NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 772, 11 December 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Ohathams.—The Napier Telegraph states that the Governor will shortly make a trip in the Hinemoa to the Chatham Islands, returning to Wellington by the West Coast of the Middle Island.

Banquet. The banquet to the late members for the Peninsula in the Provincial Council, and Messrs Hall, Rolleston, and Montgomery takes place on Friday evening next at Akaroa. The Mayor of Akaroa will preside.

Political. —Mr W, Montgomery, M.H.R* for Akaroa, will address his constituents at the Town Hall, Akaroa, at 7.30 p.m tomorrow. Mr C. A. Fitzroy, M.H.R. for Selwyn, will also hold a meeting on Thursday evening, at the Half-Way Hotel, Courtnay.

Manager of Railways.—The Otago Daily Times learns on enquiry, that the appointment of manager of the Middle Island Railways has not yet been made. It was stated the other day, on the authority of the Southland News, that Mr Conyers had been appointed. The Skating Rink.—The rink was largely attended on Saturday evening by visitors. Mr Taylor and Lillie gave several exhibitions of feats on the skates, which were loudly applauded. On Monday evening next, the 18th instant, they take a special benefit, when a number of performances will be introduced.

Herr Schott's Entertainment at Kaiapol—On Friday evening Herr Schott gave an entertainment at the Kaikanui Concert Hall. He was assisted by members of the Philharmonic Society. Herr Schott intends to give another entertainment shortly, of which due notice will be given. Interprovincial Regatta.—The only crew which it appears will represent Canter bury at this regatta, is the Cnre Club (Kaiapoi). This club has decided to send the Cam for competition in the Champion Four-oared race. At present the crew is in active training, and promises in every way to be a strong one.

University op Otago. By. the mail letters have been received (saya the Bally xivies) stating that the Governors of Trinity College, Dublin, and the Professors of the Dublin School of Physic, have recognised Professor Coughtrey, of the Otago University, as a Lecturer upon Anatomy. The Mayoralty.—The nominations of candidates for the office of Mayor of Ohrißtchurch for the ensuing year closed at 4 p.m. to-day at the City Council Chambers. Up to that hour the only candidates in the field weie Messrs 0. T. Ick »nd James Gapes. The present Major had declined to allow himself to be nominated again, The election will take place on the 20th iost.

The All England Cricket Match The match between the All England Eleven and New South Wales closed on Saturday. The All England team won the match by 23 runs. The totals were as follows—All England Eleven, first innings, 121 ; second inningp, 106—total, 227. New South Wales team, first innings, 81 ; second innings, 123 total, 204. Theatrical.—Mr and Mrs J. L. Hall passed through on Saturday by the Easby en route to Dnnedin. They are under an engagement to Mr George Darrell who is now lessee of the Princess Theatre, and appear to-morrow evening. Mr Emmett goes to Invercargill for a short engagement with Mr H. Shepperson, and afterwards comes on here, opening on the 2fith instant in "Fritz," at the Theatre Royal. Presentation —The Napier correspondent of a Wellington contemporary states that Mrs Fairchild', the wife of the captain of the Hinemoa, has been presented by the Government with a haudsome set of diamond earrings aad locket to match, for services rendered by Captain Fairchild in recovering the broken end of the Cook's Straits cable. Captain Fairchild refused any remuneration on his own behalf.

Akaboa School.—A. movement is on foot in Akaroa to induce the school committee to allow the late master to withdraw his resignation, principally on the plea of his being a good musician and having laid out some money on the school premises. A memorial is now being taken round for signature asking the committee to retain Mr Wykesmith. A counter memorial has been got up by ratepayers and parents praying the committee for the good of the school and the interests of the public not to re-appoint Mr Wykesmith. The matter will be settled on Monday, the 18th inst. Skating Club.—A general meeting of intending members of the Christchurch Skating Club was held at Warner's Hotel on Saturday evening. There was a good attendance, and Mr J. G. Hawkes occupied the chair. The committee brought up some draft rules for the conduct of the businese of the club, which were adopted. Mr H. H. Efennah was unanimously elected as president of the club, and Mr Hawkes as chairman of the committee. The meeting confirmed the election of committee and ;acretary passed at a previous meeting. It •vas resolved that the committee should meet a Tu( sday evening to ballot for members, and <> arrr-nge with Mesera Millet and Saunders for the first evening's practice of the club at the rick this week.

County Electionb.—Several candidates for seats in the County Councils have already announced themselves, Besides Mr Rolleston, for the Avon, Dr Turnbull, for the Heathcote, and Hon John Hall, for Coleridge, we understand that Mr Stafford is not unlikely to allow himself to be nomi» nated for the Upper Waimakiriri. Mr D. McMillan stands for Malvern, but he will probably beooposed by Mr O. G. Parker. Messrs H. Mathias and W. B. Tosswill are candidates for Oourtenayjj; Mr Tancred, and probably Mr Gammack, for Lincoln.

Mining on the West Coast.—We are informed by the West Coast Times, that some Victorian capitalists are desirous of investing some £40,000 or £50,000 in working about fifty acres of the deep ground at Ross. The parties at present in treaty with the Government for thejease of this large area, represent some of the wealthiest mining men of Ballarat and Melbourne, and they propose to give guarantees for the erection of 100-horse power steam machinery to drain the ground and to work it. The machinery required will have to be imported from Cornwall, and will be more powerful than the splendid pumping plant of the Duke and Timor at Maryborough, in Victoria—the finest machinery of the kind yet erected at this side of the Line.

Masonic Lodge, Akaroa.—The rapid progress made by this, the junior lodge of the province, must be very gratifying to all enthusiasts in Masonry. The lodge was only consecrated on last Easter Monday, and a difficulty was then experienced in getting the required number of master Masons to sign the application for the warrant. Now there are upwards of thirty members registered, and it is necessary to have constant lodgeß of emergency to get through the work. At the lodge of emergency held on Tuesday last there was one initiation and four passings; at the same time it was finally determined to build a Masonic hall. A company was formed, and shares to the amount of £125 were taken up in the room. The plans that were submitted to the lodge show a very neat elevation. There will be two waiting rooms and a lodgeroom 31ft by 20ft. A site has been secured—part of Mr Wagstaff's property—facing Jollie street, and it is intended to have the hall ready for consecration on the regular lodge night in January. The foundation will be laid by the W.M, Bro the Rev W. H. Cooper, assisted by the officers of the lodge, on St John's Day. The grand lodge will be invited to perform the ceremony of consecration. Concert at Sumner.-—A concert in aid of the prizeß and school treat for the Sumner school, was held on Friday night last in the schoolroom at that place. The attendance was fair and the various items were much applauded, as they deserved to be, the entertainment being undoubtedly a very good one. The following is the programme—Piano duet, Mrs Pixley and Miss Longdon ; song, •• Ye gallants of England," Mr Knox ; part song, "The hunter's farewell," Messrs McCardell, Appleby, Stansell, and Enox; recitation, " Jackdaw of Rheime," Mr Black; duet, " Slowly and sweetly," Miss A. L*ne and Mies Miles; song, "My Queen," Mr W. C. Jacobsen ; song, " Three little pigs," Mr T. Searell; recitation, " Speeoh of Sergeant Buzfuz," Mr FlemiDg ; part song, " Sailors sing," Messrs McCardell, Appleby, Stansell, and Knox; song, " Life is a river/* Mr Knox ; recitation, " Lord Tom Noddie," Mr Black ; song, " You'll remember me," Mr Appleby ; duet, " Sweet is the dream," Mr and Mrs Appleby ; part song, " When even, ing's twilight," Messrs McCardell, Appleby, Stansell, and Knox. The National Anthem brought this very successful concert to a close. Mr T. Searell presided very ably at the piano. The prizes will be distributed on Thursday next, when the school breaks up, and on Friday, the first day of the holidays he treat takes place. '

Fidelity and Accident Guarantee Company.—The New Zealand Times of the Bth reports: called attention to the meeting of the Fidelity and Accident Guarantee Company of New Zealand. The objects of the company are to provide security to employers for clerks and others in a position of trust and responsibility, and to grant insurances against injury or loss of life resulting from accidents of whatever character. The premiums will be on the most moderate scale possible, consistent with prudence. The institution is not to be merely local in its character, but colonial, and the Boards. of directors appointed for the different cities throughout the colony are a guarantee that it will be carried out on wide principles. For Wellington the Board consists of Messrs Dr an a field, Hunter, M.H.R., Krull, Levy, Mills, and Mountain, and the Hon W. Fitzherberfc (chairman) ; for Auckland—Messrs Campbell, Heap, Shera, Pierce, and B. Tonks, M.H.R. (chairman), with Mr John Beid as local agent; for Dunedin the Hon W. H. Beynolds, Messrs Wilson, Beeves, Mills, and E. B. Cargill (chairman), with Mr Hawkins as local agent; and for Christchurch Messrs Craig and Nathan and the Hon John Hall, M.L.C. (chairman), with Mr Walton as local agent. The head offices are in Wellington, on Lambton quay, Mr S. Carroll being secretary. Mos*rs Moorhouse and Stafford the solicitors, and the Colonial Bank. of New Zealand being bankers for the company. The company will be prepared to commence business operations on the Ist January next. The nominal capital is £IOO,OOO, and terms and forms of applications may be had from the various agents, or at the head office, Wellington."

Ellesmebb Contingent 0.Y.0. A petition having been tendered by the members of the Blleemere contingent to head quarters, for permission to erect rifle butts in the neighborhood, Major Lean and Capt Strouts inspected the proposed site on the lake flat near Mr Marshall's homestead, on Friday. No objection being raised to the bite, except that the shingly nature of the ground would require additional precautions being taken in the erection of a marker's butt, to protect him from balls ricoohetting, the corps were directed to forward a tracing of that portion of the reserve which they wanted set apart for a range, to which Messrs Lean and Strouts promised to give their immediate attention. In the afternoon an inspection parade was held at Doyleston, at which only ten troopers were able to attend, several of the corps being unavoidably detained on account of shearing operations. The officers, however, expressed themselves highly satisfied with the progress made by the corps in their drill since the formation of the contingent. At the close of the parade the troop sat down to a capital spread at Bladder's Hotel. Owing, however, to the unavoidable departure of the officers for Oorißtcburob, the company broke up at a very early hour.