NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume I, Issue 64, 14 August 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

SUPREME Court. During the bankruptcy sitting yesterday his Houorthc judge intimated to air Garrick, as representing the profession, that Mr Maude and Mr Lean had visited the court-house, and that stops were now being taken to remedy the inconveniences so keenly felt during the late civil sittings of the court by the profession and those engaged in the court,

St Luke's Entertainment.—The usual weekly entertainment at St Luke's was held last evening, in the school-room, and was fairly attended.

Sunday Observance League.—The inaugural address of this body will be delivered at St Andrew's school-room by the president, Mr J. H. Twentyman, this evening.

Eyreton Branch Railway.— A beginning has been made with the formation of this line, from the main Northern line near the Girder Bridge, by the contractor, Mr E.G.Wright: Californian Minstrels.—As will be seen elsewhere, these artistes, who have achieved a high reputation in the South and in Auckland, appear in Lyttelton on Tuesday next, and open their campaign in Christchurch on Thursday evening, at the Theatre Royal. Political.—The following telegram was received yesterday afternoon:—" Mr O'Rorke has resigned. There is an adjournment for fifteen minutes, it is supposed to enable it to be patched up." As will be seen by our Assembly telegrams, no arrangement has been come to. Professor Bickerton's Lecture. —The first of a series of lectures by Professor Bickerton, of the Canterbury College, took place last evening in the Oddfellows' Hall, which was crowded with a most attentive audience. The professor has a capital clear delivery, and possesses the rare gift of putting the technicalities of science into plain language. The lecture, which was exceedingly interesting and instructive, was interspersed with a number of well executed experiments. The next will be given on Thursday evening. Theatre Royal.—There was a very good house last night at the theatre, when the performances were for the benefit of the fund now being raised for the widow and children of the late Captain Hart. A good programme was gone through satisfactorily by all taking part in it; the De Castro Family particularly, receiving the lion's share of the plaudits for their very clever performances. To-morrow is the last midday performance, and on Tuesday, Mr Smith takes a farewell benefit.

Late Captain Hart.—A meeting was held on Tuesday evening last, in the City Council Chambers, Lyttelton, to arrange about giving some entertainments in aid of the family of the late Captain Hart. Mr A. Chalmers, the Mayor, occupied the chair, and in a brief address stated the object for which the meeting had been held. Mr Packard was appointed hon secretary, and Mr James Reston treasurer. It was arranged that an entertainment should be given in the Colonists' Hall on Thursday, 20th inst, to consist of songs and readings, the tickets to be sold for 3s and 2s. Messrs Yule, Carder, and Packard were elected as a sub-com-mittee to ask ladies and gentlemen to assist and to arrange a performance. The meeting then adjourned till to-night (Friday). Advert issments will appear at an early date.

Father Ecuyer's Testimonial. A meeting of the collectors took place in the library adjoining the Catholic Church last evening, for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of the subscriptions towards a testimonial to the Rev Father Ecuyer, previous to his departure to Greymouth. Mr A. J. White occupied the chair. The Hon Treasurer Mr O'Connor, reported that all the subscriptions had been handed in, and that the result was very satisfactory. The chairman having been requested to make the presentation, he, together with the collectors, about twelve in number, proceeded to the Mission House, where the Rev Father met them most kindly. Mr A. J. White in a short speech, presented him with a purse of sovereigns, wishing him success in his new sphere of labor, and on behalf of the Catholics of Christchurch, expressed regret at his departure. The Rev gentleman replied in a feeling manner, thanking the Catholics of Christchurch for their kindness to him, not only on this occasion, but ever since his residence amongst them. Though going to Greymouth, he hoped to visit Christchurch occasionally, and would be glad to see the present church double its siee in a short time. The deputation then withdrew.

School Committee. —A special meeting ©f the West Christchurch school committee was held on Wednesday evening last, at 7 o'clock. Present: All the members. Mr Tancred in the chair. Letters were read fromJMiss Stothart and the Rev Jas Cumming, having reference to the teaching staff of the new school and other matters. It was proposed by Mr Craig and seconded by Mr Hawkes—" That the schools in Addington be closed, for the purpose of concentrating the children at the Lincoln road school ; on and after the 22nd August." After considerable discussion, it was moved as an amend ment by Mr Thomson, seconded by Mr Harris —"That this proposal be considered at next meeting." The amendment was carried by the casting vote of the chairman. The secretary was directed to apply to the Board of Education for the amount due to the district for prizes. Messrs Hawkes, Brown, Bird, and the .Chairman, were appointed a subcommittee to arrange the school treat for the children of the district. The chairman to see to the procuring of the prizes. Football. —A matchwill be played at the College grounds on Saturday next,between the College and the Club. The former playing twenty-five against twenty of the latter. The same will commence at three o'clock punctually. The Club will wear blue caps and the College their own colors. The following are the sides :—Club : Anson, J. Anderson, C. Bolton, J. Booth, T. S. Baker, B. Dobson, R. Dobsou, Hartland, Loughnan, Lewin, T. R. Moore, Macquarie (captain), A.. Ollivier, L. Ollivier, E. O'Connell, R. Searell, W. Pratt, J. J. Thomson, D. Thomson, and Waxman. College : Atack, Bidwell, J. Barker, C. C. Corfe, H. Cotterill, W. Cotterill, W. Chapman, C. Gould, Gerard, Dicken, V. Hamilton (captain), R. Hamilton, G. Mathias, Milton, Peter, Prendergast, R. Rhodes, A. Rhodes, W. Robinson. 0. Thomson, Tancred, G. Westenra, R. Westenra, C. Whitcomb, and Woodman. A match will also be played on the Cranmer Square, between the following sides, when the game will commence at three o'clock: — Reds—Allard, Ambrose, Boulton, Blakiston, W. Cullender, Caverhill, Davie, Gain, Humphries, E. Hawkes, Harman, 0. Joues, G. C. Lanauze, Rev. Lingard, McCardell, Miles, Oliver, Pavitt, Pardy, Rattray, Seaton, A. Bhcath, R. Smith, Triggs, Thornton. Blues —A. Anderson, Ballard, Barton, J. Calleuder, Collins, Deacon, J. W. Davis, Gray, Gundry, J. H. Hawkes, Hbrnbrook, Kent, Lambert, Martin, F. W. Moore, J. Macfarlaue, M. Nalder, O'Connell, Parson, E. Parkerson, F. Sheath, T. Searell, Tosswill, Turner, Wolfe,

Valedictory.—A very pleasant and social reunion took place yesterday evening, at Warner's Commercial Hotel, the occasion being the departure from amongst us of Mr T. W. Dymond, who is leaving Canterbury. The catering of Mr Warner on the occasion did him great credit, everything being of the very best, the wines especially. The chair was taken by H. Sawtell, Esq., the vice by Mr W.H. Smith. After the good things had been disposed of, the chairman called upon those present to fill up bumpers, and and drink heartily to the toast of the guest of the evening. During his remarks the chairman paid a very high tribute of praise to the beneficiare, both as regarded his business transactions, or as a private member of the community, wishing him God speed in his new field of labor. The chairman then, on behalf of a few friends, presented a very handsome gold watch to Mr Dymond, expressing a hope that when he looked upon its face, it would remind him of faces he had left behind in Christchurch; and hoping that as he was going away in a small steamer he would travel back in a larger one. He then read the inscription as follows :—" Presented to T. W. Dymond by a few friends previous to his departure from Christchurch. August 13, 1874." After drinking the toast with musical honors, coupled with the name of Mrs Dymond, the guest briefly returned thanks for the mark of esteem he had received that evening, hoping that he should always merit the confidence of those who had shown such kindness both to himself and family. " The Queen and Royal Family," "The Press," responded to by Mr Smith, "The Host and Hostess," responded to Mr Warner, "The Chairman," " The Vice-Chairman," tec, were among the toasts duly proposed, and the singing of some excellent songs, together with " Auld Lang Syne," brought the evening to a conclusion. The Ward-Chapman Report. The Wellington correspondent of the Daily Times telegraphs:— '■ The following is tha Interim Report of the Ward-Chapman Enquiry .loint Committee:—Your committee have to report as follows—That in the month of April last au action for libel was pending in the Supreme Court at Dunedin between James Macassey and George Bell; that Mr G. K. Turton, of Dunedin, was solicitor for the defendant, Bell, and that Mr Ward, District Judge, was advising counsel on behalf of the defendant, Bell, but acting gratuitously; that Mr Turton also acted generally as solicitor for Mr Ward, and communications relating to Mr Ward's private business passed between them by telegraph; that Mr Justice Chapman, on an application made on behalf of the plaintiff Macassey, made an order ex parte to allow the plaintiff to inspect not only telegrams between the parties to the action and relating to the action, but also telegrams which had passed beeween Mr Turton and Mr Ward in reference thereto; that Mr Ward considered such order was illegal, or that at all events it should not have been made ex parte; that, acting under euch belief, and under a feeling of irritation that the correspondence between himself and Mr Turton, not only in relation to the said action, but also in relation to his own private affairs, might thereby be handed over to the inspection of plaintiff or his solicitor, Mr Ward became imbued with the suspicion that Mr Justice Chapman in making the order had acted partially, on account of his private friendship with Macassey by his relationship to Macassey's then partner (sonjof Mr Justice Chapman), and he therefore made the charges against Mr Justice Chapman, which are contained in his telegram to Mr Vogel ; that Mr Ward has explained to the committee that his charge against Mr Justice Chapman was not meant as a general charge, but only as to the said libel action of Macassey and Bell; that the practice of the Supreme Court at Dunedin appears to have been to make orders for the inspection of telegrams ex parte, and several such orders had previously been made by Mr Justice Chapman in other cases, and had not been disputed or called in question ; that the practice of the Supreme Court in other parts of the colony has been to make such orders only after hearing both sides ; that no action was taken on the order by the' plaintiff, and the said order was afterwards rescinded by Mr Justice Chapman. The conclusions to which the committee have come upon this part of the subject submitted to them for enquiry, are as follows:—lst That the charges made by Mr Ward against Mr Justice Chapman have not been substantiated, and were made without due consideration of their importance as affecting the character of a high judicial officer; 2nd That, while the propriety of the practice of issuing such orders ex parte may be open to grave question, yet the committee are not of opinion that Judge Chapman acted partially in the matter, or that there are any grounds whatever for impeaching the conduct, or questioning the integrity and impartiality of Mr Justice Chapman in the general discharge of his judicial, duties. 3rd While it may Dot be strictly within the order of reference, yet the committee oannot refrain from suggesting to the Government the desirability of making arrangements for the periodical shifting of Supreme Court and District Court Judges to different circuits. J. Barton Acland, chairman of joint committee." a

The editor of the Taranaki Ncwsthm bewails the absence.of a sufficient market for produce in the town of New Plymouth : " Many a time have we and others, in bringiug produce to the town, been made painfully to feel that we were under as obligation to the merchant or storekeeper who took our goods. We have seen heaps of potatoes rotting in town, and have known tons of the same to be shot into gullies for want of a market. We once saw a load of onions brought into town, and the owner, becausa offered a ridiculously low and incommensurate price for them, take out the tailboard of his cart aud scatter them along the road. Captain Shilling, of the cutter Dido, haa favored the Marlborough Times with an account of a curious fish that was seen by himself and crew during one of his recent trips. He describes the fish as being from 18 to 20 feet long, with an elongated shovel - novel shaped head and very large eyes, thebody black on the back and yellowish about the belly. It had something like the flippers: of a seal, only larger, situated about four or five feet from the head, and two tails, each about six feet long. When it came above water it made a snorting noise, but it seemed to be very tame aud kept coming alongside the vessel, looking up at the crew intently. It would then stand up some five feet or so out. of the water. The fish remained close to the cutter about a quarter of an hour and then glided away towards Cook's Strait,

The following particulars of a death from exposure, recently reported by telegram from Taranaki, are furnished by the Herald:— Infermation was brought into town on Monday last, that a man had been found dead on the Paraiti road, about a mile from the Devon road, Constable Duffin was at once gent to bring the body into town, when it was recognised as that of Mr William Waller, who had been living on the farm occupied by Mr J. Hill at Waiwakaiho. It appears that the deceased had gone to Bell Block on Saturday, and was last seen alive returning to Mr Hill's farm on the following morning. His body was discovered on Monday morning under a furze hedge, and was then warm. The deceased was, according to the medical evidence, predisposed to congestion of the lungs, and his death was immediately caused by exposure to cold and heavy wet, by lying out in the open air.