NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9116, 29 May 1895, Page 5

NEWS OF THE DAY.

WnEAT " Futures. '* — A mjsprinb occurred in our leader on this subject yesterday. It was five years ago (not two years as printed) when the official estimate of the United States wheat crop in April was 81 per cent. Tnß Hospital Enquiry.—The Progressive Liberal Association have arranged with Mr J. A. Caygill, solicitor, to appear in connection with the Hospital enquiry Elocution Class.—The V.M.C.A. Elocution Class held their usual weekly meeting on Monday evening. Several junior members recited pieces with considerable taste and expression. Some valuable hints by senior members wore oflored.

Land Sales.—At Rangiora on Tuesday, an acre of land, the property of Mr R. Parsons, on Ashley street, was sold by suction to Mr J. Taylor for £90. The farms of Mr Pashby, Kaiapoi, were sold to M r Isaac Wilson at the reported price of £30 per acre.

Bankruptcies.—-Last week there were seventeen bankruptcies in the colony, three miners, two contractors, two farmers, two blacksmiths, two married women, an express driver, a storekeeper, a threshing mill owner, a bootmaker, and a rabbit canner.

Supreme Court.—The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were continued yesterday. The following cases ware disposed of: —J. A. Selte, doing grievous bodily harm, two months' imprisonment; John R. Jones, assault, six months; Chas. H.. Mitchell, conspiracy to defraud, nine months' imprisonment; George Laing, assault and robbery, not guilty. This leaves one case only to finish the calendar, and that will be taken at 10 a.m. to-day. Workers' Union.—At an executive meeting of the New Zealand Workers' Union, at Waimate, it was decided to work the Oarnaru district as an agency instead of a branch till next Conference. Mr Leslie was appointed agent for Oamaru, and Mr Wise trustee. The General Secretary was instructed to ascertain the number of unemployed members in the Waimate district, and hand their names to the Labour Department.

The Grakd Stand at the Show Grounds. —The Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association held a general meeting yesterday at which the proposals were considered for the erection of a grand stand and a luncheon booth at the Addington Show grounds. After the Committee's proposals for separate buildings had been placed before the meeting one of the members submitted a plan for a single building, including stand and luncheon rooms, which could bo erected at more than a third less cost per ■eat per person than the original stand, and would accommodate 1600 people. In view of this information the meeting relegated the whole matter for reconsideration to the Committee, who were requested to call for competitive designs. Christchurch Draixagc Board. — A meeting of the Drainage Board was held yesterday afternoon. Present—Mr J. Deans (in the chair) and Messrs H. Crooks, R. H. Fisher, W. McAlpine, C. J. Palairet, H. Bonnington and G. Smart. The Secretary and Treasurer reported:—Amount of rates received since last meeting, £570 63 Id ; received from other sources, £30 Us; expenditure since last meeting, rate account, £330 19a lid; amount of 1892 rates outstanding, £163 17s Id ; do 1893 do, £105 3a 10<i ; do 1894 do, £318 5s 10d ; do 1894 rates collected to date, £18,227 I7s 7d; debit balance, £1965 15s. Correspondence was read from Messrs Garrick, Cowliahaw and Fisher, on behalf of Mr Connal. Mr Fisher moved that, " Subject to the Board's solicitors advising that ita members are within their legal rights in doing so, Mr Connal be paid the sum of £200 for the easements through section 347." The motion wes lost by five votes to three. The meeting shortly afterwards adjourned.

The Hakpeb Memorial.—At a meeting yesterday of the subscribers to the Harper Memorial it was resolved to adjourn the discussion of the question of the cenotaph proposed by the motion ot Bishop Julius until the session of Synod. City Cocscii. Election—The candidate* nominated for the vacancy in the City Council for the South-Eaat Ward, caused by the retirement of Mc E. Smith, are Messrs Aaron Ayers and W. I. Ballinger. Hornby. —At a special meeting of the Hornby School Committee, held on Monday evening last, all the members being present, Miss F<iniiy Durey was selected from thirty-one applicants to fill the position of mistress of the Hornby school.

Unregistered Dogs.—We learn that about fifty informations have been laid by the City Inspector against persons having unregistered dogs in their possession. This only covers one portion of the city.

Jurors' Fines.—The fine of £5 imposed on Mr C. H. Lascellea for non-attendance as a Grand Juror was yesterday reduced by bis Honour Mr Justice Denniston to 20s. Mr Lascelles explained that he had forgotten the summons. The fines imposed on Messrs Spensley and Tweedie for non-attendance as common jurors were also remitted on cause shown. New Zealakd Shorthand Association. —The Committee of the Chridtchurch Shorthand Writers' Association at their meeting on Saturday passed a resolution to the effect that the Associatiou favoured the formation of a New Zealand Branch of the National Phonographic Society, and would join with other Associations in making the necessary arrangements. Acknowledgment.—The Secretary of the Christehurch Hospital desires to acknowledge the receipt of jam and flowers from Mrs J. Bishop, Papauui; old linen, from a Friend; periodicals, from Christehurch Club ; and for destitute patients, vegetables and fruit from Riccartou Village Wesleyan Church.

Lecture.—There was a good attendance at. the Oddfellows' Hall, la3fc night, when Mr Byron De Winton delivered his eeenn I lecture, a scientific one, " They Tried Hard and Failed." Mr De Winton'a lecture tonight will be on "Politics."

A Man Trap. —The attention of theDrainage Board may be called to Che condition of the sewage outlet at the corner of the North-cast Belt. Oα Suuday this escape, which is some three feet deep, was without its grating, and thus formed a neat little trap into which pedestrians might stumble. In such an event the result would probably be a broken leg, if noc a more eeriou* danvige. Lvttblton Musical Society. — The Society has decided to put into rehearsal at once the opera •• Pirates of Penzance." The officers elected for the season are:—Conductor, Mr G. E. Collin3; Secretary, Mr Gharlee S. Clarke; Committee, Misses E.venaon and A. Galbraith, Messrs R. W. Arnold, Ba'es, Hay, and Bethune; Accompanist, Miss O'Brien. Thirty six new members were elected.

Chess Match.—A team from the Linwood Chess Club visited the Canterbury Club's rooms last evening, and, after an enjoyable match, the Canterbury Chess Club gained a victory by twelve games tc three. For the winners Messrs H. Andersen, Clutten, Gray, Hiorns, Lane, Wiggins, DeMans, Kir ton, J. C. Auderaen, Joutss, Turrell ani Papprill won their games, whilst Messrs A. L. Smith, Loaguet and C. J* Atkinson won for Linwood.

Prohibition League.—A meeting of the Christchurch Prohibition League was held last evening, when there was a good attendance, and the Rev. F. W. leitt presided. An alteration, suggested by the Palmereton Convention, in the proposed Licensing Bill, in the direction of separating wholesale and retail licenses, was fully discussed, and it was decided that the League could not agree with the suggestion. Sympathy was expressed with the resolutions passed by the Maori Parliament in reference to Native licensing districts, and it was decided to urge the Government to give effect to them. Literary Sooietvt.—The Y.xi.O A. Literary Society held its usual meeting on Monday, Mr J. M. Telford occupying the chair. The business for the evening was prepared speeches. Mr A. G. Skelton was called upon, and addressed the meeting on the problem "Is wealth or poverty the greater incentive to crime I" The opiuions expressed were supported and opposed by several members. The Chairman then called on Mr J. McCoomb, who discoursed on "The best way of maintaining peace between the nations." This important subject elicited several excellent speeches.

Tub buNDAr Toaoiku Cases.—The cases pending against several Christchurch hotelkeepers, which were to have been heard to-day, have been adjourned by agreement until Friday, in consequence of Mr Bishop, S.M., not being able to attend to day. The litigation in connection with the cases 13 becoming somewhat; formidable. It is stated that there are twelve charges against publicans of alleged breaches of the Licensing Act; and, on the other hand, twelve charges of procuring offences and five of conspiracy against the informants in the licensing cases. It is also stated that Mr G. J. Bruce is taking proceedings against the Lyttelton Times for an alleged iibel contained in a letter in its correspondence columns commenting on the cases. Funeral.—The funeral of the late Mr W. T. Potter, statioumaster at Prebblecon, took place yesterday at the Addington Cemetery. The District Graud Lodge S.C. and subordinate Lodges of that Constitution took part in the cortege, the deceased geutleiran having been a Past Master of the Thistle Lodge, Ashburtou. The Druids, of which he was also a member, were represented, and a very large number of private friends attended. The Druids' funeral service was read over the grave at the close of the religious service. A number of beautiful wreaths were sent, amongst others from Rev. Mr and Mrs Know lea, of Prebbleton. the District Grand Lodge S.C., the Crown Masonic Lodge and the Druids.

Salvation Army Rescue Work.—The Salvation Army intend having a great rescue meeting to-night at 8 p.m. in the spacious Barracks in Victoria street. Mr d. J. Smith, M.H.R., will preside, and Brigadier Hoskin, who is in charge of all the Army operations in New Zealand, and who has had considerable experience in the social

rescue work in the other colonies, will relate some thrilling rescue facts and figures. Several other speakers will take pare, A band under the leadership of Captain Gore will enliven the proceedings, and very many leading citizens and business men have notified their intention of attending, and among these are several miuistere.

An Interesting Witsess.—The prosecutor in one of the cases before Ihe Supreme Court yesterday was a deaf mute who had been in the institution at Sumner, and who gave hie evidence by lip readiug through Mr van Asch iv a most satisfactory and audible manner, putting to shame many ffitneases not ao afflicted whom one is accustomed to hear, or at least attempt to hear, m the Court. His Honour, the Judge, and Mr Stringer, the Crown Prosecutor, both epoke in terms of commendation of the excellent manner in which the witness gave evidence, testifying as it did to the excellence of the system at the Sumner Institution.

RaGBY Uxiox.— The Committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union met at the Clarendon Hotel, yesterday. Present—Dr. Jennings (in the chair), Messrs L. A. Cuff, J. U. Collins, F. Evans, W. G. Garrard, T. Buntin, F. E. Asquith, G. H. Mason, H. Frost und W. J. Cotterill. Mr H. Frost gave notice to move for the amendment of the rule concerning the representative oolonrs to make them uniform. An application from the Southern Club to play a man who had resigned from the Pirates was granted provided the usual conditions were complied with. The East Christchurch President's Cup team wore permitted to play New Brighton next Saturday. J. Horsfall was reinstated as a President's Cup player for Kaiapoi. The applications from the Lyttelton and East Christchurch Clubs for the transfer of players from the former to the latter, and the reinstatement of several Lvttelton Junior Flag men as President's Cup players, were approved, the reinstatements being grantedwithout prejudice under the exceptional circumstances. Mr Garrard gave notice to alter Rule 25, for the appointment of the Selection Committee by the vote of seaior Clubs only. The grounds and Referees for Saturday were fixed as under :—Kaiapoi v Merivale (Mr Cotterill), and East Christchurch v Sydenham (Mr Evans), at Lancaster Park; Christchurch v Canterbury College (Mr Collins), at Sydenham ; North Canterbury v Linwood (Mr Soper), at Rangiora. After considering the advisableness of proceeding with arrangements for the Interprovincial matches, the meetiug adjourned.

MiGisTEKiAL. —At the Cbristchurch Magistrate's Court on the civil aide yesterday! ia the case of Howell v Barr, claim £1 7s 6d, judgment wm given for plaintiff, with costs, "by default. There was no other btmneee. Mewre H. Tbomeoo and G. Roberta were on the bench. Sblwyx Council.—The ordinary meeting oftheSelwyn Council to have been held yesterday lapsed for want of a quorum. The members present were—Mesara H. W. Peryman, W. Dunlop, J. G. Murray, and J. Goagn, who agreed to aign a tequisition for a special meeting to be held next Tuesday to dispose of the business. Sydenham Cbickbt Club. —A meeting of the Sydenham Cricket Club will be held this evening at the old Sydenham Hotel at eight o'clook. Waimakariri Harbour Board. — A special meeting of this Board was held on Monday eveuing to accept tenders connected with the erection of a wharf on Charles street. The tenders of Mr Youngman, for timber 15a per 100 ft and £9 8s for piles, and Messrs Ballantyne and Lush, £29 19a for labour, were accepted. Sydenham Poultry Show.—The entries for the Sydenham poultry show, which will be held at the Mission Hall, Colombo road, on June 12th and 13th, closs on Saturday next at the Pigeon Flying Club rooms, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and at the Club Hotel, Sydenham, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Winter Socials.—The wiuter socials in connection with St. Saviour's, Lyttelton, commence this evening in the Orphanage schoolroom.

Polo.—A general meeting of the New Zealand Polo Association will be held to-night, at , 8.30, at the office of the Secretary, Mr George Gould, Hereford street, when amongst other business the following letter from the Riuelagh Club, London, will be considered :—" It ia proposed to hold an international polo tournament on the Club grounds during the last week iv July next. Should you t>e able to send a team to compete it will afford the Committee much pleasure. The Ranelagh Club Syndicate proposes to offer a trophy, value lOOgs, for competition. Should you decide to send a team the Committee will be pleased to make the players honorary members of the Club during their etay in this country, and to provide stabling and forage for fonr ponies for each player during the progress of the tournament. The tournament will be played under Hurlingham rules, with the exception of Rule 1., relating to the height of ponies, which ia not strictly adhered to by any Polo Club in England. An early reply will oblige. Yours faithfully, L. Dowling, Lieut.-Colonel, Assistant Polo Manager."