NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1407, 19 August 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

City By-Laws.—The information laid by the police against a cabman for driving rapidly round a corner, which was to have been heard to day, has been withdrawn at the instance of the City Council, a further consideration of the by-law apparently being considered advisable.

Chabitable Belief. —On Wednesday Mr Fox asked the Q-overnment whether they have advised his Excellency the Governor to appoint a commission to inquire and report upon the question of charitable relief, and the systems adopted in other countries and colonies, as promised by the late Government during last session P Mr Ballance replied that the Government had not yet advised, the Governor to appoint this commission. The matter was under the consideration of the Government, and would shortly be decided on.

Chbistchitbch Deill-siied. —ln the House, on the 7th of August, Mr MurrayAynsley asked the Minister for Public Works if the Government have received any report on the insecure state of the drill-shed in Chrietchureh; and whether they purpose to take immediate steps to prevent the building falling down ? Mr Macandrew replied that a report had been received from the Commanding Officer upon the state of this building. It was stated that it would take £l5O to put it in repair, and there were no funds at present out of which 6uch a cost could bo defrayed. Decomation of the Theatee. Wo are very glad to hear a rumour that there is at last some chance of our Temple of Thespis being made to look a little more like a home of the drama than it does at the present time, by receiving those decorations which from the initiatory performance at this place of amusement have been so painfully conspicuous by their absence. When the theatre was first opened by Mr Hoskins, it was understood that the interior would be finished without delay, but, there being several joint proprietors, there appears to have been some difficulty in carrying oat the work. Now, however, that Mr Hoskins has parted with his interest, retaining only the lesseeship, and the property is understood to almost wholly belong toons man, the present barn-like appearance of the theatre should no longer be permitted to nightly offend the eyes of its patrons. During the cold and cheerless winter just gone by, the glaring whitewash which everywhere greeted :he eye, with the want of any relief whatever, and the generally dejected aspect of the unfinished theatre, must have very greatly militated against the nightly attendances. The same old dingy curtain, of a colour supposed to bo green, has nightly wearied the eye between the acts ; indeed, in the case of a new picco, people have often trot up and left the theatre before its close, being misled by the falling of the same old cheap baize. We don't know of any theatre in New Zealand which does not boast of an "actdrop," and think it quite time that the proprietorohip, Oi' the management, bestirred themselves in this matter, as well as in tho matter of the rumour with regard to the decorations generally. lb is to bo hoped that this rumour is not without foundation, and that the place will be worthy of the name it bears by the time it is ro-oponcd by tho dramatic company.

The Circus.—The mid-day performance of the Circus on Saturday attracted a large audience, who appeared to be highly gratified by what they witnessed. In the evening there wag a change of programme, the whole of the itoms in which were gone through most satisfactorily. The riding of Mdlle. Annereau, Mr Hayes, Mr Benhamo, Mr Lewis, and others, was loudly applauded, as also were the gymnastic feats, which were very cleverly performed. The wonderful performance of Mdlle. do Granville, as on former occasions, evoked loud plaudits. Mr Wallace in his balancing act was very good, and Messrs Benhamo and Hutchins were exceedingly funny as the clowns to the various acts. The main item in the programme was the well known equestrian drama of " Turpin's Ride to York," which went well throughout. To-night the same programme will be repeated. Important Sale of Land.—We desire to draw the attention of capitalists, business men, settlers, and others, to a very important sale of land which will be held at noon tomorrow, by Messrs J. T. Ford and Co., at the auction rooms of Mr Charles Clarke, Hereford street. Full particulars will be found in another part of this isßue, from which it will be seen that the township of Albury, the property of the Hon. Edward Richardson, is now about to be submitted to public competition. This will be one of the most important sales that has taken place for a long time past; for the situation of Albury is such —being in the very pick and centre of the finest agricultural land in South Canterbury—that it cannot fail to become a most valuable property before very long. It is, too, the terminus of the line, and stands at the opening of a very fine and extensive back country, including the McKcnzie, Mount Nessing, &c. With the rapid growth of population, and the rapidity with which land is taken up and improved in this part of the country, we may look upon Albury at no very distant date becoming a place of very great importance. Already a considerable number of intending buyers have come down from this district, and it is expected that the competition will be very keen. We observe that Messrs Ford, with their usual liberality, provide a first-class luncheon.

City Council,. —A special meeting of the City Council will be held this evening, at the usual hour. The main business for consideration will be the discussion of the proposition of Mr J. Evans Brown as to letting a portion of the Domain for building purposes. Ltttelton Chokal Society. This society will give their second concert on Tuesday (to-morrow) evening, at the Colonists' Hall, Lyttelton. The programme, advertised elsewhere, is a varied and attractive one.