NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2425, 13 January 1882, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY.

B.M. Cottbt.—Thta morning, before B. Westenra, Esq., Bobert Tindale was fined 10s, or, in default, forty-eight hours' imprisonment, for being found drunk.

LhTEBOOIONIAL WEATHBB EXOHAUQB.— Sydney, Thursday evening.—It is blowing hard from S.W., with rain, on the south coast of Australia, squally from N.W. in Tasmania, with light S.E. winds in New South Wales, and a depression both to tbo east and west of Tasmania. Bsromoter—Portland, 29.7; Hobart, 29.4; Sydney, 29.6. DatrrDS. —The Lyttelton Hearts of Oak Lodge held their half-yearly meeting for the election of officers on Thursday evening at the Foresters' Hall, Lyttelton. There was a good attendance of brethren, and amongst the visitors present were P.A. Bro Williams, P. A. Sutherland, P.S. Smith, and Bro Bishop, of the Pioneer and Mistletoe Lodges. One candidate was initiated by the A.D., Bro Lawson, assisted by PA. Bro Williams. The secretary read the balance-sheet, which ttqs adopted. The following officers wore duly eleoted and installed by the D.P. Bro Willstesd :—A D., Bro T. Holland ; V A., Bro H. Adams ; secretary, Bro W. J. Harrington (ro-elcctod) j 1.&., Bro W. B. Allwright; 0.G., Bro Taylor ; A.D.B.'s, Bros H. Smith and Bro P. Healey ; V.A.B.'s, Bro S. Bamford and Bre A. Johnson ; M.S., Bro G-. Dompsey ; treasurer, Bro A. Taylor (re-elected) ; auditors, Bro T. Cathro and Bro Hanney; medical officers, Dra Bouse and Maodonald; D.P., Bro Gillies. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to D.P. Bro Willstoed for the able manner in which he performed the duties of his offioe; alto a vote of thanks to the visiting brethren.

Distbiot CoT/fiT.—The case of Q-. Hooper's Trustee v S. Parkes occupied the District Court yesterday. It was an action to recover £2CO for alleged wrongful conversion of property. His Honor reserved judgment.

ASHiiBT Count? Council—At noon on Thursday the only candidates nominated was Mr Walpole Oheshyro Ecndall for the Kowai riding, and he was declared by Mr Fonton, the returning officer, to be duly elected. Mb Boubon*.—This gentleman, who to judge by the reports which have preceded him, possesses talents of a very high and varied order, will give hia first performance at the Oddfellows' Hall to-night. In Melbourne, Dunedin and elsewhere Mr Kobson's entertainments have been very highly appreciated, and though we have just now somewhat of a plethora of amusements, no doubt ho will receive a fair amount of patronage. School Tbeat.—The Presbyterian Sunday school, Perry road, held their annual treat in Mr Anderson's paddock, canal reserve, on January 2nd, and was thoroughly appreciated by the teachers, friendß, parents, and scholars. A number of books were presented to tho scholars in the way of prizes for good behavior, regular attendance, &o , and a great number of toyß were distributed to the different winners of games. After fareing sumptuously throughout tho day in the way of freshments the party finally gave three cheers for the Rev. Slocombe and Mr Anderson, and then dispersed, having _ thoroughly enjoyed themselves. An entertainment was given in tho ohurch in the evening.

ASHBUBTON ChEKBB AK» BUTTBR FaO toby.—The project of establishing a company, the result of whose formation should be Yery benefioial to farmers of the district, has not been allowed to fall through. A meeting of the promoters of a faotory company was held on Wednesday in Ashburton, Mr J. Orr in the chair. Mr 0. W. Purnell, solicitor, read the artioles of association of the company, which is to be entitled the Ashburton Cheese and Butter Factory Company, Limited, with a oapital of £SOOO, in 1000 shares of £5 eaoh. Tho directorate comprises Messrs S. Chapman, J. Clark, B. Anderson, J. Orr, B. Moss, J. Wheeler, F. Pavitt, 8. Bevans, and H. Friedlander. Thb Mail.—Our Wellington correspondent telegraphed last nieht as follows :—The Penguin, with the San Pranoisoo mail, did not arrive at Nelson till 5 p.m., consequently she will not reaoh Wellington before to-morrow (Friday) afternoorj. She has to coal hero, whioh will take over two hours, and has also to discharge and take in cargo, therefore she cannot well get to Lyttelton muoh before noon on Saturday, too late, of course, to catch the Dunedin express. The Timaru mail bags will be forwarded by ordinary mid-day train, and the Otago and Southland mail will be sent on thence by spocial. The To Anau, with the heavy portion of the mail, is expeoted here at 7 o'olook on Sunday morning. It has been decided this afternoon to despatch the Hinemoa on Sunday afternoon for Lyttelton, in time to catch the Dunedin express at Christchurcb, so that the Canterbury and Otago mails will be delivered on Monday, instead of Tuesday.

Ashbitbtoh Fobks Eaiiway.—A meeting of farmers was held on Wednesday in Messrs Morgan and Hibbs' store, Methven, Mr Julian Jackson in the ohair. It was decided to draw up a memorial to the railway authorities, with a view to having a man stationed at each station on the Bakaia and Ashburton Forks line, whose duty it would be to give receipts for grain.

Fiji and thb Govbrnob.—The " Fiji Times " of the 30th ult. contains a full report of the speech of hiß Excellency the Governor, Mr George Des Vobux, at the opening of the Vei Bose, or annual meeting of native chiefs at Nailagi. With regard to the desire expressed by some of the chiefs that the name of Sir Arthur Gordon, the late Governor, should bo associated with the colony by the grant to him of one or more of the small islands of the group, the Governor stated that Her Majesty was willing to accede to the request, provided that the Governor gives the assuranoe that the interests of the colonists will not be prejudicially affected by this grant. On this question His Excellency soys :—" On my part there is no such objection, and I consider the services of Sir Arthur Gordon to this colony .... very fully deserve recognition, and it will give me very great pleasure therefore to state this to the Queen, and to issue the Grown grants forthwith. These islands, though small and uninhabited, will, nevertheless, be valuable to him as a token of your feelings towards him, and that he should be enrolled from now as one of Taukeis of Fiji is an honor whioh I know he will very much prize." Hio excellency referred to the progress of the colony as generally satisfactory, to the statistics of population as showing a good apparent increase, and to the contemplated introduction of schools for the instruction of Fijians in the praotioil and meohanioal arts of the white men.

AffaibS at Tonsa.—With regard to affairs at Tonga, the correspondent of the "Fiji Times" writes:—"Our Premier left in the schooner Myrtle for New Zealand on the 17th September. It is not known when or whether he will return. He has succeeded in bringing these islands into a condition bordering on anarchy, and it is expeoted and feared from day to day that the discontent of the principal chiefs and their followers will lead them to a declaration of open defianoe to the existing Government. The first outward sign of dissatisfaction was evinced about three months ago, when an application was made to her Majesty's deputy-commissioner at this town, by a large body of men, headed by a number of chiefs, closely related to King George, requesting that they might be allowed to beoome British subjects. Sinoe that time the natives in various parts of the island have declared that they only waited to see the result of the applicantion to, if successful, follow the same course. The ringleaders of the above movement were charged with treason, and, being officers in the Tongan army, were tried by a court martial, and every means adopted to make the accused sue for meroy and acknowledge the error of their ways. Intimidation and cajolery were alike unsuccessful. The men defied the Government, and persisted in declaring their wish to become British subjects ; but their rank being so high and their connexions so powerful, it would have been dangerous to attempt to carry out any of the threats of shooting and banishment used, and so the Government were compelled to ignominiously drop prosecutions which ought never to have been commenced."

Theatre Koyai.—"Antony and Cleopatra" was repeated last night, and went capitally. Miss Pomeroy'o impersonation of Cleopatra is throughout a oarefnl and consistent study. She has evidently made herself mistress of the many sided phases of character which go to make up the majestic Egyptian, and the result is a dramatio picture which is full of realism and life. For the time one loses sight of the actress in the Queen, and this is the best test of the away and power whioh dramatio pourtrayala when given by true artists have over the minds of the spectators. Miss Fomeroy's Cleopatra will long be remembered by playgoers here as a performance uniting wonderful dramatio power with complete identification with the character. The part of Oharmian was filled by Miss Lizzie Laurence. Mr Flemming'a Antony was a performance deserving very high commendation indeed. The one defeot about this—as indeed of most of the characters assumed by Mr Flomming during the season—was a tendency to preaohiness, which insensibly grows upon an aotor until it becomes exceedingly hard to eradicate. There was, however, about Mr Flemming'a rendering of the part a freshness and fire which augurs well for his success in it when he has had more time to perfeot his conception, and tone down the little crudities which now and then were noticeable. Still the effort was a success, and - Mr Flemming is entitled to share with Miss Pomeroy in the honors of the success of the piece. Mr lieake's Caesar was marred by too much energy. If Mr Leake wonld repress this dramatic force somewhat his acting would be greatly improved. He is thorough master of his art, and in those parts whioh require force of diction he is excellent, but as a general rule all his impersonations lack repose, and so it was with the part he sustained last night. Mr Wallace was excellent as Lepidas, and so was Mr Hamilton as Enobarbus. MrHoskins played Pompeius with a thorough soholarly appreciation of it. The other parts call for no remark. Mies Pomeroy received a hearty weloome on making her entrance, and, with Mr Flemming, was called before the curtain several times. To-night "Pygmalion and Galatea " and three acts of "London Assurance" will be played.

The Intbbnatiowaij Exhibition. —Mr Nowell Twopeny, one of the promoters of the exhibition about to be held in Christchurch, arrived here yesterday from Melbourne per 8.5. Arawuta. After inspecting the various sites proposed, he decided to make application to the Oity Council for the loan of Oranmer square, as the most suitable place to hold the exhibition in. Should this be granted, the shape of the building trill have to be altered and made more compact to fit into the small area of the iquaro. The new shape proposed by Mr Twopeny is an oblong, similar to that of the Paris Exhibition. The main building would run round all the sides of the square to a depth of 50ft, with an art gallery, with a lantern light connecting the two main entrances from Ohester street. All round the inside verandahs 20ft deep would be erected, to supply space for machinery in motion, for whiob. it is the intention of the promoters to supply power free of charge. Agricultural implements will occupy the whole of the open spaco in the middle, and thus the square will be completely filled with exhibits. Although this scheme would not allow of any free walking space outside of the exhibition, the promoters think that this disadvantage would be compensated for by the centrality of the position ; and considering that the original plan would in any case have to be enlarged upon, it is no slight advantage that hereby 280 bays of 180 square feet each will be provided in tho main building (exolusive of the machinery ocurts and outside spaco) instead of 240 as originally proposed.

!Hbathcotb Beqatta.—A meeting of those interested in the holding of a regatta on the Heathcote Estuary for the present ' year was held at the Commercial Hotel last evening, when there was a large attendance. The ohair was occupied by Mr H. Thomson, M.H.B. The Chairman having briefly introduced the business of the meeting, said that he thought that it only required half-a-dozen active canvassers to get up enough funds to give them a good day's sport. The present balance in hand was £2 6s 4d. Mr Hay moved " That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that a regatta be held upon the Heathcote this year as usual." Mr F. T. Kesteven seconded the motion, whioh was carried. The following offioers were appointed—Patron, Mr Wynn Williams, M.H.B. ; commodore, Mr J. L. Coster ; treasurer, Mr J. O. Jones ; secretary, Mr S. C. Kesteven ; committee, Messrs H. Thomson, F. Pavitt, L. M. Ollivier, Mansfield, Hay, J. B. Johnston, Evans, Davison, H. Hobday, T. L. Smith, Grierson, F. Fuller, Monok, B. J. Paul, Walters, Jaoobsen, O. Stringer, J. W. Davis, Kilgonr, Bolton, P. H. Duncan, W. Paokard, B. Puflett, and W. Ness. The meeting then adjourned for a week, at the same time and place. The Ohopb.—Our correspondent writes : The orops in the Ealing distriot are looking fairly well, in fact very good for the plains considering the dryness of the season. Harvest operations have commenced now, the crops being pretty well ripe, except wheat, which will soon be fit to cut. A shower fell last night (Tuesday) which lasted for about two hours, and will do an immense amount of good to the pastures, which sorely needed it, thero being very little feed for stook. Should the weather keep fine the crops will come up to the average, if not above it. Kowai Boas Boabd. The eleotion of three members to fill the vaoanoies on this Board was held on Wednesday. The result of the polling was as follows : —B. Bristow, 133 5 T. Douglas, 129 ; O. G. King, 117; D. Bobertson, 97; S. Coleman, 96; T. Hanna, 48; A. St. White, 18. The returning officer, Mr J. Bel), declared the polling to be in favor of Messrs Bristow, Douglas, and King, who were declared elected. Some objeotion has been taken to the eleotion on the ground that the nomination paper of Mr Stewart was not. received, and also that persons were not allowed to vote who had not paid their rates.

Boston girls of oulture, in conversing with old tars, always pitch their voices.—" Whitehall Times."

Canada claims Wrangel Land. We will trade Wrangel Land for Hanlan, and throw in the Cornell crew.

Walt Whitman talks of going abroad. He has been all abroad or at sea in hiß talk for a long time.—" Boston Globe." In the voyage of life every man is provided with a skull, with whioh to paddle his own canoe.—" Norrislown Herald."

It rains alike on the just and the unjust—and on the just mainly because the unjust have borrowed their umbrellas. An army paymaster is a military pay gent. A wall between many friendships is built of freeze stone. The road to maritime wealth is measured by the " royal yard." Dull people are not mado sharper by being ground down.—" Picayune." Tears the girls like—volun-teers.—New York " Commercial Advertiser."

The woman who paints her cheeks on a sea voyage sails under false oolors. A cynical old baohelor says it is called courtship because it is so often followed by shipwreok. Theodore remarked, when Angelina's father shoved him off the doorstep, that the old gentleman had considerable push about him. "Is patriotism dying out?" asks the Chicago " Inter-Ocean." No, sir, not muoh It isn't. In places where there are no saloons it is sold at the drug stores."—" Philadelphia Herald."

It was at the Musio Hall not long sinoe that a lady remarked to a visiting friend, after a solo on the big organ—" That's all very well, but you just wait till they put on the vtas populi." The gentleman who came to this office to talk on the necessity of reform and absentmindedly carried off a black silk umbrella in mistake for a blue gingham one will please call and correct the error.—" Philadelphia News." The first Commissioner of Works and Buildings, at Badding, England, contended that there was no analogy between the land question in England and Ireland, but the grievances of the farmers in England, he said, would be considered in due time.

At his oustomary reception on New Sear's Day King Humbert declared emphatically that the Italian Government repudiated any desire to interfere with the internal affairs of the Church.

A return issued to-day shows that the value of English and Colonial property lost at sea by wreoks during 1881 was £18,000,000. It kind of broke up the temperance man from down East when he went into the rooms of the Deadwood Total Abstinence Club to find the club believed in total abstinence from water.

A Bockland man saw advertised " A sure oure for drunkenness." He forwarded the necessary dollar and received by return mail, written on a valuable postal oard in beautiful violet ink, the magic words—" Don't drink." —" Bockland Courier."

An ecoentrio minister was called upon to marry three couples at once. The parties were standing around promiscuously, waiting for the arrival of the minister, and when he came in he marched up to them, exclaiming, " Sort yourselves!" A mulatto woman, aged 187 years, has just died in Brazil. This was the first time she ever didsuoh a thing.—" Boston Transcript." And she was old enough to know better, too. —"Norristown Herald."

The bashful young man who asked a lady on the beach if he *' could see her home," was muoh surprised to hear her reply " that he could go up and see if he wanted to, but she didn't think her father wanted to sell."

A negro having been asked how he passed time, replied, 'Me no pass me time —me cock up one leg and let time pass me.'