NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2304, 23 August 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

Thb MuxicrrAL Elections. —lt is generally understood that Mr F. Jenkins has dec del not to contest the South east ward against Messrs Hulbert an.i Manning, but t hat in compliance with a requuition now being numerously signed, he will stand for election for tb.B vacancy caustd in the South-west ward, occasioned by the retirement of Councillor C. B. Taylor. Mr Taylor, it is stated, will not feek re-election as a councillor, his intention being to contest the Majority. In the North-east ward one vacancy ccours, and Cju' ci'.'or W. S. King having decided not to stand for re-election, it is to be hoped that iome gentleman having time and ability may be induced to offer liinißcif as a candidate. In the North-west ward an <x!raordina;y vacancy occurs through the resigra'.ion of Ooucoilier Cherril!, who has left the colony. A second vacancy in this ward occurs through the retirement of Councillor Lambert. For these two vacancies the only names at present men tioned as probable candidates are those of M usra J. P. Oliver and 'W. E. Samuels. Rxsidpnt Magistkatb'B Cotjet.—This morning, before R. Westenra, Esq., Isabella Leckie, for being found drunk, was fined 10s, or in dei'ault of payment, to be imprisoned forty-eight hours. A similar case against a man, his first offence, was adjourned till the following day. Lyttklton Naval Bbigade.—A parade of the brigade was held on Monday night, at Port, at which the following appointments were made :Mr A. Bunker, chief petty officer ; Mr A. Arnold, first-class petty officer; and Messrs Teaguo and Najlor, second-class petty officers. Mr Thickens was subsequently at a general meeting held, elected a committeeman, vine Mr Raven, resigned. Diocbsan Synod.—The usual opening osrvice in connection with the Diocesan Synod was held at St. Michael's Church this morning, and the session of the Synod was opened at the College Library at 2.30 this afterneon, by his Lordship the Primate.

Municipal Election.—A meeting of the supporters of Mr Hnlbert as a candidate tor the south-east ward will be held this evenrog at the Gaiety Theatre. . .. OITT Election. —A meeting of the rate•payers of the south-east ward of the city, supporting the candidature of Mr 8. Manning for south-east ward, was held at his committee rooms, High street, at eight o'clock last evening. A large and influential committee was appointed, and arrangoments made for canvassing the ward. Atonsidb OHT7BCH. —Some few years since the old chancel of this church was replaced by the present handsome stone building, and it has now been determined to reconstruct the nave and tower, in harmony with tho newer portion of the building. Phillipsxown Conouegational Services.—The first of a series of revival services for the present week, to be continued nightly, was held last evening in tho schoolroom, Phillipstown, the Rev. H. B. Williaois, of Trinity Congregational Church, presiding. INTEBCOLONIAL WbATHEB ExCHANGB. — Sydney, Monday evening : A depression :s forming over New South Wales, and will bring thick S.E. weather and risir.g sea on tho coast South of Sydney. The barometer in tho western interior is 30.4; at Bathurst, 29 8; Sydney, 30.; and Hobart, 30 2. Drainage Boabd.—A lengthy meetirg of the Drainage Board was held yesterday, when a large amount of routine business was disposed of. A special meeting will be held at noon to-morrow, to approve of boundaries and settle the notice of striking a rate. Theatbical.—A tolegram has been received by Mr Beatty from Mr Walter Reynolds, who is now in Sydney, Btating that he has engaged the Opera Bouffe Company recently brought to Australia by Mr George Musgrov:, whoso production of ''La Fille uo Tambour Major," has created such a furore in Melbourne and Sydney. Tho company, whioh includes Miso Pattie Laverne and u number of artistes of European reputation, is expecled to arrive here in November next. MAeiSTBATBS' COTTitT, KAIAPOI. —At this Court on Monday, before C. Whitefoord.Ejq , R.M., J. Armstrong and G. Kolbo, owners of horses found at large, wore fined 5j each. A youth named T. Powell was charged by Constable Johnston with having thrown a stone at a house on 19th at 9 p.m. Accused pleaded doing tho aot unwittingly. The Magistrate cautioned him, and dismissed the case, as the sergeant stated [the boy was usually well behaved. Judgment was give.i for plaintiffs in cases of G. BT. Blackwell v F. Bernays, 10s 6d; F. Horrell vE. Bearwood, £7 8s 3d, and Same v J. Bailey, £l6 Bd. A rehearing in case of Rollinaon v Dale was refused. Kaiapoi Island Nokth School. —The chairman of the committee of this school has roceived the report of tho recent examination Ifrom the inspector to the effect that tho total number of scholars presented in standards were paised. The present results, he adds, would appear to be unusually favorable, but they really represent two years' work, and the passing now of tho former master's classes, acholars who Bhould, bo me of them, have been able to pass a year ego, and oro still very backward for their age. The school was efficiently conducted by the present master, Mr John Matthews, with Mrs Matthews as mistress, and satisfactory progress had been made

Ambeelbt Fabubbb' Club.—Tho fort■nightly meeting of this club was held in the anteroom of the Town Hall on Thursday. There wag a good attendance. In the unavoidable absence of the hon. secretary on business cjnnectod with the Farmers' Cooperative Association, Mr A. McDonald acted as secretary. Several matters of general interest were discussed, and considerable interest appeared to be evinced in the successful (floaticg of the Farmer's Co-operative Company.

Masoxic.—A meeting of representatives of Lodges hailing under the English constitution was held last night at the Canterbury Masonic Hall to consider the advisablonees of establishing a general Lodge of Instruction. The Lodges represented were 8t .Augustine, Southern CroBS (Kaiapoi), Lincoln, Cocyers, Canterbury and Concord. Tho Deputy District G-.M. Bro. H. Thomson occupied the chair. 'Resolutions affirming the desirableness of establishing a general Lodge of Instruction were carried, and a number of suggestions for carrying out tbe details of the proposal were agreed to, for submission to d. goneral meeting of the craft to be convened at an early date. The meeting then adjourned for a fortnight.

Spbingston Wbslbyan Chithch.—The special religious services which havo been held during the past fortnight have attracted much attention and been largely attended. They are being continued during the whole of this week. There have boon one or two special features in connection with these services. On two or three occasions ladies have delivered addresses. An all-night prayer meeting was held for men only, and solo singing has been introduced with very pleasing effect. Friday next will be devoted to temperance, and next Sunday evening the Rev. J. S. Smalley will probably close the mission by a special address. Meetings of a similar character are expected to be held in all the other churches of the Bpriugston circuit at an early date.

New System op Teaching Wbiting.— A Southern contemporary says : —Mr E. F. Burnett, for many years principal of a scholastic establishment in one of the suburbs at Melbourne, and now master of a State school near Lyttelton, has devised a new series of copy boohs, which the North Canterbury Board of Education have forwarded to the Education Department for approval. In these books copies are Bet embodying Mr Barnett's system of teaching writing, with instructions on tho top of each page as to how the various letters are to be formad, so that no difficulty ought to present itself to any teacher üßing them. The books are seven in number ; the first being for infants, the others for those in Standards I. to VI. inolusive ; the last being a commercial hand. For his plan Mr Barnett claims superiority over that in general u*e, in that tho latter depends entirely on tho power of imitation that the pupil possesses, whilst he explains what has to bo done, and assists the pupil to do it. It is further claimed that this is the first attempt that has been made to depart from the old syatem, and that it has stood with success the test of many yearn* experieno;. Two Natives Deowned.—Fnur Maoris, named C. Tikau, Eppy, Billy Billy, and Big Jim, left Akaroa at dusk on Friday for Wainui in a small boat, some of them being the worse for drink. When about half-way across tho sail became foul, and one of them climbed the mast and overturned the boat. As it was by this time dark they wore not seen from the shore. They climbed on to the bottom of the boat, but were several times washed off. Big Jim and Billy Billy became exhausted after hanging on for an hour and were drowned. The cries of the other two were heard by Billy's wife and another woman, who were on the look out for their husbands. They succeeded in launching a punt, and then found the plug out, with no means of stopping it, so that one woman had to plug tho holo with her finger while tho other worked the oars. They were but just in time, as the two survivors were on the point of giving up, being so oxhausted that on trying to get them into the punt off the bottom of the boat they went under the water, the women just catching them by the hair, both men boins unconscious. The women then made for tho kianga and got the men to their houses, and by the aid of blankets and a good fire consciousness was restored. Although boats have been dragging all day, the bodies have not been recovered.

Ohitbch op the Good Shephebd, Phillipstown.—For some tirno past the above church has been found too email to contain the Church of England worshippers in tho district, and accordingly a mooting of the parishioners wbb held in the church last evening to consider tho proposal to erect a new church. The attendance was moderate. The Rev. H. J. 0. Gilbert presided, and stated the object of mcetirg, calling attontion to tho plans which had been propared for tho new brick and stone edifice, by Mr B. W. Mount fort, which is calculated to seat about 380 adults, the estimated cost being £3500. Mr John Ollivier proposed—" That this meeting, fully recognising the great need of the proposed building, pledges itself to support the Vestry to the utmost of its power in procuring the new church, according to tho designs furnished by Mr Mountfort." Ho urged the claims of tho district to increased ohurch accommodation in a forciblo speech. Mr Carroll, in seconding the motion, remarked on the cause they had for congratulating the Bev. H. J. 0. Gilbert, seeing that the church attendance was double what it was a year ago, when that gentleman first took charge of the parish. The motion was carried unanimously. Messrs J. Ollivier, Carroll, Bowlker, Parkin, Maguire, and the Inoumbent, were appointed a committee to give effect to the resolution, and take stops to raise the necessary Sasdj.

Thbatbb Royal.—The bill of Saturday evening was repeated last night at the theatre. The same piece will be played to-night for the laat time, and for to-morrow " Eustaohe, the Convict," is announced. Railway Locomotives.—The number of looomotivce in use on the New Zealand Railways on 31at March last was 107, distributed as follows :-Hurunui Bluff line, 118; Wellington, 17 ; Auckland, 16 ; Wanganui, 15 ; Napior, 9 ; Now Plymouth, 7; Nelson, Pioton, and Greymouth, each 3 ; Wostport, Kaipara, and Wbangarei, each 2. The engines on the Hurunui Bluff line are of no fewer than eighteen different olassos. The Abhbubton Hunt Club.—The harriers belonging to this club gave the inhabitants of Leeston and Southbridge the enjoyment of a day's hunting ou Saturday last. The meet was arranged to take placo at Mr Lawrence's, Ravenaworth Farm, but owing to jilnoss in his family it was altered to Lenaghan's oorner, whore, punctually to the appointed time, 2 p.m., about 100 horsemen met. Tho Messrs taundera acted as master and first whip respectively. The drag was carried over eomo atiffish country (wire being very prominent in most of the fences) belongiLg to Messrs ipmon, Hogg, Lowrie, and McOlure, the first spell being given close to tho Killinchy church. After hulf-nn-hour's rest the return journey was mado over very similar country. Soveral trifling spills occurred during tho run, but no accident of any moment happened to any of the riders. Mr W. Woodman's aiaro Forsaken fell, however, at tho laat jump, and is feared to have sustained a severe injury to ita back. She was carefully led to the Leeston Hotel, and is at present confined in one of Spring's horseboxes. In addition to those who followed the hounds there was a large number of visitors, male and female, in buggies and on horseback, who from the road hud a good view of the «Dort, and seemed thoroughly to enjoy it.— Yesterday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, some thirty horsemen mustered at the back of Harris's Hotel, Winslow, Mr S. Saunders acting as mas tor nf the hounds. The horses jumped splendidly, and some nice going took place, chiefly over goree fences, hardly a baulk occurring. The run began through Mr Foster's land, thence across the Longbeach road, through Mr Sycamore's into Mr Morris's, where the first kill resulted After this the course was in a north-westerly direction back towards tho hotel, the first fecce proving a rasper, and bringing one rider down. The final oouple of fences were got over without a spill, and a pleasant day's enjoyment wound up with a second kill on a piece of tussock ground adjoining the Longbeach road. Local Boabd ot Health—The Board met yesterday at 5 p.m. Present—Messrs R. J.. S. Harman (chairman), W. White, juu, H. J. Tancred, und F. Hobbs. It was resolved that the chairman oommunioate with tho Government respecting the state of drainage at the Asylum and tho Addington Gaol. . Tho Chairman oaid, in reference to that por- , tion of Dr. Nedwill's report of August sth, ' 1881, which refers to the danger to be apprehended from an outbreak of smallpox in this health district, I beg to call the Board's attention to clause 164 of the Publio Health Act, 1876, which is as follows —"Every ohild admitted to any sohool which shall be main- , tained in whole or in part by grant, or from rates or any public funds, or by any endowments, whether colonial provincial, municipal, ' or district, shall be vaccinated by a public vaccinator, unless such child shall have been previously vaccinated." This provision, if properly carried out, would ensure tho examination, and vaccination if necessary, of the pupils attending all the Government schools, and the Boys' and Girls' High Schools in this district. I would therefore beg to suggest that the Board of Education, and the governing authorities of the other schools mentioned above, should be asked to arrange at as early ■ a dato as possible for the inspection of all the pupils attending the sohools under their con- ' trol, in order that any pupils who have not already been vaccinated may be vaccinated without further loss of time. The latter portion of clause 164 quoted above provides that, 1 ' In the case of persons above the age of sixteen the examination shall be conducted by a legally qualified medical practitioner, and the person, if necessary, be vaccinated by him." It was reported that the nuisance on tho Gasworks rood had been abated, and the draft Bill for the amended Health Act was laid before the Board. It was resolved that the Board approve of tho suggestions of the chairman with reference to the vaccination of school children. Tho Board then adjourned. Mb Pboudpoot's Claim.—Another large claim which will probably come before the law courts shortly is one by Mr Froudfoat ogainßt tho Government for £25,000 in connection with the Western railways and unsettled claims on the Awamoko railway contracts. The greater portion of the above amount is on account of the Western railways, under an agreement of arbitration with the late Provincial Government, and which it appears no engineer of the Government can certify to. We ("Daily Times") understand that Mr Proudfoot holds a certificate signed by the ex-Minister of Public Works, W. J. M. Larnach, Esq., for £14,500 of the above amount, bnt has not yet received payment. This will afford some work for tho lawyers, but nothing in comparison to the work whioh the lawyers will have over the claims of the Messrs Brogd»n against tho Government, which we believe amount in round numbers to the sum of £276,000. Suicide of an Actob Yesterday's " Times" gives the following particulars concerning the death of Mr Hooper : —About five o'clock on Saturday evening a man named Joseph Charles Farquharson reported to Police-constable Dwyer that an actor named James A. Hooper, with whom he had been living in Regent terrace, off Filleul street, had committed suicide by hanging. The constable, ou pro3eeding to the place, found the deoeaßcd suspecded from a beam in a coal house by a clothes line, with tho lips of his toes just touching the ground. His legs were tied together with a portion of the rope, and his hands w&re fastened together by mfans of a necktie. The body was immediately cut down, and Dr. Martin, who was sent for, pronounced life to have been extinct for some tirre. Mr Farquharson states that on going home at 450 p.m. ho found a note on the table, in deceased's handwriting, stating that he had committed suicide, and would be found in the coalhouse. Hooper had frequently told him that be would " end his trouble quick." The deceased was in very poor circumstances ; and judging from a letter whioh waß found on mrn, it would appear that his wife (who, as Miss Bessie Vivian, is well known in the theatrical world) and he had had some disagreement. An inquest will not be held until to-morrow, so that Miss Vivian, who is at preoont in Ohristchurch, may be enabled to attend. Deceased had two sisters residing in Auckland. A Labge TJndebtaxihg.—The Edinburgh correspondent of the " Daily Times" says : There appears to be a strong probability that the construction of tho Forth Bridge will, after all, be proceeded with without excessive delay. The different railway companies interested in the undertaking, viz., tho North British, Midland, Noi-th-Enstern, and Great Northern, have agreed to modify the arrange, ments formerly entered into by them with the Forth Bridge Company, and a meeting of the shareholders of tho last-named body is accordingly called for the 11th July, to consider tho desirability of withdrawing the Bill now before Parliament, authorising the abandonment of the scheme. It is expected that tho new arrangement will re£ult in improvements both in the construction of the bridge itself and in the route to the North—of which it will form a part. So powerful a coalition as that named ought to ensure the erection of this great structure as speedily as is consistent with safety. It is stated in this morning's papers that the companies named have separately procured plans, with esticiibtea, Cor tho construction of the bridge, tho lowest estimate being £1,388,000, while that of the late Sir Thomas Bouoh was £1,116,000. The railway companios have given a joint guarantee to tho Forth Bridge Company to the extent of £2,001,000, apportioned as follows : —North British, 30 per cent, of tho whole; Great Northern and North-Eaatftim jointly, 32£ per cent.; and Midland, 37£ per cent. The shareholders of tho Forth Bridge Company who have already ontered o i the scheme are to be guaranteed 4 per cont. on their money, The bridge is to be erected on tho site previously chosen, at Queeneferry. Steam Communication with England.— The Wellington "Post" says : Panama Canal, when finished, will be the national highway between New Zealand and i Great Britain, the course being, as nearly as possible, a direct lino throughout. The distance from Panama is shorter to Wellington i than to any other New Zealand port, and that Wellington is destined, sooner or later, to bo , the terminus of a line of steamers by that I route no one can doubt. With a dry dook of • adequate capacity, the supremacy of Wei- ■ lington as the maritime entrepot of New Zealand would be indisputable."

A Foonsn Maiden.—Lovers of the tragioal and romantic are surely on the increase in Danedin. We (" Daily Times ") learn that a young girl about fifteen years of age recently, through some disagreement with her parents, who reside at Roslyn, ran away from home. The police having been communicated with on 1 tho matter, the runaway maiden was brought back under the care of a constable. While this individual was in conversation with the mother of the girl, the latter proceeded to her bedroom, took some liquid aconito, and was found shortly afterwards in convulsions. Medical assistance was at once procured, and an emetic administered, whereby any dagger which threatened the girl on account of her rash act waß averted. St. John's Temperance Socibty.—The usual meeting of this society was held in the schoolroom last evening, when addresses were delivered on the temperance question, interspersed with music.