NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2691, 22 November 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Druids. —The Lyttelton Hearts of Oak Lodge held there usual fortnightly meeting on Tuesday evening at the Foresters’ Hall, Lyttelton. There was a good attendance of brethren, and a good deal of business gone through. One candidate was initiated into the order by the A.D. Bro. Adams, assisted by P.A. Bro. Lawson. There were also three candidates proposed. After half-an-hour spent in harmony, the Lodge closed. Sydenham Hates. —We are requested to caution defaulting ratepayers of Sydenham that unless they pay their rates at once proceedings will be taken against them. St. Albans Borough Loan. —A public meeting of ratepayers was held in the St. Albans Council Chamber last evening to consider the Council’s proposals to borrow .£IO,OOO for widening streets, &c., in the borough. A poll to determine the question will be taken on November 30th.

The Crops. —Near Eangiora barley may be seen in ear, and at Flaxtbn there may bo seen a large field of wheat out in ear.

i Eangiora Magistrate’s Court. —The cases set down for hearing at this court on Tuesday were settled out of court. Mr J. C. Porter, E.M., was the magistrate in attendance.

A.O.P.—Court Thistle of the Forest held its usual fortnightly meeting’ in St. Saviour’s schoolroom, Sydenham, when there was a good attendance of members.’ The court seal was received from the District Secretary. At this stage the meeting adjourned for harmony, and several good songs were contributed. It was decided to present a certificate to every member that brought twelve members to the court. The court was closed by tha C.R. Bro. Haig. Lyttelton R.M. Court. — This morning Messrs H. Allwright and J. W. Smith,. J.P.’s, presided on the Bench at the Lyttelton R.M Court, and heard the following cases:—A party of six pedestrians were charged with walking through the railway tunnel at night, contrary to the regulations. They admitted it, and being a first offence were fined 5s each. Five sailors belonging to the ships Marlborough and Waimate were charged with fighting on the Gladstone pier. Two of them appeared in Court bearing unmistakeable evidence in their faces of the disturbance. Sticking plaster and purple-colored blothces about their eyes were not to be explained away. Mr Nalder appeared for two of them, but the Bench regarding it as a free fight fined each of them 10s and costs, witness Wil-

liams being allowed 5s expanses. R. W. Grantham was fined 5s for not having the light burning at the Eoyal Hotel. Hempstalk v Evolt, claim .£G 12s ; Mr Haider for plaintiff; judgment for plaintiff by default. Ashburton Mayoralty. Mr D. Williamson has been re-elected Maayor without opposition. Inquest. —An inquest was held on Monday at Courtenay, before Caleb Whitefoord,. Esq., coroner, and a jury of twelve to enquire into the cause of death of the late Mr Hunt, station manager for the Loan and Mercantile Company at Kirwee and Aylesbury. Messrs Brett, Myers, Horton, and Dr. Meadows gave evidence, giving details of the sudden illness of the deceased, and the medical evidence show-od that death was caused by an epileptic fit. The jury returned a verdict that deceased died from natural causes.

New South Wales Finance. —The budget which the Treasurer of New South Wales has just submitted to the Parliament of that colony gives striking evidence of the rapid progress which our neighbors are making. While _ Sir Henry Parkes’ Government has been in office the revenue has increased to the extent of nearly .£2,250,000. of which sum only a portion is derived from the larger alienation of the public estate. The net revenue for ISSI reached .£6,707,963, or .£300,210 in excess of the estimate; the expenditure was .£5,890,590, leaving a balance, including the surplus from the previous year of .£2,927,434. The New South Wales surplus at the end of 1881 was more than half our entire revenue for the year ISSI-2, and £035,434 in excess of that collected by South Australia during the year ending on the 30th June last. Mr Watson expects to close the present year with a surplus of £1,827,095. Verily the lines of a New South Wales . Treasurer fall to him in pleasaht places just now. The ordinary outlay during next year is put down-at £6,775,848, and the income at £7,356,200 ; surplus on year, £580,351. If these expectations be realised, the accumulated surplus will then be £2,408,047. Mr Watson considers that his estimates of revenue are very moderate, and he will not be surprised if he should receive £8,000,000 during the coming twelve months. The receipts are made up as follows :—Customs revenue, £1,614,800; stamp duties, £225,000 ; other taxation, £121,650 ,- land sales, £1,765,000; annual land revenue, £725,350; receipts for services rendered (railway, post and telegraph charges, Ac.), £2,712,500; and miscellaneous receipts, £191,800.

Direct Steam Service with England. —The New Zealand Shipping Company Limited have made arrangements for the establishment, in connection with their well known fine fleet of sailing vessels, of a monthly steam communication with the mother country by large and powerful steamers of tbe highest class. The company have contracted for the building of steamers of 4000 tons gross register each; to be built of steel, with all tbe latest appliances and improvements, with passenger accommodation of the most complete and ample kind, and the vessels will ho fitted with refrigerators. Pending the comxiletion of their own steamers the company are arranging for the charter of the most suitable steamers procurable. Thefirst steamer will leave London for Lyttelton direct on tho 20th January, 1883. She is the British. King of 3559 tons register, built by Messrs Harland and Wolff of Belfast, the builders of the White Star liners, and of the P. and O. Company’s most recent addition, the Shannon.

Kaiapoi Faeiif.es’ Club. —The monthly meeting of the. members was held on Monday evening, at the Club Chamber, Cookson street. There was a large attendance. Mr Coup, chairman, presided. A letter was read from the publishers of the “Post Office Directory,” and it was resolved to purchase a copy of the same. Mr Reginald Foster then read a paper on. “ Sheep on the farm,” in the course of his remarks referring to the management and profit of keeping sheep, and the diseases to which the animal was liable. The care and breeding of sheep was exhaustively explained, Mr Foster advocating the establishment of a colonial breed from a cross of the merino and Leicester; the necessity for keeping sheep well; choosing the class of sheep which would do the best on the land to which they were suited; one of the main points to be kept in view was to always keep sheep in good health. The diseases of sheep were fully entered into, and Mr Poster offered a number of valuable suggestions to avoid or cure the same. A discussion took place, in which Messrs Kidd, Pash by, Parnhani, Walls, Ross, Wilson, Walker, and other members took part. Mr Pashby moved, Mr Mulopck seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr Foster, which was spoken to by several members, who requested him to allow his paper to be published, and unanimously agreed to. Mr Pashby exhibited the fleece of his prize ewe, weighing 22Jlbs, the wool being of a very grand staple, and was much admired by those present. The meeting then adjourned.

“Lady Tichbornk” in the "Workhouse. —At the meeting of the Board of Guardians of the South Stoneham Union,, near Southampton, on September 2Gth, the master of the workhouse reported that “ Lady Tichborno,” wife of the Claimant, had, with two illegitimate children, become an inmate, and he asked for instructions of the Board in the matter. It seemed from the statements made that the. woman since her husband’s incarceration had been resident in a district of the Union called St. Denys, her chief, if not only,means of maintenance being an allowance from an organised fund raised by certain of the Claimant’s sympathisers. She was once summoned under the Educational Act for not sending the Claimant’s children to school, but these are now being properly educated at two separate places in the country. Her “ ladyship ” had, however, since her husband’s conviction, given birth to two illegitimate children, and this being followed by a third, comparatively recently, hen benefactors withdrew their support, and she was compelled to seek refuge with her two youngest children in the union, quite destitute. She persisted in giving her name and title as Lady Tichborne, and the clerk held the Board were bound to register her in the parish books as such. She informed the guardians through the master that, declining to give any information as to the paternity of her first two illegitimate children, she wished] to affiliate the third, and furnished the name of the alleged putative father. The Board ordered indoorrelief for her and her children, and desired to summon the man whoso name she had given in order to obtain a magisterial order of support.

Sheffield. — A meeting of the sports committee was held at Flanagan’s Hotel here on Monday evening, which was verywell attended. Mr Geo. 11. "Willis kindly granted the use of bia paddock for the sports, and the programme was drafted, which includes between twenty and thirtyevents. It was stated that Mr John Lord was unable to undertake the secretaryship, so Mr Lewin was requested to act in bis stead pro. tern.

Young Men’s Club Association, —A meeting of the committee of the above was held last night. Present—Messrs H. "VV. Packer (in the chair). Miller, Hogben, March and Joseph. Apologies were received from the Very Rev. the Dean and Mr Griffiths. Donations were received as under, and ordered to bo acknowledged with thanks, viz.:—Mr W. Montgomery, -£3 3s; Mr J. Inglis, 2s. On the motion of Mr March, it was resolved —“ That three additional members of the club should be elected to assist the managing sub-committeo in their duties.” After some routine business the committe adjourned. Art Union Pictures. —The four prizes in the Art Union of London, won by Canterbury subscribers, are now on view at Messrs Heywood and Co.’s, as also the engravings for 1882 and the one for 1883'. Of j the prizes two are oil paintings of forest scenery very artistically worked out. Of the other two one is a beautiful picture of the Sussex flats by A. Glendinning, junior, and the other by Clark, “ Ebbing Dry,” representing a fishing smack loft high and dry by the receding tide. The engravings presented to each subscriber this year are four in number, and are from pictures by Frith, entitled “ The Hoad to Ruin,” depicting the career of a young man of fashion of the present day. The one for next year “ Stolen by Gipsies” is a splendid engraving, and is well worth a visit of inspection. The Graving Dock. —Yesterday afternoon the caisson of the Lyttelton dock was floated into its place and sunk, when it was found to fit exactly. The dock was then pumped out, and the caisson fairly tested. After the water had been reduced to within a foot or so of the floor of the dock, it was found that the water from outside the caisson made its way in several places underneath the keel of the caisson and through into the dock. This was not entirely unlooked for, as it could scarcely be expected that the first trial of the caisson would be without fault. To-day further tests will be made, and it may be predicted from the general exactness of the workmanchip done by the contractors they will succeed in their efforts to finally complete their undertaking. The coffer-dam has then but to be removed in order to make the dock ready to receive business. Mission Association. —A meeting of the committee of the Tinnevelly Mission Association was held yesterday. Present —Bov. H. C. M. Watson (in the chair). Yen. Archdeacon Harris, Messrs Blakiston, Webb, Griffiths, and Major Bamfield (hon. sec.) A letter from the Rev. H. B. Macartney was read, advising the committee as to the best means of assisting the mission. It was stated that .23 12s would support a child for a year in Tinnevelly. The chairman stated that St. John’s Sunday School supported several children connected with the mission. It was resolved that circulars be sent to the clergy of the diocese, requesting them to bring the mattr Before the Sunday schools and congregations under their charge. On the motion of Mr Blakiston, seconded by Mr Griffiths, it was resolved—“ That the Rev. H. B. Macartney be the medium of communication of the association with the Tinnevelly Mission. It was resolved, that subscribers of 5s and upwards be members of the association, and that all subscribers be furnished with missionary intelligence. It was resolved, that all Sunday schools contributing .£3 12s a year be admitted to the membership of the association. After the transaction of some routine business, the committee adjourned. Masonic. —At the usual monthly meeting of the Robert Burns Lodge, 60-1 S.C., last night, the following officers were elected : R.W.M., Bro. L. A. Elerig; W.S.W., Bro. A- A. Francis; W.J.W., Bro. P.W.Fiancis ; Chaplain, Bro. W. J. Ferguson, P.M. ; Secretary, Bro. C. T. Harris, re-elected; Treasurer, Bro. P. Duncan; Organist, Bro. Loibl; S.D., Bro. Buchanan; J.D., Bro. J. Park; 1.G., Bro. A. C. Schmidt; S.S., Bro. H. Tuck; J.S., Bro. Eastwood; Tyler, Bro. W. Toms, P.M. In the course of the evening the retiring R. W. M., Bro. H. T. Gourlay, presented Bro. B. M. Fulton, on behalf of the Lodge, with a very handsome treasurer’s jewel, comprising a five-pointed star, with a key in the centre. In the course of his remarks, the W.M. took occasion to refer to the many services rendered by Bro. Fulton to the Lodge, of which ho had been one of the forming members. Bro. Fulton replied in a very interesting speech, in which he gave a short epitome of the history of the Lodge from its starting. At the conclusion of business the brethren adjourned to refreshment, when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to. Visitors were present from the Canterbury, St. Augustine. Corinthian, Crown, Conyers, Southern Cross, and other lodges in the district. The late Mr Darwin. —lt is reported that the life of this eminent man is to be shortly published (sayo the London correspondent of the “New Zealand Times”), and that some interesting letters will be forthcoming indicating his views on the future state, and its bearing on evolution. I am able to say, however, that a letter of bis to a student, who, having declared that a perusal of his works had shattered his faith, and asked him to give him his views on the subject, is not very satisfactory. It indicates rather an attitude of negation without affirmation. He expressly disbelieves that any revelation has ever been made to man, but he evades entering on the crucial question of a continuity of existence. The letter is very short, and rather irritable in tone. The “ Spectator,” one of the ablest of the weeklies, points out that, logically pursued, the theory .of evolution leads to belief in a future li"e, and it says, though on what authority I know not, that evolutionists and materialists are travelling different paths in this matter. It asks the very pertinent and oft-repeated question—when the idea first originated ? It could not well have grown up without a basis. A migratory bird confined in a cage is terribly distressed and uneasy when the proper time of flight arrives and it is still a prisoner. That instinct, as evolutionists admit, is grounded on experience handed down through generations, and the “ Spectator” asks, justly, why should not the instinctive longing for the unseen world, which has marked the caaracter of men from an untold past, be based aiso on an experience acquired quite outside of and apart from our present surroundings ? No one would believe in meteorites had they not dropped on our earth from interstellar space, and why should not the idea of immortality be also a thought dropped upon our minds from the unseen f

Prehistoric Footprints in Nevada. — The recent discovery of human footprints at Carson, Nevada, has created great interest in American scientific circles. At a meeting of the Californian Academy of Sciences, Professor Joseph Leconte detailed the results of a careful examination which he has made of this locality. The Professor arrived at the conclusion that if the footprints wore not in a quaternary formation they wore not likely to be older than the upper pliocene passing into quaternary. He observed that no one who studied the tracks could fail to note then 1 remarkable general resemblance to human footprints, both in their form and in the apparent singleness of each impression. Their size called for explanation ; for, although well defined as rights and lefts, their straddle was unusually wide. They might have been made by a human foot enclosed in a raw hide sandal, much larger externally than the foot. The hear and mylodon, or gigantic ground sloth, could alone make a track at all resembling the footprints in size aud form, and they were not the tracks of cither of these ; they were those of a biped, more likely man or the anthropoid ape, familiarly known as the missing link in the chain of human evolution. The track was too much curved for any hear. Professor Leconte said he knew of no animal hut a biped which could make such tracks, but this was possible for a man with sandals on to do. However, as a judicial mind, he desired to hold his final scientifically expressed opinion in reserve, awaiting further testimony. Vaccination.— lt' will be gratifying to those who are interested in vaccination direct from the calf to learn that arrangements have now been made by which calf lymph may ho obtained at any time on aX>plication to Messrs Cook and Ross, chemists, Colombo street. For the convenience of medical practitioners a fresh supply is sent there every week from the animal vaccine establishment at Sunny side, under the direction of Dr. Hacon.

A.O.P. The ordinary meeting of Court Star of Canterbury was hold on Monday evening in the Foresters Hall, when it was resolved —‘‘ That the sum xC* quired for the absolute transfer of section be paid into the solicitor’s hands without delay. Bro. C. Samuels, P.C.R., was elected a member of the fete committee, vice Bro. Andrews. Bro. Crooks volunteered to act as J.D. during Bro Andrews’ illness. The quarterly report and miscellany wore received. the business was concluded at an early hour, and the C.R. closed the Court with the usual formalities. Cricket.—The following will represent the Oxford C.C. in their match against Woolston C.C., on the ground of the latter : —Hardie (captain), Beckett, Gee, Parkyn, Empson, Harvey, Stapleton, Butler, Cavanagh, Simpson, and McCleary. Emergencies, West and Evans. Players are requested to meet at Latimer square at 1.39 p.m. sharp. Monster Sai,e.—We hear that Mr C. R. Church has been the successful tenderer for the bankrupt stock of Mr J. M. Crocker, of High street, and intends having a monster sale on the premises, commencig next Saturday. Acknowledgment.—The House Steward of Christchurch Hospital wishes to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of fifty bouquets of flowers for the patients from Mrs H. B. Sorensen.

Regatta Committee. —At a meeting of the Regatta committee held last evening it was decided that the allowing of coxswains in the interprovincial race should be optional. The following sub-committees were appointed :— Judges—Messrs P. Cunningham, T. W. Maude. H. R. Webb, 11. Thompson, Captains Gibson and Mosey. Starters—Messrs W. Packard and Captain Reid. Laying courses —Captains McLellan, Clark, Reid, Whitby, and Mr Turpin. Flagship officers of the committee —Messrs T. L. Smith, Owen, Jones. Timekeepers— Messrs Leys, Sandstein, and T. Wright. Charge of guns —Mr G. W. White. _ Correspondence was read from the railway traffic manager, promising to carry boats competing free of charge and to portion off sites for booths. It was resolved to write to the local manager of the Union Company to place one of the large steamers of their line at the disposal of the committee for a flag ship. The secretary was instructed to call for tenders for one or more bands. The collectors reported that they had promises of subscriptions to the fund of over .£■loo. After disposing of some minor business the meeting adjourned to December Ist to receive entries for the Champion Intercolonial Four-oared Outrigger Race and the transaction of other business.

An Australian Colonist in Utah.— The Salt Lake “Tribune” publishes a letter from G. A. Tucker, an English gentleman from New South Wales, giving a description of his visit to the Utah insane asylum near there, which is in charge of Dr. Seymour Young, nephew of Brigham Young, and three Mormon commissioners. Mr Tucker says he found nine female and twelve male patients, who were in the most filthy condition imaginable. Some were in iron cages outside the main building; othoi's in irons, bound hand and foot. Of these patients two were perfectly sane, and have no idea why they are confined. One of these sane persons is a man named Shexunan, who has been confined ten years. He was robbed of his wife by a Mormon polygamist, and has been confined in this place ever since. He is in one of the iron cages in the yard. The inmates of the institution are punished with a club and strap. Mr Tucker - says :—“ I have during the last four months visited four asylums in New South Wales, thx - ee in Victoria, two in Adelaide, two in Tasmania, two in New Zealand, one in Honolulu, three in California, one in Nevada, and one in Utah; and in no instance have I seen sights so horrible as those of to-day.” Rome and the Vatican. —The secular courts and the ecclesiastical powers in tho Vatican have come into collision. The Vatican architect has had some dispute with the Major-domo of the Pope’s Palace. He has appealed to Ctesar, and the Civil Tribunal at Rome has declared its competency to deal with the matter as one involving the civil lights of a citizen. The Pope has been so much disturbed by this unwelcome precedent that he has addressed a Note to the Nuncios to be communicated to the several Courts to which they are accredited. He protests th«.t the Vatican is not subject to the laws of Italy, that ii is an outside and independent territory. He appeals to the Guarantee Laws in defence of the position that he cannot be sued, and that the Italian Courts have no right to take action in relation to a contract formed inside his palace between officials of his Court and a person engaged to do work within the Vatican. The questions raised, says a Home paper, are of the first importance, however trivial may be the dispute between the parties, and it is likely enough that there is trouble in store for Italy and the Catholic Powers.

Oust —On Monday evening last the second of a series of entertainments, got up by Mr Arthur Searel in aid of the funds of the Public Library, was held in the Institute Hall, when Mr R. L. Higgins presided over a very fair audience. Songs were sung by Mesdames Seax’el, Alexander, and Thompson, and Messrs Searel, Horrel, Vague, Tinley and Pollock. Readings were given by Messrs Higgins, Leach, Meredith, and Rev. Neil McCallum. Messrs Sail (2) and Head gave some very good violin solos, and Miss Edith Thompson sang in good style “ The Shamrock of Ireland.” Mr Pollock’s serio-comic took immensely. Altogether the entertainment was a success, reflecting credit on Mr Arthur Searel, to whom, on the motion of Mr Meredith, the thanks of the audience was most heartily accorded.