NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XLII, Issue 6248, 28 September 1885, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Svrusaa Copbt.—The Nisi Priws sittings of the Court -wfll be resumed to-day at eleven o'clock, when the Bpedal jury case of Parkinson v McConnell will be taken. Stud Honss Pabadx.—The annual Btud horse parade, under the auspices of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, took place on Saturday. There was not a large number of hones paraded, and the quality as a whole was not up to tihe standard of formar years. DuajbLUr grsssrs Chubi'ii. A service of song, entitled "Gordon, the Christian Hero," was -rendered yesterday in connection with the anniversary services of the Durham street Wesleyan Sunday SchooL Special services were also held in tiie morning and evening, at which hymns were sung by tiie scholars, under tiie con-ducto-ship of Mr R. T. SearelL On Wednesday next the annual tea meeting and sale of work will beheld, followed by short addresses and musical selections.

TnrwALn To*w_r Board.—At tbe usual meeting of the Tinwald Town Board, held on Friday evenicg, it was resolved to strike a rate of 8d in the £ on all rateable property, the rate to be payable in one sum on October Int. The office of the Board has b_en changed to the re_idenco of Mr Jephsoa, Clerk to the Board. Friuß.—Tha fire jseen on Friday night was a gorse hedge oh the property ot Mr Johnson's fish breeding establishment at Opawa. Thanks to the prompt aid of Mr Peel and the Masters Button, the fire was extinguished before it reached a byre close by, in which a valuable cow was stalled, and only the hedge suffered. No clue as to the origin of the. fire has yet been-ob-tained. ■■•*' ■---- Sunday Lectures—Mr J. Crewe3 inaugurated a ncr series of lectures, in the Oddfellowa* Hall, yesterday afternoon. The .übjejt was "Joshua's appeal to the sun and the moon to stand stUl." This, the lecturer announced, he would deal with jin the lights of the Bible, science, history, and .philosophy. After, speaking fcr an hour and a quarter, Mr Crawes intimated that he would re-ume consideration of the subject next Sunday. Ohoka.—An entertainment was given here on Friday, in aid of the funds of the district school prize fund. There was a very crowded attendance. The school children, Misses Wr'ght, French, Winterbotcrne, Messrs Harper, Weston, Qee, Taylor, and the Kaiapoi Negro Minstrel Troupe contributed selections. The applause was frequent, and the fun and the merriment' raged fast and furious, especially when the " darkies " held the stage. The amount received would be about JE9. True Manliness.—The Bey. J. Holland addressed another large audience of men, last evening, at the Oddfellowß* 'Hall, Lichfield street. His subject, which was entitled " The Bide ot Death," waa given with great earnestness, and completely enlisted the sympathies of his hearers by his trustful and teUing word-pictures of the horror of a life of impurity and intemperance. One great feature of these addresses is that those attending are not confined to one particular creed, almost all the various denominations being represented. A number of White Cross cards were distributed. The subject for next Sunday is "The Black Anchor." Inquest.—Au inquest waa held on Friday, at Sunnys-de Asylum, by Mr F. J. Kimbell and a coroner's jury, of which Mr Germain was chosen foreman, on view of the body of William Barnham, a recently deceased inmate. Evidence was given to ahow he | had been admitted in 1865 suffering 'from tbe effects of drink, an 1 waa afterwarda pronounced an incurable m_ oiac; that : about a fortnight ago he had been attacked by erysipelas, from which he died; and that he was not known to have any rela- j tive3 or friends in the colony. The jury returned a verdict of " D. ath fr:> m natural causes," with a rider to tho effect that there should be a better supply of water at the asylum. Presentation to Mr Hauxwell.—On the occasion of the farewell given to Mr HauxweU, Mr Dinwiddie, in the name of the ladiea of the congregation, in token of their esteem for Mr and Mrs Hauxwell, regret at parting from them, and with best wishes for thoir future, a purse of sovereigns and a silver tea and coffee service. Mr Hauxwell, in his reply, thanked the audience for their expression of kind sentiments as set forth in the motion, and thanked, on behalf of Mrs Hauxwell and himself, the lalies for their very handsome gifts, and speaking of the cordiality always existing between himself and the congregation and their many kindnesses towards him, said that the years of his ministry among them would in after days ba cherished, and always recalled to mind by their kind gifts of that night. SOUTHBROOK WSBL-YAN SUNDAT SCHOOL. —On Sunday, September 20th, the anniver.ary sermons in connection with this schools were preached by Mr Wood, of St. Albans. The congregations were large at all the services, and the collections were quite up to the average. The .usual tea meeting took place on Thursday last, and waa very largely attended, there being no less than four sittings. Trays were given by Mesdames G. and J. Wallace and Martin; the first-named by Messrs Thompson, sen., and A. Wallace, also providing «a fourth. At the- public meeting the chair waa taken by Mr Wallace, een. The report waß read by Mr Chatterton, Superintendent of the school, I It showed the school to be in a flourishing condition in every way, there being .nearly a hundred scholars on the roll, while there was a balance in the hands of the Treasurer of nearly £4. Addresses were then delivered by the Beys. L. Hudson and J. Parkin and Messrs Foster and Graham. As at the Sunday services, special hymns were sung by the children, accompanied by Mr T. G. Smith on the harmonium, and a small string band. A comprehensive vote of thanks was moved by the Bey. W. Bowse, and carried by acclamation, and the meeting closed iv the usual manner. Flower Pilferers.—A c.rr .pondent writes, yesterday, as follows :—" A humour of the times is clearly a fondness tor flower 3, and a disposition i 3 abroad for supplementing home collections with a selection from those of other people. Last night Cashel street east was f..ored with a visit from some of the.c appropriates, j Hyacinths, polyanthus _3, _-_~ which were but yesterday the pride cf our gardens, are this morning missing, and fears are entertained that the places thereof will know them no more. Not content with these, they even entered my greenhouse and I carried off a number of pot plants, which I have for years been tending with a jealous care, among others a very choice camelia just bursting into bloom. These ! people, whoever they may be, are certainly j I not color-blind, for a pot of gaudy-colored j tulips-also attracted their .attention, and j lis probably at this moment delighting their wayward fancy with its changeful | hues. If this should catch the eye of the party in question it may afford them some satisfaction to know that I have still Beveral other varieties, any of which I will gladly' exchange for that now in their possession." Woolston Town Boabd. -Tbe ordinary meeting of the Board waa held on the 24th inst. Present - Messrs Hopkins, Freeman, O'Neill, McDiarmid,- and; T. York (Chairman). The foUowing"correspondence was read:—'From the Chairman of the Christchurch Drainage Board, informing the Board that all the powers conferred upon the Board as a Local Board of H.aldb. for the district had been delegated to the town district of Woolston. From the Secretary to tbe Convalescent Home and Destitute Patients*' Belief Fund, Christchurch Hospital, asking the Board to support tho fancy dress ball in aid of the Institution. It was resolved that' tbe consideration be left over for tho present. Beceipts since 27th August to 24th September, «£6 10. 3d - expenditure, £44 143 2d; debit balance, £46 14a. Mr York reported that a public meeting had been called for the 25th inst, to take into consideration the action of the Heathcote member during the past session of Parliament. Besolved—That the action of the Chairman be approved. Besolved—That tenders be called for work and labor on Victoria terrace. Specifications to be seen at Mr York's, Woolston. Tenders to be in by 7.30 p.m. on Ist Ootober. After passing accounts, amounting to £10 12e 3d, the meeting adjourned to Ist October. Southbrtdqe Town Board.-The ordinary monthly meeting of the Board was held at their office on Thursday, the whole of the members, including the newlyelected member, Mr S. Haugbey, being present. Correspondence waa read bom the Property Tax Commissioner, returning the rate roll. It was decided to levy tiie rate in accord with the Act, 1876. From Messrs Izard and Loughnan, stating tbat the Board could, they thought, build their pound on leasehold property. It was decided to interview Messrs Bluett and Beaderwith respect to cost of Bame. It was decided to call for tenders far keeping the Bide channels clean for three mouths. The Board resolved to meet on the second Thursday in each month, at 7 p The Clerk was instructed to issue further gorse notices, and to obtain tenders for printing by-laws. It was decided to obtain from the Selwyn County Council tiie cost ot bringing a water race into tiie town. Accounts, £7 4s 6d, were passed for payment, I and one held over. The Board then ad* J journed.

Bansioba Crick_t Club—-The annual meeting of the Club tak--a place this evening, for the election of officers. Kaiapoi Bivui Club —The eighth competition of the membera of'-tfeia CBub for Wilson's priSce* took place on The highest scorer was Mr H.S.hofieldwithsl points :! MA__)_r____-» and Bangiqba PnopnaTT Tax District.--Io is stated that the necessary papers are not yet served out in this diswict, and that theTe is likely to be some delay in obtaining the returns. Local Industbt.—There is now on view at the shop of Messrs B Petersen and Co. a very handsome specimen of silversmith's work,' in theSshape of a silver cup.The cup is intendedto form the "trophy for the I Cricket Association's Junior Challenge Cup. It is about 12in in height, and bears a euitable engraving, comprising representations Of bat, ball and wickets. - A Troupe op Maori Girls.—A novelty in of amusement wiß be offered to the "Christchurch public on Wednesday ..evening next, at the Theatre Boyat, shape of a performance by the troupe" of Maori girla who recently appeared at the Exhibition. The troupe number forty, and are natives of Otaki, near Wellington. The entrepreneur who haa them in charge is a Maori chief named Te Paki, and the performance consiste of dances and an exemplification of the Native games, which are not only exceedingly interesting but amusing. The dance., too, are highly diverting, the accuracy witb which the girls keep time to the chant of the leader being remarkable. Altogether, the performance is an excellent one, and, being a novelty, will no doubt draw a large audience. Mr J. Hourigan, the agent of tbe troupe, arrived on Saturday from Wellington to make arrangements for the opening. They will appear for four nights. Bakaia Gobpel Tj__ip___a_.ce Union. — A meeting of the above took place on Thursday evening list; the Bey. Mr Stewart in the chair. The large hall waa filled, many having to stand. Addresses were given by Mr BeycraF fc, sen, and Bey. Mr McNicoll, Wesleyan minister of Ashburton. Both gentlemen were listened to very attentively, and received great applause after each address. Songs were given by Misses j B. Bruce, E. Arnold, E. L. P-rymara, and Mr W. H. Shephard, each one receiving an encore. Becitations were given by Misses K. Thompson, C, Santy, L. Butter, L. All-' wright, A. Smith, L. X Lobb, Masters Bryant and W. and J. Shannons. The invitation was then given to "don the blue," when several adults responded. Miss B. Bruce kindly presided at the piano. Concebt at Binds.—A most agreeable concert was held in the Hinds Schoolroom on the evening of the 25th, in aid of the school entertainment fund. The Bey. B. F. Garbett presided. Among the friends wty> kindly gave their services were Mesdames Manning, Bailey, Baoumgren, and Miss Savago, with Messrs Mutton, Broome, Bich, Norrish, and Potter. A stump speech by Professor Snowball was much applauded, and Mr Brine occasioned much amusement by performing some conjuring trickß at the beginning of the second part of the programme. Mr Potter's recitation was very good, and the songs by the other ladies and gentlemen were most thoroughly appreciated, and the applause was genuine and hearty. Altogether a very good programme indeed was provided. At the concl-osion the Chairman conveyed the thanks of the School Committee to those who had so kindly given their services, aud to the audience for their patronage. The usual acknowledgments to the Chairman, with the singing of "God Save the Queen," ended this part of the entertainment, when the room was cleared for dancing, which waa energetically kept np till morning. SonrHBBiDGK Presbtterian Church.— The anniversary tea meeting in connection with the St. John's Church was held in tbe Town Hall on Wednesday evening. Six tastefully decorated and abundantly furnished tables were provide _ and presided over by the following ladies : —Mrs Bu idock assisted by the Miss.B Kuddook. Mra Early and Mrs Wyllie assisted by Mjbscs West and Graham, Mxa Abbot assisted by Miss Ferguson and Miss Gabbio, Mrs Thompson assisted by Mias Thompson, Mrs John Craig assisted by Mies Moorhead, Mrs John Campbell assisted by Mus Henderson and Miss Campbell, all of whom were moat attentive to their patrons, giving evident satisfaction to the 400 guests present. After ample'justice had been done to the repast the hall was cleared and a public meeting was held, the Bey. W. Weat, minister of the congregation, presiding. Interesting and instructive addresses were delivered by the Beys Blake, Maxwell, Elmslie, and Stewart, which were received with marked attention. Votes of thanks were unanimously accorded to the ladies who had so liberally furnished the tables and assisted, to the reverend gentlemen for their addresses, and to the chairman, and a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close. Sunstroke.—We are indebted to a Chrißtchurch medical gentleman for the following extract from a Syracuse journal:—"About a year since I saw in a newpaper an account of a case of sunstroke, written by the sufferer himself. After suffering a long time from the attack, and having to a considerable degree recovered, he experienced very much suffering even from the rays of the moon. This led him to reflect that it was not altogether the heat of the sun that produced prostration. After much research he discovered that the injury came from the chemical ray and not from the heat ray. He was guided to this by observing the fact that a photograph could not be taken through a yellow glass. Accordingly, he lined his hat with two lininga—one of orange-yellow, to aire t the chemical riy, and en a of green, to arrest the heat ray. Thus prepared, he went where the rays of the sun were most intense with perfect impunity. It is well known that the negro is seldom sun-struck. The colour of his skin over the skull being of the orange-yellow may assist in accounting for the fact. I practised upon this suggestion all last summer, lined my hat with green and orange-yellow paper, and had confidence enough in the truth of the theory to neglect my umbrella, which I had never done before. I mentioned it to many, who tried it also, and in many cases under my observation they uniformly asserted that the oppressive heat of the sun npon the head was much relieved." Polo Club.—Tho annual general meeting of the Christchurch Polo Club will be held at Warner's Hotel at 4.30 p.m. to-day. New Zealand National Anthem.—We have received a copy of the National song entitled ' All Hail Zealandia," composed by Mr B. P. Crosbie, of this city, and it certiauly deserves more than a passing comment. The words and music of the sons: are intended to be of apurely national and patriotic character. <7 AU Hail Zealandia" contains, as other national songs do, a few pithy and energetic verses, which carry with them the sympathy of the nationality, and create that brotherhood and enthusiasm which the author of the song evidently intended to instil into tiie minds of the colonists of New Zealand. "All Hail Zealandia had it conception, we are informed, at the time ot the visit of H.B.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, when the city of Christchurch, anxious to show ite utmost loyalty, was radiant with flags, banners, emblems, and flowers, succeeded in the evening by iUuminations of all descriptions, one of the most conspicuous being the transparency of Zealandia, painted by Mr Croabie, the author of the song now under critioism. The transparency was displayed to advantage over the officers of Messrs John Ollivier and Son, in the Triangle. A Wisa Deacon. —"Deacon Wilder I want you to tell mc how you kept yourself and family bo well the past season, when all the rest of us have been eick bo much, and have had tbe doctors running to us so often." "Brother Taylor, the answer is very easy. I used Hop Bitters in time, and kept my family weß, and saved large doctor's bills Four shillings worth of it kept us all well and able to work all the time, and I will warrant it has cost you and most of the neighbors J-10 to -6100 a-piece to keep sick the same time. I fancy you'll take my medicine hereafter." See.—rAnvT.l Wi believe that it every one would use American Co.'s Hop Bitters freely, there would be much less sickness and misery in the world, and people are fast finding this out, whole £amiuee keeping weß at a trifling I cost by its use. We advise aU to try it. Bead. [Advt.] S"

\ Thb Gbbjcan Empxhob.—The news from -liftatein makes it clear (says the correspondent of a home paper) that the health of the venerable Emperor of Germany is steadily declining*. The Emperor and Empress of Austria, who, as above recorded, recently visited him at that beautiful watering-place, had expressly arranged to drive at once to the hotel in which Kaiser Wilhelm waa staying, so that he might not bo put to the fatigue of meeting them at any place out of doors. It had, however, been settled that hia Majesty was to greet his visitors in -the hall of tho hotel, and to conduct them himself to hia apartment.. When the time came, it was found tbat the old Emperor was unequal even; to this .slight exertion. One of the officials of the Court met their Majesties at the door of the hbtel, whilst the Emperor waited to receive them in his own sitting-room. There is no need to say that nothing short of absolute necessity would have prevented a Sovereign at once so gallant and so punctilious as the German Emperor from paying the usual mark of respect to an Empress who had made a long journey for tiie purpose of visiting him. We fear, therefore, that despite the reassuring statements which are from time to time put forth by the courtiers around him,, the condition of the illustrious monarch must be very critical. He is now in the eighty-ninth year of his age, and no one can doubt that the end of his great career may come at any moment. EXTBAOB-HNABT POISONING CaEß.—At the Assize Court of Vauclnse recently an extraordinary case came on for hearing, but, on the application of the counsel for the defence, was adjourned until the October sitting. It appears the accused, Dr. Eatacby, is a practitioner at Pertuis, forty years of age, and a member of the Legion of Honour. He had the reputation of being an able but not very temperate man. Some years ago another medical man, Dr. Tournatoire, settled at Pertuis. Both doctors were candidates for the post < Of assistant to the Juge de Psix, and the appointment waa given to Tournatoire. This irritated Dr. Estachy, and he inserted, articles in a local newspaper which led to an open quarrel. At a political dinner at Pertuis he made the remark that if he gave vent to his feelings he would kick Tournatoire out of the room. In newspaper paragraphs be subsequently spoke of a certain person, known to his rival as a "Jesuit scamp, coward, and drunkard." He was accordingly brought in November last before the Correctional Tribunal on a charge of defamation, and was sentenced to pay a fine of 25fr. and 25fr. as damages. Some of his patients then left him, and called in his rival. This seema to have excited him very much. He ordered M. Zureau, a druggist, to prepare an ointment, the chief ingredient in which -was atropine, aud which he said he meant to use upon his shoulder to remove a pain- The ointment contained twenty-five centigrammes of the neutral sulphate of atropine in twenty-five grammes of vaseline. The druggist 'said he would not have consented to prepare a salve containing so much atropine for anyone but a medical man. The medicine waa sent to Estachy on January 9th. On the following day be bought four tartß. On January 15th there was found .in an omnibus a packet bearing a visiting card with the words, "To" be sent to M. Tournatoire, doctor at Pertuis, :Vaucluse." The packet was Bent to this address, and was found to contain four texts. On the following evening Madame Tourn _- toire ate one of the tarts, and immediately afterwards felt very ill. The next day Claire Sazio, a maidservant, began to eat another of the tarts for breakfast, but it waa so bitter that she did not finish it. She suffered as her mistress had suffered, but recovered her senses on the following day. It was evident that there had been poisoning in both caeca, and the symptoms could only be produced by a vegetable poison derived from the Solanum family of plants. The two tarts which had not been eaten were submitted to chemical analysis, and found to contain the neutral sulphate of atropine. Gi_adsto__-.—A person of the name of ChatTes Henry Boydell is nowincnstody in Vienna on a charge of writing letters threatening the life of Mr Gladstone, with a view to extort money from him. Boydell is described as sn adventurer, who haa for some years led a wandering life on the Continent. He took up his aboie in Vienna last winter, and in March sent Mr Gladsone a letter, in which he threatened to accuse the right honorable gentleman of infamous crimes unless .£3OO were paid to him. He had the effrontery to conclude his letter with sarcastic remarks on Mr Gladstone's shaken position a_ Premier. In a subsequent letter Boydell, it is alleged, threatened to go to London, and make "an Irish attempt on Mr Gladstone's life. The case was put into the hands of the London police, who communicated with the authorities at Vienna, and Boydell was arrested. According to Austrian law it has been necessary to take Mr Gladstone's evidence as to whether he felt "anxiety and alarm in consequence of the letters—this being the criterion by whioh the offence of extortion is tested. Mr Gladstone's answers have enabled, the Publio Prosecutor to frame an indictment,' and Boydell has been committed to take his trial., The "Weiner Allgemeine- Zeitung" asserts' that Boydell;tried hie malpractices on many other persons in England besides Mr Glad-tone, It is said that his habit waa to write to newly married ladies, whose names he read in the newspapers, and to threaten that he would a ccuse them to their husbands of misconduc tbefore marriage, unless they sent him money. Healao,itiaßtated,' wrote to married men, professing to have obtained evidence of their immorality, and threatening them with exposure. He is only twenty-five years of age, and lived in grand style at an hotel at Vienna, where he contracted hia short time a debs of 600 florins. When payment was'requested be showed a cheque from New Zealand for nearly .£SOOO. The English Consul in Vienna pronounced the cheque worthless, and on May 21st Boydell was arrested for fraudulent debts. Some dayß later, the London police, communicated .the intelligence of hia threats to .-Ir Gladstone. It has since-been ascertained that the prisoner really had funds in the Bank to the -extent of £400. Bhpostxd Exfuiißioit or ax EnglishMiX from Madagascar.—The " Debate " publishes news from Port Louis, in Mauritius, that an Englishman named Wilkinson, well-known in Madagascar, where he has lived for twenty years, and who is an agent of the Sues Canal Company, has just been expelled from the island by an order of tiie English Vice-Consul, acting at the request of tbe Hova Government. The motive of the expulsion is said to be that Mr Wilkinson fired at a Hova who tried to enter his house. But that gentleman declares that he is simply the victim of the English Metlndistß, who requested the help of Mr PickersgiQ, formerly a missionary, to get rid of an adversary who was in their way. It is added that in Mauritius Mr Wilkinson lectured at the Hotel de Ville of Port Louis, under the presidency of the Mayor of tbe town, on the Madagascar war. After having exposed the perfidious conduct of the Madagascar chiefs and missionaries, as well as -Si_> of soma English agents, he traced the history of the Hova EtsSbassy to Paris, aud directly attacked Mr Pickeregill. Mi Wilkinson concluded as follows.—After having bombarded Tamatave, Majunga, Vohemar, and Mahanoro, the French have entrenched themselves at Tamatave, which is on the east coast; at Majunga, which is on tiie west coast; and on several points on the north coast at or near Vohemar. Oa. the. land side they are more or lisa blockaded by the Hovas, and are suffering from fever. It is said that they mean to advance into the interior, but at least four months would be required to organise an expedition on the Mart and to march on to the capital. The -French cannot leave Madagascar without obtaining something. Hew Guinea and

Borneo have been divided j why should not Madagascar be also divided P As the Uov-u. wish to be protected by the English, *by should France not protect the iß.atfd down to their northern frontier ? A' linC; the island would give her the north aid England the south. This or the oocupa7 tiua of the whole island by the French is the only possible solution of tbe question. And such an occupation would d-atroy English influence in these sea., aud would, Srhaps, cause Mauritius to fall back into change of France. Ki______rr Looking Up,*—" Killanniy," writes a "is already roaping benefit from the Prince's visit. Tbe hotels are almost full, and the season improves aa it advances. The singular feature of thiß year's experience ia tbe way strangers have trooped in. More tbat 60 per cent of the gueste have crossed tiie sea, and the oomgany at one hotel last week included a Dane, an Austrian, and two Germans. The Yankoa element one meets largely, but one expects to meet it largely. ! The Irish visitors are chiefly brides - with their appurtenant bridegrooms—the display of new wedding rings at tbe b-eak-fasb tables quite rivalling a jeweller's stock. The Boyal influence ia telt along the Gap and by the lake. His Boyal Highness would appear to have been personally conducted by many of tho guides, rowed by most of the boatmen, aud eucceaafully solicited by all the begcars. The place where he first drank illicit whisky and the spot where' that big lady out of London' (the Princess) la3t tasted f oat's milk are pointed out energetically ut variously. There i 3 more unanimity about the exact place where a woodcock rose and where a red deer descended, and in fact the Prince and Princess are already regarded as ranking pari passu with O'Donogbue and Kate Kearney. I must not omit," adds the correspondent of a Home paper, " one bit of repartee which I myself overheard. My guide scowled at a peasant who stared well at him. ' You'll know mc again if you meet me,' said my guide. * Not if you wash your face,* said the peasant."