NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1710, 13 August 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

N.Z. Shipping Company.—The annual general meeting of the shareholders of this company was held at noon to-day. There was a large attendance, Mr J. L. Coster, chairman of directors, occupying the chair. The report and balance-sheet were taken as read. The chairman, ip moving their adoption, made a brief statement of the position of the company. Messrs W. Reeves, O. W. Turner, and the Hon. B. Richardson were elected as directors, and Messrs D. Craig and A. Oarrick as auditors. Votes of thanks were passed to the directors, general manager, staff afloat and ashore, and to the chairman.

Embezzlement. —A person namei James McGinnis, of Waimate, was arrested this morning by Detective Benjamin on a charge of embezzlement to the extent of over £IOO, the property of Messrs Dunn and Frost, who were his partners in business at the Waimate.

Resident Magxsteatb’b Court. —There was but little business before the Court today. William Ryan, for stealing a pair of boots, was, as there was no previous conviction against him, sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment with hard labour.

Christchurch Reform Association. — The above association is steadily working. It has secured offices in Colombo street, opposite the Bank of New Zealand. Dr. Turnbull has been elected president, and a large committee support him. The association, we heard, was to be composed of electors only, but we find that the name of the vice-president, Mr Isett, one of the employes of the “ Lyttelton Times,” is not on the roll. So we presume that the association has extended its liberality in more ways than one. Shipping Abuttals. —The New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited, has received cable advice dated the 11th instant, of the arrivals at London from Lyttelton of the Piako, Maraval, City of Quebec, and Arethusa, all well.

Town Hall Designs.—A meeting of the sub committee appointed in relation to the designs for the Town Hall will be held tomorrow, at four o’clock p.m., for the purpose of receiving the report of the quantitative surveyor. The Wicked Doll-Makbes. —Children make strange remarks. A four year old said the other day to her maternal parent—“Mamma, I don’t think the people who make dolls are very pious people.” “ Why not, my child ?” “ Because you can never make them kneel. I always have to lay my doll down on her stomach to say her prayers.” Poetry on the Thames.—On the news that the Premier had defied the House to refuse supplies, reaching the Thames, a local poet with a vivid imagination immortalises the circumstance in the following stanza : “ Yours but to vote Supply, Yours not to reason why, Your Opposition I defy, Pass the £6,000,00.”

Electoral.—The Hon. Edward Richardson and the Hon. J. T. Fisher offer themselves for re-election for the City of Christchurch and Heathcote districts respectively. Daemonic Society.—ln consequence of the wintry weather, and the absence of the conductor through indisposition, there was no rehearsal by this society last night. A rehearsal will take place next Tuesday. Kowai Pass. —A lively meeting was held in the school-room, Kowai Pass, on Mondav night, in connection with the change of name of the Kowai Pass to Springfield. A report will be found elsewhere. New Zealand Rifle Association. —At the meeting of Volunteers held last evening,jafter parade, to appoint a member of committee to represent Canterbury in the New Zealand Rifle Association, Major Lean was unanimously re-elected. The question of the attendance at inspection parades during the volunteer year counting towards total points, twelve being the maximum, was considered at the close of the meeting at Nelson. A caucus was then held, at which it was resolved to protest against the retention of this rule. Last night, however, on the motion of Captain Warner, seconded by Captain Hawkes, it was unanimously resolved that it be retained.

Oeanoeism. —The usual monthly meeting of the No. 2 Purple Star took place at the Orange Hall last night, when there was a large attendance of brethren and visiting brethren from sister lodges. The election of officers took place as follows :—W.M., Bro. Stapleton; D.M., Bro. T. Anderson; secretary, Bro. W. 0. Fleming; treasurer, Bro. J. Hogg ; committee, Bros. Beresford, Bussell, Holmes, Williams, and Diflin. A considerable amount of business was transacted, after which the lodge was closed, and the brethren adjourned to refreshment, when a pleasant evening was spent. Larceny. —A man named William Bjan was arrested yesterday afternoon on a charge of stealing a pair of boots from the shop of Thomas Yates, shoemaker. Mr Tates happened to see the man as ho was walking away, and suspecting him followed, and on seeing the man cuter a pawnbroker’s shop and offer the boots for sale, gave him in charge. Inquest.—An inquest was held yesterday, before the coroner, Dr. Coward, in the house of Mr Buchanan, Durham street, on the body of Wm. Edward Buchanan, an infant. The medical testimony was to the effect that the child had died of congestion of the lungs, and a verdict was returned accordingly, Theateb Royal. —The Hudson Surprise Party appeared last evening at the Theatre Boyal to a very good house. The violin playing of Miss De Day, the ballads of Miss Burton, and the comicalities of Messrs Hudson and Wallace, were the principal features in the programme. To-night will be the last appearance of the company in Christchurch. The Volunteers. —A battalion parade of the head quarters corps of Volunteers took place last evening at the drill shed, under command of Major Lean. There was a good attendance. At the conclusion of the parade Major Lean spoke of the order from the Government to send up to Wellington twenty of the Snider rifles in the possession of each company. He trusted that this order would be cheerfully obeyed, and in return he hoped to receive a number of muzzle loaders until the new supply, now coming from England, should arrive.

Lecture. —The last of the winter series of lectures in connection with the Young Men’s Christian Association was delivered last evening in the Congregational Schoolroom, Manchester street. It had been arranged that the Rev. E. Walker should read the Rev. Joseph Cooke’s celebrated lecture on the “ Concessions of Evolutionists,” but, owing to Mr Walker’s indisposition, the Rev. H. O. M. Watson undertook the task. The chair was occupied by Mr J. H. Twentyman, president of the association, who opened the proceedings by a few pertinent remarks on Mr Cooke’s present work and the value of his lectures. The lecture was listened to attentively by a very fair attendance of members, which, but for the inclemency of the weather, would probably have been larger. The evening closed with the usual votes of thanks to the lecturer and chairman.

Sydenham Borough By-Laws. —A special meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council was held last evening, the Mayor presiding, at which, according to notice given at last meeting of the Council, by-law No. 1 was adopted and stamped with the seal of the Sydenham Borough Council. Subsequently another meeting was held for tho confirmation of certain resolutions as to building regulations which it is proposed to enforce within the borough. The following resolutions were carried :—l. “ That the adoption of the resolution that the Council make a by-law to regulate the erection of verandahs, posts, porticoes, and projections over any street or footway within the borough, the providing for spouts and drains from houses within the borough, the providing for crossings over or along footways and channels within the borough, tho obstruction of streets within the borough by cattle, and the depositing of building material, erection of stages and hoardings, excavating cellars, &c., within the borough, be confirmed.” 2. “ That the adoption of the resolution that the Council make a by-law for miscellaneous purposes, in connection with and in furtherance of the good order and government of the borough, bo confirmed.” 3. “ That the adoption of tho reaction that the Council make a by-law for the prevention of fire within the borough, be confirmed. The meeting then adjourned.”

Thu Pbemier and the Finances. —Tho “ Timaru Herald ” of yesterday, after commenting on the neglect of the Premier to make a financial statement, says :—The Appropriation Bill has actually passed without the House having any intelligible information at all as to the financial position of the colony. We need hardly say that this is the first time that such a thing was ever done ; and there can be no question that, if any other course had boon open to them, the House would have been in the last degree to blame for consenting to it. By advising a dissolution after a defeat on the Address, and by wasting the short time that remained at the disposal of the House, however, Sir George Grey had left no other course open to them. They had to consent, no matter how unwillingly, to a proceeding aa dangerous to the country as it is disgraceful to tho Premier.

Thb Kaitangata Fond.—Were it not for the very best and unquestionable authority (says the “ Bruce Herald,”) we might hesitate before making the following brief assertions regarding the management, or rather “ mismanagement” of the Kaitangata Relief Fund, It will hardly be credited, that the largest weekly payment “doled out” to any of the families of the unfortunate miners who were killed, is 30s for a family of eight; and that a good many of the children have got so low in the articles of their wardrobe, that they are actually unable to sufficiently protect themselves against the wet and cold. This is, however, the solemn truth, and such is the miserable and deplorable result obtained, after a princely sum of £15,000 has been placed at the disposal of the committee for the relief of the widows 'and orphans. We are utterly unable to find words sufficiently expressive of the disgust and disappointment we feel, and which, we doubt not, will be readily shared by hundreds who may learn these facts. Wo may add that three highly respectable gentlemen, residing in the neighborhood of Kaitangata, are instituting a private inquiry into the various cases ; and in due course the public will hear the result of thsir labors.

The Escaped Peisonee Flowers. —The “Inangahua Herald” says: “Constable Bennett and Mr Michael Bourke returned to Reefton last night, after an absence of ten days, duiing which they searched the countiy for traces of Graham Flowers, for whose apprehension a warrant was issued. After leaving Reefton they followed up the south branch of the Inangahua river to its head, thence followed the Marn : a to its junction with the Buller, and following that river to its confluence with the Inangahua, returned to Reefton. Altogether the journey was a very perilous and arduous one. Food and shelter were alike scarce, and it was only due to singularly fine, clear weather, having regard to its being the depth of winter, that the explorers were enabled to get through at all. As it was, the snow lay in places to a depth of 6ft., and the tracks, where visible, are described as thoroughly impassable. The journey had of necessity to be performed on foot. During the ten days a distance of 170 m : les was travelled through a wild and mountainous country, at the worst season of the year. The energy and pluck displayed by Constable Bennett and his companion are most commendable. Their efforts, however, were unrewarded with success, no trace of the fugitive having been discovered.” Malveen Railway.—The contractor for this work is making good progress. The rails have been laid for something like two miles beyond Sheffield, and from that point to the cutting at Kowai the permanent way has been formed. The station house is also being erected at the latter place, and the railway will probably be in working order in a few months. The Revision of Statutes.—Gentlemen of the long robe will (says the “Post”) find some interesting information on the subject of the propoted new edition of the Statutes in the report just presented to Parliament by the Commissioners appointed under the Reprint of Statutes Act, 1878 In the words of the report they (the lawyers) will find therein expressed what the Commissioners must do, what they might do, and what they could not do under the provisions of the statute. What they propose to do is to prepare Consolidation Bills which would be submitted to the Government before being introduced into the new edition ; to group the statutes alphabetically, according to their most appropriate headings j and to afford ample cross references, to enable ordinarily intelligent persons consulting the work to find what they want without difficulty. The Commissioners reoemmend that the form, type, and paper used in the recently revised edition of the English Statutes be used, and also advise the adoption of stereotypes as affording more convenience in arrangement and obviating the necessity of striking off at once more copies than are wanted. It is calculated rcughly that the labors of the Commissioners will be expended on more than seven hundred Imperial and colonial statutes, will be contained in four volumes of 1000 pages each, will occupy two years to complete, and will entail a cost (for the first edition of one thousand copies) of £4OOO, a considerable portion of which will, of course, be reimbursed. The proposed price is from £8 to £lO the four volumes.

Me Wallace's Benefit. —To-night Mr Charles Wallace, who is well known here, takes his benefit at the Theatre Boyal. As a negro comedian, Mr Wallace has achieved great success, and he has also made himself a universal favorite with the Christchurch playgoers. It is therefore only to be expected that on the occasion of his benefit hie numerous triends will give him what ho deserves —a bumper house. Sefton. —A public meeting is to bo held at gefton this evening, to take into consi loration matters relating to the drainage of tbo district, and the creation of a Conservancy Board. West Eteeton. —The Court under the Land Tax Act for this district will be held on August 26th, at Rnngiora. Ashley County Council. —It is expected that a meeting of this Council will be held on Tuesday next, at Rangiora, to consider the question of tho proposed division of the county. Sydenham Valuations.—ln order to suit the convenience of the residents in the Sydenham Borough, all objections to the valuation list of that borough will bo heard at the Borough Council office, Sydenham, in place of tho Resident Magistrate’s Court-house, Christchurch. Ihe day of hearing is fixed for the 22nd instant, at 10 a.m. Poultry Association. —The annual general meeting of the Poultry Association, for the election of officers and the reception of the report, will bo held this evening, at the Shades. Kaiapoi Borough Council. —A special meeting of this Council as a Board of Health will probably be held on Friday evening, to consider the question of tho nuisance from tho stagnant water on the Beach road. Soiree and Ball. — A soiree and ball, in aid of the Protestant hr iss band, will be held in the Orange Hall, Worcester.jetreot, to-morrow, the 14th inst. _