NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 629, 24 June 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Northern Eivers,—The rivers were all in flood last evening Irom the recent rain, but there was no danger of any inundation.

Conference op Chairmen of Road Boards, — A preliminary meeting of chairmen of Road Boards in this province will be held at Warner’s Hotel on Thursday, June 29th, at 2 p.m, to arrange for the due consideration of the Government proposals regarding local administration.

Judge’s Secretary.— At the Chamber sittings yesterday, Mr H. H. Loughnan, who has filled the post of secretary to their Honors Judge Gresson and Judge Johnston with every credit, was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court. Mr Loughnan retires from the secretaryship in about a month, and will be succeeded by Mr Johnston. The Late Accident at Timaru.— “We regret to hear,” says the Timaru Herald , “ that the man Brown who met with a severe accident at Waimate on the 11th instant while working in Mr Bruce’s saw mills, died in the hospital on Monday last. Though the injured limb was healing satisfactorily, the shock to the system, combined with secondary erysipelas in the uninjured leg, proved fatal to the poor fellow, despite the careful attention bestowed on him.”

Inquest.—An inquest was held yesterday at the hospital before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., coroner, on the body of William Purdeux, who dropped down dead the previous day at the Addington stores. The evidence taken confirmed the particulars in our notice of yesterday, and Dr Robinson, who mado tho post-mortem examination, gave it as his opinion that death had resulted from serous apoplexy. The jury returned a verdict in accordance therewith. Tai Tapu Races.—ln the hurdle race there were two protests entered, and after consideration by the stewards, that against the first horse was adjourned till Monday next, and the one against the second horse was disallowed. In addition to the events reported yesterday there was a consolation race, for which only two horses entered. The prize was a saddle and bridle with £5 added, which was won easily by Mr P. Butler’s Eclipse, Streeter’s horse nowhere. For the hack race there were nine entries. Mr Stevenson’s Blackbird was first past the post, with Mr Bradley’s Grecian Bend second, and Mr D. O’Gallaghan’s horse third, A protest was entered against the two first horses, which was allowed, theyijbeing proved to have run inside the course, therefore the third horse received the stakes. Railway Accident. — We le?.m from the Herald, that '• An accident befel the train leaving Timaru at four p.m. for Pleasant Point on June 22nd, which caused a delay ot a couple of hours. When passing over the level crossing at the north of Judge Ward’s residence, the cotter that holds the brasses of the connecting rod of the locomotive got out by some means, and brought the train to a standstill. As the brasses could not be found, and as the locomotive could not be put right again without them, another locomotive was sent for to Timaru to take the , train to the Point and bring back the dis-' abled engine. It is supposed that the cotter ■ got out through the connecting rod striking one of the timbers of the crossing. As the night was dark, and as rain was falling heavily, the accident proved very uncomfortable to the passengers and employes.”

Southern Railway. The Timaru Herald says ;—“ We understand that it is the intention of the authorities to open the line between Timaru and the Otaio for public traffic at the beginning of next month. Why this was net done before, instead of letting it lie idle for several months, we have nob the remotest idea ; but one thing is certain, that the Government purse has suffered considerably by not doing so, as, had the section been opened when completed, a large quantity of grain would have found its way into town by rail instead of by drays. On more than one occasion we have urged upon the Government the necessity there existed for allowing the public to make use of the line as far as it was completed, but without the slightest effect. Now, however, that all the grain is in, and it can be a matter of very little consequence for some months to come whether trains run between the Otaio and the town or not, the section is to be opened. Truly South Canterbury will have good reason to remember the iast days which it spent under provincial regime.” Supreme Court Commissioners, A point of some little importance to the legal profession came up yesterday, in Chambers, before his Honor Mr Justice Johnston. An application was made for the appointment of of the legal profession in Eng-

land as Commissioner of the Supreme Court, which elicited his Honor’s opinion as to the practice which should prevail in these matters. His Honor remarked that the rule in England was that application should be made ro the Chief Justice of Common Pleas, backed by the certificates of barristers of the Court aa to the fitness of the applicant. It did not follow as a matter of course that because a gentleman was a member pf the legal profession he was fitted to hold the post of Commissioner of the Court. He was quite prepared to appoint Commissioners of the Supreme Court in any part where it might be deemed necessary, but he should require the applicant in all instances to bo vouched for by barristers of the Court. In the instance before him the gentleman was unknown alike to the Court and the profession, and the only voucher was from a gentleman in a distant colony. He was not therefore prepared to grant the application, and should in all future cases adhere to the English practice. The Hares.— During this season, the curator to the Acclimatisation Society has, with the assistance of several members and others, aided by dogs, succeeded at various times in netting alive in the north and south parks eighty hares, in addition to which number ten have been killed by the dogs. The mode of procedure has been to fix the nets in the breaks of the dividing gorse fence, the majority of the assistants placed in line beating down to the fence, while others with greyhounds wore stationed on the other side of the fence prepared to “slip” at any hare which escaped the nets. The result has been not only profit to society, but also rare fun to all, aa at times some excellent coursing has been had, and yesterday the last meet of the season held in the south park was no exception, as out of several first-rate courses, three were exceptionally good, the “jacks” in each run fully testing the qualities of Mr Jerome’s slut and brindle. The dogs, however, worked splendidly, notwithstanding “ Puss’s” doubles, and the open having been kept during the course the result was a kill in each instance. The afternoon’s sport was thoroughly enjoyed by about a dozen sportsmen, who braved the continuous rain, End the necessity of starting a regular Coursing Club was earnestly discussed on the way to town. It is to be hoped that this project will not be lost sight of, and as such a club would, if established, afford general sport, we heartily wish the promoters success. New Licensing Bill.— The following petition is now being signed in Christchurch, and will, when a complete canvass of the city has been made, be forwarded to the Hon E. Eichardson for presentation. During the last few days nearly nine hundred signatures have been obtained : “To the honorable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, The humble petition of the undersigned male and female adult residents of Sheweth, That your petitioners, being fully convinced of the great injury done to many of their fellow citizens by thes de of alcoholic liquors, view with alarm the efforts being put forth by the licensed victuallers to have the hours for sale thereof already allowed by law unnecessarily increased. Your petitioners humbly pray that your Honorable House, will disallow any measure that may be brought before you, having for its object the increase of hours at night, or the opening of publichouses on Sundays. And your petitioners further pray that yopr Honorable House will in its wisdom see fit to grant to justices of the peace and to the police force the right to enter licensed houses by doors other than -fchc fruut Uoor, bo mat their efforts in endeavoring to prevent gambling and other breaches of the law may not, as at present, be rendered null and void. Your petitioners humbly pray your Honorable House to take there matters into your serious consideration, as your Honorable House may in its wisdom deem meet. And yonr petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.” 1,0.0. F, JM.U. —The annual meeting of the Lyttelton district was held at the Oddfellows’ Hall on Thursday night last. Present —Brothers W. H. Turner, G.M,; Wm, Hillier, D.G.M,, and J. S. Jenkins, C.S. Delegates from City of Norwich Lodge: Brothers Sowden, P.G. ; W. Graham, G.M,; J, Childs, P. G., and G. Dimond, Permanent Secretary ; from Good Intent Lodge: Bros O’Brion, P.G. ; Whitfield, P.G. ; from Timaru Lodge : Bros Padgett, P.G ; Leggett, N. G. ; Heart of Friendship Lodge : Bro Carrell, P.G, ; Hand of Friendship Lodge : Bros Hobbs, P.G., and Warden, P.G., Derbidge. The balance sheet was audited and received. Delegate Whitfield proposed—- “ That this meeting is of opinion that this district amalgamate with North Canterbury district. 81 ” Seconded by Delegate O’Brion. On being put this was negatived, fogr voting for and six against. Delegates Padgett and Carrell moved and seconded—“ That the next meeting of the district be held at Timaru.” Carried. The election of officers was then proceeded with. D.G.M, Hillier was elected G.M. for next term; P.G; Padgett, D.G.M., and the Permanent Secretary, Bro Dimond, was appointed auditor. In the matter of the Friendly Societies Bill, it was stated that Dr Pollen’s invitation had been responded to, and a copy sent to the member for Lyttelton. The meeting approved of the action taken by the district officers in this matter. The officers were then installed, and a vote of thanks given to the P.G. W. H. Turner, which was acknowledged. The following degrees were conferred— P.G.’s Childs, Whitfield, and Derbidge received the purple degree j G.M. Graham the N.G.’s degree and P, Childs the V.G.’s. This concluded the business of the meeting.