NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1621, 1 May 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Depaetubh op the Stab Haaelbm.— We have been requested to state that the departure of this vessel has been postponed to Monday afternoon. Utilising Pbison LAbob. —lt is stated, though we do not pretetend to vouch for the accuracy of the statement, that a considerable number of men employed upon the railway, have been discharged lately to make room for prison labor—something like thirty last Saturday and forty the week before. The Stad Haablem.— Severe complaints are made by several passengers of the Stad Haarlem respecting the manner in which they were treated with regard to their baggage. When the steamer was lying at the bar at Port Chalmers, the luggage of the Otago passengers was placed on top, and was left so until arrival at Port Lyttelton. Here a general unloading both of passengers’ luggage and Lyttelton cargo took place, and the consequence was a general confusion. Some of the Canterbury passengers had their things mixed with the luggage bound South by rail, and some of it was carried on to Wollingtsn. The sufferers have, in many instances, not yet recovered their property. This is, of course, a serious matter for them, and it will be well if the authorities use their utmost endeavours to rectify the mistake. When the next shipment of immigrants under similar conditions takes place, it is to be trusted that better general regulations will be put into force.

Telegraph Wire Damaged.—As Messrs Simpson and Co. were moving a house along the streets yesterday afternoon the structure by some means came in contact with the Envate telegraph wire of Mr P. Ounningam, at the corner of Manchester and Lichfield streets. The ends of the wires were secured temporarily by the constable on duty, who saw the accident. The Melbourne Exhibition.—A telegram received to-day gives a slightly different complexion from yesterday’s telegram on the same subject, re the Prince of Wales’ remarks to Mr Berry respecting hie visit to Australia. It now appears that, although the Prince will not be able to be present at the opening of the Melbourne Exhibition, he may perhaps visit it later on. Yesterday’s telegram led to the belief that he would not bo able to bo present at the Exhibition at all.

Grain at Stations.—Yesterday, the 30th April, there had accumulated at the various stations along the Christchurch section of the railway, 25,370 bags of grain, made up as follows:—Ashburton, 150 ; Ashley, 82 ; Bealey’s road, 341 ; Burnham, 44; Cave, 2018; Chortsey, 524; Dunsandel, 288; Ellesmere, 133; Hinds, 100; Horndon Junction, 350; Kuiapoi, 700 ; Leeston, 322 ; Lincoln, 302 ; Makikihi, 3359 ; Orari, 3527 ; Otaia, 2320 ; Oxford East, 99 ; Oxford West, 99 ; Pleasant Point, 11121; Rukaia, 1129 ; Rangiora, 7 ; Rangitata South, 559; St. Andrew, 321; Sefton, 68 ; Sheffield, 597 ; Styx, 110 ; Templeton, 125; Temuka, 963 ; Tinwald, 45 ; Waihoa, 479; Waimate, 1322 ; Waimate Junction, 1827 ; Seadown, 3240 ; Winchester, 1260; Winslow, 172.

Philosophical Institute. The usual monthly meeting of the Institute will bo held this evening at 730 p.rn,, in the Public Library. The election of an hon. secretary will form part, of the business. A ChkkhFUL Companion.—A gentleman, recently arrived in Christchurch, thought he would take a pull on our beautiful River Avon, In order the hiore fully to enjoy the exercise and scenery combined, he decided td secure the services of a coxswain, and on hiring a boat bo asked to bo supplied with some one who could fill that office. It wag some time before a coxswain could bo digcovered, but eventually the boatman was (successful, having produ.ced a youth of large and lank proportions, afad of Considerable hirsute development about the bead. . Qup visitor took his peat and started down fhe rivet with his coxswain. Strange to say, however, no sooner had the latter stept into the boat and grasped the tiller ropes than a most uneasy sensation crept over the rower. The youth seemed to bo far too much in earnest over a job so simple, and there was an uneasy roll in his eye and a sort of nervous twitch about the nasal ol'gan that denoted—well, our friend could not tell what, but hd didn’t like the symptoms at all. They had proceeded about half, a mile, down, streatti when the youth made a horrible grimace at the Hew chum, wriggled his body most hideously, and then became passive, as if h« had suddenly recovered from an awful twinge of pain. It may be easily understood that this sort of thi»g was not calculated to inspire the man who had come out to revel in nature’s beauties, with a keen sense of enjoyment 5 the truth is he began to get veiy uncomfortable—that last grimace suggested A mind deranged.' Just as he had come tbjthie conclusion, the youth’s face began to work again most horribly, his eyes opened as wide as saUcebs, and glared on the rower. This could not be stood, and Newchum went in for an explanation, particularly as the eccentric behaviour of the coxswain had almost resulted in a wreck twice already. So Newchum enquired tenderly after the other’q health, indeed he put the question twice. , Njq effect was produced, the youth remaining perfectly silent. Ho either would not or could not answer, but in lieu of reply he leered at our friend most diabolically, and nearly upset the boat by a lurch of his long body. Newchum began td perspire—the thing was beginning to assume a serious aspect. Every moment, the being opposite to him began to inspire him with greater dread. At last he could stand it no longer, so lie pulled vigorously into the bank and jumped ashore, leaving the coxswain in solo command. Having walked, up to the place whence the boat had been hired, he demanded an explanation, which, when received, however did not do much to allay his irritation. It appeared that the coxswain was an unfortunate youth of weak intellect, and subject to epileptic fits, whom / ante de mienx the boatkeeper had palmed off on the unfortunate new chum. A nice companion for a pleasure trip! The latter hae taken a solemn vo# never again to enter a boat with youths endowed with hirsute appendages, rolling eyes, and weak intellects. TeiumPhal Ahches. —There are to be tWo triumphal arches on the occasion of his Rkpeilency’s visit. The first is to be opposite the Railway station, the second and the principal one opposite the Cathedral in the square. The latter is in course of construction, and when completed will present rather an imposing appearance. The arch is to be of the Gothic style. The summit, or upper portion, constituting the arch proper, is being made in the Corporation yards, and a number of men have been employed all day erecting the upright supports on either aide of the street - running past the Cathedral. As usual in such . cases, there will he two side arches on either side of the central arch, and it is intended that the entire structure shall be arranged after the most approved style. “Rough upon Him:.”—Said one gentleman to another, in Colombo street, this morning: “By the way, old fellow, can you tell me where ! shall find my friend Vernon Fitz Jones ? ” “ Yes,” replied the party addressed, “come along with me.” And he took him to Mr Parker’s office for “Missing Friends”! The searcher after his friend thought the joke rather a one-sided one. Baoehoeses. —The racehorses Maroro and Puriri wore shipped by the s.s. Arawata yesterday to Picton. The Gaiety.—The panorama of the EubsoTurkish war was again largely attended last evening. The usual gift distribution followed the exhibition. To-night it will again be shown.

Destitute Patients' Fund.— lt Will be remembered that gome little time back a concert was got up by the house surgeon or the Hospital to form a fund for supplying destitute patients in the Hospital with certain necessaries in the way of invalid clothing, &o. A portion of the sum thus realised has been expended by Mr Chilton in the manufacture of these articles, which have just been completed. They comprise articles for both female and male patients. For the former there are six dressing gowns, twenty-four pairs of slippers, three American rocking chairs, and eighteen Nightingale jackets. For the males there are eighteen dressing gowns, thirty-six pairs |of slippers, eighteen night shirts, and six easy chairs. The sum of £2O has also been granted to the patients’ library from this fund for the purpose of binding the books therein. The articles of clothing comprised in the above list have been manufactured by the Colonial Ladies’ Employment Society, under the direction of Miss Wilkinson.

The Public Libeabt. —Mr Newton, the late librarian at the Public Library, leaves for England by the Stad Haarlem. His successor is Mr Alfred J. Siardex, who lately arrived from England. Sydney Exhibition. —Persons intending to send exhibits of New Zealand produce, manufactures, machinery, minerals, Ac., are reminded by advertisement that applications for space should bo sent without delay to the secretary, who will furnish any information that may be desired. All exhibits will be forwarded free of cost. Football. —The following will represent the Eastern Club in their match against Southbridge on Saturday next, May 3rd : —Messrs H, Stringer, Crowe, Kinvig. Kitchen, Joynt, Robinson, T. Smith, Shackleton, Paul, Allum, Shirriff, W. Blakeley, Martin, Boulton, Seager; emergencies, G. Fisher, R. Mountfort, H. Turner. Train leaves at 7.25 a.m. All the above members are requested to wear the new uniform, amber and black, which can be had from the secretary.