NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2687, 17 November 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Unemployed.—There was no response to an advertisement which appeared in the morning papers calling a meeting of unemployed in Cathedral square, at eleven o’clock. At the hour named there were no signs of a meeting. St. Albans Educational District.— We would call the attention of parents and guardians in the St. Albans district to an. advertisement in this evening’s paper (17th instant), which states that the committee intend to enforce the compulsory clauses of the Education Act. The Lyttelton Graving Dock.—The contractor for the building of the dock caisson tried to float it into its place this morning, but, owing to either insufficient ballast or some such cause, the thing capsized, an occurrence which has entailed several hours’ delay. The dock pumps were tried this morning, and worked admirably. Brutality.—A report of a peculiarly atrocious case of wife beating, which was very nearly being wife murder, will be found in the account of the proceedings at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning. The accused, a farmer named George Smith, residing at Lincoln, was, after the hearing of evidence, fully committed for trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court to be held at Christchurch. Bail was allowed, the prisoner in .£2OO, and two sureties in .£ 100 each.

Ball.—On the 10th inst. Mr Dunkley*s private class gave a ball in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Montreal street South, at which nearly a hundred people were present. It was a great success. Justices of the Peace Act.—For the first time in Christchurch a prisonerbrought up this morning at the Resident Magistrate’s Court took the benefit of one of the provisions of this new Act, charged with robbery from the person. He pleaded not guilty, but, after the evidence for the prosecution had been led, he was informed that he had the option, and pleaded guiltyHe was, therefore, summarily dealt with,, receiving six months’ imprisonment. R.M. Court, Lyttelton. Messrs H. Allwright and J. W. Smith, J.P.’s, fined a first offender for being drunk ss, and Peter Reynolds and Frank Powell 10s each forfighting, at this Court this morning.

Alleged Theft.—A man named Patrick Ryan was arrested last evening by Detective Hughes, charged with stealing wearing apparel valued JBI, the property of Mr Jehu Haines.

The Graving Dock.—lt is expected that tho formal opening of the new graving dock will take place about the 14th December. The Harbor Board intend to celebrate the occasion in a manner befittingits importance, and a committee has been appointed to carry out the arrangements, which it is proposed will include a public luncheon.

Weather Exchange.—Yesterday—New Zealand, fine, though dull, wind from the S.E., increase of pressure, stormy from the S.E. at Gisborne and showery. Australia, fine generally, with westerly winds on the west and in Tasmania, and southern on the south and east coast. Barometer— Russell and Wellington, 30.2; Bluff, 30.3; Albany and Hobart, 30.0; Portland, 30.1; Sydney, 30.2.

Canterbury Freehold Land Association. —A general meeting of tho shareholders was held at the offices of the company yesterday evening, for the purpose of hallotting for the thirty-three sections of land in the Belfast township which have been purchased by them from the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company. Mr Parry presided, and the business being completed, a vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. Finding of a Body.—The body of a man, apparently about thirty-five years of age, aud supposed to be that of Robert Lingwood, of Courtenay, was found in the River Avon at 4 p.m. yesterday. Two men in the employ of the Tramway Company were fishing in the river a few chains above the Carlton Mill when they noticed the body lying at the bottom of the river. The police were informed, and the body was removed, to the morgue, where it awaits an inquestT’ue name of the deceased was ascertained from a Savings Bank book found in one of his pockets. Ladies as Mining Agents.—The two ladies who have taken an office and gone into partnership at the Thames as sharebrokers, are by no moans the first who have entered upon that rather hazardous business. At Ballarat some twelve ye irs ago a female share broker managed to hold hep own with the smartest men on “ the corner”—but only for a short time. “.Under the verandah,” in Melbourne, too, members of the softer sex have strutted their brief hour on the stage of mining speculation, but the result has not boon entirely satisfactory to themselves. Perfidious man seems to be more adapted bynature to this kind of business. Russian Feeling Towards England.— An “ Age ” special states that public feeling throughout Russia is strongly excited against England. The press teems with articles denouncing tho aggressive action of the English Government in dealing with the affairs of Egypt, and a firm alliance with France is strongly advocated. The leading journals declare that a deliberate insult has been offered to the French people by the attempt made to exclude their representatives from further participation in the financial control. Very threatening language is made use of towards England, and every assistance is offered to France in case she should he compelled to use force to maintain hop right to interfere in the affairs of Egypt.

Christchurch Bicycle Club. Theusual monthly meeting of this club was held last evening at the Central Hotel, when the following members were present—Messrs May, Calvert, Oates, Johnston, Oakey, Atkinson, Hannah. The secretary stated that he had received oor-x-espondence from Mr Norris relative to the Cyclists’ Alliance, andMossrs May, Hannah, and the secretary were appointed to act as delegates from the club. Messrs E. Godfrey and T. Hyde were elected members of the club. Some discussion took place re the president, and the secretary was instructed to act in the matter. The runs for the ensuing month were arranged as follows —Kaiapoi on the 18th, Sumner on tho 25th, Heathcote Valley on the 2nd. December, and Lyttelton on the 3th December.

Hakbok Board. —The Lyttelton Harbor Board met yesterday afternoon in their office in Christchurch and disposed ot a good deal of business, most of which was connected with the new dock. Mr Harman, in view of his projected departure for England, tendered his resignation as chairman, and Mr P. Cunningham was elected to fill the vacancy until the end of the present year, when a new Board will be constituted under the Act passed last session. Concert.—A concert in aid of the build* .ng fund of the Loyal Star of Walthaja Lodge, took place last evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall. Lichfield street. His Worship tho Mayor of Sydenham occupied the chair. The several ladies and gentlemen taking part in the ooncert were very successful. Mr Junker acted as accompanyist. A dance followed the concert, which was kept up until a late hour. Young lady—" Oh, Aunty, did you see that man stare at you ? How rude the men are I* Aunt —* Oh, they are getting much better, now, my dear. Why, ten years ago they used actually to come up and talk to me ; now they only look.