NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1701, 2 August 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Thb Unemployed.—With reference to “Argus’ ” letter that appeared in our issue of yesterday, Mr Kent wishes it to be stated that it was not the secretary who had promised his room during the day time for the distribution of the funds collected but himself, who acted as treasurer. Mr Kent’s room has always been at (he disposal for the above purpose without any charge whatsoever. Mr Kent further wishes it to be known that the books containing the items of account are in his possession, and can be examined by any one who wishes. Resident Magisthate’s Ootjbt.—To-day, one inebriate was fined 10s. Jane Price, the mother of five children, applied for an order to protect her property! and earnings against her husband, and to compel him to contribute towards their support. The protection of her earnings was granted, but, as Mr Hellish looked upon her husband as incorrigible, ho sent him to gaol for one month with hard labor. Oanteebhey Wheat. —It will be some satisfaction to our farmers to know that, although the yield «f wheat last harvest was so deficient, the quality|of it is much esteemed. Messrs Redfern, Alexander and Co. hare written to Mr Gould as follows :—“ Your long berried tuscan wheat is valued equal to Adelaide, an 1 we have succeeded in placing part of your shipment ex Waikato at 49s per quarter, which is the top quotation for wheat in this market.” A Dansebous Peaciice. —Both yesterday and to-day much inconvenience was at times experienced on account of the gas being suddenly shut off in many parts of the town for short periods. The danger of such a proceeding is evident, and it is to bo trusted that the Gas Comnany will do their best to prevent the recurrence of such a hazardous and annoying circumstance. Weslbyan Chuecit, Colombo Road The opening of the new galleries at this Church will be celebrated tc-morrow. The Rev. J. S. Smalley will preach in the morning, and at the service fifty young ladies will present their offerings at the communion, and be presented with a souvenir of the occasion. In the afternoon, Mr J. Blmslio will officiate. On Thursday, the 7th, there will be a grand sacred concert, with addresses and refresh ments, admission one shilling. On Sunday, the 10th, the Revs. Baumber and Reid will officiate, and on Thursday, the 1-lth, there will be a juvenile entertainment. Monstbu Teotjt.—As a gentleman, who is a practical fisherman, was passing over Gloucester street Bridge this morning he saw three trout in the stream below. Oao ho calculated was 2ft. Sin. long. A Despondent Hangman.—Lately the Victorian hangman, was hooted by boys at Richmond when drunk. He attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat, but was overpowered by three strong men. Chinese Cigarettes.—Several children res ding in the neighborhood of Walker street, Dunedin, having shown By in p tons of suffering from congestion of the lungs, the cause has been traced to the smoking of Chinese cigarettes bought by the youngsters. The cigarettes, on analysis, were discovered to bo a compound of bad tobacco, snuff, and opium.

The Man at the Wheel Checkmated.— The following interesting item is extracted from the Glasgow “ Weekly Herald” of May 3 r( ] ; “An ingenious detector compass for the use of masters of a vessel has recently been patented by aMr H. A. Severn, from Auckland, New Zealand. The compass is primarily intended to be located in tbo captain’s cabin, and is so constructed that it acts as a detective on the man at the wheel. Having ordered the vessel to be kept on a certain course, the captain sets his tell-tale compi-B and warned of any alteration from prescribed course by the ringing of a bell, which continues till the course has been resumed. By the aid of this contrivance, a osptain can retire to his cabin with the certainty that any failure to carry out his orders or any neglect on the part of the nai at the wl a 1 will to instantly detected 1 while those left in charge will naturally be mors careful when they know that a detector is at the captain’s ear. Action against a Road Boaed.—At the Oxford Court on Thursday a verdict for damages was given against tho Cust Road Board for leaving rails near a road so as to cause a hawker’s horse to ehy and upset his van.

Sale of Mein’s Estate.— Messrs Matson and 00. offered, at public auction this afternoon, the estate of Mr Mein in Hereford street. There was a good attendance at the rooms. The property was started at £2OOO, and eventually knocked down to the Hon. George Buckley for £2500. At Last —Mr Acton’s Sir Bevys, winner of the English Derby, was piloted to victory by George Eordham, the celebrated English jockey, who retired from the turf with a fortune which he lost in speculation, and consequently had to take to the saddle again. This was Eordham’s first appearance in the saddle for a month after suffering a trying illness, and it was also his first Derby win. In his long and honourable career Derby honours have been denied him, and so frequent have been the disappointments that it became almost an article of faith among racing men that Eordham could not win a Derby. A Musical Madman. —King Louis of Bavaria now treats himself nearly every week to an exclusive grand opera. He won’t have another sonl in the auditorium; observing one night lately that his superintendent of theatres, Baron von Perfall, had ventured to remain in one of the boxes during the performance, he addressed him aloud and ordered him out. A footman stays outside in the passage to convey after each scene the King’s praise or blame to the artists. Any singer who chances to displease the musical autocrat is immediately dismissed. The Eibe in the' Baptist Church.—A few days ago the trustee* of the Baptist Church forwarded a cheque for five pounds as an acknowledgment of the efforts of the fire brigade in extinguishing the recent fire in the church. Mr Superintendent Harris in reply thanks the trustees, and says further:— “ I have now to ask that you will kindly allow us to return the cheque for the benefit of your Sunday school library (which we regret to hear was burnt) or for any other purpose your trustees may think proper.” The Opposition. —The report that a large sum has been subscribed by the members of the Opposition for the purpose of securing their re-ehation is utterly untrue. The Missing Man Gordon. —Reports were current yesterday that the hat and whip of the missing farmer, Gordon, had been found, but after strict enquiry it was ascertained that there was no foundation for the rumor. A hat had been found, but it was not Gordon’s, and the whip was altogether apocryphal.

The Metropolitan. —The entries last night for the C. J.O. Handicap, Welcome Stakes and Canterbury Cup were very satisfactory. For the 0.J.0. forty-one have been nominated, nineteen for the Welcome Stakes, and twenty-one for the Cup. Nett Zealand Paper. —We (Dunedin “Herald”) have been shown two specimens of paper made by the Otago Paper Mills Company, Limited, which they intend to exhibit at-the Sydney International Exhibition. The paper in question is a fair reflex of New Zealand itself. The material is thoroughly good and substantial, but the manufactured article is not highly finished. The specimens of paper in question are, first, a heavy brown wrapping, which is strong, tough, and well calendered. The other specimens is a much lighter make, suitable for drapers’ use. These specimens show a great advance upon the piper manufactured at Woodhaugh two years ago.

The Coming Elections. —ln the event of a general election Messrs Richardson and Steven* intend to stand again for Christchurch, and Mr Rolleston for the Aron district.

Acknowledgment. —Mr Superintendent Harris has received the following letter, enclosing cheque for £5, in aid of the funds of the brigade, from Mr B. W. Walters, whose workshop was recently destroyed by fire —“ Christchurch, Ist August, 1879. Mr Harris, Superintendent of Fire Brigade,— Dear Sir, —I beg to offer you my warmest thanks to yourself and the members of the brigade, for the great exertions used in arresting the fire in my premises on the morning of the 30th July, and enclose you a cheque for the sum of £5, which please place to the fund* of the institution. —I am, dear Sir, yours very truly, R, W. Walters.”

Government Life Assurance —Mr J. Kennedy Brown, travelling agent forthoN.Z. Government Life Assurance, will deliver a free lecture at St. Paul’s schoolroom on Tuesday evening next. East Christchurch Schools. The schools of the educational district of East Christchurch will be closed for the usual term vacation of a fortnigjht.