NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6053, 9 February 1885, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Political.—Mr F. J. Garrick, M.HJi. for St. Albans, will address his constituents at the Merivale Schoolroom on Thursday next, at 7.80. East Cebibtcbubcb Bats.—A meeting of the East Christchitrch Swimming Club will be held to-night at the Eastern Hotel at seven o'clock. Thbatbical.—Miss Georgie Smithson, who is now playing at Hobart, has organised a company for a return trip through New Zealand, and will arrive here about the middle of next month. Lkbnsikg Cohuitcib Elections. —Bate, payers are reminded that the nominations for the election of Licensing Committees for 'the city wards commence on "Wednesday next, when those for the north-west and Bouth-east districts are due. Mandbtilu aicd Banqioka LidNerae Commttthb.—The election of this Committee takes place at Woodend on the 26th. Nominations to be sent in not later than moon on the 18th.

Bowuhq.—The play for the President's cup in connection with the Canterbury Bowling Club was resumed on Saturday afternoon, the pair matched being Alexander and Stewart. The scores at the end of the game stood—Stewart 21, Anderson 11. The winner has to play off Mr B. Hale, and if victorious becomes the winner of the cup. The return match, Christchurch v Canterbury Clubs will be played on Saturday next on the green of the former.

Vaqeanct.—Enquiries are being made for the whereabouts of a medium built man with dark beard and wearing dark clothes, supposed to be.a resident near West Eyreton. It is reported that the person wanted stopped some school children in Kaiapoi one day last week, and made use of very filthy language. The police have taken the matter up. TZNWAI.D School Coiohttbb. —The Tinwald School Committee met on Wednesday. Present —Messrs Shearer (Chairman), Heseltine, Smith, Snider, and Simpson. The Head Master reported that the school re-opened with an attendance of 83, which had eince increased to over 100. The Committee decided to support the candidature of Messrs Booth, Herrick, and Montgomery for seats on the Board of Education.

Eangioea Bicyclh Cltjb.—Buns under the auspices of this Club have been arranged to take place on the 11th to Kaiapoi, on the 18th to Saltwater Creek, a road race to be run on the 25th to Kaiapoi via Woodend and home by way of Flaxton. It was decided at a recent meeting of the Club to ascertain if the Domain Board would form a track for practice and race competitions in the outer circle of the cricket ground.

Thb Habvkst.—Our Ashburton correspondent writes:—Splendid harvest weather has bees experienced during the past week and a large quantity of tbe oat crop in the Ashburton County has been cut and Btooked. On Friday the first of the new crop was delivered at Messrs Friedlander Bros*, grain store. The oats were grown in the Seafield district, and were harvested in good condition. Falsb Pbbtbxtcxs.—At the* Ashburton Police Court on Saturday a well-known oharacter, named Kirton, was charged with having obtained various sums of money on the plea of poverty. Getting drunk with the money received he became troublesome at the railway station, and was arrested. He was sentenced to three months'imprisonment with hard labor. Baptist Chubch. —Services in connection with the fourteenth anniversary of the Oxford terrace Church were held yesterday. At the morning service the sermon was preached by Bey. C. Dallaston; the evening service waa conducted by the Bey. B. Erwin. The attendance at each service was good. On Tuesday a publio tea meeting is to be held, when a large gathering is expected. It may be mentioned that while this is the fourteenth anniversary of the church, it is also the eighth of the present pastorate, Mr Dallaston having commenced his work on January, 1877. Thb Sydenham Loan.—A well attended meeting of ratepayers interested in the raising of the proposed municipal loan for Sydenham was held at the Borough Council Chambers on Friday evening. Mr Wm. Langdown in the chair. Mr Eookwood and Mr Uhivers reported a list of subscriptions promised for the purpose of making the poll as effectual as possible. A number of those present formed themselves into committees for various parts of the borough for the purpose of inducing the ratepayers to vote on the polling day, and several gentlemen volunteered to run their conveyances on that occasion free of charge. After some further routine business the meeting adjourned till Wednesday next at the same place.

Sbicidb.—A man named James Fowler Plank, a cabinet maker, residing in the Cemetery road, Wooleton, committed suicide on Saturday morning. He had been drinking heavily for three weeke, off and on, and had got into a very depressed state of mind. Towards the end of Jest week he took some 4 furniture into town and sold it. " With the money he bought more, liquor, and apparently some poison, for on Saturday morning he told his wife, who found aim very ill, that he had taken poison, and she found a paper in his room containing about two ounces of bichromate of potash. A doctor was sent for and emetics were applied, but they were unavailing, and death ensued before Dr. Hunt arrived. The body was removed to the Wharf Hotel to await inquest. Ahhat School.—The treat and picnic in connection with the Annat School took place on Friday last at Annat, resulting in a decided success. Cricketing and croquet material have been procured for the children ; those and other games being entered into with great spirit throughout the day. Baces for boys and girls took place. Those present numberedaboat 250. During a pause in the sports the Chairman of the School Committee distributed books and other prizes to the amount of £A. Every child attending the school received a prize. Several generous friends gave special prizes, which were won as follows:— Sewing, May Vincent 1, Kate Vincent 2. Knitting, Marion JBarr 1, Mary Ferguson 2. Good conduct, George Suck and W. Tressider. Attendance, Elizabeth Montgomery 1, Philip Vincent and Birtie Keys (equal) 2. Before dispersing, hearty cheers were given for tfce donors, and also to the East Malvern Brass ; Band, who generously gave their services during .the afternoon, and largely conMbuted £> the enjoyment of those present*

Besident Magistrate's Coubt.—The business at the Besident Magistrate's Court on Saturday was disposed of very quickly. A first offender was fined 53, or in default theusual alternative for drunkenness, and Margaret Hughes, for a similar offence, was mulcted in the penalty of 10s, or .forty-eight hours incarceration at Addington. „ ■ Hotel Bttrht at Bakaia.—The Bailway Hotel, Bakaia, was totally destroyed by fire early on Saturday morning. The fire broke out in the kitchen, and quickly spread through the building. Nothing was saved by the inmates but the piano. The building belonged to Mr James Wallis, of Christchurch, an! was occupied by Mr G. S. Compton. It was insured in the South British for ittOOO, and the stock and furniture in the National for £600. The ; origin of the fire is unknown.

Tmabtt Exctjbsion.—As will be seen by advertisement elsewhere, with reference to the next Timaru excursion which takes place on Thursday next, the Chairman of the Timaru Harbour Board has placed the p.s. Titan at the disposal of the excursionists for a trip round the harbour. Mr Moss Jonas has also, with much public spirit, organised a movement to have sports in Timaru on the occasion of the excursion. The excursionists on Thursday will therefore, in addition to the many natural beauties of Timaru itself, have no lack of amusement during the period of their stay.

Lyttbltoic Bobouoh School.—A meeting of the newly-elected Committee was held on Friday night. On motion of Mr Harry Allwright, seconded by the Ber. W. J. Williams, the Bey. J. Townsend was re-elected Chairman. The report of the Inspectors was read, which was considered satisfactory. At the late examination it was shown that 91 per cent, of the children presented passed, that is, that 293 paased out of 326 presented. The number on the roll was 760, the number present 677, the average last quarter was 614, the average the last week 603, and the percentage of attendance to roll number 80- The Inspectors, Messrs W. Iα Edge and J. Camming, inttr •Kα men* tion that sewing is well taught. The report states—" It appears that the ladies of the town take an interest in this subject, occasionally visiting the school for the purpose of examining the work done." Some discussion took place as to altering the hour of resuming in the afternoon of school attendance from 1.30 p.m. to 2 p.m., but the subject was not decided, and will probably be returned to at the next meeting.

Kaiapoi Woollbic Factobt. — Daring last week the Kaiapoi Woollen Company completed the erection of one of the largest steam pumps in the district, the same to be used for supplying the works and in case of an outbreak of fire. It is one of Cameron's double action ram pumps, and ifl capable of lifting and distributing 20,000 gallons of water per hour. In presence of the Chairman of Directors and a representative of the Insurance Companies it was tested on Friday last. Within two minutes after the signal was given hose was laid and a strong jet of water being thrown against the chimney stack. Although there was a strong N.E. wind blowing, the force of water was sufficient to go quite over the large building and nearly to the top of the stack, which is 82ft in height. It will supply four sets of hose and gire a full head of water out of |in jets at the same time in different parts of the mill. As the steam is always on at the engine there will be no difficulty on the part of a dozen persons with the appliances at hand in quelling any outbreak of fire, whilst the water power can also be augmented with powerful steam jets inside the mill itself.

Kaiapoi Bifus Clxtb. —At a meeting of the Kaiapoi Bine Club, held on Friday evening, the President, Mr B. Moore, in the chair, it was reported that replies had sot been received from the Oamaru, Ashbnrton, or Kowai Clubs in reference to matches. The Sydenham Bifles intimated that as the Club was short of ammunition it could not enter into a proposed match. The Peninsula Club wrote asking co-operation in procuring a reduction in the price of ammunition, which it was resolved to support. Accounts —£i 16s—were passed. Mr C. Hayman was declared the winner of the President's Cap in three competitions, scoring respectively 53,43, and 61. It was decided that the firing for the Vice-President's aneroid be ni""!" , to that for the cap just won, the ranges, to be 800, 500, and 600 yds, seven shots at each range, the prize to be won by the highest scorer at any six out of nine competitions. Messrs W. B. Peogelly, F. Bobins, G. A. Adams, and C. B. Bichards were balloted members of the Club. It was decided to write the North Canterbury Bifle Club to-fire a match at an early date.. The team selected to fire with the £ Battery of Artillery at Hillsborough, on Saturday next, were—Messrs Clark (captain),, Moore, J. Simpson, W. Simpson, Wearing, C. Hayman, Templeton, Sobofteld, N. Kidd, and Parker; emergencies, Messrs Millar and Fraeer.

Fatal Accxdbnt at Oust.—The particulars disclosed at the inquest regarding the decease of Mr George Glegg Gardiner, farmer, aged forty-one years, who accidentally shot Tiimacif on Wednesday last, and died on Thursday at his residence, Cost, are these j—Hie eldest son had been using the gon against his father's orders, and on Tuesday morning, to escape punishment, had placed it in an old cottage, twenty yards from the house, a charge of shot remaining in it. On the following morning, while Mrs Gardiner was getting ready to be driven by her husband to the West Eyreton railway station, she heard a gun fired, and on going out found the deceased leaning agunst the door cf the outhouse. He told her he was shot in the side, and asked for a doctor to be sent for. It appeared to her that he had taken the gun by the muzzle, and in moving it the trigger had canght and. discharged the loading up his arm into his Bide and face. In reply to her question, he intimated to her he did not shoot himself intentionally, and afterwards explained the affair was accidental. They wero in comfortable eircomstances, and he had not quarrelled with her or any one else. Two of the neighbors assisted to remove him to bed, where, in two hours after, he was attended by Dr. MoKenaie Gordon, of Bangiora. Deceased, however, gradually sank, and died on Thursday. Dr. Gordon was unable to leave another case to attend the inquest, but sent a certificate that death was caused by a gun-shot wound, the pellets having penetrated the stomach. The jury, through the foreman, Mr C. D. Scott, found a verdict in accordance with the evidence, that deceased accidentally shot himself as described.

StrMHEB Town Boabd.—An ordinary meeting of the Sumner 'town Board was held on Friday last. All the Commissioners were present. The Chairman reported that since last meeting he had (1) received a letter from the Lyttelton Harbor Board, re application from Mr S. L. Bell for a site for a bathingplace at Sumner, and had replied saying that the Board would be glad to seethe work'promptly carried out; (2) in conjunction with Commissioner Wiggins, had appointed Mr W. Thomas as Kanger to the Board; and (3) had instructed the Clerk to procure dog collars for the current year. On the motion of Commissioner Appleby, seconded by Commissioner Graham, the Chainnan'eactiona were approved. The following resolutions were paseed:— (1) That the Works Committee, with Commissioner Appleby, confer with Mr Crawford, Surveyor to the Board, re plans of footpaths, &c., with power to act; (2) that the Chairman write to the Chief Surveyor, asking for a plan showing the exact position of the junction of the various streets in the Johnston and Wakeneld townships with the reserve; (3) that Commissioner Hanmer see Mr Davie re continuation of Stoke street. With reference to the water supply. Commissioner Wiggins, after a few remarks, moved the resolution standing in hie name, viz., that Commissioner Hanmer be empowered to get an estimate of the cost of furnishing the townships with a { water supply by means of reservoir to be constructed in. the Sumner Gully. After a alight discussion the motion was seconded by Commissioner Wheeler, and carried

unanimously. Accounts amounting to JBIOS 13a 6d were passed, the Treasurer's statement was read, and the Board adjourned.

Cocksfoot ok the Peninsula. — The hailstorm which passed over come 'parts of the Peninsula on February Ist, followed by the nor'-west gales experienced during the week, had a damaging effect on the crops of cocksfoot. In some place 3 nearly half the seed is destroyed. The harvesters are complaining of the lightness of the seed compared to what had been anticipated. A great portion of it will soon be cut down, and should the weather continue fine the crops will soon be gathered. Chbistcttobch Rrer.KS. — The Christchurch Bines ware to compete on Friday for Government prizes, but only a very few members of the company put in an appearance at the range. The highest scorer was Private Campbell, who made 30 points. This corps has been retrogressing for some time, and unless a deal of energy is shown by those who yet remain in it to bring it to its former state of efficiency, there is every probability of it becoming defunct.

Cm Council.—The ordinary meeting of the City Council will take place this evening at seven o'clock. Sydenham Bobocgh Couwoit.—The above Council will hold its fortnightly meeting at 7 p.m. to-night. Mission at Lyttbltozt.—A mission wm be opened in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Lyttelton, by the Bedemptoriet Fathers, beginning to-morrow at 7.30 p.m., and ending on Sunday, the 15th insfc. Habbob Boabb Emotion.—-The polling for one member of the Lyttelton Harbor Board to represent the Borough of Sydenham, will take place to-day. The candidates are Messrs W. White and B. M. Taylor.

New South Walis Finahcb.—One of the greatest events in the colonial financial world that has occurred for some time past is the rupture between the Government of New South Wales aad the Bank of New South Wales. The correspondence which has been published isprobably the warmest that has ever passed between two such bodies. As there ia expected to be an important law suit arising out of the rupture, and there may from tune to time be telegrams relating to the matter, we may say that, broadly stated, the cause of quarrel was the determination on the part of the Government to entrust the issuing of its loans to the Bank of England instead of to the Bank of New South Wales, the former bank having refused to continue inscription of the loans, which the Government were anxious it should do, unless it also gained the commission and the profit connected with the isaue of them. The Bank of New South Wales objected that so far as concerned £2,000,000 of loan, which it had made costly arrangements to issue, the Government had no power or right to make the change. The Government contended that they had express power to do so under a certain clause in the agreement. Another cause of quarrel was with reference to alleged excessive and unarranged-for overdrafts in Sydney, varying from £1,000,000 to. £1,800,000, and the terms on which money to reduce this overdraft should be transferred from London to Sydney. The correspondence gradually develops into- complicated financial questions, but it is spicy throughout, the Attorney General, for instance, stigmatising the Bank's letters as "offensive," "incoherent" aad "insolent," while the Bank in publishing the correspondence charges the Government with " erratic " management of the finances of the colony, " want of foresight and precaution," &c.

Ihtbbvibw with thb Mahdi.—The Cairo " Bosphore Egyptien " publishes a letter, dated October 27th, from M. Olivier Pain, describing'an interview he has had with the £ahdi. It states that after a weary march of thirty. days, with two Bedouins as escort, he arrived a short distance from Obeid. He was surrounded by Soudanese horsemen, who took him to Melbeiss. There M. Pain presented his letters of introduction. The chief locked him up in a hut for two days, and then returned with many other chiefs to conduct him to the Mahdi. Oh his arrival the Mahdi smiled pleasantly, and offered hie hand. M. Pain remarked that the grasp given was other' than is usual among the Moslems, and said "I am not a Christian. I was formerly oalled Ollivier Pain. To-day my name is ■, having become a Moslem." The Mahdi said, " Perhaps you have become a Moslem only to come safe to mc. If so retake your own religion. I will make no Moslem by force." M. Pain, replied—*' I am a good Moslem, and pray thrice each day." Upon being asked whether he was a Frenchman or an Englishman, M. Pain replied"a Frenchman." Asked why he came, he replied—"l came because in Europe some say you defend the liberty *f the people, and fight for the independence of country and the religion of the Prophet. Others, principally Englishmen, assert that yen are a savage barbarian, a man of blood, who kill all who refuse to serve you, whether believers or heretics. My brethren in France sent mc to learn and write the truth." The Mahdi replied:" Good. Bemain with mc. You shall see with your own eyes." He then asked: " Since your French brothers are fighting for liberty, why did the French fight against Arabi ?" M. Pain replied: " The French ... were at first friendly to Arabi, but became enemies when they found he was a man to be bought for money, and who threatened French lives in Egypt, and they gave him up." The Mahdi asked, "Why did the French ships come to Alexandria then and leave without fighting?" M. Pain explained that if Arabi had not gained over the Egyptian people the French would have fought him, but they refused to kill the Egyptians, and only stayed to see what happened. The Mahdi was much pleased, and again shook hands. He gave M. Pain a small house next hie own.