NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2204, 19 March 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Steakbb Trips To mwiiow. —The steam launch Lyttelton, should the weather bo suitable to-morrow, will run two excursion trips in tho harbor, connecting with tho afternoon trains.

Lyttelton Magistrate's Court. —Ah Foo, the cook on board tho American barque Mabel, a Mongolian, was charged at this Court this morning with attempting to smuggle 200 cigars. Mr Alexander Rose, tho Collector of Customs, prosecuted, and called the Sergeant of Police, who related the circumstances of the arrest, which was accomplished by him in company with Mr Ohilman, Tide Surveyor, H.M. Customs. When he was arrested the “ Heathen Chinee,” with a smile at once open and bland, explained that he was trying to dispose of tho cigars to raise the money to pay his washerwoman. The story, when related in Court, notwithstanding the persuasive manner of the Celestial, was not deemed by the Court a sufficient excuse, and the bewildered cook from the Flowery Kingdom was ordered to pay the sum of £9 fine, oeing three times the alleged value of the property ; in default, sir months’ imprisonment. When the judgment was given the Chinaman expressed his surprise by saying that “ Ninee ploundsee welly too muohee.” He “No sabee lawee, welly blad plaooo.” The fine was paid. Presentation. — The members of the Lyttelton Wesleyan Church Choir, on last Friday evening, presented their late choir-master (Mr T. Bradley) with an illuminated address, and a very handsome hymn-book, beautifully bound in tnorocco.and the following inscribed in gold letters: —“Presented to Mr T. Bradley by the members of tho Lyttelton Wesleyan Church choir.” Tho presentation was made by the Rev. W. H. Beck, in the presence of the choir. Mr Bradley (who was evidently surprised) feelingly acknowledged the gift in a few suitable words, thanking tho donors for their expression of good feeling towards him. The workmanship displayed in the morocco binding and the lettering on the hymn-book by the binder at tho “Press” office, were very much admired.

The Gebat Autumn Handicap.—The weights for this race will appear on the 22nd instant.

Legal.— Owing to the indisposition of his Honor Mr Justice Johnston the banco cases wore postponed yesterday till Tuesday next. Northern Piobon and Sparrow Club. —The members held an afternoon’s shooting yesterday, when Mr W. Judson’s side won the match in shooting at both pigeons and sparrows. Some other matches were fired. From the way in which the trap was set several of tho birds got away on the wind. Hornbr’s Township. The residents of this locality in the district of Papanui have decided (o tnbscribe half the amount of the road formation, and the Avon Road Board will therefore take the matter in hand at once, -n terms of a resolution passed at its last meeting. Oxford —On Thursday evening the race dinner was held, at which there was a large attendance. The same evening the local dramatic corps gave a very successful entertainment in the Town Hall, which was fairly patronised. Good Yield. —Mr J. J. Herrick, of Tai Tapu, has just threshed a field of Tuscan wheat (a very fine sample) off lay land, which has given an average of 75 bushels and 91bs per acre. Tho land was ploughed iu July, and sown in the latter end of August, with 2 bushels per acre drilled.

Eanoioea Domain Board— A meeting of this Board was held at tho MandeviUe Eoad Board Office on Tuesday. Present —Captain Parsons (chairman), Messrs Duncan, Mulcock and Buxton. Tenders were opened for leasing the pasturage of the reserve, and that of Mr G. S Bartrnm at 2s 9d per acre was accepted. Some routine business having been passed, the Board adjourned. Kaiapoi Eboatta. —The concluding event on Thursday was the Single Scullers Eaco for Mr Ellen’s cup, for which J. T. Smith and J. Perrin competed, the latter winning it after a fine race In yesterday’s report of this regatta the Union Club’s crew is stated to have won the Senior Double Sculling Eace. This is an error, the respective positions past tho winning post being—Canterbury, 1; Cure (Kaiapoi), 2; Union, 3. Kaiapoi Farmers’ Club — A meeting of this Clab was held on Thursday evening to decide upon holding the annual foal, grain and root show. The members present were—Messrs Pashby (chairman), Kidd, hon. see., Parnbam, E. Wilson, J. L. Wilson, Coup, Young, Eoss and Walls. The chairman expressed his regret that at the last meeting they had been unable to secure the attendance of two gentlemen who had promised to read papers. After some discussion it was decided to bold the annual show on Thursday, April 14th, and if possible secure an exhibition of 'fruit, flowers, and local industries. The judges for the various classes were nominated, as well as the class stewards, and the clab adjourned till Thursday next. Akaroa. —On Wednesday last Mr H. H. Fenton, C.E., who is about to leave the district, was presented with a purse of sovereigns. About twenty gentlemen met at Bodrigne’s Madeira Hotel, the chair being taken by Mr A. C. Knight. In proposing Mr Fenton’s health, the chairman alluded to the services he had rendered to the district, and the interest be had taken in Church affairs, and expressed the regret they felt at his approaching departure. He also desired to convey their best wishes towards Mrs Fenton, and concluded by asking those present to drink the health of Mr and Mrs Fenton. Mr Fenton replied in a feeling speech, and expressed the hope that it would not be the last time they wonld meet together. Several other toasts were duly honoured, and, with the aid of a few songs, a very pleasant evening was spent. NobthOantebbdby Caledonian Spouts. —ln audition to the items published yesterday, the committee managed during the showers to get off the following events : —Throwing hammer: Ist prize, X2; 2nd, w. Matheson, 1; J. O’Flynn, 2. Eunning high jump : Ist prize, X 3 ; 2nd, XI. W. Lavery, 1; F. Green, 2. Banning long jump: Ist prize, £2; 2nd, XI. J. O’Fiynn, 1; T. Featheray, 2. Irish jig (in costnme): Ist prize, X2 ; 2nd, XI. J. Murray, 1; D. Ornicksbank, 2. Hop, step and jump; Ist prize, XI; 2nd, 10s. J. O’Flynn, 1; T. Featheray, 2. Handicap race, 880yds: Ist prize, X 3; 2nd, XI lOj. C. Scrimshaw, 25yds, I; A. Hill, 37yds, 2; F. Green, 40yds, 3. Twelve others also started, including W. S. Pagan at scratch. Tossing the caber: Ist prize, X2; 2nd, XI. W. Matheson, XI; C. Forbes, 2. Keel o’ Tnllooh (Messrs G. L. Beath and Ce.’s cup: D. Cruickshank. Highland costnme (boys): Ist prize, XI; 2nd, 10s. S. Wornall, 1 ; A. Scott and Q. Wornall, 2. Good 'J emplaey. —The first meeting of tho District Executive (constituted according to resolutions of the last Grand Lodge session) for the Eangioradistrict was held in the schoolroom, Ashley, on Tuesday lost, Bro. Joseph Thompson, District Deputy, presiding. All the lodges in the district except the Star of f-'efton were represented. Bros. Smith and Ellwosd, of Ashley, were elected secretary and treasurer respective’y. It was decided that all P.W.C.I.’s and P l/.D.’s should be admitted as members of the Executive, and that the meetings should all be open to members of the Order generally. Some discussion took place as to tho need for improvement in the rendering of tha ritual of the ( 'Her, and it was resolved that the secretary write to the various lodges drawing attention to the matter. Bros J. Thompson and Shaw were appointed to confer with delegates from the Kaiapoi district to re arrange tha boundaries of the two districts. After some routine business had been disposed of the meeting adjourned. The Ashburton Industrial Exhibition. —Workmen have been very busy for the last few days making arrangements for tho above exhibition. In addition to the Town Hall three hrgo tents —one 60ft in diameter, another 45 x 25, and another 43 x 20—have been erected on the ground surrounding the Courthouse and Town Hall. The largest tent will be appropriated to carriages, machinery, Ac.; the second to pottery, monumental work, tinsmith work, and ironmongery; and the third to colonial produce, oilman's stores, rope, twine, &c. The Town Hall is being done np well, no pains or labor being spared to make it look to advantage. Ihe body of the hall will be devoted to woollen goods, drapery, pianos, organs, Ac. Around the walls will bo placed the pictures and works of art, while the fancy work, jewellery, stores, shells, Japanese and Indian curiosities, will be placed on stands round the hall. Tha number of exhibits already entered is 212, for wbieh 6000 ft of space will be required. There will bn sixty different classes of local manufacture and growth, in each of which tho competition is very large, and there is a large variety of foreign articles to be exhibited. Already tho goods are beginning to arrive, and are being stowed for tho present in tho Oddfellows’ Hal],

Sunnyside Asylum. Hoad attendant Clarke and attendants Eastfaam and Lemon, have been awarded by the Government gratuities for, special services ip connection with the removal of a lunatic from his cell at tho risk of serious personal injury. The lunatic had barricaded the door of his coll, broken up the flooring, and armed himself with pieces of wood. In order_ to prevent the man hurling himself or escaping, the door was forced, amidst a shower of wood, sawdust, and stones, and he was removed with safety to another cell, after, having bitten and otherwise injured his captors. The attendants behaved with courage and forbearance.

Pout Victoria Races. —ln the report of the meeting at the Head of the Bay, which appeared in yesterday’s issue, the winner of the District Handicap was stated to have been Moalynoee, whereas it was Mr H. B. Manson’s Blue Gum which came in first, Mr Bradley’s Moalynoso being second. The Publicans’ Parse was also won by Blno Gum, Mealynoae being again second. The Hack Race was taken by Mr O. Bradley's Jane, and Tawera won tho Consolation takes. An accident occurred in con ■ nection with the Consolation Race, the rider of Brown Boy (Howard Harding) being thrown. Tho cause of the mishap was said to have been one of the Maori horsemen, who ran his horse across tho course just as the race was about to bo started, and Brown Boy being frightened made a bolt. Tho rider’s injuries, though severe, wore (not, however, of a very serious nature.

An Electric Railway.— The first electric railway in Europe built for ordinary traffic has now been nearly completed. It is situated in the city and suburbs of Berlin. It runs from the central cadet establishment in Leichterfelde It is tho first actual experiment with the eys'em in ordinary traffic. It may be remembered that in the summer of 1879 Dr. Siemens aohit-ved great success with the electric railway, which was constructed as a scientific experiment in the grounds of the Berlin Exhibition of that year. Tho lino will, it is expected, be opened for traffic before the close of the present month. The contractors who are constructing the railway are Messrs Siemens and Halsko, of Berlin.