NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1894, 19 March 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Thh Sporting Libel Oasb.—The criminal information for libel brought by Mr Stead agtvinsfc the directors of the ' Olago Daily Times " Company was heard at the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day. Ultimately the case was adjourned to three o'clook on Monday, the evidence of one witness only being taken. Abt Union.—An art union of pictures, consisting of water color drawings and miniature oil paintings of English scenery, is being got up in aid of a distressed family. Some of the pictures aie on view in the shops of Mr J. M. Thompson and Mr McWilliams, in Colombo street, where tickets can be obtained. The paintings, although not Constable's or Gainsborough's, commend themselves on the higher ground of charity to the unfortunate.

Joubnalistio. --Mr James Browne, lately editor of the " Ashburton Mail," and formerly on the journalistic staff of the "Lyttelton Times," has accepted a post on the staff of the Wellington "Evening Post." Consultation at Post.—Mr Thomas McDonald gives notice that his consultation oa the Autumn Handicap will close next Wednesday at Lyttelton. Resident Magistbatb's Court.—At today's sitting the case against Elizabeth Hanson, charged with stealing two rugs and sundries, was dismissed, the Bench considering that there was a doubt in the case. Boabd of Education.—The Board of Education held their usual fortnightly meeting yesterd >y. The principal business brought forward was transacted in committee. Waikabi Tblegbafh Ofpiob.—The office obtained through the representation of Mr A. Saunders, M.H.R. for this district, is expected to be opened for public business today. Mr Wheeler, recently at the Oainaru station, has been placed in charge. Me R. A. Pboctob.—This gentleman, who is well known as one of the most celebrated astronomers of the day, who has been leoturing to crowded houses in Canada and the United States thiß season, will leave San Francisco for Auckland on April 12ch. Mb Abthub Sketchlby.—This gentleman repeated his entertainment at the Academy of Music last night, when there was a very good audience, who seemed most thoroughly to enjoy the adventures of Mrs Brown. Mr Bketchley will repeat his programme to-night for the last time." Thbatbb Rotal. neen " was played at the Theatre Royal for the second time last night, and will be repeated this evening for the last time. Tomorrow night the nautical drama of "The Pilot," founded on Ponnimoro Cooper's celebrated novel, will be produced, to be followed by the equally well-known melodrama entitled "Robert Macaire." Such a bill ought to ensure a full house. Sydenham Borough Council.—The adjourned meeting of this Council will be held this evening. City Council.—The special meeting of the City Council, to consider the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, will be held at seven o'clock 4k ; s evening. Bazaar.—-A bazaar in aid of the Primitive Methodist Churck, Grcendale, will bo held on the 20th and 27th prox. Cricket.—The following will play for Woolston second eleven against Melville House on Saturday afternoon next at Woolston :—Messrs. J. W. Davis, F. L. D.ivis, Sherriff, E. Smith, J.i Scott, P. Scott, A. McKinnon, Falconer, P«nnal, S. Herbert, and E. Buxton. The following will represent the Northern Cricket Club in their match with the Eastern next Saturday on Hagley Park:—W. Garrard, H. Wipze'l, E. Norton, A. Bay, E. Long (captain), S. Robinson, W. Mnmmery, F. Lane, W. Muir, A. Gapes, "tT. Ogier. Emorgenoy—R. Dowall and R. Tucker.

The New Divihg Apparatus.—The invention of Mr Floats bids fair to be of astounding interest. He is now exhibiting at the Royal Polytechnic Institution, London. Mr Fleuss puts on a helmet covering the entire head, and shuts off all communication with the outer air. He tben descends into the water, in which he remains immersed for an hour or more. During this time he is seen to move, pick up coins, and assume a partially recumbent posture. No bubbles of air are given off from the apparatus, and no communication is made with the surface. On emerging from his submersion, Mr Fleuss is slightly pale, but otherwise not seriously disturbed. Mr Fleuss is an Englishman, formerly an officer in the P. and O. Steamship Company, and he has been a year in completing his remarkable experiments. His invention is at present a profound mystery, but he sayß nothing is more curious than its simplicity. Cook's Toub.—Mr R. S. Smythe, who is favorably known in New Zealand as agent for Madame Goddard and Rev. Charles Clark, has developed a new business in connection with Messrs Cook and Co.'s projected tour of the Australasian colonies. These gentlemen, who have conducted tourists to every part of the world except Australasia, intend extending their operations to this part of the world during the Melbourne Exhibition, and they have selected Mr Smythe as their agent in advance to make arrangements for the reception of the tourists. Mr Smythe arrived yesterday by the Te Anau, and had an interview with the Commissioner of Railways on the subject of his mission. New Fobage Plant.—A new forage plant has been introduced into New Zealand. It is called the teosinte plant, and was sent by Sir Jnliuß Vogel to Mr Murdoch, of the Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. The plant has been recently brought from Egypt, where, when it is mowed down, it grows again at the rate of a foot in four days. It is alleged to bo rich in saccharine matter, and highly nutritious. It is a grass, of gigantic size, growing in enormous bunches. It is a recommendation to those who intend to grow it in New Zealand that it should be started in pots, and after all danger of frosts is over, planted out. The Dbutds.—The Mistletoe Lodge held their quarterly meeting at the lodge room, Star and Garter Hotel last evening. Three members were initiated into the order. A committee of five members was appointed to get up a soiree in connection with the lodge to purchase regalia for their use. A letter waß read from the Excelsior Lodge, Wellington, in reference to obtaining regalia for their fete, to be held there on Easter Monday. Several members were proposed for initiation, and after some routine bueiness had been transacted, the lodge was closed in the usual form.

Cheap Labok.—At the Amberley Court yeßterday, in answer to a summons to two able-bodied and apparently skilled blacksmiths, calling on'them to show cause why they did not pay a debt of £lO, both pleaded that they had been working for their food, and whatever their master in the blacksmith trade was pleased to allow them. It is needless to say that this line of defence took the Bench, as well as the employers of labor in the Court, somewhat by surprise. As it could not then be shown that the men received any other wages, the Court had to enter a nonsuit, expressing howevor some doubts on the statement.

Accident. —A serious accident happened on Wednesday afternoon to Mr W. Smith, the builder of the new chimney at the works of Messrs Austin and Kirk. He had ascended the chimney for a last inspection and to arrange for the removal of the struts which had been inserted at intervals in the brickwork, and was in the act of descending, when one of the struts on which he had placed his foot came out, precipitating him down the shaft. Fortunately he was not more than thirty-five feet from the bottom, and as he fell he struck against the struts below him, by which he was badly cut and bruised, but at the same time they had the effect of breaking his fall, which probably would otherwise have proved fatal. As it was, one of Mr Smith's wrists was broken, and he was very badly contused. Medical aid was called in, and Mr Smith is progressing as favourably as can be expected. « ixuißJusUß, —The starting of the Tramway Company's cars has already furnished the city Bedouins with a new excitement, which, if not repressed at once, is likely to become a standing nuisance. As the starting time of the evening train of oars approaches, a number of lads congregate on the corner opposite the Bank of New Zealand and recreate themselves by the horseplay peculiar to the fraternity, to the annoyance of the passers-by. Last night as the last train of cars was starting for the Railway Station, the amusement was in full blast, at least forty or fifty lads participating in it. The amusement consisted in the boys filling their hats with, water and scattering it in all directions. One gentleman who was passing at the time received an unexpected deluge over his person, to the infinite delight of the mob. If the constable on the beat were to contrive to be at the corner when the after dark cars are about to start, it would probably have the effect of putting a stop to the nuisance. Sebton Licensing Coubt.—The adjourned quarterly licensing meeting for this district was held at Amberley on Thursday. The Commissioners present were—o. Whitefoord, Esq., R.M., chairman, C. J. Harper, IT. Courage and W. C. Pendall, Bsqs. The report of the chief officer of police on the hotels of the district was satisfactory. Mr John Lister applied for a new license for house situate near Balcairn railway station, which was reported as containing suitable accommodation, the application being supported by a lengthy petition, The chairman said it had been decided by a majority of the Commissioners that the requirements of the district in no wi;y warranted the granting of the application. Ho advised the applicant that it would be of no avail to renew the application with a view to wearing the Court into granting the same. He commented severely on applicant's conduct also in attempting to consult the Commissioners personally at their private houses on a matter which they had to deal with in a public capacity. For his part he treated such attempts to influ nee the decision of a commissioner or a magistrate as a direct insult to gentlemen appointed by the Legislature to act in the interests of the public. These applications could only be entertained in open Court. Political—The Dunedin " Star " is responsible for the following:—" There is a rumor in Oamaru political circles that one of the staunch Greyites who represent that constituency is getting awfully sick of the cold shades of Opposition, and yearns for the favor of the Ministerial flesh pots. This is more than likely, and as both members are pretty shrewd in their generation, they may very posßibly be found next session still running in the same leash. But what then will becomo of the ' Young New Zealand ' party, deprived of two most shining lights ? The next rumor current will be that the guileless member for Tuapeka has deserted Mr DeLautor, and left that Warwiok of the future without any following but his own shadow." Mutual Building Society.—A. peneral meeting of the members of the Mutual Benefit Building and Investment Society of Canterbury (Permanent) will be held at Gee's Schoolroom, Worcester street, this evening at half-past seven o'clock, to take into consideration the proposed amendment of rules, also the advisability of issuing £lO fully paid-up shares.