NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1832, 6 January 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

"WoBKa Committee. —The works committee of the City Council met this morning. Among other matters dealt with, the committee determines to authorise a well to be sunk to the lower stratum in Whateley road, and the surveyor was instructed to connect the tramway company’s artesian well with the tank in Cathedral square. It was also resolved to give notice to the contractor for the street tramway that he must only open up 100 yards of road at one time, as specified by the contract.

1.0.0.F..A.0., Bebeeah Lodge. —As will be seen by advertisement elsewhere, a meeting of Grand Lodge officers will be held at the Templar Hall, Worcester street, tomorrow evening, at 7.30 p.m., for the purpose of conferring the Kebekah degree on wives of members. An entertainment will afterwards take place, when the friends of members are cordially invited. Tickets can bo obtained from any member of the Avon Ledge.

A Wait, feom a Eepobteb.—On the principle that “ follow feeling makes us wondrous kind,” Mr Justice Johnston ought to be atricken with extreme friendliness to Press reporters occasionally, judging from some remarks that fell from His Honor yesterday. During the examination of a witness by the prisoner then in the dock, the questions and answers were conveyed in such a confidential, not to say mysterious manner, that they could not possibly be heard from the Bench. Thereupon His Honor admonished the prisoner and witness both, saying they must really “speak up,” and informing them as a physiological fact of considerable importance, that the “ effect upon the nervous system of constantly straining the ear to oatoh every word that was uttered, became painful and distressing.” How often might such an expression of opinion take the form of a wail, a dirge, a lament, or dismal howl, from the unfortunate newspaper reporter. Stbbet Tbamway. —The contract for the first section of the street tramway is making good progress, and gives promise of being completed within the allotea time. The line is laid from the railway station to Lichfield street, and the road has been opened up as far ss Cashel street.

HeatiiCOtb Road Boadd —The annual general meet ng of this Board was held today. A full report of the proceedings appears in another column. B.M. Goubt.—The only bu inoss done in the Court to-day was the fining of one old offender the usual amount for drunkenness”

Theatrical. The last papers from Australia are full of the doings of the theatres during the holiday season. At the People’s Theatre, in Melbourne, Mr George Darrell’s new play, “The Forlorn Hope,” is a brilliant success, the “ Argus ” commenting in eulogistic terms both on the piece and the author. The idea of the plot is certainly novel, and turns on the exploits of an Australian contingent, who volunteered to assist Old England in one of her European wars in which she is losing ground. The Australian “Forlorn Hope ” is of course suocesful, and rolls the tide of battle hack from the Mother country, return to their far away home, flushed with victory and full of honors. At the Theatre Eoyal “ Bland Holt *’ is the life and soul of the pantomime, which is locally adapted by Garnet Waloh, and based on the good old story of the “ Babes in the Wood.” The Opera Hous?, under the direction of Mr Lysler, has chosen “ Robinson Crusoe ” as the head of this year’s pantomime, and is as great a success as good music, good scenery, and good acting can make it. The Aeademy has fallen back on the fairy tale of “ Cinderella,” re-written and produced by Wybert Reeve, the part of the parental Baron being played by Ally Desring. The local critics go into ecstacies over the production. In addition to these attractions Melbourne is full of amusements, the Christmas carnival this year being unusually brilliant. Gaol Retubns. —The returns of the Canterbury Gaols for December show that during that month there were 146 prisoners in confinement at Lyttelton, 108 at Addington, and 36 at Timaru. The Lyttelton Orphanage. —The manager of the Lyttelton Orphanage yesterday reported the appearance of two fresh cases of diphtheria among the children at Q.uail Island. This proves that the epidemic has not been entirely removed as had been supposed. Road Board Rates. —The Roads Ordinance contains a provision that before a ratepayer can vote hia rates must be paid. This provision being carefully enforced in one particular district at an annual election on Monday, brought in upwards of £IOO in unpaid rates of 1879. Sydenham Borough Council. This Council held their usual fortnightly meeting last night. The business, reported elsewhere, was of the usual cboraotor, with the exception that the initiatory stops were taken for carrying into effect Cr. Joyce’s resolution for the division of the borough into wards.

Kaiapoi Resident Magistrate.— Persona who have business at the several Magistrates’ Courts in the northern district are anxiously inquiring when Mr Whitefoord may bo expected to return to his duties. His absence has been very much longer than was anticipated, and it is said a public representation of the matter will be made.

Jury Exemptions. —One of the railway employes —a cleaner and oiler—applied yesterday to his Honor to be excused, on the ground of his being a railway servant. On looking through tho Act, however, hia Honor said that ho could not grant the request, as the applicant did not come within the classes exempted by statute. Several jurors were excused from attendance, on tho ground of tho summonses only being served that morning. Distress in Ireland. —By the mail which closed here on Saturday, January 3rd, for Europe, Mr E. O’Connor, of Christchurch, forwarded to Galway tho sum of £2O, being the amount collected by himself and Mr J. O’Halloran, of Glentui, for the relief of tho distress in Ireland. The other collectors are requested to send what they may have in hand to Mr O’Connor, in order that he may be able to forward another instalment as soon as possible, as things are very bad in the West of Ireland. Subscriptions will be received by him towards the above object.

Gatekeeper Wanted. —For soma time it appears that the crossing at the railway line near the Kaiapoi station has been entirely neglected, and three or four accidents have

nearly happened in consequence. This is a particularly dangerous spot, as the presence of a train at the station, or its approach from either direction cannot be seen by persons driving vehicles from the north side of the crossing. As no notice has been given of the discontinuance of tho services of a gatekeeper at this crossing, those using the road naturally look for the usual warning signals indicating the approach of trains, and in the absence of such signals there have of late been some hairbreadth escapes. Ministers’ Association. The monthly meeting of this Association was held yesterday in Durham street schoolroom, the Bev. S. MeParlane, president, in the chair. Among other business the following resolution, moved by the Bev. J. Elmslie, and seconded by the Bev. A. Beid, was unanimously adopted:—“That this Association having hoard of tho likelihood of the Bsv. Mr Ohiniquy’a visiting this part of the colony, and being of opinion that his visit would in many ways be conducive to the furtherance of the interest of Bible truth, agree very cordially to bid him welcome.” The resolution was warmly supported by tho Eevs. Walker, Bichardson, Fraser, Dallaston, White, Peters, Baumber, and MoFarlace.

Public House Loafers.—Among tho cases heard at the Supreme Court yesterday was one in which a person named Patrick Moss was charged with stealing £7 from a man named William Wilson. It appeared that tho prosecutor, on the day in question, had taken several glasses of liquor, and tho accused took advantage of them being in a narrow passage together to extract the other’s money from his pockets. During the trial the accused (who gave evidence of possessing more than ordinary intelligence) assumed a very bold front, subjected the witnesses to a keen cross-examination, and concluded with an ingenious appeal to the jury. Tho Court made iuquiry as to the man’s character, and elicited ’the intelligence that he was well known to tho police as n public house loafer, although there was no record of a conviction against him. His Honor, in sentencing the accused (whom tho jury found guilty of the charge) said this was one of tho very worst class of such cases which came before that Court, the prisoner having shown himself to be an impudent loafer, trading upon tho weaknesses of his follows, He warned accused that he was the makings of a very bad criminal, which might be said of all his class, and that unless his punishment acted as a warning to him there was every likelihood that he would spend the greater part of the life still left to him in penal servitude.

Ohiarini’s Circus.—This circus arrived at Ashburton on Sunday, by special train, and gave afternoon and evening performances yesterday, both of which were largely attended. They proceed to Timarn this morning. Accidents. —On Monday a man named Robert Nosbit White, while riding on a dray to Mount Thomas station, by some means slipped, so that his right foot was caught in the spoken of ,tho wheel and the ancle dislocated. Ho was taken to Rangiora and thence onward, by the last train, to the Christchurch Hospital, that the limb might be attended to. On Saturday evening the last train on tho north line to Amberley, near Baloairn, ran into a mob of horses and killed one of them. Tho owner of the animal has not yet been ascertained, Theatre Royal.—The Theatre Royal was very well attended last night, when the “ Man from America” was performed for the last time. This evening the comedy of “ The Honeymoon” will be revived on the occasion of tho complimentary benefit given by the management to Miss Ada Lester prior to her departure from New Zealand. The cast will include, in addition to the benefleiairo as Juliana, Mr Hoekine as the Duke Aranza, and Mr J. J. Wallace as the Mock Duke. The special attractiveness of this performance will doubtless ensure a large attendance of the admirers of Miss Lester, who during her engagement in Christchurch has earned tho good opinion of all frequenters of the Theatre. To-morrow evening the sensational drama entitled “ Lost in London” will be presented, for which new and appropriate scenery has been painted.

St. Andhkw's Sunday School. —The annual examination of this school took place on the last two Sunday afternoons of the year. The distribution of prizes took place on Sunday, when there was a large attendance, the schoolroom, which was very nicely decorated, being crowded. The Bev. Charles Fraser distributed the prizes, which comprised an award for each one of the scholars who had been attentive and regular during the year, valuable prizes being given to those who excelled in the various classes. It was announced that a similar examination would take place in future every two months,

The Druids, —The half-yearly summoned meeting of the Pioneer Lodge, No. 47, was held at their Lodge Room, Wellington Hotel, last evening. The balance-sheet, showing an increase of £6l 11s 3d for the half-year, was read and adopted The election of officers was then proceeded with, with the following results; —A.D., Bro. Samuels ; Y.A., Bro. J. Harris; secretary, Bro. B. Tucker; treasurer, Bro. Stening; A.D.B.’s, Bros. Gillett and Trembath; V.A.D.B.’e, Bros. Ditford and Robb; 1.G., Bro. Drummond; 0.G., Bro. Withingham ; Lodge surgeon, Dr. Campbell; minute secretary, Bro. Dench. Bro. Oppenheim, D.P., duly installed the various officers with the usual ceremonies, and after some routine business the Lodge closed. Works Committee. —At a meeting of the works commi’.tee of the City Council, held yesterday, Mr J. Barrett’s application to be allowed the use of the street roller for the purpose of breaking up Colombo street, in connection with the tramway contract, was granted, and the tender of Mr Wilson, for the supply of sand and shingle, was accepted. Other business of a routine character was transacted. . Kauri Gum in the Noeth. The “ Northern Advocate ” says that a £IOOO worth of gum leaves Whangarei every week. Of all the products of New Zealand this special item requires the least expenditure of labor or capital to produce. A gum digger can get his entire outfit for 30s, and the product of his labor is instantly marketable. Kauri gum, ordinary [scraped, is worth at present £l6 to £SO per ton in the Auckland market. Canterbury Building Society.— Monthly subscriptions and repayments are due this day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and 7 to 9 p m. Church Work Society. —A public meetin" to inaugurate this society, which was constituted at the last meeting of the Diocesan Synod, will he htld on Thursday evening, in St. John’s schoolroom. Bis Lordship the Bishop will preside, and the meeting will be addressed by the Yery Eev. the Dean, of Christchurch, Archdeacon Dudley, the Eevs. W. C. Harris, E. A. Lingard, H. C. M. Watson, A. Davidson, and Messrs H. B. Webb and W. C. Walker.

Supreme Court. —The criminal sittings of the Supremo Court commenced yesterday. True bills were found in most of tho cases, but the Grand Jury will meet again this morning to dispose of the remainder, among which are the rioting oases. The Court adjourned at half-past six till ten this morning. A report of the proceedings appear •Ise where.

More Terrorising. —Some time ago a sporting Northumbrian took his wife to Newcastle to witness a championship skiff race. The pair made for the High Level, where they took up a favourable position. “ Thor, they’re off,” cried the Northumbrian as a prolonged shout rose from the vast assemblage. “De yer see thim, Jinny,” he added excitedly, turning to his better half—“do ye see tbim 7 ” “ Yis,” enthusiastically responded Jinny, “aa see thim. The little steamboat’s gannin to win." Her error was pointed out, whereupon she turned upon her husband and exclaimed, 11 Whaat, ye beggor, whaat 1 De ye mean to say that ye've browt ua aal the way to see a cuppil iv halfclaithed men ridin’ on planks ? Stop till a get ye hyem I ” A Peasant’s Coat. —Heie is a Chicago recipe for making a Bussian peasant’s coat : —'Take an old tattered blue dressing-gown, and use it twice as a mop to clean np a stable floor. Next rub wheel-grease into the lower half, and let it dry black and hard in the sun. Next sprinkle the upper half with hard lard and candle.droppings, not forgetting to give tho sleeves a double quantity. Next wipe off a street'crossing with it thoroughly, choosing a particular muddy day for the trial. Next wet it with cabbage soup (the favourite food of the peasant 1 ), and tear several holes in its surface. Finally, let your dog sleep in it for two years.

Who is the author of the riddle on cod I It wants polish, but it is clever enough to make one surprised that it is not more generally known. The riddle, it will be observed, is given double ; Out off my head, and singular I am; Cut off my tail, and plural I appear; Cut off my head and tail, and wondrous fact, Although my middle’s left, there's nothing there. What is my first 7 It is a sounding sea. What is my last 7 It is a flowing river. And in their mingling depths I wander free, Parent of sweetest sounds, though mute for ever. —“ Harper’s Bazar.” A gentleman who was interceding with Bishop Bloomfield for a clergyman who was constantly in debt, and had more than once been insolvent, but who was a man of talents and eloquence, concluded his eulogisai by saying;—“ln fact, my lord, he is quite a St. Paul.” “Y'es,” said the bishop, dryly, “ in prison oft.” When John Edwin, the comedian, was tramping through tho south of Ireland, on a professional tour, with three others, they requested him, it being a Sunday morning, to favor them with a discourse suitable to the day. He began as follows:—“In the fifth chapter of Job, verse the seventh, you will find these words:— 1 Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fiy upward.’ I shall divide this discourse and consider it under tho three following heads : 1. Man’s ingress into the world ; 2, a man’s progress through the world ; and 3, his egress out of the wo ’id.

New the winds that softly breathe, and the flowers that garlands wreathe, a gentle hint of summer in the mind implants ; and so do tho beetles and the spiders and the ants.