NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 829, 19 February 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Political.—Mr B. C. J. Stevens addresses the electors of the City of Ohristchnrch, at the Oddfellows' Hall to-morrow evening.

Accident. —A correspondent writes: — " Those using boats on the river Avon between the town and New Brigton should be careful as (to how they make use of a sail, especially when children are aboard, as the prevalent breeze is gusty and the reaches numerous, and lately I have heard of several narrow escapes. Yesterday a party of four were returning from New Brighton when rounding school house reach, the sudden puff laid the boat on its beam end, precipitating the occupants into the water. Fortunately they escaped with a good wetting, which was taken in good part by them, one saying he. would ' gang awa' as it was ' too thin,"'

L.O.L. —A meeting of the Maiden City Lodge took place at the Foresters' Hall, Lyttelton, on Thursday evening laßt. It was an arch purple night, and there was a good attendance of brethren from Christ church, including the graud secretary and treasurer. The business of the evening having been concluded refreshments were partaken of. Songs and toasts enlivened t l ie evening, and the Ohristchurch friends returned to town by the 11.30 p m train.

Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club Sports—The annual sports of this club were held on Saturday at the Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Grounds. The afternoon was beautifully fine, but the attendance was by no means large. The majority of the various events were well contested. At the conclusion of the programme the prizes were presented to the winners by Mr Rolleston, in the absence of Mrs Holleßton through illness.

The All-England Match.—The fob i lowing are the players chosen by the selection I committee to do battla for Canterbury in the forthcoming match, the All-England Eleven v Eighteen of Canterbury :—Messrs S. Alpe, D. Ashbv, C. O, Corfe, J. 8. D'Hmden, E. Fowler, C. Frith, E. T. A. Fuller, M. Godby, W. E. Leach, H. W. Moore, T. R. Moore, W. F. Neilson, A. M. Olliver, G. H. Sampson, H. H. Secretao, E. C. J. Stevens, T. S. Sweet, and G. Watson. The following were chosen as emergencies, viz : —Messrs J. Fowler, J. Wood, W. Frith, F. J. Eeeder. The Chicago Minstrels.—This troupe, the advent of which has been heralded for some little time past, made their first appearance in Chrißlchnrch at the Music Hall 00. Saturday evening to a large house. They are to be congratulated on having made a most favorable impression, the programme beiDg carried out with the greatest success. As before noticed, the great feature in the entertainment is the finish with which the various ballads, &c, are rendered. The beautiful quartette, " What shall he have who killed the deer," was an instance of this, all the voices balancing capitally, and the quartette being splendidly eung throughout. Mr W. C. Hawkins, who possesses an alto voice of rare quality and power, sang two ballads excellently, eliciting loud and well deserved applauee. Mr Marshall, the ba9so, has a fine round melodious voice, with any amount of quality, and as he is a thorough musician, the effect produced both in his solos and the cconcerted music was good. Of Mr fcvle and Mr Cary, we have often spoken in terms of commendation. Since their laet vieit here, their voices have improved and mellowed, and on Saturday evening their contributions to the programme were very well rendered indeed, MrO; Wallace, as corner man, and generally funny individual to the troupe, was in great force, his comic sketches particularly being intensely funny. He was well supported in this departneit by MrD. Arliugton. A novelty in dancing was introduced for the first time here, viz , a triple clog dance by Messrs D. and G. Arliugton and Mr O. Wallace, which received quite an ovation. Altogether, the entertainment was a thorough success, and the Minstrels may look forward to a very successful season here. They appear again this evening. Press Picnic.—According to time honored custom the employes in the various departments of The Press had their annual gathering on Saturday last, the place selected being Sumner, The proceedings throughout were of the most enjoyable character, and every one went in to make the meeting a success in every respect. A start was made from Christchurch shortly after 10 a.m, when something over 100 persons had assembled. Mr C, Dalwood was the charioteer, and he and his assistants received the unanimous thanks of the party for their courtesy and attention. On arrival at Sumner, and after the ladies and children had partaken of some slight refreshment, the spurts committee, aided by " Sinbad," and the secretary, wentto work to get through a somewhat lengthy programme of races. By their unabated efforts a number of events were got off before lunch time, some very jjood form being shown by the various competitors. After a short interval an art union for toys of all descriptions was organised for the juveniles, and gave universal satisfaction to them. Luncheon was the next business, This was provided in a large marquee, by Mr W. J. Messenger, of His Lordship's Larder, and was one doing the utmost credit to him, everything being capitally served, and in profusion. Only a little time was allowed for testing the commissariat, when the indefatigable committee were once more at work, Racing, skipping, dancing to the the music of Herr Bunz's band, &c, made the time pass merrily enough until evening began to approach. An adjournment was made to tea, and then the very limited amount of oratory which the commit tea had arranged for took place, Advantage was taken of the occasion to present Mr W. H, Smith with a mark of the esteem and respect in which he is held by the employes. The presentation, which was a very handsome clock, having a silver plate bearing a suitable inscription, was made by Mr J. Colborne-Veel on behalf of the employes in a few well chosen words, and Mr '.V. H, Smith suitably responded. A start was made soon after this for home, which was reached at about 9 p.m, not a single hitch having occurred to mar the thorough enjoyment of the holiday.