NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1872, 23 February 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Dunbdin Races.—The Rotomahana is announced to sail to-morrow, taking visitors for the above races. Assessment Cotjet. The Assessment Court for the city opened to-day at eleven o'clock, at the City Council Chambers, before Mr Mellish, Judge, when objections to the assessment of the south-eaßt ward were considered. The south-west ward will be taken to-morrow, the north-east on Thursday, and the north-west on Friday. It would be well for objecting ratepayers to be a little more careful, and put in objections in the form prescribed by the Act. Deputation.—To-day Mr Rolleston received deputations of the Christchurch City Council with regard to endowments, and of the Board of Education with regard te financial matters. Mr Van Asch, the principal of the Deaf and Dumb Institution, ako had a lengthy interview. Mr Rolleston goes North by the Taiaroa to-morrow. Mb Mosiet's Leotube.—Mr Mosley delivered his promised lecture, criticising Mr Chiniquy's utterances, on Saturday night in the Oddfellows' Hall. There was but a small attendance, and the interest manifested was on a par with it.

H.M.S. Cobmokant. A great many, probably not less than one thousand persons yesterday visited this man-of-war now in port. The visitors were permitted the utmost liberty in looking over the ship, every part of the vessel, from the officers' quarters aft to the ruen'3 forward, being open and accessible to them. All manner of information also was freely given by the seamen, each one acting as ohaperone to the particular Darty of visitors he chanced to fall in with. The orew purpose giving a minstrel performance in one of the places of amusement before the vessel leaves, the receipts to be appropriated to some charitable fund. Their oompany of performers—" The Steel Lining Troupe " —were highly complimented at Wellington.

Sunday Tbading.— The effects of the favorable judgment obtained by Mr Stringer in the Magistrate's Court in the case of the Police v Henry Marks, was made apparent last night. Many of the minor shopkeepers, such as fruit and refreshment sellers, hairdressers, &c, took advantage of Mr Mellish having pronounced the Act for the better observance of the Sabbath inoperative in Christchurch, to open their shops, and after sundown especially many of them did a lively trade. Little knots of people were congregated outside their doors, apparently attracted by the novelty of the thing. How long the Legislature will permit the innovation is, of course, problematical, but in the meantime many of the shopkeepers are taking time by the forelock and keeping open.

Te Whiti's Faith. A correspondent sends the following to a Northern contemporary : —" A confidential letter from Te Whiti, in reply to a deputation sent from Ohinemuri, will throw some light upon the political situation on the Waimate Plains. The letter signed by Te Whetu Marama, stated that on no consideration would the Natives fight. After many positive assertions that his theory of God's actions was correct, he pointed out the extraordinary volcanic action now going on, and said that a power far above mortals would, by destroying the world, put an end to the whole affair. The letter ended by asking the Natives not to treat the mp.tter lightly, as he was thoroughly convinced that he was correct. Hokixika Shipping Business.—At a meeting of the Hokitika Harbor Board lately, attention was drawn to the number of vessels lying useless at the wharf, viz., the Lioness, Eliza Firth, Mary-Bannatyne, Lizzie Guy, and the Zephyr. It was contended that these vessels ought to be charged for, as they might lie there for years.

Tejiplaby.—Bro. R. Evans, Bangiora, has been elected District Deputy of this Order in the northern district. RAKAIA AND ABHBUBTON FOBKB Railway.—Arrangements have been mad* by the directors of the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway Company with the G-overnment to work the line, and Mr Back is making arrangements to commence running in a few days. University Senate.—The Senate sat from 10 to 12 o'clock on Saturday, and immediately after the adjournment a deputation appointed by the Senate on Friday, waited upon the Minister of Education in reference to reserves for higher education and privileges of medical schools.

Ibish Relief Fund.—The shadow pantomime performance at the Theatre Royal on Saturday afternoon attracted a large audience, principally juveniles, who were highly amused by the various scenes, &c. Professor Hughes intends delivering lectures on " Thomas Moore," at Ashburton, on Tuesday, Temuka on Thursday, and Timaru on Friday, the proceeds of which will be handed to the fund CO OPERATIVE LAND COMPANY.—A general meeting of the shareholders of the above was held on Saturday evening, at the old Oddfellows' Hall. Mr Walker occupied the chair, and briefly explained the action of Mr Treadwell with regard to the oommittee. Resolutions were carried endorsing the action of the committee in severing the connection of Mr Treadwell with the company, and the meeting then adjourned. Tbadeb' Picnic. —The weather on Saturday was especially favorable for the holding of the picnic of the combined ironworkers and wheelwrights of the city. The party, to the number of 300, went out by special train at 9 a.m. to Southbrook, and spent the day very pleasantly in Mr W. Moir's paddock near the mill. The arrangements were under the maangement of a very attentive committee, of which Mr Watts was secretary. During the day a number of sports were got off. An opportunity was also given for dancing to the music of the Battalion Band. The excursionists returned to town at 6.15 p.m. Inqukst at Woodeitd.—On Saturday an inquest was held at Thompkin's Royal Hotel, before O. Dudley, Esq., Coroner, and a jury, of which Mr H. Hinge was foreman, touching the death of the boy William Judson, son of Mr J. Judson, farmer. The evidence of the mother of the deceased and two uncles, aged respectively 11 and 7 years, who were with him when the horse kicked deceased in the bowels, was taken. Dr. Ovenden stated the result of his post mortem examination. The jury returned a verdict that death was caused by accident. Oddfellowship. —On Friday night a juvenile branch of the Loyal City of Norwich Lodge of Oddfellows was established at Lyttelton under what is considered favorable circumstances, there being no loss than twenty youths initiated. P.G-., Bro. Sowden and Bro. CHfford, P.Q-., were present and delivered short addresses, explanatory of the aim 9of the new branch. The working is similar to that in the adult lodge, and the members receive just half the benefits provided in the senior lodges. An election was held and the officers were installed by Bro. Sowden. It is said to be the first juvenile branch in the province, and as the rules admit boys of from ten to seventeen years of age, it is almost certain to succeed. Sasioan Intelligence. Files of the Samoan "Times" have been reoeivedat Auckland to January 4th. They contain little news of interest. A shock of earthquake was felt at Apia on the 23rd. The United States G-overnment has informed the United States Consul at Apia that a commercial agency has been established at Pagopago, including only the island of Tutuila. Mr Matthew Kinikin has been appointed vice-commercial agent for that place, with consular functions only, and all judicial matters arising within the agency must be brought under the attention and consideration of the United States Consul at Apia. Intbbpbovincial Boat Racb.—The weights of the Canterbury crew are as follows :—J. O. Jones (bow), lOst 61b ; T. Tayler (2), lOat; J. R. Evans (3), lOst 91b ; L. M. Ollivier (stroke), 13at; C. Dixon (cox.), 6st. The Otago men arrived on Saturday morning, bringing with them a new four-oar built by Clasper, and fitted with the latest improvements, including 20in. sliding seats, &o. They have taken up their quarters at Sumner, where they will practise on the Estuary. The course to be rowed will be the old champion course, winning at Monck's Wharf, and the race will be rowed in the evening, so as to get the top of high water. Dunedin Cup Sweep.—Cookson's sweep on the Danedin Cup will be drawn to-night (Monday). City Council.—The usual weekly meeting of the City Council will be held at seven o'clock this evening. Mutual Benefit Building Society.— The monthly meeting of this society will be held to-day between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Ellesmebe Jockey Club. A general meeting of this club will bo held on Tuesday evening at the Southbridge Hotel.

Venezuela was to be admitted into the Postal Union, save as regards post office orders and registered letters, from the Ist of January. The discovery of the existence of man in the pleistocene caves of Cappage, county Waterford, has led Mr R. J. Ussher to look elsewhere for the records of prehistoric man, and his researches have been rewarded by the discovery of a crannog, or old lake-dwelling, in the submarine peat of Ardmore, in the same county. Prior to Mr Ussher's examination the remains were regarded as those of ancient salmon weirs, or similar structures, and his discovery consequently shows the desirableness of examining accumulations of a like kind elsewhere.

The engineer of the San Paulo railway in Brazil has hit upon a novel way of utilising the old iron rails which have been superseded by steel, by making them into telegraph peats, and thus overcoming the trouble and annoyance occasioned in all tropical countries through the destruction of the wooden posts by ants. These rails, when originally laid down, cost £ll per ton, and the steel rails which have displaced them have cost only £4 10s.

Miss Thompson is still at Portsmouth, engaged upon her picture delineating the scene at Rorke's Drift. The painting will probably be one of the features of the next Royal Academy Exhibition. The lady artist has had a miniature Rorke's Drift erected in the garden of the house where she is staying.