NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume II, Issue 142, 16 November 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

C.J.O. —A special general meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club will be held this evening, at Warner’s Hotel, at 8 p.tu. Music ITall. —Mr Chapman, Miss Ida Bonnifou, and Eugene Beda, gave a performance at the Canterbury Music Hall on Saturday evening, when the various magical feats and gymnastics passed oil satisfactorily. DR CARR. —There was a large attendance at Spensley’s Hall on Saturday evening, when Dr Carr gave another of his seances His experiments were very successfully carried out a.id loudly applauded.

St Alban’s District Library.— This library will be formally opened this evening, when his Honor the Superintendent will deliver the opening address, and speeches will also be given by Professor Bickerton, the Revs A. R, Fitchett and F. Knowles. Oddfellows. —Last week Mr Donaldson, the Government agent, visited the lodges at Kaiapoi, Rangiora, and Leithfield, and addressed the members on the benefits of industrial life insurance. At each lodge the speaker received a cordial welcome and hearty vote of thanks, after which societies were formed and agents appointed—viz, Mr E. G. Kerr for Kaiapoi, Mr R. Ah erne for Rangiora, and Mr J. Calcler for Leithfield lodge.

Sheffield Literary Institute. —A meeting was held on Wednesday. Mr R. Jebson read an essay on the electric telegraph. After a number of criticisms, mostly of an appreciative character, a unanimous vote of thanks to Mr Jebson for his valuable paper was passed. A considerable number of ladies were present as visitors. The president announced that at next meeting Mr J. Jebson would read a paper on oratory, and Mr R. Pole-had consented to read a paper on mesmerism.

Sale of Thoroughbreds.— A sale of thoroughbreds took place on Saturday, when several well known race horses changed owners. For Messrs Watt and Redwood’s Wainui, Mr H. Prince offered £4OO, but that bid did not reach the owner’s reserve, and the mare was passed in. Ngaro was sold to Mr R, Farmer, of Hawkes Bay, for 500 guineas, Titoko to Mr R. Farmer for 100 guineas, and subsequently resold to Mr H. Prince for £l5O, Tadmor to Mr Cotton, of Dunedin, for 250 guineas, and Sonnambula was knocked down to Mr Bob Ray for 60 guineas, certainly a cheap bargain, if only to use her as a brood mare. Several other horses were put up, but the reserves were too high to please buyers. Dinner. —On Saturday evening Mr J. W. Oram, of the City Hotel, was entertained at dinner by a number of commercial travellers and others, in recognition of his liberality in connection with the Metropolitan Meeting during the last few years. The chair was occupied by Mr Riddell, and the vice chair by Mr Axup. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been given, the chairman proposed the toast of the evening—“ The health of Mr J. W. Oram, coupled with the names of his brothers, Messrs C, and M. H, Oram,” which was most heartily received. The following toasts were also given “ The commercial interests of New Zealand,” proposed by Mr Menzics ; “The Turf,” coupled with the name of Mr Redwood, proposed by Mr Ackland ; “The Press,” proposed by the chairman and responded to by Mr Grey ; “ Absent friends,” coupled with the name of Mr J. Goldsmidt, proposed by Mr J. W. Oram. During the evening songs were sung by Messrs H. Hallam, N. Isaacs. Grey, Borman, Ackland, Meyers, Jackson, Riddell, and Flemming. The party broke up with three times three for City Hotel host.

The Opera. —Vincent Wallace’s “ Maritana” was repeated on Saturday evening to a very good house, and went off most successfully, Miss Alice May, Miss Lambert, Mr Hallam, and Mr Templeton receiving frequent marks of public favour in the shape of loud and continued plaudits. Mr Levison played the King very well indeed, acting and singing with much spirit and success. To-night the second of the operas recently added to the repertoire of the company, viz, Verdi’s “II Trovatore,” will be performed, Miss Alice May sustaining the role of Leonora. In the north, where this opera was played, the papers spoke in the highest terms of this lady’s rendering of the very difficult part, and also of Mr Hallam’s Manrico. In the dressing of the opera no expense has been spared by Mr Allen, the costumes especially being splendid. The following is a brief description of the plot The opera opens in the Palace of Aliaferia, where Ferrando, a follower of the Count di Luna, relates to the servants how, some years before, the younger brother of the Count was supposed to be bewitched by an old Gipsy. The sorceress was pursued, taken, and burnt, but Azucena, the Gipsy’s daughter, actuated by revenge, steals the child, with the intention of destroying it with her mother. In her excitement and rage, by mistake, she throws her own child into the flames, and the Count’s brother is brought up as her son. He becomes a troubadour, and at a tournament falls in love with Leonora, who returns his passion. Leonora is also beloved by the Count, who, in a fit of jealousy, challenges Manrico Leonora retired to a convent, and is about to take the veil, when the rivals again encounter each other, the Count and his followers are beaten, and Manrico carries off Leonora. In the meantime, Azucena falls into the power of the Count, and is condemned to be burnt ; and Manrico, in his effort to release her, is himself captured Ituiz, a follower of Manrico, conducts Leonora to the prison where he suspects his master is confined. Bhe, hearing the Miserere sung for one who is about to suffei death, and recognising her lover’s voice, to save his life, promises to marry the Count, and then poisons herself. Manrico, not caring to live without Leonora, refuses to escape, and is led to execution. The Count drags Azucena to witness her supposed son’s death, but his rage is turned to horror when she informs him that it is his own brother that be has sacrificed,

Holy Trinity, Lyttelton. —The usual monthly meeting of the vestry was held on Friday evening. Present : llev F. Pember, in the chair, Dr Donald, Messrs H. R. Webb, B. Cotton, W. Graham, and G. N. Phillips, Mr Graham reported as to what ho had done in the matter of the deed relating to the Church of England school, and called attention to the state of the church fence. It was agreed that the matter be left to him to confer with the churchwardens as to expense of putting the same in repair. A conversation as to sitting accommodation in the church ensued, but no action was taken. The matter will probably be fully gone into at a parish meeting.