SOCIAL SUMMARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 4815, 25 July 1876, Page 4 (Supplement)

SOCIAL SUMMARY.

The City of New York, with the San Francisco mail, arrived on Wednesday. The first number of a bi-weekly paper was published at Akaroa on Friday. It is entitled the Akaroa Mail, and is a neat looking paper, though there is not much chance of its existing long, seeing that it is almost entirely dependent on Christchurch for advertisements. The announcement that Mr Goo M'Lean, the member for Waikouaiti, an Otago constituency, has joined tho Ministry as Commissioner of Customs, was one which took tho Colony considerably by surprise. Tho fact that the hon gentleman has had the chance supplies another instance of Sir Julius Vogel’s bbility in discovering unappreciated genius, and lifting it from obscurity to the pinnanolo of fame by an herculean effort. A meeting of the proprietors of the Ashburton coal mine was hold at Mount Somers on June 27, when a Company was formed for the purpose of working the mine. Nearly all the shares were taken up, and it is proposed to commence work early in August. Some of the coal taken from a slip in the range has been tried, and found extremely suitable for smithy purposes. The coal is of a glossy black appearance, and rather heavy. With regard to the suicide of John Macgregor at Timaru, and tho almost simultaneous death of his wife, under very suspicious circumstances (an account of which was published in our last summary), tho jury returned their verdict on June 28. It was to the effect —“ That Macgregor died from the effects of poison taken during a fit of temporary insaaity, and that Celia Macgregor was poisoned, but by whom there was not sufficient evidence to show. There are rumours of more disturbances in the railway department of the Provincial Service. The employes are greatly dissatisfied that Mr Smith, late station-master at Southbridge, has not been replaced in his former position, and also because it is hinted that another official of some weight is to bo removed from his post. The discontent is said to be increasing, and there is a likelihood of the men showing their disapproval of the Government policy by action. About sixty members of the Catholic congregation of Lyttelton met to deliver an address to the Rev Father Francis Del Monte, on the question of his leaving for America. The address was accompanied by a purse of sovereigns. The rev Father, who was deeply moved during tho reading of the address, stated how much he felt this last token of their love and respect for him, and took his leave with a most eloquent and affecting farewell. He was accompanied to the steamer by a large number of his friends. The projected skating rink, which was to have been opened in the beginning of the month, has come to nought. No great alacrity was shown in subscribing, and the promoters were obliged to abandon their design. It is somewhat remarkable that whereas in the North Island, both at Auckland and Wellington, the idea has been eagerly caught at; in tho South, at Christchurch and Dunedin, no interest seems to be taken in the matter. At the latter place they certainly have a rink, but it is in a very languid condition. In the shape of amusements, the Burlesque Company at the Musio Hall reigned supreme until within the last few days, when Everett’s Hibernicon troupe put in an appearance at the Oddfellows’ Hall. Both have done excellent business, the burlesque especially. Kenilworth, II Trovatore, and La Sylphide (founded on the opera of the “Mountain Sylph”), with Chilperic and the Waterman, for a few nights, have been the only pieces produced during the month. To-night, Nemesis is to be given for the first time in Christchurch.

The number of students attending the various classes of the Canterbury College daring the first term of the present year was as follows -.—Professor Brown: Senior Latin, 12 ; Ancient History, 7; Senior Greek, 5; English Literature, 17; Junior Latin, 8; Junior Greek, 2; Elementary Latin, 8; Elementary Greek, 2. Profeasor Cook; Euclid, 6; Algebra, 16 ; ditto Elementary, 6; Trigonometry, 11; Mechanics and Hydrostatics, 2; Advanced Mathematics, 4. Professor Bickerton : Elementary Chemistry, 12 ; Physics, 6; First Principles Chemistry, 125 j Electricity, 13. Dr Powell: Botany, 1; Physiology, 2. Eev 0. Turrell: French, 5; German, 2. Dr Foster: Jurisprudence, 3. The Chief Gaoler reports on the state of the Canterbury gaols for the month of June, as follows.- Males: For trial at Supreme Court Lyttelton, 7 ; Timaru, 14." Hard labour—Lyttelten, 106; Addington, 70; Timaru, 21. Imprisonment—Lyttelton, 7; Addington, 9; Timaru, 2. Medical treatment—Lyttelton, 1. Lunatics—Timaru, 3, Debtors—Lyttelton, 4. Total males— Lyttelton, 125 j Addington, 79; Timaru, 40, Females : Hard labour Addington, 29 ; Timaru, 1. Imprisonment—Addington, 1; Timaru, 1. Medical treatment—Addington, 3. Total females—Addington, 32; Timaru, 2. The total discharges during the month were—Males—Lyttelton, 31; Addington, 45; Timaru, 22. Females—Addington, 18. A special meeting of the Interprovinoial Cricket Match Committee was held on July 14 for the purpose of considering a new proposal with respect to the visit of an English eleven. The Secrtary read a telegram from Mr John O. Eva, Dunedin, stating that the last offer on oehalf of the English cricketers was that they would pay their own expenses in the tour through New Zealand, provided that the five principal towns in the Colony would give them a bonus of £3OO and the various cricket grounds free of charge; also stating that the Dunedin cricketers were favourable to this offer being accepted. It was resolved :—" That the terms offered by Mr Bennett, agent for the All England Eleven, for a visit of the Eleven to Canterbury be accepted.” Christchurch has been maintaining its reputation in football. Two matches were recently played, one against a Temuka team in Christchurch, and the other against a South Canterbury fifteen in Timaru. The game is played under Rugby Union rules, Mr Hamorsley, who assisted some four years ago in drawing up these rules, being captain of the South Canterbury Football Club. These matches create a great deal of enthusiasm, and much interest is felt in them. Neither of the Southern teams was by any means composed of despicable opponents, but Christchurch put tham both through with ease, beating the first by three goals to none, and the latter by one gaol and a largo number of points to nil. There is at present a good prospect of sending a team to Auckland at the end of next month.

A man named John Banisch was found on July 13 by Constable Wearn lying dead m an old stable belonging to Mr Zweibnuok, at Oxford. It was reported to the police on the Wednesday morning thut the man had been missing since 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday, and as he was in a very desponding state when last seen, it was supposed that some accident bad happened to him. A search party, numbering over twenty, started out into the bush in the direction where Banisch had been last seen, but no trace of him could be found. When discovered by the constable it was found that he had hanged himself to one of the rafters with some flax, and that the flax had broken and the unfortunate man had fallen on his on his back. Deceased was a heavy loser by the late fire at Oxford, and it preyed upon his mind to a very great extent. He loaves a wife and four children quite destitute. The first meeting of the subscribers to the Timaru Benevolent Society took place on Thursday, July 13, at four p.m.; present— His Honor Judge Ward, Ven. Archdeacon Harper, Eevs W. 0. Olliver, W. Gillies, and Messrs Grainger. Le Oren, Sutter, Evans, Jones, Cain, and White. The draft rules of the society were then considered seriatim, and passed with some slight alterations. It was proposed and carried, “ That the annual meeting of members be held on the first Thursday in July in each year.’’ The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with, when the following gentlemen were elected :—President, bis Honor Judge Ward; Vice-President, Mr H. Belfleld ; Treasurer, Mr Wm. Evans ; Secretary, Mr M. White ; Committee—Messrs Le Oren, Grainger, Cain, and Sutter, together with the clergymen of the various religious denominations as ex officio members. Committee meetings will be held cn the first Thursday in each month at 4 p.m.

Tho third number of tho New Zealand Magazine was published at the end of last month. At a mooting of the Drainage Board on July 3, it was decided to levy a rate of two-ponce half-penny in the £ on all rateable property in tho Christchurch Drainage District. The woman Alicia Sheehan, who woe recently committed for trial on a charge of having destroyed hor infant child, was on Thursday admitted to bail by tho Coroner, Dr Coward, her husband becoming surety for her appear, anoe at tho next criminal sitting of tho Supreme Court. A very valuable entire was recently lost to a gentlemen residing in tho Province by an accident. Tho animal, for which 450 guineas had been refused but a short time previously slipped one frosty morning while out for exercise, and ruptured its intestines, death ensuing in a few hours. Tho erection of tho now theatre has been commenced. The proposed building was fully described last month, and, to judge from its present appearance, its size will bo sufficient to hold any audience Christchurch is likely to afford for years to come, Tho walls are now half completed. A smart shook of earthquake was experienced about twenty minutes past four a.m. on Wednesday, July 19. It was very distinctly felt in Christchurch, and residents at Prebbloton and the Bays say it was the most severe they can remember. Tho shock was felt all over the Colony, seemingly proceeding from South to North, At Wellington it was particularly severe. Mr Monk, of the Kuikainui Hotel, Kaiapoi, has erected at his own expense, at a cost of £SOO, works for the production of gas, which he finds afford an ample supply ef good quality. It would be rather a good thing for the public of that place if the Borough Council would make some arrangements with Mr Monk to light up the town, as ho could produce quite sufficient gas, if necessary, for that purpose. That the gas could well be as good in quality as that now supplied in Christchurch we can easily believe. The labour market is never very brisk at this time of tho year, but there can be no doubt that it is much worse now than it has been for some years past. The number of men who apply daily at the Domain for work is very great; indeed, not long ago upwards of two hundred applications wore made in one day. An instance of the abundance of skilled labour in the iron trade is afforded by tho fact that, in a very short time, applications have been received from about thirty men, nearly all out of employment, for the appointment of engineer at the Market Place Eire Brigade station. The Museum has been re-opened after the usual recess for cleaning, but no additions have been made to the specimens. A large number of valuable contributions have lately been received from various parts of the world, but Dr Yon Haast is wisely keeping them back until tho new building is ready for occupation. Messrs England, Bros., the contractors for tho latter, are making very satisfactory progress with their work, and expect to finish it about November next, The walls are now almost complete, and give the visitor a very favourable idea of what the external appearance of the building will be. The slaters are now at work on the roof, while the carpenters and plasterers are pushing rapidly forward inside. A general meeting of members of the Cathedral Guild was held at the College Library on July 18, the Yery Rev the Dean in the chair A letter was read from Mr Mountfort, stating that there was a debit balance against the Guild for the Western doorway of the Cathedral. On the motion of Archdeacon Willock, seconded by Mr A. Thompson, it was resolved, “That it be a request to tho Cathedral Commission from tho Guild to be allowed to erect the first column and arch of the cathedral.” The choir then sang, “I waited for the Lord.” The Chairman read a paper on “ The Church of the Pilgrims, or a page from the early days of Canterbury.” The paper opened with a touching reference to the death of the late Mr W. G. Brittan, after which it referred briefly to the arrival of the Canterbury pilgrims, and dwelt at some length on tho early history of the Church in this Province, the whole forming a very entertaining narrative. The choir contributed another vocal item, and Mr Curnow gave a reading “On Conformity,” by Sir Arthur Phelps. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings. The following is the Registrar-General’s report on the vital statistics of the boroughs of Auckland, Thames, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Hokitika, during the month of June, 1876: —Total births—Auckland, 48; Thames, 18; Wellington, 78; Nelson, 18; Christchurch, 55; Dunedin, 83; Hokitika, 8. Total deaths —Auckland, 21; Thames, 7; Wellington, 26; Nelson, 3; Christchurch, 22 ; Dunedin, 33 ; Hokitika, 1. Proportion of deaths to the 1000 of population—Auckland, 1*59; Thames, 83 ; Wellington, 228 ; Nelson, ‘sl ; Christchurch, 2'03 ; Dunedin, 167; Hokitika, •28. The death sof persons not residents of the boroughs, occurring at hospitals, have been excluded in r.ll cases. Tho population has been estimated by adding the excess of births over deaths since March 1,1874, to the then census population. It is impossible to estimate the increase from immigration. The births were fifteen more than in May. Tho deaths were two more in number than tho deaths in May. Of the deaths, males contributed 60 ; females, 53 ; 37 of the deaths were of children under five years of age, being 32 74 per cent, of the whole number ; 20 of these were of children under one year of age. There were seven deaths of persons of 65 years of age and over: five of these persons were males and two females: of these, one male, aged 69, died at Auckland ; one male of 65 at Nelson; and three of 66,76, and 79, respectively, at Dunedin; one female, aged 73, died at Wellington; and one of 75 at Dunedin.

The usual quarterly criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were commenced on Monday, July 3, and terminated on the Thursday following. The cases were of an ordinary character with the exception of that of Townend, charged with manslaughter, an account of which was given in our last Summary, Charles M'Nicol, who was found guilty of perjury at the previous session of the Court, and had appealed to the higher Court at Wellington, was sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment. Patrick Gordon, a young man of good birth, recently arrived from England, received two years for horsestealing Allan Wright, a compositor, was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment for forgery. Thomas Moore, a coloured man, who married a second wife in a state of drunkenness, got three months. Louis Scott, for stealing some money from an hotel in Lyttelton, was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment. Alfred Bishop, for brutally wounding a sheep (he cut its eyes out and hacked its nose off in a fit of passion, and threatened to stab a man who remonstrated with him) was deservedly sentenced to three months. The hearing of the case against Townend occupied a whole day, and resulted in his being sentenced to six months’ separate confinement. Two men named Smith and Nixon, for burglary, were sentenced the former to four years’ penal servitude, and the latter to twelve months’ imprisonment with hard labour. Joseph Catchpolo was acquitted of a charge of arson. A number of seamen on board the Desdemona were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment for breaking into the hold and etoaling cargo. Matthew Rowland, as slated in the report of the inquest in another portion of the Summary, was dismissed with a caution on the charge of manslaughter. Tho Civil Sittings of the Court commenced on Monday, July 17. There were three cases for hearing, one of which Turner and others v. Wilson and Monk unexpectedly occupied the greater part of the week. Wilson and Monk were trustees in tho estate of Turner, deceased, and the action was brought in order to oust the former from his position in consequence of alleged misapplication of the funds. It was clearly proved in evidence that he had been in the habit of spending monies belonging to tho estate to improve his own property, and had squandered them in various other ways. On Friday a settleme't was arrived at, and the decree of tho Court was virtually to the effect, that ho should retire from the trusteeship, and replace the estate in the same position as it was when he entered upon the management.

Tho Masonic scholarship has not boon won this year, os all the boys in Class B, under twelve years, who did not gain a provincial scholarship, failed to make tho requisite number of marks. The Garden Committee of tho Acclimatisation Society have turned tho young salmon into tho race at the gardens, and it is gratifying to learn that the whole of them look healthy and strong. Not one of them has been lost since they wore hatched out, and on counting them, tho total number wns found to bo one hundred and seventy-five. That well-known institution the " Cheap Jacks ” have made their appearance lately in Christchurch, and been the cause of much turmoil. They insist upon occupying stands close to tho pavement in the principal street, and tho pathway is consequently blocked up. Tho City Council, by a small majority, decided to forbid them practising their trade upon public ground ; but the orators of the cart flatly refused to obey the mandate. The matter will probably be decided by tho Resident Magistrate in a few days.