NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1610, 18 April 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Thb Govbbnob's Visit. —His Worship the Mayor has kindly placed the following telegram at our disposal:—" Have had the honor to place your telegram of yesterday before his Excellency the Governor, who desires mo to state that he will have much pleasure in meeting your wishes re banquet and address. J. T. Fisheb." His Worship has arranged with Mr Richmond, of the Terminus Hotel, to provide the banquet. Thb New Town Hall.—The conditions under which the proposed town hall is tendered for and erected, as passed by a commute appointed to consider the matter, have been printed in pamphlet form and now lie at the town clerk's office, to be issued, it is understood, to-morrow. Designs are to be called for, and premiums are offered of £IOO for the first, and £SO for the second design, which bonus in connection with the extensive nature of the work to be performed, should insure keen competition. The conditions, which have been carefully drawn up, will be published in due course. Chbistchitbch: Fibe Bbigade.—Wo have been requested by Superintendent Harris to acknowledge the receipt 0 f £5 5s from the Hamburg Magdeburg Fire Insurance Company, through their Christchurch agent, Mr George Hutchinson, as a plight recognition of the valuable services rendered by the brigade at the fire which occurred last week at Messrs Edwards, Bennett and Co.'s bonded store.

N.Z. Rifle Association. —As will be seen by advertisement elsewhere, all claims against the N.Z. Eifle Association and the C.R.A. must bo sent in to the secretary, Mr A. Appleby, on or before to-morrow.

1.0.G-.T.—The members of the Dauntleßß Lodge propose to hold their usual monthly open meeting in the Templar Hall this evening. The public are invited. There will be no charge for admission. The doors will be open at a quarter past eight. For further particulars see advertisement. Thb Stewabts Family.—This talented troupe t»ave a second representation of the delightful sketch "If" last evening to a bumper house, the front scats being largely patronised. The performance, it should be almost unnecessary to say, was an immense success ; Mr Stewart with his comicalities, ar.d his clever daughters with their varied accomplishments contributing to make it so. The Stewart Family play to-morrow night, and leavo Christchurch on Monday. This evening the entertainment is given for the benefit of Misses Docy, Maggie, and Nellie Stewart, and as these ladies are deservedly great favorites with the public, there will doubtless bo a large attendance. Oue Coastal Defences.—This is tho way they look after their guns in Auckland, according to the "Star": —One of our staff yesterday paid a visit to the North Head, and was surprised to find that the gun platforms are rapidly rotting away. The carriage of the Armstrong gun, the breech of which was blown out, still stands as a melancholy remnant of incompetence, while part of the breech lies on the ground. On the hill-side lies the dismounted gun itself, fast dec- ying with rust. We should think the mere gua metal would be of some value. The other gun still stands on the platform and points menacingly into tho Rangatoto Channel. The breech of the gun is covered with canvas, and the muzzle stopper and other points are well greased, but the gun is indifferently protected from the weather.

Thr G-beat Unpaid.—Surely the bitterest comment, says an English paper, on the inadequacy of the "great unpaid" is to be found in the account of the proceedings of the Durham Sessions, reported in the " Newcastle Chronicle" of tho Ist instant. A man was tried for stealing a satchel: —"The prisoner was an incorrigible thief, and he was sentenced to seven years' penal servitude. On hearing his sentence, the prisoner protested and urged that the law only allowed the Court to sentence him to two years as the maximum of punishment for the offence he had been found guilty of. The Chairman, after a consultation, found this to be the case, and the sentence was reduced to one of eighteen months' hard labour." When the prisoner has to correct the magistrate's law, and is able to prove that he is only liable to two years' hard labour instead of seven years' penal servitude, it would seem to be time that the Home Secretary's attention sloidd be invited to the case.

Kate Rons.—The burgess roll for the year is now in course of preparation, or more properly speaking is being pushed on towards completion, as the time prescribed by the Act for certain other things in connection with it to be performed is fast approaching. The roll will probably be completed within a week, which will give time for the usual meeting of the Council called specially in each year between the 22nd and 30fch of this month, for the purpose of confirming the rolls and hearing objections thereto. A Walking Machine.—The agricultural reporter for the " London Parmer" describes a locomotive or traction engine at the Paris Exhibition, which he designates " a walking machine," because the motion forward is gained by the action of six discs or feet which move with a musical clockwork clatter, and has the appearance of a locomotive in pattens, and is so called in the French language. The engine walked along at the rate of six miles an hour, and was suitable for all common roads and pasture and most arable fields. The engine was said to have a "going" look about it, and its principle decidedly natural. We are promised further particulars of this machine shortly. The Volunteers.—The contingent of the Canterbury volunteers who took part in the demonstration at Invercargili on Easter Monday returned by the express on Wednesday evening, and yesterday morning the Kaiapoi portion of them left for their homes. The men generally express themselves as much pleased with their trip South.

Ranoioha Musical Festival.—The usual Easter musical festival given by Mr C. Morton took place last evening in the Library Institute, Rangiora, when selections from the oratorio of Samson were given in the first part, and in the second part selections of vocal and instrumental music. The proceeds, it is understood, were for the benefit of the fund for the organ of St. John's Episcopalian Church.

Boabd of Education.—The ordinary meeting of the Board of Mducation was held at the Normal School yesterday afternoon, all the members being present. A good deal of business of the usual character was transacted, a report of which appears elsewhere. Law Cotjbt Stamps.—As is known, no business in connection with the Court of law can be carried on by cash payments, in consequence of law Court stamps being introduced. It appears, however, that at Ashburton the supply must be very limited, as business is occasionally completely stopped through solicitors not being able to procure them either from the Post-office or any other place in the town. Cantbbbtjby Saleyabds Company (Limited). —At a meeting of the directors held yesterday, Mr W. Henderson gave notice that at the next meeting of directors he should move -" That the yard fees on sheep be reduced from Is to lOd per score, and paddocking at the same rate, and that the charge for pigs be reduced from 3d to 2d per head, and that a sow with litter of pigs be charged Is only, and that the charge for cattle twelve months old and under be reduced to 3d per head."

Engines by thb Piabo.—These two engines have now been removed to the railway workshops, and are being put together. They are not nearly so much damaged as was expected. The principal injury is the thick rust, the consequence of water being pumped upon them when the Piako was on fire. In all probability, the total cost of the labour required to scrape them and make them fit for service will not exceed £2OO. This amount will be paid by the insurance companies. They will be fit for work in a few days, and will come in in very good time to aid in the immense traffic at present going on. C-DDFELLOWsniP. —The half-yearly meeting of tho North Canterbury District was held yesterday in the District Chambers, Montreal street north. Bro. W. Fraser, P.G-.M. (in the chair), Bro. A. Liddle, Deputy G.M., and Bro. R. M. Wright, P. 0.5., being the District officers. The following lodges were represented by the number of deputies allowed by the rules of the Order, viz. :—City of Christchurch, Volunteer and Benevolent of Christchurch, Perseverance (Woolston), Rangiora, Nil Desperandum (West Oxford), Ashburton, Leitofield Doyleston, Star of Waltham (Sydenham), Oxford (East), Amberley, Ohoka, and Sefton. The meeting being declared open for the transaction of business, correspondence was read from the G-.M. and Board of Directors re the division of the district, which it is supposed will be carried into effect at tho next annual meeting. On the balance sheet and auditors' report being read, the delegates were pleased to find the district in such a flourishing condition, having a balance to the credit of nearly £SOO. A series of accounts were passed for payment, including one for £lO, being subscriptions from tho various lodges, to erect a memorial to the late Bro. Abrahams, P.P.O.S. After an adjournment of fifteen minutes, the chairman called on P.G-. Thin to read the book examiners' report for the southern portion of the district, and on P.D G-.M. Robinson (of Rangiora) for the northern. The reports were very exhaustive, and contained many useful hints to secretaries of lodges. There were five nominations for P.G.M. and twelve for D P.G M., and Paßt Grands Leahy and Richardson were nominated for P.C.S., the present P.C.S. standing his poll (by virtue of his office) without being nominated. Tho meeting was brought to a close by the chairman presenting P.P.G.M. Cameron with a beautiful inlaid, brass bound writing desk and a family Bible. The recipient returned thanks in a neat speech. At 7 p.m., the G.M. conferred degrees on all members holding proper certificates, after which a lodge of purple officers was hold, ai d three members were initiated in that degree.

St. SxErnsN's, Kaiaboi. Mr F. de C. Malet has been nominated as Synodsman for the parish of St. Stephen's. Gaiety Theatbk.—The Diorama of the American War drew a capital house last evening. Panotoba Railway Station. —On Thursday Mr Shannon opened a bookstall at this station for the sale of nowspapors and general literature.

The Illusionists.—Mr C. Weightman, better known as Natator, arrived yesterday to make arrangements for the opening of the Illusionists at the Theatre Royal on Monday evening next.

Ashburton County Council.—A committee meeting of this Council was held yesterday, at which it was decided to draw up a report (to be presented to the Council at their May meeting) regarding the protective works for the river Ashburton. "Cobbing."—A committee, consisting of the Rev C Fraeer and Mr J. Colborne-Veel, secretary to tho Board of Education, were yesterday appointed to make enquiries into several alleged cases of " cobbing" that had occurred at the school at Southbridge. Oddfellows' Funebal, Rangioba.—A largely attended funeral, that of Bro. G. Fcnnell, who was connected with the Oddfellows, took place on Thursday morning. The funeral rites were performed by Mr W. Sansom, senr., and the deceased was interred in the Baptist cemetery. Rakaia. —The meeting which was to have been held at Lavington, the residence of Mr 0. N. Mackie, on the 15th inst., for the purpose of electing a gentleman to represent this parish in the Diocesan Synod, was unavoidably postponed. Ahotheb Chabge of Abson.—At the Ashburton Magistrate's Court yesterday G-eorge Hamilton, the particulars of whose case have already been given, was formally committed for trial on a charge of arson. Bail was allowed, prisoner in £3OO and two sureties of £l5O each.

Inquest.—At the inquest held yesterday at the Southern Hotel, before Dr. Coward, coroner, on the body of Frederick Hillyer, who died suddenly in St. Asaph street on Wednesday last, the jury returned a verdict of "Died from Natural Causes."

Theatbb Boyal.—" Hamlet " was played again last night to a good house. Mr Oreswick was as successful as before in thoroughly satisfying his admirers, and with Miss Ashton was called before the curtain. The rest of the characters were sustained by the stock company, who rendered efficient aid to the star.

Railway Accident.—One of the best goods engines on this section of railway, the Mazeppa, came fo grief laßt evening in the railway yard at Port. The engine was going into the station with the 5 p.m. goods' wagons, and upon passing one of the points on a part of the newly laid line it jumped the track. About fifty yards from the point referred to, the engine sank in the gravel up to the cylinders. Men were at work up to late last night endeavoring to extricate the engine. No injury to Ufa resulted, but the engine is reported to be seriously damaged.

Kaitangata Relief Fund Cabnival.— In accordance with a resolution of the Kaitangata fete committee, the chairman, Mr C. T. Ick, and the treasurer, Mr W. Pratt, yesterday forwarded to the central committee the net proceeds of the late fete in Christchurch in aid of the Kaitangata sufferers, amounting to £7lO 13s 3d. It should be stated that the manager of the Bank of New Zealand made no charge for the exchange, which would amount to about £4, and the Bank may therefore be regarded as having contributed bo much in addition.

Football.—A meeting of the Sydenham Youths' Cricket Club was held last evening, to discuss the desirability of forming a football club in connection therewith. After some discussion it was resolved to form a club, to be called the Sydenham Youths' Football Club. An election of officers then took place, and resulted in W. H. Smith being elected captain, and A. Webber, secretary and treasurer. The opening game will be played on the Waltham ground next Saturday. Play to commence at 2.30 p.m. The Addington Woekshops.—The third contract for the ereotion of railway workshops at Addington has just been accepted. The two former contracts were for a fitting and repairing shop tor the engines and for a shop for the carriages and trucks. The first-named of these is very far advanced towards completion, and will bo finished in a day or two, while the second will be completed in the course of about a fortnight, both being within the contract time. The contract just accepted is fo* the smiths' shop, and the amount, as in the case of the other two shops, is about £2OOO. A New Township.—A new township, to be called Derby, is now being laid out on the north Bide of the river Waipara, at the terminus of the northern extension of the railway. The block consists of about forty acres, which will be cut up into 150 building allotments, the remainder of the block being set apart as reserves. The land is in a very rising portion of the country, and is in a very favorable situation. It is at the junction of the Weßt Coaßt road and the Greta Valley, where even at the present time there is a considerable amount of traffic. Chbistchuech Poultby Society.—The Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Society have received advices from Mr J. W. Ludlow, of Birmingham, of the shipment per Red Q-auntlet on February 4th, for several members of the society, of the following stock: —Pigeons—Owls, pair blue, pair silver; dragoons, pair blue, pair silver, and one white hen ; carriers, one pair and a half ; fantails, pair white; turbits, red and yellow, pair each; baldheads, pair red and pair yellow, and a pair of nuns. Poultry—Dark brahmas, cock and two hens ; light brahmas, cock and two hens ; Dorkings, cockerel and two pullets; Polish, white crested black, two cocks and four hens; one white Coohin oook, and J one buff Cochin cock.

New Zealand Alliance.—A public meeting was held last night, in the Provincial Council Chamber for the purpose of inaugurating the Chriatchurch branch of the New Zealand Alliance for the reformation of the liquor law. His Lordship the Primate occupied the chair, and addressed the meeting. The principal speakers were the Hon. Wm. Fox, the Dean of Christohurch, Archdeacon Dudley, and the Eev. C. Fraser. Kesolutions were passed, having for their objeot the concession of the power to render operative the principle of local option admitted in the existing law. An influential committee was formed, for the purpose of co-operating with the interim committee at Dunedin in furthering the objects of the Alliance. At the close of the meeting a number of persons enrolled their names as members of the Alliance, A report of the proceedings is unavoidably held over.

Attempted Aeson.—A most delibera'e attempt to set fire to the business premises of Mr H. Fuhrmann was made during Wednesday night. At the rear of Mr Fuhrmann's furniture warehouse is a small lean-to opening out into a yard, to which access is gained by a gate in Cathedral Square. This gate was forced open, and a small window in the leanto smashed in. Immediately below this window in the lean-to was stored a quantity of iron bedsteads, covered with paper wrappings, together with chairs and furniture. The person or persons attempting to set fire to the premises had broken a bottle containing varnish, kerosene, &c, over the paper wrappings, and had also placed a full bottle containing the same liquid on the bedsteads. The paper wrappings had then been set on fire, which had entirely consumed them, and had also burnt up the wall of the lean-to, but strange to say had then died out. Had the fire thus started once got firm hold it is im possible to say what damage would have been done, as Mr Fuhrmann's warehouse is surrounded by wooden buildings, many of them of long standing, notably the present Telegraph Office, which is next door. Up to the present no clue has been obtained to the perpetrator of the offence. Kaiapoi Volunteke Fire Beigade.—An entertainment in aid of the funds of this brigade was given in the Oddfellows' Hall, Kaiapoi, last evening. There was a good attendance, and the two pieces placed on the stage were well received. It was only to be regretted that a more extended notice of the entertainment was not given, as the attendance would have been even larger.

PnorosED New Railway.—lt is proposed to construct by private enterprise a railway from Christchurch to Tai Tapu, and thence round by the hills to join tho Akaroa and Lincoln railway. The line starting from Christchurch will run through Sydenham, thence to Cashmere, and up the Railway reserve, thence by way of Hnlswell and up White's Tramway reserve, and so on to Tai Tapu as above. Some of the promoters of the lino wish to call it the Christchurch and Akaroa Railway, but nothing definite has yet been decided upon, though the special object of the work is to connect Akaroa with this city. The promoters wash to bring the line straight into Christchurch without going round by a circuitous route. The country through which the line will pasß is at present entirely without railway communication. Independently of the large population in this part of the province, the Jand is for the most part of a very rich character. It is proposed that the line shall be taken over the same course as that advocated at the time of the G-overnment laying out the Akaroa railway. It is now thought that, with the capital which it is proposed to raise, the promoters will succeed in carrying out the scheme as originally proposed. An active canvass is being made, the plans are all prepared, and the prospectus will probably be out in the course of a few days.

Football.—The match on Saturday for the Eastorn Club will be the following Fifteen v the Club:—Messrs Bell, Boulton, Campbell, Cooper, Dobson, Hawkins, Joynt, W., Keith, Kenvig, Lambert, Parker (Capt.), Stringer, H., Twining, Whitcombe, Wachsman, J. Play to commence at 2.30 p.m. sharp, Any of the above who are unable to play will please communicate with tho secretary. Colors of Fifteen red aud black.