NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4604, 4 May 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

ASHBTTBTOS* COTJBTHOUBH. —A site fOT the new courthouse at Ashburton was selected yesterday. It is to be built on the corner section at the junction of East and Havelook streets, near the Town Hall. _ ! L-CTBLTOH MAG—'TBATHB' COtTBT. —At this Court yesterday the Besident Magistrate fined George Jenkins 40s for assaulting the master of tbe cutter Hero, with an alternative of seven days' imprisonment, and James Oroy 10s for being drunk and disorderly. _slqt/bst.—ln inqueßt was held yesterday, at the Junction Hotel, Halswell, on the body of the young man Patrick Mullens, who was run over by a dray on Saturday last. The particulars of the accident, as elicited by the evidenoe, were reported in yesterday's issue. The jury returned a verdict of "Aooidental death." Health Statistics. —The following is the official report of the health of the district for the past fortnight:—Christchuroh: Typhoid 4, diphtheria 1, scarlet fever 1; total, 6. Sydenham: Typhoid 3, diphtheria 1; total, 4. Avon : Diphtheria, 1; total, 1. Totals: Typhoid 7, diphtheria 3, scarlet fever 1; grand total, 11. Thb South Tows* Bbit.—The draft Bill intended to be aubmitted to Parliament by the Sydenham Borough Council in compliance with the resolution passed by..the conference held recently between the City Council and the Sydenham Borough Counoil, came before the. City Conncil last night. It was agreed to. insert some words'.which would ensure the superintendence of the Oity Council over the works to be done, and to forward the draft Bill to the joint committee. Thb Dbailkagb Boabd and thb Batepayees.—At the usual meeting of the Drainage Board yesterday, the resolution passed at the publio meeting came up. Mr J. E. Brown moved that the Board resign in compliance with the resolution of the publio meeting on April 29th. Mr Hall seconded this, but the resolution only found the proposer and seconder to snpport it. Mr Tanored did not vote, on the ground that he did not think the resolution was one which should be put, as it could not lead to anything. A committee. was appointed to draw up a statement of the reasons of the Board for acting as they had done. '•"-.' Ajjoibht Obdbb op Fokbsthbs.—Court Star of Canterbury held its ordinary court meeting at the Foresters' Hall last evening. The C.R. read a letter from Loyal Benevolent Lodge, 1.0.0.F.M.U., containing an invitation to their reunion, to be held on the 14th of May. The .0.8. called the members' attention to the Amalgamated Friendly Societies' meeting on next Thursday evening. Three now members were initiated. The portrait of P.C.B. Bro. Woodford was formally handed over to ihe court by the chairman of the committee, the 0.8. replying in suitable terms. A quantity of routine business having been transacted, the meeting closed.... • M__(OULBira Exhxbitioh Cohmitthb.— The'list—l weekly meeting of the committee ■ was held yesterday in the Chamber of Commerce, Mr GC Gr. Stead in the chair. Dr. Turnbull wrote suggesting the formation of a sub-commit tee at Malvern to secure the better exhibition of coal from that, district. The secretary was directed to communicate with the gentlemen named in Dr. Turnbull's letter asking them to act. A ciroular from the interim secretary .of the. Commission at Wellington was read-, announcing that arrange: ments had been made with the Union Steamship Company for the conveyance of exhibits, also stating that in a few days a sum would probably be remitted to defray petty expenses. It was resolved that 'the secretary should ascertain if prices are to be affixed to exhibits, and if those prices would influence the judges in their, awards. After the transaction of some further business, the.; committee adjourned till Monday next.. Stldbhhah Bobottqh OoxTHCtni.—-A special meeting of the above Council was held yesterday morning r at" they offices of Messrs Draper, Charters and Co., to consider the draft of a short Bill to give the Sydenham; Borough- Counoil power? to expend money on the South town belti The BUl'as drawn up by a sub-committee of the Sydenham Council, was laid before the meeting, and it was resolved to submit it lastnight to the approval of the City Council, prior to its being'drafted in legal form by the Borough Council's solicitors for transmission to Wellington. It is understood that the Bill will be taken charge of by the Christchurch members. Before dispersing, the Sydenham Conncil passed a resolution affirming the of calling a publio meeting, at an early date, to protest against the removal, of the Bailway staff to Dnnedin, aid securing the co-operation of the Christchurch Oity Council. Thb Lath Mb N__soir.—We much regret. having to record to-day the death of Mr W, F. Neilson, who has died at the early age .of twenty-nine, after a long .illness. From his first arrival in the colony Mr Neilson took a prominent par_in the sporting matterß of the province' and.it. may indeed be said, of the oolony. He was an ardent supporter of oriokes, and did hia utmost to promote its interestß. He was captain of the Canterbury team that visited Victoria and Tasmania the season '"before last,- and he also took si cricket eleven a tour in the North. A first-rate player himself, and an excellent judge of the game,; he took a keen interest in it, and spared no , pains ,or trouble to bring out young cricketers, many oif whom owe their aftersuooess to his kindness and tuition. In football he was equally energetic, and never lost an opportunity of promoting its interests; and although he did not often in late years take an active part in the game, yet he would - often, on.an emergehoy, take off bis coat and set his men an example of pluck and skill. Whatever he took in hand, he followed up with energy and pertinacity, and generally carried out to success. But it is not only as a sportsman that his place will be missed. All who knew him will miss his cheery presence and those graceful indications of a kindly heart that endeared him to his friends. The funeral will leave Grosvenor House, Gloucester street East, at 4p.m. to-day. Foo—JAi—.—A meeting of the delegates of the Canterbury Bugby Union Football Association was held on Saturday evening, when the follow—ig officers were duly elected:— President, Mr B. J. S. Harman j vicepresii dents, Messrs A. St. G-. Hamersley and John Anderson, jun.; treasurer, Mr E. €r- Hawkes; secretary, Mr Lewin. Several minor alterations were made in the by-laws, and after the transaction of some other business the following resolutions were carried:—" That the secretary be instructed to write to the secretary of the English Bugby Union, asking if the Bugby Union will enrol Canterbury Bugby Union as one of their members." " That in the opinion of the 0.8. U. it is advisable to hold a tournament at Dunedin this year, but that if the Dunedin players intend visiting, Wellington, the 0.8. U. agree to send a team there instead of to Dunedin." "That the following matches be played during the season:—Town v Country (ten miles outside the belt to constitute "country"), to be played ia July; combined Christchuroh F.ifteens, 15th May t and 3rd July; 0.F.0. v Bangiora, Southbridge, Eastern and College; Eastern v Bangiora, Southbridge, 0.F.0. and College; Southbridge v Bangiora, C.F.O. and Eastern (to be played at Ohristohurch), the dates of the latter matches to be' fixed by the secretaries of the various dubs." "That the secretary be instructed to have the by-laws of the association embodied with the rules of the Rugby TJnion." After the transaction of J some routine business the meeting adjourned.

Cm __;bbt Boabb.—The ordinary monthly meeting' of this Boa—l, which was to have token place yesterday, lapsed for want of a quorum. The only member* present were the Be vs. H. 0. M. Watson and 0. Fraser, and Mr F. de 0. Malet. GARTH—busy Couß—-& CiAJß.—The following are the nominations for the Birthday Stakes—Messrs S. D. Rett, T. H. Sanger, W. _jrkwood (2), A. Duncan, B. Hale, J. Fraser, O.Loitoh, B. P. H_l,W. BE. Porter (2), 8.8. Hill, J. Beard (2), Boper and Jerome, T. _—lining. Dogs must be named on or before 17th May at 8 pan., at the Shades. Kaiapoi Pabish Chuboh.— The Yen. B. W. Dudley made his Arohdiaco__ visitation to this parish on Monday, when he was received by the members of the vestry. At a subsequent vestry meeting it was decided to convene a meeting of parishioners on Monday, the 17th, to discuss the affairs of the parish. NOSTH B_—_A BOA—D OS* CoiTSHBYATOLBS. —An election of one member to fill an ordinary vacancy on the above Board in the place of "Mir Andrew Storry, who retired by effluxion of time, was held at the office of the Board at noon on Monday, May 3rd. Mr E. J. Lee, who had been nominated by Mr T. B. Campbell and Mr B. T. Webb, was declared duly elected by the Befcurning Officer, Mr L. T. Desborough. Mr A. Storry, who was also nominated, declined to stand. B. M. Coubt, Abhbttbton.—At the above court, yesterday, before F. Guineas, Esq., 8.M., two men, named John Doyle and John Edward Hogg, were charged with being drunk while in charge of a horse and dray. They had attempted to cross the river, and would probably have been drowned, only for -the bridgekeeper, who rescued them. They were fined 40s each, or seven days' imprisonment. Thlbatbe Botal.—A pretty four act drama of light but elegant constmotion, entitled "Alixe," and apparently of French exfcrelotion, was performed last night at the Theatre Boyal. The weight of the piece was distributed fairly through the oompany, Mr Hoskins, as the Marquis de Ceseranne, having one of those sprightly comedy parts whioh fit him so excellently. The play was elegantly put on the stage, and went very well. It will be repeated this evening. ,Thb Tbamwat.—The contractors for the. Papanui branoh of the street tramway have made considerable progress with the work. In order to lay the lines across the Victoria bridge the men worked overtime last night, and the bridge, being lit up with the gas jets temporarily erected, and connected with the street main, presented quite a brilliant appearance, and for some ;time after dark a crowd stood on either side watohing the operations of the laborers. The new seotion of the tramway will be conneoted with that already laid at the end of this week. Fatall Aooidhht at Babby'o Bay.—On Saturday night last, about eleven o'clook, as Maloolm Kerr was returning front, the Head of the Bay to Barry's Bay, he was thrown from his horse and instantaneously killed. No one witnessed the accident, but on his companions coming up a few minutes afterwards, Kerr was found on the road quite dead. The deceased, who was much respected in the district, was a native of Glasgow, and about thirty-four years of age, and had only recently been married. An inquest was held yesterday at the Head of the Bay Hotel, and a verdict of accidental death returned. IBWBI& School Congest.—A concert in aid of the funds of the sohooi was held in the schoolroom on Friday last, Mr Henry Overton in the chair. The following ladies and gentlemen contributed towards the fund by singing some first-class songs—Mrs Stuokey and Overton, and Miss Williams, and Messrs 0. Frankish, Lawrence, and _*. O.vertoh. Mr and Mrs Davis sang two Welsh duets,, whioh were received with great applause by _te audience, which was a very large one. The second part of the programme consisted of a farce entitled, " Pipkin's Bustio Retreat," which was well aoted by some -Leeston amateurs, The concert olosed by singing "God Save the Queen." Pbotbstaht Bbass __tn>.—A conoert was given last night in the Orange Hall, Worcester street, in aid of the funds of this newly formed band. The selections they played in the course of the evening showed that, under the leadership of Mr Dora, they had made great progress since their organisation some six months ago. The vocal items, whioh were very numerous, were rendered by some of the best local amateur talent, one of the features of the oonoert being the famous duett from " Maritana," between Don Ceosar de Bazan and the King of Spain, rendered very artistically by the well known and popular professionals Messrs H. Towle and* J. W. Marshall. The accompaniments were played by Mr Towle. The room was crowded to excess, and the proceeds will largely augment the fund for whioh the oonoert was gotup. Thh Tbahwat abd ,t_b -Ci-fr.—The chairman of the Tramway Oompany made, a somewhat startling announcement last night jas to their right to occupy Cathedral square. He stated that the concession of the City Council gave the company the right to lay down our lines of rails in Cathedral square, terminating at the Godleystatue, and that in three months 224 trams per diem would pass ' through it. Or. Oherrill hit the hail on the head when he said that they had better, give up i datbedral square entirely to the Tramway Gonjjpapy, and take the public traffic else where., ylt was found on enquhry that it appeared that the City Counoil, could not give any concession over Cathedral square for ithe loop lines, as the Christchurch Be* serves Act dijtiacfcly stated that the square was for recreation purposes. A Poriri—lß -. Chambiolk. — One of the councillors for the north-east ward, Or. Wyatt, appeared last night in the character of a champion of the oppressed citizens in his quarter as regarded the scavenging rate. He asserted that the former ComlcU.by unbusinesslike habits, and the officers by their their bad way of carrying out their duty, had done great injustice to the ratepayers in his ward. The matter arose from a report by sub-inspector Leahy that Or. Wyatt had, by his advice to a person who was being asked for the scavenging rate, seriously interfered with the discharge of his duty to the Council, by advising resistance to the scavenging rate. Several of the councillors expressed themselves astonished that a councillor should have set himself against the Council's by-laws. Ultimately there was a resolution passed com* mending sub-inspector Leahy for his conduct in the matter.: A Otraious Fish.—A correspondent at Akaroa sends us the following:—" Mr George Wright, who was outside the Heads fishing on Thursday last, got fast to a monster, whioh he succeeded in bringing to the surface, but, owing to his enormous size he had to out the line. He describes the fish as being abont 24ft. long; his head was something the shape of a shark's, quite smooth oh the top, but his baok was covered with small spikes about 2in. or 3in. long. He had two large fins on the baok, which was , striped something like a gurnett, blue and red skin. The tail was about 4ft. from fin to fin. When hauled up first-he came Open-mouthed at the boat and struok it on the side, almoßt capsizing it. The width of its open month would be nearly 3ft. The above account-can be relied on, aa Mr Wright is well; known here, ar.d has been fishing from a boy,, bnt says that he never Baw anything of this description before.*' - Stldhkhak ami> Llzhoollh* boad Baptist Ohtoohbb.—A tea and publio meeting were held in the Oxford, terrace Church on the occasion of the public recognition of the Bey. T. Anson Oato as their joint pastor. About 300 sat down to an excellent tea provided by the members and friends of the two churches. A publio meeting was held afterwards, the chair being taken by Mr A. Povey. The Chairman having briefly stated the objeot of the meeting, caUed upon Mr H. Williams, one of the elders of the Sydenham Church, who, after having accorded the Bey. Mr Cato a hearty welcome in suitable terms, gave him the right hand of fellowship on behalf of the Sydenham Church- Mr T. Dixon then did tiie same on behalf of the Lincoln road Church. The Bey. MrWflliams, Congregational minister, then gave the charge to the pastor in a very impressive and eloquent address. The Bey. Mr Oato, in accepting the charge, gave a detailed account of his conversion and call to the ministry. The Bey. C. Dallas—_ then gave the charge to the two Churchesm a brief but pointed address. Ihe meeting was also addressed by the Beys. Messrs J. White, Clover, and Spencer. The Oxford terrace Church choir rendered several anthems, _0., -during the evening under the leadership of Mr H. Oorrick, who presided at the American organ. The meeting, which was a most interesting one, was brought to a close witprayer offered by Mr G. W. Allan. Pat Oi" Ihtbbclbbsioh. —A' special service of intercession for missions will take place at St. Luke's to-day. The celebration of the Holy Commu—i an will be at 8.30 a.m., and at 7 p.m. evening prayer and sermon by the Bishop of j Waiapn. Collections on behalf of the several I mission societies will be made.

Nobth Cahthbbttbt Racbs.—The meeting of the race committee is announced to be held at the Club Hotel, Rangiera, this evening, Tkb Canthbbuby BoTLDnia Socibty (Pbbkanbnt).— Subscriptions and repayments (monthly) are due this day, when the office will he open from 7 to 9 p.m., as well as from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sabbath Obsbbvancb.—A meeting of the g enerai committee of the above will be held at the rooms ef the Young Men's Christian Association this afternoon, at half-past three- j Biblb Socibtt.—The annual meeting of this society will be held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lichfield street, on Wednesday evening, at halfpast seven. The Primate will occupy the chair, and the Bishops of Auckland. Nelson, Waiapn, and Melanesia, with several local clergymen, will address the meeting. United Mbthodist Pbbe Chttbch Bazaab. —A bazaar in connection with the United Methodist Free Church, in St. Asaph street, will be held in the spacious schoolroom adjoining the church, on Wednesday and Thursday during the present week, and judging from the preparations made should be & financial success. An unusually large quantity of wares has been provided for the occasion.