NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 122, 21 October 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Skylarks.—Those who have taken so much p'riins to introduce our sweet English songsters will be glad to hear that these birds have become quite numerous on the Maori reserve at Kaiapoi, and may be heard at all hours of the day carolling in the sky and tilling the air with the sound of their sweet melody. 1.0.0.F.,M.U., Rangiora.—Great preparations are being made for tin: festival here tomorrow. A large tent for the accommodation of visitors is being erected in the paddock of Mr Blackett, in which the sports will be held. A cricket match is arranged to take place, and a band, under the direction of tlerr Biiuz, will be on the ground A late train leaves Kangiora after the dinner.

Lytthxton Fire Rrigade Enter-tainment.-A meeting of this committee was held in ihe Borou«h Council office on Monday evening, his Worship the Mayor in the chair. Mr N. Phillips was added to the committee. It was arranged that the entertainment should be fixed lor this evening, ai'd the seer tary was requested to see Mr Maude on the subject of a special traiu. Postal Service.—The following appointments have been made in the province of Canterbury:—John Wooding, Alford Forest ; P. Tisch, Alford Forest; Donald Potts, Ash,burtou Gorge; John Otley, Gashel street east; 0. Dunford, Colombo street south ; T. W. Baker, Duvauchelies Bay ; S. Fleming, Lincoln ; VV. Mill, Newton; W. Robinson, Ohoka ; H. Woodham, Opawa ; W. 11. Pule. Spritigston ; VV. H. Harris, Wainui ; VV. J. Simpson, West Melton ; O. Sims, Woodend.

Fatal Accident. —An accident occurred at Upper Uiccarton on Monday afternoon which lesnlted in the death of a little boy, named Charles Walter Blake, nephew to Mr Walter Blake, residing in that district. It seems the little fellow, who was only four yeais old, went with a lad in the employ of \lr Blake, to a paddock to fetch a horse. After the horse was caught, the lad mounted, him and took the child up in front of him for a ride. Shortly aft.eiwards another lad •ame into the paddock and cracked a whip, vhieh caused the horse to shy, throwing the rideiH off ; the lad reaching the ground first, he child falling on him, on his stomach. The latter seemed to be very ill when picked up, mil was immediately brought to town to a medical man, but died yesterday morning at nine o'clock,

Anniversary Festival of Native School.—The second anniversary of the Native School, Maori Reserve, Kaiapoi, will take place on Thursday next, 22nd inst. The committee seem to have spared no pains to provide for the entertainment of those who purpose favoring them on the occasion with their presence and support. To those who wish for a pleasant day's outing, this festival affords a favorable opportunity.

Papanui Entertainment.—An entertainment, consisting of pianoforte selections, songs, duetts, trios, and quartettes, was given last night in the Papanui schoolroom. The chair was occupied by the Rev G. Brittan, and there was a very good attendance. The various items of the programme were rendered by Mcsdames Barry, H. Matson, Misses Jackson and Tombs, and Messrs Appleby and Walker, in a manner that elicited general applause, and the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to those ladies and gentlemen. Flaxton School Committee.—The polling for nine members to form the school committee for this district for the ensuing twelve months took place on Monday at the Flaxton schoolroom, Mr E. Mulcock acting as returning officer. The numbers polled were Messrs Batchelor 39, Hopkins 38, Huncke 35, Mang 34, Sambrook 34, Leatherdale 34, Clark 33, Robinson 33, and Jackson 33, Mulcock 27, Stcveuson 24, Wallace 22, Dood 20, and Picard J 4. The first nine were declared duly elected. A chairman will be appointed at the first meeting of the committee. The committee elected are all residents in the Ohoka portion of the district, and it is probable that now an effort will be made to remove the school at Flaxton to a more central part of the district.

Bricklayeus' Society Dinner.—The annual dinner in connection with the Bricklayers' Society, was held last evening at Carl's Empire Motel. About thirty members sat down to a very excellent spread; the chair being filled by Mr T. Plobbs, Mr Wm. Butler occupying the vice. After dinner had been discussed, the following toasts were proposed and duly honored. " The Queen and Members of the Royal family," " His Honor the Superintendent and Executive," "His Worship the Mayor and City Council," " The architects of Christchurch," with which Mr Armsou's name was connected. " Success to the Building Trades," "Kindred Societies," coupled with the names of Messrs Dixie and Booker, and the '• Host and Hostess." In the course of the evening, the secretary read a statement ou the progress of the society, in which he mentioned the number of members to be forty; thirteen new members had joined during the year, and they had now a credit balance of £SO, with which it was intended to establish an accident fund. Songs were contributed at intervals, and a very pleasant evening spent.

Ohoka Wesleyan Sunday School.— The anniversary tea meeting of this school was held on Monday evening at the Ohoka Wesleyan Chapel. Ample provision was made for the wants of the large number of visitors by lady members of the congregation. A public meeting afterwards took place, at which the Rev R. Bavin presided. The annual report was read by Mr P. Young, which stated that the scholars numbered—boys, forty-three; girls, thirty-four; teachers, three male and three female. The average attendance of scholars throughout the year was fifty; teachers, four. The receipts were £25; the expenditure, £2O 14s sd. A report on the library stated there were at present 213 volumes on the shelves. On the motion of Rev H. Bull, seconded by Mr E. Bate, the reports were unanimously adopted. Addresses were given by Rev H. Bull, on christian usefulness; Mr E. Bate and the Chairman on the question of working for the christian cause, Excellent recitations were delivered by Master W. Le Fleming, "Fisherman's song," and Miss J. Duffell " Miriam." At intervals, musical selections were given by the Kaiapoi choral class, the pieces being of the nations," "God is King," "Our soul waiteth," and " Oh, be joyful," which were all well rendered. Votes of thanks to the ladies providing tea, the singers, the speakers, and the chairman, terminated a pleasant meeting. On Tuesday the children were conveyed in an excursion party, under the care of their teachers and friends, by special railway carriages to Lyttelton, where they spent a pleasant day, were regaled with cake, &c, and returned home by the last evening train.

vital Statistics.—The statistics for th Q various boroughs of the colony for September are'pnblished in the Gazette: —ln Auckland, with a population of 12,775, there were 58 births aud 17 deaths, the death rate being 1 33. In the Thames, with a population of 8073, there were 20 births and 5 deaths, the death rate being 0.62. In Wellington, with a population of 10,517, there were 52 births and So deaths, the death rate being 3 31, the highest in the colony. In Nelson, with a population of 56(12, there were 2L births and 8 deaths, the death rate being 1.41. In Christchurch, with a population of 10,21)4, there were 38 births and 25 deaths, the death rate beine 2 42. In Dunedin, with a population of 18,491), there were 84 births and 26 death-*, the death rate being 1 40. In Bokitika, with a population of 3352, the births were 10 and the deaths 5, showing a death rate of 1.41. The births wire 21)2 in September, against 316 in August, while the deaths were 13 more in number than the deaths in August. Of the deaths, males contributed 60; females, 61 ; 61 of the deaths were of children under 5 years of age, being 50.41 of the whole number ; 34 of tin se were of children under 1 year of age. Thedealhs of children under 5 years of age exceeded those in August by 8. Five females died aged respectively 66 (2), 70, 71), aud 81 years ; 4 males died between the ages of 65 and upwards, the oldest being 78. Five of the above !) deaths occurred in Wellington, 2 in Dunedin, I in Christchurch, and 1 in Auckland.

The Church op England Synod.— The ninth Synod of the Diocese of Christchurch was opened yesterday. The usual order of opening was carried out, but the proceedi ;gs did not attract as much attention as on former occasions. This may have been from the want of sufficient publicity having been f-'iven in the various churches. The congregation at Matins and celebration was miserably small, not more than forty persons, exclusive of the clergy, being present, while at evensong the church was not crowded. The Church of St Michael's was given up for the day to the Dean and (-'haptcv for Cathedral purposes, so that the church officers are in no way responsible for the manner in which the services were carried cut, which, to say the least, waß any-

thing but successful. The Most Rev the Primate acted as celeV.rant, the very Rev the Dean read the gospel, and, the Rev Canon Dudley, the epistles. At Evensong, there was a slight improvement, but still, as a representative service, it was a decided failure. The service began with the processional hymn, " Onward Christian soldiers." This was the most telling part of the service. The congregation took up the spirit stirring words as the choristers, clergy, and bishop advanced in a long line from the western door to the chancel. The prayers were sung by the Rev F. Pember, wbo acted throughout as precentor. The Venerable the Archdeacon of Westland read the first lesson, and the Rev Canon Dudley the second. The sermon, from the text, " If the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for the battle/' was preached by the Very Rev the Dean, The proper Psalms were chanted to single Anglican, and the canticles to Gregorian tones. On a future occasion it would be better to have the service Anglican or ancient, the mixing up of the two is most incongruous. Too much praise cannot be given to Mr R. Parker, the organist of St Michael's, who had a most difficult task to perform, by his judicious accompaniments he covered many of the defects of the choir, and helped them through their difficulties. The offertories during the day amounted to £lO. which were for the Synod expenses. The Lord Primate having pronounced the benediction, the choristers and cleigy left the church in procession, singing as a retrocessional hymn, '• The Pilgrim of the Night." The choir was composed of members of each of the three choirs of the town parishes, and if they had proper opportunities—as on a future occasion it is to be hoped they will—of sufficient practice there is no doubt the result would be satisfactory. On the return of the choristers to the ve9try, the Lord Primate thanked them for their attendance, and hoped that their joining together ou the present occasion might lead to the formation of a choral union.

Wesleyan Bazaar.—A bazaar to dispose of the large balance of goods left from t u e recent Sunday school bazaar held in the Oddfellows' Hall, was opened last evening in the new Durham street Sunday school. By an inadvertence it had not been advertised, and the result was a rather sparse attendance. The spacious room presents a very pleasing appearance on entering, one long stall has been arranged the whole length of the western side, profusely laden with choice goods, tastefully arranged, and looking very unlike the balance of a three day's sale. On the western side of the room there is a stall, devoted to the sale of images, vases, &c. The sales were conducted by Mesdames Gould, Thornton, Mein. Harris, the Misses Gould, and the lady teachers of the Sunday school, and notwithstanding the small attendance a very brisk business was done up to ten o'clock, the hour of closing. The string band under Mr Speusley, performed some excellent music during the evening, the ladies and gentlemen in the church choir contributing some pieces in a very creditable manner. It is intended to return last night's entrance money in goods to the value of one shilling, and an auction of a portion of the goods will be held this evening.

An anti-cremation philosopher living near Lake Erie thinks the dead should he drowned.

A lawyer in Bucyrus, Ohio, stated at a temperance meeting that, having seen his father killed by the carelessness of a drunken man, he took a solemn oath never to drink again. "Since that time," he continued, "I have never broken that oath—at least not very much."

The St, Louis Globe speculates concerning the obituary of the future. We append one or two specimens:—Charles Pupker, 3 3-4 lbs, cremated July 9, 1872. For wife of above see third pickle bottle on next shelf. Little Tommy, burnt up September 16, 1862. Jane Matilda Perkins, October 3, 1869 ; put up by the Alden Corpse Cremating Company ; none genuine without sigature. Garrick was performing a king in a new piece, in which the principle incident was similar to Lear's abdication of the throne in favour of his daughter. When he came to the passage, "And now I divide this crown between you," some one in the pit exclaimed, " That's just half-a-crown apiece." An incessant laugh prevailed, and the scene was abruptly brought to a close." A Kentucky editor, being challenged by a county treasurer for calling him '' the redheaded malignant mule who dissipates the county money," produced his manuscript, and showed that he wrote the " big-hearted valiant soul who dispenses the county money." The treasurer withdrew the challenge, and substituted an invitation to an oyster supper. At a seance recently held at Cincinnati, IT. S., the medium described, for the edification of one of the audience, as standing before him, but of course invisible to anybody else, a tall, blue-eyed spirit, with light whiokers, and hair carefully parted in the middle. "Do you know him?" whispered a neighbor to the person who wished the spirit of somebody he was thinking of to be evoked. " Know him !" exclaimed the unhappy man, " I guess I do. He was engaged to my wife, and if he had not died he would have been her husband instead of me. 0, George, George !" he murmured, in a voice choked with emotion, "why did you peg out, and leave me to marry her ?"