NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 436, 5 November 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Barlow's Circus.—This place of amusement will open in the paddock, Gloucester street, to-morrow evening.

Coleridge Election.—Mr W. B. Tosswill announces himself as a candidate to represent the district of Coleridge in the General Assembly.

Firing. Captain Digby, of H.M.S. Sappho, has accepted the challenge from the Christchurch Artillery, and the match will come off in about ten da\s.

Agricultural and Pastoral Association. —The entries for sheep, cattle, and horses were to close last evening at six o'clock, but owing to those from Leeston not being received the list could not be completed. The following, as near as possible, are the number of entries received :—Sheep, long wools, 179 ; merino,46; Southdown, halfbred and fat sheep, 32; cattle, 53, fat cattle, 34 ; draught horses, 65 ; blood horses, 15 ; carriage horses, 13 ; hackney cobs, &c, 42. Found Dead.—Late on Wednesday night a man apparently dead, was found in a closet at the rear of the Empire Hotel, High street, by a person in Mr Cari.'s employ. The constable on the beat was called in, and as he fancied he could detect a slight pulsation of the heart, and believing the man migh 4 ; possibly be in a fit, he had him conveyed in a cab to the hospital. On arrival there, Dr Guthrie pronounced him to be dead. It has since transpired that the man's name was Francis Barnes; that he left Lodge's Temperance boarding house at 9 o'clock that morn ing; that he had been initiated a Good Templar the previous night, and that he had not been seen about the Empire Hotel that day. It is presumed that apoplexy was the cause of death.

Philosophical Institute.—The annual meeting of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury was held last evening at the Public Library, Dr Powell, the president, in the chair. The annual report, which space prevents us from publishing in the present issue, was read and adopted. The treasurer, Mr J. Inglis, submitted the balance-sheet, which showed the receipts to be—balance on hand on October 31st, 1874, £66 5s 9d ; subscriptions, &c, £ll4 12s lid. The expenditure amounted to £55 13s 6d, leaving a balance in hand of £125 5s 2d. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year. President, Dr Powell j vice-presidents, Dr Coward and Professor Bickerton; hon treasurer, J. Inglis; hon secretary, J. S. Guthrie. The'Revs J. W. Stack and C. Fraser, and Mr Fereday were elected members of the Council in the place of Messrs Gresson, Tancred, and Dr Coward, who retire by rotation; Messrs J. Palmer and C. R. Blakiston were elected auditors. Bast Chbistchurch School Committee. —A meeting of the above committee was held in the vestry of the Congregational Church last night. Present—Rev W.J. Habens (chairman), Messrs Bray, Veel, Jameson, and Kirk. The chairman read a letter from the Minister of Education, authorising the committee to call for tenders for levelling and draining the Gloucester street school site; stating that though no special provision was made for mistresses receiving calisthenic instruction, yet, if it were necessary, the drill instructor would render every assistance in his power; also authorising the committee to make arrangements for collecting the rate of 10s per annum required by regulation 2. With reference to the opening of the new school, Mr Wynn Williams waited on the committee, and offered several suggestions regarding the nature of the cere mony. The committee decided that the chairman be requested to see his Honor tbe Superintendent, with a view to requesting his Excellency the Governor to open the school during) his coming visit. The ap pointment of Mr E. J. Lightfoot as caretaker of the Gloucester street school at a salary of £52 was confirmed. It was decided that the chairman confer with the Minister of Education with reference to the appointment of a collector for the district. After passing various accounts and trans acting some routine business, the committee adjourned,

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.—The usual monthly meeting of the society was held in the Congregational schoolroom last night, Mr Napier in the chair. It was resolved—" That Mr Gibba be requested to act as judge in place of Mr Hart." A sub-committee was formed to carry oul the arrangements for the Kose Show. The secretary was requested to write to Messrs T. H. Potts, Lowe, and Nalder and request them to act as judges.

Orchestral Society.—The last concert of the fifth season of the Orchestral Society was given last evening, at the Oddfellows' Hall. The attendance was not large, and we think that it does not speak well for the musical taste of the people of Christchurch that this society, whose aim is to give performances of the instrumental works of the great composers, should not receive more general support. Of the performance last night, we must give the palm to the rendering of Haydn's Symphony in D, which was played throughout most excellently. The sweet theme of the first Allegro was led off by the strings with good yigor, but withal not too boldly : and the masterly contrapuntal development was well interpreted ; in the Andante, the phrasing was capital and the tone good, though the florid variations wanted clearness. The brilliant violin passages in the Trio were played with great smoothness and excellent tone; and the quaint drone bass, accompanying the leading theme of the final Allegro, was well sustained, Oherubini's " Medea" Overture, was not in any way equal to the above work, it lacked unanimity and finish. Beethoven's celebrated '"Egmont" Overture taxed the reeds and flutes almost too much, but the Allegro in triple measure was on the whole well rendered, the trying [syncopation being attacked with decision, The advisability of arranging pianoforte works for the orchestra is questionable, and Schubert's weird Impromptu in 0 minor thus treated, was by no means satisfactory. The tempo was |takes considerably too slow, and this militated against its success, as in many places the reeds have passages unsupported by strings, which are not easy to play ; and the short rhythmic phrases of the piece sounded disjointed in the orchestral arrangement. Of Onslow's charming overture," Le Colporteur," we must speak in terms of high praise ; the tone was excellent and the whole rendering clear, but the Entr'acte by the same composer, was scarcely a well chosen conclusion to the programme. The vocal music interspersed formed a pleasant variation. Miss Ada S. Taylor contributed Campana's arietta. "La Fioraja Fiorentina" and Bishop's "Echo Song." This lady's singing is well known, and her vocalization is always appreciated. Last evening she was scarcely equal to her usual standard, but her singing was most pleasing. The flute obligato to the latter song was admirably played by Mr Wood. Mr Knox contributed " Se duol Ballare" from Mozart's " Figaro," in excellent style, though rather overpowered by the band. Mr W. H. Simms' glee party attended and sang Sullivan's " The long day closes," and Abt's " May bong" (unaccompanied), very nicely indeed. The sparkling " Huntsman's Joy," from " Der Freischutz," was not so successful, as the melody was overpowered by the under parts ; but the " Vintage Song," from Mendelssohn's " Lorely," was excellent. Mr Simms played the accompaniments to Miss Taylor's songs with his well known ability. We may suggest that a little more pre-arrangement would be advisable, as much time was lost between the pieces, which it would be well to avoid. The next concert of the society is announced for the early part of February, and we may express a hope that in future the society may meet with the large patronage it deserves.

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 have obtained inferior soap, and their hands are chafed therewith, there is generally a late tea, aud 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. ]