NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2272, 14 July 1881, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Resident Magistrate's Court. —This morning, before Messrs Olliver, Westonra, and Parker—Drunkenness, for first offences, two men were fined 5s each. Charles Baigh was dismissed on a charge of being drunk, and fined 5s for using obscene language. Mary Ann Ford was brought up on remind from tho 13th, charged with assaulting Jane Paul. This was a row between prostitutes, which occurred at Bnrmeister’s oyster saloon. The parties had thrown missiles of various descriptions at each other, plaintiff receiving, in the engagement, a out on the head from a bottle of sauce. Prisoner was fined 20s. Down Again. —The depressed state of the poetry market has long been known ; quotations have been in fact of late, merely nominal, and, as many speculators know to their cost, sales have been hard to effect at any price. This abnormal state of things was fully exemplified by the particulars which came to light at the Court yesterday of a transaction which must have proved very unsatisfactory to one of the parties. It appeared that a local bootmaker has long been in the habit of advertising his wares in verse by newspaper and handbills, which bear the imprint of “ , original poetry printer.” Now, on the staff of this printing establishment there is a young man who is a real poet, who for a long time had been gnashing his teeth at the want of rhyme and rythm in the measures of the bootmaker’s effusions, and took occasion to offer him a poem of his own. The bootmaker professed himself exactly suited, or, to use his own language, “fitted.” The hroohnre was printed, duly imprinted as above, and is now being circulated. It commences thus:— O corns ! O corns ! what brought you here ? k ea cause me for to cuss and sweer ! There are forty-six lines of it all equal to sample, and the maker of them considered they were really a superior article. The printer was paid, but the poet, having, with the modesty of genius, refrainedjfrom asking for payment, was, as far as this particular poetry is concerned, left to perish. But, happy thought! ha would take itontin boots. As he put it, he would then be able, from experience, to: — Sing my muse in praises choral, The work of Vamp’s first-class Balmoral. So ha got a pair of boots from Vamp, who, however, booked, and in due time billed for them, and finally the case came before his Worship. Tho poet, in answer to the paltry demand, paid into Court 2s 6d, and put in his poetry as a set-off, valuing it at the ridiculously low figure of 10s. Only half-a-sovereign for tho labors of the immortal muse! His Worship said the valuing of poetry was rather out of his lines ; he was averse to pressing too (hard on a struggling tradesman ; but, to encourage native industry, he would allow the young man three half-crowns. The poet loft the Court vowing that tho magistrate, like the bootmaker, was, poetically speaking, without a sole. Magistrate's Court, Lyttelton. A young man named Gleason was, on application of the police, remanded to Bangiora, at this Court this morning, on two charges of horse-stealing—one the property of W. Wilson and tho other from J. Gallafon, Hunting. —The meet of Mr Archer’s harriers, announced to take place yesterday in Ashburton County, was unavoidably postponed for a few days. Monstbb Mussel. —During the heavy sea a few days ago a mussel was washed up on the Duvauohelle Bay beach measuring sixteen inches in length and six inches broad, Chabitable Aid Boabd. The usual meeting of tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday lapsed from want of a quorum. The only member present was Mr Hawkes ; an apology was made for the absence of the chairman, and his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch was serving on a special jury--1.0.0.F..M U., Kaiapoi. -At the meeting ■of the Loyal Kaiapoi Lodge on Monday evening the officers elected were Bros J. Butt, O-.M.; E. Baker, N.G.; W. Baker, Y.G.; G. Allen, 8.5.; and H. Finnis, caretaker. Bros. E. Feldwick and H. A’Court were elected auditors. It was decided that the next should be a summoned meeting. Tp.ua Blue, No. 6, Loyal Orange Lodge, —The annual Orange Ball was held in the town hall, Southbridge, on Tuesday evening, tho 13t.h of July, when there was a larger attendance than on any previous occasion. The hall was tastefully decorated with shrubs, dowers, banners, &c , and presented a very pretty appearance. Tho music was excellent, and the supper, which was provided by Bro. E F. Fulljames, was all that could be desired. Dancing was kept up till the early hours, everyone having thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

AsiiBUBXOJf Change Lodge.— On Wednesday evening the anniversary dinner, to commemorate the 12th of July, was given in the Somerset Hotel, Ashburton, by the Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 23, seventy-five gentlemen sitting down to a banquet which would have tempted the most fastidious appetite. The room was decorated with flags and mottoes. The choir was occupied by Mr Minnie, W.M., the vico-ohair by Mr John Bennett, D.M. The toasts of “Her Majesty the Queen,” and of the “Royal Family” having been duly honored, thot of the memory of William 111. was proposed. Toasts, songs, and speeches followed. One member of the lodge took occasion to mention that the provincial district of Canterbury now comprised some 500 brethren of the Order. Theatee Roe An. —The “ Pirates of Penzance ” was repeated last evening at the Theatre Royal, to an excellent house. A second opportunity of seeing the opera only confirms still more strongly the impression that the success of the piece mainly depends upon the delivery—so that the points are understood by the audience—of the dialogue of the piece, which is exceedingly funny. As a whole, the opera went fairly well, though here and there some of the principals sang out of tune. The choruses were excellent throughout ; indeed, as befo.-o remarked, they are distinctly the feature of the piece. Mr Hydes’ local verses to the policeman’s song were encored ad nau • .team. Surely if two or three verses are sung, this should suffice, particularly as they are entirely extraneous to the piece. Mdlia. Muriellc: secured an encore for her waltz song in the first act, and the audience were liberal with their plaudits. To-night the opera will again be repeated.

Admitted to thb Hospital —A man named George Bennett was admitted to the Hospital yesterday with a fractured thigh. He said ho had a dispute at a certain boardinghouse in town, and his broken leg was the result. The Railways. A lengthy discuarou took place in tho House yesterday upon a motion of Mr Oliver’s, for the appointment of a committee to inquire into the working of the railways, with a view to offering suggestions as to the course necessary to adopt, in order to improve the traffic and revenue. Various suggestions were offered by members, who seemed in favor of the motion ; but it was generally thought that the labours of a committee, to be of any service, would occupy too much time for a report to bo brought up during the present session, and ultimately tho motion was withdrawn.

Rumoured Plot to Assassinate the Kino op Italy.—The following extract from a private letter, dated Romo, May Bth, has been sent to tbo “Daily Nows.” The writer is said to bo a gentleman in every way likely to bo well-informed: —“A grave piece of intelligence has just come to my knowledge. The police have discovered a plot to assassinate the King. The suspected mandatory is an Italian, who came here some time since, accompanied by a fellow-countryman known to the police as a member of the International. Both put up at the Hotel , but soon after separated, the one charged with the execution of their design removing to another hotel. The latter is now under the close surveillance of the police, a number of whom have been detailed to dog his footsteps constantly. Simultaneously with the appearance here of those auspicious characters, a number of boxes containing explosive materials for the tunnelling of the St. Q-othardTiave boon stolen from the Italo-Swiss Society. Models of these boxes have been sent to all the police stations in the kingdom.”

ITiib Princess Doloorouki. —A touching story comes from St. Petersburg, and as it ootcos from several different sources we are ' led to consider it partly, if not wholly, true. It appears that the Princess was remarkable for the beauty and abundance of her hair, and tho court legend tells us that, like many other groat men, Alexander 11. had been caught in this filet d'amour, which, according to old Marot, the poet, captures the souls of men. Tho Emperor’s admiration for the tresses of the Princess was so great that he often said to her, “ If I die first, I shall rest all the easier if that hair lies with me in my coffin,” The impression on tho mind of the Princess was so vivid that, at the very moment the news of the Emperor’s death reached her, she cut off with her own hands the rich abundance of her tresses, and enclosed them in a sealed packet addressed to the Empress, with a humble request that tho late Emperor's desire might bo fulfilled. The Czarina’s gentle and affectionate heart was moved to tho core by the sacrifice and the request, and it is well known among the ladies of the Russian Court that the white satin pillow on which reposed tho head of the late Czar contained this last token of love and remembrance from tho Princess Dolgorouki.

A Ruffianly Act —The “ St. Arnaud Mercury” of the 29th June reports that on Friday night last, at the old township, a resident named Taylor was sitting quietly by his fireside conversing with his wife, when they were disturbed by theappoaranoe.of a stranger at tho door, who requested that he might bo allowed to stay there that night. Not liking tho look of tho intruder, Mr Taylor gave him to understand that ho could not be accommodated, and seeing that he did not then depart, went outside to direct the stranger to a place whore he would find lodgings. The two walked away tor a short distance, when Mr Taylor, after pointing out the road, and wishing his visitor good night, turned to go back. Ho had not proceeded far however, before he was startled by tbs report of firearms from behind, and on looking round perceived that the man was following him, who almost immediately afterwards fired another shot, which, like the first, was fortunately wide of tho mark, Mr Taylor ran home, and upon getting inside shut the door securely. The man who had attacked him then commenced to belabour the house with heavy boulders, which were thrown with such force as to go through the corrugated iron roof, smashing in their descent several articles of furniture, and one hitting Mrs Taylor a very severe blow on the shoulder. After delivering a parting shot at the door with a large bucket of pipeclay which stood near, the ruffian was heard to take his departure, to the irfinite relief of the inmates of tho dwelling.

Thb Revised New Testament.—A lecture was delivered on the above subject in the Lincoln Presbyterian Church on Tuesday evening, by Bov. A. Blake. Although tho subject was not a popular one in tho ordinary sense, the attendance was remarkably good, the church being well filled. From the close attention paid during the hour of its delivery it was evidently a subject of interest to those present. The topics handled were the necessity for a revision of tho authorised version, the character and extent of tho changes expected to appear, with some account of tho labours of the revising company, and of former revisions. Mr Rainey, who occupied the chair, conveyed the thanks of the meeting to the lecturer, moved by Mr Pavitt, seconded by Mr Wills, and said they had listened to what was not only instructive but edifying. Ho thought they wanted more of such lectures, and hoped Mr Blake would lecture on it again when the book appeared among them. Tho collection he stated would be applied to some of the church funds. Tho lecture is to be given at Prebbleton on Friday evening, in the Presbyterian Church there. Nominated Immigration, —ln reply to a question put by Mr Bain in the House yesterday afternoon, tho Hon. W. Rolleston said that it was tho intention of the Government to make provision for resuming nominated immigration, subject to[oortainjconditions and restrictions.

Football.— The following fifteen will represent the Pilgrims in their match against the second fifteen of the College on Saturday next: — Messrs Hinge,Winter, E.,Woledge. C.. Blanchard, De Castro (captain), Black, Field, Pnller, J. Hills, Manning, Moule A., Mater, Rich, Shand, Blakely ; emergencies, Jackson, Edgar, Slat* r. The match to be played on the College Ground Play to commence at 3 p.m. Colors, gold and black. —The match arranged to bo played by the C F G. on Saturday is Merivale V Club. The former will wear blue and white, the latter red and black. Play will commence sharp at 2.45. Mombeia are requested to tnrn np punctually.—The following wil} represent the Southern F.C. in thsir match with the Sandridge F.C. on Saturday next: —J. Owens_ (captain), Wilson, W. Ogier, H. Ogiet. J. Atkinson, senr., J. Atkinson, junr., Cook, Petrie, Smith E.. Williams, Belgrave, White, Keetle, Bell, Stapleton ; emergencies, Hadley, Osborne, Anderson, and Anderson.—The following will represent the Sandridge Football Club in a match with the Southern F.C on Saturday, on the ground of the latter: —J. Shierlaw, H. Jones, J. Taylor, Smith, Newman, Percival, Braithwaito, C. Evans, J. McLean, G. Mason, W. George, T. Beare, A. Russell, H. Lowrie, A. Lawrence ; emergencies, Allardyce, Page, Bruce, Pleasanco. —A match will be played at Southbridgo on Saturday next between the Pilgrims and Southbridge team. The following will represent Southbridge :—Y. Donald, H. Ennis, J. Leadstone, H. Lilly, Claude Willis, T. Willis, Chas. Willis, Wm. Willis, J. Tairoa. D. McCormick, G. Scott, C. Scott, F. Scott, W. T. Little, and H. McCormick ; emergencies, G. Tairoa, R. T'. Edwards. Play will start at one o’clock sharp.