NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1270, 13 April 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Oxford Mails. —It is intended to establish a mail service twice instead of only once daily between West Oxford and Christchurch.

Dr. Somerville. This gentleman will hold his first service to-morrow afternoon, at the Theatre Royal, at three o’clock. On Monday evening he will address a public meeting at the Oddfellows’ Hall. Haeboe Boaed. —In consequence of Friday next, which was appointed for a sitting of the Harbor Board, being Good Friday, the next meeting of the Board will take place on the 26th April.

Bankruptcy Costs. —At the chamber sittings yesterday his Honor Mr Justice Williams expressed an opinion that the point at which costs in bankrupt estates should be granted should be up to the appointment of the trustee, and not the costs of the application for the order for costs.

The Want of Trucks. —Very great inconvenience is caused at both the East and West Oxford railway stations in consequence of the scarcity of trucks, and the accumulation of timber and firewood will soon bo such that the station yards will not be able to contain it. _ The Autumn Meeting. —The sale of privileges attached to the forthcoming autumn meeting, such as publicans’ and confectioners’ booths, right of sports, &c., will take place at Radcliffe’s Hotel on Monday. The acceptances for the handicaps and nominations for several other racee close this evening at eight o’clock.

Oddfellows’ Fete. —Mr H. B, Alport held a sale this morning of the right to erect two publicans’ and one confectioner’s booth at the Oddfellows’ fete, and to cater for the ball in the evening. No. 1 publican’s booth, with right to cater for ball, was bought by Mr Poole for £2O; No. 2 publican’s bootn brought £9, and the confectioner’s £lB, both being also bought by Mr Poole. The right of sports was bought by Mr Maples for £4 10s. Cattle on the Nobtheen Railway.— The late train from the North on Thursday evening, with the Mazeppa engine and driver Lloyd, ran into some cattle whilst between the Styx and Papanui. This morning the train had a narrow escape of running into a herd of cattle, and it is wonderful, considering the many times the trains have met with obstructions of this kind, that some serious accident has not occurred. Railway Overtime. The “ Timaru Herald ” of Tuesday states that the railway employes now get paid extra for any overtime they may put in, ten hours being set down as an ordinary day’s work. Our contemporary has been misinformed. Not only have no such payments been made, but we have reason for saying that strict orders have been issued that they shall not be made, and that overtime shall not be entered upon the paysheet. Such is the value of Mr Larnach’s positive promise given at Oamaru. North Canterbury Races. —The various privileges on the race ground on Easter Monday were sold yesterday by Messrs Matson, Buss and Co. The publican’s booth was purchased by Mr J. Roberts, Club Hotel, for £2l; confectioner’s booth, J. Parker, £5 15s. The sale of cards was reserved. Owing to some difficulty in sending the nominations to Mr H. P. Lance, who acted as handicapper, the publication of the handicaps has been unavoidably delayed, but is expected to be made at Radcliffe’s Commercial Hotel at 11 a.m. to-day, and Roberts’s Club Hotel, Rangiora, during the afternoon. Acceptors are reminded that acceptances close on Tuesday. East Oxford. —On Saturday evening last a concert was given by Mr J. T. M. Smith and friends in the East Oxford Town Hall in aid of the building funds of the United Methodist Church. The programme comprised selections from the works of the best masters, and gave general satisfaction. Two ladies sang “ Lord, remember David,” and “ O rest in the Lord ” in a very effective manner. The rest of the solos were taken from the “Creation,” “Samson,” “Judas,” and from “ Pergolesi.” The instrumental pieces consisted of a flute solo and some overtures arranged for violin, flute, piano, and harmonium. Mr Smith conducted, and played the accompaniments to the different pieces. On Sunday evening, after the service, a selection of anthems and sacred choruses were given by the same performers, the church being crowded on the occasion. Rifle Association. —A general meeting of the members of the above was held last evening at Radcliffe’s hotel. Mr Appleby occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance. The business before the meeting was the arrangements necessary for the Easter prize firing, to be held at Hillsborough. It was resolved that the prize firing be held on Easter Monday, the firing to commence at 8 a.m. The programme was arranged to consist of three matches, viz., the firing for Mr Blake’s challenge cup, the Mayor’s cup, and the President’s prize. It was announced that several private prizes had been offered by members of the Association, and these it was expected would be supplemented by others. A range committee and umpire were appointed, and other details arranged for. The meeting then adjourned to Thursday next, when the programme will be finally arranged. From the manner in which the meeting has been taken up by the members, it is probable that the Easter gathering of the Rifle Association for 1878 will prove very successful. St. Mauy’s, Meeivale. —The Rev. T. Flavell delivered a lecture last night in the Merivale schoolroom, for the benefit of the funds of the Sunday school. Mr Selwyn Smith occupied the chair. The subject was “Three great orators.” The lecturer said that hitherto he had only presided at the entertainments for the benefit of the Sunday school. Considering that he should do something more, he had determined to give a lecture. The three orators he was about to speak of were not only orators, they were personally great, they were statesman, and each did good service to his country. He had to deal with them, however, only as orators. The first of these was Demosthenes. The lecturer, in an Interesting sketch, described the career of the Greek orator. Three qualities distinguished the oratory of Demosthenes, clearness, richness, and fpryor. The second of the orators was Cicero, The Roman orator’s career rapidly sketched and the characteristics of 1 is style were said to he fulness, music, and beauty. The third ■ orator was Edmund Burke. The career of the Irish orator was as succinctly given as that of the two others, and his stylo was described us characterised by great range of thought, common sense, and sound principle. A specimen of the style of each ancient orator was given, that of Demosthenes being taken from his speech “De Corona,” and that pf i Cicero from one of his speeches against Catiline. Of Burke’s style «i wt > specimens were given, one frps his '"speech at Bristol, and the Qih?r ijrom his speech at the trial of "Warren Hastings. The lecturer, who was listened to with great attention, was loudly j applauded, and at the end of the lecture a vote of thanks to him qud the chairman was carried.