NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1555, 12 February 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Tns Ovebla.ni> Teleobaph.—The heavy thunderstorms still continue in the district through which runs the overland line, north of station peak. The wires remain unworkable.

Laege Apples.—Two fine specimens of the G-loria-mundi claBS are exhibited in the shop window oE Mr H. Steward, fruiterer, Colombo street. Each apple weights lib. 3oz. They were grown by Mr T. H. Potts, Governor's Bay. The Ministeb foe Public Woeks.— The Hon. J. Macandrow arrived by specinl train from the South yesterday. Eangioba Obgan.—The organ for St. John's Episcopalian Church hero is expected to be opened on Thursday weak, when there will be special choral services, iu which tho Primato is expected to take part. Kaiapoi School Committee.—This committca are, judging by the report of t.h ir luat proceedings', very much exercised oyer the re-arrangement of the school, which, from all that was said, is at present a disorganised institution. Accident at Hoendon Junction. —A lad named Jas. Higgins, aged fourteen years, while driving a reaping muchine, fell off the horse he was driving, getting entangled in the machine. One of the knives into his back, carrying him with the macMne nn'd it was stopped by some men tying in the tame paddock.

ABHBUET3N AM) MOUNT SOMEEB Railway.— A deputation from the Amburfcon County Council, consisting of Messrs W. C. Walker (chairman), Wason, and E. Gh Wright, waited upon the Minister for Public Woris last evening with reference to the tenders for the Ashburton and Mount Somers Railway. The deputation entered fully into the question, and laid before the Minister all tho information on the subject. Mr Macandraw informed tho deputation that the tenders for the contract would be advertised for during the present week. Tho deputation then withdrew.

Beewebs' Picnic—At a meeting of tho employes of the Drown Brewery Company held yesterday, it wan decided to hold their annual pienio on Thursday, 14th Feb. It was determined that the party should g ) to Pigeon Bay by the steamer Akaroa. Cantebeuey Saleyabds Company.—The annual general meeting of the shareholders in this company w.a held last evening in Mr Robert Wilkin's rooms, for the election of throe directors in place of those retiring by rotation, and the transaction of other important business. Alleged Laeceny.—A man named John MeMahon, hU wife and son were arrested yesterday afternoon by Detective Benjamin for stealing onions out of the garden of James McMillan, a railway gatekeeper at Norman's Crossing, Papanui. McMahon is tho owner of fifteen acres of land and a house, and is stated to bo in ensy circumstances. Thkatbe Royal.- There was an excellent attendance last night at the Theatre Royal, and " Uncle Tom's Cabin, with all its effects, scenic, musical, and dramatic, went as well as on its previous representations. This ovoning tho performance will be under tho patronage of tho combined crickoling toams of Canterbury and Otago. A largo number of seats havo' been secured, and an excellent house may be anticipated. Hauboub Bo aud Election.—Tho result of the city election for the return of two members of the Lyttolton Harbour Board was made known at noon yesterday by tho returning officer, Mr G-. L. Lee, when Messrs Robert Allan and Henry Sawtell were declared duly elected. The various candidates afterwards addressed the ratepayers. A report appears elsewhere. The Late Fire— Tho following letter has boon received by Mr Superintendent Harris : " Christchurch, New Zealand, 11th February, 1870. W. Harris, Esq., Superintendent Firo Brigade, Christchurch.—Dear sir, —Will you please accept the enclosed cheque for £5 ss, as a small acknowledgment of the zealous and efficient services of tho brigade at the late fire on our premises last week.—Yours faithfully, Twentyhan and Cousin."

MAr of Rangioea,—-A noat lithographed map of this borough has been issued. Several of the streets bear names, however, which the Borough Council will ho inclined to dispute, and will some day probably seriously consider, with a view to their alteration. The principal points of interest in the borough, as given in the map, will amuse the residents. For instance, the want of a domain and acclimatisation garden is atoned for with a "nursery" and a "trout pond." Building No. lin the "references" is a small book Bhop, at which certain Christchurch newspapers are purveyed, whilst more pretentious buildings are overlooked, noticeably the larga block occupied by the local paper, and in which that journal is published, has been quite overlooked. TuMrERANOB Lecture—Mr John Harding delivered a lecture on the " Temperance Movement" at the Sydenham Wesleyan Church on Monday evening. The chair was occupied by tho Rov. J. S. Smalley, who, in a short address, introduced the lecturer as an old friend, and a veteran in temperance work. Mr Harding stated that ho had been the means of citablishing tho first society in New Zealand. When he had first become a total abstainer he was the only one in the village where he lived. He had twelve sons aud daughters who had never tasted strum? drink, and he thought they would physically compare favorably with any young men aud women in the colony. He then went at length into the operations of tho " Maine liquor laws." He had personally visited Portland, Vineland, G-reely, and other places where these laws were in force, and could testify to the great benefits rosulting therefrom. The law was improved from time to time, and rendere J nore stringent. In one city the magistrates * had power to impose a fine of 200dols, and two years' imprisonmnent for selling strong drink, and the people threaten that if this does not suppress the traffic, they will re-enact the law of capital punishment, as the penalty of sly-grog selling. He had also visited Bessbrook, in Ireland, where a public house had never been opened. In that town there wus no policeman, no poor house, no squalor, but peace and contentment on every side. The audience were urged to make their voice felt at the hustings, and only vote for men willing to support a Permissive Bill in Parliament. There was a fair attendance, and the lecturer was frequently applauded. Intebpeovinciat. Cbicket Matches.— The following document has been handed [to us for publication : —" Memorandum of negotiations with reference to the Interprovincial Cricket Match between Otago and Canterbury. Present on behalf of the Otago Cricketers' Association —Messrs Fredk. Fulton, J. P. Spring, and H. Eoso ; on behalf of the Canterbury Cricket Association —Messrs E. C. J. Stevens, C. C. Corfe, and T. D. Condell; Mr E. C. J. Stevens in the chair. It was agreed that the Interprovincial Matcli should, in future, be played on any date between 15th December and 15th March, both inclusive, on one month's notice being given by the visiting team. It was agreed that the match should in future bo played out. It was agreed that the ground should be rolled as a matter of course at the conclusion of any innings of either side. The following resolution was agreed to—' Either association may, during the season in which it is visited in due rotation, send an eleven for a return matcli; and such match shall be regarded as an Interprovincial match. This return match shall not, however, entail any obligation on the association thus visited to return the visit during the following season.' It was agreed to defer the question of the qualification of players in the Interprovincial Match as to residence until the opinions of the two associations had been obtained. (Signed) Henry Bosk, Hon. Sec. Otago Cricketors' Association. T. D. Condell, Hon. Sec. Canterbury Cricket Association. Christchurch, 10th February, 1879." Rev. J. W. Inglis.—This gentleman concluded his very interesting series of lectures last evening by delivering one on "Robert Burns." With a field so vast before him from which to select, with so many genw of various kinds upon which to dilate, it is a tribute to Mr Inglis' talent as a lecturer that he should have been enabled in the comparatively short period allotted for his lecture to collect so graphic poutrayal of his subject. As might be expected, Mr Inglis is an ardent and devoted student of the poet of nature — Robert Burns. His genius, the varied characteristics of his poetry, and the influence which it has had upon tho character of his countrymen were each in turn effectively dealt wil h by Mr Inglis. It waß no doubt a very difficult task to select those poems which should boßt illustrate the genius the lecturer was pourtraying. But Mr Inglis managed this with great skill. Those poems selected were perhaps the beet of the many written by Burns. Tho rollicking merry humour of "Tam o'Shanter," the tenderness of " Mary in Heaven," and the deep piety manifested in that touching picture of Scottish domestic life, "The Cottar's Saturday Night," were each in turn depicted by thj lecturer with a force which gave them new lustre. Lightly touching upon the points of the character of Burns, which have been the theme of remark, tho lecturer pointed out that theso were more the fault of the head than of the heart, and that now we could, weighing them against the efforts of his genius, afford to regard them with leniency. After an eloquent recital of what his country owed io tho poet for tho formation of a sound national spirit, the lecturer concluded with a grand peroration on the progress of right. Tho only regret felt is that Mr Inglis' visit has boon so short:, and many will hope that ere long ho will again give Christchurch people an opportunity of spending a pleasant evening in renewing their acquaintance with the poets and authors of i the past under his guidance

Tub Convict Walsh— It will be eeon from this morning's telegrams that the warrant for the execution of the wife-murderer Walsh has been signed. ;%t. Luke's Church:.—Owing to the alterations now going forward in this church, there will he no service thi> evening. Tiio choir practice will take plare as usual at 8 p.m.

Rangiob\ Cattle Lamhno Stage. The Government have apparently decided to erect cattle pans r.t the Rangiora railway station, as Mr Outhbert, of the engineer's department, has been engaged in surveying the site, and will report thereon.

Firh Proof Safes.—There were four safes in the building at the time of the late (ire at Son, and Ewen'e, two belonging to the firm of Saunders Bros., one to Mr Sorensen, and one to S.irgood, Son, and Ewen. Two were Milner's make, one Hobbs', and one Perry's. The two which stood the test of the fire—Milner's and Hobbs'—were found afterwards to have answered their purpose admirably, for the books and papers in them were quite uninjured. The safes of Messjs Saunders Bros, were oponed shortly titer the alarm and the books and papers removed, 30 that it is not known how they would have stood the fire had they been fastened.

TiMARU Habbor Works.—ln connection wilh these works there has just been completed at the Canterbury foundry one of the largest pieces of machinery turned out of any foundry in the colonics. This is a 60 ton crane, which i* intended to be used in the projected work 3 for the breakwater at Timaru. Yesterday was appointed for the trial of the crane, and a number of gentlemen interested in machinery wore present. The crane is mounted on a massive wrought-irou frame with steel wheels, which are intended to run on 601 b steel rails. Tho under framo carries the machinery for locomotion, and bolted to this is a substantial roller path for radiating. In tho centre of this under frame is a largo cast iron centre block into which is let the pivot, steel faced, and brackets, round which the crane radiates. The upper frame is composed of a series of cross _ girders, bolted to two longitudinals, which terminate at the jib of the crane. At the angle which is formed by tho jib and top frame starts a strut, which is continued for some length, and is supported between the end of the jib and tho strut by H irons. The lifting machinery is composed of a series of wheels, driven by a compnefc doublecylinder reversible engine, which is fed by a boiler constructed en a principle which may be said to be a specialty of the Canterbury Foundry. The proportions of the crane may bo estimated when it is stated that the barrel alone weights five tons. The chains for lifting pass over the head of tho jib of tho crane, and return making a three-sheaved block. The radiating motion is communicated from tho crank shaft, and is transmitted by means of bevelled gear to two shafts lying diagonally across the crane, which communicate with tho radiating rollers, thus creating the motion. The traversing gear is obtained from the second power shaft, and is transmitted to a large spur wheel, radiating round the centre block by means of mitred wheels and pinions. This large wheel again gears into one of similar size, which again communicates with a shaft lying fore and aft of the under frame. This shaft being also geared into the fore and aft axle, creates the travelling motion. It is of course necessary for a crane like this to have a large back balance. This has been supplied by the casting of blocks of scrap and cast iron, forming a sort of concrete. These blocks, of which there are eight or ton, weigh from ten to twelve cwt. each. The whole of the designs for the work have been executed in the drawing office of the foundry and, as a whole, the machinery has been turned out in a thoroughly workmanlike manner.

Rangiora Oddfellows. —A. meeting was held cm Monday evening to consider the statement of accounts and report, when the former was brought up, and the latter it was decided to consider at another meeting. The Medical Staff.—A long discussion took place last evening at the meeting of the Hospual and Cnariuable Aid .Board, on Mr Brown's motion, to the effect that the Government should be asked to cancel the appoint men', of the present hospital staff. The motion was carried, only two members voting against it. The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.—The usual weekly meeting of this body took place at the hospital last evening, when there was a very full attendance. A large amount of business was done, though the greater portion of the evening was taken up in the discussion of Mr J". E. Brown's motion in reference to the hospital staff. A number of committees were appointed, and it is expected that in future it will be sufficient for the Board to meet once a fortnight. New Building Society.—A new building society, under the title of the Christchurch, Sydenham, and Suburban Building Society, has been started with every prospect of success. It possesses a very largo number of shareholders already, and, should the auguries for its future be realised, it will soon take a leading position amongst societies of a similar character in Christchurch. A Recent Failure in Melbourne.—Wo (Melbourne " Argus " of February 4th) much regret having to announce the suspension of Messrs M'Clure, Valentine, and Co., the wellknown wholesale grocers, of this city. The direct liabilities aro stated to amount to nearly £IOO,OOO, but it is satisfactory to have in our power to say that the deficiency will not be excessive, certainly not more than £20,000, as far as we can learn. A meeting of creditors has been called for Thursday next, when a statement of their affairs, prepared by Messrs Lyell and G-owan, will be submitted.

Fibe AT Avonside. —About six o'clock last night the parsonage at Avonside was discovered by Mrs Grlasson to be on fire. The family of the Rev. Mr G-lasson had been taking their tea in the garden when smoke was observed issuing from the rear of the house. No water was procurable, the flow from the artesian well being too limited to be of any service in extinguishing the flames, and the river, 200 yards distant from the parsonage, was too far away for buckets to be passed by hand sufficiently quickly to be of any service, even if they had a sufficient number to have been of any use, which they had not. The efforts of the inmates of the house were, therefore, directed to saving the furniture aud effects, which wore nearly all resoued. Action was so promptly taken, and such assistance reuderea by the neighbours, that there jwas time to remove the doors and take out the windows before the building was destroyed. The fire brigade was present with one of the engines, but the building being isolated, and as consequently there was no danger of the fire spreading, the hose was not laid on. The fire hud, moreover, so far got the upper hand that there was no chance of saving the promises. The building is supposed to be insured by the Church property trustees in the Union Insurance Company for £GSO. As the furniture was uninsured it was a fortunate circumstance that there was sufficient time to permit of its removal. Tub Railway Station at Lyttelto^.— The number of narrow escapes that have occurred within the memory of the veteran gatekeeper to persons crossing the Lyttolton railway yard at the foot of Oxford street, has doubtless reached that point at which keeping count ceases to be practicable. That all have been escapes and not accidents may be accepted as evidenco of care on the part of the manager and those under him; but because this is so it should not be forgotten that the danger of a serious accident occurring is very great. It is said that, were tho wall at the western end of the station extended to the edge of tho platform, so as to close up that space by which so many passengers, following the example of the railway employes, get off and on to the platform, the danger would be greatly lessened. Such an alteration would at all events put a sti;p to tho alternative passengers have at present of leaving the platform by another outlet than that specially provided for them. Another suggested means of preventing accidents is that practised at tho railway stations in America, namely, for tho engineer or his assistant to keep the bell (furnished to each engine) ringing whenever it is in motion in the station. In the case of the Lyttelton depot, where there is a considerable traffic across the rails in conneotion with tho wharves and tho shipping, such a plan might bo desirable.

—*■""" ■ '\tnmmnmma»ammißmi!mimmtamm&tmMtmii Philosophical Institute.—An ordinary meeting of the above institute will take plaee-to-raoirow evening, lit hull-past s-ven o'clockA paper on the " Visible Universe" will be read by the president, Professor Bickerton. Assessment Courts. —The dates for holding Assessment Courts for the purpose of hearing and determining objections to the respective valuation lifts in the Christchurch and surrounding districts are advertised. Investment and Loan. Association.— The annual general meeting of investment shareholders in. the Permanent Investment and Loan Association of Canterbury will be held this evening at 7.30, i;i Mr Charles Clark's auction room.

Agricultural. — Arrangements have been made for a ;>u lie trial of Messrs Carr and Hobson's now sfing frame gang plough, for which Messrs George King and Co. are the Canterbury agents. ~ The trial will take place to-day at 10 a.m., in a paddock belonging to Mr John Overton, Shand's track, Prebbleton, which has boon lent f«>r the purpose by the proprietor. The public are invited to attend and judge of the merits of the new plough.

It is still an open question, Bays the " Burlington Hawkeye," whether the United States has more religious than patent medicines. The religions are probably the more numerous, but the medicines keep up the finest cemeteries.