NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2504, 18 April 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

R.M. Court, Lyttelton Messrs H. AUwright and J. Wilford Smith, J. P.’s, presided r.t the Court th : s morriug F. Wellwood. charge 1 with larceny of a n»ir of opera glasses belonging to Henry Williams, value .£2, was remanded. John Pugh, for vagrancy, was sentenced to fourteen da\ s’ imprisonment, and a case of fighting between W. P Stewart and Charles Edwards terminated in the defendant being fined 10s Theatre Royal —The time honored and ever welcome “ Pinafore” was performed last night by Mr Willicm’on’a talented company. We are unable to report so highly of the execution of this opera as wo could with. After the perfect acting and faultless presentation ot “ Patience,” the change is very disappointing. The principal characters were all undertaken by artistes of undoubted ability, hut with the exception of Messrs Ricoardi, Verdi, and Ford, not forgetting Miss Moore's admirable rendering of her part as Buttercup, the entire performance was not by any m..ens of the first order of merit. The large audience present seemed more critical than is their wont, and throughout the entire opeia there was not a single musical number encored. We are gLd to see that the “ Pirates of Pcnz-moe" will be substituted on Friday, and as that piece is well within the scope of the talent of the company, opera goe’S may be assured of a thoroagnly enjoyable evening.

City Council.—An ordinary meeting of this body was held last evening, at which a considerable amount of business was transacted. A report appears elsewhere.

Hotel Changes.—The well-known A.X Hotel has, it ia understood, passed into the ht-nds of Mr J. Carl, who for so long prosided over the Empire Hofei so successfully. Aurora —Last night from seven o'clock resident* in Christchurch had an opportunity of obserrihg a brilliant auroral light in the sky in a southerly direction. At their greatest luminosity the bands of light stretched from the horizon to the zenith.

A. Trifling Accident. —On Sunday • evening a party of men were driving in a pair horse buggy through Kaiapoi, when one of them, from gome reason or other, fell out behind and wag not missed by hia companions for gome time. When his absence had been noted they returned to look for him, and found that he had attracted a crowd of about fifty persons by his calls for help. A slight examination showed that his injuries were imaginary and not real, as he had escaped unhurt. . ~ A Collision.—On Sunday evening Mr Fletcher, of Southbridge, had a narrow es. cape. Ho was driving from Bakaia with his ■wife and child, and a short distance out or Southbridge wr.a run into by another trap, the shaft of which entered bis horse's chest. Mr Fletcher called to the occupant of the other vehicle several times. The latter, evidently knowing he was on the wrong Bide of the road at the time of the collision, cleared out. The horse Mr Fletcher was driving was severely injured, but the occupants fortunately escaped unhurt. The State op the Stbbets. —At the meeting of the City Council last evening the city surveyor in his report dwelt upon the necessity for improving the streets, which he said required more than mere repairs. A discussion took place on the subject, some councillors insisting that the streets were all that could bo desired, and eventually a resolution was carried to the effect that the Council would favorably consider an application from the works committee for more metal if the funds of the Council would permit.

SOUTHBBIDOB FOOTBALL CLUB. The opening match of the season was held on the school ground on Saturday afternoon. There was a very fair attendance, including several prominent Leeston players. Bides were chosen by Messrs Ohas. Scott and Thos. Willie. Three spells were played, and were well contested, the Willis Bros, as usual being the most prominent. Scott this year has become a member of the Southbridge Club,_ which will greatly strengthen it, as with him and Claud Willis as quarters the club will take some beating. Tne game was won by Willis’ side by a touchdown. Eaiapoi Assessment Court. At this Court on Monday, before O. Whitefoord, Esq., Judge, reductions were made in assessments — Northern Building Society, house, Oookson street, £4O to £32 10s; J. Anderson, shod, £lO to £5; ditto house, £l7 10j to £ls ;J. Matthers, store, £4O, objection not allowed. An application to have the Institute, which had not been rated, assessed in a similar way to the Oddfellows’ Hall, it being contended that the two institutions were on the same basis and not exempted by the Rating Act in section 37. The Town Clark stated it was the wish of the Borough Council to exempt the Institute, which was a public library and reading room and dependent for its support on the members of the public. This objection was disallowed.

Disowned in the Avon.- Yesterday, shortly before noon, Mr A. Clark, of the firm of Messrs Clark and Bull, City Mills, observed the dead body of a woman floating in the river, resting against the grating which serves to protect the wheel from obstructions passing down stream. He reported the matter to the police, and Constable Wm. Hill took the body out, placing it In the police morgue. The body, whioh appeared to have been in the water since about Saturday night, was that of Mrs Mary Woolstoad, aged forty-five, an unfortunate woman, addicted to intemperate habits, but who had once been in very comfortable circumstances in Christchurch. Constable McOausland rescued her from the river in December, 1878, after she had fallen in in an intoxicated state opposite Park terrace shortly before midnight. An inquest will be held to-day.

Magistrate's Coubt, Kaiapoi. —At this Court on Monday, before O. Whitefoord and J. 0. Porter, Brqs., R.M.’s, the following business was disposed of :—J. Reed and J. Beharrell were cautioned not to allow their horses to wander at large. Charles Brown was fined 40s and costs for destroying property on the premises of J. Ayers and ordered to pay 8j damages. A slaughtering license was granted to H. Revel!, Civil oases—ln B. Parnham v J. Wilkinson, claim £3 7s, Q-. H. Blackwell v W. Stevensou, claim £44 6i 9d, and Robins and Day v W. L. Porter, claim £1 7 a 4d, judgment was given for plaintiffs. J. Skinner v J. Stanton, claim £5 4j 63, adjourned for completion of fence. G. H. Blackwell v J. Darnill, 17s 6d, damages to fence by defendant’s horse, judgment was given for 12s 6d and costs in addition to 5s paid into Court; Same v J. Hiller, claim 7s, plaintiff nonsuited ; Same v Same, claim £2 10), judgment reserved ; Same v Same, claim £lO, damages for trespass, Mr Salter for plaintiff, Mr J. O. Mortin for defendant, judgment for 10s, Court coats, counsel's fee, smd expenses of one witness. R. Wilkin and Co. v G. H. Wearing, claim £2O, venue changed to Christchurch,

Akaboa. —Another of Akaroa’a earliest settlers has passed away. Mr Benjamin Shadbolt, of the Head of the Bay, Akaroa, died rather suddenly on Thursday, 13th. He arrived at Akaroa in the year 1857, and was well known as landlord of the Travellers’ Best. He was much respected by the Peninsula people, having always taken an active part in public matters, as member of Bead Board, school committee, or otherwise, for the good of the place. In racing matters Mr Shadbolt’s name was pretty well known. The funeral took place on Sunday, and was one of the largest ever known hare, there being, besides a great number on foot, seventy-five horsemen, and a number of buggies, traps, &s. The deceased was interred in the new Duvauchelle’s Bay Cemetery, this being the first interment there. Amongst the mourners were W. Montgomery, E*q , and other friends from Christchurch, who had come down for the purpose of showing this last mark of reaped* Ambeeley Faemees’ Club. —A meeting of this olub was held in the anteroom of the Town Hall, Amborley, yesterday afternoon.. Present —Messrs G. D. Greenwood (in the chair), G. Kemp, W. Eutherford, M. Dalziel, J. Bussell, E. Bristow, D. McLaren, S, Coleman, O. G. King, J. Lawton, and A. McDonald, hon. sec. Tue hon. sec. stated that he had only received one reply to the circulars he had sent out re small birds nuisance. Mr Coleman proposed that the discussion re small birds be postponed until next meeting, *eo as to give more time for replies from kindred societies. This was seconded by Mr O. G. King, and carried unanimously. Correspondence was read from the Courtenay Farmers’ Olub re small birds nuisance, also from Mr H. 8. Sanders, Ngairo, New Plymouth, re same. The hou. eec. stated he had sent all the information asked for to Mr Sanders, Mr B. Aherne then read his paper on " Linseed.” A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Aherne for his valuable paper. Several members presont also gave their experience in the growing of flax, and several signified their intention of sowing a piece of land in linseed, so as to give it a trial. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. Kowai Eiflb Club.—A meeting of the central committee was held at the Crown Hotel, Amberley, on Saturday, April 15th. Present —Messrs Barclay (in the chair), Pate, Kemp, J. B. Hunter, Powell, and W. Hunter, hon. secretary. Correspondence was read from Kaiapoi in reference to forming a contingent in connection with the club. It was unanimously agreed to give them all information necessary as to forming a contingent, but that the olub were not in a position to supply rifles or target. Also, from B Battery Artillery, challenging the club to a friendly match. The challenge was accepted, and Messrs W. Hunter and J. Cameron were appointed to select a team to meet the Arlil lery. It was resolved that the annual fieldday be held at Setton, on 24th May. It was resolved that Messrs J. B. Hunter, Cameron, Pate, and Powell should bo captains for the day, and that Mr G. Kemp should take charge of the scoring. Messrs Cameron and W. Hunter were appointed handicappers, and Messrs Foster, Stewart, and Barclay a concert committee. The hon. secretary was instructed to send a challenge to the Lyttelton Naval Brigade to fire a match with tan or twenty men aside. The meeting then adjourned. Kowai Cemetery Boabd.—A meeting of this Board was hold at Baloairn on Friday, April 14th. Present —Messrs Ensor (chairman), Cameron, Hiatt, Coleman, Fostsr and Vaughan. Accounts to the amount of £ll wore passed for payment. The road to the Cemetery from Smith’s road was reported to ba ready for planting on each side, and the work was passed to bo done. Very great credit was given to Mr Brans for the excellent manner in which he had kept the Cemetery. Complaints had been made that parties when using gravel for concrete left it in the Cemetery, and it was agreed that a notice should bo put up cautioning persons against leaving heaps of gravel about the Cemetery. The meeting then adjourned.

Inquest.—An inquiry was held, at three o’clock this afternoon, in the Clarendon Hotel, before Mr J. W. S. Coward, coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr Reuben Binstead was chosen roreman. touching the death of .Mary Welstcad, whose dead body was found in the River Avon yesterday at noon, near Hereford street bri RO. After the jury had viewed the body, evidence was adduced to show that at ll.os yesterday forenoon Alfred Clark, master miller, Lane’s mill, reported to the police that, while engaged in clearing weeds from the mill-grating, he observed the dead body of a woman floating, face downwards, her head resting against the grating. Constable Bill, accompanied by Constable Little, drew the body ont of the water, and identified it as that of _ Mary Welstead. There was blood on the right jaw. There were no marks of violence. Fred Fox, barman, deposed that Frank and Mary Welstead were at the bar of the Prince of Wales Hotel at 10 p.m. on Saturday. The woman was drunk and unruly, and the barman | spoiled her. Her husband followed shortly afterwards. F. Welstead, labourer, residing in Antigua street, Sydenham, husband of deceased, did not appear, being the police stated, then the worse tor liquor. An open verdict of “ Found drowned was returned. The Maori Prisoners.—ln Auckland yesterday the Attorney-General applied for a change of venue in respect to the trial of Te Whiti and Tohu. He asked that it should take place in Chrittohurch. His Honor Mr Justice Gillies granted the application, and the trial will commence in this oily on June the sth. Fibb nbab Southbridge.—Mr Thomas McClelland, contractor, sustained a heavy loss on Saturday evening by having his portable whare, four sets harness, some bugs of feed, and sundries burnt. At the time of the fire Mr McClelland was in Southbridge, having left the whare two hours before. Police.—The twelve members of the Field Force, ordered from Wellington for special duty at the Exhibition, under Sergeant Blackmore’s command, are in Christchurch a fortnight to-day. They seen to have lost no time in getting into good working order, and the public appreciate the general appearance j and smart bearing of the men.

Noeth Canterbury Caledonian So OIETY, —The tie between Messrs Church, Adams and Scrimshaw in the running events at the above mooting having been referred to the sporting editor of the Press, ho has forwarded bis decision to the president in favor of the winner of the longest distance race. The president (Mr McDonald) has, therefore, handed Messrs Nashelski’s cup to Mr F. Adams.

Catholic Bazaab —This bazaar, w’nioh has extended over four days, was brought to a close last evening. The receipts of the day amounted to £126, whilst the total proceeds of the bazaar amount to £648. (The Hibernian Band played a choice selection of music at intervale from two o'clock till the closing hour. The results are considered highly satisfactory. Cathedral Organ.—lt is understood that there will be a formal “ opening” of this fine instrument towards the end of the present month, at which all the leading organists in the colony have hoi n invited to assist, so that its various points of excellence may be exhibited to the best advantage. We believe that each organist who comes will give a separate recital, each one on successive evenings. Licensed Buildings.— lt was agreed by the City Council last night to enforce the law against the trustees of the Wesleyan Chapel, Durham street, for holding an entertainment in a building which had not been registered for that purpose. The Council discussed the question of registering all churches and chapels, so that the municipal authorities might have control over their moans of egress, and the following notice of motion was given for next meeting:—"That all ohuroh, chapel and school buildings within the city be brought under the control of this Council, as provided under clauses 323 to 327 inclusive of the Act.”