NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1694, 25 July 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Resident Magistrate's Court. —To-day two first offenders were fined 5s each j also, a female inebriate, who made her second appearance at the Court, was fined 10s. The supposed Case of Deowning. With regard to Captain Preston, supposed to hare been drowned in Lyttelton Harbor, the following particulars have come to hand since yesterday’s issue : Uo came to in the hrig Raymond, as second officer, about a year ago. Captain Jorgensen, of the schooner Maud Graham, was in Captain Preston’s company on Wednesday night, just before the latter went off to the vessel, and he is of opinion that it was in getting out of the boat up the side of the brigantine that tho accident occurred. The ladder over the side is only a temporary one, and it is likely that as Captain Preston stepped upon it the boat was forced away from the vessel’s side, and he fell between. This surmise is probably correct, as the oar was found in the boat with which he sculled to the vessel. Captain Preston was unmarried, and between thirty and forty years of ago. A Smart Teick. —The following _ probable” story is related hy“iEgleß” in the “Australasian ” “At a race meeting held at a township on the back blocks, the local Police Magistrate had a horse entered m ft friend’s name for tho chief event. On the morning of the races an accident happened to tho lad who was to ride Magenta. There was great consternation at this unlooked-for disaster, as there was no substitute to bo found. At length a sporting constable, who himself had some money on the event, suggested that there was a smart young fellow in the lockup on a charge of horsestealing, who had ridden several races. After some hesitation, the prisoner was informed that he would be allowed to ses the races on condition of his riding the favorite in the Maiden Plate. Tho condition was gleefully accepted. Magenta maintained a clear lead to the back of the course, when he suddenly bolted, and his accomplished rider was unable to pull him up until he was ten miles clear of the township. He has not yet returned, and is said to be doing remarkably well with Magenta among the Queenslanders. Compensation Court.— -The result of the cue heard yesterday before his Honor the Judge, and Messrs J. T. Matson and J. G. Hawkes (the latter taking Mr Clarke’s place, w 'O was objected), was that the assessors fixed the componsation for the five acres taken from Mr Nicholls by the Government for general railway purposes, at Addington, at £3360.

Death or Lady Waldegeave,—A late cable announces the death of a notable leader of fashion in London—Francis, Countess of Waldegrave. Her ladyship’s history is in many respects a remarkable one. She was the daughter of John Braham, the celebrated tenor singer, and composer of the “Death of Nelson,” and at one time was herself a somewhat promising candidate for lyric fame. Her attractions, however, secured her the attentions of Mr George Harcourt, a gentloman of considerable wealth, to whom she was married. A few years after his death, she was married to the seventh Earl Waldegrava. At first, fashionable society in London looked somewhat coldly upon her, not being altogether inclined to welcome “ professional” persons into its arcana, but her ladyship s title, wealth, and personal attractions soon overcame all obstacles, and speedily she came to be regarded as being of the very creme de Id creme. After the death of the Earl the influence of the Coutess rather increased than diminished, until at length her ladyship was looked upon as one of the foremost leaders of fashion. Her dinners at Carlton Gardens, and her garden parties at Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, the residence made famous by Horace Walpole, were regarded as being perfection, and the highest, rank and fashion, including Royalty itself, flocked to her receptions. In 1863 her ladyship again married, this time to the Right Hon. Lord Oarlingford, then Mr Chichester Fortescue, President of the Board of Trrde under Mr Gladstone’s administration. Her decease will leave a very noticeable gap in the ranks of London society, and she will probably bo missed more than any other of the leading lights of fashion could have been, her place being one which it would be peouHar’~ difficult to fill. Thk Municipal Oppicbs.— The design now on view at Ford and Co.’s rooms to whom'the will be held this afternoon. Theateb Royal. "The Woman in White ” was again played at the Theatre last evening. The performance of Miss Lester and Mr Wybert Reeve was excellent, and they were well supported by the other characters. To-night the piece will be repeated for the last time, and for to-morrow “The Octoroon,” with Mr Reeve as Wah-no-tee and Mr Hoskins as Salem Scudder, is announced. On Monday a dramatised version of “ No Name ” will bo played. Faembb Missies at Ashbueton. —On Saturday last, Alex. Gordon, a farmer, residing at Soafield, left Ashburton in the afternoon with a half load of coal on his threehorse dray. He had been drinking, and took with him a bottle of whiskey. On Wednesday his brother reported to the police that Gordon had not arrived, and on search being made, it was discovered that bis horses had pulled up at Prendergast’s old sod hut at Wakanui, where they were discovered by Mr Prendergast, on Tuesday. They wore nearly exhausted with cold and hunger, and he turned them adrift from the dray. Two troopers have been out in search of Gordon, but yet neither he nor his horses have yet been found, and the worst is feared.

Wbea Pass Outrage. —The police hare dealt Tory promptly with the ringleaders in this disgraceful affair. The party of four, under Mr Inspector Buckley, arrived in the Pass about 9.30 on Wednesday night, and reached the Pass Hotel, kept by Miss Baldwin, almost unnoticed, except as a party of travellers. Divested of their top coats the officers, in their uniform and accoutrements, presented an imposing appearance, as was evidenced by an apparent uneasiness among several who wore lounging about. The Inspector and Sergeant Pratt as quickly as possible instituted enquiries, and the parly proceeded in quest of those described as being concerned In the disturbance. During the night and early next morning they arrested Thomas Gillon, an old offender, for being illegally on promises, Patrick Lshay, and Martin Minogue. The trio were identified by the proprietress of the hotel and her barman, as including the ringleaders in the assaults on the hotel. It is only fair to say that they do not by any means represent the large body of men on the railway works, but present the appearance of camp followers. The prisoners were brought to Amberley under police escort on Thursday, and were dealt with at the Resident Magistrate’s Court. The Magistrate fined them 40s for drunkenness, £5 for destroying property, and 40s for using obscene language, in default three months’ imprisonment with hard labor. The prisoners wore all locked up. Desbbtees fbom tub Waimatb. —At Lyttelton, yesterday, three ofKthe seven seamen who deserted from the ship Waimate, were brought up on warrant, and remanded until to-day. Their names are W. Fraser, J. Bailey, and H. Egan. Public Meeting. —A public mooting to petition the Government to make a grant for railway station buildings. Court-house, &\, Ashburton, was held in the Town Hall, Ashburton, last night. Municipal Wobks.—A meeting of the works committee of the City Council was held yesterday morning. With reference to an application from residents of Oreyte street, the committee decided that it could not be entertained, as the street was a private one, and could only be dealt with as others of its character, that is, if the residents would sign an agreement guaranteeing expenses, the Council would at onco undertake the formation of the street. It was resolved to write to the Drainage Board, drawing attention to the impassable nature of many streets caused by the drainage operations at present in progress under tho authority of the Board, numerous complaints having been received in reference to the same, and request the Board to have them placed in a proper state of repair. The committee resolved that New street should be put in a temporary state of repair, and that a lamp should bo erected at tho junction of the North belt and Madras street,

The Post Daswin Cause. —Notice was received last night that telegraphic communication had been restored on tho Port Darwin-

Bunjoewangio cable.

Licensed Victfallees’ Association.—A largely attended and influential meeting of this association took place last evening, when a satisfactory report and balance-sheet for the year was mbmitted.

Nbw Zealand Timber.— The great inflsm mability of American, as compared with New Zealand timber, is illustrated by the late fire in Wellington (says a northern contemporary). The fUmee were by great exertion, prevented crossing a street. Two shops (corner buildings) were exposed to about the same degree of heat, and the building whoso side was constructed of New Zealand timber (red pine) requires nothing beyond re-painting ; while the side of the other, built of American pine, is so burnt and charred that it has all to be replaced. The practice of “sanding” the fronts of wooden buildings prevents the fire taking hold readily, as shown at the late fire. Both buildings referred to above had sanded fronts. Ashburton Borough Council.^ —Mr G. M. Robinson, being the only candidate, was duly elected a member of the above Council yesterday in the place of Mr Joseph Ivess, retired. Bunntsidb Asylum. —Mr Towle and .the members of his opera class have kindly effered to perform “ H.M.S. Pinafore ” at the asylum this evening, for the entertainment of the patients and their friends. St. Michael’s. —An entertainment in connection with the pariah of St. Michael’s took place last evening in the schoolroom, which was largely attended. A very good programme of music, readings, &c., was gone through. Sudden Death. — A report was received by the police last evening that a widow lady, named Martha Christine llartle, had died suddenly at Ollivier’s road, Phillipstown. It is known that death was caused by heart disease, and no inquest will be held. Oddpeilowship. —The seventh anniversary of the Loyal Perseverance Lodge, 1.0.0. F., was celebrated last evening by a banquet, served up in a first-class manner by Bro. 11. Piper, of the Wharf Hotel, in the Oddfellows’ Hall. Woolston. The hall was decorated with flags and evergreens, and the beautiful banner, received by the lodge two days before his Excellency’s reception, with its appropriate design of “ King Bruce and the Spider,” hung in the centre of the room, which was also hung with several certificates that were presented to past officers, and a large portrait of the lato C.S. of the Order, Bro. H. Ratcliffe, who was one of the Home Government Actuaries. P.P.G.M. James Saaffe occupied the chair, supported on the right by P.G.M. Fraser and Bro. Dr. Campbell, and on the left by Provincial 0.5.. Bro. Wright, and Deputy P.G.M. Bro. Liddle, the vice-chairs being filled by P.G. Bro. Richardson, and N.G. Bro. Priest. Over 120 members and visitors sat down to dinner. The The following lodges were represented, viz.:— City of Christchurch, Yoluntcer, Benevolent, Star of Waltham, Phillipstown, Kaiapoi, &c. When the cloth was removed the following toast list was gone through, Interspersed with songs and recitations : —“ Quesn and Royal Family,” "Prince and Princess of Wales,” “His Excellency and General Assembly,” “ Grand Master and Board of Directors,” “ The Queen and the Manchester Unity,” “The District Officers,” “ Free and Accepted Masons and kindred Societies,” “Sister Lodges,” “Loyal Perseverance Lodge,” “Medical Officer,” “Ladies,” “Press,” “Visitors,” “The Chair,” and " Our Host.” In responding to the toast of “ The Perseverance Lodge,” the secretary gave a short but descriptive account of the progress made by the lodge. From this it appeared that there were now 98 financial members. The payments of accounts of sick and funeral claims since the establishment of the lodge had been £3Ol Xls. The sick and funeral fund had a credit at the Bank of £IBO 6a 3Jd, and to credit of the management fund, £33 17s 9£d. The Hall and land were free from debt. During the evening P.G. Richardson presented Permanent Secretary Shepherd with a gold pencil-case on behalf of the lodge, bearing a suitable inscription. Temperance Sermon.— lt is announced that the Rev. W. M‘Gregor will preach a sermon on temperance in the Presbyterian Church, Kaiapoi, at which members of the G >od Templar order are requested to attend. Public Meeting. —A meeting will be he'd this evening in the Free Methodist Schoolroom, Bingsland, to discuss matters connected with the Avon Road Board District. Juvenile Minstrels. — The Moore and Burgess troupe of juvenile minstrels will give a performance to-morrow evening at the Gaiety Theatre. *y| ’ ..

The buried minere, says the “ Scientific American,” at Sugar Notch tried very hard, by pounding on the walls and doors of their were »nvp, Out -outaide The question is raised whether the long and distressing uncertainty as to their fate might not have been relieved had a microphone been employed. Also, whether it would not be possible to devise and mate known to all workers underground a simple code of microphonic signals, to be communicated by rapping and heard by moans of the microphone, whereby some sort of intercourse might be kept up between those without and those within a mine under such circumstances.

The popular idea that coral is formed by an insect busily working to build up reefs in the ocean, is erroneous. A piece of coral is composed of the skeletons of tiny animals that in life are covered with a gelatinous substance. More than a thousand species of coral animal hare been described by Dana in his work entitled “ Corals and the Coral Islands.” Of the sub-kingdoms into which the animal kingdom is divided, namely vertebrates, articulates, mollusks, radiates, and protozoans, coral animals belong to the radiate division. These creatures have no sense except a low degree of sensitiveness, and live in salt, clear water, having a temperature of from GSdeg. to 85deg. Pah. They do not live singly, but grow together in clusters, which start from a single, little animal, that is soft, oval, white, and jelly-like, and has the power of rapid motion. It attaches itself either to a rock or the sea bottom by one end, while the other spreads. Then a mouth, stomach, tentacles, and corporeal partitions are soon formed, and the last become guito hard from accumulations of particles of lime.