NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2407, 22 December 1881, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Rbsidbnt Magistrate's Court. —This morning, before G. L. Lee and R. Westenra, Ksqs., j.P.’i, a man, for a first offence, drunkenness, was fined ss. Barnet Levy, who had been certified to as suffering from tho effects of drink, was sent to Addingt-on for seven days for medical treatment. Civil case—Brittin v Hountree, claim £lO 18s fid. Judgment for pleint.iff by default. Acknowledgment. —The Keeident Magistrate daairoa to acknowledge the receipt from Mr J. Forbes of £9 12s, collected by him on behalf of the Christinas tre a to the inmates of the Industrial School, Burnham. This amount includes the sum of £4 13s fid collected by tho children who are members of the Tai Tapu Band of Hope. Lowaa id bathcotb Eacks —The Moose was omitted from the list of acceptances in the Trotting Handicap. Borough op St. Albans. —The polling for the election of Councillors for the new borough of Bt. Albans takes place to-day. Legal. —His Honor Mr Justice Johnston held a sitting in banco and in Chambers yesterday, and disposed of a number of applications.

The Drainaos Board Elections. —A meeting of Mr White’* aupportera wa* held last evening at Sydenham, when that gentleman consented to be nominated for the borough in the approaching election for the Drainage Board. Thb Waimakabibx.—On Wednesday this river was in iljod from the rainfall during the nor’-west weather, but it was not at all seriously flooded. A telegram from the Bealey in the morning announced the fact that the rivers were flooded, and that it was still raining. Intercolonial Wbathbh Exchange.— Sydney, Wednesday morning—S E. and B,W. winds with rain prevail over Tasmania and the Australian coast. The barometer is rising and the weather is moderating. Barometer— Portland, 29.9 ; Hobart 29.6 ; Sydney, 29 6. Accidents.—Two very bad cases were admitted into the Hospital last evening, viz., a man named John Oherrill, who was suffering from a compound fracture of the right thigh, caused by the kick of a horse, and a young man named Biordan, who is employed off the railway works at Lyttelton. He was returning thence in the evening train, and when between Hillsborough and Opawa he fell from the platform of the carriage. Hi* fall was seen by a passenger of the down train, and the latter having been stopped it was found that both Biordan’s leg* were cut clean off near the knee. Late last evening he wa* in a very precarious state. Thb Wilhelmj Concbkts. The programme of last night contained perhaps the moat wonderful exposition of the power of Herr Wilhelmj over the violin that can well be imagined. This was Bach’s chaconne, which, more than any other piece written for the violin, presents difficulties almost insurmountable even to a first class violinist. Those who beard it last night can form an idea of the power and execution required to interpret it as it was done by Herr Wilhelmj. In the second part ho played Schubert's lovely “ Ave Maria,” of which one cannot !get tired, and in response to an encore, gave the equally beautiful “ Nocturne ”by Ohopin. In place of Ernst’s Eantasiestuok, ” Herr Wilhelmj plsyed a fantasia of his own composition, which was encored, and he responded with Ernst’s fantasia on Hungarian airs. Miss Conron sang “ O Mio Fernando,” from “Eavorita,” most artistically, and for an enoore gave a pretty ballad. In the second part she sang an exquisite cradle song by Mendelssohn and the Spanish song already sang by her. Mr Vogrioh played in the first part Beethoven’s “ Moonlight Sonata,” and a berceuse and polonaise by Ohopin. The first of these numbers was rendered with great delicacy and crispness of touch. In the second part he played a fantasia of his own composition from “ Bobert le Diable,” which, as in others of a similar character, evinced much facility of composition. To-night there will be no oonoert, but to-morrow Herr Wilhelmj will take his farewell of Christchurch. The West Coast Railway.—Our correspondent telegraphed from Beefton yesterday as follows :—“ Started this morning for the gorge, but as the river was too high we returned again. We start again to-morrow if the weather is favorable. The commission is highly satisfied with the resources of the country. The weather is very bad.”

Gaming Act at Ashburton.—Tho first case in Ashburton under the Gaming and Lotteries Act was heard yesterday before Mr J. Beswick, B.M. Mr B. Lancaster, for raffling a sheep and three loaves of bread at his premises in East street, on the occasion of his opening a baker’s shop, was mulcted in a penalty of 20s and costs.

Accident at Kaiapoi—On Tuesday a carpenter named Shaw, in the employment of Boyd and Keir, builder*, while in the act of completing the spire of the Roman Catholic Church accidentally fell about 50ft. Ho was attended by Dr. Ovendon, who found that none of his limb* wore broken. Shaw, who complained of severe bodily pain, was conveyed home to Fernside.

Fins at Ashburton. —Yesterday afternoon the firebell was rung, a fire having broken out in the northern end of Ashburton, oppoailo the High School, in a throe-roomed T-shaped house, built of wood, the property of Mr G. J. Martin, butcher, and inaured for £IOO in the South British, The bouae was tenanted by Mr Ohorles Bourk, scene-painter, who was engaged at work in the Town Hall when the bell rang, From bis home the firo spread to an adjoining cottage, unoccupied, owned by Mr Slade, and insured for £SO. The fire brigade appeared on the scene with commendable promptitude, and deserve credit for* Che successful efforts they made to save a third cottage, occupied by Mr G. Miller, which was for some lime in imminent danger. A strong north-west breeze was blowing, and the only water available was that supplied by a small band-engine working at a pump. Mrs Bourk was at home with her infant. As she ran out, she fell down in a faint, and received a slight cut in one aim. She was attended to by some neighbors. Kaiapoi Fibh Brigade Demonstration. At a meeting of the members on Monday evening, it was decided that prior to the display of firework* on January 2nd there should bo » torchlight procession, headed by the band, and that the members of the fire police be asked to take part in the profession.

Exhibition of Wood Oabvimgs. —An exhibition of wood carvings of a truthful delineation is now open in High street, opposite the establishment of Messrs H. SI. May and 00. The proprietor, who hails from the flowery land, by name Ah Gee, has been a resident in New Zealand for mony years, ond specimens of his handicraft, shown at the Melbourne and Sydney Exhibitions, have in each instance been awarded prize medals, which are shown in the windows. The most noticeable models shown are:—The town and harbor of Pioton, with train in motion, and moving models of the s.s, Arawata and other craft; the Mongarewa Gorge ; the Manawatu Gorge and bridge ; Wanganui; an Auckland forest scene ; the Rotomahana terraces 5 Old English, German, Anglo-Saxon, Bible text letters, &0., &a. The exhibitor was entrusted with the carving of the figures placed in the Roman Catholic Church at Blenheim, and the fact of his being a prize medallist is a guarantee that the exhibits are well worth a visit.

Union Insubanoh Company.—At; a meeting of the directors of the Union Fire and Marine Insurance Company, a dividend was declared at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, payable at the head office and branches on and after January 3rd, 1882. Sacbbd Festival at Ashburton.—On Tuesday evening about sixty local amateurs rendered Handel’s oratorio “The Messiah” in the Town Hall, Ashburton. The vocalists included Mesdames Penlington and Vaughan, the Misses Permain, Thorpe, G. Gates, and Kidd, and Messrs G. D. Branson, and H. Piokford. Miss Gates presided at the organ, and Mr H. Morris at the pianoforte, Mr H. A. Gates acting as conductor. Tho pleasure which the audience testified by their applause showed that the local musicians had not overrated their powers in aspiring to the rendition of so difficult a composition. Kaiapoi Woollbn Company. —A special general meeting of shareholders, to consider amendments in the company’s articles of association, was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Kaiapoi, on Wednesday afternoon. Nineteen were present. Mr Isaac Wilson, chairman of directors, who presided, said that tho principal intention of the alterations was to amend the voting power of the shareholders, as referred to at the last annual meeting, and while this was being done it was thought advisable to make other amendments; one especially in favor of doing away with the half-yearly meetings, and holding an annual meeting in September, when stock was low and stock-taking could be more easily done. Tho amendments proposed were then gone on with. Original article 2 was cancelled _in reference to applications for shares; and article 5 was amended to provide that no call should exceed 60s per share. Respecting general meetings it was carried that the half-yearly meetings be dispensed with, and the annual meeting held on September 30th, or as soon after as practicable ; also that no business should be transacted at a general meeting at which there was not a quorum of ten shareholders. It was provided that tho voting power should bo—“Every holder of one share shall have one vote in respect thereof ; every holder of two shares, one vote only ; every holder of three shares and up to and inclusive of five shares, two votes, and one additional vote in respect of each five shares beyond tho first five shares.” The number of directors was increased from throe to five, and it was provided that a director must bo a holder of at least four shares. On this question a discussion took place, which showed that the general opinion was in favor of extending the qualification to at least ten shares, but notice not having been given of the latter number it could not be entertained. The chairman of directors was appointed managing director. The article 53, referring to disqualification of directors, was amended. Now articles were added to the effect that the remuneration of the managing director be fixed by the directors, and that the directors might delegate their powers to him as they thought expedient. It was resolved—“ That the directors be entitled to receive annually as remuneration for their services such sum os the shareholders might determine, not exceeding £3OO, to be divided as the director* should from time to time determine. The accounts wore ordered to be made up to September 30th in each year. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business. The London “ Times,” commenting on the centennial celebration of the surrender at York town, Bays :—“ We have quite as much reason as the Americans to share their centenary thanksgiving, »ince that event only forced the Government to acknowledge, what everybody knew, that the war we wore waging was hopeless.”