NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1433, 19 September 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Ltttelton Habboe Boabd. —It will be seen from the Parliamentary report that the second reading of this Bill, which enables the Lyttelton Harbor Board to borrow a further £IOO,OOO, was carried last evening. Fatal Bubning.—Mr T. Edwards, who was severely burnt at the time that his wife met with her death through burning at Opuha, near , Q-eraldine, about three weeks ago, died in Christchurch yesterday of the injuries then received. Operatic Class. —The arrangements for the commencement of the op a ratic ciass, under the auspices of Signora Yenosta and Messrs H. F. Towle and J. Marshall, spoken of some time back, are now complete. Flotow's " Martha" will be the first opera produced, and rehearsals will be commenced immediately. From the amount of musical talent likely to be available the project promises to be a very successful one. The Public Libbaby.—There is at present a great scarcity of magazines in the Public Library. Many of the papers also are of very old dates, particularly some of those from Australia. The files of New Zealand papers, too, lying on the table, arc by no means so complete as used to be the case, while in many instances papers are scattered about in single copies without any file at all. The Municipal Election.—Up to the present —though there are many rumours of intending candidates —no formal declaration of intention on the part of anyone.to stand for the vacant seats in the City Council has been made. Requisitions to many citizens are talked of, and may possibly result in something tangible ere long. But at the present nothing definite has been done. The nominations must be made by noon on Tuesday next, the election taking place on 7th October. Gas Lamps.—Not only have complaints been lately made of the quality of the gas supplied to the public lamps, but attention has been several times drawn to the want of additional lamps in many parts of the town. In no place is further light required more than in the south part of Durham street, where there is no lamp between those at tho corner of St. Asaph street and tho belt. This part of the street has been a good deal built on of late, and another lamp at the place indicated is very much needed. Theater Royal.—There was last evening a very good attendance at this place of amusement on the occasion of the first representation of "Struck Oil," said to be the same version as that played by Mr Williameon, who is reported to have made £IO,OOO out of it in Melbourne and Sydney alone. If this be the case, it can only be concluded that the piece was infinitely better played that it was last evening—or that the drama was one of a very different character; although it may have borne the same name. The plot is very simple. The incidents treated of are supposed to have taken place during the Civil war in America. One Deacon Skinner is draftod for the front, but not being a particularly military spirit, he finds a substitute, and this substitute is John Sfcoffell. But in order to induce the latter to take his place in tho ranks he makes over to him a small estate, and gives him deeds to secure tho same to him for ever. Stoffel goes to the front, and gets into the thick of tho battles, in the course of one of which he is shot in the head, and returns to his home slightly deranged. During his absence a valuable oil mine is "struck" on the property conveyed to him by Skinner, who no sooner becomes aware of the fact than he repudiates tho gift and Stoffell in his mental derangement, is unable to produce tho deeds which convey the propert v. Howevor, by some concatenation of circumstances —which.aro not revealed to the audience—the deeds turn up all right, having, it appears, been buried under a hearth-stone, and all ends happily. The central figure of the piece is Stoffell's daughter Lizzie, who, during her father's absence, appears to have nothing else to do but to dance and sing songs a la Emmet, apparently with the intention of affording to the audience the only amusement whicli could be obtained from the piece—at all events, as performed last evening. This part was sustained by Miss Alice Johns, and sustained very cleverly. Her various songs and dances were the only redeeming features of the comedy. Mr Burton essayed the character of Old Stoffell, but was only a moderate surcess. The afterpiece wa« tho farce qt "My Wife's Will," in which Mies Tilly Andrews and Messrs Stark and Graham appeared to considerable advantage. The same programme will bo repeated this eyeoing,

Dog Poisoning in Lyttelton.—Several residents of Lyttelton hare been complaining bitterly lately of having dogs poisoned. (Several animals valued at large sums have fallen victims, showing that poison has been laid extensively.

Rifle Association Conceet. —The programme for this concert is advertised. It is ono of the best, that lias been submitted for a long time past, and, as all taking part therein aro well known performers, it must prove a great success. The tickets arc meeting with a ready sale. Nobthfen Railway.—lt is intended to discard the groin at the south approach of the South Waimakariri railway bridge, lengthen that bridge another span, and increase the length of the bridge through the Sandhills beyond the first stated length of 400 ft. This will be done in order to give the river in time of flood every opportunity to drain away, without doing damage to the line and to the farms of the settlers near. Ms Dampieb.—A letter received in town yesterday from Mr John Bryan states that Mr Alfred Dampier, after his American and Canadian tour, proceeded to England, and that by latest advices he was playing in Manchester with great success. After fulfilling other English engagements, he will return for another tour in the Australian colonies. Mr Bryan, Mr Dampier's old agent, has returned to Melbourne, where he is resting on his wellearned laurels, but will re-join Mr Dampier on his return.

Rangioba Fiee Bbigage.—A general meeting of members was held after practice on Monday evening, Mr Lilly, superintendent, presiding. A deputation from the Borough Council, including the Mayor "(Mr Blackett), Crs. Robinson and Boyd were received, and the requirements of the brigade explained to them. It was represented that a new uniform was greatly needed, and a proposition was made to inspect the cloth samples of the Kaiapoi Woollen Company. Mr Shields was elected a member of the committee. After some routine business the meeting adjourned. The Nobth Belt.—A great improvement is noticeable on the North town belt within the past few days between Durham street and the Papanui road. Along the centre of the belt, for this distance, a number of trees were planted some years ago, which have grown very rapidly. They have been hitherto fenced in for protection, and a large undergrowth had sprung up, which gave to the plantation a very ragged appearance. The fence has now been removed, as well as all the undergrowth, and there is a fine belt of trees along the part indicated, the centre avenue forming a pleasant promenade. Bad Deainagb.—Amongst those matters which it is absolutely necessary, in the cause of health, that the Drainage Board should bestow their attention upon at an early date, are some open drains running parallel with and close to the South Town Belt. There is one very bad drain at the back of Bath street, and between it and the belt, which should be dealt with before the hot weather sets in. Already the bad odours arising from it are apparent in the houses adjoining, and a petition is in course of signature for presentation to the Drainage Board, praying that body to take some steps to abate the nuisance. Again, in some of the narrow private streets, the gutters may be found choked up with thick slimy matter. In one of the streets loading from Madras street (New Btreet) the gutter, in addition to containing stagnant pools of foul liquid, yesterday contained the putrefying carcase of a dog, which appeared to have been lying there for some days.

Enteetainment. —An entertainment was given at the Harper street school, on Tuesday evening, in aid of the fund for providing music for the choir of Sydenham Wesleyan Church. The room was very prettily decorated, and at least 300 persons were present The proceedings were commenced by a few introductory remarks from the chairman, Mr W. Charters, and a lengthy programme, consisting of songs, solos, choruses, recitations, &0,, was got through a little after ten o'clock. The singing of the choir, under the able leadership of Mr G-eorge Daltry, was excellent, and many of the songs were deservedly encored. This is the first public appearance of the choir, and the audience seemed thoroughly to appreciate their efforts to entertain them. The Rev. Mr Smalley delivered a humourous address in a happy style, and avote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.

College Lectures. —The last of the series of popular lectures on " Electricity and Magnetism," which have been delivered by Professor Bickerton in connection with the Canterbury College was given last evening in the lecture theatre, when there was a good attendance. The Professor briefly recapitulated the substance of the preceding lecture, and then proceeded by various experiments to demonstrate the power of electricity. The most interesting portion of the lecture was that referring to the latest inventions in the sciontific world, viz, the telephone, microphone, and phonograph. The experiments with the two former were very successful, and those with the latter fairly so. Professor Bickerton reminded his hearers that some four years ago he exhibited something resembling the telephone, and predicted that ere long some striking results would be obtained, a prediction which it is needless to remark has been verified. Tbx experiments were watched with very great interest throughout. Professor Bickerton intimated that the lecture closed the series, and that next year he proposed to give a popular course on science. Southbridge.—An entertainment, got up by a local committee, with Mr Herdman as treasurer and Mr Paddy chairman, was given in the Town Hall, Southbridge, on Tuesday evening, September 17th, in aid of the Williams family, who were in very destitute circumstances, the father being unable to gain his livelihood. There was a capital programme and a crowded house, above 300 tickets having been sold. Mr El win occupied the chair, Mrs Foster and Mrs Desborough presiding at the piano. An overture remarkably well played by the local band opened the performance, and was followed by the farce " Sudden Arrival." An address was then delivered by Mr Elwin, after which songs were sung by Mrs Desborough, Miss Edwards, and Messrs Stewart, Ennis Bros., Pattle, Q-ee, and Harman, and readings given by Mr Forster from Christchurch, all of which were well received. Mrs Desborough's song, " 'Tis hard to give the hand where the heart can never be," and Miss Edwards' " Gipsy Maid " well merited the applause given. The third part consisted of the laughable farce " The Sports in a Lark," by Messrs Collins, Harman, and Little, who kept the audience in thorough good humor from beginning to end, after which dancing was kept up till 12 o'clock. The result of the entertainment waß most satisfactory. In addition to the amount realised by sale of tickets, the sum of £4 18s 3d was subscribed in the room. Temperance Hotel Company. The prospectus of the* Temperance Hotel Company (Limited), which it is proposed to form with a capital of £IO,OOO, in 10,000 shares of £1 each, has been issued. The objects of the company will appear by the following extracts from the prospectus : —" The object of the proposed company is to provide, in some convenient and prominent position in Christchursh, a temperance hotel on a large scale, which shall afford to travellers and others the best possible accommodation as regards both board and lodging, at the lowest remunerative prices. The promoters have in view the inestimable boon which will bo comerrod on the country by the establishment of a hotel which by the attractive character of its surroundings, will go far to counteract the many dangers and temptations which beset the bars and taprooms of licensed houses. With this end in view special attention will be paid to the providing of a comfortable reading-room, niry in summer, and well warmed and well lighted in winter, and or amusements of various kinds, including draughts, ohess, billiard and bagatelle tables, &c. Separate rooms, arranged with every attention to comfort, will be provided for ladies." The provisional directorate includes the Mayors of Christchurch and Sydenham, Boau of Christchurch, Hon. W. Fox, and ethers. It is intended so aoon aB 5000 shares are subscribed for to register the company, and to elect permanent directors. The deposit will be Is per share, 2s on allotment, and calk not exceeding 2a per share at intervale q£ not less than three months*

The U.C.C.—The annual meeting of the U.C.C. was hold last evening at Warner's Hotel, when there was a very good attendance. After the balance-sheet had been adopted and officers appointed for the year, the rules of the club were revised, and some other business was then transacted. A report of the proceedings is published this morning. Spouting.—The programme of the Auckland Racing Club's summer meeting has been issued. The date of nomination for the Auckland Cup, Racing Club Handicap, and Steeplechase is October 25th. The programme for the Ashburton Racing Club's annual meeting on November 13th and 14th appears elsewhere. The nominations will have to be sent to the secretary on or before 3 p.m. on October 31st. Hematite Paint Company. The "abridged prospectus " of a company, to be called "The New Zealand Hematite Paint Company Limited," is published in another column. This company is formed for the purpose of manufacturing paint from the hematite iron ore to be found in such inexhaustible supply at Para Para, in the provincial district of Nelson. From information supplied by the promoters in their detailed prospectus, it appears that they are taking up a business already in full operation which, though labouring under the serious disadvantage of having to transport the ore a considerable distance for treatment, has realised a satisfactory profit. It is intended to place the works on the spot where the ore is found, and, as this is obtained by simple quarrying, the cost of production will be reduced to a minimum. Only a limited number of shares are reserved for this district, a large number having been already taken up in Dunedin and Invercargill, where the article is well known. New Hotels.—The improvement noticeable in the hotels of Christchurch and its neighborhood has ere now been remarked upon, and there are two just on the point of completion, which show this most markedly. These are the new house erected by Mr W. R. Smith on the site of the Wa,rwick, and the Al Hotel, erected by Mr Blake. The former has superseded the old and dilapidated building formerly and very unfavorably known as the Warwick, andjis a very handsome building, fitted with every modern convenience, and furnished in a style which leaves nothing to be desired. On the ground floor are large dining and commercial rooms, private and public bars, bar parlors, together with a very large kitchen, pantries, &e. On the upper floor are several large sitting and bed rooms, en suite, together with single bedrooms, bath-rooms, &c. Altogether the arrangements are most complete, and. when finished the Queen's Hotel will be an ornament to the city. Mr Cam is the architect, and Mr P. Hyndman the contractor for the building. The new Al Hotel is also a very handisome structure, and well-fitted inside. On the ground floor are public and private bars, smoking room and bar parlors, the furnishing and appointments of which will be excellent. On the upper iloor are a large dining-room and lofty and airy bedrooms. Every care has been taken to provide good ventilation, and the ornamental work is also of the best description.