NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1581, 14 March 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Resident Magistrates’ Court. —To-day Georges Wilkes was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard labor, for stealing a bundle of linen belonging to Mary Snoawell. Robert Nelson, for assaulting Mary Hannan, was fined 40a, or one month’s imprisonment. W. Hardie, for assault, was fined 20j and costs.

Fire. —Shortly after midnight the firebells rang out au alarm of fire, which was found to be in the range of wooden buildings at the westward of the drill-shed. These buildings were occupied as orderly rooms by the Chris! church City Guards, C. Y. Artillery ,■ and the Christchurch Engineers. The fire brigade wCre smartly on the ground, the Dreadnought hand engine being the first to arrive, shortly followed by the Deluge and Extinguisher. The fire evidently commenced in the orderly room occupied by the Engineers at the northern end of the building. Soon after the arrival of the engine the blacksmith’s forge to the eastward caught and was soon gutted. The engines were stationed on the Cashel street bridge, but only the hand engine and the Deluge were called into requisition. To the westward of the burning building was a cottage used by Staff Sergeant-Major Morgan as an office. This caught fire once or twice, but the water which soon came, enabled Mr Superintendent Harris to prevent the spread of the fire in that direction, or towards the main shed. The buildings in which the fire originated were completely destroyed, and only a very small quantity of the property stored in the orderly rooms was saved. The origin of the fire is unknown, as no one was on the premises during the evening. The fire police and regular police were' cm the ground, and rendered every assistance. Sale of Sites.—The sale of the sites at the forthcoming Kaitangata fete on Monday next took place yesterday at the Commercial Hotel, Mr Charles Clark acting as auctioneer. Biddings were brisk, and the sum of £59 was realised, Mr Clark contributing £1 to make up the even £6O. Canterbury A. and P. Association. — The annual meeting of the above association was held at the offices, Hereford-street, yesterday afternoon,- when the report was adopted, and office bearers elected for the ensuing year. A report appears in this issue. De. Donald. —Among the passengers for the old country by the ship Hydaspes was Dr. W. Donald, late Resident at Lyttelton, and one of Canterbury’s earliest settlers. Dr. Donald carries with him the good wishes of a large number of friends here, all of whom will look forward to his return. Immigration Offices.--The old Public Works Offices, in Armagh street west are being painted and put into repair, previous to being taken possession by Mr J. E. March, who will shift his quarters from the old Immigration and Charitable Aid Offices as soon as the new premises are ready. Part of the building has been used as the Registration Offices for the electoral districts of Christchurch, Avon, and Heathcote, to which are now added those of Coleridge and Selwyn. Sydenham Borough Council. —The next meeting of this Council will take place on Tuesday evening at the usual hour. Uncle Tom’s Cabin.—This company, after a successful season at the Theatre Royal, Wellington, leave per Ringarooma on Monday, and open a short farewell season at the Theatre Royal here, previous to their leaving for Melbourne. Cricket Fixtures.—The following will erpresent the United Club in the match against Sunnyeide, which will be commenced on the U.C.C.C. ground on Saturday next, at 2.30 p.m.:—Messrs A. S. Baker, E, J. Cotterill (captain), H. Cotterill, W. 6. Cotterill, F. Horwood, W. Million. W B. Perceval, E. J. Ross, H. S. Smith, aud G. Thorne. A two days match between the Haglcy Oak Leaf aud Christ’s College Clubs will he commenced on Saturday next aud continued on the Saturday following. The match will te played on the ground of the former. Play to commence at 2 p.m. sharp. The Hagley Oak Leaf players will be:—Messrs Caygill, Hopper, D. Lusk, F. Lusk, Gibb, Johnstone, Wheatley, Turner, White, Fisher, Thompson; emergency, Marshall aril Howe. The following will play for the M.C C.C. against Woolston to-morrow, on the ground of the former : —Messrs Atack, Row, Thompson, Whiting, J. Horner, W. Horner, Fairhnrst, Digby, Hill, Palairct, and E. Jones ; emergency, T. Jones, Hislop, Cohen, and Watkins.

Diocesan Sunday-school Association A meeting of tho members of this association was held last night in St. Michael’s schoolroom, when the Rev. Mr Knowles delivered a lecture, tho title of which was “ The Model Lesson.” Tho audience was principally composed of Sunday-school teachers, and on tho platform were a number of Sunday-school children, who were questioned by the lecturer to show the value of the model lesson system. The chair was occupied by the Rev. E. G-. Penny. Exteaoedinaey Aeeest. Yesterday Mounted-constable Bashford, stationed at Malvern, was given into custody by Colonel Brett for neglecting to salute him. It appears from tho constable’s statement that he was unacquainted with the colonel, and hence arose the alleged disrespect. Mr Neck, the solicitor, was at Malvern at the time, and made a formal application for the release of the constable, which was refused, and the latter was brought to Christchurch in tho custody of Sergeant Wheatley. On arrival at the depot ho was at once released from arrest, but the case will probably be heard of again in the civil courts. Chakitablb Aid Boaed.— A very lively discussion took place yesterday at the special meeting of the Charitable Aid Board. Tho subject was the position of the medical staff, and some exceedingly plain truths were told. Ultimately it was determined to invite applications for positions on the medical staff. A report appears elsewhere. Silk Loom. —The first silk loom—known as a double batten figure loom—ever imported into the colony may now be seen at work on the premises of Mr Charles Mazey, Widdowson’s Building, Manchester street. It is intended for the manufacture of silk ribbon, and weaves four bands at the same time. In addition to this, it weaves particular patterns on the silk, the one on which it is now at work being a picture of the Bank of New Zealand. To show the intricacy of this kind of work, it may be mentioned that in order to print the picture in question, no less than 882 cards, each of which has a direct bearing on the work, have to be used. The loom was imported direct from the manufactory of Mr T. Wilkinson, loom maker, of Coventry, and has taken nearly a month to fix in position. It is well worthy of inspection, Kaitangata Relief Fund, Rangioea.— A concert, arranged by Mr 0. Merton, was given last evening at the Literary Institute, Rangiora, in aid of the widows and orphans at Kaitangata. There was a fair attendance. The following programme was carried out: — Selections, Rangiora Brass Band ; song, Mr Hammond ; part-song, “ Fair Katie,” Company ; reading, Mr C. G. Chapman; solo (piano), Mrs Haywood ; song, “ The slave,” Mr Horniblow; part song, “ The Indian maid” (Hatton), company; song, “Nancy Leo,” Mr E. R. Good ; part song, “ Gaily through the greenwood ” (Young) Selections, Rangiora Brass Band; song, Mr 0. Merton ; part song, “0 hush thee my baby,” Company; reading, Mr 0. G. Chapman ; song, Mrs Douglas: solo (piano), Mrs Haywood ; song, “ Jessie’s dream,” Mrs Horniblow ; part song, “ I love the merry sunshine ” (Young); song, Mr E. R. Good ; glee, with chorus —“Don’t tickle me I pray ” (Martini). The National Anthem concluded tho entertainment, prior to which Mr Merton thanked those present for their attendance.

G-as at Rang idea.— A short time ago it was stated that Mr tllackctt intended to have liis store illuminated by means of a gas machine. This has now arrived, and the fittings having boon erected by Mr T, Boyd, Mr Blackett’s largo store in the centre of the borough was last evening lit up with gas for the first time. The light was very good, and about fifteen burners were put into requisition. As a precautionary measure, the machine is placed in a detached building some yards away from the store. It s said that (Tie managing committee of one of the public halls within the borough intend to import a similar machine, but since the question of illuminating by electricity lias cropped up, possibly there will bo a delay in the hope that the latter may bo adapted for the purpose.