NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 2, 2 June 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Brigade Practice. —The monthly practice of the companies stationed at the Lichfield street station, which was to have been held last night, had to bo postponed through the inclemency of the weather until next Monday evening.

Receiving-Houses for Newspapers.— The letter from the Chief-Postmaster read at last night’s sitting of the City Council, stating that the Inspector of Post-offices would visit Christchurch in a few weeks, when the advisability of permitting newspapers to be posted at certain receivinghouses in the city would be then considered by him, is certainly a step in the right direction ; and if this boon is granted, the citizens will owe a debt of gratitude to the members of the City Council, who originated the movement.

Lyttelton Breakwater. The great blast of powder which has been for some time anxiously looked for was fired on Monday evening at 7.30 by Mr Woodford, with only a partial success, only two of the five chambers being fired. It is estimated that about 5000 tons of stone was dislodged. As soon as this is cleared away the remaining chambers will be fired.

Royal Exhibition. This place _of amusement was fairly attended last evening. As this is the last week those who have not seen the various curiosities should pay a visit.

Marriage Act.—The Rev L. P. L. Lohr has registered as one of the officiating ministers under the provisions of the Marriage Act, 185-1. The Telegraph.— During the quarter ending March 31st 203,140 telegrams were forwarded, being an increase of 61,359 over the same quarter of 1873. The cash received was £11,912 5s Id, being an increase of £2197 18s7don the corresponding quarter. The value of Government telegrams was £32'o 6s Id being an increase of £378 Ssldon the orrespoudiug quarter of 1873 Conci u ,n .—The Choral Union gave their concert last evening at the Music Hall. Owing, however, to the inclemency of the weather, the attendance was small ; but the programme, comprising solos, duets, choruses, &c., was gone through successfully. The Misses Rowley and Gapes, and Messrs bmith, Joues, Rowley, aud Clarke contributed pieces which were well received. Mr R. Scared presided at the pianoforte, MrJ. T. M. Smith conducting. Southbridge. —Ai entertainment was held in the Town Hall, Southbridge, on Saturday, by the amalgamated Ellesmere aud Ashburton A.D.C., in aid of the parsonage fund belonging to St James’s Church. The pieces chosen were “ Whitebait at Greenwich” and “ Bombastes Furioso.” Too much cannot be said in favour of the admirable acting of the several gentlemen who so kindly took part in the performance, the singing and acting throughout being above the average expected from amateurs. The hall was well tilled, and was estimated to have contained about £3O ; which, after deducting expenses, will leave a very handsome balance towards the object in view. In the intervals between the acts two raffles of goods, which had not been disposed of at the late bazaar, were held, and the proceeds of which were likewise devoted to the fund. United Methodist Free Church.— The annual public tea meeting of the United Methodist Free Church, Upper Spreydon, will be held this evening at sis o’clock. After which addresses will be delivered by several ministers and friends. The chair will be taken by the Rev S. Macfarlane. Inquest. —An inquest was held yesterday afternoon in the Lyttelton Gaol, before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., on the body of David Adams, a prisoner, who was killed by the falling of a quantity of clay upon him. The jury, after viewing the body aud hearing the evidence, returned a verdict of “ Accidental Death. ’

The Bishopric of Dunedin.— The i(Wclliigtou Independent ” does not publish the report of the select committee on this subject, but gives the following summary of the proceedings of the Synod in the matter : On the motion of the Bishop of Waipau, the Synod went into committee to consider the following resolutions from a select committee—“ Whereas certain statements purporting to rest on unimpeachable authority, have been made and freely circulated iu England and elsewhere, whereby an erroneous impression has been created regarding the action of the Church in New Zealand in the matter of the Dunedin Bishopric, it is hereby resolved—l. That this Synod recognises the responsibility which rests upon it as a Provincial Synod for the faithful discharge of its duty in the matter of confirming or refusing to confirm any nomination to a Bishopric iu this Province. 2. That in the constitution of this church and in the Statutes of the General Synod, rules have been laid down touching the appointment of Bishops, which rules have been consistently recognised and acted upon since 18(15. 8. That in respect of the appointment of a Bishop for the Diocese of Dunedin no action was taken, or authorised to be taken, by the General Synod until the appointment of the llev S. T. Nevill in May, 1871. 4. That the Diocese of Dunedin was not constituted till October 17th, 1808, and that by direction of the General Synod it continued to be administered by the Bishop of Christchurch until the consecration of Bishop Nevill, June 4th, 1871, when the Bishop of Christchurch resigned the charge of the see. 5. That Bishop Tenner’s assumption, that his declaration of assent to the Constitution of this Church implies that he was appointed Bishop of Dunedin, is based on a confusion : of the declaration of assent to the Constitution, which is a condition of nomination (cl. 28), with the declaration of submission to the authority of the General Synod_ which is required on appointment to any office under the General Synod (cl. 28); and further, that as the General Synod never confirmed the nomination of Dr Jenner, he did not and could not have signed the declaration upon which he rests his claim to have been the first Bishop of Dunedin. Mr Sewell moved that the chairman report progress and ask leave to sit again. The motion was negatived. The report of the Select Committee was then read, and the Bishop of Waiapu moved that it be adopted. 4 his report was very long, and consisted for the most part of an account of what had been done by the General Synod, iu reference to the alleged appointment of Bishop Jenner to the Diocese of Dunedin, After ranch discussion, the motion was put. The division was as follows :—Ayes : Bishops, 6 ; clergy, 9 ; laity, (i, Noes ; Bishops, 0 ; clergy, 7 ; laity, l). On the motion of Mr Sowell, the chairman left the chair,