NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2141, 5 January 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Little Riveb Railway.—Recently, at a public meeting held at Lincoln, a resolution was passed urging resumption of plateln.ying on the Little Hiver railway, a copy of which was forwarded to Wellington. A reply has been received by Mr Grsmmack, Btatii g " there never has been any intention to aef< r the platelaying on the Little River line, and it will be proceeded with as far as the vote will allow."

Hcavekobbikq Bates.—Preparation is being medo by tho City Council cjlloctors for sueir.g another batch of defaulters in these payments. It is understood that greater \ romptnejs will prevail in future in the way the accounts are got out—and in.

_ Kebosbne of kerosene licenses are reminded tbat thii is the period for renewals, which can be made at the Town Clerk's office. Lyttbltoh Regatta.—The distribution of the prizes won at the Lyttalton Ragatta, pu New Year's Day, took place last night, at the Mitre Hotel, at Port, the Commodore, Mr H. Allwright, presiding. Ovb Talk.—The publication in the Cf lobe of the novel of "The Mystery., pi Lord Brookenbury " will, for the future, appear on Tuesdays and Saturdays only. .. t ,"»',: ', i The Alleged at Tbmplbtoij* - Waltor Pringle Gibson was brought up at a Court held this afternoon in the City Council ohamber, oharged with the wilful murder of William Kerrison, who died yesterday i • the hospital from the effects of a shot fired from a pistol on December 25th last. Messrs R. Westenra and J. Ollivier, J.P.'s, occupied the Bench. Superintendent Broham conducted the prosecution. The prisoner, who was defended_ by Mr Holmes, appeared quito cool, and suitably impressed with the gravity of his position. The witnosses examined were the same ap, and their evidence a mere repetition of that given at tho inquest, full particulars of which appear elsewhere. At the beginning of the proceedings, Mr Holmes said he supposed that thore could be but _ one termination to the present onquiry—tho prisoner would be committed for trial. Ho would earnestly ask the Bench not to send him for trial at tho present sessions of tho Supreme Court. If that were done it might be simply giving the man's life away, as there could not possibly be time to prepare for his defence before that tribunal. He was not prepared to say that the Bench would not_ bo justified by the law in committing prisoner to tho present sessions, but at any rate they had power to do as he suggested, and hoped they would do ao. The Bench said they thought it would be their duty to let the case go to the present session. Prisoner could make an application in the higher Court, whioh no doubt would receive proper confederation. Prisoner was comrt itted for trial at the present sessions of the Supreme Court.

TJ.A.O. DnrriD3.—A summoned meeting of tho Perseverance Lodge wag held last night, in the St. Mary's schoolroom, Addington, A.D., Bro. Skinner presiding. There was one member initiated, after whioh the election of officers for the ensuing term was proceeded with, which rejulted as follows :—£ D , Bro. J. Down ; V.A., Bro. Allen ; J.Q-, Bro. Bird; 0.G., Bro. Hand; 8.A..8, Bro. Hall ; LA.B, Bro. Fisher; R.V.B, Bro.W. Down ; LV. 8., Bro. Peek ; treasurer, Bro. Petrie ; secretary, Bro. Hadfleld. D.P., Bro. Swinnerton installed the officers. After some further business had been transacted the lodge was closed in due form.

School of Agbiculttjbh.—The College Governors have determined to dispense with the services of the Professor of Biology at the School of Agriculture, and to appoint an instructor in natural history end cognate subjects.

Sumnbb.—A capital di«play of fireworks took place at Sumner on Saturday evening. The cave was illuminated inside wi.'h red ar>d blue lights, and the effect wag very pretty, and greatly enjoyed by the numerous visitors on tho esplanade. The subscriptions of the residents towards the fireworks were very liberal, and as a balance remains in the hands of the treasurer, another display will be made on Saturday evening. On that occasion it is intended to float tar barrels out to sea as the tide will suit.

A.0.F., Ooubt Woodfobd, No. 6583, Kaiapoi.—This Court held its quarterly meeting on January 3rd, in the Kaiapoi Farmers' Club room. There was a fair attendance of members. Bro. Fowler handed in his resignation as seoretary, and Bro. W. Hen wood was eleoted to fill tho office, with Bro. Pillion as Assistant Secretary. O.K. Bro. Woodford was eleoted delegate from the Court to the quarterly district meeting. Bros. Brooks, Pullen and Stevenson were elected trustees, and Bros. Brooks and Pullen auditors. The receipts of the evening amounted to £l9 13s 4d.

Cube Boating Olub.—ln consequence of the success of the four-oared orew of this club in winning the Champion Race at the Lyttelton regatta on Monday, the Brass Band was sent out of Kaiapoi to meet the crew on its return home, and about 8 p.m. returned playing "See the Conquering Hero" and other tunes. The crew were received at the head quarters of the club, the Kaiapoi Hotel, and there received the congratulations of many of their fellow-townsmen. On receipt of the information as to the result of tho raoe by telegraph during tho afternoon, a number of flags were put up on the hotels and other buildings.

The Dbuids.—Tho half-yearly summoned meeting of the Pioneer Lodge for the election of officers was held at their lodge-room, Wellington Hotel, on Monday evening. There was a large attendance of members. The auditors' report and balance-sheet were read and received, and considered favorable, showing a satisfactory credit balance at the Bank, and a good return for the half year. The following officers were duly elected, and installed with the usual ceremony by the P.D.P. and D.P.:—A.D., Bro. Swinnerton ; N.A.8., Bro. Gillett; secretary, Bro. Tucker ; treasurer, Bro. Oppenheim; A.D.B's, Bros. Smith and Mortlook j V. A.D.B'e, Bros. P. B. Root, and Manzel; I.Gk, Bro. C. Large ; 0.G., Bro. Hey wood; minute secretary, Bro. Darlow; lodge surgeon, Dr. Campbell. P.A. Bro. Samuels was nominated as D.P. P.A. Bro. Bose and P.A. Bro. F. Williams presented a harp to the lodge, which was duly acknowledged. After some further business had been transacted, the lodge was duly closed.

Ohbistohuech Hobtiotltubj.li Society. —The monthly show of this society, held yesterday, was decidedly the bast January exhibition which has yet taken place, the picotees and carnations being more numerous and in better condition than on former occasions. A magnificent stand of six picotees, shown by Mr D. Oraw, was particularly noticeable. Mrs Greenaway also contributed two stands of_ well grown picotees, for exhibition only, which were highly eommended. A beautiful oolleotion of double hollyhocks was sent, for exhibition only, by Mr John Carpenter, and it was a hard task to find any fault with them. Mr G. A. Beade contributed a grand assortmont of seedling pansies, many of which were blooms of exceeding loveliness. These were sent only for exhibition and inspection by the certificate committee. One variety, called Andrew Dunoan, was distinguished by a very distinct yellow gold color, with borier of deep purple. Viola cornuta, John Greenaway, after the late secretary, was a nice creamy white, and also another stand of fancy paneiee, shown by the same gentleman, was very fine. Another bloom, called Alba Maxima, measured 2 Jin. across, and was very muoh admired. To all these pansiea a first-clans certificate waß awarded. _ Mr S. Manning took first and second prizes in the amateur class with two stands of six and twelve carnations and piootees. In the open class, Mr H. Spicer took first prize with six carnations and six picotees. Mr H. Mackett contributed a new godetia, Princess of Wales, which showed a decided improvement on Lady Albemarle, tilsoa Silene pendule, which was a beautiful semi-double specimen. Messrs D. Nairn and Sans showed a beautiful collection of pontat onions, for exhibition only, the most noticeable being Madame Chabert, G-oorges Sand, A. St. Clair, and Warrior, the gloxinia like blooms of which elicited generally expressed satisfaction. In gooseberries, Mr W. Norman took first prize for quality and weight, with six gooseberries, weighing 4}oz., Mr Charles Marsh being second with six spßcimens, weighing 3Jjz., whilst for flavor, Mr Oraw secured first prize with a dish of yellows, Mr M. Kitchens being second with a dish of green ones. Eybeton Road Boabd.—At the annual election of three members of this Board, in place of Messrs Hopkins, Guild, and Fairweather, who retired by rotation, held on Monday at the Board offise, Ohoka, Messrs Guild, Hopkins and Elder wore elected for the ensuing year. Boys' Hioh School.—At a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College, hold yesterday, the chairman reported having received advice of the appointment of a Mr Hobden, of Cambridge, as master of tho Boys' High Sohool, and a vote was passed to defray that gentleman's expenses to the colony. West Coast Railway.—A public meeting at which the report of Messrs Browne and and Thornton will be read will be held at the Oddfellows' Hall on Friday next. His Worship the Mayor will preside. Xhbatbb Royal.—Professor and Madame Haselmayer appeared last nijht *kt the theatre in a capital programme, e»ch illusion being loudly applauded. To-night there will be an entire change, the Professor introducing, besides a number of new illusions, hii celebrated electric spark illumination.

Picnic.—On New Yew's IV! t firm o£ I Walker, Smith and Co., drupere/BM, Colombo | street, Christohuroh, entertained tSR managers and aeeistanto of their different/* stores, at Suqiner. The partryyirtSnibßring aboHt forty, left' Oh>irt«hjroti at ah'early howf in the morning. The weather being fine,' and the firm having with their usual liberality provided an abundant supply of the good things of this life, a most enjoyable day was spent. EJotroi Domain Boabd. — The annual meefihg X>( this Board was held at the chairman's'office. Present—Messrs J. Lowthian Wilson (chairman), Beharrell, Blaokwell (mayor), Wearing, Pashby, and Coup. The chairman reported that almost £3O had beon expended in improving the appearance and olearing the walks in the grounds during the year, and the Bank book showed a balance in hand of £5 Is Bd. On the motion of Mir Beharrell, seconded by Mr Blaokwell, Mr Wilson was unanimously re-elected chairman. Mr Blaokwell, in moving a vote of thanks to the executive committee of the Board, and proposing that Mr Wearing and the chairman be re-elected to manage for the ensuing year, paid a very high compliment to the former gentleman, who, with so small a sum at disposal, had certainly made the domain a very attractive resort, and he must have devoted a very great amount of time to a work which seemed to Mr Wearing to be a labor of love. It was satisfactory to the members of the Board to be able to testify to the economy and success of the plans of the committee. Air Pashby, in eulogistic terns, briefly seconded the motion, which was carried nem dis. Mr Wearing, in thanking members for the compliments paid, observed that it was really a labor of love with him to do anything he could to give pleasure to the public, and he felt amply repaid for anything he did in the repeated thanks which he reoeived from persons who were able to appreciate the pleasures of a stroll in the park or gardens. On the motion of Mr Coup, seconded by Mr Blackwell, it was decided that a code of by-laws be drawn up by the executive committee, haying reference to punishment of offenders for injuring trees, and other matters of a like kind. The Board then adjourned. Evahghxioal Aixiancb Mbktinos.— The second meeting of the series arranged for, for the present week, was held last night in the United Methodist Free Church, St. Asaph street. Although the rain continued through the evening the attendance was fairly numerous. The Rev. R. O. Perry oonduoted the service, and the address was delivered by Rev. H. Williams, the topic selected being " HumUion and Confession." The rev. speaker very impressively referred to the shortcomings of Christians and the Church as a whole, and urged upon all the importance of humbling themselves and confessing their sins in the sight of Ood, also of seeking a fresh baptism of Divine power, by which each one would be better fitted to discharge the solemn duties of life and honor, the relationships in which they stand to God and their fellow men. Several other ministers were present and took part in the service. It was announced that the meeting this evening will be held in the Baptist Charch, Oxford terraae. The address will be given by the Bev. W. H. Horner, of Papanui.

Simonpew'B Opeba Oompant.—Mr J. S. Smith, who was last here as the advance agent of the Froliqnes arrived la«t night from Danedin as the avant couyier of Simonson's Opera Company, who open' here on the 14th in»t. The company includes Madame Simonsen, the Misses £ eonora and Martina Simonsen, Signori Bianchi, Riccardi, and Paladini, and others well known in operatic circles. The repertoire of the company is extensive, and during their stay a number of new operas will be produced.