NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4205, 20 January 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

DlsißiCT Coubt.—The District Court will hold its first sitting this morning at eleven o'clock, before Judge Ward. The cause list is published in this issue.

Kaiapoi Rbapbb Ibiai.—The entries for this trial and offers of paddocks will be received till 7 p.m. at the club's chambers-thfs evening. A meeting of the managing committee will also decide on the final .arrangements for the match.

AflHßiraTOH High School —Messrs C. P. Cox and J. E. Trevor are gazetted members of the Board of Governors for the Ashburton High School.

Immisbants pbb Waikato.--The immigrants by this ship will be open for engagement at the depot, Addington, on Wednesday. I-otaip A. and P. Abb-ciat-oh roB thb Middlb Island.—Persons desirous of hecoming members of this association are requested to forward their names and addresses to Mr M. Murphy, the secretary, before 3?eb. 28th.

Airorroß Appointed.—Mr John Ollivier is appointed auditor of the accounts of the Canterbury School Commissioners, of the North and SouthGanterbury Education Boards, and of the "Governors of Canterbury College. Abbtv_j_ oi thb Hail.-—The European and American mail via San Francisco arrived yesterday, by the Union Company's ■_>. Taiaroa. It waa landed, with the Southern portion, at Auckland, on Thursday, at 3 a.m., ex mail steamer City of Sydney. Houses job thb Nobth.—Two noted horses went North by the steamer Taupo, on Saturday night— Mr McPherson's Leonidas and the beautiful black entire Javelin. The first is for Tauranga, and Mr Maclean, the owner of tha other, is taking him back to Napier.

Tebakdah tob thb Railway Station. — It is intended at an early date to cover in the whole of the railway station with a light verandah. The verandah, at present, is only in front of the building, the very large platform to the east being wholly unprotected from the rain and sun.

Btrasqb Suiceob at K_-UK«.--Oar correspondent at Kaiapoi telegraphed last sight that George Butler, servant to Mr Baasingthwaite, was found dead in a stable by George Cone at 3 p.m., yesterday. He appeared to have banged himself. A piece of rope was round hie neck, broken off from & piece whioh ww •tte_b_d to » io tie waJL

E-TGIKBS FOE THB SOUTH.—Two of the American engines whioh are intended to work the express traffic between Dunedin ar.d Invercargill left for the South at an early hour yesterday morning. By arrangement with the Commissioner of Railways, they took with them one passenger car for the ae-ammo-dation of the party oE Dunedin bowlers-. Railway Ajdvbbtißihg.—The sides of the briJge crossing the railway at tho station, having been leased for advertising purposes, tignwriters are now at work on the same, setting forth the advantages to be gained by dealing with the advertisers. Up to the present time tbe interior of the trains on the Canterbury section have not been let for advertising purposes, but on the Dunedin section the carriages are nearly all leased to advertisers.

Fobghby and Utt-eiitg.—Walter Bullevant, alias Hedge, alias Weston, who waa convicted in Auckland of forgery and sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment, and subsequently sent to Lyttelton, pending a writ of habeas corpus to bring him up at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Christchurch, on other charges arising in Canterbury, will be brought up here this morning, and probably remanded for the production of the necessary evidence.. There aro ten cases against him. S-fbs-IB Cot/bt. —The case of Henderson v Napier Harbur Board was continued on Saturday, when Mr J. R. Davies, jun., was examined at some length. At tho conclusion of the examination of this witness, the jury were discharged until this day at 10 a.m., the remainder of the afternoon being taken up with the argument by counsel of the legal points raised during the progress of the case. The plaintiff's case has now closed, and today Mr George Harper will open the case for the defendants, and call evidence in support al it. __.._..

Tub Rail-way Cbip-bbatio-t.—The official opening of the line between Dunedin and Invercargill will "tako place on Wednesday. A largo number of invitations have been issued to Christchurch residents, who will leave by the express train to-morrow morning. A very large party will go from Dunedin, and the special train is therefore sure to bo a long one. Excursionists from Chmtchurch will return by the express train on Friday. 80-thbrn Visitors. — Tho party Jof Dunedin bowlers made a visit of inspection to the various workshops connected with the railway department on Saturday morning, and expressed great surprise at their extensive character, the number of hands employed, aud the immense amount of work in progress. They were shown ovor the premises by the Commissioner of Railways, who gave them a lot of information. The party left for Dunedin yesterday. Chbibtohtjech BowirHQ Cl-U. — The Dunedin visitors, after lunching at the Canterbury Club on Saturday afternoon, proceeded on to the green, when eight sides were chosen —two Christchurch and two Dunedin players on each side. A handsome cup, presented by Mr P. Cunningham, was competed for, whioh, after some brilliant play and keen competition, eventually fell to tha lot of Mr Wilson, of the Dunedin team, to whom it was I handed by the president of the club, Mr Wynn Williams, with a few well-ohoaen remarks. Tho afternoon waß all that could be desired, and there was again a large attenI danoe of members and visitors to witness tho play, which was in every respect better than that on the preceding day. The visitors from Dunedin left by special train yesterday, much pleased with their visit and the cordial reception they met with.

Amatbub Opeba.—The season of amateur opera, under tbe auspioes of Signora Venosta and Mr H. F. Towle, came to a conclusion on Saturday evening, when " Martha" was again repeated by the members of Mr Towle's opera class. The performance was succegß.ul throughoufr, one of tho most appreciated items being the ballet by Signor Borzoni's juvenile seamen. This was capitally executed, and evinced iv a marked degree the patience and skill of Signor Borzoni. Just prior to the concluding chorus of the opera a very interesting ceremony took place ia the shape o. a presentation by Sir Cracroft Wilson to the prima donna of the evening. Sir Oraoroft addressing the lady, said that he had been requested to make the did so with very great pleasure, as he was sure the ladies and gentlemen present would agree with him that they had- derived much enjoyment from the performance of the young lady beside him. He then handed the lady a very handsome gold watch, amid the applauso of the audience. Mr Towle briefly responded for the young lady, expressing the pleasuro she felt at finding that her efforts were appreciated. The final chorus having been sung tbe perform mcc terminated.

-Saw Hobsb Repos-TOBY.—The vaoant ground fronting Worcester street and adjoining the section- on whioh Mr G-ee's sohool 'stands is about to be utilised by the erection upon it of a new horse repository, tho property of Mr Leach. The levelling and filling in of the ground, an operation involving a large amount of work, has been commenced and the ground prepared for laying the foundations. The site will have a rise of Ift. 6in. above Q-lpucester street and a fall of 2ft. below Worcester street. The repository will face Worcester street with a frontage of 65ft., running back 75ft. The interior arrangements are very complete, and comprise a waiting room 15ft. 6in. by 12ft. 6in.; two harness rooms; three loose boxes, 13ft.7in. by 10ft., and commodious stalls for twenty horses. The entrance will be by double gates running oh castors. The interior will be lit by a skylight 40ft. in length, further light being afforded by eight windows on either side of the building. The structure is to be of brick with stone dressings, with a front elevation of 30ft. Mr Whitelaw is the architect, and the contract, whioh is to be completed in five months, has been taken by 'Messrs Thomas and McNamara.

I Lost at Sea. —In the course of her passage round from Hoiifcika a man named Foster was lost overboard from the Mary Bannatyne. It appears that on last Wednesday evening deceased, who had exhibited some symptoms of insanity previously, said to the captain that he felt muoh better than he had done. -The captain advised him to go and take a sleep. He went forward and was seen by one of tbe crew to be undressing himself. Soon after the sudden appearance of a bright light in the forecastle attracted the attention of one of the hands thither, when it was found that Mr Foster had put on his clothes again and had pricked up the wiok in the lamp to a dangerous blaze. The seaman turned down the light, aud while doing so Foster sprang out of tho forecastle and leaped overboard. The alarm was at once given, and the cry of "mas overboard " quickly brought Captain Smith on deck from the cabin. A life buoy waa thrown out and the vessel brought up into the wind. At this time the captain ran forward and found one of the crew had caught hold of the unfortunate man. The captain thon seized hold, but directly after the man slipped from the hold the seaman. The vessel was still moving through the water, and the captain, who alone was holding on to the man, was compelled to let go. Foster ia described as a man of over two hundred pounds weight, aud it may be readily understood that one man was unable to hold him long. A few seconds after he sank] when not more than ten or twelve yards from the vessel's side and within a few feet of the buoy in the water. The captain is informed that Foster has two sons residing in Chri-tchuroh.

Gbobgb Righold as Hbbtbt V.—Mr George Rignold, aocompanied by Mr George DarreH's Henry the Fifth combination company, arrived on Saturday by the Hawea, and will appear this evening at the Theatre Rojal. Mr Signold's fame has preceded him, and an - intellectual treat may be ex-pect-d. The general mounting of the piece is on a scale of splendour hitherto unseen in New Zealand. The scenery and appointments are the property of Mr Rignold, and have been prepared under his personal superintendence. The most reliable authorities, including C. A. Stothard, 1P;8.A.; Joseph Strut*, J. R. Blanche, _s_irholt, F.S.A., Shaw, F.S.A.; Grose, _?.A.S.; Charles Knight, Bey. Herbert Harris, and many more whose ant'uuarian researches render their opinions of weight, have been consulted, co that in addition to the attraction of the play a perfect historical picture is presented of the heroic age in which the action of the drama took place. The scenery is the joint production of Mr Voegtlin, of New York, and Mr John Hennings, of the Theatre Boyal, Melbourne. The company who support Mr Rignold is numerically the strongest tbat hoover travelled in New Zealand, including a number of old faces as well as several of the most prominent members of the profession from the principal theatres in Melbourne and Sydney. Mr George DarreH's undertaking reflects the greatest credit upon* his energy and taste, both of which have largely contributed to the trarojihant -worn a has met wifck '

Kaia.oi Magibtbatb's Codbt.—Durin the absence o£ tho Resident Magistrate anl the Mayor, it appears that, as the only ot QPr Ma gi strata iv town is Dr. Dudley, and hoi unable to leave his house, it has been nect _! siry, in several instances, for the police to convey the accused and witnesses about three, quarters of a milo from tho lock-up and Cjurt-house to have tho oases dealt with, n is surely time that the . administration 0 { justice in this district was looked into and arrangements made for disposing of cases m. a more speedy and less ti-d'oua mannor than at present. Rangioba Bonor/oR- Council.—The fort, nightly mooting of this Council for dispatch o. ordinary business was held on Friday eves, ing. Present—The Mayor, Mr Blackett, Crs, Cone, Burt, Johnston, Boyd, Thorne, Robin! son, and Luxton. Letters were received-, - From Mr J. Fulton, in reference to forming « continuation from Perceval street. It was de, cided to leave the matter in abeyance. F_oa_ Mr Broham, superintendant of police, asking for monthly return of names of persons .9. gist-ring dogs. Ordered to be furnished. From forty-three petitioners, in reference to Blackett street and Station road. Kesolved to refer the matter to the Railway depart* ment. As the map and levels of the borough wove not completed, it was decided no roadi or paths should be made till they were finished. The Bank balance wis stated to b. £352 9j -d. An account < f £35 for the assess, ment. was passed for paymen f . The C-unei. decked to meet in future at 7.30 p.m. on tha uau.tl evenings of meeting. Tho Couucil tha ' adjourned. D-tatchbll-*- Bat School. — Th. annual treat for the children attending t__ above Bchool took place on the 13th iu»t., in Mr Shadbolt's paddock, the use of whioh w&_ given for the occasion. Ono hundred and thirty-two children assembled, ac_omp„-i«_ by their parents. A large number of strange..' were also present to witness the sporty amongst, whom were the Mayor ot Akntot aud Mrs Wackerlie, the Rev. Mr Anderson, and many others. Mr Montgomery wrote t. express his regret at not being able to attend . as he had intended, being prevented by .ns.. ness with the railway engineer. The weather was exceedingly fine, and the programme of the day's sports was gone through without a hitch. The most interesting novelty con. nected with the children's fete was th. Christmas tree, which certainly reflects infinite credit on the ladies who constructed it. The day's sports were brought to a conclusion by appropriate addresses given by Messrs .hadbolt, Piper, Rev. Anderson, and tha taeher, who was noticeable for the zoal he exhibited in marshalling tho children, and the . general interest he took in their enjoyments. In the evening a ball was held in the epho.l» room, which was well patronised, and waj a very good ending to the amusements of today. The Caktebbuby Cricketers is Aus., thalia. —It will be aeon, from our corre-' spondeut's message, that the Canterbury team won their match agairsfc Richmond oa Saturday, thus concluding their matches in Victoria by a brilliant viotory. Tho team leave on the return trip by the R.torua on Tuesday, and will play one day at Hobart Town on their way. Tho following are the results of the several matches played in Vie- ■ toria:—Ballarat—Played December 27th and 28fch; Canterbury won by eight wickets, tho scores being, Ballarat, 48 and 135; Canterbury, 131 and 47 for the loss of two wickets. The match with Melbourne waa played oa January 4th, 6th, and 7th, and resulted in the defeat of Canterbury by 169 runs. Tho scores wero—Melbourne, 143 and 236; Can* terbury, 87 and 123. In the match __?ai_._ South' Melbourne, played on January 10th and 11th, Canterbury was again defeated, thi. timo by an innings and 93 rune. Thescoio. were, Siuth Melbourne. 317 ; Canterbury, 00 and 134. The East Melbourne match yras played on January 13th and 14th, and was won by Canterbury with ten wjolets. The East Melbourne scored 188 and 180; the Can* terbury men "making 276, and, in their second innings, 99 without the loss of a wicket. The - p match against the Bohemian Club was played j on the 15th and 16th, and was won by tho . . latter by eight wicket.. The scores were— ' Canterbury, 197 and 105} Bohemians, 23S and 67 for,two wickets. The match against \ tho Club, played on -T.iday and Saturday, resulted in another viotory for ■ Canterbury by eight wickets, tha scores being —Richmond, 195 and 63 j Canterbury, 223 and 37 for the lobs of two wickets. It will thus be seen tbat of the fix matches played the Canterbury cricketers have been victon- -" ous in three, and in three have been defeated.

AsHßim-O-r School Oommittbh. — Ths -~ usual monthly meeting of this committee was held in tho school-room on Friday - . evening. Present—Dr. Stewart (chairman), ! ; Messrs Bullock, Parkin, and Roberts. A v> letter from the Board of Education w«sread, acknowledging receipt of report of rate. - payers' meeting and the re-election of Br. Stewart as chairman, and stating that, as no objection had been made to the boundaries o! the new district as suggested by the Board, those were now the legal boundaries of the new district. The Board also wrote, for- •-' % warding the quarterly allowance for incidents! expenses, and calling the attention of the committee to the fact that an audit of accounts was required by the Act previous to the 4th January in each jear. Tho Chairman intimated having received a letter from the Board, stating that a sum had been voted for a newhouse for the master, and asking f the committee to recommend a site. A sub- * committee had been appointed, consisting of -- Mr Bullock and himself, with the eecr.tery, whioh had decided to recommend to tho committee a site covering four sections on the j. unsurveved portion of the town between Wakanui road and Burnett street. Tha _.' committee resolved to adopt the sub-corn- > mittee's report, and apply for the land at _. once. The clerk was instructed to see the Government surveyor at once, and obtain a \~, tracing of the eito proposed. Accounts con- * ", nected with prizes and children's treat at Christmas, amounting to £50, were paewd. Subscriptions sufficient to cover this sum had been raised. It waa resolved to recommend the new committee to enforce tho compulsory f clauses of the Act. It was also resolved to re-open the sohool on 3rd February, Railway Piotio.—A meeting of the committee of the Railway picnic waa held on '- _' Saturday afternoon in the Accountant's oflice, -- - Chrigtchurch Bailway station j Mr Hrnnay, Seoretary for Railway., in the chair. Mr ;, Knight, Inspector of Permanent Way, re- * "L ported that he, in conjunction with Mr ' Crosbie, had visited Southhrook that day, «» ard had interviewed Mr Sansom, who br-d offered them the free na,e of his paddock at Southbrook for the picnic. Tho paddock consisted of twenty aores, and wua in every way suitable for the purpose, there being plenty of shelter anl a good -twain of water. Mr Roberts, of Rangiora, bod alio offered to cater for those who wished to lunch and havo refreshment. It was resolved that Mr Sansom's offer be accepted, and also that of Mr , „ Roberts. A programme committee was then , formed, and it was also, resolved tbat tha ' secretary should hate the Bftoie printed 8i soon as possible. Mr H&nnay stated that al. % the men who could be spared were to have a - * day's holiday, and those" who did not get _i away on the day in question wore to have a. \ day oa a subsequent occasion, as coon after \i the picnic as possible. It' waa resolved thafe - $ all tho prizes should bo gifts, and that no. money prizes should bo given. After & vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting adjourned to Thursday next, at 7.80 p.m. Whttk MB_.Tna.B.-~The foUawlng notice of the career of this popular writer, whoes death by an accident in tho hunting field is recorded in the latest mail news is snppliod hy « M-n of the Time »:—" Melvill., GeorgJohn Whyte, eldest. son of Major WhytoMelville, of Mount Melville, near St. Andrews, Fife-biro, bom Jn 1821, enterod tho army in 1839, became Captain in tho Coldstream Guards in 1846, and retired in 18-9 r. k joined the cavalry of the Turkish fiOßtt_ge_£ , in 1855, and resigned at the close of the Gri-. mean war, in 1856. Ho is known as apo- > pular writer of fiction, and, amongst other- > works, has written ' Captain Digby Grand,*' an autobiography, 1853; * General Bounce,. * . , or Lady and the Locusts,' 1854; 'Kate ] Coventry, an Autobiography,' 1856; 'The. i Interpreter: a Tale of the War,' 1858. i ' Holmby House: a Tale of old K_rth_mpton- * i shire,' 1860; 'Good for Nothing, or All , j Down Hill,' 1881; ' Tilbury l&ogo, an TJn- _,J Bucoess.ul Man,' 1861; 'Market Har- ) borough,' 1861; ' Gladiators: a Tale of Rome i aud Judea,' 1863; 'Brookes of Bridlemer.,' 1864; 'Cerwe: a Tale of the Last Century,* ~ 1865; 'M or N,* 1869; 'Contraband, or a ] Lo.ing Hazard,' 1870; 'Sarchedon,' 1871; , ' Satanella: a Story of Pnnchestown,* 1872 j 'The True Cross: a Legend of the Church,* 1873 ; * Uncle John,* 1874; and * K&tcrfelt.: a Story of Exnooor/1875. Ho ha» also published a translation of the Odes of Horace and a volume of * Souse Bad Yq_rf«.* &4 " ■■•■■

t>c__ic S wiaattSG Baths.—lt is announced „/_rive-ti-en-ent in to-day's asue that W. jL-rf, lessee of the public swimming baths k-rrineto encourage boys to learn swimming fc* ooenxng the baths every afternoon from S-Jtofivete boys attending Government Sb for tha low charge of om penny. The *T_j_|| h. has had witn the pupils under his !£_h« for leannsg swimming has determined £m to erve erery eehoolb-y a chance of acjgiag ?be art as cheaply as possible. -nwAi Doa_Li>' Boabd.—The first meeting . .&; R__rd is to be held oh Wednesday, Feb- £!£»!!£-- «*sg"*r oa tbe secsmd Wed - Be w!__r»r_BoAßD.--The annual meeting of be held to-dajfat noon. akd C-U-aiTABiJ- Aid. —A _£__T2 and Cbaritable Aid _^£%®beUU BSUpi tai at four o'clock instaßati-n banqnet ot the EXASUKATIOK. — An JEZSetm* vnnil teachers will be held at the StiW 18th aad following Chbss Club —The annual __2£_MlfcSfc will b * held on Thursday at *"« Bbigj-dk.-A special TSfStbe Cfcri-tchurch Brigade wiflbe gMrfWh-fl, LKbna-istreet, this evening, st frpif-pa-t sev-B. „_—__________■