NEWS OF TEE DAY.

Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 3896, 17 January 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF TEE DAY.

Political. —Mr Montgomery, M.H.R, was to address his constituents at Akaroa last ] evening. A full report of hit speech will appear in to-morrow's issue of the Paras. University of New Zbalind.—Persons desirous of obtaining ad eundem degrees in this University must send in an application, with the necessary evidence, addressed to the Registrar, Christchurch, on or before Friday, February 15th. Permasbxt Building Society. — A special general meeting of No. 3 Building and Land Society (Permanent) will be held at tie Oddfellows' Hall, Lichfield street, on Tuesday, February 19th, at 7 p.m., in compliance with the requisition of last annual meeting. Water Supply. —Elsewhere the City Council offer premiums of £100 and £50 for the best and second best scheme for supplying the City and suburbs with water. All particulars can be obtained at the Town Clerk's office, where the documents must be lodged on or before Tuesday, sth February. Thb Tblbgbaph.—The violent gale of Wednesday morning did such damage to the West Coast and North Island lines of telegraph that no messages were received from several stations during the day. Communication was, however, established with some in tbe evening, and at a late hour the messages which we publish elsewhere were transmitted. Alleged Fobgkby.—A young man named Robert Macfarlane, junior, was arrested yesterday at Akaroa on the charge of forging his father's name to cheques whioh were uttered in Christchurch and the surrounding district. He will be brought to town to-day. The cheques were on the Union Bank, Christchnrch. Swimming Champiokbhip.—Mr Alfred Jardine, lessee of the corporation baths, is having a massive silver-mounted champion belt manufactured, to be given to the champion amateur swimmer of Canterbury. The distance will be 500 yards (ten lengths of the baths), and the belt will have to be won twice against all recognised amateurs. A solid silver medal will be given as second prize, and a silver-plated medal for third prize. The first contest will take place three weeks hence. ReCBBATIOH GBOUND POB HbATHCOTE AHD Lyttelton.—The trustees of this recreation ground held a meeting at the Heathcote Valley Hotel on Tuesday afternoon. Present —The Hon. George Buckley (in the chair), Messrs H. Allwright (Mayor, of "Lyttelton), and R. Martindale. After discussion, it was resolved to apply to the Lyttelton Borough Council and Heathcote Road Board for grants for fencing the ground. Some further business having been transacted, the meeting adjourned, pending answers being received to applications regarding grants for fencing. Supreme Covet.—Yesterday his Honor Mr Justice Johnston heard the evidence in the case of Heney v. Heney, in which the petitioner sued for dissolution of marriage ou the ground of the adultery of his wife. The evidence of adultery was clear, but the Court expressed a doubt as to whether or not the petitioner had condoned the offence. No rule was granted, as the law requires his, Honor, when he takes evidence without a jury, as he did in tins case, to report to the full Court, where judgment will be given. This morning the case Regina v. Horler will be heard. It will probably occupy the whole of to-day and. to-morrow. The Australian Eleven: —According to the arrangements made the Australian Eleven were to leave Dunedin for Oamaru yesterday, and to-day a match between the Eleven and a North Otago team will be commenced. The Eleven are expected to play on the Christohurch ground on Saturday. Naturally there will be no oharge made at the entrance to the ground. The matter will be left to tho generous instincts of those present, and it. is expected that the exercise of these will not be disappointing. His Worship the Mayor invites the citizens to close their places of business at noon on Monday and Tuesday next. T •—xf—Taw Siiuiiu....— »_ TKVn—— — "wnnirlj. out the colonies contributions are being made to a fund in aid of the Turkish sufferers by the present war, and in promoting the fund for this object the Anglo-Jewish Association has been prominent. Lately, at a general meeting of the Canterbury branch of that association, a committee was formed for the purpose of collecting subscriptions to the fund, and it is gratifying to know that subscriptions are being freely made by all sections of the community, irrespective of nationality or creed. As the amount collected will be sent home by the next San Francisco mail, intending subscribers would do well to communicate early with the committee, the Rev. I. Zachariah, and Mr L. Caro, president of the Hebrew congregation. Chubch at Watbbton.—A meeting was held in the Waterton Library on Tuesday evening for the purpose of electing a building committee and accepting tenders for the erection of a church. The chair was occupied by the Rev. W. E. Paige. It was proposed that the building committee consist of six persons, three to form a quorum, viz.—Messrs J. Clarke, J. Moore, A. Dawson, J. Grigg, H. Hudson, and H. Collins. Mr J. Grigg was also appointed treasurer. Four alternative were received, and after some discussion, that of Mr Fowrie Was accepted, subject to a little satisfactory explanation being given to the jchairman. The church is to be completed and opened by the Ist May, Feast of St. Phillip and St. James, which is to be the name of the church. Plans and specfications Were prepared by Mr Mountfort. Gaiety Titbatbb.—The Lydia Howards Troupe open to-night at the Gaiety, when they wQI produce "Nicotine, or a Puff of Smoke," and "Fair Rosamond," two charming musical burlettas. In addition there will be a miscellaneous concert, in which some musical gems will be given. Since this troupe last visited Christchurch they have secured a baritone of sore than ordinary excellence. This is Mr Charles Sidney, who has received from the press, in all the towns at which he has been heard, a unanimous tribute of admiration. How far this is deserved by him. the music loving portion of the public of Christchurch will no doubt take this opportunity of judging for themselves. The merits of the other members of the troupe are too well known and appreciated here to need any recommendation. : Theatre Royal.—The piece which was performed last night at the Theatre Royal was the well conceived and admirably constructed emotional drama " Frou Fron." In this the title role was filled by Miss Ada Ward, who gave a portrait of the frivolous, petulant, and intensely selfish child of circum- | stances which showed a hearty determination Ito realise her idea of the character to the utmost. Miss Ada Ward accordingly did not exhibit that vivacity and abandon which would have heightened the sympathy of the spectators at the expense of the consistency of her performance. She was " Frou Frou " to the last, in accordance with the words put into her mouth by the author. The other characters were judiciously distributed, and played by the company in their accustomed completeness, Mr Hoskins as Henri di Sartorys was himself, Mrs Walter Hill as Louise, and Miss Bessie Vivian as the Baronne de Cambri, played naturally and with quiet ease. Miss Ward was twice called before the curtail—the first time with Mrs Hill and the second time with Mr Hoskins. On Friday night Miss Ward takes her benefit. The piece to be produced on the occasion is "Pygmalion and Galatea." Wesleyan Methodist Mission.—The Rev. Dr. Gervase Smith, who is on a travelling mission in connection with the Wesleyan Methodist denomination, has landed in Australia and been received in a most cordial manner. After a tour through the principal district* of Australia, Dr. Smith will visit New Zealand, and may be expected in Auckland about the 17th February next. Referring to Dr. Smith's visit to this part of the world, the Rev. James Buller, the London correspondent of the " New Zealand Wesleyan," sayß: —The Rev. Gervase Smith, D.D., and Mrs Smith, embarked in the s.s. Hankow for Melbourne on Saturday, the 22nd August. The Rev. W. Butters and mjself accompanied them to Gravesend, together with a number of personal friends, including Dr. and MrsPunshon and others. Dr. Smith's health has not been strong for some time, but it is hoped that the voyage will set him up; he may be expected in New Zealand during the month of February. Both Mrs Smith and himself will, I am sure, be cordially welcomed by our brethren and people ; and those of our friends who, in the several colonies, will have the pleasure of occording hosDi't-lity to them, wul thereby add to thti- pleasant memories."

City Licenses. —All licenses for the present year are now ready for issue at the TowClerk's office. . Clbbical.—The Yen. Archdeacon Harper has gone to Westland to revisit the localities in which he labored for a number of years, and to open anew church in the township of Knmara. ' District Gbahd Lodge.—The annual meeting of the District Grand Lodge of Canterbury .will be held at the St. Augustine Hall to-day, at 5 p.m. Brethren to assemble at 4.45 p.m. DiocßSAir Association.—A meeting of the Diocesan Sunday School Association will be held at eight o'clock this evening, at the Cathedral Library. The Rev. W. A. Pascoe will read a paper "On Discipline." Lecture to Teachers.—The Count de Zaba will deliver a free lecture to teachers at the Normal School on Saturday, 26th instant, at 11 a.m., explanatory of his method of instruction in Universal History. New Mail Service. —It will be seen by our Sydney telegrams that arrangements have been made for a new monthly mail service to Australia by the class of fast steamers of which the Lusitania was the pioneer. Erratum:.—ln our report of the meeting of the New Zealand Shipping Company, published yesterday, the amount of debentures sold should have been Btated at £50,000, instead of £5000, as was printed. Thb Retibkd Judges.—lt was recently reported that the question of the precedence of the ex-Judges had been at last settled, and that her Majesty had been pleased to confer on them the title of Honorable, with precedence after the Judges of the Supreme Court. If this is the case, why has the appointment not been gazetted ? Is it true that Sir George Grey thinks her Majesty's interference a breach of privilege ? Ashburton —Lecture.—On Tuesday evening Professor Bickerton delivered a very interesting lecture at the Library Hall, Ashburton, on " Agricultural chemistry." Dr. Stewart occupied the chair. The hall was well filled, the subject being one of deep interest to the residents in this district, who listened with great attention to the lecture, at the conclusion of which a hearty vote of thanks to Professor Bickerton was passed. It is understood that Professor Bickerton will lecture on the same subject at Waimate this (Thursday) evening. Police Changes.—Dunedin papers report that Mr Inspector Mallard, who for the last six years has had charge of the Dunedin district, has asked and has had his request granted to be transferred elsewhere. Mr Mallard will probably be succeeded by Mr Inspector Thompson, of Lawrence. Sergeant M'Donnell, who has been stationed in Governor's Ray is to be removed to Oxford, and will be relieved by Constable Dance. Sergeant Haldane goes from Oxford to Timaru, and Constable Weatherly leaves the same district for Hurunui, Constable Firman from Christchurch taking his place. Thb Harvest in Auckland. —The magnificent harvest weather experienced in Auckland is expected to enable farmers to secure the largest area of wheat ever grown in the Erovince. From all'sides the "Herald" ears reports of good crops—twenty, thirty, and forty bushels per acre have been reported to us. From present appearances the average yield will be twenty-live to thirty bushels, probably the latter. Millers, it is said, are prepared to give 6s per bushel for good and well cleaned samples. Artesian Wells.—Wells are being successfully bored at Blenheim. The "Express" states that at last Dr. Home's perseverance has been rewarded by success. At a depth of 180 ft. the borers came upon water, and the result is a flow of 6ft. above the surface, while the supply is quite equal to that at Mr T. Harding s farm on the other side of the river. The most curious feature is the fact that although Mr Harding, who lives so close, had not to sink more than about 80ft., Dr Home had to go twice the depth. A Slbbpy City Councillor. — The Dunedin " Herald" reports that during nearly the whole of the discussion which took place at a special meeting of the City Council, one nt toe city lament was mt asieep in an easy chair in one corner of the room. The discussion eventually became a little personal, .and the high tone in which it was being conducted aroused our friend, who at once declared " That it was not fair," though there cannot be the least doubt he had not the slightest idea of what he was referring to. When the division was taken a few minutes afterwards he recorded his vote just as if he knew all . about it. Specimen Stealing.—Another robbery of quartz specimens has been perpetrated at the Thames, the Cure Gold-mining Company being tliis time the victims. Iv the evening the manager, Mr Crawford, left the mine office, where he resides, and on returning some hours later, found the door of his office open, and a wooden strong-box, in which there had been a quantity of specimens and picked stone, estimated to be worth about £30, was wrenched open, the specimens having disappeared. The key was hidden in a place known to a good many, and the box, which is composed of inch kauri, was but lightly fastened, and had evidently been prised open with a pick. Racing Swbbps.—ln Auckland, Westport, and Hokitika, there have been at different times mistakes in the drawing of sweeps on races, and consequent dissatisfaction. Another similar incident has happened in Hokitika in connection with Evans and Hansen's sweep, and a series of letters have appeared in the local papers demanding that the sweep should be drawn a third time. One "Shareholder" writes to the "Times" describing the following as the circumstances under which the drawing took place :—" No place of drawing was advertised. The drawing was conducted by the light of a few tallow candles, and there were very few of the public aware that it was taking place. The plac* of drawing was in a dingy lumber room, and no one could see what was going on. No-committee was elected by the shareholders, whose money it was that was being disposed of, and who therefore had a right to direct the arrangements. The persons who signed the list of drawing described themselves as 'volunteer committeemen.' " Attacked by a Cow.—Mr Charles 0. Graham, the new Town Clerk of Wellington, lately met with an accident which narrowly escaped proving a fatal one. He was walking with Mrs Graham in his paddock at Karori, where some cattle were grazing, and one of them, a heifer, just about full grown, which had been made a great pet by the children, suddenly charged them in a most vicious manner. Mr Graham stood on the defensive, and managed to keep off the animal with his stick and engage her attention while Mrs Graham escaped through the fence, but in a few seconds he was knocked down by the heifer, which then proceeded to trample on him and to make vigorous efforts to drive her horns into him, inflicting severe bruises on all | parts of his body and limbs. Mrs Graham, seeing her husband's imminent peril, and no ' other help being near, most courageously seized a stick and ran to his rescue, hitting the heifer over the head. This diverted the attention of the furious animal, and enabled Mr Graham to rise, when they managed to keep the heifer at bay until they had succeeded in reaching and getting through the fence. They were only just in time, for another heifer came up and showed an evident inclination to take part in the fray. Mr Graham is very badly bruised and shaken, but no bones are broken, and it is probable that he will be all right again in a few days. Stobii SrGSAis.—Favourable reference is made by the Melbourne- " Argus" to the efforts of Captain Edwin to establish in New Zealand a system of weather telegraphy, and his desire to have an organised system extending to the other colonies and including the steam services now running between Melbourne, Sydney, and New Zealand, ports. And in this connection the "Argus" remarks:— The complete fulfilment of a prediction— made several days before the event—that on October 27th the coasts of the United Kingdom would be visited by severe and destructive gales, has revived pnblic interest in England in the subject of storm warnings. The science of meteorology has made such strides of late years, especially in America, that considerable attention ia now paid to the vaticinations of those who make this important branch of observation a specialty. The results which have been already attained, although not comprehensive enough to enable general laws to be deduced, are yet sufficient to indicate the great practical value of the systematic study of weather telegraphy. In illustration of the increased value attached to storm signalling, we may mention that the investigation of a Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the result of weather warnings in England has induced them to recommend an additional expenditure of about £5000 per annum in this direction.

Land Sale.—lt is reported from Oamaru that Mr E. Menlove has become the purchaser at £25,000 of Mr Howden's property at Teaneraki of 2133 acres. Resident Ministers.—At an interview with a deputation, Mr Macandrew said that he considered it necessary that there should be a permanent Minister in Dunedin. He and Mr Larnach are to remain there till the end of the month. Bbanch Roads.—lt hw been resolved by the Westland County Council to construct a track from Kumars to the Christchurch road, distance about six miles. It was also resolved to take steps to clear a track from Stafford road to Christchurch road. These two works may cost some £1800. Extraordinary Fihb.—A load of thirtyeight bales of wool from Ardgower station, with a waggon, owned by Mr Wood, were j completely burned in transit to Dunedin, between Cromwell and Clyde. Every effort to save the property was unavailing. The cause of the fire was spontaneous combustion. Mb Babton, Babbisteb. —The irrepressible Mr Barton, the Wellington barrister, has lately renewed his disputations with the Bench, dividing his attentions between the Chief Justice and Mr Justice Richmond, apparently with the effect of eliciting strong remarks from the latter. Descriptions of some of the "scenes" appear in another column. Mb Tbavebs, M.H.R.—It is stated that Mr Travers, one of the members for Wellington city, intends to leave for England in a fortnight, and that he does not contemplate resigning his seat. The "Post," in the name of the constituency, protests against their being disfranchised by the absence of Mr Travers, and calls npon him to follow the example of Mr Pearce, who resigned his seat previous to going home. A Colonial Tom Thumb.—A most extraordinary freak of nature is now being exhibited in this city (says the Melbourne "Herald"), in the shape of a dwarf only thirty inches high. This phenomenon is shown under the name of the Australian Wonder. He is a native of Geelong, is twenty-five years of age, and weighs but forty-five pounds. Unfortunately, the poor little fellow has lost the use of one of his tiny legs, but from his conversation he appears to possess an active brain. Sobbibty on Goldfiblds.—At the adjournment of the Resident Magistrate's Court, Reefton, on the 9th inst., his Worship took occasion to remark upon the fact that the police sheet did not contain a single charge of drunkenness or other offence. There had been no sitting of the Court for over a fortnight, and during that time a race meeting had been held, the town had been inundated with visitors, and for ten dap been given up entirely to festivity, and no offence had been committed calling for the intervention of the law. The fact spoke well for the peaceable disposition of the inhabitants, and reflected well upon the intelligent direction and conduct of the police. Oamabtj Habbo - b Wobks.—Very satisfactory progress has been made with these works during the past few months by the contractors, Messrs Miller and Co. Of a 200 ft. extension of the breakwater contracted for, there has been completed since June last 150 ft., leaving only three sections to be laid to finish the whole. Nineteen out of twenty-one foundation blocks, each of 200 tons, for the No. 2, or Steam Wharf, have been laid, and the caissons for the remaining two are about ready, while three (of 12) foundation blocks for No. 3 Wharf—each also of about 200 tons—have been placed in position. It is expected, says the "Times," that the whole of the foundation of the steam wharf wiU be laid with in the present month, .and the work of erecting the superstructure will then be proceeded with rapidly. The Rule o* the Road.—A stranger on a visit to Wellington writes to the " Times " that he observed several ladies being compelled to move off .the footpath into the gutter, from the action of certain members of the male sex, who evidently never heard the saying " always give a lady the wall side." He also says that he noticed that the Wellington ladies had become used to this treatment, as wnen lie met them ou tia> footpath they seemed quite astonished at his moving to the other side of it. The " Times " remarks— "We have seen the same thing, and it is nearly time that some rules of the road were observed on our crowded footpaths." The rule is as simple as it is well-known, and its observance involves no rudeness to the fair. It is that wayfarers, in whatever direction they may be proceeding, should keep to their own right-hand side of the footpath. Quartz Reef Discovery.—A reef discovery which gives very high promise has been made in the Boatman's district, Inangahua. A miner .named Henry Edwards, engaged in procuring timber for one of the Boatman's mines,-recently came across indications of the existence of a quartz reef in a locality not previously supposed as likely to contain stone. These indications he subsequently followed up with the result that several rich specimens of surface stone were found, and further exploration has shown the existence of a well defined lode varying from 3in. to 18in. in thiokness. A mining lease was subsequently applied for, and since then two men have been employed stripping the reef, which is now laid bare for a length of 200 ft. The "Times" has been shown some specimens taken from the reef, and they certainly stamp the discovery as one of great importance, as the gold is of a very coarse description and well distributed through the stone, which itself is of the regular gold carrying character. Steps wQI shortly be taken to register the undertaking under the name of the Pactolus Gold Mining Company. Thb Dbad-Letteb Office.—The report of the Postmaster-General of Great Britain for 1876 77 states .that upwards of 33,100 letters were posted without addresses, and 832 of these letters were found to contain altogether nearly £390 in cash and bank-notes, and nearly £5000 in cheques. In different Post Offices 78,575 postage stamps were found loose through being insecurely affixed by the senders. The number of newspapers for places abroad detained for insufficient postage or other cause was 203,355. Four sovereigns were found in one newspaper in the Returned Letter Office; a gold locket was in another; and a large seal on the back of a letter becoming chipped, £110s was found embedded in the wax. A live snake which had escaped from a postal packet was discovered in the Holyhead and Kingstown Marine Post Office, and at the expiration of a fortnight, being still unclaimed, it was sent to the Dublin Zoological Gardens. A packet containing a live horned frog reached Liverpool from the United States, and was given up to the addressee, who called for it. Another packet, also from America, reached the Dublin Post Office, containing two live lizards, and waa similarly given up to the addressee on personal application.