NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 353, 30 July 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Immigration.— The immigrants per White Rose were landed yesterday, with the exception of thirty or forty who are to proceed to Timaru in the s.s. Bruce on Saturday. Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association.— A meeting of the general committee of the above association will be held at the secretary’s office, on Tuesday, 3rd August, at 2.30 p.m. Monday Popular concerts —The fifth concert of the series will take place on Monday evening next, in the Oddfellows’ hall, in which M'ss Winter, Mr R. Parker, and several lady and gentlemen amateurs will take part. The programme will include Lake’s cantata, “The Building of the Ship,” solos, duets, part-songs, choruses, &c. Canterbury College. —The meeting of the Board of Governors called for yesterday morning at the Public Library to receive reports of committees, and consider a notice of motion given by the Rev O. Fraser, lapsed through there being no quorum. The Governors present were Mr H. B. Gresson (chairman), the Most Rev the Primate, Revs Canon Willock, W. J. Habens, J. Buller, and C. Fraser, and Dr Turnbull. Oddfellows’ Ball at Lyttelton.— This ball was held on Wednesday night in the Colonists’ Hall, and was a great success, about fifty couples being present. The Hall was a credit to the committee, as it was most tastefully decorated with flags, flax, &c, the silken banner of the order being hung at one end. The supper was excellent, and all the arrangements well worthy of praise. Supreme Court.— The Court was engaged during yesterday with the trial of the case of Mitchell v Martin, before his Honor Mr Justice Williams and a special jury, in which the verdict of the jury was sought to be obtained on certain matters of fact, to assist the learned Judge in determining certain matters of law with a view to ascertaining whether a decree should be granted in the case. The jury returned a verdict on the issues submitted to them, but it is not ascertainable from it whether it is for plaintiff or defendant. Mr Garrick, with him Mr Thomas, was counsel for plaintiff; Mr W. 'l'. L. Travers, with him Mr G. Harper, for defendant. The case of Passmore v the Bank of Now South Wales, also a special jury case, will be taken at 10 a.m. this day. Serious Accident.— We are sorry to learn, says tin: Waitangi Tribune , that a poor fellow named Henson met with a sad accident yesterday, in the Waimate bush. The unfortunate man was filling a cart with metal at a quarry above the north bridge, for metalling O’Brien’s road, when a sudden fall of gravel completely buried him. His mates immediately set to work to extricate him, and one of them started on horseback, without delay, for Dr Dunkley, reaching that gentleman’s residence in the short space of a quarter of an hour. Fortunately, the doctor was at home, and lost no time in proceeding to attend on the injured man, whom he found in a dangerous condition, suffering from a bad spinal injury, besides being seriously hurt in other parts of the body. He was removed at once to his residence, O’Brien’s road, where he received every attention from the doctor ; but, we are sorry to learn, the poor fellow is not expected to recover. Death of Signor Gonzales. —Many of our readers remember during the visit of Signer Chiarini’s Circus here, the acrobatic prrformances of Signor Gonzales as being of extraordinary merit. Signor Gonzales left N'ew Zealand in company with the Girard Brothers for San Francisco, and shortly after his arrival there was engaged to proceed to China, On bis voyage thither he met his death under the following circumstances, as

detailed in a letter from Signor Chamberio to the Star of India. He says;—“ Signor A. Gonzales and Miss Theresa Ruiz, a lady acrobat, were carrying out certain gymnastic feats on the bridge of the steamer that was carrying them to China, when accidentally Miss Theresa Ruiz lost her balance and fell into the sea. Signor Gonzales, on seeing this, immediately jumped after to rescue her; but both the parties, being ignorant of swimming, commenced struggling most desperately to save their lives, but in vain. The steamer was at the time steaming at a very high rate, and all efforts on the part of the engineers to stop her engines was in vain, and it was not until she had run a couple of miles from the place where the accident had occurred that she came to a stop. They steamed back in search, but to no purpose. Neither Signor A. Gonzales nor Miss Theresa Ruiz were to be seen ; the steamer kept cruising for hours in search of them, but they could not be found; the idea was then abandoned, the captain and crew and the rest of the company joined together and read a few prayers on behalf of their dead friends, after which the vessel steamed off, and arrived safe in China.” Soap.— Many persons who have cometothis province of late, may not know that the soap branded with a star, is of a very superior description, to most other sorts in use here. Very severe tests have proved that it is manufactured on the strictest chemical principles so as to produce an article, which whilst it possesses thorough cleansing properties, does not injure the finest fabrics, or affect the hands in the slightest degree. The public generally, will find it to their advantage to use this soap, as in addition to the above mentioned qualifications, it is sold at a lower price than most other kinds. A single trial -will prove the foregoing facts to the satisfaction of all.—Advt. Theatre Royal.— The St Vincent troupe repeated the programme of the preceding evening at the Theatre Royal last night. They appear again this evening, when Mr St Vincent takes a benefit. East Christchurch District. — A meeting of householders of Christchurch East Educational District, was held at the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening, to elect a member of the school committee vice Mr Dymock. Mr H. Thomson occupied the chair, and there were only fourteen persons present besides the chairman and the reporters. The chairman having read the clause of the Act under which the meeting was held, and called for nominations, Mr Cay gill proposed Mr Marcus Sandstein. There being no other candidate, the chairman declared Mr Sandstein duly elected, and the proceedings closed. Ellesmere Cricket Club.— A special meeting of the Ellesmere Cricket Club was held in Spring’s Southbridge Hotel, on Tuesday, the 27th instant. Present—Captain R. B. Willis (in the chair), Messrs M. S. Campbell, T, D. Acland, L. H. Herdman, W, D. Laurence, J. Lewis, and C. F. Williams (hon sec.) The chairman gave a resume of the resultof his negotiations re the lease of the cricket ground, which unfortunately showed that the club was in no better position as regards a ground than heretofore. Mr Laurence suggested that the portion of the Government reserve for rccrea tion purposes should be used as a cricket ground. The proposition, however, was not accepted by the meeting. It was proposed by Mr Herdman, seconded by Mr Campbell, and carried—“ That a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Acland, Laurence, Willis, and Williams, be empowered to make arrangements with Mr Clark, the lessee of the cricket ground, for a one year’s lease at a rental of £lO 10s, and that they are further empowered to make arrangements with the proprietor, Mr John Smith, for a lease for a term of years, and to report at the annual meeting.” The secretary’s report as to the financial position of the club was considered perfectly satisfactory, and it was hoped that, as several accounts were still unpaid, the outstanding subscriptions would be collected as soon as possible, so that the balance sheet to be furnished at the annual meeting might show the club perfectly free from liabilities. It was proposed by Mr Campbell, and seconded by Mr Laurence, “ That a dramatic and vocal entertainment in aid of the cricket club take place on the 26th of August, and that Messrs Acland, Campbell, and Williams be appointed a managing committee to carry out the necessary arrangements.” A vote of thanks to the chairman and secretary brought the proceedings to a close. 1.0.G.T. —An entertainment was given last evening at the Music Hall by the Excelsior Lodge, 1.0.G.T., which was well attended. The first part comprised musical selections. Mrs Amos took part in the duet “ The Larboard watch,” and also sang “ Happy be thy dreams,” Mr Carder sang two songs, “ Warbling at eve” by Brinley Richards,and “ Speak to me,” but he was not in such good voice as we have heard him on previous occasions. Mr Feldwick sang a motto song “ Never mind the rest,” and was loudly applauded, The choir sang “ Native land,” and a quartette “ Where art thou, beam of light ” was also sung by Miss Bennetts, Mrs Amos, and Messrs Westbrooke and Gates, Mr Y ule also gave one of his popular readings. Before the interval degree collar was presented by the chairman, Mr H, Bennetts, to Mr H. A. Gates as a mark of recognition for his services in connection with the Excelsior choir. The concluding part of the programme was a sketch entitled “ The Vacant Chair ” which was to say the least of somewhat mysterious in its action, as the laws of dramatic continuity were certainly not strictly observed. The gentlemen taking part in the scene representing the Harmonic Society were hardly—as was perhaps scarcely to be expected—at home in the bacchanalian ditties which formed the greater part of the music of the programme. They of course could plead want of experience in them, but the result was, as is usual in the comedies of the good old school, that virtue was triumphant and vice defeated, so one need not be too critical as to the means by which this very desirable end was attained. The piece certainly wore an air of mystery, so far as the audience was concerned, throughout, but as this perhaps heightened the expectation of the audience, no complaint need be made on that score. Mr Bccles sustained the character of Chairman of the Harmonic Meeting as if he had frequently taken the chair at the “ Jolly Dogs,” or the Cave of Harmony; and the other characters, especially Miss Bennetts, as the deserted but still loving wife, displayed histrionic talent of a high order. We believe that the Lodge intend repeating the entertainment, and if so, we venture to suggest the advisability of curtailing the harmonic scene somewhat. There was a large attendance. The National Anthem, sung by the company, concluded the performance,