted to the model yacht race committee. It is intimated by advertisement that entries for the regatta close at 8 p.m. to-night at the Colonists' Hall, Lyttelton. The entries committee will attend at that place to receive entries from 0 to 8 p.m. to-night.