NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1675, 3 July 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Fatal Accident. —Mr Edward Barnes, surveyor to the Road Board, met with, an accident on Monday last which cost him his life. Ho was riding along the road near the Selwyn Bridge Hotel, when his horse suddenly bolted and threw him. He was seriously hurt, aud those who came to his assistance sent for Dr. Guthrie, of Lincoln, who was soon in attendance, and did what he could for the sufferer, but the unfortunate gentleman was past human aid, and he died last evening at six o’clock. An inquest on the body will be hold at three o’clock to-morrow.

Christchurch City Teamway. The street tramway will probably be commenced in about two monts from the present time. The company have received advices of the departure from New York of the carriages to be used on the line,'and the material for the construction of the lino, &0., is on the way out from England ; in fact, the vessels bringing it are now nearly due, having been sixty days out. Rapid progress is being made with the erection of the station at the back of the Cathedral; it will be finished ia about a month or six weeks. Phepabed foe the Worst. —At Stratford Mr Curtis has made preparations for all contingencies by converting his store into a perfect fortress. The building contained two storeys. All round the house he has dug a deep trench and raised a breastwork behind which thirty men can find shelter. The upper storey has been loopholed and rendered bullet-proof, and the lower portion has bee* protected with iron plates to prevent the natives from setting fire to the building. Fifty men can be accommodated in the upper storey. He has also placed sufficient provisions in the store to last fifty men six months. Thus be is prepared, in the event of a native outbreak, to stand a siege. Wateb Supply.— There has been a delay •in proceeding with operations connected with the water supply scheme, owing to the absence of a portion of the pumping apparatus. If. appears that the portion in question is at Sheffield, and it being very heavy, the assistance of a crane is necessary to place it on the train, but owing to the interruption of the railway line the crane has not been forthcoming at present. With the exception of the portion stated, all the machinery is on the ground, and the work of lowering the cylinders will be commenced as soon as arrangements are finally completed. Mieaclbmongeeinq. —A large party of Maoris are taking a sick Maori to Parihaka from Wanganui, for To Whiti to perform a miracle upon. It is not improbable he will sham death before reaching Parihaka, and be restored again.

The Muhdeees Hieoki. —lt is stated (says the “Taranaki Herald”) by well informed Natives that Hiroki, the murderer, has left Parihaka, and is on his way to Waikato to seek refuge amongst the Kingites. In consequence of this report the Government have taken steps to intercept him by placing Armed Constabulary in the places he is expected to pass through, and they are accompanied by half-castes and friendly Natives who can recognise Hiroki, and who would assist in his arrest. Wo learn that Hiroki recently got lost i» the bush, where ho was for two days.

Wednesday Night’s Eibe. —The complete insurance on the business premises and stock of Mr Nashelski, where the fire occurred last night, are as follows: —In the National Insurance Company, £1000; New Zealand, £IOOO ; Colonial, £IOOO ; North British and Mercantile, £1000; South British, £IOOO. Total, £SOOO. The Eiyee at Kaxapoi. —Since the subsidence of the flood water, many thousands of tons of silt has been washed out of the north branch, and the Harbor’s Board’s dredge, which is just about ready for work, is not expected to be called into requisition for some time at any rate. Bangioea Boeottghi Council. —Mr John Lilly has been duly elected a councillor for this borough in place of Mr F. Thorne. Mr J. Luxton has consented to withdraw his resignation. The question of the position of Mr Lilly as a fire inspector will be discussed at next regular meeting.

Diocesan Synod. —The adjourned session of tho Diocesan Synod was resumed yesterday. There was an afternoon and evening sitting, tho business being mostly confined to tho consideration in committee of the Bill to introduced at tho forthcoming session of Parliament, “ Declaring the purposes of trusts, &c.” Accident at Oust. —The bridge on "the Oxford road being impassable, as that structure is almost a wreck, persons using the road hare to ford the stream. Mr G. Whyte, .on Tuesday, while putting his horse through with the water up to tho saddle flaps, came to grief by the animal pitching him,[and ho had to swim ashore. Accident. —An accident happened yesterday morning to a man named O’Brien, in the employ of the City Council. He was working in Victoria street, opposite the Junction Hotel, when a cart horse shied at the street roller and knocked O’Brien down, the wheel of the vehicle passing over his leg. The man was much bruised, but not otherwise Injured. Pigeon Match.—A pigeon match took place on the 30th inst, the competitors being Mr J. Perry’s Royal George, Mr Pouck’s Vixen, and Mr Brunton’s Prigg. The course was from Lyttelton to Christchurch, and for birds under twelve weeks old. Mr Perry’s Royal George worn the stakes, the time, including trapping, being 17min. SSsecs. Lawsuit Aoainst the Government.— It is reported that Mr J. W. Rllen of Kaiapoi intends to proceed against tho Government for the recovery ef £SOOO, damages sustained by the diversion of the Waimakariri through the groyne at the South Waimakariri bridge approach, whereby hie wool-scouring has been put a stop to and his land washed away. Sudden Death. —Jl Hospital patient named Wm. Taylor, who was under treatment for an ulcerated .’eg, left the Hospital yesterday afternoon on pass, and went to hie homo in Harper street, Sydenham. Shortly after he had arrived there he died. Taylor had been at the Hospital on severs! occasions formerly, and it is thought h's death was the result of heart disease. Entertainment at Ashburton. The Ashburton Amateur Christy Minstrels gave performances os Monday and Tuesday at the Town Hall, Ashburton, to fair houses. The entertainment consisted of the usual chair business, and a local drama written by Messrs P. Browne and H. Gates, entitled the “ Demons of Gold,” referring to the present financial crisis, and exciting much amusement. Kaiafoi Volunteer Pieb Brigade.—A practice by this brigade with the steam fire engine was held at the head of Feraki street, on Tuesday evening. There was a good muster ef members, under Mr Superintendent Smith. A proposition was mode to pump out the cellar of the Eaikanui Hotel, which had been filled with water from a flooded drain. This was accomplished with ease in twenty-three minutes, and on measuring the capacity of the cellar, it was calculated that the engine had discharged 6352 gallons. It be stated that the plant ai d. appliances and steamer of this brigade are kept in the best working order. Ashburton High School. —A meeting of the Board was held yesterday. Present— Dr. Trevor (chairman), Messrs Walker, J. Grigg, Bullock, 0. P. Cox, and Saunders. The chairman reported that a secretary was required, and Mr P. Mainwaring was unanimously appointed to that post at a salary of £lO per annum. It was resolved that the chairman employ a valuator to see section No. 1123 and report thereon, and that the same bo let by tender,'; a sub-committee of Messrs Bullock, Cox, and the chairman, to open and accept tenders. Tho following resolutions wore also carried : —“That the funds of the Board be placed with the Ashburton Building Society till December next at 8 per cent interest.” “ That the chairman bo requested to apply to Government for a site for the school. The Board then adjourned.” Results or the Plood at Malvern. — The late heavy floods seriously damaged the Malvern water race, a portion of which was completely destroyed. The water rushed with terrific force down a creek which joins the race a few miles to the west of Sheffield, and the force of the current was such as to break away the banks of the race, and leave behind a great bed of shingle, not a sign of the race remaining for a considerable distance down the line. It is a noticeable fact, however, that eight of the falls, which were finished after the engineer’s design and properly packed, remained intact. No doubt the engineer will report on the subject to the Selwyn County Council at its next meeting. The Malvern branch railway, in course of construction by Mr Benham, has also sustained some damage from the floods. Mammoth Minstrels. —These clever entertainers gave their first change of programme last evening, when there was a capital house. In the first part Mr Vernon Reid sang a pretty ballad, “On the Bright Golden Shore,” very nicely, and Messrs Braham and Amery were also good in their two contributions. Mr Hawkins sang “ Come where the Moonbeams linger,” and the comic songs of Messrs Bant and Brown were loudly applauded. The finale introduced the national songs of Ingland, Prance, America, and Germany, in which Messrs Amery and Braham were heard to great advantage. Messrs Oheevers and Kennedy appeared in new sketches, which created just as great a furore as those in the former programme. Mr Brown’s oration on “ Love ” was wonderfully humorous, and the speciality by Brown and Nowlands, “Mesmerism,” evoked shouts of laughter. The other sketch, “Thompson’s Dead,” and the finale, “ The Desperate Dad,” are extremely funny, the latter especially so. The minstrels appear again in the same programme. Lincoln. —Tho induction of the Rev. Alexander Blake to the pastorate of the united congregations of Lincoln and Prebbleton, took place at the Presbyterian Church, Lincoln, on Tuesday. The Revs. Elmslie, Horner, and Hauxwell attended on behalf of tho Presbytery. Divine service was held at 2 p.m., when the Rev. Hauxwell preached a very impressive sermon. The Rev. J. Elmslio acted as Moderator, and put tho usual questions to tho minister elect; and Rev. Horner, in an earnest appeal, addressed the minister and congregation. Subsequently a tea meeting was held in the Lincoln schoolroom, when about 200 persons eat down, the tables being supplied and served by Mesdamea Smith, Lambie, Sharp, Prebble, Pieming, Rainey, and Miss Munro. After tea a crowded public meeting was held in tho schoolroom. Addresses were delivered by Revs. Elmolie, Blake, Horner, Hanxwell, and Dunkley. The Rev. A. Blake presided, and gave a short account of his career in the ministry. During the evening some sacred music was rendered with marked attention by the choir. Votes of thanks to the ladies, visitors, choir, &c., and to the Rev. Elmslie for his services as Moderator, concluded tho gathering. Raeaia School Committee.—A meeting was held in the schoolroom on Tuesday evening. Present—Messrs A. Makeig (chairman), Gaarder, Welsh, Partridge, Sharp, and Shellock. A letter was read from Mr J. E. Makeig tendering his resignation as secretary, which was accepted. It was resolved to request the Board of Education to remove Mr Cox to some other district, so that the com-

mittee may obtain the services of a married schoolmaster, whose wife could act as mistress, owing to a large proportion of the children requiring female tuition. The schoolmaster’s report was read, showing that owing to there being no assistant teacher for the past two months the attendance had fallen off greatly. A letter was read from the Board of Education, asking to be furnished with an estimate of incidental expenditure for the ensuing quarter. It was resolved that Mr. Jaggar act as secretary to the committee at a salary of £lO a-year. A visiting committee, consisting of Messrs Sharp, Partridge, and the chairman, was appointed. It was decided to urge Mr Mann to settle the matter of the late entertainment.

Mb Bombt Wliinf.—Thisgentlemah and F Coktehtbd Mat-eeiaxists. —lt ia reported wife reached Auckland, on then: way fey*®® at Hawera and Patea that Messrs John Kelly terbury, by the mail eteamor yefterdji^Bt 1 and Charles Messenger represented to Te Gbbkah Bat Balsas.—-The larjm bridge Whiti, at Farihaka, on the 17th June, that in German Bay is quit* und«Hnww®»nd dan- they believed in bis miraculous power, and gerous, and it was with the difficulty considered him right in bis opposition to and by the assistance of Hi if wjjpghigera that Government, and that his power would prethe coach was able to morn- vail, and, fearing to reside any longer with ing. isP®* 3 the Europeans, they desired to place themWAXKtrjttr.—The farmers of Waiknku have selves under Te Whiti’s protection, and were again commenced destroying the sparrows, accordingly formally inducted members of Farming themselves into a club, they have Te Whiti’a tribe, and further, that Te Whiti set about their task in earnest, _ using wheat is in ecstaey at his spreading influence, as steeped in arsenic dissolved in spirits of salts, evidenced thereby. A valuable mat, preThis is scattered over the fields most fre- aented by Te Whiti, virtually made the requented by the sparrows. cipients members of his people. Extension op Gab.—Gas mains are being A Posee.—At the Diocesan Sjnod last laid down in Durham street south, and that night, during the consideration in committee portion of St. Asaph street which intersects of the 'various clauses, sections, and subit westward. When this extension is com- sections of the “ Bill for declaring Purposes pleted there will be an uninterrupted chain of Church Trusts,” the Dean came to one of lamps from the Dower Lincoln road to which ho candidly confessed he did not unthe east town belt. derstand. It was no nao reading it out, as he

thougbt none of the other members would comprehend what it was all about any better than himself, and the legal gentleman, who had superintended the drafting of the Bill himself, considered it as a masterpiece of bewildering ingenuity. The Dean said it might be given as a useful mental exorcise to a fresh member, only its study might possibly qualify the student far a residence at Sunnyside, which might be considered a drawback. The clause was passed without being read. Db. Chilton’s Resignation. —The application of Mr Chilton, house surgeon to the Christchurch Hospital, to be allowed to resign his office, was considered at a special meeting of the Charitable Aid Beard held yesterday afternoon. Ashbhbton.—The Ashburton Road Board district, extending from Ohertsey to the Rangitata, has sustained little damage, thanks to the provision made by deep ditches and other means to carry off storm water. It is estimated £l2O will repair all the damage done, which has been principally caused by the overflowing of the Wakanui Creek. Individual instances of damage done to the crops are reported, and some few farmers have suffered severely j but the district as a whole is not much the worse, though all state that another rainfall would be injurious. The County Council works have stood the test well, and hardly suffered at all. Sfbingston. —The quarterly tea meeting of the Wesleyan Church was held in the schoolroom on Tuesday evening. The attendance was not so large as usual, which may be attributed to the bad state of tho roads. An excellent tea was provided by Meedamea Crump, Silvester, Taylor, and Wills. After tea an adjournment took place to the church. The meeting was presided over by the Rev. Taylor, of the district, who in his remarks thanked the members of the different branches of the circuit for tho co-operation and help he had received during the past, Although the affairs of the district were not looking very bright on account of the failure of the crops, yet they were not to be discouraged, but to look forward to a better state of things. The circuit steward then road the quarterly financial statement, which showed that tho expenditure exceeded the income by about £3O. He took the opportunity of asking them to do their utmost to reduce the debt as soon as possible. Addresses were given by Messrs Silvester and Wills, and the Rev. Reid, who referred to the duty of the young men trained in the church to come forward and help. Although he could not congratulate the meeting on the financial statement; yet the very practical advice given stowed that it was quite possible to cope with the difficulty. During the evening several hymns were sung by the choir, which reflected considerable credit on Miss Laurie, thoir leader, who presided very efficiently at the harmonium. After a vote of thanks had been passed to the ladies and those who helped to make the meeting a success it was closed by tbedoxology. The proceeds of the tea amounted to about £B. The Floods in Temdea.—Early on Sunday morning last some of the inhabitants of Temuka who live in the lower part of the town, were roused by the rushing water, and in many instances found their houses completely surrounded. Tho town was soon aroused, and assistance was rendered to the unfortunate occupants of the flooded houses. Some of the houses were quite out of reach without the aid of boats, but about eleven o’clock two boats were sent from Timaru in answer to a telegram. There was some difficulty in navigating the boats, owing to the submerged fences and the rapidity of the current, but by about 1 p.m. all were safely rescued from their perilous position. Here and there horses and cattle were swimming, and many must have been drowned. Mr P. Waring, of Temuka, was very nearly drowned in his endeavors to save some of his family. He was on horseback, but getting washed off he was rapidly becoming benumbed, when he fortunately succeeded in holding on to a flax bush till assistance could be rendered. Some amusement was caused by the efforts of several men to rescue a horse, whose stable was completely surrounded. A raft was quickly improvised, but the daring navigators were soon capsized, escaping, however, with nothing worse than a good ducking. Then two men volunteered to swim out and liberate the animal, which they succeeded in doing, with some difficulty. All the low-lying iland to tho West was under water, many of the fences being completely submerged. Some of the neighbouring farmers, foreseeing what was likely to happen, wisely brought all their stock to higher ground, and thus saved them. Others, however, were not so fortunate, and have sustained considerable loss. The cause of the flood was an overflow of the Orari River, which flowed into the Temuka River, already swollen by the rains, causing that river to pass its banks and flood the surrounding country. All the low-lying land between Arowhenua and the Orari is under water. Oddfellows hit, The Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge, Little Akaloa, held its halfyearly meeting on Friday evening, when the following officers wore elected for the ensuing term :—Bro. W. Ashton, G.M.; Bro. R. O. Rix, N.G.; Bro. O. Fitzpatrick, Y.G.; Bro. R. Willis, E.S. Tho Lodge recorded a vote of thanks to the retiring officers, especially to Past Grand Master Bro. Henry J. Bennett, for the energy he displayed in the discharge of his duties since the opening of the Lodge. It was chiefly due to his efforts that the Lodge had attained its present financial and highly satisfactory state. The secretary, who was unanimously re-elected, met with especial praise. The Lodge adjourned after a pleasant evening, at 10 p.m. The Loyal Sefton Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., held its half-yearly meeting at the Sefton Town Hall on Monday, the 30th ultimo, for the election of officers for the ensuing term. There was a fair attendance despite the unfavorable weather. Bro. M. Robertson was elected N.G., Bro. G. Prestney Y.G., Bro. W. Brock P.S., Bro. A. Yallance E.S., Bro. R. Simpson lecture master, Bro. J. Sutherland warden, Bro. J. Duffall guardian, and Bro. C. Gcddes treasurer. The receipts of the evening were £ls 19s Bd. At last night’s half-yearly meeting of the Loyal Avon Lodge, American Constitution, the R.W.G.M. Bro. R. T. Wheeler, from Dunedin, and Dep. G.M. Bro. Price, from Timaru, installed the following officers elect with tho usual ceremony, viz.:—Bro. Thomas Hall, N.G.; Bro. T. ‘P. Riggs, V.G. ; Bro. W. E. Riggs, P.S ; Bro. 11. L. Welch, W. treasurer ; Bro. Williams, cond.; Bro. T. J. Riggs, warden ; Bro. J. Meyers, 1.G.; Bro. Marsh, R.S. to N.G.; Bro. A. P. Meyers, L.S. to N.G. ; Bro. J. S. Pope, R. Sc. S. ; Bro. Scott, L. Sc. S. ; Bro. J. Woodard, E.S. to Y.G.; Bro. W. A. Conaldson, L.S. to Y.G. One candidate was initiated. Citst. —The township of Oust for the most part on high ground, escaped the force of tho recent floods, though in the valley several of the farms came in for the overflow. Tho road bridge near Mr Searell’s mill was taken bodily about two chains down stream, and a few culverts proved unable to withstand tho strain put upon them. Some large trout are said to have been washed out by the flood and left high and dry on the bank of tho river. Directly the Eyreton line was re-opened to Bennetts Mr Early commenced running a spring cart to meet the trains and carry passengers and the mails.

Ohoia-Etbeton Domain Poaed. A meeting of the members of this Board web held at the Junction Hotel, Ohoka, on Tuesday evening. Thera were present— Messrs Lord, Hopkins, and Dailey. A letter was received from Mr Marmaduke Dixon, stating that as ho lived some distance away, he should feel inclined to resign his position as chairman of the Board. Mr R. Hopkins was unanimously elected chairman. Several matters connected with the improvement of th» Domain wore discussed, and it was decided to invite tenders for a ten years’ leas* of the 205 acres on which improvement* in fencing and planting will be carried ont. This land is well adapted for grazing.

St. Michael’s) Entebtaikmknts.—ln; consequence of the unsettled state of the weatheir this week, the entertainment announced foe this evening will be deferred to Thursday next. Congregational Church.— The quarterly conversazione for young people connected with the Trinity Congregational Church, will bo held! on Friday next.