NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2486, 25 March 1882, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The High Street Case —On the hearing of the charges against the brothers Chamberlain in this matter, the witnesses for the prosecution declined to lift the expenses awarded them by the Court, requesting that the money might be devoted to some charitable purpose. Yesterday Mr Whitefoord stated that the sum, amounting to something over £3, should be handed to the man W. Clements, who has, in consequence of the attack on him, been rendered unfit for work, and who is now in very straitened circumstances.

Concert at Port.—The benefit entertainment in aid of the Lyttelton Brass Band Fund came off on Friday night, in the Oddfellows' Hall at Port, and was a financial success.

Harvest Thanksgiving. Harvest thanksgiving services, morning and evening, and a children's afternoon flower service, are to form to-morrow's order of services at the Colombo road Wesleyan Church. Thompson's Diorama.—Mr Thompson's agent has been making arrangements in Lyttelton for an exhibition of the diorama of the "Zulu War" next week. Mr Thompson has been drawing crowed houses during his stay here, and no doubt he will find the Lyttelton people as appreciative during the exhibition of the diorama in Port.

Oddfellowship.—Members of the Loyal City of Christchurch Lodge are summoned to meet on Monday next for their usual quarterly meeting. There is a good deal of business on the sheet for that evening. Mrs Hampson's Mission.—This mission, which has been so successful during the week, will be continued until next Tuesday. This evening there will be the usual service, with address by Mrs Hampson, in the Theatre Royal. To-morrow there will be three services, viz. :—At 8 30 a.m., an hour's service, prayer and address; at 3 p.m., service for children ; and at 7.30, prayer and address. Since last Sunday a large number of additional chairs have been placed in the Theatre, so that there will be more accommodation than there was last Sunday. It is the wish of the committee that persons who do not frequent churches should take seats before church congregations arrive. As the opportunity to hear such a woman as Mrs Hampson is not of frequent ocourrence, and a brief report gives nothing like a fair idea of the peculiar powers of the speaker, the committee hope that a large number of nonchurchgoers will be at the Theatre to-morrow evening.

Tea to Seamen in Port —A meeting was held on Friday evening in the Wesleyan schoolroom to make arrangements for giving a free tea to the seamen now in port. The Wesleyan and Presbyterian churches were represented, but a letter from the Rev. J. Townsend was read, declining, on behalf of the vestry of the Episcopal Church, to cooperate in the matter. The Rev. W. B. Marten was voted to the chair, and stated what steps had been taken. Sufficient funds would be forthcoming, and it remained only to complete the arrangements. It was decided to hold the meeting in the Oddfellows' Hall. The Revs. J. Hill and W. B. Marten were appointed a committee to prepare a programme ; a second committee being chosen to carry out all details. There is an unusually Iarge number of vessels in port just now, and it is anticipated the proposed meeting will prove a thorough success.

Primitive Methodist Churches. —The service to-morrow evening in the Cambridge Terrace and Phillipstown Churches will commence at 6.15 and conclude not later than seven o'clock. This is to enable the congregations to hear Mrs Hampson at 730 in the Theatre Royal. The Rev. J. Ward will preach in the Terrace Church, morning and evening, specially to young Christians.

Druids.—The quarterly summoned meeting of the Oak of Sydenham Lodge of Druids was held on Wednesday night last in St. Saviour's schoolroom, A.D. Bro. J. Hill presiding. There was a large attendance of members, also a number of visiting brethren It was resolved that the members take part in the procession at the opening of the Exhibition. There was one candidate initiated, and one brother admitted by clearance. After a considerable amount of business had been transacted, the lodge was closed. Receipts of the evening, £40 18s.

INTERCOLONIAL WEATHER EXCHANGE. — Sydney, yesterday—On the south coast of Australia, N.W. wind, with rain ; Tasmania, S.E., with rain; at New South Wales, fine. Barometer —Portland, 30 1; Hobart, 30.0; Sydney, 30 3. Friendly Societies' Dispensary.—An adjourned meeting of the delegates was held last evening at the Foresters' Hall, Oxford terrace. Mr S. D. Nathan was voted to the chair. The consideration of the draft rules submitted by the sub-committee was entertained, and several of them were adopted, and the meeting adjourned till Wednesday next, 29th instant. Thompson's Diorama,—There was a large attendance at the Gaiety Theatre last night, when Thompson's diorama of the Zulu war was again exhibited. To-day will be the last matinee, when every child attending will be presented with a gift. To-night the usual performance will be given, which is the last in Christchurch, On Monday Mr Thompson will visit the Northern districts. Ashburton Football Club.—There are now twenty-five paid-up members belonging to this club. The following have been elected officers for the coming season : President, Mr A. Harrison ; vice-president, Dr. Ross; captain, Mr A. Fooks; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr Wm. Townshend; committee, Messrs Brett, Fish, J. Fooks, Lechner and Evans. Ashley School Committee.—The annual meeting of householders of this district having fallen through owing to the absence of accounts and report for the past year, a meeting was held on Thursday evening. There was a fair attendance, and Mr F. Wright presided. The report showed the school to be in fair working order, despite the interruptions caused by diphtheria, measles, and harvest operations. Sixteen candidates were nominated for election to the committee, and on a ballot being taken the following were declared elected:—Messrs F. Wright, J. Robertson, C. Wilson, C. S. Houghton, J. Ellwood, J. Patterson, and G. Bowron. The new committee then met, and re elected Mr Wright to the office of chairman. School Examinations. —Ashley School was recently examined for prizes by Mr F. J. Cumberworth, of Southbrook School, and on Wednesday afternoon the successful scholars received their rewards. Mr F. Wright, chairman of the committee, being the distributor. The following is the prize list: —Standard V., Eliza Fraser, 1; Jessie Robertson, 2. Standard IV., Charles Houghton, 1; Ellen Bowron, 2 ; Annie Lock, 3. Standard III., Hannah O'Neill, 1 ; Hope Patterson, 2; Edith Graham, 3. Standard II., John Thwaites, 1; Albert Waters, 2 ; Mabel Bowron and George Croft (equal), 3. Standard I., Sarah Johnston, 1; Mary Schmidt, 2 ; Alexander Fraser, 3; Annie Waters, 4. A book was also presented to each scholar in the infant school. Cheers for the teachers and committee brought the proceedings to a close.

Broadfield —A public meeting of householders in the Broadfield school district, for the election of a new school committee, was held on Thursday, the 23rd instant. Mr H. Larcombe was voted to the chair. The late chairman (Mr Maginness) read the annual report and balance-sheet. Mr Larcombe moved and Mr Clark seconded— "That the report and balance-sheet, as read, be adopted." —Carried. The following gentlemen were then duly elected members of the school committee for the current year, viz.:—Messrs Maginness, S. Early, sen., H. Harrison, J. Denison, R. Robinson, H. Larcombe, and P. Clark. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr H. Larcombe was chosen chairman and Mr H. Harrison treasurer. It was proposed by Mr Harrison and seconded by Mr Robinson— "That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr Maginness for the very able manner in which he has performed the duties of chairman during the last two years."— Carried. The committee then adjourned. Papanui Coursing Club.—A meeting of the committee of the above club was held last night at Wild's Sawyers' Arms Hotel, Papanui. There was a fair attendance, and Mr E. S. B. Bell occupied the chair. The meeting was principally for the final fixture of the meeting days for the coming season. A discussion ensued, as since several other clubs have sprung into existence, and Mr Turner being engaged for most of them, it was a hard matter to arrange, so that they did not clash. The following are the arrangements made :—First meeting, May 2nd and following days, All aged Stakes of 2 guineas, and Puppy Stakes of 1 1/2 guineas. Second meeting, June 27th and following days, consisting of St. Leger of 2 guineas, and Members Plate of 1 1/2 guineas. Third meeting, August 2nd and following days, Papanui Cup of 5 guineas, and Sapling Stakes of 2 guineas. The secretary was authorised to have the programme printed in the daily and weekly papers. Mr Turner will perform the arduous duties of judge, and Mr Adam McConnell has kindly given his services as slipper. Heavy Fire Losses.—The Phoenix Fire Office, which celebrates its centenary this year, was established in 1782. In that year a small band of London merchants agreed together to found a fire insurance business. Their first heavy loss was the Ratcliff fire of 1794, in which they were called upon for some £50,000. In 1807 the Phoenix paid £200,000 on account of a terrific fire in the Island of St. Thomas, West Indies; in 1842 it paid £216 000 for the Hamburg fire; in 1846, £114,000 for the fire in Newfoundland, and in the memorable year 1861, in the course of which the Tooley street fire occurred, the losses of the Phoenix averaged £1000 per day. Another ten years passed, and fires in America of no common kind arose, and for Chicago £100,000, and for Boston nearly £50,000 was promptly paid. In short, the office has paid during its existence, in satisfaction of fire claims, over £13,000,000 sterling, and to its proprietors dividends fully equal to the heavy responsibilities undertaken by them.

Kaiapoi Foal, Grain and Root Show. It is expected that the show of grain this season will be very satisfactory, and in addition to the attractions in the shape of prime samples of grain and well-grown roots, it is expected there will be a tolerable show of fruits and flowers, and if the latter is successful, the show ought to lead on to the establishment of a horticultural society. Ferry Road Improvements.—The projected improvements on this road, by lowering the crown during the progress of the tramway operations appeared at one time to have come to grief through the unaccountable opposition of some of the residents on the road. However, better counsels have prevailed, and a memorial has been sent in to the Heathcote Road Board, signed by a large majority of the ratepayers affected by the rate, requesting the Board to levy the special rate as at first proposed, and proceed at once with the work. Consequently fresh arrangements have been ontered into with the contractor, but the work will not now be so complete as originally laid out, and the expense will be increased. What at one time appeared to be an insurmountable difficulty has now been got over, and the perpetuation of a serious drawback to the welfare of this progressive district has happily been averted.

Grain Fire at Southbridge. About 10.30 p.m. on Wednesday evening, as the family at Willesden were retiring to rest, Mr Willis discovered that one of his straw heaps, from which the grain had not been removed, was on fire. He immediately called the rest of his household, and hurried to the paddock. On arriving at the scene of the fire, the bags of wheat, which were in two lots some short distance from the straw heap, as well as the straw itself, were burning as it were from different points, having every appearance of being set fire to. The utmost endeavors were used to save as many of the bags as possible, and, as fortunately the straw was on the lee side of the grain, a considerable portion was saved, although the bulk was partially damaged by fire and water. When the threshing machine left the paddock some five days ago everything was secure. In the heap that was destroyed were about 800 bushels of good wheat. It was estimated after the fire that of the wheat that was saved 200 bushels were but little damaged, 100 bushels only partially damaged, and 100 bushels rendered almost valueless, the remaining 400 bushels being totally destroyed. Fortunately for Captain Willis a portion of his loss is covered by insurance in the Union Insurance Company, but he will still be a considerable loser. Mr T. Willis was supposed to have been the last person at the stack on Monday evening, when everything was perfectly secure. At about ten minutes past ten Mr Willis passed a window looking directly on the straw heap without noticing any fire, and a quarter of an hour afterwards on passing the same window, he first discovered the flames.

Hydrophobia.—We ("Sydney Morning Herald") have been shown by the Colonial Secretary a telegram received by him from the Agent-General on the subjeot of hydrophobia. Mr Samuel says : —" Dr. Saunderson reoommends prohibit importation of dogs entirely, except from colonies where same regulations in force. Mr Fleming advises recourse to rigid prohibition, unless really effeotive quarantine can bo guaranteed. Reports by mail." This telegram is in reply to a letter written to Mr Samuel at the instance of the Chief Inspeotor of Stock, requesting that soientifio advioe might be taken in rogard to the danger of introducing hydrophobia through tho indiscriminate importation of dogs. Mr Fleming is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and, as well as Dr. Burden Saunderson, is considered one of the best authorities on subjects of this nature.

A Sbntimehtal Reason.—A correspon dont, who addresses her letter from Wood end (Bays the "Australasian") undertakes to supply some reasons for the reluctance of colonial girls to engage iu domestic service in addition to those stated in our last issue. The only tangible one in those she mentions is stated in these terms :—" There is another thing that the girls know, a d some feel deeply. It is that should they succeed in obtaining a better position in lifo by marriage, the name of servant would cling to them, and they would have to boar slights and sneers in consequence." This illustrates what we observed last week, as to tho difficulty, owing to their complexity, of most social questions. The assumption, it will be seen, is that domestic service is something humiliating, if not degrading, and is, at any rate, something to be ashamed of. What is to be said in reply to so preposterous a feeling as this ? It is evident that if peoplo wore to select their occupations upon such absurd principles as this, a large number of highly indispensable callings would go unocoupied. We should have no grooms, or navvies, or laborers, not to mention far more unpleasant callings; bocause, if a man were in later life to come into a fortune, it would be unpleasant to be reminded of bis former occupation. If wo could think that the reason assigned by our correspondent had muoh irfluenco with tho class from which servant girls are recruited, then indeed tho problem would seem a hopeless one, and a good deal else would seem vory hopelesi too. We should say that it is a very much more creditable and respectable thing for young women to earn their living honestly and usefully as domestio servants, engaged in work whioh is an education for their duties as wives and mothers, than to remain idle, waiting on the expectation of a chance offering of marrying into a hotter position, a chance which their work in earning "n honest livelihood would be likely to spoil.

Manufactttbb op Gas.—The "Times " cays a great improvement in the manufacture of gao has just been introduced at Watford, by Messrs Bogors Bros., whose workshops and premises are now lighted with the new gas, which gives a pure white and brilliant light cf about fire times the illuminating power of ordinary coal gaa. By the new process no smoke or smell is emitted, and no " sorubbiDg," or lime purifying, is requisite. Thcro is no danger iu the manufacture, as only non-explosive oils are used. The new apparatus cin be adapted to any existing coal gas works, t-.iul all ordinary pipes, gas-holders, &o , can be utilised. A sufficient quantity of gas of great luminosity and purity can be manufactured in a few hours to keep a large mansion supplied for a week, at Is 6i per 1000 cubic feet, wbioh is about one third the price of the Watford town gas. A burner passing one cuhio foot per hour cf this new gas, according to the photometric test, gives as much light as a burner passing five cubic feet of the ordinary coal gas ; and as it contains no sulphuretted hydrogen or carbonic acid, plants, pictures, books, and gilding, do not in any way suffer from its contact. Mining in Victobia.—Mining prospeots in Victoria are steadily improving, as manifested by the returns published by the Dapartment of Mines for the quarter ending December. Tho figures for that quarter show an improvement on the three months closing in September. The grosi yield for the first three months was 200,000-zs., while in the December quarter it rose to a difference which represents an increase in value of £70,000. One of our Melbourne contemporaries, in noticing this satisfactory state of affairs, poiuts out that this was not duo to one particular cause. The returns from quartz in tho first quarter were 130,0000 z, and in the cecoud quarter 137,0000 z. The returns from alluvial workings wore in tho first three months 78,0000 z, and in tho second 87,000czi. /' We hare thus," oays the "Leader," "a distinct gain on both of the great branob.es of this industry." A curicua feature of tho return is a decline in the number of miners. Of the 376 Ohinamen who departed, probably a certain proportion retired upon small competencies to tha Flowery Land The 210 Europeans who also loft tho industry did so with other views. In all likelihood a certain number wore attracted to the diggings at Mount Browne, while r.ot a few have been transferred to tho rich leads of Oarcoar. Tho numerioal loss is small, and will doubtless soon bo mado up. Nevertheless it is a loss, and though cf course it shows the increase in the yield in a more favorable liqht than over, it is not a cause for congratulation. Mining, however, is subject to sudden rises and falls. Btbakgb if Tbttb. —At Matata the other day, a. son of Mikaeri, of the Ngatirangitiki tribe, was severely burnt, through another child setting fire to his shirt. Mrs Hill attendod the unfortunate little one, and did euerything in her power to alleviate tho pain. After athree days'illness the child died from the effect of the bums, and the Natives held a tangi on the remains. On the morning after the death the child arose and said, " I am hungry, I am cold," greatly to the astonishment of tho assembled tangi party. The one that was dead is bow doing pretty well, says the " Bay of Plenty Times," but as usual the want of proper nourishment will probably cause a more certain death in a few days.

! Pbtijolbpm as Fr/81,.-—The " Nitionsl Q-ezfctio," commenting o;i petroleum being uaed us fuel, jays : —We tball soon be able to announce a wonderful stride in tho mechanical appHunces for using liquid fuel generating steam in both marine and land boilers. Tho matter is in the hands of practical men, if ho will demonstrate that they can make from twenty eight to thirty gallons of crude petroleum, costing from 85 to 90 cents, do tho work of a ton of coal, costing from 4 dollars to 4, dollars 15 cents, without dirt or smoke, and when, as in the oase of a large steamer carrying from forty to forty to forty-five men in the fire-room, one man in each will be abundantly able to keep up a uniform pressure of steam at all times. Liquid fuel is the intervening step between coal and oleotrioity, whioh will in due season furnish motion for the world. Check and Cottnteb check. —The_ Admiralty has been trying experiments with a view to get at the best way of reflecting tho electric light without loss, a problem that is likely to conoern the photographer very closely ere long. Most of our battle ships carry the electric light for the purpose of sweeping the seas in searoh of torpedo-boats contemplating a night attack. It would be the aim, of course, of the torpedo launch to deßtroy the light apparatus as soon as it could, and for this and other motives the swift little craft is armed with small, but powerful guns. The battle Bhip, on the other hand, is seeking to protect its source of light behind armor and then to bond the rays in the proper direotion by some suitable apparatus. Both lenses and reflectors havo been tried on board the Bultan at Portsmouth, und her captain has come to the conclusion that a dioptric lens is by far the beet apparatus to employ. A reflector made of Chance's glass, and carefully silvored, proved tolerably serviceable, but the bright light travelled a much greater distance when aided by the lens. The smoke and steam of a torpedo launch can be plainly seen a mile off, for the rays strike against the vapor as it would against a solid screen.