NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 526, 24 February 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Bace Horses. —Mr D. O’Brien’s race horses, Fishhook, Auckland Kate, and Haphazard, were passengers for Port Chalmers in the s.s Wellington yesterday, Heathcotb Regatta. —The committee will meet this evening at Warner’s Hotel, at half-past seven o’clock. Members are particularly requested to attend. Lyttelton Dramatic Society. A meeting of this society was held at the Colonists’ Hall, on Tuesday evening last, at which it was determined that a mixed’entertainment should be held in the beginning of March, admittance to be at million prices. As the evening’s amusement will consist of a popular farce, music, readings, &c, no doubt there will be an excellent house. Cricket. —A match will be 'played between the Sunny side and Addington clubs on; Saturday next, the 261 h instant, on the Sunnyside ground. The following members have been chosen to represent the Sunnyside club, viz—H. Page (captain), H. Clarke, Watts, J. Hill, H. Hill, Streeter, S. H. Seager, J. Kinsman, J. Morris, H. Seager, P. B. Petrie. Wickets will be pitched at halfpast one. City Carriers. —A memorial to the City Council has been very numerously signed by the city carriers, praying them to exercise some restriction as to the age of lads allowed to drive express waggons under license. At present some of these vehicles are in charge of mere boys, and it is a wonder that some serious accident has not taken place. We hope the Council will see their way to grant the prayer of the petition in the interests of the public. Lyttelton Improvements. —The new main culverts are approaching completion. Those in Salt’s Gully and Oxford street are already finished, while that in Grubb’s gully is being rapidly proceeded with, and we are informed by Mr Stinson, the contractor, that it will be completed in a fortnight. When the latter work is done, the Bank of New Zealand intend putting up a new building on their section through which the culvert runs. It is hoped that as drainage becomes more perfect illness will decrease in the town, and as there is now every prospect of the water supply being, brought through from the Heathcote in a few months, there is little doubt this will be the case. The Railway from Waitaki to Wai mate. —The North Otago Times writes : * Information reachesjus that the laying of the rails between the Waitaki Bridge and the station on the north bank is to be pushed on immediately, and that so soon as the line is opened thereto the material for laying the permanent way between the Waitaki station and Waimate will be forwarded from the Oamaru end with all possible expedition. The visit on Wednesday of the Minister of Public Works is likely to result in the pushing on of the Waiareka Railway, as we understand that Mr Richardson consented to the sleepers required for the first mile or so of line being lent to the contractors, Messrs Morrison and Co. This difficulty having been overcome, we hear that the line will be open from end to end within six weeks.” The Volunteers.— An inspection parade of the Artillery, Engineers, City Guards, and Cadets was held last evening, in the Drillshed, by Major Lean. Battalion drill having been gone through, the Yolunteers were formed into line, in order that a presentation of a gold watch chain might be made on behalf of the Engineers to their late captain, Mr Francis Pavitt, as a memento of the esteem in which he was held by his comrades. Major Lean, in presenting the chain to Lieutenant Anderson, who received it on behalf of Mr Pavitt, said that he had known Mr Pavitt as captain, lieutenant, and sergeant, and he had great pleasure in bearing testimony to his worth and efficiency. At the conclusion of the presentation the men were dismissed.

Masonio.— The New Zealand, Times says : —“ We have been informed that letters patent, under the hand of his Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the ancient fraternity of Freemasons in England, have been received by this mail, appointing Sir Donald McLean, K.0.M.G., District Grand Master for the North Island of New Zealand. A want long felt by Masons hailing under the English constitution, residing in the North Island, will now be satisfied, and prosperity will doubtless flow from the unity among the various lodges now to be attained. For many years past District Grand Lodges under the sister constitutions have been in existence in the Middle Island of New Zealand, and it is r remarkable that in the older part of the colony English Masons should not have recognised ere this the advantage and necessity of a District Grand Lodge. We cordially congratulate the members of the craft, and especially those of the New Zealand Pacific Lodge, upon the ratification of their choice of a brother so distinguished and generally esteemed, to fill the highest masonic office in this island.” Papanui School Committee. The usual monthly meeting of this school committee took place on Tuesday evening last. Present —Messrs G. Harper (chairman), Norman, Godfrey, Jones, Lowe, Munro, and Barlow. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The chairman read correspondence which he had forwarded to the Minister for Education re swimming bath and continuation of the holidays, With regard to the erection of a swimming bath, the Government have agreed to give £SO towards its construction. A letter was read from Mr Morgan relative to the necessary new furniture which was required for the new additions. It was proposed by Mr Lowe and seconded by Mr Norman and carried—- “ That the chairman write to the Government, thanking them for their offer of £SO towards erection of swimming baths.” It was also resolved that the chairman write to the Minister complaining of the delay in carrying out the additions to the school, and that the attention of the Provincial Architect be directed to the necessary repairs required in the old building before the now building is handed over by the contractor. It was resolved that a meeting of the entertainment committee take place on Tuesday evening next- to make arrangements for opening the new additions to the school with a tea and entertaianjeot,

Me John Anderson’s Portrait, —A few gentlemen, yesterday afternoon, took occasion, on behalf of the subscribers, to present Mr Anderson’s portrait to that gertleman. Mr W. Wilson was deputed to make the presentation, as chairman of the committee, and took occasion to advert to Mr Anderson’s long connection with the province (he being one of the “ Canterbury Pilgrims ; ”) to his well known character as a public citizen ; to his willingness at all times to assist in every object for the well being of his fellow colonists, as well as forwarding the material progress of the province of Canterbury. He also referred to the present action as an instance of the appreciation which is felt for probity of character and high moral worth. The portrait, as a work of art, was one reflecting great credit on the artist, and he trusted that at some future time when they had a city hall, the portrait might grace its walls and serve as a memento of a good citizen. Mr Anderson made a feeling reply, in the course of which he alluded to the kindly manner in which the people of Canterbury had always treated him ; to * the desire that he always felt to act conscientiously to every one with whom he came in contact, and his desire at all times to cooperate with his fellow colonists in works for their mutual benefit and social advancement. It was a matter for congratulation on his part to think that his past actions had been appreciated, and he, in thanking the subscribers to the portrait, would take care that it was faithfully preserved—not as a work of art —but as a memento of the most graceful act they could bestow on those whom they honored. After the presentation those present partook of Mr Anderson’s hospitality.