NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1561, 19 February 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

EEBIDKKT Magibteate's Court.-—ln a case of larceny this day both the witnesses were in such a state that the hearing had to be adjourned until their brains had been restored to their normal condition. One of them indeed had to be locked up, for a friend informed the Bench that he had been acquainted with him for years, and had never known him Bober. Wbeck op the Taupo.—From further information received, it appears likely that the Taupo will become a total wreck. When the tide rose, there appeared no probability of getting her off. The hull was insured in fhe Dunedin branches of several offices; but advices of the amounts had not been received in Auckland at a late hour. The Union Company has a policy of £IBO on the cargo. Tb© hull was insured in the New Zealand office for £IOOO, and this company has also a policy on the cargo. The hull was also insured in the South British for an amount believed to be £6OOO, which is half reinsured. The hull was also insured in the Dunedin branch of the National Company for an amount unknown. Wellington Gold Cut.—This very handsome cup, which was manufactured by Kohn and Co., of Wellington, and won by Mr Eay with Maritana at tho last meeting of the W. J. 0., is now on view at the shop of Messrs Petersen and Co., High street. The Late Fibe.—Messrs Sargood, Son, and Ewen have forwarded a cheque for £25 to Mr Superintendent Harris, to be placed to the credit of the Brigude, as a testimony of their appreciation of the services rendered by the Brigade on the occasion of the late fire in Lichfield street. Messrs Haunders Bros, have given a further sum of £5 in addition to the £lO previously given by them. This makes altogether a sum of £55 received by the Brigade in recognition of thtir services at the Lichfield and Caslul street, fires. The whole of this amount will bop Wed to tho credit of the library and incidental fund. Canterbury Temperance Ikagub.-A meeting will be held in So. Andicw'e schoolroom at half-past seven o'clock to-morrow evening, for tho purpose of forming a branch society Had enrolling members.

Pees :ntation. —A very largely attended meeting of the Catholics of Ohristchurch was held last evening at the Barbadoes street Bchoolroom, to bid farewell to the Kev. Father McNamara, ar.d to present him with an address and a purse of sovereigns. Mr Nolan occupied the chair and rnndo the presentation, Mr Taylor reading the address.

Milkmen's Picnic. —A meeting oi" the committee of the Milkmen's Picnic was neld last night at tj.e Golden Age Hotel, when the accounts in connection with the lato picnic were all satisfactorily settled. Pig Hon Match. —A private match took place on Monday, in one of Mr Wild's paddock:', Papanui, between Mr J. Fox, of the Prince of Wales Hotel, and Mr Wm. Kirkwood. The conditions of the match were twenty birds a side. Mr Fox hilled thirteen, and his opponent eleven, fcl us leaving the former the winner by two birds. KAIAPOI C.C.—A meeting of the members of this club was held at the president's ofliee on Monday evening ; Mr Pinching in the chair. It was decided to play the return match —Married v Single—on Good Friaay. and to ask the Southbrook Club to play their return match on March sth, and also to arrange a match with the Ashley Club. Native Delicacies —Among the cargo of the Omaha, from the Chatham Islands yesterday, is a consignment of delicacies for the Native feast announced to be held at Waitara on the 17th proximo. It consists of 15,000 smoked eels and twenty-two casks of albatrosses.

0-aiety Theatre.—As will be seen by advertisement elsewhere, Dr. Ferrari, an illusionist, will make his appearance at the Q-aiety Theatre on Monday next. The doctor, so far as can be judged from the advertisement, has had the honor of appearing before the crowned heads of the four divisions of the earth, and it remains to be seen what tho verdict of the playgoers of untitled Ohristchurch will be. Ho will be assisted by Madame and Miss Moeller. The Accident to the Tattpo. - Arrangements have been made by the Union Steamship Company for the s.s. Hawea, which loft Lyttelton for Auckland on Saturday last, to bring down the Taupo's passengers. The Taupo's place Southward from Wellington will he filled by the Albion, due to-day at Lyttelton. Passengers for Bluff and Melbourne will be carried to Port Chalmers by the s.s. Hawea, and there be transhipped to the Albion in time to proceed by the lastnamed steamer on Wednesday next. Congregationalism: in Ashbtjrton.—On Monday night the Revs. Walker (Ohristchurch), Hallowes (Timaru), and Robinson (luckland), held a meeting to confer with the Congregationalists resident in Ashburton as to the prospects of forming a Church in the township. There was not a large attendance, and a local committee of three gentlemen was appointed, with Mr J. R. Chapman as secretary, to look after the interests of Congregationalism, select a site for a future church, receive subscriptions, and correspond with the secretary, in Dunedin, of the Congregational Mission. Steel Rails on the Southern Railway.—The public were recently informed that the Southern line, from the Selwyn railway station to tho south end of the Rakaia bridge, had been redaid with steel rails. As yet only the permanent way between Selwyn and Dunsandel has been kid with the raila in question, and the men are now busily employed in taking up the old rails on the Rakaia bridge, and replacing them with the more solid rails, the space between Dunsandel and the bridge not having yet been disturbed. It is also intended to substitute nine-inch sleepers for those of seven-inch now laid the whole length of the Southern line. New Zealand Rifle Association.—The programmes of the meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association, which takes place at Nelson in March have been received by the local secretary, and are now obtainable from him. It will be necessary for competitors who intend proceeding to Nelson, to obtain orders from him, so as to secure the reduction in passages granted by the U.S.S. Co. Volunteers are also reminded that they will have to produce their certificates of efficiency for tho current year, and also to take with them the full dress uniform of their respective corps. The amount of prizes to be shot for is £590, and there are three matches, the particulars of which are not yet to hand.

Waimakariei Haebob Board.—The first meeting of this Board, under the Harbors A.ct, 1878, was held at Mr Wearing's offices on Monday evening. Present;—Messrs J. Beharrell, E. Parnham, W. Eckersley, E. Moore, G. H. Wearing, E. H. Mathews, and G. H. Black well (Mayor). A telegram was read, in which the Governor appointed that day and place for holding the first meeting. On the motion of Mr Eckersley, seconded by Mr Mathews, Mr G. H. Wearing was unanimously elected chairman. The chairman shortly expressed his acknowledgments for the compliment, and hoped that before the expiration of his term of office the Board would have been able to accomplish the work which it was intended to perform, in improving the navigation of the river. Mr Moore stated that he would move at next meeting that an offer be made to the Borough Council to rent its Chamber for the meetings of the Board. After passing some routine business, the Board adjourned till the first Friday evening in March. Rangioba Pabish Obgan.— This fine instrument is to be opened on Thursday next, when a special service will be held, commencing at three o'clock. The musical selections of the choral service are intended to be opening voluntary Adagio in B Flat (Spohr), Psalm c. For the anthem quartette, Kyria, "I will call upon the Lord," 12th Mass (Mozart) ; gloria, " Glorious is Thy Name Almighty Lord"; offertory, Andante Grazioso (Neville Barnett) ; Hymn 222; Poßtludial Prelude and Fugue (Bach) ; andante (Ed. Batiste); chorus, "Hallelujah" (Handel) ; concluding voluntary, " Festal march" (Baumer). The sermon will be by the Most Eev. the Primate. In the evening there will be a concert of sacred and other music, in which Messrs Appleby, Merton, Foster, Barnett, Elliott, Mesdamea Harper, Palairet, Messes Thorpe, Hurrell, and Ness, will take part. The offertory, as well as the proceeds of the musical festival, will be in aid of the organ fund. The cost of the instrument is about £235, of which nearly £l6O has been paid. A Husband's Evii>en»e.—Commenting on a case recently heard in Dunedin, the local " Herald "says:—ln the case of Mrs Marion Johnston, who was yesterday committed for trial for perjury, her husband was called as a witness as to a matter concerning which his testimony was almost essential, if the ascertainment of the truth was desired; but be could not be examined, as the Act allowing a husband to give evidence in his wife's favor was found not to extend to cases of indictable offences. This is one of the comparatively few remaining blots on our system of criminal jurisprudence, but a sufficiently monstrous one. As the matter stands, a woman is committed for trial, and her liberty is imperrilled, simply because an ancient and technical rule of law forbids the ascertainment of the real truth in such cases. Had the relations between these parties been of an irregular and immoral character, Mrs Johnston's position might have been a happier one. In committing Mrs Johnston, the Magistrates stated that they felt themselves obliged to do so after reviewing the conflicting evidence, but had they been acting judicially they might have come to a different conclusion. We do not know exactly what view these gentlemen take of ther duties. The simple interpretation of their language is that they did not believe the woman to be guilty, yet they thought it necessary to put her to the distress and expense of a trial in the Supreme Court, the result of which cannot he doubtful.

Angtheb Maobi Joubnal.—A new paper called the " Arawa," which is (says the "Bay of Plenty Times") to consist of half Maori, half English, will shortly be published at Eotorua, under the auspices of Mr Robert Graham. We are informed that the Maori portion will be contributed by Mr C. 0. Davis, and the English by Mr W. B. Langbridge, who is also to be tho nominal editor. Tho printing will probably be done in Auckland. We trust tho speculation may answer Mr Graham's purpose. With the exception of "To Wananga," hybrid journals have not hitherto been remarkably successful, but perhaps the "Arawa" may prove an exception,

Theatre Royal.—" Undo Tom's Cabin" was repeated last night at the Theatre Royal to a good hou>e.

Sot/thbbook.—The efforts" made here to erect, an Anglican Church, referred to some time ago, have been so far attended with success that the committee of management have called for tendora for the building, after a design furnished by Messrs C. G. and C. J. Chapman, of Rmgiora. The church is to be 36ft by 18ft, and the porch 6ft by sft, the walls are to be of concrete, 12ffc jn height, those on the side of the building 12in thick, and the end walls Mia. The building will be lighted with windows along the side and a large one in the Gothic style at the eaßt end. The roof will be of timber, and open in the interior. Altogether, the edifice will be a very great addition to the improvements of the township. The tender of Mr J. Withers, at £359 lGi Gi, has been accepted for the work, and within a week or two the foundation stono of the new building will be kid in the orthodox way. Fiitu Tblepuonks.—The last post for the I support of the telephonic wires which aro to connect the Lichfield and Chester streets stations with the private residence of Mr Superintendent Harris in Worcester street, was yesterday placed in position, and the work of adjusting the wires will at onco bo proceeded with. With regard to the station ends of the telephone, it is intended to have them in a small sound-proof room, so that any person within can communicate with Mr Harris and hear messages from him without being disturbed by the clanging of the firebells above. There will be one such room at each station. They will be in size 4ft 6in by 6ft. The flooring, the walls, and the ceiling will be deadened to sound by being lined with Gin of sawdust. A man will sleep in this room at the Chester street station. Mr Harris, at his house, will be able to receive messages from both stations at once, and communicate with the two at the same time, the three points forming a complete triangle. The Q-overnment connects the fire stations, but the Insurance Companies pay the cost of running the wires between the stations and Mr Harris's residence. The whole system will be in working order in a few days. The Oxford and Temuka Railway.— A petition has just been forwarded to the Minister of Public Works, numerously signed by land-owners, representing some 20,000 acres of land in the Hinds district, near the Rangitata. The petition urges the importance of taking steps to construct the railway through the district in question, and points out the large amount of good agricultural land which is at present lying almost uncultivated owing to the want of a railway for the conveyance of produce, &c. Special attention is drawn to the desirability of modifying the plan adopted by the Ashburton County Council as likely to save both time and money. The very slight increase of distance by way of the present cart bridge over the river is pointed out. This bridge, it is considered, could be made available for both railway and cart; traffic. It is at precent partially useless owing to the recent floods. It is some nine miles higher up the river than the present railway bridge. The petition points out that, in consequence of the easy gradients required and the line going through Crown lands recently reserved, the cost of construction would be very materially lessened, to say nothing of the importance of its passing through land of such a valuable agricultural character. It was the intention of those signing the petition to have waited upon the Minister of Public Works when he was last in Christchurch, but they were prevented from doing so through his leaving sooner than was anticipated. They therefore- resolved to forward the petition to him. A Ceow foe the New Zealand Peess. — In no country in the world (says the|" Southland Times"), save, perhaps, the United States, does the growth of the newspaper preßß display greater vigor than in New Zealand, whilst its character for outspoken independence and a love of fair play may, un'-il within the last twelve months, when the detestable system of subsidising was introduced by the G-rey Q-overnment, compare with the utmost favor with the press of any part of the world. Every variety of public opinion finds distribution, from the highest liberalism, which cares for the general welfare of all and recognises individual rights to the rankest radicalism and socialism, which busy themselves only with the propagation of particular opinions and the advancement of a class. The organs of extreme views are, and happily so, in a small minority, tjio great bulk of the press being pervaded with the tone of good sound liberal doctrine, a little extreme in some cases perhaps, the effect of the forcing subsidiary process invented by the Q-overnment, but still on the whole healthy, and provocative of hearty unanimity in the cause of true progression. The startling propositions propounded by the Premier and the Atfcorney-Qeneral have, it is true, exercised a glamor over and warped the better judgment of the enthusiastic and unthinking, whilst administering to certain class selfishness, that very pabulum most desired by it. But for all this the glamor was not potent enough to always enthral. The line of credulity had to be drawn somewhere, and we are glad to find that it has been drawn, and very decidedly too, at the Premier's proposition for an elective Qovernor.

Loyal Avon LoDGE.--Membersof the Loyal Avon Lodge No. 23, A.C., are informed that a lodee of instruction will be hold on the third Wednesday of every month, the first beir g to-day. Parish Gathering.—The gathering of the Heathcote parishioners is unavoidably postponed until the 21st inst, when it will take place at the Oddfellows' Hall, Woolston.

Alphonse Paudet, the novelist, arrived at Paris at the age of sixteen, with two francs in his pocket. He is now a rich man, thanks to foreigners, not fellow-countrymen, purchasing his romances. As in the lower depths there is a lower still, so with attics ; he lived in an attic opposite Ricardo's mansion, where he confesses he is at present a welcome guest. Gambetta was at vhe time a law student, and at a common table d'hote on Sundays domineered the guests with his personal eloquence. Gambetta was considered a millionaire among the students because his father, a substantial grocer, allowed him 60dols, a month to live on.

Josh Billings says that " The lion and the lamb may possibly sumtime lay down in this world together for a fu minnits ; but when the lion kums to git up, the lamb will be missing."