NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1625, 6 May 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Resident Magistrates' Court.—At the court, to-day, James Graham, charged with stealing a watch and chain, and other articles, was sentenced to seven months imprisonment with hard labor.

Fibe at Belfast Factoby.—A fire broke out yesterday at the Belfast Meat Preserving Works. Full particulars of the affair have not yet come to hand, but it would seem that the fire must have obtained a good hold before it was discovered, as it was found impossible to stay its progress, the principal building (in which the meat preserving operations were carried on) being entirely consumed. A large building, apart from this one, was not touched, and a number of smill houses on the ground were saved. The building consumed by tho fire was insured in the New Zealand office for £8666, which included the stock and plant. Oxfobd Tebbace. A meeting of the works committee was held this morning, at which several matters referred to the committee by the Council at its last sitting, were dealt with. Among them was the question of forming, shingling and channelling fifteen chains of Oxford terrace, and it was resolved that the city surveyor be instructed to proceed with the work immediately. Tbamway Station.—The contractor for the Christchurch Tramway Company's station (Mr Q-oss) has not lost any time in commencing operations. A start was made last week, and now the foundations of the building, situated at the corner of Worcester street, are nearly complete. The work will bo pushed ahead as speedily as possible. Mobe Light.—A new lamp is to bo erected at the corner of Peterborougli and Montreal streets, and the committee appointed to deal with the matter have issued instructions for the work to be done at once. Eesidents of that locality will receive tho intelligence with satisfaction, as the accommodation to be provided has been long wanted there. A Distinguished Spoetsman—His Excellency the Governor yesterday visited the different racing stables in Christchurch, and inspected the horses, upon whose appearance and breed, considered generally, he complimented the owners. His Excellency, being a keen sportsman and an enthusiast upon the subject of horse racing, did not, it is understood, instruct that his intended visit Bhould be given notice of long before hand. Renewal of Licenses. —We understand that applications for the renewal of licenses must be sent in not later than the 12th instant.

Cambridge Tkeeace.—The city surveyor has been directed to proceed with the work of channelling the angle opposite the Bricks Wharf, Cambridge Terrace East. Fire Brigade Demonstration. The members of the Fire Brigade will muster at the station this evening at 8 30, and the display of fireworks in Cathedral square will take place shortly after nine o'clock. Telegraph Interruption.—Owing to a partial interruption of the wires North of Christchurch the intelligence received from the northern part of the colony lust night was of an extremely meagre character.

Kaiapoi Woollen Works.— Considerable interest is taken in these works by the natives. To-day the directors of the works intend to throw them open to the inspection of the Native visitors, who have been repeatedly applying for permission to see the machinery. CnßisxcnußCH Mutual Improvement Association. —A meeting of the members of this society took place last night, when it was resolved to alter the name of the association to the Christchurch Wesleyan Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. Another meeting is to be held next Monday, when all young men desirous of joining are invited to attend.

Cemeteby Boaed —This Board was to have held a meeting yesterday, but lapsed owing to the non-attendance of members. At the appointed hour the chairman was the only member present, and, no one else putting in an appearance, the meeting lapsed. It is understood that an interim meeting will be held in a fortnight, dating from yesterday. Kaiapoi Assessment Couet. —Mr C. Whitefoord held the sitting of this Court on Monday. The objections against thobo'ough assessment wore—E. Bate, on house and land, assessed at £4O ; B. Monk, house and garden £3O, store and office £SO, land and two houses £45 ; Mr 0. Moran, stables £4O, and paddock £4O. Mr C. E. Dudley, valuer, and the Mayor were present, but none of the objectors appearing the objections set forth in their letters were disallowed.

Thb Native Commission.—On Monday the Court for the investigation of the Native claims was re-opened at the Oddfellows' Hall at Kaiapoi. This is a very suitable place for the sittings of the Commission, but it would be well for tho Commissioners if they would order a screen behind their bench on the stage, to keep out draughts from tho wingn, and it would have the effect of making their voices better heard by tho audience. Yesterday the hall was crammed with a Maori and European audience. The Court sits again on Wednesday. Inquest at the Hospital.—An inquest waß held at the house of Mr J. P. Brown, yesterday afternoon (before Dr. Coward, coroner, and a jury), on the body of Daniel Breene, who died from the effects of injuries received whilst working on a station at Rakaia. Michael llickey, uncle of the deceased, who was working with him at tho time of tho accident, deposed that they were loading a waggon with straw, and on pulling a rope taut over the vehicle the rope snapped, and deceased was thrown to tho ground. He was badly hurt, and was therefore taken to the Hospital. From the evidence of Dr. Chiltern, Hospital surgeon, it appeared that deceased was partially paralysed when admitted, and had died from exhaustion, brought about by tho accident. The jury, after hearing tho evidence, returned a* verdict of " Accidental Death."

Assistant Inspector ott Nuisances.— There were foriv six applications sent in to the City Council last night for the ofilce of Assistant Inspector. Mr Leahy was elected. Kaiapoi Parish: Church.—On Sunday morning a Confirmation service was held by the Primate in this church, which was filled bv a large congregation. There were twenty candidates, to whom tho Bishop delivered an impressive address, and after each had been presented at tho Communion rails his lordship gave an address from the Epistle of the day. About sixty communicants remained to a mid-day celebration. Ti e Bishop was assisted by the Rev. D. 0. Hampton, curate-in-charge. During the next fortnight, owing to tho absence of Mr Hampton from the pariah, the week day services will be suspended. Messrs Cobb, C. C. Howard, and Dr. Ellis, have been nominated for the cfilce of Synodsmen for this parish. As there are only two members of Synod to be tlected a poll will take place. Railway Bells.—All tho smaller stations are now apparently supplied with hand-bells, from which the master in charge gives a signal of tho departure of trains before the guaid gives his warning whistle. This appears to have been brought about from the fact that, at some stations, when the guard simply blew his whistle, and the engine started at once, passengers were in danger of missing the train, or so hurried in jumping on to it as to be in danger of accident. Some time since a Government officer and his wife had a very narrow escape for wart of proper warning of the starting of a train being given, and still more recently a well-known auctioneer barely escaped being killed. These instances have probably bean the cause of this improvement, and the railway authorities deserve credit for introducing it before a loss of life occurred. Saltwateb Creek.—A most successful enter! ainment was given in the Saltwater Creek schoolroom on Friday evening in aid of the funds for providing the annual treat and prizes. There was a large attendance, and a very lengthy programme was gone through. Two overtures were played very nicely by an amateur band, while the violin solo of Mr Moorhouse was a most beautiful performance. Miss Bowie accompanied in her usual good style on the piano. Songs were given by Misses Bowie and Smellie (3), and Messrs A. Fraser, Wilson, Simpson, Barclay, Hunter, Edwards, Good, and Turner; readings and recitations by Messrs Howard, Robertson, Eraser, W. Thompson, Wilson, and Brock. After a vote of thanks to the performers and singing the National Anthem, the room was cleared, and dancing was kept up with great spirit until the early hours. Theatre Royal.—There was scarcely any perceptible falling off last night in the attendance in the stalls and pit of the theatre, while the dress circle was fairly patronised. " Ten Nights in a Bar Room " aeems, at all events, to have hit the taste of the people, judging from the frequent and hearty applause with which it was received, especially the comic scenes. Miss Belle Russell again succei3ded|in touching the sensibilities of the audiencs by her artless rendering of Little Mary Morgan, the drunkard's daughter. Mr Theo. Hamilton was as successful as on Saturday night in presenting a terribly truthful though painful picture of the consequences of confirmed intemperance, and was vehemently applauded. Mr D'Orsay Ogden, as the Yankee, was irresistibly comic, and his acting provoked spontaneous laughter and applause. Tho rest of the characters were all done justice to. The piece will be repeated tonight. Artillery Volunteers. The usual weekly parade of these Volunteers will be held this evening. The corps will afterwards act as a guard of honor on the occasion of the ball to the Governor.

Local Boabd of Health.—ln consequence of the length of the meeting of tho Drainage Board yesterday the meeting of the local Board of Health was adjourned until next Monday week. Inquest.—An inquest was held on Monday at Leithlield, before M. Morris, Esq. Coroner and a jury, of which Mr Manning was oreman, touching the death of Frederick Walter Shrimpton, whose death by the falling of earth was noticed in yesterday's issue. After hearing evidence the jury found that the boy's death was caused by accident and not otherwise.