NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1975, 23 June 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Oun Tempebancb Coir/siN.—Our readore will notice that in our third page wo havo a column specially devotoi to tho cause of Temperance. An arrangement has been entered into between the Good Templar authorities and the proprietor of this journal by which a column will be devoted every Wednesday to the above object. The Eclipsb.—lt would have been impossible to havo chosen a finer night than last night on which to view an eclipse. The air was beautifully clear and the sky almost clsudlese. The first contact of the shadow was noticed at a quarter before midnight, and the moon was clear again at four minutes to three this morning. Much interest was naturally felt in the phenomenon. One gontleman certainly went out in his nightdress to view it, and complained that it was the coldest eclipse he had ever Been, but he was the only individual we have heard of as not being thoroughly satisfied. Thero will be another tot* eclipse of the moon visible on December 17tfi, when the first contact with tho shadow will be at 1.15 a.m. and the last contact at 5.4 a m.

License Transpeb.—A temporary transfer of license has been granted to George Franks from Thomas Ashton of the Kirweo Hotel. Tbading on Ohabity.—That it is necessary to exercise great caution in the display of that virtue charity, to save it from being abused, has been brought under our notice by an attempt at imposture. A few days ago a little girl left at a central hotel in Chriatchuroh a petition beginning as follows : " Subscriptions in aid of the support of five children, aged from three years to fourteen years, left orphans by the death of and the recent death of his wife in the Ctmstchurch Hospital. The children are thereby left totally destitute, and there are no funds as yet available to bury the mother." This pathetic appeal had its effect, and in a short time £ll 3a 9d was collected, but enquiries being made a different aspect was put on the affair. It would appear that there are only three " children," the youngeßt of whom is fourteen, and the eldest, who is nineteen, occupies a situation in another district, while the father is resident in Melbourne. It is unnecessary to say that the money was not handed over when applied for, and a most undesirable system of mendicancy was exposed. Unemployed Meeting.—A meeting of the unemployed was held in Cathedral square this morning, about eighty men being present, and they were addressed by Mathews who stated that he had received a telegram from the delegates in Wellington, stating what tbey had done. It appeared that the delegates had mot with a favorable reception from the Government, who|had promised that they would see the men at work on the Weka Pass and at Albury properly housed. But there seemed to be a misunderstanding touching the position of the men at the Weka Pass. Mr Blair had stated to the Government definitely that the work was let by contract, but this was contradicted by men who had worked there. One present at that meeting stated that the work was not given out by the piece. Mathews also stated that the Government had given the delegates a favorable reply as to finding work generally for those out of employ, and in the meantime they must band together and show that they were "determined to have their rights." He called upon those present to sign the petition to the United States Government, and if all else failed, he urged that they should select in- . teiigent men from their number to lecture in the various towns of the colony and can vass them for money to send men away to athor countries. But it was hoped these i measures would not have to bo resorted to. In conclusion, he stated that the delegates irould remain for some days to watch their interests in Wellington, and a meeting would be held on their return. Publicans' Licenses.—Certificates for licenses granted at the last meeting can be obtained on application to the clerk of the Resident Magistrate's Court before the end of the month. Municipal Chambers, Rangioba.— A petition was presented to the Mayor on Tuesday, asking him to call a public meeting at an early date that the acceptance of plan as proposed by the Council might be reconsidered. Obituaby.—Mr Joseph Pattrick, who died at his residence, St. Albans, on the 19th inst., was an old settler, having come out to Canterbury in the Cressy. The deceased, who was respected, leaves a widow and large family to lament his loss.

WOBK JOB THE UNEMPLOYED.—Mr J. A. Morgan has addressed a letter to the Government advocating the establishment of a fishing station in one of the sounds near D'Urvillo's Island. Mr Morgan considers that the coßt of the enterprise would be between three and four thousand pounds, which would prove a very profitable investment in addition to affording employment for a large number of men.

Mbbivale Debating Society. The usual fortnightly meeting of the above society was held in the Merivalo schoolroom last evening, when the chair was occupied by the Rev. T. Flavell, president. An interesting debate took place upon the respective merits of Lord Beaconsfield and Mr Gladstone, and ultimately it was affirmed that the former was the greater statesman.

Mutual Imfbovement Association.— The Wesleyaa Mutual Improvement Association held their usual weekly meeting at their rooms on Monday evening, the Eev. Mr Eeid in the chair. The business of the evening was a debate, " Ways and Means of Suppressing Drunkenness," opened by Mr Q-abites, who affirmed that free trade in the liquor traffic would conduce to sobriety. Mr Grey maintained that it had been tried in Liverpool, and was found to add greatly to the evil. The majority of those present agreed with the latter speaker. Theatbb Eoyal.—The Pantascope of the Overland Eoute drew a very good house at the Theatre Eoyal last evening. The various views were highly appreciated by the audienoe, and Mr Chalet, in his ventriloquial entertainment, kept the houso in a roar of laughter. At the close of the Pantascope the usual gift distribution took place, which was followed by a very cleverly worked mechanical diorama, shown by the lime light, under the able superintendence of Professor Thompson. To-night the same programme will be repeated. Eansioba Benevolent Society. A meeting was held on Tuesday at the Mayor's residence, when the necessity or otherwise of forming a society for benevolent purposes waß fully discussed. The gentlemen present were —Archdeacon Dudley, Bev. J. N. Binsfield, Eev. S. Macfarlane, Eev. J. A. Taylor, the Hoa H. B. G-resson, Mr O. Whitefoord and Dr. Burrows. Ultimately it was decided that the time had not yet arrived for such a society to be necessary. The Mayor expressed himself willing to have the subject reconsidered should pressure arise, and thought that the Council might act in concert with them.

Tbanssiitting Light by Electricity.— A patent for the purpose of transmitting scenes to a distance by means of electricity has been applied for at the United States Patent Office by Messrs Connelly Brothers and M'Xighe, patent agents, Pittsburg. The inventors believe that two persons talking by telephone will also, by their device, be able to see each other, and that a printed or written document can be seen in this way and read off A single wire is required to transmit a diminutive image, which is magnified at the receiving station. Hore, if anywhere, seeing is belie vin a

Not a Tbmfbbancb Joubnae. There must be a fine field for Good Templars in a certain newspaper office, if there is any truth in tho following story told by ißgles in the "Australasian":—An Australian journalist tells me that there is an Australian journal in an Australian city "run" on alcohol. This is his allegation. The editor has been drunk for years ; the sub-editor is invariably tight; the leading of the reporting staff, like his superiors, has never been sober within the memory of any pressman ; the musical critic observes talent through the bottom of a tumbler ; the shipping reporter never tries to write without a preliminary observation just over his little finger ; the rank and filo of the staff, including police and Parliamentary reporters, are never in their sober senses unless they can't help it; the machinist needs as much lubrication as his printing press, and the compositors drink whisky for breakfast. The singular and quite discouraging moral is that there is plenty of money in the paper, and its circulation is increasing daily. The Comiques.—This company will give a Christy Minstrel entertainment in aid of the Sunnyside ABylum on Thursday next. Volunteer Parade. After the usual monthly inspection to-morrow night there will be a meeting of the "Volunteers to appoint a member of council of the New Zealand Rifle Association for the Canterbury district. Sydenham Amateur Musical Society. —Tho concert given by the above society will take place this evening in the Colombo road schoolroom, for which an excellent programme has been provided. "West Chhistchuhch School. —An entertainment, consisting of vocal and instrumental music and readings, will be given at the Weßt Christchurch School on Friday evening in aid of the prize fund. Theatre Royal.—A complimentary benefit will be tendered to Herr Banz at the Theatre Royal on Monday evening uext, on which occasion " Two can play at that Game " will be produced, Mr J. Hyde 3 appearing as Sam Wintbly. Yon no Men's Society.— The Rev. D. McKee will deliver a lecture on '* Cranmer, aa represented by Macauley, Tennyson, and Froude," in St. Paul's Church, on Thursday (to-morrow) evening, in connection with St. Paul's Young Men's Society. St. John's. —Mr W. Hoskins has kindly undettaken to read at St. John's entertainment on Friday night a scene from Henry VI I 1 — " Wolaey's Downfall; " and in the Fcc-ond part to recite Pope's " Elegy on an Unfortunate Lady." A good programme of instrumental and voe'al pieces will complete the evening's entertainment. Diocesan Sunday School Association. —The monthly lecture of the Diocesan Sunday School Association will be delivered to-morrow evening in St. John's schoolroom, commencing at 7.30. The subject of the lecture is " A Ride through Palestine." The lecturer is Mr T. S. Mannering, of Fernside. who lately visited Palestine. Admission is free. Sunday-School Centenary.—The Diocesan Sunday-school Association have completed their arrangements for the centenary of the founding of Sunday-schools by Mr Robert Raikes. An early service for Sunday-school teachers and others will be held in bt. iiuke's Church on Tuesday, the 29th June. There will also be an evening service, at which the Rev. H. B. Cocks will preach the sermon. _ On Wednesday, June 30th, a conversazione will be held in St. John's schoolroom, at which there will be a display of works of art and other curiosi. ties. During the evening addresses will be delivered by the Bishop, the Dean and Mr J. H. Twentyman. The choir of St. John's, under the direction of Mr Landergan, will sing several selections of music. Tea will be providedfree of expense to all attending the conversazione. On the following Monday a conference of teachers and others will be held in St. Michael's schoolroom, when several selected subjects will be discussed. This commemoration is in addition to that ot the non-conformist churches, and the greatest pains have been taken to prevent their clashing, so that tho public may have the opportunity of attending both celebrations.

Not a single circus in winter quarters this last year had a trainer eaten up, an elephant on the rampßge, or a mad rhinoceros smashing up things. How can they expect to draw crowds this summer ?

The Mayor of Leavenworth said he liked to see boys enjoy themselves, and then turned about and arrested a lad who gave him a volley from a bean-shooter. Mayors are always inconsistent.