NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3778, 30 August 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Legal.—His Honor Mr Justice Johnston will sit in chambers to-morrow at 11 a.m.

Lectueb. —The Bey W. J. Habens will deliver a lecture on "Astronomy," at St. Andrew's schoolroom, this evening.

Agbicultubal Chemistry. — Professor Bickerton will deliver the eecond of the series of lectures at the College Theatre, in connection with the agricultural classes, on Saturday. The subject will be " Drainage."

The Education Bill.—A meeting of Catholics to consider the Education Bill, with a view of entering a protest against its provisions, will be held at the Gaiety Theatre this evening.* The Eastern Question. —The Rev. H. C. M. Watson will deliver hie lecture on the Eastern Question at the Colombo road schoolroom to-morrow evening.

Cultivation- ov Chicoby.—With a viewto fostering the growth of chicory, Messrs Gregg and Co. offer £5 per ton for 250 tons of the root, washed and the tops cut off.

C.V.C. —The annual general meeting of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry Corps will be held to-morrow evening, at MeGuinness's hotel, Whateley road.

The [Black Cobmobant.—The Acclimatisation Society offer a reward of one shilling per head for these birds, delivered at the Gardens during the fish hatching season.

Amehican Beook Tbout.—A resolution was passed at Tuesday's meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society, to endeavour to obtain a quantity of the ova of this desirable fish, and the sum of £50 was voted for that purpose.

Municipal Election. —As the time draws near for the election of city councillors, numerous rumors are afloat as to candidates who intend coming forward. So far as can at present be learned Messrs B. Cass and Toomer will offer themselves. Several other gentlemen are also spoken of, but nothing definite can yet be stated.

Salmon Ova. —The Canterbury Acclimatisation Society have joined the Auckland Society to procure a consignment of American salmon ova similar to the lost received, and the necessary instructions were forwarded by the last Son F/ancisco mail. Should the shipment prove as successful as the previous one, our rivers will be well stocked with this description of fish. Wbsletan Schoolroom, St. Albans.— A very successful concert was given in the above place on Monday evening last. The attendance was very large, many being unable to obtain seats. Along and varied programme of vocal and instrumental music was very well rendered, under the direction of Mr J. T. M. Smith, who had kindly given his services for the occasion.

Agbicitltueal and Pastokal Association. —A meeting of the committee of this association will be held this afternoon at the offices, to consider the report of the sub-com-mittee appointed to draw up a comparative statement of the effect of the old and new tariff. In the evening Mr Murphy will read the eecond of hie series of papers at Mr E. WQkxn's rooms. Members of the Association have the privilege of introducing two friends.

JTabhow Escapb.—A little girl, while crossing from Brice's corner towarde the Bank of New Zealand, yesterday afternoon, had a very narrow escape from being run over. She had arrived at the centre of the street when Mr J. Leek drove along in a light spring cart, and before he was aware of it thehorae had struck and knocked down the child. Fortunately Mr Leek was driving at a very moderate pace, and was enabled to pull up on the instant. The girl was picked up at once, rather frightened but unhurt

SrsetTiAß Accidbxt. —An elderly roan named George Hampleman, lately residing at German Bay, Akaroa, while sitting on the rail of Victoria Bridge, about half-past twelve yesterday, was observed to lose his balance, and in a moment was precipitated into a deep hole in the river. Fortunately assistance was closely at hand, and he was coon drawn out and removed in a cab to the hospital. Beyond a good ducking and eevere shock [no other injury was sustained.

BSEACHKS OV PtrBtICHOTTBK OrDTNAKTK. —At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Lyttelton, on Wednesday, Thomas Bailey, licensee of the Canterbury Hotel, was charged, on the information of constable Bullen, with eupplying liquor and keeping his house open on Sunday last. After hearing evidence, the Bench dismissed the ease. McQuiilken, licensee of the Railway Hotel, also charged with selling liquor on Sunday, was fined ;£>. Robert Cole, of the Lyttelton Hotel, was fined 10s for extinguishing the lump in front of liis house on Sunday at 10.30 p.m.

Theatbe Royal.—There -was a very good house Inst night when "The Old Corporal" was repeated very successfully, Signor Majeroni's wonderfully artistic performance being loudly applauded. To-night, the piece will be repeated, the performance commencing at a quarter to eight, in order to enable visitors from the country to witness the performance. On Friday, Signora Majeroni will make her first appearance in "Jealousy." She will sustain the character of the Marchioness St. Elia, which is said to be a very gifted representation.

The Trout.—The work of stripping the trout this season at the Society's grounds commenced on the 7th inst. .From 28 fish 16,550 eggs were obtained, fivo of them yielding as many as 4800. Though the disease that appeared lately amongst these fish has prevented as successful a result as in previous seasons, it is anticipated,; thet a fair proportion of the eggs will be hatched out. It may bo mentioned that full particulars of tbo nature of the disease are to be f orwardod to Mr Francis Francis, of the Brighton Aquarium, and also to Messrs Buckland and YouL

St. Paul's Chuech. —The Rev. Geo. Barclay concluded his lecture on " The Present Westminster Biblical Revisionists " last night to a very fair audience, the Rev. R. Waddell occupying the chair. The rev. lecturer, in continuation of his subject, referred to the various readings of the Scriptures, explaining how mistakes had occurred in translation from the original languages, and concluded with a review of the particular passages likely to be affected by the now versions. The lecture throughout showed painstaking research, which, judging from the frequent applause, the audience did not fail to appreciate. - A hearty vote of thanks terminated the proceedings.

Christchttech Literary and Debating Society.—The fortnightly meeting of this society was held at tneir room on Tuesday evening, the eubject for debate being " That the unanimity required in juries is conducive to the attainment of justice." The Council in Power opened in the affirmative. There was more thau the average attendance of members, and the debate was unusually interesting, some really excellent speeches being delivered on both sides. The result, after a keen discussion, ended in the defeat of the Council, who were accordingly declared to be ousted from office. The next subject chosen for diecussion is the Local Option Bill, the new Council supporting it. Death of Inspectob Babsham. —The public of the northern district particularly, m which Mr Albert George Barsham, for about sixteen years a member of the Canterbury police force, has principally resided, will receive with feelings of regret the announcement of his sudden death, which took place yesterday at his residence, Kaiapoi, about 4.3Q plm. Though the inspector had been in an indifferent state of health for some time past, he was not incapacitated from attending to his duties, and on Tuesday had attended to his usual office affairs and inspected the Oxford station. At 3 a.m on Wednesday his family were aroused to find Mr Barsham suffering from an attack of apoplexy and paralysis. Drs. Ovenden and Hayes were called in attendance, but their skill was of no avail, and he remained nearly insensible till the hour of his death. Mr Barsham was one of the early police officers brought from Victoria when the present force was established, and has at various times been stationed at Leithfield, Akaroa, Lyttelton, and Kaiapoi, in each of which places he was greatly respected as an unobtrusive and efficient officer. He leaves a wife and family to lament his loss, as well as an extended circle of friends.

Sbfton Cricket Clxtb.— The firet annual meeting of the S.C.C. was held at the Softon Hotel on Saturday evening, the 25th instant r C. Ensor, Esq., president, in the chair. The hon. sec, Mr J. Supper, stated thb funds of the club were in a very creditable position, there being a email balance to their credit, and all the tools in good condition. The President said he had much pleasure in proposing five new members, who were elected unanimously. C. Ensor, Esq., was re-elected president and captain; C. ff. Pernberton, Esq., vice-president; Mr J. Slipper, hon. sec.; Mr R. M. Pemberton, custodian ; Mr A. Ramsay, caterer for the S.C.C. i£r R. M. Pemberton stated that he had endeavored to find a suitable piece of ground for the next season's play. Hβ had not seen any that was more suitable than a piece of level land belonging to Mr A. Bunting, who was willing to make arrangements with the club for its use. It was proposed and carried

—" That the President und Mr Ramsay be empowered to make any necessary arrangements with Mr A. Bunting for the use of a piece of ground." A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the officers for their untiring efforts in giving the club so much of their valuable time. It is to be hoped that some good matches will be played here this season, ac the membere are now mustering very strong. Practice will commence at an early date.

Benefit Entertainment, Lyttkiton.— A benefit entertainment was given at the Colonists' Hall, Lyttelton, on Tuesday night, in aid of Mr John Burrell, so well known as barman of the Mitre Hotel, 'Lyttelton, for more than twenty years. The entertainment was divided into three parts, and wae almost solely given by Mr and Mrs Hooper (Miss Bessie Vivian) who had offered their services for the occasion. The first part consisted of a charming little comedietta, entitled " In Possession." Both Mr and Mrs Hooper acted capitally, having the house with them from the first, and concluding amidst vociferous applause. The second part consisted of eongs and dances by Mr and Mrs Hooper, which were in every case redemanded, and an address by Mr C. M. Warde, who gave a brief account of the motive for the entertainment, and a short sketch of Mr Burrell'e Lyttelton career, calling on them all to assist an honest friend now pust work. The evening's amusement concluded with the sketch, " A Pair of Pigeons," in which Mr and Mrs Hooper were again thoroughly successful. Messrs Middleton and McDonald, who kindly gave their services, played the incidental music, the former presiding at the piano, and the latter accompanying on the violin. Mr and Mrs Hooper were successful in keeping np th« fnn without a break throughout the evening, and sending away a highly delighted audience thoroughly satisfied,' and many thanks are due to them for their great kindness in coming forward for eueji a good object, and for the keen interest they they showed throughout in making it what it was, a complete success. There was a capital attendance, and the-proceeds will be considerable.

Tbottino Sihk.—The celebrated imported trotting stallion Hjing Perfection has been sold by Messrs Krerduse and Gidney to Mr f J. E. Auatin, of Yeo, near (3olac, for £1000.

Thb Uniow Iksvb&ncb Company.—Bβporting tho result of the visit of Messrs Peacock an£ Stead to Donedin, tho " Times '* cays : —lt has, we understand, beon definite]?, settled that 25,000 shares muet be set aside, for applications received in Dunedin. Thie, of course, does not include the numbers to be allotted to Oamarn and Invercargill, und ie a quart-er of the total number of shares in the Company. This io really a. in out liberal allocation, and tbe Company, after the manner inwhich the provisional directory have acted, deserves to do a good business m Otago, and has certainly set abont tho best way to secure it. The allotment to individual shareholders has not yet been commenced, and will be made in Chrrstchurch. As will be eeen by advertisement in another column, the company announce that they will bo prepared to commence business this morning m their* offices, Hereford street.

A Pnkttmatic Tissjm.-—Mγ Kohn, of Dunedin, has on view a " pneumatic timer," by .means of which tho time of racing events may be registered with the greatest possible accuracy. The instrument, which is a recent American invention, i* dscribed by the " Guardian " as most ingenious, and likely to prove of great value in sporting matters, as by it the utmost accuracy is obtained without any trouble whatever. Blowing into a tube aflixed fco tho "timer" start* it, and the act of drawing the air out of tho tube ntops it instantaneously, so that it ie not neceaeary ta look a moment from the race in oi-der to register the time. By the use of the pneumatse timer, the duration of a race n ay be measured with much greater ease and certainty than- ie possible by meane of a stop-watch.

Stoke.—At the latest meeting of the Stok* school committee, letters were read relative te dismissal of the master if the examination of August 2nd did not show eoiuo improvement; *■ also, one from the secretary adviiiing the pay* ' luent of July salary, aa per quarterly return. The chairman announced thafc he had received the report of August 2nd, which shows that, the school wae in a very low state of efficiency ' —no one scholar having gained a standard. On the roll there were 40; average attendance last quarter, 32. The annual report from thej Board of Education w&e inspected by the members of committee, which ehowod that of fifty-two schools examined by Mr Rcstell they were all returned as excellent, satisfactory, and fair, with the exception of Stoke, which wae inferior. It was proposed and earned, " That the chairman advise the Board of the above, and to carry out the minute of July 23rd, as Mr Piper had not eont in his resignation." Letters wore received from tho Coat Road Board, granting shingle out of reserve for the school playground. Tondore for the same were opened, and that of John Gallitley was accepted. Tho oomniitteo decided t« apply to the Board to have certain sections included in tho Stoke education district. The chairman reported that, with|Mr Jack, he had purchased books suitable for prizes, and that th» parents had subscribed liberally toward* the same. It wae decided to award the prizes on Wednesday, 29th instant, at 1 p m., the committee to meet at the sciiool for tna€ purpose. The Taipo Rkbvs. —In a situation not far distant from the Christchurch and Hokitika road, above the Taipo river, quartz-reefa have for some tune been prospected, and -lately a party of diggers arrived in Christchurca ' having in their possession a quantity of rough gold got there, evidently not far removed' from a reef. These and other circumstances have led to a determination to proceed with further prospecting. The " West Coast Times " states that about twonty gentlemen in Hokitika have subscribed ten and five pounds each for the purpose of prospecting the Taipo for a quarts-reef. It is their intention to equip a email prospecting party. They have also telegraphud to Messre oisborne, Bonar, Barff, and Button in Wellington, asking these gentlemen to endeavor, if possible, to get the amount subscribed supplemented by a like sum out of the money to be appropriated for prospecting purposes, at proposed by the Goldfields Committee. Three, or four experienced prospectors have offered their services on very easy terms, providedr they are allowed to participate in any after benefits, should a payable quartz reef be discovered by them. Akaboa Fibb Bbioadb.—A public meeting was held in the Town Hall on Monday evening for the purpose of forming a Fire Brigade for Akaroa. Iγ the absence of the > Mayor the chair wae taken by Mr & Morey. Mr,W. Adams acted as secretary and read the minutes of a preliminary meeting, whichwere confirmed. Letters were read from several insurance companies suggesting that the proposed brigade should be first formed, and then that application should be made tothe different companies for their support. A letter from Mr Superintendent Harris oaggested that the requiremente of Akaroa would probably be met by the establishment of a "hook and ladder " company. The roles of the Christchurch Fire Brigade were then readand the chairman addressed the meeting, caßon any persons present who wished to enrol themselves as members to give in their name*. Twenty membore were tben enrolled and the election of a superintendent proceeded with. Three names were proposed — Messrs W.. Adams, IS. Morey, and R. "Noonan. Mr Adams having declined to stand, a ballot was taken, which resulted in the election of Mr Robert Noouan bb first superintendent of the brigade. Mr E. Morey was then chosen cap- . tain. Some details were then arranged, ana a vote of thanits was passed to the chairman. Ellksmebe Baoos Ctsiaro Company.— A public meeting was held in the schoolroom,. Brookside, on Monday, the 27th instant, to get those farmers residing in that part of the district acquainted with the object of the company. And, taking into consideration the bad weather and the fearful state of the road, there was a good attendance. Present— Meeere Sterling (in the chair) W. J. €L Bluett, Sandbry, Metealfe, Reuben WifcheU, Robb, Mawson, "Payling, Ruesel, John Cole, , James Petrie, and others. The chairman read the notice convening the meeting, and then called upon Mr Bluett to addreee them, which he did at come lergth, setting forth the benefits to be derived by the district front such a company, if managed in a proper manner. He explained what had already been done towarde forming tho company, stating that already over 250 shares had beett taken up, and that tho cite for the company , * factory would be decided upon at a general meeting of shareholders on Monday, the 3rd September, when sites would bo laid before the meeting by the provisional directors, with a few other remarks on the eubject, her ?■ expressed himself willing to answer any questions that the meeting liked to put to him. A share list was then opened in the room, and' over a hundred pounds' worth of shares a§*r plied for. Mr Baldwin then proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Bluett, which was carried by acclamation. With a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting terminated. ", Pakoki Post. —In the House of Bepw* eertetives, at a recent sitting, Captain Bnseelt asked the. Postmaster-General wliether tie I Government will take etepe to inaugurate ft system of parcel poet similar fee-that now ! carried on between England and India by the Peninsulnr an<t Oriental Steam Kavigatio*Company under authority from ihe DirectorGeneral of the Post Office of India ? Tfa* benefits derivable from tbe eyetein of pared post referred to in hie question came under his notice lately while travelling in India. H« thought a similar arrangement would be extremely beneficial to the inhabitants of tin* colony. Mr McLean »aid he was aware that, the arrangement with the India Post Of? ? ■ hikl proved a very great convenience, an* /■■ was no doubt very desirable that a. ami*** system should be institnted in this colon/ 1 but the difficulty would be to obtain ttsreascurrcr.ee of the English authorities to t»* propos-al. That difficulty might be got over* but, whether it wae or not, the parcel post system might be introduced within the coloirp, and during the reeese the Government , wow* ccc whether that could not be done. We notice by late Melbourne papers tlisfc the directors'of the P. and O. Company have sabmitted proposals in London for the extension of their Indian parcels delivery system ta Australia. Ordinary parcrfe are delivered by poet for Is per lb, and book parcels at halt that rate. Of the money w> obtained onethird goes to the company and two-third* *" » the poet-office. Mr Miehw reports in favoar of the proposal, and the Chief Secretary he* given instructions for the necessary arrangements to be made without delay.

—^ o F. Sfcrafcton, x appointments of poet-maater, ff***, -fiSiK at Ikaroa, has been for «tote of health that he HU ordered him complete "SX pSeter-teral has granted him rt~Jflmonths* leave of absence from the first JSJT S> StraWe illness, has resulted from the arduous nature of ha duties and from mental anxiety. ■ Theatrical— By :the Australia, which ,-ived yesterday at Auckland from Sydney, Ur Wbeatleigh and company were passengers. They plflj » season in Auckland, following the Soldene "troupe, and their strong card ie •Tjtoondthe World in Eighty Days." Amongst other members of the company well known to &ew Zealand playgoers is Mr J. J. Bartlett. From advices received by lastCalifqrnian mail fe is more than probable tha,t*when the goxamer seta in we ihaU have quite a migration of shows hitherward. Automatic Hobsbholdkh. —Letter patent fcsve been granted to Mr W. Bracher, of St. James's Park, Hawthorn, Victoria, for an automatic horseholder, to be used as a subgfcitute for the chain on the wheel when horses are left standing in the street. It consists of a circular ratchet fixed to the nave of the Binder wheel, into which there gears a spring pawl supported by an outer nng. On. this ring is a hook, to which the reins are attached, co that if the horse moves forward they wind round the nave, co that the horse pulls him-

eelf up. Life ix the Coufstm.— Professor Pell.

of Sydney, continuing his researches among the statistics of mortality and population, has t developed the very satisfactory result that the >, expectation of life in persons born in Australia ' -V greater than that amongst immigrants. This is contrary to the usually received opinion, which is to the effect that Australians exhibit come sigjns of degeneracy. The conclusion at present is based on somewhat limited data, but co far as returns go at present it appears that the more the Australian element prevails the lower the rates of

mortality. Ths PsnfCß ov Waxss. —The Lahore *' Civil "and Military Gazelle" makes the statement that the Prince of Walee's Australian tour ie definitely fixed for 1878. HJUI. will leave England in the September of that year, accompanied by the Princess, end after visiting Australia and New Zealand, will return by way of the United States. It ie probable that the Prince will find this tear a more agreeable and enjoyable one than hie Indian tour, which is said to have bored him, so irksome was the restraint upon his movements, and the consciousness of being expected to pose perpetually as a model Christian ruler, an idealised impersonation of

evijry English virtue.

13?hb YxakßOTfo." —A presentation wee made at the Victoria Club, Melbourne, to Mr Julian Thomas, well known under his norn de flumeoi "The Vagabond," by a nnmber of adnurew of the able and interesting sketches 'he Iβ* contributed to the " Argue " duringthe past eighteen months upon the internal admin • istrafckra of many of the public institutions of Victoria. The present consisted of a purse containing 306 sovereigns. The popularity of *he " Vagabond Papers " —15,000 of the three series having been cold in the colonies—is farther shown by the fact that they are to be republbhed in German. -The same popular and versatile contributor is bringing out a Christmas book in Sydney, comprising contributions from the beet known authors and artiste in Australia.

Gbskbai. Gbaot aot> the CoioxiES.— * Anglo-Australian" writes in the " European Mail' : —«I saw it stated some time ago in «se of the Australian papers that there was a probability of General Grant visiting Australia. Having, therefore, an opportunity of •questioning the gallant General upon tliis point, I did not heeitate to do so. You have ail heard that the General is a man of very Wr words, so that when I put : the 'Wμ'.there' any truth in the report that he ww likely to visit Australia ?' the reply was toJefly,'No.' Now as I was not in his preeence in the light of an 'interviewer,' and as, moreover, I have no taste for euch an inquiifcnre office, I could only rejoin, ' Ah! oh, indeed. Bat I know they would be very glad to see you there. , ' Possibly; I knpw colonists are good fellows.' We are getting on, thought L ' You remember the exhibits at Philadelphia? , 'Yes. An intelligible and striking lot. , * General,' eaid a military man holding an-official position here, 'let mc introduce to you ,' and so the conversation ended." ,

Jtev. Chabxbs C&ABK, —All who-remember the highly successful tour made through New ;j Zealand about three years ago by this celebrated lecturer, elocutionist, and humorist, •will be glad to learn that another opportunity of hearing him in Chriatchurch will shortly be presented. Amongst the passengers by the fepgarooifla yesterday was Mr R/S. Smythe, tt* manager who introduced to New Zealand Arabella Goddard, Miss Christian, Robert Heller, and other favorite artistes. Having accompanied the Rev. Charles Clark to the Centennial, and through the United States j and Canada, Mr Smythe has returned to the colonies to arrange another tour for the eminent lecturer. Mr Clark, who hae twice visited America, is expected to arrive by the next Californian mail eteamer at Auckland, whence he will rapidly make his way southward. Since his laet visit to this country, he has added to hie repertoire lectures on Thackeray, Oliver Cromwell, Westminster Abbey, the Merry Monarch, and Macaulay. Jejtny Ceattb.—The many friends made by Mademoiselle Jenny Olaus during her tour through Australia and New Zealand will be glad to learn that that charming violiniate was married in Paris, on the sth June, to Monsieur Charles Pernet, -Chancelier de Zeoittitm.

Bane Manages Kii&ed.—Mr WDliam Thorae, for some years manager of the Bank of Victoria, Rutherglen, Victoria, was being drawn up a shaft on the Pipe-clay Beef. When within a few feet of the surface he let go his hold of the rope, and fell to the bottom, a ■distance of 80ft He was killed on the spot.