NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1522, 3 January 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Decayed Fruit. —It is once more our unpleasant duty to direct attention to the reprehensible practice that prevails in Christchurch of offering for sale fruit unfit for pigs. Yesterday passing oneof the largest fruiterers’ shops in the city, we noticed a quantity of pears and apricots, considerably more than half rotten, ticketed at an alluringly low price and we pitied any passing child, who might chance to have been cursed with a New Year s gift of a few pence. Judged from appearance wo should say that a severe attack of diarrhoea sufficient for a family of ten might have been purchased at that establishment for sixpence, and certainly when such dangerous luxuries are placed within the reach of the poorest there should be some kind of control exercised to prevent the advantages being inconsiderately accepted. If nothing else can be done, it will bo our duty iu future to endeavor to check this indiscriminate sale of vegetable poison by publishing the names of the vendors.

West Coast Timber. —One of the West Const sawmill owners, Messrs Wickes and Wilson, of the Kaliway Sawmills, Greymouth, have at last been induced to adopt the American and Russian principle of cutting down the trees in the lall of the year, and thoroughly seasoning the boards under sheds before exporting them, and we have had the pleasure of inspecting a cargo of white pine, which arrived hero per brig Gleaner, consigned to Messrs Loyde and Co., coal mer chants, of the South Town Belt, consisting of shelving, pannelling, and flooring, which for lightness and to all appearances in quality, is equal to the white pine exported from .America. Expirts who have examined the timber pronounce it for general purposes quite equal to the American timber. The general complaint of the importations of our West Coast timber has been that it has not Ring seasoned, and on its bring |yhipped green becomes stained before nnival. This is nob the case wdlh the cargo of the Gleaner. District Court—As already announced, the flrst sitting of the District Court for Christchurch will take place in the Provincial Council Chamber on the flOth inst, before his Honor Mr Justice Ward. Mr W. G. Walker, clerk to the Bench here, hrs been appointed clerk to the District Court, and preparations aro being made in tho Council Chamber for tUo litUugi

Cable Repairs.—Telegraphic communication via Sigoupore and Batavia, interrupted t’or Rome time previously, was restored on Wednesday last, the Ist insfc.

Supreme Court.—The criminal session of the Supreme Court will open on Monday next, before his Honor Mr Justice Johnston, at 10 a.m. Up to the present there are fourteen oases for trial. Banco Sittings.-—His Honor Mr Justice Johnston will hold a special sitting in banco on the 9th inst., in order to clear off a number of remands which hare been accumulating for some t ime past.

Mdlle. Charboknet, —This lady, who recently gave several concerts here, has been giving concerts in Nelson, assisted by Mr Bonnington, which have been exceedingly successful. She will appear in Christchurch at an early date. Railway Employes’ Mutual Benefit Society.—A meeting of the members of this society was held last night at the station, when the action of the committee who took in hand the ease connected with the late defalcation was endorsed. The Stewarts. — I There was a capital house at the Odd Fellows’ Hall last evening, when the Stewart family repeated their clever entertainment. Mi-s Dory’s admirable rendering of “ Roberto ” drew forth loud plaudits, and Miss Nellie was equally successful in “ It was a dream ” and “ Maid of Athens.” In response to an encore for the latter she sang a verse of My pretty Jane ” very nicely indeed. Miss Maggie and Mr Stewart aided by the rendering of their respective parts in the general success. Tire programme will bo repeated this evening. The Rangitata Bridge.-—Writing on the Ist of the year, our correspondent at Rangitata says tile trains from the Nortlr ran on lo the Rangitata Bridge that day, passengers walking over the damaged part; trains from the South coming to the end of the bridge, and leaving about 150 feet to be traversed. This arrangement will last during the remainder of" the week. The river has gone down very much. Four new piles are in position and driven, and twelve more have to bo driven. The railway department expect that the bridge will be open for traffic as usual on Mondav.

Bible Christians. —Tho Christchurch and Addington Sunday schools held their picnic on Wednesday at Mr Straw’s Wilderness farm (permission having been granted by Mr Grigg.) The schools met in the Lincoln road, and proceeded to the farm. A fine triumphal arch was erected at the entrance into the paddeck, on which was written “ Welcome Bible Christian Sunday schools.” A cricket match, Christchurch versus Addington, was won by the former. A luncheon was laid, at which ample justice was done. A variety of games were then organised, and the children were presented with toys. About five o’clock a tea was provided, foliowed by more games until eight o’clock, when all the conveyances were formed into a circle, and lusty cheers were given by young and old for Mr and Mrs Straw for their kindness, and to Mr Grigg for the loan of tho paddock. Town was reached about nine o’clock, all having thoroughly enjoyed the day. 1.0.0. F., KaiAPOI. —At the annual meeting of this lodge on Tuesday evening, tho officers installer! were—Bro. P. Bates, N.G.: E. Baker, Y.G. ; H. A’Court, E.S. It was decided to grunt tho use of the hall free for the recent borough school entertainment. Koavai Road Board Election,—On Thursday Messrs W. Yaughan and Mathews were nominated as candidates to fill the vacancies caused by the retirement of two members by rotation, and will therefore be duly returned. Lyttelton Regatta. that the distribution of tbe Lyttelton regatta prizes will take place in the Mitre hotel, at 730 p.m. to-night, when owners of vessels competing and others interested are invited to attend.

Malvern Water Race.—On January Ist a committee of Selwyn County Council, consisting of Messrs McMillan, Mathias, and Enys, accompanied by tho engineer of the waterworks, Mr Webster, wont to tho Eowai to inspect the completed part of the Malvern water race, prior to taking it over from the contractors, Messrs Eraser and Co., who have had to maintain the works for twelve month? after they were completed. After going carefully over all the work and through the tunnel, it was decided to take possession at once, as everything appeared to have been well maintained and looked after. Mr John Eraser has since been appointed to take charge of the complet ed portion of the works for the next three months.

Oxford Road Board. —The poll for the vacant seats on this Board was held yesterday, and resulted as follows J. R. Gorton, 123; R. Perham, 118; D. gladden, 116; W. Mardon, 48. Amateur Opera.—The projected performance of “ Martha” at the Theatre Royal by the members of Mr Towle’s opera class, promises to be a success, both musically and financially. A very large number of seats have already been taken up, and the rehearsals have gone off capitally. Tho representatives of the various parts are now getting well up, not alone in tho music of the opera, but also what is most essential, in the stage business. The ballet arranged by Signor Borzoni, whose laboui’s in this direction were so successful in “ Aida,” will form one of tho features of the opera. Reaper and Binder Contest.—The contest for tbe prize offered by the Agricultural and Pastoral Association tor the best reaper and binder seems to have excited great interest amongst the manufacturing firms represented in the colonies. There are now in Christchurch no loss than six American representatives, those of the Wood, Osborne and McCormick, having arrived yesterday from Melbourne. The representative of tho Marsh harvester has been here for some time.

Cotjesino- Club. —A meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Courging Club was hold at the Shades at 4,30 p.m. yesterday. Present, Messrs Walker (chairman), Hill, Jerome, Disher, Porter, and Judge. The dales fixed for the ensuing season were 21st May, 18th June, and 23rd July. A letter was read from Mr H. Y. Anson, resigning his offices as secretary and treasurer, on account of the club assuming such dimensions as to interfere with his business. The chairman said that the club would, he felt sure, agree with him in expressing very great regret at the resignation of Mr Anson, who had done so much to forward the interests of the club. Mr Jerome said lie should move that Mr W. Q-. Walker be requested to act as treasurer and secretary, Mr Disher would second this with the greatest pleasure. Mr Porter suggested that the committee should mark their sense of the services of Mr Anson in some way. Mr Walker said lie would be glad to act as secretary yro tern until the annual meeting. A letter was received from the secretary of the Southland Coursing Club, suggesting that a Waterloo Cup should be established, which should be open to all New Zealand, and run yearly on different grounds in the various districts. It was resolved to remit the matter to the annual meeting for consideration, the committee feeling that the suggest km was an admirable one. Several accounts wore passed for payment. A letter was read from Mr F- Cardiner, ottering ids sevioes as judge. It was resolved to inform Mr Gardiner that the other clubs baa appointed a judge, and that, therefore, the Canterbury Club could not come to any conclusion to accept Mr Gardiner’s services. Mr Walker undertook to have a report of the past year ready for the annual meeting. Impokted Poultuv. — by the mail jus’, to hand, Mr E. S ranee received imi nation of (he shipment from London for Tm Helton of the following bird- 1 — I*’° pair of black silvercrested Polish, two pair of Andalusian*. t.* o pair of Brahmas, two pair of while Cochins, and a number of Aylesbury ducks. Several of these birds are cup winners at the Crystal Pal ice show. The Andalusians are the first, of the kind yet imported into the colony. Colli buy" Accident—A mine 1 , named James Hallows, while working at. the Springfield Colliery, Ivowai Pass, met with a pai lful uc c dent on Wednesday last. From his statement, it seems he wgs sent down the sba f t to do some necessary repairs, which he had nearly completed when n heavy flat, stone, which formed n portion of the protective works in the colliery, fell on him, inti cling a severe wound above the left eve and another at- tiro track p£ his head. Oi; the

stone being lifted off him, the sufferer was taken up in a partially unconscious state, and examined by Dr. Meadows, who had been sent for, and who, after dressing the injuries, ordered hie immediate removal t o the Christchurch Hospital, where he was admitted the same day. The Hospital.—A man named James Napier, a farmer at the Eororata, admitted into the hospital on Now Year’s night suffering from a broken leg. The accident occurred the same day while he was riding a hurdle race at the annual sports, which were being held at the time. In topping one of the hurdles ibe horse fell, fracturing the rider’s right leg, below the knee. The limb was set. by the house surgeon, and the man is going on favorably. The man, Thomas Jones, from the Culvorcleu Station, Hurunui, who was admitted on December 30th, suffering from a compound fracture of the thigh, caused by falling from the top uf a load of hay, is also going on as well as can bo expected.

Hart’s coal mine, on the banks of tho Selwyn river, and near the gorge, was formerly wrought by a tunnel, which is now fallen in. The coal here has been altered, probably by the dolerite flow, and is 2ft. thick. An approximate quantity of 8000 tons has been obtained from it. At present an incline plane is being driven by a party of working miners, with a view of tearing the existence of a lower seam. This has not yet been met with, but very little work had been expended up to the date of Mr Denniston’s visit, and when I visited the place the work was abandoned.

A certain soprano of Boston, U.S., who recently manied, has a mother and a sister, and between the three they have married eight husbands, seven of whom arc now living.