NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2132, 23 December 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Doubtful.—A correspondent suggests as a motto for the Cathedral Guild at this ftage of their operations " Sum spiro spero," which he says may be frealy translated •' Wo hope for a spire," but we have our doubts about his rendering. Aiaem or Fieb. —At half-past nine o'clock this morning the fire bell rang out an alarm. On enquiry it was ascertained that a chimney in George street had oaught fire, which, however, was quenohed with sufficient promptitude as not to necessitate the plant being taken to the locality. Lyttelton Magistrate's Coubt.—William Gallagher was brought up this morning, charged with stealing the cum of £7 from William Webster. Dr. J. T. Rouse was on the Bench, and remanded the accused until next Friday. A cook belonging io the steamer Rotomahana, named Matthew Wallaoe, was duly ordered to make provision for the support, of his wife and two children living in this city. A Windfall—Some months ago Mrs Allen of the Golden Age Hotel was induced by statements, which have since turned out to be false, to collect subscriptions for a supposed oase of charity. On finding out that she had been duped she offered to return the subscriptions she had received, but many of the subscribers refused to receive them, asking her to apply them to some charitable purpose. She has accordingly made up the amount to £4 4s, and handed a cheque for that amount to Mr Walker, clerk to the R.M. Court, with a request that it may be added to the fund for providing a Christmas treat for the children at Barnham. Resident Hagistbate's Coubt.— The list at this place was very light this morning. The cases disposed of by Messrs Ollivier and and Westenra, J.P.s, were as follows:—Julian V Ctreen, £l4 6s 6d, for work done; Mr Stringer appeared for plaintiff; judgment for plaintiff. Banks v Hanoack, £23; Mr Stringer for defendant; plaintiff was nonsuited. Jackson v Culliford, £l3 6i 2d; plaintiff appeared by agent, who, not being legally authorised, had to take a nonsuit. In Genderman v Paech, £l, for money lent, defendant produced evidenoe showing that value had been given for the money ; judgment for defendant. Oats v Bulmer, £6 10s; judgment by default. Costs went in all cases with the judgments.

FIBB at Kaiapoi.—A fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon in a cottage ocoupied by Mr Booth in Blaok street. Fortunately assistance was quickly at hand, and the flames were extinguished before much damage was done to the building beyond the lean-to. The Fire Brigade turned out with , their engines with their usual smartness. The house was owned by Mr W. Hammett, and had the fire obtained a hold, the next premises belonging to Mr M. Lynskey would have been in imminent danger. Subsequently it was found that Booth, who is employed at the woollen factory in the night relay, was in the damaged building in a semi-suffocated state. Medical aid had to be sought, but he remained in a poorly state for the rest of the day. The origin of the fire is not known. Two parties were heard conversing together on the premises ten minutes before the alarm was given. Completion of thb Cathbdbal Towbb.— The final coping stone of the Cathedral tower was set this morning. The work was commenced by the present contractor on July 16th, and it speaks well for the energy with which it has been carried on that it is finished to-day. The very handsome balconies, four in number, are built of Oamaru stone (which has also been used for the dressings of the tower), the copings however being worked in stone obtained from Mr Sheath's quarry at Waipara. The height from base to coping is 97 feet. No time will be lost in proceeding with the spire, which when completed, will add 100 feet to the height of the struoture. It has not yet been definitely settled whether it shall be part timber and part stone ; but as the appearance will be greatly enhanced if stone only is used —and the cost is exactly the same —the hope will be general that timber should be excluded. We are told by the contractor that but little Canterbury stone is used, owing to the action of a well known quay proprietor, whose prices result in the well known Port Chalmers stone being preferable on that soore.

A Lunatic in a Tbain.—On Tuesday evening Guard Beamish was oompelled, beween Amberley and Rangiora, to remove a passenger who gave the name of John Baxter from a oarriage into his van. The man was evidently suffering from lunacy from drink, and was handed over to the police at Rangiora, and on Wednesday the Bench remanded him to Ohristchurch for medical examination. Lyttelton Chobal Society. —" The Messiah " was performed last night at Port by the Lyttelton Choral Society and a number of musical friends. A special train had been engaged from town for the occasion, Bud was liberally patronised. Mr J. T. Maoleod Smith, to whose indomitable energy the resuscitation of thefsociety to its present prosperous position is almost wholly due, acted as musical director.

A.0.F., Coubt Thistle of the Fobest. —The above Court held their usual meeting at St. Saviour's schoolroom, Sydenham, on Tuesday evening. The nomination of officers for the ensuing term was duly made. Three members were initiated into tho Court, and five candidates wore proposed. It was resolved to meet at the Foresters' Hall, Deo. 27th, to join in the procession to the Show Ground. After some routine business the Court dosed in due form.

Lyttelton Naval Bbigadb.—A meeting of the committee was hold on Tuesday night, in Mr Dransfield's office, at Fort, to receive and open tenders for uniforms for the brigade. There were only two—one from Ohristchurch, and one from Wellington. Tho Wellington offer being the lowest one, was accepted. The matter of arms for the brigade was rather warmly discussed, and it was suggested that if the Government did not supply the company with more appropriate accoutrements thoy would meet his Excellency with flax sticks as substitutes on his arrival here. Chbistchdboh Hospital Destitute Patients' Relief Fund.—At a meeting of the committee of the above, consisting of the following gentlemen, viz., Dr. Prinß (chairman), Dr. Campbell, Dr. Townend, Dr. Irving, Dr. Wilkins, his Worship the Mayor of Ohristchurch, and Mr Henry Thomson, Mr R. T. Bell (the secretary) presented a report and statement of the accounts connected with the operations during the past year, which showed a balance to the credit of the fund of £l5O 14s 81. The members present decided to invest £IOO at interest, and that the balance shonld be expended in clothing and relief of patients in need. In order to augment tho financial position of the fund, and establish it on a solid and permanent basis, it is proposed that an annual entertainment should be given in its aid. L«cal Industby.—At tho meeting of the Industrial Association held last night Messrs Gourlay and Mayors submitted some excellent specimens of starch, both white and blue, locally manufaotnred from wheat. The white and bluo staroh of Messrs Colman were on the table, and the locally made article, except in the drying, compared most favorably with the imported article. Messrs Gourlay and Meyers intend, if the demand for tho article is |at all large, to carry on the manufacture on a large scale. Some splendid specimens of plumbago from the Malvern Hills were also exhibited by Mr Newby and Mr Smart.

Obioket.—The following will represent the Bingland 0.0. in their matoh with the Shirley CO., to he played on the gronnd of the former on Saturday, December 25th:—W. Bell (captain), J. Looke, 0. Howard, J. A. Flesher, A. Flesher, W. Lewis, D. Hay, W. Hay, Mountford, W. Balfour, O. T. Dalley, J. McGill, J. Sincook. The match commences at 8 o'clock.

Thb OAKTBEBTmr Obphanagb. The master of this institution wishes to acknowledge the receipt of £2 2s from the F. and A. M. Lodge St. Augustine, towards the Christmas treat of the children, also the sum of £1 from S. 0. B. The subscriptions this year have not come in so readily as they did last, and the outlook for the youngsters is correspondingly gloomier. It is to be hoped that some of thoee who feel an interest in the homo will follow the example of the above contributors in time to change the situation.

Thb Late Voluntebb Bbvibw.—As is well known there exists a considerable deficiency with respeot to the review held hero at Easter. On Tuesday a number of ladies met Colonel Facke, Major Lean, and Captain Hawkes at the orderly room, and expressed their desire to co-operate with the officers in devising some means to extinguish the debt, as the application to the Government had been unsuccessful. A committee was appointed, with Mis Facke as president, and a number of names of ladies likely to assist were given in, with a request that they would attend an adjourned meeting on Wednesday, 29th inst., to organise the details for carrying out a fancy fair in connection with other entertainments which will be given in aid of the object in view. Lyttbi/ton Bhgatta.—A meeting of the special committee was held on Tuesday night, to consider the question of a flagship. Captain Dove, of the City of Tanjore, was present, and very generously placed his ship at the disposal of the committee. The offer was accepted, and it was understood that suitable arrangements would be made for the providoring of the ship upon the festive occasion.

Education Boabd Offices.—These offices were closed from to-day till the 10th of January, 1881. Aeaboa Exhibition.—The extra prize fcr crayon drawings was awarded to John Campbell Gebbie's (Gebbie's Valley School) exhibit. The VoliUntebbs.—The inspection of the head quarters companies of volunteers will take place this evening at the drillshed. Calcutta Sweeps.—Sweeps on the Lower Heathcote RaciDg Club meeting will be drawn this evening at Mr Hawkes' rooms and at Mr J. L. Fleming's Auction Mart, High street. Sabbath School Institute —The annual meeting of the above will beheld this evening at half-past seven o'clock, in the Congregational Schoolroom, Manchester street, for the recep tion of report and balance-sheet, election of officers, &c. Acknowledgment.—The house steward of Christchurch Hospital begs to acknowledge the receipt with thanks of three large Christmas cakeß for the patients from Mrs Peez, of Opawa. Pbofessob Hasblmayeb. —To-morrow evening Professor and Madame Haselmajer make their appearance at the Theatre Royal, and no doubt they will be warmly welcomed. The Professor is well known here as an entertainer of high ability, and as he brings with him a large number of new illusions, his season here should be a financial success. Cbickbt.—The fallowing have been chosen to represent the Midland Club on their match against Selwyn County on Monday, the 27th inst. (Boxing Day) on the Midland ground, play to commence punctually at 10 a.m.: —Alpe, Wood, Monck, Fuller, White, Atack,McDonnell, Fairhurst, Eitchin, Palairet, and Beard. Emergencies—Hunt and Edser. Chbistmas Obatobio.—To-night in the Academy of Music the Christchurch Harmonic Society, assisted by several of our leading amateurs, will produce " The Messiah." The rehearsals have gone throughout with great smoothness, and no doubt the performance will be a successful one.

Masonic.—This evening, the W.M. elect and the officers of the Corinthian Lodge, 463, 1.C., will be installed by the Fast Master, Bro. Deamer, and the installation of the W.M. and officers of the Lodge ef Unanimity, Lyttelton, by the R.W. District G.M., Bro. Donald, will also take place to-night. Chevalier Kkttbn. There is now on view at the music warehouse of Messrs Milner and Thompson, the silver wreath and cnp presented by his numerous admirers in Australia to Chevalier Henry Ketten. These, in addition to several lithographs of the Chevalier performing what appears to be incredible feats on the piano, have attracted much attention. As already stated, Chevalier Ketten opens his season at the Oddfellows' Hall on Monday next, and a goodly number of seats have already been socured. A contemporary wonders how many marriages the following law, enforced in England in the seventeenth century, would render null and void at the present time if put into operation :—" All women, of whatever age, rank, profession, or degree, whether virgins, wives, or widows, that shall, from and after this Act impose upon, seduce, and betray into matrimony any of his Majesty's male subjects, by scents, paints, cosmetics, washes, artificial teeth, false hair, Spanish wool, iron stays, hoops, high-heeled shoes, or bolstered hips, shall incur the penalty of the laws in force againßt witchcraft, sorcery, and the like, and that the marriage, upon conviction, shall stand null and void."