NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2153, 19 January 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Supreme Court. —The nisi prius sittings were resumed this morning, when the case of Willis v. Vincent and Others was called on. His Honor expressed the deep regret he felt at the bereavement which had befallen Mr Joynt, and the sympathy felt with him by both Bench and Bar. Mr Perceval, who appeared for the plaintiff, said that, under the circumstances, he should ask for a postponement, Mr Joynt being in the case for the plaintiff. Mr Harper and Mr Button, who were on the other side, consented, and the case stood over. The Court then adjourned to Monday next. Young Women’s Christian Association. —A special meeting of the above Association will be held to-morrow afternoon at three o’clock, in the rooms, Manchester street. All members and others interested are invited to attend.

Maoei Peisonebs.—The whole of the detained prisoners, one hundred and forty-nine, were this morning transferred from Bipa Island to the Lyttelton Gaol.

Watee Oasts.—-The works committee of the Oity Council met this morning for the purpose of considering tenders for the supply of two additional water carts, and that of Mr John Anderson was accepted. Magistrate's Court, Lyttelton. A first offender for being drunk and disorderly was fined 10s at this Court this morning. The steward of tho Oity of Tanjore, Prank Kikke, was charged wi h assaulting the cook, a colored man named W. Boberts, by striking him, and with attempting to do him bodily harm with a knife. The cook stated that the prisoner had for some trifling cause seized him by the throat, torn the clothes off him, and was drawing a knife to strike him, when he was disarmed by other members of the crew. The prisoner became very excited and noisy when the complainant was giving his evidence, and had from time to time to be cautioned by tho Bench, Evidence was given which showed that tho prisoner was partly intoxicated when tho assault was committed, and from his demeanor in the box he appeared to be then excited with liquor. After hearing the statement, the Bench convicted him of a common assault, and sentenced him to one month’s imprisonment with hard labor. There was one civil case for hearing, Mackay v Neilson, claim £4 18s 2d ; judgment in which was given by consent. Mr J. Baswick, R M., and Dr. Donald were on the Bench.

1.0.0. F., M.U.—The dispensation for the Loyal Pride of the Valley Lodge arrived by last Suez mail, and will be presented by tho district officers to the lodge on tbeir next meeting night.

Sly Geo a selling. —Two cases wer) brought against the proprietors of the Southampton Boarding-house, at the Police Court this morning, for selling beer without a license. The evidence came principally from a woman of bad character, and the prosecution broke down. Some amusement was created by the answers of the witnesses for the defence, who were the staff of the establishment. One of them, “ Dutchy,” or Stevens, the cook’s mate’s assistant, addressed Mr Scott, of Harper, Harper, and Scott, who appeared for the defence, as his “ kind—beloved learned friend,” an affectionate epithet which seemed to surprise more than please that gentleman, and every one of them declared they were always so busily engaged that they could not see anything going on around them but what was their “own business.” Sergeant Morice audibly expressed the ironical opinion that they were the host lot of witnesses he had ever met with.

Lixeeatubb. —Mr Smith, of the Wesleyan Book Depot, advertises in another column of this journal that he has just received the new volumes of the “ Leisure Hour,” “ Sunday at Home,” and several other serials.

Bathing in thb Avon. —At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Mr Nugent Wood gave his decision on the case of Albert Bunge, referred to him by Messrs Cass and Parker on Friday last. The question was, whether bathers clad in “ trunks ” could be allowed to use the Biver Avon in daylight or between the hours of 8 am, and 8 p.m., the hours which bathers without costume are prohibited. The Magistrate was of opinion that the practice was not an offence against decency, and dismissed the case.

'Bakers’ Picnic. —The heavy rain of last night almost led to the postponement of this annual event, but the glorious morning caused each one anticipating the day’s outing to hope for fine weather. Shortly alter eight o’clock this morning, the master and journeymen bakers of Christchurch and its vicinity, accompanied by a large number of relatives and friends, assembled in Cathedral square, whore the whole gathering was formed into line of procession, headed by the Bailway band. Considerable amusement was caused by the marshall of the procession waving his baton —appropriately, a baker’s peel. At nine o’clock, a start was made for the grounds of Sir J. Oracroft Wilron at Cashmere, which was courteously placed at the committee’s disposal as the locale of their seventh picnic. There was a very large number of vehicles of every description, each decorated with flags and flowers, the number of which msy be conjectured when it is stated that as the first of the procession crossed the railway line in Colombo street its last conveyance was abreast of the City Hotel.

Aquatic.—The boatrace Barmen ▼ Waiters will take place on the Avon to-morrow afternoon at 3.30. The Waiters are the favorites.

Accident—We regret to learn that Mr S. Ooleman, of Riverside, near Amberley, mot with an accident yesterday that in all probability will cause the loss of hie right eye from a splinter off an augur striking it. He has been brought to town to consult Dr. Wilkins. Fbenbidb Faembes’ Association. —The monthly meeting of this association was not held on Monday evening, as only the chairman and three members attended, and it was decided to resume the meetings of the society after harveit was over. Teial op the Osboenh Rbapee and Bindeb.-—A very successful trial of one of the above machines took place yesterday in a paddock of Mr Thomas’, Tcmuka, and was witnessed by several local farmers. This machine has been altered from a wire to a string binder, and under the Supervision of Mr J. H. Andrews, the travelling agent for Messrs B. Wilkin and 00., did splendid work. Everyone present was highly satisfied. Kaiapoi Bobouoh School.—The following pupils are entitled to first-class certificates under sec. 79, Education Act:—H. Powell, Q-eorge Revell, Bertha Yogeler, Dora Revell, Bertha Hills, and Elizabeth Hills ; and to 2nd class certificates (not having missed five attendances) —James Hoskin, Frank Parnham, Harry Blackwell, Arthur Mathews, Harry Widdowson, John Ooleman, Hester Yeysoy, Agnes Weston, Rosamond Revell, and William Batch.

The electric light burns brightly under water. During the past year the German army used it successfully for submarine operations. A Mobile paper describes a young lady with hair “ as black as a raven’s.” The ravens weren’t wearing any hair to speak of last summer, but we suppose the style has changed this year.

“ Why, Bridget," said her mistress, who wished to rally the girl, for the amusement of her company, upon the fantastic ornamenting of a plate of butter. “ Why, Bridget, did you do this ? You're quite an artist ; how did yon do it P” “ Indade, mum, it was myself that did it,” replied Bridget. “ Isn’t it pritty, mum ? I did it with your fine-tooth comb, mum.”

A man never realises, remarks a commercial traveller, how plentiful mustard is, and how scarce are bread and meat, until ho tackles a railway refreshment room sandwich.

A Cure foe a Swearing Husband.— David Swing, in the “Alliance,” shows how a bride reformed her profane husband. She invited her bridesmaids, four in number, to a quiet dinner. As they knew of the profane habits of the groom, and also knew of his good qualities that he was a man worth saving—they entered gladly into the proposed comedy. The plan was that all of these beautiful women should use profane words at the table, as the hot coffee or weather or slow servants might afford an opportunity. It was a bold plan, but is said to have cured the wicked husband ; for when his elegant wife applied a profane term to the biscuits, and a fair guest made a like remark of the coffee, and still another applied a profane expletive to the movements of a servant, the husband absolutely cried with remorse that he had ever himself used such an outrageous form of speech. Professor Swing thinks that “while such a cure cannot be justified, because it might kill the ladies without curing the masculine offender,” yet the story itself may serve to show that man as an animal that swears is a mournful curiosity.

A volume containing descriptions of all the presents ever given to a queen is certainly an •ddity, but it is said that Queen Victoria proposes to issue such a book. It is to be illustrated by photographs, and to include not merely costly gifts, but simple tokens of affection which had been given by her poor subjects at Balmoral.