NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2286, 30 July 1881, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY

Lytteiton Land Society.—A general meeting of the shareholders of the Lyttelton Land, Building and Investment Sooiety is to be held at the Colonists' BVI, at Port, on Tuesday night next. Thk Bevised New Testament. A lecture ou the "Purposes and Advantages of the Revisal of the New Testament," will be delivered to-morrow evening by the Bev. C. Fraser.

Long fbicbd Sheep. —At auotion, in Sydnoy, Mr James Gibson's Toamanian stud ram Sir Thomas the Seoond, brought 604 guineas, and twenty other rams an average of 78 guineas. Thus twenty-one rams realised a total price of £2264. The" ewes were sold at the handsome average of £3O 9j. Balb op Pbivileges.—Mr Tabatt sold the privileges at the forthcoming Hunt Olub Steeplechases yesterday, et the Commercial Hotel. The first lot offered was No. 1 publican's booth, which, after a brief contest, was knocked down to Mr E. Ravenhill for £ls. No. 2 booth was also bought by the same gentleman for £9. Tho confectioner's booth was bought by Mr Robinson for £4 10s. Tho horse yarJb for £l, and the right of sports for £3 10s.

Papantji.—This suburb is cartainly making groat advances, and thoso who may not have visited Papanui for twelve months would hardly know the place. A ride on the tram cars, and a glance at the beautiful and picturesque residences now ereoted, principally on the south side of the main road, would excite wonder amongst those who only remember this portion aa open fields used for the grazing of stock. Tho new Town Hall is an ornament to the township, and it is almost ludicrous that a suburb can boast of a structure of suoh dimensions, while our metropolis is devoid of pny building of comparative magnitude. It is astonishing what energy can accomplish, and from present appearances it will not be very long before the suburb becomes pnrfc and parcel of the city itself. Theatre Rotal. The seoond act of "H.M.B. Pinafore" with the "Pirates of Penzance," oomprised the bill at the Theatre Royal last night. Of the first little need be raid except in praise of Miss Leaf as Josephine. She was deservedly encored in the soena "The hours creep on apace," and in the bell trio, which was excellently sung. The repetition of tho " Pirates of Penzance" requires little notice except to record the very successful debut of Mr H. Bonham as the sergeant. Mr Benham gave an excellent rendering of the part throughout, investing it with an amount of humour and go whioh made it stand out very vividly. The remainder of the characters were satisfactorily filled. To-night the first act of "Pinafore," with Mr Barry O'Neil as tho Admiral, will be played, with the " Pirates of Penzance," and on Monday the season will close, the company appoaring in Timaru on Tuesday evening. New Hotei. tor Tbmpeeton.—Mr G. P. Kissell, of Templeton, intends erecting a commodious hotel adjacent to the Templeton Railway Station. At present the nearest hotel is the well-known nearly a mile distant from the township. The preparation of plans, &c, has been entrusted to Messrs Jacobsen Brothers, architects, of St. Asaph ond Hereford otreets, who have designed a very neat and commodious building, which will be two stories in height, built of timber on oonoreto foundations. It will contain eight rooms on tho grornd floor, comprising a spacious bar, commercial room, dining-room, private sitting-room, kitchen, scullery, and bedrooms. On the upper floor provision is made for ten well-ventilated bedrooms, access to whioh will be gained by two separate staircases, the better class being quite separate from the ordinary bedrooms. Two separate entrances are arranged in the front of the building, which means the i\-immercial and family portions of the hotel will be kept distinot from the bar, which will be completely isolated from tho remainder of the building. Ashbithton R.M. OouBT. Yesterday" before Mr J. Nugent Wood, R.M., George Shrimpton was charged with having on 18th inst., attempted suicide by puncturing himself in the left arm with a penknife, intending thus to bleed himself to death. Shrimpton acknowledged the attempt, and urged in extenuation that he had been drinking, and had become mad, adding that loss of blood had sobered him. He was cautioned, and discharged. Mrs Fanny Gosling oharged George Robinson, ex-publican, with a breach of the Destitute Persons Relief Act, by refusing to support her illegitimate boy, born in Sydenham. Mr Spackman appeared for complainant, Mr Joynt for defendant. Mrs Gosling, before her marriage, had been four years ago a barmaid in Robinson's service, South ttakaia, and had last year married a waiter named Gosling. Mr Joynt did not seek to rebut the evidence as to defendant's patornity, but contested defendant's liability on the legal ground, that, in pursuance of the principle of Stacey v Lintell, Law Reports, 4 Q 8., following on Lang v Spicer, 1 vol. M. and W., Ex. report, the complainant's marriage had conferred the responsibility of maintaining her illegitimate child upon her husband Gosling; nor, counsel contended, could it have been the intention of the legislature to establish a double liability, and marriage was, therefore, an absolute bar to a demand tor maintenance by the putative father. On complainant's marriage, her illegitimate child immediately became, as it were, incorporated with her family. The Magistrate reserved his decision until Thursday next, in Christchuroh, Messrs Joynt and Spackman consenting. Mrs Maria Jones charged Mrs Elizabeth Church with using abusive language by saying that she (Jones) had been guilty of improper conduot with one Robert Wake. Mr Purnell appeared for complainant, Mr O'Reilly for defendant. The magistrate, after hearing evidence, said this was a shameful case, in which a woman sought by her indiscreet expressions to create dissension between husband and wife, and bound over Mrs Church's husband in the sum of £SO as surety for his wife to keep the peace for twelve months, with £2 6s milenge and costs of witnesses, and £1 7s costs of court. A cross case of Church v Jones was withdrawn by Mr O'Reilly. W. H. Gundry (trustee Quinton Bros, estate) v C. Harper; Mr Crisp appeared for defendant; claim for £l2 S» j on Mr Crisp's application plaintiff was non-suited. W. Solomon vA. flewson, claim for £8 10a ; Mr Branson appeared for plaintiff, Mr Crisp for defendant; verdict for £4, with £1 14) costs. Armstrong v Murphy, claim for £4 15s; order for amount with costs. Armstrong v Hartnell, claim for £l6 ' 10s, for well sicking ; the plaintiff accepted a nonsuit, tho contract not having boon com- ' pleted.

Cur Impbovbmbnts. —We understand that a well-known drapory firm in the heart of tho city intend replaoing their present, business premises by a handsome structure of brick and stone, which will be of advantage to the adjoining occupants, as the presont building being constructed of timber creates difficulties iu the way of fire insurance. Messrs Jacobean Brothers have been ohoaen

architects for the proposed new structure. A Lono Family.—At the old folks' excursion on June 28th, at Ogden Oity, Hon, Lorir] Farr was awarded a net of Ohurcti

works (donated by President George Q,. Cannon), as the man present the father of the greatest number of children —thirty-nine. It is noedless to add that this was in Mormondom. Fatal Accidbnt.—The " Doseret News" reports a fatal accidm-.t having happened on June 29Sh, at Sdlr Lake Oity, to a lute Kaiapoi resident. Wm, Edmunds Knight, a son of Mr T. Knight, Akaroa stroe\ Kaiapoi, employed at digging clev at Bro. Brain's brickyard, Twenty-first Ward, had gone to his work as usual at. 5 a.m., and between that hour and six o'clock ho was found bur'ed under a maea of earth, his feet only exposed. Steps wero taken to extract his body, whioh wan quite lifeless. Deceased, who was twentyseven years of age, had arrived fivo weeks before from New Zealand, and leaves a wife and two children. He had obtained a standing in co:::;ecMon with the Mormon church, and was appointed a teacher in his ward.

Kaiapoi Hobough School Committer A special meeting was held on Thursday evening ; present, Messrs Pdirnham (chairman), Porter, Mathews, Moore, Pushby, Coup, and Fraser. A. letter was read from Miss M. Hscienee Kiufmau, resigning her position as infant mistress, in consequence of having accepted an appointment at Timaru tide school, and afkicg to bo allowed to leave before September let if her successor wag appointed. It was decided, " That Mies Kaufman's resignation bo accepted, and that she be allowed to leave as soon as her successor 16 appointed, and that leave be obtained from the B>ard of Education to advertiso for a mistress to take charge of the infant school." The committee then adjourned. A Fan ta(j?)stic Discussion.—Members grew quite facetious in the House last evening while d ucuj«ing clause 9 of the Gaming and Latteries Bill, which declares Chinese fan tan to be an illegal name. The fun commenced by Mr George inviting Mr Dick, who was in charge of the Bill, to explain what fan tan was, a suggestion which Mr Bowen, who questioned whether fan tan was much more than a game of 100, highly approved of. This wag too much for the refined nature of Mr Speight, who hoped that Mr Dick would not corrupt their morals by doing anything of the kind. Mr Bryco ventured the brilliant suggestion that fan tan might be Chinese for ohest, while Mr Beeves said that at any rate it might ho as innocent as kies in the ring. He thought that if Mr Dick did not know what it was he should postpone the clause until he learned tho game. The Colonial Secretary admitted his ignorance, but thought that the members of the Council, from whom the Bill had been received, know all about it. Dr. Wallie, however, whoso knowledge of Chinese social peculiarities is prodigious, gave the required explanation, and, after a few more pleasantries had been indulged in, during whioh Mr Saeehan—who, no doubt, spoke with much feeling - mentioned that thirty new hats had changed hands over the late division, the clause was passed.

The Liquor Traffic in Holland.—Tho Dutch Parliament has passed a Bill dealing with the abuse of alcoholic liquors in Holland. The maximum number of licensed houses is to be in future one for every 500 inhabitants in cities containing over 50,000; ono for every 400 inhabitants in towns of 20,000 to 50,000 people ; one for every 300 persons in places containing from 10,000 to 20,000 inhabitants ; and one for every 250 people in all places inhabited by a population of less than 10,000. The Bill also provides that all persona convicted of drunkenness in any publio place shall be punished with imprisonment without the option of a fine.

Hard Swbabing.—A curious case of reckless swearing is reported from Q-rcenook. A woman who had unwittingly entered the Greenock Police Court by the prisoners' entrance was placed by a constable at the bar for trial. Two other constables promptly swore that she was a Mrs MrGuire, who had been guilty of a breach of the peace. The poor woman was convicted, and fined 10s, or five days' imprisonment. The clerk read the sentence, and as the woman was being led from the bar she told the policeman in oharge of her that her name was McLeod, and that the had come into Court to look for her husband. The Judge then inquired into the matter, and discharged Mrs McLeod. Thereupon the real Mrs McGuire was brought up, the two constables again swore against her as they had already done against Mrs McLecd, and the Judge passed the same sentence.

Entbbtaining the Poob. —An articlo in the "Oornhill," by the wife of a London clergyman, headed " At Home to tho Poor," has been attracting a good deal of attention, and will probably bear fruit abundantly during the coming summer season. She recommends, and has already illustrated by successful praotice the course of inviting email parties of the toiling poor to enjoy and rcf ■ esh themselves in private houses and pie sure grounds, the party being in each caso selected by those best acquainted ■with the neighborhood whence they are to be invited. The guests may bo from twenty to fifty or more, according to the extent of the entertainer's premises. And Mrs Barnett well points out that the interior of a well-furnished, even if not a highly-decorated mansiin, is full of interesting novelty for the toiling poor, and dwells strongly also upon the high value set by the very poorest of the poor on a personal welcome.

Thb Bbbmugai Mystery, Paragraph's have from time to time appeared concerning the mysterious disappearance of a survey party (Messrs Lament, YouDg asd others) who started in a boat from Bermugai, N.B.W, towards the end of last year. The boat was found bottom up, but nothing could be found of the passengers. The police, it is said, are in possession of faots which have convincod thatn that the whole party wore murdered. A German has smce disappeared. The police have a clue to this man, and are now searching for him. It is expected that they will shortly obtain further facta to throw light on this extraordinary affair. Thb Whisky Tblegbaph.—An ingonious method of checkmating the new prohibitory liquor law of North Carolina has (says the " St. James' Gazette" ) been discovered. Brevard township, on the French Broad Kiver, was made "dry "by the act of the Legislature. Tho township on the opposite side of the river is " wot." The latter is situated on a high bluff overtopping the opposite banes. Two ropes have been stretched from the top of the bluff on the wet side to tho lower bank on the dry side. Between these a basket is suspended on sliders, with other ropes attached to pull it back and forth. When a man on tho dry bank wants a drink he goes down to the river and blows a horn kept there for the purpose. Then the barkeeper hails him from the other side, and asks I him what he wants. The order is given for a " whisky straight," "corn and rook," or" cock tail," as the case may be. This is put in the basket, which is quickly drawn on the opposite [ side ot tho river, where it io taken out and drunk, and the price of the drink or drinks put in. The basket is then pulled back to the bluff and hung up for a future call. This novel practice is known by the name of " whisky telegraphing," and is found to bo a groat convenience to the dry township. Cbimb in Sydney.—At the Sydney Water Police Oourt 10,000 cases have been heard during the past half-year, irrespective of those in the Summons Court. This is an increase of nearly 5000 cases as compared with the first half of last year. On one day recently there wero 100 cases for hearing at the Central Police Court, nine-tenths of which arose out of drunkenness or vagrancy. Mobb Light.—The Brush electric light ia now employed in the foreign newspaper-room of tho General Post-office in London. Tho temperature and light ore said to be both greatly improved, sixteen lamps of 2000candle power having taken the place of tho previously used 400 gas jets. Lyttblton Bbass Band.—A concert, in aid of this recently-formed band, was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton, on Thursday night. Dr. Rouse presided j and a first-rate programme waß produced to » fairly numerous audi >nce. The strength of the band is now twenty-seven, fifteen of whom took part in the overtures given at the concert. Mr Bowles, the instructor, has been thoroughly successful in getting together in port a sufficient number of pupils to encourage him in continuing his weekly visits, and the performances of tho 1 band at tho concert could not be otherwise I than gratifying to him. Xho proceeds of the lentertainmont will bo devoted to defraying the cost of instruments.