NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2485, 24 March 1882, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The High Ptbbet Assaults. —The prisoner John Gilpin, alias Long George the Stutterer, now under sentence for participation in the High street outrage, and who is waiting hearing of a separate and more serious charge of assaulting William Clements, was brought up this morning at the Eesident Magistrate’s Court, and further remanded for one week on account of the inabi ity to attend of the prosecutor, who was still suffering from the injuries received on that occasion.

Fikb Bbiqadb.—The annual meeting the members of this body was held on Wed" nesday evening in the Brigade Library, Lichfield street. There was a full attendance, Mr W. Harris presiding. The balance-sheet for the past year was read by the treasurer, and adopted, £56 18a 9d being shown to the credit of the brigade. The election of officers and committee resulted us under : Librarian, A. P. Pillow ; secretary, A. W. Hillier ; treasurer, J. Anderson ; committee, Messrs P. M, Johnson, T. Hobbs, W. B. Hobbs, A. Anderson, E. Smith, and J. Fr-zer; auditors, Messrs Q-. Woodham and G. Winstone. It was decided to take port in the procession on the opening day of the Exhibition. Votes of thanks were unanimously accorded to the retiring officers and committee, and subsequently at a meeting of the committee it was agreed to send an order home for fireworks for the coming Annirersary display, &3. This was all the business. Fbibndly Societies’ Cup, —Mr A. Urquhart, of Colombo street, has just completed, to the order of the publicans of Christchurch, a massive silver cup, capable of holdlug at least two bottles of champagne, which rises from a tripod, on which is engraved the emblems of the three most notable friendly societies in our midst, viz.—the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, the Ancient Order of Foresters, and the United Ancient Order cf Druids. It is intended that this cup be competed for at the Boxing Day fete of the united societies already described—indeed it has already been won once by a lad named Scrimshaw, and doubtless he will do his level best next Boxing Day to secure so valuable a trophy. It is made of solid silver, and is valued at thirty guineas, and as a chaste specimen of silversmith’s art reflects every credit on the establishment where it was made. It is now on view in Mr Urquhart’s window.

Db. Messing.—This gentleman, who is a learned Jewish Rabbi of Ban Francisco, has arrived in Christchurch, whither be has come for the purpose of collecting money from his co religionist# in aid of certain ■ charities in San Francisco. He will preach in the Synagogue at 10.30 to morrow. All denominations are invited to hear him. Seats will be free, and no collection will take place. Maqibtbatb’B Covet, Kaiapoi—At this Court on Thursday, before J. O. Porter, Bsq., 8.M., Michael Lynch, for creating a disturbance in the Mandeville Hotel, was •fined 10j, and for being drunk 6a. Ho had been refused driuk by the landlord when he came in, as he was then the worse for liquor. Amateub Oechbsxeal Society,—The performing members of this society gave a most enjoyable concert last night, at Coomb’s Buildings, when a goodly number of ladies and gentlemen were present. A capital programme of vocal and instrumental music was submitted, every item of which was rendered moat artistically. Amongst the numbers specially deserving commendation may bo noted Miss B. Spensley’s rendering of “ Ernani InvoUmi, ” which was splendidly sung, the operatic selections from “ GHrcfla Qircfla ” and “Lucrtria Bcrgia " by the orchestra, a duo ooncertante for piano and violin by Messrs R.T Searell and J. Ooombes, a clarionet solo by Mr Clayton, and a cornet solo by Mr Ohu*. Ooombes. Altogether the concert was most enjoyable throughout. Kanoioba 0.Y.0,-Last evening the members of the Sangiora contingent of the Yeomanry Cavalry held a drill, preparatory to the opening of the Exhibition proceedings. Football, A preliminary meeting of persons interested in the formation of a Football Club in Sydenham was held recently. It was decided to call a general meeting at the Waltham Library this (Friday) evening for the further consideration of the subject. Cbicket. —The following will play for the U.0.0.G. in their match against the Midland, on the two following Saturdays, on the As-ooia-tioa Ground Cox Paul. Horwood. Pixley, Caatelli, Duncan. Harvey, Beswick, Wilkinson, Helmore, Griffiths; emergoncus. Baker and Ff-reday. 230 p in. The following members will represent the L P 0.0. against the U.0.C., on March 25th, 1882, on the Hagley Grounds, viz. Messrs Dixon, Taylor, Kumon, Pe.ger, Simpson, Wills, Hepwortb, Pole, Harropp, Beattie; emergencies, Petrie and Rowe.

The Temperance Hotel Company. At an adjourned meeting of the director . on the 22nd in.t, Mr and Mrs He.l were elected to the portions of manager and housekeeper reflpectively, and the mg the now wing of the hotel (which in*Jew days will be ready for the reception of tisitors) was given to Mr A. J. White. Sir Julius Vogel.— An Auckland paper says :—"Despite his defeat at the last Falmouth election. Sir Julius Vogel d despair of representing that favored p in the next Home of Common#. H country residence in that place, beoi town home in London, cultivates t_e i 5 ance of the moat influential residents, and has secured the patronage of 110 ,J ess ? than Lord Falmouth himself, who has the command of a large number of votes. 1 i we are assured by a gentleman who la-e y turned from England that Sir Julius Voge regarded by the colonists in London, and y a few Conservatives, as the coming leader of the party, who think the mantle of Lord Beacousfield has descended upon our late Agent-General. His faculties are e-all vigorous, and though he is troubled with occasional deafness, it is remarked that he can hear very well when the subject of conversation is more than usually interesting. Ihe prominent part which he has taken in advoeating confederation of the Empire and other roattorfc of national importance, and the inti* mate knowledge of colonial affairs that be has displayed in his writings, has gro.tly increased his prestige, and many leading politicians would be glad to see him in the House of Commons, especially os the Conservatives ore in want of leaders.

University or New Zb aland. —Professor Hulton will deliver the opening address of the term in connection with the above on Monday next, in the English Literature Lecture room at the College. Thompson’s Diobama. —There was a very large attendance last night at the Gaiety Theatre, when this diorama waa exhibited. The presents included a horse, which fell to the lot of a gentleman named Green. Tonight is the last but one of the stay here of the diorama, and. to morrow, in addition to the usual evening performance, there will be a matinee.

Mb Dbnxon’B Lboxttebb. —The third of the second series of lectures now in course of delivery by Mr Denton at the Oddfellows* Hall was given last night to a good attendance. The subject was “ The races of mankind : their origin and their destiny,” and it was treated throughout by Mr Denton with that eloquence which has distinguished him during nia sojourn in Christchurch, The lecture was illustrated by some very good pictures. To-night the last lecture of the aeries will be given, the subject being “The Origin of Man.*’ In this the Darwinian theory will be discussed.

Notable Evbhts in 'lBBl.—A correspondent writes to the “Spectator”:—lt is worthy to be recorded that 1881 is noteable for the largest census ever taken in the British Islands, the largest Volunteer review ever held in the British Islands, the hottest day and the coldest ever scientifically recorded in England, the greatest number of comoto ever seen in the same year in England, the highest high jump, the quickest quarter-mile run, and the largest score at cricket ever made by one batsman in one innings ; the quickest sea-passage on record between England and Australia, and between England and North America.

Ambeioan Eailwaxs. —It is stated that the mileage of railroad built in America during the past year was remarkable, _ it having surpassed all previous ones. During the year 1881, 8224 miles were constructed, and the average for the last two years is 7699 miles, compared with an average of only 3342 miles for the eight years from 1872 to 1880. There are still large amounts of capital being employed in the same direction, and there are a number of uncompleted projected roads j but the new mileage of 1882 is not likely to equal the high figures of last year. The tendency of the money market was naturally towards ease, owing in a measure to the January dividends, and also to the reduction of speculative accounts and the decline of prices during the last few months, At times, however, there has been considerable artificial stringency, and commissions additional to the legal rate have been paid. But the ease now visible might revive the confidence of speculators, and induce some rebound in prices, were the strife of railroad magnates to end. A New Sense. — Science has lately developed a new sense, and what is very unusual with it, in connection with the imagination. Wo are gravely assured that “ tome few people " are conscious of *• certain colors accompanying the perception of notes and noises." Generally speaking (remarks the Loudon correspondent of the “ Argus ’’) the higher notes are accompanied by light colors, the lower by dark. “ A Thorough Musician ” even professed to perceive a distinct color with each key. “ A major” wears a blue uniform, “ O major " a grey, and “ O flat major ” a reddish brown—a uniform hitherto supposed, by the bye, to belong to a “ B flat.” By “ four persons” the sight of a quietly burning gas flame “led to the perception of a sound constructed of W and alight vowel like e." When the flame flickered “the sound grew similar to I.” The now sense is called “color-hearing," and the reports (which is a proof of the theory) seem very highly colored. That scarlet is like “ the sound of a trumpet ” to those who have never seen scarlet or heard a trumpet (I forget which) is a well-known dogma. Nor is the word “color-hearing” a greater contradiction in terms than “ word painting.” What is not surprising, the percentage of color-hearers is greater in men than women ; one can’t pet the women to listen. Finally, and to cap the whole thing, we are informed that “ the phenomenon is in a great degree hereditary.” The one great good that may arise from this discovery is that it may do away with all musical instruments whatever. Folks will only have to stare and not to be stunned.

The Channel Tunnbl—Meanwhile the preliminary labors for the construction of the submarine tunnel which is to connect France and England are being carried on (says the “ Argus”) with great activity and a fair prospect of success. The layer of rock that will have to be pierced, and which is a part of what geologists call cretaceous rock, is covered over with a thick bed of clay, placed there very fortunately to prevent infiltrations, the only danger that ie indeed to be feared. In a month hence the two galleries pierced at each extremity with a view to meet each other in the geometrical axis of the tunnel, will have attained the length of 1600 yards on each side, being one-tenth of the total length (31 miles across). It is calculated that in five years’ time the French and English miners will meet in the middle of the Straits j five years more will be doubtless required to give the proper width to the tunnel, and to lay down the railway; so that it may already be foretold that, in ten years from the present time, a now wonder, the most marvellous of all, will take its place among the many stupendous works of the age. It will then be more easy, and certainly loss dangerous, to pass the Channel by rail than it is to day to go on foot or in a cab from one part of Paris to another, for here the omnibuses, tramways, oafcs, and coaches are insufficient for the conveyance of passengers, nor can their number be increased without running the risk of impsding the circulation altogether, especially on the grand Boulevards, where, from three o’clock in the afternoon till twelve at night, the obstruction is so great that you are anxiously inclined to ask yourself into how many little bit* you will bo hacked and hewed by the wheele of the oarriagee, it you are venturesome enough to thread your way among them. The only solution to the problem would seem to be the creation of underground railways, like the London Metropolitan, or of railways in the air, according to a plan which ie just now under the notice of our Minister of Public Works.

Convocation overheard in a horse car—- “ When you call for a beer do you say ‘A glance of Bawso ’ or ' A glass of Bawoe ' or ‘A glawce of Baas’ or merely ‘A glass of Baas ?’ ” “I don’t say either. I say ‘ One beer.’ ”

When is a certain kind of lemonade like a wood-stove ? When there’s a stick in it. Epitaph for a carpenter—Passed to the higher piano. The ladies wear the poke bonnet because it is easier to “ scoop ” in the young gentleman. Zeller, the composer and friend of Goethe, used to say at table—“ As long es I have wafer, I decline beer and drink wine.” The best description that we ever heard of a slow man was that ho was too slow to get out of his own way. Geo/go Washington never told a lie ; but it must bo remembered that he entered politics when the country was very new.

Where one woman scans the horizon for signs of the dawn of a bright era, ten are scouting among their neighbors trying to borrow si leral.us. ~ The facetious postage-stamp clerk who tol a man that asked for two twos that this was not an aesthetic post-office, Jis now looking for a new situation. An old sailor was observed to be always hanging about the door of a church when * marriage was taking place. He explained that ho liked to see the tide going out. A medical certificate is among the treasures of the London General Post-office, worded as follows :—“ This is to certify that I attended Mrs . in her last illness, and that she died in consequence thereof.” We are sometimes so impressed by a fellowman’s estimate of his importonoe that wo tremble at the mere suggestion of what might have been if the Lord had forgotten to make him.

“ Inquirer ” asks :—“ Can a man be a Christian and play euchre ?” The opinion is that he can play euchre, but ho probably will not win if he is conscientious. Lives of sßjthotios all remind us, We can make our raiment fine. And, departing, leave behind ua Dados of correct design.

Posilively the Latest College Joke —Professor says :—“ Time is money ; how do you prove it?” “Well, you give twenty-fivo cents to a couple of tramps ; that is a quarter to two.”