NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2296, 12 August 1881, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY

A Vessel Destroyed by Fibb.—A ketch, named the XXX, was destroyed by fire early this moiT’ng, while she was lying hi Mr Miller’s s'ip, in Corsair Bay, near Lyttelton.

Lyttelton Eesidbnt Magistrate's Court. —This forenoon, in the case of Elizabeth Andrews, for vagrancy, remanded the other day at this Conrt, Mr Beswiok, E M., now said he had seen Mr J. E. March, and he had arranged to give her another chance, and would take her Into the depot. The woman was then strongly cautioned and discharged. —William Oldfield appeared to ask leave to withdraw tho information laid by him against some boys for wilful destruction of garden pronerly. Leave was granted.—The police prewired a charge of keeping the Saxon Hotel, on Norwich Quay, open during prohibited hours. Charles Bead, seaman on board the cutter Hero, said last Wednesday evening, at twenty minutes past eleven, he and a man named Tom Callow were in the hotel. He had a bed engaged in the hotel, and was a boarder there when not staying on board the vessel. Was not a drinking man, T. Callow, of the Saucy Lass, said he was in company with the last witness, and was in the hotel, but had nothing to drink. He also had a bed engaged in the hotel, and intended to remain all night, but the arrival of the police frightened them on board, where they remained. It was shown that several men were oa the promises, all of whom, when questioned by the police, said they were boarders. The case was dismissed, —Hawkins was charged with behaving in a threatening manner towards Neil Henry on Saturday last. The behaviour complained of was alleged to have occurred outside plaintiff’s house, and had its origin a squabble between the children belonging to the parties. The Bench advised the complainant and defendant to keep oloar of each other for the future, and not come again before the court, or in all probability they would each be bound over.—A civil case J. S. Oliver v Lester, claim £7 12a 6J, was admitted by the defendant, and judgment given for amount claimed and oostc, Q. Howe v Nichols, judgment summons for £5 19a. Ordered to pay £1 per month, in default go to prison for two months. Athletic Club. —A committee meeting of the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club was held at the Commercial Hotel on Thursday evening. Present: Messrs C. O. Ourfe (in the chair), Anson, Neville, Wilding, Hawkea, . Lewie, Fergusson, Campbell, Parker, Babinson, and Hunt. The date of the sports was fixed for Saturday, tho 15th, and Monday, the 17th, of October. A programme, consisting of twenty-one events, was drawn up, and will be published when the order baa been arranged.

New Zealand Shipping Company. —The eighth annual general mooting of the company was held at the head offices, Hereford street, at noon to-day. There was a good attendance of shareholders. The deputy chairman (Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley) occupied the chair. The chairman stated that forty-five proxies had been received, representing 3908 shares. Tho annual report was taken as read (copies having been distributed), and. after the usual statement from the chairman, was adopted by the meeting without comment. The balance-sheet showed a profit on tho year’s transactions of £40,956 6j lOd, the sum of £2S,CCO being appropriated to the reserve fund, and the company pay a dividend of 10 per cent, for the year. Tho retiring directors wore re-elected, and tho auditors for the past year were also reappointed. The usual votes of thanks were then passed, after which the meeting terminated.

Theatbb Royal. —The performance by the Lyons’ Tourist company last evening at tho Theatre Boyal was for the benefit of Mies Nina Tollooh. A varied programme was submitted, which seemed to be most thoroughly appreciated by the audience. Tonight Miss Emily Fox takes a benefit, when a very good bill will be presented.

Congest. —A most successful concert was given last evening in the schoolroom at the back of Bt. Asaph etreet United Methodist Free Church, by the choir, assisted by Mr J. Pooley’s orchestral band, the Misses Fisher and Hamilton, Messrs Johnson and Cunnington, and Masters P. and A. Herman. The programme consisted of selections by the band, solos, duets, part songs and glees, Miss Bowron presiding at the piano. The room was filled with a large and appreciative audience, who encored most of the songs. The proceeds are in aid of the trust funds of the above church. New Joebnai.—We understand that anew weekly paper, in the interests of the licensed victuallers and the trade generally, will be published in Christchurch at the beginning of next month. Good Tempiaby. —The following have been installed officers of the Olearbrook Lodge, Waterton :—W.C.T., Bro. O. Schultz ; W.V.T., Bro. J. Pearson ; W. 8., Bro. S. W. Norrifih (re-elected) ; W.F.8., Bro, A. Norrish (re-elected); W.T., Bro. Houston ; W 0., Bro.' B. Williams j W.M., Bro. Or. Adams; W.D.M., Bco. Bembo; W.T.GK, Bro. W. Hookings; W.GKC.,Bro. W. Syder; W.A.S., Bro. Brian ; W.K.S , Sister Schultz ; W.L., Sister Norrish. Lyttelton Y.M.M.I. Society. —The usual weekly meeting of the Lyttelton Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association was held on Wednesday evening last, there being an overage attendance of members. The evening was taken up in the discussion of “ Free Trade v Protection,” Messrs S. B. Webb, B. J. McWilliams, J. T. Knight, and S Brown supporting protection, while Messrs B Dunlop, T. Fogarty, J. D. Watson, J. B. Milsom, and T. L. Smith handled the question of free trade. The vote of members was cast in favor of the upholders of free trade. The Eev. James Hill, who was present as a visitor, expressed himself highly pleased with the discussion, and at the request of members gave in his name to become a member of the society. After announcing the business for next week, the meeting o'osjd by the Bov. J. Hill pronouncing the benediction.

Sunday School Association. The monthly meeting of the Diocesan Sunday School Association was held at St. Luke’s Church last evening. The meeting was numerously attended, tho Rey, Mr Lingard occupying the chair. A lecture was delivered by the Rev. T. Elavell on “ The Revised Edition of tho “ Now Testament.” Tho lecturer began by intimating that he did not purpose discussing in a critical spirit the nature of the alterations made, and then gave a short history of the work of revision, remarking that it was the work of twenty-four of the leading scholars of tho day, of whom nineteen were attached to the Church of England. Proceeding further, he entered on a comparison of the two versions of the Bible, viz—tho Old or authorised version, and the New, or recently revised. The lecture, which proved highly interesting, was followed by discussion, and the meeting terminated with votes of thanks to the lecturer and the chairman. Lyttelton Cricket Club. —A meeting was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lyttelton, tho other night, for the purpose of organising a cricket club. There were about twenty intending members present, and it was decided to form a club. Messrs T. L Smith, Mitchell, Griffiths, and Wood were appointed a committee to canvas for members, tho subscription yearly to be five shillings. Mr O. Wood was appointed secretary, and another meeting will be held as soon as the movement has resolved itself into a tangible shape. Lobhbn Spabbow Club. —A meeting of Sparrow Club committee was hold in tho aohool-room on Monday evening last, when tho treasurer, Mr D. Brock, reported that the finances were in a flourishing condition. The members urged the necessity of immediate action in supporting a petition to the General Assembly for an Act, either local to Cantor buryjor otherwise, rendering tho suppression of the sparrow nuisance compulsory, and for that purpose requested their secretary, Hr S. Harwell, to apply to the Christchurch Society for a copy of tho draft, of the petition to the General Assembly, and for any information which may be useful.

t District Court.—ln the case of H. 0. I Young v Spaokman, heard at the District. O jurt yesterday, Mr Spaokman, at the dost' ■ of the plaintiff ’a cate, gave evidence on lim I own behalf, denying utterly what had been i stated by Mr and Mrs Young, and also called evidence to show that the charges . made were fair and reasonable. Mr Holmes ‘ recalled the plaintiff to rebut this evidence, t His Honor delivered judgment to-day for the , plaintiff for £2B 18s 44 and costs. The case t of the Trust and Agency Company v Morten , was adjourned till next sitting. Lobobn.—A oonoert,in aid of the funds of the 1 Loburn and North Loburn libraries, was held in the schoolroom on Wednesday evening, 10th inst., and was well attended, the room being crowded with residents and visitors. The entertainment consisted of songs of Scotland, with Scotch readings and recitations, and proved to be highly enjoyable. The chair was taken by Mr J. A. Cunningham. The following ladies and gentlemen took part >n the proceedings :—Miss Lilly, Mrs Field, Mrs G. Harwell, Mrs Smith, and Mesars Good, Barkley, Hunter, Dick, 0. Wilson, Chisholm, Duncan, Bunting, Bailey, Brook, and Smith. Mr Searell presided at the pianoforte. Mr MaoOlean, the prize piper of the North Canterbury Caledonian Society, also attended, and played several airs in a manner that to Scottish ears must have been very pleasant. After votes of thanks to the performers and chairman, the room was cleared, and dancing carried on some time with great vigour and enjoyment. Sponge Oulxijbe.— From the recentlyissued report of Professor Baird, the Fish Commissioner to the United States, we glean some very interesting facts regarding the recent’ development of this industry. Among the more recent enterprises in the wav of the artificial propagation of aquatic animals is that relating to the artificial propagation of the sponge of commerce. Professor Oscar Schmidt, of the University of Gratz, has been so successful in hit preliminary efforts in this direction that the Austrian Government have authorised him to attempt the development of the industry on the coast of Dalmatia. The process is very simple, consisting in selecting the proper season in the spring, dividing a living marketable sponge into numerous small pieces, and then fastening them to slakes driven into tho sea bottom. These fragments at once begin to grow out, and at the end of a given time each one becomes an entire sponge. According to Dr. Schmidt, three years is a sufficient length of time to obtain from very small pieces fairsized sponges. In one experiment the cost of raising 40C0 sponges amounted only to £9, and this included the interest for three years on tho capital employed.

An Eiecxbioal Boat. —There seems some prospect (remarks a home paper) of electricity taking the place of steam as a motive power in launches, yachts, and even small boats. The other day M. JETaure might have been seen disporting himself with two companions in a small boat on the Seine between the Pont Boyal and the Pont des Arts for nearly two hours, without any visible sign of effort. The boat, which was 17ft long and 4ft wide, was urged through the water by means of the electric current. This was supplied by a battery of twelve Wallaston cells, which weighed about half a hundredweight, and the current was passed through a small electro* motor no heavier than 51bs. The power thus produced amounted to rather more than the force of an able-bodied rower, and it was utilised in turning a little screw attached to the stern of the boat in a niche out out of the rudder. The speed attained was about four feet per second, or eighty yards per minute, and the smoothness of the motion was very pleasing. There was neither jar nor noise, a condition which admirably fits the electrical boat, not only for pleasure, but for sporting purposes, whether angling or wild fowl shooting. Another advantage is that the electric apparatus can be readily applied to any existing craft with little alteration of the boat. The experiments are about to be repeated on the Bois de Boulogne lake, and if the first success is borne out, we may ere long hope to see the novelty adopted on tho Thames.

A Hoebiblb Disease. —A terrible disease has broke out among tho Chinamen employed on the Canada - Pacific la'lroad works in British Columbia. The case of a Chinese cook will serve to illustrate the phases of this strange malady. He eat down, apparently perfectly well, to eat his dinner. His feet began to swell, and the swelling extended itself up his legs and body, reaching a vital part in about ten minutes, causing his abdomen and chest to expand in a most unnatural manner, and he tumbled down dead, all in less than fifteen minutes from the time the disease attacked him. In this way these people are dying in dozens.

IBISH FbBLING TOWABD3 ENGLAND.— Says the “ Pall Mall Budget If anybody wonders why the Irish should not love England, let him look at the comic papers just now. Hatred and contempt glisten in every lino of these caricatures of the national type. It may be said that such things as these are trifles, and that Irishmen do not mind. It may he so, for anything that we know ; but, if it is, then the Irish are more callous than any other people ever were before. As a matter of fact, it is pretty certain that they do mind, and that these ferocious satires, showered by a strong, dominant people on a very weak one, produce an angrier and a deeper resentment than would come of ever so many harsh laws. Nobody woo’d bo so stung as an Englishman by odious caricatures like those which he relishes without scruple when directs i against Irishmen. Yet we profess to be amazed at Irish ingratitude and aniipalhy towards us. Ambbblbt E.M. Ooubt.—At this Court on Thursday on Thursday, before O. Whitefoord, R.M., and Messrs Broad foot, Courage and Fendall, J.P.’s., the following civil cisoa were tendered :—lnnes v Clark, claim £8 6s 6d; paid into Court £5 10s lOd. Judgment for amount paid in, and £1 5s 2d and costs. Clearer v Newton, £l9 18s ; and Newton v Clearer, £7. Judgment for £1214s in first case, and £4 16s in latter. White and Ho. v Sheridan. Adjourned. Same v Johns'on. Adjourned. Same v Bussell, £lO 103 2d. Judgment for plaintiff, with costs. Same v. J. Shaw, claim 6s. In this case defendant was reprimand for not showing a receipt ha held when repeatedly asked to by plaintiff, and had also to pay costs. Kowei Boad Board v Olanncy, claim for rates, Is 6d. Judgment for defendant, with expenses and costs. Same vE. Dillon, 19s 6d. Judgment fwr plaintiff. Same vD. Q-orrie. Judgment for amount and cost. Same v B. Parker, Bs. Judgment for amount end costs, defendant’s objection to a postal card notice not being upheld. Same v E. Sheldon, 4s 6d. Judgment by default. Same v Frew, 43. Withdrawn, defendant pleading that he was a weekly tenant. Same vR. Wornall, 10s. Defendant produced a receipt, aud the case was withdrawn, Same vA. Bailey, £1 Is. Judgment for plaintiff and costs. Protection orders were granted to Mrs Harper and Mrs Kooh. A temporary transfer of the Hurunui Hotel license was granted from J. Haxall to J, Howell.

Hoaxing the Papbbe.—There was a little excitement in Downing-street about midnight recently, says the “ World,” Some one sent round to the papers —those pigeon flyers are always at work on the Sabbath —information to the effect that Mr Gladstone was seriously ill, it not dead. In one case the death of the Prime Minister was actually sent round. The right hon. gentleman’s slumbers must have been considerably disturbed by the arrival of vehicle after vehicle at the official residence, carrying the chroniquers intent on obtaining the fullest details of bis last moments. He was, however, in most excellent health, and he and his household had retired to rest for at least an hour before the plague of chronifuers arrived. There were a few imprecatione heard in tho neighborhood, and some of them came unofficially from out the windows of the official residence. Ashburton Hunt Club.—At two o’clock yesterday afternoon tho third meet of the season took place at Mr Joseph Hunt’s, Wakanui, the hounds being thrown off in a paddock near tho homestead. Mr M. Stitt acted as huntsman, Mr Winter as whip. Three ladies graced tho meet with their presence. The array of horsemen numbered about fifty. The weather was fine, and a capital run concluded shortly after half-peat three o’clock. Several spills occurred, but no serious injury was sustained by horse or rider.