NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2251, 16 May 1881, Page 1

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Eabthquake.—A few minutes after 11 o'clock on Saturday night a alight shock, comprising three vibrations, was felt in parts of Ohristchurch. At the Bealey the trembling sensation experienced was more pronounced. Mb Bowbon's Lbctbbk.—This gentleman, who recently delivered a most instructive lecture on cheese and butter making, before the committee of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, has announced his intention of lecturing in the sohoolroom of the United Methodist Free Ohuroh, St. Asaph street, on the evening of Wednesday next. The subject chosen is " A Trip across the Atlantic." As Mr Bowron is on the eve of departure for England, and this is the only lecture he will deliver, there is little doubt it will be well attended, considering the favorable impression created by his previous performance, his style being lucid and entertaining. The title of the lecture recalls that of "Through the Light Continent," adopted by Mr Wm. Saunders in his light, but interesting, and, so far as it goes, exhaustive treatise on the States. Lyttelton Fibb Bbigade.—This brigade had a practice on Friday night with their hand-engine. Although the engine had not been in use for two years, it worked all right when tried on Friday. After the practice Superintendent Sowden presented Fireman Bamford with Mr George Ayers' silver cup, won by Mr Bamford at the recent Governor's Bay picnic of the brigade. Some discussion took place with referenoe to a proposal to dispense with the torchlight procession and fireworks display, usually held on New Year's Eve. The matter was, however, left over for consideration at a future meeting. It was shown that the public subscriptions last year fell short of expenses, and the deficiency was generously made up by a gentloman connected with one of the insurance offices. Thbateh Royal— "The Btreots of New York," which, save in title, very closely resembles a piece pretty familiar to us here, formed the attraction on Saturday night at the theatre. It is one of that class of plays known in the profession as a Saturday night piece, and, judged by this standard, fulfils its mission. Why a Saturday night audience should differ from that of any other evening it is hard to say, except that as a rnle they are more critical. Howover, managers seem to think that something ultra sensational or gory is the proper thing for Saturday night. In England now this has exploded, exespt at the transpontine theatres, where scaroely anything but blood and thunder prevails. The piece on Saturday evening was not remarkable for much beyond the clever acting of Messrs Theo. Hamilton and Biggs, and the amount of fun Mr Kennedy managed to get out of the small part of the policeman. The female characters were fairly sustained, Miss Bessie I Vivian being good in the part allotted to her. The same bill will be repoated this evening, being the last appearance of the company. The Effect of Dancing.—A man named Lynch was admitted to the Hospital on Saturday with a broken leg. In answer to a question as to how he came by the accident, the patient said he was dancing, and slipped, his fair partner falling on his leg. Bbnbvolbnt Association.—A meeting of the subscribers to the Benevolent Association of last year will be held at the Coffee Palace at 3 p.m. on Tuesday next, for the purpose of deciding what shall be done with the funds in hand. _ A good attendance is requested on the occasion. City Auditobs.—The nomination of two persons to fill the offices of city auditors for the ensuing year will take place on the 24th inst., and the election on June Ist. It may be pota.ed out that the day fixed for the nomination is a public holiday, which, possibly, might interfere with it.

J Bailway Bakd.—This band playod on ' Saturday evening at the new market, Sydon* , ham, when a very exoellent programme of music was performed. Amongst other items ■ which attracted attention was a Selection of airs from the oelebrated opera bouffe, " The Piratoß of Penzance," which has created a furore almost equal to that of " Pinaforo."

Abhlet County Council. Upon the roguest o£ Mr Higgins, chairman for tnie Council, the returning officer has notiuea an election to be held for the return of a council, lor for the Oxford riding on May 25tn. Nominations to be sent in on May 19th. Amateixb Opbba.—lt is understood that " Les Cloches De Cornovillo " will shortly be produced for the first time here by Mr i±. iJ. Towle and amateurs. The musio is brilliant and sparkling, and the libretto full of humor and point. It will be remembered that Ohrietchurch people first made the acquaintance of " Pinafore " under Mr Towle » auspices. , . . _ .. Dakqbeous.—Some little time back tbe attention of the municipal authorities was called to the dangerous state of the side walk in Ooshel street from the Globe office to Mein's corner. Nothing has yet been done, although the wood kerbing has now comI plctely fallen away from the asphalt, leaving as nice a trap for the breaking of legs of I unwary pedestrians in the dark as can well be imagined. Ohoka..—On Thursday the presentation of a writing desk, work box and two elegantlybound volumes of poems was made to Mise Duff ell, who had aoted as organist at ihe Sunday services held in the district schoolroom. A letter, accompanying the same, intimated to Misß Duffell that they were forwarded by the curate and church officers on behalf of the congregation. The Cabden-Leigh Company.—Tbis new company, under the banner of Mr B. J. De Lias, opens at the Theatre Boyal on Tuesday evening next. The initial piece will be "Clancarty," which, it will be remembered, was produced during Iho Rignold season. The company is spoken of as a very strong one, all the lines being filled by efficient reprej sentatives. To playgoers here this will be I welcome news, as we have had somewhat too much of late of companies comprising one or two bright and shining lights and a crowd of I mediocrities, or worse. "Happy Hottbs."—Mr and Mrs Hart, whose clever entertainment is well known throughout the colony, will give a performance this evening at the Town Hall, I/eestOD. They will be assisted by Mr W. Kerby. A. trip to Akaroa had been arranged for, but owing to'the incivility of the jehu at Pigeon Bay, it had to be abandoned, and the thespians once more placed themselves under the guardianship of that most gallant of skippers, Captain W. Cameron, of the fast and favorite steamship Titan.

The Dbttids.—Tho Mistletoe Lodge, No. 96, held its usual fortnightly meeting on Thursday evening, at their hall, Oxford terrace. Bast. Bro. T. J. Ryan, A.D., presided. There was a good attendance of members, several of whom intimated their intention to read papers of an appropriate nature at intervals during the winter season. An invitation was received from the Bud of Hope Lodge. Bangiora, to attend their anniversary entertainment. There was one proposed for membership. After transacting other business the lodge was closed in due form. The Drainage Board Bate.—The reso-

lution passed at a recent meeting of the Drainage Board with reference to the charging the interest and sinking fund on the cost of pumping stations, &c, on certain portions of the district, appears to have aroused considerable public feeling. The Heathcote district, as one specially interested, are already on the war path, and a public meeting is oalled for Friday next at the Fhilipstown schoolroom, to discuss this and the proposed amendments in the Drainage Bill. FoOTXAUi.—There was a capital attendance of members of the Pilgrim Olub on Saturday last, sides being chosen by Messrs Bowley and De Castro. The game resulted, after a veryeven contest, in favor of the former's side by two goals and a touchdown to three tries. In the first spell Bowley's side, after some hard play, managed to obtain two touchdowns, gained by Stringer and Keeteven, from the latter's try, Bowley managed to secure a goal. Stringer's try was rendered null by his taking the ball between the posts. The second and third spells were a succession of hard fought and evesly contested scrimmages, Bowley securing a try (which he afterwards converted into a goal), and F. Moulo obtaining one for the opposing side, no goal resulting. In the last spell, De Castro's side made a determined effort to wipe off their opponents' score, and managed by some smart play to seoure two touchdowns, obtained by Messrs Fuller and Shackleton, but the tries at goal were unsuccessful.

Thb Weo»q Bottik.—The Hon. G. Iff. Waterhouse made a miitako on the 10th inst, which might have cost him his life. He had been in the habit (says the "Post") of taking a harmless medicine for some days, and ■when he got up he omitted not to apply to the usual (as he thought) bottle. His horror may be easily imagined when he discovered just after he had swallowed two large spoonfuls that the medicine was chloral. He thought, like the Irishman, he was " kilt intirely," and rushed to a chemist's shop near by, where he explained his predicament and obtained a strong emetic Fortunately this was effective.

The Beitish Abmy.—The nonsense which has been talked about the degeneration in physique of recruits caused by short service may be considered as disposed of by the report of the Inspector-General on recruiting. It is to be observed, in the first place, that whereas long service before its abolition had failed to supply the 11,000 men required annually for the army, short service gives all that are wanted—namely, from 25,000 to 26,000 annually, and offers a great many more than are taken, The physical average of the recruits is regularly and steadily improving year by year. In 1871 the proportion of soldiers in the army under twenty years of age was 190 per 1000. In 1880 it was only 100 per 1000, or little more than half what it was before short service was introduced. The proportion of narrow-oheated men—that is, under thirty-five inches—has fallen by nearly one-half since 1871. Here are facts which, it may be presumed, will not be disputed; and it may be hoped that if in the face oi; them the senseloss cry that the army is degenerating will not ceaso, it will at least be discredited by all sensible men.—" Pall Mall Gazette."

Sib G. Gee* at the Thames.—lt is said to have been a picture to see the twinkle in Sir George Grey's left eye when he solemnly complimented the Thames people upon their forbearance in " Never thinking of thomeelvsi at all" in the matter of Government pickings. The beauty of the joke (remarks the Thames " Star") was heightened by the appearance on the platform of the portly figures of Wilkinson, the Mayor, and Brodie, the county ohairman, the indefatigable McOullough, the persevering Ehenfried, Speight, and Adam Porter, who—singly or in conjunction—have worried to the verge of distraction every Cabinet Minister who has ruled New Zealand for the last ten years. The Thamec is notorious for having picked up the cast-off mantle of the "Sturdy Beggar" oC Wellington—Fitzherbert. Not a session goes by without a deputation being dinpatched to Wellington to lobby. The announcement of a Ministerial visit to Auckland is the signal for the appearance in town of a number of the old familiar phizes from Hauraki, and one Minister tells with great gusto how these modest Thames youths, having asked for everything they could possibly think of, at last begged for a few old' plans that were lying about. The Thames people have earned among the members of the House of Representatives a reputation of the champion cadgers of New Zealand, and it was too bad of their member, who knows it very well, to poke " borack " at them in that unfeeling way.

The Oamaeu Habbob Works.—Friday's " Oamara Mail" says : —At 12.30 p.m. to-day, the largest blast that has over been made during the progress of the mole works waa fired. A drivo of 35 feet was taken into the hill, and cross trees were made at the ends of ) which there were two chambers to contain the powder. lOOOlbs of powder were used. This amount of powder dislodged about 30,000 tons of rock, some pieces of which are quite twenty tons in weight—with lose ado than would have been occasioned by the firing of an old blunderbuss or even a child's popgun. The result is in every way satisfactory, and will enable the contractors, Messrs McFarlane and Watson to oompleto the railway embankment and make a good start with the north mole. As the work progresses evidence becomes more conclusive that there will not be the slightest difficulty in obtaining any quantity of three ton—or even larger—blocks for facing the mole. The contractors are evidently determined to leave no stone unturned to make their contract a brilliant and rapid success Arrangements are being made for placing two other cranes on the ground to facilitate the work, and the number of men employed will be augmented as soon as room is made brough'dXn! 10118 ° D *° '°* that haß be -

Death of Count Jabaczbwbki- —This gentleman died suddenly on the 11th instant. The deceased was well known in connection with the English turf, and from time to time had a few horses in J. Jones' stable, among them Eva, Anonyma, John Day, Beaconsfield, &o. The Count was on intimate terms with the Prince of Wales, with whom he recently won a double of £SOOO, and his amiable disposition and pleating manner rendered him at all times popular in the best society. Kaiapoi VESrBT.—At a vestry meeting on Thursday evoning it was deoided that the vestry did not see a way to increase the salary of the organist and sexton, as applied for, and deoided that the latter must blow the organ bellows or he would bo dispensed with. Mr Jenkins' offer to keep the instrument tuned for £6 a year was agreed to. It was deoided that all seats, the rent of whioh should not be paid by June Ist, should then be declared free. i

Shbfmbid Pouch Cottbt.—On Saturday, before B. W. Moody, Eq., J.P., James Beddon Davey, on remona from Christchurch, wbb charged with stealing two ferrets, the property of Mr Derrett, butcher, Coalgate. Mr Joyce appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. It appears that the ferrets were stolen about three months ago from prosecutor's premises, and about the time they were missed Davey was at Mr Derrett's house, and shortly after, he sold two ferrets to Mr Chamberlain, of the Selwyn, alleging to the buyer that he had bought them from Hon. J. Hall's manager, Hororata station—which was untrue. For the.defence, two witnesses were called, who swore that the ferrets sold by acoused to Mr Chamberlain, came from Wellington. The case was dismissed.