NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2385, 24 November 1881, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY

The Avon Electorate. —Our oontemporary the " Press " states this morning that efforts ore being made to bring out a candidate fcr the Avon district, in opposition to Mr Bollcston, and that Mr J. T. Matson is mentioned as likely to come forward. As far as Mr Matson is concerned, however, this is incorrect, us it will be seen by reference to an advertisement in another column that that gentleman does not intond entering into the contest during the forthcoming general election. Accident. —A lad named Harry Juris?, whilst playing in an unfinished building in Manchester street, fell on a piece of wood from which a large nail was projecting, and severely lacerated his left thigh almost to the knee. He was taken to the Hospital. Resident Magistrate's Coubt. —This morning, at the Resident Magistrate's Court, two boys, named John and Wm. Juris, eleven and nine years old, were brought up on remand, charged with stealing six tickets from the Theatre Royal. The boys, who were ragged and dirty, were both well known to the police as being neglected by their parents, and wanderers about the streets. They had been expelled from one of the public schools, where their average attendance was nine days per three months. The complaint against them was using bad language, destroying furniture and dirty habits. They bad been several times before the Court, but convictions had not been entered against them. Their father, who was present, said he had no time to run after them. He always told them to keep out of bad company when they went out of mornings. They were ordered to be sent to Burnham School, the eldest for three years, and the other six years, the Magistrate intimating that if they were well-behaved their term would probably be shortened. The committal was under the Neglected and Criminal Children's Act, the first oharge not being gone on with.

Phbbnology.—The Rev. James Hill delivered a lecture to a large and appreciative audience at St. John's Presbyterian Church, Lyttolton, on Wednesday evening last, under the auspices of the Lyttolton Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association ; subject, "Phrenology; is it true or false?" Mr S. R. Webb, as president of the association, occupied the ohair. Mr Hill's discourse was very ably rendered, and tended to prove the falsity of "phrenology." He was frequently applauded throughout, and after occupying the close attention of his audienoe for two hours, received a hearty vote of thanks.

Ministbb op Lands. The Hon. W. Rolleston arrived from Wellington by the Penguin this forenoon.

Intbbcomniai, Wbatheb Exchange.— Sydney, Wednesday—A moderate depression is passing the South Australian coast from the westward, and cloudy weather still continues, with N.E. winds in Victoria and Tasmania, and S.W. in West Australia and New South Wales. Barometer—Albany, 30.1; Portland, 29.7 ; Hobart, 29.8 ; Sydney, 30.0.

Obchestbali Society's Concert. —We would again draw attention to the concert to be given this evening by the Orchestral Society in the Academy of Music. The society will bo assisted by some favorite vocalists, and Mr R. W. Kohler, whose abilities as a musician are familiar to most people here, will give his assistance in the instrumental portion of tho programme. The selections consist of some of the choicest gemß from the repertoire of the society, and, altogether, the concert will be one of the most enjoyable jet given in Christchurch. Abbest. —Sarah Jane McHalenny was arrested by Ddteclive J. O'Neill this morning on a charge of stealing 14s, a pair of earrings, and a shaw), belonging to Wm. Stevenson, of St. Albans. Babbistbb Admitted. —Mr Robert Watson, who was admitted as a solicitor in England in 1860, was on Monday last admitted a barrister and solioitor of the Supreme Court by his Honor Mr Justice Johnston at Wellington. Mr Watson intends to practice in Cbristchuroh. Loss op a Valuable Mabb.—Last week Mr John Stovenson, of Flaxton, who is a breeder of good Clydesdale stock, lost one of his best mares, a ohesnut, whioh has far several years taken prizes at the local shows. The mare was worth at least £BO, and is supposed to have died from inflammation. Madame Lotti Wilmot.—This lady has commenced proceedings against the Papanui Town Hall Company for a breach of ogreement in refusing to allow her to lecture in their ball on certain Sunday evenings. The amount sued for is £l7O, special damages, in the shape of loss sustained in her profession as a publio lecturer, being laid at £IOO. The cbbo, if it comes on for hearing, will be tried in the District Court.

Yaujhubst Spobts.—A publio meeting was held at the Talbot Hotel on Tuesday last in connection with the annual sports. There was a fair attendance, and having elected a committee, it was decided to hold the sports on Thursday, December 29th. A subscription list was thon opened and liberally responded to. Deputation to the Pbbmibb.—A deputation of cabmen and express drivers waited upon the Premier yestorday, at the Government Buildings, with reference to the arrangement under which the carrying business was conducted in connection with the railway station. They were introduced by Mr S. P. Andrews. Mr Elliott, a cab-driver, explained that an express proprietor, named Longden, by virtue of a special license granted to him by the railway authorities, enjoyed an almost complete monopoly of the business at the station and had admission to the arrival platform, while tho other cabmen and expressmen, though they might be first in attendance, were unable to earn a shilling. They, therefore, respectfully urged upon the Premier the following points : —l. That more licenses should be granted upon payment of a reasonable sum; 2. That, failing this, no carrier should be allowed to go inside until hired ; 3. That all carriers plying for hire at tho railway should be under the control of the constable in charge, and that each be compelled to take turn the same as the cabs, unless wanted for a regular customer ; 4. That the present system was unjust to carriers as well as to the general public, as one carrier, being in attendance alone, could make any charge he liked ; 5. That a carrier on getting one job should be compelled to drive away with that job, and not be allowed, as at present, to take the luggage of four or five persons at one time, and so debar other men from earning a living; 6. That, failing the adoption of these suggestions, the privilege now enjoyed by Mr Longdon be sold by publio auction, the license to date from January next. Mr Hall promised to make inquiries into the matter, and let tho deputation have an answer as soon as possible. The members of the deputation then withdrew. Weslbtan Disteict Meeting. —On assembling yesterday morning it was resolved, after prayer by the Rev. Mr Smalley, that a telegram be forwarded to Mrs Borrows, of Dunedin, expressing the sympathy of the meeting with her in her painful bereavement, the doctor having died on Tuesday from the injuries reoeived from his late accident. The Bev. W. B. Marten read the obituary notice which he had prepared of the late Bev. J. Armitage, whioh was unanimously adopted. The committee appointed to hear the Bev. Mr Gillam gave in their report, and it was recommended that he be allowed to pass in his year, provided the report of the literary and theological examiners be satisfactory. The Bev. P. 0. Dewebury took a seat in the meeting at this stage, and reoeived a hearty welcome. The rest of the session was occupied in preparing for the financial meeting to be held to-day. The meeting adjourned at 12.30 till 9.30 this morning.

Horsb Each at Kaiapoi.—A race for £5 aside, distance half-mile, oome off last Thursday at the Kaiapoi beach between Mr G. Edmonds' Little Maid and Mr T. Lynskey's Lord of Erin, which was won easily by the latter. A sweepstake raoe was afterwards run, which was won by Mr W. Burnip's piebald pony, beating fivo others. Lyttelton Industrial Exhibition.— On Tuesday night, a meeting of persons interested in holding an exhibition at Port, was held in the Colonists' Hall, Mr H. Allwright in the chair. Mr W. Graham, sen , the promoter of the projected event, spoke at length upon the encouragement the public had manifested during his canvass, and it was finally decided to hold the exhibition during January next. A oommittee to carry out the arrangements was formed, consisting of Messrs H. Allwright, Nalder, Graham, Fyfe, McDonald, Chalmers, Moßoth, MoKay, and Joyce, after which the meeting adjourned.

The Population of India.—The census returns, which have now been issued, show a grand total of population of 252 millions for all India, composed of 123 million males and 118 million females. There have been increases sinco the last census in Bengal 10 per cent. ; Assam, 19 per cent.; Scinde, 10 per cent.; North-west Provinces, 6 per cent.; Oude, 1 per cent.; Pur.jaub, 7 per cent.; Central Provinces, 25 per cent. ; Berar, 20 per cent.; and Burmah, 35 per cent; and decreases in Madras 24 per cent. ; Mysore, 17 per cent.; and Bombay, 3 per cent. A Lifeless Dbiteb.—A late home paper says :—The toll-gate koepcr at Alohington wos surprised the other day to find a brewor's dray at his gate, and the driver sitting in his place apparently indifferent to everything surrounding him. Closer inspection revealed tho fact that the driver wos a corpjo. It was evident the man had been dead sometime, and it is supposed that the borso's knowledge of the road enabled him to continue on tho journey without guidance until he reached the closed toll-gate. Ashbubton County Council.—Yesterday afternoon a special meeting was held. Present —Messrs W. O. Walker, Duncan Cameron, H. T. Winter, B. G. Wright, Julian Jackson, Thos. Bullock, and John Lambie. On Mr Wright's motion, seoonded by Mr Cameron, Mr Walker was unanimously elected chairman for the ensuing year.