NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2688, 18 November 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Late Fiee at Elmwood. —We un’ derstand that Mr R. H. Rhodes has forwarded to his Worship the Mayor a cheque for .£SO for the services rendered by the Fire Brigade at the recent fire at Elmwood.

Astronomical .—A very fine Aurora Australis was visible last night. The comet is now high up in the heavens at 11 p.m.

; Missing. —The family of Mr W. .f. White, ! saddler, are in trouble owing to hia absence i from home. It appears that on Thursday j afternoon, about half-past four o’clock, he I left his place of business, telling his eldest ! daughter he was going out on business, and | should return in time for tea, hut from 1 that hour till the present time he has not j returned, nor is there any clue as to hi® ; whereabouts. Several friends of tho family j are searching for him in different localities, . and the police are also on the qui vive, but | as yet with no result. j Remands. —Henry Garrett, who stood remanded till Monday next on a charge of housebreaking, and G. Figione, who was to answer a Charge of violent assault on the same day, have been further remanded till November 25th. The Railway Commission. —The Middle Island Railway Extension Commissioners arrived in Christchurch by the Northern, train last evening, having travelled overland from Blenheim, via the Tophouse. They were accompanied by their secretary, Mr C. St. Barbe, and Mr Blackett, engineer. Mr T. B. Craig, the secretary of the Railway League, communicated with the Commissioners this morning to ascertain when they would be prepared to receive the deputation appointed by the committee of the league to wait upon them, and the Commissioners fixed Monday afternoon, at three o’clock, in the old Bellamy’s Rooms, Provincial Buildings, as the time and place for the interview. The duration of their stay in Christchurch will probably depend upon the amount of evidence offered by the league. Woolston Town District. — A meeting of the Commissioners was held on the 16th instant. Present—J. H. Hopkins (chairman), J. O’Neil, G. Tickner, MeDiarmid, J. Coles, W. H. Attwood. The Chairman reported that he had written on the 4th instant to the Chairman of the Heathcoto Road Board, asking to be supplied with a complete statement of the amended accounts, also requesting him to make an. appointment to meet the Commissioners to adjust the accounts. No reply had yet I been received. Re license fees and local taxes —having noticed that the Judge at Dunedin had decided that the town districts were entitled to the license fees and taxes raised in the district—he {the Chairman) had not written to other town districts on the matter, but proposed writing again to tbe Sel wyn County Council, calling their attention to the j Judge’s decision, and requesting them to j reconsider the application for a portion of | license fees and taxes for the present I year. A letter of apology was read from | Mr York for non-attendance, also reporting | that the works committee had got the I cleanings from the side channels r«- | moved. A letter from Sandford and Parkyns, offering to supply metal for roads, was read, and consideration of it postponed. It was proposed by Mr MeDiarmid, and seconded by Mr O’Neal —“ That the works committee do not undertake any wort | where the cost will exceed .£5 unless ! sanctioned by the Commissioners.” Aa ; amendment was proposed by Mr Attwood, : seconded by Mr Coles—“ That the works ■ committee do not undertake any work except in cases of emergency.” On the i amendment being put, only Mr Attwood voted for it. The resolution was then | carried. It was proposed by Mr Attwood, i and seconded by Mr MeDiarmid —“ That j the clerk be instructed to apply to other i town districts and City Councils requesting j them to give copies of by-laws.” Several : matters were discussed, and the meeting adjourned. Masonic. —Thursday last was not only a red letter day in the Masonic history of Akaroa, but also made memorable in the minds of the officers of the Grand Lodge by the kindly and profuse hospitality tendered them by the brethren of the Phoenix Lodge, Akaroa, Thanks to this a most enjoyable outing was had, and the visitors, some twelve or thirteen in number, were loud in their praises, alike of the scenery and the skill and dexterity displayed by their two Jehus, Messrs S. Lee and R. Main. The occasion of the voyage was the installation of the "W.M. and officers of the Phoenix Lodge, who have been from first to last re-eleoted for the current year. The Grand Lodge officers present were as follows :—R.W. Dist. G.M. (acting) Bro. H. Thomson, Y.'W. Dep. District G.M. (acting) Bro. W. K. Mitchell, D.G.S.W. (acting) Bro. R. C. Bishop, D.G.J.W. (acting) Bro. C. P. Hulbert, D.G.S.D. (acting) Bro. G. B. Hart, D.G. Organist (acting) Bro. W. H. Messenger, D.G.S.B. Bro. Sansom. The lodges in the district were also represen Led as follows :—St. Augustine, Bros. Sawtell,. W.M., and Hiorns; Canterbury,- Bro. Messenger ; Concord, Bro. Briggs, P.M.; Ashley, Bro. Davies, "W.M. ; Rose and Thistle, Scotland, Bro. Capt. Barclay, Ac. The annual statement of the position of the Lodge was brought up, and upon this the Dist. G.M. took occasion to compliment the Lodge in very flattering terms on the satisfactory state in which, alike as to working and finances, it was. The W.M. Bro. Grange acknowledged the remarks thus made. Bro. H. Sawtell, W.M. St. Augustine, 609, then presented the Phoenix Lodge with a very rare and antique copy of the volume of the “ Sacred Law.” The Lodge was then duly closed. A banquet to celebrate the anniversary of the Lodge was subsequently held at Bruce’s Hotel, Bro. Grange catering in a style of almost regal magnificence. The chair was filled by Bro. Grange, W.M. of the Phoenix Lodge, having on his right the Dist. G. M., and supported by the Grand Lodge officers. Tho usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to with much heartiness, the speeches being interspersed with some good songs rendered by members of the Lodge. A most enjoyable evening was spent by all present. Inquest. —An inquiry touching the death of Robert Lingwood, whose body was found in tbe Avon on Thursday afternoon, was held yesterday afternoon at the Clarendon Hotel, before Dr. Coward, coroner, and a duly empanelled jury. Constable Herlehey deposed to finding the body of deceased in tbe River Avon, shortly after 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, that life was extinct, and that he had it removed to the Police Morgne. Amongst other property found on the deceased man was a Saving’s Bank book, by which it was ascertained whoho was. Mrs Bligh, wife of the proprietor of tho Temperance Restaurant and Boarding-house, in Victoria streeet, identified the deceased as Robert Lingwood, and deposed that he was a ploughman, and had recently boon, so employed at Courtenay. When in town he always boarded at her house. Dr. Symes deposed to having made a postmortem examination of the body, and stated that death resulted from drowning. Some of the organs were in a diseased condition. The jury, after brief deliberation, returned a verdict of “ Found drowned.” Board or Health. —An ordinary meeting of the Board of Health, which was to have been held yesterday, lapsed for want of a quorum, the only members present being Messrs W. Vincent, L. Harper, and W. White.

The English Hop Harvest. —Mr W. Collins, late of Ward and Co., at present in England, gives a most unfavorable account of tae Kentish hop harvest. The crop, at one time promising, has suffered greatly from wet and consequent mould. Sound samples bring unusually high prices, the highest price on record (.£SO per cwt.) having been paid for a fair sample, first delivery in London for the season. Volunteer Inspection. —The Artillery and City Guards paraded for inspection by Major Lean at the Drillshed last evening The bands of both companies were present. At the conclusion of the inspection the Major complimented the men on their efficiency, after which they marched through the city, accompanied by their bands, who alternately played a succession of inspiriting airs. About ninety men put in an appearance. The Artillery was commanded by Captain Strange, and the City Guards were under the control of Captain Wolfe. A Novelty at the Longbeach Sale. —After lurch on Friday those present at the Longbeach sale were asked to go down and see the “ circus horses sold next. Many thought this was a joke on the part of the auctioneer, hut nevertheless followed him to the yard indicated. Here the groom, Darcy Hyland, led out a couple of ponies, a bay and a nicely-made gray, Dick Turpin. Previous to the animals being offered for sale the groom gave the spectators an exhibition of what the ponies could do. The pair carefully mounted an ordinary two foot plank, raised in the centre about 2ft from the ground, and immediately commenced to have a quiet game of “.see-saw,” and then walked backwards off the plank. Dick Turpin then did some clover jumping at the bidding of the groom, and then the groom and Dick mounted either end of the plank, and man and beast had a game similar to that of the performance between the two ponies. This so took the fancy of the spectators that the bidding for Dick Turpin at once became spirited, and the pony was bought by Mr John Matson at nineteen guineas. Dick Turpin has only been in training six weeks, and the manner in which he performed several very clever tricks in the sale yard speaks well for the able tuition of the groom. Mr Matson’s next fancy purchase was that of a fine bay trotting mare Young Tiny, which was knocked down to him at sixty guineas.