NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 888, 30 April 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Hunt Chub. —This club had a meet fit, Taylor's Hotel, Yaldhurst, on Saturday last. About tliii'ty were present, amongst whom were Messrs F- Egan (who acted as master in Mr Cardfile's absence), C. ¥. Barker (who acted as whip to the huntsman), Dulgliesh, Dundas, Johnston, Crawley, Henderson, and others. The run was for the most part over Mr Delamain's property, some of the fences being unusually stiff, one particularly pounding the whole Held. After two short spins, in which the hounds showed improved form, those taking part in the hunt returned to town. The hounds will meet at Bangiora, at the Club Hotel, on Wednesday, at 1.30, when, from the line of country selected, a first'daes run way be ajjtjoif afcfld,

DRAMATIC. —There appears to have been some division among actors in Wellington. On Saturday evening the Oddfellows' Hall was opened for a short season, Mrs Stoneham acting as directress. Among the performers are Misses Stoneham, Lawrence, and Power, and Messrs Stoneham and Metealf. Rangioka Free Methodist Sunday School. —The anniversary treat to the children and the inevitable tea meeting were held on Thursday last. The children enjoyed a pleasant afternoon in Mr A. Boyd's paddock. In the evening the public tea was held in the schoolroom. The trays were presided at by Mesdames Sutcliff, Thompson, Watson, and Humphries, and Misses G-ood, Hun-ell, Heath, Hesscll, and Josling. At the public meeting, which was largely attended, Mr Gr. Booth occupied the chair, and addresses were delivered by Revs. Hodgson, Lockwood, Wilkinson, and Mr Meredith. St. Mary's, Addington.—An entertainment, announced in another column, in aid of the fund for lining the roof of this church, will be given in the parish schoolroom on Thursday evening next, the 3rd of May, at the usual hour. The object is, no doubt, one which will commend itself to all church people in this parish. The lining the roof of the church is a work of pressing necessity now that the winter season is rapidly approaching ; and it is to assist in the endeavor now being made to put this work in hand at once that the entertainment will be given. It is, thorefore, hoped that the result will be gratifying to those concerned. Closing Hotels on Sundays.—A special meeting of the Dunedin Licensed Victuallers' Association was held at the Fire Brigade station, for the purpose of considering Mr I. N. Watt's decision rotho closing of public houses on Sundays. Mr Godfrey Jacobs presided, and about thirty members were present. It was stated that the committee of the Association hud consulted Mr Macassey, whose opinion is \o the effect that there is nothing in the law to compel the closing of the side doors of public houses on Sundays. A lively discussion ensued as to the desirability of obtaining a written opinion from counsel, but a proposition to that effect met with very little favour. It was resolved —"That an appeal in Mr T. H. Dodson's ease be prosecuted, at the cost of the Licensed Victuallers' Association."

Riccarton Public Library.—A general meeting was held in the Library on Monday, the 23rd instant. The chair was occupied by Mr Hanson. Rev. C. Turrell read the report and balance-sheet, which were adopted. It was resolved that the committee should consist of eight members—Messrs T. Wilson, A. Wilson, J. Cotton, Hanson, J. Hamilton, Hill, jun., Blake, and Rev. C. Tun-ell. Rev. C. Turrell was elected President; Mr T. Wilson, Hon. Sec. and Treasure]-; Mr A. Wilson, Librarian. A vote of thanks to Mill. F. Cray for his liberal gifts of papers to the Library, and to Rev. C. Turrell for the trouble he had taken in connection with the Library, were passed. Death of a Friendly Chief. —The Wanganni Herald thus alludes to the brave Tamehana, who lately died : —" A hero has gone to his rest, and Wanganui has reason to mourn for one of her gallant defenders. Tamehana did valiant scrviee that day when the Hau Haus threatened the safety of the young settlement, and the friendly natives 'joined issue on the famous island of Moutoa, and vanquished the enemy. Tamehana was the hero of that fight, laying low no less than five of his opponents, but lost a leg in the encounter. For his prowess on that day he has received ever since a pension of £l7 a year, sent to him from the Queen. On Saturday night last Dr Tripe was sent for from Putilri to see the warrior, but he was past medical skill, and he sank to his rest the same night. Tamehana, was a powerful chief of the IVgaruaka tribe, and the natives from the upriver districts are fast arriving to hold a tangi over the departed rangatira.". More Spiritualism.—Mr J. M. Peebles has delivered the fifth of his lectures on spiritualism at the Opera house, Melbourne. The house was crowded in every part. The lecturer referred to the subject of spirit paintings and photographs, in the genuineness of which he aflirmed his belief. He had some years ago been doubtful on the subject, until he had obtained unmistakable evidence that the alleged spirit photographs were really pictures of inhabitants of the spirit world. In the course of his remarks upon spirit communication he made the extraordinary statement that the abolition of slavery in the United States by Abraham Lincoln was effected at the instance of the spirits, Lincoln having received a message through a lady medium to the effect that success would not crown the Northern arms until the blot of slavery was washed away. The lecturer created great amusement by reading an extract from a Methodist catechism, in which a child is made to answer-that naturally he is "an enemy to Cod, a child of sin, and an heir of hell! " Mr Peebles dwelt upon the enormity of teaching such doctrines, and contended that "hell" and "heaven" are only symbols of states or conditions of being. Football. —There was again a good muster of members on the Christchurch Football ground on Saturday. The weather, though cloudy, was all that could be desired for an indulgence in this gentle pastime. A good scratch match took place, the sides being A to L V M to Z, the colour of the former being red and black, and that of the latter blue and white. Shortly after three o'clock the ball was kicked off, and during the first spell the game was pretty evenly contested, neither side being able to gain any decided advantage. In the second spell, however, the blues proved too strong for their opponents. The ball was worked well down into the reds' quarters, when Stringer got hold of it, and, after a pretty run, secured a touch-down between the goal posts. Moore was entrusted with the try, and with a good lusty kick sent the ball Hying high over the rope, the blues thus scoring the first goal. During the next "spell, McCardcll and Tosswill each obtained a touch-down for the blues. The try in both instances was entrusted to Moore, wlio succeeded in placing another goal to the credit of the blues. After this there was no other definite result, and at, live o'clock a good afternoon's sport, terminated in favor of the blues by two goals and one touch-down. On the part of the reds the excellent back play of Atack, and the forward play of Barker, were especially noticeable, and had it not been for these two, the blues would have had things pretty much their own way throughout the game. The match which had been arranged to take place on Saturday next —Boating v Cricket—having been postponed, a. picked fifteen of the Christchurch Club will try conclusions with a team representing Merivale, and should the weather prove favourable a good match is anticipated, the newly formed club in that district having amongst its members some very noted players.

New Forage Plant.—A good deal of attention is being attracted in agricultural circles by the introduction into Victoria, of a new forage plant from France and England. This is the "prickly comfrey," or "solid stem comfre/," a plant which is described as yielding as much as sixty tons to the acre of a fodder to which horses and cattle take alike, and which has great fattening properties. The speciality of the plant is its success in withstanding" droughts, and the accounts received from the Southern States of America are very satisfactory in this respect. In Virginia last year no rain fell for two months, the thermometer was seldom below 95deg. in the shade, and frequently over 105 deg., and the comfrey grew well on dry ground, furnishing abundant green fodder, while eveiy other crop was parched up. Mr W. R. Church, of Camberwell, has imported the plant, and is now showing it, so that agriculturists can judge for themselves. Canterbury Archery Club.—The shooting for prizes at the close of the season took place on Saturday, in the Domain, with the following result: —Ladies —Lady Paramount's prizes, for highest and second highest scores, Miss Parkerson, 1; Mrs Peacock, 2 ; Miss M. Cotterill, most hits; Mrs Molntyre, best gold (open to the whole field) ; Miss Peacock, highest score at 60 yards; Mrs Fei-eday, highest score at 50 yards. Consolation —Mrs Malet and Mrs Worthy. The Season prize, for the highest gross score during the year, was taken by Miss M. Cotterill; Mr Fereday's first and second prizes, for attendance, falling respectively to Mrs Worthy and Miss M. Cotterill. G-entlemen—The Season prize, for the highest gross score for the season, was gained by Mr Fereday, who also carried off the prize for the highest score of the day. A match will shortly come off with the Thorndon Archery Club, Wellington.

Canterbury Rowing Club.—A meeting of the committee of the above club was held on Saturday evening, at the Garnet Hotel, Mr J. O. Jones, captain, in the chair. Several accounts were passed and ordered to be paid. Mr G. L. Mellish was unanimously elected vice-president in place of Mr J. H. Herdson. It. was decided to sell the stump outriggers Swan and Cygnet to Rees, the custodian, for the sum of £l4, the club to have the use of them until the new boats arrive from England. The committee decided what amount of the prize money won at the recent regattas was to be distributed to the winners, the men to be allowed to choose their own prizes. It was determined to bring before the next general meeting the question of allowing members who joined after the 21st of March each year to be elected on payment of entrance fee and half the subscription. It was also decided that a list of the winning crews in the club races be placed in the shed, the list to commence with the first president's cup race. The challenge cups won by the club at the Hcathcote regatta were handed to Mr Blakiston, and the treasurer was ordered to insure them for the sum of £SO.