NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1603, 9 April 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Legal Benevolence. —An instance of impromptu benevolence, so creditable to forensic human nature, occurred this morning in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, that it is a pity it should pass unrecorded. During the hearing of an application from a husband separated from his wife, for a reduction of a maintenance order of the Court, the wife stated that she did not object to the reduction, but she wished for the restitution of a mirror which had cost £3 3s, and which in her business as a dressmaker, was an indispensible article of stock-in-trade. The husband replied he would have had no objection to giving up the mirror, but unfortunately he had been compelled to sell it, in order to raise the money he had already paid over to his wife under the order of the Court. The wife said she could not carry on business without her mirror and appealed to the Bench and the legal profession generally to pronounce, from their their experience of the “ milliner’s craft,” as to the reasonableness of her demand. A member of the legal profession, touched with compassion, immediately volunteered a donation of one guinea towards the purchase of a new mirror, and his example was at once followed by two more members of the law, and the gratified recipient was informed that on application to her legal adviser she would have the money handed over to her. Under ordinary circumstances it would have been only fair to publish the names of the generous donors, but as they happen to be all Benedicts the publicity might bo attended with consequences which might have the effect of checking their stream of benevolence for the future.

Caution TO PoACHEBS.— In the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, two young men were each fined £5 for shooting in the North Park with an air gun. One of them made a very ingenious defence, the gist of which was that because poaching with a rod and lino in prohibited places had been winked at, the same latitude should be extended to gentlemen who used the true poacher’s weapon—an air gun. The Magistrates, from the heaviness of the penalty, evidently regarded this as an aggravation of the offence. Colombo bteeet Beidge. —The bridge over the Avon in Colombo street presents a melancholy spectacle just at present. It was explained at the last meeting of the City Council that the residents had neglected to pay their quota towards the expense of repairs to the bridge, and it was resolved to close the thoroughfare for fourteen days. As the engineer stated in his report, the work was commenced, but in the present state of things it might have been better to have left it alone, since all that has been done is simply to strip the bridge of its rails and put one wooden pile in position, the general effect being far from ornamental, whilst the protection against accident is very far from sufficient. Coebobation Resesves. — A meeting of tno reserves committee of the City Council will be held this evening, for the purpose of drawing up conditions for leasing a reserve at Geraldine.

Sydenham Wesleyan Chueoh. —It will be seen by advertisement that the tea and public mooting in connection with the anniversary of the Sydenham Wesleyan Church takes place on Good Friday. Among the speakers who will address the public meeting in the Church are the Hon. W. Fox, the Revs. W. Morloy, R. S. Bunn (from Auckland), J. White (Addington), and J. A. Luxford. The proceeds will go to the fund for erecting the now galleries,

Automaton Luos.—A novelty, or rather a no:r of novelties, are now t r be seen in the ii'lway workshops. It maybe remembered that a short time ago a man named Quartorer, in the employ of the railway department, mot with A serious accident, which necessitated the amputation of both bn legs, one at the ankle and the about four inches below the knee. It n not expected however that he wi l l be always a useless cripple, for ho has had made for him, a pair of automaton legs, which it is said will, when he has been used to them for a few weeks, carry him as safely over the ground or those with which Nature o.it/nally endowed him. These logs have been constructed by a Swede in the employ of the depaitment, who was for many years engaged in one of the piincipal surgical instrument maker’s shops in London, and Hs work ceitair'y does him infinite credit. The logs and feet are in outward appearance a perfect facsimile of the genm'ne article, and consist of si col and leather binding, sockets for the ampu*Y. I limbs, and indiarubber suppo. is and springs for the calves and feet, the latter being an exceedingly ingenious piece of mechanism. Quartorer will in a day or two be affixed to his new extremities, and will be enabled to go about his work as an engine cleaner. The surgical legs in question are the first ever made in the colony, and do great credit to the maker.

The Foethcoming Review.—The _ approaching review to bo held in Invercarg ;, l on Easter Monday—tho day on which the great annual English review is held, generally at Brigham—promises to bo a success. Men are going from all parts of the South Island to take nart in it. From Canterbury alone there wi l be over 3t I men. Christchurch contributes a contingent of 120, who leave to-morrow by the express ti.”’n under the command of Captain Hawkes, officer commandant of the district. Th’s number is made up es fo n ows City Guards, 60, Captain Hawkes; Artifleiy, two detachments 30 men, Capta’n Craig in charge, with Lieutenant Stiango ; Engineers, 30 men. The latter body will be under the command of no commissioned officer, pi neither the captain or lieutenant cau spare the necessary time. Temuka will contribute 30 men to the review, and Timaru more than twice that number, while other smaller places will also send down their quota. It is expected that there will be a gathering of some ISOOmen. Fouling the Avon.—The attention of the river conservators, or contractors for keeping tho Avon clear, should be directed to collections of rubbish, held together by the branches of trees, which disfigure and obstruct the free course of the river in different places. At the same time it may be as well to remark that the river Avon (which is justly the pride of Christchurch) ought not to be used as a receptacle for a ll kinds of rubbish, such as tin cans, oyster shells, and general backyard refuse. That the Avon has been put to such use may be seen by anyone who takes tho trouble to look along the banks where the liver is most exposed to the public. The Rkv. E, H, Wyatt.—Many Ashburton residents will be sorry to hear that this gentleman has resigned tho Ashburton curacy.

Tiik Autumn Meeting.—The rac ;, ig privileges in connection with the autumn meeting, to take place on Monday and Tuesday next, were yesterday sold at the Commercial Hotel, Mr James Campbell officiating as auctioneer. The pi ices obtained were—New stand, Mr Collier, £SO; No. 1 publican’s booth, Mr Cookson, £37 10s ; confectioner’s booth, Mr Somers, £ls; horse yards, Mr Sheenan, £5; sports, Messrs Hobbs and Q-oodwin, £59; total, £166 10s. This is a larger sum than was realised last year for the privileges for the same meeting. Kaiapoi Institute.—The monthly meet, ing of the institute committee was held on Monday evening. There was a quorum present ; the president in the chair. It was decided that sundiy accounts be passed. On the motion of Mr Balch, seconded by Mr Wright, it was resolved to hold a special general meeting of members on Monday, the 21st, to consider the question of arranging a series of entertainments in aid of the funds.

Me Conykbb.—This gentleman left Queenstown for Dunedin yesterday morning, and is expected to arrive in Christchurch to-morrow night. He is now thoroughly recovered, and will assume charge of the department on Monday next. The Acting Commissioner, Mr Hanney, will then resume his duties as Secretary for Railways. During the illness of his chief Mr Hanney has filled his position with great ability. Catholic Picnic. —A Catholic Picnic will take place on Easter Monday, on the ground adjoining the church, Shand’s track. The Stewarts. —The Stewaic Family will give a farewell season of a week in Christchurch, at the Oddfellows’ Hall, commencing on Monday next.