NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4576, 1 April 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

AuTtr&or Bbttj_ing..—The settling on the Canterbury Autumn Meeting will take place on Friday afternoon, at three o'clock, at the O.J.C. Booms.

Middle Pabk. —The sale of the Middle Park thoroughbreds will take place to-day, at the Stud farm, Biccarton. Messrs. B. Wilkin and Co. will act as auctioneers.

Spobthtg. — Owners are reminded that nominations for the Canterbury Champagne Stakes of 1881 close this evening at 9 o'clock. Nominations must be accompanied by two soys.

Light Dubs.—The Collector of Customs has received intimation from headquarters that on and after this date, April Ist, all coasting vessels are exempted from payment of light dues. Intercolonial traders are to be oharged 4d, and all other vessels 6d per ton register. 'The regulations in force before this date are abolished.

Akbbst.—A man named Henry White, better known as Le Gros, was arrested at Lyttelton yesterday on a oharge of stealing a watch and other effects from a drunken man. There was also in the Lyttelton look-up last night a man named Peter Bernard Hansen, oharged with stabbing bis mate on board the barque Kishon. The prisoner failed to appear when the vessel was in port, and the proseoutor having left be will probably be oharged with disobeying a summons. Juvestlr Good Tbhflabs.—The Hope of Lyttelton Lodge of Juvenile Good Templars has arranged to hold its annual picnic to-day. The members, numbering about eighty, leave port by the half-past nine train this morning, and upon arrival at Christchurch will proceed on the tramcars to the Gardens. The day will be spent at the Museum and in boating on the Avon. Mr Bashford bas charge of the catering. AkjU-OA Bjxlway.—Mr Montgomery, the member for Akaroa, bas informed Mr Garwood, the chairman of the Akaroa railway committee, that tenders will be called fer laying the permanent way of the first seventeen miles of the line from Lincoln to Wascoe's Hotel, and that the Boyal Commissioners will visit the line and hear evidence as to its extension towards Akaroa harbor on their return from Otago. A meeting of the committee has been called for Monday next at the office of the Akaroa County Counoil, Duvauehelle's Bay, at noon.

Sotohbbid&b Footbaix Club.—A meeting of this Club was held at Mitchell's Hotel, Southbridge, on Saturday evening last, when there was a large number of last year's members present. Mr Alfred Bourn was voted to the chair, and stated that the principal object of the meeting was to appoint officers for the ensuing year, and fix a day for tbe first match. The following gentlemen were appointed .—Wm. Graham, president; E. G. Stavel, vice president j W. Little, captain j and Mr Meadows, secretary and treasurer. About twenty new members were elected, and the opening match arranged—viz., fifteen of the Club, against the rest of Southbridge, to take place on Saturday, April 3rd. The secretary was instructed to write to the School Committee for permission to use their ground during the ensuing season. A vote of thanks to the .-airman terminated the meeting.

Thb Escaped Pbisohbb Mclntybb.—For the past few days the police have been searching the Southbridge district for tbe man Mclntyre, but as yet without gaining any clue to bis whereabouts.

Pmsdttaiioh. — The teachers of the Gloucester street School presented Mrs Field yesterday with a handsome locket [and brooch as a token of the esteem in which that lady is held by them. Assatot with Iktrst.—Wm. SkedgewiU, on remand from Christchurch, waa brought up at the Ashburton B. M. Court yesterday accused of the above offence. At the request of the police be was remanded till Friday. Bbcovest op Pbofbbty.—On Wednesday a quantity of saddlers' furnishings were discovered under the shop floor of Mr A. McMillan, saddler, Kaiapoi, by bailiffs, witb the assistance of the police. The articles were valued at about £30. Vitai Statistics.—The following is a return of the births, marriages, and geaths for the City of Christchurch and district for the month ending March 31st: —Births, 164 ; marriages, 53; deaths, 79. The numbers in the corresponding month of last year were— Births, 161; marriages, 43 ; deaths, 74.

S-Ttday Sohooi. Ukioh.—The quarterly prayer meeting of teachers and others, in connection with the Canterbury Bunday Sohool Union, was held last night in the Wesleyan Church, Colombo road. Short but exceedingly appropriate addresses were given by the Bey. J. S. Smalley and Mr E. Bundle. The attendance was good, and the meeting closed about 9 o'clock.

OiFOED.—The annual picnic in connection with the Oxford Baptist Sunday school was held on Tuesday last in Mr Gardiner's paddock, kindly lent for the occasion. During the day various games were indulged in by the friends and children, who were abundantly provided with tea, &o. All present seemed thoroughly to eDJoy themselves, aad before dispersing hearty cheers were given to Mr and Mrs Gardiner, the teachers, and the Bey. T. Harrington. Beioniscblnoes of thb Past.—Some few years ago it was usual, on race days, to see four-in-hand drags leaving the City Hotel for the racecourse. Beeently this good old custom had fallen into desuetude, but was yesterday resuscitated by Mr M. H. Oram, who impressed a turn-out of Messrs Millett and Griffith's into the service. The drag was filled to overflowing with faces familiar to the "City " in days gone by, and the four were tooled aloDg by that prince of Jehus, John Meikle.

Thbatbb Boxai.—The favorite comedy, "The Serious Family," and "The Pilot," drew another good house last night. This evening " One o'clock, or the Knight and the Wood Demon," will be produced. Mr Hoskins will sustain the part of Willikind and Miss Florence Colville the Lady Una. Miss Lizzie Morgan and Mr Mack Alexander have each a singing character, and will introduce some new and popular ballads. Most of the scenery is new and characteristic, and the mechanioal appliances and properties are ingenious and costly. It is probable that this grand old melodrama will have a run.

Academy of Musio. — The " Two Orphans " was produced last night by the Arethusa Company very successfully on the whole. The parts of Henrietta and Louise were played with much feeling and pathos by Mrs Hill and Miss Arethusa May, the latter especially being excellent in her rendering of the character of the blind girl. Miss Bessie Vivian doubled the parts of the Countess and the Sister Superioress, and was successful in both. Mr Burford, as might have been expected, made an excellent Pierre, and Mr Clinton was quite at home in the part of Jacques. Mr 'Tyrrell, though somewhat too demonstrative, played Armand very fairly, and Mr Musgrove made the character of Picard very funny. Miss Mclan was appropriately ruffianly as La Trochard. The scenery of Mr Willis, especially the snow scene, was very good. To-night " Bip Van Winkle " will be played. Cust. —On Thursday evening last the annual tea meeting in connection with the Baptist congregation was held in the Institute Ha 1. The hall was nicely decorated with mottos suitable to tbe occasion. The tables were provided by Mesdames Hosegood, Marshall, Cromie, and Miss Chapman. There was a fair attendance at the tea, and a rather better attendance at the after meeting, whioh was presided over by the Bey. T. Harrington, who, in his opening address, gave a resume ot what had been done during the year. Addresses were also delivered by Rev. D. Wilkinson, and Messrs Meredith and Twore. During the evening the choir sang several of [Sankey's hymns, Miss Chapman presiding at the American organ, kindly lent for the occasion by the Good Templars. OabanD-NI Conobbts.—The Oddfellows' Hall was patronised by a numerous and fashionable audience last evening, on which occasion an entire change of programme waS presented. Among the selections were several from the best operas, in whioh Madame Carandini, Miss Carandini, Messrs Gordon Gooch and Sherwin took part, and a number of choice solos and duets were also given by the members[of the oompany above named and Miss Dsakin. Mr Gordon Goooh favored the audience with the descriptive songs, " Wreoked and Saved " and " The Baft," for which ho was loudly applauded. The programme was varied in character and calculated to suit the taste of all lovers of musical and vocal performances.

Lb Bon's Bat Co-TGbbgationai, Chuboh. —The tenth anniversary of this ohuroh was oslebrated by a tea and publio meeting, held in the ohuroh on Good Friday. Although the weather was very unfavourable, several friends were present from Akaroa, and the large gathering caused three relays of tea to be served. The tables were well supplied and presided over by the ladies of the congregation. At the public meeting in the evening, the ohurch was orowded. The finanoial statement shewed a credit balanoe, which, with other sums promised, will be handed over to the fund for the enlargement of the ohurch. Several _ddres.es were delivered, and selections of Sankey's hymns were sung by the choir. The meeting broke up shortly before ten, and everyone seemed to have spent a very enjoyable evening. United Mbthombt Fbbb Chttboh, Stobhhah.—On Sunday last, March 28th, tbe anniversary services of the Sabbath School in oonneotion with the church iv Selwyn street, Sydenham, were held. The preacher in the morning was the Bey. E. 0. Perry (Free Methodist), and in the evening the Bey. A. Beid (Wesleyan). In the afternoon a Service of Song was given by the Sabbath Sohool children, the connective readings, whioh were psssages from tbe life of one of the early Methodist heroes, were given by the Bey. J. White, the pastor of the church. On the following day, Monday, a publio tea meeting was beid. A large number gathered to partake of the good things provided by the ladies. The tables were presided over by the female teachers of the school, who are to be congratulated on the admirable arrangements made for the tea. After tea a publio meeting waa held, the chair being taken by the Bey. J. White, who holds the office of president of the schooL Effective addresses were given by the Bey. J. White and B. C Perry, and Messrs O. B. Leadley, W. Flesher, J. S. i Brown, J. L. Scott, G. Booth, and S. Cutler. Much of the success of the services on the Sabbath, and the meeting on Monday evening, i is attributable to the excellent singing of the children, who were under the leadership of Mr G. Simpson.

Fbbxsidb School.—An entertainment and distribution of prizes in connection witb the above sohool, took place on Thursday evening, March 25th. In the unavoidable absence of the chairman of committee, Mr T. S. Mannering, the chair was occupied by Mr Melntyre. The entertainment comprised addresses by the Beys. Otway |and P. B. Munro; recitations by the school children —for which special prizes were riven—the winners being H. Halcrow, Alice Prestney, and Margaret Blake; and the singing of several pieces, in the rendering of widen the children were acoampanied by Miss Calvert' on the harmonium. The prizes were distributed by tbe chairman, and proved to be a really choice and valuable collection. The following is the list of prizetakers:—Standard VI., Sarah E. Chapman; V., Catherine MelntyTe, 1; Martha Jackson, 2; Edwin Gray, general neatness aud good conduct; IV., Margaret Blake, 1; William Amott, 2 ; HL, Herbert Gray, 1; Charles Murdin, 2; Mary Lehmann, 3; 11., Sophy Mouldey, 1; Jessie Hook, 2; Benjamin Chambers, 3; 1., Francis Auguste, 1; Louisa Chambers, 2. Infants—lst Class: Willie Smith and Thomas Kelchar; 2nd Class : Margaret Kearney and Mark Evans; 3rd Class : Arthur Prestcey. Sewing Prizes —Standard VL, Sophia Melntyre j V., Flora Purvis, 1; Martha Dalziel, 2 ; IV., Margaret Blake; 111., Sophy Mouldey, 1; Lizzie Auguate, 2 (presented by teacher, Miss Calvert); BE., Jessie Hook, 1 (presented by teacher. Miss Calvert) ; Margaret Egan, 2 ; L, Louisa Chambers. Infants, Edith Parsons,, Amy Hook.

A Q. vies. Passage.—The Orient Company's new steamer, Sorata, which arrived at Adelaide yesterday from Plymouth, has made the fastest passage on record—namely, thirtyeight days. The Chimborazo is now fortyfour days out from Plymouth:

Lvsv&vsos Magistsatb's Cottbs.—Edward Jackson, on remand for larceny of 10s from Biishard McDonald, was yesterday discharged by Mr Joseph Beswick, B M., the evidence being insufficient to establish felonious intent; E& Belpb, for jumping on a passenger train whilst in motion, was fined 2G_; and a civil case, Doybon v. Ammon, claim £2 13s 9d, wis given in favour of the plaintiff for £2 3a 9d and costs.

Vounrrßßß Labb-Khts.—Yesterday moraing, between two and three o'clock, about! thirty persons wearing the uniform of the Naval Brigade, presented themselves in front of the Carlton Hotel, Papanui road, making most hideous Eoises, and demanding drink. The landlord, Mr G. Plummer, refused to supply them, and sent one of bis servant men for the police. The representatives of " Jack ashore," however, frustrated his design by pitching the messenger back again over the fence, at the same time threatening to break open the front door. Mr Plummer, it appears, was equal to the occasion, and armed himself witb a loud-toned dinner bell, upon whioh, in his back yard, he played vigorously, at the same time shouting out " fire " lustily. This caused the " Jacks " to beat a hasty and disorderly retreat. In connection with this outrage, it may be stated that several residents in Victoria street have complained of the way in which night waa m_de hideous by tbe yelling and screeching of these "sucking Nelsons," not to speak of the damage done to fences, gates, &c.

Dikb's Pass Road, Govbbkob's Bat.— A meeting of the ratepayers of the Port Victoria district took place on Tuesday, March 30th, at half-past twelve o'olook, at the sohoolbouse, Governor's Bay North. The meeting was convened by the Chairman of the Boad Board (the Bey. B. B. Bradley) in accordance with a requisition from a number of ratepayers. Mr A. Thompson moved—"That it is desirable that tenders be called as soon as practicable for the formation of the Dyer's Pass road diversion, as laid out by Messrs Thornton and Bull." Mr P. P. Hodgson seconded the resolution. Mr D. Gebbie moved as an amendment, and Mr Dance seoonded —" Tbat the road be not proceeded with, but that the money be spent on improving the road to Lyttelton." Mr John Gebbie suggested that the Boad Board had no power to spend the money except upon the Dyer's Pass Boad, and moved that a legal opinion be obtained upon the question. Both amendments, which were afterwards amalgamated and put as one, were opposed by Messrs W. Foster, Hodgson, and Thompson. Mr Gebine's amendment was lost and the original resolution carried. Mr Thompson then moved, and Mr Hodgson seconded— "That the Board be requested to ask the Minister for Publio Works to direct that the prisoners confined in Lyttelton Gaol be employed in making a road from Lyttelton to Governor's Bay along the line of reserve above high water mark, and further that the Mayer aud Borough Councillors of Lyttelton be requested to co-operate in this matter." Carried. A vote of thanks to the Ohairman was then passed, and the meeting closed.

BBOADMBLD WSBX._7___ StT-TDAT School —The thirteenth anniversary of the above sohool was oelebrated on Friday last, March 26th. The soholars assembled in the ohuroh grounds early in the afternoon, and at four o'olock sat down to tea in the cburoh, whioh had been most tastefully decorated with evergreens by the Misses Aiken and Grant. A text—" Feed my lambs," prepared in large letters by Mr S. Earley, senr., was affixed to to the wall behind the pulpit. The tables were bountifully furnished by Mesdames Aiken, Earley and Bobinson, and presided over by those ladies, assisted by Mesdames Ward, Boyd, and Maginness. After partaking of the various good things set before them, the children, joined by the teachers, engaged in various amusements in the adjacent school grounds. At 5.30 tbe adults took places at the tea-tables. After tea the seats were re-arranged, and the publio meeting commenced. The meeting was opened by the choir singing a hymn, and prayer by the Rev. J. Taylor. The rev.*gentleman,who was in the chair, then delivered a short address, concluding by calling upon Mr W. Earley, the superintendent of- tbe school, to read bis report for the past year. {This showed the school to be tolerably well attended, and in a good financial position, a substantial balance being in hand, after paying for the prizes and defraying all expenses in connection with the tea meeting. Interesting addresses were delivered by Messrs Peryman, Conn. 1, and Dawson. The chairman distributed the prizes to the various scholars. Daring the evening several hymns from Sankey's collection were sung by the school children, under the leadership of Mr George C. Manning, Mrs Manning presiding at the harmonium. Votes of thanks to the ladies who had provided the tables and to those who bad assisted by presiding at them, to Mr and Mrs Manning for their assistance, and to the speakers, were proposed by Mr Dodge and seoonded by Mr Wills. The benediction was pronounced by the Bey. Mr Taylor, and brought to a close a most successful anniversary meeting.

Excirore Sobhb ih thb Waiababapa.— During the late floods in tbe Waiararapa an \ exciting scene, the particulars of whioh are communicated to us (Wellington "Post") by a correspondent, occurred on one of the stations: It appears that on Monday, March 22nd, when the flood was at its height, a Maori was seen in imminent peril on a log about half a mile from the house referred to, being rapidly borne down towards the river by the current. Soon afterwards the log caught in a wire fence, and the Maori was enabled to stand upon it, but was unable to get away on account of the current. As soon as possible a party from the station went to the rescue in a canoe, but the powerful current carried them down on to a small island, from whence they had great diffloulty in reaching the Native on account of the current. Eventually they did succeed however in resouing him from his perilous position. If they had been a few minutes later, the Maori (Isaao King, son of a great chief in the distriot) would inevitably have been drowned, as be was completely numbed by the cold. He gave the following reason for his mad act in attempting to swim over to the station:— About a mile and a half from the bouse two or three old Maoris were living. They were completely out off from the high land, as the flood rose so quickly, and the water soon compelled them to take refuge on the tops of their whares, where they were obliged to stop for two nights without food or shelter until Sing saw them. He then attempted to swim in to the homestead, a distance of about a mile, for assistance. Exng, after having regained his Strength, went to the rescue of the other natives in the canoe, aud landed them safely. The old natives on the whares had given up all hope of being saved, and were patiently waiting for tbe water to sweep them off. Both the Maori King and bis European rescuers deserve great credit for their plucky conduct.

The Tat Bbidgk Disaster.—Another body was discovered among the wreckage of the Tay Bridge the other day, so that the remains of thirty-three of the unfortunate passengers have now been restored to their friends. The recovery was accomplished with much difficulty, as the body had to be dug from underneath one of the booms of the girder. On being brought ashore the remains were soon identified as those of James Murdoch, aged twenty-two years, son of Mr A. J. Murdoch, agent at Dundee for tbe Plate Glass Insurance Association. The young man had been employed for some time as an engineer in London, and had written to his parents at Dundee that he intended to spend the New Tear holidays with them, and that he would leave London with the steamer on December 27th. Unfortunately he missed the boat, but in fulfilment of bis promise to be in Dundee on tbe Sunday night, he travelled by rail.

A Fbbsh Da_?sbb to Eubsia.—A new revolutionary programme has been circulated in the Bussian capital, addressed by the students of the high schools to Bussian society, bitterly complaining of the oppressive measures taken against them and tbe realistic system of education. They state that ths Government gives tbe preference to the classical system, as tending to keep the people in ignorance, stunt their reasoning power, and incapacitate them for active life. The students demand educational liberty and the right of entering the Universities, and draw a terrible picture of their condition. They declare that although society may do nothing for them tbey will fight the great Moloch, called the Bussian Government, to the end, even though the best of them may perish in the straggle. The proclamation is considered important- as showing the formation of a new ancl distinct party among tbe students against the Government.

Birssßix's FJ.AT.-The gram here hw all been in stack for a considerable time, and the average yield is much greater than it has been for years. The farmers are anxious to see a _t*am threshing machine at work in the Thb "Motive fob thb Dtr___DiH Mubdbb. —Inspector Mallard waa asked at the inquest on the Dunedin tragedy by the foreman of the jury if there was any evidence of any motive on Butler's part, supposing him to be tbe murderer. The witness replied— " The only motive that I can see at present is this: deadly hatred of everyone. His temperament, from what I have Been of him, seems to ba that he would go into your house and just as soon kill you as anyone else, even though he had never seen you before." Fighthtg at Tabapaoa.—Private letters from Tarapaca describe the battles around that city. The invading force of Chilians entered the town and raised their flag in the centre. Immediately a heavy fire was poured on them by concealed Peruvians in surrounding houses. The Chilians retreated, but made a desperate stand outside the town, forcing the defenders back. For nine houTS a desperate hand-to-band fight ensued. Guns wore taken and retaken; one Chilian regiment, giving itself up for lost, burnt its flag to prevent its being taken. Sometimes in the confusion one party fired on their own friends. At last the Peruvians drove the invaders to some distance, and for the time fighting ceased. When tho main body of Chilians came on the scene the next day they found the place abandoned, and they retook their guns, and are now altogether in possession of the province of Tarapaca, which is_ a most important point gained. The allies were compelled to retire to Arica through want of provisions. Dr. Percy has given a complete denial to the asiertion that atrocities were committed at the takhig of Pisagua, and as he was in oharge of the Arequipa ambulance, he may be considered an unprejudiced observer. The Chilians assert that in the battle of the 19_h the cavalry of the alließ was partly composed of 1500 Argentines. This the northern papers deny ; but it is not likely to improve matters between Chili and the Argentine Republic. Thb Accidkht to Sinkikg Fund.—The " New Zealand Times," of Tuesday, gives the following account of the accident to this wellknown raorf horse. The " Times " says:—Tremendous excitement was caused amongst the passengers of the Druids' special train yesterday forenoon, just after passing Ngahauranga. A chestnut racehorse, which was being led along towards Wellington, aud covered at the time with the usual cloth, took fright and broke away from his groom, and mado all speed along the road towards the Hutt. After going about a mile the animal got the lead, which it kept until the last bend on tbo beach was reaohed, when it stopped until the train was nearly past. At this- time some idiots set up a tremendous yell, whioh had the effect of starting the animal off a second time. In a minute or two it wss again ahead of the train, and as the [road crossing was neared, there was most intense excitement as the probabilities were that the poor beast would get on the line. And so it proved. The horse went right past Petone, and waa only brought to a standstill by a swamp which crosses the line. Here it crouched down close to tbe fence while the train passed. It turned out to be Mr Donne's horse Sinking Fund, which was to have been shipped yesterday by the Te Anau for Lyttelton, in order to take part in the Canterbury Autumn Meeting. Mr Donne procured a horse as quickly as possible, and rode to the Hutt. He found the runaway on the line, but in a very pitiable plight. It had cast all its shoes during the gallop on the read, and broken large pieces out of its hoofs. Its legs and flanks were fearfully lacerated, and it is almost certain that Sinking Fund will never again start for a race. Mr. Donne, who was anxious to get to Christchurch, made erery arrangement prior to starting to have the horse properly attended to.

Sabbath Teacheks' Institute. — The monthly meeting of the Canterbury Sabbath School Teachers' Institute will be held this evening at St. Asaph street Free Methodist Church at 7.30. AU Sabbath School teachers are earnestly invited.

St. Ltjkb's.—The annual parish meeting of St. Luke's will be held this evening at the schoolroom at eight o'clock. Cbickkt. — A return match between the TJ.C.C. aad Avonside will be played on the U.C.C. ground on April 3rd and 10th. The following will play for the U.C.C. — Messrs B. D. Harman, E. J. Boss, Tarleton, Easton, M'Farlane, M'Dowall, Harve?, Whitcombe, Paul, Wood, and Munster. Emergencies— Q. Bos 3 and Fereday. Play to commence at 2.15 sharp.