NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2704, 7 December 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Committed tor Triad . —Robert Ewing-, charged with unlawfully and maliciously setting fire to his own house at St. Albans, was, this morning, at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, committed for trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court.

Eleven O’clock Licenses. —That was. an unexpected turn the licensing committee at Lyttelton took on Tuesday last. The eleven publicans of the place were victorious at the very moment despair was holding its fullest mastery of their minds. What had they to hope for from a committee of five, two of whom were avowed teetotallers, and another, if not a total abstainer, an abstainer certainly as to patronising puhlichouses. Scarcely was the thought of getting an extra hour after ten o’clock at night in which to sell the “ frantic liquor,” dared to he breathed by a single vendor of it in that exemplaryborough in the face of such overwhelmingodds of reputed prejudice. But alas! howfickle is the human heart, even the heart of a sedately sober committeeman, and how prone to repentance. The trial for six: months of the ten o’clock closing Act had resulted in a wonderful quietude, snd—let us charitably suppose for the sake of the weak kneed member—in a melancholy stillness of the town after teno’clock. This lamentable feeling seems to have seized the Sergeant of the Police, who, may it be, finding his occupation all but gone, ranged himself on the side of the new amendment, for he is reported to have said that he did not feel well enough to oppose the extension. Thus were the eleven Bonifaces triumphant, and though, they had entered the presence of the committee as tardily and sick, as hoping against hope could well make them, they returned with joy, great joy, for havingbeen found worthy to dispense the fluid, for sixty minutes longer every day, on contributing £a each to the borough coffers, which they did not fail to do on that day and date.

Papanui Spaeeow Club. —A meeting- of this club was held at Mr Hart’s Papanui Hotel last night; Mr Donald occupied the chair. It was resolved to appoint Messrs Nunweek and Munro to interview the Riccarton and Avon Road Boards, for the purpose of ascertaining what contribution would be forthcoming from these Boards towards the funds of this or any other club, having for its object the suppression of the small birds nuisance. It was also suggested that the Avon and Riccarton Clubs should be amalgamated, as one large club would work better and more economically than two small ones. The meeting then adjourned.

Accident. —An accident, fortunately unattended with any serious results, took place this morning about ten o’clock. Mrs Paynton, of the Bower Hotel, New Brighton, was driving along Colombo street south, and when near Messrs Montgomery and Co.’s premises the horse, which waa driven by a man named Lilly, took fright at a heap of gravel in the road, and coming into contract with a light cart which was approaching from the opposite direction, the wheels became locked, and Mrs Paynton was thrown violently to the ground, falling on her right shoulder. She was picked up, conveyed to a friend’s residence, and promptly attended by Dr. Stewart, and about an hour after was put into a buggy and taken home.

Anotvebsaet Spoets. —The sale of the privileges at the forthcoming sports of the Popular Amusement Association on the 16th instant took place to-day at Mr H. E. Alport’s rooms. The No. 1 publican’s booth was sold to Mr Hansmann for £25; No. 2 was sold to the same purchaser for £2O, The two confectioners’ booths were submitted next, and Mr Robinson was the purchaser at £lO each. A few sites were next sold, and the total amount realised was £69 10s, being £lO less than last year. St. Maet’b, Meepvale.— On Saturday next the ladies of the above congregation, intend holding their annual sale of work in aid of the funds of the Sunday-school. The tables will be replete with every useful article of wearing apparel, ferns, pot plants, &c. There will also be a large Christmas tree for the benefit of the little ones. In the evening the Merivale Dramatic Club will repeat one of their most successful efforts, “Raising the Wind.’’

Sporting. —The weights in the Northern. Handicap, to be run at the Amberley races on the 16th inst., have been raised 71b. Bicycle Races. —lt was resolved, at tho meeting of the Popular Sports Committee yesterday, to throw the bicycle races epen to all. Blub Ribbon Army. —At the Rangiora Free Methodist Church on Sunday last, the Rev. S. Maofarlane enrolled about 100 children as members of this army, a societyhaving for its object the promotion of truth.

Accident near Plaxton. —On Tuesday evening Mr WilliamMellor, of Sneyd’s street, Kaiapoi, fish hawker, whilst returning home from Rangiora in a cart was severely injured by the capsize of the vehicle. When found his face was seriously cut, and on Dr. Ovenden being called in, it was discovered that the unfortunate man’s lower jaw was broken in two places. The accident has not been accounted for, as Mellor was rendered insensible, and remained so for some time. Fere Beigade Demonstration. —Several members of the Christchurch Fire Brigade are busily employed in making preparations for the annual display of fireworks in Hagley Park on the evening of Anniversary day, from the nature of which it isapparent that the exhibition of pyrotechny will be fully equal to that of former years. Two of the members of the Brigade are actively canvassing the principal residents of Christchurch for subscriptions in aid of the cost of the necessary material, to which there is little doubt a liberal response will be made, when it is considered that the Brio-ade is a voluntary organisation, whoso efforts in the cause of fire prevention and extinction fully bear out the motto, “ Always Ready.” City Council. — A special meeting of the above was held at 3 p.m. yesterday, to adopt the miscellaneous by-law. Present —His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Louisson, Hiorus, Reese, Kiver, and Vincent. The by-law was considered clause by clause. Cr. Kiver proposed—“ That a clause be drafted to make it imperative on bakers to carry weights and scales, to weigh their bread when delivered from the carts.” Crs. Louisson and Brice opposed the motion. Cr. Reese seconded the motion, which was carried. The clauses and schedules were passed, and on the motion of Cr. Vincent it was resolved that the miscellaneous by-law be adopted. It was also resolved that a special meeting of the Council be held on January Bth, to adopt this resolution. The proceedings then terminated.

East and West Coast Railway.—A meeting of the committee of the Railway League was held last evening, when, amongst other business, a circular was adopted to be forwarded to the different local bodies in Canterbury and the electoral districts of Westland and Nelson, recommending the formation of branch railway leagues for the purpose of co-operating with the Christchurch league. A deputation was appointed to wait upon the Minister of Public Works on Monday next.

Dexiids. —After the usual meeting of Hearts of Oak Lodge, U.A.0.D., at Lyttelton on Monday night, the brethren entertained the Grand Secretaiy, Bro. Brennan, at supper laid in the hail. The Graud Secretary, -who has taken his departure for Wellington, is on a visit to all the lodges in the colony from the Grand Lodge in Melbourne. His duty is to inspect all the lodges, examine the books, Ac., and upon the above occasion ho expressed his unqualified approval of the manner in which the business of the Hearts of Oak Lodge was conducted. On Monday night the hall looked very charming, the decorations being in exquisite taste, and the supper given by the brethren passed off most successfully.

Telegraphic.— A telegraph, station has been op9ned at Papanui, County Selwyn. Office hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays and holidays excepted. Concert and Ball.—As will he seen by ■ advertisement, a grand concert, te be followed by a ball, will be held in the new Oddfellows’ Hall, Colombo road, Sydenham, to-morrow evening. Christchurch Fire Brigade. —A meeting of the members of the Christchurch Fire Brigade was held last evening in the Library, Lichfield street, Mr Superintendent Turton presiding, who raid the meeting had been called to consider correspondence received from the secretary to the Fire Brigade Association, ashing the Brigade to send throe delegates to the conference to be held at Napier in January next. It was decided that only one delegate could be sent, owing to scarcity of funds. The various members of the Brigade were allotted their respective positions at the torchlight demonstration on December 16th in Hagley park. Considerable dissatisfaction was expressed when, in reply to a question, the chairman stated that he had not received any communication about the .£SO forwarded to the City Council by Mr R. H. Rhodes. He also stated that the Brigade had been rather heavily taxed this year owing to the Exhibition procession in May last.

Weather Exchange. —Yesterday—New Zealand—Fine weather generally ; wind, W. and S.W. ; pressure uniform. Australia—Slight decrease of pressure, except on the west coast; generally cloudy and light rain • on the south coast from the west; east wind at Albany; N.E. at Hobart, and N.W. at Sydney, and moderate. Barometer—New Zealand—Rnssell and Wellington, 29.9; Bluff, 30.0. Australia—Albany, 30.1; Portland, Hobart, and Sydney, 29.5.

Supposed Suicide. —As Mr L. V. Desborough and Mr Harbottle were driving from Southbridge at about half-past six o’clock yesterday morning, they found the body of a man lying on the road, just in front, of Mr F. Jameson’s house, Leeston road. The horse bolted, and could not be pulled up until Spring’s Hotel was reached, when assistance was procured, and on proceeding to the spot it was found that the man’s throat was cut severely. Close by the body an open pocket knife was found, with which it is presumed the deed was done.

Eosian Catholic Church, Eangxora.— The Eight Eev. Bishop Eedwood made a pastoral visit to this district yesterday. The Eev. Father Binsfiold is expected to return to his parish in a few days, having been away to recruit his health.