NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1521, 2 January 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Retiring Magistrate at Lyttelton. —Before the Court rose, 11. R. Webb, Esq, took occasion to thank the retiring veteran magistrate, on behalf of the Justices of the Peace, for the courtesies they hud ever received at his hands. Ho said Dr. Donald had occupied the position of Resident Magistrate for seventeen years, besides officiating for several years previous us a Juetice of the Peace, and ho felt confident that the public of Lyttelton would tool that he was not doing his duty unless ho thanked his Worship on their behalf. Dr, Donald acknowledged the compliment in a brief speech, in which ho thanked the Justices for their services, and hoped that alter paying a visit to his native land, ho might have the pleasure of sitting with them as one of themselves on the Bench. ~Thh A 1 Hotel. —The Al. Hotel was opened for business yesterday by Host Blake. It is fitted up with every convenience, and promises to quickly regain the business it enjoyed previous to its destruction by five some twelve months since.

Supplement.— A sheet almanac for 1579 is issued as a supplement with the “ Giobo” this evening. Fieb at Bingsland. —About four o’clock this morning the stables just completed, containing ten stalls, loose box, and coach-house, built upon the site of Mr Pool’s new hotel, were totally destroyed by fire. The alarm was first raised by Mrs Hardy Johnston, who was awoke by the noise of the burning material. Mr Hardy Johnston, whose residence is built upon the next,section mid in dangerous proximity to the stables, took immediate steps to remove the most valuable of his household effects to the cottage of his next door neighbour. Fortunately there was scarcely any wind, otherwise Mr Johnston’s house, distant only a few yards, must have been destroyed, as what little there was blew in that direction. As it is, his loss only amounts to a few fruit trees and a portion of his fence. It is feared the loss of the building will have to be borne by the contractor, Mr T. J. Gee, of Salisbury street, and is estimated at between £SOO and £6OO, and a stack of flooring boards valued at £IOO, standing near the stables, was also destroyed. The origin of the tiro is a mystery, and was first observed in the western end of the building, in which only some window sashes were stored.

Cricket. Tho following ffiayers will represent tho Avonsido 0.0. if, ' L he match against tho Hugley Oakleaf Club r a Saturday next: —Messrs Newman (captain), Kerr, Ridley, Griflin, Gain, McCormick, Lodge, Cotton, Taylor, Whelan, and Brunsdcn.

Congregational Sunday-school Treat. The Christchurch and Philipstown schools held their annual treat yesterday at Avonbanb, Fendaltown, the residence of Alfred Saunders, Esq. The children, numbering about 400, marched from town, and arrived about eleven o’clock, when sports of every description became the order of the day. The prizes, through the liberality of friends, were very plentiful and of a superior class.

Tack-deiving Instrument.— I The “ Scientific American” quotes from the “Now Zealand Times” an accotint of an instrument called “ a nail gun,” the invention of Mr F. Falkner, of Wellington, and which was exhibited at the Industrial Exhibition in that city some months ago. The effect of the apparatus is to drive in nails cleanly at one stroke. Our American contemporary states that an instrument of the kind has been in use for several years in that country for driving carpet tacks. Much suffering and many thumb-nails would be spared to colonial matrons and thoir helps if a consignment of these useful articles were brought to New Zealand.

The Mariner’s Compass.— Many people look upon the compass as an introduction of the fifteenth century, but it seems to have been well known in a primitive form in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. In one of the popular songs wri ten in the time of King John, it is said that the sailors who go on long voyages to Friesland or to the East know their way by observing the tramontane, or polar star ; but when the sky is covered with clouds, and they could no longer see the stars of heaven, they had a contrivance, which was this : They took a needle of iron and put it through a piece of cork, so that one end remained out, which they rubbed with the loadstone, and then they placed it in a vessel full of water, and whichever way the end of the needle pointed there, without any doubt, was the polar star. This formed a primitive but fairly perfect mariner’s compass. Drainage Board. —The nominations for the various portions of the drainage district will take place on the 7th inst. So far us is known at present, the whole of the old members, except Mr E. G. Wright, will present themselves for re-elec*ion. Reaper and Binder Contest. —The entries for the prize offered by the Agricultural and Pastoial Association for the best reaper and binder close at the offices of the Association on the 4th inst. So far as can be ascertained, there will he five competitors, viz, Messrs Osborne, Wood, McCormick, Marsh King, and Buckeye. The last named is the latest candidate for public favor, and is well spoken of. Mr Stout’s Address. — The expected address ,by the Attorney-General to his constituents will not bo delivered until Mr Macandrew, his colleague hr the representation of Dunedin City, arrives in the South. Mr Macandrew is not expected to reach Dunedin for some days to come.