NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2477, 15 March 1882, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Thompson’s Diorama.—There was again a very large attendance at the Gaiety last night. This evening, Mr Thompson that ho will present a piano to some lucky individual. Earthquake —A slight earthquake was felt at Fort last evening at seventeen minutes past five. Sporting. —On Tit, Whitbatch, Levant, Supplejack, and Besnlt loft yesterday morning per train for Oamarn. Medical. —Dr Murdoch, of Ashburton, intends shortly to leave the district, owing to illhealth. He has made many friends daring his residence in the district. Woodhnd District School —The committee have decided to nominate Mr Mossman for appointment to the mastership of this school in place of Mr Howard, resigned. Accident.—Yesterday, as Mr James Wilson, of Yaldhurat, was proceeding towards home, he fell out of his trap at Racecourse Junction, the wheel of which passed over bis head, cutting off a portion of his left ear. He was removed to the Hospital, where his injuries were promptly attended to.

Silversmith's Art —Mr M. Sandatein. of Cashel street, has now on view in his window the two silver cnps and batter dish, to bo given by Mr G. O. Stead for grain at the approaching Prebbleton Show; and also the Grove Farm onp, to be given by Messrs Wilkin and Carter at the forthcoming Tinwald Race Meeting. Music as an Advertising Medium.— ln accordant e with their usnal cnatom at the commencement of each aeascn, Messrs Everett Bros., of Cashel street, called pnblio attention to their excellent display of drapery for the approaching season by engaging the City Guards Band, which played a selection of popular music in its accustomed excellent style, attracting a large concourse of people. Lyttelton BM. Court. —Messrs H. Allwright and F. Ronalds, J.P.’s, presided at this Court this morning. An AB. on board lha ship Perthshire, a veiy dark “darkey,” wan charged with using msulting language to the master, with disobeying the master’s orders, and with using obscene language. The evidence went to show that the prisoner went on board on Wednesday morning with a bottle of grog, and the master took it from him by force. He then rushed at the complainant with a knife, but was prevented striking him by the chief officer. After being handcuffed, and while in the custody of the police, the prisoner rushed at the complainant, threatening to do for him. Sergeant Morice gave evidence as to a previous conviction against the man for using obscene language since the vessel was in port. The Bench sentenced him to three months’ Imprisonment with hard labor. Gang Plough Trial at Rangiora. —On Tuesday a field trial of First and Bradley’s Gang plough, imported by George Booth and Sons, was held in the Ven. Archdeacon Dudley s paddock, opposite the church. There was a fair attendance of farmers and others interested during the day to witness the trial. The implement was drawn by four horses, and appeared to do its work very effectually. The land operated upon was a light loam under stubble, and the machine, which is really a double plough, turned up two furrow slices ten inches by nine inches deep, or any leas depth which might be wanted. The strength of the plough was fairly tested and its capabilities were fuuy proved, while the driver or ploughman rides comfortably on the implement. _ r i he Monarch grain drill and the Farmers* Friend drill were also shown on the ground. A. trial of a satisfactory character was also given of the Randall revolving disc harrow, which appeared to pulverise the soil .in a most effectual way preparatory to sowing. Evangelical. —There is some prospect or Mrs Hampaon paying Ashburton a visit, wffh a view to the prosecution of her “ Mission, out nothing definite is decided.

Mbs Hampson’b Mission. —t |a ® t . eve ° lc * a prayer meeting in connection with the waa held in the Durham street Church. * Rev. J. Ward conducted the service. Tha attendance was large, but in_ consequence o these preparatory meetings being held » wee earlier than was expected several minister , bound by engagements made before tnes services were announced, were unable to to present. The noonday meeting m the Congregational Schoolroom to-day was led by the Bar. J. 8. Eishworth, and there was a marked improvement in the attendance. _ A lar ß® number of stewards have been appointed, ana the committee are confidently expecting that the Mission will be very successful. Mb Denton. —This gentleman will deliver his second lecture on the “ Story or tao Earth ” at the Theatre Eoyal this evening. Intercolonial Weather Exchange. Sydney, yesterday. Light N.B. wind in New South Wales; on the south coast of Australia and in Hobart strong N.B. wind. Weather generally fine. Barometer Sydney, <2J.o ; Portland, 29.7; Hobart, 29 6. , „ . Liliom Aueatum —A remarkably tine spike of this beautiful flower is now on view at the seed shop of Mr T. Turner, Colombo atree... It is about eighteen in height and the same measurement in diameter, containing several hundred fully expanded blooms. Indeed, they are in such profusion that it seems impossiblp for all to belong to one spike, which nevertheless is the fact. It was grown by Mr E. Jones, the secretary of the Horticultural Society. Diocesan Sunday School Association. —A special meeting of the above association was held last evening at Ht. John’s schoolroom, Latimer square, the Kev. H. C. M. Watson in tin chair. The attendance waa moderate. Hr W. G. Brittan gave a sketch lesson on the Church catechism, which provoked considerable discussion, in which several present took part. A vote of thanks to Mr Brittan for his hints was unanimously accorded, and the meeting terminated with the usual devotional exercises. Union Bowing Club.— A special general meeting of this Club was held last evening in the Commercial Hotel. Mr H. Thompson, M.E 8., was in the chair. Mr S. C. Kesteven read the report of the finance committee. A long discussion ensued in reference to tho financial condition of the Club. It was ultimately decided to order a four-oared boat and a pair-oared boat from Swaddell and Winship, London, and also a sister boat to tbe Thetis from Salter, of Oxford. The action of the committee in selling the Sabrina and Sylph waa approved. Some formal business was transacted, and the meeting closed in the usual manner.

Fibk at Lobubn.— On Thursday afternoon the dwelling-h mse of Mr E. Free, Loburn, was destroyed by fire. It appears that Mrs Free, who had been boiling jam at the kitchen fire, had gone upstairs and told a boy to put tnore wood on the fire. He, it appears, brought in a quantity of dry gorse, which he placed in the fender and went out. The gorse caught fire, and before Mrs Free got down stairs the flames were issuing through the roof. The house was a newly-built one and well furnished ; attached was a washhouse, and two chains off a stable containing a quantity of harness, both of which with their contents were burned. The stable was set on fire from a gorse fence. Mr Free’s loss was, in all, £563, of which .£3OO was covered by a recently-renewed policy with the Koyal Insurance Company. A number of neighbors came to assist, to whom Mr Free desires to express his thanks for saying at least a reaping machine, which was near one of the buildings. The children of the household were fortunately all at the district school. Bee Invaders.—On Friday last Mr Job Doak, Fernside, had the whole of six or seven hives of black bees invaded by a strong colony of Ligurians. The contest lasted nearly all day, daring which time, Mr Doak says, it was not safe to go among the be is. On the following day the ground was literally covered with the slain, and the Ligurians had entered into full possession of the hives, but even tben they are reported to he ill at ease. This is a matter for the investigation of apiarians. City Guards Band. —A meeting of the City Guards band was held last night at the Wellington Hotel, for the purpose of presenting the secretary, Mr Q. J. Russell, with a token of the esteem and regard in which he is held by the members of the band. The form taken by this expression of goodwill was a writing desk, with on inscription, pencil case, and Masonic pin. The presentation was made on behalf of the band by Mr Hill, the chairman, in a few appropriate remarks. Mr Bussell responded, giving a short history of the difficulties met with since the formation of the band. He expressed a hope that the band wonld continue to bold together as they had hitherto done, and spoke of the kindly support in the carrying out of his duties that he had always met with from the members. After the formal business was concluded, a very pleasant evening was spent. The pin was manufactured by Mr Henrickson, jeweller, of christebnrob, and the engraving ou the desk was executed by Mr N. Wolfe. The Volunteer Land Claims.—Touching the sitting Land Claims Commission, says the “ New Zealand Times," we may state, for the information of those concerned, that in 1865 the Volunteers Land Act, 1865, was passed, empowering Superintendents, with consent of Provincial Council, to grant ictip not exceeding £3O to every efficient ’Volunteer after five years’ service, and an additional £5 for every eix months’ actual service against the enemy. This Act was adopted in the Provinces of the North Island, as follows : Wellington, in 1867 ; Taranaki, in 1872 j Hawke’s Bay, in 1863 |{for two years only); and in Auckland, in 1869 By the Volunteers Laud Act Amendment Act, 1867, Volunteers enrolled prior to Ist January, 1866, were deemed to be “ efficient.’’ By the Volunteer Land Act, 1865, Amendment Act, 1873, Provincial Councils were empowered to repeal any laws they had passed under the Act of 1865 —not to affect Volunteers who had completed one or more years’ service ; all claims to De made within twelve months of the passing of the Act, This was acted upon by the Province of Wellington in 1869 by the Act to Amend the Volunteer Free Grants Act, 1867, but the privilege was afterwards extended to men enrolled before 30th September, 1872. The Waste Lands Administration Act, 1876, repealed all Acta granting scrip, except as concerned Volunteers who had completed three years’ service ; claims to be barred unless made within twelve months in the case of those already entitled, or of six months in the case of those who might hereafter become entitled. By tbo Volunteers and Others Lands Act, 1877, Volunteers enrolled in Wellington between the 2nd April, 1869, and 30th September, 1872, became entitled to scrip ; and it further extended the time allowed for making claims by the Act of 1876 to the 30th April, 1878. The Crown Lands Bale Act, 1877, extended the time for exercising scrip to 30th April, 1879, provided the scrip was held by the Volunteer.