NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume I, Issue 71, 22 August 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

“Rakaia and Ashburton Line. —We understand that the differences between the Government and the contractor for this line have been adjusted, and consequently the line will be open for traffic on Monday next. Prebbleton Library.—A public ball in aid of the Prebbleton library took place last evening, in the school and library. There was a good attendance, about forty couple being present. A Christchurch band was engaged for the evening. Dr Kenealy. —We notice, from the European telegrams in our Melbourne files, that the Benchers of Gray’s Inn hare disbarred Dr Kcne.aly, the leading counsel for the the Claimant, in consequence of libellous articles published in his paper the Englishman,

Trotting Match, —After the decision of the match between Messrs Kirkwood and Coll, yesterday morning, a fresh match was made between the same parties, the start conceded by Mr Coll being the same as in the first contest, but the distance of the race itself being increased nearly half a mile. Mr Kirkwood had on this occasion the privilege of driving bis mare instead of riding, and the result of the contest was never in doubt, as Mr Kirkwood’s animal retained her lead the whole way and won very easily at the finish. The stakes were the same amount as in the previous match,

Municipal Elections. The annua! election of Councillors for the city will take place on Thursday, 10th September, and the nomination on Friday next. The retiring Councillors are Messsrs W. H. Lane, C. T, Ick, and T. Gapes, who are eligible for reelection.

Cathedral Guild. —The commemoration service of the Cathedral Guild will be held in St Michael’s Church on Monday evening, at half-past seven. The service will be full choral, and a sermon will be preached by the very rev. the Dean. California Minstrels. —There was a very fair house at the Theatre Royal last night, and the singing was a great improvement on the previous evening, the effects of the severe colds from which some of the company have been suffering having apparently disappeared. To-night there will be an entire change in the programme. Smith’s Combination Troupe. This company, which was advertised to perform on Thursday and Friday evenings at Rangiora, met with a capital reception on the first evening, the Literary Institute Hall being crowded. The trapezian feats of Airec, the ventriloqnial powers of Val Yose, the acting of De Castro and the children, and the singing part of the entertainment, were fully appreciated. The troupe appear at Kaiapoi this evening. Entertainment.— An entertainment was given last evening in the Durham -street schoolroom, in aid of the school building fund, Mr B. Dawson in the chair. There was a very good attendance, and the following programme was rendered in a - very creditable manner ;—Song, By-gone days,” Miss B. Calvert; reading. Mr Free ; song, “ Jessie’s dream,” Miss Nelly Kent; reading, Mr Gapes ; duet, “ Pilgrim’s rest,” Misses Kent; trio, “ Stranger, lend thy gentle bark,” Messrs Spensley, Overton,/, and Clarke ; reading, Mr Atkinson ; song,V Far away,” Miss S. Calvert ; part song, “ May,” choir ; trio, “ When a little farm we keep,” Messrs Overton, Scrimshaw, and Rutland ; reading, Mr Fee ; song, “Barney O’Hea,” Miss Kent; song, “ Sunset,” Miss Spensley.

Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association. — A meeting of this association was held at the Road Board office, Eangiora, on Thursday. -Eighteen members were present. Air J. McFarlane in the chair. The roles of the Canterbury Association were adopted with slight amendments. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr P. C. Threlkeld, seconded by Mr Cope—- *• That the first exhibition of stock be held on Thursday, November sth.” The committee appointed to secure, a show ground reported that offers of paddocks had' been received from Mr Bassingthwaite, offering his at £lO for four years; from Mr,G. Thompson, offering his at £l2 a year ; and from Mr F. M. Rickman, offering his' Tbf £5 per annum for five years, Mr J. Hurse moved, Mr C. G. King seconded-!—” That Mr Rickman’s paddock be accepted for one year, the association to have it for five years on the same understanding if necessary.” Carried. The compilation of a catalogue for the forthcoming show was then proceeded with, when it was decided that certain classes for sheep, cattle, and horses for sires, should be open to exhibits from outside the district. The meeting decided to complete the catalogue at a future meeting, and then adjourned. . ;,, c

Entertainment at Lyttelton.^— The entertainment in aid of the widow and children of . Captain Hart took place in the Lyttelton Colonist Hall on Thursday night. To say that it was well attended is merely a poor expression. The intense regard felt for that gentleman and the great sympathy felt for his family attracted an : audience who Attended, not for the mere sake of the merits of the entertainment, but with the earnest wish to do something for the good of one that perished in doing his duty. The entertainment provided, however, was well worth the money asked, and the committee were indefatigable in their efforts to make everything go smoothly and were successful. 0r Donald occupied the chair, and was supported on,the platform by Captain Elsden, of the Hereford, Captain O’Bley, of the Stonehouse, Captain Barclay, of the Northampton, Captain Miller, of the Peeress, and his Worship the Mayor. The programme consisted of vocal and instrumental music, readings, and recitations, and a number of kind friends from Christchurch assisted. Mrs Packard, Mrs Smith, Mrs Bowler, Mrs Croly, Mrs Long, MrS Digby, Miss Donnelly, and Messrs R. Parker, J. Knox, C. W. H. Woledge, Plimmer, Newell Phillips, Jacobson, Allwright, Carder, Barclay and Long helped on the good cause, and a long programme was listened to with attention throughout. It would be invidious to particularise, but Mrs Digby sang very well, and Messrs Yule, Woledge, and Carder, evidently gained the hearts of their audience. At the commencement, Dr Donald spoke a few words as follows :—“ Poor Captain Hart has been well known to us all for some years, and has been suddenly cut off in the course of his career, leaving a wife and children, whom, I understand, are indifferently provided for. The sympathy of the whole colony has been evoked, and I am glad tq see that Lyttelton is not behindhand. I know that it is that, and not the attractions of jthe programme, that has filled the hall tonight. 1 hope sincerely that the sympathy will not end here, but that subscriptions will be received by the committee for the same good end.” [Cheers.] Mr Yule also spoke on the same subject. He said he was pleased to see so large an attendance for the benevolent and philanthropic purpose for which the entertainment was got up, for it was the only real and tangible way in which they could express their sympathy with the widow and orphans of poor Captain Hart. [Cheers.] Independently of this, it showed the people of this section of New Zealand at least were not affected with poverty of benevolence, but were always ready to extend a helping hand to those in affliction —always ready to give generous help to those whose households it had pleased providence to darken with sickness or death. If such a fearful accident had happened to any other individual, he knew that Captain Hart would have been the first to come forward with relief, for his whole nature was genial, and as one intimately acquainted with him, his whole constitution was made up of generosity and benevolence, and any man who was so constituted and just, when the grand and final dissolution comes, will neither have to jump the fence or slip a panel to get upon the proper track to receive his reward for good deeds done upon the earth, for all were taught to believe that faith was all the battle in this life. Hope beautifies their Christian charity. Faith is the bud, Hope the blossom, and Charity, like this exemplified here to-night, is simply the fruit. [Cheers.]

Mr Gladstone has, says “ Academy,” projected at'Homeric work, which he will bring to completion at some near date, and which he entitles “ Thesauros Horaerikos, a Register of Matters noted from the Text of the Iliad and Odyssey.” It will be published by Messrs Macmillan,

The performances of Madame Essipoff, a Russian pianiste, are exciting much interest in musical circles in Europe, All the critics combine in praising her marvellous skill and the artistic rendering of all she attempts.

There is reason to believe (the Standard says) that Sir John Glover may be asked by the Colonial Office to return to the Gold Coast, with a view to reorganising the government and the defensive arrangements, and of negotiating with the King of Dahomey respecting a narrow strip of coast which is in the possession of that monarch. - ; ,■ •