NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1759, 9 October 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Dinnee. —Mr F. 0. Bowler gave a dinner last evening to hie friends, to celebrate his taking possession of the Waltham Hotel, the late landlord, Mr J. Ackerman, going to find fresh Helds and pastures new. A long toast list was gone through, interspersed with songs and recitations. The Chairman (Mr W. Langdown), in proposing the toast of the evening (“ Host and Hostess ”), said that he had known Mr Bowler for a period of fifteen or sixteen years, and had always entertained the greatest respect for him, and hoped that his new venture would turn out a success.

A Sexagenarian.—An aged individual who had been summoned by the police to serve as a juryman at the inquest held this morning on the body of the unfortunate man Samuel Baldwin, appealed to the coroner to be excused on a novel ground. He stated that he was over sixty years of age, and his intellect was not over bright, and his appearance certainly corroborated this assertion. The Coroner excused his attendance, remarking that he himself was over sixty years of age, and he did not feel any diminution of his mental powers. Resident Magistrate's Court. A number of minor cases were disposed of today. John Jones, charged with forging and uttering a promissory note for £37 10s 6d, was remanded for eight days, pending the arrival of a material witness from Wellington,

Air Ingenious Excuse.—A good story is told of a man who, desirous of being thought younger than he really was, understated his age. Being convicted on the point, ho accounted for the discrepancy by the variation of clocks, _ A juryman at the inquest, held at the Hospital tins morning, had probably either heard the story or else had taken his cue from a remark passed by the Mayor last Monday at the Oity Council, respecting the mental confusion caused by the striking clocks in the city proclaiming the hour at the same time, or rather, one after the other. At all ■events, the tardy-gaited juryman excused his being late on the ground that all the clocks striking together had raised a doubt in his mind as to the actual time, and he did not carry a watch about him to arbitrate between the different clocks. The coroner blandly held the excuse a good one, and said no more. 1.0.G.T.—A public meeting will be held in the Templar Hall to-morrow evening, under the auspices of the Dauntless Lodge of Good Templars. The Revs. Richardson and Roast are announced to deliver addresses on temperance. Mr ®. 0. Cameron, Grand Worthy Secretary, who is on a visit to this city, will be present and address the meeting. Songs, solos, and recitations will be rendered by members of the order. Giving a Benefit.—A good story, says the “ New Zealander,” of a benefit concert that was given to a lady who was deservedly a favorite in the neighborhood, comes from one of the country districts. One of the chief promoters of the concert was a certain music master, who always took a special interest in such affairs. In order to make this one thoroughly successful, he hired a buggy and drove a considerable distance to fetch a young-lady whose; presence he considered indispensable. As a bit of by-play, we might add ' that he upset the buggy, and gave the young lady a thorough drenching, just before reaching the concert ,'room. However, the concert did not suffer from this. There was a good attendance, and the benefioiare had every reason to be satisfied with her prospects as regarded the surplus of receipts over expenditure. After waiting for some time, she received a bill for the hiring of the buggy |which had brought her friend to her assistance; but of the -proceeds of the concert she has heard nothing, nor is she likely to, as the music master referred to hasjsought other fields for his varied telents. A Bad foe Pobthbn.—Bays the Wellington Post:—lt must be a very .quarrelsome man who would'find fault with a postman because he did not bring him an expected letter, but strange as it may appear there are* plenty of persons whose reasoning powers are-so limited that :if they are disappointed in this respect they cannot go beyond the immediate cause of their disappointment. It does- not matter to them one straw whether their correspondent has failed to remit the promised missive—the -postman is the man who should have brought it, and if he fails to do that he: neglects his duty—at ‘least that is their opinion. .A casein which this absurdly wrong theory was developed to a most laughable extent was brought before the Resident Magistrate this morning, >vth«n a man named James Bent was charged with assaulting a letter-carrier. The defendant, who was not exactly-sober at' the time, went up to the postman in the-street, and asked for a letter. The official replied that he had none for him, whereupon Mr -Bent at once went for the postman, and knocked him-down. A >Long Teain.—The longest -train ever despatched from Lyttelton came through yesterday at noon. Tt consisted of eighty loaded trucks, drawn by two locomotives. The whole number of wagons loaded and despatched from Port yesterday was 204, -equal to 11120 tons of goods. The Metropolitan Show.—The last day for receiving entries for the annual show of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association is tha;3lst ■ inst. Prom the promises of entriea-all classes in the show are expected to be well filled. A number of private prizes, in addition to those given by the association, have been promised already. New Sunday -School.—The opening of the new Sunday School of -St. Saviour’s, Sydenhaiq, will itake .place this evening, the Yery Rev. the Dean of Christchurch officia-

ting,-and -will partly supply a want that has ■been long felt in the parish. Only a portion of the building has .yet been .erected, but it has been carefully designed, is remarkably well proportioned, and has been most caretfdlly built. 'The-architect, MrW. H. Espinott, has certainly made the most of the limited sum.at his disposal. It -is to be hoped that -before long the vestry may-see their way to completing the whole building.

Harstosic Society. —The -first concert of this society takes place this evening at St. Michael's schoolroom. The -final rehearsal on

Tuesday evening was well attended, - and from the manner in which -the various pieces were rendered -an .enjoyable performance may be expected.

Professor Jonas’ Ghost.—-On Saturday evening, Professor .Jonas will exhibit in the Oddfellows’’ Hall his marvellous ghost illusion, which report says has drawn crowded houses wherever it has been shown. The entertainment also includes what is termed a Cosmopolitan Variety Combination. Theatre Royal. The comedy of “Engaged” was repeated last night .at the Theatre Royal and went extremely well. This evening the performance will be for the benefit of Mr W. H. Lingard. The performance will comprise the favorite comedy “ Our Boys ” and Lingard’s inimitable sketches. The performance will be over in time to enable visitors from Lyttelton to return by the late train. Friends op Labour Loan and Investment Society.—A general meeting of members was held at the Market Hotel last evening, for the purpose of electing a trustee in place of the late Mr O. Collins. Mr Gwatkin presided. _ A discussion took place respecting the financial position of the society, which was considered very satisfactory. Mr Phipps was unanimously elected to fill the vacant office. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

Angling Society. —A meeting of anglers to the desirableness of forming an anglers’ society, will be held at the Commercial Hotel on Friday evening, at eight o’clock. Cricket Fixtures.— The following will represent the Christchurch Club in their matches with the Courtenay and Bichmond Clubs on Saturday next For Courtenay—Messrs H. V. Anson (captain), A. Ashby. J. A. Caygill, B. Cant, Arthur Johnstone, D. Lusk, Alex. Marshall, E. H. Turner, G. Wheatley, A. White, H. Fisher. For Bichmond—J. Lusk, A. Marshall, A. Thomson, A. Johnson, A. Washer, J. Nevin, A. Wilson, Collier, T. Hooper, H. Jones, O. Caygill; emergencies, W. Hepworth, G. Hepworth. Play will commence at 2 p.m. sharp.

The Eailway Band.— The following is the programme which will be played to-night by the railway band round the Qodley statue :—Quickstep, “The Guard of Honor” (E. Newton); overture, “Oneida Chief” (Verdi); valse, “ Leila ” (Ettling) ; fantasia, “La Vallee des Boses ” (F. Danriart); solo polka, “The Gem,” (Metcalfe); quick march, “My Dear Little Jessie” (J. Brophy); quadrille, “Autumn” (Arnaud); schottische, “ Morning Flower ” (B, Newton); quickstep, “My Grandfather’s Clock " (B. Smith) ; galop, “ Madcap ” (E. Smith); “ God Save the Queen.”

An Alienated Geeyite.—Among the passengers for the scene of Parliamentary ■warfare at Wellington, was (says the “ Auckland Herald ’’) the famous Sydney Taiwhanga. He was the bearer of a petition from the Maori electors whose names are on the Bay of Islands electoral roll, against the return of Mr John Lundon as member for the Bay of Islands and Mongonui district. Ho also intends to petition the Assembly on his own account against the return of Mohi Tawhai as Maori member for the Northern electoral district. Taiwhanga seems in great feather over his mission, having received a telegram from Wellington to hurry up. A pakeha friend was chaffing him yesterday about his resolve “ to die, if need be, for the great pro-consul,” but Sydney took the banter in the best possible humour. “ Circumstances alter cases,” said he, “ If Grey will not roll my log, I won’t roll his.” He also brings a charge against the Native Minister, of vile political ingratitude. That high functionary, after obtaining his (Taiwhanga’s) services to work the oracle for him at the Kopua meeting, turned round and accorded the Government support to his political rival, Hone Mohi Tawhai. This is the last straw that broke the camel’s back, and rather than die for Grey Sydney would prefer to live to bundle him out of office.

New Fire Kindleb,—A new kind of fire kindler has been perfected by Messrs Tasker and Co., of this city, which is calculated to prove of immense advantage to housewives.

It differs in form and substance from the class of kindlers previously brought into use, and has cost the inventor some labour to perfeet. The article has peculiar advantages in the summer weather, as, in addition to its use as a means to light a coal fire, it can be used alone for light cooking, and gives a sufficiently powerful heat to boil a small kettle, whil? it leaves no ash or dirt.

Kowai Rifle Club.—This club will commence their practice on Saturday, October Iltb, at the Leithfield range. There have been several meetings of late with a view to forming two contingents—one at Amberley the other at Sefton, which will raise the number of members to nearly one hundred. New rifles have already been purchased for the contingents. The annual meeting will be held at the Library Hall, Leithfield, on Saturday next, when matters of importance will be discussed. Legal.—His Honor Mr Justice Johnston will sit in Chambers at 11 a.m. to-morrow. Thb Native Obstruction at Waikaeh. —With'respect to the interruption of the survey at Waikare Lake, the Alexandra correspondent of the “ Waikato Times ” writes:— The news of Mr E. Edgecombe’s survey being stopped at Waikare Lake, has caused no little surprise amongst us, the obstructive natives being Sir George Grey’s particular protegees, who have accompanied him as a body guard, en grand ienue, in their war canoes, on his visit to the Ring Natives. On the other hand the Hauhaus appear not at all surprised. One of Tawhiao’s principal advisers remarked here, yesterday, “ It is the Government’s fault, all the-same as Waimate, Ohinemuri, and Hokianga.” That there is now great dissatisfaction, more than has been for years past, is undisputable, the name of the Government fairly stinking in their nostrils. Notwithstanding this, great preparations in planting food at Hikurangi for the usual March_ meeting, is going on. Tawbiao has had pieces of ground marked off for all the various hspus around the district, to plant with potatoes. Already a good number from Kopua and other settlements are there, getting their respective lots in crop. Lxttblton Regatta, 1880.—About fourteen members of the Lyttelton regatta committee met on Wednesday night in the Colonists’ Hall, Lyttelton, the vice-com-modore, Mr R. Puflett, occupying the chair. The meeting discussed the question of abandoning all further action in reference to the regatta, the feeling being that a sufficient interest was not taken in promoting it by the public. A motion was made to abandon further proceedings, and was seconded. This was afterwards by amendment changed to a notice of motion, the amendment being carried. At the meeting, therefore, to be held next Thursday night, should the committee not feel themselves better justified than at present in publishing a preliminary programme, the motion will doubtless be carried. Tt may be that by that time the gentlemen appointed collectors for Lyttelton— Mr R. Puflett and Mr O. A. Rich—will have obtained sufficient encouragement. The wish of the committeec is that they may, and that the public will show they hold a like opinion. The matter will be definitely disposed of next Thursday night. Bible Christians.—The quarterly meeting of this Church was held on Tuesday in the Temperance Hall, and there was an excellent attendance of officials. The disbursements for the quarter were met, a small balance remaining in hand. Messrs Reed, Smith, and iKnipe were nominated circuit stewards, lit was decided to open week night services at Templeton. The following resolution re Evangelization scheme wss passed::—“ That this meeting desires to express its hearty concurrence with the proposed -Evangelization scheme, and will do its best to supply the required number of visitors. At ■ 6.80 a social tea was provided, and was fully attended. The tables were presided over by Miss Knipe, Miss Ray, Miss Straw, Miss Dewar, and Miss Duncan. A public meeting followed, which was literally crammed. Mr J. Smith presided. The report, which was read by the Rev. W. H. Keast, pastor, showed the finances to be in a very satisfactory state, and the membership to be about eighty. Appropriate addresses were then given by Messrs Parry, Knipe, Farro, and-Cheverton. The Rev. W. H. Eeast was to have spoken on class meetings, but as the time was passed, he simply announced he would give a lecture on “ R. W. Dale on the Methodist Class-meeting,” next-Sunday night in the Templar Hall, Totes of thanks terminated a very interesting meeting. Thb Lobtus Troupe. The concluding performance of the Loftus Troupe for the season was given last evening at the Odd- , fellows’ Hall. The programme was a very good one, affording ample opportunity for ; each of the artists to display their talents to ; the best advantage. In the -sketch-of “The; Stage-struck Servant ” Mr Le Clair was very good, all the four characters assumed by him being capitally pourtrayed. Messrs Waters, Rickey, and_ Kelly .gave a triple .clog dance, which is quite a rarity in the colonies:; and Miss Leslie sang two ballads very sweetly. Mr Le Clair and Miss Loftus gave a new sketch, “ Moonlight Flirtation,” in which they both sang and danced in a manner evoking applause. Miss Minnie Esmond was encored in her song and dance, and Riokey and McCarthy were as amusing as ever in their Irish sketch. The burlesque of “ The Grand Duchess ” concluded the performance, • in which Miss Loftus, Mr Le Clair, and Mr 1 Savory were especially good. The company! leave for Dunedin to-day.