NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume III, Issue 206, 5 February 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

St, Patrick's Day Celebration. —The adjourned meeting to make arrangements for the above will be held at the Criterion Hotel this evening, at 8 o’clock. Permanent Investment Association. —The annual meeting of the above will be held this evening, at 7.30 p.m., at Mr Charles Clark’s rooms. Postponement of Lecture. —Professor Brown’s lecture, which was to have been given at the Oddfellows’ Hall, on Thursday next, will not take place, in consequence of that gentleman’s illness. His classes in Classics and English literature are postponed for the same reason, Amuri Presbyterian Church.—The presbytery of Christchurch met hunc ejfeotvm, and was constituted by prayer at the Waiau on Tuesday, the 2nd of February, to induct the Rev W. R, Campbell to the pastorate of the Amuri district. The minute was read relative to the proceedings and confirmed. Before the public service commenced the Presbytery clerk read the edict calling for objections, and there were none. The Rev Wm. Douglas, M.A., Akaroa, preached an excellent sermon from John xxi, 16 and 17. The Rev A. F. Douglas, moderator, asked the pastor-elect the usual questions, offered up the induction prayer, and formally inducted the Rev W. R. Campbell to his charge in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church; and Mr Campbell received the right hand of fellowship from the Presbytery. Thereafter the Rev A. F. Douglas addressed the newly-inducted pastor in regard to the special duties of his office, and the Rev W, McGregor addressed the people on their relative duties towards their pastor. After the Benediction the people gave their pastor a kindly welcome. There was a good attendance. Orchestral Society. —This society gave its fourth concert of the present season last evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall, and we were glad to note from the marked improvement in the attendance that the public are beginning to appreciate the good work which this society has been doing ever since its foundation. The starting of this society, and the impetus thus given to perfecting our orchestral department, so necessary to the tr.ue rendering of any work, has marked an era in the history of music in Canterbury, and we hope to see the public by larger attendances, and also by swelling the subscribers’ roll, evince practically and substantially the interest they feel in the work the society is doing so well. The programme last evening comprised some charming numbers, all of which, we may say, were executed admirably by the members. The piece of the concert was, of course, Balaman’s setting of Haydn’s Symphony in D, four movements. This was a very great treat, and the audience expressed their approval by hearty applause. Ail the movements went well, the orchestra working capitally together, but the largo canti bile and the beautiful finale were rendered with a delicacy and precision which showed more than anything else how conscientiously and carefully the work had been studied, and with what success the master was interpreted. As a whole, the symphony was played in a way which would have done credit to a city of larger pretensions. Franz Schubert’s serenade, arranged orchestrally, was also very nicely given, and the overtures, \lehul and Mozart, and that quaintest of quaint 'fancies the overture comique by Keler Bela. A lady contributed two songs, both of which were very well sung indeed, and a well-known amateur sang “ Non piu mdrai” successfully. A number of gentlemen /ave two or three pretty part songs, and altogether the conceit, both musically and financially, was a great buccsw,

Railway Servants’ Benefit Society. —A meeting of railway employes was held last evening at the old Oddfellows’ Hall, with the object of organising a Canterbury Railway Servants’ United Benefit Society. Mr W. Pleasant was voted to the chair, and stated the reason for which the meeting had been called, and said that it was the desire of the promoters to form a society which would give its members similar aid to any benefit[society in cases of sickness or accidi nt. A resolution forming the society was carrier, and rules that had been prepared were submitted and agreed to. Thirty names were enrolled, and a committee elected, who were empowered to appoint a medical man. It was determined to hold a second meeting shortly, and in the meantime employes desirous of becoming members may do so by forwarding their names to Mr Yenner at the Christchurch terminus.

Peal of Bells. —A meeting of gentlemen convened by Mr Ruddenklau to consider the question of the proposed increase of the Herman peal of bells and subsequent handing them over to the city, was held last evening in the German church. His Worship the Mayor was called upon to preside, and in opening the business of the meeting spoke of the desirability of the city possessing a peal of bells, and suggested that the public might be asked to subscribe to complete the present peal, which, until the city provided a proper place of its own, might be rung in the tower belonging to the German church. Some discussion ensued, in which Messrs Sawtell, Ick, Bruce, and others took part, and ultimately the following resolution was carried That a provisional committee, comprising his Worshis the Mayor, Messrs Sawtell, Bruce, Ick, Ruddenklau, Kruse. Schwartz, and Schmidt, be appointed to draw up conditions, as a basis upon which the public could be asked to subscribe to complete the present peal of bells, to report at a future meeting.” The meeting then adjourned.

Shocking Accident. —A painful rumor reached town last evening that two ladies and a gentleman had lost their lives during the morning while attempting to cross the Rangitata. The news proved too true, and so far as we have been able to learn, the following are the particulars : —About nine o’clock the gentleman, supposed to be a Mr Mclntosh, who is managing Dr Fisher's station in the McKenzie country, with his wife and daughter, aged twenty-four, arrived in a hooded buggy, drawn by two horses, on the Temuka side of the river, and hailed the fordsman. The man regularly employed on the ford was away, but had left his brother in-law, Charles Wragge, who knows the ford well, in charge. Wragsre mounted a horse and crossed over, when Mr Mclntosh expressed his impatience at being kept waiting, as he desired to catch the midday train at the Ashburton. Wragge then piloted Mr Mclntosh into the river, the ford being taken at the proper place. On the buggy arriving at the deep water the ladies seemed to become frightened, and stood up, causing the buggy to tilt, when the current caught it, and aided by the heavy hood, it cai giied, the occupants being thrown into the river. Wragge managed to catch hold of Miss Mclntosh as she was passing, but the force of the water dragged her away from him and she followed her unfortunate parents down the stream. A short time afterwards, her body was recovered a little way down the river, but life was extinct; nothing however was seen of Mr or Mrs Mclntosh. When the coach crossed later in the day, diligent search was being made for the bodies, and information of the accident had been sent to the police at Temuka. What adds to the sadness of this accident is that the river was low, the ford good, the crossiner down stream, and if the ladies had not been frightened and stood up the slightest danger need not have been apprehended. The hordes in the buggy came out all right, but the hood and body were forced from the frame.