NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2212, 29 March 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Poliok Coubt. —Thii morning, before D. Oaro, Esq., for first offence (drunkenness), two men wore fined 5s each. G. W. Pickering, for a similar offence, was fined ss. John Parker, who had been to Lyttelton Gaol for eight days for medical treatment, was brought up and discharged with a caution.

Dkptttatiohb to thb Pjikmibe,—Messrs Weston, Pratt, Thornton, Wickes, Nathan, and Packer waited on the Hon. John Hall this morning in reference to the West Coast Railway. They submitted the draft of a Bill which they proposed the Government might utilise so that a measure could be passed during the forthcoming session of Parliament to enable the Government to act with the company, and grant certain concessions duiing the receess. The object of this, they pointed out, was to avoid delay. The Premier replied that ho would consult his colleagues, and reply as soon as possible. He recognised that action, if any, should be taken next session.—Two deputations re a bridge over the railway waited on the Premier subsequently. One, of which Mr Nathan was spokesman, advocated a bridge over the railway at the foot oE Manchester street, and the ether, introduced by the Mayor of Sydenham, and acoompanied by Messrs J. T. Fisher, Andrews, and -Richardson, M.H.R.'f, were in favor of Madras street. Mr Hall said he thought it was a local matter, but he would lay the question before his colleague, the Minister for Public Works. A deputation from the unemployed, introduced by Mr Andrews, was also heard. Mr Hall expressed regret to hear oomplaints of destitution so soon again, and pointed out that no definite hope of immediate Government aid oouli be held out.

Magistratb'3 Cotjbt, Littbltok.—Dr. Donald, 8.M., diipoied of two oases of drunkenness at this Court thii morning. In one instance a fine of 5s was imposed, and in the other 10s. THB A K ABO A AND PI3BOJT BAY TbADE.— It is notified elsewhere, by advertisement, that from and after to-morrow the steamer Akaroa will ran to Pigeon Bay from Port, leaving at half-past nine o'clock three days a week. The owners of the steamers also announce that they intend to run every day as soon as the arrangements for the conveyance of passengers from Pigeon Bay to Akaroa by coach are perfected. The Peninsula settlers will doubtless appreciate this stroke of enterprise, which places them in daily communication with the city.

Hast Chbistchubch I'iobon Flying Club. —The following birds were nominated last night for the all-age stakes to bo flawn from Timaru to Ohristohnroh, 100 miles, on the 19th of April :—J. J. Parker's Diok Wbittington, Juliet, and Stonewall Jackson ; R. Foulke's Blair Athol; A. Walker's Adventure, Satan, Stormlird, and the Governor ; W. Williams' Strop; W. Ashby's Flying Bond and Comet; P. Williams' Pinfire, Warrior, and Blue Bell. Oantbbbubt Abglbbb' Society. A meeting of the committee of this society was held last evening at Dr. Campbell's residence. Present—Dr. Campbell (president), Messrs Cooke, B. Searoll, Cogan, and Wachsman (hon. sec.) The secretary said he had forwarded a copy of the resolution passed at the last meeting of the committee to the secretary of the Acclimatisation Society, asking the Council to grant funds and obtain permission to definitely test the existence of Oilifornian salmon in the Waimakariri. He hid, however, not received any reply to his communication. The President said he had spoken to Mr Parr on the matter, who informed him that he had forwarded the request to Wellington, but had heard nothing more of the matter. As the winter months were coming on, he (Dr. Oampbell) had impressed on Mr Parr the necessity of writing again to Wellington. The President said the meeting had been called to consider the advisableness of postponing the half-yearly meeting from April let, as many of the members would be out of town on that d ite. On the motion of Mr Cogan, seconded by Mr Cooke, it was decided to hold the half-yearly meeting on April 20th, at the Commercial Hotel, at 8 p.m.

Sydenham BoßOtraH Coithoii..—The usual fortnightly meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council was held at seven o'clock laat evening in the Counoil chamber. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Ors. White, Langdown, Andrews, Day, Hall, Pavitt, Joyce and Nicholla. A letter from the Drainage Board, enclosing twelve copies of the Christchurch District Drainage Aofc, 1875, Amendment Aot, 1881, was read and ordered to be acknowledged with thanks. The Tramway Company wrote, asking when the deed of concession to the Tramway Company would be completed. It was resolved—" That the Tramway Company be written to to the effect that when tbe Christchurch deed of concession was forwarded for comparison it would be duly considered and returned." Mr Oreo. Booth wrote, calling attention to the state of the South belt side channels near his house. Referred to the Local Board of Health. From the Postmaster, Christchurch, in reply, advising the Council that in future the mails for the North line would close in Sydenham daily at 630 a.m., and for the South at 7.15 a.m. It was resolved—" That the letter be acknowledged with thanks, and that the question be asked if the Peninsula mails would also close at 7.15 a.m." Certain ratepayers of the borough having memorialised the Counoil that the name of Or. Charters be added to the deputation seleoted to interview the Premier re tbe footbridge across .the railway at Madras street, it was resolved—" That the Council as a body, and the representatives of the district, interview the Premier on Tuesday morning at eleven o'olook." The Mayor stated what had transpired on the occasion of his interview with the Premier on Saturday last respecting the site for the proposed footbridge. A circular ' was received from the Manawatu County Council, asking the borough's co-operation to bring influence to bear on candidates for and members of the General Assembly, to compel tbe Government to assist local bodies in opening up the country by subsidies, land fund, or endowment, to promote the settlement of the colony ; delegates to meet in Wellington the first Wednesday in May to agree upon a common basis of operation. Tbe circular was ordered to be received. The lighting committee's report was received and adopted. It stated that it could not recommend the Council to bear the half cost of the proposed gas lamp at the oorner of Philip street and the Ferry road, as no Sydenham ratepayers would benefit by it. Or. White stated that the works committee had no report to submit, but he might mention that arrangement had been made for procuring steel plni.es with the names of the streets in the borough, which would be affixed shortly. The finance committee reported the fortnight's receipts to bo £139 5s 9d; expenditure (including Wui makariri rate, £4O 2s lid, and Drainage Board rate, £347 Os lid), £495 I>i lOd ; present cash balance in Bank, £1291 17a 3i. It also recommended that 7\ per cent, be charged for collecting the Waimakariri rate for tho current year. After some discussion the report was carried. It was resolved—" That the chief postmaster be respectfully requested to consider the proprirty of opening the Savings Back (in connection with the Post office) from 6.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, for the convenience of the working classes." Also—" That it be an instruction to the town clerk to allow any ratepayer to take round tbe petition for the division of the borough into wards for signature by the ratepayers." After some routine business the Council adjourned.

Theatrical. —Mr W. Beynolds' dramatic company leaves this afternoon per s.s. Wanaka for Wellington, with a view to playing; a series of dramas written by Mr Reynolds. The company includes Mr Ones. Hall. Shipping.—By telegram from Dunedin we learn that the Union Steamship Company are advised of the departure of the Potose from Plymouth on the 26th inst. Hope or Chbistchubch Lodsb. —As may be seen by advertisement, an open meeting of this Lodge will be held at 8 o'clock this evening in the Templar Hall, Worcester street.

Sbbioioultube.—At the meeting of the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College yestorday, it was decided that the director of the School of Agriculture be requested to procure seed for the eßtabishmest of a nursery of mulberry trees, to bo handed _to thoße desirous of cultivating Ihem, as yearling plants. Thbatbb Royal.— '* Biohard III." was repeated last night at the Theatre Royal. The only changes in the cast of importance being Mr Musgrave as Lord Stanley, and Mr Nunn as Buckingham. This closed the season under the management of Mr Reynolds.

Dinnre.—A dinner, the result of a cricket match between two teams selected from the members of the Working Men's Club, took place last night at the Commercial Hotel. About eighty were present, and the catering throughout was first-class. A very pleasant evening, onlivesed by songs, &c, was spent by those present. Drainage Boaed.—This Board held a long meeting yesterday afternoon, when, among other matters, the question of reducing salaries was taken into consideration. Upon this a nther animated debate took plaoe, but the recommendations of the committee were carried without amendment. New Guinea.—We have been shown a set of photographs, just issued from Mr Oherrill's studio, of some scenes on the north-east coast of Hew Guinea. The pictures were taken on the spot by a member of the expedition to Astrolabe Gulph, and comprise villages, groups of natives, Drury Sound, mouth of tbe Koolak river, and other views. They are clearly printed, and convey an excellent idea of a country which just now is exciting the attention of a good many people in the colony. Accidental Fire Raising.—At a picnic party from Ashburtoa to the mouth of the river on Sunday last, one of the gentlemen in the company, after having lit his pipe, threw the match down beßide a staok of oats. In a few minutes the stack was a mass of flames that defied all efforts to subdue. The gentleman through whose inadvertence the fire was caused, at once indemnified the farmer, Mr Biohards, for the loss he had sustained, which is said to be £35. St. John's Tzupebancb Society.—The usual meeting of the above society was held last evening in St. John's schoolroom, Latimer square. Thare was a good attendance, upwards of 300 persons being present. The Bev. H. C. M. Watson presided, and delivered the opening address. Mr Ness gave a recitation, and Dr. Bussell sang two songs and gave a reading from Longfellow's " Hiawatha." Addresses were also delivered by the chairman and Mr Webber, and the entertainment was evidently enjoyed by all present. Baptist Chubch. The usual weekly meeting of the Oxford Terrace Mutual Improvement Society was held in the above chnroh last evening. A large number of members and visitors were present. The Rev. O. Dallastnn, president, occupied the chair. Mr T. Wagstaff read the paper for the evening ; subject —" Our Dependance on Christ," which was afterwards discussed by members. The Chairman intimated that Mr G. Meddings would at the next meeting read an essay ; subject—" Jamaica." The meeting was then closed. Wbslbyan Mutual Improvement Association. —The weekly meeting of the above was held last evening. Mr J. O. Wilson, vioe-president, in the chair. Boutine business being passed, and a large number of new j members elected, the evening's subject, l " Portfolio," was then oponed, Messrs J. O. Prudhoe, Wallis, H. Black, P. Withers, Atkinson, Gill, Hodinott, Knight, Gill, Jan., England, Clark, and others spoke briefly upon various subjects, and at the close the programme was completed. For next Monday an essay by Mr A. Bell was announced. . Manawatu to the Rescue. —Considerable amusement was caused at the meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council by a lengthy document from the Manawatu County Council being read, setting forth that local bodies \ should be subsidised, and receive the land fund or be endowed, to promote the settlement of the colony, and showing how to make up the deficit in revenues. One of the councillors proposed—" That the Manawatu County Council bo appointed a finance committee to the General Assembly, and that it bring forward euch measures as the said Council shall see fit to help this colony out of its financial difficulties." His Worship ruled that the motion was inadmisßable. Accident on thb Expbbbs Train. Mr Dan O'Brien met with a serious aooident on the express train yesterday. He was passing from one carriage to another shortly after the train had passed Winchester station, when his foot slipped and he was thrown to the ground. Efforts were made to oommunicate with the engine-driver, but owing to some trucks and a horse-waggon being between the passenger carriages and the engine, the tellrope was not connected with the engine, and the train was not stopped. He was, however, seen to get up and walk shortly afterwards, but by telegram received at Ashburton it was stated that all the toes of one foot were cut off.

Church o* the Good Shephbbb, Phillipstown.—Sunday last was observed at this church as a day of thanksgiving for a

bountiful harvest. The services were four in number, and began with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at eight o'clock. Th<! Bev. H. J. O. Gilbert officiated at all the services, and preached appropriate termons. In the afternoon a children's service was hold, and their offerings of fruit were snnt yesterday to the hospital for tho use of the siok. The altar was tastefully decorated with fruit and flowers, and in the centre beneath tho cross stood a sheaf of wheat flanked on either side with bunches of grapes. The congregations were very large.

Industrial Association.—A meeting of the members of the above association will be held at eight o'clock this evening. The committee will moot at 7.30. Canterbury College Lectures.—The first of a series of evening lectures on tho Principles of Physiology in connection with the Canterbury College will be givea to-morrow evening by Professor Hatton in the Biological Lecture Room at 8 p.m. This coarse is open free to all persons above the age of sixteen years.