NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1632, 14 May 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Not Lost. — A statement having been mad to the effect that a woman named Mrs De la dour has been missing, and that statement having been clothed in a somewhat sensationational garb, it may bo stated that the lady has not yet departed this life, having been seen since she left her homo not later than yesterday evening. One Moek Unfortunate. —A sad case of destitution was accidentally brought under the notice of a member of tho police force a few days ago. It was that of a woman and a child living in a miserable hovel not far from the Girrick Hotel, with neither food nor tho wherewithal to purchase it, poorly clai, and half starved with want and cold. It appears that the unfortunate woman, who had occupied a comfortable position some time since, had fallen ill latterly, and there, being no one in tho house but her infant child, she was unable to obtain assistance, or rather she was incapable of seeking it. Sergeant Hughes, who discovered the woman in this condition, very kindly did what ho could to relieve the immediate necessities of the case, and afterwards got the woman removed to tho Hospital, which must have proved to her under tho circumstances a very present help in trouble. City Auditors. —The appointment of city auditors will take place on tho 2nd proximo. According to the Act tho election should be hold on the first of that month, but the date had to be altered this year, as the first day of the month happens to be Sunday. In a few days an advertisement will appear calling for applications for the situation. On Hit. —It is said in Wellington that next session Government will propose a tax of another penny per acre on all taxable lands, arid that (hey contemplate making important changes in regard to the Resident Magistrates of tho colony. These changes will include removals from one district to another, and alterations in salary.

Resident Magistrate’s Court Repairs. fhe work of repairing the building that does duty as Resident Magistrate’s Court has been commenced, the operations of those employed to do the work being principally directed to stopping leaks. Resident Magistrate’s Court.— To-day, the case of uane Wilson, who applied for an order to protect her property from her husband, took up most of the time until we went to press. A Curious Accident. The Kelson “Colonist” relates the following:—An unfortunate accident occurred at the Fire Brigade practice last night. The Brigade having gone through the hose and general practice, the jumping sheet was manned, and the escape practice was tried. The sheet was held by some members of the Brigade, whilst others mounted the ladder placed against McGee’s hotel and from this jumped into the sheet. These gradually jumping from a greater height, it was deemed prudent to call more members of the Brigade to increase the number of those holding the sheet, and amongst those who responded to the invitation was a young man named Thompson, who does not belong to the Brigade. Immediately after ho had taken hold of the sheet some one jumped into it, and the shock had the effect of breaking Thompson’s arm. Ho was at once taken to Dr. Farrell, who set the broken limb.

The Latest Thing Out. —Mr Frank Buckland publishes in “Land and Water ” an account of the living beetle worn as an ornament by a lady at General Grant’s recent reception. The fortunate possessor of this new-fashioned living ornament—Mrs Randolph Clay-carries it wrapped up between two pieces of llannel, and those again encased in two pieces of colored cloth. The beetle is about 2in. long. It is not a gorgeous color, but matte, which by connoiaeurs in aesthetic taste is called “dead gold color.” Theedgig of the body arc almost iridescent, and the lower portions of his legs are tinted, as almost to remind one of the subdued light of a glow-worm. His coat of dead color gold is relieved by markings in beautiful pattern of an ebony black. So beautiful is this captive insect that he is bound to his mistress by a band and chain of gold of the most delicate workmanship. The chain is of such length as to allow the beetle to march about at his will He is not always lively and in good temper, but moves about the drawing-room table when the room becomes quite warm. Mrs Clay wears him on different colored satin ribbons to match the dress. She has been to the British Museum to see if there is any specimen of the same kind in the collection. There are two, but no history is given of them, The beetle has been sent over from Yucatan, the south coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and has now been in captivity seven months.

Ashburton Assessment Court,—Mr Guinness, the new Resident Magistrate at Ashburton, has been appointed Judge of the above Court.

City Council. — A special meeting of the City Council was held yesterday afternoon to pass the accounts of the year. The accounts as audited were adopted, and signed by the Mayor.

Municipal Condolence. —At the special meeting of the City Council, held yesterday, it was resolved that a letter be sent to Mr H. Sawtell, ex-Mayor, condoling with him upon his recent bereavement.

Hospital Inquiry.— An inquiry into the circumstances connected with tho resignation of the late Dr. Mark from the Hospital staff was to have been held yesterday at the Hospital. In consequence, however, of the death of Dr. Mark, no further steps will be taken in the matter.

The Cumbeewoeth Fund.— Mr Joyce, chairman of the Colombo road School Committee, begs to acknowledge receipt of the following contributions to tho fund for the widow of tho lata Mr John Cumberworth : £2 from Teacher, Christchurch, and £1 from A Friend.

Sunnyside Asylum.— A performance will be given this evening by the Mississippi Minstrels at tho Sunnyside Asylum, when they will present a capital programme. The company is a very good one indeed, and their efforts to amuse the patients will, no doubt, be appreciated. Police Changes.— The following changes are about to bo made in the stations of constables in this district: —Sergeant Barlow to be moved from Southbridgo to Christchurch ; Sergeant O’Malley from Christchurch to Ahaura ; Mounted Constable Hole from the Northern district to Southbridgo ; Constable Warring from Christchurch to Malvern.

Accident at Kakahu.—A serious accident happened yesterday to a man named Campbell, living at Hilton. Ho was riding a rather spirited horse, when the animal came into collision with a calf on the road, and was thrown down cutting his knees, Mr Campbell got a very heavy fall, and was at once taken to Dr. Hayes, at Temuka. The doctor discovered that Campbell had sustained fractures of his arm and collar bone. The fracture of the arm is compounded. The horse, Highland Laddie, is the same that nearly killed his owner, Mr McCallum, about eighteen months ago. Public Meeting.— During the last few days immense posters have announced to the inhabitants of Sydenham that a public meeting will he held this (Wednesday) evening to protest against the granting of new licenses in the borough. The top of the posters contains the following statement: —“One hundred thousand killed ; or e hundred thousand widows; one hundred thousand orphans, the annual fruit of the drink traffic,” The meeting is to bo held under the auspices of the Canterbury Temperance League, and to be addressed by Revs. H. B. Cocks, C. Fraser, S, Macfarlane, Messrs Packer, Smart, and others.

Fire Brigade Matters. — A meeting of the fire brigade committee was held yesterday morning. The question of erecting a tower for the new bell presented by the Union Insurance Company was considered. Mr Superintendent Harris stated that he had received the invoice. It was resolved to recommend to the Council that a tower should be constructed to accommodate the new bell. The question of a new uniform for the brigade, brought under notice by Superintendent Harris, was referred to the Council. Mr Harris also made pointed reference to the urgent necessity that existed for providing an additional water supply, in view of possible extensive fires, to grapple with which the present supply—that is at a distance from the river—was totally inadequate. This and other matters of a routine character were considered, and will be dealt with in the report of the committee to the Council on Monday next. Pacing Stock. —By the last (rip of (he Wakatipu, from Sydney, three yearlings arrived to the order of Mr H. Prince. The trio arrived overland on Monday night from Dunedin, and on Saturday next will be submitted to auction by Messrs J. T. Ford and Co., at Millett and Griffith’s stables, where they are at present located. The first is a brown colt by Yattendon, out of Petrel, and full brother to Wrangler and Excelsior. Petrel by Cossack, out of Hebe, dam of Loup Garou and Nea, by Magus (imp.) out of Lalla Rookh. The colt shows lots of quality, and is all over a Yattendon, Ho possesses a double strain ot the much sought after Sir Hercules blood. In the next box is the chesnut colt Sylvanus, by Goldsborough, out of Paradigm, by Peter Wilkins (own brother to Rose de Florence, dam of Muribyrnong and King of the Ring). Sylvanus is a very powerful colt, with good fiat bone and plenty of length and substance. Equal in breeding and perhaps also in appear nco, is Hilarious, a dark brown colt by Goldsborough, out of Maritana, by New Warrior out of Mermaid, by Fisherman out of Sweetheart (imp.), the dam of Tocal and Queen of Hearts. This col is closely related to Bos worth, Richmond, and the Diver, and has through his sire and Mermaid a double strain of the celebrated Fisherman blood. The whole three are well worthy the attention of racing men, and are without doubt the three finest colls ever imported from Australia to Canterbury.

Q-ehaiuine Bksehyes.—The reserves committee of the City Council, at a meeting held to further consider the question of dealing with these reserves, alter some discussion in reference to mutters of detail, filled in the blanks in the conditions, and hereafter the necessary arrangements will be made by the committee for disposing of the leases by public auction.

A Japanese Convert.— A young Japanese, fifteen years old, born a Buddhist, has been received as a conv rt to Catholicism, with great pomp and ceremony, by Mgr Caverot, Archbishop of Lyons, who in the Cathedral baptised, confirmed, and gave him his first communion on the same day. The neophyte was one of a batch of Japanese lads sent to Lyons for a European education, and they were confided to a former Consul at Nagasaki, who is n strict Catholic. Ho placed them in the hands of the priests. The Lyons silk manufacturers, who have reaped great advantages from the increased intercourse with Japan, are afraid now that the friends of the young scholars, who did not bargain for conversion, will take them away.

The Native Commission. —The Commission sut again yesterday at Kaiapoi. It will probably last for two days longer, and it is thought that the inquiries of a similar nature to be held at Akaroa and Port Chalmers will be put off until the spring.

Diocesan Sunday Schood Association. —The usual monthly meeting of the above will be held in St. John’s schoolroom to-morrow evening, when an address will be delivered by Mr J. H. Twontymanon the subject of “Distinctive Church Teaching.” C.V.K.—A general meeting of the Engineer corps will take place on Friday next, when the balance.sheet for the past year will be submitted, the committee for the ensuing year appointed, and the general discussion of the affairs of the company taken.