THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1980, 29 June 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1880.

The Licensing Couet. —Tho adjourned meeting of tho Licensing Court, which was to have been held at noon to-day, was further put off to 2 30 p.m. to-day, as Mr Whitefoord was unable to get down from Rangiora before that time. The cases were proceeding when wo went to press. Otago Haeboe. —On Friday last the Dunedin Harbor Board received an elaborate report on the above harbor by Sir John Coodo.

The Steeets.— The work of cleaning tho streets has certainly not been carried on very vigorously this winter, in fact little or no work has been done in this direction. Consequently, now that tho rain is liquefying the the mud, the state of tho thoroughfares is something awful. It is well known that the Council aro rather “hard up,” and are going in heavily for economy, but it is to bo trusted that they have not pawned the revolving brushes.

Infectious Diseases. Tho following caaos of infections disease within the Christchurch district were reported during the past fortnight : —Typhoid fever, 1 ; diphtheria, 3. No cases of scarlet fever were recorded during that period. Kaiapoi Institute. —On Saturday evening the librarian began the issue of a large number of now books which have lately been added to tho library, and an improvement has boon made in marking them for identification. During tho winter evenings it is gratifying bo notice that the reading-room is very largely patronised. Kaiapoi Woollen Company’s Shcbetaetship.—About seventy applications were received for this office up to Saturday, many from well qualified gentlemen, and others from unlikely persons. A gentleman with previous experience in the woollen manufacturing trade, recently arrived from Yorkshire, is said to have been considered the most suitable for the appointment. InSubb Yoxtb Stacks. —There is an American story of a gentleman who insured some fine cigars against fire, and who after he had smoked them made a claim on the company. After some demur the insurance company first paid him and then had him convicted for arson. Now (says “ißgles” in the “ Aus tralasian ”) a singular coincidence was lately observed in the Western district. A farmer insured his stacks of hay about eight weeks ago. He was notably without money, nor did he show any marks of anxiety for his creditors. Very lately one of tho latter called, and could only find at homo the farmer’s son, a lad of twelve or thereabouts. He told the youngster to inform his father that he had applied repeatedly for tho amount duo, and unless a settlement was made a summons would be applied for. “Oh don’t do that,” said the ingenuous aud, alarmed child, “ father will pay you in a week or two—his stacks are insured.” By some strange interposition those stacks were on fire within a week, and tho creditors were made happy.

Inquest. —An inquest was held yesterday afternoon, before Dr. Coward, touching the death of Marian Blanch Watson, whoso body was found in the river on Saturday. The evidence went to show that the little girl had accidentally jumped into the river whilst playing on the bank, and a verdict of “ Accidental death ” was returned. Rakaia and Ashbueton Fobks Railway.—A deputation from Alford Forest lately waited on the directors of the Bakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway Company, and presented a numerously signed petition, praying that their line might bo extended along Alford Forest to the Mount Somers township. Mr A. Ollivier presented the petition. To him the directors pointed out that the question principally involved in the matter was one of money. For the same reason that the Government could not carry out their branch railways, the company was prevented from doing so, namely, the prevailing depression ; but they pointed out that the difficulty might be surmounted if sufficient shares were taken up to supply the necessary capital. In the meantime the deputation was assured that the engineer to the company would receive instructions to go over the line and prepare a rough estimate of the cost.

Kaiapoi Wesleyan School Habmonium Fund. —On Friday evening a well patronised magic lantern entertainment was given at the Oddfellows’ Hall, the proceeds being devoted towards the harmonium fund. The slides, which were very good, were explained by the Bov. J. B. Richardson, Ms Hoskins’ Benefit. The farewell benefit will take place at the Theatre Boyol this evening. The programme includes the comedy of “ Naval Engagements,” scenes from “Hamlet," the operetta of “Cox and Box,” and vocal and instrumental items. Signora Palma, who was hero with the Urso Company, will appear, and also Mr J. W. Marshall. Affecting Licensed Victuallebs. —Some time since the chairman of the Local Board of Health communicated to the Licensing Commissioners some suggestions regarding precautions against the dissemination of typhoid in licensed houses. Acting on this the Licensing Commissioners at a meeting held on Juno 15th, passed a resolution to the effect that the Inspector of Police be instructed to inform the holders of licenses within the city that the Commissioners are of opinion that all their houses should be provided with earth closets. This resolution has been sent to the Christchurch Police Depot. Accidents. An accident happened on Saturday to a man named Boucher, who was sleeping in a tent in the neighbourhood of Mount Somers. It appears that the tent caught fire whilst the unfortunate man was fast asleep, and a quantity of gunpowder which was in the tent exploded, and fortunately awoke him in time to save himself, but not before receiving a very severe burning. He was conveyed into Ashburton on Sunday, and removed to the Christchurch Hospital on Monday morning. An accident happened on Graham’s road, near Tinwald.to a man named Maskrey. Whilst proceeding homewards with a dray load of coals, he fell in some unaccountable way in front of the dray, the wheel passing over his leg and fracturing the thigh bone. The sufferer was attended by a doctor, and was forwarded by early train on Monday to the Christchurch Hospital.

St. Akdkew’b Chubch. —The Rev. Charles Fraser begs to acknowledge the gift _of a handsome communion service and baptismal basin from a family of the congregation. Philosophical Institute.— An ordinary meeting of the Institute will bo held at the Public Library on Thursday evening, when papers will ho read by Professors Haast and Hutton, and by Messrs Armstrong and Inglis. The 8.8. Taupo. —The “Bay of Plenty Timessays : —During the last six weeks the b.b. Taupo has been lifted by six successive attempts to a height of 7ft 2in aft and blocked up, thus giving an average clearance of about 2ft at the fractured parts. It has now been ascertained that the under part of the keel fills up with sand and shells at each spring tide or strong breeze from the sea. The fractured portion of the vessel is now covered with one ply of No. 1 canvas, but this is not considered sufficiently strong to lift the ship on, in consequence of the continued silting up. The contractors have, therefore, deemed it advisable to commence permanent repairs from the inside with concrete, and a large quantity of cement for this purpose has arrived by the Glonelg. We are glad to be able to state that the late gales have not had tho slightest effect on the ship. The proposed work on the inside of the vessel will prevent any attempt being made to raise her for the next four weeks.

Chinese Wanted in Beazid. —A report has just been published in New York by the Brazilian Consul-General on Chinese immigration to the United States. The report was drawn up at the instance of the Premier of Brazil, Sonhor Sinimba, who himself is a large planter, with the view of introducing Chinese labor into that country. The difficulty experienced in procuring European agricultural labor induced the Government to look elsewhere for hands to work the coffee and sugarcane plantations. The report treats of the experiment of Chinese labor in the Indian Archipelago, British Guiana, and California, and the Consul is of opinion that, considering the actual needs of Brazil, the employment of Chinese is essential. He also thinks that if a successful current of Chinese immigration wore directed to Brazil, it would have the immediate effect of lowering the price of slaves, and so hasten complete emancipation.

The Haedships of a Gebhan Soidiee. —The “ Berliner Zietung” has caused some sensation in Germany by a terrible description which it has published of the maltreatment to which a soldier, and especially a young recruit, in the German army is liable to be subjected at the caprice of his superior, and without any hope of redress. Kicks in the stomach, boxes on the ear, blows with a sheathed sword or the butt end of a musket are, the writer asserts, part of the treatment to which the soldier must submit; since he soon learns that, however cruelly, harshly, and unjustly he may be treated, if he complains his complaint will probably be fruitless, and that in any case it will go hard with him afterwards. The number of cases of suicide in the German army, which is notoriously exceedingly large, is mentioned by the writer in support of his case. 111-treated by his superiors, drilled till ho faints from fatigue, subjected to the most cruel tortures, which compare with those of the Inquisition, the soldier, despairing of obtaining justice or relief, puts an end to hia life.

A Yeeitablb Shylock. —According to tho writer Gregorio Lsti, the biographer of Sixtus Y. narrates in the 11th book of his history of that Pope the following story: ‘‘ln tho year 1587, ton years before the probable date of the production of Shakespeare's play, a Roman merchant named Paul Maria Secchi, a good Catholic Christian, learns that Sir Francis Drake has conquered San Domingo. He imparts his news to a Jewish trader, Simon Conada, who either disbelieved it or had an interest in making it appear so. He obstinately contested the truth of tho statement, and to emphasize his contradiction added that ho would stake a pound weight of his flesh on tho contrary. The Christian took him at his word, staking 1000 scudi against the pound of flesh, and the bet was attested by two witnesses. On tho truth of Drake’s conquest being confirmed, the Christian demanded tho fulfilment of tho wager. In vain the Jew offered money instead of tho stake ho had agreed to. The Jew appealed to tho Governor, and tho Governor to tho Pope, who sentenced them both to the galleys—a punishment they were allowed to make up for by the payment of 2000 scudi each to the Hospital of the Sixtine Bridge. The Russian Ceuisee Fleet.— Wo learn from St. Petersburg that the Moscow Cruiser committee have laid before the Czarewitch several proposals respecting a further development of tho cruiser fleet. One of these is that the Government should lend the committee 10,000,000 roubles, without interest, to enable it to purchase several more steamers, establish a regular naval station in the Pacific and effect in every respect as regards steamboat communication in tho Pacific what the Black Sea Steam Navigation Company has done for Russian trade in the Black Sea and Mediterranean. In the event of this assistance from the Government being refused tho committee proposes that a subsidised Pacific Steam Navigation company should be instituted and affiliated with the Moscow Cruiser association. In this case the entire commercial affairs of tho Moscow committee would bo handed over to tho company, and tho committee would only take an active interest in their steamers in the event of a war. Both fleets of steamers, however, would be moinly intended for cruiser operations, and on the outbreak of hostilities the steamers of the subsidised companies would pass under the management of tho Moscow committee.