NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1408, 20 August 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Weather. —During the night and early this morning it was very cold. At six o’clock snow was falling heavily, and for a lime the pavements were clothed in white, but the snow turning to a heavy fall of rain soon swept it away. The Haglet Park Question.— At the special meeting of the City Council, last, evening, the letter of Mr J. E. Brown, with regard to the letting of a portion of Hagley Park for building sites, was discussed at. some length. The motion by Cr. Pratt, to the t-ffeet that the Council approved of the principle of leasing certain portions of the park for building purposes only foroed support from the proposer. After some discussion, an amendment, moved by Cr, Briggs, to the effect that the park, being a public reserve for recreation purposes, should not be interfered with in any way, was agreed to, Cr, Pratt being the only dissentient.

C. K. B. Minstrels. —This clever troupe of performers made their second appearance last night, the programme being the same as •hat. given on Saturday evening. They fully I'onlirmed the favorable impression created by their superior singing and comic ‘ketches, character specialties, and dancing. Mr Camp bell sang “Sweet Chiming Bells” in the opening with such taste and expression as to bring down enthusiastic applause, and Mr Vernon Bred was equally successful in his rendering of “The Sweet Bye and Bye.” In fact, the whole of the first part was selected with excellent taste, and each item was done Justice to. Messrs Cheevers and Bent, at their respective corners, were irresistibly funny, and convulsed the audience with their witticisms. Messrs Cheevers and Kennedy again created unbounded astonishment by the rapidity of their changes in their Protean song in the interlude, and later in the evening again displayed their wonderful proficiency as step dancers. The comic sketches, entitled “ The Lawyer’s Clerk ” and “ The Man from America,” afforded a splendid opportunity for some “exquisite fooling” by Mr Horace Bent, and his coadjutors, Messrs Cheevers, Campbell, and Drayton, proved themselves comedians of no mean order. The company can undoubtedly challenge comparison with the beet organised Minstrel Troupes that have appeared in Christchurch. The house was exceedingly well attended. The same programme will be repeated this evening fjr the last time.

Pabliambnt ow the Move. —lt will be seen from our telegrams that“ Coblej on the move ’’was nothing compared to the peripatetics of our Representatives next week. They are to have a whole ten days’ holiday for the purpose of visiting Christchurch and Dunedin, on the occasion of the opening of the line; and not only are they themselves coming, bn: many of them are about to bring their wives with them, What a mass of political wisdom will the Hinemoa contain when she has on board the members of both our Houses of Legislature—for, of course, the “ Lords ” have no idea of being left out in the cold. Already wo observe that the Dunedin City Council are making great preparations to receive the collective wisdom of the country, notwithstanding the protest of Councillor Fish —one of those small-minded men who arc always unfortunately to be found among such bodies, and who always set their faces against the spending of public money on dinners and other such small trifles —who says that if a penny of the ratepayers’ money is spent he will sue the Council for it! What a state of things ! Saturday will be a great day for Christchurch, when onr Peripatetic Parliament will arrive in the Cathedral City ; but at present we have not hoard a single word as to their recept ion. Doubtless it will be one ■worthy of the plucj and the occasion, for it is nob every day that Christchurch has such a galaxy of political intellect thrust into its midst-. Will no demonstration be made upon the occasion, or will our Political Solons be allowed to come and go like any other common people. It is at least to bo hoped that a committee of Oicerones will be appointed to show them our fine public buildings, sm h as the Cathedral, the Post-office, and the Resident Magistrate’s Court. Such a sight would fully repay our rambling legislators for all their trouble,

Sefton.—Mr Slipper, wlio attempted in a fit of momentary excitement to commit suicide on Saturday, was much better on Monday, though somewhat weak after the loss of blood.

No. 5 C.R.Y. —An h spection parade of this company was held by Major Lean at Kaiapoi on F iday evening. There was a fair muster of members. After parade some of the grievances of the company were ventilated, and it is to be hoped that when the whole of the matters are properly gone into volunteering will revive among the young men of the town. West Coast Railway. —The question of the extension of the railway from Ambcrley to Brunnevton was discussed by the Ashley County Council yesterday, and a very practical letter, drafted by the chairman, was unanimously adopted and despatched to the Hon. Minister for Public Works, to reach him, if possible, before the Public Works statement is made.

Thb Old Men’s Home —lt was decided some little time back that an official inspection should be made to-day of the Immigration Barracks at Ashburton, which have beer, converted for the purpose of accommodating the inmates of the Selwyn Home. Owin'?, however, to the bedding ordered for the Home not being ready, the visit of the Board will be postponed until Friday next. Accident.- On Sunday, about 9 p.m., Mr John Evans returning home was thrown from his horse, which sided on the Cam Bridge, the animal falling and rolling on to him. Ho remained on the ground for some time, till his calls for help brought Mr C. Young to his aid. Evans was conveyed to Mr McQuillan’s house, and Dr. Ovendon, of Kaiapoi, was sent for, who ascertained that Evans’ leg was broken above the ankle. The bone of the injured limb was set on Monday morning. Winiata, the Murderer —The reason reason given by Mr Sheehan for declining to reply to Mr Fox’s question whether the Government have, during the recess, taken any steps to secure the capture of Winiata ; and whether, if he has not yet been brought to trial, the Government is prepared to take steps to secure that event, was not fully telegraphed. As reported in “ Hansard,” Mr Sheehan said “ the department under his control was very commonly termed ‘ the mystery office.’ There were some things in respect of which it was right to bo mysterious, and he could not give the hon. gentleman a reply to this question. The Government would do nothing that the House or the country would be ashamed of in this matter.”

Tuk Cikcps. —The programme of Saturday evening was repeated in the circus last night, the attendance, considering the counter attraction of the minstrels at the theatre, being very satisfactory. The equestrian acts of Madame Aunereau and Messrs Hayes and Lewis were as usual much applauded. Mdlle, Do Qranville repeated her extraordinary act of lifting and balancing a heavy wooden chair with her teeth, while the wonderful posturing of Agilio created the usual amount of astonishment and admiration. The acrobatic act of the Brothers Duvalli, and the mirthprovoking clowning of Mr Benhamo, contributed largely to the success of the entertainment. The performance concluded with the equestrian drama Turpin’s Ride to York,” the principal characters being supported by Messrs Hayes, Wallace, and Benhamo. The Noemal School Gymnasium —The pupils attending Mr J. Q Walker’s gymnastic classes at the Normal school gymnasium will give a display of feats on Friday next. Some time ago some very good performances were gone through in c unpetition for prizes, and no doubt incrs is-d proficiency will be shown on the present occasion.

school of Cookeet. —As notified in the adverti-ing columns, Miss Fidler, from the Edinburgh School of Cookery, inteuds giving a course of practical lessons in the useful art of cookery. The lessons will comprise tuition in every branch of culinary art, aud will be divided iuto special and evening classes, so as to meet the requirements of persons in different positions of life. The first afternoon aud evening lessons will be given in St. Michael’s school room on Tuesday, the 27th inst. Enteetainment at Woolston.— An entertainment will t ike place at Woolston on Friday, the 23rd, on behalf of the Woolston Cricket Club. The committee of the above club ha-.a taken on a long le ise a p uldoek of about twenty acres, which they are h -ving laid out and planted os a cricket and public recreation ground for the district, and the proceeds of the entertainment will go towards defraying the expences. The p ogr imme is a long one, consisting of about fifteen items, including a humorous reading by the Hev. G. Wilks, M.A., the newly-appointed herd master to the Heathcote School. The whole to conclude with a dance. A coach will leive the White Hart Hot-1 at 7 30, returning after the entertainment.