HEWS OP THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1612, 21 April 1879, Page 2

HEWS OP THE DAY.

The Sohwaetz Case,—lt the conclusion of the Chamber business to day Mr Duncan called the attention of his Honor to the fact that Mr Q-arrick was now present, and he was proceeding to comment further on the question of the failure of the prosecution in the Schwartz case, when his Honor said he had considered the matter and had made up his mind that it should be proceeded with no further as regarded the Court. Questions of disputed facts between counsel would be Tery much better investigated before the Law Society. So far as he was concerned he had nothing before him.

The Afghan Wae. —A gentleman of this town has lately received a letter from an officer holding a high position in the army now engaged in operations in Affghanistan. This ofllcer is employed in superintending the transport work in Bombay, and to give an idea of the vast supplies tchat have to bo forwarded in such a campaign, he informs his correspondent that the Government have been compelled to provide from Bombay 30,000 camels, 1000 carts to be sent 900 miles to the front, and 4000 bullocks. The Hospital Enquiry— The evidence in connection with the enquiry into the charges against the matron of the hospital was completed at the last sitting of the committee appointed to make an investigation of all the circumstances, and it was intended to bring up the report and have it dealt with at the last meeting of the Board. As, however, the day of meeting happened to come in the centre of holiday time, there was not a sufficient attendance to take the matter in hand, and it was therefore adjourned for a fortnight. The result of the enquiry will not bo made known till it has been submitted to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and dealt with by that body. Disteict Couet. —A sitting of the District Court (before Judge Ward) was held this morning, there being a number of cases for disposal on the list. In consequence of the pressure of Supreme Court business calling for the attendance of members of the bar upon the higher Court, the cases were adjourned till different dates, one only being set down for hearing at a later hour to-day, namely, Q-rey v McCulloch, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon.

Sunnyside Asylum —Tho want of sufficient accommodation in this asylum has long been felt as a matter calling for attention, and some time ago it was determined to make an addition to tho present buildings. A tender has now been accepted for the contract to build a new wing to tho asylum, and on Friday last tho work of laying tho concrete foundation was commenced, twenty men being employed for tho purpose. It is intended to push tho work on as rapidly as possible, in view of the pressing necessity for additional accommodation.

Board Meetings, —Tlio Drainage Board and (lie Board of Health met this afternoon, but at an hour too late to admit of our giving a report of the proceedings. Wohks Committee —This committee met this morning, for tire transaction of business, which was of a purely routine character. They will report to the Council at its meeting this evening. What’s in a Wig.—A distinguished member of the legal profession (that, we understand is the correct phrase) found himself in a quandary at tiro District Court this morning, when ho appeared without a wig, at d had to explain the circumstance to his Honor by stating that ho had lost the key of his box. A gentleman accustomed to this article of forensic adornment might be supposed to feel somewhat light-headed without it, but if Ibis was so in one sense with the distinguished member in question, he did not allow a bare head to stand in the way of his client, in whose interest he obtained the consent of the Court to an adjournment. The Water Experiments.— On Saturday morning Mcs-rs Anderson and Sons cast the first cylinder that is to be used in testing the Wairnnkaviri in connection with the proposed water scheme. The remaining four will be cast during the next fortnight. Tub Diorama. —The diorama of the American War attracted a good house on Saturday evening at the Gaiety. To-night a now diorama, that of scenes in the recent Russo-Tu: kish War, will bo exhibited. A number of gifts are also advertised for this evening. Harbor Board Debentures. The Harbor Board debentures for £2C0,000 having now been made out and signed have been handed over to the Board’s bankers for transmission to London by the first outgoing San Francisco mail.

Cricket. —A match was played at the Head of the Bay, Akaroa, on the 12th inst., between Little Akuloa and Barry’s Bay clubs, terminating in an easy victory for Little Akaloa in one innings, with eight runs to spare. This success was greatly owing to the really fine bowling of H. Mclntosh. The Stewarts.—' This clever family gave their last performance on Saturday evening, at the Oddfellows’ Hall, when there was a very good attendance. The programme comprised one act of “ Kainbow Bevels ” and one of “ If.” They leave, per Albion, to-day, for Melbourne, and it is understood that Mr Stewart will return to New Zealand about the end of the year with novelties. Should he do so, he will bo warmly welcomed by his many friends here. Invercargill Review. —From the Invercargill papers it appears that the Christchurch Engineers were unanimously awarded second place of merit for marching and manoeuvring generally. Major Lean is spoken of in the highest possible terms for the ability which he displayed in handling his battalion. This speaks well for our local forces. SergeantMajor Manning and Sapper Thompson, both of the Engineers, stayed at Oamaru on their return from the review, and succeeded in carrying off three good prizes at the North Otago R : fio Association Meeting, hold there.

Theatre Eotae. —Mr Ores wick made his farewell appearance at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night. The performance comprised “ William Tell,” the second act of “ Richard III.,” and the first act of “ Macbeth,” finishing with the first part of Locke’s music. The whole performance wont oil exceedingly well, and, notwithstanding the length of the programme, the curtain fell for the last time about half-past eleven o’clock. In each character Mr Creswick was heartily applauded, and was repeatedly called before the curtain, sharing the compliment with Miss Navaroand Miss Annie Mayor at the end of “William Tell,” with Miss Ashton on the conclusion of “ Richard III.,” and with Mrs George Darrell on the termination of the selection from Macbeth. The company loft yesterday morning in the s.s. Ladybird for Wellington, a number of friends accompanying them to Lyttelton to see them off and speed them on their way. At the termination of the season it is understood that Mr and Mrs Darrell will return with their company, and appear in a round of Mr Darrell’s own pieces, including “ Back from the Grave,” “ Transported for Life,” and other popular dramas in which he has appeared in the Australian colonies. Kaiapoi Pah.— Recently there has been a large influx of Maoris to this pah in anticipation of the sitting of the Native Land Court. For some days there has been a general discussion of the land claims. On Saturday morning Korako Karetai, a chief from the Otago kaik, who had been suffering from consumption, died somewhat suddenly. As ho had been attended by a medical man, and it was plain that death resulted from natural causes, an inquest will not be necessary. It is to be hoped that during the stay of such a large number of visitors as there is now at the pah, some sanitary regulations will be adopted to lessen the nuisances which abound in some parts of the village. The Government, it is understood, pay the expenses of the Maoris, or at any rate contribute largely towards the cost of their maintenance, and it would be well if it also took this matter up, seeing that after one large meeting an epidemic broke out which caused several deaths, and resulted in the pah being nearly deserted for many weeks.

A Warning to the Injured. — A recent number of the New Zealand “ Jurist ” calls attention to a very remarkable notice issued by the railway authorities, and of which the following is a copy; —“Notice is hereby given to all persons owning or occupying lands adjoing the railway boundaries, that the planting of gorse is very dangerous from the liability of such hedge to take and spread fire from engines. And all those who plant gorse on railway boundaries will be held responsible to make good the damages to the railway works, should fire be communicated thereby.” As our contemporary remarks, the responsibility of the department for injury done by sparks of lire from passing locomotives present themselves to the Commissioner for Railways from a peculiar standpoint. The “Jurist” suggests that the Commissioner might as well have included in his notice the owners of all kinds of inflammable articles on lands adjoining the railway boundaries. If travellers’ tales and newspaper reports are to be believed, the amount of damage which has already been done by these vagrant engine sparks in the districts of Canterbury and Otago must, in the aggregate, be largo ; but the bright idea of quietly ignoring all responsibility of making good the losses of the farmer arising from this cause, and warning him at the same time that he will have to pay for any railway property damaged by fire communicated from his fences —the said fences having first been sot in a blaze by the engine sparks —will in all probability load to a result little contemplated by the author of the notice.

The Position of Ekowe. —Ekowe or Ekyowe in Zululand, at which Colonel Pearson has established himself with the central column of the British force (says the “ Pioneer”), is just twenty miles across the Tugela River, and only fifteen miles from Ondine, Cetewayo’s chief kraal. This lastnamed town is situated on the top of a range of hills some 1500 ft high, and is very difficult of approach. The plan of operations against the Zulus seems to have been for throe columns to enter their country simultaneously. The right column, with which is the Naval Brigade, followed the coast road which runs from Port Natal and Durban northwards towards Delagoa Bay ; they must have crossed the Tugela River, near its mouth. Of their operations nothing seems to be known, though apparently they were intended to turn Cetowayo’s left Hank if ho remained with his army at Ondine. The central column has pushed forward in a straight line towards the kraal, and has aeoomplielud half the distance in safety, though the use of the word “established” inthe telegram rather points to a halt at the old missionary station of Ekowe. Our left column it is that has suffered at Rorko’s Drift, in the immediate neighborhood of the disputed territory about the Bleed River. The fact that a week after this engagement no hostile Zulus had entered Natal, would point to the conclusion that Cetowayo finds his chief kraal menaced by the central and right columns, which also, in case of his attempting to invade Natal itself, would sweep down upon his roar. There is one great consolation in the news just received, and that is, no mention is made of an organised rising of the Oaffroa,

Katapoi I(jJ,ANt) Sottttt. The Eyreton TJoad Board, with commendable promptness, has caused tiie approaches lo the new bridge oyer the island cutting to bo fenced. It was noticed in a recent issue that this work was required, and it appears that at the time it was being attended to.

Alahm of Fieb.—The boll at the Chester street station rang out the alarm about halfpast one o’clock yesterday afternoon. The engine was very soon ready, and was about to start when information was received that the fire had been in a chimney on the premises of Mr Armstrong, at the corner of Peterborough and Colombo streets. The fire was speedily extinguished without doing any damage.

The Illusionists.— Under this tide a company, who appear under the guidance of Mr Bactielder, of panoramic celebrity, will make their debut in Christchurch this evening at the Theatre Royal. Their entertainment, as the name of the company denotes, consists principally of illusions, foremost of which is the celebrated bird-cage trick. They also give a number of exposes of the so-called spiritual manifestations, which are performed by them in full light and view of the audience.

Forestbt. —The eighteenth anniversary of Court Queen of the Isles, No. 2703, A.0.F., was celebrated by a dinner in the large dining room at the Mitre Hotel, Lyttelton, on Thursday night last. Messrs Hill Brothers, the proprietors, were complimented upon the excellence of the repast. About thirty members were present, the Mayor, Mr Allwright, being in the chair, and chief ranger Thornley in the vice chair. After the cloth was removed, the usual loyal and society toasts were given and responded to. The proceedings terminated at a late hour.

Tempeeance. —The Colonists’ Hall, Lyttelton, contained a numerous audience on Friday night to hoar the Hon, W. Fox on the subject of temperance. There wore on the platform, besides the lecturer, the Mayor, Captain Davis, the Rev. Mr Beck and Mr Phillips. The Mayor introduced the lecturer, expressing his pleasure at being asked to preside. Mr Fox spoke with his usual ability on the subject, and was much applauded. He referred to the New Zealand Alliance, and urged them to consider favorably of joining it. Ho expressed his belief that the local option principle would be victorious before long, and that the people of Lyttelton would give it their support. Votes of thanks were passed, and the meeting dispersed.

Kaiai'Ol Woollen Factoey.— ln order to meet the large demands upon this factory for woollen goods, another superior carding and condensing engine and five improved cloth looms have been ordered from England. In all, sixty packages of machinery are expected to arrive per the Bed Gauntlet. The winter having set in, the manufactures of the company are in such request that persons wishing to obtain suits of tweed have to give their orders with the retail houses. Since the public opening of the mill, it is found that the goods are turned out in large quantities and in better time, so that it is fair to expect the company will be able to meet all the orders of this season received from our own merchants and those of neighbouring provinces. Several large orders for the south have been supplied, which speaks well for the quality of the goods. Football. —About fifty members of the Christchurch Football Club met on Cranmer square on Saturday afternoon, and opened their season with an alphabetical match — A to L v M to Z, the former appearing in red and black and the latter blue and white uniforms. The game commenced shortly after three o’clock by L. M. Ollivier kicking off for the blues. The rods, who greatly outnumbered their opponents, quickly rushed on the ball, and it soon became apparent they would have things pretty much their own way. During the first half of the game the play was mostly in the blues’ quarters, and when time was called their opponents had placed one goal to their credit. In the latter part of the game the M to Z side made a better stand, and, though unable to score themselves, they managed to prevent their opponents from adding anything to the result of the first hour’s play, the match finally resulting in a victory for the reds by one goal to nil. Considering its being the first match of the season, the play all round was very creditable, many of the members on either side generally keeping well on the ball, and displaying a great amount of energy and judgment throughout the game. Since last season a few of the C.F.C. members have gone over to the Eastern Club, but their loss is more than counterbalanced by the largo number of fresh names on the roll of the senior club, over thirty new members having joined. Some of the more prominent and zealous representatives of the new blood put in an appearance on Saturday, and judging by the excellent form shown by some of them, they should prove an acquisition to the club—notably a back and two heavy-weights who play forward, one of the latter being parlicularly active and useful. No programme has as yet been arranged, but there are some good matches in contemplation, and the coming season should prove a particularly interesting one. Certainly, there should be no lack of good metal from which to select a strong representative team whenever one is wanted to contest a foreign match. Nelson Jam Factoey.—A meeting of the Provisional Directors was (says the “Colonist”), held on April 10th, when Dr. Irvine presided. The secretary (Mr Budden) reported that between two and throe hundred shares had been applied for. It was stated that the proposal to start such a factory had already given a great impetus to fruit tree planting in the district, also that a number of commercial men in other parts of the colony had expressed their faith in the enterprise, and their willingness to aid it. It was remarked that if the public could only be brought to give the subject half the attention that has been paid to the development of mineral deposits in the district, a large and permanent industry would ere long be established in Nelson. The climate was particularly good for fruit growing, and the people here have as good an opportuniay of making money thereby as the Italians do by making use of the climate of their country to grow olives, and the French in the Southern Provinces of France by planting grape vines. It was given as a proof that a trade could soon be established that the specimens of fruit which wore sent from Mr Wisenhavorn’s orchard to the Horticultural Show at Wellington, by Mr Budden, with a view to demonstrate that good fruit can be produced in Nelson, had caused a largo number of inquiries to come from that city for fruit of a like excellent description. Svdnhy Exhibition. —The following information given by Sir Henry Parkes (says the “ Sydney Morning Herald”) puts in a succinct form the extent to which other communities are likely, as far as can at present be judged, to participate in the first International Exhibition held on Australian soil:—“ In February, 1878, the Secretary of State for the Colonies was requested to inform the various Courts and States represented at the Paris Exhibition or others, if any, not so represented, with which (ho Imperial Government have diplomatic or consular intercourse —also India, and all the British colonies other than the Australian colonies —of the fact that an International Exhibition, under the auspices of (he Agricultural Society of New South Wales, would be held in Sydney in 1879. In July, 1878, a telegram was received Sir Hercules Robinson, then Governor of the colony, from the Secretary of State, as follows: - ‘ Programme Sydney Exhibition of 18/9 distributed as requested, except India, whose participation under consideration.’ Since then the amended programme and regulations, superseding (hose originally circulated, have been similarly distributed. The European countries sending exhibits, and to which space has been allotted by the London commission, !ire ._Q-reat Britain, 120,000 square feet; France, fit,ooo; Germany, 45,000; AnstroHungary, 22,000; Italy, 10,000; Belgium, 12,000; Switzerland, 5000; Holland, 5000. It is expected that same, if not all, of these countries will send commissioners to the Exhibition, but it has not yet been officially announced ; I may say it is rather too soon to expect any definite determination on that subject. It is also expected that there will bo a commission sent from tha United States, from Japan and New Caledonia.”

Arhhuuton County Council. —A special meeting of this Council ill bo held on Friday next, '2sth inst., at 2 p m., to consider w : at steps shon'd bo taken for the reception of tho Governor as he passes through Ashburton on May 3rd.