NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2193, 7 March 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

S-E Court, Lyttelton. —This morning, at this Court, Dr. Donald, 8.M., fined one offender 20s for being drunk and disorderly. Another indiscreet individual, who had manifested pugilistic symptoms in a weak moment, and need language unfit for publication, was fined 40a. It is only a few days since a woman was fined £lO for using obscene language and breaking windows ; the offensive language, however, being deemed the worst offence. Other heavy fines have been inflicted at this Court during the past twelve months—heavy enough it was supposed to for ever stamp out whatever tendency remained to use obscene language in the public streets. It does not seem, however, to have accomplished that much to be desired end yet.

Licensing Court. —At the sitting of the Commissioners, postponed till the 15th last, the following applications will be heard for new licenses : —By H. Evans, hotel, Templeton ; James Boo', wire and beer, Colombo street south ; and Elijah Gadd' wine and beer, Heathoote Valley. There are also several temporary transfers for confirmation.

NBWBPArBB Br»iEß9’ Picnic.— Mr F.O. Hall, one of the Sydenham Borough Councillors, has taken the initiative with reference to organising a picnic for the newspaper runners of Christchurch and its vicinity. Accordingly a preliminary meeting was held at Messrs Acland, Campbell and Co.’s offices on Saturday afternoon, but, owing probably to counter attractions, the attendance was limited. Mr Hall bri< fly addressed the runners present, stating that, in common with other gentlemen who recognised the services rendered to the community by them (the runners), it had been determined to moke the

necessary arrangement* for holding a picnic on a convenient day, and u the only day* on which the papers do not ieiue are Good Friday and Christmas Day, it was thought tdwiable to hold the gathering cn thee Baaing Good Friday. After some discussion, it was agreed—“ That a picnic taka place on Good Friday, and that it take place at Governor’s Bay.” Another meeting will be called shortly, at which all particulars pertaining to the gathering will bo definitely settled. Missnra the Tbains.—lt is as a rule sufficiently annoying to be” just in time to be too late ” for the particular train one has hurried a considerable distance to catch. When it happens though to be the last opportunity for that day to got to one’s destination, the chagrin of the disappointed is hard to bear. Anyone who has had frequent opportunities of observing the departure of the last (rain which leaves Lytttlton on Sunday evening has probably noticed what a number of late arrivals doomed to disappointment make a vain dash for that 5.50 p.m. train. Belying upon the train leaving at 5.55 p.m., as it does every week night, they frequently reaoh the station in time to get a glimp-e of the rear van of the train “ fading fast from view” into the darkness of the port tunnel. It is probably true enough that no matter at what time trains are started there will ever be found a certain number of tardy people to miss them. The truth of this is, indeed, bat one of the strongest reasons why the times of starting should be fixed so as to bo readily remembered and free from misunderstanding and confusion. The present arrangement of the time-table for the port trains is anything but easy of remembrance, to prove wbioh it is only necessary to ask the first twenty persons on arrival at Lyttelton when the next train goes, and unless they happen to have a railway dictionary upon them for referenoe, as a rule not one can tell precisely. There can be no question but that a time-table by which the trains should run upon the hours £and half hours would add to the public convenience very greatly. If it is possiole to frame one of that kind its substitution for the present one would be a vast improvement. With re peat to the Sunday evening train leaving Lyttelton port five minutes earlier than the evening train the other six nights of the week, the absurdity of the arrangement is too palpable to be further commented upon. Dibtbiot Oouet, Ashbubton.—A sitting of the above Court was held last Saturday before hie Honor Judge Ward. There were only two cases set down for hearing, viz.: — Lake v MoKerrow and 00., and McAvey v Mount Somers Boad Board, and these, after some evidence was taken, were adjourned for one month.

Lake Ellbshbbb.—Owing to the scarcity of fish in Lake Ellesmere, the fishermen have quite deserted it. There are only four men at work on the lake now, while formerly there were over a hundred. It is supposed that the flounders escaped to sea the last time that the lake was let out. It will be some considerable time before fish are plentiful again. Fibe at Ltttblton.—On Saturday morning, between fire and six o’clock, a smell vacant cottage in Dampier's Bay, Lyttelton, owned by Mr H. Lassiman, was destroyed by fire, the work, it is presumed, of an incendiary. The house was in course of having an addition put to it, but there had been no fire made in it by the carpenters who were working at it. The loss is reported to be fully covered by insurance. Juby List.—The jury list for the district of Christchurch for 1881*2 is now complete, and has been posted np at the principal •□trances to the churches, according to the Act. Those who have any appeal to make against being placed on the list, and who wish to see that their names and occupations are properly described, should call at the office of the Superintendent, Police Depot. The meeting of Justices for the revision of the jury list will take place on the Ist of April.

Natab Beisade.—The Lyttelton Volunteer Naval Brigade, having been put to a large amount of expense in placing themselves on a working footing, and in procuring uniforms, &0., have determined to get up a concert by way of assisting to raise funds. In this effort they have secured the co-operation and assistance of a number of well known lady and gentlemen amateurs in Christchurch, and a grand concert, under the patronage of the officers of the local volunteer companies, is announced to be held on the 25th of the present month.

Funbbae of tbs late Sib Cbacbovt Wilson.—The funeral obsequies of the late Sir Oracroft Wilson, K.0.5.1.,0.8., took place on Saturday afternoon. Shortly after two o’clock the procession left Cashmere, and, in proof of how greatly the deceased gentleman was respected, it may be mentioned that the cavalcade was considerably over a mile in length. His Lordship the Primate, together with the Bevs. H. O. AT. Watson, O. Bowes, and A. Wright, met the coffin at the lyoh gate of Halswell churchyard, and it is needless to say the service was tendered in a most impressive manner.

Oabblbss Riding. — A narrow escape from an accident occurred on Saturday evening. A man was crossing the asphalt footway leading from Messrs Lingdon and Judge’s to Waterloo House, when a horseman turned the corner sharply at full speed. The pedostriai was knocked down by the horse, but fortunately escaped injury. Such careless riding as this, particularly on Saturday evening*, when the streets are crowded with people, is most reprehensible. Perhaps if the police could bring an offender or two up before the Court, a stop would be put to what is by far too ommon a practice in Christchurch. Thb Ashbueton Industbial Exhibition —The committee of the above exhibition are using every means in their power to render it successful, and so far their expectations have been fully realised. The total space applied for is 5500 ft., of which 1250 ft. is wall space. The Town Hall having been found entirely inadequate to requirements, efforts will be made to obtain the use of the new Courthouse, and all the section adjoining the Town Hall will be covered in. His Excellency the Q-overnor has been communicated with, and has consented to open the exhibition in person on the 21th inst. The date for opening the exhibition has therefore been postponed from the 17th to the 21th inst., and exhibits will be received from the 17th to the 21st inst. Abhbtibton Caledonian Society. — The second annual meeting of the above society was held last Friday evening. The committee’s report, which referred principally to the recent concert and sports held under the auspices of the society, was read and adopted. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year—President, Mr M. Stitt; vicepresident, Dr. Stewart; treasurer, Mr T. Quill; directors, Messrs Reed, Anderson, Kidd, Jacobson, Williamson, Dunn, H. T, Smith, Douglas, McKenzie, Cameron, Digby, and Saunders. It was agreed to advertise for a paid secretary, his salary to be 5 per cent, on the annual income of the society. Messrs Poyntz and Zouoh were elected auditors. A vote of thanks to Messrs Reed and Anderson for their services during last year was carried, and the meeting terminated.

Cricket. —A match between the schoolmasters of North Canterbury and the Bangiora Cricket Club, was played on the ground of the latter on Saturday. The score made by the former eleven was 62, by the latter 52. The Schoolmasters’ side in the second innings made 45, with three wickets down, when time was called, and the game was decided upon the first innings. Mr Baiton, who made 26 in the first and 24 not out in the second, made the highest scores.—A cricket match was played on Friday between teams selected from the cabmen and carriers of Christchurch. The cabmen knocked up 74 in their first innings, and the carriers 78. The latter in their second innings only got 69, or a total of 148, In the second innings of the cabmen Stevens scored 50 not out, and the Jehus won the match with the loss of only three wickets in their second innings.

Nelson Hors. —The “ Nelson Colonist ” regrets to say that the long-continued drought has seriously affected the prospect of this year’s hop crop being a remarkably good one, for during the last week the red spider made its appearance, and as the rate of multiplication of this insect is something “ prodigious ” in the short space named, the damage has been great, and one grower alone estimates his loss from this source at £SOO at least.

“Where are yon going in such a hurry, old fellow.’’ “ Well,[Fred, I am glad 1 have met yon, for I am on my way to see by daylight what I last night saw by gaslight, Hay’s Fine Art Free Exhibition, and Art Union, at the corner of the Market FI see and Papanui road. His Art Union Tickets are only 2s 6d each, and I mean to have four chances. Besides, the Exhibition is free, and better worth seeing than many for which I have paid a shilling admission. So come along.” They go together.—[Adr.]

Mysterious Disappearance—Daring the past week, remarks the *• Timaru Herald,” the people residing in the township of Albury have been somewhat exercised over the mysterious disappearance of a man named John Byron Miller, a groom in the employ of Mr John Hinckley. It appears that the person in question left Silverstream for Mount Oook in charge of a two-horse buggy on the 20th of last month. He was accompanied by two gentlemen, whose mission was to explore the mount. They reached there safely, but during the stay the two horses wandered away and were lost. The two gentlemen returned to Silverstream, and reported that Miller had remained behind to search for ths missing animals. On the 28th of the month information reached the proprietor of the horses that Miller had succeeded in finding them, and that he hod started from Mount Oook Station on the same date with them for home. He has not, however, since then been seen or heard of, and some apprehension is felt for his safety. It is believed that tho unfortunate man has either met with an accident or been lost in the quicksands of the Tasman river, near Mount Oook. A party has been sent to search for Miller, and it is expected further news will be received in the course of a few days.

Dogs in the Police Kennels.—There are at present in the dog kennels at the police depot two valuable dogs—one a cross between a King Charles spaniel and a retriever, the other a setter. The owners may wish to recover them ; if so they should apply at once. Pioneer Bicycle Club. —The prize meeting of the above club was held on Saturday afternoon in Hagley Park on the race track of the Popular Amusement Association. There was a good attendance, and tho racing on the whole was good. As will be seen, the most of the prizes were won by Mr Dalton, a member of the Pioneer Bicycle Club. Oxford Resident Magistrate’s Court. —At this Court, on Wednesday, before O. Whitetoord, E c q., 8.M., and Wilson Fisher, Esq., J. P., W. Ololus, M. Shien, Q. Ayton, W. Clark and F. Skipper were fined 5s each and costs for allowing cattle to wander at large. O. Harvey was charged with jumping off the train while in motion at West Oxford. The case was adjourned for fourteen days. Waterman v Hommerly, claim £4 16s 4d ; judgment by default.

A very important discovery to naturalists has just been made in Newgate Gaol. Upon some repairs being made a petrified cat was found in a crevice of an old stone wall. It subsequently came under the notice of Mr Frank Buckland, the eminent naturalist and editor of “ Land and Water,” and he is of opinion that the cat must have been in this condition ever since the fifteenth century. “That being so,” said Mr Buckland, “ I have but little doubt that it is the celebrated cat of of Sir Richard Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London.” The oat is exhibited in the window ef the “ Land and Water ” office, and was attracting a good deal of attention. Effect op the Weather on a Sermon. —Rev. Dr. Bushnell himself relates it —“ As we were coming out of church one drizzly Sunday,” he said, “ my wife remarked, ‘You had better bum that sermon ; it isn’t worth repeating anywhere.’ * I shall do no such thing,’ I answered, a little vexed ; ‘ the sermon is up to my average.' She persisted, and I said little more. But a year or two afterwards, on a bright cheery Sunday in May—one of those days that make a discourse go of itself—l took that same sermon again. And, as we came down the aisle after service, she whispered (without the slightest notion that she had heard it before). ‘I would mark that to preach on exchanges. It is better than common.’ ” If brevity is the soul of wit, London “ Vanity Fair” has a very witty dramatic editor. He does up nineteen theatres in less than half a column, thus :—Drury Lane “ The World.” Melodramatic Spectacular piece. Full of battle, murder and sudden death. A Boy’s Selection.—A young lady has a Sunday school class of rather bright boys, averaging between seven and nine years. Recently she requested each pupil to come on the following Sunday with some passage of Scripture bearing upon love. The lads heeded the request, and in return recited their verses bearing upon that popular topic, such as “Love your enemies,” “Little children, lore one another,” &o. The teacher said to the boy who came last, “Well, Robbie, what is your verse ? ” Rising, he responded, “ Song of Solomon, second chapter, fifth verse —Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples ; for I am sick of love.” The defenceless condition of the principal mercantile ports of the United Kingdom is to be made the subject of inquiry by a committee of naval and military officers, who will report to Her Majesty’s Government the b?st means to he adopted for adding to the security of these important places.