NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1614, 23 April 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Resident Magistrates’ Court.—With the exception of the fining of one inebriate, there was no business done in the Court today. Presbyterian Crurcb. —The Presbyterian residents of the North town belt quarter are requested to attend a meeting at the Hull 1 Montreal street North, on Friday evening, at half-past seven o’clock. Meeting op Milkmen.—A meeting of milkmen will be held at the Golden Age Hotel, at half-past seven o’clock on Friday evening.

Riccarton Public Library.—The annual meeting of the subscribers to this library will take place at half-past seven o’clock on Monday evening next. Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. —The usual monthly meeting of this Association will [take place at half past two o’clock to-morrow afternoon.

Entertainment. —An entertainment in aid of the Ashburton Cbnrcb bell fund will bo held on May Ist. Mr and Mrs Hoskins have kindly given their services, and a large attendance in expected. Oddpellowship.—The annual ball in connection with the Oddfellows, will be held in the Hall, Lichfield street, to- morrow evening. The Kaitanqata Relief Fete,—The following letter has been received by the Mayor ; —“ Dunedin, 19 th April, 1879, C. T. Ick, Esq., Mayor of Christchurch. Dear Sir, —Your favor of 17th to hand, enclosing Bank draft for £7lO 13s 3d, which personally, and I am sure I but express the sentiments of the committee, is a donation worthy of yonr part of the colony. Permit me to assure you that individual expressions or remarks to which I referred in my last letter are not at all attributed to either the people of Christchurch or Canterbury ; in fact, I believe that nine-tenth of the people in both provinces have no sympathy with the usually noisy minority who are continually breaking the tenth commandment, either in the letter or the spirit. I am pleased to learn that my letter gave your Council satisfaction, and I can only repeat the committee’s heart-felt thanks for your exceedingly liberal assistance, and the pleasure it will feel in having the benefit of any suggestions you may have to make. I remain, dear sir, yours truly, John L. Gillies, Hon. Sec.”

The Haed Times. —Rats are dying by thousands in the Manawatu district. The “Rangitikei Advocate” suggests that this mortality is duo to the hard times consequent on the pressure put on by the Banks.

Stoke School Committee. —This committee met on April 16lh. Present —Messrs Anderson (chairman), Q-allettly, Jack, Mitchell, and Charles Letters were received and read from the Board of Education, apprising the committee that the school would shortly be examined by Mr Rested ; also that the architect had received instructions re master’s house, and that the new standards were to be strictly enforced after July Ist, A voucher was received from the Board advising the committee of certain payments. A circular was also received enclosing three copies of regulations of penny savings bank. Consideration of the subject was deferred, as the committee thought too much trouble was involved in the establishment of these banks. It was resolved that the compulsory clauses of the Education Act should bo brought into force after May let. Mr Kay reported the average attendance for the quarter ending March 31st to be 24 5. Accounts amounting to £5 15s, wore received and ordered to be paid. The H.M S. Emerald.—The man-of-wnr Emerald will be open to visitors to-morrow (Thursday). The steam launch Lyttelton is announced to make trips at intervals during the day from port. Official Incapacity.—After all official incapacity is not entirely confined to the Q-rcy Q-overnmont. The American papers tell a story which shows that the joints of the harness of one at least of their officials is not entirely weapon-proof. When the Inland Secretary of the Navy was inspecting a war ship at the Philadelphia navy yard, it was thought proper to show him the depth of the vessel by removing one of the batches, when, to the astonishment of all present, he exclaimed, “Why, the confounded thing is hollow!”

Bank Holiday.—This being St. George’s Day, the various banks were closed. The Kaitangata Fund. —Mr J. A. Bird begs to acknowledge the receipt of £23 3s fid from the chairman of the Waimakariii Road Board.

Presentation. —A presentation was yesterday made to Mr H. V. Anson, the late secretary of the Canterbury Coursing Club, by several members, in recognition of his services in connection with the spoit.

Gas fob Ashburton.—The Mayor stated at Monday’s Council meeting that the town of Ashburton would be lighted with gas in July next. Gaiety Theatre.—The diorama of the Russo-Turkish war drew a good house at the Gaiety last evening. The gift distribution took place at the conclusion of the performance. To-night the diorama will again be exhibited. The Illusionists. —Messrs Thorn, Darvin, and Burton gave their second performance at the Theatre Royal last evening. The illusions of Mr Thorn, especially those of the flying cage and the bowls of water, were loudly applauded, as also were the cabinet performances of Messrs Darvin and Burton, To-night the company will again appear.

A Want. —Now that the wet season may be said to have set in, the attention of the works committee might be directed with advantage to the cab stand near the Post office. At present, owing to its not being pitched, it is full of holes, which after rain become filled with water. As the horses have to stand for some time it is surely not too much to expect that the City Council will go to the expense of forming the stand in the same way as those in other parts of the city.

Philosophical Institute. —The first of a series of popular lectures to the members of the Philosophical Institute and their friends will be delivered by Professor Julius Von Huast, F.R.S. at the Laboratory Lecture Theatre of the Canterbury College. The subject will be “ The History of Pictorial Art,” illustrated by the pubhoations of the Arundel Society. Members are entitled to introduce two friends. Coursing.—The time for receiving nominations for the Birthday Stakes Nos, 1 and 2 and the Publican’s Plate has been extended to Friday next, at , r > p.m., at the Shades. Sporting. Owners aro reminded that nominations for the New Zealand Grand National Handicap close with Mr Prank Egan, the secretary, at eight o’clock on Saturday evening next, at Cookson’s Commercial Hotel.

Mount Hutt Road Board.—The nomination of ratepayers to represent the above Road Board was held at Barrhill on Monday last, and the following being the only candidates nominated, were declared duly elected — Messrs Charles Sydney Alington, John Pannett, William McMillan, Julian Jackson, and Edward Chapman, Colonial Gem, —Mr H. Kohn, of Auckland, who is connected with the firm of B. Petersen and Co., and is now on a visit to Christchurch, has in his possession a splendid specimen of opal gem in the rough. It is imbedded in a piece of rock, and having been split off longitudinally, shows a deep streak of opal. The changing colours in this are exceedingly beautiful, and the specimen as a whole is very rare. Tt was found in Queensland.

Amateur Opera. —Mr Towle is now engaged in getting up Yerdi’s grand opera soria Ernani,” and the latest London success in opera bouffo entitled “ H.M.S. Pinafore.” The rehearsals will take place in the large upstairs room in Messrs Coombs’ new warehouse in Lichfield street, which has been fitted with gas, and has been rendered very suitable for the purpose. With unremitting practice the operas will probably be ready for production in about two months’ time. Frosty Platforms— Some cold morning among the passengers to arrive at Christchurch will bo one or more individuals with a broken limb or injured spine, victims to the carelessness of the railway authorities in not taking precautions to prevent passengers from slipping on the frost-covered wooden platforms. All danger would bo prevented if a little sand were sprinkled over the platforms. It would be well too if the ladies’ waiting rooms on the South lino were open a little while before the due time of the early morning trains.

The Ashburton Home.—A week or so ago it was notified that contributions of old clothing would be thankfully received at the Charitable Aid Office, for the purpose of sending on to the Old Men’s Home at Ashburton. A parcel arrived at the office yesterday morning containing trousers and vests, and in the pockets was found a pocket knife (two bladed), and a £1 note, by the officer receiving them, and who happened to make an examination of the same. The parcel was sent by a lady, to whom the “treasure trove” will bo returned on her address becoming known.

Narrow Escape.—On Tuesday evening Mr H. E. Alport, auctioneer of Christchurch, had a narrow escape from being killed on the Rangiora railway platform. He was getting on to the platform of a carriage just as the train was starting, when ho slipped and nearly fell between the platform and the train. Though he received a severe blow he was not apparently seriously hurt, and was able to proceed by the train home. The stationmaster, Mr Bowles, was exceedingly prompt in stopping the train by running forward and showing a danger lamp. The engine driver drew up in about five or six yards. Kaiapoi Institute. —A special general meeting of members was held on Monday evening to consider the question of making arrangements for a series of winter entertainments. In the absence of the president Mr E. Revell was voted to the cha r. It was decided, after some discussion, that the president, secretary and librarian form a committee to arrange for entertainments. Mr J. H. Aldridge’s resignation as a caretaker, in consequence of illness, was received, and it was decided to appoint Mr Unwin as caretaker, the appointment to be ratified by the committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Malvern Water Race.—The No. 3 contract is now finished. It brings the race, or canal, within half a mile of Sheffield station, and the work has been performed in a manner which reflects great credit on the contractor, Mr Fraser. The next contract, No. 4, which will extend the race past Malvern, has yet to bo let, and some delay must occur in waiting for the expiration of the terms of notices to private owners. The question of extending operations will come before the Selwyn County Council at its next meeting, to be held on Friday.

Public Health at Southbridge.—A petition, signed by several residents in the township of Sauthbridge, complaining of the nuisance created by the keeping of pigs within the township, was presented to the Southbridge Bench yesterday. The chairman was desired to bring the matter under the notice of the Local Board of Health, and to request that it may at once be inquired into, with the view of abating a very serious nuisance dangerous to the heaßh of the neighborhood, also to refer the Board to the general absence of satisfactory provision for drainage in the township. The Bekwkes’ Prize. —It will (be recollected that at the 1877 Exhibition of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association a prize was awarded to Messrs S.’ Manning and Co. for the best beer browed from colonial mult. The recipient took some little time to make up his mind as to the form of the design. It lies only just been executed by Messrs B, Petersen and Co., and they have manufactured a very handsome solid gold medal. On one side is the representation of a barrel surrounded by a wreath of hops. On the other is (he inscription “A. and P. Association Show, 1877, Brewers’ Prize best hhd. ale, brewed entirely of colonial malt, awarded to S. Manning & Co.” The outer edge of the medal is ornamented with a cable border, and the whole work has been executed with much taste. Tub Chest of France.—The French Republic has adopted a new crest, a laurel wreath with a dart of gold, in place of the ancient bird which led Home, and Napoleon, and forth Etruria to victory. The eagle has had a long history as a military emblem, and it seems almost a pity that the Republic thinks fit to change such an honorable and martial symbol.

A New Chum.—A short time since, in a certain flourishing city in the North, a new arrival dinei at one of the principal hotels. At the same table there sat a rubicund old salt with a temperament inclined to practical jocosity. As he and the new chum passed out he asked host S M. to give him five shillings, which were immediately handed to him. Ho then remarked to his companion as they walked away, “Did vou not get your five shillings?” “ What five shillings ?” “Did you not see the landlord give me five shillings as we passed out; it is the custom of landlords to give persons who dine with them presents ot money in this country.” There was no gainsaying this assertion so he hied him back for the donation. “ What should I give you five shiUings for, my man ?” said Sam. “ The gentlemen to whom I gave the money was a friend of mine.” hue blood rushed to the face of the verdant one and then receded as fast, leaving the pale yellow of the lime juice only too painful iy apparent.

Fumigatoey Statistics E.vteaoedinaey. —His Giace the Duke of Buckingham smokes a short pipe. Disraeli gave up smoking when he married. Miss Cobbo smokes a cigarette after dinner. Emily Faithful indulges in a cigar.

Professor (looking at his watch) —“ As we have a few minutes, I should like to have any one ask questions, if so disposed.” Student—“ What time is it, please ? ” “ Julius, why didn’t you oblong your stay at de Springs?” “Base, Mr Snow, dey charge too much.” “How so, Julius?” “ W’y, de landlord charged dis colored indiwidual wid stealing de spoons.”