NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 15, 17 June 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

S.S. Atrato. —Advice has been received that this ship will probably not leave Port Chalmers till Friday, in consequence of the quantity of cargo she has to discharge there, Sugar Manufactory— Dr Webster, in speaking to a vote in the Provincial Council of Otago for the improvement of the Kaikanui harbor, stated that that the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company intended to establish a sugar manufactory at Kaikanui, if the facilities for shipping at that port were increased. Early and Late Trains.— An Otago contemporary understands that the authorities are considering the propriety of running morning and evening trains on the Port Chalmers railway, to suit the hours of working men and others living in the vicinity of the line. Secretary foe Education. —After a lengthy debate, Mr Buckley’s motion for the appointment of a permanent Secretary for Education was shelved in Committee on a motion for reporting progress without asking leave to sit again. Drainage Plough. —The Provincial Council of Otago has resolved that a first prize of £IOO, and a second prize of £SO, be offered for the best and most approved drainage plough. I.O.G.T.—The usual fortnightly meeting of the Good Intent of Rangiora Lodge was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Rangiora, on last Monday evening. Two new members were initiated and one admitted by clearance. There are a number of applicants for membership on the list, and the lodge is progressing very favorably. Rifle Association’s Concert,—A grand vocal and instrumental concert in aid of the funds of the Canterbury Rifle Association will be given on Friday evening in the new Oddfellows’ Hall, under the patronage of Sir Cracroft and Lady Wilson. A most attractive programme has been prepared, in which several leading amateurs, the Christchurch Liedertafel, a string band, and the Cavalry band, will take part. Not only should the programme of itself be sufficient to ensure a large attendance, but the knowledge that the association some months ago sustained a heavy pecuniary loss, will no doubt induce many to purchase tickets with a desire to enable the members to meet existing liabilities. Tea Meeting. The anniversary tea meeting of the Hereford street Baptist Sunday School took place last evening in the church, and was largely attended. The Rev Mr Morton occupied the chair, and opened the proceedings with prayer. He then called on Mr T. B. Peto, secretary, to read the annual report, which showed that there had been an increase in the average attendance during the year of one teacher and eleven scholars. The scholars and teachers, assisted by several young friends from another Sunday school, and their teachers, with whom was Mr S. C. Farr, president of the Canterbury Sunday School Union, then contributed a service of song, illustrated by a magic lantern and dissolving views (kindly lent by the Sunday School Union) descriptive of the progress of the pilgrim “ Christiana and her children.” Each phase was accompanied by explanatory remarks from Mr H. Purdie, and the singers, under the conductorship of Mr Pillow, rendered the different portions of the service in a most pleasing and creditable manner, Mr Lea presided at the harmonium. The apparatus connected with the lantern and views was worked most successfully by Mr H. Walters to the great delight of the large assemblage of young persons present. At the conclusion of the entertainment hearty votes of thanks were carried by acclamation to Messrs Purdie, Pillow, Walters, Parr, Lea, and to all those who had contributed to the evening’s amusement, and the proceedings terminated with prayer. Extraordinary Instance of Vitality. —A correspondent forwards us the following —As Messrs F. Houghton, of Pigeon Bay, and Wm. Masefield, of Gough’s Bay, were on a shooting excursion at Lake Forsyth on Tuesday, April J4th ult, their attention was attracted by a flue specimen of the green lizard, which was secured by Mr Houghton and placed in a common tin match-box with the intention of preserving it in spirits. On his arrival at home the box was temporarily laid aside and afterwards forgotten until Thursday last, the 11th inst,, when on its being opened, instead of a shrivelled skin being found, not only was the original animal alive and well, but also two young ones which it had produced during its two months’ imprisonment, all of which appear at present as strong and healthy, as though they had never been in confinement. The veracity of the above is beyond doubt, and can be vouched for by witnesses who saw the box opened, the stiing with which it was tied being found intact. It is Mr Houghton’s intention to forward both animals and box to Dr Haas* by first opportunity.

Agricultural and Pastoral Association. —A committee meeting of the above was held yesterday at Tattersall’s. Present: Messrs Wilkin (in the chair), Henderson, Studholrae, Garforth, Norman, Ayusley, Alport, Gebbie, Matson, J. Gebbio, Bruce, Miln, Fergusson, J. E. Brown, H. F. Gray, Mann, M'Beth, J. T. Ford (bon. Sec.). The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A number of accounts were passed for payment. Mr Henderson brought up an account from tiro ground committee, recommending the adoption of certain charges for grazing, sales, &c., on the grounds of the Association. Mr Matson moved that the report be adopted. Mr Alport seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Henderson brought up a plan of the proposed new yards at the grounds of the Association prepared by Mr Jacobsen, at the instance of the committee appointed to consider the subject of improving the accommodation. The number of pens shown on the plan was 120, comprised in six lines of twenty pens each, Bft x lift. Mr J. K. Brown enquired whether there was any necessity for yards at all ? Could the cattle not be led on to the ground, tied up to separate posts, and led off the ground after the exhibition? This was done in Sydney and at other Australian shows, and he did not see why it could not be done here. There was, however, a very general expression of opinion by the members present against the course suggested by Mr Brown, Mr Matson moved—“ That the present yards be pulled down, the timber put in heaps, classified, and sold, and the ground levelled and made ready for the new yards.” Mr Ferguson seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Matson moved —“ That the thanks of the meeting be given to the yard committee for the trouble they have taken in bringing the plan before the meeting, and that the plan be approved and adopted.” Mr Garforth seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Alport moved—“ That the yard committee be instructed to call for tenders for the timber required to erect the new yards.” Mr Gebbie seconded the motion, which was agreed to, Mr Gray moved, “ That proper provision be made for loading and unloading sheep at the yards, and that the present yard committee be instructed to take such steps as may be deemed advisable to secure an easy method for use at the next show.” Mr Matson seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The secretary brought under the notice of the meeting the necessity of appointing a sub-committee to revise the catalogue of the midsummer show, so as to get the premium catalogues issued for the other provinces, in order that exhibitors at a distance might be enabled to have their stock ready. Mr Wilkin thought that this was highly necessary. He might say that in England they restricted the entries from one flock or herd in one class to two. It seemed to him that it would be advisable to do this, as it would to some extent lighten the labors of the judges. He thought it was a waste of time for the judges to go through twelve pens of the same man’s exhibits to say which was the best. Mr Gray suggested that the entries might be. confined to five, which would be as much as the prize list allowed to be awarded. Mr Miln thought that this was somewhat too sweeping an alteration to introduce at present,' He thought they should wait for a short time before introducing it. Mr Garforth pointed out that under the present arrangements, if half-a-dozen exhibitors sent so many pens each, the whole of the yards would be taken up by sheep, and the judges would have no opportunity of doing anything else. Mr Wilkin said that he had simply brought the matter forward now as it could be discussed fully in the committee. The following gentlemen were then elected as a sub-committee to revise the catalogue, viz.—Messrs Henderson, Wilkin, Norman, Matson, Gray, Gebbie, Ferguson, and the mover, to report in a week. The meeting then adjourned. Parish Church, Rangiora. —The adjourned meeting of the members of this church, to consider what steps should be taken to enlarge the present church, was held in the girls’ schoolroom on Monday evening. Considering the inclement state of the weather, the attendance was very good, about fifteen persons being present, the Rev. Canon Dudley, the incumbent, presiding. The chairman having opened the meeting with prayer, and read the minutes of the last meetings, which were confirmed, said that in accordance with a resolution passed at the last meeting, he had written to Mr H. Packer, enquiring whether any of the church property in Rangiora could be sold to assist in building the addition, and had received a reply to the effect that none of the endowments could be alienated from the church. (Letter and reply read.) To satisfy himself, he had also searched the deeds, and found that the lands were given for church purposes only, and, therefore, could not be disposed of. He thought, however, that sufficient money could be raised to carry out the enlargement as proposed, or at least a portion of it might be erected, and the building completed at some future time. After some discussion as to whether an Act of the Synod or General Assembly could not be obtained to enable the parishioners to dispose of some of the property, Mr Buss proposed, “ That subscription lists be opened, to collect money towards the enlargement of the church. He thought that, before entering into any contract for the enlargement of the church, or even before deciding upon a plan, they should collect as much money as possible, so that they might know how much they were justified in spending before making any arrangements. He would be sorry to be placed on any building committee, unless the money was in hand before the work was commenced. The chairman pointed out that it was most desirable that some plan should be adopted previous to asking for subscriptions. For himself, he would say that, if the proposed addition was made in such a manner as to form part of a new church, he would give £25, but if it was only to be a temporary addition, he would not feel called upon to give more than a fifth of that amount, and he knew of others who would do the same. Several gentlemen concurred with Mr Buss that the money should be collected first. Mr P. Thorne proposed, as an amendment to Mr Buss’s motion, “that subscription lists be opened to raise £6OO, to provide further accommodation in the parish church, Rangiora.” After several persons had expressed their opinions on the matter, the amendment was put to the meeting and declared to be correct. A committee was then appointed to carry the resolution into effect, consisting of the members of the vestry, and Messrs Buss, Thorne, Merton, Buckham, Tribe, Silk, Howard, Blackett, Eyes, Cunningham, Shrimpton, and Duddiug, with power to add to their number, and the meeting terminated with prayer,

Malicious Prosecution —lt is reported in Auckland, says a Northern contemporary, that Mr J. S. Macfarlane has entered an action against Mr C. A... Harris, junr, for malicious prosecution arising out of the late charge of inciting to murder. Northern District Ploughing Matches. —Only the Kaiapoi committee have at present taken steps in the direction of holding a ploughing match this season. Their subscription appeal has been well responded to, and with the good balance from previous years the committee will be in a position to oiler a programme worth the attention of intending competitors. Offers of paddocks have to be sent in to the committee, who meet on the 22nd. A field belonging to Mr Coup, Kaiapoi Island, already offered, is said to be well suited for the match, as it will afford room for a great number of ploughs, and is convenient to the town. From the late secretaries of the Raugiora and Leithfield committee it has been ascertained that matches in these localities will not be held this season. No doubt a match will take place at the Moeraki Downs, where those hitherto held have been very successful. Dunsandel. —A correspondent writes : Our Musical Society, already numbering more than thirty members, is in a flourishing condition. At a recent meeting held in the Town Hall, Mr R. Pole, the secretary, suggested the propriety of purchasing a piano. The project was taken up with great spirit, and in a few days a very useful instrument became the property of the society. It is intended that a concert shall be given in July at the Hall, the proceeds to be given to the district library fund. Kaiapoi Volunteer Fire Brigade.—A general meeting, at which there was a full attendance of members of this brigade, was held on Monday evening, Mr Foreman Smith in the chair. Copies of the new rules were distributed and appeared to be approved of. The brigade was asked to recommend a superintendent, and the meeting adjourned for a fortnight to consider the question. The Court House. Last evening, during a discussion in the Provincial Council, on a motion by Dr Turnbull to adopt certain means in order to remedy the defective acoustic properties of the Supreme Court House, Mr Maude stated that the architect had devised a plan which it was believed would have the effect of removing the evil complained of. The resolution was agreed to. Sir Cracroft Wilson called attention to the defective acoustic properties of the Provincial Council Chamber, very great difficulty being experienced in hearing what was said. Christchurch Golf Club.—The annua general meeting of members of the Christchurch Golf Club will be held to-morrow evening, at Warner’s Hotel, at four o’clock. Fire in Auckland. The “ Southern Cross” of June 3rd gives the following account of the recent fire at Newmarket, near Auckland: A most disastrous fire occurred at a quarter to one o’clock yesterday morning at Newmarket, by which four of the principal buildings there were destroyed. The flames were first noticed by Mr Edward Richards, an invalid, who resides on the opposite side of the road from that on which the destroyed premises stood, and he gave the alarm of “fire.” A man named John Pike, who lives in the same house, immediately ran to the scene of the conflagration, and on arrival found that a small shop used by Mr Joseph Witherford, tinsmith, as a workshop, was in a blaze. Some ten or twelve persons shortly appeared in answer to his repeated calls, and made strenuous endeavors to save a portion of the stock of Mr John M‘Neil, baker and confectioner, whose store adjoined the workshop of Mr Witherford, but with very little success, as the flames in a short time had gained a complete hold of the building. Mr John Jenkins’ drapery store, on the other side of Mr Witherford’s workshop, was the next to become ignited, and, owing to the small amount of assistance available, there was very little saved. Mr J. H. Witherford’s ironmongery store, in the same building, speedily followed, a victim to the devouring element, and only a very small portion of the stock was rescued. Mr William Morgan’s saddlery shop next caught fire, and, in a very short time, was reduced to ashes, there being only a small portion of the stock saved, and this was so much damaged by removal as to be almost worthless, From what can be gleaned regarding the origin of the fire, it appears almost beyond a doubt that it occurred on the premises occupied as a workshop by Mr J. H. Witherford, who states that he had been working on the evening previous up to five o’clock, and everything then appeared safe. The fire in the small grate, which he used for heating irons, was “ dead out,” and as there was nothing of an inflammable nature on the premises, he is altogether unable to account for the fire taking place. Mr J. Sceats, late of the British Hotel, in conjunction with other gentlemen, rendered considerable assistance by directing the efforts of the many willing workers assembled, and had it not been for his wise directions and the promptitude with which they were obeyed, we should probably have had to chronicle a far greater loss, as from the strong S.W. breeze blowing at the time the block of buildings extending to the junction of Kyber Pass Road was considerably endangered. The following is the list of insurances on the stock and buildings and destroyed ; —New Zealand— Mr Morgan’s building, £2OO ; Mr Morgan’s stock, £250 ; Mr Witherford’s building, £100; Mr Witherford’s building, occupied by Mr Jenkins, £75 ; Mr Witherford’s workshop, £SO ; Mr Witherford’s stock, £2OO ; Mr Jenkins’ stock, £250. Total, £1125, Norwich Union—Mr J. McNeil’s stock, £4OO ; Mr J. Wrigley’s building, occupied by Mr McNeil, £SO. Total, £450, South British —Mr J. Wrigley’s building, occupied by Mr McNeil, £2OO ; Mr J. H. Witherford’s building, £2OO. Total, £4OO. The following are the estimated losses in excess of those covered by insurance :—Mr Morgan, £300; Mr Witherford, £1200; Mr McNeil, £6OO ; Mr Jenkins, £1150; Mr Wrigley on building, £2OO. The total loss will therefore be about £5425, while the aggregate of insurances only amounts to £1957. The relation between the loss sustained by the several parties who are sufferers by the fire and the amount of insurances effected would be as follows .—Mr Witherford Loss, £1825; insurance, £625. Mr Jenkins— Loss, £I4OO : insurance, £250. Mr McNeil— Loss, £1000'; insurance, £4OO. Mr Morgan— Loss, £750 ; insurance, £450. Mr Wrigley— Loss, £450 ; insurance, £250. “My dear,” asked John, on observing new striped hose on his only heir, “ why have you made barber’s poles of Ernest’s logs?” Because he’s a little shaver,” was the reply.

The Philadelphia corn's))' indent of (Ik; “New York World,” writi>iff mi tin; 131.1 i Feb rnary, reports “At 9 o'clock this '"orning a large ice-house attached to Mudlc’s extensive brewery, situated at Thirly-tirst and Jefferson streets, fell and buried 24 men in the ruins. About an hour after I'm building had fallen fully 150 police m» n bad mi iced, and were set to work at once npn . i he debris to rescue the men who w. re known to he buried among the fallen timbers. The structure was built of brick, and was three stories high. The second and third floors were used for the storage of ice, and some 22 labourers were engaged in filling in the ice at the time the building fell. Over 1400 tons had been already gathered and subjected the building to an immense pressure. It was found that the men were all lying among the unwieldy timbers and the bricks in close proximity to the door through which the ice was being thrown into the building, and that they laid together. The dead body of Thomas Allen was recovered and removed to Poth’s brewery, across the street. A few minutes after Fritz Swenck was rescued. His legs were securely fastened between two bands and his body was badly injured. Directly under him William Sturgus, Golied Nied, Louis Rupture, Gotleib Swenck, Patrick Marley, and William Behler laid, and were got out either dangerously injured, or in a dying condition. They were immediately removed to the German Hospital, and every means.:, taken to alleviate their sufferings, The next victim discovered was Henry Starr, a man sixty years old, whose body was tightly held between a couple of beams, and so far down in the ruins as to take two hours and a half hard labor to reach him. He was found to* be horribly crushed and injured internally. ' His injuries were fatal. The dead body of another man was discovered between the heavy planking and about five tons of debris. When it was got out the head was found to be crushed, and the body horribly mangled. Upon the lower floor of the brewery a boy named Albert Baker, aged twelve years, who was employed in driving an ice-cart, was thofaght to have been standing when the icehouse fell, and upon an examination his body was discovered lying covered up with a great quantity of barley which had been precipitated from the third floor. Death had been caused by suffocation. The bookkeeper of the establishment, a young man twenty years of age, named Jacob Both, was upon the second floor of the brewery wheir thecatastrophe occurred, near a hopper which was jammed into the wall of the icehouse./- JSei was: struck by a flying beam, and his body carried down under the ruins. HenjryMpeßegvja son of the proprietor, was just coming out of the vaults wbiqh were situated under the icehouse the moment the building fell, accompanied by a friend named Fred, Wagner. . A part of a wair fell <m l him, 'injurhlg- him seriously. Wagner was also,hurt, but not dangerously. The following pebplc were also engaged.in packing ice at the time of the disaster, and were buriedSnitbe/mnsr-ffJaicob Limbrock, Charles Burch, Otto Chertle, and William gapping.- Theirr bodies were all taken out dead. *A number'of others who were engaged abpat .thejbuilding were more or less injured' timbers. The loss upon the building will amount to several thousand dollars. Spmp T of tbe reports that have leaked out about an autographic telegraph just patented in Washington, but withheld from publicity until patented tin. other countries, intimate, says a contemporary, an improvement that must be very convenient, and sometimes exceedingly so, and may lead to a radical change in telegraphing. The principle is apparently analogous to that discovered by a Mr Bakewell in England several years ago, and that has been employed with imperfect success in France—perhaps elsewhere. At each station a-’cylinder is attached to the transmitting and receiving instrument. The manuscript to -be sent is wrapped around oie and instantly duplicated on the Other, no matter how distant. UTfae iprocess is almost an equivalent of photography, and is instantaneous,, It is perceptible at a glance that long despatches' now sent at so much cost would be forwarded by this means 1 as cheaply as the shortest, as they would occupy no, more time nor any more labor. It is ratner. feaffutlo think what /amounts of crude news with all the worthless details, may be skurjicd [about]when this method is in operation; but there is an equivalent ini the expectation of receiving Presidential messages, loyal speeches, official and business reports and, statistics in accurate form and, without delay. Something like this has been j 'pecdejh'rlf the f American improvement, or, discovery surmounts the European" difficulties .it will not be long before it will revolutionise the, existing state of affairs. . A graceful acknowledgment has been made (says the ‘‘Argus”) by H.R.H. the Duke of Genoa of. the hospitalities he received during his brief visit to Victoria and Tasmania. ■ On his return to Italy he ordered two handsome lockets to be made for presentation to Lady Bowen and Mrs Du Oane 'respectively. Bach contains the donor’s 'portrait, and the face of the locket exhibits his'monogram, T. 8., Tommaso di Savoia, in brilliants and pearls, surmounted by the Crown of Italy similarly enriched. The Duke has. also sent a magnificent breast pin, composed of 'brilliants, arranged according to the foregoing design, to Mr Robertson, of ■. 'Echiioa; as -a souvenir of his visit to that gentleman’s . residences. The presentations have been made through the Consul-General for Italy, and the value of the gifts has been greatly enhanced by the good taste and kindly feeling exhibited by the young prince in-his mode of transmitting them to their recipients. • Since the marriage of Nilsson her voice is said to have “ gained in volume, evenness, and richnes.” Caudle noticed the same sort of gain in his own wife, and he didn’t likdat.Aa C I ,0UI f IAi OOTiT