NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1523, 4 January 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Ds. Schwarz bach. — Dr. Schwarzhach, the eminent aurist,whose recent short stay in this city proved beneficial to many persons suffering from diseases of the ear is now in Wellington, and from there announces his intention of visiting Christchurch in the course of a few weeks.

Volunteers. —Tho head-quarters corps, consisting of Artillery, Engineers, and City Guards, will parade for inspection on Wednesday next, at half-past 7 p.m. Inquest. —The inquest upon tho body of tho late Mr Christopher Reynolds, who died suddenly early yesterday morning, was held at noon to-day, and a verdict of “ Died from natural causes” was returned. The Outward Mails.— The mails for the United Kingdom, Europe, and America, via San Francisco, left Port at half-past eight last night, in the U.S.S. Co.’s steamer Turarua, which connects with tho steamship City of New York at Auckland.

Gaol Returns fob December.— Tho _ returns of prisoners remaining in the various gaols at tbo end of December are as follows: —Lyttelton—Males, 100. Addington—Males, 20 females, 16; total 45. Timaru—Males, 18 ; females, 4: total, 23. Sudden Death.— Late on Thursday night a carpenter, named Christopher Reynolds, residing in the Hazeldean road, expired very suddenly. He had gone to bed about eleven o’clock, and about an hour later his wife heard him give a deep sigh, and a few minutes afterwards he died. Dr. Prankish was at once sent for, but on arrival found the man was beyond the reach of medical aid. An inquest will be hold to-day at noon. 1.0.G.T. —At the regular weekly session of St, Andrew’s Lodge, No. 41, held on last Tuesday evening, December 31st, Bro. Clophane, D.D.G W.C.T., and representative to the Grand Lodge, gave an interesting resume of the business done at the Grand Lodge, for which ho received the hearty thanks of the lodge. The lodge also expressed its approval of the work done at the Grand Lodge session in Nelson,

Duties on Australian Wines. —Tho following circular was issued shortly before the close of tho year by tho Customs Department at Wellington As certificates of production of Australian wine prescribed under the new Tariff Act cannot be procured, in respect of such wine now in tho bonded warehouses, the Hon. tho Commissioner of Cusloms lias directed me to instruct you to permit such wine to bo cleared at the reduced duty after let January next, on the owner making declaration on the entry that the whiO is really and hona fide tbo produce of Australia.

Railway Employes’ Benefit Society This society which numbers nearly IGOO mcmbers, will hold its first half-yearly meeting on Thursday next, when the report and balancesheet will bo submitted. Tho society since its formation has fcuen well supported, and the result at tho present time would have been of a very satisfactory character had it not been for the loss of £2OO that has occurred since its establishment. A very full attendance of members is expected. Water Supply.— Tho water supply committee mot yesterday at the Council Chamber, and had an interview with Mr Jacobsen, who explained tho details of his scheme for supplying Christchurch with water from an artesian source. No action was taken in this direction. A sub-committee was appointed to consult Mr John Anderson as to the cost of a cylinder for experimental purposes, and whether the pmo could bo cast iu Christchurch,

The Railway Picnic. — A meeting of railway employes was held last night in the accountant’s room at the railway station, Mr Rack, the general manager, being in the ciiair. There was not a very large attendance, and it was explained that the reason probably was that sufficient publicity had not been given. It was unanimously agreed that the meeting should be adjourned until Wednesday evening at 8 p.m., and that it should be fully advertised in the meantime. The meeting adjourned accordingly, without any business being done. The report of the interim committee, which will be laid before the meeting, recommends that the scene of the picnic shall be tho racecourse. The employes will include those working on the line between Amberley and Ashburton, and also on the branch linos between those places. The Rangitata RkidGE.— The repairs to this bridge aro now so far complete that the trains crossed over as usual this morning, though tho largo American engines wore not allowed on the bridge, the trains North and South being taken over by a light shunting engine. Tho reason of this is that it is not yet considered desirable to strain tho bridge more than necessary until the whole of the repairs are completed. Until tins time heavy goods traffic will not pass, but it is expected that another two days will put the bridge in il s former condition of comparative safety. The work so far has been proceeded with more rapidly than was expected, the large gangs of men employed having been working night and day. A largo number of additional piles have been driven, and two new piers entirely constructed at a cost of several hundred pounds. 'The delay which took place by tho passengers having to walk across the bridge will now be avoided, though until the American engines run them across tho bridge, the trains may be expected to be a few minutes late. Notwithstanding that passengers had to cross on foot last evening, the South train was only half-anhour behind time. The Museum. —Notice is given that the Museum will be closed to the public from Monday, January 6th, to Sunday 13th, both days inclusive. The Rabbit Nuisance,—At the meeting of tho Ashley County Council on Friday Mr Dixon ’ complained of tho increase of this nuisance on his run at Eyreton, and suggested that tho tax on dogs used for killing rabbits be remitted.

Kaiauoi Island. —Harvesting has commenced on Kuiapoi Island south. On Friday one of McCormick’s reapers with platform was at work on Mr Ellis’ farm, reaping oats. Two men managed the tying easily, and the work of the machine was veiy successful. Fiees fedm Railway Engines.—-Very grievous complaints are made of the manner in which fires are lighted by sparks from the railway engines on the north line. Several fires among fences and grass have occurred this season already, and no special precautions seem to be taken to prevent sparks and large pieces of fire flying out of the engine funnels.

Churchman's Club. —There is a propos'd on foot to form a Churchman’s Club in Christchurch, and one of the booksellers of the city has offered to place a room, furnished, at the service of a number of the clergy and laity. Arrangements are being made by which the club will be supplied with magazines and papers of various kinds, including all the principal ones published in Hew Zealand. A meeting of the promoters will be held in a few days for the purpose of fully carrying out the proposed scheme. Tboui. —Of the large number of trout in the possession of the Acclimatisation Society during the past season only about IC3O are left. Of this number, Mr Poach has kindly offered to place 500 in the tributaries of the Ashburton river. Of the various lots distributed at different times there have been altogether 5000 put into the Avon, 1000 of which wore placed last week. The Stewarts. —There was again a large attendance at the Oddfellows’ Hall, when “Rainbow Revels ” was played for the last time and was successful throughout. Tonight a new piece, also written by Mr Garnet Walsh, entitled “If,” will bo played. This piece, in which an old story is retedd, with the aid of pretty music, handsome dresses, and taking dances, should prove oven more successful than “ Rainbow Revels,” if that were possible. The story is good, and the plot well worked out throughout, affording as it docs ample scope for the full display of the varied talents of the Misses Docy, Nellie, and Maggie to the best advantage. The Stewarts have now fully established themselves as prime favorites with playgoers here.

Hospital Additions, —The much needed improvements and additions to the Hospital will shortly bo commenced. The works to be undertaken are more repairs than additions, as the latter merely include a morgue and new offices. The former, measuring 30ft. by 15ft., will bo divided into two compartments, with every convenience for holding postmortem examinations. Piping is to be laid down for the conveyance into the building of fresh water and also for drainage of the waste. The structure, which is to be of brick with a slate roof, will be lighted from the top, and convenient lavatories are also attached. The old kitchen is to be put into thorough repair, and Nos. 1 and 2 wards and other rooms that may require it are to be lime whitened throughout. The system of supplying water from the tanks for domestic purposes will also be thoroughly overhauled and put into a proper state of efficiency. Piping is to ho laid down to take off the drainage from an artesian well near the last new ward and a connection made with the last drains laid. The footpaths round the last new ward are to bo shingled ; and lastly, the whole exterior of the buildings, including the gatekeeper’s cottage, is to be carefully renovated where necessary, and re-painted. A new morgue is also to bo erected in connection with the police depot, the dimensions, conveniences and appliances being the same as in that one at the Hospital.

Gaol Statistics toe the Yeae.— The following information lias been forwarded by Mr S. 0. Philips, chief gaoler at Lyttelton. During the past year the number of prisoners received at Lyttelton was 33 less than during 1877. In the latter year the number received was 378, and in 1878 346. The following prisoners were under sentence on the 31st December Penal servitude—Life, 4 5 twenty years, 1; fifteen years, 1; fourteen years, 1; thirteen years, 1 ; ten years, 9; eight years, 1 ; seven years, 4 ; six years, 8; five years, 2; four years, 11; three years, 8. Total in custody under penal servitude, 51. Imprisonment with hard labor —For two years, 8; under two years, 12; total, 20. Total in custody under commit tal from the Supreme and District Courts, 71; do. from Resident Magistrate’s Court (two years and under), 15; awaiting trial at Supreme Court, 12. Lunatics from drink under medical treatment, 3. Total in custody on 3lst December, 1878— ICO.