NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4640, 15 June 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

New Cottkoillob. —Mr H. Thomson, the newly elected councillor for. the north-east ward, took bis seat in the Council last OVfIDJPg. ' . " ■ '————-——~- " JKA.OBI Towjr Habl.— TheJiew town hall, or hall for holding the runaagas and Native" meetings at St. Stephen's pa, Kaiapoi, is expaoted to be formally opened about Thursday next. ' Tbaohebs , Pensions Bh,l.—The headmaster* of the eohools in and- near Christchuroh met at the Normal School on Saturday and appointed a committee to prepare resolutions to be brought forward at the general meeting on June 19th. As far as can be judged the Act has few friends among'the. teachers. ' , Annexation.—A telegram was received by the City Council last night from Mr E. O. J. Stevens, stating that a petition was before the House, signed by sixty-eight landowners, asking for annexation, presumedly, of Sydenham to Ohristohuroh. The Council seemed to be in favor ef this being done, though no formal resolution wae passed. Cttbt.—At the late examination at Christ's College for the junior Somes' Sohola-ships. Brneet Searell, or the Oust district echo >1, came out at the head of the list, having, as the - examiners reported, obtained the highest number of marks. The scholarship which he has taken will be worth £35 a-year, tenable for three years. . ■ :> ' OANTBBBjrBT SUHDAY-SCHOOIi UNION.— At a meeting of the Trade Committee held last evening in the vestry of the Cbngrega* -tional Church, Manchester street, it was unanimously resolved—" That a largo amount of the surplus stock of religious magazines and papers be distributed between the Burnham Industrial School, the Ohristohuroh Hospital, and the Orphanage at Ly ttelton, and that the secretary shortly forward the parcels to the above institutions." B.M. Goubt, Sottthbbidge.—At the above Court yesterday, before B. B. Willis, J. B. Campbell, and W. D. Lawreace, Esqs., J.P.s, Frank Smith was charged with stealing a pig, valued £2, the property of Daniel Bell, at Doyleston, on Friday, June 11th. A number of witnesses having been examined, acoused was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labor. The Benoh, in sentencing the prisoner, remarked that had it not been that it was bis first appearance in Court the term of imprisonment would have been much longer. Wanted his Change.—On Sunday week, at a churoh whioh is situated not a hundred miles from Sefton, the plate made its usual appearance, when one gentleman put a oixpence in it, immediately commencing a search amongst.the coins already deposited, whioh ended in his finding a threepenny bit, whioh he pocketed for his change. This gentleman must be pretty nearly connected with the man who in the old days of provincialism pulled down bis chimney so as to avoid the eduoation rate, and made a liole through the roof for-the smoke to escape by. -. Kaiapoi B.M. Cottbt.—At this Court yeoterday, before. C. Whitefoord, Esq., 8.M., and R. L. Higgins, Esq ? JJV H. C. A. Barneywas charged with obtaining £2 by false pretences. 3. Evans, farmer, Girder bridge, stated that he employed accused to dig potatoes. On 7th he applied for £2; to pay for meat and get some things, for hie mate, whom he said waft ill. Having received the amount he left the farm; he and his mate being previously indebted £3 for tent and tools. Some further evidence was given, and the acoused, in defence, said that he had no intention to rob prosecutor. Mr Evans wished the Court .to deal as leniently as possible in < the matter. The Bench, after lecturing acoused on bis folly in giving way to drink,' bound him over in his recognizanoes of £25 to appear that day month for sentence, the police meanwhile to report on his conduct. Judgment for plaintiffs was given in the following civil cases:—E. Stewart vM. Bmethurst, 12s; W. Brows v W. Jury, £2 3« 4d; Q-. Iyens'a Estate v Adam (a Native), £5. The Shall Bibdb Qttestion. — The chairman of the delegates who attended the recent conference upon this question has received the following letter from the Colonial Secretary's offioe:—" Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th ult., forwarding copy of a report adopted at a meeting of delegates representing various districts, to the effect that legislation is required to compel land holders to take combined action for preventing the further increase of sparrows .grain-eating small birds. In reply I am. directed by the Colonial Secretary to express the regret of the Government that they do not feel themselves able to undertake the framing of a Bill to effect the object desired by the delegates, and its subsequent conduct through both Houses of Parliament. Opinions are very Various and conflicting an the subject, and the Government have many other important matters pressing on their time amd attention.—l have, &o, 6K 8. Cooskb."

[ Kaiapoi Islahd Bobth —This . school which hat been closed for lome time pending the appointment of a master, was re-opened on Monday. Mails, whioh were not sent for a time, are now forwarded for Olarkville as usual, the master of the school being the i local postmaster. Y.M.G.A,—The service at the Academy of Musio on Sunday evening, whioh was largely attended, was conducted by the Ber. 0. Dallaiton, who «hoee for hit text the 15th verse of Ist chapter of Mark. The greatest attention was given daring the address, and at it a close a luge number attended the after meeting. Dbaikaob Matteb9.—The Ghristchureh District Drainage Board met yesterday afternoon at half-past two o'clock, and disposed of a good deal of business. In addition to the written report from the engineer, Mr Bell stated that the pumping station was progressing favorably. Two deputations were received, and a number of letters were considered. The Board rose at half-past five o'clock. Bttbbhah Ihsvstbias School. — The master of this institution writes tons as follows: —" I find that friends of inmates have been allowed to visit at all times. It being very undesirable that such a state of things ehould continue, would you please be good enough to insert in the columns of yonr paper role 5, whioh is as follows:—'Friends of inmates are allowed to visit the school Eon the first Monday and Tuesday in January, April, July, and Ootober, and at other times if bringing maintenance money, or by written permission of some member of the Government. , This rule will be strictly enforced in future." Thbatbb Botai.—There was a very good house last night, when Baohelder's Pantascope was again exhibited. The various views were loudly applauded, and Mr Chalet's ventriloquial entertainment, also received, as it deserved, special marks of favor from the audience. Mr Lord, the leader of the orcbeetra, mußt be a humorist of no mean order, for the mus'cal illustrations were comical in the extreme. Far instance, some rooky gorge in the Sierra Nevadas was illustrated by " Farewell, my own," from " Pinafore," and the residence of the late Mormon ohief by the baby-farming song, in which the mixing up of babies is so graphically described. The gift distribution passed off to the satisfaction of all concerned. To-night the Pantascope will be again exhibited. Boabd op Hhaxixh.—At yesterday's meeting of the Local Board of Health, .the question raised by the City Council as to the sanitary control of the city, conveyed in resolutions forwarded to the Board, was disoussed at some length, and the point was raised as to what would be the result of both those bodies leaving sanitary affairs out of their programme after the 30th of June, that being the date on which the Council resolved to relinquish all oontrol in the matter. Ultimately the Board passed a resolution in whioh they expressed regret at the action taken by the Couuoil, and requested them to arrange for a conference between the two bodies, with a view of coming to some understanding conducive to the best interests of the city. The City Council last evening agreed to meet the Board on Monday next at 2 30 p.m. Thb Stbameb Mobuoik.—All the steerage passengers by this vessel are on Bipa Island, including the family whose children were reported to have shown eymptoms of small pox. Yesterday morning word reached the officials from the doctor of the ship that upon a oloser examination of these eymptoms he did not think it was small-pox.. Upon receipt of this news the Health Officer, Dr. Rouse, Dr. H. Macdonald and the Immigration Officer went off to the quarantine station, where they found the children had very much improved. Of the diagnosis there is some uncertainty as to it being small-pox. There are very mild symptoms of small-pox after vaccination, but from the condition of the children yesterday these symptoms are not regarded as likely to develop into the dreaded disease. All the other arrivals by the steamer now on the island and on board are in good health, and it is probable that the vessel will speedily be admitted to pratique. The officials are, however, using every requisite precaution. ' Pbbbbntation. —On Sunday afternoon, (at the Lyttelton Church of England Sunday .School, Mr H* B. Webb, late superintendent, wae presented with a valuable' work, namely, Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, in 3 vole., by the teaohers,' the present Having been subscribed to as well by the whole of the scholars. Miss Webb, and two of Mr Webb's sons, who had also been teaohers, were then presented with suitable gifts in recognition of their services, and in handing the presents, the Rev. J. Townsend expressed the regret that was felt at the removal of Mr Webb and his family from the diatriot, and conveyed to the recipients the acknowledgments of appreoifltioriland esteem of those with whom.they had been associated in their work in the school. The presents were suitably acknowledged, in doing which Mr Webb congratulated those present upon the advent of his successor, Mr J. Joyce, the present superintendent, concluding by wishing them increasing prosperity. Thb Pbopbbtt Tax.—About fifty persons attended a meeting at the Literary Hall, Bangiora, on Friday, evening, to consider the property tax. Mr H. Blaokett, the Mayor, occupied the chair, and introduced the subject of the meeting. The following resolutions .were carried:—Proposed by Mr E. B. Grood, seconded by Mr J. Johnston—"That in the opinion of this meeting the property tax is unfair in principle, taxing unduly the agricultural trade and commerce of the country, and allowing many persons of large incomes to escape payment, whilst rendering it almost impossible to make correct returns." Proposed by Mr B. Ellis, seconded by Mr J. j Lilly—" That those present at this meeting pledge themselves to use every'means in their power to get so unjust! a tax repealed." Proposed by Mr W. Boss, seconded by Mr J. i Josling—" That the foregoing resolutions be sent to the member for the district (Mr C..0. Bowen) requesting Mm to nee his influence and utmost endeavor to have so tyrannioal a measure repealed." A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the chairman,, and the meeting separated. Kaiapoi and Mandevthdh Licensing Cottbt.—The adjourned licensing meeting for these districts was held on SConday. Commissioners present—o. Whitefoord, Esq., 8.M.; Messrs. B. L. Higgins and E. Beveli. The Chairman, addressing Mr G-illon, licensee of the Junction Hotel, Ohoka, said it had oome to the knowledge of the Commissioners through the police report that the licensee did not reside on the premises, but the home was left in charge of his mother-in-law. At the time the lioense was granted it was understood that the licensee had business to settle on the West Coast, but it was never contemplated he would remain away over six months. Ik was the Commissioners' opinion that this hotel was not required, and only fora promise made by Dr. Dudley it would never have been granted, as there was not a legitimate business in the locality to warrant a license being granted. Yet in the face of all this the licensee ohose to reside away. Applicant replied he was winding up hie affaire on the Coast, and recently had nearly quite sold out an interest in a contractor's plant at the Bakaia. Hβ intended now to remain in charge' [of the hotel. The Chairman stated, while the renewal in this case would be granted, if at the end of a fortnight they found the applicant had not gone to reside on the premises, or should there be any complaint of the manner'ia whioh the hotel was conducted, the license would be cancelled, and no consent to a transfer would be entertained. Ashbtjstoh.—Mr William Ennis, Inspector of Permanent Way*, who is about to leave Ashburton for Invercargill, to whioh place he has .been promoted, was on last Saturday evening, in Mr Quill'i Hotel, entertained at dinner and presented with a very handsome marble clock by the railway employee: of the Ashbnrton district. Over forty men, including all the local representatives of the Press, eat down to an excellent spread, providedin that peculiarly satisfactory manner for which Mr Quill is so well known, and, after ample justice had been done to the viands, and the usual loyal and patriotic , toasts drunk, Mr Pilkington, who officiated as chairman, called upon TWt Dynes to make the presentation. Mr Dynes, in doing so, referred in enlbgistdo terms to Mr Ennis' efficiency as a permanent way inspector, stating that he combined Bound judgment with a practical knowledge of his business, and that if all the officers of the railway were as proficient in their respective department aa Mr Eanis was in his, the railways of New Zealand would be worked more satisfactorily. Mr Eanis, in reply, said the best staff of permanent way men in New Zealand were to be found in the Aehburton district. Mr Ends' health having been druak with musical honors, "The Canterbury Bailwsys," coupled with the names of Messrs Pilkington and Stephens, "The Secretary, Mr David Henderson," "The Press" and " The Ladies" were duly honored, and after several songs had been rang and a most enjoyable evening epenfe the party separated, .

Lionraa? Yiosvauubs. —A meeting of the trade was held at Morton's Hotel last evening, and was exceedingly well attended. Members of the trade from all parts of the city, the suburbs, and Lyttelton, were present ; also several gentlemen in the brewing interest. Mr J. W. Morton, president of the licensed Victuallers' Association, was in the chair. The meeting had been called speoially to consider suggestions on the Licensing Bill offered by a sub committee previously appointed by general meeting, and to discuss the proposed tax on beer. The following alterations to the Licensing Bill were proposed— That more than one license may be held by one person ; that the time for making objection to a lioense be extended; that no person under the age of twenty-one should be allowed to give a vote on the question of licensing or removing a lioenee; that the fees for licenses be £25, £30, £40, and £50, for ten, eleven, twelve o'clock, and all night licenses. Objeofcion was taken to single women holding lioenses. Sundry other amendments, chiefly minor ones, were suggested. It was resolved to communicate with Wellington on the subject. The next matter discussed was the beer tax. The meeting was unanimous in opposing the tax, and appointed delegates to proceed to Wellington to represent their views on the subject. A Dblioatb Mobsei.—A slight surprise awaited Mr Hume, of the Club Hotel, Inveroargill, the other night as he was indulging in the luxury of oyetere. A very fine one, externally, had just been op9ned, and he was about to "negotiate" it, when something peouliar in its appearance caught his eye. A closer examination revealed the fact that the inmate of the shell was not an oyster at all, but a diminutive octopus coiled up in the place occupied by the original resident—bis right of property having been established, no doubt, on the same principle as that relied on by the Maoris of old—that he had eaten the previcraa owner. Those carious in each matters can (the "Southland News" says) inspect the csphalopod at the Club. A Taibntbd Bahspiittbb.—A writer in the "Bangitikei Advocate" says that upon entering an hotel at Bulls one evening he was struck with the extraordinary rhetorical talent displayed by a fine looking man, apparently about thirty yearse of ege, who was reoiting in fine style some selections from the "Merchant of Venioe." Upon enquiry.it was found his name was Gotty, a New Zealand half-caste, whose father at one time owned a station near Wanganui. The yoong fellow, who now occupies his time and uses his talents in no better way than splitting posts for the Maoris among whom he lives, gained high honors at Oxford, and at London University took the first prize for elocution against all comers. The prize, a costly volume of " The Lays of Ancient Borne," bears the autographs of Bishop Selwyn and the Bight Hon. W. E. Gladstone, by whose hands it was presented. * Doubtful Shototty. —"iEglee" in the '• Australasian" writes: —An eminent money lender of my acquaintance says that he has had some very curious things offered him as securities for loans. The one that took him most by surprise was tendered by a gentleman in whose affaire the official assignee and creditors had displayed unusual interest. He pressed Mr Mordeoai very hard, and at last the wealthy capitalist said, " Well, show mc any security at all, Mr Sponge; I will see what I can do for you." " That's easily done," said S. " Here's my last certificate of disoharge. I only got it yesterday. Let mc have £5 on it! If I don't pay, you shall have the next as collateral." Popular Lectubks.—The first of a series of popular lectures to be given in connection with the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, will be delivered in the Science Lecture Theatre, Canterbury College, on Thursday next, by Professor Hutton—subject, " The Origin of Living Matter." Shbton —On Thursday evening an entertainment and dance will be held in aid of the Town Hall Company. The committee of management have been successful in securing tbe services of Dr McCarthy and other popular anateurs. The Amateur Dramatio Clnb have kindly volunteered their services for the occasion, and will appear in the".lrish Doctor." It is hoped that the weather will be favorable, when a crowdea house will reward the directors for their many endeavors to oblige the'public. Teaohebs' Meeting —The teaohers ef the educational district of North Canterbury are requested to meet in the Normal School at one p.m. on Saturday 5 next, to consider the proposed Teachers' Pensions Act. Haemonic Society's Concebt.—The final conoertin connection with the Harmonic Society will be held in the Oddfellows' Hall this evening. A really excellent programme has been prepared, and an opportunity is thus offered_ the lovere of music to spend an enjoyable evening. As this is the last concert of the season, it will, no denbt be largely patronised.