NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1851, 28 January 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Irish Distress Committee. —The subcommittee appointed yesterday to confer as to the desirability of holding a fete in aid of the funds mot this morning. After viewing the matter'in all its bearings it came to the conclusion thatit would not be advisable to hold a carnival as suggested. The sub-committee will report the same to the general committee on Friday next. Acclimatisation Society.—The annual general meeting of the members of this society will be held at the Commercial Hotel this evening at 7.30. Hotel Employees’ Picnic. —A general meeting of hotel employees is called for Thursday evening to make arrangements for a picnic. Canterbury Coursing Clttb.—A meeting of the committee was held on Tuesday, at 4 p.m., at the Shades. Present: Messrs. A. Duncan, Anson, E. B. Hill, J. F. Miles, Judge, Deacon, Porter, and Walker (Mr Duncan, chairman). Mr Wynn Williams was unanimously elected President, and Messrs Anson and Walker were elected to the offices of Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Secretary respectively. Mr B. Ravenhill was elected to serve on the committee and the following new members were elected, viz., Mr T. W. Stringer, McEvoy, C. Leech, T. Bassett, J. Jones, B. Hall, J. Piper, C. Adkin, R. J. Walters, O. Aymess, N. Wolfe, D. McOuinness, W. Savage, R. Richardson. W. Lodge, and T. Bayley.

The Twite.—As there seems to he some doubt as to what variety of small bird the “ twites,” now on their way from England to Canterbury, belong, the following description, taken from “Terrell's History of British Birds,” may be read with interest: —The mountain linnet, or “ twite” finch, the Fringilla montana of Pennant and lAnaria montana of Gould, is distinguished from the common linnet, and from both the redpolo linnets, by the greater length of its tail, which gives this bird a more elongated and slender appearance ; and it is further distinguished by having a reddish tawney throat, but does not exhibit any red color, either on the head or breast, at any season of the year. There is however a tinge of red on the rump of the male in summer, and in the general character of the plumage of both sexes there is considerable similarity to that of the other species of the genius. This bird is a winter visiter only to the southern parts of England, where it is generally seen in small docks, with other linnets, but it breeds in the northern parts of England, in Scotland, and in the western as well as the northern Scottish islands every season. The mountain linnet, as its name would imply, prefers high hills and mountains, or at least an interchange of moor and fell. Its flight is rapid and undulated, and it flies in circles over the fields previous to alighting, uttering a soft twitter at intervals. It is plentiful in the Hebrides, and in winter frequents the corn-yards in large flocks, clinging to the stacks of oats and picking out the seeds. The bird has obtained its name from its peculiar note, which is considered to resemble the word “twite” in its sound. Its food consists of any eort of seed of small size, Coursing. —Entries for the Derby and Oaks Stakes close to-morrow evening at eight o’clock, at the Shades.

Cahtbbbuet Ykomanet Oavalet. —The drill instructor for this corps, whose advent has been looked forward to for some time, arrived yesterday from the North, and will enter on his duties at once. The Public Schools. —The various schools in the educational districts of Christchurch and suburbs re-opened after the holidays on Monday last. The attendance at all was exceedingly satisfactory, being fully up to the average. Municipal. —A meeting of the works committee of the City Council was held yesterday morning, at which the tramway bye-laws were considered, and it was resolved that the committee should suggest that the Council have power to regulate the number of passengers to be carried in the tram cars, so as to prevent overcrowding. Bhtchbhs’ Annual Picnic— The butchers of Christchurch held a meeting at Kiddey’s Hotel, last evening, Mr W. N. Cooper in the chair. It was decided to hold the annual picnic on Thursday, the sth of February. The offer of Sir Oracroft Wilson to place his paddock at their disposal was thankfully accepted. Oddpellowbhip. —A special summoned meeting of the Loyal Benevolent Lodge wn held on Monday evening last to elect a permanent secretary vice Bro. F. Hubbard, P.Q-., whose resignation has been regretfully accepted. There were three candidates for the office, and on the ballot being taken Bro. 8. H. Smith, P.V.GK, was elected and installed. The lodge was well attended, a number of district officers and visiting brethren being present. New Custom House Regulations. —lt is notified that up to the first of April the Customs hours for landing and shipping goods at the several ports of the colony will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on Saturdays, when the closing time will be 1 p.m. Prom April Ist to October Ist the hours are to be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bonded warehouses throughout the year are to open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m., Saturday’s excepted, when they will close at one o’clock.

Cabeibes’ Picnic. —The adjourned meeting of city carriers re the annual picnic was held at the Temperance Hall yesterday evening. The committee gave in a report showing that a good number of prizes were offered to be run for and that a band had been engaged for the day. It has been found advisable to alter the date of holding the picnic to Wednesday, the 4th of February, on which date the railway employes’ picnic takes place. A start will bo made from the Normal school at 9 a.m. Attempted Suicide. A man named Thomas Caabon, in the employ of Mr H. J. Parker, residing at Heathcote Valley, attempted to commit suicide yesterday by cutting his throat. At about one o’clock in the morning Mr Parker, on going into a back room of the house, discovered Casbon sitting in a pool of blood and his throat cut. On being questioned he said he had committed the act because he was in bad health and low spirits. It appeared upon examination that Oasbon had inflicted upon himself a deep gash in the throat, but the windpipe was not penetrated. He was as soon as possible conveyed to the hospital, whore his wound was attended to, and lie was pronounced out of danger. Casbon had been drinking lately.

New Zealand Rifle Association. — Those who intend taking part in the second prize meeting of the above association are reminded that the entries close on the 14th February. It is probable that the Canterbury Volunteers will this year send up a goodly number of representatives. Accident. —A man named Kingdon was yesterday received into the Hospital suffering from a broken leg. He was working for Mr Franks, a farmer, at Yaldhurst, and stepping off a combine and elevator missed his footing, and in falling broke his right leg a little above the ankle. Ho was brought in to town at once and, as stated, admitted into the Hospital. Ashbuhton Magistbate’B Couet. Several incorrigible drunkards were yesterday disposed of by the Magistrate at Ashburton. Amongst the rest were Piccolo Charley and Captain West. An old man was sent for nine months to gaol for vagrancy. Ho had been an inmate of the Home, but had cleared out from that institution on a drunken spree. A man named Bowles was fined 40s for using violent language on the railway platform,

Distress in Ibelani>. —The Irish Distress Fund committee met yesterday afternoon, in the City Council Chambers, and the whole question of adopting measures to augment the relief fund was fully discussed. The Mayor stated that the subscription list opened by him had met with success, and Father Qinaty informed the meeting that £2OO had been raised by the Roman Catholics of the community. Graham Flowers. —Respecting the lately surrendered fugitive the “ Grey River Argus ” says : —Graham Flowers arrived in Greymouth on January 21st, and gave himself up to Sergeant Moller. Ho was brought before his Worship the Mayor at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, charged with escaping from legal custody, larceny as a bailee of fifty-four head of cattle, valued £260, and cattle stealing. He was remanded till this day. It appears that he intimated to Mr Alcorn, of Totara Fat, his intention some short time since of giving himself up, and acting under that gentleman’s advice he, in company with Mr Alcorn, arrived in town as stated above, and surrendered himself. It would have been almost an impossibility to have captured Flowers unawares, as he resided in a hut on the top of a range, the existence of which was unknown, and from whence he commanded a view of the country for miles. Ho also possessed an advantage in being thoroughly acquainted with the district Mr Vrsbi Stewart’s Plans.— The following information is from the Wellington “ Post ” : —Mr Yeaey Stewart has now finally completed his negotiations with the Government for the establishment of another special settlement in the Tauranga district. Ho has purchased from them, under the provisions of the Dand Act of last session, the To Puke block, consisting of 15,000 acres, situated twelve and a half miles to the south of Tauranga. The land is almost all open, level, and of excellent quality, and there is a river navigable for small steamers running right into the centre of the block. Easy means of approach by land from Tauranga also exist. The price paid by Mr Stewart has not been disclosed, but it is not under £1 per acre, and the exact amount has been determined by Mr Percy Smith, the Assistant Surveyor-General. The conditions of settlement are identical with those already so satisfactorily carried out by Mr Stewart at Katikati. Most of the party of intended settlers have already been selected in the Home country, and no time is to be lost in bringing them out. All of them will possess some capital. The Macetown Reefs. —The correspondent of the “ Cromwell Argus ” writes : The reefs at Macetown are looking upin so far as business in scrip is concerned. The splendid returns from the Tipperary could not fail to raise some excitement, and when the report reached town the other day that the Gladstone bad struck it heavy, our “ comer ” men had a lively time of it. Quite an excitement prevailed. The Election Telegrams. —Re the Government telegram scandal, the “ Wairarapa Standard” publishes the following specimen, dated the 23rd of August, and addressed “R. Wakelin, Eaq., ‘ Wairarapa Standard,’ Grey to wn Oblige by taking no step which will compel you to oppose Mr Bunny. He has greatly assisted us, and showed great disinterestedness.—G. Grey.”

Coursing. —Owners of dogs are reminded that the entries for the South Canterbury Puppy Stakes, for an unlimited number of puppies, close on Saturday next with the secretary. Ambbrley Town Hall Company. —The annual meeting of shareholders will be held in the Town Hall, Amberley, on Monday, February 2nd, at 8 p.m. Canterbury Female Eefuqe. —The annual meeting of subscribers to this institution will be held at the City Council Chambers ou Thursday, at four o’clock. A meeting of the committee will be held one hour earlier. Heathcotb Racing Club. A general meeting of the Lower Heathcote Racing Club will be held at the Heathcote Arms Hotel on Monday evening next, at 7 30 o’clock. Acclimatisation Society. —The annual general meeting of the members of the Acclimatisation Society will be held this evening at the Commercial Hotel at seven o’clock. Railway Work. —Tenders are called for the erection of a goods shed at Dromore, on the main line of railway. The editor of the “Fort Plain Register” has his office and residence connected by telephone. Recently Mr Skidd, of Little Palls, an old friend, called on the editor and expected to remain to dinner. The editor hurried to the telephone and shouted to his wife, “ Mr Skidd will be up with me to dinner; lay an extra plate.” “Now" said the editor, “ Mr Skidd, you may converse with her.” As the gentleman was about to approach the instrument these words were plainly heard, “ You tell Mr Skidd we don’t keep a hotel on washday.” Mr Skidd excused himself for a few moments, and was next seen eating fried clams in the Rainbow Saloon on the corner.—“ Amsterdam Recorder.” It gives a man a vivid conception of the hollowness of all earthly things when he sees the commander of a barber shop with a head as barren as a bottom of a wash-bowl, and then reads his name ou a bottle of hair invigorator warranted to produce hyperion curls on a bald head in three months. An embryo tragedian has a new reading in Shakespeare's “Macbeth.” Instead of saying, “ Now I am in this sere and yellow leaf,” he reads it thus—" Now I am in this here, a yellow leaf.” He means to tiavel with the idea as soon as he can find a leaf big enough to cover him. The boy sat in the gallery At the female minstrel show. “I’m too far back,” he sadly said, In tones both soft and low. “ I'm too far back,” he sighed again, But he could no further go ; For he saw his sedate father’s head Loom up in the forward row. “Do you feel any pain this morning, dear,” said a thoughtful wife to her husband. “ Pain 1 No ! ” he said, loftily. “ Why should I?” “Well, you rolled down two pairs of stairs last night, when yon came home from the dinner party, and I had to get James to help me to carry you up. I thought you felt sore, maybe.” “Rush of blood to the head,” he said. “ I’ll go and get some medicine immediately, before I eat a bit of breakfast, I'm glad you told me, Catherine,’ The “ ounce of prevention ” theory may be all right, but you hadn't better poison a neighbour’s dog for fear he may some time bite you,