NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1667, 24 June 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Resident Magistrate's Court.— Henry Chiverson, a lad twelve years of age, was this day brought up before the Bench charged with (he larceny of two thermometers from the Government Observatory valued at £2 Is, He had tried to pawn them, but bad been unable to do so. The prisoner was remanded to next Thursday. Babdadoes Street Bridge.— At a meeting of the Works Committee of the City Council, held this morning, the committee concluded the question of the acceptance of one of the various samples of stone submitted to be used in connectma with the erection of the Barbadoes street bridge. After carefu 11 y considering the matter, the specimen sent in by Mr Tilman was chosen, and his tender was accepted. Benefits of Temperance.— There are always two sides to a question, and the advocates of Good Templarism will piobably be astonished on learning the awful consequences attendant on the adoption of their principles. The defendant ; n a petty debt case heard this morning in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, having expressed a strong desire to inform the Bench how he came to occupy his unpleasant position, he obtained permission to speak. He then in an agitated manner said that three months ago he joined the teetotal cause, and had been unable to obtain a day's work since. His Worship, amidst shouts of laughter from the daily habitues of the Court, said it was the first time he had ever heard such an argument from the mouth of a debtor, and there is no doubt he spoke from experience. A Shameless Speculator.— Some speculative individual in Wellington is determined to make money out of the present excitement arising from native aggression, and is giving Maori entertainments at the Theatre Royal. The “ New Zealander” says, in a local—“ The performances were gone through as successfully as before. It was announced at the close that to-night would bo under the patronage of Sir George Grey, and that an entire change of programme, new war dances, &c., would take place, and, in eidition, would be represented the massacre at Poverty Bay. Jnst at the present time, when it is likely there w ;, l be war dances in earnest, these representations should have an extra interest, and wo have no doubt there will be a good attendance to-night.” The Wellington people must be without a particle of feeling if they go to witness such horrors as were enacted by Te Kooti at Poverty Bay, and which to this day remain unpunished.

A Hint to Advertisers. —A gentleman residing in Wellington was astonished to find on the pat of butter placed on his breakfast table one morning a neatly-executed plan of some town sections. Aware of the ingenious devices adopted by land speculators for advertising “eh'gible properties,” the gentleman io question at first thought this was the latest development of their advertising proclivities. A closer examination, however, revealed the fact that the butter had been wrapped up in a plan of a property to be sold, and the colours in which the plan was printed not being “warranted fast,” left their impression on the butter. Hospital and Oitabitable Aid Boabd A mooting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board will he held at the H a )ital on Wednesday next, the 25th instant, at 6 p m. Municipal Corporations Act. —Circulars have been issued calling a special meeting of the City Council for Friday evening next, to take into consideration suggested amendments of the Municipal Corporations Act. R M. Court poe Sydenham— Councillor Charters gave, last night, notice of motion of his intention to move—“ That the Government be respectfully requested to make provision in the estimates for the ensuing year for a Magistrate’s Court for the Borough of Sydenham, and that this step would greatly relieve the pressure of business at the Resident Magistrate’s Court of Christchurch, as well as benefit the inhabitants of this borough.” Funeeal of the Late Me Walter Hill. —The remains of the late Mr Walter Hill wore conveyed to their last resting-place this afternoon. The funeral was largely attended. The Mammoth Minstrels. —Under (his title fin amalgamation of two of the beet troupes of minstrels who have been here will open at the Theatre Royal on Saturday next. Amongst the company are many old friends, no*ably Messrs Bent, Chcovers, Kennedy, Amory, Hawkins, Road, Braham, and Kennedy, and two strangers, Messrs Brown ai d Newlands. The troupe has been very successful in the South. The Premier’s Speciality. —The Wellington “Post” of June 18th says:—The manner in which the Premier met the Chamber of Commerce deputation, on the Harbor Board question, on Monday, was far from satisfactory, and contrasted badly with the manner in which some years ago Sir Julius Vogel met a similar deputation on the same subject. Of course no o o expects anything definite or decided from Sir George Grey ; vague generalities and words which can subsequently be shown to mean anything that it is found convenient they should be interpreted as meaning, have over been his speciality.

The East Coast Maosi Election.— Recent intelligence from the district of Rotorua and Maketu states (says tho “Bay of Plenty Times”) that Mr Retireli Tapihana is tho chosen candidate of tho whole inland district, with the Bay of Plenty, in place of tho late chief Karaitiana, Native representative for the East district. Tho contest will probably be very great, but if tho tribes in (his quarter keep united there is no doubt Mr Retireti will be returned. He is a person of great influence, a most powerful speaker, and entirely independent of party. The Druids.—The member* of the Pioneer Lodge, No. 47, hold their half-yearly meeting last night, at their Lodge room, Wellington Hotel, Tuam street. There was a very good attendance. The A D,, Bro. Rose, presided. Tho business, which was the initiation of a candidate, tho nomination of officers for tho ensuing half-year, and tho proposition of several candidates for membership, having been disposed of, the Lodge closed with the usual harmony. Germania.—A meeting of the members of the German Debating Society, and of Germans in general, will be held at the Parsonage attached to the German Church, this evening, to pa c 3 rules and regulations.

Rangioea BoEOtron Council. —Nomina* tions for the vacancy caused by Or, Thorne’s retirement have to be sent in by noon to-day, Mr J. Lilly is the only announced candidate. Ambeelet Telegraph Station. This station for the past few days has been nearly inaccessablo to the public in consequence of the boggy nature of the ground around it. Tne footpath so-called is a perfect quagmire. The Sex op Angels—An amusing correspondence on the above subject has recently taken place in the columns of the “ N.Z, Herald,” from which it appears that very opposite opinions are entertained by different persons upon this rather abstruse point. Hospital Mattehs.—Yesterday a meeting of the hospital committee was held, when a report was formally drawn up in relation to matters previously considered by the committee, such as the question of vaccination, &c., referred to them by the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board at its last meeting. The Board meets again on Wednesday. Municipal Election. —A requisition, numerously signed, has been presented to Mr J. Joyce, of the late firm of Joyce and Williams, solicitors, asking him to allow himself to be placed in nomination for the vacant seat in the Sydenham Borough Council caused by the resignation of Mr I). Foster. Mr Joyce has consented to come forward.

Gun Accident. Humphrey White, a farm laborer, aged twenty-one, in the employ of Mr J. Bruishaw, farmer, of Southbridge, was out shooting on Saturday near the farm, when the gun burst, shattering his left hand. Ho was taken to Dr. Chapman’s, who attended h's injuries and advised his removal to Christchurch. He came to town by the first train yesterday morning, and was admitted into the Hospital, where he is progressing favourably.

Yolunteebing at Ashbueton. —On Saturday night a meeting of persons favorable to the establishment of ft Volunteer corps at Ashburton was held in that town. Mr St. Hill was elected to the chair, and the matter was discussed at some length. The following committee was appointed to obtain all information as to the proper steps to be taken, to collect the names of persons willing to join, and to report at an early meeting : Messrs Adams, Andrew, Calvert, Garnett, Morshen, St. Hill, and Yaughan. Mr Yaughan was elected interim secretary. A considerable number of persons have already signified their willingness to join the proposed corps. Kaiapoi Swing Beidge.—The danger of crossing this bridge during frosty weather appears to be very great. Whoever drew the specification for the new decking which has recently been put down, omitted to provide that there should be a space of at least half-an-inch between the p’anks, and that the edges of the same should be chamfered to allow horses a foothold on the wood. As it is the planking is so close that the water lay on it in large pools on Sunday, and on Monday it was covered with such an amount of ice that it was during four hours so unsafe that horsemen were bound for their safety to dismount and lead their horses across.

Sydenham Night School.— The night school at Sydenham, which has been commenced under the auspices of the Colombo road school committee, opened last evening. The numbers attending far surpassed the expectations of the committee, as between ninety and one hundred pupils put in an appearance, their ages ranging from seventeen to thirty. Mr Joyce, the chairman of the school committee, and the Rev. H. B. Cocks, visited the school during the evening, and the former made a few remarks to the scholars. Mr Carden has been appointed master of the school, and judging from the attendance on the first night it appears likely to prove a success. Probably this will induce the establishment of similar schools in other districts.

The Baldwins. —There was a very goed attendance at the theatre last evening, when Professor and Mrs Clara Baldwin again appeared. The programme was substantially the same as on Saturday evening, though two new tricks were introduced, which were very cleverly done. These were the iron ring test and the rope-tying test. In the latter Professor Baldwin tied himself up in a short space of time; the knots were sealed by the committee, and yet he went through the process of ringing bells, blowing horns, Ac. More than this, he put on the coat of one of the committee, which was then sewn at the sleeves and in front. After this was done, the coat was thrown out of the cabinet, not a stitch being broken or a seal on the knots disturbed. The Professor then in the light showed how the trick was done. The Katie Zing mystery closed the seance. To-night the Protessor again appears. The Unemployed at Waikabi. —Since communication has been restored northward our correspondents have obtained particulars from the men at work on the AmberleyCook’s Straits Extension, which shows that they have met with hard fare for a day or two past. The Waipara was reached by the contractor for the supplies, Mr Chandler, Amberley, on Sunday, about noon, and was met by a dray from the other side, which took on the broad and meat. Reaching camp the supplies were rushed at once. It appears that on Saturday and Sunday the party had to fall back on Glenmark station, from which Mr G. H. Moore very readily provided a batch of bread and twelve sheep for their pressing wants, and has earned golden opinions from the men. They were the most in want of firewood, but a quantity of wood was forthcoming yesterday. It appears that the number of men engaged is about 160, but since the bad weather set in several have left. These may bo said to be of that class who prefer on a cold evening to sit in a warm taproom in preference to being up country under canvas. Mr. Dunn, who is in charge, did his utmost to keep the men in good spirits and provide for their wants]during the unforeseen difficulties. The men are said to earn fair wages at the work, which is so Lud out as to allow of their doing so. Good men make 6s to 7s a day, or from Is to 9d per cubic foot is allowed on the cutting, or 6d per cubic yard on the level work. At present they are engaged in cutting and forming a shelf along the terraces for the line. They appear to have made good progress, and the majority seem to bo satisfied with the work and its remuneration. Should the weather take up there will then be less cause for complaint, and considerable progress will be made with the line in the direction of Weka Pass. The position of the tents it may be stated was, during the storm, such that the working party were sheltered, and the interior of them was comfortable and dry, but there was a want of firewood for a large bonfire outside and for cooking. Four of the dissatisfied ones came back to town on Monday evening.

The West Coast Natives —lt will be seen that one of the last acts of tho turbulent Natives on the West Coast is to warn off a publican at Oeo. Tho Oeo is a small river about half-way between the Opunaki settlement and the Kaupokonui. St. Luke’s Schoolroom. —The now schoolroom in connection with St. Luke’s Church is now nearly finished. All the exterior work is done, and it only remains now to put in the windows and supply the necessary fittings. Tho building is commodious and well put ogether. Sydenham Bobough Council.—The usual fortnightly meeting of the Sydenham'.Borough Council was held last night. An unusually large amount of business was transacted, especially with regard to tho drainage of the district. A special meeting of tho Council was fixed for Friday, the 27th, at tho office of the Mayor, for tho adoption of a sanitary bylaw.

Accident at Ambebley.—Mr F. C. Bourdon, in the employ of Messrs. D. and D. Cameron, met with a serious accident on Sunday last. He had just started on a journey on horseback from Mr McLean’s Hotel, when his horse shied and threw his rider, afterwards stepping upon him and inflicting such injuries as to make Mr Bourdon’s features quite unrecognisable. City Council. —The usual weekly meeting of this Council was held last evening. There was not a very large amount of business transacted, and the principal discussion was on the subject of Mr Tribe’s proposed superannuation. It was determined that he should bo retained in the employment of tho Council at the same salary as heretofore, viz., £2OO a year.

Skirving Thomson, ’a deaf and dumb man, was tried at the Old Bailey for obtaining Ire guineas by false pretences from Mrs Gladstone. Tho prisoner by signs pleaded guilty. Ho represented to Mrs Gladstone that he had sent h r five guineas anonymously to aid her in carrying on her Convalescent Home, but that his partner objected to the money being given, and insisted upon its restoration. Upon tho faith of that story the money was sent to him. The prisoner was sentenced to twelve months’ hard labor.

Samuel Chancey, a fisherman, a powerful young fellow, is awaiting trial at the assizes for robbing with violence Mr Reid, draper, of Norwich, in a third class railway carriage on the night of the 17th of March. Mr Reid, baring collected money at Lowestoft, was travelling to Norwich, when ho was left alone in a compartment with the prisoner, when suddenly he found himself seized round the neck by the prisoner, who, he found, had opened the door, and was upon the footboard trying to pull him out of the carriage. This he successfully resisted by placing his shoulder against the doorpost and his foot upon the seat. The prisoner then snatched Mr Reid’s watch, and, jumping from the moving train, escaped in the darkness. The next day the prisoner pawned the watch at Yarmouth, and the duplicate was found on him when apprehended. He informed the police the chain would be found where he jumped out, and some pieces were found. Be told the magistrates he was in drink at tho time ho committed the act.

The Empress of Austria’s turn-cut for hunting has (says "Vanity Fair”) justly excited greit admiration. It is not produced without some trouble. The Einprees never dresses for riding till she arrives at the meet. She then retires to the nearest house, and commences her toilette, which occupies exactly an hour from the time she armoa till she is ready to start. Har beautifully fitting habit is buttored only after she is actually on her horse. Her saddle is so small as to be almost invisible when she is mounted, so that the appearance is of a lady sitting on the horse itself. Everything to tho smallest detail is studied, and the result—as enthusiastic Irish beholders declare—is perfection. The whole family of the Empress are devoted to horses and horsemanship. The ex Queen of Naples, her sister, is a beautiful rider, and their father used to wish ho had been bora a poor man, that he might have been manager of a circus.