NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1757, 7 October 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Thb Unemployed. —We understand that the Wet a Pass section of the Northern Hailway is quite full, and that more applications arc being received for employment in the Albury Railway than can bo granted at present. The work is let at prices by which able bodied men can earn a maximum of six shillings per each working day. As the Government have put these works in hand with the sole object of finding employment for men who cannot possibly get it elsewhere, it has not been considered advisable to give the full current rate of wages. Benefit to Miss Lottos and Mb Le Clair,—To -morrow, a benefit will be given to Mias Loftus and Mr LeClair, when the performance will take place at the Oddfellows’ Hall, where the company will appear to far greater advantage than in the Gaiety. A special programme has been prepared for the occasion, and it is positively the last appearance of the company in Christchurch. Resident Magistbate’s Couet. —William Trembath was to-day charged with stealing two hand-saws, value 6s, the property of Isaac Burt. A good deal of evidence was taken, which occupied the Court until the Court rose for tho purpose of allowing Mr Mellish to attend at the Supreme Court. On his return the case was concluded by it being dismissed, Mr Mellish stating that the prisoner left the Court without the slightest stain on his character. The New Torpedo Coeps. —The first torpedo corps in New Zealand has been formed in Wellington. It is composed, says the “ Post,” of officers of the telegraph department only. At a meeting of the corps, held on Saturday evening last, Dr. Lemon was elected president; tho following gentlemen were then unanimously elected officers : —Captain, Mr A. T. Maginnity ; first lieutenant, Mr B. O’Halloran. We are glad to hear that the Government has signified its intention of rendering tho corps every possible assistance, for the coips is one which would prove of immense advantage to us should a difficulty ever arise. Both Sydney and Melbourne havejtheir torpedo corps, and we understand that they are looked upon with the greatest favour by tho Governments ; we therefore hope our Government will deal liberally with the new corps, and lose no time in providing this valuable acquisition to our volunteer force with the first necessaries towards making them useful, namely, a steam launch or two and a supply of inexpensive torpedos and materials for making same, for purposes of drill and practice. It has been decided to limit the corps to officers of the telegraph department for the present, and the decision seems a wise one, as every officer of the department gains some electrical knowledge, which with a certain class of torpedo is indispensable; in addition to this they gain a mechanical knowledge and the use of delicate instruments, and are therefore better qualified for the duty of torpedo defence than those who have not had the apportunity of gaining this knowledge. From the hearty manner in which the members have initiated the movement, we predict for the corps a great success. There arc at present about forty members enrolled. Harmonic Society. —The final rehearsal of the Harmonic Society will be held this evening at St. John’s schoolroom, when the tickets of admission for the concert at St. Michael’s schoolroom, on Thursday evening, will be distribated. Entertainment. —An entertainment, including refreshments, will be given at the schoolroom, Papanui, in aid of the funds of St. Paul’s Sunday school, on Wednesday evening next.

The Libel Case. —ln the Supreme Court yesterday his Honor mentioned, with regard to tho case of Regina v Matthew Henderson for criminal libel, the Crown Prosecutor had declined to prosecute. Hence it would rest with the private prosecutor to take means to proceed. If he did not do so before the Grand Jury were discharged, he was liable to have his recognisances to prosecute estreated. However, the Court would not move in the matter unless asked to estreat them, and the case would simply drop. The prosecutor not appearing before tho Grand Jury were discharged yesterday, no bill was presented, and the prosecution came to an end. The Pariiiaka Meeting. —ln addition to what has already been reported concerning this meeting, the “ Taranaki News” learns that Te Whiti stated that the pakeha is a pumpkin, and the Maori is a worm at the root of the vine on which the pumpkin is growing. He also said that had the Government gun fired during the excitement respecting the ploughings Tohu would have taken the matter up. Canterbury Building Society. —By advertisement in another column it will ho seen that subscriptions and repayments to this society are due to-day.