NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1688, 18 July 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Resident Magistrate's Court.—C. 'Walkden Wood, on remand from Wellington was brought up to-day charged with neglecting to provide for his wife. A remand was granted to Timaru. The .prisoner was also charged, under the Debtors and Creditors Amendment Act, 1878, with being about to leave the colony. He was in this case too remanded to Timaru, where the warrant was issued. The case of Andrew Horne, charged with deserting his wife and six children, was dismissed. A little boy, aged nine, charged with larceny, was sentenced to four days’ imprisonment and fifteen lashes, William Hall, charged with perjury, was committed for trial, bail being allowed, himself for £IC3 and two sureties for £SO each. Malvern Wateb Race. —In reference to this work, the uncompleted portion of which was considerably damaged by the late heavy floods, the engineer, Mr Webster, sent in a report to the Selwyn Couaty Council, and it is understood that, in the meantime, Messrs Dobson and Bell have been appointed to draw up a report on the subject. The next meeting of the Council will be heard on Friday next, the 25th instant, when these gentlemen will probably submit their report, and the whole matter will then be taken into consideration. At present wi rk on the race remains in statu quo, awaiting the decision of the Council as to further progress. A Pbacxical Joke. —A Wairoa contemporary says: —A practical joke was played the other night on the proprietor of the “ Monstrosities and Curiosities” —a joke however, of which the perpetrator might have to repent. It appears that some time during Wednesday night or Thursday morning, somebody managed to obtain an entrance into tbe marquee containing exhibits, and abstracted the sea-lion and two-headed calf, which were discovered next morning in the local butcher’s shop, the calf being, we understand, hung up among the lona fide carcasses. The enraged butcher, we believe, deposited the sea-lion on the wharf, where ho was discovered by the proprietors, evidently making his way with all possible speed to b : i native element.

Musical Speculations. —There is no saying what the people will take to, there is no foreseeing what music will become popular or when, says the “ World.” We will take two striking instances from the very last season. A publisher, a shrewd and experienced man, refused to buy a ballad offered him for £5. He Jwas sure the sale would not pay for the engraving. For certain reasons, however, he undertook the publication on sharing terms. This ballad has, up to the present time, brought in over £3000; it is called “Nancy Lee.” Certainly it is not a model of classic music, but the publisher refused to buy it for £5 because he thought it would not bring as much. Again, “ H.M.S. Pinafore” was given at the Opera Oomique. It enjoyed public favor so little that the receipts went down to £46 a night, and the salaries were lowered. Suddenly the public took to it; to get a seat became a favor; and at this moment the publishers font queue, and wait their turn to receive the numbers of scores ordered. Better than Hanging. —As a substitute for the execution of a criminal by hanging, Dr. Packard, of Philadelphia, makes the following suggestion :—Thera should be fitted up in the gaol a small room, which can be made air-tight. By means of very simple arrangements, carbonic-oxide can be substituted for the air of the room, and a person c mflnod in it would then die the easiest and quietest death known to science. He would simply cease to exist. A jury should be appointed to identify the convicted person. In their presence he should bo conducted to the room, and placed in it, entering by a sliding door, of plate-glass it may be, protected by a netting of iron wire. The process of rendering the air irrespirable should then be begun, and would very soon be completed. In less than ten minutes, fresh air might be introduced by opening the sliding door and reversing the process; and the same jury, again identifying the body, would certify to the fact of the execution having been duly carried out.

The Rewaed op Pluck. —lt has been reported that Mr Charles Heine, whose extraordinary courage and perseverance we detailed in a former issue, has succeeded in piercing the rock and striking some very good gold in bis claim at the Arrow Falls, formerly known as the “ Sons of Fortune Company.” Cadetships. —Over fifty applications have been sent in for the cadetship in the office of the Harbor Board. The applicants were all of the most eligible character, and it was decided at the Board meeting yesterday to keep Mr Wood for a month on trial, the secretary reporting favorably on hh progress. Education Boaed.— The ordinary meeting of this Board was held yesterdoy afternoon. The business before the Board was soon disposed of. AanLEY County. —There is a proposal on foot to obtain a severance of the Waipara, Kowai, and Ashley road districts from the Ashley county, and the formation of a new county. It is proposed that each of the road districts named should be abolished, and that they should form three ridings of the county, each returning three councillors. This Council would at once adopt the Counties Act, and by the aid of about three surveyors would manage the whole of the public works in the new county. The members of the Ashley County Council are reported to be favorable to the change, and the member for the Ashley district in the Assembly, who has been communicated with on the subject, will, it is expected, assist in promoting the views of those who advocate the change. Theatee Royal. —The attendance at the Theatre Royal last night was by no means commensurate with tae attraction presented. Gilbert’s clever satirical comedy, entitled “ Engaged,” was repeated. Every character was capitally portrayed, that of Cheviot Hill by Mr Wybert Reeve standing out as one of those eccentric creations rarely seen, and which become identified with their exponent. Mr R. D’Orsay Ogden is to be complimented on the excellent manner in which he impersonated Belvawney, a common type of an utterly selfish adventurer. The company worked well together, and the result was a thoroughly enjoyable performance. This evening the “School for Scandal” will be revived, and at the solicitation of several patrons of the drama Mr W. Hoskins will once again give his interpretation of Sir Peter Teazle. Mias Beatrice will, for the first time, play Lady Teazle, and Mr Wybert Reeve will appear as Charles Surface. To-morrow evening Miss Lester, from the principal London and Australian Theatres, will make her first appearance in Christchurch in the dual character of Laura Fairlio and Anno Catherick in “The Woman in White,” Mr Wybert Reeve sustaining the character of Count Fosco.

Oddfellowship. The members of the Loyal Perseverance Lodge intend celebrating their seventh anniversary by a dinner in their hall at Woolston on Thursday, 24th July. Bro. J. Taafe, P.P.G.M., has consented to preside on the occasion. The committee have arranged for a coach to leave Woolston for Christchurch at the close of the dinner. Life Assurance Lecture. —Mr M. Bowron, canvassing agent for the _ Australian Mutual Provident Society, will deliver n free public lecture in the Biugslaud district schoolroom this evening at eight o’clock.

Thb Gaiety. —Why “ East Lynne” should always draw a full house is one of the mysteries which has yet to be solved. The fact, however, remains that its production last evening by Mr Darrell’s company resulted in a crowded audience. Mrs Darrell’s rendering of the character of Lady Isabel was a most artistic performance. Every point was made with a force and power which showed how thorough an artiste Mrs Darrell is. Miss Navaro played Barbara Hare with much success, and the remainder of the lady characters were well filled. Mr Vincent, as Archibald Carlyle, gave a finished picture of the character, and Mr Darrell’s Sir Francis Levison was also a very good piece of acting. The principals were well supported by the subsidiary characters, and the piece as a whole went excellently. To-night Mrs Darrell takes her farewell of Christchurch. This in itself should bo sufficient to fill the house, for in losing her, playgoers will lose owe of the best and most conscientious actresses in the colonies. She will appear in one of her best impersonations,] that of Leah the Forsaken, and such an attraction ought to ensure for her a farewell tribute of no ordinary character, Sydney Exhibition.— One of the most interesting of the exhibits from Canterbury for the Sydney Exhibition was forwarded yesterday, in the shape of a case of greenstone articles, mounted and unmounted, from the workshop of Mr T. R Proctor, Christchurch, The case comprised a varied assortment of pendants, brooches, studs, earrings, &e., all of which are of excellent workmanship, the designs being in many instances unique. Amongst the articles especially worthy of mention are a paper cutter, with elaborately carved handle, a greenstone ring with colonial jasper setting, brooches of greenstone, jasper, and quartz, most artistically blended, charms of all kinds for the watch chain, &e. Some of these articles have been mounted in gold, and others are unmounted. With the manufactured articles Mr Proctor has sent several pieces of greenstone in the rough, first sliced off the block, so that visitors to the Exhibition will see the stone in all its phases. The work throughout is exceedingly creditable, and the care as a whole will form one of the most noticeable items in the New Zealand court.

Concert. —A most enjoyable concert of high class music was given last evening by Mr H. M. Lund, in St. Michael’s schoolroom. In the rendering of a short but very classical programme, Mr Lund was assisted by several ladies and gentlemen well known in Christchurch. The concert, which is the first of a series of invitation musical reunions proposed to be given by Mr Lund, was largely attended. The programme of instrumental music included —Overture, “ Q-eno-feva,” by Schumann ; a concerto in B flat for two pianos, by Mozart; a fantasia, “ Wanderer,” by Schubert; an allegro grazioso movement, by S. Bennett; and a rondo, in E flat, by Chopin, All these items were very artistically interpreted by Mr Lund and the gentlemen who assisted him, and were, as they deserved, loudly applauded. The vocal portion was very enjoyably rendered, comprising selections from Dr Arne, Linley, Sir H. Bishop, and Schumann. Altogether, the concert was one which afforded quite a musical treat to those present. The Westbrook Rush. —Concerning the newly discovered goldfield at Westbrook, in the neighborhood of Kumara, the “ Grey Kiver Argus ” says : —The new rush at Westbrook is gradually developing into what will probably eventually prove one of the best and most remunerative goldfields opened for some time on this coast. It was at first supposed that the lead of gold on y ran parallel with and on the edge of the terrace, but this idea hag proved an erroneous one, as a party who have driven in 400 feet from the opposite side have, wo are informed, obtained prospects of half a pennyweight to the dish. Two new tunnels are being driven in close proximity to the prospectors’ claim, which are expected to strike the wash at about 150 ft., and the completion of these are now anxiously looked for, as it is expected they will definitely determine the direction taken by the lead.