NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 77, 29 August 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Post-office Arrangements. —We are requested to state that the private boxes at the Post-office will be open to-morrow (Sunday) between the hours of 1 p.m. and 4 p.m, Ashburton. —The new reading-room of the Ashburton Library is now open with a very choice and varied collection of standard works and books of reference, comprising some 400 volumes. Metropolitan Meeting. —We remind owners of horses that the nominations for the C.J.C. Handicap and Canterbury Cup must be made with the secretary of the C.J.C. on or before 8 p.m. on the Ist September next.

The Mayoral Chain. —Mr Sandstein has just completed the third link in the chain for the Mayors of Christchurch, Mr Andrew Duncan’s link, who was Mayor in 1870, having been added. There still remains several yet to be added, viz ;—Messrs VV. Wilson, J. P. Jameson, John Anderson, and John Hall.

Eangiora.—ln addition to a number of other improvements ,’to house and business properties here, the directors of the Bank of New Zealand are having more commodious premises erected in front of the Elysian bower, formerly the residence of the late Mr Westby Hawkshaw Percival, in which the business of the bank has hitherto been conducted. Lecture at Ashburton.—A lecture was delivered by Mr A. Saunders, in the hall of the library, Ashburton, on Thursday evening, the subject being “The human structure; it rational treatment in health and disease.” Mr J. Ward occupied the chair. The lecture was a highly instructive one, and was listened to with great attention. A vote of thanks to the lecturer brought the meeting to a close.

Combination Troupe.—The Smith Combination Troupe gave their final performance at Lyttelton last night. The features of the performance were a couple of local songs, sung by Mr Vincent, which sent the audience into convulsions of laughter, and gained for their composer, Mr Vincent himself, a great amount of “kudos.”

California Minstrels.— The last performance of this troupe took place yesterday evening, when there was a very good house considering the inclemency of the weather. The comicalities of Messrs Sutton and Kelly in the farces, Mr Rockefeller’s singing and make-up in the burlesque, kept the audience thoroughly amused, Mr Amery sang a very pretty song excellently, while the audience, as usual, seemed never to have had enough of the double songs and dances of Messrs Sutton and Kelly. The troupe leave to-day for the North.

Theatre Royal. —As will be seen by advertisement elsewhere, the Steele-Keogh Dramatic Company inaugurate a new season at the Theatre this evening with Lord Lytton’s play of “ The Lady of Lyons.” The list of the company engaged comprises the names of many old Christchurch favorites, and one or two who make their debut on our stage to-night. To the former we can promise a welcome, and no doubt the latter will soon make friends with their audiences. One thing we hope, the management —and we mention it at the outset—will strive to put pieces on alike pleasing to our playgoers and within the range of the talents of their company. Given this, and a fairly frequent production of new pieces, and a successful season will be the result. Accident to the Hokitika Coach.— On the arrival of the coach from Hokitika at Kelly’s Creek on Thursday, it was found to be very much swollen through the late heavy rains experienced on the coast. All the passengers, with the exception of one who remained on the box with the driver, crossed by the wire bridge. An attempt was then made to cross the stream, when the coach was washed down by the strong current, the driver and passenger having a very narrow escape, and the two leaders beiag drowned. The mails were washed out of the coach, and one bag is missing. The driver had to send to Hokitika for another coach, and the passengers and mails arrived in Christchurch at two a.m yesterday, the latter, as might be expected, soaked through. Kaiapoi Wesleyan Musical Festival. —The musical festival in aid of an American organ, purchased at a cost of £BO for the Wesleyan Chapel, was held on Thursday evening. The audience did not quite fill the chapel, but the amount taken for sale of tickets was expected to reach £2O. The programme was contributed by musical friends from Christchurch, under the conductorship of Mr J. T. M. Smith, the |first part including selections from Mozart’s “ Twelfth Mass," and the second selections of sacred music. Mr R. Searell, organist at St. John’s Church, Christchurch, presided at the instrument, which it may be noted was considered superior to the harmonium hitherto in use. The proceedings concluded by singing the Doxology. Kaiapoi Institute. —The monthly meeting of the committee was held on Thursday evening. Eleven members, the secretary, and treasurer were present. Mr Kerr was voted to the chair. Letters were read from Mr J. H. Henwood on behalf of the Primitive Methodist Society, stating the intention of the society to give up using the hall for Sunday service, and from Mr Aldridge, the attendant, asking for increase of salary. Mr Sansom moved, Mr B. Revell seconded—- “ That the attendant’s salary be increased £5 per annum.” Carried. Accounts amounting to £5 12s 3d were passed for payment. The treasurer’s statement showed a balance in hand of £i 3s lOd. A discussion took place in reference to an account of £9 12s fid paid without the authority of the committee, but it was resolved to pass it. Mr Braddell wrote resigning office as librarian, being unable to attend through pressure of business. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Balch, seconded by Mr Smith, that his resignation be accepted. Mr Hassall undertook to act as librarian till the quarterly meeting. The sub-committee reported the amendments proposed to be made in the rules. The hon secretary read copy of letter sent to the Provincial Secretary applying for a part of the Government grant made to public libraries, to which he had not, however, received a reply. A sub-committee of Messrs Kerr, Smith, Funston, Balch, and Dawson was appointed to revise the bylaws, and the meeting then adjourned. Transit of Venus. Notwithstanding the very inclement state of the weather at the time appointed for the commencement of the lecture by Rev Mr Habens on the Transit of Venus, the Oddfellows’ Hall was crowded in every part with an attentive and appreciative audience. Mr C, C. Bowen, R.M., occupied the chair, and in the course of his introductory remarks referred to the establishment, on the twenty-first anniversary of the settlement, of an Astronomical Society, pointing out that the society, though not perhaps making a great deal of outward show, yet was really doing work in the direction for which it was established. Mr Habens had taken a very keen interest in the society, and during his recent visit to Melbourne had obtained a quantity of valuable information on various subjects which would be of great use to them. Coming more particularly to the subject of the lecture, he might say that there would not be another transit until 1882, and therefore great interest attached to the approaching one, and to observe which an expedition was leaving England for these shores. He would not longer detain them, but introduce the lecturer. Mr Habens then came forward and delivered a most interesting lecture, illustrating his remarks by a number of diagrams. Larrikinism. —On Thursday evening last, as a respectable citizen of Christchurch, with a portion of his family, was driving along the Papanui road, near the Britannia Hotel, at the corner of Kilmore street and the Papanui road, a gang of urchins sallied out and commenced throwing some offensive matter at the occupants of the vehicle. A portion of it struck them, fortunately escaping the horse, which was somewhat fresh. Had it done so the consequences might have been serious. It is to be regretted that such wanton insults as these should be perpetrated, and we hope that the well-conducted portion of the community residing in the neighborhood will endeavor to repress such conduct in future. The matter has been placed in the hands of the police, and we believe a reward will also be offered for the conviction of the offenders, who, it is to be hoped, will be traced and receive the punishment they so richly deserve. This is not, we believe, the first occasion in which conduct similar to this has been made the subject of complaint to the police, and the Resident Magistrate has mentioned more than once that this part of the city has an unenviable notoriety for stone throwing, &c, so much so that two policeman in plain clothes were some time since detailed to patrol the neighborhood.

Very Narrow Escape.— While a man named Michael Wren, who is employed at Longbeach station, was attempting to cross the Rakaia on Thursday morning, in a spring cart, the horse in the shafts fell into a hole, overturning the cart, and washing Wren out of it. Mr William Compton, who was some distance on horseback, fortunately observed the accident, and galloped into the river, just in time to rescue the man, who had sank twice, and was in a very exhausted state when rescued. He was at once removed to the South Rakaia Hotel, and shortly afterwards recovered. The horse, however, was drowned before he could be pulled out. During the time that traffic over the bridge is closed, a fordsman should! certainly be placed at the crossing to guide' travellers ; and if this is not done the probability is that we shall hear of more oT these accidents, as even at present there is a slight fresh observable in the river.