NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2625, 5 September 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Nbw Publication.—We have to acknowledge the receipt from Mr Gilmour, of Auckland, of a copy of a monthly serial, entitled “ Picturesque Now Zealand.” The proprietors have secured the services of Mr E. Raarlins, as artist. The illustrations will embrace views in ail the most picturesque parts of New Zealand. The two in the number to band are “ & fo me in the Tikitapu Bush, near Ohinematu,” and “The Dripping Fall, near Lake Tarawera.” It cannot be said that the plates are very striking specimens of lithography.

Lvttblton Holy Tbinity Chueoh Choik. —Iho Lyttelton English Church congregation purpose helping their choir in a pecuniary way by a entertainment, to be given on Thursday night in the Lyttelton Colonists' Hall. A special feature in the musical portion of the programme will bs some perfo.'mancos on the violin and piano by two gentlemen profess o-a' pliyers, who were passengers from London by the Raagitiki lately.

Ikqubbt.—An inquiry was held yesterday afternoon at the Asylum, Suunyside, cor earning the cause of death of an inmate of that institution named Sarah Ann Oresiy, who died on Saturday. Dr. Robinson gave evidence to the effect that death resulted from bronchitis, and the jury returned a verdict in accordance therewith.

Abtilleby Ball.—The ball under the auspices of U.e B Battery of Artillery, which fakes place to-morrow evening at the Oddfellows Hall, promises to be a great success, a largo number of ticket* having been sold. The catering and musical arrangement* are in most competent hands, and the ball will be no doubt quite as enjoyable os those which have preceded it

Paeliam hntasy. —At this morning • sitting of tha Home the Hon. Mr Johnston said the railway carriage of grain tariff would ba revised in time to meet the convenience of the forthcoming grain leason. Lin bed Oil Company. —At a_ meeting of this company at Bmglora last night, it was decided not to amalgamate with the Ohrietchurch Company, and directors were nominated, to bo appointed next Monday, when aPbVes of asa ■ ration will be pasted. Municipal.—ln response to a deputation, Mr F. Jenkins has consented to be nominfltio tit the vacant seat for the South-east Ward, canted by the resignation of Councillor Hulbert. Ohasiti Sunday.—After considerable discussion yesterday at the meeting of the clergy and the committee of the Benevolent Are relation, the third Sunday in October was fixed for the charity Sunday in connection with the Benevolent Association. National Mostgage and Agihoy Company.—As stated in our telegraphic columns the other day, advicea have been received by the National Mortgage and Agency Company that arrangements are now completed for the opening of a branch office in Melbourne on the Ist of October next. Mr H, B, Carter, of Everingham, Greenfield and Carter, has received the appointment of manager of the new business.

City Council. —Mr W.Brioo, of Leamington House, Hereford street, has been nominated for election as councillor for the North-East Ward at the ensuing election. The Finn Bbigadh. —Mr O. P. Hulbert has forwarded to the Fire Brigade a cheque for the sum of five guineas, in recognition of their efforts at the fire yesterday morning. Wkathbb Exchange. New Zealand, Saturday—Fine weather, with light S.W. wind in the North, and N.W. at other places ; passing showers on the West Coast. Australia—Fine, with increased pressure on the South Coast, and light West and S.W. winds. Barometer—Bussell, 30.2 ; Wellington, 29.9; Bluff, 29.7 ; Hobart, 30.1 ; Portland, 30.3; Bydnay, 30 2. Meeting Lapsed. A meeting of the shareholders in the Christchurch, Sydenham, and Suburban Building Society was called by advertisement to be held at the rooms of Messrs MoOonnel and Douglas, solicitors,Hereford street, at 7.30 last evening. At the time named, and after waiting for three-quarters of an honr, there were present—The conveners (Messrs MoOonnel and Douglas), three reporters, and two shareholders. The meeting lapsed.

Entbbtaihment. —An entertainment of a most enjoyable nature was held on Friday evening at the district schoolroom, Fendalton, the object being the enlargement of the Fcndalton Church, which, since the growth of Bryndwr into a township, has become too small. The Bar. Mr Glaaaon kindly presided, and, considering the short notice given, the entertainment was a decided success. The songs, recitations, and instrumental music, all of which were given by ladies and gentlemen in the neighbourhood, were, judging from the applause, highly appreciated, and moat of them re-demanded ; but the chairman remarked that the programme being so long, it would be better to dispense with the pleasure of repetitions. It would be invidious to particularise any item in the programme, when all were so pleasantly rendered. Wo must congratulate Mr Norgate, the hon. secretary, on the success which attended bis indefatigable exertions in organising the entertainment. A vote of thanks to the chairman was carried by acclamation.

OAHTBBBtJBX LINfIBHD Oil AND FIBBB Comp AST. — A meeting of the provisional directors of this company was held yesterday afternoon at 2.30, in the offices of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Present— Messrs J. P. Jameson (in the chair), Q-. King, T. Brace, T. Aoland, O. Kiver, J. Oooke, the Mayor of Ohriiitohurch, and J, Miln. The Secretary reported that he had written to Mr J. Johnst d, one of the promoters of the proposed Linseed Oil and Fibre Company at Bangiora, giving their proposed basis of operations, find asking if the North Canterbury Company would amalgamate with the Canterbury company. To this a reply had been received, stating that the letter would be laid before a meeting to bo held in a few days, when a fuller reply would be sent. la reply to si the Secretary stated that 1091 shares had been taken up, and that it was expe ted that at least 200 more shares would be taken np daring the present week. The draft memoranda of association were then read teriatim and agreed to with slight alterations. After the transaction of some routine business the meeting adjourned. Another Ftbb. —Shortly after ten o’clock last night the fire bells rang out an alarm, and a glare in the Windmill road, just over the railway gates, indicated it* locality, which proved to be an empty nine-roomed house, the property of Mrs W. B. Smith, late of the Queen’s Hotel. The brigade mustered in force, and took one of their engines to the spot, but the absence of water rendered it useless. All that remained was to stand idly by. The aid'of blankets and backets of water prevented the fire communicating with the adjoining properties. This was done, although the house in which the fire started was totally consumed. There is no clue to the origin of the fire. A charwoman cleaned out the bouse yesterday, and says she left the place all right. It was said that the property is insured for £3OO, but the office is not stated. Sergeants Brooks and Moore, in charge of a body of police, was present, and rendered every assistance to prevent the fire spreading.

Society foe Prevention of Cruelty to Animals .—The ordinary monthly meeting of the committee of the above society was held at 4 15 p.m. yesterday, in the Provincial Council Chamber. Present—His Worship the Mayor of Christchurch (in the chair), Eev. T. Fisvell, rrofcssor Haslem, Messrs W. H. Shaw, C. Kiver, Beid, J. and T. W. Jones, and J. P. Jameson. Mr F. J. Kimbell wrote apologising for his absence. It was reported that Mesdames Haslem, F, Courage, Flavell, and Innes, had consented to 1 act as the ladies’ working committee. The monthly report was read, which detailed at considerable length the various steps already taken to lessen cruelty, adding that one conyiction had resulted during that period. The report was unanimously adopted. The secretary stated that steps had been devised to regulate the weight of leads drawn by horses. Special attention was called to the good accruing from the formation of a young people's branch in other centres of population, and after some discussion, in which the idea was warmly approved, its fuller consideration was deferred till next meeting. It was resolved that advertisomente bo inserted in the newspapers calling attention to the objects sought to be attained by the society. Mr Espenett wrote calling the society’s attention to the cruel practice of dishorning young cattle. After sundry accounts had been passed for payment the committee adjourned. Kaiapoi Licensing Court.—The quarterly licensing meeting was to have been held at noon in the Magistrate’s Courthouse on Monday. Messrs G H. Blackwell, B. Coup, and F. Bobins, members of the committee, attended and decided to adjourn till Friday at noon, being uncertain whether the other members had received notice of the meeting from the clerk of the Court. The report of the police on the hotels of the town was favorable. Mr Burnip had applied for a midnight license, and it was understood that Mr Wearing also intended to renew his application, which will come on for hearing at the adjournment. The High Street Fire. The various insurances on the buildings damaged and destroyed by the fire on Sunday are as follows : —The Langham Hotel (Mr J. Hadfield), £BOO in the New Zealand Insurance Comfany. Although the fire did not reach this adding, the stock was considerably damaged by removal. Mr 0. P. Hulbert, £SOO in the National and £750 in the South British. H s ■took has also suffered considerably by water a - .d removal. Mr W. 8. King, £250 in the Victoria, £SOO and £IOOO in the Standard, the latter sum being on the stock. An insurance of £4OO is also effected with the London and Lancashire on the contents of the billiard saloon above Messrs King’s furniture warehouse. Mrs J. M. Crocker’s insurances a re —Victoria £SOO, Colonial £6OO. Several of these sums are partially reinsured with other offices. Native Leases. —At the Kaiapoi Court on Monday it transpired that one ot the Maoiis who was sued for debt, contemplated paying all his creditors, having agreed to lease Li# land for a second term while an existing lease was in force, and receive the rent under the second lease in advance. The Resident Magistrate said he should never agree on behalf of the Natives to sanction such a lease. Seeing such agreements have to be signed in presence of Mr Whitefoord, the Native was somewhat taken aback on hearing this announcement.

Dead Heats. —Mr Maybridge, the wellknown American “ instantaneous grapher ” of horses, will contribute to the new number of “ Nature ” another curious suggestion in regard to “ dead heats in races. He maintains that there is no snob a thing as a “ dead heat,” and proposes that an invisible thread should be stretched across the course of a race at the winning post. Whichever horse should cut the thread across would of course bo the winner. Ho suggests, at the same time, that steps should be taken for instantaneously photographing the scene at the winning post. The plate produced would be the real arbiter of the race in case of dispute.

‘ Mosaes,’ said Mrs Schaumburg to her husband, a second band clothier, ‘vat you siys dat wo gif a barty next week P’ Moae carefully considered tho proposition, and then replied, 1 1 bleeve it vas petter yen ve vaits mit der party ontil my birthday, and den all de folks prings little presents mit, and so de barty von’t oosht ns a penny for expenshes.’ “Do we believe in miracles, Alonzo ? ” Well, we should preach. When a man can sit down in a New York restaurant and have brook tront, spring chicken, venison steak and reed bird served off the same old soup bone, we are ready to take in any miracle you ever saw in print. Believe in miracles ? When the American farmer can put a quart of strawberries in a box that won’t hold a pint of sand ; when almost any coal dealer can make 1700 weigh a ton ; when a common looking clerk can measure a whole yard at one sweep of a 33in stick ; when a 101 b of ice looks small alongside a 4:z hailstone ; when any bar-keeper turns whiskey into water before he opens np in the morning ; when you can put out a fire with illuminating oil ; when soap fat stalks abroad as A 1 clover fed butter ; when you find a miraculous draught of fishes in the sky-blue milk ; when a committee of women at a church fair can make a barrel of soup with one cove oyster ; when—do we believe in miracles, doubting Alonzo P It ia an age of miracles. The world is full of miracles, or overrun with rascals. You may accept either interpretation.