NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 52, 30 July 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Kaiapoi Institute. —The monthly meeting of the committee takes place this evening.

English Suez Mail. The incoming mail was brought on by the s.s. Cyphrenes, and sent to Christchurch by special train. The outward Suez mail closes on Saturday next.

Casual Ward, Lyttelton.— Owing to the removal of the old custom-house the Government have secured a temporary building for the purpose until the new morgue has been erected. The casual ward is now in Oxford street, at the back of Mr Savage’s British stores.

The Member for Akaroa. —There appears to be some doubt whether Mr Montgomery has not vacated his seat in the General Assembly. His firm, on January 9th last, entered into an arrangement with the General Government to supply certain railway sleepers, for which they were paid, subsequent to his return for the Akaroa district. A committee has been appointed to inquire into the matter. Mr Montgomery’s letter appears in our telegraphic intelligence.

Mandeville and Rangiora Board of Conservators. —A meeting of the Board was held at Flaxton on Monday, all the members present, and Mr Blackett chairman. In reference to a letter from Mr J. C. Boys, suggesting the necessity of enlarging No. 4 drain, it was decided that the Board would undertake when funds would admit. The engineer was requested to report upon Mr Barker’s offer to cut a drain along sections 7117 and 7192. An application from Mr Heller to rent land between his section and the south side of the main drain, was agreed to. It was decided that the Rangiora and Mandeville Road Board be requested to have a road opened along the north-east side of the main drain, and in a westerly direction to the drain bridge. An extension of time was granted to Messrs Hawthorn and McCutchen in which to complete their contract. After discussing other matters, the Board then adjourned. The Kennedy Family.—There was a very fair house last evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall, when the Kennedy family gave another entertainment. Whether appealing to the tenderer sympathies of his audience in the pathetic cadences of “ The Land o’ the Leal,” or stirring the blood like a trumpet call with “ Scots’ wha hae,” Mr Kennedy, senr., was admirable, and drew forth loud applause. In the second part, the glees and songs were splendidly rendered throughout. In the last part, Mr Kennedy recited Burns’ poem, “The Twa Dogs,”— “ Allister McAllister,” with his pipes, and “ Auld Lang Syne ” finished the evening as Mr Kennedy would say “ graandly.” Tonight is the last appearance in Christchurch of this talented family, and we hope the Christchurch people will show their appreciation of the successful efforts made for their amusement by Mr Kennedy and his family, by filling the Hall to oveifiowing to bid them farewell for “Auldlang syne.”

Billiard MATCtj, — A match for £3O was played at the Mitre, last night, between Mr W. Pierce of Christchurch, and Mr Crump, the lessee of the rooms. Play commenced about seventeen minutes past seven, and concluded at twenty-five minutes to one. The game was 1000 points, Crump receiving 225 from Pierce. During the first half of the game Crump kept his points, but in the last 300 Pierce played better, and got into the last hundred before Crump could score out. Crump, however, was too far ahead, and won when his opponent had reached 966, thus winning by thirty-four. The principal breaks were—Pierce, 27, 22, 19,16, &c.; and Crump, 21, 20, 18, and 14. There were a good many spectators.

Theatre Royal. —The Smith Combinat'on Troupe at any rate have no reason to complain of the way in which the playgoing public support them, and it must be very gratifying to Mr Smith to find his judgment in the selection of artistes so thoroughly and completely endorsed by the large audiences. Last night the De Castro Family fully sustained the reputation they have gained amongst us of being, without exception, the cleverest gymnasts that have visited us. M. Airec was alike excellent on the rings and the trapeze, and it will be very difficult for any performer in the same line who may follow him to secure public favor to the extent he has done. Mr Vose and his two antiquated friends discoursed pleasantly respecting things in general, and Robin particularly was exceedingly funny in his remarks on a little fracas occurring in the pit. But Mr Yose’s success in this respect though very great, was completely outdone by his latest illusion, the talking hand. By a few touches of his pencil and the help of his pocket handkerchief he transforms his hand into a very comical little old'gentleman who drinks, smokes, and talks in a way which thoroughly deceives even the closest observer. It certainly is a very clever illusion. Mdlle Montebello and Mr Vincent appeared in a new duet and were successful; the latter also sung two good songs and received the compliment of a double encore. Professor Saunders played some pretty selections on the harp, and a capital performance was closed with the three juvenile members of the De Castro family on the triple trapeze, on which their feats were something wonderful. The performance this evening will terminate in time for the late trains. Beookside Harmonic Class.— The first concert in connection with this class was given in the Brookside district schoolroom on Tuesday evening last. This class, which numbers about thirty members, has been formed about four months, and the manner in which many of the pieces were rendered reflects considerable credit pn all concerned. The room was well filled, and several of the items were vociferously encored. After a short address by the Rev W. S. Harper, the following programme was rendered, ;i witk the assistance of a few friends from Christchurch:— Opening address ‘Rev W. S. Harper; part song—“ The Alpine herdsman,” song—Mr W. S. Smith; Duet—- “ The gipsy countess,” lady amateur, and Mr J. T. M. Smith ; chorus—" Happy home ” ; harmonium solo— “ Marche Aux Flambeaux,” Mr J. T. M. Smith ; recitation—- “ The farmer’s blunder,” Master John Watson; chorus “Adieu to winter”; ballad —“ The old armchair,” (encored), lady amateur ; part song—“ Gather roses”; serenade—“ Stars of the summer night,” Mr J. T, M. Smith; dialogue chorus —“ Katy did !” (encored); song—Mr W. S. Smith ; glee—“ Never mind”; recitation —the collegian and porter,” Master Joseph Watson ; part song—“ Rbck~me to sleep, mother”; aria —“ Di pescatore,” (encored), lady amateur; glee “The cobbler V; song—- “ Thinking of home,” Mr J. T. M. Smith ; glee—“ Little things”; duet —“Larboard watch”; chorua-r-“ Who is a brave man”; harmonium solo —“ La speranza,” Mr J. T. M. Smith; duet—“ O, that we were Maying,” (encored) ; part song—“ How we love these hours of singing”; national anthem. The concert was conducted by Mr J. T. M. Smith, who also played the accompaniments. At the termination of the programme the president thanked those present for their attendance, and announced that another concert would be given in about three months.

Wagner’s “ Lohengrin” was performed for the first time in America on the 23rd of March, at the New York Academy,of Music. Mdme Nilsson took the part of Elsa r and Signor Campanini that of Lohengrin. There was a large audience. The “ New York Times” says :—“ The plaudits during ;■ the entertainment were of the heartiest kind, but the assemblage, being emphatically Wagnerian in its tendencies, wisely opposed all demonstrations which might hare broken the spell of music which must be savored in silence. Enthusiasm was, however, allowed full play after the curtain had fallen on each act, and all the performers were summoned before the footlights several times n succession.”

The Russian “ Military Gazette,” referring to the singular immunity enjoyed by the troops of the late expedition to Khiva from the fevers and other illnesses which usually attend such expeditions, attributes this result to the “ Dolgorouky biscuit,” All the ‘provisions taken bj the expedition, it says, consisted of a drove of live cattle and of these biscuits, which are of the size of a man’s hand, and may either be eaten raw, dissolved in water, or cooked as soup. Their inventor, Prince Michael Dolgorouky, first introduced the American meat-biscuits into the Russian army ;-but ic was found that they gave rise to various scorbutic diseases, and they were consequently abandoned. - He then hit on the plan of making biscuits of meal, beef, and sourcrout in equal proportions ; and the biscuits thus prepared have become almost as popular in the Russian, as the famous “erbwurst” is in the German army.