NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1619, 29 April 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Zelandia Dioeama. —Messrs Willis and Seymour’s panorama of New Zealand secenery will bo exhibited to-night for the first time at the Oddfellows’. Hall. We have been requested to draw special attention to the fact that the prices advertised in this morning’s “Press” are not correct. The real prices are—4s for the front seats, 3s for the second seats, and only Is for the back seats.

The Hog Tax. —The collection of the dog tax since it was taken over by the City Council, and a ranger appointed, has shown a considerable increase. From the Ist of January to the 31st of March 1241 registrations were effected, representing a revenue from that source of £(320 10s. The reason of the large increase, which has doubled the income obtained whilst the tax was administered by the police, is no doubt to be found that a responsible person was appointed, whose special duty it is to see that no infringement of the law takes place. Thus Mr Beck, the ranger, made a house to house inspection, so that defaulters could not escape detection in hiding, as it were. Moee about the Deowning Case.— Further particulars have come to light in reference to the death by drowning of Frank W. Bush, whoso body was found in the river Avon yesterday afternoon. It appears that he had been living at Mr Kiddey’s Golden Fleece Hotel, and was last seen there on yesterday afternoon, when, the landlord thinks, he borrowed a pen and ink, but this could not have been to write the letter found addressed to his father, because that was dated the 21st of April, seven days previous to hie body being found in the river. It appears that Bush had been living North for some time, where he was working in a store for Mr Cameron, at Saltwater Creek. Previous to that he had been working for Mr Simpson, tobacconist, of Colombo street. He came from Amberley shortly before the races, and then had in his possession £9, all of which and more he lost. It appears, however, from the opinions of those best acquainted with him that Bush was not considered a likely man to commit suicide, although the letter found on the body (and published elsewhere) seems to point conclusively to his having taken his own life. Deceased was some time ago in business here as a general dealer, being in partnership with his brother, who has since gone to England. His father is a barrister in London. The police were unable to obtain sufficient evidence to conduct an inquest today. Resident Magisteate’s Cotjet. The only business at the Court to-day was the lining of one inebriate. The Govebnoe’s Movements in OheistCHUECH. —His Worship the Mayor received the following telegram from the Hon. J. T, Fisher at noon to-day :—“ Dunedin, 29th April. To the Mayor of Christchurch.—The Governor will bo only too happy to accept your invitation to the banguot, if well enough, but is at present suffering from a severe cold and sore throat. J. T. Fisher.” Under these circumstances and considering that his Excellency has declined to attend proposed banquets at Dunedin and Timaru, in all probability the Christchurch banquet will fall through. A ball is being substituted in its stead.

Canteebuey Couesing Club.—Nominations for May Meeting.—Birthday Stakes, No. 1: Messrs Porter, McConnell, Duncan, Judge, Beard, Laird, Hole, Deacon, Simpson, Birch, and Hill one each. Birthday Stakes, No. 2: Messrs Kelt (Oamaru), Deacon, Walker, Duncan, Judge, Beard, Laird, Steinmetz, Cassidy, Porter, Hurse, Simpson, and Hill one each. Publican’s Plate Messrs Cannon, Bull, Wagner, Roper, Porter, O’Brien, Ravenhill, McConnell, Fraser, Deacon, and Hill one each ; Mr Miles two. Municipal Expenditure.— The comparative returns of last year’s expenditure with the estimate of expenditure for the ensuing term were laid on the table of the Council last evening. Two days ago a statement was published as to the result of the finance committee’s deliberations, but that statement was incorrect, being considerably within the mark of the estimate actually made out. It appears that the estimated oxponditnre for the year is £30,039 3s 3d, as against £21,66-1 17s Id expended last year, which shows an increase of £8371 5s lid. To meet this in a measure the rates have increased from £8371 5s to £10,202 10s. United Ancient Oedee of Druids. — The members of the above order held their usual fortnightly meeting last night, at their lodge room, Wellington Hotel, Timm street, when there was a very fair attendance. The usual routine business being disposed of, a letter from a brother in Wellington was read, stating that he had taken the initiatory steps towards opening a Druid’s lodgejin that city. Two candidates were then initiated into Druidism, with the usual rites, after which Bro. Rose, A.D., on behalf of the lodge, presented Bro. Oppenhiem, P.A., with a Past Arch diploma, the same being acknowledged in a few appropriate words. Several candidates were then proposed for membership. After the usual harmony the lodge closed in due form.

Chhistchuech Football Club. The match on Saturday will he Boaters versus Cricketers. The boaters will wear red end black, and ho captained hv Mr Evans. The cricketers Mud and white, with Mr Million a* their leaden

Dissolving Views.— There will bo a very interesting entertainment in the Colombo road school to-morrow (Wednesday) evening. Mr Seager will exhibit a large variety o: viewc with his biunial lantern and the oxybydrogen light. There will be songs at intervals from words reflected on the screen. The Rev. J, S. Smalley will give a brief lecture on astronomy during the evening. Letters, Ac., by the Mail— The following are the particulars of the correspondence, &3., despatched by the last outgoing mail for the United Kingdom, via San Francisco: — For London —1612 letters, 300 books, and 7000 newspapers ; England —7222 letters ; America —557 letters, 30 books, 218 newspapers, Totals —Letters, 0421; books, 330 ; newspapers, 7248. The mail was contained in 31 bags, . No v el Fhotectiok, —At the excavation works on a building site in Cashel street, a novel experiment to protect persons against danger has boon introduced, The excavation in question is a considerable depth below the level of the footpath, along which a temporary fence (not of great strength) is placed, and to prevent persons leaning against this, by which they would probably break it down and quite possibly break their own nocks, a thick coating of wet tar has been placed on the boards. This was done on last Sunday, and a remark was made at the time that a more suitable day might have been found for the operation, A wag, whose go-to-meeting suit looked none the better for a broad black tar mark across the small of the back, made the best of the situation by remarking—“ The better the day, the better he dyed.” Appointment. —The City Council have appointed Mr Adam Beck inspector of hackney carriages and borough stage carriages, in the place of Mr Frank Hobbs, Infectious Diseases.-- The following cases of infectious diseases are reported as having occurred since March 31 : —Typhoid fever, 83 ; diphtheria, 9 ; total, 42. Q-aiety Theatre. —Rainer’s diorama of the Russo-Turkish war drew a crowded house last night at the Gaiety Theatre. It will be exhibited again this evening. The Illusionists, —The benefit of Mr Thorn took place last evening at the Theatre Royal, when there was a very good house. To night will be the last appearance of the company here, and to-morrow they appear in Lyttelton. Robbing an Observatory. Some meteorological instruments have been stolen from the observatory in the domain. They were missed on the 241 h inst. Some boys are suspected of having committed the robbery. The police will no doubt have been made acouainted with the circumstance, and it is to be” hoped the rascals will be brought to justice. The instruments stolen are said to be worth about £5.

Waikari.— Mr E. Strange, of Christchurch, has been duly elected synodsman for the parochial district of Waikari. Caswell Sound Marble. —It has been resolved in Hokitika to float a company for the purpose of working the marble quarries at Caswell Sound. NZ. Grand National Steeplechase.— The name of Mr Oulling’s nomination Noumai was omitted from the list of nominations for the Maiden Plato published yesterday. Theatre Royal. —Messrs Hiscocks, Hayman and Co. will inaugurate their dramatic season next Saturday evening, when they will introduce an entirely new dramatic company, selected from the leading Melbourne theatres. Amongst other well-known names are included those of Miss Beatrice, Miss Pitzwilliam, and Messrs Theodore Hamilton, D’Orsay Ogden, J G. Joyce, Harry Daniels, &c. Their repertoire includes a number of pieces which have never been performed hero, and which have drawn good houses in Dunedin, where the company are at present performing. The Proposed Barbadoes Street Bridge. —Previous to the business of the City Council, commencing last evening, some discussion took place on the question of the confirmation of the minutes, as it appeared that the Town Clerk had omitted, with respect to the money paid in for the construction of the Barbadoes street bridge, to note that the Council had expressed to Mr Toovey its intention not to pay the money into the Bank, but to keep it locked up in their safe for the space of one month. The omission was rectified, and the minutes confirmed. The Mayor then stated that ho had that afternoon been waited upon by Mr Toovey, who had, on going to the Bank to draw out a certain sum of money, learned with great surprise that, notwithstanding the promise of the Council, his cheque had been presented.

Canterbury Jockey Club. —The Canterbury Jockey Club will hold their half-yearly general meeting at the Commercial Hotel, at 4 p.m., on Saturday, May 10th. Primitive Methodist Church.—A tea and public meeting in connection with the above will be held this evening at the church, Cambridge terrace. Parish Entertainment.— The first winter evening parish entertainment in connection with St. Mary’s, Merivale, is postponed until further notice. The Blackbirds. —Under this title several prominent members of the Georgias, notably Messrs Crusoe, Wilson, and Easton, have formed a company, and will appear at Lyttelton this evening. In addition to the members of the Georgia troupe, Mr J. W. Marshall will appear. Horticultural Society.— The monthly meeting of the above will be held to-night, at which there will be a show of chrysanthemums and out-door grown grapes, for which prizes will be awarded.