NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1983, 2 July 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Punctuality. —Mr Whitefoord, R.M., is an example of punctuality, from whom our justices of the peace might well take a lesson. This morning he succeeded in dealing with the whole of the police business—five cases — before the recognised time of the Court sitting.

Good Templaey.—A very pleasant reunion took place last night in the Templar Hall, Worcester street, when the officers of the Seasholl Lodge, Lyttelton, accompanied by about ninety members of the order from Port, returned the visit of the Southern Cross lodge. The visitors were duly introduced, and the officers of the Seashell lodge took the chairs and conducted the Southern Cross lodge for the remainder of the evening. An excellent programme of songs, recitations, speeches, &c., had been prepared, and on a recess being called, refreshments, consisting of tea, coffee, sandwiches, &c., were handed round. The visitors expressed themselves much pleased with the cordial welcome they had received, and also at the number of Christchurch members who had come to welcome them, the attendance being one hundred and ninety-five. Thb Biteb Bitten. —A curious and, it is believed for Christchurch, a quite new case turned up at the B.M. Court yesterday. A young man in the country embarked rather early in life in business for himself, and appears to have found plenty willing to encourage and assist him. As a general storekeeopor, whatever may have been the value of his venture, he certainly got goods on credit to a very considerable amount. Notwithstanding this cheap way of stocking hie store, things did not prosper with him, and there came a time when he found it necessary to shut up shop. And strange to say, he did not follow the majority into the shelter of the insolvency court; nothing of the kind, ho had a better card to play than that, and he played it with great success, many times. From right and left, too credulous creditors brought his failures to pay their little accounts before the tribunal provided for such emergencies. In that place, his answer to the perhaps _ rude enquiries of all and sundry was sufficient if not satisfactory. In point of fact, he pleaded infancy, he was under that age at which the law says a man may contract debts, and must discharge them if contracted—somehow. The creditors were peculiarly aggrieved, as one and all felt that only the basest of ingratitude could have prompted such a defence, after their kindness to the child. But there seemed no help for it; growl they might, but go they must ; the most of them went, and the infant went too. L tus not follow the matter too closely byjenqmring whether he was sincerely sorry for finding the way to repudiation. There is a strange tenacity, however, about creditors, which is only equalled by the laxity of debtors, and this case proves it. One of the deluded, by a happy thought or having better information than his fellows had a shot at the baby, before Mr Beswick. The amount was small, but he would have it if possible. The case was stated, and with a “ you know it’s no use ” sort of air, the defendant’s lawyer made the familiar plea. When, said the plaintiff, “ will your Worship look at that.” “That” was a declaration, equal to an oath, made to a Registrar of Marriages by the defendant, in which he informed that gentleman prior to his contracting the debt, that he wished to get married, and that he was over twenty-one years old. The pot boiled over. The Magistrate reserved his decision until after a week’s consideration. In the meantime the consequences of the discovery are rather indistinct, and may well be left to bo puzzled out by the creditors who, under the circumstances, may possibly be mean enough to be dissatisfied with their former experiences, and to try conclusions once more. Ohohai, Society.—The opening concert of the Lyttelton Choral Society came off last night at the Colonists’ Hall. The house was fairly filled, and the several parts of the programme were executed with credit to the performers, who wore repeatedly applauded. The No-Confidence Debate, The debate on Sir G. Grey’s want of confidence motion was brought to a close last evening, when a division was taken, with the following result: —Ayes, 45 ; noes, 30 ; majority for the Government, 15. It will bo seen from the division list that the names of four of the members who voted with the Opposition have not been telegraphed ; in addition to which two others are unaccounted for. The missing names are : —Messrs. Andrews, J. B. Fisher, George, Ireland, Jones, and Montgomery. The above, with the addition of the Speaker and the list in another column, make up eighty-eight, the total of the House. St. John's Convehsazionk.—The schoolroom was again well attended yesterday, being the second day of the conversazione in connection with the Sabbath school centenary celebration, the visitors numbering nearly 500 during the afternoon and evening. In the evening selections of vocal and instrumental music served to enhance an entertainment which proved thoroughly satisfactory and enjoyable throughout. Nobtheen Building- Society.—At the fourth annual meeting of this Society the directors Iwbo are about to retire are Messrs H. Weston and H. Neeve, who are eligible for re-election. The nomination of candidates is announced by advertisement to take place ou the first Wednesday of the present mouth at a general meeting of members.

Benevolent Association. —We are asked by the honorary secretary of this association to announce that on Wednesday evening last there was found in the donation box at the doors the mm of eight shillings. Nothing until then had been found within since Wednesday, the 16th instant, when the sum of three shillings and ninepence was deposited. Nothing was placed in the box in the course of yesterday. Small sums have been deposited almost daily in the box on the counter. The total amount of small donations received is £3 4s 3d. Sunday School Convention. —The Convention held in the Wesleyan schoolroom in connection with the Sunday School Union was virtually brought to a conclusion on Wednesday last, but a special session was held yesterday in consequence of the work not being completely overtaken on the evening previous. Several matters were discussed, commencing with “ The aims and objects of Sunday schools,” which was introduced by the Rev. Mr Blake; but the main business of the meeting was to receive resolutions on the papers laid before the Convention, and of such nine were passed, being in relation to the conduct of the Sunday School Mission, and for general guidance in the future. The session closed at two o’clock. Education Board. —The Education Board held its ordinary meeting yesterday afternoon, when the report of the examiners at the late scholarships examination was brought up and its recommendations agreed to. Diphtheria at Kaiapoi—A third case of diphtheria was reported to the Board of Health yesterday, ip a family residing near the swing bridge. The Property Tax. —At the public meeting held last night in the Oddfellows’ Hall respecting the property tax, resolutions were carried affirming the necessity of a land or income tax being substituted for a property tax, and also the imposition of a tax on wool. The Mayor was requested to forward the resolutions to the city members for presentation to Parliament. Non-Explosive Kerosene Powder. — One of the late inventions in domestic economy is the non-explosive kerosene powder, introduced to Christchurch by tho agent of Professor Howitz, the patentee. It is claimed for this compound that by its use “ a brighter light is obtained, less oil consumed, and danger a matter of impossibility,” and no smell arises from the oil where the nonexplosive powder is need. Directions for use accompany each packet. 1.0.0.E.,M.U. —The half-yearly meeting of tho Loyal City of Norwich Lodge took place at Lyttelton on Tuesday evening last. There was a large attendance of members. Three candidates were initiated and one admitted by clearance. The following officers were elected for tho ensuing half-year: —N.G., Bro. T. Ooktord ; V.G., Bro. J. Hollow; E.S., Bro. R. Griffiths. P.O.s Bros. J. Gowdon, J. S. Jenkins, and J. Gifford were elected dele, gates to the district meeting at Timaru. On Wednesday evening at a special meeting of the Juvenile Lodge two candidates were initiated.

Philosophical Institute. —An ordinary meeting of the Philosophical Institute was held in the rooms last evening, Professor Von Huast in tho chair. A third paper on Harpagornis was read by Professor Haast ; Mr J. B, Armstrong read a paper descriptive of new and rare New Zealand plants, and Mr J. Inglis read a description of a new species of Diatom, all of which were listened to with interest by members present. Professor Bickerton was unavoidably absent, consequently the reading of his announced paper on “Problems connected with Partial Impact” was postponed. A complimentary donation was received from Mr Holloway of one of Forbes’ naked-eyed Modus*. Good Enough. —lf Mrs Bakewell was proud of anything, that thing was her cooking, especially her cake. Therefore you can in a measure fancy her feelings when Mrs Homespun, who had been helped to a slice of Mrs B.’s richest loaf cake, remarked, “ There, that’s just the kind o’ cake that suits me. I’ve told Mrs Talkwell time and time agin that them that wants rich cake can have it for all o’ me. Just give me a piece of common, cheap stuff j it’s good enough for anybody, I say !” —“ Boston Transcript.” Mending Harness. —When harness breaks it always is just at that time and place when the break is of the greatest inconvenience. There are (aaya the “ American Agriculturist”) two ways of meeting this matter. First, by keeping the harness in good repair, so that no weak spot may exist when the trying time comes ; and second, to be prepared for a break, should it come, by carrying a coil of strong copper wire either in the pocket or in some place in the vehicle, and a knife for doing the necessary cutting and punching of holes. A good teamster should bean expert in meeting all “break downs,” by being able to overcome them.

A New Way to Secure Old Debts.— The late Baron Rothschild, dining onco at his club in Paris, hoard some one say, “ Horrible bore ! Lent X 10,000 franca—have not even got an acknowledgment, and he’s gone to Constantinople.” “ Write to him,” said the Baron. “ I have done so, and it does not answer—ho does not answer me.” “ Then men cher , write to him thus :— ‘ Dear M. X., when the Turks and Turkesaes leave you a little leisure time, send me the 20,000 francs I lent you.” “ But he only owes me 10,000.” “ Precisely, he will probably write and say so, and then there’s your acknowledgment.”

Melbourne International Exhibition. —Exhibitors are requested to forward their goods to Messrs Jameson’s store, corner of Cashel and Manchester streets, which has been kindly placed at the disposal of the local committee for tho temporary reception of exhibits. All exhibits will be forwarded to Melbourne free of cost by the Xararua, leaving Lyttelton on the 20th inst. Football. —The match on Cranmer square next Saturday will be New Zealand v the World. Tho World will play in yellow and black and red and black, and be captained by E. G.* Hawkes; the New Zealanders in blue and white, with W. H. Atack for their captain. The Eastern Club are invited to play on Cranmer square. The C.P.O. team will start for Rangiora by tho midday train. Tho names will appear in the account of the match, as several of those wanted are dubious whether they can get away. Canterbury Museum.—lt is notified that the Museum will be closed from Monday, the sth, to Sunday, the 11th, of the present month, both days inclusive. Christchurch Debating Society.— The usual fortnightly meeting of this Society is announced to be held in St. John’s schoolroom this evening, when Mr D. Griffiths will open on the question “ Is Novel-reading injurious to the morality of the age.”

Tho idea of giving up Epsom as a course :'s abandoned. A number of fresh shares in the grand stand were issued lately, and were disposed of immediately. They are paying between 25 and 30 per cent. It is just possible that in a few years the idea of moving the Derby to Gravesend may be carried out, but racing men seem determined to keep the great event of the year at Epsom for the present if they uossibly can. There are several objections to the Gravesend course, one of them being that it is not so easily reached as that of Epsom, which is commanded by several railway lines, and by largo station accommodation for passengers.

A boy once took it in his head That he would exercise his sled. Ho took that sled into the road And, lord a massy ! how he slode. And as he slid, he laughing cried : “ What fun upon my .sled to slide.” And as ho laughed, before he knewed, He from that sliding sled was slude. Upon the slab where he was laid They carved this Hue : “ This .boy was slade.”

A Oeowd Insulted. — A. travelling tramp was recently trying to sell toothache drops and corn-salvo to a small crowd at the head of Munroe avenue. As sales were alow ho thought to flatter the crowd by saying: “ Gentlemen, I have travelled over 25,000 miles in this country, seen all sorts of people, and come in contact with all colors, and I must say that you twenty men now surrounding mo have the most intelligent appearance of any coterie I ever saw.” In the crowd was a six-footer who drives a coal cart. Ho had been chewing gum in a very deliberate and methodical manner, and when the speech was ended he slowly turned from man to man to see what effect had been produced. Finding a look of indifference on each face he swallowed his quid, pushed his way to the front, and kicking over the dry goods box used by the “doctor” as a counter ho flourished his fists and called out:—“ Mebbe this ’ere crowd can stand to be insulted to its tooth, but I’m a clothes-pin who can’t be stepped on in my own town by a stranger ! Como up hero like a man and strike right out from the shoulder! No man can call mo a coterie and keep a sound head on him.” The doctor had pressing business down the street.