NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2687, 9 December 1871, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

I + In the Resident Magistrate's Court, at Christchurch, James McGill was fined 10s for being drunk and disorderly. Dion Boucicault's celebrated drama of " Arrah-Na-Pogue" will be presented at the Theatre Royal this evening, when Mr C. O'Brien will make his first appearance. We understand that about sixteen or seventeen competitors will come to the post on the 16th for Mr Wynn Williams' Cup, j and of these Anson and Davie are the favorites ; the former for choice. The match between the North and South I will be continued on the U.C.C. ground this afternoon, at half-past one o'clock, when the South will commence their I second innings. The competition between the members of the Lyttelton boating clubs for the pewters presented by Mr W. Cameron will take place this afternoon, in the harbor, and will, no doubt (as the members have for tbe past fortnight been practising), be an exciting race. A general meeting of the members will take place in the evening. The following is the programme of the music to be performed by the band this afternoon, in the gardens :—K.P.A. March, by G. Piefke ; Glee, " Friar of Orders Grey," Callcottj Selection, " Le Barbier de Seville" ; Quadrille, by J. Straus ; Andante, by Mozart; Soldaten Galop; March, by Holtz ; Glee, '• Hail to Victoria" ; Waltz, by Frank Weber; Romance, " Return to Mc" ; " Softly Sighs the Voice of Evening," by C, M. yon Weber: Galop, by Carl Faust. The new four-oar outrigger which has been built in Mr Reese's yard under the supervision of Mr Reese will be removed this afternoon to the boat shed, on which occasion Mrs Andrew Duncan has kindly consented to perform the ceremony of naming it. We have not had an opportunity of inspecting the boat, and therefore cannot pronounce upon its capabilities ; but judging from report, we hear it will be no mean rival to any boat which may make its appearance on the Heathcote waters on the great regatta day. The boat is 43 feet long, 19| inches beam, and is built of cedar 3-16tbs of an inch in thickness. When completed it will only be llolbs. in weight. We wish the spirited builders every success in the coming events. By advertisement we notice that the entertainment given on Monday last at the Convent school will be repeated, with some additions, on Monday evening next. From the excellence of the programme and the laudable purpose for which it has been got up, we have no doubt that there will be an overflowing house. Those parties «vho were unable to gain admission at the first entertainment, and who purchased tickets for that occasion, will be admitted on presenting them on Monday. The first part will consist of a miscellaneous concert, and will be fol- j lowed by the scriptural play of 4l Joseph and ! his Brothers." The m osteal arrangements will be under Herr Biinz, assisted by several other well-known lady and gentlemen amateur*.

It will be remembered that some time ago the residents in the Southbridge district, sent a numerously signed memorial to the Postmaster, praying that better accommodation for the delivery of letters might be provided, and that a Money Order office be also established in the township. Our correspondent informs us that Mr Wright, the chief post master, visited the township last Tuesday, with a view to afford information as to the Government scheme of Life Assurance, and that his visit must not only have afforded him pleasure in personally witnessing the advance the township has made siuce be visited it some four years ago, but also iv having received several proposals for Life Assurance, He has also arranged with the Postmaster, Mr Wauchop, for the objects petitioned for, and also a branch Post-office Savings Bank.

It is with extreme regret that we have to record the death of Captain John McLean, late of Buccleuch station, which occurred on Thursday, by an accident. It appears from what we can learn that Captain McLean was driving from the Rakaia to his residence on the Ashburton in a two-wheeled gig belonging to Mr D. Middleton, and that when turning into the gate the horse shied and overturned the gig into the ditch, throwing Captain McLean on to his head, and breaking his neck. The deceased gentleman was a colonist of many years standing, and was well-known and widely respected, and his sudden decease will be beard with regret by a large number of the inhabitants of the proviuce.

The usual festival of St. John in connexion with the Masonic craft was observed by the Southern Cross Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at Kaiapoi on Thursday last. There was a full attendance of members and several visitors from the Canterbury, St. Augustine, and other lodges. The lodge having been opened iv due form, Bro. J. Craig was then installed W.M. for the ensuing year. The following officers were then duly installed, i.e., Bros. S. S. Powell, S.W.; C. Hansen, J.W.; \V. Sansom, treasurer ; C. E. Dudley, secretary ; H. J. Wood, S.D. ; G. P. Milsom, J.D.; W. Burnip, I.G. ; and J. H. Aldridge, O.G. Subsequently the banquet took place in the Masonic Hall, which, by the way, had been very much improved in appearance. Thedinuer being disposed of, the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given, and received with all honor. A few songs enlivened the evening's proceedings, aud the company broke up about midnight.

A meeting of the Heathcote Regatta Committee was held last evening at White's Hotel, to make arrangements regarding the forthcoming regatta. Several letters were read from rowing clubs in the other provinces and Australia—one from Sydney stating that a representative crew could not be sent down, as a crew was being sent to the Hobarton regatta ; and another letter from the Wellington Rowing Club, wishing to be informed whether the regatta could not be held either ten days before or after the 22nd January, the date of their own regatta. Mr Herdson intimated that he bad received numerous letters requesting definite information as to the day on which the regatta was to take place. He had also received a letter from Dunedin, asking if a waterman, being a member of a rowing club, could pull in the day's race, and he replied in accordance with the rules laid down that he could. He thought it was tbe general wish that the sooner this meeting came off the better. Some discussion then took place as to the day on which the meeting should come off, and it was ultimately decided on a resolution moved by Mr Herdson, and seconded by Mr Montgomery, " That the Heathcote Regatta take place on Thursday, the 25th January." The committee then proceeded to arrange the programme of the meeting, after which it adjourned.

The fifth anniversary of the Fernside Sunday school, was celebrated on Thursday, by a tea meeting in the schoolroom. A tent was erected at one end of the school for the scholars, who were admitted free, and there was not room for them and the other visitors, the number of people present from the surrounding districts of Rangiora, Moeraki Downs, and even Oxford, being so great that the tables were filled three times before all were supplied. The tables were abundantly provided with the goods things usual on such occasions, by Mesdames Watt, Meredith, and Woodley. During the afternoon* the young folk amused themselves with drop-handkerchief swinging, &c, aud each and all seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly. In the evening, when the tables had been cleared away, a meeting was held in the school, and after singing a hymn and prayer, Mr Manneriug as superintendent of the school, and of which he was the originator, gave a short history of its progress since it commenced in February, 1867, when there were only fifteen scholars. It had so increased, that now there were 107 names on the book, with an average attendance of seventy-five to eighty, many of whom walk a distance of two and three miles to the ■ school, as the population is very scattered. Every year each pupil is presented with a book to encourage puntual attendance, those that attend regularly and make the most progress in their lessons, receiving the better books. The cost of the prizes is defrayed by the proceeds of the tea-meetings and by voluntary subscription. Mr J. H. Twentyman then gave a very interesting address, which was listened to with much attention by both parents and children. The prizes were then distributed by Mr Mannering, all of them being nicely bound books. The Rev. J. W. Habens next spoke at some length, addressing first the children, then the parents, upon the good effected by Sunday schools, as seen in the after life of the scholars. Mr J. M. Heywood gave a short address, giving the Fernside school a word of encouragement and hearty congratulation. After again singing and prayer, the company dispersed, having spent a very enjoyable evening. The weather was most propitious which no doubt partly induced such a number of persons to be present, j The proceeds of the tea amounted to £11 9s.

" Call-boy " thus writes from New York to the Australasian: —"J. L. Hall and his wife (Emily Wiseman), with Louise and Jenny Arnot and company, are now playing burlesque at Woods's Museum. Johnny avows he has done very well lately. The Dunedin Star says:—We regret to hear that there is every reason to believe that the Artillery's challenge cup and champion belt have been lost in the Rangoon. The articles were almost ready to leave the manufacturer's hands on the departure of the last mail, and by their advices via Caii»

fornia the battery was informed that the cup and belt would be completed about three days after the mail left, and shipped by the succeeding steamer. By the same parcel it was thought were sent the silver cup won by the company in its competition with the London Hon. Artillery Company. The value of the.articles is roughly estimated at £170; and from tho known business habits of Mr J. A. Ewen. the company's agent, there can be little doubt that they were fully insured.

; 'The hairless horse." says the Upper Hunter Courier, "' has had greatness thrust upon him, and is shortly to be exhibited by the same entirprcneur who ran Chang. The vicissitudes through which the animal has passed during the past few weeks, since he was first introduced to public notice through the columns of this journal, are worthy of remark. He was bought for the small sum of 10s., the owner being ashamed of his looks, although as a hack he was worth considerably more. £10 was then asked for him, with no bidders, but tbe different criticisms put him up iv value, until he reached £-0, at which price he was for sale a few days ago, when a telegram from Sydney 'not to sell till communications were forwarded by post,' took him out of the market. The offer made by the Sydney agent (which was accepted) would astonish some who looked coldly on the unbefriended and hairless animal. We cannot state the figure, but we may say that a share of him changed hands at the price of a good racehorse, and he is likely to be one of the wonders of the age."

The Tauranga correspondent of an Auckland journal gives the following account of a bush fire which occurred there. The letter is dated November 22:—A bush fire took place in the Katikati district on Tuesday last, originating through the embers of a fire which a native woman had thrown aside from a camp oven after baking a loaf of bread. Tho poor woman afterwards laid down with her child, about three months old, and fell asleep, and did not waken until one of her feet was burnt, and the whole of her garments on fire. The child, which was near her side, was burnt to death before she awoke; and it was not until the woman was enveloped in flames that assistance arrived to relieve her sufferings. From a messenger now in town, who has arrived for medicines, I learn that the unfortunate woman, who is only about sixteen years old, is in a very precarious state—not expected to live. The whole bush was afterwards on fire, and though twenty miles distant from it, was a grand sight to behold. Tons of kauri gum collected by the natives, with large supplies of food and stores, were all destroyed. In fact, one family, or hapu (Te Ngare), whilst occupied in digging for gum in the bush, unconscious of danger, returned only to find their encampment, with their clothes and their all—the fruit of six months' hard earnings—destroyed."

A public meeting, consisting of nearly 1800 persons of both sexes, met in the Town Hall, pays the Argus on November 24, at the invitation of the Mayor of Melbourne, to " consider the desirableness of memorialising Her Majesty the Queen on the subject of the labor traffic in the Pacific, to which .are attributable the violent deaths of Bishop Patteson and others." The chair was taken by the Mayor (Councillor O. Fenwick), aud there, was upon the platform a large assemblage of clergymeu of the different Christian denominations, as well as leading citizens. The Bishop of Melbourne moved the first resolution, in which the labor trade in the Pacific was strongly denounced, and an opinion expressed that the lawless and illegal practices of those engaged in it had led to the deaths which were now deplored. The right rev. prelate, in an elaborate speech, described the practices which were complained of, and pointed out their true character and the nature of the remedy that must be applied. The motion was seconded by the hon M. O'Grady, and supported by the Rev Dr. Macdonald, the Rev. J. Watsford, and others. The second resolution, adopting a petition to the Queen to interfere iv the matter, was moved by Mr G. W. Rusden, seconded by the Rev J. O'Malley, S.J., and supported by the hon. G. Harker, Mr J. Balfour, the Rev J. Martin, 8.A., and others. The meeting was unanimous in opinion, and the resolutions were carried with enthusiasm.

The Auckland Evening News, of the 9th instant, says :—" The tide is now on the tnrn in Auckland. Ministers have seen and heard the last of their very dubious popularity here. When we were to have been blessed with a large amount of prosperity as the result of their financial policy, we have to submit to increased taxation, and this, not as supplementary to the former, but as a substitute for it. None presume to defend this. It would be strange, indeed, if any were to make the attempt. But in the general dislike of the increased taxation, too little is made of the monstrousness of the pretext for it. If the Government had only submitted to a reduction in their expenditure, there would have been no necessity for this. But this they steadfastly refused to do, and we must now gather the bitter fruits of their refusal. At every turn taxation stares us in the face. Much as we deplore this, it is no more than we predicted a year ago, and it is only a small instalment of what we may expect. The bread tax may be a nuisance, and the increase of the stamp duties a bore. But what of them ? What will they do towards the payment of tbe interest on £12,000,000 sterling—the £8,000,000 to £9,000,000 we now owe, and the £3,000,000 to £4,000,000 yet to be borrowed? Any revenue derived from the bread tax and the stamp duties, will be but a drop in the bucket as compared with what will be required for the payment of interest on the public debt, to say nothing of the cost of the civil service. Let those who still hang on to the skirts of the Government, whether admirers of their policy, or expectants of favors to come, well ponder this. Every year will be adding to our burden, instead of lightening it. And the fear is that the consequence of our allowing ourselves to be plunged so recklessly into debt, will be worse than the least sanguine ever anticipated. At any rate, the people are already beginning to kick against increased taxation, and they will do this all the more when they really feel its pressure. The Pall Mall Gazette says :—Some new particulars, stated to be ' derived from the best source,' are published in the Cologne Gazette relative to the Gastein meeting of the Emperors of Germany and Austria. The origin of the meeting, says the writer, is to be traced to Count Beust's statement in the delegation that the interests of Germany aud Austria are identical, now that the rivalry between the monarchs of the two countries for the hegemony in Germany has ceased. ' This declaration produced so good an impression at the Court of Berlin that the Emperor William at once concluded there , was no further obstacle to his making use of the waters at Gastein A communication to this effect was accordingly sent to Vienna, and it was answered by a warm invitation from the Hofburg. After the two Sovereigns had cordially saluted each other, Prince Bismarck also felt a desire to restore his health at the Gastein waters, and Count Beust showed that he was ready to postpone his departure from Gastein for a few days in order to have a talk with Prince Bismarck. The result was not a treaty, but what is far more valuable than any written document—a conviction on the part of both statesmen that not a single question exists on the field of European politics in which tho interests and views of the two states are not entirely concurrent.' The writer adds that this community of views ahd interests is also 4 completely shared by Italy,' so that the policy of Germany is now backed 'by 90,000,000 of people.' As to Austria, Germany, though having no idea of interfering in her internal affairs, is at the same time • desirous that Austria should be strong, as it must be for Germany's own interest that the state which is her natural ally in all questions should have the necessary power to support her.'" The Tasmanian Assembly appears to be a lively body. The following paragraph is from the correspondent of the Argus :— Already has a scene taken place in the Assembly. Mr Balfe was on Thursday evening addressing the House, and was alluding to the influence which the Ministry might bring

to bear upon a local paper, and there was only one in Hobait Town, when the Trca Surer asked Mr Balfe if ho had seen tho article in that morning's Mercury. \\ I?a!fe : Ihave not read the Mercury to-day" Mr Swau : Oh, no, you never do, I 5,,,,,,'' " Mr Balfe: 1 do not refer to the hon. member. [Ironical cheers from Mr Swan.] 1 (lln sorry the hon. member for Cumberland is not able to bear his defeat yesterday with beeoin ing dignity. [Order.] Mr Swan : Who was my predecessor ? I never disgraced the otliee' l [Mr Balfe had been the predecessor.] \j r Balfe : I'll take you by the neck aud heels, and throw you over the b;ir. [Ordeal Mr Swau : Try it, you dare not try it. T[ lG Speaker : Order, order. Mr R;dfe :He insulted mc. The Speaker :In that case there is a proper mode of obtaining redress. Mr Swan : Is the hon. member insulted h\ a cheer? Mr Balfe: I won't be insulted by any dentist to a bulldog. [Order.] Mr Swan : A dentist to a bulldoir. yourself 1 suppose. Mr Balfe : A pretty state of thincs this, we are comiug to. And then the Speaker interfered, and regrets were expressed The following scene is reported by " mantus" in the Argus to have occurred'in the Victorian Assembly :—One smart passage between Mr Cohen and Mr V H ie in niTr ticular gave general interest to the spec's" tors. Mr Cohen (with Hansard in hand)" I lean Jshow from this inconvenient record that the honorable member for Col!in gwoo( i once upon a time thought and spoke very differently of the gentleman who now holds the office of Chief Secretary. Mr Vale (defiantly) : Let us hear it! Mr Cohen (sarcastically) : Docs the hon. member wish it ? Mr Vale : Yes ! yes ! And then read what he said of mc. You only regret I'm in different relations with the Chief Secretary now, that's all! Mr Cohen (contemptuously) : I don't care if you're in relations with his Satanic Majesty. Mr Vale (ironically) : Who is he? Mr Cohen : You'll know him by-and-bye—. —plenty of time. Mr Vale : I expect I should if I had any dealings with you or something to that effect. '

The Argus on the 22nd supplies the fob lowing rather sensational paragraph -—Tho spiritists have during the last few days been severely exercised on the subject of tho absent mail. They have obtained many explanations of the steamer's delay and while amongst the many the right one may be found, it is quite certain that many wroue ones will have been given. The Ballarat Evening Post says on the matter-.—"Oa Tuesday evening a ' circle' was formed by some spiritists, and in answer to a question put concerning the mail, the following answer (in effect) was given :—' The English mail will never reach Victoria. The steamship has foundered; all the passengers were saved, but the mails were lost.' Wo understand that this piece of unwelcome news was obtained by the same medium who recently furnished the ' straight tip' for the Melbourne Cup. A few hours will most probably prove whether or not the more receut communication is correct."

An English paper reports the death of Lieutenant-Colonel E. H. Eagar, of the 40th liegiment, who at one time held the position of Assistant Adjutant-General in Tasmauia. After sketching the early career of Colonel Eagar, the account states—" Iv the year 1855 he served in the Crimea on the staff of tho Quartermaster-General, and was employed as field officer in the Land Transport Corps. He took an active part in the organisation of the volunteer force under General M'Murdo, and afterwards held the post of Assistant Inspector of Volunteers. Subsequently he was appointed Assistant Adjutant-General in Tasmania. On the outbreak of war in New Zealand in 1863, Colonel Eagar at. onco offered his services to the General in command, and proceeded to the colony with all the available troops which he conld collect • for the promptitude with which he brought this valuable aid to .the colony he received the thanks of the Governor of New Zealand. On quitting Tasmauia Colonel Eagarreceived the thanks of the Government of that colony for the success that had attended his administration of the volunteer force, and for tho efficient state he had brought it iuto during the few years it had been under his command. . . [

The correspondent of. the Pall MqU Gazette at St. Petersburg sajs ;•—",Thera seems to be something wrong about tho relations between the Russian Court and that of Berlin. First, the proposed meeting of the two Emperors at Ems did not take place; aud now it seems settled that the Emperor William will not come to St. Petersburg for the autumn manoeuvres, though his arrival was looked forward to as a certainty. There is unusual bustle, too, in military quarters. On his return from Norway the Czarewitch went straight to the camp without calling at the palace ; the military manoeuvres have already begun, and will be more expensive and prolonged than was at first intended. But the most evident sign of ft coolness towards Prussia is tbe reappearance of anti-Prussian articles in the Russian Press. Last December, as I wrote to you at the time, the chief censor announced to the editors of all the Russian newspapers that it was the will of the Czar that all attacks on Prussia in the press should cease. The order was faithfully obeyed and even some journals which had formerly been declared adversaries : of Prussia, went so far as to publish articles setting forth the advantages of a Russo-Prussian alliance. Directly the Czar returned from hia German tour all thi3 Was changed. The Qelosi, which is known to be inspired by General Milutyn, the Minister of War, openly declares that the policy of Prussia is dangerous to the very existence of the Russian Empire. • The events of tha last ten years, it says ' prove thai;, daring the whole of that time Prussia' has had one leading principle of action, that of securing an ally before.a war, and breaking the alliance as soon as it is victorious. In 1862 she entered into an eternal alliance with Austria against andin 1868 she concluded a similar alliance with Italy against Austria. In 1870 she made friends with Russia, and now that she has gained a victory which she owes almost. entirely to Russia's conservative policy, she is en- ( dcavoring to form an alliance with Austria against us. ! . . . . Will not Europe at length understand the dangers which proceed from such a policy ? Is it not time to form a league of mutual security against such machinations ?'"