NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 70, 21 August 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Tapanui District School.—The first entertainment of the season in connection with this school will be given in the schoolroom this evening, the proceeds of which will be devoted to the purchase of prizes.

Wesleyan Sunday School. —An entertainment in aid of the building fund of the Durham street Wesleyan Sabbath School will take place this evening in the schoolroom. The programme comprises vocal and instrumental music, readings, <fcc. Trotting- Match. —A match of this description came off this morning on the Ferry Road, the stakes being £lO a-side, and the contesting animals two mares respectively the property of Messrs Kirkwood and Coll. The agreement entered into was that Mr Coil's marc should concede the long start of half-a-mile in three miles to her antagonist, and the preliminaries having been duly arranged, the two competitors were started by a gun being fired. Mr Coil's mare gained considerably on her opponent, but was not able to make up the whole of the start given, and was beaten after a fair race by about 100 yards. The time was variously given, but 'from what we can gather it was as nearly as possible ten minutes. There was a very large crowd of spectators, who seemed to find great interest in the contest, and everything passed off satisfactorily. Afresh match is likely to arise out of the one which has been just decided. Sporting.—The New Zealand horses engaged in the Melbourne Cup seem to have had a roughish passage over, as we hear that they were both thrown down on board the Otago during her trip across The Aitstralasian says—''Thearrival of Lurlinefrom New Zealand lias caused a run to be made on her for the Metropolitan, for which she has been backed to win about £4OOO at 100 to 7." Papapa was backed to win £IOOO in the Melbourne Cup betting, at 100 to 3; and for the double event. Metropolitan and Melbourne Cup, £SOOO to £25 has been taken about Lurline and Papapa, and various other animals have been backed with the New Zealand mare. From later riles we gather that Lurline, from 100 to 7 (taken), for the Metropolitan, has receded to 100 to 3, with no takers. This is probably from the fact having become known, that she will not put in an appearance at Randwick. We notice also that Lurline and Papapa are entered for the Sandhurst Cup and Bondigo Handicap.

Avonside Entertainment. —The next of the series of entertainments at Avonside takes place to-night, for which a very attractive programme has been issued.

Kaiapoi Presbyterian Church.—At a meeting of the managing committee, recently held, a tender for the erection of the new church, at a cost of £7OO, was accepted, and the work, it is anticipated, will be put in progress forthwith. Railways.—The New Zealand Gazette of August 13th contains a description, line, and limits of deviation of the railway from Waitaki to Timaru, and of a portion of the Ashburton and Temuka railway—Rangitata to Temuka. St Luke's Entertainment. —The usual weekly entertainment in connection with St Luke's took place last evening, in the schoolroom, which was well filled. A good programme, comprising instrumental and vocal items, readings, &c, was gone through satisfactorily. Poultry Show.—The annual exhibition of poultry, pigeons, and canaries under the auspices of the Christchurch Poultry Association, will open to-day in the Oddfellows' Hall. The entries in the various classes are in excess of those of last year, and the show as a whole ought to be very successful.

Kaiapoi Wesleyan Chapel .—lt is intended to purchase an American organ for this chapel, and in a week or two a concert will be given by Mr J. T. M. Smith, with a party of musical friends, the proceeds of which concert will be devoted towards paying for the instrumont.

Football. To-morrow afternoon the match English v Scotch and Irish will be played on Uranrmr square, commencing at 3 p.m. sharp. The former will wear blue caps and the latter red. T. Chapman will captain the English, while captain Macquarie will take charge of the Shamrock and Thistle. The Ashburton Railway.—An official intimation appears in our advertising columns stating that the line to Ashburton will not be opened on Monday next, as already arranged. The reason is that the General Government Engineer is not prepared to certify that the contract quantity of ballast has been laid on. The contractor declines to hand over the line until he gets a final certificate. We should hope that a few days will settle the difference.

Professor Bickerton's Lecture.—The second of a series of six lectures on " Matter and energy " in course of delivery by Professor Bickerton of the Canterbury College, took place last night, in the Oddfellows' Hall, which was crowded to excess. The lecture, which was on energy, was illustrated by a a number of interesting experiments which were applauded. The very large attendance and the deep interest manifested by those present, not alone in the experiments, but also in the lecturer's remarks, must be exceedingly gratifying both to the Professor and the College authorities, and it is to be hoped they will be able to arrange for courses of popular lectures by the other professors.

Fire Brigade Re-union.—The annual supper which Mr Harris, superintendent of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, has made a custom of giving to the members of the brigade, their wives, and sweethearts, took place last evening in the library at the Lichfield street station. The room was tastefully decorated, a canopy composed of flags beiug also formed over the chair, the handsome banner of the brigade comprising the centre piece, from which their motto, semper paratus, stood out prominently. One table was placed across the room, and three others along its length, the foremen of the brigade occupying chairs at each end of the latter tables. The spread was an excellent one, and considerable taste had been displayed in laying of the tables. The attendance was all that could be desired, and Mrs Harris was most assiduous in her attentions to the comfort of her husband's guests. After hearty justice had been done to Mr Harris's liberality, that gentleman rose and said that he was extremely gratified to see that his friends who surrounded him were seemingly enjoying themselves so thoroughly; A programme had been placed in his hands in which he observed he was set down for an opening speech, but they all knew that on an occasion like the present, there was no necessity for him to make one. He thought however they would not object to commence the harmonious portion of the programme, and he would first call on Mr T. Hobbs for a song, and while doing so he would express his thanks to Mr Searrell who had kindly come there that evening to officiate as accompanyist. [Applause.] Mr Hobbs then gave the song "A poor old man"; song—- " Tramp, tramp, the boys are marching," by Mr Goodman, and Mr J. Hebden contributed a reading entitled, " Photographing a baby." The Chairman then asked the company to fill their glasses, and gave the toast of the Queen and Eoyal Family which was loyally honored. Foreman Gourlay in proposing the health of Mr and Mrs Harris, expressed the good feeling that had always existed in the brigade towards their superintendent, and the confidence the men had in his ability to direct them, and concluded by thaukiDg them, in the name of the brigade, for their kindness that evening in inviting them to so splendid a spread. The toast was enthusiastically received and musically honored. Mr Harris, in reply, expressed the gratification he felt at contributing to their pleasure, and paid the brigade a high compliment for the deference he received from the members, and the promptitude with which his orders were always obeyed when he had occasion to give them. He trusted that would not be the last of their pleasant meetings together, and concluded by thanking them, on behalf of Mrs Harris and himself, for the manner in which their healths had been drunk. The toasts of the ladies, proposed bv Foreman Doran, and responded to by Mr T. Hobbs. "Other firemen throughout the provinces," proposed by Mr Roberts and responded to by Captain Giraud, and the " Press," proposed by Mr West and responded to by the representatives present, followed at intervals. During the evening, the following songs and recitations were contributed: soug, " Fifty years ago,' Mr Samuels ; song, '• Eily Mavourueen," Mrs West; song, "Riug the bell watchman," Miss Kelso ; song, "The Grecian Bend," Mr T. Hobbs ; song." Phoebe, dearest," Mr Roberts ; recitatiou, " Charge of the light brigade." Mr Gourlay ; song, " Thinking of homo," Mr W. Hobbs ; recitation, " Robert Bruce," Mr Croll: song, " Bear it like a man," Captain Giraud ; song, '•Put-me in my little bed," Mr Fabling; recitation, Mr Hebden ; song, "Just before the battle, mother," Mr J. Goodman. Songs and recitations followed until a late hour, when the company separated, having spent a most enjoyable evening.

KAIAPOI POUND.—This pound, although the weather has been dry for two or throe days, is in such a disgraceful state that persons aie prompted to enquire whether there is a sanitary committee of the local Borough Council, or if the provisions of the Health Act in reference to nuisances could not be enforced-

California Minstbels. —The troupe of minstrels who have been performing for some time in Dunedin opened their season last night at the Theatre Royal. It is scarcely fair to criticise them too closely as the whole of the troupe are suffering from severe colds, hence the musical portion of the entertainment last night was not so successful as could be wished. In the first part, Mr Rockefeller's " Mamma, where has baby gone." and Mr Mavor's "Essie dear" were nicely sung. The concluding medley introducing operative selections, negro refrains, and indeed almost everything, was good, but the voices were exceedingly husky from the effects of a sojourn in the South. Messrs Kelly and Sutton are capital corner men and their business is amusing. In the second part, the duet from "The Lily of Killarney," " The moon has raised her lamp above," was nicely sung by Messrs Amery and Mavor. Mr Harry Kelly's " Watermelon man," was an amusing "foolishment." as was also Mr Sutton's "First Round for John." As a banjoist, Mr Rockefeller is certainly excellent, his imitation of the London chimes and other solos given by him being capital. Mr Amery essayed " The Village Blacksmith," but his hoarseness prevented it being a success, which, under other circumstances, would have been the case. Meßsrs Sutton and Kelly received an encore for their double song and dance, and the farce of " Tricks upon Travellers" concluded the entertainment. The troupe appear again this evening.

Good Templar Soiree.—A soiree to commemorate the anniversary of the institution of the Star of St Alban's lodge of Good Templars, was held last night in the district schoolroom. About 200 persons sat down to to a very excellent tea provided by Mesdames Soames, Lamb, and Efford,- and the tables were presided over by Misses Jones, Butler, and Chidgey, all the ladies being members of the order. After tea had been partaken of and the tables cleared away, a public meeting was held, at which about 400 persons were present. Bro Efford, P.W.O.T. presiding. The chairman in his opening remarks stated that the order had made fair progress since its institution in the district twelve months since, and only two cases of violation of the obligation had occurred during that time. The meeting was subsequently addressed by Bro Connal and Bro the Rev B. J. Westbrooke, who gave an excellent address from an acrostic made on the word Templar—" True earnest men prayerfully laboring at reformation." —in which he illustrated the principles of the order. Bro S, P. Andrews and several other gentlemen also gave addresses. During the evening the part song "Temperance" was given by the choir ; piano solo by Miss Jones ; song, " My mother bids me bind my hair," by Miss Ness; part song, "All among the barley," choir; and a duet by the Misses Jones.

CURIOUS WILLS.—Among curious wills that of Daniel Martinett, an officer in the East India Company's Service, who died in 1825, is certainly an original one. Being very poor the testatoi bequeathed " to the Governor of Bengal, Henry Vansitart, the office of paying any sum or sums which may be found at my death that I owe to any person in needy circumstances —the whole cannot Amount to more than 300 rupees." The testator also wished it to be understood that he had won the amount of his burial expenses from a certain undertaker at a game of billiards.

" The Eight to go to Hell."- Fwpcently, at a revival meeting in the north p<irt of the county, the exercises of the evening were closed by a general invitation to all who wanted to go to heaven to rise. The entire congregation, with a solitary exception in the shape of a boy, rose to their feet. The conductor then varied his invitation by asking all who wanted to go to hell to arise. The solitary exception rose to his feet. Of course the good people were scandalised, and the result was the arrest of the youth and his trial for disturbing the meeting. But to the intense disgust of those liberal souls, the Court held that if the boy wanted to go to hell he had a perfect right to do so, and that such conduct did not necessarily disturb the meeting within the meaning of the law, and dismissing the case the boy was sent on his way rejoicing;— Wright County (Iowa) Monitor.

Walt Whitman is writing more of his poetry. The!last is an ode to America. He intelligently observes: — What if that;gift of gifts thou lack'st ? The perfect feminine of thee 1 The beauty, health, completion fit for thee 1 The mothers fit for thee I

And here he stops. Not a word of how the battle resulted, but just drops down and leaves the reader to imagine the result. This is the secret of his success. His stops make him popular. The more be stops the more popular he becomes. If he should stop altogether the public would give, him a monument, and perhaps a horse. American Paper.

We have received, says the New Zealand Times, from Napier the copy of what, in the best interests of the colony, must be considered to be a most important document. It is an application to the Parliament from one who describes himself as a " lord, baron, and knight," and who offers to effect the early arrest of Te Kooti and all of his kind, provided he (the applicant) be only appointed successor to Lieut-Colonel Moule and all other commissioners of constabulary and police in the colony. The application is as follows :—" To the Members of Parliament of New Zealand. Parliament House, Wellington. Gentlemen —I hereby apply for the appointment of Commissioner of Police for this colony of New Zealand. I have been exploring the North Island during the last twelve months. I travelled np the bauks of the Waikato from Mercer to Lake Taupo, and from thence to Napier, and I visited several native towns. If you appoint me, I shall very soon arrest Te Kooti and all other assassins in this colony. I served as Commissioner of Police for Ireland when I obtained the title of knighthood. I served as teacher and returning officer in thiscolony for some years. I have writings of my name and title from the Governor of this colony, the Governor of New South Wales, Education Board (Auckland), and others. I can further refer to the Queen.—l have the honor to be, gentlemen, A Coronet, a Cross, AND A George, etc.—God save the Queen."

The Emperor of China has ordered a collection to bo made of Chinese poetry from the earliest time downwards. This collection will be published in 200 volumes. It is also stated that the Emperor has in his possession a library numbering above -100,000 volumes.