NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 824, 12 February 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Opening op Parliament.— Parliament was opened by the Queen on the Bth inst. A short summary of the speech, forwarded by cable, appears elsewhere. The Suez Mail,— The Hingarooma, with the Suez mail, arrived at the Bluff yesterday morning, and at Port Chalmers yesterday afternoon. The most interesting item of news brought by her is the account of the ceremony connected with the proclamation of her Majesty as Empress of India. Floods in the North.— The damage done by the recent heavy rains is not confined to the Middle Island. On Saturday it was still raining heavily in many parts in the North Island as well. In Hawke’s Bay very great damage has been done, as large tracts of country are under water. Aquatics. —The senior and junior handicap sculling races for the silver cups presented to the Canterbury Bowing Club by Messrs Harman and Sandstein, were pulled off on Saturday afternoon. The cups have to be won twice before becoming the property of the winners. A pleasant afternoon’s sport was enjoyed, the result being that Mr Ollivier is the holder of the senior, and Mr Callender of the junior prize.

Congregation Church. —The anniversary sermons in connection with Trinity Church (Congregational) were preached yesterday. In the morning and evening the Rev Mr Hills conducted the services, and in the afternoon a children’s service took place, when an address was delivered by the Rev W. J. Habens. The annual tea and public meeting will be held to-morrow evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall, when addresses will be delivered by the Revs Hills, Elmslie, B. T, Hallowes, and other gentlemen. Sunnysidb Asylum.— As already stated an entertainment will be given at Suonysido Asylum to-morrow evening by Mr and Mia J. L, Hall and Miss Laura Wiseman. These artistes have in the kindest manner proffered their services to Mr Seager to give an evening’s amusement to the inmates, prior to their departure from Christchurch, a thoughtfulness which we feel sure will be fully appredated by those for whose benefit it ia intended. Owing to the alterations and improvements recently made to the stage at tbe Asylum pieces can be put on in a fey Ij< ttor style than previously,

Butchers’ Picnic.—This picnic will take place on Wednesday next, Nearly the whole of the employers have signified their intention of closing their places of business on that day, to permit their employes being present, , The Wanaka Excursion.— A number of the northern excursionists, per Wanaka, passed through on Saturday, per 8.8. Wanaka. Though after leaving Nelson their trip was somewhat marred by bad weather, yet they appear to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and one and all speak in glowing terms of the sublimity of the scenery in Milford and the other Sounds of the West Coast. Mr Hoyte, the well known artist, was of the party, and as he took a number of sketches, we may look for a faithful reproduction of the grandeur of scenery spoken of. Everyone, we may say, bears testimony to the kindness and courtesy of Captain Malcolm and his officers, Mdlle. Franzini at the Skating Bink The skating rink was crowded to excess on Saturday night to witness the re-appearance of Mdlle Franzini on the bicycle. This lady repeated her previous programme, and astounded those present by the marvellous correctness with which she manipulated the vehicle through the rows of lighted bottles and flower pots, winding up the performance by some very graceful balancing with the bicycle in rapid motion. A rsce for skates followed, and was won by Mr Rule, who did the distance in 2min 50sec, Mr Bosewarne being only £sec behind. The time of two of the other competitors was 2min SB Jsec, the c ose time made throughout keeping up the excitement until the finish.