NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2531, 19 May 1882, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Avon Assessment Coust. —At ten o’clock this morning, Mr Caleb Whitofoord, Judge of the Assessment Court for the Avon district, sat to entertain objections to the valuationroll. Seven objections had been lodged, but no one appeared in support of any of them. Ye Old English Faybe —As statements have been made respecting the offer of the promoters ot the above to his Worship the Mayor which are not correct, it is only fair to state that the proposal of Messrs Heller, Bigbye, and Abrahams was a very liberal one, and would, no doubt, if acoeptad, have resulted in a goodly contribution to the destitute patients’fund, for the bem fit ot which the promoters of the fayre intended their offer. ; Kaiapoi Dancing Clabb.—A very successful dancing class has bean opened in the Odd* fellows Hall, under the management of Mr A. Hunt. This class has been well attended on Wednesday evenings, and the music furnished by Messrs Hammon and Bradley of a thoroughly enjoyable character.

Chikitbt on Febh.—Shortly after eleven o’clock this morning the Chester street firebell rang, and was quickly followed by that in Liohfield street. The cause turned out_ to be a chimney on fire at a cottage occupied by Mr Walkden, in Chester street east, near Ward's brewery. The Chester street book-and-ladder detachment were soon on the ground, followed by the hand engine from Lichfield street, and in a few minutes all danger was past. There appeared to be some difficulty in horsing the Chester street steamer “Extinguisher.” Finally, alter considerable delay, it proceeded along, drawn by one horse, till, before getting far from the starting place, it was ordered back. Mb John Chans’ Assailant. —The m»n who shot at Mr Deans on the 25th instant is supposed to be of English extraction, aged from thirty-five to forty years, sft 6in or sft 7in in height, and strongly built. His beard, whiskers, and moustache were observed to be red ; and be had reddish hair on the back of his hands. Two fresh scratches were across his nose. He wore a sac coat of dark blue or nearly black, and it is thought his trousers were grey. Two pairs of shoes have been found in a swag believed to have belonged to the intending assassin, and these have been identified by Mr Wilkinson as having been stolen from his shop on the night of the 21st of April. A pair of grain leather boots was stolen at tbe same time.

Sodden Death.—A woman aimed Mary Cassidy, who was in domestic service at Mr T. H. Parkinson’s stati' D, Kailaaa Talley, is stated to have died suddenly this morning. She had been unwell for the past few days, and as she did not rise this morning, or make any reply when Mrs Parkinson knocked at her door, it was forced open, and she was found insensible. Dr. Preston, of Lincoln, was sent for immediately, but the woman died before his arrival. An inquest will be held in due course.

Acinowxbdgmbnte.—Messrs Empson and Dudley, at whose malt kiln a fire took place on Wednesday, have forwarded a letter of thanks to the fire brigade, accompanied by a donation of £3 to the funds of the brigade. Dr. Nedwill, at whose stable yesterday there was a fire, has also forwarded £1 as a donation.

Weather Exchange.—May 18th ; Australia—On the West Coast, fine from the N. ; oa the South, strong N.W. wind and showery, rain 30 inches. In Tasmania, strong westwind, but fine ; in N.S.W., fine, clear, and calm. New Zealand, generally fine, witn moderate S.W, wind, except Wellington N.W., barometer rising. Barometer—New Zealand—Bussell, 30.2 ; Wellington, 29 9 j Bluff, 29 6. Australia—Allany, 30 2 ; Portland, 30 1; Hobart, 29 9 ; Sydney, 30 3. Missing.—Yesterday, at a few minutes after two o’clock, the wife of Mr T. Donovan, who is in the employ of Mr Bowron, of Bingsland, left her home to consult Dr. Irving, of Manchester street. At a late hour last night she had not returned, and as she had not been in good health, Mr Donovan fears that she met with some accident. She wore a black dross, trimmed with velvet. She had on a little rink hat, trimmed with black and white.

Malvbbn Licensing District —The following gentlemen wore nominated yesterday for the honor of representing the Malvern district on the Licensing Committee : —Messrs Geo. Rutherford, James Mollraith, John Jebson, senr., John Colville, F. Benham, J. D, Boys, J. P. Barr, H. J. Mathias. The poll for election of five will take place on Thursday next, the 25th, between 9 a.m. and 6 p m., at the Road Board offices at Coalgate, Kowai Pass, and Sheffield, under the supervision of Mr Oolthart, the substitute returning officer.

Kaiapoi Church. —A meeting of the churchwarden* and vestrymen of this parish was held in the Sunday Schoolroom on Wednesday evening, the Rev, D. O. Hampton presiding. The business Jbefore the meeting was to consider the appointment of a clergy man to the cure. The rev. chairman expre«sed a wish to be relieved before September 30tb, It was resolved that the Esv. D. O. Hampton be asked to remain in charge of the parish till tbat date. The question of asking certain minieters to accept the cure was next considered, and the meeting standi adjourned awaiting the result of enquiries and replies from gentlemen to be written to.

The Sly Grog Selling Oases. —Two oaiea of unusual interest were heard at Amberley on Tuesday, arising out of the keeping of a shanty near the Waipara, in which a large supply of liquor was found, and a room fitted up iu such a way that the police were satisfied it was used as a bar. In the first case the Bench held that there was on such premises more liquor than reasonably required for the use of the persons therein, and H. Muller, not being duly licensed, was fined £SO, or in default one month’s imprisonment, the liquor to be forfeited. In a second case it was proved tbat biscuits had been sold and liquor given away, the Bench considering this device not sufficient to warrant them iu not inflicting a fine of £SO, the Court being satisfied that there had been a consumption of the liquor, and it was not necessary under the Act to show that money had actually passed to prove a breach of the Act.

Ashbubton Libbaby Site.—A meeting of the Fire Brigade and Borough Council committees met at the Council Chambers on Wednesday evening, to discuss the question of the proposed library site. Captain Dolman, of the Fire Brigade, strongly opposed the use of any portion of the present Fire Brigade reserve as a site for the library, stating that the brigade required the whole of the reserve on practice nights, and would shortly require more room for their steam fire engine. Considerable discussion ensued, and ultimately a resolution was carried to the effect that the Borough Council be requested to grant reserve No. 212, part of R.B, 766, being the site originally asked for by the library committee, and which is considered equally suitable for a library site as the one at present occupied by the Fire Brigade. New Hotel, Waikabi,—lt is understood that Mr H. MoLsan, the enterprising hotel proprietor at Amberley, proposes to erect a very commodious hotel near to the railway station here. The plans of the building as prepared by Mr Madd'son show a good front elevation, extending along a frontage of over 70 feet, and the building, which is to include all the requirements of a modern hotel, contains in all thirty rooms—namely, two dining rooms, commercial rooms, sitting and private sitting rooms, and a full range of bedrooms, all to be of a spacious and lofty character. Provirion has been made for water supply, bath rooms, and every convenience. Such an hotel at the present terminus of the northern railway is much needed, and the residents of the district will be glad to see a license granted to such an hotel, while for the convenience of visitors from the country, as well as excursionists by train from town, this house is greatly needed. “ Man the Microcosm.”— Last evening evening Professor Fraser gave the first of a course of phrenological lectures in the Congregational schoolroom. About fifty ladies and gentlemen were present. The lecturer described graphically how different men defined man, variously according to whatever subject the respective deflners happen to have made a speciality. Man, composed of 4000 ft of air and 251 b of earth, combined within himself inert matter, the life of plants, the life of animals, and the spiritual life. Of incomplete definitions, the professor mentioned that by Carlyle, who had termed man a “ forked radish." The lower forms of marine life were found with the extremities upwards, fish and birds flaw horizontally, and, as a higher scale of being was reached, an increased flexibility of neck became apparent, and a tendency to raise the head, until man, the noblest development, appeared with his head up and the extremities down. Professor Fraser comes to Christchurch with a high reputation for correct delineation of character.

New Zealand Telkgbapu3.— lt may be interesting to our readers to know that just twenty years ago, this day, the first telegraph pole in New Zealand was erected, the sits being at the corner of Colombo street and the South town belt, part of what is now the railway reserve.’ It was erected by Mr Alfred Sheath, who had just received the appointment of telegraph engineer from the Provincial Government. Very little ceremony appears to have been observed on the occasion, as wo learn from Mr J. D. Bnys, of Castle Hill station, who was present, and to whom we are indebted for this information, that the only coin placed under the pole was one of Mr E. Eeece’s pence. From this small beginning has grown the present telegraph system of the colony, which last year consisted of 3,758 miles of line carrying 9,587 miles of wire. To this had to be added 2 820 miles of wire duplexed, which was really equal to 5,640 miles of single line, making the total wire accommodation at the disposal of the department 18,407 miles.

The Govbbnoh’b Speech.—The Qoverpor opened Parliament in person this, morning, delivering a long speech, touching upon various topics, amongst which were the increase of the franchise, the recent attempt upon the life of Her Majesty, Native affairs, new railways, the working classes, &o. Tb Whiti and Tohxt.—lt will be observed in the Governor’s speech that a Bill will bo introduced providing that no action bo taken with regard to these two distinguished peacebreakers, but that they detained so long as to ensure any further complications. Masonic Bail.—The ball projected to take place in June promises to be a great success, judging from the way in which the craft have responded to the invitation of the promoters. It is intended to confine the ball I to Masons of all constitutions, and to hand the proceeds, after expenses, to the fund for destitute patients of the Hospital. As the catering, &0., will be conducted on strictly economical principles, it is expected that a goodly sum will be handed over. Thk Exhibition—A meeting of the committee appointed by the Industrial Asfcooiation to prepare special reports upon the exhibits in the New Zealand portion of the International Exhibition was held on Wednesday evening, when Dr. Von Haast presided. The various classes were subdivided, and gentlemen of the committee specially appointed to prepare reports upon each, which when completed will bo very valuable. The committee comprises Dr. Yon Haast, Messrs. Jenkins, England, Scott, Howland, Hulbert, Allan, Pratt, Tombs, W. S. King, Sandstein, H. B. Webb, W. H. Mitchell, and Professor Bickerton

The Drainage Act.—A meeting convened by Mr F. Jones as the member for the Heath cote on the Drainage Board, will be held this evening in the Phiilipstown School, to consider the proposed amendments iu the Drainage Act.

The Ascent or Mount Cook. Dr. Hector writes to a Wellington paper :—“ The Rev. Mr Green, who made the ascent of Mount Oook in March last, informs me that the reading of his barometer in the highest elevation he attained was 19 05in. This, corrected for temperature, and compared with the barometer reduced to the sea level for the same date and position, indicates the altitude to have been 11,962 ft. According to a recent measurement by Mr Q-. J. Boberts, of the Trigonometrical Survey Staff, the altitude of Mount Oook is 12,349 ft., so that Mr Green’s highest point was within 387 ft. of the summit, assuming that both measurements refer to the same peak.” A young lady from the rural districts lately visited town with her beau. Getting into a car for the first time she took her seat, while her lover planted himself on the box with the driver. Very soon the conductor began to collect the fares, and approaching the rustic maiden he said, ‘ Your fare, mist.’ The rustic maiden allowed a delicate pink to manifest itself upon her cheeks, and looked down in soft confusion. The conductor was rather astonished at this, but ventured to remark once more. ‘ Your fare, miss,’ This time the pink deepened to carnation, as the rustic beauty replied— 1 Deed an’ if lam good lookin’ you hadn’t ought to say it out aloud afore folks.’

An old Connecticut deacon once took to church with him fa young man, educated, refined, and a lover of nature. The autumnal hues were at the height of their glory, and the young man called the attention of his companion to a beautiful clump of trees. The staggering response that the old deacon gave was, 1 1 never see trees on Sunday.’ A little bright and thoughtful fellow of four summers awoke the other morning, and turning to his grandmother said—" Grandma, I dreamed I had a carriage last night! ’ Did yon ? ’ said she ; ' well, what did you do with it 7 ’ ‘ Oh,’ said he, in his thoughtful manner, ‘ I left it in the dream house,’

‘ You did wrong to shoot that man’s dog You might have pushed him off with the butt of your gun,’ said tho Galveston recorder to a man who was charged with shooting a neighbor’s dog. ‘ I would have done that,’ replied the prisoner, ‘if tho dog had come at me tail first, but he came at me with his biting end.’