NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1924, 24 April 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Naval Bbioade.—We are informed that the proposal to form a Naval Brigade for Canterbury has not been accepted by the Government on the ground that there are no funds available for capitation. St. John's Chtjech.—At this churoh tomorrow, for both morning and evening services, Bishop Stuart, of Waiapu, will preaoh.

Land Sale.—Messrs Aclan:i, Campbell and 00. held a very successf al land sale to-day at the rooms of Messrs Miles, Hassall and 00. The land submitted comprised sections in the township of Waikari. The quarter-acre town sections were first put. up, Mr Jameß Campbell acting as auctioneer. For these there was very spirited bidding, as will bo seen by the following prices realised for some of them. No. 64, £230; 63, £100; 172, £170; 173, £lls ; 174, £lO5 ; 171, £175 ; 170, £ll2 10a. A number of other sections were disposed of at rates ranging from £BS to £57 10s, each. The acre sections outside the township brought from £l2O to £l3O. Altogether the sale was an excellent one.

Obituabt.—We regret to have to announce the decease of Mr Patriok Ls»rie, the wellknown merchant of this city. The deceased gentleman died very suddenly at an early hour this morning, it is believed of apaplexy. Ho leaves a family and a large circle of friends to mourn and regret his loss. Gigantic Pbabs.—Some gigantic cooking poars, grown by Mr T. H. Potts of Governor's Bay, are to be seen in the window of Mr Stewart, greengrocer. They are of the Uvdale's St. Germain variety, and the largest of them waighs two pounds. I.O.Gr.T.—The Pride of Sydenham Lodge, No. 200, held its usual weekly sessions in the Colombo road schoolroom on Thursday evening. The Lodge was oponed at 730 p.m. by Bro. H. Henwood, sen., W.C.T., in the chair. The meeting was largely attended by members and visitors. After the usual business and initiation was over, a communication was read from the Grand Worthy Secretary, stating that they proposed to register the Lodgo. Proposed and carried that Bro. H. Henwood, W.0.T., G. Farland, W.T., and G. W. Clark, P.W.C.T., should be the trusteas for the term ending October, 1880. It was also proposed and carried that the schoolroom of St. Saviour's Church be taken and meetings held there, commencing on Thursday next. After this the Lodge went into harmony, and some very good songs were given, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. The Lodga closed in due form at 9.40 p.m. E. M. Cotjbt.—On the charge sheet at the R.M. Oourt this morning, five cases of drunkenness were down for hearing, and ono caBO of larceny against a seaman named Carrow Thomas. The first-named crises were dealt with in the usual manner, and the case of larceny, in which the defendant was charged with stealing a pair of boxing gloves, was i adjourned till the 27th inst.

Sydney Exhibition.—Mr W. H. Mein has received the following telegram from Sydney, dated April 10th: —" I congratulate you upon receiving first award and special mention at Sydney International Exhibition for preserved meats. The highest award given. Hutchinson." Thk Bbllbingebs.—There was a very good house at the Academy of Musio last night, when the Lynch Family, with Messrs Lyndhurst and Santley, repeated their programme. The various items, especially those in which the bellringers took part, were loudly applauded. To-day there will be a matinee performance in addition to the evening one, when an entire change of programme wi.'l be submitted.

Pedestbianism. —The second deposit of £25 a side has been made during the week for the champion walking match between Bowley of Christchurch and O'Connor of Timaru, The final deposit of £SO a side will be made with the stakeholder on May 13th. Both men are pretty sanguine of success, and the match will probably be one of the most interesting contests of the kind ever held in New Zealand. A N*W Ran&b-Findeb, A telemeter which, if it answers the description given of it, will for many purposes far surpass any range-finder yet suggested, has been invented by a professor of mechauias at the High School at Belgrade. The instrument, it is stated, will show with unvarying precision the exact distance of an enemy. The rapidity with which sound travels is the basis of the measurement of distances; the distance required to be known being shown upon the face of the instrument in less than a minute. The telemeter itself is only of about the size of a watch, and can therefore be easily carried in the pocket, while the error in the measurement of any range from 500 up to 20.0 CD yards does not exceed 1J yard, and does not increase, as it does in any optical range-finder, with the distance. Finally, the cost of the telemeter is only about £2. In a word, it is claimed for the new instrument that it is portable, cheap, easy to use, and exceedingly accurate.

Catching a Cannon Ball. —At the Leeds Police Court on February 14th, Herr Holtum, a performer who styles himself the " King of the Cannon," was charged with unlawfully and maliciously woundiDg Elijah Fenton, a laborer. Holtum has been performing for some time at the Prince's Music-hall, and on Friday night he took his benefit, offering a prize of £SO to anyone who could successfully catoh a ball fired from a cannon, as he was in the habit of doing. Fenton accepted the challenge, and stood in front of the mouth of the cannon, some six yards from it. Upon the cannon being fired, Fenton endeavored to catch the ball, but failed, and it crashed against his head and knocked him down. On examination he was found to be seriously injured, and was taken to the infirmary. Mr Bruce, the stipendiary, told the proprietor of the hall, a man named Hobson, that his license would be endangered if he allowed a repetition of the performance. The prisoner Holtum, who said he would never issue another challenge of the kind, was remanded on bail. An Enginbbb'b Hbeoio Act. —Under the above heading the " Philadelphia Chronicle " says : —" Owing to the mistake of a telegraph operator two freight trains on the Philadelphia and Erie railroad came into collision near Cameron Mills, Chris Dean was the engineer of one of the trains. Both he and his fireman were fastened beneath the wreck of their locomotive. Deans was held by one of his legs, which was caught by the firebox of the engine. His fireman was nearly buried under the pieces of the wreck. When the men were discovered, Dean had managed to reach the tool-box, and he was making every endeavor to extricate the fireman. When he saw the men who had come to their aid, Dean shouted, " Help poor Jim. Never mind me!" The fireman was extricated as soon as possible, and in an unconscious condition. Dean was then taken out. It was then ascertained that during all the time he had been working to relieve his fireman the fire-box was burning his leg to a crisp. It was literally roasted from his knee down, and had to be amputated. The fireman died, but it is thought the brave engineer will recover." He Wanted a Summons. —A regular Handy-Andy type of Irishman came into the clerk's office at the Resident Magistrate's Court on Tussday, says the Wellington " PoEt," and asked for a summons. " Against whom?" asked the assistant clerk. "Shure I don't know," was the queer reply. " But how can we grant you a summons if you don't tell us who it is you want summoned ?" " Bedad, now I remember : it's the man that does the railway work." "That won't do," said the clerk. " You must make out two copies of your account ond bring them here, and then we can issue the summons; not until." The man scratched his head, and then went away. In about an hour he returned, and handed in to the clerk a new slate, on which was scrawled, " I, Pat , claim the sum of £6 19s for work done on the railway near Carterton. Signed, Pat ." In the left hand lower corner of the slate a shilling postage stamp was stuck. The clerk smiled, and told the simple-minded fellow that he had better come in later in the day, when Mr Mansford would be disengaged, and could have a talk with him. The man left his original account, and promised to come back and see the magistrate. Ashbtjbton Steeplechase.—A meeting over which Mr J. Scott presided, was held last Thursday evening in Mr Quill's Hotel, Ashburton, to make arrangements for holding a steepleohase meeting. Itreßolved to hold the meeting on the 29th May next, the programme to coneiat of Open Handicap of £4O, weight-for-age, District Handicap of £2O, District Weight-for-age, £3O, and a Hack Race £ls. The following officers were appointed—Patron Mr E. €h Wright; president, Mr W. O. Walker ; stewards, Messrs Hay T. Smith, J. Hunt, J. Carter, E. Saunders, R. Friedlander, M'Lean, E. L. Coster, L. E. Corsbie, and Dr. Ross; judge, Mr Stitt; starter, Mr J. Carter; clerk of the course, E. Saunders ; clerk of the scales, Mr E. F. Wright, hon. Bee; Mr J. Wilkie, hon. treasurer, Mr C. Fooks ; committee, Messrs O. Fooks, Grant, Wright, Lawson ; handicapper, Mr Lance. The meeting then adjourned. Ibish Belief Fund. —His Worship the Mayor has received the following amounts from Kaiapoi :—Wesleyan Church offering, £9 Is Id ; Mr W. W. Slow, £1 Is ; Mr A. Buckley, £l. The above will be forwarded by the outgoing mail to-day.

Battalion Baud.—At the annual meeting of the 3rd Battalion Band held on Thursday evening last the following resolution was carried unanimously:—"That the members of this band consider that the time has arrived when an efficient Head-Quarters Band should be established in Christohurch, and it is deemed advisable that a meeting of brass band instrumentalists and others who are desirous for the formation of the above be held at the Commercial Hotel, on Monday next, April 26th, at 8 p.m." As several letters have already appeared on the above subject, it is hoped that a good number of our brass band musicians will bo present to discußß the matter." Railway Commission.—The Commission will arrive in Christohurch to-day, and will be prepared to receive deputations on Monday, at the Public Works Office.

Presbyterian Church, Tinwald.—After the usual service in the above church, last Thursday evening, a public meeting was held to consider the necessary steps to be taken for building a church. The Rev. A. N. Beattie presided, and stated that he had brought the subject before the Presbytery, and received their sanction; also, that a site had been kindly presented by Messrs Wilkin and Carter. After some discussion, Beveral gentlemen were appointed a crmmittee, with power to add to their number, the first meeting to be held on the 6th May. District Coubt.—The case of Joseph v Belgrave was heard yesterday before His Honor Judge Ward. This was a claim for damages for the defendant having sub-let certain premises in Lyttelton, under the pro vision ot paying to the plaintiff the sum of £250, which he now declined to pay. After the hearing of the caße up to a certain paint, Mr Harper, for the defendant, moved for a nonsuit. Mr Garrick, for the plaintiff, obtained an adjournment until to day to consider whether he should accept a nonsuit or not.

Elgin School. —The new school recently built at Elgin will be opened next Monday. It is capable of seating about seventy-five children, and is fitted up with everything necessary for their convenience. Mr G. T. South, of Opoho, near Dunedin, has been appointed teacher, and he will enter upon his duties at once. A movement is on foot to celebrate the opening of the school on Monday, the 10th of May next, with a tea meeting and concert.

Sporting.—Owners of cross-country horses are reminded that nominations for the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase Handicap must be in the hands of the hon. sec, Mr Frank Egan, before 8 p.m. this evening. Leeston Presbyterian Church.—Sunday next being the anniversary of the opening of the above church, special sermons will be preached by the Eev. Cairns, morning and evening. On Tuesday following the annual tea meeting will be held in the Leeston Town Hall. British and Foreign Bible Society.— The annual public meeting of the Canterbury •Auxiliary will shoitly be held. His Lordship the Primate has kindly consented to preside, and several of the bishops and clergy now in Christchurch attending the General Synod have signified their willingness to take part in the meeting. The date of the meeting is not yet fixed, but as soon as known publicity will be given in the usual way. Waikari Township.—The sale of the sections in the Waikari township will take place at 12 o'clock to-day, at the sale rooms of Messrs. Miles, Hassal and Co., Hereford street. Raymond's Diorama.— It is announced that an exhibition of Baymond's Lime-light Diorama will be given at the Oddfellows' Hell, Lyttelton, on Monday evening. Horticultural Society's Show.—The chrysanthemum show in connection with the Christohurch Horticultural Society will take place in the Congregational Schoolroom, Manchester street, on Tuesday next. The show will comprise exhibitions of outdoor grapes, as well as chrysanthemums, and as the season has been very favorable, and special efforts have been made by some growers, the show is calculated to rival all previous exhibitions of the kind.