NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1548, 4 February 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Lhßon's Bay.—Mr Smith's blacksmith's shop was totally destroyed by fire in this bay at 5 o'clock on Sunday morning. Magistrate's Couet Julia McQ-rath was this day brought up charged with being a neglected child. For a long time past she had been totally neglected by her father, and had first lived in a tent near the mouth of the Heatlicote Estuary, and, when the tent had beon blown down, had slept under a flax bush. Her food had beon very irregularly supplied to her. The Resident Magistrate sent her to the Industrial School for two years and severely reprimanded the father. Rasmus Jbrgenson, for horse stealing, was committed for the next session of the Supreme Court. Suicide. About eight o'clock last night a case of Buicide was reported at the police depot. Information was brought by Mr Robert Scott, a son of the deceased, who was living in a cottage on the Windmill road, that his father had shot himself through the head, and had died almost instantaneously. From the son's statement it appears that the deceased on his arrival home, being annoyed by some circumstance, commenced to scold, but after recovering his usual temper sat down to tea. Shortly afterwards he went into his bedroom, and almost immediately two quick reports were heard as if from a pistol. His son Robert put his ear to the keyhole, and, hearing no movement inside the room, went outride to the bedroom window, by which he gained access into the apartment. There he saw tho body of his father lying on the floor close to the bed. On examination he found that life was extinct, and he at once sent for a doctor. Shortly afterwards Dr Doyle arrived, but his services were, of course, unneeded. A six chambered revolver with three of the chambers loaded was found under the bed. The deceased was some months back licensee of Scott's Family Hotel, Durham street, now in the occupation of Mr John Sc:>tt, his eldest son. At the time of the occurrence Mr Scott's wife with a portion of his family was residing with him in the Windmill road. The deceased, who has not been very long in the colony, had made many friends by his genial disposition. An inquest will be held this day at 5 p.m., at the house of the deceased. Buggy Accident. —About three o'clock yesterday afternoon Mr Thomas Hawkins, butcher, of Knightstown, was driving a horse and buggy, in which his wife was seated, along Colombo street. When opposite Mr Naucarrow's shop the pin of the shackle of the shaft came out, causing tho horse to take fright and bolt. Near the Post Office one of tho wheels struck against the lamp post, and Mr and Mrs Hawkins were both thrown out. The former was severely bruised, but Mrs Hawkins escaped unhurt. The horse pro ceeded along Oxford terrace, and was stopped near the Police Court by Mr Sherlock. Both of the shafts were broken. The South Town Belt.—Complaints as to the condition of the South town belt are still made on every side, and last evening another one was brought under tho notice of the Sydenham Borough Council. The Chairman stated that the chairman of the Drainage Board had been requested to confer with the sanitary committee of the Sydenham Council and the sanitary committee of the City Council with a view to some arrangement being come to. The latter had, however, so far as he was aware, made no movement in the matter, and until they did so the Sydenham Council could not act. The writer of the complaint was referred to the local Board of Health, who have expressed their intention of taking some steps in the matter should the Coun'-ils fail to do so. Autumn Meeting.—The entries for the great autumn handicap, which will be run at the autumn meeting of the C J.C., close at Cookson's Commercial Hotel to-morrow evening at eight o'clock. Cbicket.—A match between the Oxford Union and Amberley Juvenile clubs was played at Rangiora on Saturday, and resulted in favor of the Oxford Union by 63 runs. The scores were Oxford U.C.0., first innings 55; second, 56; total, 111. Amberley, first innings, 12 ; second, 48. United Ancient Oedeb of Deuids.— The members of Pioneer Lodge No. 47 held their usual fortnightly meeting at the lodge - room, Wellington Hotel, last evening. There was a very fair attendance, and Brother Rose, AD., presided. The usual routine business having been disposed of, a candidate was initiated with the usual rites. After a little harmony the lodge closed in due form. Sydenham Boeough Council.—At the fortnightly meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council, last evening, all the members were present. As usual, a good deal of discussion took place before the minutes were finally confirmed, this portion of the businoss taking up over half an hour. A good deal of business was afterwards transacted, and the ordinary term of sitting had to bo extended by motion, so that the order paper might bo got through. A report of tho proceedings appears elsewhere. Loss of the Schooner Clyde.—Our correspondent at Akaroa telegraphed last night:—The sergeant of police has returned from the search for the missing crew of the Clyde, and reports that he has mot the passenger Bennett from Oamaru, who reports that the vessel Clyde left Oamaru. at 7 a.m. on Friday for Auckland, with, a full cargo of wheat and fifty-five tons stone. At 1.30 he was roused by the sea breaking over the ship and the crew getting out tho boat. The ship was then drifting eternwards to land. The crew got into the boat and made for Akaroa heads, the captain steering, who after a time altered tho course and made for Long Bay, near Island Bay, which was reached at noon. Four of the seamen went to Buchanan's station at G p.m., and the rest slept on the ranges all night, and afterwards started for the wreck, which was visible from the heights near Tamutu. Captain Bishop, crew, and Bennett, tho passenger, are all safe. I havo not been able to learn the insurances. An inquiry is to bo held. Railway Engines.—The five small railway engines referred to in an article on the Railway Workshops published on Saturday, havo now been put together, and so great is the demand for their services that two of them are running without having received a single coat of paint, so that they present a very peculiar and unfinished appearance. The small engine, "Kiwi," which has been used for a long time past in Christchurch for the purpose of shunting, is to be transferred to Dunedin, for which place it will leave today.

Thk ABHBUIITON Magistracy.—We ("West Coast Times") understand that Mr Warden Broad, who for Borne time past has had charge of the Buller and Ljell shortly to be transferred to Ashburton. Glasgow Relief Fund.—A meeting, at which the City Council was represented by the Mayor. Ore, Gapes, and Jenkins, wat> beid yesterday at Ilia Council Chambers, for the purpose of drafting resolutions, to be proposed at the public meeting on Wednesday evening, re the Glasgow Relief Fund.

The Railway Fire Brigade.—Among other things that havo been done by the newly organised fire brigade is the placing of two dozen buckets on the platforms of arrival and departure, and facilitating the access from the road to the watertank just off the belt. Names op Streets in Sydenham.—-There is a very strong feeling among the members of the Sydenham Borough Council on the subject of the names to be given to the hitherto unnamed streets in the district. A commitlee has been formed to consider this very important Question, but a considerable difference of opinion appears to proyail among its members. It would seem that while some desire to havo their names immortalised by being given to the thoroughfares, others have ft decided objection to obtaining reputation in such a way. The discussion on the subject last night became rather warm, and the whole thing was nearly being shelved. Cr. Hall, in admitting that he was one of those who were for perpetuating their names in Sydenham by this means, said that, unlike Cr Brown, it was the only way he had of achieving greatness. Cr. Brown admitted that he himself would not havo any strong objection, if they had had a Robinson in the Council, so that the triumvirate of Brown, Jones, and Robinson might have been complete. Ultimately the whole matter was referred back to the committee. Kelly and Leon's Minstbels.— This favorite Minstrel Troupe gave their final performance in New Zealand last night, in the Theatre Royal. The first part embraced specialities for the principal vocalists of the company, comic and sentimental, and were 1 highly appreciated by the audience. Mr Beaumont Read was particularly happy in the ballad "Sweet Genevieve," and Messrs Courtright and Lester kept the audience in shouts of merriment by their comic effusions. The " Only Leon" sang an Irish song entitled " Sunday night when the Parlor's full," with his usual unequalled effect, being three times encored. The repetitions afforded him an opportunity of some excellent burlesque imitations of well-known operatic singers. Messrs Read, Fredericks, Ball, and Kelly contributed two grand old glees in the interval, and Mr Edwin Lester made a very humorous Btump speech. Miss Eva Davenport made her first appearance with this company, and sang Bishop's beautiful song " Should he Upbraid," in a very artistic manner. The performance concluded with Courtright's original sketch entitled " Colored Justice," supported by the " unspeakable " Japanese Tommy and the entire strength of the company. The troupe leave to-day for Melbourne, carrying with them the reputation of being one of the best that has visited New Zealand. The Gasworks Road.—A very long discussion took place last evening at the meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council, on the subject of widening this road. It was resolved to purchase the piece of land offered by Mr Cunningham for the purpose, for the sum of £250. Railway Picnic.—A very well attended meeting of the programme and ground subcommittees was held yesterday afternoon, at 4 p.m., in the Traffic Inspector's office, at the Christchurch railway station. The committees met for final arrangements previous to the eventful day, which is fixed for Thursday, the 6th inst. Mr McGarva, of the Way and Works Department, reported favourably of the progress made on the ground as to erection of tonts, &c. Mr Knight intimated that the hot water and firewood had been carefully attended to, and Mr Spencer and Mr Pope, both expressed their determination to make the merry-go-round us successful and as agreeable a source of amusement as possible. Mr Crosbie again referred to the buns and milk for the children, which he informed the committee were to be obtained ad libitum. Mr Lane, who was in the chair, stated that Mr A. D. Smith had promised a prize of £3 3s for a hurdle race. The race was to be over eight hurdles and two water jumps. The committee expressed satisfaction at Mr Smith's very handsome prize. Mr Back, the General Manager, was present, and stated that he had received a letter from Messrs J. P. Olliver and Co., asking leave to sell iced drinks, &c. on the ground. He thought it would be a great acquisition. It was unanimously resolved that permission be granted, and that Mr Olliver be informed of the fact. A sum of money was voted for refreshments for the Railway Band, who are to make tbeir first public appearance on this occasion, and there was also a sum voted for the same purrose for the "Christy's." Lunch was also ordered for the committee in the committee tent, but it was resolved that they adhere to the "Pickwickian" principle, and pay for everything they require in the shape of feeding the inner man out of their own pockets The arrangements for the trains are as follows : —The large train will leave Christchurch at 8 a.m., arriving at Southbrook a' 925 a.m. A second train, to take the late Lytteltonians and pick up the Southern members and the Southbridge and Malvern contingents, will leave Christchurch at 9.55 a.m., arriving at Southbrook at 11.5 a.m. For the return journey a train will leave Southbrook at 3.30 p.m., arriving in Christchurch at 4.58 p.m., but will catch the trains for the South and Southbridge at Addington. The last train •will leave the ground at 6.15 p.m., arriving in Christchurch at 7.40 p.m. Tickets of three distinct colours are to be issued. Blue will denote a family ticket; red, a single man's ticket; and white will be for the sweethearts of the single men. It is to be hoped that the weather will prove favourable, and that the picnic may be a thorough success. Canterbury Archery Club.—The opening of the second part of the season will take place on Wednesday, 12th inst., shooting to commence at 4 o'clock. Glasgow Relief Fund. The public meeting convened by his Worship the Mayor to consider what steps shall be taken to raise subscriptions here to the fund for the relief of the sufferers by the failure of the City of Glasgow Hank, will be |held at the |Music Hall on Wednesday evening.