NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 433, 2 November 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

■ —.——- Heathcotb ' Election. —Sir Cracroft Wilson announces himself as a candidate to represent the district of Heathcote in the General Assembly. Philadelphia Exhibition.—A meeting of the local committee of the Philadelphia Exhibition was to have been held yesterday afternoon at 3 p.m., but owing to the general meeting of the Loan and Investment Association of New Zealand, it was postponed till to-day at the same hour. Masonic Ball.— This ball which takes place to-morrow evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall promises to be a great success, judging from the number of tickets sold. The stewards have made every provision for the comfort of their guests. The Metropolitan Meeting. The drawing for Warner’s festival on the C.J.C. will take place at the Commercial Hotel on Thursday next. The one projected by Mr J. W. Morton will be drawn at Morton’s Hotel on the same afternoon. Holy Trinity, Lyttelton. —A special meeting of the vestry was held on Saturday evening, Rev F. C. Lloyd in the chair; present—All the vestrymen, but T. A. W. Parsons and Mr A. Parsons. The rev chairman nominated Dr Donald as his churchwarden. It was resolved that an estimate of the coat of fitting the church for gas be obtained ; also that the secretary write letters of thanks to the ladies who took part in the house to house collection and in the recent soiree. It was further resolved that Mr Armson be re quested to survey the parsonage, and report on the best means of putting it in thorough repair. Applications for the post of organist were read and considered. After discussion the appointment was deferred until the next cr Jinary meeting; the secretary to arrange fpr next Sunday’s services,

10.0.F,M.U.- —A summoned meeting of the Loyal City of Christchurch Lodge, 1.0.0.F.jM.U,, was held last evening for the election of a permanent secretary to the Lodge, when Bro S. Harper was unanimously re-elected to that office. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to his Honor the Superintendent, Bro W, Rolleston, and the Hon 0. 0. Bowen for their courtesy in forwarding copies of the Amended Friendly Societies Act, passed during the last session of the Assembly. Sale of Booths.— The annual sale of booths, the right of selling the ’krect card, &c, took place yesterday at Warner’s Hotel, and though the attendance was numerous the bidding was not by any means spirited until the item of the cards was reached, when “ the talent ” generally made the pace very merry, fiver shots coming freely until a century was reached, at which (the highest price yet realised) they were bought by a dark horse, the old hands looking on after last year’s price, £9O, was passed. Despite Mr Campbell's eloquence, the horse yards found no favor in the eyes of those present, Mr Griffith becoming the purchaser at £1 per diem on the part of the C.J.C. The publicans’ booths did not excite a great deal of competition, except No 1, for which the Bonifaces, who were very largely represented in the room, bid spiritedly until £l2 per diem was reached, at which price Mr H.C. West became the purchaser. The others were sold at prices averaging £7 per day. The confectioners’ booths, of which there were four, brought fair prices. The right of sports after languid competition fell to Mr Bum'ester for £l2 for the meeting. Mr J. Campbell officiated as auctioneer, and Mr F. H. Digby officiated at the receipt of custom at the close of the sale with his usual efficiency. The following were the prices realised rNo 1, Mr West, £l2 per diem ; No 2, Mr West, £9 10s per diem ; No 3, Mr C. Truckle, £7 per diem ; No 4, Mr J. Garland, £6 per diem; No 5, Mr Priston, £7 per diem ; No 6, Mr Hiorns,l£3 perjdiem. Confectioner’s booths — No 7, Mr Bash ford, £7 10s per diem ; No 8, Mr Robinson, £3 10s per diem ; No 9, Mr Poole, £6 10s per diem; No 10, Mr Thiele, £2 10s per diem. Right of vending correct cards during the meeting, Mr Alexander, £100; right of sports, Mr Burmester, £l2. The total amount netted by the sale was £307 10s. Messrs Macmillan and Co announce for publication a library edition, in three volumes, of Mr John Richard Green’s” Short History of the English People.” The book is .undergoing thorough revision, and considerable additions will be made throughout, the latter part especially receiving much fuller treatment than the extent of the present edition allowed. The same firm have in the press a memoir of the late Rajah Brooke, embracing a period from 1830 to his death in 1868, and told mainly in the words of his letters and journals. The book will contain a portrait and maps, and is the work of Miss Gertrude Jacob, with the concurrence of the" Rajah’s family. Recent numbers of the Bulletin de la Societe de Geographic of Paris contain some letters from M. Duveyrier, charged with the exploration of the Sahara in the province of Constantine, having for its object the construction of an inland sea. He describes the tract of country immediately bordering on ihe ;Franco Algerian territory as almost entirely deserted, on account of the terror of Tunisian brigands* and marauders. Here, nevertheless, are abundant pasture grounds, numerous small succulent and aromatic plants, springing up in spring time, besides more valuable plants. Dpon one occasion the exploring party came upon some flocks, but no sooner were they observed than the shepherd dispersed them as far as possible, hid his clothes and himself, naked, as best he could in the sand, where he was discovered, his teeth chattering with fear. Now and then they came upon the track of a band of Tunisian horsemen, who had, according to custom, made a razzia upon the bordering tribes. The water in many places contains large quantities of salts of magnesia and other mineral substances, the effects of which were found extremely deleterious. The expedition started by way of the fertile districts of El Faid and Es Safel, where were found many canals cut by the Arabs for purposes of irrigation. These alluvial tracts are not cultivated every year, but only in favorab’e seasons. On the whole, M. Duveyrier’s reports offer much that is interesting to the naturalist, geographer, and people generally, and it is to be hoped that the author of the well-known “Touaregs du Nord ” will give the results of bis experiences more fully to the world . —Pall JUall Gazette. It is a well ascertained fact that housewives are seldom out of temper on a washing day, if they get well on with their work. But if they hare obtained inferior soap, and their hands are chafed therewith, there is generally a late tea, and the fireside is not pleasant until the children are got to repose. When purchasing soap, if you ask for the star brand, and see that you get it, there will be no fear of late washing or chapped hands, as the greatest care is taken when it is being manufactured to render it free from all injurious properties. Besides, it is the best, the bars are the largest, and it is the cheapest soap in the market. Try, and you will be convinced.—f Advt. ]