NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2210, 26 March 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

Thbbthb Koval.—Last night, “Hamlet”was given, the oast beiug somewhat changed owing to the absence of Mr Hall and Mr and Mrs Reynolds. Mr Muegrave took the part of Pulonius, and playgoers will welcome the re-appearance of such a sterling aotor. Tonight a strong bill is announced, viz., “ The Duke’s Motto ” and “ Don C®jar de Bazan.” After Monday evening a new season will be commenced at the Theatre under the|lesßeeship of Herr Bandmann. Several novelties arc promised, amongst, others “Panoton the Cricket,The Woman of the People,” &o. The season will extend over a series of three weeks.

Deputation to the Pbbmieb.—A clepu tation from the Sydenham Borough Council waited on the Premier at the Count.; Council office this morning in relation to the proposed bridge over the railway in a lino with Madras street, the Mayor, Mr J. T. Brown, explaining the necessities of tho ease, and stating that be believed a petition for the work was now in course of signature by residents of Christchurch. The Hon. John Hall, in reply, said in effect that tho Government could not hold out any definite i.opes, but ho would lay their representations before the Minister of Public Works, and see what could be done in the matter.

Accident at Lyttelton.—George Ramsay, an apprentice belonging to the ship Lady Jocelyn, lying at Port, and who was holding the position of fourth officer, had his leg broken this morning by a bale of wool falling against, it. Dr. McDonald was called, and set the broken limb. Steahbb Exoubsion.— To-morrow the steam-launch Lyttelton will make a trip or two down the harbor as advertised in another column.

Stack Fire. —A large etaok of straw was fired early yesterday morniug at Gebbie’s Valley. It was tho property of Mr John Gebbie, and was valued at about JJfiO. Tho fire had too strong a hold upon it before it was observed, and the stack wa« totally consumed. The Outward Mail —Owing to the grounding of the Penguin in Tory Channel she will not leave Lyttelton till Sunday morning. Doe notice of her departure will bo given in this evening’s papers. The Stella will take on the Southern portion of the ’Frisco mails, for transhipment to the Hawea at Wellington. Fire —The Central Hotel, Ashburton, had a narrow escape from being burnt down last Thursday evening. The curtains of a window, evidently blown by the wi d, were ignited by a gas jet. The fire boll was rang, but before the brigade arrived the fire was extinguished without much barm being done. Amuri County Council. —Mr J. H. Davison, of St. Leonard’s, has been elected to fill tho vacancy caused by the death of Sir Cracroft Wilson. Sydenham Horticultural Society.—A largely-attended m eting of the members of the above society was held last evening, in St. Mary’s schoolroom, Addington. Mr R. Nairn occupied the chair. The secretary read the proposed rules of the society, which were passed seriatim, with the exception of rale 10, which defined tho different classes of exhibitors, and after considerable discussion was referred to the committee for amendment. The election of officers resulted as under : —President, Mr J. T. Brown ; vice-presidents, Professor Bicker ton, Messrs W. Pratt, H. W. Packer, and Wm. White, jun. ; treasurer, Mr Mannings ; secretary, Mr G. Cooper ; committee. Messrs Hopworth, Manser, Burns, Beatty, Green, Thompson, Ashton. R. Nairn, Lines, I’ Anson, J. Taylor, and Kev. H. Fast. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated tho proceedings.

Mandevillh Drainage District.—A meeting of the Board of Conservators for the Mandeville and Eangiora drains go district took place at Flaxton, yesterday. Present—Messrs E. Mulcock (chairman), M. Duncan, C. Young, and J C. Boys The following correspondence was received—Prom the Under-Secretary for Public Works, stating that a voucher had gone forward for payment on behalf of the Board for the sum of .£3l Is 3d. The clerk reported that he had met Mr Barnetts, as agreed upon, at the railway bridge oa the Eyreton line, when it was arranged to lengthen the bridge by fifty-fire feet. Tenders were received for widening the main drain above Flaxton bridge, when that of Messrs Dwyer and Long was accepted, and the Board adjourned.

Kaiapoi Chain Show and Industrial Exhibition.— A meeting of the committee of the Farmers’ Club was held at the Club Chamber on Thursday evening. There was a full attendance, Mr Pashby presiding. The subcommittee reported that, in consequence of the number of exhibits likely to arrive, it would be necessary to engage the new Oddfellows’ Hall, as being the largest hall in the town. The names of several intending exhibitors were given, and it was stated that the hall could be obtained on advantageous terms. The subcommittee also recommended the holding of a promenade concert, at which the members of the brass band and the Choral Society had promised to give assistance. The report was adopted, and it was decided to hold the show of grain, mots, dairy produce, and local industries in the Oddfellows’ Hall; the show of foals to bo held in an adjacent paddock. The stewards elected were: For foal classes: W. M. Boss, J. Stevenson, and G. Edwards. Crain: J. Boharrell, K. Mulcock, and E. Coup. Boots; W. McGregor, J. Perrin, W. Eobb, and E. Wilson. Dairy produce : C. Young and j. Walls. Local industries: E. Paruham, C. E. Dudley, and J. Lowthian Wilson, the latter to act as corresponding secretary. It was decided that the entries be received till Friday, April Bth, at 6 p m,, as advertised in another column- Messrs W. Walls, C. J. Young, and N. Kidd were elected members of the club. After the transaction of some routine business, the meeting was adjourned till April Bth.

A Nbw Local Ihdusthy.— Mr Maclean, of Tuasa street West, has brought under our notice Bomo samples ©f locally-made pickles of excellent quality. The bottling and arrangement of the articles pickled appear to be all that can be desired, and they are naturally more crisp and fresh than the imported article. ' Mr Maclean is taking the matter up as a regular branch of local industry, and, although he has been at work for not more than a fortnight, the encouragement be has received justifies him in looking forward to a bright future for the new venture.

Mr Hamilton’s Band.— This very excellent hand, which has made itself deservedly a favorite with the public, gave a performance last night in Latimer Square, when there was a large attendance of the public. A very excellent programme of music was rendered with much success, and generally tbe performance was a very enjoyable one. Ashburton Industrial Exhibition.— The above exhibition was largely _ patronised yesterday, about 600 persons having visited up to tho time (5 p.m.) when our express left. There was a large number of the country people in town, but what may be regarded'as extraordinary, very few came by the trains from any distance. The excellence and variety of the exhibits have excited the admiration of all visitors, and exclamations of surprise at the quality as well as the workmanlike manner in which most of the colonial-mode exhibits have heenexeouied, might bo hoard in all quarters. Seme most amusing, though to the owners vexatious errors, have been made. A Mr Carrntharp, of Waimate, exhibited some very good specimens of concrete drain pipes, but to bis great chagrin ho found himself appearing in tho official catalogue of exhibits as a Mrs Carruthors exhibiting specimens of “ fancy woollen work stockings for wearing with Highland dress.” Mr John Carter exhibited an excellent specimen of pen and ink printing and sketching, entitled, “ The Last Prayer of Jesus.” This was executed by him while at school, at the ago of fourteen years, and he fondly hoped that it would raetfc with recognition, as it merits, at tbe hands of the judges, but he receives an award for wool work which he does not acknowledge as his property. Swannanoa.— A successful treat to the children attending the district school was given on the 23rd inst. They assembled in the paddock of Mr Thomas Hide, chairman of the committee, whore a variety of games were played and sports kept up till a late hour. At least seventy-five children were present, aud they were amply provided for by those who undertook the task of catering. Loud cheers were ;.iven for the committee, and also for Mr Hide, for their kindness before leaving. R.M. Court, Amberlbv. —At this court yesterday, before O. Whitefoord, Esq , R.M., and T. Douglas, Esq., J.P., in the case of James Bunting v A. Baillie, claim £l2 3s 6d, defendant was ordered to pay the amount in forty eight hours, or, in default, two months’ imprisonment. Mrs Stokes vT, Humphries, claim £24 7s 6d, adjourned, to enable an amicable settlement to be come to. J. White and Go. vP. McGrath, claim £4l Is 2d. Defendant paid into Court £34 12 7d, and disputed the price charged for shovels. Judgment for £3B 5s lOd and costs, the item of interest being disallowed.

Fatal Railway Accident. —The Horsham correspondent of the “ Age ” reports that a fearful railway accident happened at eleven o’clock on March 6th at the Doosn railway station, resulting in the death of a line repairer named James Sproule, aged forty years. The deceased was also an assistant on a water train, which supplies all the gate houses with water on Sundays. The train was nearing the Dooen railway station when a spout of one of the tanks fell off tho truck. The deceased was in the act of jumping off the truck, when he lost his balance and fell underneath tbe wheels, which passed over both legs below the knees, crushing all the bones iu the lower extremities. He also sustained a severe injury to tbe chest. Sproule was conveyed by the same train to Horsham, and admitted to tho hospital about twelve o’clock. Dr. Steel was called and promptly attended, but immediately pronounced the case hopeless. The doctor remained in constant attendance up till the time of Sproule’s death, which occurred at about a quarter-post four the same afternoon.

Sbtbbb Storm in Sedkby. —Sydney was visited on March 14th by one of the severest thunderstorms experienced for some time

past. At about 9 o’clock a.m. a heavy thunderstorm broke over the city, accompanied by drenching rain. The weather afterwards was very sultry, with much electricity in the air. Shortly after one o’clock a dense mass of heavy clouds hung over the city like a pall, and the air was very oppressive. This state of things culminated in a terrific thunderstorm, with a most extraordinary

fall of hail. The hailstones resembled jagged lumps of ice, many being as large as eggs. The shower was very thick and severe, the streets being thickly strewed with lumps of congealed hail. The beating down of those unusually large hailstones caused great consternation amongst the horses in the streets, and many became restive ; some bolted, Fortunately there was little or no wind, or much damage must have been done to windows. As it was, considerable injury was caused to skylights, lamps, &s. The storm only lasted about five minutes, but was very heavy, and after tho hailstones were exhausted the rain descended in torrents, and cleared the atmosphere. Lightning flashed at intervals during the afternoon, and after 4 o’clock another heavy thunderstorm passed over, lasting some time with drenching rain and hail.