NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 318, 19 June 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Provincial Council.—After a protracted session the Provincial Council was prorogued yesterday afternoon by his Honor the Superintendent. Monday Popular Concerts. The second of the series of popular concerts will be held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Monday evening next. A Very attractive programme hss been prepared. Rifle Association.—A general meeting of the members of this association was held last evening at Warner's, Captain Craig in the chair. The prizes won at the late Easter meeting were distributed to the successful competitors, as follows —Civilians' cup : Ist, Mr S. Manning ; 2nd, Mr Appleby. Association cup: Ist, Gunner Strange; 2nd, Sergeant Innes; 3rd, Sergeant Fox; 4th, Sapper Allison; 6th, Bandsman Hunsley, Challenge cup : Ist, Sergeant Beattie ; 2nd, Sergeant Chapman; 3rd, Private Cameron. Mayor's cup : Ist, Sapper Dixon ; 2nd, Sergeant Chapman ; 3rd, Private Clark. Boys' prize ; Ist, Corporal Jenkins ; 2nd, Private Douglas. All-comers' prize ; Ist, Gunner Strange; 2nd, Lieutenant Stuart ; 3rd, Private Cameron ; 4th, Sergeant Chapman. Aggregate Score prize : Ist, Sergeant Chapman ; 2nd, Private Cameron ; 3rd, Gunner Strange ; 4th, Sapper Dixon. The next business considered was the propriety of winding up the association, and after some considerable discussion it was resolved that the present members of the council retain office, and that a general meeting be held in September next. The meeting then separated. Fakir of Ooltt. —There was a very large attendance last evening at the Theatre Royal, when the Fakir gave another of hia clever and amusing entertainments. In the first part the dancing sailor, the talking money, and the disappearing glass of water diew loud plaudits, being excellently performed. The suspension in mid air of Miss Daisy Sylvester is still as unintelligible as ever, though several attempts at solving the mystery have been made. The various changes of character and the beautiful effects of the various colored lights render this one of the prettiest and at the same time most mysterious of the many charming illusions with which the Fakir of Oolu amuses his patrons during the two hours of his entertainment. The fountain last evening was even better than on former occasions, the prismatic hues which it assumed, and the beautiful combination of colors being well worthy a visit alone. This is certainly one of the most charming illusions ever witnessed here, and we can safely advise all who wish to spend a pleasant evening to pay a visit to the Fakir. Tonight Dr Sylvester will again unfold his magic budget, and on Monday, we are promised a new sensation.

Horses.—The Mercury of the 6tb of June reports :—The barque Southern Crosß,. that sails to-day for Lyttelton, Las been fitted for the reception of a valuable shipment of stock, consisting of fifteen heavy draught mares, and three entire 3 selected by Mr Thomas Dowling of Canterbury, New Zealand, from the best breeders in the colony.. The animals are intended by Mr Dowling for the improvement of his stock. One of the entires is an Arab, descended from the renowned Hadju Baba, who will still be remembered by all breeders here. This animal is very handsome and tractable, and if lanced 'safely will prove a great acquisition to our sister colony. The draught mares are a credit to any country, and prove that Tasmania has some of the right stamp left. Tf breeders would give attention to the production of such animals there would be a market for any number in the neighbouring colonies, and Tasmania is specially adapted for breeding purposes. The stallions, two fine specimens of the draught breed, were bred by Mr Robert Archer, of Longford, and purer bred animals could not be had in England, as the pedigree shows the best imported blood on each side. It is to be hoped that the animals will arrive at their destination without any casualty. The same paper of the following day also states that : —The splendid lot of horses purchased in this colony by Mr Thomas Dowling, of Canterbury, New Zealand, were, on Saturday morning, successfully shipped on board the barque Southern Cross. After the shipment of the animals the vessel was hauled into the stream. She was to to have sailed during Saturday night, but the wind fell into a dead calm, which continued throughout yesterday. The vessel would get under way this morning with the first fair wind.

Kaiapoi Farmebs' Club.—The monthly meeting of this club was held at the Kaikainui Hotel on Thursday evening. Nineteen members were present. Mr W. M. Ross was voted to the chair. Three new members werejelected. A telegram from Christchurch at 2.55 p.m, was read from Mr B Knapman, V.S, stating he could not attend that evening. Mr James Walls volunteered, if it would be of interest to the club, to give an account of his trip to England via America. The offer was readily accepted. Mr Walls, after giving an account of the railroad journey and different places at which stoppages were made en route acoss the Continent of America, entered into particulars as to the extent of farming and methods of cultivation; he explained the modus operandi as well as advantages of several of the labor saving machines, notably a reaper, and alluded to the yield of corn, and a comparison of live stock with the grain and farm stock of Canterbury, in each respect his opinions being that Canterbury was as well, if not better off, than any other part of the world which he had visited, in that respect. Mr Walls answered a number of questions, and a unanimous vote of thanks was then passed to him for the information afforded to the club. It was decided that the ploughing match dinner being probably held on July 15th would necessitate the adjournment of the next meeting till another date, and the secretary was requested to arrange for the holding of next meeting. Mr G. Hutchinson announced his intention of holding periodical sales of stock at Kaiapoi, and it was resolved—" That the farmers present view with satisfaction the proposal to establish monthly stock sales at the Kaikainui yards." Carried unanimously. The meeting then adjourned.