NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 531, 1 March 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Horticultural and Arboricultural Society.— The monthly meeting will be held this evening at the Clarendon Hotel, at eight o’clock. Sheep Return,'!. —Sheepowrera who have not already done so, are requested to make a return to the Chief Inspector of Sheep of the number of sheep in their possession on Ist January last, to prevent legal proceedings.

Public Lecture.—lt will be observed from an advertisement that a lecture on “ Japan and Burmah,” with colored pictorial illustrations, will be delivered in St Andrew’s Church this evening, at 7.30, by the Rev B. Backhouse, agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. As is well known, the recent discoveries in these countries have been both numerous and interesting, and the account of them by the rev gentleman should be instructive.

The Sheep Fair.— The entries for the forthcoming Ewe and Ram Fair, to be held on the 2nd and 3rd March under the auspices of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, closed yesterday with the followresult Rams, 740; ewes, 49. Last year the number of entries were—rams, 1990 ; ewes, 1320 ; so that a very marked falling off in numbers is noticeable. The Trout. —lt is the intention of the council of the Acclimatisation Society to proceed vigorously in stocking the rivers and streams of the province with trout. Five hundred fish are at once to be turned into the Avon below Lane’s mill, and another five hundred are placed at the disposal of the garden committee, to be distributed as they may think fit. The ponds in the grounds of the society are to be cleaned out preparatory to the spawning season, and to sort the fish at present therein. It is also contemplated to allow trout to be purchased for transmission to parts of New Zealand outside the province.

Ashley Bridge.— On Sunday night two wires were discovered to have been stretched across within a few inches above the floor of this bridge on the north road in such a way as to impede traffic, and were nearly the cause of an accident to Dr Ovenden and Mr Macfarlane, of Kaiapoi, who were driving towarJs home in a buggy. The obstruction has been removed ; and, if the wires were put there for some malicious purpose, it is to ba hoped the offenders will be detected.

The Ship Strathmore,— A telegram published elsewhere announces that this ship, which was reported some time ago at Lloyds as missing, was wrecked on Crozet Island in July last. Twenty of the survivors were rescued by an American whaler, and landed a few days ago at Galle. The Strathmore left London for Otago on April 19th, 1875. The following list of passengers by her is taken from the European Mail, of May 14th, 1875 :—Chief cabin : Mr Percy Joslen, Mr Spencer Joslen, Mr and Mrs Alfred Walker and child, Mr Hylton Keith, Mr Thomas Henderson, Miss Henderson, Mr Fred Bentley, Mr G. D, Crombie, Mr Charles Wordsworth, and Mrs Frances Wordsworth. Second cabin ; Mr and Mrs James Riddel, Mr James Blair, Mr and Mrs Theophilus Maville, and Mr H, O. Sinnock.

The Timartt Lighthouse. —The Herald says—lt will be satisfactory to many to know that the Government are taking steps towards erecting the lighthouse for Timaru, Mr J. S. Gibson received a telegram from the Secretary for Public Works, asking him if he would sell his section on LeOren’s terrace for the site of the lighthouse, and that if so the sum of £2OO would be paid to him for it as soon as the deed of conveyance was completed. Mr Gibson accepted the offer. As the Government are in possession of both the material for the lighthouse and also the site, we should think that there would be no obstacle to the commencement of the work at once. It is of the greatest importance that the lighthouse should be completed before the winter sets in.

Church Gathering.— The church gathering at Opawa took place on Friday evening, and was a great success. By kind permission of the district school committee, it was held in the new schoolroom, a large and handsome room, which was much admired. A sumptuous tea was provided by the following ladies : Mesdames Murray-Aynsley, Bell, Coster, Cholmoudeley, Earle, Ford, Harley, Hassal, March, M'Beth, Jones, Peel, Beeves, Souter, and Miss Skillicorn. After tea the chair was taken by the Kev G. J. Cholmondeley. The Very Rev the Dean and Archdeacon Wilson delivered addresses. Mr Ollivier contributed an amusing reading, and a report from the churchwardens was read by Mr Ford, The musical portion of the programme was entrusted to Mr Harley, and the ladies and gentlemen who assisted him contributed some excellent music and singing, which were much appre cia'ed. The room was crowded, some unfortunately being unable to obtain admission, On the following day a treat was provided for the school children of the district. A large number, accompanied by'* their parents and friends, attended in the afternoon. Various games were carried on with great spirit, and all seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly,

Diocesan Choral Association. —The festival of the Diocesan Choral Association was celebrated yesterday, being Shrove Tuesday. At 8 a.tn, there was a celebration of the Holy Communion in the Church of St Luke the Evangelist. The Most Eev the Primate was the celebrant, assisted by the incumbent, the Rev E. A. Lingard. At 7.30 p.m. there was choral evensong. The clergy present were the Most Eev the Primate, the Very Rev the Dean, Rev E. A. Lingard, Rev H. J. Edwards, Rev J, W. Stack, Rev H. Qlas;on, Rev Walter Harper, RevH. F. East. The choir numbered sixty, with Mr R, Parker as choirmaster, and Mr N. Barnett organist. The choir with the Bishop and clergy entered by the western door, and proceeded to the chancel, singing as a processional the hymn “ Rejoice ye pure in heart.” Prayers were intoned by the Rev B. A. Lingard, the preces and responses were Tallis, and the canticles from Mercer; the anthem was by Sir John Goss, “ 0 praise the Lord.” The first lesson was read by the Rev Walter Harper, and the second lesson by the Rev H. Glasson. The sermon was preached by the Rev H. J. Edwards, incumbent of St Michael and All Angels, who chose as his text Colossians iii., 16—“ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” At the conclusion of the sermon the offertory was made, during which Scotson Clark’s “ Chorus of Angels” was played on the organ. The service was closed by the Primate pronouncing the benediction, and the choir retired, singing as a recessional “ Saviour, Blessed Saviour, listen whilst we sing.” The congregation then retired, Mr Barnett performing an extemporaneous march as a postlude.

Acclimatisation Society. —A meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday afternoon at the offices in the society’s grounds. Present—Mr H. B. Johnston (in the chair), Dr Nedwill, Dr Campbell, Professor Bickerton, Messrs J. A. Bird, Wallace, and S. C. Farr (hon sec). A letter was read from Dr Prins, declining to act as a member of the Council. A letter was also read from Mr J. D. Enys, resigning his seat as a member of the Council, as he was shortly to leave for England. A letter was read from Capt. Brandon, stating that game was being destroyed on Sundays down the Ashley River, also complaining of the increase of cats. The larks had increased, and some fine partridges had been seen in the neighborhood. A letter was read from the secretary of the Wanganui society, asking whether the society had any fish or birds to dispose of. The secretary stated that he had replied that the society had none at present. The Council approved. Letters were read from the Auckland and South Canterbury societies, declining to join in the expense of procuring salmon from California. The letter from the South Canterbury Society stated that the pheasants forwarded had arrived in first class condition, and asking whether the Canterbury society could send some hares, for which the Southern society were willing to give £3 a pair. A letter was read from Mr Ottywell, asking that in future the earliest intelligence of the safe arrival of shipments of birds might be forwarded to him, and complaining that earlier intelligence had not been sent to him. The hon secretary denied that there bad been any want of courtesy shown to Mr Ottywell, and read the letter which had been forwarded to that gentleman. A memorandum was read from the Provincial Secretary’s Office stating that his Honor the Superintendent would issue a proclamation authorising the shooting of cock pheasants on payment of a license fee of £2 10s. It was determined that the garden committee have the same powers this year as exercised by them last year, with reference to superintending the spawning, and that the salmon in the cage at Sumner be visited during next week. Professor Bickerton suggested that whilst still keeping up the rough character of the grounds, an attempt should be made to construct a few spots possessing some little degree of rustic beauty. It was resolved, on the motion of Dr Campbell, seconded by Mr Bird—“ That 500 of the trout now in the gardens be turned out in the River Avon below Lane’s mill, as the garden committee may direct, and that the remaining 500 be distributed in such localities as the comraiitee may approve.” Mr Farr moved—- “ That the Superintendent be requested to close the whole of the streams in Canterbury province for fishing, except during those months for which licecsss may be issued.” Mr Wallace seconded the motion, which was agreed to. It was resolved—“ That application be made to the Provincial Government for the sum of £3OO voted by the Provincial Council to be applied to import salmon from America, as Mr Young, of Palmerston, is making preparations to import ova during the coming season.” After the transaction of some routine business, the Council adjourned.