NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 110, 7 October 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Avonside Entertainment.—The last entertainment of the series will take place on Friday evening next. Union Rowing Club.—A special general meeting of this club will be held to-morrow evening at Warner's Hotel, at half-past seven, to make arrangements for the opening day, and other business. Guide Posts.—lt appears that the Provincial Government have at last suggested to Pioad Boards the necessity for finger posts at the corners of main roads in the country districts. This has long been required.

Christchurch Excelsior Lodge.—A session of this lodge will be held this evening, in Gee's schoolroom, at 7.30. At the conclusion of lodge business an entertainment will take place, to which the public will be admitted free.

1.0.G.T. —At the last weekly meeting of the Excelsior Lodge, Woolston, five new members were initiated. Bro Andrews, G.W.C.T, and Bio Mills, G.W.S. visited the lodge, and addressed the members, giving some useful information for the good of the order. New Paper in Wellington.—lt was stated the other day, that a company is being formed in Wellington, to produce a new morning penny paper iu that city. It is reported that Mr Harrison, M.H.8., will be the editor. Presbyterian Soiree at Temuka.— The annual soiree in connection with the Temuka Presbyterian Church, was held on Thursday last. In the course of the e/ening, Miss Rf. Patterson was presented by the congregation with a gold watch and chain, as a token of their esteem for the kind services she had re'dered the congregation, as organist. The proceeds of the meeting amounted to between £3O and £35. New Zealand Telegraph A return of the number and value of the telegrams forwarded for the quarter ending June 30th, is published in the Gazette, The number of telegrams forwarded during that quarter was 209,147, being an increase of 54.M30 on the corresponding quarter of 1873, and the cash rece ved was £12,461 Is, being an increase of £2003 9s on the corresponding quarter of 1873. The value of the Government telegrams forwarded during the same quarter, was £3218 4s 3d, being a decrease of £306 7s 3d on the corresponding quarter of 1873.

Acclimatisation. —All the trout eggs in the society's fish -house are bow hatched out, and it is estimated that there are 3000 healthy young fish in the boxes. Had the water in the ponds not become impure, causing the parent fish to sicken, it is thought that ten times that number of young fish would have beeu obtained. The "men lately engaged in deepening the creek have laid bare a mineral stratum, and this some persons think has had au injurious effect on the water, aggravated by the natural filter being destroyed when the watercress was cleared out of the ponds.

The Incoming Mail.—The New Zealand Times is informed by the Secretary of the Post-office. Wellington, that the Mikado, which left San Francisco on the 13th inst, brings a mail for New Zealand, consisting of 103 bags. This will be the last mail from England for this? colony under the RussellHail contract.

Church Bells.—There has just been turned out from Mr J. Anderson's foundry, in Cashel street, the largest bell ever yet east in the province. The bell in question, which is intended for the Catholic chapel in Lyttelton, weighs no less than live hundredweight, and its tone is pronounced by those competent to judge in such matters to be excellent. It is evident that congregations desiring good church bells, need no longer send to England or Australia for them, as the work can now be done in the province in as cheap and complete a manner as can possibly be done elsewhere. Carpenters' Society.—The half-yearly meeting of the carpenters' society was held last evening at the Temperance Hall. The report was read, showing the society to be in a very flourishing condition. The following officers were elected for the ensuing halfyear:—President, Mr John Dixey, vice-presi-dent, Mr John Creamer; secretary, Mr John Turner ; treasurer, Mr Joseph Turner ; trustees, Messrs H. Oxford and James Mundy; committee, Messrs T. Appleyard, T. Dunmill, Wm Hobbs, E. Scott, and G. Evans. A very handsome electro-plated inV stand was presented to Mr John Dixey for services rendered to the society as president.

Mr Parker at Waimate.—Mr E. B. Parker, member for Geraldine, met his constituents at the schoolhouse, Waimate, on Saturday evening. About 150 people were present, MrStudholme in the chair. Mr Parker briefly reviewed the events of the last session, and explained his reasons for the position he took up regarding the great questions which had come before the House, and especially his motives for supporting Mr Vogel's abolition resolutions. At the close of his address, the following motion was carried unanimously:— " That this meeting has every confidence in Mr G. B. Parker as member for this district, and expresses its approval of the action he has taken in the question of the abolition of the provinces in the North Island."

Cricket. —The United Canterbury Cricket Club will open the season next Saturday, with the usual match between the secretary's Bide and the treasurer's dele. Play will begin at two o'clock precisely. The elevens will be chosen from the following :—Messrs Acland, J. Anderson, Anson, A. Blakiston, F. H. Brittan, Cardale, A. Cook, Colmore, Condell, Corfe, H. Cotterill, E. Cotterill, Cuff, Dawe, Dickinson, Fuller, Ford, Gain, Gillman, Gresson, Herdman, Knox, Lanham, G. H. Lee, J. H. Lee, Loughnan, Macquarie, Mainwaring, Maples, J. W, Mason, T. R. Moore, E. O'Connell, A. M. Ollivier, L. M. Ollivier. Reade, Souter, A. C. Wilson, J. Wood, Worthy, A. Webb, with the secretary and treasurer. Any of the above-named gentlemen who wish to play in the match are requested to give notice to that effect to the lion, secretary, Mr E. C. J. Stevens, not later than Friday next. Christchurch Croquet Club. The annual general meeting of the above club took place yesterday afternoon on the new ground in the Government Gardens. The attendance was only moderate. Mr G. Leslie Lee was elected chairman. The treasurer made a statement of accounts for the past year, showing an expenditure of 18s in excess of receipts, and outstanding liabilities to the extent of about £lO. The following officers were then elected :—Secretary, Mr G. Leslie Lee; treasurer, Mr R. F. Holderness ; committee. Mrs Mathias, Mrs Palmer, Mrs Lane, Mrs Worthy, Mrs M. Campbell, Mrs Russell, Mr E. A. Worthy, Mr Frank Brittan, Rev G. Cotterill, and Mr G. A. Macquarie. It was resolved that Tuesday be the weekly match day, the ground to be open for practice on every day except Wednesday. The subscription for the ensuing season was fixed at ss, and for each member of a family after the first two, 2s 6d. It was resolved that the openiDg day be Tuesday, the 20th instant. The ground to be open for practice in the meantime. A vote of thanks was given to the retiring officers, and a similar vote having been accorded to the chairman, the meeting terminated.

Opening op the Timaru School.— The ceremony of opening the Timaru borough school takes place to-day. The day has been proclaimed a holiday, and the Herald states that, " Numerous visitors are also expected from a distance, including his Honor the Superintendent, members of the Board of Education and other leading men of the province. The festival will commence at midday with the children's fete. In this all children will be allowed to take a part, whether they belong to the school or not, or whether they live in the town or come from the country. The commissariat is to be on a most extensive scale. In this duty all the bakers in the town are engaged, and there will be ample refreshments provided for one thousand children. Very complete arrangements have also been made for the sports, and a handsome sum of money has been devoted to the purchase of prizes for the winners of the events. In the evening an entertainment of a miscellaneous character is to be held. A very attractive programme for the musical portion of the entertainment is to be gone through, and during the evening addresses will be delivered by a number of gentlemen. The festivities will be brought to a termination by a ball on Thursday evening."

Ashburton. A correspondent writes : The late fresh in the Ashburton river has shifted the ford so much that for years the ford has never been in so bad a state. The numerous piles in the railway bridge has caused a succession of scours for some distance down the river, so that to cross with anything of a load it is necessary to make sundry tacks up and down the different streams to escape the numerous deep holes with which the river at present abounds, and as the water is still very muddy it makes it a matter of some difficulty to cross the river. Houses are going up in all directions in the township, and the enormous quantity of material and goods coming down by rail quite give the little township a lively appearance. Strenuous efforts are being made, and it is more than probable that an Episcopalian church will be built and ready opening about Christmas. Great praise is due to the curate of the district for the energy he has displayed in church matters, and it. i<* also a matter of great regret that his efforts are not more ably seconded. Great waDt is felt for house accommodation, the immigration barracks being full to overflowing, though it is gratifying to state the immigrants are all at constant work.

Horticultural and Arboricultural Society.—The usual monthly meeting of members will be held this evening, at the Clarendon Hotel, at half past seven.

The Waimaicariri.—lt is intended to hold a public meeting at Kaiapoi, to consider the question of carrying out protective and drainage works in reference to the overflow of the VVaimakariri, as affecting the Eyretou, Kaiapoi, and Mandeville and llangiora districts. At a preliminary meeting held at Oram's Pier Hotel, on Monday evening, which was well attended by several influential residents in the districts in question, it was decided that the Mayor of Kaiapoi, and the chairman of the Ms,ndeville and llangiora, and Eyreton Road Boards be requested to call a public meeting, and a committee of Messrs Dixon, Beswick, Blackett, Birch, and Oram was appointed to draft the resolutions to be submitted to the meeting. I.O.G.T.—The Pioneer lodge met in their lodge room, Addington, on Monday evening last. Three of the brethren from the grand lodge attended as visitors, and Bros Adams and Cameron of Dunedin addressed the meeting, giving an account of the progress of the movement there. After this Bro Donaldson of the Timaru lodge, by invitation of the W.C.T., addressed the lodge on the subject of the Government industrial system of insurance, and detailed its working. After answering several questions a vote of thanks was passed to Bro Donaldson for his exposition of the system. We understand that steps are being taken to organise a society in connection with the lodge, with a view to bringing into operation the Government scheme. After the lodge was closed the Dunedin brethren received a hearty farewell and wishes for future prosperity. Last night the Hope of Christchurch Lodge received an official visit from the Grand Lodge, the first that has been made since its institution in Christchurch. TheG.W.C.T. Bro Andrew?, G.V.T. Bro Cameron, and G. Councillor Adams addressed the meeting, after which Bro Donaldson, W.G.G., gave notice of motion relative to the establishment of a society iu connection with the Government Industrial Insurance scheme. The lodge was then closed in the usual form. L.0.L., No 3.—The usual monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on Tuesesday evening. There was a very large attendance of brethren, including visitors from sister Lodges. The Lodge having been opened by the retiring W.M. the E.W.G.M. of the Middle Island of New Zealand proceeded to instal the newly-elected W.M. Bro Hart according to ancient custom. The installation over, the brethren saluted the Master duly. The D.M. having been installed the secretary, treasurer, committee, and stewards were also invested. The W.M. elect then requested the R.W.G.M. to present to the retiring W.M. Bro. Christie a small token of their esteem in the shape of a five point silver star with a suitable inscription—which done, P.M. Bro Christie responded. The star is a very creditable specimen of workmanship, and the design is tasteful and appropriate. The groundwork of the star is of frosted silver the points being finished by a small ribbon of chased silver of a pretty pattern, running round. The centre is of burnished silver, slightly raised, and having small beads running down in regular graduation to the points. The star is suspended from a purple and orange ribbon by two silver bars ornamented, and altogether is a | good specimen of work. It was designed and manufactured by Messrs Coates and Co, Colombo street, where it will be on view. I After the transaction of the business of the Lodge it was closed, and the brethren adjourned to refreshment, when a number of toasts were proposed and duly honored, and the brethren separated after spending a very pleasant evening.

Some one in this colony is probably interested in the fate of the poor wanderer whose death is thus recorded in a late Newcastle newspaper:—"The district coroner has held an inquest at the Commercial Inn on the body of William Binnie, aged forty years. From the evidence, it appeared that deceased, who is an entire stranger in Newcastle, was in distressed circumstances, and had had some difficulty in procuring lodgings. These he at length obtained at Mrs Copeland's, Newcomen street. On the night previous to his decease a collection was made for him at the Steam Packet Hotel to enable him to get to his brother in New Zealand. Not feeling well, he went to Mr Hobbs' shop for some medicine, and took a little at about half-past eleven. At half-past two the next morning he was found dead in his bed. Dr S. T. Knaggs proved tbat deceased had been in a very emaciated condition, and attributed his death to the effects of disease of the lungs and heart. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony."