NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 803, 18 January 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

East Christchurch School Committee. —We understand that Mr E. C. J. Stevens has consented to be nominated to fill the seat at this Board, rendered vacant by the resignation of the Rev W. J. Habeas,

Lyttelton Harbor Board. —This Board held their first meeting at the offices of the Harbor Department, Lyttelton, at noon to day. Upon the motion of Mr H. P. MurrayAynaley, the Hon B, Richardson was unanimously elected chairman. Quarantine Station.—The report from Ripa Island yesterday was most satisfactory. Hugh McCann and Ann Bennett are both much better, and all the rest being convalescent they will be released on Tuesday next in the event of no fresh illness breaking out,

East Belt Wesleyan Church.—A tea meeting in connection with the Sunday school anniversary of the above church was held last evening. About 200 persons sat down to an excellent tea supplied by the ladies of the congregation, after which a public meeting was held, the Rev W. Morley in the chair. A very satisfactory report of the progress made by the Sunday school was submitted, showing the present number of scholars to be 130, with twelve teachers. Addresses were delivered by the Revs McNiccoll, Gittow (Maori missionary, North Island), Berry, Mr Buddie, and other gentlemen. During the evening a number of hymns were sung.

Ashburton. The desultory showers which prevailed here for the last few days culminated on Tuesday in a heavy thunderstorm, which lasted some hours, during which rain fell in torrents, and the township, in spite of its capital drainage, was flooded. Fortunately but little grain is cut yet, and the standing crops, which are unusually heavy, have suffered but little. The river rose rapidly, and where it overflowed its banks has done considerable damage to crops. The railway line has again come to grief. The 3.47 passenger train from Timaru on Tuesday evening was unable to approach Bangitata, and proceeded to return to Timaru, On nearing Orari again it was found that a breach in the line had since been made there, and the train was therefore completely isolated. On this state of affairs becoming known at Ashburton at about 8 o’clock, Mr Silk, the stationmaster, at once dispatched an engine, with food and necessaries for the comfort of the passengers, in the hope of making an effort to reach them; but the engine returned before midnight, the driver reporting a further breach near the Hinds, which he found impossible to cross. A gang of men were sent up again on Wednesday to commence repairs; and as the rivers have subsided, it is expected that traffic will soon be resumed. United Methodist Free Church.— Yesterday’s session of the district meeting opened with devotional exercises, prayer being offered by the Rev. J. White ; the minutes of the previous day’s session were read and confirmed. The conversation on the spiritual condition of the various circuits was resumed for some time and many valuable suggestions for improvement in this direction were thrown out. Ultimately it was resolved that Rev. T. R. Fisher be requested to prepare a paper bearing on the subject to be inserted in the April number of the Free Methodist Magazine. The Rev J White was appointed to prepare the address to the churches next year. It was decided that the papers appointed to be prepared by the last district meeting shoqld be read and discussed on Friday evening. The report of the treasurer fof the “ Free Methodist Magazine ” was read and adopted. A credit balance of over £9 was reported, with an increased circulation. After a most hearty vote of thanks to the Rev, 8. Macfarlane, editor, and Mr. Q. Booth, treasurer, the brethren were re-elected to their respective positions for the ensuing year. It was decided to print 100 more copies of the periodical, A motion to make the publication monthly instead of quarterly was allowed to drop till next district meeting. Thursday morning from ten to eleven was set apart for examination into ministerial character, Si c, the meeting sitting with closed doors. At the afternoon session prizes were promised for essays by Sunday scholars, and. for answers to puzzles that appear from time to time in the “ Magazine.” A prize of books to the value of £2 10a was offered for the best essay on Sunday Schools, by teachers, a discussion relating to the training of CP-ndi-dates for the ministry was opened, but postponed till a later stage of the meeting. The question of forming new circuits and taking up new stations was then brought before the brethren. It was unanimously agreed to accept the recommendation of the Christchurch quarterly meeting and divide the circuit, Rangiora to be the head of the new circuit. Half past four arrived before the next application was disposed of,

■■in mmmmn, n. ■ - " ■ „ ■ « Selwyn County Council.—The Council will meet at halt-past 10 o’clock to morrow’. Wesleyan Conference.— The inaugural session of the annual conference of the Wesleyan Church will be held this evening at the Durham street Chapel. It is expected that about thirty ministers from various districts will be present. The officers for the year will bo elected by ballot, and addresses will be delivered by the Rev the President, Rev A. Reid and other ministers. The Chicago Minstrels.— Such is the title of a new company of minstrels who intend shortly to wend their way hither. Though the majority of the troupe are new to the colony, there are some members of it who are well known, amongst others we may mention Messrs R. W. Carey (baritone), recently with the Lydia Howarde Opera Company ; H. F. Towle (tenor), also in the same company ; and 0. Wallace (negro vocalist and dancer). The basso of the troupe is late of the Emerson and La Peuillade Troupe, and the minstrels intend to introduce several new features into the entertainment, notably the triple clog dance and quartette marble pedestal dance, which has never been done in New Zealand before. The band is a large one, comprising double bass, Cute, first and second violin, piano, cornet, and English concertina. Altogether no pains appear to have been spared to make the troupe a thoroughly efficient one. They visit Christchurch shortly, we believe.

Master Bakers’ Annual Picnic —The master bakers of Christchurch, together with their employes and friends, held their annual picnic yesterday, in a paddock at Boon Hay, near the residence of the Hon, Ernest Gray. The General Post Office, Christchurch, had been appointed as the place of starting, and 8 a.m. was the appointed hour. Prom a few minutes after 7, carts and other vehicles belonging to the various members of the trade began to congregate at the rendezvous. At a quarter to 8 places in the procession were drawn for, and the various traps formed into procession in their allotted order, noticeable amongst which was Mr Poole’s waggonette with four horses, and Messrs Sunderland and Hulme each with a pair. At twenty minutes past 8 a start was effected, the van being led by the Cavalry band, under the leadership of Mr B. Button. Hoon Hay was reached at half-past 9 o’clock, when the committee set to work to erect swings, &o, for the enjoyment of the children, The devotees of Terpsichore soon disported themselves to the inspiring strains of the Cavalry band, and no time was lost in arranging the various events on the programme, which was proceeded with in the following order:— Boys’ race, 200 yards, under 16 years, handicapped; Ist prize, 10s; 2nd, 7s 6d; 3rd, ss. Ist, Woodham ; 2nd, Andrews; 3rd, Jones. Carters’ race, 2CO yards, handicapped; Ist prize, 20s; 2nd, 10s; 3rd, ss. Ist, G. Hicks; 2nd, H, T. Mann; 3rd, W. Miles. Twentyfive started for this race, which was won easily. Master bakers’ race, 200 yards, handicapped; Ist prize, 2nd, 20s; 3rd, 10s. let, Somers; 2nd, A. Mills; 3rd, T. Poole. Walking match, 850 yards, for all workmen and boys connected with the trade, handicapped; Ist prize, 20s; 2nd, 10s; 3rd, ss. Ist, Ritchie ; 2nd, Mann; 3rd, O. Jones. Sack race, 100 yards; Ist prize, 15s; 2nd, 10s, Ist, G. Dempsey; 2nd, R. Elliott. Three-legged race, 100 yards, for all men and boys connected with the trade; Ist prize, 15s; 2nd, 103. Ist, Ritchie and Dempsey; 2nd, Elliott and Parker, Girls’ race, under 16 years of age, handicapped. Ist prize, 10a; 2nd, 7s 6d; 3rd, ss. Ist, B. A. Woodham; 2nd, S. Cox ; 3rd, E. Hawker. Journeymen baker’s race, 200 yards, for men in the bakehouse only, handicapped. Ist prize, 30s; 2nd, 20s ; 3rd, 10s. Ist, Hewitt; 2nd, McLeod; 3rd, A. Green. Master bakers’ boys’ race, under 9 years of age, handicapped. Ist prize, 5s ; 2nd, 2s 6d ; 3rd, 2s. Ist, O. Taylor; 2nd, H. Flavel; 3rd, Ebert. Three legged race, for master bakers’ only, 100 yards ; Ist prize, 15s; 2nd, 10s; Ist, Thompson and Whitfield ; 2nd, P. Taylor and Saywell. Running long jump; Ist prize, 10s ; 2nd, 7s 6d ; Ist, Wm Thompson, 14ft 6in ; 2nd, G. Ritchie, 14ft 4in. Band and visitors’ race, 100 yards; handicapped ; Ist prize, 10s ; 2nd, 7s 6d ; Ist, Beattie ; 2nd, Kirkwood. Cup race, for all connected with the trade ; handicapped ; Ist prize, cap value £3 3s ; 2nd, £2 2s; 3rd, £1 Is; first heat, Ist, S. Hewitt; 2nd, G. Ritchie; 3rd, Baldwin; second heat, Ist, Miles ; 2nd, Robinson ; Brd, Crager; final heat, Ist, S, Hewitt; 2nd, Miles ; 3rd, Baldwin. S. Hewitt is therefore the winner of the Cup for 1877. It was won last year by Mr T. Whitfield. Trotting match, for bakers’ cart horses only, to be ridden by bakers; 1 mile ; handicapped ; Ist prize, 30s ; 2nd, 20a ; 3rd, 10s ; entrance, 2a 6d ; Ist, Mr Sunderland’s Bobby ; 2nd, Mr Sunderland’s Doctor’s Maid; 3rd, Mr Hopper’s Dick ; 4th, Messrs Thompson and Whitfield’s Polly. Second trotting match, prizes, entries, «kc, as first match; Ist, Mr Sunderland’s Bobby ; 2nd, Mr Sunderland's Doctor’s Maid ; 3rd, Mr Hopper’s Dick ; 4th, Messrs Thompson and Whitfield’s Polly. This event, brought the day’s proceedings to a close. About 400 persons were on the gro and.. The procession, numbering some sixty vehicles, wended its way Christchurchwards about 7 o’clock, by way of the Lincoln road. We must not omit to mention that Mr Hawker, photographer, of Montreal street south was on the ground and photographed the group.