NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2395, 6 December 1881, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY

Pkbsonas. —The Hon. B. Oliver, of Dunedin, was a passenger by the Ringarooma, which arrived from Wellington this morning. B M. Coubt, LitteltoN.—Mr J. Beswick, E.M., disposed of the following civil oaßes at this Court: —Sopp v Howard, olaim £24 14j j Mr Nalder for plaintiff; judgment for plaintiff. MoDonald v Smitb, claim £2 ; judgment for £l. Sydenham Election.—Mr J. W. Treadwell will address the electors of Sydenham at Waltham, at 7.30 this evening. The Totaijsatob.—Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin have received lottera patent protecting their invention of a totalisator. Licensing Cotjbt.— At the quarterly sessions of the Commissioners, held this day, the Bench distinctly stated that no further new lioensea would be granted during their term of office. Lbott/BE.—Dr. Bussell delivered a lecture on Temperance Benefit Societies to a large and appreciative audience, in the Templar Hall, laßt night. Mr J. T. Smith occupied the ohair, and, in introducing the lecturer, observed that the friendly benefit societies were under great obligations to Dr. Bussell for the deep interest he had taken in those societies. The lecturer first traced the history of friendly sooieties, and showed the necessity for their existenoe; also, the magnitude and importance of the movement, end the many and great advantages of benefit societies generally wero dwelt upon at length—suoh as inculcating thrift in the use of money ; sympathy for thoir fellow me.n, self-provision and self-reliance instead of throwing themselves on public charity. The seoond part of the leoture was devoted to an explanation of the difference betweon temperance benefit societies and benefit sooieties in general. All mombers of temperance benefit societies must of necessity be total abstainers from all intoxiouting liquors. In most other respects the societies were pretty much alike. It was a well established fact that total abstinence tended to promote health and long life, less liability to sickness, and a speedier recovery if overtaken by illness. The Bschabites and Sons of Temperance experience less sickness and a lower death rate than the other sooieties; consequently there was a smaller demand upon the funds of these institutions. An excellont selection of vocal and instrumental musio was rendered during the evening. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer and the musical friends. Bazaab.—The Primitive Methodists of this oity purpose holding a bazaar to-morrow and Thursday, in the Cambridge terrace Church, near Colombo street bridge. His Worship the Mayor will give an address at the opening ceremony at 12 o'olook. A number of novolties are advertised, in addition to the usual articles prepared for suoh sales. "Nbobbsitx" Knows No Law." —An eel was recently caught in tho Balgueri street Creek, Akaroa, and on opening it a young duck was found inside.

Ashburton Fibh Bbigade.—ln _ recognition of the lervicei rendered by this body at the reoont fire in Aahburton, Messrs Jameson and Boberts, agents of the New Zealand Fire Insurance Company, have been • instructed by the Ohristchurch office to hand tho brigade a cheque for £2O. Patbonagb. —At the meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council last night, the Ouuncil unanimously resolved to give their patronage to a concert to be given by the Amateur Musical Society for the benefit of Mr Edmonds, who has been very enorgetio in his efforts from time to time to provide recreation for tho inhabitants of the borough. Regret was expressed by several of the members at Mr Edmonds" projected departure. Cost op Flushing Channels. —The report of the sanitary committee to tho City Council last evening stated that the present imperfect system of flushing ohannels cost the ratepayers £I7OO per annum, or about onesoventh of the total amount reoeived yearly by f he corporation from rates. Damage to Public Buildings.—At the meeting of the City Council lust night, after a long disousßion the Mayor consented to request the Oity Surveyor to inepeot some of the mere prominent public buildings in order to ascertain if they had sustained damage so as to make them dangerous by the late shooks of earthquake. Aeaboa Begatta.—The owners of the following yachts have stated their intention of competing in the above regatta on the 16th : Zspliyr, and Spray, Dunedin; Zirifo, Wellington j Dove and Fleetwing, Lyttelton ; Chance, Akaroa. The Bailing races for open boats will be well contested, as several new boats have been bought and built by Akaroa gentlemen. Hot Spbings.—The Government are engaged in laying out a township on the Hanmer Plair.s, near the hot springs, in ouch a manner as to make the place a sanitarium. The Botorua township in the North Island is already surveyed, and a pamphlet will shortly be issued containing plans of tho township, a description of the country, and a quantity of general information on the subject of the hot springs of the locality. It is expected that the township will be ready for sale in February.

Mbbtino of Heathcotb Hatbpaybrs.— A meeting of ratepayers, in oomplianoe -with the Publio Works Act, 1880, was hold at 2 p.m. yesterday, to consider the question of closing a piece of road on 11.8. 138, being on the face of t,he hill at the bottom of Colombo road. Mr F. Jones, chairman of the Board, presided, and explained the matter fully to all present, explaining the Act, and also statin? that the legal notices had been duly served. The proposal was agreed to, the chairman explaining that the matter would have to be further referred to the Belwyn County Council for ratification, or otherwise.