NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1917, 16 April 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

1.0.G-.T., Southebn OBO3S Lodge, No. 58. —This lodge held its ordinary session last evening, but there was an unusual interest in the proceedings, from the fact that an official visit by the officers of the Degree Temple was paid to it. The proceedings drew together a very large attendance of members, who lietened with evident pleasure to addresses by the D.T. Brother J. Long, P.D.T. Brother W. Trumble, and D.O. Brother 0. M. G-rery. The programme was enlivened by songs from the Misses Clifford and Amos. Sale op Land and Stock.—The sale held yesterday at Floraville, near Oamaru, of the Incholme estate, a number of town sections and other properties, and a valuable selection of horses and cattle, was a great success. The sale was conducted by Messrs. H. Matsonand Co., in conjunction with Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., of Dunedin, and the former firm paid £SO for a special license enabling them to act on the occasion. Local Indtj3tbt.—Mr F. B. Archer, lately arrived from Hobart Town, has started whv.t we believe to be a new lino of industry here—viz., the manufacture of portmanteaus. Mr Archer has an establishment in Hobart Town whero they are made, so that he starts with ample experience. Colonial leather of various kinds is used in the manufacture. There is a duty of 15 h per cent, on locks, fittings, &c, which are not used for any othfr purpose than for portmanteaus, and as hatters, saddles, &a, get all that is wanted for their respeetive manufactures duty free, Mr Archer, wo are informed, considers that he has a decided grievance.

Lxtteiton Magistbats's Cottbt.— Mr Joseph Bessvick, R.M., presided at this Court 1 this morning, and disposed of the following cases :—Peter Farrell, a seaman belonging to the Palala, was ordered on board, having been away without leave. Judgment was given for plaintiff in Maodonald v. Kelly, claim £6, the magistrate stating that he would see the managor of railways in reference to the statement of the defendant that the Govornment should pay the amount, ic being contracted in consequence of an accident roceived on the railway. Same v. Carson, claim £4 lis sd; judgment by default. Green v. Erricksen, claim £5 ; judgment for plaintiff. Judgment summons of Hayreaves v. Fogarty, claim £l3; Mr Nalder for plaintiff; defendant ordered to pay 10a per week or go to gaol for two montbs. M. Miller v. Captain Luly, claim £2l; Mr Joyce for plaintiff, Mr Nalder for defendant. [Loft sitting.] CiTiii Service Commission.—The Commissioners held their first sitting yesterday, in the Provincial Buildings, and examined Mr F. Back, General Manager of Bailways, and Mr Carrow, stores manager. The members of the Commission are staying at Ooker's Hotel. Fibe at Southbbidge.—On Monday afternoon a straw stack, belonging to Mr F. Deßidder, was discovered.to be on fire. Fortunately it was taken in time, and plenty of help being at hand, was speedily smothered. It has since transpired that the stack was set alight by some boys, who had purchased a box of matches for the purpose of making a fire. Attempted Suicide.—The man, William Parsonß, who, at Methvon, on Wednesday laßt. attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat with a pen-knife, while suffering under temporary insanity from drink, was brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Ashburton, yesterday and remanded for a fortnight to Lyttelton for medical treatment. At the expiration of that time he will be taken back to Ashburton and accused before the Resident Magistrate's Court of the offence with which he is charged. Nobth Tbains.—A petition was circulated in Amberley on Thursday, intended for presentation to the railway authorities, asking them to allow the midday train to leave Christchurch at 1.30 and Amberley at a correspondingly lato hour. It is expected that a counter petition will be presented to have the time of the midday train retained, and asking for the despatch of the evening train from Christchurch at an earlier hour to allow residents at Amberley and Oxford to reach home boforo 7 p.m. oach day.

Pioneeb Bicvcle Clttb.—The entries for tho championship races in connection with the Pionoer Bicycle Club, which take place to-morrow, closed on Wednesday evening. Thero are three entries for each of the evonts, viz.—the one, five, and twenty miles races. Visitors to tho Park on Saturday are requested not to bring dogs with them, both tor the safety of the riders and because tho permission given to tho club to use tho cinder path is conditional upon this being enforced. The success of the hißt races augurs well for those to-morrow in tho matter of attendance. Mason's Flat.—lt is understood that Mr Lance has given ten acres in this district for the erection of a district school, and Mr J. Cowio has promised to fence and plough tho same and lay it down in grass previous to the erection of a school. St. MicnAEi/s.—Tho entertainment in St. Michael's schoolroom was fairly attended last 1 night. The programme included vocal and instrumental selections, and three acts of " A i Midsummer Night's Dream," the characters I in which were sustained by tho choristers of ' the church.

A Peculiab Coincidence.—Referring to the fact that the Rotoniahana would convey South a number of Biohops, Archdeacons, and clergymen to attend the General Synod at Ohristchurch, the Wellington "Post" says that it waß remarked in reference to the last session of the Synod, which was held at Nelson three years ago, that every steamer which convoyed a single episcopal, clerical or lay member of that Synod experienced exceptionally bad weather. This applied to fully a dozen vessels. Our contemporary hoped that the Rotomahana would not be similarly unlucky, but as our readers know that vessel experienced a most tempestuous passage down the coast. Acclimatisation. The Acclimatisation Society have disposed of all the thrushes which formed part of the consignment of birds lately brought out by Mr Bills, and have received a novelty from Now South Wales in the shape of seventeen pairs of topknot pigeons. These birds, which are remarkably handsome, were obtained from the Murrumbidgee ranges.

Me Gobdon Gooch's Benefit.—The Oddfellows' Hall was well attended last evening, on the occasion of the benefit of Mr Gordon Gooch. The first p?.rt of the concert was selected from the oratorios of " The Messiah," "Creation," "Elijah," " Naaman," " The Hymn of Praise," &c. The company appeared to excellent advantage in sacred music, each number being most artistically executed. The concluding portion of the programme was devoted to secular music, in which the company were no less proficient, the applause being frequent and enthusiastic.

DISTBIOT CotTBT, ASUBUETON. At the sitting of the above Court, held before His Honor Judge Ward, yesterday, only two cases were set down for hearing. In the case of E. Larnigausen v. W. H. Zouch, claim £6O, it appeared that the defendant, acting as trustee in the bankrupt estate of Sando and Bowling, seized a horse, cart and harness, alleged to bo the property of the plaintiff, and the plaintiff sought tho recovery of tho value thereof. Mr Branson, who appeared for the defendant, raised an objection, to the effect that the plaintiff had not given the defendant the required month's notice of his intention to sue, and this proving fatal, Mr O'Reily, who appeared for the plaintiff, accepted a nonsuit with costs. The application of Mr O'Reily for costs in the bankrupt estate of James Stephens, was granted, and the Court adjourned. Angling Society.—A meeting of the Canterbury Angling Society will be held at Warner's Hotel this evening at eight o'clock. Racing.—Acceptances and general entries for the annual races in connection with the Bllesmere Jockey Club close on Saturday, tne 17th inst., at 8 p.m.

An Albany woman brings suit against a telephone company for trespass in putting its wires on the roof of her building. It isn't the trespass, however, that troubled her so much as the fact that there is gossip going on over her aead that she cannot get hold of.— "Boston Post."

A clergyman addressed his female auditors as follows : " Be not proud that our blessed Lord paid your sex the distinguished honor of appearing first to a female after His resurrection, for it was only that the glad tidings might spread the sooner."

Such Tbagedies abb Ail Too Few.— A young man brought this in : " The palatial residence of John Smith, Esq., was last evening a blaze of light, the occasion being a recherche soiree in honour of the lovely Miss Bmith's arrival home from the Academy. From early gloaming till 9 o'clock were the guests arriving. At that hour all sat down to a most appetizing repast, to which was given the close attention it bo well deserved. The large parlors were cleared for the merry dancers at the conclusion of the banquet, and until the wee sma' hours ayont the twal were reached fair women and brave men tripped the light fantastio toe in the bewildering mazes of the dauce." (Etc., etc., etc., and so forth). When that young man got the paper, and found these words: " There was a dance at Smith's last night"—only these and nothing more —be went out and hanged himself.—" Boston Transcript." Or/a Vebb. —An educational journal thus describes the trouble a Frenchman had with the verb " break." " I begin to understand your language bettor," said my French friend, M. Dubois, to me, " but your verba trouble me still; you mix them up so with prepositions." " I am sorry you find them so troublesome," was all I could say. " I saw your friend Mrs Murkcson just uow," he continued. " She says she intends to break down housekeeping. Am I right there ?" " Break up housekeeping, she must have said." "Oh, yes, I remember; break up housekeeping." "Why does she do that?" I asked. "Because her healer is broken into." "Broken down." "Broken down? Oh, yee. And indeed, since the smallpox has broken up in our city—" " Broken out." " She thinks she will leave it for a few weeks." " No, she is afraid it will he broken—broken —how do I say that ?" " Broken into." " Certainly, it is what I meant to say." "la her son to be married soon?" "No; that engagement is broken—broken—" " Broken off ?" " Yes, broken off." " Ah, I had not heard that." " She is very sorcy about it. Her son only broke the news down to her last week. Am I right. I am anxious to speak Englieh well." "He merely broke the news; no preposition this time." "It is hard to understand. That young man, her son, is a fine young fellow ; a breaker I think." " A broker, and a very fine young fellow. Good day." So much, for the verb "to break."

The Zulus who have been on exhibition in London were lately brought before a Police Court because they refused to do anything without an advance of wages. They had agreed to perform, sing, dance, uso the assegai, &0., for £3 a month and board and lodging, and never to go about the streets without permission. Going the rounds at present is an instructive story, which shows how some young ladies played a practical joke on a young medical rtudont, and soon wished that they had not hit on so brilliant a notion. A number of young people were stayiag in a house together, and havisg exhausted all the more familiar jokes, they conceived a novel idea. They would draw with phosphorus, on the wall of tho student's bedroom, a skeleton of hideous mien ; when he had put out his candle the thing would glitter, he would shriek, and that would be where the laughter would come in. During the evening upon which the scheme was put into execution they talked much of ghosts, and casually observed that of course the old legend about a skeleton in the house was absurd. It had been said to haunt his room particularly, but no doubt he had no fear.of skeletons ? He protested that ho had not the least, that he should like a skeleton to play with, and only hoped that if it came it would not hurry off again ; but these protestations were not considered worth much, and when bedtime arrived and the student had retired, tho rest of the party followed him, and waited anxiously at the door. The light was presently put out; the skeleton began to gleam, and above his head tho student saw the legend written, " Confess your sins." The "New York Times" shall tell the rest of the story : —"He uttered a yell of the most terrible and, to the young people outside of his door, delightful description. Then the wicked young student Logan, in a loud tone of voice, his confession. He confessed that on Wednesday night he had kissed Miss Mary Brown in the library ; but ho urged upon the ghost, as an extraordinary circumstance, tho fact that the young lady had virtually requested him to do bo, and that he did not see his way clear to refuse. Then ho confessed that he had promised to marry Miss Carrie Brown, and that ho had broken his promise. Still, ho claimed that he would not havo been thus faithless had he not seen her in affectionate conversation Jwith a young broker whom ho named, and had she not subsequently admitted that she had promised to marry that ' addle-pated youth,' as she accurately described him. Also, the student, who is undoubtedly a lineal descendant of Ananias, f urthor confessed that he meant no harm when ho kissed Miss Kate in the vestibule of tho church on Christmas morning, and that he would never do so again. By this time the young people outside of the door had fled. Tho throe young ladies whoso namo3 had been mentioned in the medical student'.? confession wept indignant tears, and protested that tho ' wretch' knew that ho was telling stories ; while the other young ladic3 sais they hoped that such was tho caso, but that he did seem very earnest and sincere in what he said." Tho party at breakfast, nest morning was gloomy, no refc-renco was made to the sub ject, and no skeletons havo since appeared to the young student