NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2179, 18 February 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Pxee AlAems, —At four o’clock this morning the railway signal sounded an alarm of fire, but, as no information was to hand, the Brigade did not turn out. Sergeant Pratt, who was on duty, reported seeing a glare of fire in the direction of Biccarton, but, failing any alarm being given, no reliable information can be obtained. We understand that the police are making enquiries in the matter. Shortly before twelve o’clock to day a fire was discovered in the Victoria Hotel, or rather at tho rear of those premises. Some sparks from the kitchen chimney falling on tne dry shingle roof had ignited a portion thereof, and, before it was discovered, the fire had spread over a considerable portion. An alarm being raised, several firemen came quickly to the spot, and soon arrested the progress of the fire, which, but for being so soon discovered, might have led to serious consequences. Fortunately, however, it was soon put out, much to the relief of the landlord, In connection with the event, one gentleman who lingered near the scene did not appear to derive any gratification from the escape which the building enjoyed. It was near the gentleman’s dinner hour, and he was to dine at the Victoria, the which circumstances ho publicly notified for the benefit of interested bystanders, with sundry expressive commentaries on his own “ ill luck ” and that “ blarmed fire,” which had spoiled his tucker.

Resident Magistrate's Coubt. —This morning, a warrant was ordered to issue for the arrest of Elizabeth Olliver, who failed to answer a summons for assaulting J. A. Stephens and breaking her windows. There was no other business. Messrs Mellish and Parker occupied the Bench. A Waip.—A lemonade bottle, sealed, was

on Wednesday picked up on the beach near Timaru, containing a small scrap of paper, on which the fallowing was closely written, in an indifferent hand : —“ Having come to the conclusion that I might improve my circumstances by emigration, I embarked with my wife and child in the Eastern Monarch, but on gaining the Indian Ocean we encountered bad weather, which ultimately made us a wreck. At the time I write the boats are being lowered, and we are going to seek safety where we may find it. This is to let my friends in England know how dreadful our situation is. Q-od help us. J. Soratchley, l«t of Highgate, London.” The name Eastern Monarch appears familiar, but we (“ Timarn H-re.ld ”) cannot at the moment lay our hand on any information relating to any vessel of that name. The appearance of the paper suggests a hoax. One-half, and ; still more, a quarter, of the back, has been 1 soiled by being carried in the pocket folded, and from the clearness of the strokes across the creases, it is pretty evident that the paper was written on before it was folded. Wo are inclined to think the thing a hoax, but we publish it for what it is worth. [The Eastern Monarch is a vessel of about 1800 tons register, which arrived in Lyttelton on her first voyage in July, 1874, making the voyage in seventy-two days. She brought 472 immigrants, about 10 t of whom ware sent on to the Titnaru district, and it is not improbable that one of the party residing in that locality may have amused himself with the very stale “ bottle trick, ” The vessel has made occasional voyages to the colonies since, and was at Melbourne about threo years ago. She is nn iron ship, of the highest class at Lloyd’s. —Ed. Q-lobb 1

The Coming BicrcLß Races.—We hear that Mr Quirk, the English amateur champion, is coming here by the Rotomahana to compete in the Pioneer Bicycle Club Races, to be held on Saturday, March sth. As the Canterbury riders arc in practice, and the Otago cracks are coming to try conclusions, some good racing may be expected. Mb Kennedy's Benefit. —Mr J. J. Kennedy will take a benefit at the Theatre Soyal this evening, when a very attractive bill, comprising “Milky White” and “His Last Legs,” will he pr. Rented. Mr Kennedy dnring the season of Mr Gratt m Riggs here made himself a deserved favorite by his clever impersonation of In-ii character, and no doubt his many friends will show their appreciation of his of his efforts by giving him a bumper house tonight. JLvttketon Harbor Board Meeting.— The meeting of the Lyttelton Harbor Board, which was put down for yesterday at Lyttelton, was postponed until the 22nd instant, -'hen a special meeting will bo held, at which the chairman for the ensuing year will bo chosen. The meeting will be held in Christchurch, and on the 3rd prox. the new Board holds its first meeting for the despatch o±. general business at the Lyttelton offices.

Resident Magistrate's Oodbt.—Yesterday, before J. Oilivier und R. Weatcnra, E>q»., the following civil cnses were disposed of:—Judgment for plaintiffs hy default in City Council v Hurl mid, £5 17a 3d • game v Tronery, 13s 61- Slranaghan v Ashbolt, £1 2» 7d j Robb v Bolton, £1 Ifij 3d ; Fepperell v Unto her, £2 Si j und White v Mole, £ls lOt 6d.

Theatre Royal. —“ Griff " was again played last evening by the Dramatic Company, to a good house. To-night Mr Kennedy takes his benefit, and to-morrow there will be another change.

Harriers. —The Acclimatisation Society have determined to request the Government to extend the time ot courging hared with harriers belonging to the Christchurch Hunt Club from let April to 31st August, it being understood that the club will in the first month only exorcise the dogs.

Encouraging. —A farmer in the Lceston district, after receiving offers of only In lid per bushel for dome 1200 busht 1# of barley, shipped it homo through a firm hero, and has just received the account sales, showing that, after paying all expenses, the grain brought clear 2s 9id per bushel.

Reciprocity in Game Licenses —At the meeting of the council of the Aoolimatition Society, held yesterday, a very important letter was read from the South Canterbury Society urging that a license granted in one part of the Canterbury district should bo available in all. This and other Important matters will be considered at a special mooting to be held shortly. Acclimatisation Society, —At a specia meeting held yesterday the following officers were elected—Sir J. O. Wilson, president; Hon. J. T. Peacock and Mr J. Marshmun, vice-presidents; garden committee, Me.srs Frankish, Peacock, and Webb. The secretary, curator, and assistant secretary wore reelected.

Theatrical.— At tbo close of the present dramatic season, Mr Walter Reynolds, with a very strong dramatic company, including amongst others, Herr Bandmann and Miss Louise Beaudefc, will open the Theatre Royal. It is expected that Mr Reynolds will commence bis season about March Ist, and during its continuance an opportunity will bo afforded theatre-goers of seeing Herr Bandmanu in Shaksperian and other pieces, in which he has been very successful in Dunedin. Tramway Stopping-places. —ln consideration of the large amount of traffic now existing on the lines of tramway, the traffic manager finds great difficulty in keeping the time of the trams, owing to persons desiring to enter the [cars at places other than those appointed for the trams to stop. A large □amber of these places have been appointed, so that no inconvenience need occur if intending passengers would await the arrival of the trams at one or other of them. Local Industry. —ln connection with the opening of the new Masonic lodge at Fapanui, which event will take place in a few weeks, it may be mentioned that the whole of the furniture, jewels, collars, &o. will be manufactured in Christchurch. Messrs Coates and Co., who have started a new branch of industry in connection with their business, viz., tho manufacture of all kinds of Masonic regalia, will furnish the officers’ collars, &o , and Mr S. Papprill the jewels. Messrs Coates and Co., it may bo stated, have just completed sets of collars for tho St. Augustine Lodge, No. 609, which are very creditable specimens of colonial industry. Heretofore those articles have had to bo procured from other parts, which has necessitated loss of time.

Oheistchuech Pebsbytbet. —An adjourned meeting of the Ohrigtchurch Presbyjory was hold within St. Andrew's Church yesterday for the purpose of considering the call from the Hokitika congregation to the Bev. Wm. Douglas, of Akaroa. Messrs Gillespie, Dalgliesh, and Held, appeared as Commissioners from Mr Douglas's congregation and Mr Scott for the Hokitika church. The Commissioners haring fully represented the claims of the several congregations for and against the removal of Mr Douglas, the Moderator called upon the Eev. Mr Douglas to express his mind thereto, which ho did, stating the great difficulty he had in coming to any decision, but ultimately decided on accepting the call. The Presbytery thereon agreed to release Mr Douglas from his present charge, and appointed Eev. Mr Horner to intimate the vacancy on the first Sabbath of March, thus affording Mr Douglas an opportunity of bidding farewell to his much attached congregations at Pigecn Bay and the Head of the Bay on Sabbath first and at Akaroa and Wainui on the following Sabbath. Kaiapoi Boeouqh Council ,—The fortnightly meeting was held on Tuesday. Present—The Mayor (Mr Blackwell), Crs Moore, May, Eraser, Pinching, Mathews, and Monk, Leave of absence was granted to Or Woodford, who had met with an accident, the Council passing a vote of sympathy. Letters were received—Prom Messrs' Stephens and Miller, Dunedin, offering a gas making machine. It was decided that the Council did not require the same. Prom the Colonial Treasurer, forwarding £7415s due last March, being eubsidy due, leas the deduction of £3B for charitable aid. Prom Mrs Hardey, stating it was not her intention to accept part of the proceeds of a concert given at Christmas. Prom the Charitable Aid Board, stating that a case referred to would bo investigated. The receipts for the fortnight had been £B7 8s fid, and the credit balance was now £3l 10a Id. Accounts, £ls 163, were passed. The town clerk was appointed registrar of dogs. A vote of thanks was acoordedlto Messrs J. Q-. Geering and A. Baker for giving the alarm at the late fire. The Council then adjourned. A Gband Tanqi. —The tangi over the remains of the late Native chief Hori Tnpaca, at Eangawui, Tauranga, has been well attended u> to the present time, though now, we (“ B.y of Plenty Times’') are in formed the proceedings are much quieter. It is not expected the tangi will bo at its height until after the arrival of the Arawas from Chinenautu, where they are detained at the sitting of the Land Court. A large number of the Natives from tho immediate vicinity have lately visited Bangawai, and a gentleman who was over there a few daye ago, says there could not have been less than between 700 and 800 on the ground. On the occasion of his visit ho counted nineteen empty beer barrels, and fresh supplies were continually arriving. Large quantities of tea, sugar, biscuits, and bread, as well as fish and other Native food, were on the ground. The Natives amuse. themselves in various ways, but dancing appears to find most favor with them, and our informant says that in opening these dances they commerce with a pakeha dance, usually tho Highland schottische. A Detective in Disguise. —Mr Bolas (says tho Oamaru “ Mail”) has devised a little apparatus which may well be termed a detective camera. To all appearances it looks like a shoe-black’s block, a rough, squareshaped box, which may be slung over the shoulder with a strap, or rested upon the pavement if need be. In fact, when wanted for work it is put down on tho ground. It carries gelatine plates already in position, with a lens that is always in focus for any distance from 20 to 30 feet. The camera may be used without tho least fear of discovery. It may be dropped in the street in tho middle of the pavement, before a shop, upon a bridge, any lime the owner sees a group he wants a picture of. As the box touches the ground, a bulb is squeezed, and the exposure is made. We have seen on instantaneous sketch taken on board a steamer of two men by the paddlebox, one of them rubbing his forehead in the most innocent and unconscious manner, while tho other relates some story or incident.

Oamaeit Harbor Works.—Referring to the above works a Dunedin paper ea.vs :—The members of the Oamarn Harbor Board are undecided on the question whether to carry out the north wall, whion is-io form the inner basin of the harbor, where vessels can lie in perfect safety, at such a distance from the Oape as will enclose about forty-five acres, or to put it further north by about 250 ft, enclosing about fifty-five acres. The advocates of the leaser area claim that it will bo sufficient for the requirements of the port for many years to come, and that if the requirements of the port increase beyond present expectations another basin could be formed. The putting of the wall further north involves the extension of the breakwater by at least 230 ft, and requires a further expenditure of nearly £20,000. Up to the end of last year £165.000 has been expended on these works, and £62,000 remained in hand. If the larger scheme is adopted, farther borrowing w.ill be necessary. The Board is considering the ordering of a dredge, either in the colony or from home, and it is intended to dredge alongside the largsr wharves to the depth of 22ft at low water. Vessels drawing 16ft at low water can at present lay alongside with safety. An accumulation of silt inside the breakwater is, however, being removed by one of Friestman’s dredgers, which will give another foot or two.

The New Geain. — Tho barque West Biding, to sail for London to-day, is the bearer of the first shipment of new grain from Lyttelton, the shippers being Messrs Boyne, Stead and 00. and Messrs P. Cunningham and 00.