NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1303, 23 May 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Waltiiam: Weßleyah Cp uecit. —A soiree will be held to morrow, in the'itb'ove church, at 5 p.m. Addresses will afterwards be given by several ministers, and Sankey's bolos will be rendered by the Colombo road choir. A.O.F.—The Court Star of Canterbury will give a tea, conceit, and ball, to-morrow evening, to commemorate the enlargement of their hall. Land Sale. —Messrs R Walton and Co. held a sale of town and rural property today. The Gaiety Theatre was withdrawn at £2 100. Forty seciiens in Ashburton were sold at prices varying from £OO to £I7L A number of other sales were effected. Railway Arrangements. The acting general manager gives notice that to-morrow the entrance to the race trains will be through tho archway, where racecourse tickets will be sold. Tickets can be obtained at any time after 9 o'clock. St. Michael's Choral Society.—Notwithstanding the very unfavourable weather, the members of this society mustered well last night, and had a very successful practice.

Youthful Si/OHTSMEN. —It will be. recollected thai the secretary of the Coursing (Jlub advertised for a couple of dozen boys to act as beaters for the club. In response to his advertisement no fewer than eighty-four lads assembled on Saturday at the place appointed.

Board ov Education. —The Board of Education for North Canterbury held a meeting yesterday. A quantity of miscellaneous business, which is reported in another column, was transacted. Particular attention may be directed to the Board's resolution on the subject of corporal punishment, which is hereafter only to be administered by headmasters,'

CIIRISTCHUECII MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT Association.—The usual weekly meeting took place last evening, Mr J. L. Wilson in the chair. Mr Allen read a paper advocating the occupation of mission iir'.ds by direct colonial agency, instead of through the operation of London societies. Most of the membe.is took part in the lively discussion that f/iisued. The chairman summed up, and closed the meeting. The subject next week wiil be readings. Grain AT Country Stations.—A considerable diminution has taken place during the week ending May 20th in the quantity of grain remaining at country stations on the Canterbury lines. From the return furnished to us by the Bailway department for the period referred to, it appears that on May 20th there was a total of 25,177 bags, equal to 410 waggon loads, awaiting transit. This shows a reduction on the previous week's returns, when the totals were 32,348 bags, or s::n truck loads. The etatioi.s at which the largest quantity of grain is now lying are Awamoko Junction and Marewhenua line, 2500 bags; Mukikihi, 1829 j Olaio, 1340 ; Albury. Cave, 1090 ; Pleasant Point, 2348; Tcmuka, 1925; Orari, 1637 ; Papanui, 1055 ; Styx, 1227 ; Waimate, 1010. At ten of the stations on the line, there is no grain, and as the greater part of the work is now over, the department may be expected very Boon to overtake the whole accumulation,

Recruit Drill. —The excellent system of separate drill for recruits for the several Volunteer Corps, which was done away with some ten years ago, has been resumed at the suggestion of Major Lean. The advantages of this system are too obvious to need poii.ting out. Sergeant-Major Morgan had the first squad under his hands last night at the drillshed, and ho expects very beneficial results will arise from this resumption of recruit drill.

His Worship tiih Mayor.—Mr Thomson, who lias been visiting Auckland, inspected the waterworks belonging to that city a few days ago, and according to the "Herald" evinced not only a great deal of interest in them but a good deal of knowledge of the practical details. He expressed himself much pleased with what he saw, and heartily wished that Christchurch was blessed with such a splendid supply of water for the subjugation of fires, and for domestic purposes.

Rangioea ScnooL Committee. —At a special meeting of the committee, held on Monday evening, Mr A. 11. Cunningham (chairman) presiding, a letter was read from the Board of Education stating that the appointment of Miss Lockwood, as mistress of the infant department, could not be sanctioned t ;, l she had obtained her certificate. It was resolved to recommend the appointment of Miss Kitcliingham.

CoußSina Club. —A meeting of the members of the Coursing Club wa3 held yesterday afternoon at the Shades. Mr Judge occupied the chair. Tho minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and Mr Roper was elected a member. The draw for the Birthday Stakes then took place, with the following result : 1, Rubens agst Mechanic; 2, Blondin agst Tasman ; 3, Starlight agst Russian Emperor ; 4, Moonlight agst John; 5, Borgia agst Ouida; G, Briudle agst Leo; 7, Little Nell agst Blucher ; 8, Venus agst Besika Bay ; 9, Sandy agst Belle ; bye, Butterfly. It was decided that tho first brace of dogs should be in the slips at half-past nine, tho 6tart to be made from the park gate, between Carlton and Eendaltown road bridge. The secretary stated that there would be plenty of hares in tbe park. After settling a number of details the meeting ended.

Lowee Heatiicote School. —A committee meeting was held on Tuesday, 21st May. Present—Messrs Attwood, Fyfe, Heyward, Gofton, E.. Davis, Baniford, and J. A. Morgan (in the chair). A letter from the Board of Education was read as to extension of Smith's road, stating that the Board had no funds to purchase a road. The chairman explained what had been done with respect to the purchase of a site for a side school at Hargood'a road. It was proposed by Mr Bamford and seconded by Mr Fyfe—"That the chairman be requested to urge upon the Board the necessity of proceeding with the erection of a side school without delay." A discussion ensued as to whether it was advisable to shorten the hours of teaching during the winter months from five hours to four and a-half hours. The matter was left over for the master to report upon. The inspector's rtport of the examination of the school was read. It wa3 resolved that the annual school treat and distribution of prizes should take place on June 28th, and that donations should be requested from parents and friends for that object. The usual accounts were passed, and the meeting then adjourned. Acclimatisation Society.—A meeting of the Council of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday. Present—Sir Cracroft Wilson (in the chair), Hon. J. T. Peacock, Messrs Boys, and Farr (Hon. sec). The secretary brought under the notice of the Council the fact that the proclamation issued by the Government as to the shooting of game only contained the word pheasants without specifying, as requested, cock pheasants only. The books of licenses sent down to him, however, contained the words cock pheasants only. He had telegraphed to the Government on the subject, and had received a telegram stating that it wa3 too late tc alter the proclamation, but that it was in accordance with the recommendations of the Canterbury Society. It was resolved that a notice be issued to the effect that the word "pheasants" in the proclamation meant "cock pheasants" only, as is clear from the phraseology used by the Colonial Secretary's oillce, and that any one shooting hen pheasants would render himself liable to prosecution. A latter was read from Dr. Sector, respecting the importation of the sugar maple, and forwarding some seed. Dr. Hector stated that the best way of getting seed was to place the seeds in loam in which way either seeds or cuttings would travel well without the necessity of a wardian case. If cuttings were matted they would also travel well. A letter was read from Hon. G. Buckley on the same subject, stating that he had several trees of the sugar maple in his garden at Waitaki. It grew best in hilly country with shelter and fine soil. He had had seeds from Philadelphia, of which only a few grew, as they were badly packed. Instead of attempting to introduce trees, he should recommend having the seed packed in air tight barrels with charcoal. The seed should leave America, so as to arrive here in April. He enclosed a seed list and foresting manual. The secretary said that he had enclosed the seeds to the Government gardener. The meeting then adjourned.

North Kakaia Board of Conservators. —A meeting of this "Board was held in Mr Desborough's office, Southbridge, on Saturday morning, 18th May. Present—Messrs E. J. Lee (in the chair), J. J. Loe, and A. Storry. The Chairman explained that this extraordinary meeting was held in order that steps might be taken to satisfy a request of the manager of the Union .Bank, who was anxious to secure the Bank as to matter of overdraft. He had consulted Messrs Hanmer and Harper, who recommended the immediate issue of debentures. A letter was written, and sealed with the Board's seal, undertaking at once to issue debentures to the value of £6OOO, such debentures to bo placed in the hands of the Bank and held by them as security for the overdraft, with power of selling and applying proceeds, should the arrangement now pending with Ihe Government not be successfully carried out. Correspondence was read from Mr W. G. Lunn, consenting to undertake the preparation of valuation list for the current year. From the Colonial Secretary, rei quiring further information as to meeting of ratepayers held re Local Elections Act. The Chairman informed the Board that the request had been complied with. From the Hon. John Hall, attesting the holding of a Court of Revision for settlement of the special rate, at which there were not any objections offered. It was resolved to authorise the immediate collection of the rate in terms of the notice already published. Messrs A. Storry, L. White, and J. J. Loe were appointed to officially complete the debentures in preparation by Messrs Hanmer and Harper, by attaching the seal of the Board to the same at a meeting of the Board to be called specially for that purpose. The question of immediately ceasing all expenditure upon the works was considered. Air White attended by request. Upon his strong representation as to the' absolute necessity of completing and maintaining embankments and groins already in course of construction, it was determined to retain the services of {six of the most able men, mid to dismiss all others at once. j

Souttibridge Bacon-Curing Company. —A meeting of directors of this Company was held at Mr Desborough's office, Southbridge, on Saturday, 18th May. In order to carry out the resolution passed at the general meeting of shareholders held 6th May, 1878, it was resolved that any two directors be empowered to accept bills on behalf of the Company for paymento of amounts due on account of the purchase of pigs oh the following terms, viz., £SO and under at four months' date; exceeding that amount, first £SO to be paid in four months' bill j ihe balance to bo paid by six months'bill, the drawer to guar an* tee that same be renewable. The secretary \ action as to the appointment of solo consignees in foreign markets was approved. Personal supervision of the factory by the directors having been considered advisable, Messrs Bourn and Grraham consented to give their services for one week to that end. The first Monday in the month was appointed for the settlement for purchaso of pigs.

Educational.—An examination of candidates for appointments under the Board of the district of North Canterbury, in the subjects set forth in the syllabus for third class certificates, will bo held at the Normal Schools, on the 25th of June and following days. Candidates must giro notice on or before the Ist June.