NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1274, 18 April 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Telegraphic.— The Port Darwin line is interrupted north of Charlotte Waters, Good Friday.— To-morrow being Good Friday, there will be no publication of this paper.

De. Somerville's Meeting. Another largely-attended Evangelistic Service was held at the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening. It was announced that a meeting for mothers would be held this afternoon at three o’clock, and that children in arms would be admitted, also another Evangelistic address in the evening at 7.30, The Bowen Prize.—The subject for the Eowen prize essay for the current year is “ The .Norman Conquest: its effects on the subsequent developments of English institutions.” The competition is open to all matriculated students, not being graduates ; and the eesaye must be sent, under motto in the usual way, to the Registrar of the Unii’ersity, Christchurch, before December 31st. St. Michael’s Church—A selection from Bach’s Passion music will be sung in this church, at three o’clock to-morrow afternoon. The short selection introduced last year produced so deep an impression that the service will bo repeated on a slightly more extended scale. The words of the oratorio will be supplied to the congregation, so that they will be able to follow the choral music. Mutual Improvement Association.— This association held their first meeting of the now session last evening, when the president, the Rev. W. Morley, delivered a very interesting address touching on the principal events that h&ya taken place since the close of last session. Several readings were given by members, and were keenly criticised. The meeting was closed with the Benediction by the president. The subject for next meeting will be “An Hour with the Telephone,” Db. Somerville. —The evangelistic meet-

ings oi I?" Somerville at the Oddfellows’ Hall are being very largely dght the nail was crowded to excess. The platform was occupied by a large number of ministers in the city, and several leading citizens. The choir as usual rendered some of Sankey’s hymns with effect. The interest in these meetings appears to be steadily increasing. Dr. Somerville possesses* a great power of moving the emotions, and his illustrations are given with such rare dramatic powers. On Friday evening the reverend gentleman will address a meeting in the Theatre Royal, and :<lso on Sunday at 8 a.m. and 8 p.xn. The meeting on Sunday morning >a exclusively for young jnen,

Jury List. — A revision court of this year’s jury list was held yesterday, before Mr Mellish. The names on the roll numbered 5390, being a large increase on the previous year. No objections were made, and the list was duly certified to. Further Changes in the House.— The “Evening Post” says that Mr Larnach’s resignation of his seat as member for Dunedin, now in the hands of Mr Stout, will soon be handed in to the Speaker. It is also stated that the member for Roslyn, Mr Burns, will shortly resign his seat. It will be seen from this morning’s telegrams that Mr Lusk, one of the members for Franklin, has at length definitely determined upon retiring from Parliamentary life. City Improvements. —Amongst the many improvements which have lately been effected in the business premises in Christchurch few are more noticeable than that at Cashel House. The front of this building formerly had a very unattractive appearance. It has now been so much improved as to add considerably to the appearance of the street. The entrance door is recessed, the shop windows extending into the recess and along the front, thus giving ample room for placing the goods to the best advantage. Instead of two small doors as entrances there is now one large one. The shop itself inside has also been re-arranged and generally improved. Death prom Scalding. —An infant son of Mr John Marsden, engine-driver on the Canterbury railways, died yesterday morning from the effects of a scald received on Saturday last. On that day the child, while being held by his elder brother at the table, caught hold of and upset a pannikin of hot tea over his neck and chest. Mrs Marsden, who was in rhe house, applied oil and flour immediately after the accident. The child was subsequently attended by Dr. Campbell, and was apparently progressing favorably until shortly before its death. An inquest will be held at Sydenham at 2 p.m. to-day. Overtime on the Railway. The “Oamaru Mail” says : —“ Some one in authority in the railway department is playing the fool with our railways. Lately the employes, who had for some considerable time been compelled to work late and early without extra pay, received the welcome intelligence that overtime would in future be paid for. Everything went as “ merry as a marriage bell.” The men worked well, and performed wonders. The employes were, however, informed at the end of last week that they would no longer be paid overtime, and they very properly struck work. We hear that their places will be taken by a number of men from Christchurch.

The Autumn Meeting —Sweeps were drawn on the Autumn Handicap last evening at the Q-aiety Theatre, Mr J. H. Bennett officiating as auctioneer. The prices realised were as follows: —Sweep No. 1, value, £86 — Obsron, £2 ; Bribery, £6 ; Templeton, £ls ; Ariel, £9 ; Maritana, £7 ; J angler, £9 ; Mufti, £3; Longlands, £2O; Bide-a-Wee, £l4; Luna, £1; Foul Play, £2; Titania, £3. Sweep No. 2, value £85 —Oberon, £1; Tangier, £4 ; Bide-a-Wee, £9 ; Maritana, £8 ; Mufti, £6; Titania, £3 ; Templeton, £l6; Longlands, £2l; Bribery, £2 ; Foul Play, £3 ; Luna, £3 ; Ariel, £ll. Sweep No. 3, value £78 —Ariel, £11; Titania, £3 ; Longlands, £18; Luna, £3; dangler, £7; Foul Play, £2 ; Oberon, £1 ; Bide-a-Wee, £8 ; Mufti, £3 ; Bribery, £3 ; Templeton, £l6 ; Maritana, £7. Canterbury Dog Show.— The time for receiving entries for the above show was extended until eight o’clock last evening, up to which hour Mr Dumergue, hon. sec., was kept very busily employed. Altogether about 300 entries have been received, amongst which, besides those from our own neighborhood, there are many from Timaru, Oamaru, Nelson, and Dunedin. All the various classes as advertised are fairly represented, those of the fox terriers and setters, however, having the largest number. It is expected that the catalogues will be ready on Saturday for circulation. A committee meeting will be held this evening at Morton’s Hotel, at eight o clock, at which a large attendance is requested. Licensed Yiotualiebs’ Association.— A deputation from the Licensed Victuallers’ Association waited on Mr Mellish yesterday with respect to the practice which has hitherto obtained here of licensed victuallers

C-JLi.V*X UWCIIOVO «-»XX UUW %J L sports, &o. The deputation brought under the notice of Mr Mellish the resolution passed at the recent special meeting of the association and the bad results of the practice, expressing a hope that, as one of the licensing Bench, he would use his influence to stop it. Mr Mellish said he quite agreed with what had been advanced by the deputation, and he would, so far as was possible, prevent the practice which had been alluded to.

The Late Me D, Inwood. —Another of the fast diminishing band of Canterbury pilgrims died on April 16th. The late Mr D. Inwood was one of the earliest settlers in Christchurch, where he opened business as a baker in a very primitive manner, his oven—then the only one here—being constructed in the side of a clay bank. Afterwards, as the settlement grew, Mr Inwood was the first to establish a flour mill here, and was the builder of the mill on the Avon. To enable him to erect this, a special Ordinance was passed by the Provincial Council. For many years past Mr Inwood has been living in retirement. During his business career in Christchurch he took an active part in the affairs of the settlement, and showed himself to be a shrewd and observant man of business. Lyttelton Wesleyan Sunday School. —The anniversary of this school has been celebrated during the present week. On Sunday morning and evening sermons were preached to large congregations by the Rev. W. H. Beck. In the afternoon the same rev. gentleman delivered a special address for children. At the tea meeting, which took place on Tuesday in the Wesleyan schoolroom, there were twelve v;ell provided tables presided over by ladies of the congregation. The room was well filled. A meeting was afterwards held in the chapel, Mr E. C. Brown occupying the chair and opening the proceedings. Addresses were delivered by the Revs Beck, Dili, Smalley, Armitage, and Mr H. R. Webb. The speeches principally bore on children, and the duties both of Sunday school teachers and parents towards them. Allusion was made to the Rev. Mr Beck’s recent arrival in Lyttelton to take charge of the circuit. The report of the school for the past year was read by Mr S. R. Webb. From this it appeared that the number of officers was 2G; total scholars on the roll, 263. Average attendance—Morning, 66 ; afternoon 166. The work done in the school had been satisfactory. The financial statement showed that the total receipts for the past year were £35 7s 4d, and that there was a credit balance of £7 2s Od. The receipts for the present meeting had been in all £3l 5s Bd. A hearty vote of thanks to the ladies providing tea and to the choir was carried. The benediction was then pronounced, and the meeting terminated.

Yoitjntbeb Inspection. The usual monthly inspection of the head-quarters companies was made last evening by Colonel Packe for the first time since his recent illness. After the inspection the men were put through manual and company drill, and battalion movements, by Major Lean. Previous to the companies being ordered to their parade grounds they were addressed by the Colonel, who expressed pleasure at seeing them again, and his satisfaction at the manner they had gone through the various evolutions. By medical advice he would have to leave Canterbury during the winter months, leaving the command to Major Lean, who had so well represented him during his illness, in the meantime. On his return he hoped his health would allow of his being as conspicuous among the men by his presence, as he had lately been by his absence. He regretted under existing circumstances that the G overnment displayed such apathy with respect to the volunteer movement, by refusing to grant passes to the butts, and to the southern volunteer encampment. In July last, when his salary was stopped, he was asked whether ho would continue his command without pay. Ho at once assented, and trusted that, should the Government even withdraw all aid, the Canterbury volunteers at least would still continue to exist as an organisation by their oy/n epdeayors. The Colonel was loudly cheered at tao exclusion of big rpmar^g.

Foreshores and Harbours. —In a letter addressed to the Town Clerk of Gi-borne, the Secretary of Customs writing by instruction of the Minister, says that it is proposed next session to bring in a Bill to empower the Governor to vest foreshores and harbors in local bodies.

The Cheviot Election. The Marlborough “ Express ” states that Messrs W. Gibson, and Henderson of Blenheim have both been asked, and both declined to contest the seat for Cheviot. There is a talk of Mr A. Saunders, whom the “Express” funnily describes as “ a large souled and popular man of liberal principles,” coming forward, but it is not stated that Mr Saunders has himself intimated any such intention.

Lawbreakers and the Franchise. —In a letter to the Auckland morning paper Mr Hugh Carleton makes the following suggestion, and the “ Herald ” believes that “ every one except the offenders will concur in the doctrine.” Mr Carleton says:—“Let there bo a graduated scale of suspension from electoral rights, corresponding to the amount of punishment inflicted by legal sentence. Let felony debar from the franchise for life ; minor offences for lesser terms, down to the drunkard, whose trifling fine or twenty-four hours’ imprisonment, should not operate beyond the next election.”

Upper Spheydon.— On Tuesday evening a tea meeting was held in the Methodist Free Church, Upper Spreydon, in connection with the re-opening services of that building. About sixty people sat down to a substantial tea, and afterwards a public meeting was held, under the presidency of Mr G. Booth. Addresses were delivered by Messrs Leadley, Marcroft, and Tremain, the Rev. J. White and T. Hodgson, and music was contributed by the St. Asaph street choir, who gave their services for the occasion. The financial report was most encouraging. Saltwater Creek School.— This school was examined for prizes by the Rev. J. Mclntosh, on Tuesday, April 16th. The prizes will be distributed at an entertainment, to be given on Thursday evening, at which a number of ladies and gentlemen have promised their assistance. The prize-takers are —Form Yl.—l, Walter Thompson ; 2, John Mathers ; 3, Marina Brock, Form YI. (lower) 1, Joseph Thompson; 2, Jas. Dick; 3, Thomas Hopkins. Form Y.—l, Wm. Hopkins; 2, Letitia Duff; 3, Alfred Thompson; 4, Anna McKeay. Form IY.—l, George Lawrence ; 2, Maurice Thompson; 3, Phoebe Topp ;4, Mary Thompson. Form 111. —l, Priscilla Fletcher; 2, A. Heinneman; 3, Chas. Hagley; 4, Jane Dalzell. Form 11. 1, Robert Hanna ; 2, Isabella Mclntosh; 3, Mary Cairns; 4, Richard Mathers. Form I. —l, Moggie Wilson ; 2, Christopher Lawrence ; 3, Lilly Thompson; 4, Mary Hagley. Special prizes—Best boy and girl, chosen by vote, John Mathers and Elizabeth Boyce. Writing —l, M. J. McKeay; 2, John Whyllie.

Ashburton School Committee.— The adjourned meeting of this committee was held on Tuesday evening, 16th April. Present —Dr. Stewart (chairman), Messrs Parkin, Williamson, Shury, and Winter. A letter from the Board of Education was read, stating that the Board will allow Mr Ward a retiring allowance of one year’s salary, £243. From Mr J. M. Cambridge, requesting to have the school hours defined. A report from the master was read, again urging the committee to enforce the compulsory clauses of the Act, as many children were absenting themselves from the school; also stating that he had received a communication from the Board of Education concerning his application for a retiring allowance, and informing the committee that he intended placing his resignation in the hands of the chairman on the Ist of May. The letter from the Board of Education, received and read at last meeting, asking the committee if they objected to the formation of a new district south of the river, was considered. It was unanimously resolved that the secretary be instructed to reply that the Ashburton school committee decidedly objected to the formation of a district south of the river, which would include any portion of the present district of the Ashburton school. It was decided not to consider the adoption of the compulsory clauses for a time, owing to the want of acTUo oewlOX/ttiy nao iriftf.ruflted. to acknowledge receipt of the letter from the Board of Education.

The Wakamahina Gold Field.— The correspondent of the "Marlborough Express” writes: —The last news from the Wakamarina is rather unsatisfactory. It appears that the amalgamated party alluded to in my last letter have disagreed and separated, thus deferring operations and keeping all those interested somewhat longer in suspense. From wh«t I can learn, they had reached a depth of over 50ft just tapping wash dirt similar to the top of wash in the Darkie’s claim, when the water from a small rivulet burst in upon them flooding the men at work out quickly ; the baling occupied some hours without success, but at last they succeeded in getting the water clear and brought up a bucket of dirt, which on pouring off a portion showed a very fair prospect. They immediately made preparations to alter the windlass so as to work with an endless rope two buckets at once. It appears this rush of extra water was caused by their getting below Davies’ shaft and taking all his drainage. It is a great pity that five or six parties who had pegged off do not proceed putting down each a shaft, thus relieving each other of the water, instead of standing quietly bye shepherding their ground while others do the work, because it may so happen that the one shaft might prove a duffer and all the rest strike payable gold. It is now thought that ten feet further is the outside distance required to bottom, so we trust before many days the desired result will have been obtained.

Mr H. M. Stanley has, it is announced, chosen the following as the title of his forthcoming account of his African travels—- “ Through the Dark Continent; the Sources of the Nile; Around the Great Lakes; and Down the Livingstone Elver.” Other literary announcements state that Mr Aldis Wright is engaged upon an edition of “ Julius Ctesar” for the Clarendon Press Series, and that Mr Swinburne intends to collect his published and unpublished translations of Francois Villon into a volume, to which he will probably prefix a critical study of that poet. Gallipoli, where the last remnant of the field army of the Turkish Empire is assembled, was, says the “Pall Mall Gazette,” the first town occupied by the Turks in Europe. It was captured in 1356, by Orkhan, the son and successor of Othman or Ottoman, who is usually regarded as the founder of the Turkish Empire. The town of Gallipoli was held by Orkhan for two years, and served as the base of operations of the first Turkish expedition against Constantinople. This latter enterprise was in so far successful that the suburbs of Constantinople were captured, and were only evacuated upon payment by the inhabitants of a heavy ranoom. With the money thus obtained Orkhan rebuilt Gallipoli, which had suffered very greatly during its siege, and several of the public buildings which still exist in the town were then constructed. At the same time the Janissaries were organised by Orkhan, who also assumed the title of Sultan, The success achieved by Othman, the father of Orkhan, in Asia, and which enabled the latter to cross the Hellespont and lay the foundation of the Turkish power in Europe, is attributed by Turkish historians to a dream, Othman, according to them, was visiting a sheik named Edebali, with whose daughter he was in love, but whose consent to his marriage he had not been able to gain, when one day he dreamed that he was reposing on the same couch as his host. Suddenly the moon seemed to emerge from Edebali’s body and enter his own breast. Instantly there sprang from his loins an immense tree, rapidly acquiring fresh size and foliage until its branches shaded Europe, Asia, and Africa. The leaves of the tree were long, pointed, and glittering like sabres. Suddenly a wind arose and directed the points of all these sabre-like leaves towards the principal cities of the universe, but especially towards Constantinople, which, placed at the junction of two seas and two continents, resembled a noble diamond set between two sapphire stones and two emeralds, forming the precious jewel of the ring of a ya;fc dominion circled fhe entire iyork| s

There is a probability of very serious scarcity, and perhaps famine, this year in Cashmere. Already in some parts of the valley hardly any rice is procurable except that which is damaged. Many ponies, cattle, and sheep have died from the grass famine. The failure of the khariff is owing to the heavy rain during harvest time.

An extraordinary circumstance (says the “Ballarat Courier ”) has been related to us, of the truth of which there can be no doubt. In a corner of the shaft of the New Eureka Company, at a depth of 170 ft., a live frog was found last week in solid sandstone. The frog was taken to the surface, and every effort made to keep it alive, but without avail.

The Italian press and public (says a Eomnn correspondent) look upon war as inevitable. When it was suggested to some politicians that possibly after all England might piously offer the second cheek to the smiter, their amazement was such as it is not easy to convey in words. One of the speakers said : “If England submit peacefully to the humiliation to which Turkey and Russia have brought her, her Government will have virtually written the first lino on the page of ‘ The Decline and Full of the British Empire.’”