NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1978, 26 June 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Leap-Yeab Ball.—Some young ladies of Christchurch, following the example of their fair American Cousins, purpose having a leap-year ball, and arrangements have been made for one to take place next month. We are not in the socret as to what will be the method of conducting it, but the young ladies from Jonathanland reversed the ordinary rules of society by placing themselves in the position of gallants. For instance, a gentleman was not allowed to cross the room without the escort of his partner, the pleasure of a dance was demanded from him, light refreshment were brought to him, and his wants in general were attended to by the lady. St. John's Chitbch.—A correspondent has written to us complaining of the cold in this church during service time. He suggests that the gas should be lighted some little time before the congregation assembled. ' The church being of stone, is not warmed through by the sun so rapidly as the other churches in the city, and many who are not strong find the present state of affairs not pleasant.

Sudden Death op an Infant.—The Sergeant-major of police at Port this forenoon received word of the sudden death of an infant six weeks old named Barbara Sinclair, who died at 8 a.m. to-day. Medical advice it is said had not been sought just prior to its death, though Dr H. Macdonald had attended at the infant's birth, and, as no certificate showing the cause of its decease is forthcoming, an inquest will be held. Mb C. F. Btjnz's Benefit.—On Monday next at the Theatre Royal Mr Bunz, who has occupied the positionof leader in the orchestra since 1867, will take his complimentary benefit. On this occasion Mr Hydes will appear as Sam Winkle, and the entertainment will be brought to a conclusion with a Negro performance. Mr Bunz will play de Beriot's grand Fantasia, prinoidally on the G string. A bumper house is to hoped for, as Mr Bunz has always been energetio in his manifold duties as leader.

Legal.—His Honor held a lengthy sitting in Chambers and in "banco yesterday, disposing of a very formidable list of causes in the former. In banco the two caeea heard were Jameson v Field, in which a mandamus was ordered to issue unless certain conditions were carried out, and Wright v Wilson, which was an application for a decree. In this his Honor reserved judgment. Masonic.—lt is, we understand, intended to open a mark masters' lodge at Lyttelton, under the Scottish Constitution, and a meeting of the Canterbury Kilwinning Eoyal Arch Chapter will be held this afternoon, to consider an application in referenca to the matter.

Battalion Challenge Belt.—Lieutenant Wolfe, of Jthe City Guards, who is always to the fore in any movement to advance volunteering, has started a subscription list for a prize belt, to be competed for by the volunteers of Christchurch, that is, the battalion. It is intended that the belt shall be a handsome one, which may justly be regarded as a prize of value. Lieutenant Wolfe has already a considerable sum in hand for the purchase of the belt, and when it is obtained arrangements will be made for the competition. The Pantascope.—The performance at the Theatre last night was for the benefit of M. Chalet, when a capital programme was presented, In addition to the Pantascope and ventriloquial entertainment, M. Chalet exhibited his wonderful powers as a rifle shot, and aUo gave a performance with his acrobatic automatons. The last matinee performance will be given to-day, and to-night the company will make its last appearance.

Sabah Bernhardt.—The committee of the Comedie Franchise have unanimously resolved on suing Mdlle. Sarah Bernhardt, the celebrated actress, who left Paris refusing to fulfil her engagements. She has taken refuge at St. Adresse, near Havre, and has declared to an [interviewer her resolution to devote herself to painting and sculpture, and to play no longer, except fulfilling her English engagement. Felt Lamp Wicks.—The recent invention of spun-glass lamp-wick, has been followed by the discovery of a process for preparing them from felt, the inventor being Mr M. Aarkrog, of Copenhagen. The felt is first freed from all fat and other impurities by repeated boiling in water, then hung up until nearly dry, and afterwards steeped in size, completely dried under heavy smoothing irons, and finally roughened on the surface by the application of a very stiff brush. It is then out up into pieces of the desired form and dimensions. Lamps trimmed with these wioks are said to give a better and lees trying light than is the case where ordinary wicks are used, while at the same time the consumption of petroleum or other oil used is stated to be leaa. A Dangerous Game.—According to the "Moscow Gazette," considerable light has been thrown on the cause of the facilities with which the Nihilists have been able to provide themselves with passports strictly en regie, and thus to travel about Russia at pleasure. An official employed as courier in the Ministry of Domains has, it has been discovered, been instrumental, with the assistance of his" wife and son, in procuring no fewer than 14,000 passports, made out in false names, all within the past eight years. It is estimated that for his services in the matter he must have pocketed large sums, as much as 92,000 roubles having been found in his possession, supposed to have been mostly received as fees on account of the passport?. The man has been arrested.

Tbmpbuanch Hotel Company, Limited.— Mr Simpson has been selected as the architect for this hotel, and tenders for the building will shortly be advertised for. AiiT Union.—The art union in connection with the convent, which wag to have been drawn on June 30th, 1880, has unavoidably beon postponed until the end of August. Gbm Vabibty Company.—An announcement appears in another column, drawing attention to a performance to be given by this company in the Academy of Music on Monday evening. Sunnybidb Asylum.—" The Comiques" gave a performance at the Sunnyside Asylum last night, which was very successful throughout. The programme inoluded vocal and instrumental music by Jlady amateurs and the usual chair business by the members of the company. This was followed by selections by the band and instrumental solos, followed by a farce, the characters in which were well sustained. Whst Chbistchttbch School.—An entertainment was given last night in the West Christchurch school in aid of the prize fund, which was entirely successful throughout. The programme included vocal and instrumental items, which were all rendered excellently. The scholars of the school, under the direction of Mr Foster, sang several rounds very nicely indeed. The features of the evening were Mr Yule's Yankee notions, Mr Cohen's violin scl >s aid M. de Montalk's rendering of "La Marseillase." Altogether the performance was a very successful one. Tiibathb Royal.—Playgoers will rejoice to learn that at last there is a probability of the Theatre Royal decorations being completed. Mr J. S. Willis, whose talents as a scenic and decorative artist are well known, has arrived from the North and the new management have entrusted to him the onerous task of completing the decorations of the theatre. In Mr Willis' hands there is no doubt the task will be efficiently carried out. They will be of a very elaborate description, and when complete will add greatly to the appearance of our local temple of the drama. Mr Willis has at his disposal several local artists and, no doubt, when the opening of the now season arrives the public will be enabled to judge of the efforts of Mr Willis and his coadjutors. St. John's Entertainment. —The entertainment given at St. John's schoolroom last evening was quite equal to any of the popular ooncerts held in connection with St. John's, which, it may be stated, is saying much indeed, but it even deserves an additional word of praise, as the programme was of a specially attractive character on this occasion, and those who took ptrt in its rendition exhibited powers of entertaining very much above the common. Tte performances consisted of vocalization, instrumental musical selections, readings, and recitations, in which latter the services of Mr William Hoskins were, it should be needless to say, found of especial value, his performances being loudly and enthusiastically applauded. Some very pretty songs were rendered by lady and gentlemen amateurs, who kindly tendered their assistance, and the musical selections were equally enjoyable. A most pleasant evening's amusement was the result, and future entertainments of the kind will no doubt be looked forward to by all who were present with pleasurable anticipation. A Mad Sohbmb.—Professor Richell, of the United States, proposes to make a voyage to the North Pole in an aerial machine invented by himself. This machine, a working model of whioh he has prepared, doeß not differ materially from one made by the professor about two years ago, and exhibited at the Philadelphia Exhibition, where its performances excited wonder and surprise. The professor is sanguine as to the results of his proposed expedition. He believes that he can make headway against a wind blowing at the rate of ten miles an hour. English Babbit Tbade. During the first fire months of 1880 no fewer than 22,219 eases of rabbits were shipped into England from Ostend. As each case contains on an average six dozen rabbits, this gives a total supply of 1,599,768 rabbits for five months. At in addition to these, rabbits are sent from Antwerp, Calais, and Flushing—all of whioh are sold as Ostend—the aotual supply for the period must have been more than 2,600,000 rabbits. The supply has been far below the average of the past few years, the wet season of last year having killed large numbers of rabbits. Election Tactics.—The county Oarlow election was remarkable for the extraordinary means taken to secure it. Never was an Irish county more thoroughly canvassed, organised, and educated to vote for the Lord Mayor of Dublin and Mr Macfarlane. The winning grace of woman was added to the more energetic influence of the priest, the publican, and the poor-law guardian. Every tenant on Mr Eavanagh's property was canvassed in person by the Lady Mayoress, who, with characteristic devotion, accompanied her husband during bis electioneering tour through the country.

The Labgbst Book Published.—The new edition of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, just issued, is believed to be, in the quantity of matter it contains, by far the largest volume published. It now contains about 118,000 words defined, and nearly 15,000 words and meanings not found in any other one dictionary. The Biographical Dictionary, just added, supplies a want long felt by the reader and student, in giving tho desired information so briefly. Never was any, one volume so complete as an aid in getting an education.

Peasant Pbopbibtobs.—Mir Aulad AH (Professor of Arabic and Hindustani in Trinity College, Dublin), writing on the subjeot of the establishment of a peasant proprietary, " which has kindled the fire of discontent in Ireland and given " t xi»e to so many heated discussions which cannot end in smoke," says that it "has been tried and signolly failed in various parts of the East." He contends that it would be an error "to banish the landlords, bag and baggage," and asserts that the small farmers "can never exist long by themselves." He concludes by prophesying that "disorder and contention would be the order of the day. The small ones would be swallowed up in the large ones, and ultimately the so-called small peasant proprietory would terminate in a landlordism."

Intelligent Fish. —Mr Seta Green, superintendent of the New York State Fish Hatchery, states that in the first pond at the hatchery there are 5000 large brook trout that were all captured with the fly in unfrequented Btroams and lakes of th.i Adirondack region. These trout, he says, have convinced him that fish have reasoning powers and memory. When they were hooked and reeled slowly to the boats they had time and opportunity to note the form and character of the tackle that made them prisoners. They have never forgotten that. They will follow Mr Green as ha walks about the pond. Let him have a walking stick and a fishing rod hidden behind his back. If he reveals the former to the fish, by holding it out over the water, they pay no attention to it. But the moment he produces the rod with its tackle, away they all scamper to distant parts of the pond. Paper Cab Wheels. —As illustrating the increased use attained by paper as a material for the construction of railway carriage wheels, it may be mentioned that a joint stock company has just been started in the United'States, with a capital of £1,000,000, to push this novel application of cotton pulp. The works will be built in Chicago, and the sits selected is on the line of the Chicago Bock Island and Pacific railroad, south of th« city limits. The plans of the buildings are already prepared, and show that, while due regard has been had to architectural symmetry, they will be convenient for the uses for which they are intended. The average life of a paper wheel under (rucks of locomotive engines ranges from 500,000 miles to 1,641,880 miles, and under dining and palace cars from 794,000 miles to 868,836 miles. A Bloodthirsty Villain.—A sanguinary deed was committed recently by one Kaloghero, the chief of a robber band established for some months past in Theßsaly, near Mount Olympus. This ferocious outlaw had sent two of his men into a village to purchase food and necessaries, anil furnished his emissaries with a considerable sum of money wherewith to pay for the stores in question. The bandits, however, did not return to their expectant comrades at the appointed time, and searoh being instituted for them throughout the neighboring district, their dead bodies were discovered two days later near Bhapsani. Kaloghero soon found out that they had been poisoned by the peasantry of the village to which he had despatched them for supplies, whereupon he at once betook himself thither, and avenged his followers' death by stabbing with his own hand twelve of tho villagers, one after the other, as he met them in the streets. Having oompleted these coldblooded murders, he returned unmolested to his mountain fastnesses, where he still bids defiance to all constituted authorities.

Kaiapoi Ploughing Match.—A meeting of the managing committee of this match was held on Thursday evening, at the Farmers' Club Chamber. Present—Messrs Pashby (chairman), Walls, Parnham, Elder, Young, Coup, and Wilson. Offers of paddocks from Messrs Parnham and Lissaman were received, when it was decided to accept the former, owing to its being near the town on the Ohoka road. It was resolved that the chairman and secretary arrange for the date of the match. Rules of last year were adopted. Judges were nominated, and other arrangements made for the match. It was resolved to advertise the programme in the weekly papers of July 3rd. The meeting then adjourned. The Sightascope.—This exhibition, which has received a large amount of patronage since opening in Ohristchurch, still continues to attract numerous visitors, and the gifts presented each evening to those who attend go a long way to make the entertainment popular.