NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5562, 17 July 1883, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Marionettes.—The Eoyal Marionettes iv-iil probably open on Saturday next in Cijristchurch, but the location is not yet kui.wa. Stud Hobses foe Sydney.—By the Wakatipu yesterday, there were shipped to Sydney Mr TorrenJrs heavy draught atallion, The Governor, and Mr J. Donaldson's Oainaru bred stallion, Sydney. Sydenham Wobking Men's Club. —The new premises occupied by the Sydenham Working Men's Club, in Colombo street South, were opened for the first time last evening. The attendance of members was very large. f. Drunkenness. —Three first offenders were charged at the Lyttelton Police Court yesterday morning with being drunk. Two were fined 10s each, and the third having been picked up on Sunday afternoon, was fined 20s. Lyttelton Habbob Boabd. —A special meeting of the Lyttelton Harbor Board will be held ou Friday, at 2.30 p.m., at which a quantity of business, including matters in reference to the electric lighting at the Port, will come up for consideration. Sheffield E.M. Coubt.—The Eesident Magistrate's Court at Sheffield on Thursday has got the large number of seventyeight cases set down for hearing, .the Selwyn County Council dog ranger sbeing responsible for the majority. I'atal Accident. — A child named Sarah Ann Eose Day, six years of age, died at about ten o'clock yesterday morning at the Lyttelton Orphanage from the effects of a burn received on the 13th inst in the nursery of that institution. It is probable that an inquest will be held at Port to-day. Eabthquakk.—Yesterday, at Waikari, at 4 p.m., the shock of an earthquake was reported to have been felt. A shook was also distinctly felt in Chriatchurch. Our Sheffield correspondent writes:—A very smart shock of earthquake was felt here at four and a-half minutes past four yesterday. The direction appeared to be from West to East, and was the smartest shock experienced since 1879. Abbebt.—A man named William S winbourne was arrested by Detective' Jones late last night on a charge of breaking and entering the house of a settler named Arthur, at Eussell's Flat, on Sunday, and stealing therefrom a pair of trousers yalued at £1 ss. Swinbiurne , wore a> pfcir of trousers which the.informant, claimed as: his at the time oJE hie arrest.

Wbatbeb JSxCB&NOB — New . Zealand, yesterday; — High' pressure approaching from the N.W., and generally fine, except showery at Gisborne; southerly winds. Australia — High pressure over central Australia and fine, with westerly winds. Barometer—Bussell, Wellington and Bluff, 30.2; Albany and Portland, 30.0; Hobart, 29.9; Sydney, 30.2. The -Education Act. — Twenty-one oases against parents for not sending children to school in terms of the compulsory clauses of the Education Act, were heard yesterdiy at the Kaiapoi Resident Magistrate's Court, before Mr Porter, E.M. In each case peremptory orders were made, or fines of 10s in cases of repeated offences were inflicted.

St. John's Temperance Socebtt. —This Society held another very successful meeting in the schoolroom last evening. The attendance was very large, and a more appreciative audience could not well have been desired, as almost every one of the songs, recitations, and readings comprising the rather lengthy programme was loudly applauded. The chair was occupied by Mr H. Bennetts.

Supeeme Court.—The civil sittings of the Supreme, Court were opened yesterday, before his Honor Mr Justice Johnston, without a jury, and concluded. Several cases were postponed till next sitting in August, the only one decided being Hill t Leonard. This was an action for .£250 damages for malicious prosecution, and resulted in a verdict for defendant with costs. His Honor will sit in Chambers today at 11 a.m.

Handcttffikq Prisoners. — In the Supreme Court yesterday morning, Mr J. B. Fisher Icommented very strongly upon the practice of the police handcuffing persons charged with indictable offences when proceeding from the Depot to the Court. His Honor said he of course could not express any opinion on the subject then, but he had always laid it down as a nnyrim of law that no store force should be used by the police than was absolutely necessary for public safety.

Abhbubton Hukt Club. —At a meeting of tho above Club, held at Quill's Hotel, on Friday evening, the following officers were appointed:—President, Mr E. G. Wright; Vice-Presideiits, Messrs Hugo Friedlaiider and M. Stitt; Master, Mr H. T. Winter j Secretary, Mr J. Cargill; Treasurer, Mr W. Hutchison; Committee, Messrs Max Friedlander, S. Saunders, £. G. Crisp, W. Denshire, John Hunt, and Dr. Boss. It was resolved that the Committee make arrangements for hunting in the district daring the months of August and September. During the past week the hounds have been in Ashbnrton, and several meets have taken place is various parts of the district.

Gold Discovzbxbs. — A gentleman just arrived in town states that a few days ago a ehepherd employed on a station near the Bakaia Gorge picked tip a large piece of quartz, -which when broken showed gold very freely. The same gentleman states that there are now quite a number of prospectors' oat "fossicking " about that district, and old diggers now in town expect to hear of a big find soon, as it is a general opinion that the 'RfrV&ia. Gorge is highly auriferous, and that a careful prospect will reveal the fact. A petition signed by bis Worship the Mayor and a number of influential citizens has been forwarded to Government, ngViTig that a bonus on the usual terms should be offered for the discovery of a payable goldfield in Canterbury. If such bonus is granted the prospectors who brought in the auriferous Band mentioned in these columns a few weeks ago will probably reveal the locality where it was found.

New Grand Obakgb Lodq*.—At a meeting of Orangemen, held last evening at the Foresters' Hotel, it wee resolved to form a new Grand Lodge of the Order for the South Island. Escaped Lunatic.—A. patient named Patrick Lynch made Ms escape from the Sunnyside Asylum at about 7 p.m. yesterday, by getting ont through a window, but was recaptured about nine o'clock last evening. Druids' Ofkba Tboupe.— The first annual entertainment given by the Drnids Colored Opera Troupe, in aid of the i)ruids' Benevolent Pnnd, will take place at the Theatre Eoyal on Thursday next, for which a very attractive programme has been prepared. The City Guards Band and several lanios aad gentlemen will assist on the occa«iou. _.~ LONGBZACH KOAD BOAJtD. At tile litSt monthly meeting of the above Board, a resolution waa carried to the effect that a legal opinion be obtained as to whether the amount deficient in Mr Cuthburf s books, owing to his defalcations of the rate account at the audit of January, could not be recovered from the Provincial Auditor, who had passed the same as being correct. Amongst otter business, it was reeolved that a special rate of a half-penny in the £ lon the rateable value of property in each subdivision of the district be struck for the (year ending March 31st, 1884, payable on the 3rd day of August, 1883.

ASHBUBTON POULTRY ASSOCIATION. At a meeting of the above Society held on Friday evening, the folio wing judges at the forthcoming show were appointed.— Poultry, Messrs A. Saunders, J. Wood, and W. Smith ; pigeons, D. Shaw, J. Wood, and S. Saunders; canaries, T. Stapleton, A. Wadsworth, and George Jameson. The followingft,marshala were also chosen: — Poultry, the Secretary and Mr J. W. Siloock j pigeons, Meisrs G. H. St. Hill and J. Permain; canaries, Messra S. W. Alcorn, and: E. Cookson. In consequence of dissatisfaction having been expressed concerning the conditions of the silver cup competition, the committee have decided upon making the following alterations:— Winners of first prize to count 3 points, second prize 2, highly commended 1, and commended i- The secretary stated that a large number of entries have been promised for the Show, which is expected to be more successful than in previous years. Entries will close on the 31st inst.

1.0.0.P.—A meeting of the Tai Tapu Lodge, No. 34, was held in the schoolroom, Tai Tapu, on Tuesday, the 10th instant, D.D.G.M. Bro. A. Schwartz presiding. After the usual business was dispensed with, D.D.G.M. Bro. Swartz, assisted by visiting brethren from Bidgley and Addington Lodges, then installed the newlyelected officers in their various positions for the ensuing term, as follows:—N.G., Bro. A. Blank; V.G., Bro. Forbes; Secretary, Bro. H. Peryman; Treasurer, Bro. B. A. Forbes ; Conductor, Bro. Bidder; Warden, Bro. Faulkner ; 1.G., Bro. Tribe 0.G., Bro. P. Biyson; R.S.N.G., Bro. Bryson; L.S.N.G., Bro. F. Fecken; 8.5. V.G., Bro. H. Bidder; L.S.V.G., Bro. F. Tanner. After which, D.D.G.M. Bro. A. Schwartz gave a lengthy account regarding the progress of the Order in Tai Tapu district, which showed that the lodge was in a Very fair way to prosper. The lodge was then closed in due form by the N.G.

SeFTON AND AlffBWtTiHY PLOUGHING Match.—A meeting of the Committee for the above was held on Saturday evening. Mr Hanna was in the chair, and reported the business done since last meeting. The Secretary read the correspondence that had taken place, and also intimated that Messrs George Booth and Son and Messrs Kelsey Eros., had signified their intention of giving an implement or implements of considerable value as prizes, the former for double-fuiroye class, the latter not yet decided. All the members present expressed their satisfaction with the liberal way subscriptions were coming forward, as a good many merchants and local tradesmen were' giving special prizes. It was resolved that on account of the Lincoln, Papanui and Kaiapoi matches coming off next week, the Seftoh match be put <>ff till Wednesday, the Ist August. The rules were then revised and altered to suit the circumstances of the case, and the Secretary was instructed to advertise the date of meeting, and attend to other correspondence, after which the meeting adjourned, to, be called together again as circumstances require.

. Inhxpesibnced Dbtvebs.—Mr Beetham, at the Besident Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, found it necessary to make some severe remarks about boys being entrusted . with the driving of carts in the streets. 'A lady, while crossing at the Bank of New Zealand, was run into and knocked down by a baker's cart which, going at a fast rate, came upon her so suddenly as to preclude the possibility of escape.' Her injuries were so severe that she had been confidetT'to bed for over a fortnight, and appeared in Court in a very weak state. The driver of the cart was a lad aged about fourteen years. As he stood in Court, he appeared to be peculiarly unfit to drive a horse and cart in a crowded thoroughfare. He blinked at the' Magistrate in a manner that is never seen except in the case of weak-eyed or short-sighted: people. His] wages were 5s per week, and he had been driving for fifteen months. He knew nothing about the by-law against fast driving, round corners. His master, who was present, said he thought that by-law had been done away with. His Worship remarking that probably he would have an opportunity to find out about that, fined the boy in a small sum, and hoped that in all such cases the masters would be got at and made to feel their responsibility.

Enterprise.—A correspondent sends us the following:—lt is cheering, in these days when so many men stay at home and grumble about the scarcity of work, instead of shouldering their swag and making tracks to where there is employment, to chronicle an undertaking which will tend to show that some of our Canterbury born young fellows are not quite deficient of that Anglo-Saxon quality, pluck. Messrs J. White and W. Pegg started from West Oxford last November with a 9-horse engine and complete sawmill plant for the Bealey, via Porter's Pass, and after some difficulties arrived there and cut the timber for the Upper Waimakiriri and Poulter bridges. Having obtained the contract for cutting the timber for the Taipo bridge, 120,000 ft., they determined to push on, although the snow was very deep on Arthur's Pass, and to use their own words, they crossed the Pass in a regular howling snowstorm, and drovers and other old hands on .the road: will know what that means 3 However they pushed on, descended the Otira Gorge, the engine shoe breaking at the first pitch, and got to the Otira Hotel at pitch dark at nigfit. Considering the engine with her fly wheels, which were not unshipped, weighs seven tons, I think those who know the Otira Gorge will agree with mc that it must have required a considerable amount of pluck, skill, and endurance. They arrived at the Otira on July 3rd.

Industrial Exhibition.—A meeting of the Executive Committee of the proposed Industrial Exhibition was held last evening. There were present—Messrs A. G. Howland (chairman), "Weston, Kirk, Mitchell, England, Banks, Hall, Duncan, Wood, Hull, Beese, Jenkins and .Allan. The first business was- the appointment of a gentleman to fill the important position of Secretary, for which no less than fiftyseven applications had been sent in. After a careful canvass of the merits of the respective candidates, Mr J. B. Sheath was elected to the post. Letters, apologising for non-attendance, were read from His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Geo. Coleman, J. P. Jameson, Scott and Professor yon Haast. On the motion of Mr Hull, seconded by Mr Allan, it was resolved— "That a Corresponding Committee be appointed, consisting of the officers and Messrs T. S. Weaton and W. B. Mitchell. , ' Mr Seese proposed and Mr Jenkins seconded—"That Messrs Weeton, Hull, Allan, Mitchell and Howland be appointed a Sub-Committee to draw up regulations for the guidance of the Exhibition." Carried. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Allan, seconded by Mr Hull—"That £50 be placed in the hands of the Corresponding Committee to defray expenses of advertising." The meeting then adjourned.

Inqukst at Moctnt Sokxks.—An inquest was heldat Hood's Hotel on Thursday on the body of Geo. Long, aged twenty-eeren. a native of l> eland, who committed suicide on Monday last in a small enclosure adjoining the hotel. Mr J. Hood was chosen foreman of the jury. There was no evidence takes as to the probable cause of the rash, act, but it was shown that Long had been of eccentric habits. A verdict was zetuaned to the effect "That deceased committed suicide by shooting himself while in an unsound state of mind."

"N.Z. Country Journal."—The July number of the "New Zealand Country Journal" has been issued, and as usual bears traces not alone of careful editing but interesting and thoughtful contributions. An excellent map of the South Island appears in this issue, showing the chief and minor towns, railways, &c, and also the blocks of land open in the several dktricts under the various systems in force for sale and disposal of land. Mr G. Gray, P.C.S., continues his instructive papers with respect to the chemistry of the dairy, and then comes one of the pleasantest papers in the number, the gossip of Mr Potts in "Out in the Open," as to the kea. This paper is full of interest and is in Mr Potts' )>est style of description, redolent as it is of the country, and well deserving the title "Out in the Open." The other articles comprise notes on the pink-eye disease in horses, fruit farming, Mr Farr'e description of the efforts of the Acclimatisation Society in the direction of fish culture, sporting notes, &c. Generally, the number is fully equal to those whica have preceded it, and not only affords information to the special class interested in pastoral and agricultural pursuits, but to the general reader.

Cathedbal Union,—A meeting of the above will be held this evening, when the Key. Canon Stanford will read the continuation of a paper on " Ancient Egypt.