NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 981, 17 August 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sumner. —An entertainment will be given at Sumner on Wednesday evening next, at eight o'clock. Skating Bine:.—On Saturday evening a grand rinking entertainment will be given at the Skating Rink, when the champion skater of the Australian colonies will appear in conjunction with the Queen of the Rinks. The Unemployed.—During the hearing of a case at the Resident Magistrate's Court today, the scarcity of employment was referred to. Mr Whitefoord said this was no doubt true as regarded the town, but as far as his experience went, there was plenty of employment in the country districts at fairly remunerative wages, provided the men were willing to accept piece work. If a central agency were established in town, where employers in the country could make their requirements known, it would prove a great convenience. St. Andrew's Schoolroom. —There was a capital attend nee at this place last night to hear the Rev. W. Gillies, of Timaru, on " The Scotch Herd Laddie," an interesting account of the life and labours of James Ferguson, of Banff, afterwards the distinguished astronomer. The Rev. C. Fraser occupied the chair, and several hymns were well sung by the choir. The next entertainment will be illustrative of the writings and songs of Robert Burns. Fire near Ashburton.—On Wednesday morning, about 2 a.m., a very destructive fire occurred at the slaughter-yards of Messrs Digby Brothers, Ashburton. The slaughtershed and part of the yard were destroyed, twelve sheep were burned alive, and the carcase of one bullock and about ten sheep were also consumed. The property was insured in the Norwich Union for £250. Mr Day, of the firm of J. M. Heywood and Co., came down specially to inspect the premises, and promptly settled the claim. Christchfrch Total Abstinence Society.—A meeting of this society was held last night in the Temperance Hall, Gloucester street. Mr Smith, of the Wesleyan Book Depot, occupied the chair. Several new members joined the society, and a committee of management was elected. It was decided to hold a Temperance meeting once a week in Christchurch or the suburbs. The first of such meetings to be held in the Temperance Hall, and afterwards hi Bingsland, Phillips - town, St. Albans, &c. Popular Science Lecture.—A supplementary lecture, completing the present course, was delivered last night by Professor Bickerton, in the lecture-hall attached to the College. This lecture treated principally of the refraction of light, and the illustrations given by the lecturer were very successful. The chromatic effects of the interference of different rays was beautifully shown, and the peculiar refraction of Iceland spa was explained and illustrated. The next agricultural lecture on September Ist will be on the important subject of drainage. The New Zealand Shipping Company. —The annual meeting of the New Zealand Shipping Company was held to-day at twelve o'clock, at the Company's offices] The Chairman of Directors, Mr J, L. Coster, occupied the chair, and explained at length the position of the company. The report of the directors aud the balance-sheet were adopted, and the retiring directors, Messi's J. L. Coster, H. P. Murray-Aynslcy, and J. T. Peacock re-elected. The Hon. R. Campbell was elected for the seat vacated by Mr G. Prosser. After a vote of thanks had been passed to the chairman and officers of the company, the meeting terminated. Lecture. —On Wednesday evening a lecture on " The Ancient Liturgies and their relation to the Liturgies of the present day," was delivered in the Presbyterian Church, Kaiapoi, by the Rev. W. Gillies. There was a large attendance. The Rev. W. McGregor presided. After a few introductory remarks, !the lecturer referred to the sermon preached by the Yen. Archdeacon Harper during the last session of the Diocesan Synod of the Episcopalian Church, from the text " Stand in the way and see and enquire for the old paths." He took the opinion of the " Church 6 News " to controvert most of the Archdeas con's arguments, and concluded that a \ liturgy which, for two centuries at least, must | have been of a legendary character, must ne- | cessarily be faulty. The lecture was very I interesting. At its close Mr R. S. Bean j| moved, Mr T. Hay seconded, a vote ot' thanlig jto Mr Gillies, which was unanimously ! carried. j The Education Act. —The St. Alban's | district school committee at their last meeting, j after the ordinary business, had along conver- • sation on the Act brought forward by the GoI vernment. Some members of the committ ec ) thought a meeting of chairmen or delegates lof the various committees of Canterbury would be advisable. The principle most objected to by some of the committee was the rating clause, which it was thought ought to be a property clause if any direct tax is made at all. With many of the provisions of tho Act they were well pleased.- A meeting of (lie members of the Jewish faith wad held last evening in the Synagogue, for the purpose of taking into consideration the religious clauses in the Education Bill. After a considerable amount of discussion, a committee was appointed to draw up a report on the objectionable clauses and lay it before a general meeting, to be convened for Monday evening next. United Methodist Free Churches. — Missionary services in connection with the above churches have been held during the week as follows : —On Sunday last, August 12th, in St. Asaph street church, in the morning service was conducted by the Rev. T. Hodgson, and the evening service by the Rev. S. Macfarlane, to good congregations, which showed their sympathy for the cause of missions by good collections. On Tuesday evening the annual meeting of the Christchurch branch was held in the same church, presided over by Mr W. Flesher. The secretary, Mr S. Miles, gave the yearly report of the local mission, which was pregnant with suggestions for the future working and encouragement of the Christian Church. The Rev. H. R, Wilkinson gave the report of the general missionary operations for the year, which showed very clearly tf'-rf steady progress had been made, both •.umerically and financially. Rev?.. S. Macfarlane and Thomas Hodgson then earnestly and effectively addressed the meeting, "especially in support of the New Zealand missions. Hearty votes of thanks to collectors, the chairman, and choir brought this interesting meeting to a close. Also on Wednesday evening a public meeting in support of these missions, in the Colombo road church, presided over by Mr J. Caygill, when suitable and stirring addresses were delivered by Revs. If. R. Wilkinson, T. Hodgson, and Messrs Miles and Goring. After the usual vote of thanks to the cnairmaa the neetine coii« eluded. f *

Destroying Dogs. —At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Leithfield, on Thursday, Frank Courage, station owner, was charged, on the information of Francis Holder, coach proprietor, Amberley, with having, on July 31st, maliciously and unlawfully wounded and maimed a dog. Mr Thomas, who appeared to prosecute, stated that the charge was laid under clause 42 of the Malicious Injury to Property Act. Mr Gresson appeared for the accusdG. There was a large amount of evidence taken as to the dog worrying sheep, and as to the manner in which the animal had been killed. The Magistrate, Mr Whitcfoord, reserved his decision until next Court day. .Tudgment was also reserved in regard to a claim by F. Courage v J. Ward and F. Holder, for damage done to sheep by dog worrying. We have not space at present for the details of the cases.