NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2258, 24 May 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Hbb Majesty's BrBXHDAY.—This morning, at seven o'clock, detachments of the Artillery and City Guards fell in at the drillshed, when the former fired a salnte of twenty-one guns, and the latter fired a volley in honor of Her Majesty's 62nd birthday. Pleasure-seekers left Christchurch earlv for various localities—Coursing men for Yaldhurst, where the Papanui Coursing Club holds its first meeting; racing men for Woolston, to the Lower Heathoote races; Freemasons for Lyttelton, to take part in the laying of the foundation-stone of the Canterbury Kilwinning Lodge. Personal. —The Hon. Captain Fraser, and Mr Oliver, late Public Works Minister, arrived from Wellington this morning. McDonald's Sweep.—Winning numbers in McDonald's Lyttelton drawing on the Grand National are published in another column.

Lecttjbe.—To-morrow night should be a treat to novel readers. The Eev. T. Flavell takes England's greatest female novelist (George Eliot) for his aubjeot. "Pathos, wit, and humor," is abundant material for an hour's instruction and amusement. Accident on the Railway.—On the arrival at Bolleston of the 6 a.m. train from Ashburton to-day, the guard, D. Macfarlan', in stepping from one carriage to another, accidentally slipped, and was caught in the hip by one of the buffers. The injured man was brought on to Christchurch, and Dr. Frankish immediately called in attendance. Fortunately, on examination, it was found that no bones was broken, and the injuries received were not of a serious nature.

New Honours.—lt will be seen from our Wellington telegrams that the honor of knighthood has been conferred upon Chief Justice Prendergast. also that Sir F. D. Bell, the Agent-General, has been created a K.O.M.G.

Postal.—Additional post offices have been opened at the following places in Canterbury : —Oraoroft, Newlands, North Loburn and Upper Ferry (Timaru). The offices at Weka Pass, Hakateramea, Lake Tekapo, Milford and Pukaki Ferry, the last four in the Timaru district, have been closed. The Tramway By-Law.—At the meeting of the City Council, last night, the proposed by-law for regulating the tramways was passed with but slight alteration. Oxfobd Tebbace Mutual Improvement Society.—The usual meeting of this class was held last evening in the Baptist Church. The president, Rev O. Dallaston, occupied the chair. The subject for the evening's consideration was an essay upon the " Common Origin of the Human Baoe," introduced by Mr W. Fargher, which caused some discussion between the members present. The subjeot for next meeting was announced as " Readings from Shakespeare." Inspection of Gravel Pits.—Beoently an inquest was held at Springston on the body of a man named Fohey, who was killed by a fall of gravel in a pit in that district. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, with a rider to the effect—" That in the opinion of the jury it is desirable that an inspector should be appointed to inspect the gravel pits in the colony, with a view of protecting the public and those working in the pits from accident." Defaulting Jttbymen.—At the inquest held yesterday on the body of Frederick Saxton, two jurymen named William Thomson and James Fergus failed to answer to their names. The first-named sent his brother as a substitute, who alleged that William Thomson was prevented from attending by reason of urgent business that could be transacted by no one else. The coroner remarked that he was determined to accept no substitutes, and should inflict the penalty of £2; and also in the latter oase except good reason was shown for his absence. The Employment op Prisoners.—Yesterday morning, a batch of prisoners from the Lyttelton gaol made a start upon the proposed foreshore road lately agreed to between the - Government and the Lyttelton Harbor Board. The road is along the base of the cliffs running eastward towards Godley Head from Officer's Point —the point which, abuts upon the entrance to the Gladstone Pier. From the character of the country to be traversed and the magnitude of the undertaking altogether, the estimate that it will take twenty years to complete is probably not an exaggerated one.

LABBIKINIBM AT ASHBUBTON. The windows of Mr Dudson's saddlery shop and Messrs Orr and Oo.'s drapery shop in Ashburton were broken into last Saturday night. Only a few spurs and knives, of the value of about £l, were taken out of the former shop, and a suit of clothoß and some six dozen pairs of socks, worth abont £6, were taken out of the latter. The fact that a good many more portable articles were within reach in both shops, which were not touched, would seem to indicate (hat these] windows were broken out of wanton mischief. Messrs Hawkins Brothers' shop at Tinwald was broken into in a similar manner, but nothing was taken from it. The pane of glass broken in Messrs Orr and Oo.'s shop will oost about £lO to replace. Wkslsyak Mutual Imfbovbkent Association. —At the usual meeting of this society last night, the Rev. W. Baumber presided. The attendance numbered some forty members. After some routine business, the editor of the journal (Mr H. Black) gave the contributions, prefacing the same by a well-written editorial, following with articles by"Bilex," who wrote generally; by "J.," on the Irish Question; a well-written article by an "Amateur," who contributed some thoughts on Imitation ; " Felix " treated the subject of speech-making in a lively style; and " Anohor," in a few verses " In Memoriam" of the Tararua disaster, exhibited considerable talent." After the readings, criticism followed, Messrs A. Bell, Boss, Prudhoe, Hewitt, J. L. Wilson, Allan, Hodinot, Wright, Gabites, Toneyoliffe, T. Gapes and others taking part. Consideration of the seoond paper occupied most of the evening, it being considered worthy of thought and attention. The chairman summed up, and closed with the benediction.

St. John's Ohubch Temperance SocißTr. —The concert in aid of the funds of this Society took place last evening, in St. John's schoolroom, Latimer square. There was a good attendance. Mr T. S. Weston occupied the chair, and in the course of his opening remarks congratulated the Society on its status and the good work it was doing in Ohristchurch. An excellent address was also delivered by Mr J. T. Smith, who quoted figures showing that the amount of money spent on drink in the neighbourhood of Ohristchurch alone would be sufficient to pay fifteen hundred men a weekly wage of two pounds each. That was the direct cost only, and these figures, appalling as they are, would be doubled were the contingent expenses of the drink traffic recounted. The musical part of the programme comprised songs from Mrs Gray, Misses Kent, Rowley, Maokett, and Fisher, pianoforte selections by Miis Robinson, Misses Atack and M ackett, and a thrice encored song from Dr. Russell, with guitar accompaniment. The attendance was very good, and the Society may be congratulated on the success which has hitherto attended their efforts. A number of persons signed the pledge at the close of the meeting.

Hbathcotk Boab Distbict. The "Gazette "of May 20th contains a proclamation dividing the Heathcote road district into five sub-divisions. The following are the boundaries :—No. 1 Ward : Bounded on the west by the city of Ohristchurch ; on the south-east by Ollivier's road ; on the north by the Avon river ; on the north-east by the canal reserve ; and on the south-west by the Ferry road. Mo. 2 Ward : Bounded on the north-east by the canal reserve and No. 1 Ward; on the north-west by No. 1 Ward and borough of Sydenham ; on the cast by the Avon and Heathcote estuary; and on the South by the Biver Heathcote. No. 3 Ward : Bounded on the northtand west by the Avon river; on the south-west by Nob. 1 and 2 Wards; on the eouth-eait by the Avon and Heathcote estuary ; and en the east by the Biver Avon and that portion of it which is defined by the cutting passing through Section No 460, diverting thejsaid river. No. 4 Ward: Bounded on the north by the Heathcote river and the Borough of Sydenham; on the south by the southern boundary of the Heathcote Road District; on the west by Colombo road south and Dyer's Bass road ; and on the east by the bridle-path. No. 5 Ward : Bounded on the north by the Avon and Heathoote estuary; on the north-east by said estuary and the aea; on the south by the southern boundary of the said district; on the east by the sea; and on the west by No 4 Ward. The wards have boon allotted to the present members of the Board as follows : No. 1, Thomas Bruce ; No. 2, Frederic Jones; No. 3, William Attwood; No. 4, George Pickering Dryden ; No. 5, John O'Neill,

SYDENHAM AND THE DRAiNAOS BOABD.— A meeting of the ratepayers of Sydenham, will be hold at the Colombo road school-room on Friday evening next, to consider the action of the Drainage Board towards that borough. Wobkino Mbn'b Oltjb.—At a meeting of the above club lnsf night Mr E. R. Shaw was eleotcd eeorefcary by a large majority. Fibb.—About 12.20 last night the Lichfield street fire bell rang out a peal, followed by the railway station whistle. The locale of the fire was in a north-easterly direction, and turned out to be an empty house on the North-east belt, close to Mr Sunderland's bakery. The Fire Brigade wore promptly on the spot, but as the house was isolated and no water handy, their services were not put into requisition. Hbbiciculte kb.—A letter has been received from Hon. Mr Bolleston by Mr B. Allan, the president of the Industrial Association, with reference to the establishment of the silk growing industry here. Mr Bolleston states that orders will be sent Home for silkworm eggs, mulberry trees, and outtings, and it is hoped the eggs will arrive in October next. An order has been sent to Sydney for white mulberry trees, so that a start can be made at once. Mr Eederli, who it will be rememberod had an interview lately with the Industrial Association, will shortly revisit Christchurch, with a view of placing himself in communication with persons taking an interest in the matter. .

A Good Stoby.— The "Waikato Times" tails the following goad story of Mr Hurst, M.H.R. —A number of young gentlemen bolonging to good English families came out with Sir James Fergusson. One of them was introduced to Hurst at Clio citizens' ball given to the Governor. Mr Hurst impressed the stranger with a due sense of the honor of being introduced to the Mayor of Auckland, and then said, "Take my arm and walk round the hall. It will do you good to be seen walking with me." The stranger accepted the invitation, and promenaded the room with his Worship. After doing so he went up on the dais and told the story to the Governor and the rest of his party, who were, of course, convulsed with laughter. The joke ran round the ballroom like wild fire, and, for the rest of the evening, when a gentleman wished a lady to promenade the room with him, the form of invitation was, " Take my arm and walk round the hall. It will do you good to be seen walking with me."

Census Whims.—The "Rangitikei Advocate " says:—The curiosities of the census papers would afford an almost inexhaustible mine of wealth to the humorist. One of the enumerated on the Wast Coast wrote opposite to the example given for filling up the religious denomination column:—"l consider this a burning disgrace to the men who drew it;" another, whose occupation was what is generally known as bullock-driving, dubbed himself as an "oxen conductor." Hence it appears that even bullock drivors have occasionally " high notions," and would like to he deemed something above the common. A man who is an " oxen conductor " must surely be a personage to whom his fellow men should look up to with reverence.

The Duke and the Knight.—A few days ago, lays the " Pool," a live Duke visited the Rangitikei district, with a view to inspect the country, in which he took considerable interest. He was accompanied by an M.H.R., and several other gentlemen, who were desirous of pointing out to him " the beauties of the wilderness." On putting up for the night at a certain hostelry he received, through one of his party, a very warm invitation to take up his temporary abode with a knight who had a mansion not far distant. The distinguished traveller was delighted, and asked if his friend would notify the knight to that effect. The friend ■aid that a request ooming from such a quarter was equal to a command ; but, he added, " You won't get any of that liquid which flowoth from the bottles of Hcnnessy the Great." " Why ? " queried the duke. " Because," answered his friend, "theknight is a teetotallerj and doesn't keep it in stock." "Egad," quoth the duke, "then I'll take some up with me." "It's no use," replied his cicerone, " he won't let you drink it there if you do." "Whew! " exclaimed his Grace, "just send him word I won't come," and, he added, in answer to his friend's objection, " tell him plainly the reason." This was done, and the ducal party rang the bell, and ordered —dinner. Photogbaphs taken by Lightning.— The " British Journal of Photography " reports some very curious experiments which have been made in photography by lightning. During a very violent thunder-storm a prepared plate was exposed for about half an hour. The plate was afterwards found to have received several faintly distinct impressions of the surrounding objeots. One very vivid flash of lightning, which struck a church tower distant abont 14,000 feet from the spot where the plate was exposed, gave a wonderfully distinct impression, considering that the time during which the plate was exposed to its effects did not exceed the one fivo thousandth part of a second. Luminous Books. "(Edipus," in the "Leader," writes: —"The last new fancy is to print books and newspapers in luminous ink, so that they nicy be read in the dark, in bed, or in course of a journey. There is one little objection to the Ecbeme. Every page of tbe book would have to be exposed to a strong light before it would become self luminous, and newspapers would have to be expanded in all their breadth, or hung up on clothes-lines, to enable them to lay in a stock of light. This is one of those cases in which the play wonld not be worth the candle. It is said that there will be a newspaper at Turin printed with luminous ink. If it be a morning paper the copies must not be folded, as they usually are, in the small hours of the morning. Besides, the luminous ink would be useless in the daytime, and, if read in the dark, the news wonld have to be kept till it was stale. An early evening paper leisurely foHed would stand a better chance ; bnt for one who wants to read in the dark there are a hundred who wonld rather have the benefit of the light. The difficulties are not insurmountable, but are they worth surmounting P The luminous prmt would only be legible in pitchy darknesß, and if such newspapers wore to become fashionable it wonld be requisite, I am afraid, to enlarge the lunatic asylums, and build more." Mb Cablyle's Bequest to the Edinburgh Univebsity.—The deed read at a meetiag of the Senatns Academicus of Edinburgh University shows that the testamentary dispositions of the grand Seer who has just passed away are fully in accord with his life and teachings. Carlylo has bequeathed the estate of Craigenputtock, which came to him through his "late, dear, magnanimous, much-loving, and inestimable wife," to found ton bursaries in his own University. The 1800 acres produce .£250 at present, and the annual value, with the improvements in progress, will be J 2300. The bursaries are to boar the name, not of Cnrlylo, but of John Welsh, his father-in-law; thns the Seer modestly endeavors to efface himself when making his bequest. The bursaries are to be open to free competition of all students at Edinburgh, who have not belonged to any other university, and aro to be given " on solemn, strict and faithful trial to the worthiest." If the claims of two are equal, then preference is to be given to " the more unrecommended and unfriended." Thus the dead band reaches out help to the poor struggling student, the very class to which Carlyle himself belonged. What can be more bountiful than the closing words of the bequest:—"And so may a little trace of help to the young heroic soul struggling for what is highest spring from this poor arrangement and bequest. May it run, for ever if it can, as a thread of pore water from the Scottish rocks, trickling into its little basin by the thirsty wayside for those to whom it veritably belongs. Amen." —" European Mail."

Htdbattijc Vbsbem.—Another hydraulic ship has lately been launched in Germany, but, as usual with vessels of the same description, she has failed to attain the speed expected. In these hydraulic ships water taken in through the bottom is expelled at both sides in the line of the keel, and the reaction of the {laid issuing at high speed drives the hull ahead if the water is allowed to escape aft, or astern if it escapes towards the bow. The notion is no new one, for as far back as 1661 an inventor received a patent for propelling vessels by expelling water from their sterns. In 1730 another patent was secured for doing nearly the same thing, but since that time nearly fifty persons have taken out patents for hydraulic veseels About ten years ago a vessel called the Waterwitch of 1297 tons displacement, was built for our navy, to test a proposed system of hydraulic propulsion, but though the ship is of light draught, haa good lines, and is fitted with engines 775 horse power, she has never exceeded when at sea a speed of from five to six knots.'andfhas never been trusted out of sight of land. The hydraulic ship lately built in Germany is 110 ft. long, 17ft. wide, with a draught of 12Jft. of water, and was expeoted to attain a speed of 10 knots an hour, but on her trial trip she could barely accomplish nine. She proved, however, to be extremely handy, running close up to a sailing vessel which oroßsed her course, and then, stopping her way in a moment, turned immediatelv to starboard—« New York Maritime Register ••