NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5407, 25 January 1883, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Habbob Boabd.—Mr Joyce, the Mayor of Sydenham, has been nominated as a candidate for the representation of Sydenham on the Lyttelton Harbor Board. Ltttblton Regatta.—A meeting of the Committee was held on Monday night, in the Colonists' Hall, at which the accounts sent in were passed for-payment. The meeting adjourned until Friday to receive the balance-sheet.

Hotel Employes' Picnic.—A final meeting of the hotel employes re their picnic was held at the City Hotel last night, and it was decided to take their party to Sumner by Hayward's coaches, starting from Cathedral square at 9 a.m. on Thursday, February Ist. Liabilities or Spobts Committees.—A case will be fonud reported in another column which will be interesting to competitors at and judges and committees of sports meetings, especially as regards the proper publication of rules under which they are managed. Mb Maccabk.—There was a crowded house at the Oddfellows' Hall last night, when Mr Maccabe again made his appearance in his entertainment. The audience were kept fully amused during the whole period, and Mr Maccabe's clever impersonations were equally successful as on former evenings. He will appear again to-night, Plastebebs' Society. — A Committee meeting for the Plasterers' Accident and Relief Society was held at the Wellington Hotel last night. The rules of the society were reconsidered previous to being submitted to the general meeting to be held next week. After the transaction of some other routine business the meeting terminated. Supbeme Cotjbt.—The Court was occupied yesterday with the case ef Moses v the Norwich Union Insurance Company, which was an action to recover £650 on two fire insurance policies. The case for the plaintiff was concluded, and a nonsuit point raised by the counsel for the defence was reserved until this morning for further argument. The Court wQI sit tbis morning at ten o'clock. The remaining case on the list, Stark v Hawken and Hawken, has been put down for Tuesday next. Lyttelton R.M. Cotjbt.—John Ollivier, Esq., R.M., presided at this Court yesterday morning. Robert Croton, who waa remanded to give him a chance to pay np, did not appear, and a warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of neglecting to provide for his children in the Home. —Edwin Lusher, master of the barque Conference, was charged with assaulting his steward, H. Deßoden. Mr Joyce ap- [ peared for the steward, Mr Nalder for the | defence. After a large amount of evidence had been adduced, the case was dismissed, each party to pay his own costs. Ths Opeba.—"La Fille dv Tambour [Major" was given for the last time at the Theatre yesterday evening, when there was a 'capital house. The opera went very brightly from first to last, and the principals were not only complimented with encores, but also called before the curtain at the end of the second act. To-night "Patience" will be produced, with Miss Elsa May in the title role, Miss Blanche Lewis as Lady Jane, and Mr Vernon in his old part of Bunthorne. The piece will be staged with the same completeness that has marked the production of the opera just concluded, and no doubt " Patience" will be as great a favorite with Christchurch playgoers as on its first presentation by Mr Williamson's company. a CoNGBEGATioNAL Union.—The session of the Congregational Union was continued yesterday, at Trinity Church, and concluded during the afternoon. In the evening a tea-meeting was held in the schoolroom, which was largely attended. The tables were well supplied with all kinds of delicacies, which appeared to be highly appreciated by those present. At the conclusion of the tea-meeting an adjournment was made to the church, where a public meeting waa held, the Bey. Mr Will—uns, President of the Union, occupying the chair. During the evening addresses were delivered by the Chairman, the Bey. Dr. Boaeby, and others of the delegates attending the Union session. The choir of the church rendered aome sacred music very well indeed.

European Flax. —Mr L. V. Desborough, of Southbridge, has on view at his store at Southbridge a sample ot European flax grown by Mr John Davis on Mr. Arthur Campbell's land, Lakeside, which gives an average weight of fifty-seven pounds to the bushel

Thb Pbic~ op Gas at Mblboubnb.—lt will be seen (says tbe Melbourne " Argus " of January 16th) by advertisement in another column that the Metropolitan Gas Company has decided to reduce the price of gas to 6s 7d per 1000 cubic feet. The price hitherto has been 7s per 1000 ft. Thb Hospital Sta—•.—At the usual meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday, Dr. Nedwill was elected by ballot as the additional member of the Hospital staff. It was also decided to intimate to the staff that one of their number should be appointed to treat cases of diseases special to women and children.

Thb Charitable Aid Confrbencr.— Judging from the number of replies received from the various local bodies in answer to the circular issued by the Charitable Aid Board, asking for a conference on the subject of charitable aid and the maintenance of Hospitals, there will be a large attendance on the 31st inst. All parts of the district will be very fully represented on the occasion.

Good Tekplabs.—The Lytton Amateur Dramatic Club gave an entertainment last evening in the Papanni Town Hall in aid of the funds of the Advance Lodge of Papanui, 1.0. G.T. There was a large attendance of members and their friends. The entertainment comprised the farces of "The Lottery Ticket" and " Slasher and Crasher." The programme was very creditably gone through. The piano was presided over by Mr Gardiner, who played well during the evening. The whole was brought to a close with a dance.

Tinwald Saleyards.—The yards erected at Tinwald by the Ashburton County Saleyards Company are now completed, and were opened on Monday to the public. The yards are situated on a twenty-acre section at the junction of Ford's road with the main South road, about half a mile from the railway station. The sheep pens are ninety in number, including pens for fat sheep andfor stores. There are two branding lanes and a number of drafting races. The cattle yards comprise sixty-five inclosures, in which can be yarded up 600 head of cattle. Pens are provided for about 300 pigs. The sheep pens are substantially, constructed. The cattle pens are strongly built, and are well adapted for the purpose for which they are intended. The contractors for the work were Messrs Lowe and Brader. Great satisfaction has been expressed at the workmanlike manner in which the contract has been carried out. Facing the South road there is now in course of erection a good sized refreshment room, together with oflice accommodation for the Secretary, farmers, auctioneers, and others who may have business at the saleyards. At present there is no rostrum, but the directors contemplate building one at some future time. They also intend to erect sheep dips both at the yards on the Ashburton side of the river, and at Tinwald. The cost of the yards, including the offices just erected at Tinwald, is about £2000. At the opening of the yards a luncheon was provided in the refreshment room now being built, the caterer being Mr M. Scott. About 150 guests sat down. Mr C. P. Cox was in the chair. After luncheon, Mr J. T. Ford of Christchurch offered some good lines of sheep. Judgment Summonses. —In the Besident Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, Mr Thomas mentioned two cases—Thomas and Bruges v Treloar, and Blunt v Moore. It was his intention, if so advised, to apply in them for judgment summonses. He did. not like to proceed, however, without the opinion of the Bench. In both these cases the amounts involved were smaLL Mr Beetham* on a former occasion, had ruled that the presentation of a judgment summons to a debtor residing outside the district must be accompanied by a tender of the amount required, to cover his expenses to the Court where the case was to be heard. . In each of the cases mentioned the defendants were quite able to pay their debts, and if the plaintiff had to abide by the decision of Mr Beetham he would have to lay out say JBIO for the prospective recovery of half that amount; which, to a prudent man. would be a risk rather too great. His Worship thought that if the plaintiffs could prove that the defendants were able to discharge their debt there would be no necessity to tender travelling expenses: judgment summonses might be taken out in the Courts nearest the places of their residence, j

Dbutds.—The usual fortnightly meeting of the Hope of St. Albans Lodge was held in the lodge room on Tuesday evening last, Bro. Moore, A.D. presiding. There wa3 a very large attendance of members and visitors. The chief business of the evening was the presentation of a splendid gold framed P.A. diploma to Bro. J. E. TomJinson, in recognition of the services rendered by him to the lodge and order in general. The presentation was made on behalf of the lodge by Bro. A. C. Birt, T.P.A., who stated that the recipient had joined the order when Druidism was very little thought about in New Zealand, and had gradually worked himself from the lowest to the highest office it was in the power of the lodge to bestow. He hoped that his example would be copied by the other young members present. Bro. Tomlinson replied thanking the brothers for their present, and saying that he intended to work as hard for the order in the future as he had done in the past. Two candidates were then initiated and two proposed, after which the lodge was duly closed by the Arch Druid.

Lyttelton Naval Abtillery.—Some time since it waa predicted that when the new Volunteer Regulations came into force the Lyttelton Naval Brigade would disappear from the service, the new regulations being, it was said, of too stringent a character. Such has not come to pass, however, the rules after all proving a means of establishing the Corps, if possible, upon a much more satisfactory and permanent footing. One of the great needs felt by the members of the Naval Volunteers in Lyttelton has been the opportunity for exercising at boat drill. The Lyttelton Harbor Board's boats were upon several occasions temporarily placed at their disposal, but as the Board possesses only the number of boats actually required for services connected with the shipping, the desire to become efficient in boat drill had to give way by force of circumstances. This matter was brought to the notice of the member for Lyttelton, Mr Harry Allwright, by the Secretary of the Company, with a request that he would communicate with the Minister of Defence on the subject. Yesterday, Mr Allwright received a reply from the Hon. Mr Bryce, stating that a sum of £150 would be provided for the purpose of supplying the deficiency.

Ashbubton County Council.—A special meeting of the above Council was held yesterday. Present—Messrs E. G. Wright (in the chair), T. Bullock, J. Jackson, J. Lambie, .and H. T. Winter. The Chairman briefly explained the business to be brought before the meeting, and the Council proceeded to confirm a resolution re the striking of a special rate of 4d in the £. Mr F. Mainwaring was appointed returning officer for the licensing districts of Upper Ashburton, Mount Somers, Rangitata, and the Wakanui Boad Board districts. It was further resolved that the Clerks to the various Road Boards be the presiding officers at the licensing elections in the different districts. In reply to a letter from the (Chairman of the Christchurch Hospital Board, it was resolved tbat Mr E. G. Wright be appointed as a delegate to represent the Council at the meeting to be held in Christchurch to discuss the means of raising funds for charitable aid purposes. A letter was read from the Under-Secretary for Pnblic Works re the levying of a rate to cover the deficiency for the year ending 31st March, 1882, in respect of the Ashburton Forks railway. It was decided to leave the matter in abeyance till the next ordinary meeting of the Council. The Council | went into Committee to consider a charge ' of alleged tampering with the water races, laid by the Banger against Mr Hussey, and on resuming it was resolved that the 1 Council saw no reason to take action against Mr Hussey. A number of applications for 1 water races were considered, and the Coun«il adjourned

Wkateoeb Exchange.—New Zealand, yesterday—Pressure recovered in the North but it is still overcast, with a rough sea and N.E. wind. Austral_~F_ e . with increased pressure over Tasmania aad the South coast, and Southerly winds; decreased pressure on West coast. Barometer — Bussell, 30.0; Wellington, 80.1; Bluff, 30.2; Albany, 29.9; Hobart, 30.2; Portland, 30.1; Sydney, 29.8. * F—B-—An alarm of fire was given by the bells at the Brigade's stations this morning, shortly after one o'clock. A shed in Hazeldean road, owned by a hawker named John Davey, and used as a store 'for crockery and miscellaneous goods, was burned with its contents. The engines were promptly on the spot, but were too late to save the property. Whether or not the shed was insured conld not, up to our going to press, be ascertained. Open Am CoNCEBT.~Mr Hamilton's Band will give a concert, on the lawn of tha Working Men's Club to-night at 8.30 p.m., when they will play the following programme :— 1, March in " Scipio," Handel; 2, quadrille, "Operatic/*various; 3, air, "Love's Request." Reichardt; 4, mazurka, " Italiana," Verdi ; 5, valse, "Rippling Waves,"Hamilton ; 6, "Caledonia," various; 7, polka, "Tra-la-la," Hamilton ; 8, fantasia from " Lnrline," Wallace ; 9, air (by desire), " The Village Blacksmith," Weiss; 10. galop (coach horn solo), " Mail Coach," Hamilton; " God Save the Queen." i

Hospital and Charitable Aid Institutions. —The statement of receipts and expenditure of the Hospitals and charitable institutions under the control of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for the half-year ending 31st December, were laid before the Board yesterday. Briefly summarised, the results are as follows.—Christchurch Hospital: Receipts for maintenance, &c. -3187 4s 6d; expenditure, JE2533 8s lid. The daily number of patients was stated as being 63. Tho daily average cost of each patient was stated as being 4s 4fd, but the repayments reduce this to 4s Of d. For the corresponding period of last year the daily average cost of each patient was" 3s Bj-d. The extra coat this year is accounted for in the sum expended for general repairs, painting, &c Akaroa Hospital: Receipts for maintenance of patients, &c, £4 14s ; expenditure, J3238 0s lid. Casual ward: Beceipts, £7 7s; expenditure, —35 12s lOd. Canterbury Orphanage: Amount received for maintenance of children, £45 4b 4d; expenditure, £1061 2s Bd. Ashburton Home: Receipts, nil; expenditure, —66716s 4d. Charitable Aid.—Beceipts—To refunds formaintenance,&c.,-34125. Expenditure— City of Christchurch, -31013 03 10d; Borough of Sydenham, J6323 12s lOd; Borough of Timaru, -3291 16s 6d; Borough of Bangiora, —56 13s; Borough of Kaiapoi, _262 7s 4d; Borough of St. Albans, _383 18 lOd; County of Selwyn, -3569 7s 5d ; j County of Ashley, .£175 0s 3d; County of Akaroa, .£B4 16s; County of Greraldine and Temuka, -3124 6s; County of Waimate, j JEBO 53 Id ; County of Amuri, _J24; destitute children, ,£397 8s 4d; wages (Domain, | Government Buildings, and Hospital), -647 8s 6d ; salaries, _501 7s Bd. Total, £4435 8s 7d. The following shows the summary of receipts and expenditure for the half-year ending December 31st, 1882 .- —Receipts—Christchurch Hospital, £187 4s 6d ; Akaroa Hospital, £4 14s; casual ward, £7 7s; Canterbury Orphanage, —45 4s 4d; charitable aid, £4 12s. Total, -5249 Is lOd. Expenditure—Christchurch Hospital, JE2533 8s lid; Akaroa Hospital, -3238 0s lid; casual ward, _335 12s 10d; Canterbury Orphanage, -31061 2s 8d; Ashburton Home, -3667 16s 4d; charitable aid, .£4435 8s 7d. Total, -38971 10a 3d.

Pbesbtterian.—The meeting of the congregation of St. Andrew's with the deputation appointed by the Presbytery will take place this evening in the New Oddfellows' Hall, at 7.30.

Sotjndß Excursion.—-Excursionists may now book by the U.S.S. Company's Tarawera for the annual trip to the Sounds of the West Coast. She takes only a limited number of passengers, and the list is rapidly filling up.