NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2043, 10 September 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Shooting a Pheasant. —At the Resident ' Magistrate's Court two men were brought up this morning charged with shooting a hen pheasant on tho property of Mr F. Brittain, at Burnham. They were also charged with being in pursuit of game without a license. The offence was clearly proved, and the men said they wore poor men and had beon living on the game. Mr Brittain, however, gave them a good character, and stated that he did not believe that they realised the gravity of the offence. In consideration of this Mr Mellish passed a light Bentonce, but Biid that, if they were brought up again, they would be much more severely dealt with. They were each fined £2 10a, costs £1 12* and half solicitor's fee 10s 6i, in all £4 12j 6d.

Theatre Royal. - This eyening Mr Walter Reynolds will mako his first appearance in Shakeuperian drama, the play selected being " Romeo and Juliet." Mr Reynolds will play Romeo, and Mrs Walter Hill will sustain the character of Juliet, whilst Mr Burford is cast for Mercutio.

Apathetic Ratepayebs.—lt may be of interest to know tho proportion borne to the total number of ratepayers by the number of votes reoorded on Thursday on the occasion of the contests for municipal honors in the North-West and North-East wards of the city. For exampblo : In tho North-West ward the total number of ratepayers are 800 ; of this number 525 voted, leaving 275 unpolled ratepayers. In the North-East ward the ratepayers number 1049, of whom oily 395 polled their votes, by which it appears 654 ratepayers did not exercise their privilege. It is only fair to assume that a proportion of the names on the ratepayers' roll do not appear on the burgess list, and the disproportion in the numbers who did not vote in the two wards may be accounted for by better taotios being used in one ward as compaied with the other. The Fbibndly Society Case.—At the Lyttelton R.M. Court to-day the Bench gave judgment in this case. With regard to Mr Nalder's various objections, it ruled that the Court had power to amend tho information at any time as to technical objections. As the present was brought up as a test case, a fine of £1 and cost? was imposed. Mr Nalder gave notice of appeal. Abbitaii op Maobi Pbibonbbs.—The s.s. Hinemoa arrived yesterday at Lyttelton, with twenty-eight prisoners from Parihaka. They were landed direct on Ripa Island, and quartered in the quarantine buildings, a guard of constabulary being left in ohargo of them. St. Michael's Entebtainment.—One of the popular entertainments in connection with St. Michael's Church was held last evening, a varied programme being presented, and there was a good attendance. The performances of those who tendered their services were, as usual, of a satisfactory character.

Masonic—At the regular meeting of the Conyera Lodge last evening, the W.M. of the lodge, Bro. J. Joyce, invested Bro. Pant Master Oonyers with the past-master's collar. Bro. Oonyers received a hearty welcome from the brethren, end in response took occasion to congratulate the lodge upon the progress made by it since its establishment, and trusted that it would go on in the same way in the future.

Mr Peooiob.—Mr B. A. Proctor, the astronomer, who was expected to arrive at Dunedin by the Te Anau, from Hobort Town, is still in Sydney, and so far from there being any falling off in his audiences, he is advised to take the old Exhibition Building. The interest excited by his lectures extends to every class of society, and for his first series of lectures between four and five hundred guinea-course tickets were sold. Tbmpbbanob Hotel—The work of putting in the foundations of this building, the details of which have already been given, is proposing rapidly, and the edifice itself will soon begin to make a show. Thb Pbopbbty Tax.—Mr E. 0. Latter received a telegram yesterday from the Commissioner to the effect that the property tax forms had not yet been finally decided upon. Those who have already forwarded statements under the old Act will not be required to send in the new form, the time for receiving which will now be extended to the 15th of October.

The Pabinga.—Prom time to time reports have reached town of the exceeding mineral richness of this district, which is situated near Okarito, on the West Coast. A sample of coal was recently sent to a gentleman in Christchurch, who forwarded it to tho Colonial Analyst, whose report is as follows: " Bituminous Coal—Compares in every respect with samples 2720 L (1-4) from same district, reported upon for the chairman of Hokitika County Council last April. The analysis gives results as follows :—Fixed carbon, 70.92 ; hydro-carbon, 16 35 ; water, .78 ; ash, 11 95 ; 100. Evap. power, 9.11b5., which is very high ; unfortunately, however, the coal is very tender, as is its coke." The latter is accounted for by the fact that the sample was taken from the outcrop, which has necessarily been exposed to the weather. There can be no doubt that the coal industry on tho West Coast will before long meet with increased attention from capitalists.

Ckiminal Pboskcution. —In re the case of John Murphy, the Crown Prosecutor will not be the authority to proceed in the case at the next Circuit Sittings of the Supreme Court, Mr W. Stringer having undertaken to act on behalf of Mr Hodgson, the prosecutor. Union Rowing Club.— A special general meeting of the above club was held yesterday evening, at the Commercial Hotel, at eight o'clock. The chairman, Mr H. Thomson, stated the object of the meeting was to elect a vice-commodore in place of Mr Campbell, who had to resign on account of leaving Christchurch. Mr H. Thomson, jun., proposed, and Mr Rogers seconded—" That Mr S. Kesteven be vice-commodore for the ensuing season." This resolution was carried unanimously. The following new members were then eleoted—Messrs J. A. Frost, Gh Doarpley, J. Rattray, F. Caterer, J. Davis, and D. Wilkinson. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.