STEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2077, 20 October 1880, Page 2

STEWS OF THE DAY.

Hospital Ekqtjiby.—As will be seen elsewhere, the Hospital enquiry will commence before Dr. Skae, at the Hospital, on Friday morning next at ten o'clock. As about twentyfive witnesses have to be examined, there is no doubt the proceedings will be of considerable duration. Ancient Obder of Fobestebs. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of Oourt Star of Canterbury was held on Monday evening at the Foresters' Hall, at which a fair amount of routine business was transacted. A visiting brother from the Wellington district attended, and received a hearty welcome. The 0.8. drew the members' attention to the entertainment which was advertised by Court Thistle of the Forest, Sydenham, to take place on Thursday, 28th instant, in St. Saviour's sohool-room. Several new members were initiated, and a number of candidates proposed. The receipts of the quarter amounted to £297 18s lOd. One of the Elect.—A man whose real name is said by the police to be Mason, but who, judging by the number of his aliases, is not particular to a name more or less, was this morning, as Brown, at the Resident Magis - trate's Court sentenoed to three months" imprisonment for stealing a coat from the Zet> land Arms Hotel some time last woek. This is the man who, when brought up last Thursday at the Police Court charged with drunkenness, had a begging subscription list with him. The document purported to be an appeal in aid of one John Brown, who by an accident at Timaru in a surf boat had lost a hand. The object of this bogus subscription waa rather remarkable ; it was to enable the sufferer to get a hook fixed on to the end of the maimed limb in lieu of the member that had been taken off. It is scarcely necessary to say that the whole concern was a sham. The police informed the Bench so at the time, and furnished leaves from his biography, which justified their anticipations of an early furthor acquaintance. Larceny, vagrancy, and other trifles had been the cause of his seclusion at frequently recurring intervals down South, whero he was well known if not respected. He was let off on Thursday with a fine of ss, and seems to have gone straight away and stole the coat, which has brought him to his present grief. The magistrates thought a cool retreat during the heat of summer would suit his complaint best, and sentenced him to three months' imprisonment with labor no harder than would suit his constitution.

The San Fbanoisco Mail—Ab will be seen by reference to our shipping column, the Taiaroa, with the English mail on board of hor, left Wellington this morning at 1130. Bast Chbistchubch Pigeon Flying Club.—A race for young birds was fl.own today from Kaiapoi to Christohuroh,'l3J miles, and resulted in three birds trapping in 15min. 45gec, viz., Mr Bryenton's Scud, Mr Parker's Bridgewater, Mr Fowlke's Highflier. Mr Bryenton's Scud is the winner of the first prize, being allowed 30secs., which brings his time to 15min. 15aoc. Bridgewater and Highflier will fly off for second prize on Friday next. The Abson Ebwabd Distbibtttion.—lt will be remembered that in the latter part of 1878 and the greater part of 1879 this town was alarmed by the recurrence of many fires, fortunately discovered generally at an early stage, which were evidently the result of incendiarism. The feeling of insecurity was so general and the plans of the miscreants engaged in this nefarious work were so carefully laid to escape detection that at last the extreme step was taken by the insurance companies in Ohristchurch and the General Government of offering rewards for the conviction of the offenders, the first of £2OO and the Government of £SOO. An individual who had been spotted by the police for reasons of their own as being mixed up in the diabolical game was placed under surveillance and had a policeman all to himself, who looked after him for many months. They were right as to their man, but not fortunate enough in their perquisitions. It fell out one night in October, a year ago, that by mere change, a young man named Osborn was met on the street by a person named Whitford, who afterwards, with her husband, had a nearer view of him. He wag half drunk, was smeared with Stockholm tar, and had something to Bay about a fire which he said had just started. Immediately afterwards the fire-bell rang, and it was found, sure enough, that a fire had broken out in the premises of Mr B. Hale, where there were some barrels of Stockholm tar . stored. It was extinguished, and suspicion does not appear to have been directed into any particular channel until the appearance of a notice of the affair which appeared in an evening paper, which Whitford was employed on, and to which Whitford communicated his suspicions. Osborne was then arrested, and in due time the crime being sheeted home to him, he was duly convicted and sentenced to a long term of imprisonment. An examination of the evidence would certainly give an outsider the impression that Mr and Mrs Whitford were mainly instrumental in procuring the conviction. After the lapse of several months a commission was appointed by the Government to apportion the reward, and now, about two months after their inquiry, the distribution has been made. It gives, of the £2OO offered by the insurance companies—the £SOO offered by the Government is not forthcoming yet—'wo-tenths each to Messrs Taylor and Oakley, who were on the spot shortly after the fire broke out, and helped to put it out; two-tenths to Inspector Hickson, who conducted the caee in the Lower Court ; two-tenths to Constable MoOarthy, who arrested the acoused on the morning after the fire ; one-tenth to Detective O'Neil, who worked the case up, and one-tenth to Mr and Mrs Whitford. The award has been tardily made, and does not give entire satisfaction to all the parties concerned. The Government especially seem to lay behind in the settlement of this matter. A.O.F.—Court Thistle of the Forest held its usual meeting yesterday evening, at St. Saviour's schoolroom, Sydenham. After reading the minutes, the Court adjourned for half an hour to receive the Juvenile Foresters' Drum and Fife Band, which had left the Foresters' Hall, Ohristchurch, at 7 p.m., with the officers and members of Court Star of Canterbury, who were on an official visit to Court Thistle of the Forest. It was resolved to accord a hearty vote of thanks to the •Tuvenile Foresters for their attendance. P.O.R. Bro. Jaques, on behalf of this court, addressed the juvenile Foresters, explaining the benefits to be derived from being a member of the juvenile branch, also the rapid growth of the juvenile order in Egland and elsewhere. The band, having played a few selections, withdrew, and the court resumed the business of the evening, and received the officers of Court Star of Canterbury. The OS. expressed the great pleasure it gave him to extend to the visiting brethren the fraternal greeting of the Court, and the O.K. of Court Star of Canterbury replied in a few well chosen words. The entertainment committee reported that arrangements had been made to hold an entertainment on October 28th, for which a varied programme had been prepared. One member was duly initiated, and two candidates proposed. The court then closed in due form.

The Pbofebty Tax.—Monday, the 25th inat., is the last day on which property assessment returns can bo forwarded to the tax office.

Theatbb Royai—The Diorama was again exhibited last night to a good house. The gift distribution followed, and was, as usual, highly attractive. To-night, the Diorama will again be exhibited. Inspection Pabade —The usual monthly inspection of the Head-Quarters Corps of Volunteers took place at the drill-shed last evening, when there was a good atttendance. Lieut-Colonel Facke was in command, and after the inspection, the men were put through a number of evolutions.

Railway Tabiff.—ln consequence of the high tariff charged on goods carried by railway to Rangiora, it is understood that several of the principal houses intend to put on waggons as heretofore, and that the carriage of goods per road will successfully compete with the railway. Synodicai. Sebtices.—The usual services in connection with the opening of the annual session of the Diocesan Synod took place yesterday at St. Michael's. The service in the morning was semi-choral, and that in the evening full choral. There were good congregations at both services. Mbb Fitzwii,lilAM.—Many playgoers in Canterbury will regret to hear of the death of Mrs Fitzwilliam, which took place yesterday. The deceased lady was an excellent exponent of what is technically known as " old women" characters, and was also deservedly respected in priratu life. Food fob Fishes.—An eel caught recently in a creek near Amberley on being prepared for the table was found to have swallowed a sparrow. As the owner of the property through which the creek runs has lately been laying poisoned grain, the assumption is that the bird found inside the fish was poisoned, and that another risk has been discovered attendant on getting rid of the small bird nuisance. Ohttboh Bazaabs.—The Primate in the course of his opening address to the members of the Diocesan Synod yesterday took occasion to comment very strongly on the practice of holding bazaars and entertainments in aid of funds for ohurch purposes. Judging from the very hearty applause which greeted this part of his Lordship's address, the majority of the members of Synod hold similar views on the subject to those expressed in the address. !

I Thb Cathedbal.—Some interesting information with regard to the progress made in the ereotion of the Cathedral—or so much of the original design as it is intended to carry out at present—was laid before the Synod yesterday. The Commission have ordered an organ and furniture of various kinds from England for the Cathedral. The work of erecting the tower at the north-west corner has progressed to the height of some fiftynine feet, inclusive of that already erected, and there is now some forty feet additional to be erected to complete the work. The same liberal colonist who is defraying the cost of erection of this tower will, it is understood, also givo a peal of eight bells. The work on the main building is progressing so much that the architect reports a probability of it being roofed in before the end of the present year. The whole oontraot, it is anticipated, will be completed by May of next year.

Diooeban Synod.—The annual session of the Diocesan Synod was opened yesterday in the College library, by the Primate. There was a good attendance of members, but probably, owing to the unpleasant state of the weather, there was not so large a muster of visitors aa on former occasions. Only routine business, such as the appointment of officers, and the reception of reports, Sea., was transacted. The Rev. T. Flavell was appointed clerical secretary, and Meaera A. V. N. and C.R. Blakistonj respectively lay secretary and chairman of committees.' The Synod resolved to meet each day at four o'clock, except Saturday. Peoperty Sams. —Tho large sale of property in the estate of T. M. Has*al, deceased, is to take place at Messrs Matson's Saleroom on Saturday next. In the previous advertisement a very valuable section of land at the corner of Manchester and Marton streets, adjoining Messrs Scott Bros., was advertised as a leasehold property in error, whereas it should have been a freehold section.

Wobks Committed.—A meeting of the works committee of the City Council was held yesterday, at which several matters of a routine character were attended to. Instructions were given for tbe construction of the footway addition to the Cashel street bridge, as authorised by the Council on Monday night.

rt unt Club.—A meeting of the Hnnt Club will be held at Messrs Ford and Co.'a at five o'clock to-day. Muff Cbicket Ciajß.—The annual meeting of the members of the above will be held at Cookson's Commercial Hotel to-morrow evening at eight o'clock. Lowes Heathcote Racing Club.—A general meeting of the above will ba held tomorrow in the Woolston library.