NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2062, 2 October 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Melbourne Cabmen’s Union. —Some in- ' teresting information is contained in the annual report of the above body, which has • been recently published. As is the case with i their Christchurch brethren, they sometimes clash with the police, and during the year reviewed 100 cases against cabmen were tried ■ in the Flemmington Police Court, all of which 1 wore, however dismissed, only one case, which l was tried in the County Court, being lost, it ) is said, through want of evidence. It is stated , that the Chief Commissioner of Police in Melbourne has issued instructions to the police to 1 give timely notice to all drivers intended to be ! summoned. The financial position of the I union is good, the receipts for the year , amounting to £l9B Is fid, of widen a good balance remains in hand. It is gratifying to notice that, whilst care- • ful of thoir own interests as a body, i they are not unmindful of the calls of distress and sickness from others, it being stated to their honor that they raised tho sum of 1 £l4 14s for the Melbourne Hospital on Hospital Sunday, and collected upwards of £25 i towards the Irish Famine Fuad. la the case, too, of the widow of one of their confreres, who was thrown from his cab and killed, they raised a good sum. These acts redound to their credit, and speak well of them as good citizens. Marriage Law. Alterations in the Marriage Law of this colony, affecting minors whose parents are not in the colony, are now in force. These alterations provide that no certificate can be issued until fourteen days after notice has been given to the Registrar, also that the fees in such case are 2s fid for notice and 5s for certificate fourteen days thereafter. Lyttelton Regatta, 1881.—Despite the inclement weather on Friday night a sufficient number of the late committee and others were present at the Colonists* Hall to receive the report and balance sheet of the last regatta and to take some preliminary stops in connection with the coming one in January. The Mayor, Mr Allwright, took the chair, and the secretary read the report and balance sheet, by which it was shown that a credit of £4B 6s 5d was standing to the regatta fnnd of 1880. After the balance sheet as read had been adopted, the following officers and committee were elected: Treasurer, Mr. F. Dransfield; secretary, Mr. T. L. Smith; committee, Messrs H. Allwright, H. P. Murray-Aynsley, P, Cunningham. R. Dunlop, Y. Donald, W. W. Anthrean, W. Cameron, W. H. Eyes, R. Forbes, P. W. Gibson, H. Hawkins, T. Hay, T. H. Hodge, W. Hanney, O. Jones, R. Kingsford, W. H. Lance, B. Lee, O. Leys, H. MoLellan, T. McOlatchie, H. McDonald, A, McWilliams, H. N. Nalder, R. Puflett, J. T. Rouse, O. A. Rich, A. Reid, P. Ronalds, L. Ookford, J W. Smith, G. Tayler, H. Turpin, J. F. Ward, W. Ward, W. Ware, J. 8. Willcox, H H. Webb, W. Whitby, G. W. White, W. Young, J. Yule, with power to add the number. The first meeting of the committee will be held at the same place next Friday. Lecture.— A lecture will be given on Monday evening next at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street, by Charles J. Russell, Esq., M.D., on the "Importance and Advantages of Friendly Benefit Societies. ” Dr. Russell having had considerable experience in connection with friendly societies in England, much interesting and valuable information may be looked for. Mr C. C. Bowen, M.H.8., will take the chair at eight o’clock, and the doors will be open at 7 30. Theatrical —Miss Clara Stephenson, with a company, opens for a short season in Akaroa on Monday next, A Good Excuse. —An amusing incident occurred at a recent sitting of the Dunedin District Court. Mr G. E. Dermer, a druggist, asked to be excused from serving as a juror on the ground that be had no one bat an inexperienced assistant to take charge of his shop while he was away. The circumstance (says the “Otago Times ”) recalled to the mind of the Court very vividly the case of Bardell v Pickwick, as reported by Charles Dickens, and his Honor wanted to know whether this boy was similar to the one mentioned in that case. Mr Dermer innocently answered that the only ■ difference was that his boy was subject to i epileptic fits. His Honor, alarmed at the , series of calamities that might occur through \ Mr Dermer’s absence, immediately dispatched him back to business. 1 Supreme Court. —His Honor Mr Justice 1 Johnston sat in chambers and in banco yes- t terday, when both Hats were disposed of. , Charitable Aid Board. At a special meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, held yesterday, it was resolved to ■' comply with the request of the Government, 1 and furnish tho half salary of Mr March, so as to render his salary tho same as paid before the reduction by the Government of one half the amount formerly paid to immigration x officers.

Mysterious. —The following announcement, appears in a Glasgow paper of 19th Juno last: —“ M’Millan.—On tho Ist April, by the upsetting of a boat in the Now River, Southland, Now Zealand, Annie, tho beloved wife of Daniel M‘Millan, late of Helensburgh.” The “ Southland Times ” says no such accident occurred. What does the obituary notice moan ? Athletic Club. —A meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of an athletic olnb iu Christchurch was hold at tho Commercial Hotel yesterday afternoon. Several gentlemen who have always taken great interest in athletics were present, and after some discussion it was resolved to form such an association, and the necessary preliminary steps wore taken to that end.

Thb Agbnt-Qenee&l.—The “New Zealand Time* ” says that since the prorogation °f Parliament the Government have been in communication with Sir Julius Vogel with respect to his dual position as Agent General of the colony and chairman of the Now Zealand Agricultural Company, and, in conformity with the wish of Parliament, the alternative of his retaining the chairmanship, at the expense of the Agent’Generalship, was placed before him. Several telegrams have been exchanged upon the subject, the Goverment maintaining a firm attitude, and the probabilities are strongly in favor of Sir Julius Vogel relinquishing the position he has so long held of Agent-General. A Maori lifPOSXEB, —It is reported that a Maori prophet named Paora Ret a is engaged stirring up the To Ore Ora Natives, a large body of whom are now assembled there. This is the same Native who very recently created n disturbance at Napier. He commenced by christening the Te Aute Eiver the Jordan, and baptising and professing miraculous things. The Napier Natives not proving as credulous as he expected he beat a hasty retreat, coming to the Wairarupa, where, according to the “ Wairarapa Daily.” he is trying to make mischief. He predicts a second deluge, in which the Europeans will be the victims, and the Maoris rescued by tho gods. Surveyors’ Association. —lt is stated by the “ New Zealand Herald ” that the authorised surveyors of New Zealand contemplate forming an association, under the sanction and approval of the Surveyor General, with a view of placing the profession cn a more satisfactory footing than at present. It is proposed that the association shall consist solely of authorised and Government staff surveyors, and the principal objects in view are to put a stop to the employment by the unwary public of uneuthoria d and irresponsible persons styling themselves “surveyors,” or more frequently “ engineers, architects, and surveyors,” but whoso professional knowledge and experience is of so limited a nature that they are unable to pass tho requisite examination, and obtain an authorisation from the Survey Department ; and to draw up and obtain the Government sanction to a fixed scale of charges for each survey district in the colony. Wiek Binder. —Ibe “ Morning Herald ” bears that an action will bo heard in one of the Dunedin Cour s in which the plaintiff seeks to recover tho sum of £IOO for damages alleged to have been caused to his cattle by pieces of wire mixed with chaff which had been put through “a wire binder.” A post mortem having been held on the cattle in question, pieces of wire were found in them. Cabmen’s Protection Society. — A meeting of the above society was held at the City Hotel last evening ; Mr Lamb i.i the chair. The report of tho Melbourne Cabmen’s Protection Society for tho past ye r was laid on the table, and a committee of management nominated, the election being fixed for the □ext meeting night. Christchurch Hunt Club. —A very well attended committee meeting of the above was held yesterday, at the office of Messrs Wilkin and Co., all tho members being present but one. Mr Allan Scott occupied the chair. A draft set of rules was prepared for the approval of a general meeting to be held on Wednesday, October 20th. Upwards of fifty members were elected, and after some farther routine business the meeting adjourned. The Bell Eingers.—The Lynch Family of Bellringers had a crammed house at Springfield on Thursday night. Agricultural Show. —At yesterday’s meeting of the A. and P. Association arrangements were made for the forthcoming show, and in this connection a good dealof useful business was transacted. Mr Hill brought under the notice of the committee the objectionable lottery business in which adventurous spirits drive a trade on such occasions, and it was resolved, on his motion, that no games of chance be allowed on the ground at the forthcoming show. It was also resolved not to hold the annual dinner this year, but to make arrangements for the entertainment of judges and visitors on the ground. Sydenham Musical society. —The members of the above society invited a number of friends to a social gathering at the Sydenham borough schoolroom on Thursday evening. Songs, glees, and recitations were effectively given, and dancing was kept up till two in the morning. The creature comforts of all present were liberally provided for by the lady members of the society. For the amusement of those who could not dance, a eide room was arranged with tables for cards, chess, and draughts. A vote of thanks to the fair caterers was unanimously accorded by all present, who separated mutually pleased with the enjoyment of the night. The Australian Cricketer. —The Otago Cricket Association have decided to present Mr Murdoch, of the Australian Eleven, with a suitably inscribed bat, in recognition of his grand innings in the All-England match. A suggestion has been thrown out that the bat should be made of New Zealand woods, some of which, it is said, have already been tried for hat making, and have given some satisfaction.