NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2280, 23 July 1881, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY

Tai Tafu.—The floods in this district, resulting from the heavy downpour of rain during the present week, will entail considerable leas on many of the farmers in some of the low-lying portions, notably in tha reclaimed portion of the swamp, where the water has covered the tops of the fences, and, from the nature of the soil added to the formation, it will be a long time before farming operations can bo resumed, os culverts are burst, and the work of drainage will have to be started anew.

Lyttelton Peksbyteeian Church. —The Rev T. R. Cairns is to officiate to-morrow at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, morning and evening.

Road Teaffic Interrupted. — Owing to the flood on the Drain road from Rangiora, as well as on Boys' Direct road, near the railway, traffic is nearly suspended. The water on those roads lies to a depth of 2 feet, and a quantity of firewood from Mr Whitefoord’s land renders it dangerous to ford the flood. The road traffic through Kaiopoi by way of Woodend is, however, not at all interfered with.

The Deuids. —The Mistletoe Lodge held their usual fortnightly meeting on Thursday last, 21st inst., at the Star and Garter Hofei, Oxford terrace. There was a largo muoter of brethren and visitors from other ledges present. The delegates were vested with full powers to act, re centenary celebration, to be held on 30th August next. One member was initiated into the rites of Druidism, and three proposed for membership, which makes a total of nine names on the list for next lodge night.

The Political Situation. Ti;e following telegram from Wellington was received last evening: The excitement which has prevailed in the parliamentary buildings during the last two days has now considerably subsided. The faces of the Opposition Isadora arc less radiant, and the hopes of the party have evidently fled. Mr Sheehan’s leadership has been distinctly and vary respectfully declined by hia party. The debate is likely to last another day or two, and the division is not at all doubtful; though it will bo too close to bo pleasant. Last night’s debate was lively, though neither the Premier nor Sir George Grey spoke in their best form. Mr Hall spent too much time in noticing Sir G. Grey’s absurd Bills, and Sir George did not oven give one of bis old orations, but gave utterance to a few angry expressions with his usual action and tragic anger. There was a great deal of real anger, however, in his reply to Mr Weston—regarding hia attack on one of the judges. This evening the debate has been very poor, and is drugging very heavily along. The Oppc sition will keep it up until Messrs Pyke, Finn, and Driver attend, but in the certainty of a defeat it would be unlike Mr Driver’s general policy to vote with them.

Thuatbb Royal.—“ The Pirates of Penzance ” was presented last night to a crowded house, with a change of cast. Miss Leaf aa Ruth was excellent, receiving loud plaudits for her impersonation of the part. The waltz song in the first act was again encored. The young Indies of the chorus we re dressed in new and elegant costumes, adding greatly to the effect of the piece. Mr Wentworth appeared as the Pirate King, in place of Me Cary, but the change was not for the better. Mr Wentworth was far too stiff, and did not infuse that amount of life into his rendering which is so necessary for the success of the character. This was especially noticeable in the oong, “lum a Pirate King.” Mr Barry O’Neil achieved quite a pronounced success in the character oi the Major General. Not only did ho sing the patter song with a groat deal of verve, but the ballad in the last act was given by him with considerable taste. The choruses throughout went with spirit and effect, and generally the opera wag most successfully played. It will bo repeated tin's evening. L.O.L. —A soiree wea held in connection with No, 5 L.O.L. last night, at the Orange Hall, St. Albans. The now banner belonging to the Lodge, recently received from Home, was unfurled for the first time. After the soiree a concert took place, interspersed with addresses by D.G.M. Bro. Christie, Bros. Prudhoe, Beresford and others. A number of the Christchurch brethren were in attendance, and a pleasant evening was spent. The banner has been manufactured and painted by Mr B. Atkinson, and is a very creditable piece of work.

HeAVT Rains on the Peninsula.— During the last few day a very heavy rains have fallen, causing much damage, especially to the roads, which are blocked up in many places by slips that will take a deal of labor to clear away. All passenger traffic is stopped between Akaroa and Onrietchurch by tho Little Elver route, tho mails having to be taken on horseback. Tho cost of repairing the damage to tho roads will unfortunately fall on tho contractors, who, for a, fixed sum, keep tho roads clear for a period of twelve months. In some cases it will cost as much to clear one slip away as they receive for their twelve months’ work. There io one slip on tho Little River road which has carried large trees and fences with it, leaving a small section of bush on the road. Borne damage has occurred in Akaroa. The Ghrehan valley storm water again broke through tho Chinamen’s garden, thence across the road into Messrs Bayley’s and Wackerles’ properties, flooding Bayloy’s Hotel. The greatest loss to tho Chinamen is the carrying away of the top soil of thoir garden, with whole beds of vegetables. The floods have since subsided to a great extent.

Accident at Poet. —Yesterday afternoon, as Mr Kinsey, a clerk in the employ of the agents of the ship Meropo, was walking along the ’tween decks of that vessel, and supposing that the hatches were covering the ’tween deck main hatchway, ho stepped over the combings of the hatchway and fell to the bottom of the ship. It seems that the main deck hatchway was closed at tho time, thus shutting out some of tho light from that part of the vessel. Mr Kinsey sustained severe injuries, including dislocation of one of his shoulders, some deep incisions upon hil head, and four or more broken ribs. It is hoped, however, that he is not maimed beyond recovery.

L.O.L. —A district meeting of Lodges Nos. 14, 24, 32, and 33 will be held in the Orange Hall, on Monday evening next, at seven o’clock, and a Royal Arch Chapter meeting of No, 32 Star of Sydenham Lodge will be hold at tin am; lace at 8 30 p.m. Tub Wbathbb. — Xhere was a welcome change in the weather yesterday, the sun shining brightly at intervals, ana giving a hope of a little cessation in the continuous downpours of ra ; n experienced throughout the week. Last evening, however, a heavy rain again sot in, and continued with more or less severity during the night, and many of tho places which had become partially clear of water are again flooded this morning. Col * hovirs hare continued io £*ll throughout Uio day, ana at present there is but little sign of the weather clearing. Beyond the (boding of the low-lying parts of tho town and suburbs, no damage has as yet been reported in tho immediote vicinity of Christchurch, but there has been great stagnation in business generally during the week.