NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2219, 6 April 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Police Court, —This morning, before J. P. Jameson and P. Kimbell,Eiijß., J.P.’b, two men, for first offences (drunkenness), were fined ss. A case against Thos, Morgan for assaulting his wife was, on the application of the latter, dismissed, costs to be paid by applicant. H. J. Stoupe, charged with lunacy from drink, was sent to Lyttelton Gaol for eight dsys to. receive medical treatment. James Cotter was ordered to pay 12s fid per week towards the maintenance of his family. Michael Bysn, ten weeks in arrear of payment towards the support of his child at Burnham, pleaded poverty. The police said that he was a regular drunkard, spending his surplus earnings at the public-home. He was ordered to pay up or go to gaol for seven days. The two latter oases were heard by Mr J. N. Wood, B.M. LyttbltoK B.M. Oouet. —At the Lyttelton B.M. Court this morning, before Dr. Donald, 8.M., a seaman, who acted in the capacity of cook on board the schooner Westfa, admitted to refusing duty, and was sentenced to fourteen days with hard labour. Civil Oases; Duff v Calhoun, claim £1 ss; judgment by default, Greenaway v Munster, claim £5 2s ; defendant had paid into Court £4 14s fid, and objected to pay more; judgment for plaintiff with costs. P. O’Brien v Summers, claim £ll Ifis 9d ; judgment confessed, defendant to pay 20s per week. Lost add Fouhd. —To-day, about noon, infoimation was given at the Police Depot that a little boy, son of Mr J. V. Bose, chemist, of Colombo street, had wai dered from his home. The child was found this afternoon.

Ashburton Grown Beetroot. — Three samples of beetroot, grown at Ashburton by Messrs Sealey Brothers, and Messrs Friedlander Brothers, hare bee . submitted to Professor Bickerton for analysis, and the following is the result:—No. 1, grown by Seuly Brothers —16 161 b, 13 19 per cent, of sugar. No. 2, grown by Friedlander Brothers - 676 per cent, of sugar. No. 3, grown by Friedlander Brothers, 31b, 638 per cent, of sugar.

Proposed Surveyors* Institute. A meeting of authorised surveyors to consider the proposed Surveyors’ Institute was held at the Commercial Hotel yesterday. Present— Messrs E Dobson (chairman), J, Webster, Bristow, J. T. Thompson, O. H. Bridge, F. Davie, L. Slater, and J. W. Davis. The chairman explained his reasons for calling the meeting, and read a letter which he had drafted in reply to the circular from Weilington. The letter set forth at length the reasons for which it was declined to connect with the scheme in its present shape, and on the motion of Mr Davis, seconded by Mr Bridge, it was resolved to forward it to Wellington. The meeting then adjourned until the receipt of an answer. English Dog Licenses. —ln reply to a correspondent signing himself "Collie,” who asks for information respecting the cost of licenses in England, they are, as ho states, on all dogs 7s 6i. There are certain exemptions —A shepherd is exempt for one or two dogs used solely in his calling as a shepherd. A farmer is exempt for one or two dogs used solely in tending sheep or cattle upon his farm; and sheep farmers are exempt for dogs not exceeding six in proportion to the number of sheep kept and fed upon unenclosed land. In each of these cases a declaration must be made, and a certificate of exemption obtained from the supervisor. A farmer and bis shepherd cannot both claim exemptions for dogs kept in tending the same stock, and if either use their dogs in taking rabbits or game they are disentitled to the exemption. Butchers and drovers who merely occupy land for their trade are not entitled to claim exemption. Resident Magistrates ’ Court.—Yesterday, before K. Westenra and J. E, Parker, Esq.’s the following civil cases were disposed of; —Buckley v Mcßride, £8 Is, for rent; judgment for plaintiff, with costs. Parker v Allen. £4, balance of commission due on the sale of a section ; case partly heard and adjourned till April 12th for further evidence. Shattuck v Beatty, £1 ss, being charge for an advertisement in the "Entr’ Acte”; defendant deposed that, being proprietor of the theatre, he gave permission for the circulation of the publication on condition only that his own advertisements were inserted free ; there was no evidence brought to show that any other arrangement existed, and judgment was for defendant, with costs. Judgment went by default, in the absence of defendants, in Taj lor v Roberts, £1 15s ; Sheen v Edmunds, £3 18s j Allison v White, £1 10s; Le Masurier and Co. v Eustace, £1 12s ; Coates and Co. v Charters, £6; Wood, Shand and 00. v Charles, £2 15s; McNish v Allen, £5 9s, and Judge v Hart, £9 7« 6i. Butler v Dudley was adjourned till April 12th. Public Library.— A large addition to the collection of books in the Library is expected to arrive shortly by the Gareloch, from London, now due. Of this shipment there are over 800 volumes of fiction for the circulating department, and the balance a goodly number of miscellaneous works. la addition to these there are 100 vols. for the reference library invoiced to arrive by the Mataura. According to the present accommodation at the Public Library, the librarian will find some difficulty in placing these works so as to be available tor the public. It is reported, in fact, that the committee intend keeping the great majority in the storeroom till funds are forthcoming to erect additional shelves. If that be correct the public will not derive much benefit from the large expense involved in the importation of so much additional literature. It is scarcely probable that the committee can contemplate anything so foolish. In any case it may not be out of place to suggest that some of the very old books in the circulating library might be for the time withdrawn to make room for those newly arrived. Primitive Methodist Church, Ashburton The congregation att nding the above church hold a tea meeting last, Monday, to bid farewell to the Rev. A. J. Smith, who is leaving the district for Wellington, After the tea a purse of sovereigns was presented to the Rev. Mr Smith by Mr Scott, on behalf of the congregation. The Rev. Mr. Smilh thanked them in feeling terms, and expressed a hope that they would bo equally kind to his successor, the R»v. Mr Nixon. Amdbrley Farmers’ Club. A preliminary meeting of those interested in the formation of a Farmers’ Club in the neighborhood of Amberley is contemplated, and judging by the success attending all matters taken in hand in that district, the siomjs of such a club may be taken as assured.

Plasterers’ Society,—Tho usual mcoti-g o£ the plasterers took place at their lodge room last night. There was a good attendance of members. This society has for its object the protection of its members against the losses experienced in taking work, and also for providing a weekly allowance in ease of accidents. After the usual business was transacted, the lodge was adjourned for a week.

Vaccination. —With reference to the digcushion on this subject at the last meeting of the Board of Health, Dr. Ned will desires us to slate that on his examination of 727 school children in Christchurch, he found 100 not vaccinated, and over 100 imperfectly vaccinated.

Canteebtjby Lecture Boom.—Alterations Have been made in th<* biological lecture room in Canterbury College, and it will now seat double the number it could last Wednesday evening. West Coast Railway.—The following Press Association telegram was received from Beefton last night :—Mr O. Y. O’Connor, the Government inspecting engineer for the South Island, accompanied by Mr J. E. Browne, engineer for the West Coast (South Island) railway, arrived here last night after inspecting the proposed route through Cannibal Gorge. The previous statements as to the praoticabilility of construction and the easy graoients are entirely confirmed. City Improvements. Notwithstanding the prevailing dulness of the time, building to a considerable extent goes on in Christchurch, and the business people in the city in many instances have made improvements to their premises of late. Some time since the enterprise of Messrs King Bros, in this direction was noticed, and since then Mr Paterson, upholsterer, &c., of Cashel street i east, has made extensive alterations and additions to his old premises. The entire front of the old store was taken down and replsced by an imposing elevation, whioh compares favorably with many of the best business premises in the city. At the same time the store has been carried back several feet, thns giving a large amount of additional accommodation. Mr Patcrso:-.’e store is well adapted to the business carried on there, and as an auction room, for which it could be used if necessary, it possesses advantages superior to many and inferior to »one in town. A portion of the original building has been partitioned off, and converted into a separate shop, which is now occupied by Mr Lezard, jeweller, removed from High street.