NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2248, 12 May 1881, Page 1

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Polios Court. —There «u a clean sheet at this Court to-day. Baby-Fabminq at Kaiapoi.— An inquest is announced for this afternoon on the body of a female child, about six months old, left with a woman in town to nurse. The child died on Tuesday. Its medical attendant states that it died naturally, but he cannot give a certificate, as the nurse does not know the child’s name or particulars of its birth. It is not unlikely that the inquest will be adjourned, that an opportunity may be afforded of ferreting out these details.

OYOS/jmtj. — To-rlay 1 * telegram fr'trt , Greymouth gives particulars of a whirlwind of i exceptional force. Serious destruction of property took place, and, altogeiher, to travesty l.ho phrase of Tuesday's telegram from Wellington, a "depression” with a vengeance has flailed Groymoulii. The pia> tioal account to which ohr.ervationa, which will be the outcome of the Melbourne Meteorological Conference'll sittings, may be put, ii already apparent. Aa recently pointed out in these column*, the system of forecasting the weather baa resumed a acientih'c ezactncaa in the United Statoa; and, in order that the incredulous may incline to a belief that the configuration of the Australasian colonies ia compatible with a similar result here, wo repeat a portion of the telegram received by Dr. Hector on Tuesday last from the Government Astronomer of Victoria: —“A depression is passing Tasmania. The inference from this statement is that a storm is approaching Now Zealand. It ia estimated that it takes about a day and a half for the depression to travel from Tasmania to the Bluff.” ‘‘Happy Houes. ” —The continued success at Port of Mr and Mrs Hart, in their very humorous entertainment, has resulted in their giving another performance to-night, when Mrs Hart will take a benefit. Ambbblby.—A lecture on “Phrenology” was given by M. Hugo in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening, and was fairly attended. Theater Eoyal.— The drama of “ Arrah ns Pogue ” wos repeated last night at the Theatre Koyal, This evening “ The Danites " will bo played for the last time, Sydenham Late Teams. —ln consequence of the deficiency of patronage on the Sydenham lino, the Tramway Company have determined to discontinue running the Thursday late train for the present. Entertainment at Southbeidgb. — The Tamburini Manning Troupe gave one of their performances at the Town Hall, Southbridge, on Tuesday evening, to a good house, the back seals being filled. Lyttelton Natal Brigade. Next Sunday a church parade of this corps will be held at Lyttelton. The corps will meet at the Drill Shed at 10.30 ».m., and proceed to Holy Trinity Church. Scholarship Examinations. —The candidates for classes A, B, C, and D, of the Government Scholarships amount altogether to sixty, of these twenty-six are girls and thirty-four boys. The examinations take place next month.

Gas Extension.— The Gag Company are now about making preparations to open up a new line of mains down the Colombo road, thug adding considerably to the mileage of mains now in use by the company. It is expected also that still farther extensions will be made in the spring. St. Paul’s Soibbb. —Quite regal preparations hove been made for this event, which takes place this evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall. When it is stated that in addition to the bachelors’, no less than seventeen tables have been promised, some idea may be formed of the array of good things which await those who may visit the hall this evening. After the good things have been dealt with, a feast of reason and flow of soul will take place in the shape of addresses, &c., interspersed and enlivened by music from the members of the choir and other mnsical friends. Judging by the number of tickets sold, the soiree should be an immense success. If it is not it will not be for want of exertion on the part of the ladies, who have been most indefatigable. Scientific Entertainment. A large audience attended Dr. Simms’ lecture on the “ Nervous System and Mind ” at the Congregational schoolroom last evening. The lecture contained new theories, which were well sustained by facts from history and reason. Proportion between all the bodily organs gives a superior mind ; he holds also that a large head may be a “ blockhead ” or dullard. He cited many instoncss where talented individuals had small heads. Several large-headed men bo mentioned who could not earn a living. A brief report of such a lecture cannot do it

justice—it must be heard to be appreciated. At the close of the lecture several well-known faces were described. The subject of his lecture for to-night Is “ Cosmogony : or the Natural History of the Earth.” His series of lectures is drawing to a close. Bast Chbistchuech School. —The East Christchurch district schoo committee met on Tuesday evening to consider tho applications (twenty) for the mastership of the Bingsland side school. Present—Messrs S. O. Farr (in the chair), T. 8, Weston, H. Thomson, Murphy, and Hobbs. It was resolved to nominate Mr J, Wright, of Gold street State school, Melbourne. A Want. —The attention of the lighting committee of the City Council could be advantageously directed to the want that exists for a lamp near the fountain in front of tho City Hotel. On dark nights, when a cab is hailed from the sidewalk, any unfortunate pedestrian who may happen to be crossing the road stands a good chance of being run over. The erection of a lamp on the spot referred to is much wanted, and would be a great public convenience.

New Zealand Paraffine.— Mr J. L.jWilaon has received a sample of New Zealand paraffin, which he intends placing for inspection in the rooms of the Industrial Association. The sample is very rich in the peculiar deposit used in the manufacture of candles, and no doubt at no distant date the manufacture of these will be added to the daily increasing list of our local industries. Theatrical. —Next week it is probable that a change will come o’er the spirit of our dream in matters tbeatricalhere. ThoOardenLeigh Company, now performing in Dunedin, will, it is more than likely, open at the Theatre Royal early next week. Amongst the members of the company are a number of old friends, besides new ones. Of the former may be mentioned Miss Jenny Watt Tanner, Miss Maggie Knight, Mrs Lachlan McGowan, Miss Adelle and others, whilst amongst the gentlemen are Messrs J. O’Brien, Elliott, Carden, McGowan, Sefton, &c. Mr Richmond Thatcher, next to R. 8. Smy the, the most travelled agent extant, is the avant courier of the company, and will probably arrive in a day or two to make preliminary arrangements, Mr, Mrs, and Miss Hart in their clever entertainment, “ Happy Hours,” will probably give a few performances in Christchurch, after their Akaroa trip.

The Czar’s Funeral. —The Homo correspondent of the “ Argus,” describing tho funeral rites of the Emperor of Russia, says : —A very splendid procession accompanied the bier of the dead Emperor. Near the van, on a gorgeously harnessed steed, rode a knight in golden armour, said to symbolise “the bright and spotless character” of the departed monarch. Amongst the numerous representative bodies which followed were those which represented the institutions created by the late Emperor—the Zemstvos, the justices of the peace, and a motley group of peasants. The badges and decorations of the Czar were borne on cushions by officers in full uniform. Then came the sceptre or orb of empire, and the Imperial crown. Priests, archpriests, and choristers, followed in great masses ; then the sacred images, then the confessor of the deceased. “ The funeral-car," writes Mr Sala, “ was a bier of ebony and silver, on wheels, with heavily-oarred silver spokes; a superstructure of black and silver, the whole canopied by superb material encircling the columns ef the bier. The coffin of the illustrious deceased was almost hidden by a golden pall, lined with white satin, and the vast car itself was drawn by eight horses, _ completely shrouded in sable draperies.” Alone, behind the bier, walked the Emperor Alexander 111. Then came the Grand Dukes and their kinsfolk, and next tho Czarina and the Grand Duchess. A large body of troops closed the procession, which took two hours to pass the Winter Palace. The route was long and circuitous, the main thoroughfares being avoided. The streets were lined with soldiers and the crowds held far back. Arrived at the cathedral, tho coffin was placed beneath tho catafalque, borne by by the Grand Dukes Constantine, Nicholas, Vladimir, Paul, and Sergius, and our own Duke of Edinburgh. “ The Emperor and his brothers having removed the lid of the bier, the face and upper part of the body of the dead Czar, attired in the uniform of the Preobrajenski Guard, were eipored to view. The Emperor Alexander 111., plaomg himself with the Empress and the Imperial children at the head of the coffin, the priests and choristers intoned the lugubrious dirges of the funeral service.” At its close his Imperial Majesty Alexander 111., kneeling on one knee, kissed the hand of bis dead father ; the Empress followed his example, and then the Grand Duchesses paid their last tribute of affection. The Corps Diplomatique and other privileged mourners passed before the ooffin and withdrew, leaving the Imperial remains i** the charge of high military! and civil officials.

A Tough Dinner.— The Auckland “ Star 9 o.n ?e e kiM h | fc - ln .w B^om aoh of a heifer reartirl* k 1 h th “ t . c ‘ty wore the following artm es:-Seven chain links (about one inch long), seven stones of various sires, 15 thick •screws (some two inches in length), 21 large nail" (some of them three-inch), 81 iron and 11 .» "“its. two bolls and washers, and seve£d pieces of sharp-pointed tin. Tub Food Supply op Pabib.—Some idea oi the annual consumption of food in Paris may bo formed from the returns for the month of January, which show that the quantity of butcher s moat brought into the city was rather over C2,Coocwt. ( there being three times as much beef, and twice as much veal, M mutton. There were 1835 sucking pigs and 811 Jambs ; while the game comprise 138 wild boars, 1835 deer, 4-0,000 hares, 181,000 rabbits, 34 000 wild ducks, 0000 woodcocks, and 5000 enine. The poultry comprised 63,338 turkeys and 40,265 geese ; while under the head of miscellaneous come 250,000 larks, 17,000 blackbirds and t hru -hes, The fish consumed in Paris weighed 4.000,0001 b. ; the consumption of oysters was 2 500,000; of e (?g". 3 7,000.000 ; of butter, 2,000,0001 b.; of fruit and vegetables, 1.500,0001 b. ; and of. cheese, 880,0001 b.

Southebidge Poet Oppice. —The stationmaster at Southbridge (Mr Frame) yesterday entered upon his duties as postmaster. The HaeATA. — There was a heavy flood in the Kakaia Hirer yesterday, the strong nor’wester bringing down a large body ot water very suddenly. Some horses belonging to Mr Branley had a narrow escape of being drowned. For some time past the river bed on the Southbridge side of the island had been perfectly dry. Bangioea Boboush Council —A special meeting of this Council was held on Tues-day evening, to receive the treasurer's financial statement for the year ending Slit March lart. The Mayor occupied the chair. Cr. Good, in moving the adoption of the statement and auditors' report, referred to the healthy stale of the finances—not that the balance was a large one, but that the borough now had itsown chambers, gravel pit, A:. The account* were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.