NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1275, 20 April 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sporting. —The acceptances for the Free Handicap at the forthcoming autumn meeting will be found elsewhere. Goon Fbiday in Lyttelton.— The morning and afternoon trains to Lyttelton yesterday were filled with excursionists. The excursions offered were that of the p.s. Titan to Little Akaloa, that of the s.s Akaroa to Pigeon Bay, and those of the steam launches Lyttelton 'and Eclipse to Governor’s Bay The boats were all well patronised; the weather was fine, and the trip on the water enjoyable. A number of small parties were also to bo seen in boats fishing in the harbor, and several picnic parties wont to the new Governor’s Bay and the Sumner roads. The day was all that could be wished for, and the pleasure-seekers returned to Christchurch by the evening trains after spending a pleasant holiday. Accidents. —Mr Robert Morris, to Messrs Cuff and Graham, while shooting rabbits on Curtis’ Island yesterday, met with an accident to his left hand through the gun bursting. His thumb and fingers were severely lacerated. The wounds were dressed at the Hospital. A man named Stevens, working at the railway, had his left foot badly bruised and cut on Tuesday last. On being taken to the Hospital the injuries were dressed, and he was conveyed to his home. A half-caste, named Robert Harman, was brought to the Hospital on Wednesday from the Kaikouras, suffering from a gunshot wound in his left hand. It seems that he was out rabbit shooting, and taking a spell for a little while rested his hand on the muzzle of the gun, which by some means went off, the charge going right through the palm. He is now doing well. St. Michael’s Church. — A selection from the St. Matthew Passion Music, by Sebastian Bach, was sung in this church as a special service yesterday afternoon. This sublime music was composed for the Good Friday service in St. Thomas’s Church, Leipzig, in 1729. The portion selected at St. Michael’s contained the chief points of the narrative, classed under five heads, the first being the Passover, and the final one the Cross, The fine old chorales, which form such a notable feature in the work, were nearly all given, as were also the two beautiful airs “ Grief for sin ” and “ Break and die.” The Rev. E. G. Penny, in a short and admirable address, sketched the earlier forms of Passion music which preceded Bach’s great work, and also strongly urged the benefit of such services as the one in question. Mr R, Parker played the organ, and gave Bach’s fugue in E minor as a voluntary. Calcutta Sweeps. —Sweeps were drawn on the forthcoming autumn meeting at the Gaiety Theatre on Thursday evening, Mr J. H. Bennett acting as auctioneer. The following prices were realised : —No. 1, Autumn Handicap, value, £7B 10s—dangler, £7; Templeton, £l6; Maritana, £7 ; Mufti, £3 ; Bribery, £3 ; Foul Play, £3 ; Ariel, £ll ; Luna, £3; Titauia, £3 ; Longlands, £lB ; Bide-a-Wee, £B. No. 2, Autumn Handicap, value of sweep, £lO7 Oberon, £3 ; dangler, £6; Longlands, £27 ; Templeton, £ls; Mufti, £3; Bide-a-Wee, £l7; Ariel, £l6; Maritana, £l3; Bribery, £6 ; Titanja, £3; Foul Play, £3 ; Luna, £l. No. 3, Champagne Stakes, value of sweep, £ll6 —York, £33 ; Atlantic, £6; Merlin, £18; Rama Rama, £6 ; Waitaki, £3 ; Nemo, £2O ; Piccadilly, £5 ; Natator, £3l. No. 4, Autumn Handicap, value of sweep £81 —Foul Play, £1 ; Bribery, £2; dangler, £5; Luna, £1 ; Mufti, £5 ; Titania, £o ; Longlands, £2O; Maritana, £9 ; Templeton, £l3 ; Ariel, £l3 ; Bide-a-Wee, £l2; Oberon, £l. Sweeps on the various events will be drawn this evening at the same place, and Maples’ Derby Sweep on the Autumn Handicap will also be drawn.

Naeeow Escape of a Boat’s Chew at SuMNEE.— A boat’s crew of five men from Christchurch had a very narrow escape from drowning at Sumner yesterday. They were pulling jn a light stump outrigger, and shortly after arriving’ at the beach pulled over the bar, on which there was smooth water at the time. After getting about 300 yards outside the beacon, they rested on their oars for a little while, and the large number of visitors who had been watching them from the beach and the hotels were alarmed to see a heavy blind roller coming in. In a few seconds it was on the boat, and the cry immediately went up that she was swamped. Fortunately this was not the case, but the boat had capsized, and the men were observed trying to scramble on to the bottom. Mr Joseph Day hearing live ajarm, with great promptitude launched his boat, which was quickly manned by a volunteer crew, and made with all speed towards the spot. In the meantime the scene on shore was painfully exciting, as the men were observed to have been washed off by one roller, and for a moment seemed to have disappeared. Much relief was experienced when it was seen after a little while that they had regained their hold. Mr Day’s boat very soon reached the capsized boat, and everyone was relieved as the men were lifted into it, and nil wore brought safely to land. The escape was a very narrow one, and the men wore very much exhausted who» their pemwt reached then},

Chess. —The disputed points in the match between the Christchurch and Dunedin Chess Clubs have been amicably settled. Play will be resumed at 8 p.m., and it is hoped that some of the games will be finished this evening. Easter Offerings. —Members of the Church of England are reminded that, in accordance with the good old rule of the diocese, the offerings in the churches of the several parishes and parochial districts on Easter Day, both morning and evening, will be handed over without deduction as Easter offerings to the respective incumbents. Barbadoes Street Catholic Church. — The Bom an Catholic Church, Barbudoes street, was crowded yesterday both at the morning and the evening service. In the morning the “ Mass of the Presanctified” was celebrated by the Bev. Father M’Narnara. The ceremony of the “ Adoration of the Cross,” usual on Good Friday, took place and lasted nearly an hour. In the evening the office of “Tenebne” was chanted, and a sermon on the “ Passion” was preached by the Bev. Father GHunaty. Accident at Waikari. —On Wednesday last a man named Boul, in the employ of Messrs Barker and Bolleston, was driving a team to Waikari. The leaders shied at some sheep, and Boul jumped off the dray. In doing so his foot slipped on a stone, and he rolled under the horses, one of which struck the man’s head witli his fore feet, fracturing the skull. Boul was attended at once by Drs. Ovenden and Morris, but little hopes are entertained of his recovery. Escape of a Lunatic.— A lunatic named Jackson Kirk escaped, about 2.30 p.m. yesterday, from the Sunnyside Asylum. The man was committed to the Asylum from the Lyttelton gaol, where he had been undergoing a sentence. He was dressed in the Asylum uniform, and was last seen about three o’clock going down a lane towards Cashmere. A mounted constable and some officers from Sunnyside were hunting for him, but no news had been received of his recapture up to a late hour this afternoon.

Inquest. —An inquest was held at Sydenham yesterday, on the body of the infant son of Mr John Marsden, who died from the effects of scalds on the neck and chest. The evidence given confirmed the particulars given in the Globe of Thursday, and the jury returned a verdict of “ Accidental death from scalding.” Easter Monday’s Prize-Firing.— All the arrangements for the Association’s prize - firing, to be held at Hillsborough on Monday next, are now completed. The members will leave by the first train from Christchurch, and commence firing punctually at eight o’clock. Entries will be received at the secretary’s tent on the ground, and none will be received after the list is closed. As no arrangements have been made for supplying luncheon, each person will have to provide for himself. Further particulars of the matches will be published on Monday, Oddfellows’ Eete. —The fete in connection with the various lodges of Oddfellows in the Christchurch district will take place on Monday, at the grounds of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. A very good programme of sports has been arranged, and in conjunction with the fete is an Art Union on a large scale, the tickets for which, in addition to giving the holder a chance of a prize, also admit to the grounds. In the evening a ball will take place in the Oddfellow’s’ Hall. Sea Shell Lodge, I.O.G.T.—The members of this Lyttelton Lodge gave an entertainment at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lyttelton, on Thursday evening last. There was a good attendance, and a capital programme was presented and well received. Mr S. B. Webb occupied the chair, and explained the objects connected with the meeting. The first part of the performance was the farce, “ Hunting a Turtle," which was capitally rendered, and caused great laughter. Some instrumental and vocal music followed, the entertainment winding up with the amusing dramatic sketch entitled “A Dead Shot,” given with much humor.

He. Someeyillb. —The Theatre Royal was crowded last evening to hear the Evangelistic address of Dr. Somerville. Several hundred people were refused admittance by the stewards, when every available space in the building was occupied. As usual Dr. Somerville was surrounded by a large number of ministers of religion, and the choir, who rendered several of Sankoy’s hymns with great success. The address was characterised by all the customary fervour and facility of illustration, and obtained the close attention of the audience throughout. An after-meeting was held for the special benefit of persons anxious about their religious condit ion, to which meeting, a very large number remained. An advertisement in another column announces that meetings will be held next Sunday in the Theatre, at 8 a.m, for young men, and at 3 p.m. for the general public. Dr. Somerville will deliver a lecture at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church on Monday evening. The subject will be “The Bible for the World.” i'here will be no charge for admission, which will be by tickets obtainable at the various booksellers’ shops.

The Autumn Meeting-. —The autumn meeting of the C.J.C. opens on Monday next, and, should the weather prove favorable, will no doubt be largely attended. The fields for the various events are good, and the racing may be expected to be excellent, as both the handicaps and weight for age races are exceedingly open. The train arrangements will be the same as on the occasion of the metropolitan meeting, and particulars as to times of starting will be found in our advertising columns. During the wpek the olub has had a number of men at work on the course putting it in order. A light top dressing has been put on, and the steam road roller used afterwards. Altogether, considering the very dry weather we have had lately, the running will be as good as it is possible to obtain under the circumstances. The telegraph office on the course will be open to the public, and all necessary arrangements have been made for carrying the meeting through successfully. The Grand Stand will be under the supervision of Mr E. Maples. Canterbury Dog Shoav.—A meeting of the show committee was held on Thursday evening, at Morton’s Hotel, Present—Messrs Disher (in the chair), Walker, Porter, Dundas, Selfe, Judge, and Dnmergue (hon. sec.). On the motion of Mr Dundas, seconded by Mr Walker, the following members were appointed to act with the secretary as a subcommittee to superintend the fitting up of Tattersall’s yard for the exhibition : —Messrs Self,•Walker, Judge, and Todd. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Walker, seconded by Mr Dundas—“ That no dogs suffering from contagious disease be admitted into the exhibition, or be allowed to remain on the benches, and that the committee be requested to reject any such dogs.” The following judges were appointed for the various classes : —Pointers and setters, Messrs Lovegrove, R. Frankish, and Millett; retrievers and water spaniels, Messrs Redwood, Millett, and Maxwell ; spaniels, Messrs Lovegrove, Redwood, and Neilson ; harriers and beagles, Messrs Dundas and Lunn; greyhounds and Italian greyhounds, Messrs Frankish, Sherwin, Bristol, and Lovegrove; fox terriers, Messrs Selfe, Lunn, and Maxwell; bulldogs and bull terriers, Messrs Selfe and Millett; black and tan terriers, Mr Selfe; broken-haired terriers, Mr Selfe j Scotch and Skye terriers, Messrs Todd, A. Duncan, and Disher; sheep dogs, Messrs King, McLean, and Delamain ; St. Bernard’s and Newfoundland's, Messrs Selfe and Maxwell; toys, Mr Selfe The meeting then adjourned. The number of entries in gross is 283, and in the various classes as follows :—Pointers, 19 ; do., puppies, 8 ; English setters, 12 ; do., puppies, 3 ; Irish setters, 9; do., puppies, 5; Gordon setters, 6; do., puppies, 7; retrievers, 7; do., puppies, Z 3; water spaniels, 1 ; clumber spaniels, 10 ; do., puppies, 4; cocker spaniels, 17 ; do., puppies, 3 ; any other variety of spaniels, 7 j do., puppies, 3 ; harriers, 2 ; do., puppies, 2 ; beagle, 1; do., puppies, 2 ; greyhounds (dogs), 12; puppies, 5; do., (sluts) 18; puppies, 7; fox terriers (dogs), 5; puppies, 4; do , (bitches) 8; puppies, 3; bull dog, 1 j bull terriers, 20; do., puppies, 4; black and tan terriers, 7 ; do., puppy, 1; broken haired terrier, 1; Scotch do., 3 ; Skye do., 7; sheep dogs, 12; do., puppies, C j sheep dogs (sluts), 7; do,, puppy, 1; St. Bernards, 3; Newfoundlands, 3 ; do., puppy, 1; smooth haired toy terriers, o ; rough haired do., 4 j Italian greyhounds; 2 j do., puppy, 1.