NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1611, 19 April 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Cost op Pumping Watbe.—lt is erroneous to suppose that the so-called “ volunteer” work at fires is done for nothing. The men who labor at the hand engines are invariably paid so much an hour, and receive in addition certain “ quenchers” during the performance, and that these quenchers are not always modest in character may bo gathered from the fact that at the late fire the volunteers at the hand engines consumed twentytwo gallons of beer. On such occasion it is found impossible to get along without supplying this demand for refreshment, however excessive it may appear. For instance, the water comes slowly perhaps, and enquiries are made as to the cause. “No more beer” is the explanation, and the buckets are replenished, und the engine is worked with renewed vigor. Thus replenishments become more frequent as the time passes, and the amount of beer money spent at a “ good fire” (as a destructive conflagration is commonly called) may always be calculated as something considerable.

Q-boss Outeage. On Saturday night, March 15th, or Sunday morning, March 16th, the premises of Messrs W. S. King and Co., High street, were broken into. The thieves came in through the window and buret the neighbouring door, thus gaining access to the workshop, where they poured a quantity of oil and varnish over the furniture and floor, and ripped up the hair cloth easy chairs. They then proceeded to the shop, where they upset a bottle of mercury, used for glasssilvering purposes, &c. When leaving, they opened the door by the ordinary key used, which they took with them. The depredators carried away a quantity of tools belonging to the workmen. No traces have, as yet, been discovered of the rascals who committed this outrage. Theateical. —Mr Harrell’s dramatic company will leave Christchurch by train tomorrow morning to catch the Lady Bird, by which steamer they proceed thence, en route to Wellington. Mr Darrell expects to remain North some two or three months, after which ho will return to Christchurch, Sale of Houses— The sale at Tattersall’s to-day of horses, vehicles, &c, was largely attended, but very litlla business was done ; in this, as in all other apartments of trade, the effect of the commeinjal stagnation at present prevailing is very f c it, Yery few sales were effected, and th« bidding was very slow throughout. Sydenham Wesleyan Eev. J. S. Smalley will conduct sorvi^ 3 ( 0 . morrow. In the evening Mr deliver (by request) a criticism on Farrar’s recent sermons concerning the 1 "Future Life,”

New Id«a from the Old World —An ingenious modern Puck bus been staling in town that a person is corning out from England) with the object of catching the Kellys—--lif lie cun, He S said to -he a large, strong and active man, a fine shot, and to possess a wonderful amount of ability in the business be has undertaken. No doubt he will prove a great “catch” to Australians, who will well welcome him with open arms. Pedestal Lamps. —The pedestal lamps erected in Cathedral square were lighted for first time last evening. They are placed at a convenient distance apart, and cast a light over the whole of the square, which, formerly, on dark evenings, used to be shrouded in darkness. The new lamps will be a great convenience. Watering Bate.— lt is the intention, of the authorities to proceed at once to issue summonses for all bvoi'diie water rates for jasfc season. Many of these rates are indialdually very small, and by no means so heavy as the cost - ! w ;i l bo should the defaulters bo summoned. Parish Meeting.— The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. John’s was held last evening, when the ronort and balance sheet were adopted, and tao officers of the church appointed for the ensr : ng year. Synodsmen. —Messrs. H. Thomson and W. H. Hargreaves being the only two nominated to sit on the Synod for the parish, of Sfc. John’s, have been, declared .duly elected, or rather re-elected, for they were the last representatives, Rangioea School Committee.—A meeting of this committee was held on Tuesday evening, Mr A. H. Cunningham, chairman, presiding. Miss Heath tendered her resignation as a pupil teacher, which was accepted, and Master W. Haworth was recommended to fill the vacancy. Sundry routine business was transacted. • Abatement of a Nuisance. —At the last meeting of the City Council a ve.y strong protest wfi made by a resident in Oxford Teirace against the use of cesspools in the neighborhood, which he stated created an abominable nuisance. In accordance with a resolution then passed, Mr Inspector Hobbs has during thh last two days served the usual notices upon all the people complained of. The Water Supply.— The question of the water supply for the city appears, at least for the present, to be once more in abeyance, although it is true that an order was some time ago given for the manufacture of a cylinder for the purpose of testing the Waimakaiixi. From the long time, however, occupied in this preliminaiy step, it promises to bo years before anything is actually done in the way of providing the city with what is so greatly needed. Defaulting Jurore. —At the civil sitting of the Supreme Court one of the common jurors, who had been fined for non-attendance, appeared to show cause. His first point was that he had overslept himself. This, however, was over-ruled by his Honor. His next was a better one, inasmuch as he stated he had been summoned as Allen, whereas his name was Ellen. This his Honor held to be a good excuse, and allowed cause shown. At the same time he pointed out that not only was the 40s fine imposed levied, but that an additional £5 as costs was imposed by the Attorney-General. Bicycle Club. —A preliminary meeting, for the formation of a bicycle club, was held at the Commercial Hotel last evening. There was a very good attendance, the chair being occupied by Mr H. 0. Clarke. It was resolved that an amateur bicycle club bo formed to bo called the Pioneer Bicycle Club, and that Mr Q-eorge Could be requested to accept the office of president of the club. Mr H. 0. Clarke was appointed captain, Mr E. C. Farr secretary and treasurer, and the following gentlemen as a committee, viz.:—Messrs 0. E. Dudley, H. Hobday, J. H. Twentyman, J. H. Appleby and H. M. Dumaresq. The meeting then adjourned unt’l Thursday next. Kaiapoi Farmers’ Club. A special meeting of members was held at the Club Chamber on Thursday evening. Mr Barnham, chairman of the club presided. Eight members were present. The accounts were made up in connection with the Foal, Q-rain, and Root Show. Mr Beharrel, the treasurer, announced that £49 had been paid in prizes, and he expected the expenses of the show would bo met by the receipts from donations and entry fees. A unanimous vote of thanks was passed to the gentlemen who had acted as judges. The Chairman referred to the tone of the “ Lyttelton Times ” account of the show. It was considered by those present that several remarks were uncalled for, and resolved, “ That the members of the club feel aggrieved with the report of the Foal, Grain, and Root Show ” which appeared in the ‘ Lyttelton Times ’ on the 12th inst,” The clnb, after passing some routine business then adjourned. Cbanmeb Square, —The asphalting of the east and west sides of this square, which was, a few weeks ago, stopped by order of the civic authorities, has now been completed, the result being a marked improvement to the surroundings) of the square. The Charities of Colonial Magnates. —The “Auckland Star” remarks;— Among wealthy colonists there is a striking absence of that princely munificence which distinguishes the classes occupying the same position in England. Men who have the command of thousands give their five or ten pound donation to public objects with a selfcongratulatory feeling of having done their duty and set a noble example to the common people. Yet such gifts not only involve no sacrifice, but are too infinitesimal to bo missed from the current year’s income. Maori-olatby. —Mr Rees addressing a gathering of Maoris at Uawa last month said : —“ Mr Sheehan was managing Maori affairs in Napier, and so hated was he in consequence by the white people that his own friends wore afraid to speak to him in daylight, for fear they would be ruined; and would only do so at night. Sir George Grey became Premier, and Mr Sheehan Native Minister. There was then no one to take up Mr Sheehan’s work for the Natives ; and Sir George told him (Mr Rees) to go to Napier, as there must be some one to look after Native matters. Sir George would do anything to give justice to the Maoris, and have the wrongdoers punished. He went to Napier and took up Mr Sheehan’s work, and soon found that the Maoris in the different districts looked to that office as their only hope to save them.” German Church. —The general annual meeting of the members of the German Church will be held on Saturday, the 2Gth instant, at 2 p.m. Oddfellows’ Hall. —The annual ball of the Oddfellows will take place next Thursday evening. The Art Union prizes will be presented in the hall on the following Saturday evening. Methodist Free Church. —A sale of useful and fancy articles will take place in this church on Wednesday and Thursday next to help to liquidate the debt now standing on the building. There will be a luncheon and tea at suitable times during both days. The Illusionists. —These clever artistes, under the management of Mr R. G, Bachelder, well known in New Zealand, open at the Theatre Royal for a short season on Monday evening next. The Northern papers speak highly of their performances. Mb Conyers. —lt is intended to present Mr Conyers with a gift commemorative of the opening of the through line of railway from Christchurch to Invercargill. The ceremony will take place in Mr Charles Clark’s rooms next Friday, and all passengers by the first (rain are invited to bo present. Banco Sittings. —His Honor Mr Justice Johnston will sit in Banco\nd in Chambers at 11 a.m. on Monday, as ho leaves for Dunedin on Tuesday to sit with Mr Justice Williams there in order to dispose of the heavy Banco list in that city prior to the fitting of the Court of Appeal. Madras and Kilmobe Streets. —The whole of the drainage works in these streets have now been completed, the streets reformed and metalled. The open drain that used to run down the western side of Madras street has been filled in, but this side of the street is still very unsightly. It should bo taken in hand before the winter sets in, and bo formed, asphalted, kerbed, and channelled, as the first prolonged rain is likely to convert it into an elongated slough. The drainage works in Kilmore street are progressing favorably, and now extend almost midway between Manchester and Colombo “’•cola.

Supreme Court, -—The Nisi !r i s sittings of liiu Uuurt coiCiuu.u Kki owning, vh n the case of Parker v Buxton was tried by special jury. Thin woe a suit for specific performance. brought by a tenant against a landlord, and resulted in a verdict for plaintiff, The judicial separation case, Ross v Ross, which was to have been tried to-day, has been postponed in consequence of the witnesses not being in attendance. The New Town Hall.— The conditions under which the proposed town hall is to be tendered for and erected, as passed by a com* miltoo appointed ttt consider the matter, have been printed in pamphlet form and now lie at the (own clerk’s office, to bo issued, it understood, to day, Designs are to called for, and premiums are offered of £IOO for the first, and £SO for the second design, The conditions, which have been carefully drawn up, will be published in due course. Acclimatisation. — A petition has be forwarded to the Acclimatisation Society respecting the shooting of hares, and asking for an extension of the licenses for the coursing season in South Canterbury. The hon. secretary of the society thinking the matter of considerable importance, has resolved to call the council together to consider the subject.