NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXX, Issue 4100, 17 September 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Division of the City into "Wabds. — At a meeting held last night at the Oddfellows' Hall, a resolution was passed nominating a committee for the purpose of obtaining signatures to a petition to the Governor, for the division of the city into four wards.

Okxtkjj B&td&b. —The Ashley Eoad Board having declined to eanetion a large expenditure for this bridge, a requisition has been forwarded to the chairman of the Board to call a publio meeting. This has been convened for Tuesday next.

Cooking Lbsbons at Lyttblton.—Miss Fidler gave tha first of a series of cooking lessons at the ohuroh schoolroom, Lyttelton, yesterday afternoon. Great interest in the matter appears to be felt in Port, more than seventy ladies attending this preliminary lecture.

Colonists' Society.—The people of Lyttelton will be glad to hear that Mr and the Miß3 Spensleys, Messrs Knox and Crawford, and other ladies and gentlemen have promised to give a grand concert in aid of the above society, at the Colonists' Hall, on Thursday evening next. Laecbny.—A man named Richard 8 was arrested yesterday at Ashburton, charged with stealing a ring from the Ashburton Hotel aa far back as February. The ring was subsequently recovered by Constable Haddrill at the Case. Richards will be brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning to answer the charge. Kaiapoi and Mandevillk Licensing Cofbt. —The commissioners for this court eat at Kaiapoi on Monday. Present—C. Whitefoord, Esq., 8.M., chairman, C. Dudley and E. L. Higgins, Esqs. The chief officer of police reported favorably on the management of all the hotels in the district. A transfer of the license of B. Wallace, Mandeville Hotel, to John McNamara was granted. The chairman pointed out that at the Ohoka Hotel proper stable and other accommodation must be providedjbefore the next quarterly meeting, in terms of the report. 1.0.0.F., M.U.—The Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge of this Order was duly opened at Little Akaloa on Tuesday, the 10th instant, by Prov. G.M. Exely and Prov. C.S. Clark, assisted by members of the order from neighbouring lodges. After the usual preliminaries, fourteen new members were initiated into the order, and the following duly installed in their respective offices :—Grand Master, Bro. H. Bennett; Noble Grand, Bro. Samuel Paget, of the Loyal City of Christchurch Lodge ; Vice Grand, Bro. W. Ashton; B.S. to N.G., Bro. R. Rix ; L.B. to N.G., Bro. T. Mclntosh; E.S. to V.Q-, Bro. A. Mclntosh ; L.S. to V.G., Bro. T. Cohen ; Elective Secretary, Bro. E. Willie; Warden, Bro. E. Turner; Tyler, Bro. C. Marshall. The proceedings terminated at 5 late hour.

Pbbsentation. —A. presentation was made yesterday to Mr William Taylor, the late head master of the Heathcote School. At the conclusion of the da) 'a Hntiej, Mr A. Webber, on behalf of the senior scholars, made the presentation, which consisted of a very handsome dressing cage, bearing the following inscription :—" Presented to Mr William Taylor, by some of bis scholars, on leaving the Lower Heathcote School, 1878." Mr Taylor made a suitable reply, after which Mr Wilkee, the present head-master, made a few remarks on the state of the school, and finished by calling for three cheers for Mr Taylor, whioh were heartily responded to, and the scholars then dispersed.

Kaiapoi Borough ABSEBssibkt.—A court for the hearing of appeals against the valuation roll of the Kaiapoi district was held before C. Whitefoord, E5q.,.8.M., on llonday. The objections made were—H. Anderson, house and shop, £32; 8. G. Gee, cottage, £16; Birch and Co., stores, £200; W. H. Wake, dwelling house, £60; no appearance. Mra Keetley, house, £30; confirmed. 1.0.0.F., M.U., Kaiapoi Lodge, £100. Mr B M. Wright stated the total rents from the hall laat year were under £50. Mr O. E. Dudley, valuer, stated he took the value of the building at £1100, and the land at £40. Mr i Wright explained that when the cost of lighting and clearing the hall was deducted, the society would only actually nett £28 from last year's rent. Reduced to £60 on the statement made in reference to the receipts Waimakakibi Habbob Boaed.—A special meeting of the members of this Board was held at Mr Wearing's office, Kaiapoi, on Saturday evening. Present—Messrs Coup (chairman). Wearing, Mathews, Parnham, Beharrell and Pashby. The sections of the Harbours Bill, which would probably affect the Board, were read and considered. After same discussion a resolution was agreed to, on the motion of Mr Parnham, seconded by Mr Beharrell, to the effect that ae the improvement of the navigation of the Waimakariri was of importance to a large number of persons owning an extensive portion of the Mandeville district, it was the opinion of the Board that this district ought to be allowed to return two elective members of the Board, and that the chairman communicate -with the Government with a view to having an alteration to carry this into effect included in the second schedule of the Bill. The Board adjourned.

Lyitelton School— Mr Dawe, the new head master, took formal charge of the Lytteltm Borough School yeatsrday morning. JN'ATITB Statement —The Native Minister did not deliver hie statement last night, as expected. He will, however, do so this evening. Thbatbb Royal.—"Fraud and its victims" was repeated last night tea moderate house. This evening "East Lynne " will be produced. Abbon. —The man Smitn. charged with wilfully setting fire to two cottages, the property of Dγ Svmes, wae yesterday committed for trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Cour<. LxTTBLTON Haebob Bill.—An amendment of the Ly ttelton Harbor Board Act, 1876, hae been introduced by Mr Richardeon. The object of the Bill is to empower the Board to borrow a further sum of £100,000. Municipal Elections.—The elections for the five vacancies in the City Council, caused by the resignation of Cre. Radcliffe, Pratt, Ruddenklau, Jameson, and Bickerton, will be held on Monday, October 7th. Nominations will he received at the City Council office up to noon of September 24th. Collision. —Last night, about a quarter past geven o'clock, at a cabman named John Brown was proceeding with his hansom cab down Manchester street in. the direction of the railway station, he was run into by a man driving a spring cart. The collision was a severe one, the cab horse being so seriously injured that it died three-quarters of an hour afterwards.

Fatal Accident. —At Invercargill on ij'riday, a child named Sydney Palmer, aged fourteen months, was drowned in a well, which was near to its father's houee. It appears that one of the palings wae out of the fence enclosing the garden in which the well was situated, and it is surmised that the child had gone through the gap, and fallen down an opening in the top of the well. CASTBEBtTBT BrFLB ASSOCIATION. — A grand concert in aid of the Canterbury Rifle Association will be given in the Oddfellows' Hall, on Thursday, September 26th. Some of the most prominent amateur and professional musicians in Christchurch will take part in the entertainment, which will be under the patronage of Sir Cracroft and Lady Wilson," his Worship the Mayor, Major Lean, and the officers of the Volunteers An excellent programme has been drawn up. Colonial Maotfacttteb. — Mr T. J. Wattere, store manufacturer, has just completed several very excellent cooking ranges, which will very likely be put in competition for the prize offered by the Agricultural and Pastoral Association at the November Show. They are excellently finished throughout, all the appurtenances being of the best quality, and they have the further merit of being very reasonable in price. Thb Electoral Bill.—ln committee on this Bill yesterday an amendment necessitating the advertising of electoral notices was carried, on the motion of Mr Wakefield, although opposed by the Attorney-General. Clause 6 was struck out, for what reason is not apparent. That clause provided that when any day appointed under the Act for any purpose fell on a Sunday, Good Friday, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, or public holiday, then such provision and appointment i should take effect for the day following.

Billiabd TottbhamENT. — The opening matches of a billiard tournament at Radcliffe'e Hotel, in which most of the local amateur billiard players are engaged, were played last evening, and attracted a large audience. The prizee are—First £10, and eecond and third £5 each respectively. The tournament is a handicap one, and the closenees of the games played last evening showed that the handicapper had been successful in bringing the players together. The games were watched with great interest, and some very good play was shown throughout the evening. The tournament will be continued this evening. A Oabtbb KnaiED.- —A man named Thomas Quinn was killed at Cameron's Station, Ashburton, yesterday morning. It appears that deceased was carting grass seed, and it is supposed the horses shied at gome bags he had put off the dray, and bolted, knocking the deceased down, and that the wheel of the dray passed over his head. As one of the men saw the horses running away, he went baok and found Quinn on the ground quite dead. The accident happened shortly after ten in the morning. Deceased only came from Christchurch last week, and appeared about 24 or 25 years of age.

Ambbbley Eaoes.—At a meeting of the committee held on the 14th instant, it wai resolved to hold the race meeting on the 16th of December. The hon. secretary submitted copy of rules received from Mr Digby, secretary to the C. J.C. The chairman (Mr Benn) said the funds, together with the added money, would amount to nearly £200; he also stated that none of the gentlemen proposed as stewards had declined to act, and their next businees wa» to arrange the programme, which was then carefully considered and agreed to, and will no doubt be advertised in due course.

City Council. —The firstj meeting of the City Council since the recent elections took place last night, and was of a more than usually protracted charaofcer, notwithstanding the fact that only five members were present, viz.:—His Worship the Mayor and Crs. Ick, Gapea, Ayers, and Wilson. The three lastnamed made the usual declaration, and took their seats. The Mayor having read the letters of the five councillors who had sent in their resignations, Or. Wilson asked if Or. Badcliffe had not withdrawn hie resignation. What then took place will be found reported elsewhere ; but Cr. Wilson expressed great surprise that the resignations of any of the councillors had been attributed to his election. A considerable amount of businees was afterwards transacted, a report of which is published. The Hydbabad. — Arrangements have been made at last (says the " Post") with the insurance agents as to the recovery of the cargo from the ship Hydrabid, which -etill lies stranded on the west coast of this Island, and a party of men left yesterday to begin operations. It is believed that there will be little difficulty in saving all the cargo in good condition, and that when lightened, the ship herself will be got off comparatively uninjured. New Zealand's Natal Officbes.—The officers of the Government steamers Hinemoa and Stella have been decked in a new uniform at the expense of the people of New Zealand. They donned their new garments for the first time on Friday, and a Wellington paper pronounces them " neat and effective." The officers of her Majesty's army and navy are expected to provide their own uniforms, and no reason is apparent why New Zealand's naval officers should not be allowed the same privilege. It is true that livery servants generally obtain their brilliant clothing from their employers. But Captain Fairchild and his mates would be little flattered by any argument based on that circumstance.

School Entkbtainmbnts.—An entertainment was given on Thursday evening, in the schoolroom at Saltwater Greek. The room had been tastefully decorated by the children attending the school, and was densely orowded. A lengthy programme was gone through, consisting of instrumental pieces by Mrs Gould and Miss Adams, eongs by Meadames Gould, Vaughan, and Barclay, Miaees Adams and Mclntoeh, and Messrs Cunningham, Barclay, Franks, and Cork; recitations by Messrs Kobertson, Watson, and W. Thompson, jun. ; and readings by Messrs Thompson (Ashley), and Brock. After votes of thanks to the performers and the chairman (Eev. — Gould), the entertainment was brought to a close by singing the National Anthem. The room was then cleared, and dancing kept up for some time. The proceeds are to be devoted towards defraying the expenses of the annual treat' and buying prizes, and the success of the entertainment must have been very gratifying to the school committee, who have been at great trouble in the matter. An entertainment, consisting of vocal and instrumental music, with recitations, was given in the Eyreton school, on Friday evening, September 13th, before a large audience, and was a great success. The chair was taken by j Mr Moffat. The programme consisted of recitations, interspersed with glees, songs, and choruses by the school children j Mrs Knowles presiding at the piano. The intelligent manner ia which the recitations were given, and the singing of the scholars, refleot great credit on Mr and Mrs Knowles for the pains they must have taken in training them, and rendering the programme so attractive. An instrumental duet by Mrs Knowles and Miss E. Boss received a well merited encore, as did also the song, "Let me kiss him for his mother," by two of the scholars. Some musical items were also given by Mifs M. Moffat, which were well rendered. At the conclusion of the programme hearty cheers were given for the chairman, the master and mistress, and the school children ; after which the National Anthem brought a pleasant evening to * clon.

The Unemployed ix Hokittka.—The "West Coast Times" of September 11th gays :—A number of the unemployed paid a visit to the County Council office yesferd-jy, asking th.t a me turial should be drawn up for them to forward to the tirovernment, praying that they may obtain free passages away to other parts of the colony where they could get work. The memorial, we believp, was duly prepared, and we nny shortly expect to lope a large draft of our most industrious and valuable population. Wautbd — BouottGH Councillors. — Every person who feels the slightest interest iu the welfare of the township (says the "Times") would witness with regret the eotnewhat humiliating and decidedly unenviable position which Palmerston occupied on Thursday last—the day fixed for the nomination of borough councillors. Notices were given in the usual way as to the number of councillors required, nimely three for each ward, making nine in all; but when the time for announcing the names of candidates arrived, instead of there being nine or more nomination?, the names of only three gentlemen had been handed to the Eeturning Officer i

Lecture. —The Rev. Mr Miratns will deliver his popular lecture on "Common Proverbs," ia the German Church, this evening. This lecture was highly appreciated in the Manchester street schoolroom a few weeks since.

Eailwat Benefit Societt —The jnarterly general meeting of the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Railway Benefit Society will be held on Thursday at tho B shed. Public Meeting.— A public meeting will held in the Loburn schoolroom on Wednesday, the 25tb inst., re the' erection of abridge over the Okuku River.

U.C.C.C —The annual general meeting of the United Canterbury Cricket' lub will be held at Badcliffe'e Hotel on Wednesday evening at eight o'clock. Leoal.—His Honor Mr Justice Johnston will sit in Chambers at 11 a m. this day.

Coknish Cathedral.—The meeting of Corni'hmen, to consider the best means of forwarding subscriptions to England in aid of the building of the new Cornish Cathedral, will be held this evening at St. Michael's schoolroom.