NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1745, 23 September 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Thk Mayobalty.—We understand that a requisition asking Councillor Ayers to stand for the Mayoralty in November is being passed round. It is, however, pretty generally considered that any movement towards the choice of the new Mayor is, at present, premature. The Town Ham Designs.—At the usual meeting of the City Council last evening, the Council decided to go through the information on the subject of the erection of Town Hall, &c, in committee, and to select the one considered to be best adapted to the wants of the city, subject to the consent of the competitors. It was also decided that the plans be returned to the competitors, and that no premium be awarded. Thk Gotebnkbnx Ceook.—Or. Oherrill has given notice of the following motion for next meeting of the city Oounoil: —" That, in the opinion of this Council, the action taken by the late City Council relative to the erection of the clock and tower presented to the city by the General Government was. illegal, and that therefore it will be undesirable to carry out the arrangements made, and that the disposition of the clock and tower be left in abeyance till the decision of the ratepayers has been taken re the new municipal buildings." Accident. —Last night in the early part of the entertainment of the Loftus troupe at the Gaiety Theatre, a man, whose name is unknown, was forced by the crush in the gallery over the stairway, and fell heavily against the door. He was picked up insensible and conveyed home. E Battery New Zealand Abtilxeby. —As will be seen by reference to advertisement in another column, there will be a special full dress inspection to-night at 7.30, of this Battery, by the officer commanding the district. No leave will be granted. Maintenance of Stbbbts. At this morning's meeting of tho works committee of the City Council the question of thoroughly repairing all the streets within the city and keeping them in a proper sanitary condition, was carefully considered. This question is one which haß for years past exercised the minds of the municipal authorities and the public generally, especially with reference to private streets, a number of which have from time to time been taken over by the City Council, but there are yet a great number still acknowledged as private streets remaining in a state of neglect. It is now propose to deal with tho question finally and in a general way, so that uniform sanitary measures may be observed throughout the city. At to-day's meeting of the works committee it was resolved that the surveyor be instructed to form and channel Moa place, New street, and Taylor's lane, by way of putting them in a proper sanitary condition. This may be looked upon as the first instalment of the work to be done in this direotion. Other private streets will follow, and the Council will then tako them over.

Shock op Eabthquake. has been received by telegraph that a smart shock of earthquake was felt at the Bealy at four o'clock this morning. Resident Magistbatb's Coubt.—To-day T. M. Reid, a saddler's anorentice, was charged with the larceny of saddlery from his master to the value of £7. Tbiß he had sold to Mr Ingles, a butcher, and bis son. The Bench animadverted severely on the conduct of Mr Ingles in the matter, and in consideration of the lad's youth and previous good conduct he was dealt leniently with and discharged, his father having to entar into a bond for his re-appeeranee, if necessary. Cornelius VanModgoudrosi wpb sentenced to one week's impiiionment, with b»rd Hbovr, for the larceny of a blanket. Inquest.—The adjourned inquest on the body of the male infant found in the Hirer Avon last Sunday week was held this morning. Dr. Nedwill was the only witness examined, and after hearing his evidence, the jury at once returned a verdict that the child was found "Still-born."

Masonic—-The installation of the officers for the 'ensuing year of tbelCaaterbury Kilwinning Koyal Arch Chapter, No. 136, S.C., will take place at the Canterbury Masonic Hall, this evening, at 7.30. Our Counoii,. —At the usual weekly meeting last night a good deal of business was gone through. It was determined to hayo a special meeting on Friday next, to consider the Town Hall matters.

Sydenham Bohot/gh Cor/NCiii.—A special meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council was held last night to get through ai/ears of work left from their last regular meeting. New Joubnal.—The first number of a new tri-weekly morning paper, to be called the " Guardian." will be issued at Ashburton on Saturday next. It will consist ot eight demy pages, and be specially devoted to the agricultural interests. The paper will be of decided anti-G-reyito principles. Fatal Accident. —A man named James Oairns, a farmer, residing near Waterton, was killed on Saturday afternoon. Deceased wason his way home from Ashburton in company with Thos. McQ-ee and Shepherd, two neighbours, and all three were riding on a dray loaded with grain, belonging to McQ-ee. They were nearing Wheatßtone when deceased, who was sitting on one of the shafts, fell under the wheel, which passed over one side of his body and the side of his head. The unfortunate man, on being raised, ejaculated " I am badly hurt," and falling back, died immediately. At an inquest held at Waterton yesterday a verdict of " Accidental death " was returned. Sudden Death.—Dr. Florence died suddenly at his residence, Caledonian road yesterday. The cause of death is said to have been apoplexy. Theatbe Roval. —The " Streets of [London" was played again last night to a very poor house. This evening a comedy by Mr Wybert Eeeve, entitled " Won at Last," wi" be performed, in which the principal characters will be sustained by himself and Miss Ada Lester. As the piece has achieved sufficient popularity to run for two hundred nights in London, it ought to possess sufficient merit to attract one good house in Christchurch, On Friday night Mr Eeeve will take bis farewell benefit prior to hiß departure for Australia. On the occasion "The Oorsican Brothers" will be produced, together with Mr Reeve's original play, " All for Her." Not an Expbbt.—During the hearing of the case of Morten v. Attwood in the District Court yest rday, one of the witnesses stated that the filly in question had her "foal's" hair on. Mr Joynt, who was examining the witness, seemed quite astonished by the answer, and asked the witness what he meant by the filly having her "false" ha : - on. Amidst the laughter of his Honor and the other members of the bar, the witness explained more clearly what he meant. Mr Joynt admitted that he did not know a great deal about equine matters, but was aware that false hair was exceedingly fashionable. Gaiety Theatbb. Considering the weather, there was a very large attendance at the Gaiety Theatre last evening, when the Victoria Loftus Company made their second appearance. The programme of the preceding was repeated, and was received "with applause by the audience. The sketches of Messrs Le Clair, Sarony, Watters and Kelly, and MoCarthy and Ricky were particularly appreciated, and the Misses' Esmond, Victoria Loftus, &0., were also well received. To-night, the same bill will be given, and to-morrow the first change of programme will take place, when, in addition to new sketches, dances, &c, the burlesque of "Fin Fin " will be produced. This is a burlesque on the opera of " Ernani," in which is introduced much of the original music of the opera. Owing to increased accommodation in the way of tioket places, the large audience wat more easily accommodated than on Saturday evening. Agbioultubai, and Pastobai. The season has been one of the best for agricultural operations for a period of over ten years. The autumn crops are well forward, and nearly all the spring grain is now sown. The weather of Monday will bring the grass and crops well forward. The previous week's dry weather had a tendency to _ check the growth of vegetation. As a lambing season, experienced flockmasters state that this is one of the most profitable which they have noted for several years, as the percentage of increase in the flocks has been very large. The grass is daily improving, and the ewes are as a rule in good condition, while, with the fine, open weather, the lambs have made a splendid start on the pastures. Shpbeme Oot/bt Civil Business.—Says the "'Wellington Chronicle :" —We are sorry to find that during the present year of grace there has been a most alarming increase o f litigation in the Supreme Court. From the year 1856 to tho present month, 1809 writs have been issued, of which no less than 508, or nearly one-third, have been sent out during the past eight months. If even the present progress of litigation be maintained until the end of next year (and the activity of the lawyers is likely to suffer no decrease), a,B many actions will have been commenced in two years in the Supreme Court as were set in motion in the whole of the past twentythree years. A Railway Bbidob on Fibb.— The " Southland Times " says that as the train from Winton was coming along on Thursday evening, and had just crossed the first creek this side Winton, it suddenly came to a standstill. Passengers .were quickly looking out of the window to ascertain the oause, when, to their astonishment, the bridge the train had just over was observed to be on fire. Evidently burning embers from the engine had fallen upon the dry timber and ignited it. The guard, noticing this, stopped the train, ran back to the bridge, and succeeded in extinguishing the fire by dipping water with his hat and throwing it on the burning timbers. It is lucky the fire was observed, or the bridge would, in all likelihood, have been destroyed.