NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2009, 2 August 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Lyitblton P.L.B. and Investment Society.—After the ordinary business ia disposed of at tho monthly meeting of the Lyttleton Permanent Land, Building, and Investmont Society a general meeting of shareholders will be held, at which an auditor is to be appointed and two members of committee nominated.

A Betobt —A defendant, in a case heard at the B.M. Court to-day, received an unexpected reply when endeavoring to elicit certain information. He asked a witness if he had not threatened to do all iu his power to obstruct the license of a certain hotel because respetable people would not go near it Mr Melliah, tho Magistrate, replied, " And a very good reason, too, I think ;" and the witness added, " There you are." The Loch Awe—This ship, chartered by tho New Zealand Shipping Company, arrived to-day at Lyttelton. She brings two saloon, twenty-four second, and twelve steerage passengers. All on board are well. Of the two sires Lucks All and Chancellor, shipped for Mr B. Wilkin, the former died on the passage. House Killed by Fbight.—On Friday a horse in Mr Shaw's paddock, near the railway between Bangiora and Femside, was found dead. It is supposed to have been killed by fright at a passing train. Sjpobting.—The lovers of sport will regret to learn that Mr L. Markey's well-known steeplechaser Mousetrap has returned from his Tasmanian tour in such a condition as to render it highly improbable that he will race again. Vital Statistics.—The vital statistics for Christchurch and district for the month of July are—Births, 206; deaths, 50; marriages, 42. For the corresponding month last year the numbers were—Births, 188; deaths, 74 ; marriages, 31. Ashbubton.—At a meeting hold last Friday evening in Ashburton it was resolved, if possible, to get up monthly trotting matches, the conditions to be all horses to start from scratch in the first race, and be subsequently handicapped. The races may be either in harness or under a saddle.

FIBHING IN THB WAIMAKABIBI.—A petition was drawn up on Saturday, and will be handed to the Mayor of Kuiapoi, asking for a meeting to protest against the closing of this river for net-fishing. It is well known that the best fish are obtained here, and a number of persons obtain a livelihood from that occupation. City Cor/NCiii Btrii.DiKGa.—The renovated Council buildings, a description of which has already been given, will be formally opened to-day by the first meeting of the City Council being held in the room previously occupied by the Magistrates' Court. Maivbbn Coal. —The following information shows the rapid increase of the consumption of Malvern coal. Mr Joseph B. Sheath, agent for a coalpit at the Malvern Hills, states that the pit he acta for sent away per rail in July, 1879, 345 tons, and this year for the same month 960 tons were sent away, showing the output to have nearly trebled itself. The sale of coals at the pit, for country and local consumption, is of course not included in the above. Thirty miners are employed in the mines.

Thb eatb Exhibition.— There is now on view at Mr Oherrill's atelier, Oashel street, a series of views of the interior of the exhibition,"which are well worth inspection. The various pictures, &c, on the walls, together with the numerous exhibits, come out very sharply indeed, so much so, that in one of the views is a very excellent copy of Mr Hulbort'a picture by Herr Lindauer of a Maori woman and child, which attracted considerable attention in the exhibition. As a memento of the exhibition the series will no doubt be treasured.

LocAi, Ropk Making.—Mr Seed, of Rangiora, has prepared a number of excellent exhibits of rope from phormium for the Melbourne Exhibition. The larger kinds are particularly well laid up, and the manufacturer is prepared to have the same tested against the best Manilla. He also forwards twine of the kind which was so admirably adapted to the Deering reaping machine last year. This latter is subjected to a special process, which Mr Seed is now applying for letters patent to protect. He further expects an importation of machinery, which will greatly*facilitate him in the work of making ropea and twine of the' better class (from phormium. At the works, near Rangiora, about 30cwt. of prepared flax is turned out every week, a large proportion bi«T><» used by the upholsterers. Footbath.—A match was played on. the College ground on Saturday afternoon, between the Eastern Club and the first fifteen of the College. The ground was very slippery after the rain, so that the playing was under difficulties. The Eastern Club won by two tries to one.

Bangioba Discussion Class.—The usual meeting of this class at the Literary Institution oa Thursday evening was well attended, when the question of Chinese immigration was fully discussed. It was decided by a majority of eight that this class of immigration ought to be discouraged in every possible way. Theatre Royal.—A new sensation play, entitled " Laurie Stuart," was produced at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening, when there waß a very good attendance. The piece was well put on the stage and played capitally throughout. Mrs Hill in the dual character of Laurie Stuart and Mrs Hardrock played with effectiveness and spirit, and was well supported by Miss May, Mr Burford, and the remainder of the members of the company. The same piece will be played this evening and to-morrow. " British Born " is announced as being in rehearsal.

The Fishbbmen op Lake Ellesmbbb.— The fishermen of Lake Ellesmere have had a very hard time of it this winter through the flounders being so scarce; in fact, most of them have hardly been able to make a bare subsistence. A stranger visiting the lake in the summer months, when the fish are plentiful, and seeing them land a case of fish (120) at a single haul, naturally thinks that they are earning their money very easily; but such is not always the case. This winter it has been no unusual occurrence for the men to be up the best part of the night laying their mile of nets which, when hauled in, would only show a dozen of flounders large enough for sale, as their license forbids them retaining any flounders under eight or nine inches in length, two months in the year excepted. The fishermen consider this very hard on them, as there is a speoies of flounder in the lake called the Tricon, which does not grow beyond six inches in length, and in drawing their nets they have the labor of hauling in oases and cases of these fish only to be cast back into the lake. It is the intention of the fishermen to petition to be allowed to catch the Tricon all through the winter months, when the larger flounders are so scarce.

Sydenham Borough Council.—Thenßual meeting of this Council will be held at seven o'clock this evening.

Lecture,—A lecture in continuation of the series being given in connection with the Young Men's Christian Asso iation, will be delivered this evening in the Congregational schoolroom. The subject will bo "Iflats, sharps, and naturals," and the lecturer the Rev. J. Slocombe.

Citt Council.—The usual weekly meeting of the City Council will take place to-day at f omo'clock, in order to allow of the Councillors partaking of the hospitality of His Worship the Mayor, on tho occasion of the opening of the now council chamber.

Public Hall. —A meeting to consider the advisableneßS of erecting a public hall in Papanui for holding entertainments, meetrasß, 4c, will be held in the old schoolroom to-morrow evening. The Spabrow Nuisance. —A public meeting is to be held at the New Brighton Schoolroom this evening for the purpose of arranging a general plan of action for destroying sparrows on the surrounding farms. A proposal will be submitted for the formation of a Sparrow Club. Canterbury Jockey Club.—Owners are reminded that acceptances for the Canterbury Jockey Club Handicap, and nominations for the Canterbury Cup, accompanied in each case with 5 sovs., close this evening at nine o'clock. Official circles in England are talking about a possible consolidation of the Customs and Inland Revenue Departments, Herr Guldenstein, the Jewish sculptor at Stuttgart, has received from the Emperor of A istria the gold cross of merit. Dr. Alfred Swaino Taylor, the well-known English toxicologist and writer on medical j jurisprudence, is dead.