NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4196, 8 January 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Ashibt Distbict. —Threshing of oats is now in full ewing in this district, and the yield, it is stated, fully bears out the estimate previously made. , ExTBHaiOH op Kaiapol—lt ii understood that the large paddock belonging to Mr Bee* wick on the Worth road, will shortly be cut up and sold in buildicg allotments, which, owing to their convenient position to the woollen factory, will soon be taken up by the employes of that establishment.

Thb Obfhahagk.—Dγ Macdonald, of Lyttelton, writes as follows, under date January 7th':—"ln this morning's issue! you state that the Orphanage 'i» deprived of medical aid.' Allow mc to cay that, before leaving by steamer last Saturday, Dr. Donald asked mc to act for_bim at the institution if required."

Asphalting.—A commencement has been made with the asphalting of the south side of the North Town Belt—a work greatly needed. A good many of the footpaths which have been somewhat roughly finished in various parts of the city are now receiving a finer coat of aephalte than was originally put on. . Thb CompKßEircß ot tocAi Bombs.—-At the meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council last evening, the Major and Councillor Charters were appointed representatives to attesd the conference on Friday next, respecting the management ; of hospitals and charitable aid. : Thb Bbapbb akiT Bindeb Cohtmt.— The great reaper and binder contest has been fixed to take place under the auspices of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Aesociation on Thursday, the 16th instant, Jin a field of wheat 5 belonging to MrWm. Boag, at Avonhead, in the Eiccarton district. All machines entered for competition must be on the ground and' ready for work by nine o'clock on the morsing of. ,the tfial. The distance of the field in which the trial will take place is about four miles from Chriatchurch, Some additional particulars will be found in an advertisement. ... ;

.MjUtobvtllb Eoad Disibict. — The amount of work carried out by the Road Board of this district under the superintendence of Mr Taaf c, the surveyor, during the past year is, as appears by the annual statement, very noteworthy, sot less than seventyone miles of road have been made, formed, or shingled, and several important roads opened up. There have been erected a number of bridges, and among others, seven or eight which, from the stability of their construction, reflect every credit upon the surveyor., pf these the concrete bridges at the Cam xnill and Southbrook, and the skew, .bridge at J Flaxton, are partiealarly worthy of mention. ' Stbangk Ghaxqb.l—About half-past 11 o'clock on Monday night, three yonng men, named William Mclntosh, Frederick Palmer, and Henry Shepherd, all living at Yaldhurst, and working for a farmer, took a mare out oi a section there, the property of a farmer, named Bucknall. They mounted the animal, and rede leisurely off in the direction of the Waimakariii. The fanner's wife, hearing the noise, alarmed her husband, who got up and followed the men, overtaking them about half * niile from his house. Hβ took the horse from them, and yesterday he , came to Christchurch and gave information to the police. They were all arrested in the course of the afternoon, and will be brought up at the S.M. Court this morning, on a charge of horse-stealing. ■ £BBB9yTBSJAH SOXBSB, ABHBT7BSOK.—The annual soiree of the Ashburton Presbyterian Church was held in the Town Hall, on Monday evening.; Tea was on the table at halfpast five, to which nearly 400 eat down. The tables'were presided over by Mtwdames Burnett, Qrr, Caldtrell, Mnir, , Dunn, McDonald, Jones, Leask, and Williamson, also the Misses Gavin (2), sobb, Hepburn, Boes, and others. After tea, addresses were delivered by the Beys. Burnett, Ashburton, and <3roe, Leostan.; also by Mr Richardcon, a gentleman from the United State*. A choir, under the leadership of Mr J. S. Savage, gave some eelectione of easred muiie, end solos and duets were sung by Misses Permain ftod Savage, atnd Mr Horace Gates. Mas Crates preened tt the harmonium, Beadiags and recitations were also given by Mete* Bobejt«bn and Minna. She usual vote* of thaokl brought the meeting to a close. '

Thb Suez Mail.—The Arawaia, with this mail on board, reached the Bluff yesterday. The mail was transhipped to the Rotorua, which will arrive at Duuedin this mornicg in time to cntch the express train for the North.

ErstTOs ASD Ohoka Spobts.—At a final meeting of the committee fur these sports, after paying the liberal list of prizes and expenses, the treasurer, Mr Waitiag, declared a haodeome balance in hard.

Thb Gbaik Season —The Railway Department are making strenuous efforts to meet the rfquirenieuts of the coming grain iteason, and it is expected that this jrar they will be able to commence bringing grain down from the country a month earlier than u-ual. It is thought the work of transport on the railway will commence in about three weeks' time.

Zaiapoi IssTiTtrrß.—As there was no quorum of the managing committee on Monday evening, the monthly meeting lapsed. An application has been made for a portion of tne Government grant, and at next" meeting the advisability of holding ft concert to raise funds for the purchase of new books will be considered.

HThb Juet Qukstios.— In the course of the proceedings at the Supreme Court yesterday hia Honor said that some misapprehension appeared to have occurred as to the purport of his remarks regarding grand jurors being liable to serye as petty jurors. By Act of tfce Assembly it was provided that thoie who were liable to serve «w grand jurors we-e also liable to eerve aa petty jurors, Dβ. Dokald's StrccBSSOB. —At the meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council, on Monday night, the Mayor stated that he had sent the following telegram to the Hon. J. Sheehan, last Tuesday:—■" Present Resident Magistrate's term of office expires to-day. Is new one to be appointed, and when ?" To which Mr Sheeban replied next day, Ist January!—" Have requested Mr MeUish to act for a few days longer. New man will be appointed next week." Quick Tbatehikg.—The coach conveying the mail between Amberley and the Waiau, a distance of 46 miles, not reaching the Waiau on Friday evening, Mr Thomas Eraser was despatched from the Waiau Post office on horseback with the down mail at 1 p.m. on the following day, to catch the train leaving Amberley the same day at 5 p.m. This he did, arriving at Amberley at 4.55 p.m., thus doing the distance in 3h. 55min. Eakgioba Magistrate's Cottbt.—During the absence of Mr Whitefoord, Resident Magistrate for the northern district, as a commiesiocer at the Jackson's Bay enquiry, Mr Melliab, Resident Magistrate for Ctiiiitchurch, will dispose of all cases in the extended jurisdiction, between £20 and £100, at the usual weekly sittings, or as may be conveniently arranged so as not to clash with hie city duties. Kaiafoi Cbickex Clttb. —At a meeting of the committee of this club held at the president , ! office on Monday, seven members were present. It was decided to again defer the acceptance of the challenge from the I Amberley CO.. and to accept the challenge lof the Normal School 0.0. to play on the 16th inst. Sixteen members were nominated, from whom the eleven are to be selected. Mr W. Pinching was elected a member of the committee. Three newt • members were elected, and sundry accounts were passed for payment. Thb Dbaisa&b Boabd.—At the election of members for the Christchurch District •Drainage Board yesterday, the following members of the former Board were re-elected without opposition :—Messrs Hobbs, Eartnan, Hall, Roes, C. R. Blakiston, and Andrew Duncan. Mr John Evans Brown was elected in place of Mr Wright, who did not offer himeelf for re-election. The only district in which there was any opposition was the Spreydon, the candidates being Mr H. J. fanored, the former member, and Mr J. 8. M. Jacobean. The polling will take place on the 16th inst. .

Stodkk Death. —Mr W. J. Lemon, of Killinchy, died very suddenly on Monday afternooß. The deceased; who had been ailing for a coniiderable time, went out as usual with hie horses into a paddock, whew he was catting some oats. .Shortly afterwards he became violently sick and bad to be assisted to the house, where he died in a few minutes. Dr. Chapman arrived in a short time, but life was extinct* Deceased, who had been long and favorably known in the SUesmere district, where he was a large landed proprietor, will be much missed. Tea Mkbtibg.—The annual meeting in connection with the Waltham Sunday school took place last evening in the Waltham Church, About 150 of the children and their friends sat down to an excellent tea pro-

vided by friends of the school. A public meeting was subsequently held in the Colombo road church, when the chair was taken by the Bey. Mr Smalley. Addresses were delivered by the Eev. Mr Morley, MrConnell, and others. Mr Bastion, the superintendent of the school, read the annual report, which was of a very satisfactory character. During the evening the choir sang a number of selections tinder the leadership of Miaa Need ham, Mr George Daltry officiating at the harmonium. A very pleasant even : ng was brought to a close shortly before t.-n o'clock.

Lbestok School—-The monthly meeting of the committee was held on Friday night, January 3rd. Present— Meaers Sandrey (chairman), Killner, Scott, Barnett, Lewie, sad Tremaine. Correspondence was read— From the Board, advising payments for salaries and incidental expenses for last month. From Mr Ford, master, showing, that through sickness in the district the average for both schools was 152, being for main school about twenty below the previous quarter's return; likewise suggesting, that it' would-be better to continue the holidays for four weeks from date, as the harvest would be over by that time. It wae resolved to continue the holidays as suggested. The Chairman reported that £13 8s had been expended in prizes from special fund for that purpose. The secretary was requested to convey the thanks of the committee to the &6ve. J. W. Cree and William Worker for examining the scholars of the schools for prizes. It is expected that before the next meeting the play grounds will be completed, which will be a great advantage to the children attending the main schooL ■••■-■-< ■- ■ ~ >

Sebious Acoedbht at Oxfobd.— -Yeeter. day morning, four men were working &b the cutting ou the Qld Mill road, on Shanrau's contract, whiclvin the deepest par£, has a faca of about thirteen feet, being a stratum of aningle about four feet covered with clay abdut niiie r feet;: Suddenly the face of the cutting broke away about two feet back end came down with. very ■ little warning. The fall covered >up .Bobert Oeborne, » young man of about twenty years of age, the. other three escaping' Very narrowly. Oiborne has six ribs broken; hie arm .also waa so badly fractured that the bone protruded through the ekin, and his collar bone was dislocated. Some of the lamps of? clay which fell upon him measure 3ft. x 2ft., and they had to be broken before they could be taken off. Drs. Weld and Rees were early in attendance, and what could be was soon done for the, unfortunate man. The doctors advised that he should be sent to the Hospital, bat hie father refused to allow him to be cent, and he "Was removed home on a stretoher, under the core of Sergeant Macdonald. The doctors, view the case favorably, and hope in a short time to proßOunce the injured man out of danger. It appears that the earth which fell was undermined last night, and in the eagerness of the'workmen to get a large quantity down, they tried to get the fall too far baok, and it broke off two feet from where the bars had been pat down to loosen the face. When the workmen started th ; s morning, they began to undermine yet further, with the result abore described.

Chbistchukch Hobtictoctobaii Society. —The monthly meeting of the above was held at the Commercial Hotel last evening. The particular business of the evening was the awarding of the prizes offered by the Society and others for carnations and picotees. The following were the judges' awards :— Open class: 12 carnations and picotees, varieties, let _ prize, J. Greenaway; 6 carnations, varieties, Ist prize, J. Qreenaway; 6 jvarieties,let prize, "J. _ereepi»ay. Amateur clats: 12 carnations and picoteee, varieties, let prize H. Orooke, 2nd D. Craw; 6 caroations, varieties, Ist prize bo award, 2nd j>. Craw; 6 pieoteee, Tarjetiee, Isi prize no award, 2nd B. Qraw t extra prises given by J. Qteenaway fOr new exhibitors oniyjjß carnations and picotees, varieties, let prise 0. Lawson, 2nd H. Crooks, Knt-olese oejtificaUs.were awarded for the following extra exhibit*:—To' Mr Datton for a plant of Tsriegated ajosk, and also for a fine plant of Adiantom affiae or Ctinninghami, a native feta; to Mr ;S.-Jaokmaa for 6 extra.fine' iwei, rarietiee f to IMr 3. GMenaway for ai nice collection of gooseberries, containing: eighteen varieties, and second class for 18 piooteee and Wnatione. The judges fere: Wmtt Q. A. Beid, J. DnttOD, J. <3tmtrip.

Sydenham BoEorGfi Cotrscii. —The usual fort&whtiy meeting of ihe Sydenham Borough Council wag held laet eretiig, when business of the usual character was transacted. EtsiTOIT JtoiD Boaed El-CXlO5.—• In cor sequence of an informality ia the manner cf recording seme of %he votfs at the election for the return of three members in'place of those retiring, the election proceedings will have to be gone over again.

Acclulatisitiok SocuTf. —At a meeting of the Council of the above society, held yesterday, a list of birds likely to he useful in the colony was drawn up for Mr Bills to procure from England during bis -visit as agent for the society. The secretary reported tuat he had •written to the Government on the subject of the practice now prevalent of fiahing with nets in the Avon, contrary to the regulation!, but up to the present; no answer had been received.

ABHBtTETOx School—The chairman, Dr. Stewart, has received a letter from the Secretary of the Board of Education, stating that the Board has set aside a sum sufficient to cover the expense of building e> master's house, and an addition to the infant schoolroom ; also asking what sites are available, and requesting the committee to recommend the moat suitable.

THEAraiOAS. —Mi ■ Tilly Andrews has Bβceded from the Hoskins dramatic company performing now in Napier, and has returned to Chriecaurcb, her p.sce being filled by Mrs Walter Hill. Mr J. F. Graham has also arrived in Christchurch prior to hie departure shortly for England. He intends taking a farewell benefit before leaving this city, aad producing a new piece, of which he is the author. Mr Graham has in addition to his professional admirers been fortunate enough to make a good many friends who will doubtlees testify their appreciation of his abilities and regret at his departure by making his valedictory appeal a successful one. AiiATEUB Opbea.—The arrangements for the production of "Martha," on Thursday evening, at the Theatre Royal, are now complete, and the cast will be found elsewhere. As will be seen, the stalls plan will be open to-day at 11 a.m. at Mr Merton'e. Those ■who do not take reserved tickets will be admitted fifteen minutes prior to the advertised time of opening. The final rehearsal in full dreas will take place to-night. This is a very good arrangement, as tending to familiarise the performers with the business of the evening. The project of the amateur opera seems likely to be a success, as no effort has been spared to place the opera on the stage in the best manner. The orchestra numbers seventeen, and comprises some of the best local instrumentalists.

Sitfbbhb Cofbt.—The session of the Supreme Court was resumed yesterday. Carl Schultz was sentenced to aix months' imprisonment for false pretences. J. H. C. Eeig was found guilty" of indecent assault, and remanded for sentence. William Atack, for a similar offence, was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment, with bard labour. John Freeman was found guilty of larceny, and sentenced to four years' penal servitude, several previous convictions having be?n proved. In the case of Hegina v F. H. Valpy, embezzlement, the indictments were quashed through a defect in the way in which they were drawn. To.day the case of Begina t Oowan, for larceny, will be taken. Thb Stewabts. —" If " was, repeated last evening to a crowded house. Miss Docy sang the operatic scenes -with much effect, and acted throughout ia the various characters assumed by her with a finish which was thoroughly appreciated by the audience. Miss Nellie as the Irish flower girl, one of her best impersonations, and Cinderella, was exceed* ingly good. In the latter she sang the laughing eong meet artistically, and had to respond to an enthusiastic encore. The same compliment was paid to her double eong and dance with Miss Maggie. The latter sang the pretty little ballad, " Keep all your kisses for mc," capitally, and also sustained her various characters with a vivacity which made them very ecjojable. Mr Stewart was excellent in his parts, especially as the Marquis de MilleHours. It should be stated that ihe orchestral are played too forte, preventing the singers from being heard. 'The little orchestra, under Mr Lee's baton, work remarkably well, but at times their efforts are too.pronounced. "If " will- be repeated this eTening. ,

The Atom , Eoad Dibtsict. —Mr Frederick Stroats offers himself as a candidate for a seat on the Avon Bead Board.

Loyal Avon Lodge, A.C. —Members of this lodge are summoned to attend a meeting to be held in the Orange Hall, Worcester street, at eight o'clock this evening. Mb Vaelst's Bible Headings.—These readings will take place at the Congregational schoolroom, Manchester street, this evening, to-morrow and.Friday evenings, and on Sunday evening at the Theatre Royal. VonrNTJEEB Pabade. —• The monthly inspection parade by the officer commanding the district, will tike place this evening at the drill shed.

Railway Volttntebb Fibb Bbioadb.— An adjourned meeting ot railway employes will be held* at half-past one o'clock on Saturday afternoon, for the purpose of enrolling , members, electing officers, and for the despatch of other busioess. ■ ;

Coubtenat Fjlbmebs' CiUB. meeting of the Bub-commij.tee of this dab will be held at the Halkett Hotel on Saturday next, at half-past seven o'clock.

Little Eivbb Chub-ch. —This ;chnroh will be opened for divine seryice on Tuesday, the 14th, by the Primate, at 3 o'clock in the after* noon. A soiree will take place in the evening.