NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1563, 21 February 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Ancient Order op Foresters, —A special summoned meeting of the Court Star of Canterbury ■will be held on Monday next for the purpose of electing a trustee to serve in the place of P.C.R. Woodford resigned, and for transacting any other business that may be brought forward. The Wreck of tub Taupo.— From reference to our telegraphic column it will bo seen that the Taupo will probably be floated within the next few days, should the weather continue favourable. Meteor. —About one o’clock this morning a meteor, unusually largo and brilliant, was observed falling in the south-east quarter of the heavens. The Marquis of Normandy. —The Ringarcorna, with hia Excellency the late Governor and suite toot her final departure from the Bluff yesterday afternoon. The Canterbury Temperance League.— A public meeting was held last night at St, Andrew’s schoolroom, when a branch society, in connection with the Canterbury Temperance League, was formed. A report appears elsewhere. Intekprovincial Rifle Match. A meeting of members of the C.R.A. and volunteers will be held to-morrow evening, when they •will appoint a selection committee to pick a team to represent Canterbury in the return rifle match with Otago, -j

Mu CohYkVw. — K ‘cA.ii mued improvement i 1 in the state of Mr Conyers’ health, lie was yesterday able to take carriage exercise. CoKCBM.—A Tory enjoyable concert and dramatic entertainment in connection with the Christchurch Catholic Young Men’s Association, took place at the Barbadoes street schoolroom. A capital programme of vocal and instrumental music was gone through, and after an address by the president of the Association, the per ormance concluded with a, dramatic sketch, in which the members of the association took part.

Ruanuu and Binders.— A private telegram states that at a public trial of American reapers and binders at Tekomaii iro, the first prize was awarded to the McCormick, the second to the Wood, and the third to the Marsh Harvester. The 0.-b r e was not entered. This is the completion of this year’s series of trials of reapers and hinders, eight altogether, and the McCormick has been awarded the first honors in every competition. ANNEXATION TO CHRISTCHUKCir. The residents of Bingsland are endeavoring to got up a petition for the purpose of annexing that portion of the Avon District with the city. Their reason for this is that they consider the district has been unfairly used by the Avon Road Board with reference to the bridge on the East Belt. The inhabitants are anxious for a cart bridge, but the Board are not prepared to subscribe a sufficient sum in conjunction with the city to carry their wishes effect.

The Public Lxbhaey.—Now that the number of subscribers to the Circulating Library has so largely increased, it might be as well to afford some little guide to the contents of the department by a printed catalogue properly classified. At present the catalogue is partly written, partly printed, and all the different departments of literature lumped together. If the library committee would take the trouble to got properly classified catalogues printed, subscribers would not grudge a shilling for one in order to save the loss of time necessary to hunt over the various shelves to find a work they might require. Mixed Schools.— Messrs Revell and Coup, two members of the Kaiapoi school committee, yesterday waited upon the Board of Education in reference to a number of matters in connection with the borough school at that place. Their principal object was to get the Board to make a larger allowance for teachers’ salaries than is at present the case. The spokesman pointed out that, unless this wore done, the school must become a mixed one, which he considered most objectionable. After a good deni of discussion the deputation was informed that the Board would consider the whole matter. Subsequently it was postponed until the next meeting. Abbitbation. Messrs John Blackett, Engineer-in-Chief, and Win. Blair, C.E., at present in Christchurch, are sitting as arbitrators on claims for compensation by Mr W. Stocks, the contractor for the Waimakariri Q-orgo Bridge, and Mr James Fraser, the contractor for the Malvern Waterworks. Mr 0. Napier Bell is acting as umpire. Mr H. P. Higgenson, C.E., represents the Minister of Public Works in tbe case of Stocks, and Mr GK P. Williams, O.E , in Fraser’s case. It was agreed on both sides to do without legal intervention. Evidence lias been taken in Stocks’ case, which was concluded yesterday, and that of Fraser will bo concluded to-day. District Coubt. —The sittings of the District Court, before his Honor Mr Justice Ward, opened yesterday in the old Provincial Council Chamber. The cases were for the most part devoid of public interest, being civil actions for the recovery of debts, in which no important principle was involved. The accommodation for the reporters is exceedingly bad, as they are placed just where it is almost impossible, from the bad acoustic properties of the Chamber, to hear either the judge, counsel, or witnesses with any degree of comfort. A report of the proceedings will be found elsewhere.

Tea Meeting. —The Church of Christ, which has for several years been meeting in the Oddfellows’ Hall, held its annual tea meeting last night. About 200 persons were present. There was a still larger gathering at the public meeting, when Mr Thomas H. Bates took the chair. Mr John Cannon (Wesleyan), and the Rev. Charles Dallaston were also on the platform. The chairman referred to the fact that it was something new for|them to have speakers from other Churches present at their meetings, but for himself he was glad of their co-operation. Though compelled to differ from them doctrinally, ho yet had the kindliest feeling to all who professed Christianity. Mr Cannon spoke of the desirability of Christian union, and of being Christians rather than seeming to be such. Mr Dallaston was the last speaker, and his humorous address was highly appreciated by the largo audience present. The choir gave several appropriate anthems during the evening. Municipal Reserves. —It will be remembered that an Act was passed about two years ago in the General Assembly granting reserves to all municipalities, when formed under the Municipal Corporations Act. The Christchurch City Council selected a block of 2000 acres in the County of Geraldine, which the direction of the railway line brings within nine miles of the Orari station. On Tuesday last Ors. Gapes, Wilson, and Ayers went as a deputation from the City Council to inspect and report on the land, with the view of determining the most advantageous means of utilising it. The land in question is free from timber, is well watered, and is suitable for letting as a small run, or for cutting up into farms. The deputation, which returned last night, have not yet decided on their recommendation, but will bring up a report at the next meeting of the City Council. American Prairie Fowls. —The following particulars, kindly furnished by an American gentleman at present in Ohri.-tchurch, respecting the description of American game, known as the prairie fowl, just introduced into Canterbury by the Acclimatisation Society, may not be uninteresting : —“ The prairie chicken in its native country always keeps in open ground, and nevtr resorts to the timber, its favourite feeding ground being stubble fields. They nest always in low marshy ground, where the grass is high. They are very prolific, the hen bird laying on an average sixty eggs in a nest which she scoops out in the open ground. They take turn and turn about to sit on the eggs, the male taking the female bird’s place when she is off feeding It is impossible to tame them in any manner, so that they are valueless as a domestic bird ; but considered as game, they are far finer shooting than the English pheasant. The proper time to shoot them is when they are about half grown, that is, from the ages of three and a-half to four months It is almost impossible to make them rise during the heat of the day, as they can run at such speed through the grass that a properly trained dog cannot rise them. An average marksman can shoot the entire covey early in the morning when the dew is on the grass. One absolutely essential condition for the successful rearing and propagation of the prairie fowl, when removed from its native locality to another, is to choose as far as it is possible the same open and grassy country to which it has been accustomed. Sportsmen in America always go for the young birds so as to save the old ones for breeding. In rising, the young bird soars about two feet above the grass, and flies very rapidly at that level, and as a rule on a curve to the right or left. Another peculiarity of the bird is that all those that the sportsman misses, fly round and meet together generally about a thousand yards away. There is very little reason to fear but that the experiment of acclimatising the prairie chicken in New Zealand will prove successful, as they are extremely prolific and hardy, and the climate of the colony is, if possible, even more favorable to the birds ban the severer winters of California. Action for Slander. —We (Auckland “ Herald ”) learn that Mr J. S. Macfarlane, as trustee in the estate of the late Captain Reid, of Poverty Bay, has given instructions to his solicitors to commence proceedings against Mr W. L. Rees, M.H.R., for alleged slander and damage sustained by the heirs to the estate through certain statements made by Mr Rees at Poverty Bay, and through his advice to Natives there. The damages are laid at £IO,OOO. The whole question will now, in all probability, bo fully ventilated in the Supremo Court.

Railway Locomotive, — A locomotive to bo vised upon the Christchurch section of the railway was yesterday landed from the barque Times, now lying at the Gladstone Pier. Two more are shortly expected to arrive by the chip Pinko from London. They are al urgently required. Theatre Royal —Undo Tom’s Cabin was played last night. To-ni >ht will bo the last representation of the piece with the exception of a day performance on Saturday at 2 p.m., and will bo for the benefit of Eva (Mies Nellie Holmes). The company Pave for Wellington the same night per Wauaka, The Assessment Court. —The Assessment Court will sit on the 28th inst., for the purpose of hearing and determining objections against the rate roll of 1871). After all objections have been disposed of, it is expected that the total rateable value within the city will be considerably in excess of lust year. Waimakaeiri Bridge.— The new bridge over Stewart’s gully, near the Waimakariri bridge, was yesterday formally tested for the first time when it was crossed by two engines of the heaviest and most powerful class —that class known as M—and was found to stand the test remarkably well. This bridge, which is 420 feet long, joins on to the main structure, and is intended to meet the case of the occasional overflows which, up to the present time, have been in the habit of washing over the banks, leading, whenever there was a fresh in the river, to a partial or total stoppage of the railway traffic. The work has been well carried out by the contractor, Mr Wilson, as was evidenced by the way it stood the strain of the two engines passing slowly across the bridge, and standing still at certain places, besides running at the rate of eighteen miles an hour. Each span was separately tested, and the deflection was fonnd to be very trifling. Mr Outhbert, the assistant engineer, was in charge, accompanied by Mr Knight, inspector of permanent ways, and expressed great satisfaction at the result of the trial.

Railway Book-stalls.—lt is proposed in connection with railway literature to establish book-stalls at the Rangiora and Lyttelton stations. The latter will be found particularly convenient for passengers about to ship by steamers, and will, no doubt, be extensively patronised. Tenders have been called* for them. Tile Board of Education.— I The ordinary meeting of the Board of Education for North Canterbury was held at the Normal school yesterday afternoon. A considerable time was taken up with two deputations representing the East Christchurch school committee and the Kaiapoi school committee respectively. Railway Benefit Society—Owing to there being no qorum atthe Railway Benefit Society’s meeting last night there will be a special meeting of the Society held on Monday evening next, at 8 p.m., when it is expected that all committee men will attend, as this is the last meeting previous to the general quarterly meeting, to bo held on the 6th prox., which will bo duly advertised. The WeTherstones. —The Wetherstones Company's main drive is now in upwards of 200 feet. They expect to reach the gutter at 210 feet. The dirt, according to the “ Tuapeka Times,” increases in richness every foot that is driven, extraordinarily rich specimens being constantly unearthed. The Disrespect to. the Governor—On this subject even the “Otago Daily Times” has its word against the action of the Ministry, as follows: —The reception accorded to his Excellency the ex-Governor of New Zealand yesterday should convince the Government, and especially Sir George Grey, that they have made a mistake in treating his Excellency with such studied discourtesy. The people of Dunedin are not prepared to take up personal quarrels on behalf of Sir George or any of the members of the Ministry. Even those who from party reasons have been disposed to blame Lord Normanby for being too much of a political partisan, disapprove the slights offered to him in his capacity as representative of her Majesty. Sleepers from Abroad.—We (Auckland “Herald ”) have several times of late referred to the manner in which the Government have acted in procuring sleepers for the railway. Puriri makes the best possible sleepers, and if the world were surveyed, from China to Peru, and from New Zealand to Lapland, better sleepers than those made of puriri could not be found. But the Government actually applied to Tasmania to relieve us, as if here we were suffering a timber famine, while the fact was, that wo were blest beyond anything that Tasmania or Australia could furnish. Happily, Mr Macandrew is a man accessible to reason on such a subject as this, and perhaps he was not so very much to blame, after all, for not being acquainted with a timber tree which does not grow in Otago. But after the Public Works Department were choked off from the Tasmanian project —if, indeed, they have been completely turned from it—they fell into a mistake almost as fatal by insisting that all puriri sleepers must bo sawn, and not split, which was almost prohibitory to the settlers in the district whence puriri can most readily be obtained. We observe, however, that the Public Works Department now advertise for 25,000 sleepers, with the notification merely that “ the preference will be given to sawn sleepers.” Lecture at Ashburton.—The Rev. R. Waddell, M.A., of Prebbleton, delivered a lecture on Wednesday night at Ashburton, on the “Victories of Christianity,” being a proof of its divine origin. There was a very fair attendance, and the speaker read an excellent exposition of his views on this subject, displaying great earnestness. The lecturer gave the reading at the request of the members of the Young Men’s Christian Association, Ashburton branch. Dr. Stewart occupied the chair, and the Rev. Westbrooko and Mr J. E. Buchanan occupied chairs on the platform. The Avon.—Some astonishment was created yesterday by the appearance of the river above the Cashel street bridge, which was about two feet lower than its usual level. The unusual circumstance was owing fo the temporary removal of a portion of the sluice gates at Lane's mill for the purpose of repairing the dam. The repairs will probably be finished to-day, and when the dam is restored the river will again rise to its usual level. St. Mary’s, Meeivale, —Harvest festival services will be held in this church on Sunday next.

Ellesmere Jockey Club —A meeting of the members of tins club will bo bol 1 at the l.eeitou Hotel, on Friday evening next, 28th instant.