NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2679, 7 November 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Incendiaeism.—A telegram from our Port correspondent gives the following:— The barn, doing duty for the hotel at Little Akaloa, was burnt last night. A threatening letter, to stop liquor selling there was found near the fire, and as Dug is the third hotel within the last three months, the incendiary apparently means what ho threatens.

The Eechabitbs. —The Pride of Christchurch, Tent No. 26, held its usual fortnightly meeting last night, when there was a good attendance of members. It was decided to hold an open meeting this night month. The Tent is progressing favorably, having .£l5B tc its credit. The Tent was closed in due form by the C.E. after spending a most pleasant evening. Boeough Council, Amenities.— At the Lyttelton Borough Council meeting on Monday night Cr. Webb inquired what wages the Council’s workmen were paid on certain work, to which the Mayor replied the wages varied from 5s to 7s ; whereupon the Councillor observed that he would oppose any man being employed by the Council at the low pay of 5s per day. Jt was explained that only one person was being so paid, and because he was physically incapable of doing hard work, the employment being more an act of charityon the Council’s part. This did not satisfy the irrepressible Councillor, who still urged that it was wrong not to pay him the full wage. The Mayor replied that there was no doubt but some people would prefer to see unfortunate men walking the streets starving rather than at work for 5a per day, and he thought Cr. Webb belonged to the class he referred to, a statement which that gentleman combated, retorting that he (the Mayor) probably belonged to that irreconcilable section of the community himself.

Steamee Excuesions. The steam, launch Lyttelton will run to Governor’s Bay during the holidays this week excursion trips.

Inquest. —An inquest was held at Leitbfield yesterday before Dr. Morris, coroner, and a jury of which Mr G. B. Dance was foreman, on the body of Eobert Parker, who was drowned in the Elver Kowai on. Saturday evening. Evidence was given, of the finding of the body and other particulars, and the jury returned an open, verdict of “ Pound drowned.” Shipping Items. —There are no less than three ships at the heads at Wellington—the Wanganui, the Mercia, and the West York—they having arrived during the night.

Spouting. —The sweepstakes (of 5 sovs) for the Juvenile Plate, Epsom High Weight Handicap, the Canterbury Cup (10 sovs), and Grand Stand Handicap (3 sovs) close this evening at 9 p.m. House Connections. —At yesterday’s meeting of the Drainage Board it was resolved to abandon the schedule prices for house connections, leaving parties to make their own arrangements. Caledonian Society. —A meeting of the directors of the above was held at 4 p.m. yesterday; Mr P. Cunningham in the chair. A very attractive programme for the meeting of the society at Lancaster Park on December 1 Gth was adopted, and several offers of St. Andrew’s crosses have been received, to be presented on the occasion to the winners of the different events.

Eaiapoi Paeish. —The Eev. E. Long, from a North Island cure, has taken charge of this parish under appointment of the Primate, who was requested by the nominators to appoint a clergyman to the cure for a term of six months, within which time it is hoped steps may be taken to appoint a resident clergyman.

SOCIETT FOE THE PeEVENTION OF CkUELTT to Animals. —A meeting of the general committee of the above society took place yesterday afternoon at the Provincial Council Chambers. Present Eev. T. Fla veil (in the chair), Messrs Ecade, Jamieson, Kiver, Stanley Edwards, Shaw (secretary) and others. An apology was read from Mr Weston for his non-attend-ance. The report of the inspector was read and adopted. A special notice to buyers and sellers of poultry, printed in placard form, was exhibited and approved. It called attention to the fact that tying tightly and carrying poultry head downwards has been decided by the Magistrates to he an act of cruelty, and as such renders persons so doing liable to punishment under the Act. The secretary reported that the children’s branches had been specially fostered, and good progress bad been made in that direction. A considerable sum. of money had been remitted to England, for the purchase of periodicals favorable to the cause. Inspector Pender had consented to distribute among the country police stations copies of clauses from the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The authorities had been written to calling their attention to the necessity of supplying water to animals penned at Addington, on sale days. Arrangements were made for the holding of a general meeting at the Provincial Council Chambers on November 23rd. Notice of motion to reduce the quorum from nine to seven was given, to be proposed at the general meeting, and after some"other unimportant business the committee adjourned.

Askbueton Gas Company. —The annual meeting of the above company was held on Monday afternoon, Mr T. Bullock in the chair. In their report the directors recommended a reduction in the price of gas by allowing a further discount of lOd per 1000 ft. The profits of the company for the past year were shown to be £1096 XSs 7d. Out of this sum the directors recommended a dividend of 10 per cent, on the paid-up capital; £IOO to be carried to the reserve fund; £sl 16s 9d to be applied in liquidation of preliminary expenses ; £3O to be written off on account of depreciation, and the balance to be carried forward. In moving tbe adoption of the report the chairman congratulated the shareholders on the satisfactory condition of the company, and paid a high compliment to the manager for the manner in which he had conducted the business of the company, ;ls well as to the secretary for the satisfactory way in which the books had been kept. Messrs Bullock, Priedlander, and Quill, the three retiring diroctors, were re-elected, and Messrs Jameson and Gundry were elected auditors. Votes of thanks were passed to the manager, secretary, and. directors for their past services.