NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 624, 19 June 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Lyttelton Winter Evening Headings. —The second of these entertainments took place at the Colonists’ Hall on Friday evening last. Mr H. N. Nalder occupied the chair, and made a short preliminary address, laying great stress on the determination of the committee to carry out these entertainments regularly every fortnight to the end of the season. He also announced that prizes would be presented for the best two recitations given by boys under fifteen. The entertainment as a whole was quite equal to any that has ever been given on these occasions, and the audience, pleased with the first two or three items, were in sympathy with the performers to the close. Justices op the Peace,—The following gentlemen have been placed on the Commission of the Peace for New Zealand:— Frank Bird, Esq of Okarito; Henry Hamilton Bridge. Esq, of Waipawa; Archer Charles Croft, Esq, of Carlyle; Bror EricFriberg, Esq, of Seventy Mile Bush; George Douglas Hamilton, Esq. of Seventy-Mile Bush; Bechab Harding, Esq, of Waipawa; Hugh Jones, Esq, of Westport; William Hort Levin, Esq, of Wellington; Edward Lyndon, Esq, of Napier; John Martin, Esq, of Wellington; Duncan MacKcller, Esq, of Cromwell; Mackay John Scobie Mackenzie, Esq, of Kyburn station; Thomas Kennedy Newton, Esq, of Napier; Henry Hereford Prins, Esq, of Christchurch; William Rath bone, Esq, of Waipawa; Charles Steven Reeves, Esq. of Dunedin; George Talbot, Esq. of Nelson. I .YTTELTON COLONISTS’ SOCIETY. —A special general meeting, as called by advertisement, was held in the committee room on Saturday night last. The vice president, Mr H. N, Nalder, occupied the chair, and explained that the meeting was called for the purpose of making sundry alterations in the iu!es of the society, rendered necessary by the society being brought under the Public Libraries’ Act. Mr Joyce proposed the following alterations in the rules :—“ That rule 6be amended, as follows That the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and twelve members of committee, shall jointly form a committee, and be the trustees of the society for the ensuing year.” “ That a new rule be added as follows :—That each member shall subscribe to the rules of the society, such signature to be a test of membership, and to be witnessed by the librarian or some officer of the society.” “ That the mittee be authorised to frame and pass bylaws, imposing fines for non-return of books at proper time, for injury to books or periodicals, or wilful damage to any of the properly of the society, or for disorderly conduct or any infraction of the rubs of the society,” Seconded by Mr H. R. Webb and carried. It’was proposed by Mr H. R. Webb, seconded by Mr Joyce—“ That the library committee be requested to bring the institution under the Public Libraries Act, 1875.” Carried.

Fire. —Shortly after midnight on Saturday the Lichfield street fire bell rang out a peal, and a glare to the eastward of the city excited a fear that someserious conflagration had taken place. It was soon discovered that the premises occupied by Mr Thomas Bates, in Madras street, used as a chair turning acd planing factory, was on fire. The manufacturing portion of the building, in which there was a three-horse power steam engine, was situated at the rear of the building, the front shop being used a furnishing warehouse, in which there was a large and valu- ! able stock. The fire brigade, under Mr Superintendent Harris, and the fire police were speedily on the spot, and the strainer was rapidly got into position at Wilson, Sawtell and Go’s tank, a line of hose being laid down Tuam street. Fortunately, as there was some, wind blowing, the burning building was to a great extent isolated, the only danger of the fire spreading being to the house formerly occupied by Mr J. F. Smart to the eastward, beyond which apaia was a line of wooden cottages extending along Tuam street. Finding that from the very inflammable nature of the stock, and the hold which the fire bad got in Mr Bates’ building in an incredibly short time, that there was no chance of saving anything, Mr Superintendent Harris directed the efforts of his brigade towards Mr Smart’s house, and a continuous stream of water was poured on there and round the back. Fortunately these efforts were successful, and the file was confined to the building in which if' originated. So far as can be ascertained, the fire was first observed on the side where the engine was situated, although Mr Bates about ten o’clock went through the premises and saw no signs of any danger. For some time past Mr Bates resided at the shop, but he has recently moved to his private house contiguous to the building destroyed. So rapid was the progress of the fire that little or nothing was saved, and Mr Bates is a heavy loser in stock, fcc, to say nothing of the interruption to his business. The insur- . ance was in the Liverpool, London, and Globe, and amounted to £BSO. but Mr Bales estimates his loss at fully £IOOO over this. The cause of the fire is at present unknown. Football. —A very fair muster of the Club attended on Saturday to contend against fifteen old College Boys. The weather, barring a rather strong wind, was everything that could be desired, and .the ground in fine condition. The Old Collegians won the toss and chose the thus having the wind in their favor, an advantage which the club found it hard to contend against. Beyond, hoxever, three or four force down, the Boys could gain no advantage duiiag the first spell. Upon goals being changed, the Club having the wind in their favor, got rather the best of it, but although both sides worked their hardest neither could obtain any de finite advantage, and at half-past four it looked as though the game would end in a draw, About this time, however, the Club began to pen their opponents, and Atack by a pretty run secured the first touch down for them. An objection was raised to it by the Collegians, which was allowed, and the ball returned for a scrimmage. Shortly after this, another touch down was obtained for the Club by Croxton; the kick, a rather difficult one, was entrusted to W, H. Moore, but was unsuccessful. It was now close upon five, and getting rather dark, but the

play was continued with unabated vigor. Just before time being called, the Club forwards by a good rush • carried the ball over the Boys’ goal line, and another touch down was secured by Caverhill. The kick was again attempted by Moore, but failed. The Club therefore were winners by two touch downs.

The Hunt Club. —The Rangiora meet of this club took place on Saturday, and resulted in a capital afternoon’s sport. The weather was such as might be desired, and punctually at the hour named a large field of gentlemen met at the Club Hotel, and proceeded to Mr W. A. Burt’s paddock on the Ashley road, where the hounds were thrown off. The run was in the direction of the Fernside district, and through the farms of Messrs Burt, Bell, Merton, and Parsons, and several of the fences were rather awkward ones, and brought more than one rider to grief, but we are happy to state that no accident of any consequence oceurred. On reaching the Fernside road a short spell was taken, and the drag sent back so as to give a run home to the paddock where the start was made, and as it was in nearly the same track as the run out, the riders found less difficulty in negotiating the fences, and a large field arrived at the run in shortly after the hounds. At the conclusion of the hunt an adjournment was made to the Club Hotel, where three hearty cheers were given for the Hunt Club for providing the day’s sport, and the company dispersed much pleased with their afternoon’s hunting.