NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 281, 6 May 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Fruit and Flower Show.— A show of fruit and chrysanthemums will be held tonight in the long room of the Clarendon Hotel, in connection with the monthly meeting of the Horticultural Society. Admission will be free. Oxford Races, —We would remind owners of horses entered for the Oxford races that the acceptances are to be declared with the honorary secretary, Oxford, at 9 o’clock on Friday, the 7th instant, at Oxford Hotel, Oxford. Public Works Statement.— Last evening in the Provincial Council the Secretary for Public Works intimated that he would deliver his statement as to the public works of the province on Tuesday next. The Governor. His Excellency the Governor arrived in Timaru on Tuesday night. The demonstration consisted of a salute of seventeen guns by the Artillery, and a torch-light procession by the fire brigade. An address was presented by the Mayor and councillors. The annual dinner of the fire brigade was held in the evening, at which his Honor the Superintendent was present.

New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase Club, —We have received from the hon secretary to this club a copy of their rules. The rules in question are adapted from those of the Grand National Hunt Club rules in England, and some of them appear to us hardly adapted for New Zealand. For example, rule No 19 would in all probability be entirely overlooked by a nominator from Australia, and though we agree that he ought to have a certificate as to what age his animal might be, yet it Avon Id be utterly impossible in many instances to obtain information as to where the said animal had been foaled. The attempt to start the club mentioned is a laudable effort on the part of some gentlemen who wish to see good crosscountry events taking place once more in New Zealand, and we wish them every success in their attempt. The rules are very neatly printed and the book is nicely got up. Copies can be obtained from the hon sec N.Z.G.N.SjC., Timaru. The Museum. —The following letters to the chairman of the Canterbury College and contractors, re additions to museum, were laid on the table of the Council last night:— “ Provincial Secretary’s Office, Christchurch, N.Z., April 30th, 1875.—Sir,—I have the honor to inform you that the Government consider it to be absolutely necessary to suspend operations with regard to the extension of the Museum buildings until the Appropriation Ordinance is passed, and to state that notice to this effect has been given to Messrs Tait and England, the persons with whom the preliminary arrangements have been made.—l have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant (signedi, W. M. Maskell, Provincial Secretary. The chairman of the Board of Governors, Canterbury College.” The following letter was addressed to Messrs England Brothers and Mr James Tait, builder ; “ Provincial Secretary’s Office, Christchurch, April 29th, 1875. Gentlemen,—l have to give you notice, on behalf of the Provincial Government, that your tender for building at the Museum must stand over until after the Appropriation Act is passed.—l have the honor, &c, W. M. Maskell, Provincial Secretary.”

Canterbury Horticultural and Aeboricultural (Society. —The usual monthly meeting or the above society was held last evening in the long room of the Clarendon Hotel. There was a very good attendance, and the chair was taken by Professor Bickerton, one of the vice-presidents of the society. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, Professor Bickerton vacated the chair in favor of the president, Mr E. C. J. Stevens, who here entered the room. On the motion of MrD. Nairn, seconded by Mr Collins, the secretary was authorised to have a number of members’ tickets printed. Mr Jackman moved, and Mr Guntripp seconded a resolution, which was carried—“ That a rose show be held on a future date, and that a sub-com-mittee, consisting of Messrs Spicer, Jackman, Nairn, Guntripp, and'Marsh, be appointed to revise the schedules and make preliminary arrangements for holding the show.” Professor Bickerton was asked to deliver an essay at the next meeting of the society, and said that in consequence of his lecture engagements about that time he would be unable to comply with the request until the following meeting. The president then consented to read a paper on chrysanthemums at the next meeting. This concluded the business, and the members and visitors proceeded to inspect a display of chrysanthemums, &c, exhibited by several members. The following is a list of the exhibits:—4o varieties of chrysanthemums shown by Mr Abbot, 21 by Mr J. Ashton, 17 by Mr D. Nairn, 16 by Messrs Duncan and Sons, 16 by Mr P. Davis, 17 by Mr R. Line, 12 by Mr H. Spicer. Twelve varieties of everlasting grasses, Mr P. Davis; specimens of Spanish chesnut and passion fruit, Mr C. Marsh; a bunch of grapes, and one of white elderberries, and also a fine specimen of intermediate carrot, Mr H. Spicer. As the various specimens were only placed on the tables for exhibition, we will not criticise them, but as a whole it must be said that the show was a credit to the growers and to the society. The grasses shown by Mr Davis attracted marked attention for their novelty and arrangement,

Theatre Royal. —There was a capital house last evening at the Theatre Royal, when “ Elizabeth ” was repeated. A Legal Definition.—To day, during the business of the Resident Magistrate’s Court, a counsel, learned in the law, had occasion to refer to the definition of a word in Dr Johnson’s dictionary, and he boldly stated his idea that the doctor was nothing but “ a half-educated lexicographer.” The time seems fast approaching when belief in everything is to bo swept away by the march of intellect, so rapid is the progress made in unbelief by such minds as those of the legal luminary above referred to. Heathcote Parish. — A meeting of the parishioners of Heathcote was held last evening in bt John’s Church, Ferry road, to consider a recommendation of the vestry for a division of the parish. The chair was occupied by Rev G. J. Cholmondley. Mr J. E. March stated that the officers elected at the last Easter meeting had decided that some radical change was wanted in the affairs of the parish, and the best way to effect this was by a division of the parish. The regulations of the Synod required that they should guarantee not less than £3OO to their clergyman. He saw his way to raiae £250. He begged to move, “ That it is desirable that the parish of Heathcote be divided into two separate parishes and constituted as the parish of Opawa and parish of Heathcote.” Mr'Peel seconded the motion. Mr R. Davis thought before this was carried out the whole scheme should be laid before the parishioners. Mr Huddlestone was of the same opinion. Mr J. W. Davis said what they wanted was not division, but unity. After some discussion the resolution was put and declared negatived on the voices. Mr March withdrew ’ the otter resolutions, and the chairman declared the meeting at an end.

Church in the Caledonian Road. — A meeting of parishioners of St. Luke’s parish was held last evening, at the residence of Mr C. R. Blakiston, Springfield rd., for the purpose of promoting the erection of a church on the church reserve, fronting on the Caledonian road. Mr C. R. Blakiston was voted to the chair, and briefly explained the objects of the meeting. The Rev E. A, Lingard said the necessity of an additional church in the parish had long been felt, ard the fact of the Dean and Chapter having lately given a reserve of half an acre on their property north of Colombo street—now being let off in building sites—for church purposes, afforded an opportunity, of which it was desirable the parishioners should avail themselves, by erecting a church in a locality where the want of it had long been felt. The vestry had gone into the matter, and procured a rough plan and estimate from Mr Mountfort, which he (Mr Lingard) begged to lay on the table, The cost of the building, exclusive of fittings, would be £4OO. Towards this the Church Property Trustees had made a grant of £IOO in accordance with a resolution of the late Synod. It was for the present meeting to decide as to the ways and means of providing the balance. The Rev F. Knowles expressed his earnest sympathy with the object of the meeting, and offered to render any assistance he could give in carrying out the services of the church, should it be built. Mr Gresson moved— That it is desirable that a church be erected upon the church reserve fronting upon the Caledonian road as speedily as the necessary funds can be obtained.” DrFlorance seconded the motion, which was agreed to unanimously. Dr Florance moved —“ That a co-operative committee be formed for the purpose of collecting subscriptions in aid of the building fund.” Mr Gresson seconded the motion, which was carried; On the motion of Mr T. Gordon, seconded by Mr Gresson, the following committee, with power to add to their number, were appointed. Messrs Florance, Price, Newell, Hinton, Hawkins, Bilton, Haling, Foster, Dawe, Hawker, Knight, Atkinson, and Mann. Mr Gresson moved—“ That the incumbent be requested to call together the financial committee from time to time, at such place as may seem to him expedient, and that the Rev F. Knowles be invited to attend such meetings.” Dr Florance seconded the motion, which was carried. A subscription list was opened in the room, and subscriptions given to the amount of £9l 7s. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman for the use of the room, and his services in the chair. Now that contagious diseases are abroad, every housewife should use carbolic soap for household purposes, as it is a thorough disinfectant, and recommended by the faculty.— [Advt.] An American literary journal, in its account of the (t/'ounty Teachers’ Institute, says ;—“ An exercise in spelling was given on Monday afternoon, consisting of twenty words, in which no teacher spelled all the words correctly, though five ‘come’ within two of it, and one other ‘come’nearer yet,’ &c. The Tasmanian Tribune says that there is now living at Back River, five miles from New Norfolk, an old lady named Hayes r who is ninety-five years of age, and who has been sixty years a widow. She walks frequently into the township to effect purchases. She has a son seventy-seven years of age, and one hundred and one children and greatgrand children distributed over Tasmania. Truly, the Hayes’ are a prolific family.