NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, 31 January 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

New Hebrides.—The Revs J. Inglis and W. Wats are announced to deliver addresses this evening in St Paul's Presbyterian Church, the subject being the New Hebrides mission^ The Great £outhern Railway.—The opening of the extension of the Southern line to Oamaru will take place to-morrow. A train wiJl leave the Christchuich station at 7.15 a.m, arriving at Oamaru about 5 p m. The Mail.—The Rotorua, with the San Francisco mail, left Onehunga yesterdaymorning direct for Wellington. A telegram, however, was received last night stating that the Manukau bar waa exceedingly rough, and that the steamer would probably not be able to cross before to-day. Volunteer Inspection. The usual monthly inspection of the head quarter companies was made last evening at the Drill Bhed by Colonel Packs, Major Lean being in attendance. There was a good at f endanoß. At the close of the inspection the companies were put through battalion movements, manual exercise, and company drill city Improvements.—The removal of the old buildings formerly used as the Fire Brigade Station, is all but completed. We hope to see bnildinga worthy of thesiteerected there. The acphalte crossing from the lamps in the Market Place to the Post-office has been finished and |proves a very great convenience to the many people having business at the Poßt•office. Conference Picnic. —The picnic given to the ministe r s attending the Wesloyan Conference now in session took place yesterday, and was a very rnjoyablo affair. About £OO persons proceeded by special train to West Oxford. Arrived there the party broke up into group?, and were soon busily engaged in spreading their luncheons in shady nooks This over, rambles through th>! bush were indulged in, and a very happy day was spent by all taking part in the picnic, The party returned to town shortly after 7 p.m, having thoroughly enjoyed their outing. Acclimatisation Society.—Tin aunual meeting of this society was held lost evening at the Congregational schoolroom. Mr H, B. Johnstone's motion, alteriug the number of the Council from nineteen to nine, was loßfc, and an amendment fixing the number at twelve, was carried. A long discussion took place relative to the box of English salmon ova per Durham Castle, which it was alleged been forwarded by the Superintendent of Otago to Air A. M. Johnson, late curator of the society, and taken possession of by ihe society. An amendment that Mr Johnton's claim should be inserted in the annual report was lost by two votes.

New Zealand Hymnal.—A long discussion took place in the General Synod at Nelson on Monday, on the motion of Archdeacon Maunsell, that a committee be appointed to enlarge and improve the "New Zealand Hymnal." The motion was ultimately lo3t. Heathcote Regatta.—A. meeting of those favorable to the holding of the regatta on the Hsathcote took place last evening at Winner's Hotel. Mr J. O, Jones occupied i.he chair, and said that there were about £l7 remaining over from last regatta. If they canvassed for subscriptions he believed that they could get up a viry good regatta After some discussion, Mr J. W. Davis moved—- " That it is expedient to hold a regatta on the He.ithcote this year." Mr Pavitt seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The gentlemen preaent were elected as a preliminary committee to make enquiries as to tides, &c, and to report to an adjourned meeting, to be called ten days from date. The following gentlemen were added to the committee, viz—Messrs J. Ollivier, J. T. Fiaher, Mouck, J. Day, Crosbie, and &., C, Watson. Mr J. 0. Jones was elected as secretary to the regatta, and Mr H. Thomson as treasurer. It waa decided to write to Kaiapoi to ascertain the date of their regatta.