NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XIX, Issue 2817, 13 May 1872, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A meeting of the Christchurch Fire Police will be held on Tuesday next at the Brigade Hall at 7.30 p.m. The Perseverance Division of the Sons of Temperance will meet on Tuesday evening next at thc usual time and place. The decision of the Arbitration Court in the case of Keetley v. the Government, is expected to be given at Kaiapoi to-day. Yesterday was a very busy day in Port and the question is asked, is it absolutely necessary to carry on all this Sunday work 1 Of course steamers cannot be prevented from coming into the port, but the practice of clearing vessels on a Sunday might surely be discontinued. A thanksgiving service was held in the Leeston Schoolroom, on Tuesday last for the restoration to health of the Prince of Wales. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. K. Wilmer, and the attendance wan satisfactory. The Leeston Church Building Committee met on Tuesday last; but the day beiDg a public holiday, but few members were present, and the meeting adjourned. There is a good prospect of the church being speedily erected, as subscriptions are coming in beyond the expectations of the committee. A Napier paper says that it was reported in town last week that a native woman arrived at Tongoio with news to the effect that Te Kooti was reported to be at a place called Ngatapa, near Mohaka, just behind Mr Dolbel's former, homestead. The ballasting of the Northern railway, from Kaiapoi to Rangiora, is rapidly being proceeded with, and the ballast used appears to be of a better looking quality than that from the South Waimakariii bridge through the Kaiapoi station. In the Resident Magistrate's Court at Christchurch on Saturday last, before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M., John Maclair and Edward Fitzgerald, for using obscene language in the public streets ; were each fined 10s. The following is an authentic account of a conversation that took place on Saturday afternoon, outside our office, between two men who were reading the sensational telegram relative to the rise in the price of wool: —" I say, Bill, have you got half-a-crown.'" Bill, " Yes I have." " Well, then go and buy a sheep.'. An Auckland correspondent of the Independent says that an English company have started a flaxmill upon an extensive scale at the Northern Wairoa, on the Kaipara estuary, aud have leased 45.000 acres of land from the native owners for this purpose.

The Wellington Independent says—What extraordinary " mulls" are occasionally made of the press telegrams. The other day during a shooting contest at Christchurch, the vent-piece of an Armstrong gun was blown into the air. This is how the incident is recorded in one of the Wanganui papers :—" The shooting was good. Bent was blown into the air by an Arm-

strong gun."

The new communion plate subscribed for by the parishioners of St. Mary's, Kaiapoi, arrived there on Saturday evening, having been purchased in England by the Rev. J. Raven, and sent out in the ship Crusader.

We beg to acknowledge the copy of a telegram from Messrs Miles and Co. conveyiug similar information —with reference to the detention of the San Francisco mail—to that afforded by our own correspondents, aud which appears elsewhere.

During the absence of his Honor the Judge at the Court of Appeal, the Registrar of the Court, E. S. Willcocks, Esq., will sit in chambers as usual to hear cases in bankruptcy. Owing to his Honor's absence the usual sitting in bankruptcy, which should take place on May 17th, has been adjourned until June 17th.

The Canterbury Boating Club concert, to be held on Thursday next at the Oddfellows' Hall, promises to be a great success. The programme which has been issued comprises selections from some of the best works of the old masters, together with Borne lighter music. The names of those taking part in the concert is of itself a guarantee that it will be a most enjoyable one.

Mr Hoskins and Miss Colville, assisted by Mr D. Clinton, will give a performance at the Colonists' Hall, Lyttelton, this evening and to-morrow, previous to their departure for Wellington. The programme includes " The Comical Countess," the farce of " The Fast Train," and " A Pair of Pigeons." The inhabitants of Lyttelton will thus have au opportunity of seeing these clever artistes in some of the best of their pieces, and we can promise them a very good evening's entertainment.

A notice appears in the General Government Gazette of May 4th, stating that at an extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of " The Charles Jackson Reef Gold Mining Company, Limited," held at the company's office in Gloucester street, Christchurch, on Thursday, the 4th day of April) 1872, it was unanimously resolved —" That the affairs of the company be wound up voluntarily ; and that Henry Kerrick James, Esq, of Christchurch, be appointed Liquidator for the purpose."

We understand that a concert in aid of the fund to pay off the debt on the schoolroom at the Selwyn station, will take place on Wednesday evening next. Several ladies and gentlemen from Christchurch—amongst which we may mention are Mr and Mrs R. Parker —have volunteered their services. We sincerely hope that the residents in the district will appreciate the musical treat that will be provided for them. The Rev Mr and Mrs Pember, we also learn, have kindly offered their assistance at the entertainment.

A scratch football match was played on Cranmer square on Saturday. Messrs Fearon and Gordon were chosen as captains of the respective sides. The weather was very suitable for the occasion. Messrs Dartnell and Mainwaring kicked one goal each for Mr Fearon's side, and Mr Blakiston kicked one for the other side. A general meeting was afterwards held, Mr Mainwaring presiding, when Messrs Barry and Stringer were elected members of the club.

The waggons for use on the Northern Railway, the construction of which have been confided to Mr John Anderson, of the Canterbury Foundry, are being rapidly completed at the works of that gentleman. The whole number to be furnished is forty, and those finished are certainly most substantial specimens of colonial workmanship. It is very much to be regretted that the Government, in their anxiety to foster colonial manufactures, did not go a step further and get the ironwork required produced here, as we are assured it could have been done equally as well and at less cost than it could be imported for.

On Friday evening last a meeting was held in the vestry of the Wesleyan Chapel, Kaiapoi, for the purpose of appointing officers and making other arrangements for carrying on the Mutual Improvement Association, which was 60 successful last year. Eight persons were present, and the Rev R. Bavin was voted to the chair. After a revision of the rules had been made, a copy of them was ordered to be prepared for confirmation at next meeting. The Rev. R. Bavin was unanimously elected president; Mr B. Ellis, vice-president; Mr J. G. Standridge, honsec. pro tern. The president promised to give an opening address on Friday evening next, after which day the meetings of the association will be held weekly each Friday at 7.30 p.m. The range of subjects allowed is unlimited, the rules providing that questions for discussion must be agreed to or otherwise at the preceding meeting. Those present agreed to matters in connection with Sunday schools being considered on every sixth evening.

The sittings of the Court of Appeal will be commenced at Wellington this day. The cases from Canterbury are as follows:— Macgregor v. Osborn—case reserved by His Honor Mr Justice Gresson on demurrer to plaintiff's replication ; plaintiff's solicitors, Messrs Slater and Son; defendant's solicitors, Messrs Hanmer and Harper. Holmes and Another v. Rolleston, Superintendent of Canterbury—case reserved on demurrer to defendants' pleas ; plaintiffs' solicitors, Messrs Travers and Ollivier ; defendant's solicitor Mr Cowlishaw. Church Property Trustees ▼• Rolleston, Superintendent of Canterbury— special case by consent ; plaintiffs' solicitors, Messrs Hanmer and Harper ; defendant's solicitor, Mr Cowlishaw. Belcher and Another v. The Southern Insurance Company Limited. Argument of rule nisi for new trial removed to the Court of Appeal. Solicitors for the defendants, the appellants, Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw; solicitors for the plaintiffs, Messrs Hanmer and Harper. The cases of Turner v. Wilson, and Wilson v. Wilson, have we understand been settled. The Court will sit under the Divorce aud Matrimonial Causes Act on the 22nd instant, for which two applications in the case of Fairbank v. Fairbank, and Behrens, are set down. The first is an application on the part of the co-respondent to make absolute the rule nisi for a new trial granted by his Honor Mr Justice Gresson. The second is an application on the part of the petitioner for a decree nisi for dissolution of marriage. Messrs Hanmer and Harper are solicitors for the petitioners, and Mr Wynn Williams for the co-respondent. The respondent will not be represented by counsel. We understand that all the judges will sit both in the Court of Appeal and in the Divorce Court. His Honor Mr Justice Gresson and several of the members of the legal profession engaged in the above cases left for Wellington to-day by the s.s. Wei-

lington,

We are informed that when the II Julius Vogel arrived at the Nelson wharf 0 "' the s.s. Taranaki he was met by a i ar „ c m ber of persons, who saluted him with 7*" cries, "Where's the San Francisco mmv< " You're a pretty fellow !" &c., &c. o • fnrmant states that the prime' on this occasion seized with his prorcrbM deafness, and did not appear to hear . of the remarks applied to him. ' Ry

A meeting of the committee of the Kai Institute, was held on Friday evening Dr. Dudley, president, in the chair. Th ' were also present, Messrs Matthews,' Rev"] 9 Hassall, Powell, Bean, Clark, Hansom, and Dr. Trevor. The hon. secretary produced a specification of the proposed new readin room, to be 14ft, x 20ft., built in close proxU mity to the present room, and lighted by " lantern skylight. It was received aud adopted. Two tenders were then opened and the lowest offer to do the wcrk for £87' on the motion of Mr E. Revell, seconded by Mr Clark, was accepted; Mr Ciark aubj quently moving—" That the secretary bcine instructed before entering into a contract with the tenderer, to ascertain the terms upon which ho would require payment. Messrs Matthews, Bean, and the chairman, were strongly opposed to the work being commenced till the requisite funds had been raised. A notice of motion for the next general meeting was handed in to the effect that the reading room be opened on all week days, Christmas Day and Good Friday alone excepted. The meeting shortly afterwards adjourned."

The pieces presented at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening were au agreeable relief to the dull plays which have for the past fortnight been put upon the stage. Trie return of Miss Colville and Mr Hoskins en route for Wellington, afforded the managemeut an opportunity of securing their services for the night, and the treat of Sheridan's brillant comedy of " The Rivals," and the attractive afterpiece of the " Conjugal Lesson," were placed before the public in a most satisfactory manner. The acting of Mr Hoskins as Sir Anthony Absolute, Miss Colville as Lydia Languish, and Miss Matthewß as Mrs Malaprop, deservedly earned the hearty plaudits given by the audience The character of Captain Absolute, by Mr' White, and of Bob Acres, by Mr Wolfe, showed a considerable improvement on their previous attempts at correct delineation of their respective characters. It is no disparagement to Mr Clinton to say that his ideal of Lucius O'Trigger fell considerably short of the author's conception, as it is a part which is but seldom successfully pourtrayed. The "Conjugal Lesson "concluded a very pleasant eveniug's entertainment.

The telegram received by the Suez mail that the trunk boat from San Francisco to Honolulu had broken down, fully confirms the opinions expressed by ourselves, and by those who profess and ought to know that the present line of steamers are incapable of carrying our mail. "We presume that the steamer which has cracked her steam cheat is the Moses Taylor, which some time since burst her steam tubes, and killed and maimed some of her seamen. We ask any engineer who has inspected these vessels if they are seaworthy, and whether they ought to be allowed to proceed to sea. We have a Government Inspector for our local steamers: why not have an inspection of these steamers. It has been stated that these steamers are not seaworthy, or fitted for sea voyages. The sooner such reports as these are set at rest, the better. Take for instance the pj. Nevada. We are informed that it was with difficulty that she reached Port Chalmers, and whilst there gangs of workmen were for several days employed day and night repair' ing her boiler ; and when she left Auckland workmen were at work at her boilers. Then the Nebraska. When she arrived hero she certainly made a rapid passage; but her passage to and from Port Chalmers were extraordinarily long—we are told that when she came into port the donkey engines were so corroded with rust that it was not until a considerable time had elapsed.and the used crowbars resorted to, that the engine was started. If the mail service is to be carried out, then proper boats must be placed on the line. Without this provision we shall always be liable to the same detentions.