NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2496, 6 April 1882, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A Justice of the Peace.— Mr J. Wilfred Smith, of the firm of Brown and Smith, Lyttelton, has been gazetted a Justice of the Peace.

The English Mail. —The Union Steamship Company’s e.s. Hawea, with the inward mails via San Francisco, arrived at half-past one o’clock to day.

The Yoluntsbes. —The drill-shed enclosure is thickly atuddod with tents for the accommodation of the volunteers expected from the South. Extraordinary Unanimity. —At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, ninety civil cases were set down for hearing, not aoy of which were disputed. Supreme Court. —The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were concluded this morning. Patrick O’Shanassy and John Kollsr, whose case could not be proceeded with owing to the absence of the prosecutor, were bound over to appear next session. In thecas'of James Wyvill and Alfred Simpson, charged with conspiring to defraud their creditors, the indictment was quashed on account of a technical defect. A Missing Boat’s Crew Heard From.— A short time since the ship Phasit, which arrived at Lyttelton from Calcutta, brought a boat’s crew—the captain, second officer, and ten men—that the master of the Phaeis had picked up at sea. They had belonged to a Dutch ship named the Alblasserwaard, which took fire, and they had been compelled to abandon her. From their report tho other boat’s crew had not b en heard from, but the following, taken from a Montrose i(Sootland) paper, announces the arrival of tho missing boat at Cape Town. There were, therefore, no lives lost: —“Cape Town, January 15th.— Tho Albiarserwaard, from Shields for Batavia, was abandoned on fire November 28th, in latitude 35 5 N., 80 B. Part of the crew saved by the U.B. barque Caprera, and afterwards lauded here by British ship Titania. Eleven of crew are known to be safe. Nothing known of remainder captain, second officer, and ten men,” Tho news of the arrival here of the captain and mou had clearly not reached tho Capo at the time the above was written.

The Ferry Road. —As a party of boating men were returning to town last evening, anxious to bo present at the complimentary dinner to bo given to the Otago crew, their progress was considerably retarded by what was nearly proving a nasty accident. Tho party were being driven in a four-wheeler, and on arriving at the point on the Ferry road where the tramway is being laid down tho driver, apparently a stranger to the road, took the narrowest portion of the scant room left for vehicles to pass, and had not proceeded far before the oft wheels went into the side drain, and the occupants were pitched somewhat unceremoniously and precipitously on to the footpath. Fortunately no one sustained any serious injury, and tho conveyance i being righted a detour was made off tho 1 F;rry road to some of tho side streets, but tho party again got into trouble on endeavoring to reach the main road at a higher point towards the town, and were very considerably delayed before they reached home. It would be as well if the responsible authorities were requested to provide more lights during the progress of the tramway works, as on a dark night it would be extremely dangerous for a stronger to drive down the road in its present state.

Ashburton Woollen Factory. On Monday afternoon a special train of fourteen trucks conveyed the plant and machinery to Ashburton from Christchurch, Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. —The usual fortnightly meeting of thL body should have been held yesterday, but lapsed for want of a quorum, tho o:i!y member present being Mr J. Q. Hawkcs. A special meeting of the Board is called for today at 4 p. m , when a full attendance is re qms’ed, business of importance awaiting transaction.

Very Narrow Escape. —On Wednesday, whilst Mr G. Burt was grinding a tomabtwk on a stone driven by a belt from the engine of Mesaru Bamberger and Franz, at Eangiora, tho belt caught in some sudden way, and the grindstone, with its frame, was thrown into several pieces. Strange to say, Mr Burt escaped without being hurt by either the lumps of stone or the timber work. Stbambr Excursions. —Those who lay themselves out to spend Good Friday at one or other of the pleasure resorts near port, or who have an inclination to visit the man-of-war in harbor, should consult the shipping column of advertisements in to-day’s issue. The steamer Titan will make a trip to Pigeon Bay and back, the Akaroa runs to Little Akaloa, and tho steam launch Lyttelton is to run to and from H.M.9. Miranda, On Saturday the steamer Akaroa will make an excursion trip to Pigeon Bay, and on Sunday the Titan is to run to Little Akeloa,

Qeain Statistics.—At yesterday’* meeting of the Ashburton County Council, Mr Hugo Friediander gave the following notice of motion, the adoption of which, if the information could be uniformly and truthfully gleaned in Ashburton County and the remaining counties throughout the colony, seems calculated to prove of sterling value to grain statisticians, namely—“ That for the trustworthy information of those interested in the grain statistics of the colony, it bo a recommendation to the Government to take such steps as will make it compulsory on the owners of threshing machines to supply the Government with correct returns of all grain threshed by their respective machines during the season, such returns to he sent in as soon as practicable after threshing.” Lincoln.—The usual monthly meeting of the Lincoln school committee was held on Monday evening, the 3rd inst. Present — Messrs Wolfe (chairman), Tod, Doherty, Bestall and Louguet. The master's report was submitted. This was considered very satisfactory, as, notwithstanding the peculiarly untoward circumstances, sickness, &0., it showed that the average attendance tor the quarter ending March 31st was 117, doing exactly the same as that of the two previous quarters. Some small accounts were psseed for payment, subject to correction, after which the committee adjourned. Pbesbntation.—On Friday lait the chil dren attending the Ashburton district school presented Miss Dynes with a handsome silver bracelet, on the occasion of her leaving that district. Mount Somers Watbe Supply. —At yesterday’s meeting of the Ashburton County Council it was resolved that the engineer proceed with the water supply to Mount Somers as soon as more pressing duties permit of his attending to it. Waipara Licensing- Committed. —At the election for this committee on Monday, conducted by Mr 0. Whifefonrd, the numbers polled were J. D. Lance 17, J. Little 16, R. Johnston 14, James D mglas 13, W. Parkerson 13, J. Glendining 10, and L. Tofbwill 4. Messrs Lance, Little, Johnston, Douglas, and Parkerson were declared elected.

Katapox Island —A concert was given in the island south schoolroom on Tuesday evening in aid of the funds. The musical selections were given by Mrs Turner, Mis* Johnston, Miss Pinching, Miss Blakely, Miss Scott, Messrs Weston, Walls, Blakeley. There was a very good attendance and several encores.

Meeting op Ratepayers, Courtenay.— A meeting of the ratepayers of this district wos held at the Boad Board office, Kirwee, on the 4th inst., for the purpose of deciding a* to the advisability of having the district divided into wards before the next annual election of members of the Hoad Board; the chairman of the Boad Board in the chair. Having briefly explained the object of the meeting, the chairman called upon the ratepayers present to propose a resolution, Mr McNae proposed, ar.d Mr" Lord seconded—- “ That the Boad Board district remain undivided as at present.” Mr J. W. Sawle, seconded by Mr Ohas. Storey, moved as an amendment—“ That the district be divided into wards.” Mr Sawlo having spoken at some length in favor of his amendment, after slight discussion a show of hands was called for by the chairman, resulting as follows : For the amendment, 12; for the original motion, 20. The chairman thereupon declared the original motion carried, and the meeting adjourned. Stack Fire at Willebden.— The adjourned enquiry into this fire was held at the Courthouse, Sonthbridge, on Tuesday, before E. J. Lee, Esq., deputy coroner, and a jury of thirteen. Constable Hole stated that the police had made the most searching enquiries, but could arrive at no definite conclusions as to the origin of the fire. Detective Neil bad been sent from Christchurch, and his report had that day reached him, and he was then waiting for a telegram from Inspector Broham as to whether it could be laid before the jury. He had measured the distance from the scene of the fire to the road, and found it exactly 100 paces, the distance to the cross road being rather further. A telegram was then handed to Constable Hole from tbs inspector, stating that the detective’s report was not te be disclosed. The jury, without rn* tiring,-returned a verdict—“ That the stack in question was burnt on the evening of the22od March, but there was no evidence as to cause of same.” City Improvements. —Messrs Jacobsen Brothers have been entrusted by Mr George Coleman with the preparation of plans for a large building, which it is proposed to erect in that part of Lichfield street running back to Bedford Bow. The building in question will be two stories in height, the area of same will bo 50rt by 33ft. A partially underground cellar, 4ft below the footpath level and 3ft above ground, extending over the some area, is arranged. This will have a concrete floor a foot in thickness The cellar walls will be also of concrete, 2ft in thickness. The height of the ground floor will be 15ft in the clear, the walls beir.-g of brick and 2ft in thickness. The main entrance is 7ft in width, with handso.no folding doors, reached by a flight of six steps. On the left of the entrance, commodious offices are planned, the remainder of the ground floor being suitable for warehouse or storage purposes. The upper floor will be reached by a patent lift, and is also intended for warehousing, for which it will be most suitable, as thi floor is not divided. The walls are 14in thick, and will allow of a third storey being added. The rafters will be close hoarded, the roof being of corrugated iron. The height of building is 38ft. Tho front elevation will have an elegant appearance, tho whole being coated with compo. Four handsome fluted pilasters are shown, with heavy trussing, supporting the cornice. There are continued to the balustrade, which shows as being handsomely enriched. The windows are also very elegantly designed.

Theatbe Boyal.—For some reaion or other, whether from the fact that it is becoming well known and therefore appreciated, “ Patience ” last night went splendidly with the audience from first to last. Not only did they applaud but encores were frequent and hearty, Miss Bees and Signor Verdi received an encore for their duet “ Ob, willow waly,” and Mdlle. Navoro and Mr Vernon were accorded the unusual compliment of a recall for their exit, to which they did not, however, respond. A double encore was, as usual, given to the duet betw. en Mdlle. Navaro and Mr Vernon, “ Good day to you," and the rendering of it evoked a perfect shout of laughter. Mdlle. Navaro’s violinoollo obligato was productive of much amusement, as also was the duet between Mr Vernon and Signor Verdi, “ When I go out of door,” Signor Biocsrdi’s song “ When I first put this uniform on,” was nicely sung, and was re demanded, as was also the seatotte, one of the prettiest numbers in the opera. In this Miss Bessie Boyal’e voice is heard to great advantage. Several of the other numbers were redemanded, and aa a whole the performance was marked by mere verve and _go than on any previous occasion. To-night “ Patience ” will bo repeated, and to morrow a eacred concert, in which the principals and members of tho chorus will take part, has been arranged for. The programme is a very excellent one, comprising all the gems of sacred music, and as the scale of prices has been arranged with a view of making it essentially a popular ooncer:, no doubt there will be a large attendance. Abhbubton Hospital —During March, eleven patients were admitted, and nine discharged. On the Ist March there were six inmates, and on the Slst there were eight. Ou 15tb March, Mr Alfred Harrison wrote to tho County Council, stating that a man suffering from a fall, his arm being bruised and swollen from the wrist to the shoulder, had called the previous day at the writer’s office, being unable to obtain admission to tho hospital, having no money. Money or no money, Mr Harrison was sura this was not the desire of the Council, and be put the case before them, feeling it his duty to do so. Mr Harrison wrote the mm (by name McGregor) an order, and he was admitted. Mr Harrison added that, in the event of the Council thinking it right, he would pay for McGregor’s maintenance, though a stranger to him. The chairman mentioned that McGregor had apparently been a little “touchy,” and, when spoken to about an able-bodied man in this country being destitute, had replied that ha would not go to any hospital if ho was spoken to in that way, and then went away in a huff. Mr Wright said he thought a little over-zeal was potsibly evinced in the administering of a little wholesome advice first and attention to ailments afterwards, instead of vice versa. The Council resolved that Mr Harrison should be recouped amount spent, namely, £1 ; and took occasion to repudiate the idea that any men was refused admission because he was without money. On MrFriedlonder’s motion, seconded by Mr Wright, it was resolved—“ Thnt Messrs Winter and Lambie be members of the hospital and charitable aid management committee.”

Seasonable Benevolence. —At the opening rehearsal of Mr Williamson’s Opera Company, one of the gentlemen met with an accident and hurt hie leg badly by falling through one of the traps on the stage. Mr Beatty was present, and had the sufferer conveyed to Mr Townend’s surgery, and had the injured limb attended to. This gentleman was unable to appear Kill last night, when he was agreeably surprised to find two cheques for substantial amounts waiting for him from Messrs Williamson and Beatty. Kaiapox Foal, Geain, and Hoot Show. —There was a good attendance at this ihiw to-day, but the exhibits were fewer than lust year. The following first prizes were awarded: —Heavy draught foals, John Prizzel; light draught, Michael Lynskey ; light foals, Thos. McDowell; Hunter’s white wheat, James Walls j Tuscan wheat, Bicbard Evans j other wheats, Richard Evans ; short oats, William Pearson; peas, Edwin Parnham j beans, Edwin Parnham ; grass seed, Richard Evans ; Derwent potatees, Richard Evans ; kidney potatoes, George Read ; onions, Robert Ooup >’ globe mangolds, Samuel Clothier ; red mangolds, James Walls; green top turnips, Samuel Clothier ; purple do, John Gilmour ; swedes, Samuel Clothier; red and white carrots, Samuel Clothier 5 31b fresh butter, Mrs Aahworth ; salt do, Mrs Rees Griffiths; new cheese, George Oheokley ; old do, Wm. Pearson,

Thb United Pbess Association. —Within the last few days, meetings of the directors of tho United Press Association, Limited, have been hold in this city. It is understood that the object of the assemblage here is to consider proposals for the rearrangement of cable news at present supplied to New Zealand papers by Reuter’s Telegram Company, Limited. Reuter’s colonial manager, Mr H. M. Collins of Melbourne, is also here, and in communication with the directors of the association. Aquatic. The annual contest between the Canterbury and Otago Bowing Clubs came off on the Estuary last evening, and, contrary to general expectation, resulted in an easy victory for the 0.E.0. crew. At a dinner given to the visitors at the Commercial Hotel, the chairman, on behalf of the Otago crew, presented each of the winners with a memento of their victory in tha shape of a nicely executed silver oar,- about fiin in length, on which will bo engraved the names of the crews and the date of the race. A report of the race appears elsewhere. United Feibndly Societies’ Dispbnsaey.—The sub-committee appointed to consider way* and means met last night at Arenas’ Oaf 6do Paris. Mr Sexton was voted to the chair. Most of tho items of expenditure were considered, but, in consequence of not being able to arrive at the cost of one of the principal items required without professional advice, it was decided to allow that portion of the business to stand over until the next meeting, when the information required would bo forthcoming. It was thought by the committee that they might follow the example of the promoters of the Emerald Hill Dispensary, which proved so successful, viz, to make a small levy on tho members, and raise tho balance by means of bazaars, entertainments, &c. In reply to tho question of a member, it was stated that several of the most popular doctors in Christchurch had expressed themselves favourable to the establishment of a dispensary in connection with the Friendly Societies.

Waikuku. —The diatriot school committee met on Tuesday evening. Present—Messrs McDonald (chairman), Skovington. Merries, Pope, Griffiths, and H. Orchard. Correspondonee was read from the Board of Education re salaries, &3, The master’s report was discussed and considered satisfactory. The chairman wag directed to procure a supply of fuel for the use of the school. It was agreed that from the second week in April tho school should open at 930 a.m. The question of celebrating the anniversary was discussed, and it was resolved that the chairman, with Messrs Skevington and Morriss, should bo a committee for carrying out the annual treat, sports, entertainment, and prize presentation, and that the same should take place within a month, Tho master was requested to try and obtain the cervices of a neighbouring schoolmaster to examine the school. After payment of salaries, and some m.nor business, the committee adjourned.