NSWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 3892, 12 January 1878, Page 2

NSWS OF THE DAY.

Notice to Jpeobs.—Jurors summoned for Monday, the 14th inst., are informed that they are not required to attend the Supreme Court on that day. Kkductiok of Whabfasb Kate. —Mr Wright gave notice of motion at yesterday's meeting of the Harbor Board to reduce the wharfage rate from 2s to Iβ 4d per ton. Street Tramways.—A meeting of the provisional directors of the proposed Tramway Company will be held at the office of Mr C. W. Turner at 11 a.m. to-day. Sttez Maie.—The inward Suez mail, consisting of eight bags for Christchurch and three for Lyttelton, arrived per ,Ai»wata yesterday. The Christchurch portion was sent through the tunnel by the 8.30 a.m. train. Sunday Sbbvicbb.—Mγ Bates (Evangelist) will preach m the Oddfellows' Hall tomorrow evening. At the Baptist church, the Rev. J. 8. Smaller will preach at 11 son., and the Rev. C. Dallaeton at 6.30 p.m. t. * Baptist Chttbch Tea Meeting.—The anniversary tea and public meeting in connection with the above church, will be held in the old Presbyterian Church, Lichfield street, on Tuesday next, at 6 p.m. Ashbtotok Fobks fiAn,wAY.-~A meeting of all pereorie interested in the Rakaia and Asaburton Forks Bail way will be>Ti eld at the Bead Board office, South Rakftia.on .Friday, 18th January, at 2 p.m. Wbiohtt Chp.—We are informed, on apparently good-authority, on a station in Che southern part of "Canterbury th/> weight of "wool obtained in the shearing of 32,000 merino sheep was equal to an average of 91bs. per fleece. Tbiai o* Kkapbbs attd Binders.—The committee of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association have selected a paddock at Kiecarton belonging to Mr J. Deans for the trial of the reaping and binding machines, to be held under the auspices' of the -association. The trial will take place; MiJMopday, 21st inst., commencing at 10 a.m., and the instructions to competitors and directions to: visitors appear- elsewhere. : T *■? Examination of annual 0 examination of pupil teachers'under the. Board of Education will- cbmniiense at th*e Normal school at 10 a.nj. on Tnesday nexfc. The examination of candidates for.rcertificates takes place at the Normal school 09 the 22nd . instant. BriiiiAßDS.—MrH. Roberts, the'champion hand strobe player,' has complimentary benefit to Mr Boreeford at Badcliffe's Hotel this evening. Aβ thisyall probably be the last opportunity of seeing Mr Boberts's extraordinary performances with the balls, no doubt there will be a large attendance. StrPBEME Cotjbt.—A Bitting under the Divorce and Matrimonial Causls Act will be held before hie Honor Mr Justice Johnston and a jury on Tuesday -next. The cjue for trial is Todd v. Todd, in, which the petitioner applies for a judicial separation. The jury -will have to try the facts. of<tb& osae* CoNGBSGATioirAL ChttbCh, Akaboa.—For some sixteen months past services of the Congregational Church have been held every alternate Sunday in the Oddfellows' Hall in Akaroa. Aβ the hall has been offered for sale, the members and friends resolved to purchase the hall and site for the purpose of continuing their religious services. The arrangements for the purchase have now been completed. It is intended to provide sitting accommodation, for a hundred persons, and it has been arranged to hold Divine service morning and evening every Sunday. Hazaedotjs Exploit.—On Wednesday afternoon a young gentleman crossed in a boat from Sumner to the New Brighton beach on hie way to the New Brighton Hotel. On returning to the bonk of the river opposite Sumner in the evening he found the tide in, and was unable to get nearer than half a mile of the boats—too far for hie calls to be heard. The only courses left were to walk back to I the New Brighton Hotel, a distance of six miles, and spend the night .there, or to swim the channel, and take bis clothes with him. He very pluciily chose the latter, and reached the shore none the worse for his twenty minutes swim against wind and tide. Caktebbubt Coilbse. —A special meeting of the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College" was held yesterday. Presenfrr-Meesrs Montgomery (chairman), Tancred, Fereday, Malet, Webb, Potts, E. C. J. Stevene, Inglis, Colborne-Veel, Hon. John Hall, Dr. Coward, and Eev. W. J. Habens. On the motion of Mr Stevens, the Board went into committee to consider the time table for 1876, the appointment of lecturers in French, German, and jurisprudence, and that of an architect for the homestead at the model farm. Appointments were made of lecturers in German, French, and jurisprudence, the- time fixed for the lectures, and the remuneration. Mr F. Strouts was appointed as the architect for the homestead at the model farm. The time table was approved. ;■ After the consideration of some further routine business the Board adjourned. St..Babtholokbw's, Kaiapoi.—On "Wednesday a treat woe given to the echolar 8 attending the Church Sunday school. There was a full choral children's service held by Rev. H. G-. Gould, at the church, at eleven o'clock, after which the children, with a large number of adults, set out for Mr Cox's farm, j Church Bush", where they were regaled with a ! substantial dinner, after which races and , games were the order of the day. The prizes for the races were far above the general class, : amounting to about £13 worth. At five o'clock tea was served, and soon afterwards the party returned to Kaiapoi, much delighted with the pleasant day they bad spent. The greatest credit is due to Mr, Cox and his lady j assistants for the trouble which they took in making the treat a thorough su'ocese. AGBicnxTtrßAii CHmoeTßT.—On Thursday evening Professor Bickerton delivered a i lecture, in connection with the Canterbury j College School of Agriculture, under the ■ auspices of the local Farmers' Club, at the Oddfellows' Hall, KaiapoL There was a large attendance. Mr E. Parnham, chairman of the Farmers' Club, occupied the chair, and briefly introduced the lecturer. Professor Bickerton stated the subject of hie lecture would be the chemical relations which exist between plants and animals, and he proceeded very fully [and plainly to explain his subject, illustrating the same by experiments, which were highly appreciated. By some of these experiments he demonstrated how the various constituents of plants wereobtained, and dwelt particularly on the nitrogenous properties, which, in the case of grain crops, were essentially necessary in the production of a good crop. In reference to ammonia, from which nitrogen was derived in quantity, he showed it 9 qualities when carried into the soil from the atmosphere, and pointed out the necessity for every facility being afforded to allow it to reach plants by that means. The other component parts of plants were entered into in detail, and a very interesting lecture was concluded amid a round of applause. Mr W. M. Roes proposed a vote of thanks, and in doing co said those present had enjoyed the lecture and the plain way in which the subject had been dealt with. He hoped this would not be the last occasion on which they would have the pleasure of hearing Professor Bickerton. Mr J. Birnie seconded the motion, observing that he had been greatly interested in the explanations and. experiments, some of which, "on bis reium home, he intenfied to put is to practice. Professor BiekerUjn briefiv retiifned thanks.

Masonic.—The banquet to celejeeta. »» installation of the Worshipfiil Masters of the Canterbury and St. 1 Augustine Lodgwrwill take place in the Canterbury Masonic Hall on the 17th instant. ~ . Dbtesck of LxsTEiTOsr. —The neeeSmty of taking some measures to place the Port in a etate of defence in the event of England being forced into war, was brought under the notice of the Lyttelton Harbor Board at yesterday's After some remarks, »t wee found that it would b* necessary to take legal advice as to the ability of the Board to take any action in this direction, and Mr _Cunningham altered his resolution appointing a committee to a notice of motion, to be considered »t the next fortnightly meeting of the Board. Thkatbe RoYAi.—" The Lady of Lyqpe V was repeated last evening, the only change in the cast being Mr Hoekine as Claude Mehiotte. Mis» Ward's Pauline is a very good performance all through; indeed it ia by far the most suecessfnl part we hare seen her in since the commencement of = her engagement. Mr Hotkina gave us a most artistic and finished rendering of Claude Melnotte, and both Miss Ward and himself received several calls before the curtain. The other part a have bo often found the same representatives here as to need no comment, beyond saying that they were well sustained. The prttty little sketch of " A Happy Pair," in which Miss Ward and Mr Hoskins appeared to advantage, concluded the performance. Tonight, " The Woman in Bed " is announced, with Miss Ward as Budiga. LTTTELTON WkSLEIAH SITNDAT SCHOOIu—The annual treat to the children attending this school took place on Thursday last. The children, in number about 230, met at the school early in the morning, and accompanied by about fifty of their teachers and friends, marched to the railway station, a banner inscribed "Wesleyan Sunday School" being carried at the head of the procession. The Adding ton station was reached shortly after ten, and the party then proceeded to Taylor's Gardens, on the Lincoln road, where after some slight refreshment, games were the order of the day till dinner was ready at 12 30 p.m. All sorts of fun was then indulged in, including races for toys, of which a great many were distributed. To add to the enjoyment a unicycle circus, which was on the ground, was hired for the day, and the amount of labour expended in keeping it going was astonishing. At five there was tea, and at 630 a start was made for the Addington station, Lyttelton being reached at 8 p.m. The procession was then again formed, and the party marched to the school ground, where before dismissal hearty cheers were given, for, Messrs J. S. OUivT and . Brown,.the , "Buperinteildente of the school, and also for the teachers and committee generally. Tie' children tnea dispersed to their homes very tired but delighted with the remembrance of their day '$ enjoyment. Thb Sculling Championship.—A Sydney telegram states that Trickett is utl willing to row on any other but - Australian'waters, having travelled to London for his laurels. He propose* to row either Oourtney*oir Hanlon, on the Paramatta river, for 1000 guineas a side. Mr Fabjeobt.—Mr and Mrs B. L. Farjeon have lately been staying at the Westminster Hotel, New York, where, they purpose remaining for Boine time. Mr Farjeon's new Christmas story of '" Solomon Isaacs" is said by " Anglo- Australian tobe the best he has yet r written. Like good wine, the author improves .with ago. • Tkb Indus Famutb, —An item dffiiidian news in the Melbourne "Argus" is"-& the - effect that the liberality of the Australian botanists, more particularly the people of Melbourne, in respect of the Madras Famine Fond, has excited a good deal of attention in India. The large subscriptions of Mr Clarke and others have' been rioted in all the papers. Dibtbici BAH.WA*&,-!-The "Southland Nβ we " hears on good authority that acornpttny has been formed in Dunedin for the construction, under the provisions of the District Railways Act, of a railway between Gore and Elbow. The names of Messrs G. M. Bell and McOaughan are mentioned as being the promoters. Thb Mabebtenono Stttd.—The famous Maribyrnong stud was disposed of at Mr 0. B. Fisher's eetate at Woodlands last week. A large proportion of the best animals were purchased by racing men and studowners in New South Walee, South, Australia, and Queensland. Sixty-eight brood mafes averaged £581 10a. The 100 lots of brood mares, yearlings, two-year-olds, horses in training, and stallions, realised £51,235 ss. Donations.—Sydney papers notice that Dr. Hector has made a valuable donation of pub? lications referring to the geology and]natural history of New Zealand to the Linnman Society of New South iWales. —Home papers report that a new lifeboat, called Peep o' Day, which- has been presented to the National' Lifeboat Institution by a Scotch gentleman residing at Wanganui, New Zealand, was recently-launched at Port Erroll, j Cruden, Aberdeenshire. The Babbit Nuisance. —The tat clause of the amended Babbit Nuisance Act should be known to the public. It is as follows:— "If any person shall knowingly and wilfully liberate in any part of the colony any live rabbit or rabbits, every person so offending shall,* upon conviction before any two Justices and at their discretion, be liable to be committed to gaol with or without hard labor for any term not exceeding six months, or to forfeit and pay a penalty not exceeding £50. All proceedings under this provision shall be heard and determined , in a summary way." Postal Novelties.—Two reforms are being introduced by the English Poet Office — certificates, charged one halfpenny, are to be given in the case of postage on ordinary letters and newspapers or book packet*, without their being registered.- The forms will be sold at all Post Offices. Notes payable on demand are to he issued in addition, to the money system. A new style of postal card is now used in Germany. It consists of two cards of the ordinary flize attached together, each having a postal stamp. These double cards are furnished by the Post Office, and sent for the purpose of facilitating the return of answers. * ; The Telephone.—An interesting and sue- j cessful experiment was made last week with the telephone at the' premises of Messrs M'Lean Bros, and Bigg, in Elizabeth street, Melbourne. The firm have a private and exclusive wire-f-o their branch store in Bourke street west, and the Bounds transmitted over the whole distance of over half a mile were plainly heard and understood by those who held the instrument at either end. Cornet playing and singing were as clearly distinct as if the performance had been in an adjoining room, and there was no great difficulty in carrying on a short conversation. The German Postmaster-General has given, directions for a number of telephonic station* to be established in '-he empire. Telegraph officials have already arrived at Berlin from the places selected to receive instruction in the new service, which is very simple. Gold in Nbw Gtjinba.—Mγ Thomas S. Parker, writing to the "Otogo Tunes," suggests that there was a mistake in the telegram announcing that Mr Minton had been three weeks in New Guinea. Mr Minton, he says, had been three years there, and he adds :—Mr Minton has been known to mc for over ten years, having stayed with mc on the Bogan River in 1868. I have a letter, written by him to mc in June, 1877, wherein he stated—"New Guinea is the finest country that I have ever visited, and, although wrecked here, and almost killed by the natives (who are hostile and cannibals), when I recovered I was made welcome by the chiefs. There - are magnifioent rivers and bays, and I have secured land. Would you make one of three to take over stock —say, sheep, horses, cattle, and a few pigs and poultry. This country is not only good for grazing, but abounds in minerals, for I have found gold and copper, besides other ores." EXTBAOSDINABX FaTU, ACCTDBKT. —At *n Oddfellows' picnic, Sandhurst, on New Year's Day, a fatal accident occurred to a married woman named Mary Ann Gregory, the wife of a miner residing at Clones. Mrs Gregory was on a visit to her sister, a Mrs Ham, of Quarry hill, Sandhurst, and it appears that at the picnic the deceased joined in that popular game, "kiss-in-the-ring." A very large ring had been formed, and the deceased was run ning away from a young man, when she was struck on the breast by a short thick piece of wood on which two youag men were swinging. It was a large swing, and was in full motion at the time. She was slightly out of breath from running at the time, and the force of the blow suspended respiration, and also pve her other internal injuries. Chi receiving the blow she staggered back, and in falling was caught by the young man who was punning her. Senior-constable Gleeson and several ladies rendered every assistance in their [ power, but their efforts were unavailing, and the poor woman expired in half on hour. She wee only about twenty years of age, and had been married three yean.