NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6627, 18 December 1886, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Supplement. - Our " Mail Budget" will be found, together with market reports and a quantity of other matter, in the supplement which is issued with the current number of Thb Pbsss.

St. Andrew's Calidoniak Socmty ot Kaiapoi.—At a meeting of Directors, held at Marshall's MandevUle Hotel, on Wednesday evening, the tender of Mr Bnrnip for publican's booth on the grounds of the Society, at its annual gathering, was accepted, as well as the tender of Mr Hunter, Woodend, for the confectioner's booth. Arrangements were completed for the games and the management cf the day's proceedings.

Thb Minister ot- Lands at Waikats. —The Hon. Mr Ballance, Minister of Lands, accompanied by Mr Steward, M.H B, Mr McEerrow of tbe Survey, and Mr March of tbe Land Offioe, visited Waimate on the 13th instant, and remained to the 15th instant. In company of the Major these gentlemen visited several of the public buildings in the town.

Sudden Death.—Yesterday morning a young man, named Frederick Firmston, of Port Lavy, died in the Casual Ward, Lyttelton, from injuries which he had received when riding a bare-backed horse on Sanday lash Dr. T. O. Guthrie had him brought from Port Levy to the Casual Ward on Thursday afternoon, and Drs. Guthrie brothers and Lewes performed an operation that night, but without avail.

Nabbow Escapk fbom Drowning—At Lyttelton yesterday afternoon, an aged man named John Thompson accidentally fell over tbe wharf. He was quickly res cued in a very exhausted condition by • id. Dempsey snd Wm. Williams. Dr. Harrison was promptly in attendance, and had the poor fellow conveyed on board the Wakatipu, wbtrp, after appropriate treatment, he recovered consciousness. Thompeen is f om Bangiora, and intended going by the Wakatu to Kaikoura on Thursday, but lost his passage. Open-aib Music. —Tbe Stanmore Band was to have performed a programme of music last night in the rotunda, Latimer square, but a heavy thunderstorm, accompanied by rain, which took place stortly after eight o'clock, put an abrupt end to the performance after cne piece had been pliyed. It may be noted tbat no steps have yet been taken to carry out the improvements promised in the shape of protecting the gas lights from the wind.

EsTKRTAINMBNT AT EJUAPOI. —On Thursday evening a benefit performance was given by the Oxford Dramatic Company in the Kaiapoi Oddfellows' Hal), in aid of the band youths' uniform fund. The pieces put on tbe boards were "Broken Vows " and " Nan the Good for Nothing," in which tbe various characters were ably given, unJer the directorship of Mr R. H. Parißß. The applause waa frequent, as the acting fully deserved. The result financially, it is feared, was not quite a success, for although there was a fair attendanca the expenses are said to have been heavy. The band however intends to make a further appeal at Christmas time.

Alleged Illbqai. Gamblikq—At tie Ashburton Magistrate's Court yesterday G. Stephens and W. G. Se&rles w*re charged on remand with illegal gambling on the Ashburton racecourse on December 9th. Sergeant Feltori condnoted the prosecution, and Mr Stringer appeared for accused. Evidence was led to show that accused hsd conducted a sweepstake on ! one of the races, the principle of the sweep being similar to that of the totalisator with the exception that the machinery employed consisted of a number of tickets and the entry of the horses'names in a book. After the evidence had been taken Mr Stringer addressed the Bench on behalf of his clients, Mr Baddeley cautioned accused, and told them that though the cases would be dismissed, if another Bimilar charge were brought against accused they mignt not get off so easily. Aaobkbubt Ckickit Clob.—A meetine of persons interested in cricket was held at Amberley on Djcember 11th for the purpose of forming a dub. It was uaumumously decided to form one, to be called tte Amberley Cricket Club. Mr W. A. (Benn was elected President, Messrs W. S. If 1 * a? 4 -. £S- Woodhonse Vice-Presi-«auv ItC. B. Mawnwwelected Cspto, and MrF. Adams Vice-Captain, Mr F. W. "aeon Secretary and Treasurer. The three utter_ were also elected as a Match and Ground Committee. It was decided as an inducement to young players to fix the subscription at 5s per annum. Practice to be held on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. The captain promised a bat and the President a ball for the best batting and bawling averages during the season against visiting clubs.

Publication Received.—We have received the December number of the New Zealand Schoolmaster. It contains a large quantity cf matter interesting to members of the teaching profession and to geneial readers as well.

Thb Midland Railwat—To Mr A. G Howland belongs the honor 0! having been the first to supply rolling stock for the Midland Railway. This is in the shape of a very handy waggon, intended to convey the engineer j and agent of the contractors from place to place during the construction of the line. Tiie body of the waggon is tray-shaped, snd it i 3 hong on stout springs. The interior is comfortable, the sea's, of which there are two, affoiding plenty of room. Ie is fitted with a covering is circular shaped, and there is also side leather curtains, which can be fastened down sa as to render the occupants independent of any weather. Tae waggon has two strong brakes, and generally while light is yet Btrong, and rt fleets great credit on th» builJer. It is probable that the first trip of it will be in conveying Messrs Hoare, Bowen, Scott, Gardner, and others connected with the Company to the Coast.

An Advsntueous Child.—Yesterday the guird of the Ferry road tram which leaves the square at 515 p.m. noticed when he reached the belt that a little boy five or six years of age was in the car without any friend 3in charge. Oa being questioned the little fellow could not give his name, but said he was going for a ride. The guard took him on to the Ferry bridge, and brought him to town on the return journey. Tha child wis all right till the tram reached Fisher's corner in High street, when he probably ft v cd he had gone past his home, and, unknown to the guard, be left the tram. A severe shaking and partial unconciousness w*a the result of his exit from the car whilst it was in j motion. The child was taken to the H >apitaL but on arrival there he was so far recovered aa to be able to walk, and appeared little tbe worse then for his adventurer-. Subsequently he was claimed and taken away by his parents.

Nbw Tbmpkbanob Hali,.—The progress made by the Blue Ribbon Gospel Temperance Mission since its inauguration a few years ago has necessitated tbe erection of suitable premises in wlich to carry on the work of the organisation. For some time the Mission has be f>u ocated in an old wooden building in Worcester s'reet, nearly opposite the Congregational Church. On a eect'oa fronting this building a new hall is in course cf erection, the foundation st ne of which was laid yesterday. It will be a convenient size, being 55ft long by 24tt wi<?e, with an ante room at the back 12ft by 10ft. Tne walls will be of brick and the roof iron. It will lave a neat front, with entrance door, on each side of which, will be a Gothic window. There will atao bo fonr windows on the eastern Bide of the buildiag-, and additional light will ba admitted by means of a skylight. T*e hall will seat from 250 to 300 people and tbe cost will be about £250. The ceremony of laving tbe foundation stone was performed at 6.30 pm. yesterday by Mr J. G. Harvey, President of the Mission, in the presence of a moderate attendance of members. After devotional exercises mr Hirvey delivered an address upon the functions of the micsion, followed by the Revs. Barnett and Dntton. Mr Harvey then laid the stone, which bears the inccriptior, "8.R.G.T.M., 1886."

Obituabt.—The news of the death yesterday afternoon cf Mr J. L. Coster will be received with regret by all classes of the community. From a very early period the deceased gentleman was identified meet closely and intimately with the commeicial interests of Canterbury, in connection with which he took a prominent position. Mr Ccster's commercial career in Canterbury commenced in the Union Bank of Australia. From thence he became the agent of the B ink of New Zealand in Lyttelton, and subsquently its manager in Christchurch, and held that position for many years. In 1873, with other gentlemen, Mr C jster initiated the New Zealand Shipping Company, cf whioh he was the first Chairman, and in the success of which he always took a warm and zealous interest. When he ceased his connection with the Bank of New Zealand, Mr Cjster became the Managing Direotor of tbe Ntw Zealand Shipping Company, a position whiih he held up toashortperiocl before his death. Mr Coster made three visits to England in the interests of] the New Zealand Shipping Company, on one of whioh he was present at the launching of the first steamer of the direct mail line—the Tongariro — which was named by Mrs Coster. He returned to tbe colony, after tie last occasion of Ms visiting Eagland, ia March last. At a dinner given to him to commemorate the part taken by him in initiating- the direct steam service a gold enp was presented to him. Mr Coster was a liberal supporter of sport in all forms, particularly aquatics, and took a very lively interest in all pertaining thereto, especially in the Heathcote Regatta. At the time of hid death Mr Coster reprerented the Heathcote district in the General Aesemoly. For some time past his health had been very precarious, but hiß death was somewhat unexpected;

Ltttklton Voltjntkkes—Th<» members 'of the N Battery entertained the £ Battery at a smoke conoert in the Colonist j* Hal), Lyttelton, on Thursday evening, when some six'y members of both Batteries were present. The other guests were Sergt.-Major Wardle, Instructor to the Regular Artillery, and Mr R. Cumin, edictr of the Volunteer Gazette. Owing to the unavoidable absence of Captain O'Brien, the chair was taken by Lieutenant Mclntyre. Songs were contributed by Captain Martin, Quarter-Master-Serg ant Sowden, Sergeants Qilmore and Cost ley, Corporals Arnold, Bradley, and Gardiner, Gunners Tait, Arnold. Mason, and Harvey, and recitati ni by Cjrpwal Brien and Bombadier Weir, the former of which was received with great applause. The following toastß were proposed and duly honored: —•' Qaeen and Royal Family," proposed by Lieutenant M lotyre; " New Zealand Regiment Artillary Volunteer*," proposed by Sergeant-Major Wardle, responded to by Captain Martin and Sergeant-Major Msnning; "Medical Staff/* proposed by Captain Martin, and responded to by Dr. Edison and Corporal Gardiner; "E Battery New ZjJaud Regiment Artillery," proposed by Q *ar ter-Master-Sergeant Sowder, and responded to by Sergeant Cattley and Bombadier Kerr; "Old Members of the K'gimenf," proposed by Sergeant Malcjhrjßoa, reppmded to by Sergeant-Msjor Wardle and Sergeant Costley; " Noncommissioned Offisers," proposed by Dr. Hairiscn, rerpMidtd to by Sergeants Lowry and G lbrai'h; "The Ladies," P' oposed ly Corpcral Arnold, responded to by Gunners Huell and Mason; " The Press," proposed by Sergeant Gilmore, responded to by Gunner Lewin and Mr Cuming. A most enjoyable evening was spent, and, before separating. Captain M»tin proposed the health of tho "N Battery," cocpVd with tbe names of Captain O'Brien and Lieutenant Mclntyre.

School Tkeats.—Oa Anniversary Day the usual treat to the scholars of the Kaiapoi Weeleyan Sunday sohool was held in Mr R. Evans' paddock. Tbere was a very large attendance, and the affair was a decided success. Music was provided by the R4U Band. The treat to the Primitive Methodist Sunday schools of Addington and Kaiapoi was held ia Mr J.S. W site's farm, Ohoka. This also was largely attended.

Masistbath's Coubt, Rahcuoba. —At this Courton Tuesday, before C. Whitefbord Esq.,R.M., A. H. Cunningham, Esq.and Ciptain Pdrsone, under thePnblio Works Act, W. Cone was complained against by the Ashley Road Board for allowing gorse to spread from his fence on to a public road, bnt the offence could not be proved and was dismissed. Mr Lock for a similar offence was fined Ss. In cases against Means Wilson and WoralL it was stated they were removing the gone, and the case stood -adjourned. In the civil case M. Sklaark vJ. Lee, Al' 6163, jundinent was for plaintiff for 6a 61. In the ease of J. Wallis ▼ A, O'Donobue, A% tor .a reward for finding horses, it was shewn the horses were recovered before plaintiff's information of their whereabouts came to hand, and judgment waa for defendant.

v » « ftrffFEOHTos Racing Ci.DB.-The aetk* "connection with tho races of tt£ £2?& ub take place at the EmpUo Hotel this evening, at Be yen o'clock. * po . ETrN o.--Ow;etß are reminded of th» acceptances, nominations, and furthTr T^ 0 * are dueihteeveran" S Su a m\n°er^tir eCti ° n theC '" Lxcitjm.—Miss Ada Campbell will lee. ture to-morrow evenmir at the Frestborurhk the Orescent." which is a comparriaon ot the Mohammedan and Christian* reMgioaV The lecture will oommence at 7.80° and pK SSAL Borne mus!c by tho orcheßt * Wool Sales.—Tie text of the series n» &cal wo:l tales takes placo to-dayfwnsß Messrs Bennetts Bros., J. WUkin p ?, a T *stl fc ' £' Matsou and Co., Miles andl Co" Qw *^"Awoda l |aJ > . Somhs' Scholaeships. — Four Junior Somes Scholarships ia connection wliE Christ s College Grammsr School are own for competition. Applications, with cerfck . mafes. Ac, must be sent tr the HeS Maiter on or bt fore January 29'.h, 1887. Half Aslbxp!—"l never," wrote a young lady to a frieod, "go to ohtuuh or lecture, but I am half a kep, andlanS' know afterwards what tfco sermon or UZ ture was about." It was a plain casslS nervous letharsy, produced by wait S action of the liver and dweative onruw She was persuaded to try AmerlramCe'i Hop Bitterp, and now she writes •.-••How intelligent and bright are sermons and leehires now, and how glorious the world we live in isl! Dr. Soule'a Hop B.ttera are ff deed a blessing to mc." Notice.-rADvr!? Thk Bbazbn Ssbpknt.—Like the bras n serpent that the great Jewish baler lifted high in the Bight of the perishing followers, whereby they were saved from death, the discoverers of American Hop Bitters have placed before suffering ailing mankind, a remedy which enables them to fight disease with conquering advantage.—[dDVT ] Srop that Cough! don't delay, but take Bonoington's "Carrageen or Irish Mrss," and don't be put off with miserable imitations.— (Advt.J-8.