NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 610, 2 June 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Young Men's Christian Association.— The Ven Archdeacon Wilson will deliver the third lecture of the winter Beries in the Manchester street schoolroom on Monday evening next.

Accident. —On Thursday, Mr McDowel', West Eyreton, while bringing horses into the Rangiora horse fair, by some means was thrown, and the small bone of his left leg fractured. He wa? attended by Dr Downs, and conveyed home by the Oxford train.

Kaiapoi Volunteer Fire Brigade.— The anniversary of this brigade was celebrated on Thursday by a picnic to LytteltoD, at which were present nearly all the members of the brigade, accompanied by their wives and families. It was to be regretted that the weather was somewhat unfavorable

Philosophical Institute.—The usual mocthly meeting of the Canterbury Philosophical Institute was held last evening, at the Public Library. The president, Dr Powell, occupied the chair. Messrs W. 0. Jennings and J. Cotterill were elected members. Mr Fereday read a paper on "The occurrence of a species of Lepidoptera belonging to the Cossidae family" Some disr ussion followed, after which the meeting adjourned.

Feize Essay.—lt will be recollected that some time back the Agricultural and Pastoral Association offered a prize for the best essay on the prevention or eradication of ergot in grass crops. The offer was open to all the colonies, and was advertised in all the principal papers. We understand that np to the date fixed for the reception of the essays, only three had been received. These will be handed to the judges for their award. Horticultural Society. The usual monthly committee meeting of the Horticultural Society was held last evening, at the Congregational schoolroom, Mr E. C. J. Stevens in the chair. A list of extra prizes offered was read. The president offered £3 3s as a first prize, and £2 2s as a second prize to the highest scorers by point?. It was resolved that seventy-five per cent of all the prize money awarded at the recent shows be paid at the next meeting.

Clean Charge Sheet.—We are becoming a moral, a virtuous, and a happy people. This morning there was not a case of any kind upon the police charge sheet, not even a drunkard having laid himself open to the grip of the law. The presiding magistrate was not presented with a pair of white kid gloves, handed up by the Sword Bearer upon a silver salver; but perhaps when a Lord Mayor, in future generations, presides upon our city bench, this very polite and joyful ceremony may be carried out, as in the old country.

Tai Tapu Racing Committee.—A meeting of this committee was held at the Bilesmere Arms Hotel on Monday last. There was a good attendance and consideiable interest was manifested in the proceedings. The treasurer stated that the amount of subscriptions received was £BS, whhh amount he would guarantee. A committee was ap pointed to select the ground for the forthcoming races to be held upon, Judges, stewards, and clerk of the course were appointed. The affair, no doubt, will end in a good day's sport. Rangiora School Committee.—This committee held their usual monthly meeting on Wednesday evening. Present Messrs Cunningham (chairman), Blackett, Eliis. and Aherne. An apology was received fron. Mr Stephens, who was absent through indisposition. Letters were read fr. m the chairmau to the Minister for Education, Miss Kiddell, and Mrs Colclough, relative to the change of mistress, and the chairman's report on matters of detail transacted sine the last meeting was adopted. A complaint having been made by Mr Chinnery respecting the action of the mistress in refusing hi: daughter admission to the school till ah: apologised to the assistant teacher for rude behaviour on the previous day, the mistre«V letter on the same subject was fread, anc the committee expressed satisfaction at the i

manner in which the discipline of the school' had been maintained, and fully endorsed her action in the matter. The chairman and Mr Blackett undertook to arrange for the erection of a coalshed and it was decided to invite tenders for cleaning the schools, lighting fires, &c, for twelvemonths. The meeting then terminated. De Murska Concerts.—The fourth of the series of concerts given by Mdlle de Murska will take place this evening in the Oddfellows' Hall. The items which appear on the programme for Mdlle are the grand aria from " Robert le Diable," which is familiiir to Christchurch concert goers, viz, '• Robert toi que J'aime;" the " Hungarian Pastoral song," with flute accompaniment by Signor Giammonaj and a polacca from " Puritani." Signor Giammona gives two solos, one from Verdi's " Attila," and the other, "II rosignolo," by Monaldi. Amongst the solos by Signors Susini and Rosnati we may notice " Infelice" (Ercani) and a serenade from " Faust" by the former, and " Non e ver" and a cavatina by Verdi by the latter. Mr John Hill will play Thalberg's arrangement of " Home Sweet Home.'' Altogether the programme is a brilliant one . Catholic Schools.—An entertainment in aid of the above schools was given last evening in the schoolroom, Barbadoes street south. As is usually the case with entertainments got up by the Catholic portion of the community, the affair was in point of attendance a very great success, for the room was crowded from the front row of the reserved seats to the door; while the performance itself was an equal success in point of merit and general attractiveness. It was divided into two parts, the first of which was devoted to vocal and instrumental music, and a humorous reading given by Mr I Yule. A pianoforte duet, " Fete Militaire," by Madame and Miss Winter, opened the entertainment, after which Mr A. P. Sheath oang " The Mariner in his bark" in a very effective manner. Miss Winter and Mr Melchor Winter followed with the pretty duet entitled " The sound of harps," which was rapturously applauded. Mr R. A. Loughnan then gave the well known " Scout" in capital style. Miss P. Winter followed with that beautiful melody " Alas, those chimes," and considering that it wa* her first appearance in public, she certainly suiprised her hearers, and did credit to her teachers. Nothing less than an encore would satisfy the audience. Madame Winter's rendering of the piano solo "La Favorita," showed the skilled musician, and was played with brilliancy of touch and delicacy of feeling. Miss Winter sang the ballad "Oh say once more I love thee," very prettily, and Mr Winter's song from Martha " M ""appari tutt' amor " was one of the best things of the evening. In response to loud demonstrations of approval and cries for repetition he gave " The Soldier" arranged by himself, which was al3o well received. Part two consisted of a pianoforte duet " Galop di Bravura" by Madame and Miss P. Winter; and the entertainment concluded with an amusing faice entitled ,; The Irish Attorney, or Galway Practice in 1770 " This was performed by the members of the St Patrick's Dramatic Club, and where all acquitted themselves so well it would be invidious to particularise. The audience left in a thorough good humor, after having spent a most enjoyable evening. Waimate Steeplechases.—The Tribune of the 31bt leports :—' A meeting of the committee was held at the Waimate Hotel, last evening, whrn there were present—Messrs Studholme (in the chair), Pratt, Slee, Cameron, Freeman, Molloy, Wills, and Dineen. The following entries were received :—Maiden —Mr F. Hedge's Brunette, Mr O'Brien's Eclipse, Mr Ravenshill's Marie Stuart, Mr G. P. Williams' Fakir, Mr Nicholson's Gazelle, Mr Nicholson's Butcher Boy, Mr E. Martell's Pakeha, Mr Swanson's Topthorne, Mr Black's Te Kooti, and Mr T. M'Kaj's (senr) Canary. Cup—Mr Campbell's Tommy Dodd, Mr O'Brien's Auckland Kate, Mr Neilson's Moose, Mr Seabright's Zetland, Mr G. P. Williams' Fakir, Mr Nicholson's Butcher Boy, and Mr Fraser's Banjo. Acceptances for the Handicup—Mr Campbell's Tommy Dodd, Mr O'Brien's Auckland Kate, and Mr Fraser's Banjo. The secretary reported that he had over £260 on the books as contributions. A letter from Mr W. M'Kay, enclosing his certificate from the Dunedin Jockey Club, and asking to be allowed to ride at the steeplechase was read. Mr Studholme said that he tried hard to get the Canterbury Jockey Club to permit M'Kay to ride, but they refused. He thought that was a great pity, as M'Kay was one of the best riders in the colony. He would give anything to see him ride, but he did not think it would look well for their club to go against the other clubs of Canterbury Mr Freeman said that formerly M'Kay was riding for a living, but now it was not so much for gain as for the honor. He thought he should be allowed to ride, as otherwise they would lose one of the best riders they had. Mr Wills proposed, Mr Slee seconded, and it was carried—'That M'Kay be allowed to ride at the Waimate Steeplechase." A rider was added—'That if M'Kay was found guilty of any fraud he should be disqualified for ever by the Waimate Club, and that he be strongly cautioned against any unfair riding in future.' On the proposition of Mr Slee, it was carried—' That two men be placed at the upper gate to take money and give tickets, and one at the lower gate to give cheques.' It was resolved, ' That jockeys be warned to have their ho:ees ready to start punctually at the time advertised.' It is exceedingly satisfactory to find that the Steeplechase Club have decided to charge ladies and children nothing for entrance to the course, -md that they are determined not to permit dogs on the ground. There are only four horses in Waimate as yet, but we may expect to see the majority of the competitors in town to day. The entries for the Maiden and the Cup are, it is said, far superior to those at the Christchurch meeting, and we think it may safely be anticipated that, if the weather proves fine, this meeting will be a great success. The work of erecting the grand stand on the Waimate steeplechase course was completed by Messrs Dickison and Saunders in six days, the finishing touch having been given to it on Monday last. The building is of the most substantial description, is roofed with iron, and is capable of seating between 400 and 500 people. The stand at the base is 45 feet by 18 feet; the back is 21 feet high ; the front 17 feet high ; and the uprights are 6 inch by 5 inch and 5 inch by i inch. The stand is ascended by means of substantial steps, a passage-way 3 feet wide runs along in front of the seats, which are a good width, and the back is boarded in; so that persons can view the races with some degree of comfort,"

St John's, Rangioba. The forma 1 opening of the new chancel and transept of St John's Episcopalian Church took place on Thursday. A detailed notice of these additions has already appeared in the Pbess ; but it may be stated that, although the new portions are not completed, Mr Robinson, builder, has carried out the existing contract in a highly creditable manner. The total cost of the improvements proposed is estimated to reach £iooo, the works executed up to this date amounting to about £BSO, towards which £7OO has been either subscribed or promised in donations. Certainly more extended accommodation is provided, a better appearance is given to the church and that portion devoted to the clergy is every way more convenient than in the former times. It remains to complete a bell tower and organ loft, to finish the communion rail and portions of lining, and place in the church an increased number of benches. The lighting and ordering of the chancel are admirable. A credence table in white rock stone, elegantly hewn, is the gift of Mr Mountfort, the architect. The handsome brass corona of the chancel is presented by Mrs B. W. Dudley, the same lady having .further given the church a communion flagon. A bishop's chair and foldstool has also been placed in it by Mr C. Merton and family. At the morning service there was a -fairly numerous congregation. In addition to the Most Rev the Primate, and the Ven Archdeacon Dudley, the clergy present were—Revs H. C. M. Watson, J. W. Stack, O. J. Merton, G. P. Mutu, and J. K. Willmer. The order of morning prayer was used with special Psalms, cxxii and cxxxii, the Rev J. W. Stack reading the prayers ; the Rev 0. J. Merton read the first lesson from Haggai, chap ii, verses 1 to 10; and the Rev H. C. M. Watson read the second lesson from I. Peter, chapter ii, verses 1 to 11. The Bishop then preached an eloquent sermon from Hebrews, chap xiii, verse 15, on the offering of sacrifice of praise' to God continually. The Holy Communion was administered to about forty communicants, the Bishop being celebrant, assisted by the Archdeacon, the Revs J. W. Stack, and H. C. M. Wilson. An offertory amounted to £7 5s 3d. Evening prayer was also held on the same day, when the Rev F. C. Lloyd, Incumbent of Lyttelton, was the preacher. Both morning and evening offertories were in aid of the building fund. The Torres Straits Mail.—The following telegrams appear in the Argus: — " The Agnea is engaged in repairing the Madras cable. The latest Perak intel'igence states that Rajah Yusg, heir to the throne, has been committing cruelties, and inflicting brutal punishment for imaginary offences. His acknowledged brutality caused the Malay chiefs i o endeavor to cut him off from the succession. The country is, however, quiet, some rebels, notably Eota Lama, chiefs and followers, showing symptoms of submission. Mr Davidson, resideut at Salangore, and Mr Paul, deputy-resident, have been appointed as commissioners at Perak, but the former is sick at Malacca, and will probably be invalided. Both appointments are much approved of. Governor Jervoise, accompanied by Bingoore with fifty of the Bth Regiment, went to Malacca on April Bth, consequent on news of disturbances having again occurred in Negri Sumbilan. The reports proved exaggerated. Bands of nameless robbers and plunderers made simultaneous attacks upon the police stations in Moar Jampole and Sri Marante. They fled without hardly firing a shot upon the approach of the soldiers. Messrs William Henry Read and William Adamson have been appointed members of the Straits Council. The Siamese Government is vigoronsly pushing on a telegraph line to connect Burmah with Bangkok, thence to Penang. There will thus be two lines from Singapore to England. The Siberian lines have been much interrupted lately. Miss Alice May's Opera Bouffe Company has left India -&n route for Batavia, and is now playing at Singapore. The climate of Acheen still affects the health of the Dutch troops. Skirmishing is frequent. Ex-Sultan Ismail, with seventeen followers, has arrived from Penang at Singapore. He was sent to Johore to be interned on parole, pending the result of the official inquiry as to the complicity of the chiefs in the recent outrages. Governor Jervoise has formally acknowledged the obligations of the British Government to the Siamese Government and Rajah Qaedah for their aid in the late outbreak. The Spanish troops have had a successful engagement at the Sooloo Islands. General Maleampo despatched a detachment into the interior, attacking the enemy at Liang. The natives were completely routed. The troops are suffering considerably from fever and dysentery. The Spanish have recovered a number of cannon previously abandoned by them in the swamps, and captured some native artillery. There was great enthusiasm at Manila upon the return of the troops. Two regiments of infantry and four batteries remained at Sooloo to g<rrison the forts. It is proposed to form a settlement of Friendly Islanders at Nersher. The Phoenix's cargo of Newcas le coals has been sold at Singapore at 7 dols. Tonnage is superabundant. There is no improvement in freight." 2.