NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 53, 31 July 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

St. Luke’s Entertainment.— Another of the series of these winter entertainments will be given this evening in St, Luke’s schoolroom.

Benevolent Aid Society.— The secretary of the Benevolent Aid Society begs to acknowledge from Mr C. E. Briggs £l, money found in “ Lyttelton Times ” office, and not claimed.

Theatre Royal.—The programme of the preceding evening was repeated last night to a capital house, when all the artistes engaged were well received. To-night will be a fashionable night, and to-morrow the usual mid-day performance will be given. Legal,— The case of Drury v Pain, in which the plaintiff claims £IOOO damages for slander, commenced yesterday in the Supreme Court. The only witness examined yesterday was the plaintiff, and at the conclusion of his examination the Court adjourned till ten o’clock this morning.

Football. —The match between the fifteen and thereat of the club will be continued to-morrow. The fifteen will be the same with one exception as that of Saturday last; D. Thomson will play instead of E. Cotterill, who has left the province. The club will as before wear red, while their opponents will be distinguished by blbe caps. The game will commence at 2.45 p.m. sharp.

Very Sudden Death. —Mrs Blyth, wife of Mr Blyth, manager of “ The Shades,” died very suddenly yesterday. She prepared breakfast in the morning, and appeared at that time to be in her usual good health, but shortly afterwards complained of a pain in her heart and of her breath catching. The pain seemed to increase, and she died at half-past two o’clock. Prior to her death Mrs Blyth was visited by Drs Frankish and Powell.

Rangiora Presbyterian Sunday School. —On Wednesday evening a magic lantern entertainment was given in the Literary Institute, in aid of the above school. The views were illustrations of the “Pilgrim’s Progress,” and were exhibited by Mr Waters, and several comic slides were introduced, which afforded much amusement. Mr Merton and members of the Musical Society contributed to the musical part of the entertainment. The proceeds amounted to about £6.

Incendiarism.— The Government offer a reward of £2OO for such information as will lead to the conviction of the person who attempted some short time since to set fire to the “ Press ” Company’s offices. This amount, subsidised by £IOO offered by the “Press” Company, and £2OO by the New Zealand Associated Insurance Companies, will make a total sum of £6OO. In adoption to this reward His Excellency will grant a free pardon to any accomplice giving such information, not being the person who actually set fire to the premises.

Merivale Church.— The parish church at Merivale, which has been closed for alterations, will be re-opened on Sunday next with choral services. In the morning the sermon will be preached by the Dean of Christchurch, and in the evening by the Rev C. Bowen. The total cost of the alterations made is £470, of which about £IOO yet remains to be made up. The nave has been lengthened twenty feet, a south aisle built, and the south transept enlarged, so that now the sitting accommodation has been doubled. The organ and choir seats have been placed on a dais at the west end of the church.

Eangiora Discussion Class.— The fortnightly meeting of the members of this class was held at the Literary Institute on Wednesday evening. Sixteen persons were present, Mr C. E. Tribe, vice-president, in the chair. The subject for discussion was “ Will New Zealand become the Britain of the South,” introduced by Mr B. Ellis, who took the affirmative view of the question. Mr H. Boyd took the negative. A discussion ensued, in which Messrs Buckham, Thompson, Miller, and Moderate were the principal speakers. The voting on the question was ayes seven, noes nine. The Member for Akaroa.—As will be seen by our Assembly news, Mr Montgomery’s election for Akaroa has been declared null and void, and a fresh writ will be issued immediately. Mr Montgomery’s address to the electors appears in our advertising columns. We understand that the telegram published by us in yesterday’s issue conveyed a wrong impression of the meaning of Mr Montgomery’s letter to the Speaker. The following message, received in Christchurch from him yesterday, has been handed to us for publication : —“ In my letter to Speaker I did not state that I had not any knowledge of existing arrangements re sleepers. I said I did not know I was disqualified thereby.” Hbathcote Road Board. — A. special meeting was held at the office on Thursday, July 30 th ; all the members were present. There being only one tender for assessing the district, it was resolved that the time for receiving tenders be extended to Thursday, August 6th. It was moved, and carried, that application be made to the Government for the sum of £SOO voted towards filling up the Ferry road drain ; also, to the City Council, requesting them to place £SOO, as their portion of the cost of the same, to the Board’s credit at the Union Bank of Australia, on condition that the Board is prepared to hold the Council harmless should any action be brought against the Board for damages caused from filling up the the said drain.

The Kennedy Family,— There was a capital house last evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall on the occasion of the last performance of these talented artistes. The programme comprised some of the choicest songs, duets, &c., from their repertoire, and all were excellently rendered. The recitation, by Mr Kennedy, of Outram’s poem, “ The Annuity,” and his singing of “ Allister Macallister,” evoked roars of laughter. At the conclusion of the programme Mr Kennedy came forward and said that, in leaving Canterbury, he desired to express his gratitude for the kindness they had experienced. He had now travelled all over New Zealand, and he must say it was a splendid country, and if those living in it were not happy and prosperous it was their own fault. He bade them goodbye with a fervent hope that he would see them again. At the request of Mr Kennedy the audience joined heartily in singing ‘‘Auld Lang Syne.” The family appear this evening at the Colonists’ Hall, Lyttelton, for the last time in Canterbury. We feel sure all those who have spent so many happy hours in the company of Mr Kennedy and his family will wish them a safe passage to the “ auld” country,

Errata— ln Mr J., W. Oram’s letter, which appeared in our columns last night, the words in the third line should read “ Licensing Bill,” instead of, as printed, “Fencing Bill.”

Accident. — A man named Henry Martin, while letting go the mooring-chain of the Ballochmyle had his leg badly crushed by the chain. He was sent through to the Hospital at Christchurch by the 11.30 train. Public Meeting at Leithfield. —On Wednesday evening a meeting held at Baldwin’s Royal Hotel, of the supporters of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, to hear the views of the representatives of the committee of the association. There was a good attendance ; Mr C. Fendall was voted to the chair. Mr W. Buss, hon. sec. of the association explained its objects, and stated it had been decided to hold the shows at Rangiora, Mr M’llraith, who was present, promised to support the association, and do what he could to further its interests in the Amuri district. An animated discussion followed as to whether the shows should be open or confined to a local district. Mr Buss said most of the subscribers were in favor of the latter. Messrs L. C. Williams, M. Dalziel, and Benn urged that they should be open. The question was ultimately put by the chairman and decided by a small majority to be in favor of the show being confined to the district north of the Waimakariri.

Templeton. —Our correspondent writes : —“ The re-opening of St. Saviour’s Church took place on Sunday last. The church, built from designsof Speechly and Crisp some years ago, was found to be either getting too small for the parish, or else .the neighborhood was increasing so much that often of a Sunday people were inconveniently crowded. To remedy this defect the vestry obtained a very tasty plan for enlarging the building, viz., by addingjtwo transepts to hold about fifty additional seats, and for the erection of a spire to hang the bell, one of Warner and Co.’s, London. The designs have been faithfully carried out by Painter and Tricketts of Courtenay, who have spared no trouble in their work, although they exceeded their contract time. Mr Mountfort, the architect for £the additions, has done his best to make an ugly church look pretty, and had his design for enlarging the chancel and substituting lancets for the present east window been carried into effect, the Templetonians might feel proud of their church. It is, however, intended to do this at some future time, and substitute lining for the present plaster wall. The day was very fine, the sun kindly coming out for the occasion; and when “ the church-going bell,” heard for the first time in Templeton, rang out its summons, nearly two hundred people answered its call, and the incumbent’s heart must have been gladdened, when he walked up the aisle with the Primate, after having to do duty so long in the schoolroom. The service was simple but a very hearty one, all joining in; and at its conclusion an able sermon was preached by the Primate, who took for his text'Hebrews, xiii, 15. The offertory in aid of the building fund amounted to £B.

Eangior*. School Committee. A special meeting of this committee was held on Wednesday evening, to consider the necessity of postponing the opening of the new schools, Mr Cunningham, chairman, stated that he had received a telegram from Mr Maude, asking him to defer the opening in order to allow the members of the Government and the Board of Education to attend, and informing him that Thursday, August 6th was the day appointed for opening the East Christchurch school, and that consequently those gentlemen who wished to attend at Rangiora would be prevented from so doing. Messrs Boyd and Keir applied for a week’s extension of time for the painting, the weather having been adverse to the work. The extension was granted. Several matters of detail in connection with the soiree were considered, and the meeting adjourned.

The other day an old lady rushed into the garden in search of her daughter, on being told that the young lady had gone there with “a rake.”

A Western paper chronicles marriages in this suggestive style—‘The couple resolved themselves into a committee of two, with power to add to their number.' A young lady was playing the pianoforte with peculiar brilliancy of touch. A bystander bachelor exclaimed, “ I’d give the world for those fingers ! ” “ Perhaps you might get the whole hand by asking,” said the young lady’s mamma. There is nothing so tends to shorten the lives of old people, and to injure their health, as the practice of sitting up late, particularly winter evenings. This is especially the case when there is a grown-up daughter in the family. We publish this item at the earnest request of several young men. A dying Irishman, asked by his confessor if he was ready to renounce the devil and all his works, replied : “ Don’t ask me that ; I’m going to a strange country, and I don’t intend to make myself enemies.” A sailor dropped out of the rigging of a ahip-of-war some fifteen or twenty feet, and fell plump on the head of the first lieutenant. “ Wretch 1” said the officer, after he had gathered himself up, “ Where the deuce did you come from ? ” “ An’ sure I came from the north of Ireland, yer honor.” A certain young lady is so absent-minded that she kisses any of her male acquaintances she may happen to meet, under the impression that they are her dearest female intimates. The practice is rendered all the more unaccountable from the fact that the mistake seldom or ever occurs except when the recipient of the affectionate salutation is both young and good-looking. The “ John Bull” says:—“ There is a strong desire for a conference between certain representative Ritualists and members of the Convocations friendly to moderate counsels on the Ritual question; and it is thought that if synodical declarations on the matter were put forward in both Convocations a large number wonld loyally bow to authority. The Dutch Government has received a despatch from Atchin, dated the 25th of April, announcing that the main body of the Dutch army would return the following day to Java. The “ Penang Gazette ” publishes letters from Atchin which state that on the 11th of April bodies of Atchinese, numbering altogether 8000 men, attacked all the Dutch positions unsuccessfully. On the 16th the Atchinese attacked the Kraton, and were repulsed, after an engagement lasting eight hours, in which all the Dutch troops took part. The latter lost six killed, including two officers, and sixty wounded. Fresh attacks from the Achiuese were daily expected.

The Anglo-Australian in the “European Mail” says :—I may mention that Dr W. Buller, of Wanganui, New Zealand, was during the present term called to the bar by the Honorable Society of the Inner Temple, and intends, I hear, returning to the colony by the next San Francisco mail steamer. Mr Harry Bell, the eldest son of Sir F. Dillon Bell, of Otago, has also been called at the Middle Temple.

A curious incident in the “ Women’s Whiskey War ” is reported in the “ Philadelphia Ledger ” of March 26th : —About fifty ladies, accompanied by the officers of the Maryland Temperance Alliance, and a number of clergymen of the city of Baltimore, made a raid upon the House of Delegates at Annapolis yesterday, and protested against the repeal of the local option law. Their appearance created considerable confusion, and the legislators soon adjourned, leaving the Chamber in possession of their visitors. After singing one or two hymns in the hall, the party proceeded to the First Methodist Church, where they held a prayer-meeting and listened to addresses before returning to Baltimore.

The reporter of an Irish paper, after being three days engaged writing reports of races, attended church ou a Sunday evening, where the blow-boy of the organ was unequal to the task. The result was the following report; —“ At one moment the organ would be galloping to keep up with the choir, and the next minute the choir would get up a tremendous burst of speed to catch the organ. Finally the two started off side by side as they went into the doxology, but as they reached the latter part of the second line, and were going finely and squarely, the wind of the organ gave up completely, and the choir had to finish the race alone, which it did in excellent time.”

Dr Playfair, speaking at a meeting in Dundee, urged the importance of placing the Edinburgh University in a position in ■which it would be able to teach in a thoroughly practical manner the sciences, and the professions resting upon them. He dwelt on the great importance of scientific education, and said that any nation which bestowed more science and skill on any one of their manufactures than we did must inevitably beat us in the race, be that a long or a short one. He pointed to the advantages which Germany had derived from bestowing special attention on scientific instruction, and said that in Manchester we now saw the remarkable spectacle of an inland trading town of England in which Germans occupied much of the field of industry.