NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2595, 1 August 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Selwyn Cotrsir Council.—A special meeting of the above was held this morning at half-past ten o'clock. Present—Messrs E. J. Lee (chairman), Peryman, Jones, Wester ra, and Dunlop. The business beforo the meeting wue the confirmation of a by-law prescribing the terms and conditions upon. which the Hororata water race can bo used, and the le:m» and charges to be paid for water supplied. This was all the business.

Wanted Ownbb.—We are requested bj Mr C. B. Church to call the attention of anyone having lost a £lO note to his advertise* ment in our •' wanted known" column, as be took a ten in mistake f«r a on& last Saturday in the hurry of business. Accident.—At about half-past five o'clock last evening as a cart belonging to MrTaylor, grocer, of Colombo street, was proceeding along Team street, a lad who was crossing the road was knocked down and run over, but fortunately, except a scar on one of bis wrists, be was unhurt. No blam* ii attached to the driver, who did all in bit power to avert the aocident. Dams A 3 e Boasd.—An ordinary meeting: of the Drainage Board was held yesterday, at, which a considerable amount of routine buti* nets was transacted.

Oalbdohiah Hothii.—Thia hotel change* bands this day, Mr John Keill, who ku for several years been in the detective force in this city, hating purebred the same. It ia his intention to several alterations and improvements, so, as to reader it ft flret-cl&si hotel.

lis Advbhtubs at PohT. —It is happily a niro thing that tbe belated hill olimber at Puirt experiences any worse difficulty in leaching his Alpine cottage than is necessarily involved in making the ascent of a roaa or track whioh is aa " steep as the eida of a howse "so to speak. But an incident « tel y 003 arred there, tho history of whioh should put tho belated home-seeker on hia guard. At about one o'olock in the morning of one day last month, the oocupaut of a cottage whioh stands overlooking the town of Lyttelton in the waatern suburbs, tired out by sixteen hours olose application to his business, was pushing his way homeward by the aid of • trusty walking stafF.when in the darkness a gaunt figure suddenly rose from the roadside,and approaching him softly and gently apprised him that he was just the party expected, and to make no fuss about it, but quietly "shell out Soaroely had he finished breaking this singular news to the expected party _ than another figure rose from the opposite side of the road and approached. The expected party's first impulse was to bolt, but a heavy overcoat that he wore was almost certain to lose him the race. A happier thought presented itself. Tbe two unknown figures were in front of him, one standing a little to his right, the other to his left. Addressing them he said, "I know both of you are run. away sailors, who have skedaddled from your ship without a penny in your pookets, and hav2 _ left behind you your wages, and so what I have is yours, every penny of it; but you might have asked in a different way for it, i>3 I don't like to be jumped upon." This put trem on good terms at onco, a proof of whioh he got by hearing the tallest of the two say to his comrade, " This is right, Bill; he's not suoh a bad sort, and we'll taka ten bob of him." But the sequel has to be told. The angel they were entertaining unawares was preparing his plans. First he got his overcoat slowly undone, tfcea he slipped his hand inta his right side pocket and took out his loose change, whioh he as carefully put into his left hand, and by a most graceful move transfened it into his lefc si<fe pocket, while the heavy end of his walking stick fell into its proper position in the right hand. Then by adroitly drawing one foot back and bringing tbe club end of his staff forcibly in con: act with the ear of the heaviest of his admirers, and directing its flight so as to reooil across the face of admirer No. S, he became master of a position where one is up and two down. Following out this pol cy of surprise he quickly vanished from the gsze of the fond strangers, nor looked behind until safe within the precincts of his quarter-section, where, from behind the fence he listened to the voice of someone murmuring "Bill, where are you? My head is smashed." And afterwares saw the two forms rise ocoe more and move slowly down the hill. Though ever aiccj on the watoh by day he has not chanced to fsi'l again into their company, nor, though always. ready for " something to turn up" at night, his luck has been equally out. Until it changes it is his with tnafc his incog be maintained.

Bbougbtßack.—Sheppard, whose sudden departure from Ximaru took his mercantile frieuda so much by surprise, returned by the Rin.gwooma, which arrived this morning at Lyti:elton. He was accompanied by " a gentleman in bine." Theatbb KorAL. —Last night was produced at the Theatre by Mr Holt's company the sensational drama of " The World." Qxes Am Cohtobbt.—On Saturday evening Last the Lyttelton Br »s Band performed a cumber of choice selections, opposite the Borough Council Chambers, to a large and appreciative audience. The concert opened with a grand march, " The Conqueror," which was splendidly executed, and was received with repeated applause. Then followad "The Heather Queen," sohottisohe, which elicited enthusiastic marks of approbation. But the gem of the evening was Beethoven's " March Funebre." This magnificent composition received due attention at the hands of the respective performers, Mr J, Child's rendering of the baritone solo in this Eietie deserving special mention. It is to be oped the band will find it convenient to favor the public with an open-air performance more frequently. I.KQUBST. —An inquest was held at th Mitre Hotel, Lytteltor, by the coroner, Dr J. W. S. Coward, and a jury, of whom Mr B. Kirgsford waß chosen foreman, concerning the death of Isaac Brricksen, at Bhodes Bay, which took place on Saturday evaning, as related in yesterday's Pbbbs. Biohard Wakelin and P. Day, who were with deceased at the time he was drowned, gave evidence similar to the statements already published. In answer to Sergeant Morice, Wakelin said he himself wbb unable to swim, and Day made a similar statement. They had no ropes with them, or any other appliances which they ootid have used in endeavoring to save him. Af i;er Mark Tnomas arrived with his boat they searched about for deceased's body, but could not find it, bo they hurried over to inform the police. Mark Thomas gave corroborative evidence, and also deposed to finding deeessed's body lying on the beach on the morning following, Sunday. Sergeant Morioe stated that he had been requested by some of the settlers residing at Bbodes Bay to call attention to the absence of any lifebuoys or other life saving appliances at Bhodea Bay. There had he said been several aocidents there. The jetty and bay were under the control of the Lyttelton Harbor Board. A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned. VonnrTßßß Cht/soh Pabade.—The mem-boi-s of the Ashburton volunteer corpa mustered in full foroe on Sunday morning, and headed by their band marched to the Presbyterian Cburch, divine service being there conducted by the Rev. Mr Blmails of Christchurch, this gentleman preaching an impressive sermon appropriate to the occasion. The preacher and the redcoats combined hid the offset of attracting a large congregation, and the entira sitting capacity of the church was fully tested. There was also a full congregation in the evening, when the service was again conducted by Mr Btmslii*. It might be added that the interior of the building now presents a very oomfortable r.ppeavane?, the walls having recently been treated to several oonts of paint, the final coating being of a soft warm looking color. SXBBKHAM CiNABY, POULTEY, AND PiasoK Society.—This society will hold its first show in the Oddfellows' Hall, Sydenham, on the 9th and 10th cf August, and judging from the number of ontriee rec.-ived in all classes, viz, upwards of 320, it bids fair to be very successful. As Inhoobmt Abboad —An aged genman of exceptionally venerable appearance, who for many a long year has rusticated in a sparsely populated district of the Bruoe County, far from the busy haunts of men, determined not long ago that he would take a holiday, and once more see a little of life before infirmity should render its enjoyment impossible. With that end in view, rays the "Bruce Herald," he journeyed to Christchurch, and there, in the Exhibition, beheld the industrial gloriei of all the nations of the world, and had a good time of it. While in the Cathedral city, our aged friend sojourned at one of the best hotels—an hotel the vestibule of which presents a gorgeous appearance, being a delightful avenue cf flowering plants. One in particular, a magnificent geranium, attracted his attention, and regardless of the commandments neither to covet r or to steal, determined to possess himself of a small cutting prior to his return. On the day of his departure, our friend was halfway to the railway station before he thought of this preoious flower. He hurriedly returned, peered up and down and all Ground the vestibule—nobody waa in sight. Hie knife was ready—he applied the blade to a likely twig—gave a tug, and up went the whole plant to the region of the ceiling. Alas ! it iras artificial ; the branches were made of vrire, and the plant had no root. He dropped -the knife, and hurried away in disgust. Nevertheless, now that the soreness is over, our venerable neighbour enjoys the joke a» much as anybody. Nhw Ohtjbch.—A nice little new ohuroh, built by the Presbyterians of Wakanui, was opened on Sunday last by the Bev. J. .'Klmslio, of Ghristchurch. There was a large iittendanee, so large that numbers had to be ooatent with standing room in the porch. The ehoir from the Ashburton Churoh was present, Miss Kidd, the organist, presiding at a nioe American organ lent for the occasion by Mr H. M. Jones, of Ashburton, and a Dedication Anthem was sung by the choir befowvthe service opened. Mr Elmslie's sermon was eminently suitable to the occasion, and was attentively listened to. The ohuroh is seated for over 100 people, and, arohiteoturally speaking, is a very neat little building, its beauty having been added to by the careful work of the builder, Mr William Brown, of Ashburton, and the judicious paint iag of Mr J. B Chapman.

- 1 Baixway Tabiff.—At a meeting of the i sub-committee of the Industrial Association, , held this morning, a draft petition to the House of Bepresentatives was submitted ana agreed to, in wbioh the various inequalities or the railway tariff were pointed out, praying that an equitable readjustment of same may be made. The petition will bo presented by the Ohristchurch members. The ° elw y n County Council have also memorialised the Miniiter of Publio Works on the subject. Thk Egyptian Cbisis.—The "Statist, discussing the Egyptian crisis, expresses doubt as to whether the Imperial interests of England are being at carefully safeguarded as those of the bondholders. "So far as the bondholders are concerned it is of no material importance who has supreme influence in Egypt, if the European control is upheld, if order is maintained, if the taxes are regularly collected, the coupons regularly paid,_ and if the requisite reforms are honestly oarried out. But it is essential to England that ahe should have the absolute mastery of the Suez Canal in case of necessity, and we fear it must be admitted that England has jeopirdirei her preponderant influence in Egypt in deference to French susceptibilities. We quite admit the force of the motives whioh induced the late Government to enter into partnership with France in Egypt. The alliance of the three Emperors then threatened Europe with serious dangers, and it appeared of urgent importance that France, seriously weakened, dismembered, and cowed, should be supported against diotation and aggression. We admit also that, the partnership having been once established, it is extremely difficult for England to act alono, and to separate her interests from those of Franco. Nevertheless, it is indisputable that England ha interests eparato altogether from those of France,, and interests too of a higher kind than those of France or any other European Power. It certainly will not odvanoe those interests to increase the authority of the Great European Powers over Egypt. If it is now admitted that England aud France are not at liberty to enforce an arrangement made so lately by them with the assent of the Poirers against a mere military adventurer, without the express approval obtained for the occasion of those Powers, how ean it be denied by and by that the Great Powers have a right to pnt a veto on any action England may be inclined to take ? But for the safety of our Indian Empire, it may become necessary at any moment to adopt a polioy in Egypt distasteful to all the other Powers of Europe." Habbs.—lt seems that hares are plentiful in the Malvern district, aa no fewer than 550 have been shot on Mr John Dean's Homestead estate by shooting parties this season. Shbes Wobryins at Eybbton.—On Saturday a number of valuable sheep, owned by Mr O. Fairweather, were hunted and worried by dogs, whioh did a considerable amount of damage. Vitai Statistics.—The returns for the months of July are as follows :—City—Births, 42; marri ges, 34; deaths, 12. Distriot— Births, 147 ; marriages, IS ; deaths, 29. The totals for the corresponding mouth last year were—Births, 172; marriages, 32 ; deaths, 62.

Tbaohbbs' Mbbtino at Bangioha.—A meeting of teachers of the northern district took place on Saturday at Bangiora to consider the question of forming a local teachers' association. Twenty-four teachers had been notified of the proposed meeting, of whom five attended, eleven sent apologies, and eight treated it with indifference. After some

little discussion it was unanimously agreed that no local branoh be formed, but that the teachers of the northern district join the Ghristchurch branoh of the Canterbury Educational Institute.