NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 6962, 16 January 1888, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Almanac' —Messrs Anthony, Sellars and Co., printers, &c, Cashel street, have issued a very neat almanac, illustrated by a striking representation of Lake Wakatipu.

Notice to Jtjeoes.—As will be seen by notification elsewhere common jurors summoned to attend at the Supreme Court to-day will not be required to attend.

Spouting.—Owners of horses are reminded that nominations for the Lower Heathcote trotting meeting close to-night at the Empire Hotel at 9 p.ni.

St. Mj _t's, M"eeivale.—-The pulpit at this church was occupied yesterday by Dr. Belcher, Rector of the Boys' High School, Dunedin. The rev. gentleman delivered two thoroughly practical addr—ses, w_.c_ listened to by large congregations.

Magistebiai..—At the Magistrate's Court on Saturday morning, Bridget Cane for di-untenness was fined five shillings, and Isabella Leckie for the same offence was sent to gaol for fourteen days. Mr J. V. Eoss was the presiding justice.

Civil Sittings.—The Civil sittings of the Supreme Court will commence to-day before His Honor Mr Justice Ward. The case of Dalton v. Toomer, which was set down to be tried before a jury, has been withdrawn. There are several cases set down for trial before the judge alone.

Open-aib 'Concert.—The Sydenham Brass Baud will give an open-air concert on the beach, at Sumner to-morrow evening. They will leave the square by the 6.45 p.m. tram, and, should the weather prove fine, no doubt a large number will avail themselves of the opportunity of spending a pleasant evening.

Bowliing.—The unfinished match between the Christchurch and Canterbury Bowling Clubs could, not be continued on Saturday afternoon on account of the rain which had fallen in the early part of the day. Weather permitting the match will be resumed to-morrow (Tuesday) afternoon, play commencing at five o'clock. Mr Parsons has won the President's Cup in connection with the Canterbury Bowling Club, having defeated all who were drawn against him.

Swimming Tournament.—Despite the unfavourable weather on Saturday, a number of the members of the C.A.S.C. went to Sumner. Two races were got off, one a half-mile race, which was won by Dallas, and the other a boys' race for one hundred yards, which was won by L. Appleby, with three seconds start. The remainder of the races will be got off in a fortnight.

Supee—e Cotjbt.—The criminal sessions were continued yesterday, when the case was heard; against Nils Jacobson, who was charged with the murder of one Mats Johanson, at Little Eiver, on October Ist, 1887. After the evidence had been adduced, counsel had been heard, and his Honor had summed up, the jury returned a verdict of " _anslaughter," having been only twenty minutes in deciding. Jncobson was sentenced to penal servitude for the term of his natural life. - The Court resumes at 11 a.m. to-day. Queen's Cadets.—Owing to the tickets for - the Art Union in connection with the above having been very widely distributed, some little delay has occurred in getting in the blocks pi" the number of tickets sold. However, they are now in hand, aud the drawing will take place during the present week. A—s_gements have been made for the four companies to drill, so as to become acquainted with battalion drill. Under this arrangement Nos. 1 and 2 will drill together on Mondays and Nos. 3 and 4on Tuesdays. A battalion parade, under Major Richards, will take place at the drill shed on Monday next, the 21st inst.. at 7 p.m. Intjbui— >vm—al A—it——. BegA— 'A.— On Saturday Messrs _ilgaur, Collins, _esteven. and Wright proceeded to Lake Forsyth with a view of ascertaining the present state of the proposed course for the Amateur In—i*provinci_l Regatta, on the 26th inst., and the lake generally. It was found that the lake was some 3ft higher than when the regatta was held last year. Mr Buchanan kindly placed his boat at the disposal of the visitors, and the course was found to he in good condition. Last year's stakes were found to be in position. It has been decided to add a canoe race for Maori women, over half a mile course. Clubs are reminded that entries for the various events close with the Secretary, at Warner's Hotel, on Saturday next, at 8 p.m.

A Bab*—-cidai Feast. —As will be seen by the telegrams an _.vitatiem haa been issued to New Zealand jou—talists to be present at the Centennial Pre— Banquet in Syehiey on the 26th instant. Apart from the fact that the notice is somewl_t short, it is hardly to be expected that any co—sidejrable number of New Zealand press men will be able to avail themselves of the invitation. It may, however, be arranged that some prominent New Zealand journalist may be deputed to represent the press of this coon try at the festive gathering.

j AcKNOWLKDaMEN-T.—The Hon. Secretary ;of the Prison Gate Mission desires to ! acknowledge with sincere thanks the re- ! coipt of situ of butter and V* ft" 0111 'w« n •« for tbe Home. . „ ~ Reapek and Binder Thi-i..— A flsirt trial of reape* and hinders will ho held under t»e .-.u-pices of the North Otago Agricultural and .Pastoral Association on a date and at a place to bo fixod. Ihore will be three prises. Prises will also be given for materials owned by farmers only used for ono season or more, ana driven by farmers or their servants. *»' ti—3 will close with tho Secretary, Mr Church, Oauiaru, on the 21st inst. Ps—insula Baciko Club.—At a meeting of this Club held recently, it was decided thatthe programme for the approaching races should consist of eight events, 'ihe list includos a Maiden Plate, Open Handicap Hurdle Race, District Hurdle Knco, Peninsula Cup, Ladies' Purse, Plying Handicap, District Handicap, aud Distriot Selling Hack Pace. Tho day for the races has not been fixed, owing to the high state of the Biver llalswell.

Thj-at-e Royal.—Miss Carrie Swam and her coniimuy will make their debut in Christchur—i*thi3 evening at the Theatre Boyal. The pioce chosen for the occasion is "The Tomboy," in which Miss Swain will sustain the port of the Tomboy. Of Miss Swain herself report speaks very highly, both as an actress and ac a vocalist, and she haa ample opportunity in the piece to be produced to-night for the display of both these accomplishments. The company supporting Miss Swain is a strong- one, comprising, as it does, many who are wellknowu ia New Zealand, amongst other 3 Messrs W. Leake, D'Orsay Ogdeu, Leopold, J. Joyce, J. Forde, Miss Bronton, and Miss Hettie La_brette. In addition to the names given above, Miss Helen Fergus (Mrs D'Orsay Ogden) is also a member of tho company. During the season Bret Harte's play of " The Miner's Daughter " will be given. Judging from the success attending the company diu-ing their Southern toxu- they ought to bo very warmly received by Chistchurch playgoers this evening. —nights oi* Labor. —A general meeting of this Association wa3 held at tlie Preetliouglit Hall ou Saturday, 1-ith inst. Mr P. Cairo.a, V.P., presided. A number of new members were elected. Mr Guinnes3 read the basis of tho constitution proposed by Algei-nou Sidney in the reign of Charles IL, and pointed out that it foreshadowed the present constitution of New Zealand, but that up to the present much of the benefits which this constitution was calculated to coufer on the people were unutilised solely from the apathy of tho masses. The question of altering the day

and phi— of meeting was again postponed to enable further enquiries to be made. Messrs Caygill, Berry, and Bowman were elected Vice-Presidents. After the report of the deputation to the Labor Bureau was read, a resolution was pa9sed that Mr Cleary should have the support of the Association iv carrying on a prosecution of his claim for work done for the Government. Au animated discussion on the paper read by Mr Pozzi at the last meeting took place. Mr Edward Henwood offered to read a paper on a National Bank of Issue, which was arranged for next meeting night. After the usual routine business, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

Yaldhukst School.—A meeting of the Yaldhui-st School Committee took place in the Public Library on Friday evening last. Present—Messrs J. Taylor (Chairman), Carpenter, Guy, Hepworth, Johnston, Savill and W. H. Taylor. The Committee decided not to nominate candidates for the Education Board, But to exercise their power to vote when the nominations are sent out. The Chairman reported the school had been examined by Mr L. B. Wood, M.A., on the 30th December. The report, wab read over, and, according to the Inspector's remarks, although one portion of the school appears to be somewhat backward, other portions are very good indeed, and the pei-centage of passes was very fair. On the whole the Committee look upon the report as highly, satisfactory, and with-a view to encouraging the chilelren to still fur fcher exertion, the Committee have provided a liberal' list of prizes for those who have so successfully passed in tho various standards, which will be distributed during the first week, the school re-opens after the holidays. This year the chilel—n with many of their -parents were taken for an outing to New Brighton, where they all thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Southbridge Town Boaed.—The ordinary monthly meeting of the Southbridge Town _'Board was held in their office on Thiol's ay evening. Present — Messrs Burns (in the chair), Low, "Webster, Langeshwardt, Kilbride, and Morrison. Correspondence was read from Messrs Buckley, Stafford, and Treadwell, re the proposed loan. It was proposed by Mr Langeshwardt, seconded by Mr Low, " That a special meeting be held on Monday evening to consider the matter." Carried. The pay-sheet, amounting to .£3 15s lOd, was passed for payment. A petition was laid before the Board asking to have a branch water-race brought across the road to run down the south side of High street. It was decided to hold the matter over till Monday night. The Clerk was instructed to co—Get all outstanding rents for roads. The meeting then closed. Temuka Daisy Factobt. —The regular monthly meeting of the Temuka Dairy Factory was held at the Secretary's office on Frieiay evening. Present — Messrs Brown (Chain_ in Cain, Austin, Scott, Barker, and Dr. Hayes. The Secretary reported that a further shipment of six tons of cheese had been made per the Kaikoura, making in all nine tons shipped during the present season. During the past month, 34,354 gallons milk had been received, for wiiich __9 7s lid had been paid. Accounts amounting to jei79 2s 9d were passed for payment. It was decided to supply cheese to farmers bringing milk to the factory, the price of some to be deducted from the monthly accounts. The Secretary was instructed to insist upon all milk suppliers becoming shareholders. Several small matters required at the e»ttage were left to the Chairman to arrange for.

Mecha—res' Institute, Temuka. —The annual meeting of shareholders of the Temuka Mechanics' Institute was held on Friday evening in the reading-room. Dr. Campbell occupied the chair. From the balance sheet submitted it appeared that the total amount of subscriptions received amounted to _30 Os 6d. A Bubsidy had been granted by Government amount—g to .£l6 9s ld, and these, with the balance in hand and a small sum realised from the sale of waste paper, made np a total of _liO 13s. Of this amount .£3l 4s 9d had been expended on the purchase of books, and .£2l 10s 3d for the Librarian's salary. Sundry small acco—iits had been paid, leaving a balance in hand of £4 12s Bd. The balance sheet was adopted as read. The following officers were elected, viz. •—- ---: President, Mr James Blyth j Vice - President, Secretary and Treasurer, Mr H. M. Miles; Committee, Dr. Campbell anel Messrs Archer, Lawson, E. Lee, Mason, Corra, Qentlemuil, Edwards and Bryars! On—.emotion of Mr Mason, seconded by Mr Lawson, a vote of thanks waa passed to the retiring officers, and also to the Auditor, Mr tt A. Bout. The meeting terminated in the usual way. Oa—aeu Woollen Faotobt. —At the annual meeting of _.c Oamaru Woollen j Company, held on Thursday evening, the ; Directors' report stated that the opera- , tions of the Factory hod resulted in a loss, which was the more eiisappointii ig aa the turnover exceeded that of the previous year by .£4OOO. Notwithstanding the n_iavor—>le issue the Directors confidently hoped for better results in the future. The Chaiaman said, owing to the keen competition in tweeds it had been deemed necessary to experiment in manufacture of other articles, but in some directions the experiment had not proved profitable. The increase in the number of factories had caused a keen struggle, and the colony (the Ch——aan went on to say) had gone too far in the f»stabli-_ment of woollen factories, and had gone ahead of the population. Until —.ere was an —creased population the supply was in excess of the demand. By reducingexpensea the Directora hoped to overtake the loss and prevent the ca__ity of having to close the doors. It was decided by the meeting to have a valuation of plant and premises, and that Directora consider the advisablenesa of adj _rti_ff the value of shares. *'

— —y-*P~~—^ •—*——**——*****"*]£— - V ISsmpkrancs ME—•INOB.--ThiS <*Vot*lni- _ scrfea of specialJompcmnce- meetings -.viiftS commenced in this city by the Roy. Freid. 0 ft —lirey, from Australia. Mr Fairoy conic* com! tncnrtod to tho. Churches by piiriiat f .r« ot '{| (letiominntions m the other eolonics. unil HS Mi de—re is t> gain a hcarin-- from it»,> ~f >_ abat-unon- bhxoiyseing to Chmtiau c->» wrei .T tlona. the meetings will be held m cHft' V r,v_ Kclinolrewnis. The meeun-» to-nivrht will bah,._ in St. Paul's schoolroom, Uchft-li'. -■• W ii,,h i " snlu'eot buinti-- Alcohol: What it s w »d whit do„." "

ri-rv■ VA-.UATION- Tuisr.—Tho city vaUintfa— rolls being now cuinplgtea, ot-joctiui- ••itwui lodged at tin) R.M. Court on or bufai-rKeTS ruary 15th, addressed to tho AE-sessmont; ConrT and a copy loit at tho Town Clork nonieewS ltUur than sovon days bctore tho sittingp-?b«, Court. „ „ r w %. "Rough on Rats.* — Hears out rats, nrt_ roaohea, Hies, ants, bed bugs, bceUcH. iu«ei,_* skunks, jack rabbits, sparrows, gopher*. _£,!■ chemist- and druggists.—[AnVT]. " . "Buciiu-PiAßA,"—Quick, comnloto ours, M annoyiu£ kidney, bladder and urinary dlgcas«_ At cheiiiiati and druirj-ists. Ki.-mpthora_ Prosser and Co.. agents, Ciirlstcluin.-h [Adv? 11 you waut to buy or soli atmroa or prup-iriV ' end particulars to L. H, Neli-on, MorieuV Bullding#, Hereford street, ChrlitohuruLi [ADVT.)

English Navvies.—Tho London Ti-wj; of November -"lith says that HOOO nav-rie* employed on tho Liverpool and Mnuohettej * ship canal are paid at the rate of tldpeihour.

The Cook at Bellamy's.—ln regard ti this momentous question the Wellington Post says:—"With the view of reducing the expenses in connection with the chief cook has received notice that vis services will no longer be required, the intention being to appoint a woman at & salary of £6 or £7 a week for the Si.'s&l<w only. The salary paid to the retiring disciple of Soyer was £•—0 per annum, ami when Parliament was not sittiug ho wag at liberty to take anothor engage-neat until the beginning of the next session. It is estimated that a saving of about £log a year will be affected by employing -j female cook at a weokly wage." .

Gounod's " Faust."—The 1500 th representation of Gounod's opera of " Faust *--. ; has just taken place at the Grand Op»rm House in Paris. The work waa compo*j| nearly ten years before a manager collides • found willing to incur the risk of prodiie» v it, and when M. Corvalho undertook to present it at the Theatre Lyiique it ouly met with a suacus destime. and no publisher cared to puvchase the score. At M. Choucfens gave —400 for it, and sub..sequently cleared JBSO.OUO by it. Soiu«v years later the opera made a triumphal tour round tne woidd, and ita po-niluvU-f nearly thirty years after its first purfoiatf) ance in Paris remains undiminished. {■'.

A Curious Publication. —A novel pnhj licatiori has been started uudor the title of La Neeropole, in which any person subscrib* ing fifteen sbilliugs will bo entitled tef have the name, surname, age, date of dentil and burial-place of a deceased friend qj relative printed in it, supplementary lineti of eulogy being charged extra at tho rata of 15s per line. In the first number, «4f by side with an obituary notice of tha famous Abe—u'd and of Pannuutier, whe —ti-oduceil the potato into France, is •>• record of the death and burial ot onq Chryso3tome G—ard, who was one of tha compositors engaged on the eliotionavy of P. Larousae, and of an artisan nan-eel Lef ournier, who is described as a " a clever enaiuellei-."

A Tragedy in Court. —A sanguinary scene was enacted on the 10th of Novem* ber, in the Palace of Justice, at Marseillesj during the heai-ing of a divorce case. Ths ; question before tho Judge was who should have chai'ge of tha two young children of M. and Mine. Genoud, the parties to Wis . suit, when the father of the latter addressed some bitter reproaches to her husband, who, drawing a revolver from pocket, fired it at his wife, who &nF' wounded on tho floor. He then dibyharalp three chambers at his father-in-law Vittt- ' out taking effect. He was deprived of the.-' weapon, but, producing a second, shot ' himself through the heart, exclaim—i g thsli he would like to have killed his wife's father. Mme. Genoud is in a fair way of recovery.

The Gov—inor and the Convict.—The, death of Captain Fitzgerald is reported from London. The eleeeo—d was Governor of Western Australia from 18-18 tojf moo, and his peculiar characteristics, saya}the Sydney Star, are pretty well known to j! many old residents of this colony. Mr] William Hogan, of Paddington, tells one very amusing incident of his gubernatorial ' life. It was Governor Fitzgerald's habitta " dress in a very ordinary if not slovonljr manner. On one occasion he was more . < slovenly attired than usual, and, during his morning's constitutional, he stood » watch a gang of convicts at work. He . was struck with the extraorelinarily slow and methodical stroke of one of a **-ui| . of men employed in breaking stones, _a . casually remarked to him, " Young jnaa.' if you porsevere you will have that stone broken." "I guess, old boy," was the rejoinder, "that thi3 stone lasts mo all : day." It is almost needless to say that the convict wj~ not aware that he VMS talking to his lord and master.

The Etee Out-rail.—ln the cours« : of some years past stops have been ia progress "to bank in the overflow of ths Eyre river in its sinuous course throuifll ■ the Eyreton district, in order to send tw, flood-currents directly and quickly to _» outfall in the north branch of theWfci* mi i_—iri opposite Kaiapoi Island, thi upper part of the Eyre hna been buoo"— * fully held in check, and a few weeks will . see the completion of the system. ' Tha object has been to keep the rivew to the flood reserve and its natural course. Eraban—nents have been made to accomplish this on both banks, allowing about tlut— . chains in width for the river and K» freshets, and all the obstructions of willows and earth-banks withiii this- space have 1 been cleared. The w_#wb, including •. several trees of largo .'."."growth, hft*'« been drawn out by Mr M. Dixon'* , traction engine, and the embank—eat* have been made by a large number ci \ pair-horse scoops, which have eh-awh til* earth from the channel on to tho banks. The work is being pushed forward vigor-, ously by the combined action of thß Bt*» Board and the farmers interested in the locality. Somethiiig like 40,000 cubic yards have been recently dealt with, ih\a completing the outfall system, which is nearly two miles and a half in length. « ia expected the protective emban—aes- 8 will retain the overflow, which formerlywent over thousands of acres of rich exam , land that in the course of years will cava • , into profitable cultivation, and protst* j much country which is at present UabJ&tt 1 damage from flood. So soon as the Art* ! flood comes down it will be'seen ho**-'*'* ] the fast-silting-up north branch of'tin."Waimakariri will contain the addittoM* pressure that will be put ou its ilrsiniKp,.. * capacity, and it is to be hoped no serfo—'■' consequences lower down will happen.

Insects that Feed on Steel EAtis."-* . The existence haa just been diseo**erea — v a detestable microbe which feeds / u-»j» . iron, with as much gluttouy as the pnjr loxera upon the vine. Some time ago ft? . t greatest consternation existed among the . engineers employed on the railway « ' ■ Hagen by the accidents occurring •-**• ,, *?! at the same place, proving that scsw terrible defect must exist either in tttl material or the construction of the tail*' - The German Government directed »J enquiry to be and a Cezr_—issioO « survei—anee to be formed for the purpeßS , of maintaining constant watch wherd tM accidents—one of them attended witfatW •? loss of life—had occurred. Is was no* t however, until after sir months J** - elapsed that the surface of the rails ap" - peared to be oorroded, as if by acid, tow« ' extent of 100 yards. The rail was tetan up and broken, and was literally bollotfW t out by a thin grey worm, to which »W 1 qualification of " railoverous" was **" signed, and hy which name it is to W s known, in natural history. The worm » ; said to be two centimetres in length, and of the size of a prong of a silver fork *"* j circumierenee. It is of a light grey colob**and on the head carriea two u_le g\eae» ( filled with' a corrosive secretion, which M . ejected every ten minutes upon their***** j This renders the iron soft and spongy, «" d f of the colour of rust, and it ia then greedily | devoured by the insect. " There U m . , \ exaggeration," says the official repM* °* | the Commission, " ia the assertion they . j this creature, for its kind, is one of tltf.- j most voracious kind, for it has devottrsdj. j thirty-six kilog— —ones ot nil in * tOtav j niqht."—Gelopta Ckuatta. ' . ■', I

Dkath of a Bei—ian Snnn-a. — A faaioiiii bass singer in his day, T&. Jofffoh. Jan-t by name, has just passed away m Belgium, htaving the bulk of his fortune to in—itutioas. He sprang from the ranks oi labor, and haa not forgotten •jjc p.*'"- i" 1 his prosperity. He has be-oueAtJ-eil iSOOO to a charitable establishment »*■ M.ddelkerke,- a like amount to the OrpU^ ; '^ afcl - !raß *- eJ **s i'lOOOto the poor of the- «■:;>■; •SIOoQ to the HUnd Asylum • £1000 Ui a hospital at Schaarbeck, and another .£IOOO to the orphi«is of the same place. Death op a Fbesch Aomiba—<■—The death is announced of Admiral Jauregui-bc-rry, one of tlie heroes of the FranooGerman war. Born in 1815, tha Aehniral •waa, at the outbreak of the war. chief of the atnS at Toulon s but it was on land that fate had destined him to make his x—irk. In command of the First Division cf the li'-th Army Corps, he contributed to the si-cess of the battle of Patay, and subsequently, as command*>r-in-chief of the corps, he covered the retreat of Chanty's army em Le Mans in a manner which won the 'admiration of the enemy. From 1879 to ISS3 Admiral Jau—iguiberry was "dinuvcr of Marine, but, though a senator, be never took a leading part in politics.