NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 307, 7 June 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Alarm of Fire.— On Friday night at 10.30 p.m. there was an alarm of fire in Lyttelton, but it proved to be merely a chimney belonging to Mi Grange, and it was soon extinguished.

Agricultural and Pastoral Association. —A special meeting of the committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association will be held to-morrow afternoon at the office of the secretary, Hereford street, on business of importance.

Telegraphic. —The steamer Albion is expected to leave the Bluff at 11 a.m, on Tuesday, Bth inst. Telegrams for the Australian colonies, or Europe via Java cable, will be received at the Christchurch Telegraph office for transmission to Bluff up till 10 a.m. of the Bthinst, to-morrow. Death of a Thoroughbred. —Sporting circles in Canterbury, and indeed throughout New Zealand and the colonies, will be sorry to learn that Mr Griffith’s recently imported thoroughbred mare Nerissa broke her leg yesterday, and was shot. Nerissa was a splendid mare, by Lord Clifden, dam Audrey, Audrey being noted as the winner of the Cesarewitch. At the time of her death Nerissa was carrying a filly foal by the famous sire Siderolite, so that her death represents a double loss to Mr Griffith and to the province at large.

The Late Mr N. G. Glasspord.— The funeral of the late Mr Glassford, whose melancholy death as recorded by us recently has created so much regret in the city, took place yesterday, and was largely attended, The coffin, which was a plain varnished one without ornament of any kind, was carried to the grave upon crossed oars borne by members of the various rowing clubs in relays. It may also be noted that the chief mourners were not attired in the usual trappings, but simply wore a band of crape on the arm.

Russell’s Flat. A correspondent writes:—Mr Reed’s coal seam is being worked, and the coal is of a superior kind. Mr Fraser, of Kowai Pass, constantly uses it for blacksmithing purposes, and it is considered equal to Newcastle coal. It is easily distinguished from that ol other mines iu the neighborhood by its hardness and bright black color. Much dissatisfaction is felt at the want of a daily mail, as the coach runs regularly from Redfern’s to the Sheffield station. The first fall of snow this season commenced on Saturday morning, the ground being nearly covered in the surrounding districts as far as Kimberley.

Education Bill, —We hear that a petition is in the course of signature, praying the Provincial Council to postpone legislation upon education matters till next session.

Winter Evening Readings in Lyttelton.—Another entertainment of this description was given at the Colonists’ Hall on Friday night, and in spite of the inclement weather there was a large attendance. Songs were sung with great success by Mrs H. Allwright and Messrs iSkinner, Carder. Wilson, and readings were given by Messrs Bolt, Grange, Rev J. H. Wills, and a recitation by Mr Weymouth ; Mrs Crowley and Miss Hargreaves contributed a duet on the piano, which was of great merit; and Miss and Master Grange were also very successful in playing one. Two hoys, both of them Masters Willcox, competed for a recitation prize. Messrs B. A. Hargreaves and Carder were appointed judges, and awarded the palm to the elder .of the two, who gave “ The Jackdaw of Rheims,” the other reciting another Ingoldsby legend, “ Hamilton Tighe.”

Monday Popular Concerts, —The first of the series of popular concerts projected under the leadership of Mr J. T. M. Smith, takes place this evening in the Oddfellows’ Miss Winter will sing “ Love’s request ” and “Kate O’Shane,” Mr R, Parker contributing a solo on the American organ, and taking part in a duet selected from Beethoven, arranged for organ and piano; Mr R. Searell presiding at the latter instrument. The other items will be two German songs, by gentlemen amateurs, new to Christchurch audiences, part songs and choruses by the choir of voices which Mr Smith has organised. We hope that the venture will prove successful, as all true lovers of music will see in this a step in the right direction, by familiarising the people with good music, and giving them a taste for entertainments of a refining and at the same time entertaining character. Mr R. Searell will act as accompany ist, and Mr J. T. M, Smith as conductor. Papanui Saleyards Company. A general meeting of the shareholders in the Papanui Saleyards Company was held on Friday evening last at the Sawyers’ Arms Hotel. Mr 0, Amyes, chairman of the provisional directors, occupied the chair. There was a large attendance. The advertisement having been read calling the meeting, the secretary, Mr J. A. Fountain, read the minutes of the last meeting of the company, which were confirmed. The solicitor for the company having made some remarks as to the number of directors that should be elected, it was proposed by Mr Tubman, seconded by Mr Claridge, and carried, that the company elect nine directors. A great deal of discussion took place owing to some of the most influential shareholders not being present, when it was ultimately proposed by Mr Mulligan, seconded by Mr Goodland, and carried, “That this meeting do adjourn till Saturday evening.” The number of shares applied for already amounts to 300, and it was expected that 200 more would be applied for on Saturday evening, A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. ,

Dismemberment op the Empire. —ln Saturday’s issue we published a telegram giving the substance of Mr Lowther’s remarks at York on the subject of the dismemberment of the empire, in which he is made to say that the present Government had thoroughly resolved under the circumstances to countenance the dismemberment of the empire. This was not correct. The “ AngloAustralian” in the European Mail writes as follows on the subject ;—” Mr Lowther, the Under Secretary for the Colonies, has been addressing his constituents at York, and in the course of his observations he said ; * Flattering reference had been made to the department with which he was connected—namely, the colonies. On that subject the Government were thoroughly resolved that under no circumstances would- they be a party to anything that might partake of dismemberment of the empire.’ This declara tion would seem to imply a progressive policy on the part of the Colonial Office towards the colonies. Indeed, according to the Toronto Globe, representation of the leading dependencies of the empire in the Imperial Parliament is likely to be at no distant date experimentally tested ‘The Imperial Government, it is said, will shortly invite Canada to send three representatives. But before this can be done an Act of Parliament must be passed authorising this change in the Constitution.’ ” Fire. —Shortly after 4 a,m, yesterday morning the Lichfield fire bell rang out an alarm, which was quickly taken up by the Market place bell. The alarm was given by constable Wearing, who found that a stable and outhouse belonging to Mr Manning, and situate close to the brewery on the Ferry road, were on fire. On returning, after giving the alarm, the constable found that several engine-cleaners from the railway had assembled, and by their united action the three horses, which were in the stable, were got out. In the meantime the Fire Brigade, with their usual alacrity, mustered quickly, and the Deluge and Dreadnought were soon on their way. Mr Superintendent Harris seeing that the services of the former were not required, stopped it when near Wilson Sawtell and Co’s, and the horses which had drawn the Deluge were transferred to the Dreadnought, which proceeded to the fire. On arriving there it was found that the outhouse and brick stable, though surrounded by water from the rain of the preceding night, were on fire to such an extent that all hopes of saving the buildings was at end. The cause of the fire is supposed to have been from a bag of lime which was in the outhouse, and to which the water must have penetrated The stable, which was of brick, was insured in the Northern and South British Insurance Companies. Toomuch praisecannot be given to the brigade for their exertions, though unavailing to save the buildings, considering that they had to wade through water to a considerable depth to get anywhere near the buildings burnt.