NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1423, 6 September 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

R.M. Court. —Ae there were no prisoners to be brought before the Resident Magistrate tins morning, there was no sitting of the R.M. Court.

Tub Opening of the Line.—His Excellency the Governor, a number of members of both Houses of the Legislature, and the Mayors and City Councils of Christchurch and Dunedin, and representatives of other public bodies, left Christchurch at Bix o'clock this morning for Dunedin. Their progress up to the hour of our going to press will be be found described, by our special reporter, in another part of this issue.

Rilet and Allen's Minstrels.—The second appearance of this troupe at the Theatre Royal attracted only a moderate audience, which is scarcely to bo wondered at, considering how closely the company have trodden on the heels of the C.K.B. Minstrels. Tho singing of Mr and Mrs Leslie, Messrs Riley and Allen's pedestal dance, and Mr T. Allen's prize jig, were all received with applause. The performance concluded with a laughable farce, in which Messrs Leslie, Riley and Allen took part. The Ciecus. —The circus was moderately attended last night, and the performance gave great satisfaction to those who were present, amongst them being several of the Nymphe's blue jackets and a sprinkling of Maoris, attracted to town by the railway festivities. Tho equestrian performance of Mr Hayes, the acrobatic acts of the Brothers Duvalli, and the juggling of Mr Wallace, all had their share of applause. Messrs Walhalla and Hutchins enlivened the ring with their comicalities. The performance terminated with a representation of a grand steeplechase, which was very successful. Cricket. —By the last mail from Melbourne a letter was received from Mr Curtis A. Reid, tho secretary of tho Melbourne Cricket Club, suggesting a programme for the Canterbury Eleven during their visit to Victoria. The programme was arranged at a meeting of the secretaries of the clubs challenged by the Canterbury Cricket Association. It is proposed that the Eleven should play Ballarat on the 27th and 28th December; East Melbourne, on tho Ist and 2nd of January; Melbourne Cricket Club, on the 4th, 6th, and 7th of January; South Melbourne, on the 10th and 11th January; and the Bohemians on the 14th and 15th January. Mr Reid mentions that when only two days are set apart for a match, the play need not be restricted to those days, but that the match, if unfinished, may be continued on the following day. St. Luke's Bazaar.—Although the attendance yesterday at the bazaar and gift auction in aid of the liquidation of the St. Luke's parish debt was not so large as on the previous day, still it was sufficiently good to warrant the belief that a success will have been achieved. The several stalls presented, late in the evening, a very different appearance to what they did on the opening of the bazaar. The telephone was largely patronised during the day, and the efforts of the Wizard to amuse the throng who crowded to his temple of magic were crowned with a large measure of success. Tho less valuable of the unsold articles that had formed the stock-in-trade of the stalls were sold by public auction, Mr C. E. Barker wielding the hammer with ability. The more valuable of the articles remaining on hand are reserved for private sale, amongst them being a very beautiful firescreen, the work of a lady, embellished with pictorial scraps grouped together with great taste and artistic skill. Altogether, when the accounts are made up, there is every reason to believe that there will remain a sum sufficient to diminish greatly the parochial debt. Foresters' Dinner. —A complimentary dinner to P.S. Brother J. S. Williams, who has held the permanent secretaryship of the Ancient Order of Foresters for the past three and a-half years, and is now giving up through press of business, was given last night. The chair was occupied by Brother W. Hobbs ; vice-chair, Brother S. Bath. A very excellent spread was provided by Bro. John Wilson. Mr Sydney James ably presided at the piano gratuitously. The usual toasts of the " Queen and Royal Eamily," •'The Governor," "The Army and Navy and Volunteers," " Sir George Grey and the General Assembly," " The City Council and Christchurch Eire Brigade," were given and responded to. The chairman said he had to perform the most pleasant duty of the evening, and that was to propose the health of the guest and Permanent Secretary, Brother J. S. Williams. On doing so he had to pay him a very high compliment for the efficient manner that he had kept the accounts, and he might almost say, dragged them out of the mire and put them in a prosperous condition. He had very great pleasure on behalf of Court Star of Canterbury, in presenting Bro. Williams with a slight token, consisting of a very handsome silver star of the Order, to show the esteem in which he was held. Brother Williams replied. Some very eicellant songs wpre sung by Bros. Piper, Bath, Crooks, C. Samuels, and a very pleasant evening ended with the toast of tho " Press," " Host," &c. Imported Clydesdales. By the s.s. Albion arrived three Clydesdale entires, which will certainly be of great value to Canterbury and New Zealand generally, having been carefully selected out of the best strains of blood procurable. Mr J. McKellar brings a bay three-year-old foaled in 1875. He is named Champion (late Fenian), and is by Champion of Scotland (imported), out of Maude by Dumbleton Squire (imported), his grand dam being the well-known Flower of Ben Lomond. He is a magnificent horse, with true Clydesdale points. Prince Bismarck, also the property of Mr McKellar, is a bay horse rising five. He is by Count Bismarck, grand sire Sir Hercules, his dam being Blossom by Royal Charlie (imported). Blossom for seven successive years took first prize at Kilmore, and Prince Bismarck has taken several first prizes, and is cqngidored in Victoria one of the beet horses ever bred on this side of the line. Young Clyde, Mr James Torrens' importation, is a beautiful bay, and was foaled December 3rd, 1871. His sire was Lord Clyde (imported), and his dam B M'ncess Maude 3rd by Champion (imported), grand cv..v>, Princess Maude Ist (imported). It will thus bo that this fine hors? boasts a pedigree almost unequuiiod in the colonies. Princess Maude the Ist, his grand dam, gained eighteen first prizes in Scotland, besides I taking the silver medul ac the Glasgow Show against allcomers, whilst his dam Princess Maude 3rd was never beaten in A r ictoria, though frequently shown, and is certainly one of the best mares that was ever born in the colonies. His sire—Lord Clyde —was bred by D. Macfarlane, of Torr, Helenstowe, and took, when a yearling, first prize at tho Bishopriggs, Kirktntillock, East Killbride, and Johnstone shows, and, in fact, gained first prize as the best Clydesdale colt in Scotland at every open show in 18,fj§. A» a two-year-old he wrs i+ret at Barhead, Johnstone, and Renfrew, and second at Glasgow ; and at three-year-old he was first at Aberdeen, beating Clydesdales of all ages as best horse in the yards, His progeny have taken first and second prizes in Victoria wherever shown, and this horso Young Clyde bears a strong resemblance to his sire. Several gentlemen at Dunedin endeavored to persuade Mr Torrens to leave his horso in Otago, offering great inducements, but ho decided to briug him on to Canterbury. All three horses are worthy of the special attention o£ our Can.. torbury breeders,

Bobough of Sxdenham.—Messrs J. Ri Andrew, W. W. Charters, D. Foster and F. Lines are candidates for the office of councillor in the Sydenham Borough Council. Tub Mayobal Banquet—The Mayor's banquet to his Excellency the G-oyernor, the members of both Houses, and the representatives of the municipalities, took place last evening in the Provincial Council Chamber, and was largely attended.

Dunedin Kail-way Band.—This excellent brass band arrived yesterday from Palmerston by the midday train. On their arrival they played several selection on the railway platform, whiohjwere greatly admired, and in the evening they paraded the streets, followed by an appreciative crowd. New Govebnment Buildings.—Within the last day or two the scaffolding surrounding the new Government Buildings in Cathedral square has, with the exception of a few poles on the north front, been removed. The buildings now present an imposing appearance, and add greatly to the appearance of Cathedral square. of Education.—The fortnightly meeting of the Board of Education for North Canterbury was held yesterday, but very little business was transacted, and the Board, adjourned at an early hour. Mr E. C. J. Stevens was elected to the vacant seat on the Board, caused by the resignation of Mr B/olleston. Racehobsb fbo3i Melbourne. —Mr Mason's 4-year-old brown gelding Campbella, by Friar, winner of several races in Victoria, arrived from Melbourne in the s.s. Albion yesterday. He arrived in splendid conditioij, under Mr J. McKeilar's charge. He is engaged for the Jockey Club Handicap at the coming Metropolitan meeting. Panoeama.—On Monday evening Scott and Co. exhibited their panorama of dissolving views at Ashley Bank. There was a large attendance, and the exhibition gave general satisfaction. The views included several well painted sceneß by a local artist, and a number of photographic transparencies of publib places and buildings in the neighbourhood. J The Civic Elections.—We would suggest that as there are so many candidates now before the public for civic honors, and as the time for the election is drawing near, a public meeting should be called for an early date, in order to give the various candidates an opportunity of placing their views before the ratepayers, so that they may be in a position to vote with some litttle knowledge as to the class of councillor likely to serve them best. Waimakabibi Gibdee Beidge. The bridge over the north branch of this river, on the line of the Drain road, having been for some time falling into a Btate of decay, the' Eyreton Road Board, at its last meeting, decided to renew the same. Tenders are invited for the work. During the erection of the new bridge the traffic will use the ford, which is a very good one,''at this part of the river.

Gas Complaikts.—At the meeting of the Gas Company yesterday, the chairman of directors brought under the notice of the shareholders the complaints which had been made by the City Council as to the quality of the gas supplied. Mr Wright read certain statistics supplied by the manager, who had tested the gas with a photometer for twenty-six days, and found the maximum candle power to be on August 10th, when the photometer registered 20.78 and the minimum on June 19th, when it registered 16.33. The mean of twenty-one tests was therefore 18.192. The Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway.—The result of the voting for and against the Rakaia and Aahburton Forks Railway is as follows :—South Rakaia Road district, 129 for the railway, and 41 against; Upper Ashburton, 24 for the railway, and one against; Mount Somers district, 53 for the railway, and 15 against. The total number of voters on the roll is 353. It is necessary that the railway scheme should obtain an absolute majority of the ratepayers before it can be carried into effect, and also a majority of the rateable value. It will be seen from the above that an absolute majority of twentynine has been Becured, but we are unable to give the information as to the rateable value of the property possessed by the majority. The Neglected East Coast. —A reference is made in this morning's telegrams to the indignation felt by the Poverty Bay settlers at the neglect of that district in the Public Works Statement. On the same subject the " Napier Telegraph " has the following : —While in the Statement we read that a large revenue from the sale of land on the East Coast is expected for the construction of railways, the districts which will contribute that revenue are not to participate in the advantages arising from its expenditure. Not a penny piece is proposed to be spent at any of the rising settlements of the East Coast, which require for their development a judicious expenditure of public money on works that obviously oannot be undertaken without it.

Cantebbuby Rifle Association.—At:a council meeting held at Eadcliffe's Hotel, Captain Warner in the chair, it was resolved to bear a portion of the expenses incurred in the removal of the targets, &c, to the new range at the Sandhills. The secretary was authorised by the council to write to Wellington, and see if it was possible to procure two cases of Snider rifles. As the expenses of the association will be Tery heavy this season, it has been decided to give a grand concert of vocal and instrumental music on September 26th, in the Oddfellows' Hall. A capital programme has been arranged, which will no doubt attract a large audience. St. Maby's, Mbbivaxe.—The members of the Diocesan Association assembled in fairly good numbers last night to hear a model lesson from the Eev. X. Flavell. The Rev. B. Gr. Penny presided. The lesson was taken from St. John x, 1-14, and in handling it the rev. gentleman brought out the offices of the good Shepherd in knowing, saving, feeding, guarding, and leading hia sheep. Eaoh point was illustrated from Eastern manners and customs, and the spiritual lesson briefly applied. The Eev. H. C. M. Watson, Messrs Sheppard and Cook, and the chairman took part in the discussion which followed, and after votes of thanks to the lesson giver and the chairman, the meeting closed by singing the hymn, " Sun of my soul." Lbhston School.—A meeting of the committee was held on Tuesday, 3rd September. Present —Messrs 11. KUner (in the chair), Lewis, Scott, and Tremain. The Minutes bf last meeting were confirmed. The following correspondence was read :—From the Board of Education, endorsing the appointment of Ellen Pierce as pupil teacher, and authorising the expenditure of £25 for shingling at side school, building chimney, &c.; stating that the plans for drainage, &c, at maiu school were under consideration. From the school-. master, saying that the last week's average attendance ?,t main school numbered 144, and requesting the purchase of blackboard and twq easels. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Sandry and Rennie, was delegated to lay before the Board of Education the requirements of the Bchool. A vote of thanks was reoorded to the chairman, and the meeting closed.

Ellesmere Domain Board.—The first meeting of tho Board was held in Mr L. V. Dosborough's oiUce, Southbridge, on Monday, 2nd September. Present—Messrs Bishop, Loinon,~and Desboroixgh. The legal appointment of tho Board was read. Ou the motion Mr Bishop, seconded by Mr Lemon, Mr W. ~.<, requested to* act as permanent ohairman, and Mr wa» aoked to act as chairman pro ton. It was resolved that the chairman be asked to obtain a reliable tracing of the section ; to write to the County Council to obtain tho absolute resting of the reserve in the Board; to apply for the Board's share of General Government grant from the County Council j to procure copies of the I)omaina Act t 1860, with Amendment Acts for each member of the Board ; that the Board's account be kept with the Union Bank of Australia, Southbridge; that a special meeting of the Board bo hold upon receipt of advice from tho chairman, for the purpose of drafting rules and regulations for the management of tho reserve, and matters in referene* to leasing tie same, at as early a date as possible; that suitable books be procured for the proper keeping oi the Board's aooounts. A vote of thai ks was passed to Mr Desborough for the time and trouble he had bestowed in arranging preliminary matters. Aftev a vote of hanks the chairman, the meeting eloped,