NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 130, 30 October 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Mesmerism. —Dr. Carr will give his farewell science and lecture this evening at the Oddfellows' jjHall. This is positively the Doctor's last lecture in Christchurch for some time to come. Immigrants per Gutenburg.—A number of these immigrants were taken off Ripa Island by the s.s. Gazelle yesterday, and were sent to Oxford. The remainder will proceed to Akaroa in the s.s. Bruce to-day. Good Templar Hall Co (Limitkd). — A. special meeting of the shareholders of the above company will be held in the Temperauce Hall, Gloucester street, on Wednesday evening next, at half-past seven. Mutual Building and Investment Society.—The annual meeting of shareholders in the Permanent Mutual Benefit, Building, and Investment Society, will be held at the society's offices, Cashel street, on Friday evening, November 6th, at half-past seven. Wesleyan Home Missions.—ln connection with these missions, sermons will be preached on Sunday next in the Wesleyau Church, Lyttelton. On Thursday a tea meeting will be held, followed by a public meeting, at which addresses will be delivered. Dr Carr's Seances. —Dr Carr gave one of his phreno-mesmeric seances last evening, at the Oddfellows' Hall, which was crowded in every part. The seance was preceded by an interesting and instructive lecture on spirits, spiritualism, and spiritualists. In the experiments, which followed, the doctor was very successful, and his subjects created much amusement by the absurdities they indulged in at his dictation. Inquest.—An inquest was held at the hospital yesterday afternoon, before Dr Coward, Corouer, touching the death of Miss E. Layton-Smith, which took place on the evening of the 29th, from the result of an accident on Monday last. We have already published particulars of the sad affair, and nothing fresh was elicited yesterday. A post mortem examination showed that death was caused by concussion of the brain. The jury returned a verdict of " Accidental Death," at the same time requesting the coroner to reprimand the driver of the trap for the carelessness displayed by him on the occasion. Woodend Wesleyan Church.—On Sunday last the anniversary sermons of this church were preached in the morning and evening by the Rev W. J. Watkin, of Lytelton. On Monday evening a tea meeting was held in the school room, at which a numerous company assembled. Afterwards a public meeting was held in the church, over which Mr Thos. Wilson presided. Mr James Little, steward of the church, gave a financial statement as to the condition of the church property, from which it appeared that it is free of debt, and that several improvements had been made in it latterly. He also stated that, with the proceeds arising from these anniversary services, it was intended to paint the premises. Addresses were then delivered by the Rev J. Armitage on '• Personal influence," the Rev R. Bavin on "Liberty," and the Rev W. J. Watkin on " Progress." Mr T. Sharplin having delivered a short address, the proceedings of the meeting were brought to a close by the adoption of votes of thanks to the ladies of the congregation who had provided the tea, to the choir for their performances, and to the Rev Mr Watkin for his services. During the various addresses the choir, assisted by the Southbrook choir, performed several pieces from Philips' American Sacred Songster, which greatly enlivened the proceedings. The chairman announced the proceeds of the anniversary to be £9 0s od, Poultry Association.—A meeting of the managing committee was held yesterday, at Warner's, Mr Glassford in the chair. The secretary reported that he had written to Lady Wilson, Mrs Rolleston, and Mrs Gould, requesting them to become patronesses of the association. Lady Wilson regretted her inability to accept the office, but Mrs Rolleston and Mrs Gould has consented to act as requested. The prize schedule for the next year was then considered, and several alterations made. It was decided that all prize birds should be offered by auction, at four o'clock, on the first day of exhibition, at the catalogue price, half the amount realised in excess of the price to go to the funds of the association, the other half to the exhibitor, and that after the auction all exhibits may be purchased on application to the treasurer. The Ashley.—A deputation from the residents near Saltwater Creek waited on the Provincial Government on the 20th inst, to request that steps should be taken to check the encroachments of the river Ashley, and that a new bridge might be constructed at a point somewhat above the present bridge. The following letter from the Secretary of Public Works has since been received by W. M. Maskell, Esq, M.P.C., who formed one of the deputation: -" Public Works Office, October 29, 1874. Sir,—ln reply to the representations of the deputation which waited upon the Government the other day, I am directed by his Honor the Superintendent to inform you that the Provincial Engineer has been instructed to prepare plans and specifications for the new bridge at the site recommended by him above the present bridge; and aleo to furnish such particulars of the private lands as may be required for the purposes of approaches and roads to the site. He has also been instructed to examine and report upon the encroachments of the river on the northern bank from the railway bridge downwards. With regard to what is neoessaiy to be done to the old bridge the Government will communicate with the Kowai Road Biard, and proposo Home arrangement whereby the bridge cs*n be. kept in repair sufficient to meet the wants of the traffic until the new bridge is constructed.— I have, &c, T. W, MAUDE, Secretary for Public Works,"

Inquest at Woodend.—An inquest was held at the White Crane Hotel, Woodend, before C. Dudley, Esq, coroner, touching the death of an infant named Elizabeth Griffiths, daughter of Mr Thomas Griffiths, Waikuku. The evidence of the mother went to show that on the day on which the death occurred the child was put to bed about five or six o'clock, and put between the pillows, covered with the sheet up to the mouth. When she went again, between six and seven o'clock, she found the child turned on her face. Its face had changed color, and there was a wet spot on the lower sheet, and its mouth was filled with a substance like curdled milk, as if it had been sick. Dr Ovenden deposed to having held a post mortem examination of the deceased. There were no marksof external violence. The lungs and right side were congested; the brain was congested and gorged with blood. The child had undoubtedly died from suffocation. He was of opinion that it was improbable that a child would be suffocated by its own weight, but it was quite probable that the deceased might have slipped between the pillows and been suffocated in that way. After the coroner had summed up,'the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."