NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1891, 16 March 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Runaway Gab. —This forenoon a horse attached to a four-wheeled cab driven by Matthew Goodger took fright at the appearance of the tram cars and bolted. He started from the corner of Cathedral square, dashed up High street, and in turning the Oashel street corner collided with another vehicle, the consequence being that both vehicles were much damaged. Fortunately no one was injured. Mbssbb Austin and Kibk's New Chihnsy.—Messrs Austin and Kirk's Company, limited, opened this afternoon their new chimney, which is the highest in New Zeeland, being some 130 feet high. It is in connection with a large brick kiln that is in course of erection. A number of friends left at two o'clock to inspect the structure, and some whose nerves were of the best were hauled up by a windlass to the top, where a platform was erected. Thb Totausatob.—Mr S. Franck is at present in Christchurch with this ingenious instrument. Mr Franck has purchased the patent for this colony, and it is his intention to proceed against anybody using his own or any nri»«» tntalisator. There appears to be no chance whatsoever of fraud in li»o un o£ Mr Franck's instrument, and its application is very simple. Speaking broadly, the totalisator is au instrument on the face of which are a number of (say 15) dials, and at the top of the instrument a sum total dial. The difference between Mr Franck's totalisator and those heretofore in use in New Zealand is this. In the latter, when a number was marked on one of the minor dials, the manipulator had to add the sum himself to the sum total dial. Mr Franck's instrument is automatic, and on a number being marked on a minor dial the sum is added automically, to the sum total dial- This is a most important diffdrenoe. Supposing the instrument to be used for racing purposes, it can be " locked" when the betting is concluded for every race, and the backers, who are each provided with tickets, take a note of the sum indicated for their horse and the sum total, and can then calculate exactly what will be due to them if their horse wins. The totalisator can be used for a number of objects other than betting. It could be used for scoring at cricket, for checking receipts at the bar of a hotel, for keeping tally of goods in a custom-house, for checking receipts at a theatre—in fact to call it a betting instrument is a mistake. It is a mere numerical register, with a total dial worked automatically.

Thh English Mail.—This mail arrived in the steamer Arawata, at six o'clock this morning. Altogether there were 173 bags, fifty-five of which were for Ohristchurch. Resident Magistrate's Cotjet.—To-day those not over filial sonß, William and Alfred Hall, were ordered to pay, the former 8s and the latter 4s per week, towards the maintenance of their mother.

Cbickbt.— A match is to be played at Hagley Park on Saturday next between the Sydenham 0.0. and Press 0.0. The following members will represent the former: Messrs Easton, Willett, Chambers, J. H. Espenett, G. Fisher, Hebden, Matson, F. Hall, E. Pavitt, Paul, and Jebson; emergency, Beare, Round, and George. Play to commence at 2 p.m. Tub Tramway.—The tramway cars recommenced running yesterday, and ran throughout the day.

Sydenham Bobough Council.—ln consequence of the illness of tha town clerk, which prevented his attendance last night, the fortnightly meeting of the Council was postponed until next Friday evening at the usual hour. Municipal Offices.—The City Council last night passed a resolution to ask the ratepayers to sanction the raising of a lean of £SOOO to form a fund for the erecti n of offices for municipal purposes, Mayor's Court, &o. St. John's Chubch, Rangioba.—On Sunday 'he Bishop of Ohristchurch administered the rite of confirmation to a number of candidates, and subsequently addressed them -pecially, as well as applied a portion of his remarks to the large congregation. His Lordship preached to a crowded congregation in the evening.

Nabbow Escape.—On Saturday evening a man who was standing at the edge of the Kaiapoi railway platform, was nearly caught by an approaching tr&in. Mr Bourke, stationmaster, seeing his danger, dragged him back not a moment too soon, as in another instant the man would have been drawn on to the line.

Muff Cbicibt Match.—The return match between elevens selected from the publicans of Ohristchurch and from the Muff Cricket Club, took place yesterday, and resulted in a victory fur the lai ter. The publicans set-red 37 and 38 respectively in their two innings, the Muffs making 103, thus winning the match in one innings with 29 runs to spare. Watek Supply Schemb.—The report of Mr fiUckwell on the alternative water supply scheme was submitted to the City Council last n'ght. It comprises the obtaining of the supply from artesian wells sunk to the second stratum, and raised to a oertain height by means of a hydraulic turbine. The full text of the report appears elsewhere. Mb Abthtjb Skbtchlby.—This gentleman repeated his very clever and amusing entertainment at the Academy of Music last night, when there was a capital house. The audience seemed most thoroughly to enjoy the various sketches, and the laughter and applause was frequent and hearty. Mr SketoMey appears again this evoning. Philosophical Society.—An additional ordinary meeting will be celd at the rooms of the Institute on Thursday next, at 8 p.m., when the president will road his opening address on "The Progress of Applied Science in Ciuterbury."

Lxttblton Poiicb Coubt. Henry Leader, belonging to the barque Inglewood, was remanded this morning, until to-morrow, on a charge of deserting from that vessel. The prosecuting witness, the master, was present, and there was no objection made on the part of the police to go on with the case. The Justice of the Peace, Mr Allwright, on the Bench, when remanding the accused, said he oould sympathise with the prisoner having to go without being heard, but his case required two Justices in the absence of the Resident Magistrate, and, the latter having failed to attend, he was unable to do otherwise than ta remand him to custody. Skating Kntketainmbnt. —An exhibition by Lillie, Queen of Skates, and Professor Taylor, who is called the champion skater, took place in the Oddfellows' Hall last evening. There was a good attendance, chiefly of persons who took part in the exercise that formed the subject of the entertainment, but there were also a number of spectators, and the performances proved sufficiently amusing to recompense the latter for their visit. Professor Taylor and the Queen of Skates gave some clever exhibitions of their skill on the skates, a means of locomotion which appeared to be so perfectly natural to that lady and gentleman as to call for frequent manifestations of approval from the spectators. Some races took place during the course of the evening, and the successful competitor was presented with a prize. There will be another performance this evening. Thb Rbtibw.—The preparations for the Easter Volunteer Review are progressing very satisfactorily, the committee having received notifications up to date from about 1400 visitors of their intention to be present on the occasion. The accommodation provided will be ample, and the review is expected to be thoroughly successful.

Naval Volt/ntbbb Coscpastt.—For some time past a number of gentlemen in Christchurch have been interesting themselves in the formation of a volunteer naval brigade, such as exists in Auckland, Dunedin, and Wellington. The names of persons desirous of joining have been taken, and a memorial has been prepared for presentation to the Defence Minister, setting forth the wish of a number of citizens on the subject, and the steps already taken to ensure success.

The Hbathoote Regatta.—Mr H. Thomson waited on the City Council last night with reference to their requesting the citizens to close for half a day on Wednesday, the 24th instant, on the occasion of the Heathcote regatta. The Council, whilst declining to accede to the request, agreed to close the City Council offices from noon of that day.

Lobubn SOHOOIi Coksiittbb. —At a meeting of the Lobura snhool committee, held on Saturday, March 13th, for the purpose of appointing an assistant mistress to the school, it was decided to still further adjourn till Saturday, March 20ih, as the committee were anxious to obtain more information from applicants, to whom letters had been sent, but no replies received.

Thbathb Royal.—" Life in the South" was played again last night, and went very well. To-night Lord Lytton's fine play of "Richelieu" will be performed, with Mr Hoskins sustaining the character of the Cardinal, one of his finest impersonations, and Miss Florence Oolville Julie de Mortemar. To-morrow night, being St. Patrick's night, the Irish drama entitled "Kathleen Mavourneen," will be performed.

Thk Aootdbnt to Mb Stephbhs.—Our cable message from Sydney on Saturday informed us that Mr Stephens, mate of the Wakatipu, had met with an accident whilst engaged in unloading the vessel. We regret to learn that the injuries sustained by Mr Stephens are so severe that there is little hope of his recovery. Both thighs have been broken, and his baok injured to such an extent that his extremities have become paralysed. No particulars have as yet been received as to the manner in which the accident happened. Thb Ybab 1881.—The year 1881 will be a mathematical curiosity. Prom left to right and from right to left it reads the same ; 18 divided by 2 gives nine as a quotient; 81 divided by 9 and 9is the quotient. If 1881 is divided by 209, 9is the quotient; if divided by 9, the quotient contains a 9 ; if multiplied by 9, the product contains two 9's ; 1 and 8 and 9, 8 and 1 are 9. If the 18 be placed under the 81 and added, the sum is 99. If the figures be added thus, 1,8, 8,1, it will give 18. Beading from left to right is 18 ; and reading from right to left is 18 ; and 18 is two-ninths of 81. By adding, dividing, and multiplying, 19 99's are produced, being one 9 for eaoh year required to complete the eantury. Gbass Fibb at Rakaia.—On Sunday morning a fire broke out in the tussocks and spread over a large portion of the township extension, reaching up to Sodtown and destroying several chains of gorse fencing. The fire also broke into the Government plantation and burned a large portion of the trees. A great many of the people at Sodtown turned out, and in some cases carried their furniture out of their houses. Fortunately, however, the fire did not reach their dwellings. The people of Rakaia turned out with commendable zeal, and succeeded in beating down the fire, which again burst out at about eight o'clock, but was soon extinguished. Engineer Cadets. —Members of the Engineer Cadets are requested to muster at the drill-shed at 7 p m. sharp on Wednesday evening to make final arrangements for cadet review at Waimate at Easter. Thanksgiving Sebvtcb. —There will be a harvest thanksgiving meeting in the Bible Christian Church, Aldington, this evening. A public tea and a public meeting will be held afterwards.