NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1583, 17 March 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Public Holiday.—To-day being a public holiday, places of business were closed and the town put on holiday attire. The great attraction was of course the carnival procession and the muff cricket match. There was also the match of Christchurch versus Timaru, and that of tho Bank of New Zealand versus the Bank of Australia, on the Association ground. A full account of the carnival proceedings and the Timaru match will be found elsewhere. The promenade, ball and miscellaneous entertainment, at the Drill Shed to-night, will, no doubt, be a great success. The Hinemoa.—From a parliamentary return it appears that the total cost of the working and maintenance of the Hinemoa, of the seven months ending June 30th, 1878, was £4433 16s Id. During that period there travelled by her, at the expense of the colony —tbe Governor, his staff and Ministers excluded—l 37 Europeans, including 31 armedconstables, and 128 Natives. Templary. —An anniversary entertainment, to include a magic lantern exhibition, will be held in the Lytlelton Wesleyan schoolroom to-morrow (Tuesday) evening in connection with the Juvenile Templar Lodge.

Sporting.—The acceptances for the Great Autumn Handicap, which is to bo run at the autnmn meeting of the O. J. C, appear elsewhere. As will be seen seventeen owners are content to accept tho verdict of the handicapper. Kaiafoi Woollen Factory.—Considerable preparation is being made for tho grand opening of the new portion of this factory on Tuesday so'nnight, when about 300 visitors, to whom invitations have been issued, are expected to be present. Mr and Mrs Hart.—There was again a capital house at the Oddfellows' Hall on Saturday evening, when " Happy Hours" was repeated very saccessfully. Mrs Hart was exceedingly good in her various songs and dances, and Mr Hart was loudly applauded for his banjo solos and impersonations. Tonight the hall will be closed in order that there may be no clashing with the entertainment projected for the Kaitangata relief fund. To-morrow tbe company will again appear in the ball.

I.UPOBTED Coal —A Parliamentary return | shows that 144 478 tons of coal, value £244,412 were imported to New Zealand from Newcastle during the lust ftnaaciftl year. Railway Beass BANC—The railway band, which met with so much difficulty in its first formation, is at last going ahead, in a mott satisfactory manner. The bflv* recently obtained tb.n services «Jf Mr lyrrel, from Melbourne, whose abilities as bandmaster, and the energy he displays in the work, deserve every praise. The band contains several really first-class players, but I owing to the fact of some of the members being employed late on the railway, propr» is not eo rapid as it might be. T«-' .--**? that arrangements will £ madTtJ remove or difficulfcy f At Bomo oE the MO^ f pvaoticea selections of high-class have been played in a most creditable manner.

FlßE.—About three o'clock on Saturday afternoon two houses at Avouside, in the occupation of Joseph Scarlett, a carpenter, and Richard Pepperill, general dealer, were totally destroyed by fire. Between the two houses was a space of about eighteen inches wide, and the fire, which commenced on tho premises of Scarlett, soon communicated with Pepperill's cottage, and they were both consumed before any aid could bo rendered. When the fire broke out, Mr and Mrs Scarlett wero in tho stable, and it originated in a cupboard which adjoined the kitchen range, but from what cause they are unablo to explaiD. Owing to the strong easterly wind which was blowing the fire speedily obtained such a hold ; on Scarlett's house that he was unable to save more than a couple of boxes and some bedding. Fepperill was fortunate enough to save his furniture. Both of the houses were insured— Scarlett's for £IOO in the Standard, but he estimates his loss at £llO in excess of that amount. Pepperill had £2OO on his house in the Norwich Union, and £l5O on his furni turo in the Transatlantic. These amounts do not, however, entirely cover his loss, which is not so great as Scarlett's. Rowing Contest.—On Saturday afternoon to arrangement, a rowing match Between four of the employes at the "Times" office and a like number from the Press came off at Lyttelton, the result being a victory for the former. The boats chosen were the Hero and the Rangitoto, owned respectively by Messrs Mesßiter and o 'Neil, watermen. The crews tossed for the choice, and, the " Times" crew winning, took the Rangitoto, leaving the Hero for thoir opponents. A fresh nor'easter had been blowing during the forenoon, and when the boats received the signal to start (4.48 p.m.) it had, if anything, increased in strength, causing a considerable swell on the water. After clearing the Breakwater the coxswain in the Hero apparently lost sight of the rounding buoy, and steered altogether out of tho course. His opponent made the same mistake, but saw his error in time to keep the lead. The Rangitoto rounded at 4.57, nine minutes from the start, and was followed by the Hero two minutes later. The crew of the former now fast increased their lead, winning at eleven minutes past five, by at least 500 yards. A Thief's Wish to Catch Thieves.— Power, the bushranger (says the " Gundagai Times"), who lies just now in Pentridge, confined to his bed with consumption, expresses his regret that he is not well enough to take part in tho search for the Kellys. He speaks positively of his ability to run them to earth, if they they have not left his old haunts on the ranges, and he states that the capturing of Edward Kelly would be with him a work of revenge, for to his treachery he persists in attributing his own capture.

Gbbmany in thb Pacific. —A correspondent at Port Hunter, Duke of York group, writing to the " Fiji Times " on the 24th December, sayß : —" The German consul for Samoa, Tonga, &c, and Captain von Werner, H.I.M. Ariadne, have purchased from the native chiefs here the harbor of Makada as a coaling station. The deed of purchase specifies that the natives are still to have the use of the waters for fishing, &c, and that the harbor is still to be free to ships ;of all nations as heretofore. It also grants to Germany the right to select, at any time, a suitable piece of land as a coaling station. I hear from the natives that since the Ariadne left here they have also purchased Port Weßley (Meoko), also iu this Duke of York group, but whether this has been bought on behalf of Germany, or Bimply for Messrs Godeffroy's factory, I do not know."

Coen Exchange.—A committee meeting was held at the Corn Exchange on Saturday, March 15th. Present—The Chairman (Mr Bruce), Messrs Patterson, Bailey, O'Callaghan, and Henderson. A letter was read from Captain Willis re the tariff rates on the Canterbury Eailway. The secretary was instructed to write to the Grenoral Manager of Railways bringihg under his notice the facts contained in Captain Willis' letter. A few small accounts were passed and payment ordered. The business of the meeting then terminated.

Waimakaeiei Railway Beidge.—The iron girders, of immense weight and strength, for use in the lengthening or the South Waimakariri railway bridge at its south approach were taken to the spot by special train on Friday evening, and placed in position on the substantial iron bark piles placed for the re • ception of the girders. The extension of this bridge by 60ft. will materially add to the waterway of the river and tend to lessen the damage done in time of flood. The department has shown very commendable despatch with the work, under Mr J. Sherris, inspector of bridges. Ifc now remains to remove tho remnants of the ill-fated groin above tho bridge, so as to effectually prove the good results of the work done. Inspectors of Mines. Messrs S. H. Cox and Or. J. Binnß are gazetted inspectors of mines under the Registration of Mines Act, 1874. Licensing Couet, Ambebley.—At the adjourned quarterly licensing meeting on Thursday the police report for the previous quarter was read and considered satisfactory, except the remarks calling attention to the licensee of the Hurunui Hotel having been lately fined for assaulting one Julius Heyne on his premises. The clerk was directed to write to Mr Daniels, the licensee, and demand his attendance at the next annual licensing meeting.

Templaby.—On Friday evening the institution of a new lodge, named " The Rising Sun," took place at View Hill. The officers of the Perseverance Lodge and Messrs Ellwood and Truman kindly assisted throughout the ceremony. Twelve new members were initiated, who, with several by clearance cards, form the nucleus of what promises before long to be a largo and influential lodge. The following were elected and duly installed as officers :—M. Lamont, W.0.T.; Goo. Smith, W.V.T.: Louis Anderson, W.S. ; Edmund Ryan, W. 0.; Thos. Bridglej, W.M.; while Bro. Arthur Wright was unanimously recommended as L.D. for the year. Abbival of thk Mail.—The Canterbury portion of the mail via San Francisco arrived yesterday. It consisted of 73 bags—s2 for Christchurch, 4 for Lyttelton, 9 for Timaru, and 8 for Oamaru.

The Habbob Batteby.—The four big gun for the defence of Lyttelton Harbor will be landed from the ship City of Quebec probably on Wednesday, and taken thence to the Gladstone shed until they can be placed in permanent position. On Saturday morning 9ixty-four cases of ammunition for them, equal in weight to six tons, were landed and. stored in the magazine. Theatre Royal.—Mr Liddy's company, who have been doing excellent business in Wellington, will re-open at the Theatre Royal tomorrow evening for a short season. Board of Education.—A mooting of the Board of Education will bo held on Thursday next at the Normal School.

Drainage Board. —The usual meeting of the Drainage Board will be held to-morrow at 2.30 p m. DEATn in mE Hospital.—lt will bo remembered that about the latter end of February an engine driver, named William Smith, while going from the engine to the trucks to put the break on, fell and smashed one of hie legs. The injury was of so severe a nature a? to necessitate amputation. Unfortunately the sufferer has never ralliod from the effects of the operation, and he expired yesterday afternoon in tho Hospital. Au inquest will bo held to-day.

Kaiai'oi School Committee.—A sucrial of this committee was held on B'riday evening. Present—All the members, Mir Johnston, chairman, presiding. .Mr J: Colborne-Veel, secretary of the Board of Education, was also present. fcettostfl k»i-J *ead from the 3f?oat«i nUttfit »»•♦■ " UyWtitdV^l-^ egcaoo i .. - -""eeecre. t tatfanditse^ ency , &Sffi?&ta **i"Ji. ,U $ t * ,t S d t the a,tpnda "ce of two members of the Board, but the secretary only was present, and would bo prepared to' hear the opi "!f n A e committee. Mr Coup proposed wUftl; t^e rf ,p or t erg re f ra i n f rom taking notes of the conference with Mr Veel. Mr Revell advised that the committee should go into committee, which was done, and, after a lengthened di3cnesion, Mr Yeel withdrew. Offers of land wero received-From T. Widdowson, quarter-acre £4O, half-acre £7O; C. Oram, quarter-acre £BO ; R. Allen, halfacre £100; R. Coup, half-acre £115; C. Stevens, throe-quarter acre £200; W. Hammefct, house and quarter-acre £500; W. Wright, half acre £BO ; T. W. Hall, one acre £l5O ; J. Beswick, 1J acres and house £600; College Property Trustees, half-acre £IOO. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Mathews, that Mr Hall's offer of one acre for £l5O be recommend ei to the Board to be purchased for a master's house. Mr Revell moved, Mr Mathews seconded—" That tho committee considers _ that, the following teachers are required in the school, viz. • Boys' School—Maoter, assistant master, and. two pupil-teachers. Girls' School —Mistrosi}', assistant mistress, and one pupil-teacher. Infants' School—Mistress and two pupilteachers." The motion was carried, Messrs Revell, Mathews, Parnham, and Young voting for, the chairman and Mr Pashby voting against it. Mr Coup declined to vote,. Mr Parnham moved, Mr Mathews seconded—- " That the list of teachers' salaries -be considered seriatim.." Carried, Mr Pashby dissenting. Mr Parnham moved, Mr Mathews seconded—" That the following schedule of salaries be forwarded to the Board, and they be informed that the committee cannot see its way to do with less:—Head-master, £272 10s; assistant master, £150; pupil-teachers, £80; total for boys' school, £462 10s. Mistress, £100; assistant mistress, £7O; pupil-teacher, £32; total, £202. Infant mistress, £80; pupil-teachers, £128; total for the whole school, £792 10s." Mr Coup moved, Mr Pashby seconded, as an amendment—" That tho proposed schedule be amended by reducing the head-maßter's salary to £210." The Chairman, Messrs Coup and Pashby voted for theamendment, and against the motion, Messrs Revell Mathews, and Parnham voted against the amendment and for the motion. Mr Young did not vote. The Chairman gave his casting vote for the amendment and against the motion. Mr Revell moved, Mr Parnham seconded—" That the names of the members voting for and against all resolutions be forwarded to the Board with all resolutions in future." Carried, Mr Coup dissenting. The committee then adjournod. A Pebsevebing Litigant.—A case reported in the Supreme Court at Wellington bears some resemblance to Mark Twain's celebrated and humourous anecdote of the " corn-beef contract," in pursuing the American Q-overnment, for payment of which the members of three successive generations are related to have wasted their lives. At a special sitting of the Supreme Court in ba?ico, held recently, Baucke v. Ballance was taken by Mr Justice Richmond. This case has been before the Courts for some years, several successive Treasurers having been made defendants. Plaintiff asserts , that the Government illegally paid away £3OO, his property, and he claims thafy i together with interest and a large sum for special damages, amounting in all to many thousands of pounds. Whatever moral claims he may have, it seems ho has no legal claim, for he cannot get to trial with his case. He ' has now appeared before every Supreme Court Judge in the colony, and the decision of all is alike, that his claim is bad in law. Mr Justice Richmond was the only Judge who had not heard the case, and the matter had been hung up for some months pending his Honor's return to Wellington. On Wednesday he was forced to take the same views as those expressed by Chief Justice Prendergast, Judges Johnston, Williams, and Gillies. Mr Baucke, it may be stated, always appears in person.

Simplicity.—London "Truth" says:— " Here's an amusing instance of Scotch simplicity : An old 'wife,' heard whispers that the Caledonion was shaky, thought she would be on the safe side, went to the bank, and presented her cheque for her balance. The cashier cashed it in Caledonian bank-notes, wl.ich the canny old lady pocketed, and walking across to the National Bank, asked them to exchange these for their own notes, which, having obtained, she went back again to her own bank, and handing them over to the teller, said, ' There, that's the richt paper. Will you just take caro of them for me ? ' Two days after the Caledonian suspended payment." Madame Christine Nilsson 19 soon to be installed as the Grand Mistress of the Ancient Charitable Masonic Order of the "Eastern Star." The order is composed chiefly of English ladies of rank and distinction, whose male relatives belong to the fraternity. The Maori idea of classic beauty in art ii naturally influenced by a respect for muscular strength and size. As among all semi-barba-rians who have existed for many generations in a state of continual warfare, beauty and delicacy of physique are not so highly valued by the Maoris as strength and courage. It is not to be wondered at that the Maoris who have inspected the statues in the Auckland Institute have expressed some singular opinions with regard to their merits. Of the Venus de Medici, that marvel of classic art, they entertain but a very poor opinion: " Nukinuki" was the comment of the illustrious chief Hokipoki, as he critically examined its points, and tried the dimensions of the limbs with his massive span; "He Kotiro" (a girl), chimed in another great rangitira, who accompanied him. But the gigantic stature and massive frame of the Venus of Milo excited their extreme admiration. " Ano," said Hokipoki, casting an affectionate look at the model, " Aue! Katahi to wahine kapai tena." ("Ah, what a fine woman that is.") —Auckland " Star."

Geneva is very favorably situated for all sorts of smuggling on to French territory. At one time a legion of men and dogs spent their time in spiriting watches across the frontier. The dogs were very clever at this game; saddled with flat boxes, which contained six watches, some of them would make two or three journeys a night between the Calvinist city and the Ain, which is but half-an-hour distant. The development of the Besanson watch trade has put a stop to this, for the French makers can now undersell the Swiss. t , The largest single stamp yet printed m .New Zealand was shown the other day to the Auckland " Herald." Its value is £7305. It was printed specially, says our contemporary, to affix to the probate in Captain Read's estate, the above amount being the stamp duty assessed upon it. Captain's Read's property was estimated at under £IOO,OOO, but the Government not being satisfied with the valuation, Mr T. Cotter, the present Deputy-Commissioner of Stamps, went to Gisborne to investigate matters. The result of his visit was an increase in the value to nearly £150,000, at which amount the estate was passed. Captain Read came to New Zealand as cook, in one of the sailing vessels, and subsequently settled at Poverty Bay, at which place, in consequence of the influence he had obtained, ho received the appellation of " King of Poverty Bay."

The Czarewiteh has forwarded to the Czar a memorandum protesting against the enlargcd powers of arrest given to the police by the Vulonieff Commission, and advocating a liberal Constitution as thobeet means of satisfying public opinion and strengthening the Government.

The first stone of Lord Brougham's monument at Cannes was laid in December last. Information has been received at the St. Petersburg Ministry of the Interior from the governors of the various provinces in Russia, stating that tho loss occasioned by the cattle plague throughout the empire is expected to exceed 30,000,000