NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2523, 10 May 1882, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Apology. —Wo are requested >y Mr C. B. Church to apologise for the delay on Saturday last in serving many of his customers: also, to those who had not time to wait and went away nnserved, Mr Church informs ns that increasing trade and the sudden illness of one of hla assistants was the cause Fxtra hands will be engaged this week, so that all in future may be served with prompt ness and dispatch. Old English Fancy Faik.-Out readers will notice by on advertisement m another column that the latest pleasing and successful form of entertainment known as “Ye Fayre of ye Olden Tyme," is about to be introduced to a Christchurch audience. The promoters made an immense success in this line in Sydney and Melbourne, and we understand that it is their intention to spake no trouble or expense in making the exhibition one in every way worthy of public supportThe Hubunui. —The New Zealand Shipping Company have received a cablegram from London, dated Bth inst, advising tho arrival all well of the Hnrunui from Poit Chalmers. Spobting.—Owners of horses are reminded (hat entries for tho Lower Heathoota handicaps close on Tuesday next. The Maoei Prisoners. —Te Whiti and Tohu had aa hour’s excursion on Monday to Port. They were shown about the shipping and grain warehouses. Lyttelton Borough Council. —A special meeting of this Council was held on Tuesday evening. Present —Tho Mayor, Crs, Grubh, Weyburne, Stinson, Webb. Tho Mayor stated that the meeting had been called in compliance with sectir n 133 of the Municipal Corporation Act, 1876, to consider the borough accounts. On the motion of Crs. Weyburne and Webb, it was resolved—- “ That the accounts of tho borough treasurer for tie year ending 31st March, 1882, as rc-tified to by the borough auditors, be deemed to be the true accounts of the borough for tho said period.” The balance sheet was then signed, and the Council adj turned.

Persecution or thk Jews. —The following telegram was despatched on behalf of the Melbourne, Ballarat, and Sandhurst branches of the Anglo Jewish Association, to the Secretary of State at Washington;—“Victorian Jews tender their heartfelt thanks to the President and people of the United States of America for the home they have afforded persecuted Bussian Jews. Mbs Hampson’b Mission. —A meeting of the Christchurch evangelistic committee was hold in the room of the Young Men’s Christian Association yesterday afternoon. It was resolved lor Mrs Hatrpson to conduct another service in Christchurch at the end of this month, and to ask tho workers who cooperated with her in her last mission here to render assistance on tho coming occasion.

Magistrates' Court, Ranqiora. —At this Court on Tuesday last, before O. WhLeford, Esq , 8.M., and A. H, Cunningham, B=q.,an order was made against J Stalkerfor the payment of 10s per_wsok towards the maintenance of bis'illegitimate'c.hild. M, Lucy v J. Driscoll, claim of £6 7s. Order made that defendant pay 10s per week, or in default one month’* imprisonment. M. Lucy v Wm. Fitzgerald, claim of £l3. There was a set off of £l7 8a 8s; Mr Spackman for plaintiff; Mr Greseon for defendant; adjourned seven days. Local Option. —Tho poll of the ratepayers under the local option clauses of the Licensing Act took place for the Borough of Ashburton on Monday last, with the following resultln favor of an increase of publicans’ licenses, 25 ; against, 37. In favor of an increase of New Zealand wine licenses, 26; against, 34. In favor of an increase of accommodation house licenses, 26 ; against, 33. In favor ot on increase of bottle licenses, 30; against, 32. It will thus bo seen that the decision of tho ratepayers in each instance is against any increase of publicans’ licenses in the borough. Kaiapoi School Committer. The monthly meeting of this committee was held on Monday evening. Present —Messrs Bevell, Moore, Coup, Macfarlane, Bevell, and Robins. A letter was received from the Board of Education of the number of marks received by the pupi’* who had passed, also stating that Mies Jenkins had been appointed head mistress. The returns showed that the average attendance was 301 out of a roll of 460, and the decrease was forty-two on the past quarter, which was owing to the bigger bays being away potato picking. It was resolved that holidays commence on Wednesday next and extend to May 29th inst. It was resolved that the teachers’ attention be drawn to a resolution passed in September to the effect that the children be liberated from school at noon and at 4 p.m. The committee then adjourned. Exbston School.— On Friday afternoon the committee and parents assembled in the schoolroom to hear tho children reciting and singing several selections of music, on the occasion of the annual distribution of the priz-a. In tho evening there were a tea meeting and concert. The tables were provided by Mesdamesl Chilton, Barley, Denton, Giles, and Fair weather. After ample justice had been done in the way of feasting, members of the Kaiapoi Choral Society, under the leadership of Mr McFarlane, completed an excellent programme of music, and Mr Oonde, of the North Island, gave some information as to his early experience with tho Maoris, At the close tho chairman proposed a vote of thanks to Mr McFarlane and his friends, to Miss Jessie Bowie, and to Mr Oonde, for their night’s entertainment. Mr Moffat second* d the motion, at the same time proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, and called for three cheers for the able way the teachers had brought forward the scholars during the past year. Tae fete realised about £9 for the prize fund.

The Maoei Mission. —The “New Zealand Herald,” referring to the Maori Mission, says: tention in the first instance, to interview E.-.rl Kimberley, the Secretary of B‘ato for the Colonies, in order that everything may be done en regie. He has had several hundred copies of the petition printed, in order that a copy may be given to each of the members of the House of Commons, and to the Peers in the House of Lords, so that ‘if the first Assembly ot gentlemen in the world ’ do not become acquainted with tho properties of 1 kaikoha ’ it will not be for the luck of judicious advertising on Sydney’s part. He states his intention of keeping clear of Mr Parnell and the Home Bulers on the one side, ond Mr Bradlaugh and the Freethinkers on the other, so as not to complicate his petition with questions of domestic politics in Great Britain. It is hia intention to' address British audiences in his own tongue, and, no doubt, some of the old New Zealand settlers, now at Home, will see to it that Sydney Tawhanga’s speeches are not emasculated from lack of a competent interpreter.

An Hors with Lonqfbxxow. L'.st evening, in the Presbyterian Church, North Belt, the Bev. A. M. MoCallum presided at on extempore lecture delivered by Mr F. Adame, descriptive of the writings of the lately deceased American poet, the subject being illustrated by recitations touching his hopefulness, purity, and truly catholic Christianity. About sixty ladies, gentlemen, and children were present, and the lecturer was frequently applauded. The proceedings were opened with prayer, and the singing of the hymn, “ Ho ! my comrades,” Mias Ferguson kindly playing the harmonium. Mr Adams prefaced his remarks by saying that he would toll those who asked of poetry what use it was, that it tended to render people earnest and sympathetic, yet did not foster the morbid sentimentalism which made some weep over fljwers, and pass on unmoved at the sight of fellow creatures iu mysery. In this regard Longfellow’s works were those of a true, healthy man. The culture of poetic feeling would not pay the butcher and baker, or buy one’s wife a new bonnet ; but would promote love and trust, would twine the woodbine round our doors, and collect cheerful faces round our hearths. Poetry made men gentle towards all, and endowed our wives with a noble purpose. Poets were true prophets, leading the march of time. Longfellow restricted himself in his impulses to no country, creed, or tongue. Unlike Byron, who took a delight in dressing vice in virtue’s garb, and of whom it had bsen said that ho preached, “ Thou shalt hate thy neighbor, but love thy neighbor’s wife,” Longfellow shone as the soul of purity. His "Excelsior,” one of hia happiest efforts, prompted many on one to say, “ That is my thought, my desire j I fear not to die that death,” [Here the choir sang, “ Work ! for the night is coming.” 1 Mr Adams, resuming, spoke of Longfellow’s spirit of reverence and deep religious feeling. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to the lecturer, on Mr J. King’s proposal, seconded by Mr E, Davidson. A collection was taken 1 up in aid of the funds of the Sunday school.

The Ferry Boad. —Complaints ore made as to the manner in which the Ferry roadway is lighted tiering the progress or the works going on there, and suggestions are offered that the lights should be alternately p'acrd on either side, as from the manner m which they are now situated, it is impossible on dark evenings to avoid accidents on the unlit side of the road. A.O.F.—An entertainment in aid of the funds of Court Star of Richmond took place on Tuesday evening in the Foresters' Hall, Oxfore tenaoc); Mr H. Crooks, P.D.0.8., in the chair. The chairman gave an opening address, setting forth the benefits of the Order, after which a varied programme was submitted. Mr Ghent sang a well known Onristy Minstrel song, Messrs Friokor and Askew following with a duet. The cotnio songs of Messrs Herr and French were well received and encored. Mias Ness also was encored in a pathetic ballad, giving an encore song. Messrs Stapleton and Kerr were very good in their dialogue duet, “ The Last of tho City Guards.’’ Other songs were rendered, and tho entertainment concluded with a farce, followed by the National Anthem, The Artillery Band, under the leadership of Mr Hamilton, performed a choice selection of music at intervals durb g the evening. Tho hall was inconveniently crowded •

Law Reform, —The desirablensss of sim plifying judicial proceedings, and of providing special facilities for the piompt and inexpensive settlement of disputes arising out oi the transactions of trade and commerce, war recently considered at the annual meeting of the members of tho Melbourne Chamber of Commerce. Resolutions were passed in favor of such reform, and declaring that an important step towards the settlement of that desideratum would be to constitute the County Courts courts of first instance for all commercial disputes, without limit as to their amounts, subject, of course, to all proper regulations for removal and appeal, and to enact that the Judge might be a-sisted by competent mercantile assessors. It was mentioned by Mr Oowderoy, who has for many years taken a great interest in this subj ot, that similar resolutions have been alopted by the Association of Chambers of Oommeroe of the United Kingdom. The question was submitted to the meeting at the ioa'-anoo of the council of the Chamber which desired an expression of opinion from the members, and now that that has been obtained, the council will urge the Government to introduce a Bill into Parliament to effect tho reform sought.