NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4287, 26 April 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sb_wyh County Covsca,.— At yesterday's meeting of the Selwyn County Council, the sum of nearly £2000 was apportioned among the various cemeteries and recreation grounds in the County of Selwyn. Particu-. lars appear in the report of the proceedings. A committee was appointed to draw up an address for presentation to the Governor on his arrival in Christchurch.

Thb PosT-ojmoH Cab Stand.—The holes at this stand referred to in a former paragraph have been filled up with gravel, &0., Tint thia will only last for a short time. If the stand is intended to be a permanent one, it will have to be pitched similarly to the others in the city, and the sooner it is done the better, ao as to have it completed before the wet weather sets in.

: Thb Th-op-h Bailway Line.—Yesterday afternoon the presentation to Mr Conyers of a memento of the trip to InvereargOl was made at Mr Oiuu. Clark's rooms, when there was a good muster of those interested. Mr Ollivier ocoupied the chair, and made the presentation in a very happy speech. Mr Conyers, who is still far from well, replied briefly. Several toasts were then given and duly honored. A Bolt. —A horse and cart, belonging to Mr Sunderland, baker of Bingsland, in the charge of. an employe named Graham, while standing in front of the Garrick Hotel last evening, suddenly set off along Elmore street, but were soon brought up by the barricade which is placed in this street to prevent any person from falli-g down the drain. The barricade and one of the shafts of the cart were broken, but beyond this xo injury was done.

. Thb Gaiety.—There was a good house at the Gaiety last evening, when a prize was given for the best conundrum. Thia was adjudged to be, " Why is the Amerioan War Panorama an anomaly?" "Because in the midst of Gaiety we witness the horrors of war." To-day th.<»re will be a matinee performance, to which, the Orphanage and Burnham children have been invited. The usual performance will be given iv the evening. —x>„„-__ o_ —_. —__* -jjvuriio— general meeting of the Pioneer Bicycle Club was held at the Commercial Hotel on Thursday, the 24th instant, at 7.30 p.m. Present—Mr H. C. Clarke, captain (in the chair), Messrs Evans, Gough, Hobday, Dudley, James, Walnutt, A'Courfc, Dnmareaq, Searell, and JTarr (hon. sec.) The rules were decided upon and a list of club runs for the month of May was drawn up and agreed to. The meeting then terminated.

Fibb at Eollbstoh.—A fire occurred on the farm of Mr Galletly, at Bolleston, which destroyed a stable and its contents, between thrae and four o'clock on Wednesday morning. .The origin of the fire is unknown, as Mr Galletly was the last person in the building, about four o'clock on the previous afternoon. The building was insured by the owner of the property, but tho contents, which belonged to Mr G-alletly, and which were worth between £50 and £60, were totally uninsured.

Muhicipai. ExPEin>rnr_B. —The finance committee of the City Council held a special meeting yesterday morning for the purpose of taking into consideration the estimate of expenditure for the year, aa contained in the report of the public works committee. It ! was found that the estimate was too high, and had, therefore, to be reduced to meet the estimated revenue for the ensuing year. Last year's estimates, as passed by the Council, amounted to £21,266 17s 4d; the ensuing year, it is understood, will show a considerable increase on the expenditure of 1878. The action taken by the finance committee will be reported to the works committee, who will finally report to the Oity Council at its meeting next Monday evening. School Inspection. —Mr Restell, the school inspector, made a surprise visit to the Malvern District School at Waddington, on Thursday, and expressed himself highly f ratified at the order arid discipline generally, 'he soholars were not examined, but it was intimated to the master that the next examination would be subject to the new standards. The scholars who have passed Standard I. of the late classification, will then be expected to be equal to the requirements of the new Standard 1., and bo on. Hororata and South Malvern, Schools were visited by Mr R. Restell on Tuesday and Wednesday last, and Kowai Bush and Russell's Flat yesterday.

i Rbsxdbht Magistbatb's Cotrsr, L-_-__ t ton. —Judicial matters at this court are in a deplorable state for the want of a resident magistrate to attend to them. This morning fully twenty persons, inclusive of solicitors, their clients, and witnesses, were present at eleven o'olook to have their business attended to, and depending upon Mr Mellisb. to be on the bench at that hour, as per appointment. That gentleman, however, as on a previous occasion, had not arrived, his official time being, no doubt, taken np at Christehuroh at one or other of the courts. The clerk of the court at once sent a telegram to Mr Metiish, from whom he received the reply that he would be down by the 12.10 train. The public are very indignant at the state of affairs, and a meeting on the subject v talked of.

A BBPEATnra Match.-tA patent has.been obtained for a repeating match, consisting of a stick composed of three parte of chlorate of potash and one part clay, the two substances being thoroughly mixed and formed into a thick paste by the addition of water, which is then moulded and allowed to dry, and placd iv a chamber formed in a suitable case. Another stick, composed of three parts of amorphous phosphorus and one part clay, prepared in the same manner as the previous one, is placed in a second compartment, and a scraper moves along a platform across the open ends of the two compartments, removing a certain quantity from each stick and mi-ring them together, wheraby they ignite. Catholic Tssxr-to-X--.—ln consequence of the approaching departure from Christ--1 church of the Bey. Father Macnamara, who hat for a considerable time been attached to the Roman Catholic ministry in Christchurch, it has been determined to present him with a testimonial as a mark of the regard entertained for him. The testimonial has assumed the form of an illuminated address from the members of the following societios:—Catholic Young Men, St. Vincent de Paul, ffiberman, and Christi-n Doctrine. The address, very handsomely framed, is engrossed on vellum and ffluminated in gold and colors, the initial letters being entwined m floral scroll work of exquisite design, while !in the left hand coiner is a miniature painting of the Roman Catholic church where the recipient, has ministered. Ihe address is enclosed in an inner border, of a very elegant design, and is an excellent specimen of illuminated manun script.

Kajtawgata Bb_i_f Frnn>.—The Mayor of Chriatchurch has received tbe aum of £20 < 5b by the hands of Mr Eobinson, being the < proceeds of an entertainment held at Dungandel on tbe Bth inßtant, in aid of tbe above fund. The I__ttßioitißts.—-The"'lUusio-istß. &W>\ ; another performance last evening a|.:£|W£ ■' Theatre Bojal, when the _Cati»~_ang mya&ijry was performed. Today th«|H» will be _n afternoon performance,;iowbiiftk the Burnham and orphanage children has been specially invited. Tho usual evening performance will also take place. - PABXIAMBH-tB OHBISTCHtrEOH. —At the meeting of thrSwwyn County Council yester- ! day, a communication was read from his Worship the Mayor in reference to the removal of Parliament to Christehuroh. The Council resolved not to co-operate with the City Council in this matter, deeming it inexpedient and impracticable. Hakes in South Oah-kbbuby.—Hares are increasing rapidly in many parts of South Canterbury, noticeably at Mount Four Peaks, tho Levels Station, and in Peel Forest. So largely have they multiplied in aome parts aa to have become a positive nuisance, and it ia said that in some instances "poison has been laid to decrease their numbers. A few hares have been seen at Milford and Winchester. PB-SBTTB-lAK M-BUNO-. —A publio meeting was held last night in the Oddfellows' Hall, Montreal street north, for tho purpoßO of disousting tho advisability of establishing a Presbyterian charge at the northern end of the city. It was deemed, after discussing the matter, that the time was not yet ripe for incurring the responsibility the charge would involve. Z-ALANDIA.-—The diorama called "Zea- : landia," embracing views of all parts of New Zealand, and which it is proposed to take home to England and exhibit throughout every part of the United Kingdom, is expected to arrive in Christehuroh to*day. Mr J. M. Perrier, the well-known journalist, accompanies the exhibition aa lecturer. The opening performance will be given on Tuesday evening next. .-,,.. Fobqbbt. —It appears that Boderic_ Hugh MoOiennan, the man who was arrested in Napier recently on several charges of issuing valueless cheques, has for some time past been " wanted" by the police here. There is a oharge standing against this person of having forged a cheque on Strange and Co. for £25. He disappeared suddenly at the time, and has now turned up as a rather desperate character in the Hawke's Bay district.

A Etjffiae.—On Thursday, evening, about half-past nine, a respectable married woman was passing along Salisbury street, when at tbe corner of Colombo Btreet sbe was grossly assaulted by a well-dressed man. Fortunately, in this case, the scoundrel met some portion of his deserts, as in an instant he was on his back in the road from a blow in the face. Unfortunately no policeman was at hand, and the woman was glad to run for shelter to a neighbor's house. It is to be hoped that the police, into whose hands the case has been put, will very shortly have the man in custody. Thb Tbhtjka Magistbatb.—Our Temuka correspondent writes: —Mr Lei Grand Campbell, lately Resident Magistrate at Temuka, left last Monday for ColUngwood, Kelson, to which place he has been removed. Prior to his departure a numerously signed petition against his removal was forwarded to Government. Mr Guinness, of Oollingwood, has been appointed Stipendiary Magistrate in Mr Campboll's place, and it is rumored that he intends residing in Geraldine. C-NT-BBtTBY COtr-SING- O-T/B. —At a meeting of the Coursing Club held at the Shades yesterday afternoon nominations were received as follows:—Birthday Stakes (No. 1)' for sixteen dog puppies, at £3 Ss each; the winner to get £25; second, £15 ; third and j fourth £5 each. For this event there were eleven nominations. Stakes (No. 2) for sixteen bitch puppies at £3 3a each, winner, £25; second, £15; third and fourth £5 each. Thirteen nominations were received for this event; and the same number for the Publican's Plate, as follows:—For an unlimited number of all-aged dogs at £3 3s each, with a piece of plate value £20, the gift of some of the publicans of Christohurch. The Birthday Cup, which is the gift of a member of the Club, is to be run for by the winners of the above tt it e». The time at which entries will close was extended to May the 21st, at Bp.m. OOUTH Xr-STBBBTXBY CQUSBTNQ- C-XTB.—A speoial meeting of this club was held in the Royal Hotel, Temuka, on Thursday, April 24th. Present—Messrs Boyd, Thomson (ohairman), Paterson, Dr. Hayes, Wilson, Burrows, Bolton (secretary). It was proposed by Dr. Hayes, seconded by Mr Wilson, and carried—" That the - South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society be asked to refund to the Coursing Club the money paid by them for hawks* heads." Proposed by Dr. Hayes, secondedliy Mr Wilson, ajjjir carried—"That 500 cards ho printed, rei-inding members when their subscriptions fall due." Accounts to the amount of £5 13b 7d were passed for payment. The Chairman stated that a gentleman resident in Otago had offered them 100 hares to release in the district, subject to the approval of the -forth Otago Acclimatisation Society. It was resolved— " That tho secretary should write to the North Otago Association for paraksion to accept the oSor. Mr Burrows having resigned his office &b treasurer to the clu!>, Dr. '. Hayes was elected in his stead. j

BAsisnnre a G-__in> Dr;~._. — A St. Petersburg telegram in the " Morning Post" i states that the Grand Duke Mtcholas, son of the Grand Duke Constantine, has been exiled to Orenburg. He is acoused of having forwarded to tho " National Zeitang" of Berlin a . pamphlet ok the conetraction of a Central Asiatic railway, connecting the Ural frith the Syr Daria. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph says:— Tbo ap. pointment of Lord Duftenn is looked npon most favorably at head-qtiartora here, Since the time of the Kbirau question Lord Augustus LoftH3 has beta in ths unpleasant poßition of an aggrieved party, though it is admitted, even by the Eusaians theaiselvsa, that during the whoio time of Ms residence as British Ambassador in thia capital b<- did not commit a single'mistake. O-aedkn Pbbts.—A irriter in the " Marlborough Express " aajs .—Tha gardens in Picton have this year Won visited witha moat destructive blight, which has attacked the peaoh and grape crop wifch very destructive results. Vines and peac'li trees, whioh in former years were loaded 'trhh fruit, are this season completely stripped. T~o peach trees seem as if about to die, and ios*. all their leaves excepting a small tuft near th* ends of the branches. The grape Tines look -i very healthy in the early season until ths fruit began to form, when a white dust ca_ia on the fruit, and gradually the vine 'withered away as if scorched by fire. It appears that our climate being very mild encourages almost every speoies of blight, to the a_„oy_uco of our gardeners. J_y_ht_b R-Tpianism.—Anothersbibbbg case, (says the "Argus" of April 16th) ooourred at the Jika lieibrmatory on Tuesday afternoon, A number of the boys were at work in the garden in oharge of instructors Kenny and Gordon, when the former had hb attention diverted from where a number cf the boys were standing. AU at once two of the boys, armed with pitchforks, rushed at another boy, knocked him down, and com. menced sticking him about the body. In. struotors Kenny and Gordon, who heard the screams of the boy, rushed to his assistance, and secured the two young ruffians. Dr. Falkner, the medical officer, Was sent for, and he dressed the boy's wounds. The lad is not considered to be in danger, but he has several nasty jagged wounds about the body. Mod-BH MieBAXiOHS.—A Germain paper publishes an interesting account of the migration of people caused by the Busso* Turkish war, and which is described as the i greatest witnessed since the -fiddle Ages. ' Since 1877 the emigration in several Turkish provinces has exceeded a million souls. " Some district- have been completely evacuated, and occupied-almost immediately by another population. M The ethnological map of European Turkey has consequently been thoroughly altered. The migration began with tho flight of the Cimssians and the Turks of Central Bulgaria, as- afterwards from Western Bulgaria and Sofia. After that come the general exodus of Turk* and Circassiane , from Central and Northern Thrace. Then the Christians moved southwards and towards Asia Minor, and agaii from .Thrace to Eastern Koumelia. In the district* ceded to Busoia in Asia, the Lazes emigrated and the Armenians immigrated.

Grand National Steeplechase.—»T_e nominations for this meeting-, -which takes place at Oa_uuu ou May 24th, close thia evening- at eight o'clock at tho C.J.C. rooms, at Cookson'a Commercial Hotel. _-__rrrrvß Msthodibt Chtjbch.~T-b sin. niversary BermoUa in connection with this church will beheld to-morrow, and on 'Tuesday the annual tea meeting w3I take place. . ■

Oddpkllows' Abt U„iow-_Thr_? Ss? of the art union in connection with «,» ,**»«-_■ . of tho Oddfellows will take pW fe 4 evenmg. SQB •»- tltjj Ohapi Stock SAr.B.-R especlin ~ we aro requested to Btato that the rUv tiaed are for absolute sale, and '- well worthy of attention. The bulla« Ooa| l ;bre- Deyona, and tho cattle are hy IW l ? r,s ahorthor- cows, and are tbr.fty onnAA n " a The sheep comprise a small Hock'oj! i 1 5 Roninejß, and the balance are three-naY? ° Ift l eeveu-eigbth bred Bomneys. All the strZt in good condition. ocfe aro