NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2703, 6 December 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Dishonored Cheques. —At the Lyttelton Magistrate’s Court this morning, before J. Ollivier, Esq., K.M., atradesman was held to have no ground of action against one of his customers who had paid him an account with a cheque of another party’s, which cheque was dishonored at the Bank. The defendant’s counsel, Mr H. R. Raider, contended that as the cheque was not indorsed by the defendant when he gave it to the tradesman, he was not liable for its subsequent dishonor, and the tradesman must look to the maker of the cheque for his money. The Magistrate agreed that the law was such, and recorded a nonsuit, much to the chagrin of the unlucky tradesman, who had given £ll in cash to his debtor as change out of the cheque, after deducting his own small account of about £3. Ferocious Dog. —As one of the “Press” runners was delivering his papers on Tuesday morning, and when near Chaney’s store in the Springfield road, a large black retriever dog suddenly sprang upon him from behind without any notice whatever, and seized him by the calf, inflicting a verysevere and painful wound. He bled very considerably before reaching Dr. Brittan’s, where he was attended to. We hope that both the dog and his owner may be discovered and made to suffer for it.

Supreme Court. —His Honor Mr Justice Johnston, having returned from the Court of Appeal, held a sitting in Chambers this morning and disposed of a number of applications. In reference to the new arrangements under the Supreme Court Act of last session, which comes into force on the Ist of January next, his Honor remarked that the Judges had drawn up programmes with regard to sittings, which were as nearly similar as circumstances would permit. Time must be allowed for both the Government and the Judges to discharge their duties under the new Act, and it would probably be the 17th of January before the first civil sittings could be held. It was proposed that the criminal sittings would be held as formerly, but that civil sittings would be a little more frequent. Chamber business would be taken on Tuesdays and Fridays, and bankruptcy and banco on "Wednesdays.

Druids. —After the usual meeting of Hearts of Oak Lodge, H.A.0.D., at Lyttelton on Monday night, the brethren entertained the Grand Secretary, Bro. Brennan, at supper laid in the hall. The Grand Secretary, who has taken his departure for Wellington, is on a visit to all the lodges in the colony from the Grand Lodge in Melbourne. His duty is to inspect all the lodges, examine the books, &c., and upon the above occasion he expressed his unqualified approval of the manner in which the business of the Hearts of Oak Lodge was conducted. On Monday night the hall looked very charming, the decorations being in exquisite taste, and the supper given by the brethren passed off most successfully.

A.O.P.—Court Thistle of Forest, A.0.F., held a summoned’meeting- in St. Saviour’s Schoolroom, Sydenham, when there was a good attendance of members. The following members were nominated for the respective offices for the next half-year : C.E., Bro. W. Hoddenott; S.C.R., Bro. W. Craig ; S.W., Bros. A. Hoddenott and G-. Wakefield ; J.W., A. Pierce and Gibson : sec., Bro. Marts ; 5.8.,8r05. Rudd, Olliver, and Forrest; J. 8., Bro. Bullen; mod. officer, Bro. Dr. Irving; D.0.R., Bro. Machon; D.S.C.E., Bro. Bowen; district sec., Bro. Gapes ; D.T., Bro. Crooks ; D. 8., Bro. Bowen.

Fire Brigade Demonstration. —Several mo libers of the Christchurch Fire Brigade are busily employed in making preparations for the annual display of fireworks in Hagley Park on the evening of Anniversary day, from the nature of which it is apparent that the exhibition of pyrotechny will bo fully equal to that of former years. Two of the members of the Brigade are actively canvassing the principal residents of Christchurch for subscriptions in aid of the cost of the necessary material, to which there is little doubt a liberal response will bo made, when it is considered that the Brio-ade is a voluntary organisation, whose efforts in the cause of fire prevention and extinction fully bear out the motto, “ Always Ready.”

Lyttelton E.M. Court. —John Ollivier, Esq., R.M., on the Bench. Peter Darling was charged with neglecting to register the birth of his child within six months, and was fined ss. A first offender for being found helplessly drunk at noon was fined ss. Robert Galbraith was charged on warrant issued by the Outram Bench with having on the sth July last forged and uttered an order for goods to J. E. Murray, purporting to be signed by T. Gordon, value £3 Is 4d, and another order for 15s to W. Snow. Ho admitted "his guilt, and was remanded to appear at Outram on the 11th inst. Civil cases, as follows, wore disposed of :—Philp v Anderson, claim £7 4s Id ; judgment by default. Davis v Oldfield, claim .£l7 19s Id; Mr Haider for plaintiff; judgment by default, with costs and counsel fee, £2 2s. Leaver v D. A. Croaty, claim .£l4, cash lent; Mr Haider for defendant ; plaintiff nonsuited with costs.

False Eire Alarm. —About 12.30 a.m.» au alarm of fire was signalled from the box near tho Star and Garter Hotel, Barhadoes street. The Chester street bell rang out the alarm, and was quickly followed by the Lichfield street one. Prior, however, to the brigade going out, Mr Superintendent Turton went up the tower of the Lichfield station, and no sign whatever of fire was to be seen. It is, therefore, to be presumed that larrikinism is the cause of the alarm.

Christ’s College Corps. —A meeting of this newly organised Volunteer corps was hold last evening at the Commercial Hotel. There were fifty-two members present, and Mr H. A. Scott occupied the chair. The following olllcers were elected :—Mr H. A. Scott, captain ; Mr J. C. Martin, first lieutenant ; Air H. Cotterill, second lieutenant. Captain XJ. V. Eichards was appointed drill instructor for the first six months. The other business consisted in tho passing of general rules for the conduct of the corps. Weather Exchange. —Yesterday—New Zealand : Fine but gloomy and sultry; pressure steady and general; S.W. winds and moderate. Australia : General decrease in pressure and cloudy over; S.W. wind on the West Coast, East on the South ; southerly at Tasmania, and N.E. at New South Wales. Barometer —Eussell, 29.9 ; Wellington, 29.8 ,- Bluff, 29.8.; Australia, 29.9 ; Portland, 29.9; Hobart, 30.0; Sydney, 29.9.

Young Men’s Club. —The usual meeting of the Young Aten’s Club committee was held last night. Present —His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Eev. C. Eraser, Alessrs Miller, Hogben, Atarch,. Griffiths, Packer, and Lambert. An apology was received from Air Malcolm for non-attend-ance. A vote of thanks was passed to Air Cooper for donation of papers, and a gift from Air Jones of illuminations was accepted with thanks. An offer was received from Air Graham to give instruction in ivory, bone, and wood turning, which was accepted with thanks. Tho meeting adjourned until January Oth.

Rangiora Clock.— A largo clock, with three dials and a time bell, has been recently erected by Mr Jennings, on his premises. High street. Towards the costa

certain amount has been subscribed by the public, but a balance of All is still due. Of this the borough authorities have agreed to give £5, if the clock becomes their property. This Mr Jennings does not see his way to agree to, and it is now suggested to hold a concert to clear the debt referred to. isEwi.iND Methodist Chdt.ch. —The anniversary services in connection with the Rowland Methodist Church were celebrated on Sunday, Mrs Holder, of Christchurch, conducting services to good congregations both morning and evening. A tea meeting was held on Monday evening, at which there was a large attendance, and the tea and meeting afterwards passed oil with great success.

Ashley School Committee. —At the monthly meeting of this committee, held on Monday evening, the following resolution was, on the motion of Mr Bowron, seconded by Mr Robertson, unanimously adopted:—“ That, in consequence of the difficulty of getting a good general meeting in the middle of harvest, this committee considers it advisable to allow the regular annual meeting of householders to lapse.” It was also further resolved that five weeks’ holidays be given, commencing from December 22nd.

Colonial Wool. —lt would be well worth sheep breeders’ attention to consider the extra value of what may ha termed “ first cross” wool as against that of flocks in which the long wool predominates, as all breeders say the difficulty consists in fixing' a type. Some samples of wool shorn fi-om sheep bred by Mr C. G. King, of Leithfield, the offspring of merino rams out of crossbred ewes, now to be seen at the Row Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association’s office, would lead towards the opinion that it is not out of the hounds of “ selection ” to establish a class of wool—a happy combination of the merino and long wool sheep. Mr King entered some of the sheep from which the fleeces referred to were shorn in competition with some bred by the Hon. J. B. Gresson at the Eangiora show, the prize being for sheep bred—merino, long wool v long wool, merino. Unfortunately Mr King’s sheep were disturbed by dogs on their way to the Eangiora competition, and were not penned on the show day. The wool referred to is evidently not artificially cared for. It is sound, good combing wool, and though not showing the quality of high class merino wool, would probably distance the latter in the return per sheep annually. Magistrate’s Court, Eangiora. —At

this Court on Tuesday, before C. Wliitefoord. Esq., E.M., and H. Blackett, Esq.,

John McDonald was charged with neglecting to obey an order to pay for maintenance of his son in the Industrial School, the arrears of which amounted to £2 ss,

and ordered to pay £1 forthwith and the balance iu seven days, or in default fourteen days’ imprisonment. E. Liggett vT. Wilson, laborer, .£B, for rent ; judgment

for plaintiff. Eegina by Public Works Department r W. Parquharson and T, Topping, £ll, value of timber. Mr Blood for plaintiff, Mr Gresson for defendant. A

consent to judgment was agreed to on condition that if a valid defence could be made by Farquharson, the case be re-heard in fourteen days. It appeared the action arose out of the defendants taking and using certain timber delivered by the railway authorities for their works in erecting a bridge, being under the impression that

the timber was theirs. Eangioba Fire Engine. —The newsteam Jfire engine, ordered from Shand, Mason and Co., for the Eangiora Brigade, is expected, with hose and fittings complete, to cost £520. It will be one of the latest improved engines, working on the

vertical principle, capable of throwing 200 gallons of water per minute, and casting up a jet 150 ft in height through an inch nozzle. The engine, while compact in every way, will not exceed 21cwt., and be as easy to handle as the present hand' engine of the local brigade. It appears tobe an engine which is intended speciallyfor volunteer brigades, and will be equal in power and efficiency to three manual engines worked by twenty or thirty men each. Another advantage in the engine ordered is that the suction hose may be kept always attached and in readiness for service. As this machine is to he placed on high wheels, there will be no difficulty in moving it from place to place with the greatest of ease by hand power. The ordering of it has been entrusted to Mr W. Harris, who may bo relied upon to procure the engine in a complete state from. those well-known makers. Thb Probable Cost op the War.— Speculation is running high (says the “ European Mail,” October 20th) with respect to the probable cost of the war ; and various sums have been “ tottled ” up to affright the British taxpayer, and make him cry out for a Government which brings him honour with peace, as distinct from honour with war. Sapient and emphatic party authorities to the contrary notwithstanding, the campaign will not cost any--thing like £20,000,000, nor even £15,000,000. The nearest estimate gives the total of £7,000,000. A heavy item which falls into the bill is for hired transport. A quarter of a million of tons of shipping was chartered for a period of four months at an average of 20s per ton per month. This will give a gross sum of one million. There are also the Canal dues, which were at the rate of £2OOO a day for a period of a fortnight. In addition, there was a charge of 10 francs forevery soldier who entered the Canal. It is. estimated that the cost of bringing the Indian troops to Egypt and carrying them back will be £2,000,000. It is needless to say that the Vote of Credit of £2,500,000 has been exhausted by the current expenses of “ strengthening her Majesty’s. Army in the Mediterranean.” The rapid termination of the war, however, has certainly saved a million to the pocket of the taxpayer, if it has not saved a larger sum. Christchurch Ministers’ Association—The usual monthly meeting was held on Monday at Durham street vestry. In absence of Eev. J. Buller, through indisposition, Eev. E. Best presided. After devotional exercises Saturday evening open air services were arranged to be held in Cathedral square, near the Godley statue, at S p.m. The Eevs. Taylor and Dallaston to be the preachers next Saturday evening. Eev. J. Crews introduced “ St. Paul’s conception of the tripartite nature of man,” and suggested that preaching should be not so much of “thought” as spiritual preaching which brought men into the presence of the living God, An interesting discussion ensued. It was resolved that no meeting be held in January owing to the holidays. The Eev. E. Best at the February meeting to introduce the subject of revivals, illus trated by his experience in the great Irish revival.

‘ Pa,’ asked little Johnny, ‘ what does the teacher mean by saying that must have inherited my bad temper r’ “She meant, Johnny, that you are your mother’s own boy.’ Cousin Charley (an eminent dancing man) —‘Just fancy, Edith ! I’m engaged to go to a ball at Bedlam next week !’ Edith —‘ Take care they don’t keep you when once they get you, Charley, dear r’ Fiendish Eival— ‘ There is no fear of that ; they only take in the curable eases. Miss Edith Scone—'A sylvan retreat. Swell Artist—- ‘ I’m going to paint this cottage of yours.’ Oil Woman—‘Amu gled to hear it, for it hisna been done for mony a laug day, an’ a’ve been at the laird ower an’ owcr again, hut he never heeded.’ After a brief pause— ‘ But, losh, man, whaur’s yer pail an’ brush ?'

A sleeper is one who sleeps. A sleeper is that in which the sleeper sleeps. A sleeper is that on which the sleeper, which carries the sleeper while he sleeps runs. Therefore while the sleeper sleeps in the sleeper the sleeper carries the sleeper over the sleeper under the sleeper until the sleeper which carries the sleeper jumps off the sleeper and wakes the sleeper in the sleeper, and there is no sleeper in the sleeper in tho sleeper on the sleeper. A trade journal gives direction for ‘ preserving harness.’ Preserved harness may be considered very palatable by those who like that sort of thing, but we don’t wont a bit in our mouth.

Tub Opera. —To-night the Simonsen Company commence their season with a representation of the “ Hermit s Be , • *Vork which, has already been befo Christchurch public. Mr Albert Brennir, a singer new to us, takes the part 01 byl-

Sudden Death. — A case of sudden death -was reported at the Police Depot this morning by a man named Thornes Berry, a resident of Gordon street. East belt. It appears that May Berry, daughter of the above-named person, retired to rest about nine o’clock last evening, and the mother on going to her bedroom to arouse hex' at sis o’clock this morning found her quite dead. Deceased is stated as being twentj - four yeai's of age.