NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2007, 30 July 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Unemployed. —At a meeting held in Cathedral square this morning, Mr Lang made some statements touching the condition of things at some of the stations established by the Government to relieve the unemployed, from which it appeared that the men wore leaving in consequence of the promises made by Government to the delegates not being realised. The men, he said, could not make more than 2s per day, and the conditions regarding rations had not been adhered to. A committee was then formed and a petition drawn up for presentation to the Premier, setting forth the above facts, and praying that some steps should be taken to set the matter right. The petition was sent away by this morning’s mail. It may here be stated that forty-five tickets were issued to the unemployed yesterday, and the men left this morning for Waddington. U.A.O. Dbijids. —The Lyttelton (Heart of Oak) Lodge hold its usual fortnightly meeting on Thursday evening, Bro. Hildyard, A.D., presiding. There was a largo attendance of members and visitors. After the customary routine business and initiations had been disposed of, harmony was gone into for a short recess, and, on business being resumed, it was resolved “That a commemorative concert and torchlight procession be given, on the first Thursday in September, to celebrate the prosperity and popularity of the Order in Lyttelton.” A paper was read by P.A. Bro. Byan, giving a condensed account of Druidiam from B.c. 55 down to the present day, and the objects of the Order at the present time. Four candidates were proposed for membership, and the Lodge was closed, in unity, peace, and concord, at 10 p.m. Robbebt on a Vessel. —Last night Captain Johnson, master of the schooner Dido, reported to the police that his cabin had been entered in his absence, his cash-box broken open, and £lO in cash and an order for £2O stolon. The mate, who had been left in charge, was missing. Seamen’s Union. —A representative from the Seamen’s Union of Victoria is at Lyttelton endeavouring to organise a Seamen’s Union.

The Fibe at Ranqioea —With regard to the cause of the fire at Dr. Burrows’ it has been ascertained that the groom, William Sheehan, slept in the loft on the previous night. It is thought most probable that ho had been smoking, and thus set fire to the hay. Sheehan has been rather severely burned about the head and hands, but we have been unable to ascertain whether this was done in trying to save the horse or in making good his own escape from the building. The stable and contents are insured in the Lancashire, London, and Globe to the extent of £l5O, but Dr. Burrows will bo a loser by the fire to the extent of about £2OO. The Aegean Wae. —Our cablegrams this morning announce that intelligence has been received by the Homo Government that the British force under General Burrows in Oandabar has met with a terrible disaster, the troops being completely annihilated by the native tribes under Ayoub Khan.

Teout Hatching.—The hatching of the trout for the season has begun, and is progressing very satisfactorily. It is expected that about 60,000 young fish will be hatobed out from this season’s ova. South Teain Delated. —The 8 20 special train from Christchurch was delayed for half an-hour near Hornby yesterday, owing to a defect with the engine. Theatre JRoyal. —The company now playing at the Theatre will reappear this evening in the comedy of “Leap Year.” To-morrow, a now play, “Laurie Stuart,” is announced to be given. Cricket. —It is currently reported that Messrs Ashby and W. and C. Frith contemplate leaving the province shortly and prior to the opening of next cricket season. The Late Exhibition. —At the meeting of the committee of the late Industrial Exhibition, held last evening, it was resolved to hand over the surplus funds—in round numbers estimated at £soo—to the Association for Promoting Local Industries, with a recommendation that not less than £3OO be placed at interest for the purposes of a future exhibition.

Voluntbbbing. —lt is intended, if possible, to institute Saturday evening parades, the matter having come under consideration at a meeting of officers held after the last monthly parade. If it should be finally determined upon, the first parade’will take place on next Saturday week.

The San Pbancisco Mail. —This mail is expected to arrive between seven and eight o'clock to-morrow morning. The Abt op Money Lending.—ln t) • B.M. Court, civil aide, yesterday, a gentleman, whose name is not altogether unknown in the purlieus of that temple of justices,' found himself, in the by no means tender hands of Mr Stringer, compelled to pass a mauoais quart A’ heure The reason of this was thus-wise:—A (let us call him A) is a money lender and also a com merchant. He purchased part of a crop from B, who lives at Oxford ; an agreement was drawn up and signed, which A kept in his own possession, and inserted at his own leisure and pleasure, after signature, certain words which, carried into effect, increased the profits of A by a tidy little sum ; for money is money. Now, there was a contra account between the parties. A, as money-lender, lent B £7O on a bill of sale, which, in the most business like manner, B completed before the money was handed over. This loan was a work of art in itself, and the story of it will show that the business of money-lending requires brains as well as more tangible capital. After getting the document, A was not very prompt in finding the cash; on one occasion he had left his cheque book at home, and again, required to be shown, more particularly, the financial position of B and so on, with the moat exasperating disregard of the borrower’s neceasites, which were pressing hardly enough on him, poor man. In one of the interviews—while the cash did not pass—A offered a horse and cart to B for £2O, which the latter purchased on the understanding that it was to be paid for not out of the loa.i, but, said A, “ Any time, any time, my boy, will do for me.” At length a settlement was come to, and the account stood thus: Horse and cart, £25; cost of deed, £7 ; use of money, £lO 10s ; expenses of A to view security, £1 ; and “ there is just £25 coming to you.” Total, £7O. In his totting up even, there was an error of £1 10s, which B in his excitement did not see. Ji grumbled. Ho wanted cash, not horses and carts, and expenses, &0., but needs must when the devil drives, and so that affair was done with. This item and other strokes of business better even than it, made up the contra account of A against the grain bought from B, and would still bring the latter in debt. B resisted, brought an action against A, and gained it. The latter then sued B, which, as has been said, was the cause of great personal annoyance to A. Mr Stringer who had B.’s case in hand, yesterday—he is young—got himself up to a pitch of indidnation not often seen in the place he was. “ If,” said he, “ I were to apply to the unprincipled scoundrel A, the terms forger, swindler, &c., it would be merely ‘painting the lily’; I will not do that; his actions, as disclosed by the evidence before the Uourt may speak for themselves,” which they did, it is to be presumed, for as the Magistrate closed his iron hand on the falsified documents, his words left not a doubt on the minds of the admiring audience that a still more unpleasant quarter of an hour is in store for the unfortunate A.

Spouting.—The well-known Canterbury steeplechaser, Mousetrap, arrived from Tasmania, per the s.s. Eotomahana, yesterday morning. St Michael's Choral Society.—A rehearsal of band and chorus was held last evening. It is intended to perform the “Woman of Samaria " on Thursday evening next, the sth August, This society has of late had a good accession of singers, and under Mr Wells’ careful conducting should be able to give the choruses with good effect. Municipal.—His Worship the Mayor has invited the members of the present Council, ex-Mayors, past Councillors, and the officers of the Council to a banquet in the renovated Council Chamber on Monday evening, to celebrate the opening of the enlarged buildings. The Council will meet at 4 p.m. on that day, in order to conclude the business in time.

Trout pob the West Coast. —At the meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society, held yesterday, it was resolved to communicate with the West Coast, with a view to placing some trout in the tributaries of the Teremakau and other West Oosat rivers. The Society will provide the fish if the people on the West Ceast will take charge of them and place them in the rivers. The Supposed Californian Salmon.— There appears to be some doubt after all whether the fish caught in the Cam, by the members of the Anglers’ Society, who undertook the task, are Californian salmon. Mr M. P. Stoddart, an experienced disciple of Izaak Walton, who has fished in California, gives it as his opinion that they are Californian sea trout, a very valuable fish, and one which is pretty plentiful in the rivers of California. One of the fish is on view at the shop of Messrs Cook and Boss, where those who are curious in the matter will bo able to see it.

Theatbical. —Mr George Lingard, long and favourably known in Christchurch as agent for several companies visiting New Zealand, arrived yesterday from the North, to make arrangements for proceeding to England with the Panorama of New Zealand, known as “Zealandia.” Mr Lingard has become proprietor of the panorama, and Mr J, M. Perrier, long and favourably known in journalistic and theatrical circles, goes as advance agent and lecturer, per one of the Orient line. It is Mr Lingard’s intention to exhibit the panorama throughout England, Ireland and Scotland as an excellent method of placing before people who desire to come out here an idea of the country and its capabilities for settlement. Oantbbbubt Coubsing Club —There was some excellent coursing done at Sheffield yesterday, but it is doubtful whether the list can be got through to-day. Some of the paddocks are prohibited, consequently the coursing is restricted to a limited area. Foeestbbs’ Entbbtainment. —The annual entertainment given by the members of the Foresters’ Amateur Dramatic Club in aid of the widows’ and orphans’ fund, took place at the Theatre Royal last night, and was well attended. Prior to the performance of the piece, a tableau illustrative of the widows’ and orphans’ fund was exhibited, and Mr J. Gapes made a short address, in the course of which he stated that the present worth of the fund was £BB3 2s lOd. The piece selected was the historical drama of “ Whitefriars,” which was creditably played throughout. Miss Lilly May, who gave her assistance, played Aurora Sydney very nicely, and the other characters were also creditably sustained. Acknowledgement. —The master of Ashburton Home begs to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of a number of books from Mr W. L. Browne, of Christchurch, as an addition to the library for the inmates. Lecture. —Mr B. Cass will deliver a lecture this evening on “ The Dogma of Eternal Suffering,” at the Oddfellows’ Hall. The Rev. H. C. M. Watsos will occupy the chair.