NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2705, 8 December 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Classical Laerikikibm.— lt has been, our lot to chronicle from time to time they various nocturnal exploits of the larrikins of this city in their different phases. Sometimes the narration was of gates unhinged, fences broken down, or newlypainted residences plentifully besmeared, with gas tar. Then on other occasions, the exuberant spirits of the rising race found vent in playful use of fists and feet, when, the proportion of assailants was several to .one in their favour, but last night the dear boys “ let off the gas ” in an entirely new direction. It need not be told that in Cathedral square stands the statue of John Robert Godley who, to quote a song occurring in the comic opera of Dick Whittington, was "great in colonising” There stands the statue, bareheaded amidst sunshine and shade, and it must have been the forlorn plight of the Canterbury pilgrim that sorely touched the heart of the classical larrikin who, perchance, on big homeward way from some college entertainment in the early morning light, was struck with pity, and the college cap, that doubtless graced the head of the son of Alma Mater, was transferred to the uncovered pate of the statue. The guardian of the public peace was on duty near the spot, and chancing to turn his eyes westward saw the sight, and at once went for the statue. “Oh, begorra,” says he, "its long legs the spalpeen must have got anyhow, that put that mortar board on the gintlemen’s head.” He essayed to climb, but gave it up for a bad job. A long stick was procured, and the emblem of collegiate life was hauled down, but, to the disgust of the constable, the owner’s name was not tacked inside. The cap was borne in solemn state to the Police Depot, where its owner can have all inquiries respecting it answered truthfully, if not satisfactorily. Masonic. —At the Southern Cross Masonic Lodge last evening, Bro. W. H. Ovenden was installed as W.M., and the officers were invested with the collars of office. A handsome gold pencil was presented to P.M. Bro. Caleb Smith, who is leaving the district, and silver a pencil to I.P.M. Bro. Dennis O’Callaghan on his retirement from the chair. A banquet was also given to the visitors. D.D.G.M. Thomson attended from the Grand Lodge and conducted the ceremony. Musical.—The following programme will be performed by the Hibernian Band on the new rotunda erected in Lower High street at 8 p.m. on Saturday evening:— March, "The Statue”; mazurka, “The Blue Dahlia”; selection, “ Lucresia Borgia”; valse, “Juliet” polka, "The Ashton”; quadrille, “The Gaiety”; fantas'a, "William Tell”; schottische, “Nelly’s pet” valse, “Adelia”; march, “The Repulse”; galop, “The Jolly Brothers”; finale," God Save the Queen.” The Seige op Quail Island.—The Lyttelton Naval Brigade will muster tomorrow for seige practice at Quail Island. It was expected that the Christchurch volunteer companies would also take part in the demonstration, but it is doubtful if they could do so under the new regulations I without first getting permission from Wellington. The Naval Brigade will therefore divide into companies, and embark at 8.30 on Saturday. The Lyttelton Brass Band, has promised to play on the occasion. There will be in all five boats manned by the blue jackets—two to proceed to the island to land the noble defenders, and two to do the manoeuvring work of attack from seaward. The fifth does the important work of conveying the commissariat to the canteen. Throughout Saturday night, camp and guard duty will be observed, and the following day will find both the besiegers and the besieged in camp, where divine service will be held during the day. In the evening the march, home will be effected. Lyttelton Boating Club. —This cluh is having a commodious boat-shed erected on the reclaimed ground to the westward of Peacock’s wharf. Messrs Sutton and Weastell have the work in hand, and are pushing ahead rapidly with it. S. Manning and Company, Limited. — An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders in this company was held yesterday at Mr Charles Clark’s rooms, Hereford street, for the purpose of passing a resolution authorising the directors to issue the remaining 6000 unalloted shares at a premium of 10s per share. The managing director, Mr S. Manning, occupied the chair, and congratulated the shareholders on the fact that the result of the past six months” working exceeded the expectations which were formed, and that the past two months’ business was an increase on that of last year by 12 1 per cent. The resolution was put to the meeting and carried unanimously, and notice was given, that a meeting will be held in about fourteen days to confirm it.

Addington Railway Blacksmiths' Shop Picnic. —The employes of the aboveshop held their annual picnic on Monday, December 4th, the place selected being Little River. Despite the unpromising appearance of the early part of the morning, the employes with their wives and, families were punctual in starting from. Christchurch at 5.30 a.m., where the train, kindly provided by Mr Back, was in waiting. The run down occupied two hours. Sports were engaged in during time day, and included running, jumping, cricket, skittles and dancing to the strains of the City Guards band. Refreshments were provided, by the committee, who worked with a will and made the picnic a success. At the same time they take this opportunity, on beha'f of the employes and themselves, to thank the gentlemen of Christchurch who so kindly assisted them by subscriptions and presents. A start was made for Christchurch at 5 p.m., which was reached by 7 p.m., all present having thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Alleged Poegeei, —Constable Cartmill, stationed at Malvern, has again distinguished himself by the smart capture ha made on Wednesday afternoon of a man. named Gilleece, who was wanted by the authorities for forgery. Cartmill received, a description of the man during the afternoon, and at once commenced his search, although the chances were in favor of the forger having gone to Ashburton ; but after some trouble he got a clue at Waddington, and found the man’s swag.’ Returning to Sheffield he at last |rau his quarry to earth in a vacant stall of Mr Flanagan’s stable, where Gilleece was lying down. The prisoner is also wanted for another crime committed some months hack under the name of Hughes.

English Chtieci: Bazaar. —For the past seven or eight months the ladies connected with the English Church in Port have been preparing a bazaar, which is equivalent to saying they have worked very hard with their own hands and laid ■ out considerably from their pocket money for the pleasure of helping the church. The bazaar will undoubtedly be a good one, and the object is eminently a good one, namely, to provide the means to enable Holy Trinity Church to be properly repaired. Air Peter Cunningham has placed a fine store in Lyttelton under the control of the ladies for the bazaar, and it will be opened on the 20th instant, remaining open on the 21st, and will then be closed until New Tear’s Day, when it is proposed to again open it. Pickle Company. —A meeting was held at the Langbam Hotel, on Tuesday evening, of those interested in establishing a company for producing pickles and preserves of colonial manufacture. There was a very good attendance. Mr A. G. Howland was voted to the chair. Mr McLean was called upon to fully explain the purpose of the company, which he did to the satisfaction of all present. He quoted figures of the most expensive commodities to manufacture, and the result showed most satisfactorily. It was then proposed that a company should bo floated at once, and registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1877, and to be called the McLean Pickle and Preserving Company of Christchurch, the number of shares to be 2000, at -£1 each, calls 2s 6d per share. Nearly half of the above number have been applied for. The following gentlemen were elected as directors for the ensuing year—Mr T. Grantham, Mr Geo. Collier. Mr J. Smith, Mr J.Dalwood, Mr W. J. White, Mr A. H. McLean, Mr W. Dunford, Mr W. Tomson. Mr C. E. Salter was elected as solicitor, the Colonial Bank of New Zealand as the Bank, and C. H. Parker as secretary to the company. The Chairman stated that Mr W. Wilson had made a donation of A 3 2s towards its promotion, and a vote of thanks to that gentleman was recorded. It was decided to hold the monthly meetings on the first Tuesday in every month. Mr McLean was elected as the manager of the company. The share list closes on the 31st December. Applications for shares may be made to any of the directors, or the secretary of the company. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.

What America Gains by Immigration. —According to official data, furnished by the secretary to the Commissioners of Emigration, the number of immigrants landed in the city of New York for the year ending dime 30th, 1882, was 502,171, out of a total to the United States of 789,003, an increase to New York alone of 102,000 over the preceding year. Seventyfive per cent, of the immigrants go to the West. The great proportion of the immigrants—particularly those going to the far Wess—seem to be well provided with funds. The cash capital of the immigrants is estimated at .£l7 per head. The value of the inland railway tickets purchased by immigrants this year would amount to .£1,200,000. The demand for their labor is exceptionally good, principally for agricultural laborers, and wages are at advanced rates. The indications favor the belief that not loss than a million immigrants will land this year. A million immigrants, averaging £l7 each in cash, means .£17,000,000 added to the cash capital of the land, and if the estimated value of immigrants (£2OO each to the working capital of the country) be correct, there is £200,000,000 more to be counted in favor of the United States. The feeling throughout England in favor of emigration is intense, and the West seems to be the objective point. Kowai Pass Sports.—A meeting was held at Davies’ Hotel, Kowai Pass, on Tuesday night, to take steps to have the usual annual sports meeting. A fair number were present, and resolutions carried that sports be held on the 26th instant, as in former years, and district to be canvassed for funds. Last year’s balance-sheet shows a small surplus over expenditure. Accident at Southbrooe. —On Thursday morning Mr Kirk, baker, whilst driving his cart on his rounds met with a serious accident, which resulted in the compound fracture of one of his legs. The horse shied at two children on the roadside, and the blinkers falling off it ran away, and the cart bumping over an uneven place pitched Mr Kirk heavily on terra firma. Dr Williams was called in attendance. The Graving Dock. —One of the sides of the caisson was tried the day before yesterday, after it had been scraped at the ends so as to allow the portion of the keel underneath it to go in closer to the stone work, and it was found to be a much better fit than before. Yesterday the caisson was turned round, and the opposite side of it tested. The dock was pumped out for ihis purpose last evening. This makes the third test for each side, every care being taken to have the dock practically and literally a dry dock before it is publicly opened. Kaiapoi Hortichiturai, Society,—A meeting of members was held in the municipal chamber on Wednesday, Mr E. Parnham (mayor elect) presided ; nine members of committee were present. Messrs Kobins and Day’s free offer of timber, and Mr E. W. Smith’s offer to erect staging were accepted with thanks. Arrangements were concluded for to-morrow’s exhibition, a promenade concert at which the brass j band kindly volunteered to assist. Arrangements were made for a lunch for judges at Wearing’s Kaiapoi Hotel. This society now numbers about forty members. It was decided to meet on Wednesday next to arrange prize list for autumn show. Fire Brigade Demonstration. —The following is a list of fireworks to be used at the Christchurch Fire Brigade Demonstration at Hagley Park on December 16th :—l2 dozen rockets, 2 dozen shells, 2 dozen tourbillions, 1 dozen parachetis rockets, 1501 b colored fire, 4 jewel jets, 3 large vertical wheels, 4 bouquets Koman candle, 6 double triangle wheels, 2 devil among tailors, 1 doz illuminated lights, 6 fiery fountains (illuminated), 4 large rainbows in various colors, 5 large illuminated trees, 1 large device, Y.E. in diamond; 4 fieiy cascades, 8 small Chinese trees, 10 bouquets, 6 mines, G jack in the boxes, 2 horizontal wheels and, mines, 2 brilliant suns, 2 fiery pigeons, 2 spiral wheels, 1 device, “ God Save the Queen.”