NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 563, 7 April 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Blondin. —The Chevalier Blondin’s poles are now being fixed up, and before the canvas surrounds them it is really worth a walk down Cashel street, as far as Anderson’s paddock, to witness the novel appearance which these sticks present to view. Lecture.— -The Rev H. C. M. Watson delivered the second of his lectures on “ The Cities of Central Arabia” last evening at the schoolroom in aid of the Sunday school funds. There was a fair attendance, and the lecture contained a great deal of instructive matter relative to the cities of a region about which little or nothing is known by the general public, Canterbury College,— A meeting of the Board of Governors of the College will take place at the Public Library, at 3.30 p m. on Monday next. Business—To nominate a Governor in the room of Mr J. D. Enys, resigned. To consider estimate of expenditure for the year ending March 31st, 1877, to be forwarded to the General Government, and other business. Railway Bridges in South Canter bury —Messrs Pratt and Martin, says the /Jerald , are making rapid progress with the different bridges included in their contract on the Great Southern Railway, that over Deep Creek being all but finished, and the others wclLadvanced. It is expected that the line will be open for traffic between Timaru and Oamaru about the end of September. C.R.O.—The junior-fours race for a prize given by the president of the club (Mr R, J. S, Harman) takes place to-morrow afternoon. The following are the competitors—First heat; Tamesis, north bank—Lean, bow : Winter, No 2; Hartland, No 3 ; Collins, stroke. Illyssus, south bank Farr, bow ; Wilkin, No 2 ; Tancred, No 3 ; Lanauze, stroke. Second heat : Illyssus, south bank —Mathias, bow ; Johnston, No 2 ; Rule, No 3 ; Fooks, stroke. Tamesis, north bank — Morris, bow ; Searell, No 2 ; Hawkes, No 3 ; Morton, stroke. Entertainment.— Last evening an entertainment, in connection with St Andrew’s Mutual Improvement Society, was held in St Andrew’s schoolroom, and proved a great success. Dr Turnbull occupied the chair. The schoolroom was crowded, the sexes being very fairly divided. The first part of the programme consisted of songs, recitations, readings, &c, and appeared to give great satisfaction. The entertainment concluded with a Spelling Bee, which created much amusement. After a severe struggle, the ladies’ prize fell to Miss Shakelforth, and the gentlemen’s prize to Mr Lakeman. Inquest. —An inquest was held on Tnesday last, at Irwell Hotel, before 0, J. Bridge, Esq, coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr JRennie was chosen foreman, touching the death of Edith Withell, aged one year and seven months, who had been found by her father in a creek about sixty chains from the place where last seen alive by Elizabeth Campbell, a servant in his employ, drowned. The coroner having examined the father of the deceased and the servant girl, the jury, in face of the evidence adduced, returned a verdict of “ Accidentally drowned.” Cure Boating Club. —A meeting of this club was held at Oram’s Pier Hotel, Kaiapoi, on Wednesday evening. Ten members were present, Mr G. Oram, president, in the chair. The treasurer’s statement showed a credit balance of £lol2s. Sundry accounts were passed. On the motion of Mr G. Wearing, seconded by Mr C, Smith, a vote of thanks was passed to the Canterbury Rowing Club for the use of its double sculling boats at the late regatta, A statement was made of the reason why the pairoar Kiwi, belonging to the Tradesmen’s Club, was not available for the regatta. It was stated that some of the ladies intended to present the club with a banner. The club resolved that a vote of thanks be accorded its crews which had rowed at the regattas of the season, and that medals be presented to the winners in champion races and double sculls. The question of ordering a pair-oar and a donble-scull boat from Salter, England, was discussed, and it was decided to get up an art union towards the purchase of these boats if possible, when prizes for the union to the value of £2O were promised iu the room. After passing other routine business the meeting adjourned. Miners’ Strike at Rbefton. —The following telegram from Reefton, dated April Ist, appears in the West Coast Times : “ The directors of the Energetic, Ajax, Golden Ledge, Keep-it-Dark, and Crushing Companies having posted notices on the mines, that after 31st March the rate of wages would be reduced from £3 10s to £3 per week, the greatest dissatisfaction has arisen. A mass meeting of miners of Murray Creek was held at Black’s Point last night, when the meeting resolved unanimously to resist the reduction. The nucleus of a strike union was formed, and steps taken to secure the co-operation of every miner in the district. Funds are to be collected to support the men on strike, and efforts are to be made to prevent men being employed to keep mines in repair, pending a settlement of the strike. Telegrams are to be forwarded to all the mining centres of New Zealand, warning miners not to come to the Inaugahua. The tone of the meeting was very determined. There is a probability that an obstinate stand will be made against the reduction. The whole of the Energetic workmen are on strike, and the men have refused to accept £3 10s to keep the mine in repair.” Tnj; Bellringers, —The opening performance of the talented Lynch Family of Bellringers took place at the Music Hall last evening, when there wars a large and enthusiastic audience to greet them on their reappearance in Christchurch. The merits of the company arc so well known here that it will be unnecessary for ns to go into lengthy details of the entertainment, suffice it to say that the performance passed off very successfully, and the performers, one and all, received many encores during the evening. The Bellringers were especially well applauded, and deservedly so, for their manipulation of the bells was something marvellous to witness. Mr. Keeley, a singer, made his debut here, and seemed to give general satisfaction. The Messrs Lynch appeared in two or three comic trios. They have fair voices, and were heartily applauded. Mr Statham is an excellent pianist, and his overtures were really first-class. Taken altogether the performance is a capital one, and should attract a large audience tonight. To-morrow afternoon, we are requested to announce, there will be a matinee for schools and families. For this evening a good programme haa been prepared.

Ohoka,— As recently several serious cases of typhoid fever have taken place in this district, the inhabitants have been looking around for its cause. The general impression is that it has been in a measure caused by the boiling down works there. But the real cause appears to be something quite different. The first case was that of a young man who brought it from Christchurch, and the subsequent cases have happened in households using the water from a creek flowing past the house in which the first case happened; while, on the other hand, the persons using the water from the creek flowing past the boiling down establishment have not been infected. On the line of the first mentioned creek nearly every family has suffered. Seedling Potatoes. —At the meeting of the Horticultural Society last evening Mr Dutton laid upon the table, for the inspection of those present, a dish of seedling potatoes, named the “ Rolleston Kidney,” after his Honor the Superintendent, the patron of the society. This fine early variety was raised from a potato apple in 1870, and is a model of what a real good potato should be. The specimens were critically examined by those present, and pronounced to be excellent. Mr Dutton also exhibited a pot of the cyclamen, the special plant being known as the Europium album. Mr Jackman placed on the table a couple of very handsomely made up bouquets. The Late Mr George Oram —The funeral of the late Mr George Oram took place yesterday, at the English cemetery, and was very largely attended. The deceased having been a member of the C.Y.0., was buried with military honors, the band of the corps playing “ The Dead March in Saul,” and a firing party from the corps discharging three volleys over the grave. In addition to the members of the C.Y.0., the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, of which the deceased was president for some time, also attended, and there were also a large number of private carriages. Canterbury Baptist Association.— The second annual meeting of this association was held on Wednesday, the sth of April, in the Baptist Chapel, Christchurch. There was a good gathering of delegates from the various churches. After an address from the retiring chairman (Mr Morton), Mr Sawle, the pastor of the Greendale Church, took the chair. Reports from the various churches were heard, and several details of business attended to. An evangelist was chosen for the ensuing year to visit the country churches and stations. The advisability of issuing a quarterly magazine to advocate the principles of the church, and to be a means of communication between the churches, was considered. In the evening a public meeting was held, when interesting addresses were delivered by the Rev B. Wilson, Baptist minister, of Brisbane, Queenland, and other ministers. Amalgamation. —On Wednesday evening the members of the Horticultural and Arboricultural Society appointed a deputation to confer with a deputation of the Christchurch Society, with a view to the amalgamation of the two. Last evening the latter society at their annual meeting likewise appointed a committee, and a conference will now take place between the two. A very general expression of opinion has been given by members of both societies that their mutual interests would be best conserved by amalgamation, As was stated in the report read last evening, the comparatively small attendances which had patronised the shows of the Christchurch Society might be traceable to the existence of the other society, and the fact that, in consequence, these exhibitions wer® too often held. We therefore hope to see the two amalgamate, and form one strong and lasting society. Horticultural Society. The fourteenth annual meeting of the Christchurch Horticultural Society was held last, evening, in the Congregational Schoolroom, Mr B. C. J. Stevens in the chair. The annual report, which was read by Mr Howard, the secretary, congratulated the meeting upon the continued prosperity of the society. The number of exhibits during the year had com pared favorably with those of former years, but the attendance at the shows had not been so large as could have been desired, the reason of which was perhaps that there were too many show*-, and also in consequence of the existence of the other society. The report then went on to give a resume of what had been done during the year. It stated that the monthly shows for special exhibits had been very successful, and recommended their continuance. The society had sustained a great loss during the year in the death of Mr Gordon, who had long been a member of the committee, and who bad taken a very great interest in the society. The balance sheet was then read, and showed that the receipts during the year from all sources had been £202 15s sd, while there was a balance in the bank of £155, but after paying all liabilities there was an apparent deficit of £l2 7s 3d. The chairman explained that they had about £5 in hand more than appeared by the report, and that certain prizes might not be claimed, so that they expected to come out about clear. On the motion of Mr Reade, seconded by Mr Davidson, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. The chairman then read a letter from the President of the Horticultural and Arboricultural Society, which stated that a deputation from that society, consisting of Professor Bickerton, Mr M. T. Turner, and Mr B. C. J. Stevens, had been appointed to confer with a deputation of the Horticultural Society of an equal number, to consider the question of the amalgamation of the the two societies; the result to be laid before a general meeting of both societies, A letter was also read from Mr Wynn Williams, stating that heagreed with the proposed amalgamation, and hoped that it would be carried out. He regretted he was unable to attend. After some discussion, Mr Reade moved “ That Messrs Greenaway, Davidson, and the mover be appointed a deputation to confer with the deputation of the Horticultural and Arboricultural Society, with a view to ascertain the terms on which the amalgamation should take place, and to bring up a report at the adjourned meeting.” The motion was seconded by Mr Allen. Mr Chudley moved as an amendment—“ That this meeting now proceed with the ordinary business of the annual meeting.” Seconded by Mr Ashton. Considerable discussion took place, and it appeared to be the general opinion thf.t the proposed amalgamation was desirable. The amendment was put, but only the mover and seconder voted for it ; the original motion was then put and carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr Allen, seconded by Mr Greenaway, the meeting then adjourned until Wednesday evening next, at the same time and place,

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION . —At the monthly meeting of the committee of this Association held yesterday, there was a very large attendance. The reading of Mr Wilkin’s paper on the grasses and forage plants of New Zealand was fixed for the last Thursday in April, at 7.30 p.m. Members of the Association have the privilege of introducing two friends. Important resolutions as to the forming of a reserve fund to provide for unforseen contingencies, proposed by Mr Wilkin, were carried. A sub-committee to revise the premium catalogue for the November show, was appointed, after which the meeting adjourned. Rangiora Horticultural and Floricultural Society,— A meeting of the committee was held on Wednesday evening. There was a good attendance of members, Mr 0. Merton in the chair. The hon secretary reported having paid prizes to the amount of £3l 13a 6d, and that some prize takers had declined to accept ; consequently, after.paying all accounts to hand, a balance would remain in hand. Regret was expressed that the continued dry weather, combined with the lateness of the season, would prevent any exhibits being taken to the Grain and Root Show at Kaiapoi, as the meeting was informed that a stand for flowers was to be prepared on that occasion. Selwyn Sunday School.— The annual treat to the children attending this school took place at Dunsandel on Tuesday, the 4th April. The young ones, numbering about seventy, met at the grounds at 12 o’clock, and after having some refreshment, provided by the ladies of the district, spent the afternoon in sports, kc. At four o'clock tea was provided in the hall, and afterwards the Rev Mr Burnett presented the prizes, and also gave a short address. Messrs Code and Saul also spoke, and Mr Waters exhibited some interesting views by the magic lantern. The teachers during the evening rendered some music in a creditable manner, and the meeting broke up about 10 p m.