NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 177, 2 January 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

German Picnic at Sumner. —The German society, numbering about thirty members, together with their families and friends, had a picnic at Sumner yesterday. They were conveyed in carriages to this popular watering-place, where a pleasant day was spent till the rain set in. An excellent band accompanied the party, and added greatly to the day's enjoyment. 1.0.G.T., Kaiapoi.—The anniversary tea of the Star of Freedom lodge, was held in the Institute on Thursday evening and largely patronised. The comestables were provided by Mr Blackwell, and dispensed by lady friends. At the public meeting, Bro T. B. Knight occupied the chair, giving an account of the progress of the order. Addresses were delivered by Messrs Bourn, Batt, Hotton, and others. Selection of vocal music were sung by members of the lodge, and one or two of the juvenile members delivered recitations and dialogues, The affair was an entire success. Zelinda Combination. The Theatre Royal was very well attended last night notwithstanding the extremely inclement weather. Mr Amery, though he was suffering from cold, sang iu a manner which showed that, with cultivation, he will be very good. The singing and dancing of Miss Neilson and Messrs Shipp and Hudson were good of the kind, especially the golden shoe dance. The great attraction, Mdlle Zelinda's Arabian box mystery, was performed with great success under the supervision of a committee of gentlemen on the stage. Lyttelton.—Little business was done in Lyttelton this morning, and the stores were all closed at noon, Miles and Co taking the initiative at 11 am. The money taken at Catholic bazaar yesterday was a very large sum, considering the wet, amounting to about £l2O. It will be kept open till Monday night. There are atill nearly all the most valuable articles on the stalls, and though the wet this morning has prevented a very large trade being done, it is expected, if it clears, that there will be a considerable trade carried on to-night. Many of the articles are useful and reasonable in price. It is intended that several songs will be sung tonight by well-known amateurs. There will bearnee'ing at four o'clock on Monday of the regatta judges, to decide a protest as to what vessel was second in the champion sailing race, as it has been alleged, though we yet know nothing as to the truth of the matter, that the Albatros did not go round the buoy at one particluar period of the race.

Fell Overboard. —The mate of the Florence was drowned in the passage of that vessel from the Manakau to this port. His name was James Greves, and he was well known here, as he has been twelve years on this coast. He held a master's certificate, and was formerly commander of the Eose of Eden, that used to trade out of Wanganui and Wellington. He brought the Eliza Mary, brigantine, from Havelock to this port a few months ago. The accident happened off Cape Egmont on the 27th of December. There was a fresh breeze from the S.W. blowing at the time, and the A r essel was going about five knots. He was taking a drink from the water cask about 11.30 p.m., the weather thick and cloudy when he was observed to stagger back and fall overboard with the dipper in his hand. A life buoy was immediately thrown overboard, and the boat lowered and the vessel put about. The boat was kept in the water three quarters of an hour, when the wind freshening made the sea so rough that it was impossible for her to live in it and she was taken in. The schooner was kept in the neighborhood till 2 a.m., when the gale increased to such an extent that it was found necessary to take the vessel in shore. In spite of all these efforts, nothing was ever seen or heard of the unfortunate man again.

Congregational School Treat. —This annual treat to the children being educated in the Congregational schools in Christchurch and its vicinity, was held yesterday, and though like all the similar gatherings on New Year's Day marred by the unpropitious weather, was still very successful. The children assembled at Taylor's retreat, and enjoyed themselves at various sports, until the rain came down so heavily as to necessitate a retirement into the large hall. Here good things of all sorts were sex-ved out in profusion, and after every one had had had enough, various hymns were sung and recitations were delivered. A novelty, in the shape of an extemporised baby show, was then held, and twelve fine babies, each under twelve months old, were exhibited. Four prizes were awarded by the judges, ami every one seemed satisfied that the committee had done their best to render the gathering a success. During the evening a handsome inkstand was presented to Mr Taylor, as a recognition of his kindness in allowing the treat to take place at his grounds for the last four years. The company separated at five o'clock, the proceedings being brought to an early termination by the unseasonable weather. There were about 500 children present, and each one carried away some memento of the day. ♦ The hind legs of frogs were being sold recently in !S T ew York at from 4s to £1 per do/en pairs wholesale. It is stated that Dr Kenealy has purchased an estate in the coiinty Cork, which is to be called the Tichborne Dole. An able discussion is going on between the Chicago and Detroit newspapers about the size of women's feet. The following low flung personalty is the last try of a Detroit editor:—"'Chicago may talk about the homely women of Detroit, but there is one redeeming power. When one of them gets mired they don't have to dig up half the street to get a sixteen-foot scantling under her foot for a pry."