NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2222, 11 April 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Dibtbict Coubt.—The monthly sittings of this Court were opened this morning at 11, at which hour punctually his Honor Judge Ward took his seat on the Bench. There were four cases on the list; of these two were settled, and the others were adjourned by consent till the next day. Litteiton M agisteatb's Coubt. A young man, one of the sailors belonging to the ship Marlborough, was chargod with being drunk and disorderly, and with using foul language on Sunday afternoon in Oxford street. He pleaded that he had not touched drink for four years, but the Bench again expressed its determination to put down the practice of sailors using obscene language in the publio thoroughfares of the towns, and fined him 40s, or 28 days' imprisonment. Dr. Rouse was the pre i ling Justioe.

Post Sessional Addbebs.—lt is said that Mr H. Allwright, the member for Lyttelton, will address his constituents before Parliament meets, probably during the present week. SXDEMUAM WOBKINS MSN'S OlUB.— A movement is on foot to establish a working men's club in Sydenham, and a public meeting will be called in a few days, at which his Worship the Mayor of the borough will preside. Lyttblton Colokists' BociETr. The committee of the Ijyttelton Colonists' Society propose to inaugurate the winter evening readings and entertainments very shortly as a means of augmenting the funds of that excellent institution the Lyttelton Colonists' Library and Free Beading Boom. Bansioba Hoetioui,tubaii Association. —The committee of this society met on Thursday at the Boad Board office. There was a good attendance, Mr T. Bobson, vicepresident, presiding. Mr Jennings, hon. sec, read the list of prize takers at the autumn show, and a statement of accounts was also presented. It was decided to pay prizes at 9.1 per point. Voles of thanks were passed to Mr J. Xaaffe for room for meetings, and to Messrs Boyd and Koir for uss of timber for staging at shows. Mb Cathcabt's Benefit. —Theatre-goers will hardly require to be reminded that this evening jb set apart for the benefit of Mr J. F. Catbcart. During the season thiß gentleman has by his clever and artistic rendering of the various parts in which he has appeared won golden opinions from his audiences, and no doubt to-night his many friends will muster in force, to «how practically by their presence the high appreciation entertained of him in Christchurch. Accidents. A man named Walter Hamilton was admitted to the Hospital on Saturday suffering from a rather serious injury, the result of an accident at Tai Tapu. It appears that he was removing a threshing engine from a paddock in which it had been used, and as he was conducting the machino through a gate he was jammed between it and one of the poßts, his thighs being severely crußhed. Thomas Smith, whilst working a trolly on the railway the latter end of last week, fell off and sustained severe internal injuries. He was admitted to the Hospital yesterday. The Public Libbaby.—The firßfc opening of the reading-room and reference library at the Public Library on Sunday took place yesterday. During the day both parts were patronised by an orderly and quiet crowd of visitors. About forty signed the book of entrance to the reference library beyo..d those holding the ordinary tickets. Shortly before nine o'clock last night, at which hour the library closed, there were about thirty occupants of the read-ing-room. The greater number of visitors were during the afternoon hours, though there was a fair sprinkling from 7 to 9 p.m. A Game Capture.—On Saturday afternoon a well-known spoiting writer and a friend wore in Colombo street, when a ben pheasant flew across the road and dashed against the plate-glass windows of Messrs Cook and Boss', falling to the ground. The sporting instincts of the gentlemen referred to were aroused, and a chase ensued, ultimately resulted in ;the capture of the bird in a confectioner's shop close by. The bird attracted considerable attention as it was being carried along the street, and had it not been that the character of the gentlemen precluded any idea of poaching, the consequences might have been serious. The bird was subsequently let loose in the gardens of the Acclimatisation Society.

Stbttck by Lightning.—A Victorian paper says : —" The following is a strange incident, and worthy of mention. A few nights ago a flock of some 9000 sheep were in camp near Coolah, Victoria, when a terrific thunderstorm set in, with vivid and dangerous lightning. One flash of the electric current made a lane right through the flock, killing 800 instantly. Mr Bloxsome, one of our large squatters, is the owner, and suffers a heavy loss."

"H.M.S. Pinapobb."—lt may interest musical readers to know that since 1878 the publishers of " H.M.S. Pinafore " have sold over 200,000 copies. The "Pirates of Penzance " was published on November 11th, and by December 31st 32,000 copies had been disposed of, and the cry is still for more. The " World," speaking of a third new operette by Messrs 0-ilbert and Sullivan, says it is growing, growing. The subject is the over-poetic, hyperbolic, sesthetic mania of society. No sarcasm against any individual, but any amount of happily humorous castigation of general manners. Siatino made East.—How steam has annihilated distance is shown by the system of excursions which the Great Eastern Bailway Company has organised to Holland to enable enthusiastic Londoners and others to enjoy a little skating on the Dutch canals. Becently a train has left London on Saturday afternoon which enabled a passenger to skate all day on the Sunday in Holland, and to be at work again in London on Monday at midday—and all for fifteen shillings—including Sabbath breaking.

Inquest.—An inqueit will be held at the Hospital at four o'clock this afternoon, on the body of Thomas Dowdle, who was wounded in one fool by the accidental discharge of a gun whilst r.tbbit shooting at Kaiapoi Island a few days sinoe. He was removed to the Hospital, where his fcot was amputated, and serious results intervening, he died this morning.

Ncwsfapeb Bunnbbb' Picnic.—A meetin/; uf newspaper runners was held on Saturday afternoon, in the offices of Messrs Acland, Campbell, and Co., when Mr F. 0. Hall informed those present that funds had come in very well. It was definitely arranged that a special train shall leave the Christchurch railway station on the morning of Good Friday, at eight o'clock, for Lyttelton, from whence a steamer will oonvey the party to Governor's Bay, where various sports will be indulged in. A first-class dinner will also be provided at the hotel. Tie Dbuids.—lt is proposed, with a view of inciting further interest in the principles of this Order, to give an entertainment, torchlight procession, and a danoe at Amberley on Kaster Monday, and the services of the Bangiora brass band have been retained to assist. A Stupid Witness.—An amusing instance of stupidity and ignoranco of Oonrt customs was displayed yesterday in the B.M. Oonrt (says the " Hawke's Bay Herald," March 29th). A country witness, who admitted that he could neither read nor write, was being examined, and after giving some very unsatisto the questions put to him he was ordered to sit down. Thereupon he flopped down on the floor of the witness-box, amid loud laughter from the spectators, who were somewhat taken by surprise at first by the sudden disappearance of the witness.

North Belt Pbbsbvtbbian Ohubch.— The opening services in connection with the congregation worshipping on the North Belt, ! took place yesterday in the new building recently erected at the corner of the North Belt and Papanui road. The building, which has been built at a cost of nearly £IOOO, is seated for about 550, and is very nicely finished inside, was well filled at all three services yesterday. The morning and evening services were conducted by the Bev. Mr Biley, of Otepopo. In the afternoon the Bev. Mr. Elmslie delivered an address on Sabbath schools. The collections made during the day were very good. The congregation intend, at some future period, to build a church upon the same section, which was acquired at a cost of obout £IOOO. A Heavy Bankruptcy.—From time to time (says the "Dunedin Herald ") there appears in print amusing illustrations of what is taking place on that margin of Liberalism, or assertion of individual rights vulgarly called " servantgalism." Many of these stories are probably true, while others just as certainly can with safety be relegated to the region of the ideal and the stupid, and it is to be regretted that they ever find publication. Occasionally, however, an instance does occur which deserves passing notice, and such a one the bankruptcy list published in another column presents. Here it is Toobill, Dunedin, domestic servant; liabilities, £29 19j 6d ; assets, £15." We soarcoly think that the framers of the Bankruptcy Act ever contemplated that its provisions should confer upon domestic servants the privilege of whitewashing. The machinery of the Supreme Court should not be kept in motion by such cases as theso.

OhBISTCHUBCH HOBTICtTLTTJBAI. SOCIETY. —A committee meeting was held on Friday evening at the rooms of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Present—Mr £. C. J. Stevens, president, in the chair, and Messrs G-. A. Beade, H. B. Webb, D. Nairn, Wm. Norman, H. Orooke, T. Turner, J. Guntrip, T. Allen, and F. Jones, hon. sec. Tho treasurer reported the proceeds of the Art Union in connection with the autumi. show amounted to £67 ss, and the takings at the door to £l3 lis, both items showing a considerable increase on previous year's aocounts. Sundry accounts were presented and passed for payment. It was resolved that the chrysanthemum show be held in the Congregational Schoolroom, Manchester street, on Tuesday, 26th April inst., and that Messrs Turner and Sutton be requested to act as judges. The sbow to be open free of charge from 3 to 9 o'clock p.m. Besolved—" That the society's annual general meeting be held on Friday, 13th May proximo, and that the treasurer and secretary be appointed a subcommittee to draw up the annual report. The prize money to be paid on 26th inst., and the year's accounts to be made up and audited to 30th inst." It was resolved that a

special vote of thanks be given to these gentlemen who so largely contributed to the success of the autumn show by their splendid collections of plants sent for exhibition only, and also to the gentlemen who so liberally contributed donations of plants for art union prizes. A protest lodged against Mr S. Jackman's exhibit of a collection of vegetables in the amateur class at the autumn show was presented, and decision deferred to an adjourned meeting to be held on Tuesday next. Mr Reade exhibited a very good new double geranium, pink color, being a seedling raised from Madame Thibaut. Mr H. Crooks showed a good plant of Alpine auricula, Zealandia (Severn). The report of the certificate committee showed that they had inspected a seedling Cordyline Australia, having finely marked variegated foliage. It was grown and exhibited by Mr William Norman, of Fapanui. The committee awarded it the society's first class certificate, and named it Oordyline Australia Normanii.

Voluntebb Hbvibw Bazaae.—Although little has been heard up to the present about the military bazaar to be held in the Drill Shed and grounds on Wednesday and Thursday in Easter week, a very busy army has for some time past been engaged in making and collecting the thousand and one articles necessary to furnish a bazaar. From the reports to hand we anticipate that the collection will not only be on a scale of unusual extensivenese, but will comprise articles so numerous that, with the space at our command, description is impossible. Amongst other things, we are promised the best of lace, needle and embroidery work of all kinds, woolwork, toys, dolls, &c. ; books, pictures, flowers and ferns, and an Easter tree for the juveniles. In addition to the above, contributions have been promised of live and dressed poultry, pigeons, dogs and cats, and a small dairy of milch cows. Aunt Sally and other outdoor sports will be provided, while forsbootists ample provision will be made in the way of saloon rifles and pistols. The Drill Shed is to be tastefully decorated for the occasion, and that fact, added to the show the stalls will make, should make up a pretty room. Thanks to the liberality of the Ohristchurch bands, there will be no lack of music, both by day and night. The Cavalry, Kail way, Toomer's, and Hamilton's bands, are to play on both days, and several pieces are arranged to be played in combination by two bands at least. As all volunteers will be requested to attend in uniform, the presence of the blue and scarlet should enliven the scene. On the Thursday following a grand concert is to be given in the Oddfellows' Hall, when a choice programme is promised. As it has been found impossible to make a canvass of the city fer gifts, the committee will be pleased to receive donations of any description, to be delivered at the Drill Shed on Easter Tuesday morning. One great feature in the arrangement is that all articles shall be marked in plain figures, and sold at a reasonable rate. Everything seems to augur a complete success, and as the cause is a public one, it is to .bo hoped that the ladies who have so generously devoted themselves to the object, will have the pleasure of hearing that their efforts have been crowned with success. Exhibition Awabdb. The " Australasian" publishes a lint of awards at the Melbourne International Exhibition up to the 21st March. Great Britain heads the list with 559 first orders of merit, 290 second, 180 third, 78 fourth, 27 fifth, and 5 hon. mention. Victoria comes rext with 373 first, 362 second, 213 third, 123 fourth 60 fifth, and 29 hon. mention. France and Germany stand third and fourth, and then at some distance come Italy and the United States of America. For the Australian Colonies, Victoria, as already indicated, heads the list, and the others figure as follows: —New Zealand, 69 first, 75 second, 57 third, 28 fourth, 17 fifth, and 5 hon. mention ; New Bouth Wales, 51 first, 51 second, 42 third, 14, fourth. 12 fifth, and 6 hon. mention ; South Australia, 35 first, 41 second, 20 taird, 21 fourth, 3 fifth, and 8 hon. mention ; Queensland, 31 first, 24 second, 24 third, 18 fourth, 16 fifth, and 9 hon. mention; Tasmania, 40 first, 11 second, 7 third, 6 fourth, 8 fifth, and 4 hon. mention ; Western Australia, 2 first, 3 second, 8 third, 2 fourth, 2 fifth, and 2 hon. mention. In all the awards under the several heads up to the date named were as follows ; —First, 2444 ; second, 1933; third, 1290 ; fourth, 663 ; fifth, 234 ; hon. mention, 113; making a grand total of 6772. And still the list is not complete.

That Cheese.—A very mnoh larger quan» tity of cheese than had been promised for the ship Orari came forward before the vessel took her departure on Saturday. The shippers a few days since had predicted between forty and fifty toni, but from the circumstance that the compartment prepared on the ship was foucd too small to accommodate quite the whole of what was sent down, the true quonJjly which forms the experimental shipment by the Orari is nearer represented by sixty or seventy tons. All the arrangements for ventilation, escape of gas, and for cooling the compartment by chemical process, were completed before the ship left the pier, and it only remains now to hope that the first news of the ship's arrival in London will be accompanied by glad tidings for the dairy in-

SECOND EDITION.