NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5057, 22 November 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Abbbst.—W. H. Hlingwortb, an employe of Mr H. M. Goodger, cab proprietor, was arrested last night on a charge of embezzling 3s, monies belonging to his employer. Kohxbb'B Waxwobks.—This exhibition was again well patronised yesterday evening, the wondrous musical talent displayed by Mr R. W. Kohler being highly appreciated by the visitors. Sydenham and thb Dbainagk Rats.— At the meeting of the Borough Council last night, it was resolved to take steps, if so advised, for again testing the legality qf the drainage rate as applied to Sydenham. Fatah Accident at H__.__nrc.—A man, whose name we did not learn, met with his death by falling from the ooaoh on Saturday. An inquest will be held to-day, before Mr Whitofoord. Annual Spobts.—The committee of the Popular Amusement Association met yesterday, and resolved to proceed at once with preparations for the usual sports held in Hagley Park on eaoh anniversary of the province.

Thb Cash of Fobohet Against W. W. Ghabtbbs. —This case was to have been heard at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, but owing to the unusually large number of ordinary aotions the hearing was postponed till Friday next at half-past 10 a.m.

Iktebooloniai, Wbathkb Exohasgb.— Sydney, Saturday evening.—Gloomy weather, with showers from S.W., still continues on south coast, with light B.E. winds in Tea* mania, and S.W. in New South Wales. Barometer —-Portland, 29.9; Hobart and Sydney, 29.7. Thk-XBS BOTAii.—The attendance at this place of amusement last night was very moderate, despite the advent of Mies Blanche Vaughan, and tbe serio comic drama of the *••■ Lost Will." The " Invaeioh of Pafihaka ?* was played for the last time. The bill for this evening will be "My Cousin Matthew" and "111 treated Trovatore," the performance being for the benefit of Mr J. P. Hydes. - MA-TOKVIL-- AND BaFGIOSA DSAINAGH DiSTßior.—Messrs Mulocok (chairman), and Boys, Duncan and Young, members of the Board of Conservators, met on Monday morning at the mouth of the main drain, Slexton, and decided to have speci-cations prepared and invite tenders for widening the drain from the river to the railway bridge as a commencement of the work to be carried out during the summer months. : WOEKIHS MEN'S POMIIOAI ASSOOIATIOK. —An adjourned meeting of the aeaooiatioh was held at the Wellington Hotel for the enrolment of members, and also for the election of officers. The following were elected: —President, Mr Bitcliff; secretary, Mr Graham; committee, Messrs Hatohard, Pazzi, Bailey, and Bullock. It was also resolved— "That the association hold meetings In the various electorates for the purpose of enrolling members, and to further its objects." The next meeting will be held at Sydenham.

Ohoka and -_vbbtoh Baoes.—A meeting of tbe race committee was held at Fountaine's Junction Hotel, on Monday, Mr Gh Bailey, president, in the chair. After a good deal of irasinesss had been gone through, it was decided to alter the programme, as advertised in this issue, by adding a hack race, one mile, of 10 sove, and the time of starting was also altered from the time at first advertised to 12.30. The committee decided to erect a building for the convenience of the stewards, owneri, and jockeys. A large sum was announced as having been subscribed.

Emp-Ovmbht o* F__tAi_ss.—lt appears that, in addition to ordinary ocoupatione, females may find employment in assisting at the Magistrate's Courts. Failing to obtain the usual interpreter at the Kaiapoi Magistrate's Court on Monday, a very respectable Maori woman was sworn as interpreter to assist in translating the evidence in a larceny case, whioh she did with evident ca-e, and delivered the judgment of the .Court quite a. impressively as it came from the lips of the Besident Magistrate; in fact, Merehana Hemio-a, or Mrs Mary Ann Siramondi aoquitted herself moat satiafaotorily in the new role.

AaotDBBT to A CtriTHß.—As the cutter Annie was coming up the harbor from one of the bays on the Peninsula on Sunday night, laden with firewood, she capsized a little below -folian's Bay. The Master,;McKen_i., and his mate got into the dingy, and succeeded in landing without much trouble. They at once hurried to the residence of the master of the Harbor Board's steam tug, Captain J. W. Clark, and he very promptly proceeded with the steamer to the scene. After securing the cutter amidships a tow line was made fast to her, and she was brought up into the inner harbor, and made fast to one of the where she will be discharged and righted.

Weslbtah Distbict MBBTrtfe. — The annual meeting of the Wesleyan ministers of the Canterbury district was commenced yesterday in the Durham street schoolroom, at 3 pjn. There were present—The Bert. J. A. Taylor (chairman), Bangiora; J. Boiler, J. Aldred, and 3. S. Bishworth, Chriatchurch; W. Keall, Ashburton; J. H. Simmonds, Kaiapoi; W. B. Marten, Lyttelton; W. Bsumber, Chriatchurch; 8. J. Garlick, Woodend; W. E. Q-illam, Ohriatehurch-and T. Gh Brooke, Leeston. Touching reference was made in the devotional exercises to the loss sustained by the Church during the year in the death* of the Beys. J. B. Bichardson and J. Arm-tag*. The Bey. J. Aldred wm elected secretary. Hours of session vere fixed as follows:—Morning,9.3oto 12; afternoon, 2 to 5. The Beys. Messrs Lewis and Marten were appointed reporters to the daOy papers and the "■ New Zealand Wesleyan." mental were made for the probationers to preach during the sessions, said certain mims-f tens deputed to them. After some further preliminary business the meetinff ad* jounied tiU 9.30 o'clock to day. i

S___B ov A Teotthb—Dr. McO-rtHy's trotting mare was sold by auction at Rangiora on Monday, and realised £40.

Aoadbjct of Music—The capital bill submitted by the Hart troupe drew a very good house at the Academy hut evening, which was the h_-A of the season. I_rQ-___. —The adjourned inquest on the body of the infant found in the River Avon by a boating party on the 12th inst., was to have been held at the Clarendon Hotel yesterday, but owing to a legal difficulty having arisen through tbe illness of the foreman, Mr P. Faterson, the inquiry was further adjourned till the 28th inst. A____h ov Fran.—The Are bell rang an alarm at half-past nine o'olook last night, and a glare in a north-westerly'direction, indicated that the vicinity of Park Terrace was the locality of the fire. The brigade turned out promptly, but their services Were not required, as the fire originated in a heap of gone cuttings in Hagiey Park, doubtless ignited by some thoughtless youngsters. Lyttbitos Maqibteatb'B Cottbt.—A man named R.beit Wyatfc, discharged from H.M. gaol on Friday last after undergoing a a term of nine months' imprisonment, was charged before Mr J. Beswick, 8.M., and Dr. Rouse, J.P., at this Court yesterday with breaches of the Prisons Act by holding communication with the prisoners while doing I the'jg_»iL-jgd leaving tobacco andmatohesfor the E quondam mates at work in the hard lspor gang. Mr H. N. Nalder appeared for*he accused. Evidence was given of the jiprohase by the accused of a pounds of tobacco similar to that found by *tb« officer in charge of the hard labor prisoners. The charges of holding communication with the prisoners, were supported by evidence found on pieces of paper, and- the writing npon which was proved to be that of the accused in one instance, and that of a prisoner still undergoing sentence within the walls of the gaol in another. Mr Nalder contended that no evidence had been given to connect the accused with the act of leaving I the tobacco where it was found, nor was it j proved that one of the pieces of paper found j upon him was not in his possession when he was discharged from gaol. The Bench thought differently, and sentenced him to one month's imprisonm-nt with hard labor in Addington gaol. Mr Phi-tips, the gaoler; stated that the visiting Justi.es to the'gaol had decided to discontinue supplying tobacco to all incoming prisoners in future, and that therefore the value of tobacco in prison would as a consequence be considerably enhanoed. P. J. Erricksen was, on the evidence of the medical attendants, committed to Sunnyside Asylum, his treatment in prison not having cured him of his malady. An offender, for allowing his horse to roam at large, was fined s*. A charge of using abusive language, pre* ferred by Mrs Jane Bobinson against Mrs Jane Radcliffe, was gone into at some length. The parties were neighbors, living in London street, and Mr Nalder, who appeared for the defendants, suggested that the parties settle their difference without going into the evidence. This was objeoted to by the-.com* plainant, and after a good deal of cross* swearing, the Bench brought matters to a conclusion by fining the defendant 6s and oosts, 7s.

A.0.P., Cotjbt Pbide of Richmond.—A lecture and concert, in aid of the funds of the above lodge, will be held in the Bingsland schoolroom on Wednesday, at seven o'clock. . Kaiapoi Spobts. and Raobs.—The meeting announced to be held to consider the question of holding these sports takes place tomorrow evening in the Council Chamber. Pbbsbttebian Conikbbnck. —A general conference of persons interested in the establishment of a Church Extension Association within the bounds of the Christohnrch Presbytery will be' held in St. Andrew's Church on Thursday, at 7.30 p.m. I_-CT-__-.—The Rev. J. Hill will deliver a lecture at the Presbyterian Church, Lyttelton, on Wednesday evening. Subjeot—"Phrenology —is it true or false."