NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2010, 3 August 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sitpeemh Couet.—There was no sitting in Chambers to-day owing to the indisposition of his Honor the Judge. Youtntbeeino.—A recent paragraph stated that it was the intention of the Yolunteer corps in Christchurch to drill on Saturday evenings in future. This was a mistake ; what it is intended to do is to hold Saturday afternoon parades, so as to carry out the suggestions of Colonel Scratohley and MajorGeneral Davidson to work the men by daylight, in order that the manner in which the evolutions are performed may be clearly seen.

Ancient Ohdeb of Fobhstbbs. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of Court Star of Canterbury was held last evening in the Foresters’ Hall. A moderate number of members attended, and a considerable amount of routine business was transacted. The Woodwards handed in their report respectir g sick members, A letter was read from the Canterbury Amalgamated Friendly Societies’ Association, giving the proposed constitution of that body, whioh was considered at some length, but owing to insufficient time for concluding the discussion, it was deferred until next meeting. After the reading of minutes and accounts of the evening, the C.B. closed the Court in due form.

Give a Dog a Bad Name, &c —The star of the Murphy family is not in the ascendant just now. Mr M. Murphy has just been considerably mulcted for sundry damages he did in the course of a drunken spree of his on Saturday last, and Mr J. Murphy is held to bail to answer a charge of perjury and forgery, which were developed at a hearing of the case Mmphy v Hodgson, on Thursday last. This is bad, very bad, but worse is to follow. Any punishment is irksome, however well deserved, but the first named of the brothers has been made to suffer more than he deserved. In this way. The report of Murphy v Hodgson appeared in the “ Press” of Saturday morning, and was transferred bolus bolus and more into the columns of the “Star” of that evening’s issue. That journal added to the bald account given by the “Press” a running commentary, in its own sarcastic style, which may or may not have improved it, and, unfortunately for itself, it added something else. It stated that the plaintiff was the well known and generally appreciated Michael Murphy, &c , whereas the fact was that the plaintiff was Mr John Murphy, thus illustrating the truth of the old saw which begins these few remarks. We hear, but do not vouch for the truth of the report, that Mr M. Murphy intends to sue the “Star” for slander, or some offence of that kind, laying damages at £IO,OOO. Lyttelton Magistrates’ Court. —There was but a civil case for hearing at this Court this morning:—Williams v Gray, claim £8 I6s, Mr H. N. Nalder for plaintiff. Defendant admitted owing £5 4s, but judgment went against him for £7 6s and costs. Mr Beswick, H.M., was on the Bench.

Never Gate Him a Chance. — A person of mild appearance and attenuated extremities appeared in the prisoners’ dock at the R.M. Court, this morning, charged with the “ minor” offence of having been drunk and disorderly. To the magistrate this mild man said : “ I want you to give mo a chance, Mr Mellieh; you’ve never given me one yet.” For a mildlooking man with attenuated extremities this was not bad, suggesting as it did a backward prospect of crime. On looking up the records it was found that Peter Simple had been in for larceny and other humorous performances on half a dozen different occasions. The Bench sent him up for forty-eight hours. Infectious Diseases. The following cases of infectious diseases ware reported during the past month Typhoid—Christchurch, 1 ; Avon, 1. Scarlet Fever—Sydenham, 2. Diphtheria—Christchurch, 1 ; Sydenham, 1 ; Heathcote, 1. The total number of cases in the district being 7.

Pumping Station. —The contratraotor for the pumping station, Mr Parsons, has now pumped out the water from the cylinder, and has commenced building the wall. So far as he has gone he has dealt successfully with the leakage, but, as stated in the engineer’s report to the Board yesterday, he has yet to cut considerably into the concrete to get down to the propsr level. Unemployed Meeting. —A meeting of the unemployed was held yesterday in Cathedral square. Mr Laiug intimated that the committee appointed at a recent meeting had been in communication with the Premier and the members for Christchurch, and that they had prepared petitions to the President of the United States and the Governor of New Zealand. After some discussion of a conversational character, the meeting dispersed, it being understood that the petitions would bo ready for signature to-day. Theatre Royal. —Tho play of “ Laurie Stuart ” was repeated last night at the Theatre Royal, when there was a very fair house. To-night tho same piece will be repeated, and to-morrow a now piece, entitled “ British Born,” is announced. Harbour Board. A meeting of the Harbor Board was held yesterday. A tender was accepted for the pumps necessary for tho graving dock, and a variety of other business transacted.

Sydenham: Bobough Council. The ordinary meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council was held yesterday evening. There were present—His Worship the Mayor (Mr Brown), Ors. White, Andrew, Hall, Charters, Pavitt, Shierlaw, Langdown, and Joyce. The minutes of the previous meeting having been duly read and confirmed, the correspondence since the previous meeting was considered, there being nothing in the latter of general interest to the public. Following on the correspondence, the Council entered into consideration of the usual executive business, embracing the reports of committees; the works and lighting committees being the only ones that submitted records for deliberation, neither of which contained subject matter of importance. The business of the committee meeting iu re the borough loan was briefly referred to, but not commented on. Or. Joyce then gave notice of motion, “That the resolution of this Council of January 19th, 1880, re the street naming committee, be revoked.” The proceedings then terminated. Mayoeal Banquet.—The banquet given by His Worship the Mayor in commemoration of the opening of the new Council Chamber took place last evening, and was exceedingly successful. About fifty gentlemen wore present, and the proceedings passed off with much eclat.