TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 878, 28 December 1888, Page 26

TELEGRAPHIC.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. J

Christchurch, December 20. The performance of the “ Messiah ”in the Rink this evening was one of the most brilliant musical successes seen in Christchurch. The choruses rendered by the choir of 300 were given with admirable taste, spirit, and precision. An orchestra of 22 did their portion of the work in a style showing evidence of careful training and assiduous practice. The soloists were—Mrs Wallace, soprano; Mrs Townend, contralto; A. Appleby, tenor; and J. Miller, bass, all of whom gave successful renderings of their parts. F. M. Wallace oonduoted, and G. H. Normlngton acted as organist. Most of the principal musical people in Christchurch assisted In the performance. The attendance was estimated at 4000. The acoustic properties of the rink • were found to be .excellent. The oratorio will be repeated on Christmas night. It has been understood that the New Zealand Rowing Association have allotted the champion pairs to Christchurch on condition that it is rowed on the Waimakariri. The Regatta Club to-night decided to take the race provided it is included in the Christchurch Regatta Jlub’a programme, the place being Lake Forsyth. Mr E. F. Moore, when walking on the New Brighton beach northward from the hotel this morning, came upon a small portion of some masts supposed to have belonged to the Coquette, also a portion of a stern|seat of a boat or small yacht. A little further on he discovered a good sized heavy boat recently cast up by the sea. It appeared to have come ashore very recently and was in good condition. There were ropes on board, but no mast or name or other clue (ip the ownership. ' Napier, December 20. The Supreme Court to-day gave judgment in the case of Puke Puke v, W. Douglas, a claim of £2500 alleged to bo due for back rent. Judgment was given for the defendant with costs. This settled three other actions by Puke Puke against Douglas, coßts being given in each case. The new Cathedral was crowded to-night, when there was a full choral service magnificently sung by a strong united choir. The building is illuminated most brilliantly by the albo-carbon light. A girl named Eddie was to-day playing with a horse in a vacant section, and endeavoured to mount it. A boy threw his hat at the horse, which bolted, and the child fell with her foot In the stirrup and was dragged some distance. She was picked up unconscious, and soon afterward died. Dunedin, December 20. At a meeting of the Exhibition Committee to-night it was decided to increase the capital to £15,000, of which shares to the extent of £10,563 are already taken up. At the annual meeting of Knox Church (Dr Stuart’s) the revenue showed a surplus of £7O over the expenditure. The question of the continuation of sending a missionary to the South Sea Islands was warmly taken up, and it was decided to communicate with the individual members as to what support would be accorded. The late Mrs Gillies (mother of Justice Gillies), left £SOO to the Church, which had been applied to the reduction of the debt, now a little over £3OOO. Blenheim, December 20.

The last case of the present sitting of the Snpreme Court was concluded this evening. Mr Murray, a schoolmaster near Pioton, brought an action against] Mr Bragg, a member of the School Committee, for slander. A special jury of four hrought in a verdict for the plaintiff with £25 damages. Judge Richmond fixed the costs on the lowest scale. Mr Connolly, who appeared for the defendant, was given leave to apply for a nonsuit at the January sittings of the Supreme Court in Banco at Wellington, on the ground that the amended statement of the claim did not disclose any grounds for the action. Execution was suspended in the meantime. Christchurch, December 21. Yesterday the heaviest train that ever passed through Lyttelton tunnel conveyed 492 tons of produce, which, with 268 tons weight of tracks and 48 tons of engine, totalled 81S tons. - Very decided activity in shipping work has been going on day and night for the past week to expedite the discharge and loading of the vessels now in port. The Lind us and Tekapo are both discharging cornsacks and reloading produce for Australia. At a largely attended meeting of representative men, held this afternoon in the Chamber of Commerce, all present formed themselves into a committee, with power to add to their number, to secure a thorough representation of the Dunedin Jubilee Exhibition. Tho Mayor presided. Mr Twopeny, after explaining the main features of his scheme, read a letter from Mr Stead promising £IOO toward the funds. The proceedings were remarkably unanimous. Mr Twopeny especially urged that every effort be made to secure a display representative of the agricultural industry of Canterbury, and suggested that photographs of the harvest fields and operations from all parts of the district should supplement the ordinary exhibits. To-day a deputation of the Knights of Labour, with Messrs Taylor, Joyce, Loughrey, M.H.R.’s, interviewed the Ministers regarding the unemployed. They stated that a large number of men were wanted in the North, who were not professionally employed. The Knights of Labour disclaimed any connection with the latter. The Premier expressed pleasure at the manner in which the deputation had brought the matter forward, and promised to consider if anything further could be done to provide work and land for settlement. The Farmers’ Co-operative Association interviewed the Premier regarding alteration of the railway grain tariff, and were informed the Government intended to make no alteration except reducing tbe fine for overweight. A deputation representing the soft goods dealers, introduced by-Mr Hulbert, saw the Premier, stating they had no objection to the appointment of an expert as an examiner of drapery for Customs, nor to Mr Shannon individually. They drew attention to the inIcongruities in the tariff relating to cotton goods, carpets, hollands, sheetings, &c., recommending a uniform 10 per cent on them instead of the present charges, and

suggested the publication of the full catalogue of goods imported by the trade, with the duty specified after each item, and offered to assist in drawing up snch a catslogne. They thought the expanse of Mr Shannon’s appointment would not be recouped by tho saving of revenuo from losses through fraud discovsred by him. "The Premier said Mr Shannon’s appointment wa3 temporary, and promised to give_ attention to the suggestions of the deputation. The Solwyu County Council requested that the subsidy due to them might be paid, though all the Hoad Boards in their district have not sent in their financial re* tnrns to the Government. Tho Premier said the ordinary practice could not bo departed from. Tho second of the series of wool sales under the auspices of the Christchurch Wool Brokers’ Association took place to-day with a good attendance. Several new buyers were present. Competition was fairly brisk, but the prices realised were hardly up to expectations. AmoDg the best prices was 10fd for crossbred wool of J over C brand, and lOjfcd for merino and 7|d for locks and pieces. The average was scarcely np to that of last year. , Dunedin, December 21. The case in which George Griffiths, manager of the rink, is charged with the larceny of a ring, is a peculiar one. It was stated that Mr Griffiths called on Mr Marsden on bnsiness,. and Miss Marsden, being in the shop, he saw the diamond ring on her finger and asked to see it. He put it on his own finger,, saying she would have it next day. Some days passed, when Miss Marsden became uneasy, and asked for the riDg, which Mr Griffiths said he had left at home. She then told her sißter, who went to see Griffiths,(who told her he hadlost the ring from his pocket. It was then ascertained that Griffiths had attempted to pawn it, and ho was then arrested, when he stated he understood the ring was a gift. The contention for the defenoe was that the ring was given as a gift, and that the action should have been a civil one. Dr Fitchett, who appeared for the prosecutor, said if all claim to tho ring was abandoned they would proceed no farther. He would accept the theory that Mr Griffiths believed be had a right to the ring, and he woujd express regret for having proceeded so far in the matter. Mr Denniston, for the defence, Baid the case was an attempt at “bluff.” A remand till to-morrow was granted. Acting on the Premier’s suggestion the police are subscribing a day’s pay to the Exhibition fund. Invercargill, December 21. As a result of the discovery of tin ore at Port Pegasus (Stewart Island), 51 prospecting licenses have been taken out at the Land office. There are also nine applications for leases of 60 acres each. These will be granted when surveyed. Auckland, Deoember 21. One of the tenants of tho Auckland College and Grammar School Governors applied yesterday for a reduction of rent, stating that ho was losing £66 per year on the property. The Governors, however, have no power to grant any concession. Two other applications of a similar character to the City Council from the leaseholders have been referred to the Finance Committee. In the case of James Mackay v. T. Morrin and others, his Honor Mr J ustice Gillies

ordered that the Public Trustee pay over the amount in his hands to the trustees in the assignment of 1879. Costs were allowed on the higher scale. A little girl named Ruth Buddie, twelve months old, was drowned to-day at Devenport, through falling into a tub of water. Tho young man Clune has been committed for trial on two charges of forgery. The Auckland friends of tho deceased jockey George Williams are subscribing to a fund for placing a headstone at his grave. A man named George Piggins wa3 fined £4 and costs at the Police Court to-day for gross cruelty to a dog. He seized the animal by the legs and threw it with full force against a house and then killed it with a hammer.

Henry James Ross, captain in the Salvation Army, was charged at the Police Court to-day with obstructing the thoroughfare at the junction of Queen and Victoria-streets, one of the most public places in the city, on Saturday night last. The defendant was conducting service on the oocasion mentioned, and was requested by the police to move on because a very large crowd bad collected. He, however, did not go away until about five minutes had passed. Inspector Broham said he would withdraw the charge if defendant promised not to obstruct the thoroughfare in future. Ross would not give this promise, as he conceived that he would then have to cease holding open air meetings, A fine of 5s and 7s 6d costs was accordingly imposed. The great oratorio “ Messiah ” was performed with marked success to-night by the Auckland Choral Society, in accordance with the usage at Christmas season, to a crowded attendance. Wanganui, December 21. James McDonald was brought up before the Resident Magistrate to-day on remand, charged with having set fire to the Catholic Church at Jerusalem, the Maori settlement up the Wanganui River. Several witnesses were examined, and Mr Hogg addressod the Bench on behalf of the accused, proposing to call evidenoe. His Honor Mr Ward thoughtit nnneoessary to proceed with the inquiry, and dismissed the case on the grounds of not sufficient evidence for conviction. Mr Lloyd, a schoolmaster, was summoned for caning a boy named Rendell and fined 21s, with costs 9s, solicitor’s fee 20s, and and witness’ allowance 21s. Three boys had annoyed him by. throwing stones on his house to the danger of his children, and by using abusive language. Mr Lloyd went out and the boys ran away, but afterward returned and recommenced the stone-throwing. Mr Lloyd again went out and caught one of the youngest and oaned him on the legs and back. The other two ran away and were summoned by the police, on Mr Lloyd’s information, for annoyance and abusive language. The two boys were fined 10s, and costs 9a each. Mr Lloyd pleaded guilty and did not try to exonerate himself. Public opinion thinks the fine excessive, and only encourages the boys to be impudent to their elders and become larrikins. John Crocker, a labourer working at a gravel pit on the Brunswick line, "met his death this afternoon by a fall of earth. The body was rescued, but life was extinct. An inquest will be held to-morrow. Gjreymouth, December 23. There has been a great deal of heavy rain since Thursday evening, and the weather being warm and muggy, a flood was expected,

but so far the rain is confined to the coast line and 20 miles inland, no rain falling in the high ranges, but there is an astonishing accumulation of snow, So much has not been seen for very many years. Major Keddell had a rather narrow escape while oroasing the Black water on Friday, owiog to the bar of his buggy breaking and the creek rising rapidly at the time. Fortunately he had a piece of rope and a spare bar with him in the buggy, and just managed to get out in time. His daughter was with him. The coal export for the week was 2599 tons. Auckland, Deoember 22. The new flagship Orlando, under command of Captain Hammill, arrived to-day from Sydney with Admiral Fairfax; who, during his stay in Auckland, will reside at Government House. The Admiral was received by the Mayor of Auckland. The hearing of the charge of murder preferred against Michael McDermot has been further adjourned till the 31st instant. A Native named Aporo Apiata, displeased at the election of a tribal representative Committee at Rotorua, is attempting to bar the progress of tourists in that district. Dunedin, December 23. The weather, after clearing up and turning to real summer, is again threatening. A little rain has fallen. Saturday was the first real hot day this season, and it made a wonderful change in the orops and fruit. Invercargill, December 23. Mrs Cameron’s Railway Hotel at Dipton Station, together with a bakehouse and private residence, was burned down yesterday afternoon. Some of the effects were saved. The insurances on the stook and furniture are £3OO in the Norwich Union office, and on the building £4OO in the New Zealand office. The oause of the strike in Kingaland and Co.'s boot factory is the demand of the men to be paid the same price for women’s grain levant or kip boots made up with calf fronts as for all calf, the prices being Is for putting up and Is for finishing the latter, as against lOd and 10&d for the former. The employers contended that, as they do not get an extra price for grain boots with calf fronts on account of the labour, but of superior material, the men have no right to share in it. Only three or four out of thirty bands are affected in the money difference of about 10a a week. Auckland, December 25. Captain Williams, one of the passengers by the Mararoa from South, died suddenly on beard that vessel when she arrived this morning. Deceased was well known in Auckland, having been for a long period in H.M. Customs. He returned to the Colony in the Coptic from a visit to England, where ha had gone to undergo an operation for his eyesight. Hokitika, Deoember 25. The weather has been boisterous in the extreme, bat, though still windy, no rain has fallen for 12 hours. It promises fino for the raoes to-morrow. The town is thronged with visitors, who seem to have plenty of money. The wet weather has given ample water supply to the miners. Yesterday tho river was in flood, but no damage was done. Dunedin, December 24. At a meeting of tho Exhibition Committee it was decided to recommend to the meeting of shareholders that it be held on the Craw-ford-street or central site. All the Committees wiU be called together after the_ New Year holidays, and a chairman appointed, with a view of at once proceeding to work. At a meeting of the shareholders of the Mutual Agency Company resident at Palmerston, it was decided to recommend an increase of capital, and that operations be continued. Mr A. D. Bell, the New Zealand represen. tative on the Rabbit Conference, points out that the report referred to in the telegram Is only an interim report, and some of the methods of dealing with the rabbit pest are not dealt with. The work of the Commission is being still continued, but, having extended over such a long period, the Commission wished to lay the proceedings so far before their respective Governments. Greymouth, December 25. Reofton mining returns for last week : Keop-it-Dark, 7600 z of amalgam from 230 tons ; total for the month, 4780 z of gold from 703 tons. Globe, 6020 zof amalgam from 220 tons ; total for tho month, 4220 z otgold from 775 tons. Fiery Cross, 2210 zof amal gam from 100 tons ; Welcome, 3280 z of amalgam from 36 tons ; Progress, 1590 zof gold from 190 tons. Christchurch, December 25. This morning rain began from the southwest, and now (7 p.m.) it is raining steadily. Nelson, Deoember 24.

The Wellington’s crow, were out practising early this morning, but wore unable to get on the water since, owing to a stiff nor’eaater.