NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2620, 30 August 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Municipal. — Mr A. Ayers has been egsla nominated as City Councillor for the Southeast Ward.

Thb EFFiCT. —At the Lyttelton Police Court this morning, Mr John Ollivier, E M., obrerved that only three cases of drunkenness had come before that Court during August, and that was certainly a remarkable fact, for which eomo cause could probably be found. Sergeant Mcrice, in response, asked whether his Worship meant that it arose from laxity oa the police’s part. Mr Ollivier said no. He would consider rather it was zeal on the part of the police in en« forcing the ten o’clock edict among the hotels. The hergeant thought the ten o’clock closing order had a good deal to do with it. All the hotels in the Port, it should bo remarked, are closed at 10 p.m.

Thh Credit of thb FBM3—At thii morning’* sitting of tho House of R ipreseatatives Messrs Sheehan and Mobs oomplan 3 * d of statements made in the morning PJP* 1 * that the Opposition bad “ stonewalled the motion for going into Committee of Supply. Major Atkimon denied any obstruction on the part of tho Opposition last night, and said that on the contrary the amend* ments principally came from their own sup ■ porters. LO.O.F.—A special summoned meeting of the Loyal City of Christchurch Lodge is an* nonnoed for Thursday craning. Nbw Offices—The Aron Road Board notify that tho business of the Board will henceforth be transacted in their new offices, corner of Hill’s and Briggs’ roads. Thb Pbbseouted Jews—lntending subscribers are informed that the list of the Mansion House fund for the relief of the persecuted Jews will close here on the 7th after which all subscriptions will IPKuly acknowledged. The Valley of thb Dabt —Mr George Sherriff, an artist who is making a tour of the colony, has presented (through Dr. Prins) a valuable oil painting to the Destitute Patient s’ Fund of the Hospital. The scene depicted is the Valley of the Dart, Lake Wakatipu district, with Mount Cosmos and the Southern Alps in the background. _ The valley through which tho Dart flows is composed of very fine quartz shingle, which, with the silt and driftwood in the river, form a prominent feature in the foreground. The time chosen is Summer, and the light and shade has been skilfully treated. Borne idea of the value of this picture may be gained when it is stated that Mr Sheriff refused an offer of £25 for it. It has been suggested that as the money would be more acceptable to tho fund that it bo sold, or the consent of the Colonial Secretary obtained for its disposal by art union. A O.B.—At a sanctuary meeting held on Monday the ordinary routine business was transacted. Two new members were duly initiated into the mysteries of Shepherdry, and the meeting was then opened for harmony. Bros. S. Bath, J. Gent and A F. Elliott gave some very good songs, after which Past Pastor Bro. F. H. Haddrill was presented with a P.P. neck ribton. Tho meeting then closed. Inquests.—Two inquiries were held yesterday before Dr. Coward, Coroner for the district. The first was at tho Crown Hotel, touching the death of James McGrath, infant son ol Annie McGrath, of Johnston street, Spreydon. Dr Patrick stated that the child was weakly, and succumbed to diarrhoea. The jury returned a verdict of “ Death from natural causes.’’ The other inquiry was held at Sunnyside. Medical testimony was given to the effect that deceased died from bronchitis, and a verdict in accordance therewith was returned. Lyttelton Druids.—At the usual meeting on Tuesday night of the Lyttelton Hearts of Oak Lodge, four candidates were inii iated and six proposed. Tho half-yearly reports of the order are due on the 31st instant, forwarded to the D.P.B. of Nos. 13 and 20 districts, After half an hour’s harmony, the lodge was closed by A.D Bro. Adame. Kaiafoi Eifliß Club. —On Saturday the members of this club proceeded to repair the butts, and put the target on the rifle reserve. Beach road, in order. The rifles, having been ordered from the Defence Department, are expected to arrive in a few days, when practice will commence. Petition against Shooting and Hunt mo on Sunday. A petition has been numerously signed by the owners of land, leaseholders, and others, requesting the Assembly to pass an Act forbidding hunting and shooting in the river beds, upon the reserves, and on private lands on Sundays.

Sr. John’s Xhmphbanoe Society. A public meeting of the above society was held last evening in St. John’s schoolroom, the Bev. H. O. M( Watson in the chair. There was a good attendance. The chairman briefly congratulated the society on its progress, subsequent to which Mr H. Bennetts gave an address. A reading was contributed by Mr Soanlsn. The chairman apologiied for the absence of the Bov. B. Best. Fongs were rendered at intervals by Mrs Price and Master Cooper, Miss If worsen being the pianist. Entertainment. —An entertainment in aid of the organ fond of the Avonsido Church took place in the schoolroom last evening. The first part of the programme consisted of song* by several ladies and gentlemen, and was well received. The farce of “As Cool as a Cucumber,” in which the parts were well sustained, sent the audience (which was a very large one) away in the beat of humour. It would be advisable at a future entertainment to have some person stationed at the back part of the room to step the juveniles from making quite so much noise.

The Fats o* a Foundation Stonb.— A somewhat mournful procession was yesterday to be seen in Hereford street. It comprised a somewhat dejected looking horse harnessed to a cart, in which was placed a ■tone, the veritable memorial stone of the Exhibition laid with such formality by his Worship the Mayor, assisted by other notables. As to the ultimate destination of the stone it is hard to say, bat certainly M. Joubert will not now be enabled to carry out his project of enclosing it with an iron railing, so as to preserve it for his descendants to gaze upon as a monument of the ephemeral greatness of their illustrious progenitor.

AxiiBQED Abson. —■ At the Ashburton Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, before his Worship the Mayor (Mr D, Williamson) and Mr K. Aloorn, William Avoneil was brought up on remand charged with setting fire to a house occupied by Mrs Julia Burns, in Graham's road, near Tinwald. The case occupied the Court the greater part of the day, and o number of witnesses were called, but the only material evidence given was that of Richard ESgeoomb, who was living with accused at the time, and to whom Avenell appears to have subsequently confessed to setting fire to Mrs Burns’ house, at the same time uttering other throats of violence, both against Mrs Barns and her property. It appears that Mrs Burns and accused had had a dispute about a cow, and on the same evening, after Mrs Burns and her family had retired to rest, tho thatched roof of the house was discovered to be on fire, a id the children were rescued from the building with difficulty. From the suspicious looking nature of tho fire the police were led to make inquiries, which resulted in the arrest of Avenell. After hearing the whole of the evidence brought forward, and Mr O. W. rnrnell, who appeared for the defence, had addressed tho Bench at great length on behalf of his client, their Worships held a short consultation, and committed Avenell to take his trial at the next sessions of tho Supreme Court to be held in Christchurch. Weathhb Exohangb. —Now Zealand — Yesterday : Fine bright weather, with high pressure all over, and variable winds. Australia —Fine weather; wind, light and calm ; light south-east wind at Tasmania, and alight rain. Barometer —Russell, 30,5 ; Wellington, 30.4; Bluff, 30.4; Portland, 30.1; Sydney, 29 9 ; Hobart, 30.0.

Ashburton R.M. Coubt. —At this Court on Tuesday, before hU Worship tho Major (Mr D. Williamson), Geo. Dighy was brought up on a charge of vagrancy, and discharged with a caution. A similar charge was also brought against a man named Brennan, who was sentenced to one week’s imprisonment. On a charge of drunkenness and being illegally on premises, Thos. Parker reosived a sentence of forty-eight hours. Sib John Hall. —Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs that the o is no foundation for the tumor that Sir John Hall will join the Ministry as Postmaster-General after the session is over. On the contrary, he states that it is probable that Sir John Hell will retire altogether from public life for a time. Magistrate's Coubt, Banoioba. —At the weekly sitting of this Court on Tuesday, before A. H. Cunningham and H. Blackett, Eeqs., the following cases were heard: — L Ridley v J- Cockcroft, £2 7» ; judgment for plaintiff, T. Smith v H. King, £1 4i ; adjourned. J. Pole v Feotow, £6 10s Id, judgment summons; order m&de for payment within one month, or in default a month’s imprisonment. A New Indubtbt.— Mr A. Q. Howland, tho president of the Industrial Association, last night, produced a sample cf curled hair foi upholstery manufactured in Melbourne, and stated his willingness to 'give Is 8d par lb for a ton of the same manufactured in Canterbury similar to tho sample produced. Larceny and Assault. —A prisoner Alexander Kent, sentenced to two months’ imprisonment for assaulting Constable Smsrt at Kaikonra, was brought up by tho steamer Napier. Kent committed the assault when being arrested on a charge of stealing a watch and chain from someone at Tinwald, and he is now on remand to appear before the Court Mi Ashburton,