NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1595, 31 March 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Aquatics—A match in four-oared boa'p will be pnlled on Saturday next, from the Tannery to the Willows, between two junior crews from the "Press" and " Timeß" offices. The " Press" crew will be as follows: —G. Robinson, stroke; F. A. Maurice, 3 ; W. H. Smith, jun., 2 ; J. Brunt, bow. i Coxswain, J. Allardyce,

Letters, etc., by the Mail. —The outgoing ro.iil despatched on Saturday consisted of the following :—For London—l6oo letters, 120 books, and 6700 newspapers; United Kingdom, 7580 letters ; America—s 42 letters, 2o books, and 373 newspapers ; totals—letters, 9722; books, 146 j newspapers, 7073. Under the head Toiled Kingdom there appears no record of hooks or newspapers, the explanation of which is that those parcels are always placed in the United Kingdom division, no great number of either books or newspapers going to one town in particular. The mail which has just loft was moro than usually heavy. Lands Pueciiase Commissioners.—The Native L'.!.ds Pu.-ehiso Commissioners for the Middle island, a brief reference to which was made iii a former issue, will sit next month, their secretary having arrived in Christchurch by the Wanaka to-day. Mr Thomas Henry Smith, late -Judge of the Native Lands Court, and Mr F. Gr. Nairn, of Nelson, are the Commissioners, and the questions to ba conpidered being of very great importance, the Government have appointed Mr T. Young, Judge of the Native Lands Court, and Interpreter to the House of Representatives, secretary to the Commission. There are a go.id many questions to be settled, but it may be said briefly that the Commission has been appointed for the purpose of taking evidence upon certain alleged unfulfilled promises to Natives in the Middle Island.

Sib Q-. Obey.—The Premier and party left Auikltnd for Wellington on board the ilinemoa yesterday. CANTEuBDity G-bain.—The amount of grain lodged in the various stations along the line on Saturday was 29,000 bags. Criminal Sessions.—The quarterly criminal session of the Supreme Court will open before his honor Mr Justice Johnston on the 7th instant. The calendar so far contains only the ordinary cases. Offketobies. —The offertories in connection with St. John's Church have, during the present month, amounted to over £IOO. Legal—Their Honors Justises Johnston and Williams have left for Dunedin, and will be engaged during the present week in disposing of the banco business in that city, which has accumulated largely lately. Mr Justice Johnston will return to Christchurch on Saturday next in time for the criminal session here. City Improvements.—Various new buildings, mercantile and otherwise, the progress of which has been noticed from time to time, aro now rapidly approaching completion. Of these may be mentioned the very extensive business premises of J. T. Ford and Co,, extending from Hereford street to Cashel street, and the horse repository in Worcester street, which is being erected for Mr F. Q-. P. Leach. Ths Colebidgb CoNSTiTtrENCr.—Already rumor is busy with probable candidates for the representation of Coleridge, rendered vacani by the resignation of Mr J. C. Wason, who has sat as member for the district during several sessions. Amongst others, Mr E. QWright is spoken of as likely to come forward. It is also said that Mr Q-eorge Hart, chairman of the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway Company, has acceded to a request to come forward. Mr Hart, it will be resollected, contested the seat some time back, but wa* defeated. Others havo also been spoken of, so that, if rumor is to be believed, the Coleridge electors will have plenty of choice for a representative. Amuri Races.—Should Mr Whitefoord, R.M., return before Monday it is intended, after the hearing of several sheep cases at the Waiau, to hold a number of races. Among those on the programme are put down—The A uri Cup, for owners who have held clean certificates for ten years. Tho Judicial Stakes is for horses whose owners have been fined, all fined over £IOO to carry 14st. Th; Inspectors' Plate, of 2s 6d, entrance ss, is expected to be an exciting event. A " Lime and Sulphur Handicap " is included, of a ton of each, the second to take the lime. The rules for these races concluded with a provision that the decision of the judges shall be referred to arbitration.

Baptist Chuech.—The anniversary services of the Sunday school in connexion with tho above church were held yesterday. Tho sermon in the morning was preached by the Rev. E.Walker, in the Old St. Paul's Church. In the afternoon an address was delivered in the Hereford street Church to the children and friends by the Rev. J. Luxford. In the evening the Rev. C. Dallaston preached in tho Old St. Paul's Church, taking as the foundation of his discourse, " Nonconformity to tho World." During the day the numerous children, who were present at all the services, assisted by the choir, sang hymns specially selected for the occasion; Mr W. Hamilton presiding at the harmonium. The services were well attended. The tea and public meeting takes place to-morrow evening in the Hereford street Church. Btjbglaby.—A burglary of a very peculiar character as regards the booty taken occurred a day or two since, on the premises of Messrs Tombs and Davies, bookbinders, Cathedral square. The premises, which form part of these occupied by Messrs J. B. Dale and Co., were entered during the night, but the burglars must have been somewhat disgusted at the small amount of convertible property which they obtained. It consisted of about one shilling's worth of stamps, a cash book, bank pass book, and two other account books, and a cancelled railway pass. The books, with the exception of the cash book, have since been found planted in a paddock behind the Palace Hotel. It is possible that the burglar may desire to travel on the strength of the railway pass. If so, his roving propensities may land him in the safe custody of the police. So far no trace has been discovered of the burglars. Cheistchtjbch and Sydenham Building Society.—A general meeting of the investing members of the Christchurch, Sydenham, and Suburban Building Society, was held at the offices of the society, Hereford street, on Saturday evening; Mr F. Back in the chair. Eight gentlemen were proposed for directors, of whom Messrs Back, Langdown, Coleman, England,King, and Neighbours were elected for the ensui»g year. Messrs J. D. Macpherson, T. R Fisher, junior, C. T. Ick, and Geo. Booth were elected arbitrators. Mr H. E Alport was elected shareholders' auditor for the ensuing year. A vote of thanks to the chairman concludrd the proceedings. At the directors' meeting held afterwards Mr F. Back was elected chairman for tho ensuing year, and Mr Hawkeg shareholders' auditor. The society is now duly registered under the Building Societies Act, and prepared to ..perate at once. Upwards of 2000 shares have already been applied for.

Coek Exchange.—A committee meetins was held at the Corn Exchange on Saturday, the 29th March, 1879. Present—The chairman (Mr T. Bruce), Mosßrs Leadley, Amyea, Htwood, Henderson, Brown, Woodman, Overton, Catherson, and Dick. Mr HenderHon gave notice of motion that he will move at next meeting that, instead of weekly meetings monthly meetings be held, these to bo on the first Saturday of each month. A letter addressed to the General Manager of the Canterbury Railways, embodying the resolution, and setting forlh the grounds in support of the request for a [substantial reduction of the ruilway tariff rates, was nad. No led emonts of the re eipt of this 1 Iter having been made by tho railway authorities, it was resolved that the General Manager be written to, asking if the foregoing letter has been received by him. A letter from Mr J. E. Browp was read, enclosing another from a gontleman in Auckland, requesting the co-operation of influential people in Canterbury towards bringing pressure to b/Rr en the Government to reinstate the import duty on grain and timber. To give this matter duo consideration it was resolved tint all tho directors ba written to, requesting their attendance for the following Saturday, in ordtr that this subject muy be fully discussed. A discussion took place as to tho best methods of overcoming the difficulty which ftvquently arises between buyer a':d eell r as to the weight of grain, threshing machine weights boing held to bo unsatisfactory, in some cases the actual weight being proved to be more and in others h'sn than represented by machine weight. No determination vva» arrived at. The subjoct is to be again brought forward at a subsequent meeting. Tho business of the meeting then terminated.

Municipal Councils. The City and Sydenham Councils "ill moot this evening. Kaiapoi Foal Show.—lt has been decided, owing to unavoidable circumstances, to postpone this show from the 3rd till Thursday, April 10bh. A. supplementary list of private prizes will be announced. The entries close on April 7th. Salh op WAisrATn PLAINS.—The Commissioner oi' Crown Lands at New Plymouth advertises that about 1(5,000 acres of the Waimate Plains will be sold by auction at Carlyle, Patea district, on May 6th. Judicial Appointments.—Mr Shaw, late warden of Rcefton, has been appointed District Judge for the Taranaki and War.ganui districts, holding also the appointment of Magistrate in tho former district. Judge Kenny is removed to Hawke's Bay district. Found Dead. —Our Akaroa correspondent telegraphs that Mr William Black, engineer of the lighthoußO now being erected at Akaroa, was found dead on the ranges, near the town of Akaroa, yesterday. It was supposed that he had perished during the severe gale oa Thursday night. Thanksgiving Seevices.—Harvest thanksgiving services were held yesterday at the Holy Trinity Church, Lyttelton. The incumbent of Opawa, the Rev. J. Gt. Chclmondeley officiated in the morning, and the Eov. F. Knowles in the evening. Tho collection made at each service will be added to the Kaitangata Belief Fund.