NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1012, 22 September 1877, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

St. Michael’s. —ln consequence of the indisposition of the Bishop the ordination service, which was to have been held in St. Michael’s Church to-morrow, has been postponed for a fortnight.

Legal, —His Honor Mr Justice Johnston sat in Chambers yesterday at 11 a.m. The cause list was a very brief one, including only one case, that of Wilson v. King and another. In this, on the application of Mr Joynt, His Honor made an order making the reference to arbitration an order of Court. Supreme Court. —The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court will open on October Ist before His Honor Mr Justice Johnston. The calendar is rather a heavy one, including one charge of wilful murder, together with the usual number of cases of embezzlement, forgery, &c. Entertainment. —An entertainment in aid of the funds of St John’s Sunday School, and consisting chiefly of singing by the school children and instrumental music, was held in the schoolroom last night. The attendance was good. The Rev Mr Watson presided and the singing was conducted by Mr Hill, superintendent of the school. Volunteer Inspection The usual monthly inspection of the head-quarters’ companies was made last evening by Major Lean at the Drill Shed. After the inspection, the men were put through company drill, and were exercised subsequently in battalion movements within the enclosure. A “ march out ’ ’ through the city took place afterwards, the Cavalry band playing a number of lively marches. Dinner at Lyttelton.— -On Thursday last Mr McDonald, the new licensee of the Canterbury Hotel, gave a “ house warming ” to his friends and customers in Lyttelton. A large party sat down to an excellent repast. A very pleasant evening was passed, songs and music helping the guests to enjoy themselves, and the company parted at an early hour, heartily thanking their worthy host for having afforded them a night of such real enjoyment.

Oddfellows’ Hall, Lyttelton. —The alterations and improvements which have been some time in progress in connection with this Hall were completed yesterday. The depth of the stage has been increased to 15ft and the width to 30ft. Three new scenes have been painted, making five in all, and generally the hall has been greatly improved. The work has been done by Messrs Whitmore and Williams. The late Me G. Holmes. —Our readers will hear with regret of the death of Mr Geo. Holmes, sen., which took place yesterday. Mr Holmes, in connection with the Hon. E. Richardson, undertook and carried out the tunnel works and many of our railway lines. At the completion of his contract he settled here with his family and continued to reside in Canterbury until his death. Masonic, —The Canterbury Kilwinning Lodge, S.C. 585, held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday evening last. A great number of the brethren were present, and Bro. the Rev. James Hill, P.M., delivered a most interesting and instructive lecture on the second degree, which was most attentively listened to. After the usual interval several brethren were passed, and the lodge was adjourned till last evening, when several of the newly admitted members were initiated. At the close of the lecture Bro, Hill was unanimously elected an honorary member of the lodge.

Sydenham Literary and Debating Club. —The last meeting of the season was held in the Colombo road public school last night. There was a large attendance. The Rev. J. S. Smalley, president, occupied the chair. Addresses were delivered by the President, the Rev. Mr Cocks (vice-president), Messrs Harding, Prowse, Andrews, and the Secretary, -who also announced that the next session would commence again in April, 1878, of which due notice would be given. The proceedings throughout the evening were of a very enjoyable character. Readings and recitations were contributed by Messrs Dawson, Randell, Harding, and Andrews, and the Rev. J. Smalley gave the poem entitled “ Bruce and the Spider.” A vote of thanks to the ladies who had prepared the refreshments was moved by Mr Whitelaw, and seconded by Mr O. Allison, jun., and the meeting concluded by singing the National Anthem.

Ceicket. Sunnyside Asylum. The annual meeting of the Sunnyside C.C. was held at the asylum on Wednesday evening last, Mr J, Hopper presiding. The accounts presented to the meeting showed the club to be in a flourishing condition, upward of £SO standing to the credit of the club. This is very encouraging to the members, who look forward with pleasure to the forthcoming season, when they hope to be able to uphold their reputation of the past. It was agreed that the entrance fee be reduced from 10s 6d to ss, and also that an annual subscription of 10s per member be paid, dispensing with the monthly payment, and no member be allowed to play unless his subscription be prepaid. The officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows : —Treasurer, Mr R, Eaxworthy, re-elected ; secretary, Mr J. Hill, in place of Mr Petrie, resigned ; committee, Messrs. J. Hopper, F. J. Reeder, G. Francis, P. B. Petrie, W. Whitley, and J. Kinsman. The selection of captain was held over till next meeting. A hearty vote of thanks to the treasurer, secretary, and the retiring committee for thbir untiring exertions on behalf of the club during the past yea? brought the meeting to a close.

Child Burned to Death.-—A sad occurrence took place at Little Eiver on Wednesday last, whereby a child three and a half years old was burned to death. It appears that Mr William Joblin went to his work on the above-named day, to clear his land by burning scrub. His little boy followed him, but as the wind was strong and being afraid of the child being burnt he sent him back with his mother. After Joblin had been some time at work he heard a curious noise which lie thought at first was made by some bird, but upon hearing it again he called out “ Is that you George.” The child answering, the father went in search of him, when to his horror he saw the child crawling towards him with no clothes on, and his body quite black and burnt. Dr Guthrie of Akaroa happened to be in the neighborhood at the time, and visited the child, but gave no hopes of his recovery, and the child died in about a quarter of an hour after being found. At the Coroner’s inquest which took place on Thursday before Justjn Aylmer, Esq., J. P., and a jury, it appeared that the child after being sent back by his father had again followed him, and it is presumed the tlames from the scrub caught the child’s dress and thus caused hia death. A verdict of “ Accidental Death” wae recorded.

Peofessoe Bickeeton’s Lectuees.— Professor Bicker ton gave the first of a course of twelve experimental lectures on electricity and magnetism yesterday afternoon in the lecture theatre of the College. The subject was magnetism, the principles of which were expounded in a manner which rendered comprehension on the part of the listeners easy. The illustrative experiments were such as to inspire the students with lively and intelligent interest.

Concert. —A concert, in aid of the library fund of the Lyttelton Colonists’ Society, was held at their hall, Lyttelton, on Thursday evening last. It was most successful, resulting in a handsome balance being placed to the society’s credit. A number of ladies and gentlemen from Christchurch gave nearly the whole performance, which consisted of instrumental pieces by Mr Spensley’s band, a piano solo, vocal duets, and a comic interlude by two Lyttelton gentlemen. The audience appeared to thoroughly enjoy the entertainment provided, the applause being most hearty. Mr Nalder, the president of the society, called upon the audio.:ce to give a hearty vote of thanks to their Christchurch friends for their kindness in coming over to help. He said that during the winter a number of entertainments had been given, the result being a most satisfactory one for the society. There was considerable trouble in getting np these entertainments, but the kindness shown by the many ladies and gentlemen, both from Christchurch and residents, had greatly lightened the labor of the committee, and in that committee’s name he begged to thank them. He also desired to express his sense of the appreciation shown by the residents in attending in such large numbers throughout the season. This concert wa!s the last of (he series, and as the committee went out of office in a short time, this was the last occasion on which he should address them in the character of president. It was, however, contemplated by the committee to arrange for another concert to take place in about three weeks, if their successors approved. He begged to thank them for the kindness and support they had accorded him during his term of office.