NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2238, 30 April 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Fibe at Southbrook. —A house was burned last night at Southbrook, near Kaiapoi. It was the property of Mr Q-eo. Newton, and was insureijwith the Colonial Company. A ScAEß.—Quite a crowd was gathered together in front of Messrs Gould and Co.’s chemists’ shop this morning by the report of an explosion, which after all turned out to be a Tery harmless matter. Mr Wright’s assistant was putting* some chemicals into a mortar which happened to be wet, hence the explosion. Beitish Israel Association. —The usual fortnightly meeting was held in the Temperance Hall, Gloucester street, last evening, the president, Mr X. S. Lambert, in the chair. The meeting having been opened, and the business of the association completed, the president called upon Mr T. M. Gee to open the subject of the evening, “ Israel possessing colonics in all zones belting the earth.” The essayist dealt with his subject in a very interesting and instructive After several members had supported the subject by reference to the scriptures, the meeting closed in the usual manner. It was decided to discuss at the next meeting “ Israel pushing her colonial aborigines to the corners.” It was also hoped by several members that some of the earnest Christians of the city would come and discuss the subject. The Escaped Lunatic. The lunatic, Jackson Kirk, who was reported as having escaped from Sunnyside, was captured yesterday at Lang’s, in the Harewood road. Theatre Eotal.— Miss Lydia Howarde has definitely arranged to open in “ Chilperio ” at the Theatre Eoyal on Thnrsday next when, in addition to a number of old friends and favorites some new aspirants for popular favor will appear. Compensation Court.— The further examination of witnesses in the case of E. Wilkin v the Minister for Public Works was proceeded with yesterday. It kas been arranged that the argument of the points of law raised will be reserved till his Honor returns from the Court of Appeal. The Native Prisoners.— The batch of liberated prisoners that arrived last night by train from Dunedin, and between ninety and a hundred of those now in Lyttelton gaol, will ba taken to New Plymouth by the Government steamer Hinemoa, which is to leave port this evening. Local Industry, —There is now on view, at the Indnstrial Association rooms, a very handsome miniature fountain made from Malvern hills clay, at the works of Messrs Austin and Kirk. As a specimen of decorative art as applied to pottery ware it is well worth a visit of inspection. Fire at Southbrook.— A large building at Sonthbrook was on fire last evening as the North train passed in. The alarm had been given at Eangiora, and the brigade from there, with their engine, went out to the spot with all speed. The fire had too great a hold of the building to allow of anything being saved, especially as there was a strong breeze blowing. It seemed to be between the culvert at Mr Grimwood’s and Mr Thompson’s store, as observed from the train. Theatre Eotal. —The cruise of “ H.M.S. Pinafore ” manned by her juvenile crew, is rapidly drawing to a close, this evening being the last of the stay of the ship in this harbor. The large number of visitors must have been most cheering to the gallant commander of the ship and his numerous lady friends. This afternoon an opportunity will be afforded to tho little ones of seeing tho ship fully manned, which no doubt will be largely taken advantage of. The usual performance will be given in the evening. A word of praise is due to Mr J. J. Pollard, the clever conductor of tho orchestra and those under his baton for the admirable manner in which the trio selections, particularly that from “La Fille da Eegiment” were played last night. I.O.Q.T.—The second weekly meeting of the New Victory Lodge of the Order took place at Gee’s school-room on Thursday, the 28th inst. Tho lodge was opened in due form by Bro. McGregor, W.C.T, Five new members were initiated. The following officers were then chosen for the ensuing quarter:—Bro. McGregor, W.C.T.; Sister Clarke, W.V.T.; Bro. Armstrong, W.S. ; Bro. Wood, W.F.S.; Bro. Grant, W.T. ; Sister L. Stirling, W.C. ; Bro. Pearce, W.M.; Bro. Birohfield, W.1.G.; Bro. Badham, W.C.G.; Bro. Yallop, W.A.S.; Sister Dowdell. W.D.M. ; Sister Lewis, W E.S. ; Sister Sycamore, W.L.S. : Brother Clarke, P. W.C.T.

Oxford E.M. Court.— At this Court on Wednesday, before C. Whitefoord, E-q., E.M., and Wilton Fisher, E;q., John McGarliok was charged by Mary Timmerman with assaulting her at her residence, East Oxford. Defendant was bound over to keep the peace for six months in his own recognisances in the sum of .£5 and ordered to pay costs, 14s. P. Lavery and E. Wratt were charged with fighting outside the Oxford Hotel on Saturday, the 9th inst. Lavery was fined 40s and costs ; the case against E. Wratt being dismissed. The following civil cases were heard S. Love vJ. Hacbett, claim ill for cash lent; judgment for amount, with costs. 8. Monnsey v J. Simmonds, claim 17s Id ; judgment for amount claimed, with costs. G. Ayton v Timmerman, c'aim £7 la lOd; judgment for amount, and ordered to pay 20a per month until the whole amount is paid. Same v A. Smith, claim -£2 14s on a judgment summons ; ordered to pay 10s per week or in default fourteen days’ imprisonment. F. Waterman v H. Nelson, claim -£ I 19s 6d on a judgment summons; ordered to_ pay 10s per week or in default fourteen days’ imprisonment. A number of other cases were settled out c£ Court.

Afj iNCrIJUNT ft V THE JiOEH WAR.— * Horo (nays tbo “ Diamond Nows ’) in a good story from Potchofstroom. for the authenticity of which wo can vouch. While tho Boors worn digging trenches to tbo powdnr magazine ono evening, as usual, tbo horses wore lotmit of the Fort to wntor. The horses being old and it being certain that Boers were in the neighborhood, tho animals were tnrned out without headstalls or halters. They rushed straight to tho vloi nt whiob it was customary f.r thorn to slake their thirst. Out of tho trenches catao the Boors, seized and mounted tho horses, and wore for riding them into the town. The bugler in the Fort sounded the “ Horses in at a trot,” and straightway the whole of them turned and made for borne, carrying their unwilling freight. The Dutchmen threw themselves off right and left, but 'four wore carried right into the camp and promptly tak m prisoners.

A Chance fob the Unemit.otko. — Babbit killing in the Wnirarapa is at the same time sport and profit. Tho Grcytown correspondent of the “New Zealand Times” states that two men, with between thirty and forty dogs, have been rabbiting in tho locality cast of tho Euamahußga, and destroy weekly neariy 5000. They get station rations, with powder, shot and caps served out weekly, and in addition are allowed 2d per skin. It may bo fairly premised, that the “ game” supply the pack of dogs with food, and tho expenses with the above supplies may be fairly set down at nil. Tho 4000 pence therefore represent no leas a aum than between £l6 and £17 —not a bad division.for two men. It is not probable that this is a usual yield, but even taking the income at one half, rabbiting must certainly on the whole be a very profitable pursuit. i |The Weather in England. Sir D. Gooch, M,P., in presiding at the half-yearly meeting of the Great Western Railway, said tho snowstorm which occurred in January reduced their receipts by £56,000. Had that sum been in their pockets they would have been able to declare J- or 5- per cent, more of dividend. To indicate the extent of the storm he might say they had to excavate tho snow from l!l miles of railway, varying in depth from three to nine feet. Sixty-four trains had to be dug out. and blocks took place on 141 different parts of tho’r system.