NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2185, 25 February 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Distbiot Coubt.—The next session of the District Court at Ohristohnrch will be held on Maroa. 10th, instead of March 7th, as previously notified. lilCbnbiho Coobt.—The next sitting of this Court, whioh was to have taken place on March Ist, has been postponed till Maroh Bth. Inqttiby.—An inquiry into the wreck of the brig Clematis was commenced at the B.M. Court, IJyttelton, this morning. A Dbttm-atio Incident. The autumn sua was approaching its meridian height, in the year of our Lord, to-day, when a collection of musical instruments " might have been seen," in a vehicle known as the spring cart, — proceeding down Colombo street at an easy pace. They had come from the railway station, where the blowers and other human agents concerned in the constitution of a musical body known as the Railway Band, were employed in the humorous pursuit of "shunting" or other occupations oonneoted with steam traffic, and thereunto pertaining ; and were en route to the Theatre Royal, to assist in a miscellaneous entertainment to be given this evening for the benefit of the Christchurch Mutual Imps—a mystic circle much affected by " the disciples of art and literature " in this town and others, and whose brethren are scattered over the wide, wide world. (In passing, it may be stated that there is a record in the archives of the society, that two of its members met at the North Pole, and established a lodge there, but the climate was not found suitable to its operations, and it is now, therefore, simply "a memory of the past," together with the enterprising members who met there). But to return to our muttons, as the French say, the musical instruments reposed calmly in their go-oart till arriving at the corner of Gloucester street, when suddenly the big drum was observed to wobble somewhat and lurch, as if afflicted internally, and finally it tumbled over into the street, falling on the metal road with a " boom " of much drum power, _ and thereafter proceeded to wriggle about in a manner such as no musical instrument was ever known to wriggle before. The cart was stopped, that is the horse was, and the driver, with the assistance of a bystander, captured this wayward section of the Railway Band and fixed it in a •sorrier of the vehicle. It is not known how the accident occurred. By some it was thought that the drum, being, like humans, highly sensitive to the influences of " moisture," became overpowered by alcoholic exhalations from the Central Hotel, whilst others who observed the phenomenon sagely conjectured that a little fiend from the Christchurch Imps must have got inside the concern and produced a kind of musical gastro enteritis, in the agonies whereof the drum had wriggled as aforesaid, and lost its balance. These, however, are simply matters of opinion. It is to be hoped that the drum will prove none the worse for its accident to-night. In any case it is likely to get a " good beating for He pains." P|Thb West Coast Railway.—The Hon. E. Richardson has received a reply from the Government to the request made through him by the promoters of the West Coast Railway as to an engineer accompanying the Government engineer on his proposed inspection of the route. As already stated, Mr 0. Y. O'Connor is the engineer selected, and the Government, it will be seen, accede to the request that an engineer on the part of the promoters might accompany him. The telegram is as follows :—"Wellington, 24th February, 1881. To Hon. E. Richardson, M.H.R., Christohurch, —An engineer representing promoters, West Coast Railway, may accompany Government engineer, and will be provided with rations at oamp. (Signed) R. Olivbk."

Thb Bake: op England.—The Bank of England was incorporated in 1649. It covers five acres of ground and en. ploys 900 olerks. There are no windows on the street. Light is admitted through open courts ; no mob could take the bank, therefore, without cannon to batter the immense wall. The clock in the centre of the bank has fifty dials attached to it. Large cisterns are sunk in the court, and the engines, in perfeot order, are always in readiness in case of fire.

Cabbiagb of Fabcbls.—A great boon to persons having small parcels to send to the Mother Country has now been arranged for by the Union Steam Shipping Company of New Zealand in conjunction with the Orient Steam Shipping Company. This consists of a parcel express by which packages a foot measurement and upwards can be sent through to London at a minimum charge of five shillings per foot or one shilling per lb., measure or weight being charged at the option of the company. A Novel Yacht.—A motor yacht without steam now makes her way about Boston harbor. It illustrates the working of a compressed air petroleum engine. No smoke pipe is visible, for there is none, nor any need of any, for there is no smoke, and not so much fire as the flime of an ordinary kerosene lamp. The whole engine and running machinery are contained in a long, low box in the bottom of the boat, occupying scarcely more room than would be required for the ballast of a sailboat of its size. The peculiarity of this engine is that a common match brings it instantly into full working power. Timabu. The "Times" reports that there was a heavy surf on Tuesday afternoon and a few trifling accidents occurred in the roadstead. A surf boat belonging to the Government Landing Service was conveying goods to the s.s. Oroti, and was crossing the steamer's stern, when the boat gave a sudden lurch, and one of the men, Mr Balsam, was thrown backwards overboard. Fortunately he was a good swimmer, and he speedily found his way to the boat. Later on towards evening the Oreti parted with her anchor, and about twenty fathoms of cable. Steam was at once got up, and she was moored to another position until ready to sail. The anchor and cable were recovered next morning. A Nautical Stoby.—There was sudden commotion aboard the fast and favorite s.s. Napier shortly after she left Blenheim for this port yesterday, says the Wellington "Times" of February 19th. She was gently steaming down the river, past the mud flits and the flax bushes, the gallant skipper on the bridge, a trusty A.B. at the helm, the docks thronged with passengers, the vessel gliding smoothly with the current, when all at onoe she began to yaw and veer about in most eccentric fashion, showing a decided inclination to run her nose into the bank. " Port your helm," roared the nautioal Fisk. "Port it is, sir," replied the man at the wheel, "Least ways as much as I can get her." " What d'ye n>ean ? God bless you. Starboard!" roared the skipper. "Port! starboard ! biok her! stop her! Holy snakes ! we're going ashore !" " She won't answer, sir," oried the frantic helmsman. " Something's jammed—the chains are foul." And still the s.s. Napier yawed and yawed, and let the current run away with her until Captain Fisk thought his vessel bewitched. What was the matter with her ? What devilment was in the vessel P None could tell; passengers and crew alike were perplexed; all save one, a singularly mild and inoffensive looking individual, who, squatted on the deok, sat preterna turally still, awaiting with stoical indifference the issue of events. Suddenly the vigilant skipper eyed him, and one glance revealed the mystery. To the amazement of the passengers, the skipper made a dart for the galley, oamo up a moment after armed with a meat chopper, seized the inoffensive-looking passenger by the scruff of the neck, and heeling him over, amid the shrieks of the frightened females and the hurried protestations of the male passengers, aimed a desperate blow • at his coat tails, until not one alone, but another and another, and the affrighted passenger, suddenly uprising, scudded, at high pressure speed, for the saloon, and there, perturbed and scared, sat himself down where the diminishment of his wardrobe would be least observed. Explanation quickly followed ; the tail of his coat had got foul of the rudder chains, and the constant jerking of the latter had wound up tho broad cloth, inch by inch, until the wearer of the garment could neither get himself free from the chains or free himself from his garment. Through the activity of tho crew, it should be said, the vessel was kept from going ashore, and soon the order " Full steam ahead," calmed all fears for her safety. The tale of the severed coat tail would be scarce complete unless we mention the name of tho chief hero of the adventure. It was Mr Kirby, agent for Mr and Mrs Hart, of " Happy Hours " fame, and who was returning with the oompany after a most successful season at Blenheim. Mr Hart has possession of the dismembered broadcloth, and also of the identical cleaver so deftly wielded by the gallant skipper, and has serious thoughts of dramatisir?r episode aa a new feature in the Happy Hours " entertainment, under the title of " The whisks and fisks of a coat tale or a nap-py hour on board the Nap-i-er."

Picnic. —The employes of Mr J. T. Brown, timber merchant, held their picnic and outing on Tuesday last, when the party started at nine o'clock for Sumner, where a Terr enjoy able day wai spent.

Thbatbb Royal.—" Griff" was repeated at the Theatre Royal last night, when there was a fair house. This evening the benefit of the Mutual Imps Benevolent Pond will take place, under the patronage of the Intorprovincial Crioketeri.

Vii/lagb Fibe Engine.—There is now on view at the store of Messrs 0. B. Taylor and Co. an Amerioan fire engine suitable for small townships, whioh it is intended to exhibit at the Ashbnrton local exhibition. It is a manual fitted with the latest improvements and the Christchurch Fire Brigade intend having it out one evening during the ensuing week in order to try its capabilities.

Musical. —Referring to the complimentary ooncert tendered on Wednesday to Signor Oarmini Morley, who is about to leave Dunedin for Christchurch, the " Herald" says : In Signor Morley the City of the Plains will have an appreciable acquisition—a thorough artist, who has rendered incalculable service to the perfect study of the divine art in this city. Hotel .Employes' Picnic. The final meeting of the committee of the above was held last night at the City Hotel. It was resolved to appoint a committee to select trophies for the races. The tender of the Railway Band was accepted. It was decided that the picnic Bhould conclude at the Lyttelton Hotel. A vote of thanks was passed to the hon ; secretary, Mr J. Watson. The picnio will take place at Governor's Bay on the 3rd inst.

Accident to a Hobse.—A day or two ago a valuable shaft horse belonging to Mrs Murphy, Eyreton, was driven by some persons into a neighbor's section, in which there was a well with a rotten wooden cover over it. The horse, rushing away from its pursuers, stepped on this cover, and, falling into the hole, broke its neck. The loss is a serious one for Mrs Murphy, whose husband died some years ago. She has been industriously working their small farm rather than become a burthen to friends.

Sunday Schools Tbkat, Rabsioba.—The schools of the Presbyterian and Wesleyan Churches held their annual treat in the agricultural show grounds yesterday. A somewhat lengthy procession marched through the town about 11 o'clock, and was afterwards joined on the grounds by many other children and their parents. The usual sports were indulged inj the Revs. Taylor and Monro and Messrs William Good and Ivory assisting in every way to make the day a most enjoyable one. The weather was all that could be desired.

British Ibbael Asbociatiow.—The above association held an ordinary meeting last night in the Templar Hall, Worcester street, the president (Mr T. S. Lambert) in the chair. After some correspondence had been read by the secretary, the meeting considered the advisability of isviting Canon Brownrigg, from Tasmania, to give a course of lectures in Ohristohurch. Mr Walkden opened the subject for the evening's discussion, "Israel must be the nation above all other nations." This was followed by a reading by the president, and an apprdpriate address by Mr Goo, after which the meeting dosed. L.O.L.—Last night the Lodge of Progress No. 33 was opened by Bro. D. Christie, B.W.G-.M., assisted by the Grand Lodge officers, after which Bro. Charters was installed as W.M.; Bro. W. S. King, D.M. j Bro. J. L. Fleming, treasurer; Bro. Carnaghan, secretary; Bro. Clifford, chaplain. Seven gentlemen were proposed for initiation, and other routine business having been got through, the lodge was closed in the usual form. About 100 of the brethren of different lodges were present. After closing the company met for refreshment, when the usual loyal toasts were given and several good songs were sung by a portion of the brethren present, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. Fibb at Fernbide.—On Wednesday the frontage fences of Mr J. C. Boys' Fernside farm were discovered to be on fire, and before the flames could be subdued several chains of gorse fencing were totally destroyed. The fire is said to have originated from a spark from the engine of the Oxford midday train. This is the second time this length of fencing has suffered damage from a similar cause, and considerable loss to Mr Boys has resulted from the want of his fenoes at a time when they were required to prevent stock straying from the paddocks or stray oattle from trespassing upon the grain orops. A New Indubtby.—The action of Government in offering bonuses to encourage the establishment of certain new industries in the colony is already bearing fruit. The annual report of the direotors of Kempthorne, Frosser and Co.'s New Zealand Drug Company contains the following paragraph : —" The Government now having publicly advertised that a bonus of £SOO per annum will be given for three years in succession for the production each year, by machinery established in New Zealand, of not less than fifty tons of good marketable sulphuric aoid, and as it was the intention, as embodied in the prospeotuß of the company, that sulphuric acid works should be erected in connection with the business, the directors have resolved to immediately procure the necessary plant and ereot the works."

Litbbaby Institute, Bangioba. The Oxford Dramatic Company gave their services on Wednesday evening for the benefit of this institute, to help pay off the expenses of new stage scenery. In every way the evening proved a success. The two pieces—- " Aurora Floyd " and " Family Jars " —were well sustained, and the audience, which was one of the largest ever seen in the hall, gave ample proof of its appreciation. The drop scene, representing Lake Eanieri, on the Coast, has been painted by Mr J. Peel, and is a work of considerable merit. The committee of management are greatly indebted to that gentleman for his kind services. The Rangiora brass band dispensed appropriate musio, after which a clearanoe was made, and dancing was indulged in to the strains of Mr Hunnibell's quadrille band. The financial results of the entertainment were satisfactory. Heathcote Bbgatta Committee.—A fairly attended meeting of the Heathcote regatta oommittee was held at the Commercial Hotel last evening, at 8 o'clock, Mr J. O. Jones in the chair. The ohairman stated that £6O had been reoeived towards the regatta funds, which, with the entrance fees and subscriptions promised would amount to £l2O. The amount to be apportioned for prizes was £92. The secretary was instructed to write to the Railway Manager, asking that boats engaged in the regatta from Lyttelton and Kaiapoi may be conveyed by rail free of oharge. It was decided that the course should be the same as on the last oooasion, viz., from the mouth of the river Avon to Monok's jetty, Mr Day agreeing to mark it out on the usual conditions. The secretary reported that he had arranged with Messrs F. H. Digby and F. Pavitt to aos as umpire and starter respectively. Mr J. S. Monek agreed to place his paddock at the disposal of the committee on the day of the regatta, and after disposing of some routine matters, the oommittee adjourned till March 3rd, at the same time and plaoe.