NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2177, 16 February 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Chaff is Coubt.—The proceedings on the civil aide at the B.M. Court have been wofully dull of late. Whether or not it is owing to the ten per cent, reduction or the defeat of the Canterbury Fifteen it ii impossible to say, but the only merriment indulged in this long time has been shown by mere half laughs or purser's grins, which the sailors say indicate loser's opinions of matters. There was, howover, a little joke got off to-day, quite unintentionally, and not very excruciating in its fun, but, taking the hard times into consideration, it was as good as could be expected. The crier called out, in the usual manner, " Skillet v Duff bags," and his Worship—whose attention had been oalled to something else, proceeded, after a while, somewhat in this manner this case, and after going over the accounts carefully, I find the price p>id for it is u much as it was woith &c," and so on for some time. The professional gentlemen sitting round the Horseshoe looked at eaoh other for a while; at last a smile stole over their faces, and one or them rising, said, " Br, your Wshp, there must be some mistake here, Br !" " Mistake, mistake, how can that be ? I am giving judgment in the case ' Skinley v Bragall'—This chaff, as I was saying"—"Excuse me, your Wshp," put in the lawyer. "Er, but the chaff is what we could not understand, and the case oalled was 'Skillet v Duffbags," Br, Er!" "Oh, oh," said his Worship, " there is not any chaff in that case, as you seem to hint, and, apologising for my mistake, we will hear what you have to say about it." The names given above may not be quite correct, but, owing to the bad acoustic properties of the Court-room, they are as near right as could bo provided. Pbbsbntation.—The presentation of the medals to the members of the fire brigade for service will take place this afternoon at the City Council Chambers. The presentations will be made hy his Worship the Mayor.

Kbviewbhb' Cottbt—The Hon. H. B. Gresson, and Messrs F. Courage and J. O. Boys sat'at Amberloy on Tuesday. The objections were few and not important, and arose in some cases from a misunderstanding as to real and personal property. This will be the last Court for the Northern division of the provincial district, Kowai, Waipara, Cheviot and Amuri rolls being under revision.

Sydenham Amateub Musical Society. —The usual weekly practice of this society was held last evening in the Borough schoolroom, when the final rehearsal of the pieces to be sung at to-night's concert, which is a complimentary one to their conduotor, Mr J. H. Edmonds, took place.

Bydbnham BoiiOTjciH Council.—At the request of several of the burgesses of Sydenham, Cr. Charters has withdrawn his resignation, and intimated his intention of serving the full term for which he was elected. Sporting.—A match for £5 aside came off on the Waiau course on Friday last, between Mr King's oh g The Poney and Mr Absolom's b g Major. The distance was two miles, and the weights lOat each. Major led all the way, and from his known staying qnalities won easily. Hanmbb Plains, Amubi.— The Hot Springs at Hanmer Plains are not the sole attraction this week for visitors, ss the Amuri race meeting will be held on Friday, February 18th. Tho programme is a liberal ODe, and several well known horseß will compete, including Mr Absolom's Major. Voluntbbb Inspection.—The head quarters companies paraded for inspection last evening at the Drill-shed, Colonel Packe being in command. The men were put through the usual evolntions by Major Loan, and complimented by tho Colonel on their efficiency. The corps represented were the Artillery, Engineers, and City Guards, mustering about seventy men in all. Thbateb Botal.—The dramatic eoaßon was resumed last night at the Theatre Boyal, when a new version of Fargeon's novel of " Grif" was produced very successfully. Miss Arethusa May made quite a hit in the character of Grif, which was played throughout very well indeed. Mrs Walter Hill as Alice Hadfield, also deserves praise for her rendering of the part, and she, with Miss May, received several calls before the curtain during the course of the piece. Miss Herrick played the small part of Milly very fairly indeed. Mr Kennedy, as the oysterman, Mr Hydes, and Mr Tyrell ably supported thoir several characters, and the piece throughout went very smoothly. It will be repeated tonight, and on Friday Mr Kennedy will take his benefit, when he will appear as O'Oallaghan in "His Last Legs." The various principals, it may be mentioned, received a warm welcome on making their appearance, Mr» Hill and Miss May especially so.

U.A.O. Depids.—The umial fortnigh'lmeeting of the Perseverance Lodge was held last night in St. Mary's schoolroom, Addington ; P.A. Bro. Skinner presiding. After the lodge had been opened, the secretary read the by-laws formed by the which wore passed as read., There was an official visit received from , the officers of tho Oik of Sydenham Lodge. A hearty' vote of thanks was passed to P.A. Bro. Skinner, ,A.D- Bro. Down and V.A. Bro. Allon for their handooir.e present of a wardrobe to the lodge. There was one proposition for membership. After some further business had been transacted,the lodge was closed in due form. _ . Masonic.—Mr Hulbert has just completed some most creditable specimens of local industry in the shape of robes of various kinds for the Boyal Arch Chapter at Ashburton. Not alone has the work been excellently carried out, but the trimmings, &o. also executed with much taste and effect, fully equal to the best imported from England. Indeed, in many respects, the way in which the order has been turned ont will bear very favorable comparison with the most costly importations.

Pionbbb Bicyolk Oiub.—A special committee meeting was held at headquarters last night. Present —Messrs Farr, Dalton, Fox, Noma, Searell, and Clarke hon. sec. The programmejfor the ; annual races, which come off on March sth, was finally arranged—viz., One Mile Club Handicap, 100 yards slow race; One Mile Open Handicap, Throe Miles Open Handicap; Ono Mile Novices Bace; Ten Milo Open Handicap; and a One Mile Consolation Bace. A letter from the Dunedin Bicycle Club was read, stating that at least six of their men will run, amongst them Mr W. H. Cutten (captain), who was up loßt season, and was so successful. Several entries have already been made, and the members of the P.B.C. are in steady training, so that some very good racing may be expected. Entrances for the handicaps will close on Wednesday, 23rd. It was decided to postpone the road race to Leeston until the end of the season. The meeting then adjourned. Thb Pulpit and thb Stage.—Arohdeaoon Edwards, of Dunedin, in a sermon recently delivered on the text "Ye are the salt of the earth," said that it was not enongh for men to keep themselves undefined by evil, it was their sailing to influence mankind for good. There were many at the present day who sought rather to avoid contamination for themselves than to purify others by their influence. How many people there were, for example, who condemned all theatrical perfcrmaces as sinful, and would not on any consideration be present at a play. Few would deny that their oandemnation of many popular pieces was just; but whose fault was it that they were not refined and elevating P They were themselves in part responsible fer the immorality of the stage, for when good people forsook theatres they left them in the undisputed possession of those who prefer immorality; and if degrading plays drew large audiences while pure and elevating pieces were performed to half-filled houses, theatres would become more and more demoralising. Woeth Considbbation.—The " Nelson Colonist" states that lately on the grounds of Mr Simmonds, Spring Grove, a poplar tree was cut down measuring more than 10ft in ciroumference, and 90ft long. As poplars or or alders will grow in any moist situation, the banks of our rivers would grow an enormous quantity of timber, suitable for packing cases, and that in a very short time. This to Nelson fruit growers is a subject of more than mere passing interest, as the cost of cases for their shipments of fruit have lately shown an upward tendency. A New BrasiAir Ibonclad.—Further particulars have been received from St. Petersburg of the projected Russian monster ironclad on the lines of the recently-launched turtle-shaped yacht the Livadia. The new vessel, to be called Iho Catherine 11., will be protected with twenty inohes of armour, rising three feet above the water-line. It is undeoided yet whether the vessel will carry her guns in three turrets, as represented in the model in the St. Petersburg Admiralty, or whether they will be fired en barbette behind an oval armoured breastwork. The latter plan is said to be the latest idea of Admiral Popoff. The ironclad will be constructed in segments at the Galerni Dockyard at St. Petersburg, and afterwards put together at Nicolaieff; the vessel being intended for service in the Black Sea. The engirt will be made at the Baltic Iron Works on the Neva. The armour-plates will be rolled in England. The vessel will be armed with eighty-ton guns. A Hugh Machine.—The largest crane in the world is on the point of being completed at Woolwich, having been upwards of four years in process of erection. To give some idea of this stupendous piece "of mechanism for lifting great weights, it may be stated that 1800 tons of iron and 3 tons of brass have been used in its construction, and that it will lift three or four 100-ton guns at once. But a less powerful crane oould do that work in detail. This giant among cranes is calculated to raise 1200 tons, and has been formed for meeting the probable neoessity of dealing with specimens of ordnance so enormous as to defy all the means at present available for mounting them on their carriages. The height of the crane is 70 feet, it can sweep round, making a oircumference of 430 feet, and one man, it is said, can oontrol it at the central cylinder. The motive power is, of oourse, steam, and our readers may fanoy what a 200 or even a 300 ton gun would be like swinging in the air at any height under 70 feet, held in the grasp of this monster machine, which, if plaoed at the side of a harbour, could lift large vessels clean out of the water.