NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2030, 26 August 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Bebb Tax. — On Tuesday night, in committee on the beer tax, the motion that tho duty should stand as printed, viz., 6d per gallon, was lost by 46 to 34 votes, and the motion that 3d be inserted instead of 6i was carried on the voices. Messrs Allwright, Bain, Bowen, Colbeck, Hursthouse, Kelly, Kenny, Levin, Ormond, Pitt, Richardson, Stevens, Sutton, Swanson, Wood, and Wright voted against tho Government.

San Eeancisco Mail. —We learn from Captain Eairohild, of the s.s. Hinemoa, that tho mail due at Auckland on Monday was not telegraphed as having arrived when he left Wellington yesterday at 2.30 p.m. Bepobted Wrecks.— lt is reported that the ketch Southern Queen, Captain Shepherd, was lost at Amur! Bluff in tho gale last Friday night, and went down with all on board. It is also reported that the schooner Josephine, bound from Lyttelton to the Thames, has not reached her destination, though considerably overdue. Mobb Aebitals pkom Pabihaka.— The s.s. Hinemoa arrived at Lyttelton this morning with another Parihaka consignment for the gaol. The shipment this time consisted sixty-six strapping fellows, mostly young natives. The steamer left for Wellington at ten o’clock.

Bowling Extbaoedinaet. — A feat, probably without parallel in the history of cricket, was performed by Spofforth, the Australian bowler, in a match against eighteen of Burnley, including five local professionals. Tho Australians had made 143 in their innings ; the Burnley eighteen were disposed of in their first innings for 43 runs. Spofforth, in this innings, bowled 14 overs, of which 11 were maidens. In three overs—that is, the IS balls—lo runs were made off his bowling, but at tho cost of 12 wickets. The “Damon” has never done anything like this hitherto, and there is no similar record in English chronicles of this kind of sport. Thes the Royal. —Last night the •' Colleen Bawn ” was given, and went very well. After its conclusion a novel feature in theatrical representation was introduced. Mr O’Connor, the champion pedestrian of New Zealand, walked swiftly round a number of chairs forty-two times. This he did in thirteen seconds under seven minutes, and, the distance being a mile, ho was loudly cheered. This is not, perhaps, the highest form of dramatic art. There is a considerable gap between iSjchylus and this sort of performance, but the pit appeared perfectly contented. Next followed the farce of the “ Benecia Boy,” at the end of which Messrs Lee and Massey treated the audience to a taste of their quality in the sparring lino. This, again, was a novelty in the temple of Thespis. We are not aware if the punching of heads is to form a permanent feature in the management. Possibly the company are going into strict training, and have a ring staked out behind the scenes.

Accident at Poet.— This morning, a man named Deare, employed in discharging the barque Silver Eagle, fell down the main hatch from the ’tween deks upon the kelson, and sustained some internal injuries. He was carried to the casual ward, and attended to by Dr H. Macdonald.

Canterbury Sabbath Scnooii Tkaohbbs’ Institute. —The monthly meeting of the above institute takes place this evening, at the Baptist Chapel, Oxford Terrace, at 630 p.m. An interesting address is anticipated from the Rev. Mr Dalleston, on the subject of “ The Sunday School in Relation to the Church and former Scholars.” The moating will be a social one, and we understand the committee are sparing no pains to render it a success. A cordial invitation is given to all interested in Sunday School work. The Late Accident at Cashmere. —The man Henry Alexander, who was injured at Cashmere in the recent north-west gale, is in a very dangerous state, and his position is considered to be precarious. Royal Commission. —At the meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday, it was resolved that the Board afford every assistance to the proposed Royal Commission to enquire into the matter of granting a certificate of death in a recent case in the Hospital. Reductions. —The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board have received a circular letter from the Government instructing them that they must enforce ten per cent, reduction in the salaries of their employes. The question has been raised as to how this will affect those who have agreements with the Board. Lyttelton Wesleyan Church. —A sacred musical entertainment was given in the Wesleyan Church, Lyttelton, on Tuesday night. There was a moderate attendance and the several pieces were much applauded. Solos were sung by Misses Ness and Smith and by Messrs Sydney Smith, Lance and Brownell, and the programme included four anthems by the choir, each of which was deservedly applauded. Mr J. T. Maoleod Smith’s performances upon the organ were also greatly appreciated.

Lecture at Rangxoba. —The last o£ a series of lectures oa behalf of the Young Men's Christian Association was delivered on Tuesday evening, at the Literary Institute, by the Key. D. McKee, Subject—“Oranmer, as represented by Macaulay and Tennyson.” The audience though small showed their high appreciation of the learned lecturer's eloquence. Pabdon. —In reply to the application of the Kaiapoi Town Council, through the Resident Magistrate, to the Minister of Justice, for the release of Thomas Pearson, sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for indecency, on the ground that his wife was in a dying and destitute condition, the Hon. Mr Belleston on the 23rd inst. sent the following urgent message to the Mayor :—“ His Excellency has ordered the release of T. Pearson. I have telegraphed the gaoler accordingly.” Owing to the damage to the telegraph lines this message only came to hand yesterday.

A Gigantic Luncheon.—The commissariat powers of Messrs Spiers and Pond are marvellous. At the opening of the Royal Albert Dock (fays an English paper), they served tho drjevner in a building 750 feet long by 120 feet wide. Two hundred tables were laid for nearly 4000 guests, and one and a half miles of tablecloth was required. There were 25,000 forks, a ton of knives, 24,000 glasses, 15,000 plates, 5c wt. grapes, 2000 baskets of strawberries, beeiiee apricot, plump, oranges, &0., making altogether 1000 varied pyramids of fruit. Besides tho flowers used in decorating the interior of tho building there wore placed upon the tables over 1000 flowering plants. An army of 150 cooks and carvers prepared this enormous feast, and 500 waiters served it. The whole of tho staff, plant, linen, decorations, and utensils, as well as the varied and ample viands, were conveyed from Messrs Spiers and Pond’s central depot to the docks in twenty-four hours.

Mining in New South Wales.— We have to acknowledge the receipt from the Hon. the Minister of Mines of New South Wales, of a copy of the annual report of the Department of Mines. It is estimated that there are 35,000 square miles of auriferous country in the colony, whilst it is a noticeable fact that whereas in 1878 there were 7074 persons employed goldmining in tho colony, the number increased in 1879 to 8102. Toe yield of gold for 1870 is IO.OOOozs. loss than that of the year preceding, being 106,899 jzs. The mineral product next in importance to that of gold is that of coal, of which she raised last year a total quantity of 1,583 381 tons, against 1,575,497 tons in the preceding year, or an excess of 7884 tons. In addition to the great mineral deposits of gold and coal which have been alluded to, New South Wales has an area of 6713 square miles, containing cupriferous wealth. Throughout this vast extent of country only a few mines have been worked to any signifleant extent.

Colonial Taeiffs. —A return of the import duties levied by our different colonies upon the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom has just been issued (says the London “ Times ”), The duties are those which were in force in March last, when the return was moved for in the House of Commons. It appears that Canada levies the highest rates on most articles, 20 to 30 per cent, ad valorem being frequently reached. Victoria and Now Zealand also levy duties of 15 to 20 per cent, in many cases, and the other Australian colonies (except New South Wales and Queens land), the Cape of Good Hope, Newfoundland, and Jamaica come next, their rates being mostly from 10 to 15 per cent, ad valorem. In Now South Wales duties arc levied on few products of this country, and in Queensland and several other colonies such duties seldom exceed 5 per cent., the rate which also is levied on many articles in India. The City op Smbms. —Who would not live in Wellington. “ A disagreeable cutaneous complaint has been prevalent in town of late (says the “ New Zealand Times ”) affecting adults as well as children. Wo hear that residents in the neighbourhood of the cemetery have suffered more from it than those of other parts of the town, and medical men do say that it is an effect of blood poisoning, caused by the noxious exhalation from the cemetery. Some parts of the come tery are evidently surcharged with pestiferous matter; and, as we have again and again urged, it is high time steps were taken to provide another place for interment much further removed from the centre of population.”

1.0.0.F.jM.U., Eangioba.—The members of this lodge met on Monday last, and discussed the question of the anniversary meeting. At the next meeting it is proposed to consider the advisability of having the usual procession of members and sports, concluding with a dance or dinner—or an excursion to one of the bays. Avon Lodge.—The regular meeting of Avon Lodge, No. 23 A.O. was held on Wednesday, when there wao a good attendance of brethren. After the despatch of business Bro. N. G. Lezard made a presentation on behalf of the brethren to Bro. Bin. Sec. Garnett, on the occasion of his approaching marriage. The form the testimonial took was a silver salver, bearing the following inscription Lodge, 1.0.0. F. Presented to Bro. L. F. Garnett, P.S., by a few of his brethren, in commemoration of his marriage.” The inscription was surmounted by the insignia of the order and a representation of the jewel of the secretary. Bro. Garnett briefly responded, and long life and happiness to the intending aspirants for the happy state was drunk with great enthusiasm. The brethren then spent a very enjoyable evening, when several toasts were drunk.

Jotjenadistic. Victoria possesses 141 newspapers ; Now South Wales, 115 ; South Australia, 36 ; Queensland, 49; New Zealand, 115 ; British North America, 55 ; Ontario, 226; Newfoundland, 2; and Fiji, 4. In England 1834 papers are published, and of that number 365 are issued in London.

An Ingenious Intention.—A clockmaker of Copenhagen, named Louis Soenderberg, who for some time past has had charge of that city’s electric timekeepers, has just invented an ingenious appliance which obviates the necessity of winding up the regulator from which the clocks in question “ take their time.” By a mechanical contrivance which periodically cuts off the stream of electric fluid emanating from the battery, and brings an electro-magnet to bear upon the relaxed mainspring in such sort as to renew its tension instantaneously, perpetual motion is practically imparted to the works of the regulator —that is to say, as long as the batteries connected with it are kept properly supplied with acids. The Ptbamid.—Mr Brunton, of Dunedin gave the first of his series of lectures on the “ Pyramid of Jeezeh ” last night at the Oddfellows’ Hall to a very large audience. The lecture, which was profusely illustrated by diagrams and models, was listened to with deep attention throughout. To-night the second lecture will bo given, and Mr Brunton last night invited anyone who cared to do so to inspect his collection of photographs of the Pyramid prior to the hour for commencing the lectore. Habbwood Boas Obiokkt Odtjb.—The annual meeting of the Harewood road Cricket Club was held on Monday evening last at Papanui. There was a fair attendance of members. The secretary read the report of last season, and the meeting then proceeded to elect officers for the incoming season, with the following result :—Captain, E. Bell; vice-captains, D. Beese and J. Cosgrove ; secretary and treasurer, B. J. Pattrick ; committee, B. Bell, J. Beese, W. Philpott, W. Bishop, and T. Stanley. It was agreed to open the season by a scratch match on September 25th. After passing a vote of thanks to the school committee for lending the room the meeting adjourned. Honobabiuxt.—At the annual meeting of the Poultry Society last evening the sum of fifteen guineas was voted to the hon. secretary, Mr W. T. O. Mills, in recognition of his services on behalf of the Society.

Gbbhndalb Sunday School. —The eighth anniversary of the above school was held this week. On Sunday, the Rev. O. Dallaston, of Christchurch, addressed the children and their parents. On Monday ho gave a lecture on “ Billy Bray,” the proceeds of which were given to the harmonium fnnd. On Tuesday a public tea, provided by the parents and friends of the scholars was largely patronised. After the tea had been removed a meeting was held, presided over by the superintendent of the Sunday school, at which many of the children recited very nicely, and received their prizes. The report read showed that there were 67 scholars and 8 teachers now in attendance, being an increase of five scholars since last anniversary. The income for the year was stated to bo £l9 ISs, general and prize fund, and that about £ll had been received towards the purchase ofjan harmonium for the school.

. Painful Accident.— Mr Armstrong, dentist, of Dunedin, met with a very painful accident on Tuesday, at Southbridge. Da was working with a spirit lamp when it. suddenly exploded, burning his face and head severely. Fortunately his eyesight escaped injury. Professional aid being at hand he was promptly attended to.

Sydenham Borough Election. —An election of Councillors for this borough, in the place of Crs. White, Paritt, and Shierlaw, who go ont of office pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, will take place on Thorsday, the 9th proximo.

Hedge Cutting Machine.— An exhibition trial of the Hornsby hedge cutter will be held in the vicinity of Ashbnrton next Friday at 2 p.m.