NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXII, Issue 2681, 11 March 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Good Templarism at Spbingston.— Mr Exall, General Deputy Grand Worthy Chief Templar, gave a lecture at SpriDgston on Monday evening to a large audience, Mr W. Lawry iv the chair. The subject of the lecture was the rise, progress, constitution, principles, policy, and objects of Good Templarism, and at its conclusion the lecturer read a ver7 pathetic poem, intituled "Eliab,"in which tbe ravages of the drink traffic are affectingly described. The author of this fine poem is the Rev S. J. Stone, M A., of Pembroke College, Oxford. A vote of thanks to the lecturer was passed unanimously- At the termination of the lecture a Good Templar Lodge was instituted, which it was resolved should be named the " Rock of Safety." The following officers were elected and duly installed :—W.C.T.. Bro W. Lau-ry ; W.V.T., Bro J. Silvester; W.S., Bro J. G. Cotton ; W.F.S., Bro J. Kime ; W.T., Bro F. Berry ; W. Chaplain, Bro J. Olsen ; W.M., Bro R. Day ; W.J.G., Bro S. Lawry ; W.0.G., Bro G. Wright; W.R.H.S., Sister Lawry. Bro J. G. Cotton was unanimously recommended as Lodge Deputy, and was presented with his commission ucder the hand of the G.W.C.T. and seal of the Provisional Grand Lodge. It was determined that the lodge should meet on every alternate Thursday.

Dairymen op Lytteltox.—A meeting of dairy ruca will take place at the Albion Hotel, this evening, at half-past seven o'clock.

Lyttbltqn Lumpers' Society.—A meeting, called by advertisement, was held in the Foresters' Hall, on Monday evening. Over 100 persons were pres.eut. Mr T. Jkrton was voted to the chair. Mr T. V. Whitmore, secretary pfo ten., read the proposed rules, by which it appeared that the society was a benefit society. The rules, as read by the secretary, were discussed at considerable length, and after some conversational discussion it was resolved "That the making of bye-laws be left to the committee." The following were elected officers of the society Mr T. Barton ; vice-chairman, Mr WcatperaJl.- secretary and treasurer, Mr Whitmore: committee, jijegsrs T. Ockford, H. Wilson, J. Sullivan, J. Kelly. J. DriecolJ, \y. Bampton, T. Jamieson.' S. Kewley. A vote of thanks to the chairman" closed the raeetiug. Nearly pfty persons joined the society during the evening.. Likgoln - Libbarf. —A public meeting was held on Monday, 9th inst. Mr O'Callaghan occupied the chair. Mr O'Callaghan stated that he hv.d written to the Provincial Secretary in November last, but had received no answer from the Government. Ten days days ago he called and found out that the amount due was lying in the treasury since the 27th of last January. He had placed the amount to the credit of the trustees. Mr R. Wright moved, and Mr Myenberg seconded—" That a Building Committee be appointed, fo be composed of Messrs O'CalJaghan, Knight, Moffat, Wright, and W. A. Murray, w;th power to make all necessary arrangements for proceeding with the building. It was announced that £10g 3s had already been collected in the distript. Considerable discussion then ensued as to the best method of putting up the building, and it was eventually resolved that it should be left entirely in the hands of the Building Committee, who were also entrusted with the selection of £20 worth of books to be procured immediately. The meeting then adjourned. Complimentary Disiter —A leave-taking dinner was given by a few of his friends, at Wearing'e Kaiapoi Hotel, on Monday evening, to Mr James Craig, who leaves by the Soiikar for Englaud. The health of the guest was drunk with full honors, with the wishes of a pleasant voyage and a speedy return.

Lixcols Koad Board—The Lincola Koad Board did not hold their usual monthly n*ting on Thursday last, as there were only two members present, and consequently ro quorum. Great inconvenience is felt in Prebbletou owing to the name of the Board, It is called the Lincoln Road Board, and, of course, all the letters are sent up to Lincoln instead of Prebbloton, where the Road Board office is. This causes considerable delay, and it becomes a question -whether it would not be advisable to alter the name of the Board, and call it say the Prebblcton Board. The surveyor is busy just now with the new cottages, that are to be erected at Government expense on the gravel reserves, for the purpose of encouraging immigrants to settle for a time near the centres of population. The/ are to be ?ery nicely ggt up.

Chamber op Commerce.—A meeting of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce will be held to-morrow afternoon at halfpast two, after which the monthly meeting of members will take place.

No. 5 C.R.V.—The members of this corps are reminded that the adjourned general meeting of the company will be held this evening.

Springston.—Last week was quite a gay one at Springston. The annual treat to the Sunday school children took place on Monday evening, and tea was provided by some kind resident ladies, which was highly appreciated by about eighty scholars and numerous visitors from the neighborhood. Speeches were delivered by the Revs Keall, Harper, and Messrs S. D. Glyde, Pannett, Cotton and others. The next day the children and their friends went to the foot of the Port hills for a picnic, and enjoyed themselves heartily. On Friday night the Rev Mr Backhouse gav<j his lecture on the Bible in India and China, and was listened to with great attention.

Prebbleton.—The new addition to the Prebbleton Government school, to be used as a library and reading room, and on occasion, as a class-room, has been finished, and is a credit to the district. Thanks to the library, which is placed across the end of the present building ,making it of a T shape, it has a far more imposing appearance. It is separated from the schoolroom by sliding doors, which when drawn back, make a room that would be considered a very creditable town hall for a small place, affording plenty of space for lectures, concerts, readings, &c.

New Shunting Engine. — The new shunting engine to be used at the Lyttelton station, made a trial trip yesterday from Christchurch to Rangiora and back, under the direction of the engineer, Mr Warner. The engine was driven by the running foreman, Mr Dickenson, and the result was considered most satisfactory.

Interprovtncial Regatta.—A meeting of the Selection Committee was held yesterday morning. Present—Messrs R. J. S. Harman, Herdson, Thomas, Thompson and Davis. Mr Harman was voted to the chair. A list of those persons willing to row in the Regatta was submitted, and considered, when the following names were selected:— T. S. Baker and A. Recce, C.R.C.; G. A. Clark, and J. Davis, H.R.C. The selection of an emergency man was to be made last night from the remaining names on the list.

Bacheldeb's Pantascope.—There was only a moderate attendance at the Oddfellows' Hall "last evening to witness this exhibition. The paintings are really excellent, and well worthy of a visit, not the least pleasing feature of the entertainment being Mr Bent's descriptive lecture. The cornet solo-by Mr Buckingham was well giveu. Mr Bent was very successful in his character songs, with dancing accompaniment.

Hope op Christchtjech Lodge.—The usual weekly session of the Hope of Christchurch Lodge, No. 15, 1.0. G.T., was held last night at Mr Gee's schoolroom. Six new members were initiated, and some proposed. It was unanimously agreed that the popular entertainments, held fortnightly, take place monthly instead. After some further business, the lodge was closed with the usual ceremonies.

The "Times" on the Austbalian Colonies. —Phe following extracts are from a leading article in the " Times " of December 29th :—" The diversity of interests which are certain to spring into existence between long-settled and newly-settled colonies, between agricultural and pastoral communities, between countries of temperate and of semi-tropical climate, cannot be obviated. One after another the elements of distinction make their appearance and grow more marked. Victoria, for example, has long sustained the extreme protectionist theory ; New South Wales has inclined, rather timidly and tardily, to the cause of free trade. But in time the distinction has become more and more manifest. While New South Wales frankly accepts, by the voice of Ler Ministers, and pnts into practice as far as .is at the moment possible, the doctrines of free trade, Victoria adheres, without doubt or shrinking, to protectionism. But we believe there are no sound reasons why the commercial policy which, is advantageous for the one colony should not be in this matter beneficial for the other also. Consequently, while ready to acknowledge that local circumstances may modify greatly the application of economical principles, we are convinced that, sooner or later, the teaching of experience will be appreciated, and to New South Wales will in that case belong the credit of leading back into the region of sound economical science the English settlements of Australia. ***** While Sydney is learning the lesson of free trade from Europe, Melbourne, which has always claimed to be especially progressive, enlightened, and energetic, continues to hold with obstinate faith theprotectionist heresy. Her politicians are compelled bylpopular prejudice to maintain the doctrine that manufactures are necessary for a State, even though nature has designed the country for agriculture or cattle breeding ; but as manufactures cannot rely on their own unsupported strength in a land like Victoria, where labour is costly and coal and iron are not by comparison cheap and the demand for manufactured commodities is limited, the only resource is protective duties. No one—not Mr Horace Greeley himself—has proclaimed the protectionist faith with more energy than the Victorian statesmen, and it is only just to say that they only represent in this profession, and, indeed/ with insufficient ardour, the convictions of the colonial population. On the surface there is something of self-sacrifice and generosity in these convictions, for a farmer or a gold-digger can have it should seem, no personal interest in the impositnnof duties on the goods he uses in his everyday life, on his clothes and his fools, his boots, and his newspaper, the tobacco in his pipe and the sugar in his indispensable tea. But we have it on the evidence of observers who have shown the strongest sympathy with the object aiped at, though" they have been obliged to condemn tbe mean's by which the uninstructed majority of the colonists have endeavored to compass it, that the working population of Victoria deliberately accept the consequences of protection, in order to be 'saved from the pauper labor of Europe.' By making life in Australia costly they may, indeed, exclude English labor, but how are they to cope with the competition of the ' cheap races, , the Chinese, and tbe Hindoo coolies, who consume hardly any taxable articles, and, if they were driven to it, would cease without a murmur to consume even the small quantity in which they at present indulge 1 If it is for the purpose of keeping wages high by some juggling of this kind that the agricultural a.ud mining population of Victoria maintain a protective system which presses heavily on their own comforts, ip is plain that they are not only suffering tq no purpose, but, iv fact, defeat the object at which they are aiming."

Papajjui Libraky.—A meeting of the library committee was held on Monday evening, in St. Paul's schoolroom. Present— Messrs H. Matson (chairman,), G. Dunnage, G. Mayo, T. Langdon, J. Jackson, J. T. Matson, and 0. C.C f Duncan, hon. sec. The chairman read a letter in reply from the Provincial Secretary, which stated that the Government could not make the additional grant of $50 asked for, nor promise any further sum until they knew how much of the £5000 granted for public libraries would be required to fulfil promises already made. On the motion of Mr J. T. Matson, it was resolved that the building of the library be proceeded with at once. With one exception the members present agreed to hold themselves responsible to a certain amount fop the building. It was stated that a selection of suitable books for St. Paul's Sunday-school had been made by the committee, and the hon. sec. was requested to write to the. Rβ? F. Gr. Brittaa to inform him that the books might be had on app'ication to the librarian. Messrs H. Matson and Ritso promised to see the contractor and arrange with him about the erection of the library building. The meet* ic c ' tUeu adJQurn.ed.l

COKCERT.—A vocal and instrumental concert, under the auspices of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry and under distinguished patronage, will be given to-morrow evening by the members of the C.Y.G. Band and several lady and gentlemeu amateurs. The programme which appears in another column is a varied and attractive one, and should secure a good attendance of the public, As the concert is given in aid of the Volunteer Band there will doubtless be a large muster of volunteers on that occasion.

Tiieatee Royal.—This place of amusement was fairly patronised last night, when Arrah na Pogue was played for the last time. The piece was very well performed, the scenery being really good. To-night the Courier of Lyons will be produced, with new scenery and effects.

College Readings.—The first of the series of College evening readings will be held in the new buildings to-morrow evening at half-past seven, to be succeeded each evening by instrumental and vocal music. Subscribers to the College library are to have the privilege of introducing members of their families and friends who may be with them on a visit.

A lady writing to the "St. Louis Democrat" respecting the Ville dv Havre disaster, makes some extraordinary statements (says the " Pall Mall Gazette") respecting the condition of that vessel, in which she says •he crossed the Atlantic last summer, "j scuttled the ship," she adds, "in half a dozen places with hair-pins and paper cutters. I tell the unexaggerated truth when I say that, lying on the sofa in stateroom No. 60, I dug into the punky wood, two or three inches away from the porthole, with a paperknife, till I struck the glazing of iron that formed its outer coat." It i& difficult to conceive any more horrible picture than that of a large steamer, containing hundreds of living souls, pursuing its way through the ocean, every one unconscious of the fact that a lady, reclining on a sofa in one of the cabins, is playfully attempting to scuttle the vessel with hair-pins merely j>onr passer le temps.

The distillers (says a contemporary) are stealing a march on the teetotalers in England. They are producing what they call " Robur or Tea-spirit," which is more therapeutic in its effects than whiskey, brandy, gin, or rum, and leaves no smell on the breadth. For the manufacture of this spirit on a large scale a distillery has been established at Camden Town, near London, and the patronage of the medical profession for the new compound is earnestly solicited, and warmly recommended by some of the profession. " Medical Notes and Queries," the new household professional journal, spoke very highly of " Robur or tea-spirit," in the first instaace, on account of the absence of all traces of "fusel oil" in it, and of the safety with which it might bo used by the profession ; but the " Lancet" quietly disposed of this by suggesting that the profession could get " proper alcohol" for their various purposes from the chemist, and in the name of " Spiritus Vini Rectificatus," if unable to obtain it from any other source. With the profession that suggestion may have some weight, and Medioal Notes and Queries has therefore deemed it necessary to take another view of the question, and show how very superior " Robur, or teaspirit " is to other alcoholic compounds for ordinary consumption as a beverage. " Robur," it says, "is an exception to all other spirits, inasmuch as it derives its calorific aud saporific virtues from one and the same substance. It must commend itself to the palate, for it derives its gustative qualification from tea of the most fragrant and delicious brands." Whether it" cheers, but not inebriates " is quite another question. That, we suppose, would depend pretty much on the quantity taken. As alcohol is its basis it cannot be perfectly harmless.

As a warning to those who may inhabit rooms that are covered with paper of a green colour, Dr Clement Walker communicates to ua (" British Medical Journal ") the case of a lady who for some time has been suffering from malaise and head-ache, &c, with an eruption of boils, which obstinately refused to heal. No cause could be assigned for these symptoms; but, upon looking round the room, he Doticed the colour of the paper. Upon examination, arsenic was readily discovered with such ease as to leave to doubt of its presence in considerable quantity. Accordingly it has been found that removal has sufficed to relieve the patient's symptoms. Many of our readers will regret to hear that Eliza Cook, the poetess, is in bad health. She is now living at Wimbledon, and Christ-mas-eve was her fifty-fifth birthday. She enjoys a well-earned literary peneion of £100 a year, granted by Lord Palmerston,