THE GLOBE. MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1881.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2157, 24 January 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1881.

Ltttblton Building Sooibty.—A special meeting of this society is called for the Ist prox. at the Colonists' Hall. Accident at thk Dock.—An accident, which resulted in injuring more or less four workmer, ooeurred this morning at the Lvttelton graving dock. One of the " travellers," ueed for carrying concrete from one part of the dock to another, capsized, and fell upon four men at work below. One, whose name was ascertained to be Barney Mulbollacd, was badly cut about the head—seriously, so it is feared; another, J. Jury, had one of his thighs severely injured ; while two others ssatained bruises and cuts of a painful but less .-serious nature. Mulholland was taken to his hams immediately, and Dr. J. T. Rouse attended .two of the other men at hif surgery.

McDONALD'B CONBTTLTATION No. 7.—A consultation upon the Autumn Handicap, to be run in April next, is advertised by Mr Thomas McDonald, of Lyttelton. Mr MoDonald's reputation for conducting similar business ventures with satisfaction to the ticket-holders is Al, and he has generally been enabled to "fill up" his undertakings before the date of drawing. This one, his seventh, is 2000 subscribers at 10s each, the amount to be divided as per advertisement. Magistrate's Oot/bt, Ltttelton.—o. Cook, for leaving a horse and cart unattended in London street, was fined 10s, and Robert Smith, for allowing his horse at large, was fined Ss, at this Court this morning. Thb Indtjstbial School.—Mr Broham, in bringing under the notioe of the Bench at the R.M. Court this morning of several oases in which parents had neglected to contribute to the support of their children who had been sent to the institution, commented in severe terms on the laxity which obtained with regard to these payments generally. He hintod that an unwillingness seemed to exist on the part of Magistrates to enforce the provisions of the law, which were sufficiently stringent if strictly carried out, to relieve the state of a considerable burden. He said that not only were orders made for payments which, as a rule, did not nearly cover the expense of keeping children but defaulters were allowed to slip out of their engagements in an extraordinary manner. He said that matters were ordered differently in other places. He could not call to mind a single instance in whioh the final penalty had been exacted, and the consequence was that the parents had come to believe that they might do pretty much as they pleased. He hoped the Bench would for the future follow them up more strictly. The Court agreed with Mr Broham to a certain extent, but reminded him that if people were really unable to pay there was little use of sending them to priaofe. The matter then dropped. Libebal.—Mr Q-. Stead, following the example of Mr Isaac Wilson, has purchased two fully paid-up shares in the Kaiapoi Woollen Company, costing £SO, for the benefit fund of the hands employed in the factory. Union Bowing Club.—The Union Bowing Club's junior double-sculling rases for the prize presented by Mr G. T.White took place on Saturday afternoon last over a course terminating at the Willows. Five crews were engaged, the final heat being won by Messrs F. Fuller and J. Thomson against Messrs 0. Bowley and B. J. Gilchrist.

Bbapbb and Bindbb Teial.—A farmers' trial of machines took place on Mr Robert Jaram's farm, Aylesbury, on Monday last, between Mr Henry Hall, working his Deering binder, and Mr Patrick Madden, with the Osborne. A goodly gathering of farmers assembled to witness the respective merits of these favorite machines, but in this case the Deering was deolared to be the universal favorite. Thb Abt SociHrr Exhibition.—This exhibition has hitherto attracted afair number of visitors, who have expressed themselves well satisfied with the display of pictures, whether from looal artists or on loan. Much interest in the matter has been displayed by persons from other provinoes on their way through Ohristchuroh, for a healthy spirit of rivalry appears to have been roused which augurs well for the development of the fine arte, not only in Canterbury but in other parts of New Zealand. The exhibition will be open during the whole of the present week.

Picnic.—The employes in the various workshops at Mr A. J. White's steam cabinet and upholstery works, St. Asaph street, had a most enjoyable outing on - Saturday. A few days ago the idea was mooted, and a ways and means committee elected, but when Mr White heard of it he at once made their task light by handing them a cheque for a substantial amount, whioh immediately dispelled all fears on the score of expenses. Tho party, numbering about sixty, assembled at eight, and proceeded in express waggons to Sumner, where Mr White had also placed his grounds at their disposal. Throughout the day sea bathing, races, and various games were indulged in, and the party returned to town about nine, and after giving three ringing cheers for Mr White and family, and the manager, Mr Ooles, dispersed.

Ooek ExcnANGB.—A committee meeting was held at the rooms on Saturday, the 22nd instant, at two o'clook. Present —The ohairman (Mr Bruce), vice-chairman (Mr Peryman), Messrs Gammaok, Atwood, Henderson, Mcßeth, Banks, Woodman, and Dick. The Chairman said the business was to consider the rules as amended and added to, which had been the work of the [sub-committee on last Thursday evening. The rules were then gone through seriatim, and approved. It was proposed that the rules as adopted should be printed. Some discussion ensued as to the advisability of first laying them before a general meeting of subscribers, to be called for that purpose at an early date. It was eventually decided that this should be done. The proceedings then terminated.

Kimbbklky Obmbtijet Boabd.—The annual meeting of the above Board took plaoe on Wednesday, the 19th inst. Members present— Messrs Beveley (chairman), McCutieland, McOlelland and J. Manson, Junr. The treasurer laid before the Board a statement of the accounts as audited, which showed the receipts of the past year to be £33 lis 5d and the expenditure £26 19*] 6d, leaving a balance in hand of £ll lis lid. It was proposed by Mr McOausland, seconded by Mr Beveley, and carried—" That the treasurer's report, as stated, be passed." Mr Bell Bevoley was re-elected chairman for the ensuing year ; Mr J. Manson, Junr., treasurer and seoretary. It was resolved. that the meetings of the Board should, in future, take plaoe on the first Monday in every second month. Some minor business being disposed of, the meeting adjourned. Ths Waxking Match.—At 5 p.m. on Saturday Mr Ed wardti had covered 160 miles, ■o that a continuance at the rate of four miles per hour would have completed the task. At six o'clock Edwards retired for forty minutes. He walked very slowly on resuming;, and at eight o'clock had covered only 167 i miles. The distance accomplished at ten o'clock was 177 miles, nearly. Edwards attributed his failure to the fact that he had too recently been engaged in a long distance walk. He will not again appear in public until he meets young Soott. Meibottbhh Watkb.—The water supplied to the residents of Melbourne must be nice drinking, as the following clipped from a late number of the " Age " will show :—" Another instance of a centipede coming through the Yan Yean water pipes was witnessed on Saturday afternoon in a cottage in Stationstreet, North Carlton. The insect was small compared with 'the one reported at Ooburg, not being more than three and a half inches in length."

Thk Wkathbb in thk States.—lntensely oold weather has spread over the United States and Canada, the temperature falling below zero in many places. Several persons have been frozen to death. The navigation on the lakes and canals has been closed much before the usual time, and barges containing 10,000,000 bushels of grain are fast frozen in the Erie Canal, causing a sharp advance in E rices. The heavy frosts in the Q-nlf States ave also imperilled the sugar and cotton crops.

A Remabkable Family.—A Pernambuco paper reports that a man named Joaquin Marreiro, living at Cabaceiras, in that province, has been married for seventy-nine years. He is himself 103 years of age, and his wife ninety-seven. They had twentythree children, of whom nine sons and five daughters are still living, through whom they have become the ancestors of a large family, including already 126 grandchildren and ninety-one great grandchildren, all of whom are in vigorous health. Tbe whole family amounts to 233 persons. A Lunatic Fasting pob Thihiy-six Days.—About six weeks' since Frank Case, a young man of Albany, N.Y., disappeared from his father's house, and though searched for far and near, no trace of him could be obtained. A few days since, a farmer living in the Troy road, some diltanoe from Buffalo, was going over his grounds searching for his brother, who had left home a few days before, and when near a small lake he noticed a hut screened on one side by a thick covering of bushes. He looked into the hut and discovered what appeared to be a living skeleton. The man was unable to rise, and when asked his name was only able to whisper " Frank." He received every attention calculated to restore him, and was removed to his home. Hehad been living for thirty-six days in that hut, subsisting upon berries and the bark of trees, but could not explain why he was there. He stated that he bad built the hut with boards from a fence. Before his disappearance he had not been out of the house for six months, as ha was laboring from derangement of the brain. Tho disoovery failed to save his life, and he has since gone to bis rest.

Melbourne Wool Sales.—As evidencing how strongly established Melbourne has become as the great central depot for the sale of wool in Australasia, we ("Argus") may mention that 146,902 bales of wool have been offered for sale in the colony during the season to date, and that 108,953 bales have been sold, these figures closely approximating to those of the corresponding date of last year. The shipments of wool from Victoria show an increase of 36,655 bales, the total exported to date being 240,664 bales, against 204,009 bales shipped at this date last year. This increase is to a considerable extent attributable to the additional consignments from the neighboring Australian colonies, also New Zealand and Tasmania, which are being attracted to this market for disposal at the auction sales in Melbourne. Railway Constbuotion in Ambbioa, — The year 1871 (says the « Pall Mall Budget") was the year of greatest railway construction in the United States. The total track laid in that year was 7200 miles, or 600 milos a month, the greatest length of track being, for reasons of climate, laid in the last half of the year. The present year (1880) seems likely to riyal 1871. For the first six months of 1880 the track laid has been 1900 miles, against 761 miles in 1879, 600 miles in 1878, 618 miles in 1877, 673 miles in 1876, 401 miles in 1875, 675 miles in 1874, and 1408 miles in the inflated year 1873. The mileage, therefore, of tho first six months of 1880 is about three times the mileage of any of the sis years 1874 9.

An Autocratic Govkbnob.—The following paragraph is taken from " Life," a London paper :—" Two officers are under arrest at Foona. One, the Honorable Or. Vernon, 12th Lancers, appears to have committed the high crime and misdemeanour of attempting to pass the carriage of Sir James Fergusson, the Governor, near ' Sunesh Khinsa, having in his phaeton a lady who was ill and wanted to get home. The Governor's body-guard unlawfully endeavoring to interfere with Mr Vernon's horses, one of them got a out with the whip, and for this the lieutenant was placed under arrest. A gallant Major at Foona having 1 a difference on a point of etiquette with one of the Governor's aides-de-camp, also found himself under arrest. And, as the "Bombay Gazette" says, 'this makes two of them.' Sir James Ferguson seems to think he is a very imperial personage indeed."

Ah Hbboic Dbbd.—The Queen has conferred the Albert Medal of the First Glass on Farabani Seedie Tindal, serving in her Majesty's ship Wild Swan, for the following services:—On August Bth last, while the Wild Swan was off the coast of Mozambique, a fugitive slave boy named Farejallah having jumped overboard from a stage alongside the ship, was immediately seized by an enormous shark, which bit off his leg at the knee, dragging him under the water. When he roie to the surface the shark again attacked him, tearing off his remaining leg and part of the thigh. (On Farejallah beginning to rise to the surface again, closely followed by the shark, Farabani jumped from the netting into the water, and brought the unfortunate boy to the surface, nor did he leave the water till he had placed him in a position of safety. The captain of the Wild S iran adds that what makes this, if possible, a more gallant deed, is the fact that Farabani saw tho whole of the horrible catastrophe from tho first seizure of the boy, and that, when he jumped into the water, not only the attacking shark, but three' others were seen close to the ship, attracted no doubt by the blood. BvußTsa or a Tobaooo Factory.—Telegraphing from Borne on December Ist, the correspondent of the London "Daily News" says : —At one this morning a fire broke out in the Government tobaoco factory in Naples. The fire proceeding from the ground floor, which was moreover difficult of access, the case from the first was hopeless, and the efforts of the authorities were directed to localising the ravages of the conflagration, with which view the neighboring houses were demolished, and thirty pumps were brought to bear on the burning edifice. The streets were encumbered with debris, and swarms of wretched men, women, and

•hildren were weeping about the scene of the disaster. Betides the firemen, numerous troops and marines were called out, and the clergy, with the Archbishop at their head, were on the spot, seeking to relieve the most pressing distress. The damages amount to several millions; but as all was insured the Government will suffer no loss. The chief sufferers are the hundreds of men and women thrown out of employment. Fight firemen were injured. Replying to the Duke of Sandonato on this subject, in the Chamber of Deputies to-day, the Minister of Finance said that be had provided for their relief. The neighbouring church of San Pietro Martire, with its precious Flemish paintings, has happily been isolated. A Hbaty Blast. —The much-talked-of blast at the Oamaru breakwater works was fired on Saturday evening at eight o'olook, Every precaution had been taken by the contractor to prevent damage, the railway line being protected by sleepers and the cranes by hoards, and the shipping was moved from the breakwater to a plane of safety. The train was laid by Mr M'Gill, and the tunnel was then filled to its mouth with soft clay. The charge—half a ton of gunpowder—was placed in two wooden boxes. After the firing of the train about three minutes elapsed before the explosion took place, which was not of a very alarming character. A thick cloud of black smoke mingled with pieces of rook was flung from the mouth of tunnel, followed by the grey smoke of the powder. Some of tho rook was carried beyond the end of the breakwater, one piece narrowly missing several adventurous heads in its flight, and eventually colliding with a wooden frame, which was smashed to atoms, a _ splinter hitting a man on the head, but without serious consequenoes. The result of the explosion was very satisfactory, the contractor estimating the displacement of earth at 10,000 tone, or 7000 yards, and the saving of labor at £SOO. As might be expected, the line in the vicinity of the explosion was covered with a mass of rook and clay, in the removal of whioh a gang of men were employed throughout the whole of yesterday. The contractor intends to commence tunnelling at once for another blast on a larger scale than the last one.

Land at the Fijib.—The " Argus " correspondent writes; —The long talked-of sale at Suva oame off on the 22nd inst., heralded by portentous predictions from the "Fiji Times," whioh, from the fact of the existence at Suva of what, is locally called loan stone, figuratively described the sale as a ""saponaceous fraud." But saponaceous fraud or not, the Lovukans came to the scratch right cheerfully on the day of sale, and purohased at a high rate. One old Levuka resident bought at the rate of £BOO per acre, and it is said the Bank of New Zealand bought privately at over £IOOO. The whole of the prominent business allotments put up were sold, and many others on the gentle hill-Bide slope were taken up for private residences. The predictions of those who have been opposed to the change from Levuka to Suva, and who in glee invited people to go there on the 22nd and witness "another Governmental farce,"' have completely failed, and the long-vexed question of Levuka v Suva is settled.