NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1578, 11 March 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A CCIDENT TO THE SOU I'IIERN EXPRESS.—An accident, fortunately attended with no serious results, occurred to the South express at Ashburton station to-day. As tho express was entering the station it ran into the siding, coming into collision with the engine of a goods train which was standing there. Tho accident apparently occurred through the carelessness of the shunter whoso duty it was to have seen that the points were loelied. Tho man had been several years in tho department, and there is a standing rule that nil points are to be locked or held—so particular is the railway department on this point that the rule in question is printed in every working time-table. None of the pnssongerswere seriously hurt, and all of them proceeded on their journey after a detention of fifteen minutes. One of the men on the engine was slightly injured. The amount of damage done is put by our spe -ial correspondent at about £6C3. Christchurch: Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Society —The managing committee of the Christchuich Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Society held a meeting at the Shades on last Friday night, the members present being Messrs Hill, Strange, Stapleton, J, J. Parker, Porter, Mills, Nancarrow, and W. G. Walker (hon. sec.) Mr Stapleton presided. The schedule of prizes to bo offered at tho show, the date of which was fixed for July 16th and 17th, was framed, and ordered to be printed. Mr Walker tendered his resignation of tho office of secretary, and it was decided, on the motion of Mr Parker, seconded by Mr Hill, to record on the minutes a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Walker for the manner in which he had conducted the business of tho society during tho last six years. Mr W. C. T. Mills was elected to the vacant office, Mr Walker filling his place on the committee. Mr Hobday was elected a member of tho committee.

Biulk Christians. —A Band of Hops Society has been formed at Addington, and promises to be successful. A public meeting was held last night, which was well attended. The Rev. W. H. Keast, the president, occupied the chair, and addresses were given by Mr J. Potter and Mr D. Sanyon (the secretary of the society). A number of suitable recitations and readings were also given. Mies Knife presided at" the harmonium. Already there are forty names on the roll-book. The following is the plege : “ Tobacco I’ll not chew or puff, Nor ever dirt my nose with snuff, Alcohol I’ll never drink : All this is ve.y *ise I think.” Sulieman Pacha. —From latest advices we learn that this foxy-haired and foxy-minded commander is falling deeper and d eepor into the mire. His appeal has been rejected, and he has been degraded from his rank in the army and exiled for life. He has now appealed to the Sultan for pardon. Resident Magistrate’s Court. -Bridget Doolan, charged with stealing a petticoat, and remanded from yesterday, was brought up today. After further evidence being heard, the Bench came to the decision there was a sufficient doubt in the case to justify its dismissal. The case against William Q-riffibhs, for attempting to commit suicide, was dismissed, but he is to be kept in gaol until he can obtain two sureties for the weekly payment of his wife’s maintenance, ordered by the Court on Saturday last. Angiola Burdassi was charged with indecent assault on a little girl, and was committed for trial. The Kaitanoata Relief Fund Fete. — This event, which is fixed to take place on St. Patrick’s Day, promises to be as great a success as that held some time back on behalf of the Indian Famine Relief Fund. The tickets for the concert at the Drill Shed are going off with great rapidity. Indeed, it is highly probable that the building will be filled to its utmost capacity. For the production in a manner befitting the occasion of the serio-comic-tragical play written by Mr Walter Hill, the committee have been fortunate in securing the services of several gentlemen of acknowledged histrionic ability to fill the parts of the three or four heavy villains who form an indispensable part of the piece. The representatives of triumphant virtue and distressed female innocence will also be artistes of no mean order. So that a new era in matters dramatic in Canterbury may be looked forward to. The procession will also be one of the features of the day, and will most probably include, not only those who will take part in the costume match, but the various friendly societies, fire brigades, &c. Professor Scott, who has recently organised a company for the performance of a shadow pantomime and other entertainments, comprising ton artistes, has most generously offered to forego his opening night at Amberley on Monday next, and gives bis services and those of his company free of charge at the Theatre on (lie evening of the fete. Professor Scott has also offered to give half the proceeds of the sale of his King of Pain on the ground that day to the fund. The committee have received, through Mr H. F. Towle, an intimation from Mr Liddy, of the Uncle Tom Company, that he will not open as intended on Monday evening, and that he will be happy to place the Theatre Royal at their disposal free of charge. A very satisfactory rehearsal for the concert in the evening took place last night at the drill-shed. In connection with the movement for this fund it may be stated that a concert will be given at the Colombo road schoolroom on Friday next, for which a very attractive programme has been prepared. The Mayor of Sydenham will take the chair.

Tbmuea No. 1 Y. C.—The above corps was inspected on Saturday evening in the Volunteer Hall by Major Withers. There was a very fair muster, thirty-four having answered to the roll call. The company was commanded by Captain Young, Lieutenants Finley and White and Sergeant-Major Morgan being also present. Major Withers, in addressing the company after parade, remarked that although he could not say they had done well, they had shown good drill, and had done much better than he expected, considering the number of recruits that were amongst them. He also complimented the officers on the able manner they respectively put the company through their different evolutions. After inspection a general meeting was held, when six new members were sworn in, bringing the strength of the company up to sixty. A letter was read by Captain Young from Major Mucßorie, inviting the officers and company to take part in the demonstration to be held at Invercargill in April. Ho said that free passes would be granted by rail, and (hat 15s would be allowed to each man for expenses. It is expected that about twenty representatives from this company, with their officers, will be able to accept. It was proposed and carried that a letter of condolence be sent to the widow of tho late Sergeant-Major Kerr, to be signed by the officers in the name of the Temuka volunteers. That the thanks of the company bo sent to Mr and Mrs Wheelband for the kind manner in which they conveyed the deceased from the scene of his accident to the hotel where he died ; and to Mrs Heap for her kind and gratuitous attention to the sufferer before his death and to Mrs and Miss Kerr during their stay at her hotel. A subscription list for the widow was then opened, towards which each member present contributed. A vote of thanks was passed to Sergeant R. Smith for extra work done by him to the target. Leave of absence was granted to Color-Sergeant Coira, who is about to take n trip to England and Italy. Monday was appointed as the day for firing for district prizes. Tho company was then dismissed. Canterbury College. —Th i inaugural address of the term at Canteroury College was delivered last evening by Professor Cook, in tho classical lecture room. There was a very good attendance of students, amongst them being several ladies. A report of the address appears elsewhere. Masonic.— A special meeting of tho district grand lodge will bo held at the St. Augustine Hall, at 6.30 this evening, to present a farewell address to the D, G. Master, Dr, Donald.

J.)JS*'AUXMENTAL REMOVALS, —The offiC3 of the registrar of births, deaths and marriages will ho removed to the new Q-ovcrnment buildings on and after Wednesday next. So far as at present can bo seen, it will be some time yet before the telegraph and post office officials will be located in their new quarters, the fittings not being yet complete. Malvern Wateu-eaob.—it will U remembered that a short time since a portion of the Malvern water-race was successfully tendered for by Mr Frazer. This section of the race extends from a point a little above the English Church at Sheffield for a distance cf two miles and three-quarters towards Kowai Pass, parallel with the projected line of railway and the coach road. The work is being pushed rapidly forward, the greater portion being already completed. It is hoped that other tenders may soon be called for, so as to convey the water to the arid portions of the district as speedily as'possible. The Town Hall Site.—On the motion of Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor Avers, it was resolved last night to forward the thanks of the City Council to the Attorney- General for the steps he has taken in getting conveyed to the City Council the site for a town hall. A notice of motion was also given for (ho next meeting, to call for competitive designs for the town hall, £IOO to be given as a first prize, and £SO as a second prize. The Eopua Meeting.— The “Waka Maori” says:—A word with respect to the forthcoming meeting at Te Kopua, and we have done. If Sir Q-eorge Grey and the Native Minister are flattering themselves with the hope that none but their favored reporters will be there—men who will dress up the report of the proceedings so as to make it presentable to the House and the country—they will be disappointed. Our reporters will be there.

Kowai Pass,—During the past twelve months very considerable progress has been made in this township, the houses having nearly doubled in number. The Bank of New Zealand have recently opened a branch establishment in the main thoroughfare, thus supplying a want hitherto existing and increasingly felt. Considerable activity is also noticeable at the Springfield colliery, where a very largo number of hands are employed in working the coal deposits. It is also worthy of notice that the quality of the Springfield coal improves the further the drive is carried into the hill, the oulyjdrawback to the full benefit the public will reap from this mine being the seven miles of read between the pit’s mouth and the Sheffield railway station. As the Government intend, however, constructing the line to Cassidy’s at an early date, the present expense of carrying the coal in drays to the Sheffield terminus will then be done away with. In addition to the coal industry, the company are making bricks of excellent quality, and of these several of the now houses at Kowai Pass are built. Fire bricks, pronounced by competent judges to be fully equal to any produced elsewhere, are also being made, and as the deposits of fireclay and coal in the locality are almost inexhaustible, there is little doubt that a great future awaits this flourishing township.

Concert at Lyttelton.— The concert to be given in Lyttelton to-morrow evening in aid of the Kaitangata Relief Fund promises to be a great success. The Mayor will preside, and an excellent programme will be submitted. Lecture. —The Eev. Jas. Paterson, of Wellington, will deliver his amusing and instructive lecture, entitled, “Homo Life and Influence,” in Old St. Paul’s Church, Lichfield street, on Wednesday evening. This lecture is the first of a series, particulars of which will be found in our advertising columns. Southbridgk School Tebat.— Tbe children attending this school assembled in large numbers on the new play-ground on Friday, 7th instant, where, according to custom, the chairman and members of committee, assisted by Mr Ellwin and other friends, did all in their power to afford an afternoon’s enjoyment. Judging by the spirit with which cricket, races, rounders, kiss-in-the-ring, and other games were entered into, they were thoroughly successful. At about four o’clock tea, &c., was handed round by the teachers and others. In the evening an entertainment was held in the Town Hall, during which Mr Chas. Bourn, chairman of the school committee, presided. The programme opened with a piano solo by Arthur Paddy, “ Past Dux,” which was very fairly performed. Amongst the items of the first part those most wort hy of mention were glees by the school children, which evinced the ability and careful tuition of Miss Edwardes ; part songs by Messrs Brigenshaw, Harman, i nd Lilly, which always receive well-deserved anplause, and especially a recitation, “The Ghimbler’s Wife,” by Edith Ennis, a school child, on account of her clear enunciation and good emphasis. Mrs Wanchop also contributed a very pleasing song, accompanied by Mrs Desborough. Mr Bourn then presented the prizes, adding a kindly word of encouragement to each pupil. The second part comprised many equally good items by the same performers, together with an excellent recitation, “ The Quack Doctor,” by E. Andrews, a song by Mr Brigenshaw, and a finished recitation by Mr Adams, “ The Beautiful Snow.” Three hearty cheers were given for the chairman, and the entertainment brought to a close by “ Hod Save the Queen ” by the Southbridge brass band, who had afforded excellent assistance during the day. The entertainment was held in aid of the school treat and prize fund, to the credit of which a sum exceeding £25 has been placed. A very agreeable and well attended dance was then held.

A man who had saved the life of the daughter of a Boston millionaire received 250 dollars from the grateful parent. He was so overcome with the magnificent bounty that he paid out every cent of it to seventeen organ-grinders to simultaneously serenade his benefactor. A late well-known Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, remarkable for a peculiarlyshaped and very ugly nose, resisting the importunities of a woman for “ ha’penny for the honour of the blessed Virgin,” she turned upon him with: —“ The Lord forgive you ! And that he may preserve yer eyesight, 1 pray ; for faix ’tis yerself has the bad nose for spectacles.” Gay Old Gentleman.—The Sheffield “ Telegraph” says that at a recent meet at Mr Arkwright’s hounds at Brackenfield, Mr James Mounteney, of Westington, now in his eighty fifth year, was mounted on a spirited young mare, following the hounds and taking the fences with the foremost. Mr Mounteney is believed to be the oldest rider to hounds in England. Economical, —A Massachusetts man was having a silver door-plate engraved, and he requested that a blank space bo left below the name, so that his ago could be added, in case it was desirable to use the plate on his coffin after his death, A vagabond seeing the motto, “ Opportunity makes the thief,” said, “ Not always. I found a big anchor and chain cable on the pavement the other night, and didn’t touch it; and there was nobody about neither.” “My share ! my share ! ” is the Communist’s cry. He has that already ; all that he has inherited, or earned or saved—the only three honest ways of owning property. What he really wants is not his share, but several other and more industrious men’s shares. It is possible ho will find it hard, slow work, persuading honest, hardworking men to earn money by the sweat of their brows to support him in howling around the country.—“ Boston Oongregationaliet.”

“ Oh ! where are you going, my pretty maid ?’’ “ I’m going to the lecture, sir,” she said. “ May I go with you, my pretty maid?” “ The subject wont interest you,” she said. “ Oh ! what is the subject, my pretty maid ?” “ The final extinction of man,” she said. —“ Chicago Tribune.” “ Oh ! where are you going, my gallant sir ?” “ I’m going to lecture,” he said to her. “ May I go with you, my gallant sir ?” “ You may,” ho said, " but you wont go fur.” “ Oh, what do you t alk about, gallant sir ?” “ Extinction of man is the theme I stir.” “ Do you show the cause, my gallant sir ?” “ Yes—lie wiU be worried to death by Her.” —“ Graphic,’'