NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 538, 9 March 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

District Prize Firing. —The following is the order of firing daring the week : Engineers and the Temuka Company tomorrow, and No 5 on Saturday, Moonlight Excursion. —The moonlight fishing excursion by the steamer Akaroa takes place this evening. The steamer will leave Lyttelton immediately on the arrival of the six p.m. train for Christchurch, returning in time to catch the last train for Christchurch,

The Breakwater. — A very successful mine was sprung at Messrs Hawkin’s and Co’s works at the Officers’ Point breakwater yesterday morning, at 9 a.m. There were four chambers—one containing 60, two 63, and one 70 kegs of powder, or in all 65001b5. The powder did its work very quietly and effectually, heaving up an immense mass of rock, which gently settled down. Panorama. —The Charles Dickens panorama was again exhibited last night at the Colonists’ Hall, Lyttelton. The songs of Messrs Rowley, Skinner, Gates, and Jacob' sou were much applauded. At the close of the evening Mr Skinner announced his intention of giving a grand concert shortly.

Kataroi Philharmonic SociETY.—The second concert of the series given by this socie‘y will take place this evening at the Literary Institute, Kaiapoi, at half-past seven o’clock. From the care which has been bestowed in the preparation of the programme, it is hoped that the concert will be a success.

St Matthew’s Church, Caledonian Road. —The Church of St Matthew, which has lately been erected in the Caledonian road, will be consecrated by the Most Rev the Primate at noon to-morrow. There will also be full evening service at half-past seven o’clock ; the sermon to be preached by the Primate.

Canterbury College.— A meeting of the Board of Governors was convened for yesterday afternoon at 3 o’clock, at the Public Library, but lapsed for want of a' quorum. Those present were—Mr W. Montgomery (chairman), Ven, Archdeacon Willock, Messrs J. Colborne-Veel, W. J. Hamilton, and J Inglis. A meeting will bo held at the Library this afternoon, at 3 o’clock.

The Volunteers—ClTY Guards. — The firing for a silver cup, presented by the noncommissioned officers of the City Guards, to bo competed for by members of that corps, took place yesterday at Hillsborough. The conditions were—Ten shots at 300 yards ; regulation target ; any position ; and the cup was won by Pub-Lieutenant Malcolm. The following is the result : —Sub-Lieutenant Malcolm, 30 ; Private Hill, 23 ; Private Grant, 29 ; Private G. Parker, 22 ; Private S. Parker, 27 ; Private Swan, 21. Accident. —Yesterday morning a man named Richard Hill was engaged at the Christchurch Railway Station loading a truck with oats on the narrow gauge, when another truck came up, and the coupling iron struck him on the abdomen. He was removed in a cab to the hospital, where he now lies. Of course, at this early stage, it is impossible to state what internal injury the man may have received ; it is hoped, however, that the consequences will not be serious.

Katapoi Eegatta Committee. —On Tuesday evening a meeting of this committee was held at the Borough Council chamber, Dr Dudley, commodore, in the chair. Nine members were present. Lists of subscriptions were handed in showing amounts promised and paid to the sum of £45. The committee next proceeded to draw up a programme of events, which was finally approved in the form as published in our issue of to-day. It was agreed that the secretary advertise for tenders for the right to sell cards, and that the time for receiving entries close on Monday, 20th hist, at 6 p.m. The committee then adjourned to that evening week. Cricket. —“ Censor,” in the Australasian, makes the following suggestion:—“Upcountry cricketers who have no water laid on to their grounds, and whose turf resembles an inferior turnpike road, need not despair, and the cricketers of South Australia may take heart of grace and laugh to scorn the inroads of the locust tribe, for an excellent substitute for turf has been found in common cocoanut matting. It has been tried on the rough ground at Castlemaino with great success, having been introduced there by Mr E. V. Foote, whose brother in Mel bourne accidentally found out its good qualities. It is first of all necessary to take off all the inequalities of the earth’s surface, which should be gently raked and made as level as possible. Then the matting, which can be manufactured any width in one piece in the colony, should be stretched over the pitch, and secured on each side by iron pins inserted into thimbles attached to the matting, the thimbles being firmly fixed into the ground after the matting has been stretched. There have been several trials of the affair in Melbourne, and each has been attended with success. The ball on it plays as true as a hair, and takes ‘ break’ or ‘ work’ the same as on a turf. By watering and rolling the material a dead wicket can be produced, and if a fast one is required it should be left dry, The matting comes only as far as the batting crease, and by taking each corner off there is ample space left for the bowler and batsman to stand on terra firma. Several of our crack batsmen have played upon it, and they declare the ball plays splendidly. The cricketers of the Oastlemaine club have been practising upon it for months past, and can now indulge in their favorite pastime without the risk of a damaged limb or a broken head. Up-country clubs might be induced to try it, and Adelaide might do worse than have a “ mat” wicket in reserve to be used in the autumn. The necessary instructions how to fix the wicket, and where to procure it made up, can be obtained from Mr T. V. Foote, of Emerald bill. It is certainly worth a trial.

I.O.G.T,—An entertainment, under the auspices of the above order, was held at South Rakaia on Monday, March 6th. There was a good attendance. Songs were given by Messrs C, S. Mackie, Smith, and T. Fagin ; recitations by Miss M. A. Andrews and Master A. Cox, and readings by MrPoyntzand Masters Cox and Empson, A very enjoyable evening was spent, and after the entertainment the younger portion enjoyed dancing for a short time.

Rifle Shooting. —A number of members of the Rifle Association availed themselves of the half-holiday yesterday, and proceeded to the Hillsborough range. Sweepstakes were arranged and shot for at 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 yards. Some very good scores were made, Mr Robilliard and Mr R. Hill carrying off first and second honors respectively. The forthcoming meeting of the association is expected to be very successful, as many really good shots have lately come into the province, and intend competing.

Ashburton Domain Board —A meeting of this Board took place at the Court House, Ashburton, on Tuesday last. The following business was transacted:—Mr John Grigg was appointed treasurer, vice Mr Alfred Saunders resigned. It was agreed that his Honor the Superintendent be communicated with, and requested to appoint Dr J, B. Trevor and Mr Edward Saunders members in the room of Messrs A, Saunders and R. Miller, resigned. It was farther agreed that the hon sec should communicate with Mr R. J, S. Harman respecting a grant for planting trees. Accounts before the Board were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.

Another English Eleven for Australia. —The following particulars regarding the proposed visit of an English eleven are published in the Australasian: —“ The news received by the last mail that a team of professional cricketers will positively visit ■he Australian colonies during next season, has created quite aflutter of excitement in cricketing circles, and already our chances against such a team as will be sent are being discussed. A letter has been received from Mr James Lillywhite, the well-known professional player, in which he states the following players have signified their intention of making the trip—Southerton, Jupp, Lillywhite, Greenwood (who came out with Grace’s Eleven), Charlwood, Lockwood, Allan Hill, Emmett, Pooley, A. Shaw, Morley, and Ullyet. There can be no doubt as to the strength of the team, which combines the best professional talent both from the North and South of England. It is terrifically strong in the bowling, and in A, Shaw, Hill, Emmett, Southerton, Lillywhite, and Morley are mentioned the very cream of English professional bowling. Shaw, of the slow and medium pace round-arm bowlers, stands unrivalled in England, and there is no trundler in Great Britain who has oftener felled the wicket of W. G. Grace. Following close on his footsteps are Southerton ard Lillywhite, both of whom are too well known in Australia to need any comment. Allan Hill, the pride of Yorkshire, is the fastest bowler in the world, and being “ never off the spot,” with a great break from the off, it can easily be imagined that he will be a very troublesome opponent, Another trundler from the same county is the left-hander Emmett, a fast left-handbowler, with a nasty break, and most difficult to play. Morley, the latest acquisition to our English bowling talent, has been very destructive with the ball, in first-class matches, wherein the Graces have opposed him, always coming out of the ordeal with a first-class average Nearly every man in the twelve can bat, and there will not be that ‘tail end ’ which was noticeable in Grace’s eleven. Lockwood, Jupp, and Greenwood are at the present time considered the thrm stoutest professional batsmen in England, while Pooley, Emmett, and Charlwood are very little behind them in proficiency in that department of the game. Ullyett, too, is a very useful player, being able to bat, bowl, and field, Lillywhite, too, has been scoring well during the past season, and has a very fine average for batting. In the field the eleven cannot well be surpassed ; and with the celebrated Surrey wicketkeeper, PooleyJ behind the sticks, and Shaw and Hill bowling, the Australian batsmen had better be on their guard. If any new blood of note shows itself next season Lillywhite will make every effort to secure it for Australia. The eleven will leave England by the September mail, arriving at Adelaide about November 12th, and returning home by the April mail, in time for the English cricket season. They will thus have two months longer stay in the Australian colonies than any previous English eleven. In addition to playing in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and South Australia, New Zealand and Queensland will be visited by them.

Theatre Eoyal. —The crowded heuse which assembled last evening at the Theatre on the occasion of the presentation to Miss Florence Colville, testified in the most marked manner to the high estimation in which this lady is held amongst us. Every part of the house was filled to overflowing, and the plaudits throughout the performance were enthusiastic and frequent. The first piece was “The Ladies’ Club,” in which Miss Colville sustained the character of Mrs Fitz Smythe admirably, and was well supported by the other characters. At the conclusion of the comedy the curtain drew up and dis closed Miss Colville with SirCracroft Wilson, surrounded by the ladies and gentlemen of the company in full evening dress, which, together with the boudoir scene, had a very pretty effect. The articles for presentation, a very handsome silver tea and coff e service, occupied a prominent position on a table in front. Sir Cracroft, who wa= loudly cheered on coming forward, said he had been requested by the subscribers b the testimonial then before them to present it to Miss Colville on their behalf as a token of their esteem and regard for her. He did so with the greatest possible pleasure, because he believed that no one more worthily deserved it than Miss Colville did. During a very long and arduous season she had worked most assiduously to cater for the amusement of her patrons, and had done so successfully. Therefore he felt that the presentation he was about to make was one which was richly merited. He had also another pleasing and unexpected duty to perform—viz, to present to Miss Colville from the working hands of the theatre a locket as a memento of their kind wishes towards her, and also as an expression of their respect and regard for her as directress of the theatre, He now begged Miss Colville to accept at his bands the presentations he had indicated, with a hope that she and her husbacd might long live to cherish them as a memorial of their stay in Christchurch, j Loud cheers.] Miss Colville, whose coming

forward was a signal for a loud burst of applause, said she desired to thank Sir Cracroft and the gentlemen he represented for thfir kindness to her that evening, more especially the employes of the theatre for their mark of kindly feeling towards her. During their stay in Christchurch it had always been the aim of her husband and herself to endeavor to the utmost to please their patrons, and the very great compliment paid her that evening by the large house assembled was in itself a repayment for any exertions they might have used. She begged to thank one and all, not so much for the gift itself, but for the kindly feeling which had prompted its offer, and she could assure them Hhat she would never forget the kindness and warm-hearted welcome she had always received at the hands of the Christchurch public. They had determined to make their home amongst them and to become of them, so that they themselves would become residents of Christchurch. Again most sincerely she thanked them for their kindness. [Loud cheers.] Mr Hoskins was loudly called for, and in response came forward and made a short speech, thanking those present for the high coraoliment paid to Mrs Hoskins, and announcing, after the Marionettes, the advent of the Opera Company and also the Opera Bouffe Company, under his auspices. The silver service bears the following inscription :—“ This salver, with a silver tea service, was presented on the stage of the Christchurch theatre, by Sir J. C. Wilson, C. 8., K. 5.1., to Mrs W. Hoskins (Miss F. Colville) on behalf and at the request of a number of her admirers, who subscribed for this testimonial to her histrionic ability.— March Bth, 1876.” The comedietta of “ The Handsome Husband,” admirably played, concluded the performance.