NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2048, 16 September 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The New Rota.—Touching a notice which appeared in these columns yesterday, Mr Hobbs, from the Bench at the Police Court this morning, said that his absence on the previous day was the result of an arrangement with Mr Inglis, with whom he had exchanged duties and who was absent in his turn on the day appointed for him on the Rota.

Flbminoton.— This township, which is situated about midway between Ashburton and Waterloo, has, from a variety of causes, been destitute of school accommodation, partly through doubt on the part of the Board of Education as to the exact site chosen by the school committee, and also to difficulties surrounding the title. It appears these obstacles have now been surmounted, and the architect has prepared the necessary plans for the proposed buildings, tenders for which it is expected will be accepted by the Board at its sitting on October 7th, Sydenham Wesleyan Mutual Improvembnt Association.—The subject which engaged the attention of this body on Wedevening was a paper by Mr J. Hill, viz., *' Co-operation.” The paper, from foe points of composition and matter, showing his ability to deal with so important and interesting a subject. Loyal Kaiapoi Lodge.—lt has been decided to celebrate the anniversary of this lodge by a picnic to Pigeon Bay during the third week of October.

South Malvern.—An interesting 'lecture on “ Teetotalism,” was delivered by the Bev. J. Pendray, at the Baptist Church, on Saturday evening. The chair was taken by Mr Murphy. Oddfellowship. —The Loyal Benevolent Lodge opened a juvenile lodge at Montreal street North on Monday evening last Twelve candidates presented themselves and wore initiated. The Volunteer Juvenile Lodge attended in force, and assisted at the opening ceremony. Several good songs and recitations wore given, and one candidate proposed. After the lodge was closed full justice was done to come refreshments, and a very enjoyable evening concluded at 9 o’clock, Sydenham and the Ward System.— The question was asked last evening, at the conclusion of the business of the Sydenham Loan meeting, as to the course to be adopted to bring the ward system into operation in Sydenham. After explaining the necessary action, the Mayor took tho sense of the meeting on the question, eliciting an unanimous vote of tho ratepayers in its favor. It is intended to take aotim in the matter at an early date.

Thb Deuidb.—A meeting to form a lodge at Kaiapoi was held at Bnrnip’s Hotel, on Tuesday evening. Bros. Hirst and Drake addressed those present. Mr G. A. Manning was elected secretary, and it was decided to apply for a dispensation as soon as sufficient names were given in. Thb Drought in New South Wares.— In the absence of any cablegrams lately from the Press Agency on a matter so important as« the above, Messrs P. Cunningham and 00. wired their agents at Sydney yesterday as follows : “ Does drought still continue." The reply received the same day reads thus : “ No, broke slightly two days ago. Now raining heavily." Eobbeby op Fish. —On Tuesday night a number of the last-hatched American brook trout were taken from the fish-breeding farm of Mr Johnson, Opawa, by someone who also managed to upset the boat, and it is hoped himself as well, into the river. These little American trout are so tame as to flock into one’s hand by dozens, and are the only representatives of this season’s hatch of the “ Salmo Fontinalis ” variety in this colony, so that the loss and disappointment will be felt by many. Accident. —A boy named Biising, in the employ of Mr Ohinnery, flax dresser, Rangiora, met with a sad accident early yesterday morning, resulting in the loss of the left arm within an inch or so of the elbow. It appears that the boy, whilst clearing the flax as it was discharged from the machine, caught his hand, and before he could extricate himself or help could be rendered, his arm was drawn within the wheels, and crushed to such an extent that the arm was held only by a fragment of flesh. Medical aid was obtained, and the poor lad sent off to the Christchurch Hospital by the first train. It was found necessary to amputate the arm, and last evening the lad was progressing as favorably as could be expected. Stock pob Canteebuey. Tuesday’s “ Morning Herald ” says—The last train for Timaru on Saturday took away one of the finest three-year-old colts that has ever loft Dunedin, Prince Napoleon having been purchased at a high figure from Messrs Wright, Stephenson and 00. by P. H. Bussell, Esq., of the Otipua estate. His sire is Emperor, who took first prize as a two-year-old at the DuneHin Show in 1878, and second for the best horse shown, being only beaten by his own sire, Napoleon, while his dam is Blossom, winner of over forty first prizes, and also winner of the champion prize at Dunedin in 1878—a success which no other mare has accomplished in Now Zealand. Stock owners in the Timaru district may well congratulate themselves on such an acquisition. “ Between Two Stools, Ac.”—The old adage met with another illustration at the Ashburton District Court yesterday, when Mr J. Ivess sued a collector named Martin for the recovery of £27 odd received by defendant on plaintiff’s behalf. It appeared from the evidence that Mr Ivoas had previously brought the case into the magistrates’ court, but the magistrate had nonsuited him on the ground of having no jurisdiction. Subsequently a summons was issued for hearing in the District Court, and yesterday the plaintiff had the disagreeable experience of seeing his case treated in a similar manner to what it had been in the lower court. Mr Ivess politely intimated to his Honor that as the Hesident Magistrate had already decided that he had no jurisdiction he should very much like to know who had. His Honor in reply stated that he could see no reason why the magistrate could not decide the case, and on the strength of this comforting assurance the plaintiff resolved to “try again,” and procured a fresh summons.

A Disgusting Peaotioe.—A writer in the Dunedin “Star” says:—“Now that the season of lamb and veal has again come round I trust the butchers will stop the reprehensible habit of “winding" and spouting, the purpose of which is to deceive the purchaser and consumer. I understand that the animal is first blown, the slaughterman exhaling his breath into the carcase and then filling his mouth with melted mutton suet to “spout” or splutter this over the meat. Is is not both unwholesome and disgusting?"

Work toe thb Unemployed.—At an inquest in the Wellington Gaol a juryman was allowed to effect an exchange and retire, after being sworn, as ho assorted that viewing a dead body made him ill for some days afterwards. It was suggested by several of the jurymen that it would bo considerate on the part of the police to utilise some of the unemployed to serve their country as juries at inquests, and thereby relieve the tedium of their depressing circumstances, while, at the same time, saving those fortunate enough to have work from the inconvenience and loss of having to leave it for halt a day.

The West Coast.—The “ Nelson Mail ” publishes an extract from a latter from Greymoutb, in which the writer, referring to gold prospecting in that locality, says :—“ An authentic report has been received cf very good gold being got far up the ranges between the bend of the Black Ball and the Ten Milo Creeks, running from the ranges seaward. This is terra incognita of past year, and the discovery is solely the result of the findings at the Seventeen-Mile Beach. All the country from Moonlight across to Razor Back, and all the back country down to Charleston, will now be thoroughly prospected. The last find is near “ Roaring Meg,” to approach which demands acrobatic qualifications of highest order.” The country referred to is of very considerable extent, and should the report mentioned prove correct, it is likely that the auriferous deposits will not be confined to the locality where they are eaid to have been found, but will be epread over the whole area between the Seventeen-Mile Beach and Charleston, which is some thirty or forty miles in length, and from four to five in width.

One Way of Doing It.—The following circumstances are reported by the “ Mail ” to have occurred at no great distance from Nelson. The scene took place in a grocer’s store. A Civil servant on presenting his monthly account for settlement, complained bitterly of the recent reduction in his salary, and intimated that, under the circumstances, the grocer should make him some allowance. The grocer (who is an extremely canny individual, and who is noted for his love for “ the bawbees ”), at once acquiesced ; stating that he would no tak’ it oft' the tea and sugar, but off the foot of the bill.” The grocer took the full amount of the bill, receipted it, and after a careful measurement, cut off all the blank paper on the bottom, and banded it hack to his customer, declared that he had taken 10 per cent, off, as he said he would. Talk about adding insult to injury, our readers can imagine the feelings and looks of that customer when he found he had been sold by the canny storekeeper.

Drainage Board Member for Sydenham. —It was decided last evening, at the Borough Loan meeting, to enrol a committee to ensure the return of Mr W. White, jun., to represent Sydenham on the Drainage Board.

B.M. Court, Tbmuka.—ln Friday’s issue reference was made in these columns to a case in which Dr. Hayes was defendant and Maria Philips prosecutor. The correct description of the latter should have been Mrs Maria Philips, widow.

Sydenham Bobouoh Loan.—At the meeting called last night to consider the advisability of borrowing £30,000 for otreet channelling, &c., a motion in the negative was carried almost unanimously. A report of the proceedings appear elsewhere. Theatre Boyal.—“A Christmas Mystery ” was repeated lust night to a good house. To-night the performance will be under the patronage of the captain and officers of H.M.S. Danae, who have promised to be present. The same bill will be repeated. Academy op Music.—To-night The Irish Pilgrim (Mr J. P. Armstrong) will make his dehut in Christchurch, at the Academy of Music. In the South ho has won golden opinions, and no doubt there will bo a good house this evening to hear him. Journalistic. —We have received the first number of the “ Waikato Mail,” a new’ triweekly journal, started at Cambridge by Mr Ivess of Ashburton. The paper is very creditably got up, and judging from the largo amount of local nows, it evidently supplies a long felt want in the district. Entertainment. —A very successful entertainment, consisting of vocal and instrumental music, interspersed with readings, in connection with the Presbyterian Church, was held in the Eakaia Town Hall on Tuesday. After the entertainment a ball was held in the same room which was kept up with much spirit till four in the morning. Bast Christchurch Pigeon Elying Club.—On account of one of the birds getting out of the hamper on its way to Timaru, and some of the others not being liberated at the proper time, the third race for the President’s Cup will have to be flown again at some future date, to bo decided on by the committee next Monday night.

Scientific Lectures. —Professor Bickerton concluded a series of lectures on " Partial Impact ” last night. These lectures were delivered at the request of the students of the Canterbury College. At the conclusion of each lecture the professor received very hearty applause, and the second was Interrupted frequently by prolonged acclamation. The theory involves a thorough acquaintance with ohemiosl and physical laws, and in spite of the difficulty of the subject it was thoroughly appreciated by the students. Sarah Bbrnhabdt’s Costume. —Mdlle. Sarah Bernhardt’s seven changes of attire in the part of the heroine in “ Frou-Frou ” (says a London paper) have attracted much attention among the curious in such matters. From the report of a competent observer wo learn that in the first act she wears first a grey riding habit, then an evening dress, consisting of a Pompadour tunic over a skirt of cream-colored foulard ; in the second act a peignoir, or loose gown of white muslin ; then a robe of garnet husd satin, with full puffed sleeves and a “tablier” of figured silk; in the third act, a white muslin tunic over an under robe of cream-colored foulard, with little puffs ; in the fourth act, a dress of grey taffetas trimmed with grey satin, and a petticoat gathered in front and trimmed with fringe and pearls; lastly, in the fifth act, a robe of black crape trimmed with black velvet and a large fur mantle. We can only hope, in the interest of our lady readers, that we have correctly rendered—so far as we have ventured so to do—the technicalities of the toilette employed on this occasion.

A Terrible Horse Plague. —The “ Moscow Gazette” of a recent date contains a paragraph from the official “ Semiplatinsk Yedomosti,” staling that a terrible horse plague has broken out in the province near the Chinese frontier. In the Pavlodar and Earkarlin districts not a horse remains alive. The officials are unable to collect information respecting the losses, because no horses are left for them to ride upon. The postal service on the postroads has been stopped by the death of the post-horses, and in the villages the peasants have had to cease farming. The disease is believed to be the same as that whic hag been raging in Chinese Mongolia since 1875, and which has yearly been advancing towards Russia.

Curiosities of the Census. —The American census recently taken has revealed same curious things. In the State of New York the number of females outnumbering the males is larger than ever before, and this probably accounts for the unusually largo number of wonen in tbe State below the age of twenty-five, although, according to the census enumerators, thousands of these women will never see thirty-five. It is probable that Massachusetts, on account of its pre-existing admirable system of collecting statistics, will be the first State in the Union to report complete to headquarters at Washington. The enumerators report generally that they found the most apparent contentment among tbe middle classes, and the least among the wealthy classes. Among the richest families of Boston few children are reported, it being deemed unfashionable by this class to have children. A good deal of difficulty has been experienced by the enumerators in obtaining the ages of the females connected with wealthy families.

Board of Education. —The North Canterbury Board of Education will hold a meeting at 3 p.m. to-day. Diocesan Sunday School Association. —A general meeting of the members of the above will be held in St. Luke's schoolroom at half past seven o’clock this evening. Bakers’ Cricket Club. —A general meeting of this Club will be held this evening at the Market Hotel.

Philosophical Institute.— A popular lecture in connection with the above will be delivered to-night in the lecture theatre of the Canterbury College by the President, Mr E. Dobson, on the subject of “ House and Home.”

Avonside Entertainment. — An entertainment in connection with the parish of Avonside will take place this evening, for which a very attractive programme has been prepared. Sydenham Amateur Musical Society. —The third concert of the season will take place in the Colombo road Schoolroom to-morrow evening. The programme consists of vocal and instrumental solos, glees, choruses, &o. The soloists will be Meadames Bowler and Edmonds, Misses Main and Hadfield, and Messrs Condery, Johnstone, Kerr, and Edmonds.

Funny, of Course. —Two young men in light plaid clothes were riding down town on the Metropolitan “L” road, reading their papers, when one of them saw an item about a robbery in a boarding house, in which it was said that the perpetrators of the crime took the jewellery of' the landlady and of three boarders. “It is funny, Billy,” said the reader, “ that they always get away with the jewellery in a boarding house. They never steal anything to eat. —“Now York Herald.” Little Franky’s mother was very pious, but she was’an invalid ; and so bis auntie, who was also pious, looked after his religious instruction, and let no occasion pass to enforce some precept. One day Frank suddenly said :—“ Oh, dear ! I wish I had wings !" This angelic aspiration was regarded with great joy by the two sisters, and they eagerly asked why he wished for wings.—“ Ob,” said Franky, “ I’d fly right up into the air and take Aunt Susan with me, and when I couldn’t bo any higher I’d let her drop. Mere Curiosity.—A well-known joker, being one night at a theatre, fancied he saw a friend some three seats in front of him. Turning to his next neighbor he said, ‘ Would you bo kind enough to touch that gentleman with your stick?” “Certainly,” was the reply; and the thing was done. But when the individual thus assaulted turned round, tne wag saw he was not the man he took him for, and became at once absorbed in the play, leaving his friend with the stick to settle matters with the gentleman in front, which, as he had no excuse ready, was not done without considerable trouble. When the hubbub was over tbe victim said, “Didn’t you ask of me, sir, to tap that man with my stick?” “Yes.” “What did you want?” “Oh,” said the joker, with imperturbable gravity, “I wanted to see whether you would.”

A letter from Rome announces that an extensive coral bank has been lately discovered south from Sciarra, on the Neapolitan coast. Judging from the quantity and quality of the material already fished up, this new bank seems to be richer and more important than the one discovered about five years ago not far distant from the same spot. The poet has referred idlers to the ant for a lesson on industry. The common housefly, however, wears the belt for persistent perseverance. One of these creatures will go n thousand times to the same spot on a man’s bald head, and yet there is nothing to be gained by it in any way.