NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1774, 27 October 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Rakaia-Methvbn Railway. —This now railway, which is to open up a considerable section of the Canterbury plains on the west, is now almost completed, the formation being within five miles of Metbven, starting from the Rakaia Junction. At this rate the railway will very soon be ready for the formal opening. Municipal. —The works committee met today and decided to instruct the surveyor to proceed with the channelling, &0., of certain private streets. In the finance committee, the Town Clerk was instructed to issue summonses against the owners of properties where the tenants have not paid. Missionary Meeting.—A meeting will be held to-night at the Colombo road Wesleyan Church, in aid of the Wesleyan Home Mission and Extension Fund. Addresses will bo given by Revs. A. Reid, Beck, Smalley and To Koote (Maori minister), with anthems by the choir. A large gathering is expected. The Druids. —The residents of Sydenham, following the example of Bpringston and St, Alban’s, are about to start a lodge of this order. Already they seem to promise a good muster on the opening night. Mr Bower, of the Waltham Hotel, will receive applications. A meeting is to be called on Friday evening next to arrange the preliminaries. The Moeeaki ~ Branch Line. —The “ Oamaru Mail ” says : The celebrated Moeraki branch railway is being dismantled. The rails, which are being torn up, will, with the woodwork of the viaduct, be utilised in the construction of other and, we trust, more useful, railway works. Foresters’ Fete. —At the forthcoming

gala day of this society a very handsome cup, of the value of £ls, presented by Bro. Borti, will bo competed for in a running match between the past officers of the society. The cud is an elegant trophy, and is surmounted by* a deer, one of the emblems of the order. Robbery. —An impuden robbery was committed on the premises of Mr Cutler, cabinetmaker, on Saturday morning. The proprietor had left his shop for a few minutes on busi-

ness, and on his return found that someone had entered and taken away a number of tools and 19s in silver. Mr Cutler does not know the thief, but ho at once gave information to the police of his loss. Mbs Hill’s Benefit. —The benefit tendered to Mrs Walter Hall by the Foresters’ Dramatic Society, takes place this evening at the Theatre Eoyal. Apart from the claims the society have upon the public for the good cause in which the performance is given, the bill itself should draw a crowded house. It comprises scenes from '• The Hunchback,” the farce of “The Spectre Bridegroom,” and the romantic drama of “The Three Clerks.” Fibe AlAßM. —Some anxiety was caused in the city on Saturday evening by the reflection in the sky to the eastward of what appeared to be an extensive fire, and the attention of the police was soon attracted by this appearance, although no alarm had been given. Sergeant Morris at once called up the Lichfield street look-out, by means of the telephone, and from him it was ascertained that the fire was caused by the burning of some gorse in the direction of Bingsland. Subsequently it was ascertained that a large amount of cut gorse had been fired to destroy it, in a paddock near Mr Livingstone’s farm.

New Jo venal. —The first number of “ The Malvern Independent,” a weekly journal printed and published in Sydenham,but which is to circulate in Malvern and adjacent districts, was published on Friday last. The principal article in this number is one in which an interesting comparison is drawn between the Malvern district as it is now and as it was a few years ago, concluding with the following prophecy : —“ Our progress and increase of population has indeed been rapid, but the Malvern district is at present in its infancy, compared with what it is destined to bo in the immediate future, when it will take its place as one of, if not the most important in New Zealand.” Waixabi. —Mr Saunders, in his place in the Assembly, asked Government if they would erect and open a telegraph station at Waikari during the present year, pointing out that it was an important town north of Wcka Pass, and the natural centre of a large agricultural district. Although the wires passed through there was no station, and the late Government, he said, had forgotten the place. Mr Hall replied that the Government would, during the present financial year, take steps to establish a telegraph station at Waikari. This will be exceedingly satisfactory to the residents and persons engaged in business there. Child ken’s Sebvicb. The diocesan children’s services at the churches of St. Michael and St. John yesterday were largely attended, all the schools being fully represented, Lectvbes. —A lecture was delivered at Greendale on Thursday last, by the Rev. T. Hauxwell, the subject being the Life of Scott. There was no charge for admission, and there was a large and appreciative audience. A lecture was given by the same gentleman at Hororata last Wednesday on the Life of Burns.

St. Maby’9, Meeivalb. —The first quarterly service for the special benefit of the communicants in connection with this church was held on Friday evening last. Upwards of sixty communicants attended. The service was the shortened form of evensong chorally rendered, the anthem being “ Incline thine ear to me.” The Bishop delivered a very eloquent and appropriate address.

A Runaway. —Another case of carelessness when in charge of a vehicle resulted yesterday in a runaway, which, fortunately, was not attended with serious consequences. A man named William Jones had got out of his cart in Montreal street North. His attention being otherwise engaged, he did not see that the horse contrived to rub his blinkers off, and getting frightened, made a bolt. After crossing the bridge he went at a rattling pace along Oxford Terrace, and was finally brought up near the old Post Office by the heaps of road metal, between which he pulled the cart, so that the bystanders could easily check him. No damage was done to the horse or cart. The Steonghold op Pebsonal Gotebnment. —It is high'time (says the “ New Zealand Times”) that the personal Government policy in Native affairs were abolished. The history of the deliberate course of political lying which has been adopted in order to conceal the truth in respect to the Ohinemuri outrage is alone enough to convince any impartial person to what abuses that system of government is liable if its exercise is allowed to fall into untrustworthy hands. When the member for Olive was asked what it was the then Opposition could not do as well as their political opponents, he said—“We can’t lie like them.” The history of the Pukehanga outrage verifies his assertion. Shipping Questions. —At a meeting of the Victorian Shipowners’ Association, held in Melbourne, October 10th, it was decided to ask for an interview with the Commissioner of Trade and Customs on the following subjects : —l. The desirability of colliers being allowed to work at all hours without payment of overtime, and in the case of other vessels that they should bo allowed to work eight clear hours per day without hindrance, 2. To call attention to the loss caused to

coasting vessels being compelled to wait in 'Hobson’s Bay for the boarding officer before being allowed to proceed up the river. 3. To urge the Government to allow Melbourne owned vessels in the foreign trade, whose masters hold exemption certificates, to pilot their own vessels when not absent from the port more than six months. 4. To ask permission for masters of all ships “ sign articles ” on board, but in the presence of the shipping master, Kntbbtainment. —An entertainment was held in the Upper Heathcoto schoolroom on Friday evening, October 24th, in aid of the funds of the Lincoln road Band of Hope, consisting of dissolving views, kindly given by the superintendent of the Band of Hope, Mr J. D. Heliowell. There were also singing and recitations, the president, Mr J. Hepworth, doing the reading. The whole passed off very successfully, and the youthful operator received a hearty vote of thanks for his kindness.

Revision op List of Justices. —On Thursday last Mr Murray asked the Government —If there is any regulation providing for the revision of the list of justices of the peace, and also against bankrupts continuing to sit on the Bench or act as justices of the peace ? Mr Rolleston replied there were no such regulations. The matters was very important and required their most carefp.i consideration,

The Ghost.— There ■wore good houses at both performances of Professor Jonas’ spectrescope on Saturday. The exhibition will be giyen in Lyttelton this and to-morrow evening. Winslow Sports.— These sports will he held on New Year’s Day, and promise to be a great success. Concert. — Mrs E. Long announces that she will give a concert at the St. Michael’s schoolroom on Wednesday evening, November sth, at which she will be assisted by her pupils and several musical friends. A very excellent and attractive programme has been arranged. Public Meeting.— A public meeting of the supporters of the Hon. John Hall will be held this evening at the Lecston Hotel. City Council.— The usual weekly meeting of the City Council will bo held this evening. Sydenham Borough Council. The Sydenham Borough Council will hold their usual fortnightly meeting this evening.