NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2218, 5 April 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The b.b. City or New York.—A Government cable this afternoon am.ounces the welcome intelligence that this vessel reached San Francisco on Sunday. No further particulars arc to hand.

Presentation. —Ih 1 ! milkmen of Christchurch have subscribed and presented Mrs K. Palmer, of Now Brighton, with a new silk dress, as a token of respect for her husband’s kindness in giving the use of his paddocks for their annual picnic for the last three years.

A.0.F., Court Stab op Oantbbbuby.— The quarterly meeting of the abrve Court was held last evening, when a considerable amount of business was trarsicted. Dr. Campbell applied for leave of absence for the remainder of his term, namely, until the end of June, which was granted. Bro. Grant applied for his charanoe, which was also granted. The quarterly statement of receipts and expenditure was read and adopted. The receipts for the evening amounted to £196 10s. The C.R. closed

the Court in due form. Health of the District.—Dr. Nedwill’s annual report as medical officer to the Board of Health was discussed ut a meeting held yesterday afternoon. The report was adopted, with the exception of a clause referring to the reporting of infectious diseases, which was postponed till next meeting. Dr. Ned will suggests that the reporting of cases of infectious disease by the medical

men should be made compulsory. Baptist Ohttbch. —The ordinary weekly meeting of the Oxford Terrace Mutual Improvement Society was held in the above ohureh last evening. There was an excellent attendance of both members and visitors. The Her. C. Dallaston, president, occupied the chair. Mr G. Meddings read a very amusing and interesting paper on “ Jamaica,” which was afterwards duly discussed by members. The chairman intimated that Mr O. H. Oox would, at the next meeting, read an essay, subject “ Regeneration.” The meeting was then closed.

Laws Tennis Club.—A large meeting of gentlemen favorable to the formation of a lawn tennis club was held at the Commercial Hotel yesterday evening, when a club, to be called the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Club, was formed and rules were passed. The following officers were appointed—President, Mr K. O. J. Stevens; vice-president, Mr Alan Scott; secretary and treasurer, Mr Mainwaring; committee, Messrs Seoretan, Oorte, Browne, Wardrop, Blood, Lance, and Bruges. The question of a ground was held over to another meeting, when the committee will bring up a report on the subject. The formation of such

a club has been an acknowledged want for some time, and the venture comes into existence with every promise of success. Mbbivalb Ohubch Wobk Society. The usual meeting of this society was held

last evening, the Rev. T. Fla veil presiding. On the platform were the Rev. H. O. M. Watson, Dr. Russsll, and Mr X l . S. Weston. After the usual devotional exercises, the chairman stated that he had long wished to establish a branch of the Church of England Temperance Society at Merivale, which was more particularly the object of the present meeting. The Rev. H. 0. M. Watson moved —“ That a branch of the Church of England Temperance Society bo established in Merivale.” Dr. Russell seconded the resolution in an exhaustive speech, and it was carried unanimously. Mr T. 8. Weston moved—- “ That the working of the Temperance Branch Society be entrusted to the Church Work Society.” He stated that although ho could not go so far as the two previous speakers, for he was not ashamed to say he liked a glass of ale at dinner, ho could give the movement his support, as he felt it to be the duty of every one to try and aid this cause, which was a good one. Mr Gibbs briefly seconded the resolution, which was also carried by acclamation. During the evening songs were contributed by Mrs Barry, Mrs Gibbs, and others, the meeting being closed in the usual manner. Voluntebe Fieb Bbigadh. —The superintendent of the fire brigade yesterday received a donation of £lO towards the funds of the brigade from Mr Suckling, senior, as a mark of his appreciation of the efforts of the brigade to save his premises in Lichfield street on the occasion of the late fire at P. Cunningham and Co.’s. A New Definition. — His Honor was somewhat at a loss yesterday in the Supreme Court to understand the definition of the word “ shakedown,” as recognised in Ashburton. The witness explained that it meant leave to the travellers lo lay down with their swags in the tap-room, which entirely dispels yet another illusion as to what a shakedown really is. The Fetbb Oases at Kaiapoi. On Monday there were thirteen cases of fever in Kaiapoi, and during the day one of the patients died. A thorough examination of back yards and cesspits has been commenced, and chloride of lime has been ordered by one of the local bodies to be distributed gratis to residents outside the town. Recent rains have cooled the atmosphere, and it is expected that a better state of public health will soon be brought about. Fieb Pebtention. —At yesterday’s meeting of the City Council an interesting report was read from the superintendent of the fire brigade. Mr Harris suggested the purchase of additional apparatus. The report was adopted. Unpleasant Neighboes. Complaints have again been made to the city authorities regarding a house in Chester street, the landlord of which permits improper characters to occupy it. As pointed out previously, the police have no authority to come upon the landlord, the by-law framed by a former Council for that purpose having proved to be inoperative; but the City Council have framed another by-law to meet the case, which will be brought into force as soon as possible. In the meantime, the attention of the police has been directed to the nuisance complained of. The San Feanoisoo Mail. —The s.s. Australia with the inward San Francisco mail arrived at Auckland yesterday. The usual summary of news will be found elsewhere, The mail will be brought down by the Wanaka, which wo learn by telegram from Wellington was unable to leave Manukau last night owing to the state of the tide. As nothing would be gained by her going direct to Wellington from Taranaki, when she could not leave Manukau till this morning, she will call at Kelson as usual, and is expected in Wellington by noon on Thursday. On arrival there she will immediately proceed south with the mail. Inquest —An inquest was held yesterday, before Dr. Frankish, District Coroner, and ’ a jury of twelve, on the body of Richard Sydney Williams, who died suddenly under peculiar circumstances on Saturday last. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased, aged forty-four, a butcher, was having a meal at Salvyng’s restaurant, Manchester street, on the afternoon of the 2nd instant, when ho suddenly became ill, and was put into a cab to be taken to the Hospital, but before arriving there he died. Dr. Doyla, who made a post mortem exami alien of the body, said he found the organs of the body in an advanced stage of disease, the result of intemperance and exposure, and be attributed death to congestion of the brain. Deceased had boon released from gaol on the 30th ultimo, after serving six months for larceny. He was brought before the Magistrate on the 31st, charged with drunkenness, and discharged on promising to go to work. Two days afterwards he died as above stated. A Pbecaution foe the Times. A London armourer is having great success with the discovery he has made of a coat impervious to the bullet of a revolver fired at ten paces. The coat boars no evidence of its purpose, and is in form and texture nothing more than a common shooting jacket. Outwardly lies the Scotch tweed, then a thin wadding of cotton, next a layer of narrow, thin bands of tempered steel, kept in place much as whalebone is put into corsets, only the steel bands are very close together, being sewn into the canvas, and with only a line of stitching between each piece. Three layers of these steel bands sewn into oanvas complete the armour of the coat. Another piece of wadding is priced between the bands and the final lining, and that is all. The steel bands are supple, and not long, so that the coat hangs in a natural manner, and would never attract notice. It is somewhat heavy, but the weight falls principally upon the shoulders. The jackets are sold at £25. The Cantkkbuet Building Society (Pebmanknt). —The monthly subscriptions and repayments are duo this day, when the office will be open from 7 to 9 p.m., as well as the usual hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Licensed Victdallses’ Association.—

Tho annual mooting of the above will be held on Thursday-next at Morton’s Hotel at 8,30 p.mi