NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4204, 18 January 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

District Coubt.—The first sitting of the District Court will take place on Monday next, in the Provincial Council Chamber, before His Honor Mr Justice Ward. Local Boabd or Health Fuhds.—The newly-elected Board of Health again find themselves short of funds, and they yesterday resolved to apply to the Drainage Board at its next meeting for an imprest of £200. Steel Bails.—The work of replacing the iron with steel rails is going on apace. During the present week some two miles of iron metal south of Selwyn have been taken up and replaced with P2lb. steel rails. Dbainagb Wobk in Ahtigua stbebt.— At yesterday'a meeting of the Drainage Boardja tender amounting to £168018s 6d, was accepted for works to be at once commenced in Amtingna street, in connection with the general scheme of drainage for Christchurch. RANGIOBA HOSTICULIUBAL Societt.—The committee have decided to hold an autnmn show for the exhibition of flowers, fruit, and vegetables, on March 6bh. About thirty-seven special prizes have been offered, in addition to those given by the society. Thb Railway Employes' Mutual Benefit Society.—The committee of this society held a meeting last night, to consider the applications for the clerkship of the society. Mr E. A. Dowden waa elected to that office, and will commence his duties as soon as possible. * Thb Local Boabd of Health.—At tbe first meeting of the newly elected Board of Health yesterday Mr R. J. S. Harman waa elected chairman 'for the ensuing term of three years. A good deal of business was transacted, which will be found reported in another column. Fibb Bbigadb CojfMlTTBB.—At the meeting of the committee yesterday the chairman (Cr. Gapes) stated that the Government had given instructions for the connection by telegraph of the fire brigade stations with the Government buildings. The Associated Insurance Companies have also agreed to defray the expense of connecting the house *of the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade with the brigade .stations by means of4he telephone. Aquatics.—A series of pair-oar races for prizes presented to the Union Rowing Club by Mr Sandstein, will take place on the Avon this afternoon, the course being from Pratt's to the Willows. The races will be rowed in heats, for which the following entries have been received :—H. Keith, R. J. Gilchrist, v S. Johnston, F. Fuller} C. Allard, J. R. Johnston, vl. C. Bbwley, T. Wormald ; F. A. Button, J. Thompson. The last crew will row the winners of the first heat. Fibst Gbaih of the Season.—The first ! grain of the season arrived in Christchurch yesterday, a consignment of several waggon loads reaching this city from the district of Southbiidge at an early hour. The grain season has now fairly commenced, and every effort has been made by the railway authorities to meet the demand on their rolling \ stock. During the present week no less than 80 trucks have been turned out from the railway workshops. Dbapbbs' and Clothibbs' Picnic.—A I meeting of the committee appointed arrangements for the forthcoming picnic was held last evening at the Commercial Hotel, Mr Gray in the chair. A general meeting of i the whole of the trade will take place on Monday evening, to reconsider the question of place of holding the pionic, as there seems to ibe some diversity of opinion as to the suitability of the spot originally selected—r Governor's Bay. Dbainage Boabd.—The first meeting of the newly elected Drainage Board was held yesterday morning, at the usual time, when Mr H. J. Tancred was re-elected chairman for the ensuing term of three years, and an opinion was expressed that at the end of that time it would probably be desirable to elect another member of the Board to that position, in order that it might be filled by rotation. The meeting is reported in this issue. Supbbmb CotTßT.—The case of Henderson v. the Napier Harbor Board was continued yesterday. A number of witnesses were examined for the plaintiff, a perfect mass of details being given on the various points involved in the cose. The case of the plaintiff will be closed to-day, when it is probable that the legal questions raised during the progress of the case will be argued by the learned counsel engaged on either side. The trial will probably last two or three days of the forthcoming week. Mebchanxs Employes' Picnic. —A meeting was held at the Scotch Stores last evening, to consider the question of the annual picnic of the merchants' employes. The balance-sheet of last pionic was brought up, showing a balance in hand. The'accounts as presented were adopted. Messrs Barrington, Horwcll, and Janefct were . appointed a committee to issue circulars to the "merchants' employes of the city, inviting them to attend an adjourned meeting next week, .to.fix the date of the picnic and to take the necessary steps for holding the same. The Maxob's Cup.—Tbe Mayor's Oup, for presentation to the best scorer in the district prise firing, is on view ah the establishment of Mr Sandstein, jeweller, Cashel street. The cup, which is a very handsome one, measures thirteen inches in height. It has engraved around it three figures 'of riflemen standing at ease, firing standing, and kneeling. There is alio a circular belt for the inscription of the name of the winner, The lid'of the cup is surmounted with the figure of a rifleman, and the whole design is very neat

TrPHOtD nr Immigbamt Shim.—At yesterday's meeting of the Local Board of Health, the medical officer brought forward the question of the great prevalence-of typhoid fever in immigrant vessels arriving In various ports of Hew Zealand. Dr. Powell expressed his opinion that the disease was engendered for the most part by the' bad water supplied on board the immigrant vessels. He was instructed to draw np a report on the subject, with a view to the matter being brought officially under the notice of the Government.

Thb South Towjt Baxr 2ftnsAKOß.—The question of this nuisance is in a fair way of being settled one way or the other. At the meeting of the Board of Health yesterday a number of complaints were read on the subject, and Mr Harman was instructed to see the City and Sydenham Councils in order that they might arrange between themselves to take steps to abate the nuisance If they do not, Mr Harman is instructed to obtain legal advice with a view to proceedings being at once taken to put a stop to a nuisance that has now become unbearable.

Thb Proposed Towtt Halt,.—A deputation, consisting of Mr -£. C. J. Stevens, M.rt.B., and tea Worship the Mayor aud Grs. Gapes, Wilson, and Sinstead, last evening waited upon the Attorney-General in reference to the market reserve, to see if there was any probability of obtaining a grant to the City Council unreservedly for the purposes of a town hall and municipal offices. Mr Stout 'expressed bis opinion that the Government would entertain the application favorably and would remove the present reservation on the site in question, so that it could be used for the purpose for- which it is desired by the City Council. A report of the proceediDgs appears in «othw column, '

The Ministbv. —It will be seen from this morciog's telegrams that Messrs Bailance and Maeandrew may be expected to visit Christchurch in the beginning of the week, and that the former proposes making himself acquainted with Canterbury and Otago, parts of the colony which he has never yet seen. Sale op Race Hobsbs.—A sale of wellknown race horses was advertised to take place yesterday afternoon at the stables of Messrs Millett and Griffith. There was a very large attendance, but only two horses changed hands, viz., Laertes, by Maribyrnong, out of Frolic, for 450 guineas (purchaser, Mr P. Butler), and Javelin, by Yattendon, out of Lilla, for 300 guineas (purchaser, Mr F. W. Delamain). Jangler, by Traducer, out of Tantrums, wss bought in at 475 guineas. Testimonial to Db. Donald. —A number of influential residents in Canterbury, headed by the Mayor of Lyttelton, the Yen. Archdeacon Dudley, and Mr John Ollivier, have formed themselves into a committee for the purpose of presenting Dr. Donald with a testimonial on the occasion of his retirement from the public service. Publio subscriptions have been advertised for, and from the esteem in which Dr. Donald is invariably held, there is little doubt that contributions will como in frsely. Bathing in thb Rives,—ln discharging six respectable looking lads who were brought before him yesterday for bathing in the Avon, Mr Mellish threw out a suggestion by which boating parties would be relieved from the annoyance of coming in view of persons bathiDg, and at the same time bathing would not be prevented. His idea was that a boat channel might be ont in such a direction as to leave certain defined permissible bathing places free. He sympathised with persons fond of a dip in the river, and thought it hard that they should be debarred from it. With a view of cairying out the plan he had suggested, Mr Mellish said he would take an early opportunity of interviewing Mr Harman, the chairman of the Domain Board, and trying to obtain their co-operation in the matter, and he was sanguine as to the result * of his request.

I A Sttbpbisk.—At the conclusion o! the sitting of the Supreme Court yesterday a somewhat comical scene occurred. The registrar had formally declared the Court adjourned, but his Honor had not left the bench. This, however, was unknown to a leading member of the bar, who proceeded towards the robing room, whistling a merry tune, evidently delighted at the conclusion of a very arduous day. The strange sounds attracted the attention of his Honor, who commented on the apparent disrespect shown to the Bench. Mr Bees took the opportunity of explaining to his Honor that the gentleman in question, and, indeed, all present in Court, were unaware that his Honor was ou the Benoh, being under the impression that he had retired to his private room immediately on the adjournment of the Court. His Honor accepted the apology, and the matter dropped, but the surprise depicted on tho countenance of the legal gentleman when his Honor spoke was something to see. Cbubitt to Cattie.—Attention has been before called to the manner in which cattle are treated, both in their transportation over the railway lines and in shipping them at the wharves at Lyttelton. A case in point occurred yesterday. On the arrival of the freight train from Addington at Port with cattle for shipment by the steamer Wallabi, it was fouud that in one of the boxcars, into which eight beasts were packed, five of < the number were lying dead, having been suffocated in the six hours they were on the journey. From another waggon one was hauled out dead, evidently from the same cause, and one was as nearly as possible at the last 'gasp. All the cattle carried in the same style of waggon, namely, the covered goods waggons, were scarcely able to stand from exhaustion. Mr W. Keitb, of Lincoln road, shipper of the cattle, states that he ordered proper open topped waggons from the railway authorities, but only a few were supplied, and he had to take what he could get. Mb Vabiby's Meetings.—At the afternoon meeting yesterday there was a very good attendanoe at the Oddfellows' Hall, the evening meeting being again crowded to excess. Mr Varley spoke on the subject of "Justification," from Romans v. The interest of the audience was well sustained throughout, and there was an after-meeting for enquirers. Mr Varley stated in the course of the meeting that he would hold a Childrens' Service in the hall this afternoon at three, that he would preach at the Congregational Church on Sunday morning at eleven, and in the Theatre Royal at three o'clock in the afternoon, and at seven o'olock in the evening. He said hie lecture on "Billy Bray" would be delivered (as per advertisement) at the Oddfellows' Hall on Monday, at 7.30. Bible readings would take place on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, and his last meeting would take place in the evening of Tuesday next, at the Oddfellows' Hall, at 7.30. He said he had been also requested to state that tbe Young Woman's Christian Association would hold two meetings in the Congregational schoolroom, Manchester street, that afternoon at three, and on Monday next, at half-past two, at both of which Mrs Varley intends to be present. Hjskbt the Fepxh.—Mr George Bignold and Mr and Mrs. Darrell, with the dramatic company, left Wellington yesterday at 7 p.m. in the Hawea for Christchurch, and will arrive in the course of the day. Their advance agent, Mr' Edwards, jrith the members of the scenic and mechanical; staff, have, been busily engaged during the last few days in making preparations for the production of" .the grand historical play of King Henry V. at \the Theatre Royal on Monday evening. The attraction is one of unusual interest, aa apart from, the nniversally admitted histrionic ability of Mr Bignold, the " Star" of the company, who is descended from a family of actors distinguished on the English stage for their exceptional talent, the scenery and general mounting of the play are said to be of the most realistic and gorgeous character. A great many of. the scenes are the work of Mr John Henhings, who has for many years past occupied the premier position as a soenio artist in Victoria, and whose career has for more than two decades been identified with the fortunes of the Theatre Boyal, Melbourne, and whose productions in connection with the beautiful art he professes to have made his name a household .word in the sister colonies. The text of Shakespeare has been very faithfully adhered to; in the language of the play, and. the characters judioioualy cast. This, with the additional attraction of the characters being filled by many well-known New. Zealand favorites, supplemented by a contingent from the principal Sydney and Melbourne theatres, is ia guarantee for a thoroughly complete and effective performance. ' ;; ASHBUTETOK WbBLBTAK GhT/BOH. — A tea meeting in aid of the building fund of the above chmfth was held on Thursday evening | last, that being the anniversary of the building of the church,and was a great success. About 150 persons sat down to an excellent tea, the tables being provided by Miss Compton and Mrs Lucas, Mrs J. Orr and Mrs Weeks, Miss Steane and Mrs Marten, Miss Clark and Miss Watkins, Mrs La Breton and Mri ; Dixon, Mrs Jones and Mrs Moasman, aud Mrs and Miss Andrews. A meeting was held afterwards, Mr J. Orr occupying the chair in the unavoidable absenoe through illness of the Mayor. The meeting having been opened with prayer, Mr J. £>. Buchanan made the financial statement. ■ He congratulated the congregation on their favorable monetary position. The total receipts since the building had been started bad been £156616 a lOd, £1100 of which had been borrowed on mortgage, and:the expenditure £1821 12* lid, leaving a deficit of £260, but this deficit would be speedily reduced, for : private subscriptions had been raised for that purpose amounting to £35 33 63. Tho Home mission grant for same was £100, and taking other items into consideration he thought they might calculate on £170, which reduced the debt to £90. Besides this, £200 had been promised to reduce their permanent debt. The Bey. Martin then addressed the meeting at length as to the state of the finances, and further stated that during the year the number of Church members had increased from twenty-seven to seventy, and the children attending the Sunday School from five to eighty. There had then been only two local preachers in the circuit, now there waa eight, and four on trial. Tho Bey. Mr Smslley having addressed the meeting at some length, votes of thanks were moved to the ladies providing tea, the choir, and to Mr Smalley, and the congregation dispersed. Duriog the evening the choir, did excellent service under the leadership of Mr Weeks, who presided at the harmonium. Besides a number of concerted pieces, Mr Horace Gates gave "Behold the darkneas," from the "Messiah," very creditably. The choir was that known as the Choir Union, consisting of singen from the various congregations in Aaubartoa, - -.-»■

Abt Union.—Tho prizes and onflravin* given by the Art Union of London for wS are now ready for dietribution to .„i sonbers. "'"I 1,

Comvlimentasy Banqvet.—On Tuerf next a complimentary dinner is to bo ehml Akaroa to Messrs Hall and Montloml The " Mail" uudergtands that to far i?" tickets have not been going oif as fast » might reasonably have been expected __! hopes that this merely indicates a habit of procrastination, and that at the laet moment there will bo a rush for tickets.

•Thb SoprnßßN Railway. — Invitation have been sent to the Mayor and Corporat'on of Christchurch by the Railway authorities to accompany the official excursionists on tbs first through trip from Christchurch to Inter cargill. The journey will occupy two daw* A start will be made on Tuesday morning, 4. travellers sleeping that night in Dunediu The journey will be resumed and compile* the following day. During the brief stayrf the eivio party in Dunedin, the opportunity Will be taken to acquire information as to the water supply, and such other particiu«_ of interest as may be connected with muni, cipal matters generally. Railway Youtwthbb Fibk Bbigad b> «, This newly-formed, or rather re-formed fire brigade held their first drill last evening whon it was intimated that Mr Eanken haf written to the secretary declining the hone* of being the superintendent, as he lived too far away to be of any service to the brigade and thanking the brigade for having appoint*, him. It was then resolved that the fci. gade place themselves entirely under the orders of Mr Merson/ who is to» the foreman, and who has had lon, experience in tbe London fire brigades, Mr MoFarlane was appointed tho engineer Most of the members present being resident! in Sydenham, seemed to take great interest ig the new brigade. After Foreman Mcmob had given a descriptive address to tho mc& the several parts, such as the hose, branches &c., were unshipped, and so on, to show hot to use them. Every man was appointed to a poßt, and told what was expected of him that is, should their services be require, before they are thoroughly in working order. It was also intimated that the next drill would be on Monday next, at 7 p.m. Th» brigade now numbers twenty-eight men, &is 4 it is only intended to have thirty. It may not be out of place to mention that with a night watchman always on duty, and others of the railway staff, beside horses in a stable, al hand, with a little practice the railWsy brigade should be equal to any in the oolttny, THB CLUTHA PfiOTKCTrVB WOBKB.--Th« work of river bank protection (says the " Clutha Leader ") continues to be proceeded • with in a very energetio and satisfactory manner. A week or two will suffice to com. plete tho present temporary works, which sa far as gone, have completely arrested fur. ther encroachment. They have during thj " past week been subjected to a very seven tost, as the river has been in a state of high flood, but they have stood tho test, and their progress has not even been interrupted. But for these works we have no doubt whatever the rivor would before now have reached Charlotte street. There is now, however, every prospeot that its progress has been stayed, and that it will never ba allowed to do more damage than has already been accomplished. We learn that the permanent works to be undertaken will be of . the most substantial character, and suchai will entirely meet the necessities of the case. Theatbical.—A private letter from Mel. bourne states that tbe report that Mr ASM Dampier is to return to Melbourne to nianaga the Theatre Royal in February next is not correct, and that up to the- present time Mr Dampier has no intention of returning to the colonies. Mr Wyhert Reeve, after asuflwea* ful season in Sydney, is now in Melbourne, where he will open at the Opera House on the Ist of February. After playing Count Fosco in "The Woman in White," Mr Reeve will produce "Diplomacy," whioh met with considerable success in London. It it probable he will, afterwards visit New Zea. . land. Mrs George Darrell, who will pass through Ohristohurch next week, will make her ro appearance on the New Zealand stage in conjunction with Mr William Creswiok iv February next, in Dunedin, and will support' him in all the leading female characters, st She supported Mr G.Y.Brooke in the same !' parts iv Melbourne years ,ago. Mr Oreßwiek' is under engagement to Mr George Dari*ls, - After playing a season in Dunedin they will come on to Christchurch and other New Zealand oifies. Mr Creswiok will be sup. ported'by'onebf the most powerful companies ever ool'eofced together in New Zealand.

Nbw Zpaxand Steam Shiepiko Com pant. —Of the resolution " That the New Zealand' Steam Shipping Company be wound np volun- ■ f arily forthwith," passed by the shareholders c at a special .meeting held in Wellington oa Friday last, and reported in the telegrapbis - news on Saturday, the Wellington "Post " says :—Before this resolution can take effcet it will require to be confirmed by a subsequent , meeting of shareholders, to be held a month hence. If the resolution be confirmed, as in all probability will be the case, tho sharpholders will have to appoint liquidators, auji ■ make the necessary arrangements for dii« posing of the Company's property. TM& comprises the four steamers- Kangatire t Manawatu, Jane Douglas, and Stormbird, ,' the coal hulk European, the site of the Com- '. pany's offices, held under 42 years* leaf a, from the Wellington Corporation, and tba , building itself, d large portion of which ia let' at a goad rental. ' It was suggested at the meeting that the shareholders in the present' Company should form a new association and purchase the property. This suggestion U now under consideration, some of the shareholders having signified their willingne»s to ' adopt the course proposed. For the credit, and advantage of this city and port we earnestly hope that some such arrangement as 'that above indicated may be found practicable. It would be a standing disgrace to Wellington if the provincial coastal trade, as well as that of the colony, be allowed to pas* gut of our hands;

Habd Times ok thb Coast.—Some of the Banks at Hokitika have latejy been giving an additional turn to the scrow, whereat for " West* Coast Times" thus remonstrates:-— At the present moment something like a panic has set in. Stable men aro being called suddenly to realiso upon their resources, cheques and bills are being dishonored in shoals, advances of the smallest amounts, and for the most limited periods, are not to bo hod. Public bodies to whom large sums are payable' from the General Government cannot raise s ' loan of the smallest description in advance ( The folly of calling in every shilling in this " way, and otherwise forcing men to realino at a moment's notice; docs more than restrict development, it cripples and destroys the rerj life of every branch of trade and industry. What principle, or policy, or discretion, can justify the sudden demand to pay up eta r moment's notice. What sanity is there in forcing old and tried customers of years stand* ing, who can shew good available assets of five pounds for every one they owe, to become - their own bankers, and cripple their trading power ? The responsibility on the banks will be great indeed, if through capricioushess, or folly they thus create ob» < stack* to the restoration of a healthy icdni* '■ trial life. Could the banks themselves pay their liabilities, if suddenly called upon to do as they are doing to others F Their action at the present juncture seems to us inexplicable. Possibly their keen efforts to. pay fifteen and sixfysen dividends year after year, may have unhinged their resources, and embarrassed their abilities. TSven so, their policy seoms to us suioidal, for their aciioa must end in the conversion of what otherwise probably* would bo fair, assets, into dead losses. There can be no other conclusion than this, that some of the banking institutions aro extremely hard pressed for funds. It cannot be otherwise. But, if this is the course they intend to adopt, to obtain the nscessary relief, if the same sudden turne of the screw are to be applied indiucriminatcly throughout the colony, as they have been during this, and the past week in Weslland, the action will be certain to recoil upon those who have instituted such a mistaken, unwise, and suicidal line .of. policy. .

HOSMTAL AND CHABITABUS Aid BOABD. •"The usual,weekly meeting of this Board will take place at the Hospital at four o'clock on Monday afternoon. Tele Late Fibb.—AswiDbo seen by advertisement elsewhere, MrSchourup notifies tiiat he will resume business shortly in the premises formerly occupied as Gaol's studio in Colombo. fihffifii ; v Tpomanbt CAvAißT.—The first competition for the selection of members to represent tbe corps at the prize Srinjr to take place ** Nelson, will be held at the Cashmere range on JFriday, the 24th inst. iBMPBBAHOIi HOTSIi COStrAN*. 7- Thft shareholders of this projected company willhoM a meeting in tho oldTempexanceHall,GiUj!aceßfor street; next Thßrsday evening, for the purpose ' ! of form jag the company and. electing a pang** . seat dtaotorjr. ..).-•

Kissel, G. *3? „• £ H Otter. H. Henwood,S. Evans, G. »*»«*'"ft s£i F Henwood, and W. Bengali. Youths* team wfil comprise—S? ftfl&wwffl -agfar J_k V*< f with the Eastern Club toIf* l i_E_Etan. Fisher. Hooper, Smith, *** •___ Nerin, Collier, Thomson, »»-'• Henworth, G- ThTWoolston Club will play* between the first eleven and _ „_-rfthedab.