NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2517, 3 May 1882, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A.O.F.—The usual fortnightly meeting of Court Thistle of the Forest was held in St. Saviour’s schoolroom, Sydenham, last evening. After transacting some routine business the Court adjourned for harmony. Not What he Meant. —At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, a witness whose name resembled that of the defendant in ths case on hand, and against whom he bad a pecuniary claim and some not very friendly feelings, was asked, “ Now, Mr Smith, is Mr Smithson any relation of yonrs?” “No,” ho replied; “certainly ho is not; I always took him to be a perfect gentleman !” This reply seems, at first sight, a nun seqvitur, but, on examination, it will bo found to be an attempt to convey an insinuation ns pertinent to the views held by the speaker as, perhaps, it was impertinent to the person referred to. What be did, however, was, by a curious inversion, to direct against himself the inference he wished to be drawn to the prejudice of his friend. St. Maby’b Mebivale. —The first musical entertainment in connection with the above church will take place to-morrow evening in the schoolroom.

Absconded —An inmate from the Burnham Reformatory named Lewis is reported as missing from that institution. He is described of fair complexion and prominent nose, and as wearing dark moleskin trousers, corduroy ooat and vest, and new boots.

Christchurch Musical Society.—The weekly rehearsals of this society were resumed last evening at the new Oddfellows’ Hall, Richfield street. About twenty-five members attended. The rehearsals comprised “ Acis ” and “ The Hymn of Praise.” Collision.—Two spring carts came into collision with each other in Cathedral square yesterday afternoon, through the axle of one vehicle catching the step of the other, fortunately no damage resulted. The collision occurred through one of the drivers —a lad of sixteen —being on the wrong side of the road.

Kaiapoi Eibb Police.—A meeting of persons interested in the formation of a volunteer fire police force was held in the Municipal Chambers on Monday evening. The Mayor (Mr 0. Smith) presided, Messrs. J, O. Porter, R. H. Mathews, L. J. Cox, J. H. Moore, W. Eraser, C. E. Dudley, W. Burnip, S’. Pearce, P. Winterbourne, J. Hirst, and J. liowthian Wilson. The rules of the fire police adopted in 1871 were with some modifications agreed to. Mr J. O. Porter was unanimously re-elected captain, having held that office over eleven years. Messrs. E. •Parnham and O. E. Dudley wore elected the other officers. It was decided that a supply of uniform caps be obtained, and, after discussing some routine business, the meeting adjourned.

Woman’s Eights.—The following unique epistle, written and signed by a well-known Auckland lady, was eddreased to the presiding Magistrate at the Police Court recently : “Sir, —I was summoned here for 10 30 this morning simply to answer one question. Did 1 give certain articles alleged to be stolen by a girl ? I have been here since that time at great personal inconvenience, having, by my detention here, broken an important engagement, and I shall, within the next quarter of an hour, break another. It ia most vexatious, and, I think, most improper, to treat anyone thus. May I request that I may be called as early as possible now ? P.S. Why cannot witnesses bo summoned for a later hour than the opening of the Court if the case in which their evidence is required is not to be first ? When they have to be kept for hours, why is there not a book or something to relieve the tedium of the waiting time ? Could not policemen be taught to address a lady as ma’am, and not as missus ? Should not a lady be shown at once to a waiting-room, and not kept waiting in the yard for three-quarters of an hour ?” Of course, to all these questions an unhesitating affirmative should be given.

Chrysanthemum Show. —The ohrysanthemum show of the Sydenham Horticultural Society was held last evening in the Selwyn street Schoolroom, and, doubtless owing to the late show at the Exhibition having taken place so recently, and the heavy downpour of Saturday last having rendered good conditioned blooms scarce, but few stands were staged. In Class OMr O. Jackson took first prize with twelve nicely formed chrysanthemums, and six other blooms shown by the same exhibitor were highly commended. In Class B Mr J. A. Watts was first prizetaker with twelve pompones. Mr Hepworth’s special priza for the best collection of chrysanthemums in this class was eagerly competed for by Messrs. O. Green and O. Jackson, with two excellent displays, Mr I’Anson’s collection being placed third, Mr O. Starkiss sent a fine collection of chrysanthemums and pompones for exhibition only, but the best sfaud in the show comprised eighteen blooms of choice varieties of the former flower, these were also for exhibition only. Mrs O. Green contributed two tastefully arranged table bouquets, in which harmony of color had evidently been studied. A collection of plants for exhibition from Mr B. Line comprised four choice fuchsias, viz., ** Wave of Life ” and “ Instigator ”| (two of

each variety). A dozen specimens of tricolored geraniums, cyclamens, ferns, Chine«o primulas, and a well grown Eohoveris metallic*. Mr J. Beattie showed some fine begonias and tri-colorod geraniums. Mr Hepworth staged two splendid varieties of coleus and begonias ; and not the least interesting feature of the show was a beautiful collection of pot plants and ferns sent by Mr C. Starkiss. Emit was sparingly represented. A fine dish of six apples, “Prince Bismarck,” being all that was shown, whilst the only vegetable exhibited was a monster cauliflower sent by Mr O. Green. All these were highly commended. The attendance was but limited, doubtless occasioned by the zain and counter attractions.

Acknowledgment. —The house steward of Ohrifctehuroh Hospital begs to aoknowledge with thanks the receipt of £l, through Dr Brittin. from Mr Maurice Joel, Dunedin towards the destitute patients’ relief fund* Magibtbatb’s Ooubt, Kangxoba. —At this Court, on Tuesday, before A. H. Cunningham and H. Blackett, E’q?., the case of T. Smith v A. Land, £1 4j, was called, but there wes no appearance and no other business to be brought up. Stoppage oh the Railway. The midday train from the South to-day, on arriving near the Ashburton bridge came to a standstill, owing to a slight accident to the engine. The station-master was at once communicated with, and another engine despatched to render the necssary motive power.

E.M. Coubt, Soutiibeidge. - In this court on Tuesday, before E. J. Lee, J. BCampbell, and R B. Willis, Esqs., J.P-’s, a first offender on remand was charged by the police with being drunk and using obscene language in Southbridge on Saturday evening, 29th April, Constable Hole gave evidence,; to the effect that on the night in question the defendant complained that ho had lost his horse, and the constable seeing that he was the worse for drink said he would look for his horse for him, but being abused by the accused locked him up. He afterwards allowed him out on bail. Mr Alston

appeared for defendant. The Bench decided that from the legal points raised by the ooun?el tho case would have to bo dismissed.

Febnside Faemees’ Club. —The monthly meeting of tho members of this club, at which ten members wore present, was held at the schoolroom on Monday evening, Oapt. Parsons in the chair. No new subject was brought forward for discussion, and a conversation took place on the question of hand versus drill sowing of grain crops, which resulted in favor of the latter. The treasurer, Mr Mclntyre, read his balance-sheet, which if it did not show a large balance to credit was a very satisfactory one. He reported on the number of small birds and eggs destroyed. The chairman undertook to communicate with

the Mandeville and Rangiora Road Board and the Bangiora Borough Council with a view, if possible, of obtaining grant* in aid of the extermination of the small bird*. The Great Jewellery Sale. —The auction sale of jewellery, &0., by Messrs H. Matson and Go., at the temporary establishment of Mr Piogeltaub in Cashel street, yesterday, attracted a large number of perperaong. Punctually at eleven o’clock Mr R, Walton ascended the rostrum, and after the usual preliminaries the business of the day commenced. As might be expected at such a gathering, a rather wide range of prices obtained, some lots being quitted at low figures, whilst fairly good bids were made for the majority of the good* thus submitted to competition. A little excitement was caused by the proprietor giving practical expression to his disgust, when only 26s were offered for a ladies’ gold watch, by casting it to the ground and crushing it beneath his foot. An idea of the number of lots that changed hands may be formed from the fact that, with the exception of ten minutes for refreshment, the sale lasted from eleven in the morning till close upon five in the afternoon.

Who Shade Teach the Teachebs ?—ln the May number of “ The Now Zealand Schoolmaster ” there is a paper which, so it is stated, was read in July this year before the Otago Educational Institute. The subject was, or will be, “ The Teaching of English in the Primary Schools.” The concluding paragraph is as follows:—“The demon competition, against whom Mr Ruskin rails, is at work in the teaching profession as elsewhere, and results have become the order of the day. If results implied culture and intelligence no one would grumble. One would think that the best method of cultivating a child’s intelligence would be the best method of producing results, but few unfortunately look et it in that light. Blow long will it be before people understand that teachers are dealing with the well-being of the present as well as the potentiality of the future ? The living present is the protoplasm out of which the organism of the future is evolved, and if we are not educating our children properly now. what injury are we doing to future generations as well as to the children themselves ? ” Philosophical and perspicuous this.

Oheistohuboh Wesleyan Mutual Impbovesieni Association.—On Monday evening the rooms o£ this society were very closely filled by an appreciative company. Mr M. Hall opened the business with a paper—- “ Ought the Bible to bo read in our State Schools.” The position assumed was, that unless some system of moral training be imparted to the young the law would be powerless to prevent wrong doing, and that the Bible contained the only true moral code ; that the teachings of the Bible were incorporated in our legal Courts, form of oaths, &0., being referred to. Mr N. Andrew replied, holding it to be the duty of the Church only to impart religious instruction. He also said that it would be difficult to obtain anything like uniformity of explanation, and the revenue of a nation should not be used in teaching religion ; that what was required by all would be met by combining to raise the standard of Sunday school efficiency and mode of teaching. A very animated discussion followed, most of the speakers holding the affirmative side, yet believing that only reading, not teaching in its broad sense,would suit all demands. The Bev. B. Beat, in summing up, referred to the difficulties which surrounded a solution of the subject, but believed if teaching were not adopted, reading without comment would be gladly accepted by all. Several now members were proposed and the meeting closed. The subject for next Monday is “An Evening with Milton.”

Meeting op Teaohebs. The usual monthly meeting of the public school teachers ia and around the Ellesmere district was held in the schoolroom, Springaton, on Saturday. There was a large gathering of teachers present. The chair was taken by Mr Bishop, who reported the business done at the previous meeting held at Leeston on March 25tb. The proceedings opaned with a general conversation on matters connected with the recent pupil teaohere’ examination, and when it is most desirable for pupil teachers to commence those subjects—chiefly algebra and Euclid —which are required only at the end of the course. Subsequent to luncheon a general discussion took place on methods of teaching history in the different standards, when several teachers gave a brief outline of their methods of teaching the subject, and an interesting discussion followed upon each speaker’* method. It was resolved—(l) That lady certificated teachers be cordially invited to attend the meetings ; (2) that the next meeting be held at Lseston on the last Saturday in June, and that the chief subject of discussion bo “ The teaching of grammar and analysis.” Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to Mrs Gates for preparing the luncheon, &o. Servants’ Paradise. —The state of the labor market is always an interesting subject in the colonies, and nowhere more so than in the colony of New Zealand. Erom inquiries we (“ Wellington Post ”) elicit that as usual servant girls, and especially nurse girls, are in special request, and that a whole ahipful would not be long in being disposed of at good wages. This is not owing, it seems, to any paucity of girls, but purely and simply, so we were informed —whether rightly or wrongly it is not for us lo decide—to the repugnance shown by colonial girls to the rough general work required, while their aversion to the care ci babies is said to be such that nursemaids’ places are extremely difficult to fill, However, this much at any rate is sure, that whether the demand be locally filled or otherwise, a strong girl not afraid of work, with no aversion to babies, and willing to help in the cooking, will always be able to earn a good living here. While so much can be said for the prospects of female labor it is a pity that so little can be said as to the demand for the opposite sex. Not that times are anything like so bad as they were, say, twelve months ago ; but still a really hardworking unskilled laboring man would have to face a deal of competition in the towns before obtaining what, even when secured, would hardly be called very brilliant wages. In the country, field work would meat him open-handed at much better wages certainly than would be obtained in the old country, but still not such as be would have ?•:*■ the depression. The only skilled h.oor not readily obtainable in the town—and this may probably be said of most other towns, at any rate about here —is that of cabinetmakers, for whom there is a good demand. Ashburton Racing Club, This club have resolved to endorse the action of the Taranaki Jockey Club in the disqua’ideation of Raudwiok, his owner Coyle, and the jockey Williams. The Ashburton Club have also agreed to endorse the disqualification of i certain defaulting jockeys at the late Dunedin * meeting.

Magistbatb’s Court, Kaiapoi. —At this Court on Tuesday, before J. O. Porter, Esq., R.M., John Driscoll was charged with being drunk and disorderly and using obscene language on the night previous. Ho had been arrested by Sergeant McDonald for creating a disturbance at Dr. Ovendou’s about midnight, and refusing to leave. The Resident Magistrate expressed his determination to put down those cases of drunk and disorderly conduct, and fined accused 20s for being disorderly and 20i for using obscene language. Eveetoh Road Boabd.— The proceedings at the recent election for a member of this Board have been challenged, on the ground that the chairman of the Board did not act as the returning officer, and that the deputy returning officers were not duly appointed by him to act. The contest, so far es the defeated candidate goes, would not be gone into again, but the question had arisen whether the successful candidate in the face of a slight oversight can be considered duly elected. A legal opinion will be sought on the matter.

To Mild for the Occasion— The Barling ‘ Hawkoye' states that when a man was buried over a fence by a goat, the man said, *Qo to.’ Ho did, and he added a heap more which the ‘ Hawkeye ’ foils to quote.

SECOND EDITION