NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 653, 22 July 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

St John’s Presbyterian Church Lyttelton. —The Rev J. D. Ferguson is advertised to conduct divine service at this Church to-morrow morning, and the Rev W. S. McGowan in the evening.

“ Akaroa Mail.” —We have to acknowledge the receipt of the first number of the Altaroa Mail and Banks' Peninsula Advertiser to be published at Akaroa every Tuesday and Friday. With Kaiapoi and Rangiora represented by their respective organs, it is only right that Akaroa should have a local journal also. The Mail is very neatly printed, and its general get-up highly creditable to the proprietor. The South Park.— For the convenience of visitors to Addington and the Saleyards, the Domain Board have lately erected “kissing” gates in the fence leading to the Cricket ground from the Riccarton road, and in the inner fence on the other side of the park, opposite to Rankin’s store. A footbridge has also been placed over the creek in a line with the gates, and as a long round will thus be saved, this improvement will, ao doubt, be appreciated by many.

Ashburton Forks School Committee. A meeting of the above committee was held at the residence of Mr Geo, Church on Tuesday, 18th insb. Present—all the members. It was proposed by Mr Geo. Church, and seconded by Mr Pearce Weldon, that Mr William Sutherland be chairman. Carried. Resolved—“ That the chairman write to the Minister for Education, asking for all par. ticulars relating to the above school, as the present members are in complete ignorance of what has been done by their predecessors.” It was further resolved—" That the chairman write to Mr Isaac Sargent, late chairman, requesting to be put in possession of all papers, &o, in connection with the above school.” It was decided that Mr U. D. Pullar be asked to act as secretary to the school committee.

Colombo Street Quarry,— A block of stone taken from Mr J. Tait’a new quarry in Colombo street south, was shown us yesterday, at the offices of Mr S. ( J . Farr, architect. The stone is close grained, and in appearance very much resembles Aberdeen granite. The block had been prepared to exhibit its properties under different modes of working. On one side the stone was shown to possess qualities for taking a fine free polish, the opposite side being in the rough, while the other sides were chiselled to different degrees of smoothness. The stone seems to be of a very durable kind, and eminently suitable for all building purposes, and a's this sample was taken from a large face of same quality, an unlimited supply is assured. It is only about twelve months since : the quarry was first opened,

Sudden Death. —A Mrs Raglan, wife of John Raglan, butcher, living on the Canal reserve, near the Ferry road, died very suddenly this morning at half-past seven. The deceased complained yesterday of not feeling very well, but seemed to be in her usual health before going to bed.

Supposed Death by Drowning.— ln reference to the finding of a meerschaum pipe and a new hat near the screw-pile jetty on Thursday last, we are now informed that a seaman belonging to the Jannette ketch, named Alexander Cameron is missing. The person in question left the Jannette on Wednesday afternoon, aad was last seen at the Lyttelton Hotel at 8.80 p.m on Wednesday night. His mates have identified the hat and pipe as belonging to Cameron, so there is little doubt that the unfortunate man fell over the wharf while under the influence of liquor. The body was dragged for yesterday and the search will be continued to-day. The missing man is reported to be a good swimmer.

Kaiapoi Episcopalian Church Organ. —A builder’s trial of this organ was given at Mr E. H. Jenkin’s organ factory, Charles street, Kaiapoi, on Thursday evening, when several of the musical persons in the town were invited to be present. The description of the instrument is :—Grand organ compass cc to g in alto 56 notes ; 1 open diapason (metal) cc Bft, 56 pipes ; 2 Leibich gedackt (wood) cc, 56 pipes ; 3 gamba (metal) bass No 2, tenor c, Bft, 44 pipes ; 4 principal (metal) cc 4ft, 66 pipes ; 5 wald flute (wood) cc 4ft, 56 pipes ; 6|harmonic piccolo, 4ft, 56 pipes ; 7 bourdon (wood) 16ft, 25 pipes ; 8 couple of break pedals. It is an independent pedal, and has two octaves of pedals ccc to c 25 notes, It contains about 349 pipes, all of which except the open diapason are enclosed in swell box. The bellows are double feeding. Every part of the instrument has been manufactured in Kaiapoi by Mr Jenkins, except the metal pipes, of which there are twenty-five exposed on the front, and illuminated . The case of the organ is plain, but to be stained and varnished. The trial given the instrument by Mr Searell, organist of Durham street Wesleyan Chapel, was in every way highly satisfactory, and taking into account the size of the organ, it is one of considerable power. The performance by the organist of several selections was received with general approval as well as praise in favor of the instrument.

Ashburton School Committee.— The monthly meeting was held in the schoolroom on the 11th inst. The chairman explained that as the Minister of Education had not answered their letter Jof the Ist of July, they would have to adjourn until his reply was received. The meeting adjourned, and again met on the 19th inst. Present — Dr Trevor (chairman), Messrs Saunders, Friedlander, Cambridge, Shury, and St Hill. A letter from the Minister of Education was Head, authorising the committee to advertise for an assistant mistress at a salary of £6O per annum ; to rent the library hall at a rental of £25 per annum ; to put in a stove, half the cost of which to be defrayed by the district; also stating that the Provincial Architect would furnish the necessary furniture on receipt of dimensions, &c; and further promising to supply maps, globes, &c, as asked for. A letter was received from B. J. Mayo, pupil teacher, asking for an increase of salary, having passed in a higher grade, which was referred to the Minister of Education for his favorable consideration. The secretary was instructed to advertise for an assistant master or mistress, at a salary of £6O per annum, The subjects for which prizes were to be given was considered, and it was resolved to augment the Government allowance by a subscription. The following accounts were passed for payment:—Fencing boys’ playground, £37 18s 6d; alterations to "v».wc•v.rtJO’ muu ob/uv* Q. Parkin £lO 11s, the latter subject to the Minister’s approval. The meeting then adjourned. _ Loyal Perseverance Lodge, WoolSTON,—The anniversary dinner of this lodge took place last evening at the Woolston lodge room, which had been very tastefully decorated with flags and evergreens for the occasion. About 150 members and visitors sat down to an excellent dinner, provided by Bro J. Cole, of the Wharf Hotel, whose catering gave general satisfaction. The chair was occupied by Bro H. Sawtell, supported by P.G.M.’s Bros Hilliers and Taafe, D.P.G.M. Bro Wright, Dr Campbell, lodge surgeon, and P. 0.8. Bro A. Selig. The vicechair was filled by the N.G. Bro S. Staples. After the cloth had been removed, the chairman gave the toasts of the “ Queen and Royal family,” which were loyally honored, the band playing “ God save the Queen.” The following toasts were then given and responded to :—“ His Excellency the Governor and General Assembly,” “Grand Master and board of directors,” “ District officers," “ Father Abrahams,” “Loyal Perseverance lodge,” “ The chairman,” “ Sister lodges,” “Volunteer Benevolent, Christchurch, Star of Waltham, and City of Norwich lodges,” “ Dr Campbell, lodge surgeon,” “ Kindred Societies," “ Free and accepted Masons,” “Ladies,” “Press,” “Theband,"and “The host.” During the evening the N.G. Bro Staples read a report of the progress of the lodge since 24th July, 1872, the date of its foundation by P.P.G.M. Bro Parry. The average value of the lodge was £4 per member, and the average age 27J years. The lodge numbered 81 members, and 2 honorary ones. During the four years of its existence, £lls 14s 4d had been paid for sick money, and the funeral claims had amounted to £95. The chairman, taking advantage of an interval in the toasts, presented, after a few well chosen remarks, by desire of the lodge, a valuable jewel to secretary Bro J. Richardson, for his very energetic services in that capacity. The presence of Toomer’s Excelsior band, whose services were given gratuitously, and who played several selections in a very creditable manner, added to a number of songs very well sung, tended to increase the success of perhaps one of the best attendcd.lodgo anniversaries yet held in the province. Gebbie’s Valley School. —A meeting of the Gebbie’s Valley school committee took place on Saturday evening, the 15th instant, in the schoolroom. There were present Messrs Reeve, Johnston, Wheeler, Braving, G. Butler, and the chairman, Mr J. Gebbie. Correspondence was read from the Minister of Education, the first letter informing the committee that the Inspector would examine the school on May 30th ; the second, explaining the reason why the Inspector did not examine the school on that date ; the third, in reply to the chairman’s letter, dated June 30th, in reference to spouting and tank for master’s house. The Minister’s letter stated that as soon as one half of the cost of the same was paid into the Treasury the work would be done. The chairman reported that Mr Hammond in-

spected the school on Jane 2nd, and handed in the Inspector’s report, which was read and considered very satisfactory. The chairman, Mr J. Qebbie, then informed the committee that the principal business of the meeting would be to devise means to carry out the Minister’s letter respecting the spouting, &c, for the master’s house. Funds were required for this object, and he would offer to supplement by 50 per cent any money that was raised in the district for this or any other school purpose. Mr Johnston offered to supplement the fund towards providing tank, &c, by 25 per cent. It was proposed by Mr Braving, and seconded by Mr Johnston—- “ That the chairman be authorised to obtain guttering and tank for master’s house.” Carried. Mr Johnston proposed, and Mr Butler seconded—“ That all contributions be paid to the Treasurer on or before August Ist." Carried. It was proposed by Mr Butler, and seconded by Mr Wheeler—“ That the chairman be instructed to make arrangements for sweeping the school.” The meeting then terminated.