NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 826, 14 February 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Drainage Question.—A public meeting of ratepayers will be held at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street, to morrow evening at half-past seven, to discuss the Drainage scheme. Cricket. —The match between the All* England Eleven and Twenty-two of Taranaki resulted as follows All England, first innings, 80 ; Taranaki Twenty-two, first innings, 32 ; second innings, 47 ; total, 79,

Suez Mail. —The inward Suez mail was brought on by the s.s. Hinemoa yesterday morning, and arrived here at 11 am. It consisted of eighteen bags—fourteen for Christchurch, and four for Lyttelton.

Aldbeneys. —Some Alderney cattle, conslating of three heifera and a bull, arrived vestertlo-y from Melbourne by the s.s. Ringarooiaa. Th«y are for Mr W. J. G. Bluett, are in capita,! orde»f, and show all the true characteristics of the bi'csd. Woolston Deainage Mbb^NG.— The public meeting called for to-morrow a p the Oddfellows’ Hall, Woolaton, to consider the proposed Drainage scheme has been postponed until Friday evening, at half-past seven, in consequence of the Christchurch meeting having to be held on Thursday night. tx Michael’s Sunday School.— The annual treat of the scholars attending the schppl took place yesterday. The children, attended by teachers and friends, went to Lyttelton by w?, early train, and proceeded to Rhodes' 6ay 'in’ Vue etegm launch Lyttelton. A very happy' day' wu« spsjjt, the weather being delightful and the water smooth, and the children returned home highly .dented with ttrair holiday.

The Government Bridge.— At a meeting of the City Council, on Monday last, attention was called to the state of the bridge over the Avon, near the Government steps will be taken to repair it, as there is now a large hole near the western eud which in the dark might be the cause of a serious accident.

Oxford Episcopalian Sunday Schools Treat, —The treat to the scholars, numbering about 250, attending the St Andrew’s and St Mary’s Sunday schools, was held on Tuesday, and took the form of an excursion by rail to Kangiora, and a picnic in Mr W. Buss’s paddock. The children were in charge of their teachers and the Rev P. T. Opie. They reached Rangiora by a special train at mid-day, and after a pleasant afternoon’s outing, and a liberal supply of cake, &c., they returned to Oxford in the evening,

The Late Fire in Colombo Street An enquiry into the circumstances attending the late fire at Czar House, Colombo street, took place at the City Council Chambers yesterday, before J. W. S. Coward, Esq, coroner of the district. Mr Hobday was chosen foreman of the jury. After taking evidence the jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict that there was no evidence to show how the fire originated, but that it was caused by some one, but by whom there was no evidence to show.

Colonial Prize Firing. —The Canterbury representatives at the Colonial PrizeFiring, to take place at Hokitika, left yesterday by the 12.25 train for Lyttelton. Col Packe also proceeds to Hokitika to assist in carrying out the arrangements for the firing. The competitors left by the Government ss. Hinemoa for Wellington, Picton, Nelson, and Hokitika. A goodly number of the friends of the competitors were on the platform to wish their comrades lon voyage and good luck.

Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club,

*The following handicaps have been made for these sports, which take place on the Show Grounne, on Saturday next: —22o yards— A. R. F. Johnston, scratch ; J. Fowler, 3 yards ; E. F, Moore, 7 yards ; A. G. Saltmarshe, 8 yards ; H. McGardell, 10 yards; J. Rule, 11 yards ; W. Robinson, 12 yards ; and J. Milton, Id yards. Half-mile—J. F. Wachsmann, scratch ; A. Mathias, 30 yards ; and B. G. Hawkes, 55 yards. 440 yards—A, R. F. Johnson, scratch ; J. F. Wachsmann, 20 yards ; H, McGardell, 30 yards ; W. Tosswill, 30 yards ; W. Robinson, 30 yards ; J, Rale, 35 yards ; B. G. Hawkes, 37 yards ; and J, Milton, 40 yards. Colonists’ Hall, Lyttelton. The Chicago Minstrels gave their first performance in Lyttelton at the above hall last night. There was a crowded house. Each part of the performance is in itself good, the chorus singing being excellent throughout, while the pedestal dance fairly brought down the house, and Mr Wallace in the farce was excellent. The alto, Mr Hawkins, is the best we have heard, and Messrs Carey and Towle are too well known to need comment. The audience were most enthusiastic. To-night there will be an entire change of programme, and as it includes the sketches of “School,” and “A Trip Round the World,” which have been highly praised by our Southern contemporaries, we expect a treat. The company will not appear on Friday night at the Oddfellows’ Hall, but have arranged for a season, commencing on Saturday next, at the Canterbury Music Hall. Lyttelton Volunteer Fire Brigade.

—This Brigade held their usual monthly practice on Friday last. There was a full muster of members. Afterpractico a general meeting took place. The balance-sheet was submitted, received, and adopted. Fireman Sedcole gave notice that at nest monthly meeting he would bring forward the following motion : —“ That in view of the early completion of the water supply, the Brigade celebrate the event by having a wet practice and a procession, and to wind up with a supper, to which the brigades of Canterbury be invited to take part. That a committee be formed to carry lout the above, with full power to canvass the town if necessary.” The meeting then adjourned. We understand that there is a probability of the Lyttelton Fire Police joining in the movement.

Trinity Congregational Church.— The annual tea meeting in connection with the above church was held last evening, at the Oddfellows’ Hall. The tables were very tastefully set out, and decorated with bouquets of flowers, presenting a very nice appearance. About 350 persons partook of an excellent tea, provided and presided over by the ladies of the congregation. After the tables had been cleared a public meetingfwaa held, at which there was a large attendance, The Rev W. J. Habens presided, and after prayer, addresses were delivered by the chairman and the Revs E. J. Hills (New South Wales), 0. Dollaston, J. Elmslie, 'and B. T. Hallowes. The treasurer’s report, read during the evening, showed that the income for the past year had been £I2OO. There had been an addition of twenty to the Church membership during the year, and the average attendance at the Sunday school for the same time had been 364. During the evening anthems were sung by the choir, Mr W. Jameson presiding at the harmonium. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies who had provided tea, to the ministers for their addresses, and to the choir, and the meeting terminated with prayer. Theatrical. —Messrs Baker and Parron, the celebrated Dutch and Hibernian impersonators, will shortly appear in Christchurch under engagement to Mr Hoskins. The Lydia Howarde Opera Company proceed to Wellington, where they open on the 22nd inst, at the Theatre. It is probable that they may give some performances here en route . Mr and Mrs Lingard have had a most prosperous season in the North, and intend shortly paying Christchurch a visit. Howorth’s Hibernica, which was in Auckland some time back, has arrived in Dunedin under the care of Mr Alphabetical Williams, as advance agent, Mr J. K. Emmet, with ■' Fritz,” appears to have thoroughly taken the Auckland playgoers by storm, crowded and enthusiastic houses being the rule. He intends remaining | in Now Zealand for another month. Mr F, Mulder and Mdlle Rena, two American' stars, who have not been pronounced successes either ia’Australia or New Zealand, have just closed a short engagement in Auckland. They may come southward shortly. Mr and Mrs J. L. Hall and Miss Wiseman remain in Christchurch for some short time, and it is possible we may hear of them very shortly. The Chicago Minstrels, who onen here on Friday, have done yejl ip the South, and should do bo here also,

Kaiapoi Borough School Committee. —The monthly meeting for dispatch of ordinary business was held on Monday evening. Present Messrs Kerr (chairman), Ellen, Bean, Moore, Parnham, Johnston, and Fasbby. Letters were read from the secretary of the Board of Education, forwarding instructions for conducting elections; also stating that in future the examinations would, if possible, be held before the Christmas holidays in agreement with the wish of the committee; also that the portion of the building rate collected would be refunded ; also that the Board would consider the question of increasing the caretaker’s salary ; also that the architect, Mr Cane, had been instructed to report on the state of the school, and his report would be forwarded in due course. The returns of attendance showed a decrease during harvest compared with the previous month. The appointment of Mr Matthews as assistant master was confirmed. The secretary reported the election of Messrs Whitefoord, Moore, and Johnston as members of the committee. Accounts amounting to £8 16s 4d having been passed, the committee adjourned.

Meeting of Ratepayers. A preliminary meeting of ratepayers, called by advertisement, was held last evening at the Music Hall, to consider what steps should be taken with regard to the drainage question, as also the last assessment of the city. There was only a small attendance at first, but later in the evening the hall became fairly filled. On 'the motion of Mr Cuff, Mr H. Wynn Williams was voted to the chair. The chairman explained the purpose for which the meeting had been called, and said his views were that they should form a ratepayers’ association, to comprise Christchurch and the outlying districts. The association could be supported by small subscriptions, its objects being to join together to protect themselves from a bad system of drainage, and also from excessive assessment. He had heard that over 600 objections had been lodged against this year’s assessment, and that of itself showed the necessity for having an association to protect ratepayers from what he would call the fabulous assessment, this time, compared with lormer years. (Applause.] Professional assistance would no doubt be required, and in order to avoid improper motives beingjimputed to him, he would tell them that his intention was only to take hia part as ratepayer. At a preliminary meeting like the present, he did not think they ought to discuss the proposed scheme of drainage; and as the Christchurch ratepayers did not wish to take any advantage of Heathcote in the matter of drainage at the expense of that district, he hoped to see a number of the Christchurch people at the meeting to be held at Woolston on Friday next. He had drawn out a resoution-—| read —J —which he would ask soma gentleman to move, after which it could bo discussed. Mr 0. T. Ick said he attended the meeting as a ratepayer and not as member of the City Council. The views of the chairman accorded with his own, and ha would again repeat what he had previously said in the Council, that this year’s assessment was a monstrous one, and the more he heard of it the more he found it to be so. He begged to move the resolution, suggesting that the Spreydon and Riccarton districts should be included in it—“ That an association be formed to be styled the Christchurch Avon, Heathcote, Spreydon, and Riccarton Ratepayers’ Association. The object of the Association to be generally the protection of the ratepayers from excessive assessments, and the consideration of the question of the proposed drainage scheme as its basis, upon the health and well being of its inhabitants. The subscription for one year shall not be less than 6s. The following officers shall be the officers of the Association; President, treasurer, secretary, and committee.” Mr Cuff seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr Cass suggested that the Association should amalgamate with the Christchurch Ratepayers Reform Association at present in existence. The following gentlemen were proposed and elected officers of the Association President, Mr H. Wynn-Williams ; treasurer and secretary, Mr J. P. Jameson ; committee, Messrs B. Cass, Cuff, and V. Cook. The chairman said it would be advisable that the committee should appoint a place where a book could be kept, which ratepayers might sign who desired to become members. This concluded the business, and after a vote of thanks to the chairman, who in replying hoped there would be a large attendance at next Thursday’s meeting, the meeting adjourned.