NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1393, 2 August 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Scandinavian Service. The usual monthly service will be held in the Durham street Wesleyan Church on Sunday, August 4th, at 3 30 p.m. Resignations in the Police. —We learn that several members of the Christchurch police force have lately sent in their resignations, the alleged reasons being the low rate of pay. Laueikins at theie Woek. —About two o’clock on Sunday morning the policeman on duty near the corners of Gloucester and Colombo streets, was informed that the board affixed at that place cautioning all vehicles to go at a foot pace, had been overthrown by half a dozen larrikins, who had made off. The policeman at once hastened to the spot, and found the board in question had been forcibly wrenched from its position and cast into the road. There was of course no sign of the gay hearted delinquents, and every effort of the police to trace them failed. Now, if these young gentlemen, in the height of their spirits, had only known before hand that their instant non-apprehension would have caused one of the members of the force to be heavily fined, they would perhaps not have treated the by law in question with such disrespect—not to say levity. Resignation. —Mr W. Rolleston has resigned his seat on the Board of Education for North Canterbury. A Quick Passage. —The Ringarooma, s.s., arrived yesterday morning at 7 a.m., from Port Chalmers. She accomplished the trip in fourteen hours, the quickest time on record. The s.s, Hawea. —lt will be seen by our telegrams that no intelligence had been received in Auckland up to last night of the missing steamer Hawea, which left Gisborne for Auckland on Sunday morning. Cathedral Square —The appearance of the square is every day improving. A neat concrete parapet, 18in. high, is being put round the green quadrangle on which the Godley statue stands, and the whole of the northern side of the square has been metalled. Yesterday the steam roller was at wo. k crushing and levelling the newly laid metal. East Chbistchubch School.— ln the report of the meeting of the Board of Education, held yesterday, will be found the full text of the Board’s reply to the deputation of the East Christchurch School Committee that waited on them at the last meeting. Hurunui Bridge— The attention of the authorities is drawn to the serious fact that the north approach of this bridge is surrounded by the river to a depth of five feet, and that persons travelling with sheep and stock are intercepted. The scour is a matter of great concern to the settlers and residents in this district. Lyttelton Mutual Improvement Assocation.—The Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Class was held in the Wesleyan schoolroom on Wednesday evening, the question discussed being “Should women be admitted to the franchise.” After an animated discussion, in which the Rev. Mr Beck and Mr Jas. Pitcaithly took a prominent part, it was decided by the votes of those present that it would be unwise to extend the franchise to women. Artillery Ball. The committee to whom has been entrusted the arrangements for the annual ball of the Christchurch Artillery Volunteers are making good progress, and the ball as a whole promises to be quite as successful as those which have preceded it, Judging from the number of tickets already sold, the attendance will be large. The musical arrangements, and last, but by no means least, the catering for the supper are in competent hands, so that nothing has been left undone to make the ball pass off with colat. Analysis of Liquids. —Serious complaints are being made in many directions of the the adulteration which exists in a very great deal of the liquor—mainly spirits—sold in Christchurch. After some little difficulty a public analyist has been appointed under the Adulteration of Food Act, but nothing further has been done. To stop short there seems like taking considerably less than half measures; and it appears highly necessary that some persons should bo appointed whoso duty it would be to obtain samples of liquor sold in various places, and take them to the laboratory for analysis. Bankruptcy Notices.— With reference to the proposal that all bankruptcy notices should be advertised in the “Mercantile Gazette,” a small Dunedin publication, the “ Herald” says : —We trust that the Chamber of Commerce, at its meeting to be held today, will pause ere it adopts its committee’s recommendation re petitioning Parliament for an amendment of the Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, in the direction of compelling all bankruptcy notices to bo advertised in the “ Mercantile Gazette.” The “ Gazette” is a private circular. From the nature of its contents it cannot bo published as an ordinary newspaper. The other provincial districts in New Zealand have their own mercantile gazettes, of which they think as highly as we do of ours. Should the Chamber persist in confirming the recommendation of its committee, it will only succeed in making Dunedin the laughing-stock of the whole colony. Entertainment at St. Michael’s,— Last night the fortnightly entertainment at St. Michael's schoolroom was held. The Scv. E. G. Penny presided. The programme was of the usual character, and executed by amateurs. The rule forbidding encores was striolly adhered to, but of the numbers in the programme—the chairman objected lo the use of the word items—the songs “Tell mo ray heart ” aud “The storm” fully deserved the compliment of a re-demand. The lady who sang the first possesses a well trained and sweet soprano voice, which she manages with great taste, and the the lady who sang the second has a rich mezzo-soprano voice, and sings with much expression. The Rev. Mr Flavell delivered a short lecture on “ Wit.” The entertainment concluded with a spelling hce. In this some ten young ladies, four young gentlemen, and four full grown gentlemen, distinguished themselves more or less. The survivor was Mr Parker, who surrendered the prize, a handsomely bound photographic album, to the young lady who had held out the longest.

New Zealand Shipping Company.— -The annual general meeting of this company was held at noon to-day, at the company’s office, Hereford street. There was a large attendance of shareholders. The report and balancesheet wore adopted, the former recommending a dividend of 10 per cent, for the year. The usual votes of thanks closed the preceedings. The San Francisco Mail.—lt will bo seen by our shippii g telegrams that the Taranaki, with the San Francisco mail, was unable to leave the Manukau yesterday on account of the bad weather prevailing. The mail will therefore probably not reach Lyttelton before Tuesday. In the usual place will be found a number of further items of news telegraphed from Auckland. Hematite Paint Manufacture. Thr “ Nelson Mail” says : —We are glad to heae that Mr T, B. Louisson’s application for a patent for improvements in the manufacture of hematite paint was granted yesterday. The company, in which two-thirds of the shares have been bespoken, will be formed immediately at, Dunedin. Messrs Q-. Turnbull and Co., Mr Mills, of the Lion Foundry, Wellington, and Judge Ward, are the principal promoters. It is expected that the works will be presently transferred to the Para Para, and that a great extension of the business will probably ensue, The net profit per ton is about £lO, but it can be increased by carrying on the manufacture close to the deposits of ore. Theatre Royal.—Boucicault’s sporting drama, “ Formosa; or, the Railroad to Ruin,” was revived last night at the Theatre Royal. The characters of Major Jorum and Formosa are specialities of Mr Hoskins and Miss Florence Colville, and they fairly sustained the celebrity they have acquired in their delineation of their respective characters. Mr Q-rahavn looked and acted the part of Tom Burroughs naturally. Miss Tilly Andrews gave a pleasing portrayal of the part of Nelly, and Miss Daley was fairly successful as Edith Burroughs. Mrs C. F. Searle gave an admirably life-like portrait of the homely, kindhearted Sally Boker, her natural, unexaggerated acting finding a free response in the plaudits of the audience. The comedy parts of Sam Boker and Bob Saunders wore sustained by Messrs Hydes and Hill, and would have been more acceptable had they been less crammed with impromptu, and in many cases inappropriate, gags, both ill-timed and conceived in bad taste. The subordinate characters were respectably played. The new scenery reflected credit on the pencil of Mr Williams, and the variety business in the last act, which included songs from Miss Ruby D’Arcy, Miss Amy Johns, and a dance by Mr Wilkinson, materially added to the effect of the scene. “ Formosa ” will be repeated tonight. Theatrical. —The Bent, Cheevers, and Kennedy Minstrels, under the management of Mr M. Siraonsen, opened on Monday evening in Dunedin to a very large bouse. They are spoken of as being a very complete corps. The only members of the troupe known to Christchurch playgoers are Mr T. Campbell, who, it will be recollected, was here with the U.S. Minstrels, aqd Mr Horace Bent, who will be cordially welcomed back here. They open in Christchurch about the 17th inst. Mr Q-oorge Lingard, who was agent in advance of the U.S. Minstrels, acts in the same capacity for the new aspirants for popular favor. The Marionettes have gone to Blenheim, whence they proceed northwards. After playing in Auckland and Napier, they will return here for a short season. Benhamo’s circus appears to be doing good business in Dunedin, and after a three weeks’ season comes overland to Christchurch. Mrs Walter Hill and Mr J. B. Steele are doing a fair business. They will be reinforced by Mies Edith Pender and Mr W. O. Dillon, who parsed through the other day for Auckland. A report has gained currency that Mr Ueorge Darrell is organising a dramatic company to come to New Zealand, but such is not the case. Mr Darrell is play ing his own pieces in Melbourne very successfully, and intends making a tour of the cities of Australia. Mrs Darrell, her numerous friends in Christchurch will regret to hear, is very seriously ill.