NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1958, 3 June 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Tramway.—This morning a trial trip took place on tho newly-formed line of tramway irom Cathedral square to St. Albans, an engine and car conveying tho chairman, secretary, and engineer of tho company, ran over tho line. Everything worked very S mootbly, and tho trip was a success. The official inspection of the line took place at 3 p.m., when large numbers of gentlemen accepted the invitation of the chairman of the company to bo present. Tho engine and two cars ran up to St Alban’s lane very smoothly indeed, the line being in excellent order. Coming back, tho engine ran off the line near the junction, but this was the only mishap during the trip.

Legal.—His Honor Mr Justice Johnston will sit in chambers at 11 a.m. to-morrow. The cause list appears elsewhere. Resignation.—Mr George Booth has resigned his seat on the Charitable Aid Board.

Theatre Royal. with Miss Lizzie Morgan as Mildred Craddock, was played at the Theatre Royal last evening, and went well throughout. The same bill will bo repeated to-night.

Ashburton Borough Auditors.—The polling for election of auditors for tho above borough, which took place last Tuesday, resulted in the election of Messrs W. H. Zouch and S. E. Poyntz. Mr W. R. Boyle was also a candidate.

RangioeA.—A petition bearing fifty-two signatures has been presented to the Mayor, requesting him to convene a meeting of ratepayers to consider “jthe best means of opposing the inquisitorial and oppressive clauses contain in the proposed Property Tax Bill.” The Druids.—The Oak of Sydenhamlodge held their meeting at the St. Saviour’s schoolroom last evening. Bros. Bowler, Skinner, and Mill were appointed as representatives to the Friendly Societies Association Twentyeight members were initiated. The opening of the Rangioro lodge was brought forward, and the co-operation of the members of the lodge requested on the occasion.

Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association.—The above association recently decided to hold monthly meetings for the purpose of discussing matters affecting the agricultural interest of the district. The first meeting was held last Tuesday evening, when there was a fair attendance, the president occupying the chair. An excellent opening address was delivered by Mr F. Guineas, and a paper was also read by the president. Tho meetings promise to prove a success.

Association foe Fostering and Encouraging Local Industries.—A meeting of the committee was hold last evening at the offices of Messrs Draper, Charters and Co,, to consider the question of holding an exhibition to commemorate tho first anniversary of the association. It was resolved—“ That an exhibition of local manufactures and productions be hold at some date to be fixed during the month of August, the members present to form a committee, with power to add to their number. The secretary was instructed to invite applications for space from intending exhibitors. After transacting some routine business, the committee adjourned till Wednesday next.

Tub Pbopeety Tax.—The Property Tux Commissioner desires it to be generally known that the assessors do not in any way obtain inform ition respecting personal property unless they should be requested by an owner to assist in filling up the No. 3 statement, which gives the return of personal property. After these statements have been sent by the owner to the Deputy-Commissioner’s office, they are not referred to the assessors, are not seen by them, and the contents are known to the permanent officers of the department only. It is not intended that a Deputy-Commissioner shall consult with the assessors as to the accuracy and completeness of returns of personal property. Even with real property it docs not at all follow as a matter of course that an assessor will acquire information as to the whole of a man’s landed estate, because each assessor has to do with land in his own division, but with that and in no other. Assessors do not obtain an insight into the amounts due upon mortgage of real property. TJ?us it will be seen that unless an owner should wish to disclose his state of affairs to an assessor, that officer will know no more about them than a valuer did under the Land Tax Act, or a borough, Eoad Board, or county valuer now does. As a general safeguard all assessors are sworn to secrecy, and it is unreasonable to suppose that they would divulge any information that was confided to them.

Midland Canterbury Cricket Club A general meeting of this club was held at the Commercial Hotel last evening, at eight o’clock, Mr Wynn Williams in the chair. There was a good attendance of members. The chairman read a letter frsm Mr Oondell, secretary of the Association, asking for payment of the sum of £lB, due by the club for 1877-8. The chairman said that these arrears arose through the defalcations of Mr Swei t, and as they had no idea of repudiating their engagements the money must be paid. Ha would head a subscription with £5. [Cheers.] The balance was subscribed by those present in a few minutes. Certain alterations in the club’s rules were submitted and agreed to, the most important being the alteration of rule 7, as follows:—“That the annual subscription be 355, and must in all cases bo paid before the first Saturday in October, or before playing on the ground.” It was remarked that the Association had promised it times were good they would wipe off the debt, renewing that promise so late as last year. The defalcations they had bad to make good were upwards of £IOO, off which payments had been made year by year, and it had fallen heavily on the club, not one penny havirg been allowed them. However, the debt was paid. In reference to a dispute between the club and a member of the committee of the Association, two letters were read, and considerable discussion ensued. Ultimately it was agreed to adjourn the meeting for a fortnight to receive that gentleman’s reply. A vote of thanks to Mr Wynn Williams for his liberal donation terminated the proceedings. In Memorial!. —With that respect justly duo to the memory of the late Mr Tombs, so recently borne to his last resting-place, I ask for a brief space in your columns to testify to his manly worth as a father and trusty friend, and a good citizen. Mr Tombs became a resident in Christchurch about,twentyseven years ago, and during the greater portion of that time (till health failed him) he proved to be a very useful member of society. He was a man of strict integrity, and during his brief career as a member of the Town Council of Christchurch he proved to bo a faithful and trusty servant of the ratepayers. Being a practical man, he was energetic in deeds, without wasting words, in order that public money might be carefully expended.— Q-.W.

United Methodist Feee Oiiukch, Colombo Road.—ln connection with the anniversary of the above church, three sermons were preached on Sunday, May 30th, to large congregations; in the morning by the Rev. E. O. Perry, in the afternoon by the Rev. J. Crowes, and at night by the Rov. A. Peters. On the Tuesday following a public tea was held at 6 p.m , at which a large number sat down. The tables were presided over by Mesdames White, Smart, Hocking, Bali, Ballinger, and Miss Smart. A public meeting followed, at which the Rov. A. Peters presided. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. J. White “ On Mental Culture,” and by the Rov E, O. Perry “On the Wants of the Church.” At each service the choir rendered very tastefully several anthems, under the leadership of Mr Abel. Philosophical Institute.—An ordinary meeting of the members of the Institute will be held this evening at eight o’clock, when a number of papers will be read.

The Hospital. Several improvements have been made to the Hospital of late, or are in progress. The new morgue has been finished some time, and two new works undertaken are the smoking-room for the patients, which will be found of convenience during the winter months especially, and a shed for the accommodation of horses belonging to the doctors. It may also be mentioned that the water has been laid on to the operating room, and was used for the first time yesterday afternoon, when a painful operation was performed on one of the patients. Concert.—The Misses Taylor will give a concert on Thursday next in the Oddfellows’Hall, when a very attractive programme of vocal and instrumental music will be given. Amongst items, Roeckel’s cantata of (“ The Sea Maidens,” will be performed for the first time in Christchurch. The ladies and gentlemen taking part in the concert will ba the Misses Taylor, Mrs Palairet, MrsTownend, Messrs Appleby, Coombs, Landergan, Lund, &c. The programme as a whole is one of exceptional excellence. Football.—The following fifteen will play against the rest of the C.F. club next Saturday on Cranmer square:—E. Cotterill, G. Mathias, Chapman, Helmore, Alabaster, Lewin, Evans, Field, Bolton, Potts, Atack, Ollivier, Grigg, Uarman, Sheath. Emergencies, Morgan, A. Anderson, and Lawson. The fifteen will play in red and black.