NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1636, 19 May 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Baebadoes Stbeet Bbidge.—The question of erecting a bridge at this point, which has previously been discussed at some length, will again be made the subject of consideration at the City Council this evening. In connection with this matter, it may be mentioned that his Worship the Mayor has received a letter from Dr. Coward, coroner, who, in reference to tho inquest held recently on the body of John Groodwin, calls attention to tho dangerous condition of the river banks in tho locality in question. It is understood that the residents there can guarantee £2OO of the £250 required as a contribution from the residents, the Council having voted £1350 towards the work. It is to be hoped that the Council will see their way to take tho matter in hand at once, as there can be no doubt about the pressing necessity for a bridge at that point. Caution ! —A special correspondent of a Southern paper relates how, on remarking "Tan-a-qui" (whatever that maybe) to aa old Maori woman at a Native meeting at Kaiapoi, it was instantly interpreted to be an iuvitution to drink for herself and her " old man." This is a very safe form of non-com-mittal policy to adopt when addressed in an unknown tongue. The correspondent naively remarks that he will in future abstain from saying "Tan-a-qui" promiscuously.

Me Macandbew's Pbeserveb. —Tho man who rescued the Hon. Mr Macandrew from drowning in the Dunedin Harbour, in 1861, has, eajß the "Age," been despatched to the home whence no traveller returns. His name was Henry Entwhistle, a painter, and he was killed recently by Francis Mills, a watchman, at Campbelton, Tasmania. Signs of the Times. —As significant of the times in England, a gentleman writing from Liverpool to a friend in Napier states that a firm there advertised for a clerk who could correspond in French and German, The salary was stated in the advertisement to be £BO a year, yot there were 302 applicants tor the post. It is estimated that in Liverpool at least 2000 clerks are out of situations.

Public Holiday.—With reference to the application of His Worship the Mayor to the Government to change the celebration of tho Queen's Birthday from the 24th to the 2G'h, it will be seen by reference to our telegraphic columns Government have been compelled to decline by the Bank Holidays Act, which provides that the holiday shall be held on the 24th of the month. However, since the above was received, a numerously-signed requisition has been forwarded to the Mayor to declare Monday a public holiday, on the ground that to celebrate the Queen's Birthday on Saturday would interfere with business and the usual market trade, whilst the fact of Sat urdny being market day must take away from the success of a holiday held on that date. It is possible, therefore, that a holiday on Monday may be arranged.

Deaths in Hospital.—Three deaths have occurred in the Hospital since Saturday—one from heart disease and two from consumption. Tho remains of the consumptive patients were buried to-day.

Wellington Haut Ton. —It was at a famous gubernatorial ball at Wellington. " A little more animation my dear," whispered a fashionable mother to a daughter who was walking languidly through a quadrille. " Let me manage my own business mamma," said the latter ; " I shall not dance my ringlets out of curl for a married man." "Of course not, my love, but I was not aware who your partner was," replied the mother.

Deainage Boabd.—A meeting of the Drainage Board was held this afternoon, at half-past two o'olock. The business was of a routine character.

Committee Meetings.—The public works committee and finance committee of the City Council mot this morning, as usual, and their reports will be furnished to the City Council this evening. Malyebn Tunnel.—This tunnel is now undergoing repairs, in the shape of a new invert and other necessary works. The material originally used in the construction of the tunnel must have been very indifferent or unsuited to the purpose, to judge from experience during the short time it has been open, aB the water has broken through in almost every direction, wearing through the bricks, and in some instances carrying away the concrete and bricks altogether. As stated before, the tunnel is now undergoing repair, and there is some trouble about the work, as there is groat difficulty in keeping back the water.

Thk Peemiee and Te Whiti.—We observe (says the " Palmerston Times ") that one of Ti Whiti's last prophecies is to the effect that he is about to ascend into Heaven with Sir George Grey. We do not anticipate that any serious hindrance to this pleasant little arrangement will be offered from any portion of this mundane sphere, whatever natural objections might be interposed from other quarters; but on the whole we should have thought it more prudent for these two "latter-two Saints" to proceed to their destination in separate conveyances. Each knows too much about the other for real security in the proposed joint arrangement j and for any of the little secrets to eome out on their arrival would really be particularly awkward. One cannot be too particular in these matters j and as prophecies aro cheap, and the fulfilment of this one has not, as we believe, yet come to pass, we would urge upon Ti Whiti the advisability of either prophesying the engagement of separate oompirtments for the Premier, or taking return tickets for two. They will be wanted.