NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1488, 22 November 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

EIEE. —About one o’clock this day a fire broke out in some packing cases stowed in the right-of-way between the premises of Messrs Hallenstein Brothers and Duncan and Son. Fortunately a few buckets of water prevented what would otherwise have resulted in a serious catastrophe. A Wonderful Pet. —A baby sea elephant which was brought from the Macquarrie Islands by the schooner Jessie Niccol is now exhibiting in Lyttelton. The animal is a male some two months old, and plays with its proprietors like an unweildy kitten. It is a big baby, some seven or eight feet long, and the queer thing is that it eats hardly anything though it grows fast. A little d-op of milk a day is all that it takes, and it does not seem to care much for that. A Self■ illuminating Clock. —There is now on view at the shop of Mr Charles Lezard, watchmaker and jeweller, a selfilluminating clock—the first sample of a new invention just arrived from Paris. In the dark the time can be seen just as distinctly as in the daylight, in consequence of the dial being illuminated. There is no light of any kind used, but the dial plate—white in the day, turns of a pale blue or phosphorescent color in the dark, leaving the hands plainly distinguishable. No doubt such clocks will come into pretty general use when they are more common. li’INEEANt Minstrels. —An unusual sight has been seen the last day or two in the streets of the city, in the shape of a company of “wandering minstrels,” natives of Italy. They are three in number, and have recently come from Wellington and Auckland, having migrated from San Francisco by the last mail steamer. They perform very fairly on their instruments—two harps and a violin—and, judging f rom the largesse the public bestow on them, their music is appreciated. Union Rowing Club. —The following will be the crews for the Senior acd Double Sculling races to take place on Saturday next, the 23 rd inet, for Mr Lezard's prizes:—Senior Double Sculls ; course, one mile ; Pratt’s to the Willows —S. C. Kesteven, H. R. Mansfield versus T. W. Mansfield, H. Keith ; A. H. N. Campbell, R. Borland versus W. J. Jones, A. A. Searell. Junior Double Sculls ; course, from Cowlishaw’s to Willows—T. D. Kesteven, R. J. Gilchrist versus F. Moule, F. Fuller ; R. B. Morris, F. Bowley versus W. M. Joynt, H. Duncan ; J. T. Smith, W. J. Cudden versus H. A. Morris, H. H. Parsons. New Cricket Club. —A cricket club b e lately been successfully organised in the borough of Sydenham, under the name of the Sydenham Cricket Club, and the presidency of the Hon. J. T. Fisher, Their opening match has been fixed to take place on Saturday next against an eleven of the Eastern Cricket Club on the show grounds of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, lent for the purpose. It is not to be expected that the new club will show to much advantage in this their opening match, bub among their playing members there are several who have before now distinguished themselves both as batsmen and bowlers. The forthcoming Fieeßeigade DemonSTEAtion. —After the practice of the brigade on Wednesday evening, a general meeting of members was held, and several matters in

relation to the torchlight procession arranged and the subject of the visit of firemen from other districts considered. It was resolved to hold a church parade on the morning of Sunday, 15th December. The visitors are expected to arrive on the previous day. The meeting proceeded to elect representatives to take part at the conference on the 17th. The following were elected : —Mr Superintendent Harris, Branchman Ashby, and Foreman Burbery. The town was divided into wards for the purpose of being canvassed for subscriptions to pay for the'cost of entertaining the visitors. It may be mentioned here cn passant that not only is it intended to pay the cost of entertaining them in a public manner, but it is also proposed to maintain them suitably at the hotels during their stay. It is found that it would not be convenient to have a public dinner on the 16th, in consequence of the torchlight procession in the evening and the sports in the day, and it was, therefore, resolved to have a first-class luncheon, which will take place at the Oddfellows’ Hall, at ten o’clock in the morning. At this gathering it is expected that over 300 firemen and members of public bodies will sit down, and the proceedings will be limited to three hours. At one o’clock the company will go to the sports ; and the torchlight procession will take place at nine o’clock. The diplay of fireworks will afterwards be held in Hagley park and from the terrace, which has been lately made more convenient than it was before, an admirable view will be obtained. There will bo a grand stand on the ground, to which admission will bo gained by reserved tickets. On the *hole, the entire demonstration promises to bo the best ever held in Christchurch, Lyttelton Regatta Committee. A meeting of this committee was held on Wednesday evening at the Colonists’ Society Committee Room; the Commodore (Mr H. N. Nalder), in the chair. Correspondence was read from Mr Conyers, Railway Superintendent, granting permission to the regatta committee to use the vacant reclaimed land on New Year’s Day, and also promising to carry boats intended to compete at the regatta free of charge. It was resolved to write, thanking him for his kindness, and asking for rough tracing of the land available, A letter was read from Mr Hutchinson, asking the committee if they would give a prize for a model yacht race. There were many model yachts in Lyttelton, and he thought such a race would excite much interest. Messrs H. R. Webb and R. Ivingsford were appointed a sub committee to arrange for the race, and a sum of £o was placed at their disposal for prizes. It was resolved to write to the chairman of the Licensing Bench re licensing booths on the reclaimed land on regatta day, and to the chairman of the Harbor Board for permission to erect booths on Gladstone Pier. The commodore, vice-commodore, lion, treasurer, and Captain M'Lellan were appointed a sub-committee to let sites on the reclaimed land, with power to call for tenders or let by auction. Messrs S. W. Wllito and Neville were appointed members of committee. The sub-committee appointed to revise rules brought up their report, which was approved, and the rules and courses, with chart, Ac., were ordered to he printed, (’apt ains Gibson, Bibot, and Millman, and Messrs Harman, Thomson, and Webb were appointed judgesj Messrs W. H. Lauce and G. Taylor' time keepers; and Messrs J. 0. Boddington and W. Packard starters. After the transaction of some other routine business, the meeting adjourned.

Board of Education. —The usual tortnightly meeting of tire Board of Education was held at the Normal School yesterday afternoon. The business transacted was of the ordinary character, a considerable amount of it having been done in committee. ( Incidental Expenses,—At yesterday s meeting of the Board of Education, it was resolved to inform the various school committees in the district that they must send in an estimate of their incidental expenses for the ensuing twelve months without delay. Burton’s Circus— This company performed at Rangiora on Tuesday, and a Kaiapoi on Wednesday, the attendance at each place being good. The programmes included most of their now well-known feats o horsemanship, &c., which were performe with the usual success. Theatre Royal.— The Scottish drama “Rob Roy ” was performed last night, all the principal characters being well represente . To-night “ The Oreen Bushes ” will be played, preceded by selections from “ The School Scandal.” The performance is for the benefit of Mr Oily Deering, who will sustain the Characters of Sir Peter Teazle m Sheridan s comedy and Jack Gong in the time-honored drama. To-morrow evening _ Flying Scud will be repeated for the last time. Presentation. —On Wednesday evening Mr Edwin Silk, who for some years past has been station master at Ashburton, was presented with a purse of ninety sovereigns as a mark of the esteem in which he is held by the townspeople and residents in the district generally. The presentation, which took place in the Somerset Hotel, in the presence of about thirty gentlemen, was made by the Mayor, Mr Bullock. In presenting Mr Silk with the gift, the Mayor said he had been deputed by those present, on behalf of the subscribers, to hand Mr Silk the purse of sovereigns as a slight token of the regard in which he had at all times been held by the public in his late capacity as station master. The public had always received from Mr Silk the greatest courtesy. Ho trusted the same might bo said of his successor. Mr Silk replied in a |suitable manner. Mr and Mrs Silk’s health was then drunk in champagne, and the proceedings terminated. On Wednesday a presentation of a silver tea and coffee service was made to Mr G. A. Westenra, agent of the Bank of New Zealand in Akaroa, who is about to leave that district. Mr H. G. Watkins made the presentation on behalf of tbe subscribers, in a speech of the character usual upon such occasions. Mr Westenra made a suitable response. Conversazione, —The conversazione held last evening in the Provincial Council Chambers under the auspices of the Young Men’s Christian Association, was a great success. The Chamber was very tastefully arranged for the occasion, the walls being adorned with a choice selection of pictures, which had been lent for the occasion by friends and members of the association. The south end of the hall was devoted to the accommodation of the band and choir, the former under the conduct of Mr Spenslej, and the latter directed by Mr J. S. Jameson. A variety of choice pot plants were lent by Messrs Duncan and Son and Mr Greenaway, and gave a pleasing aspect to the scene. Tbo members’ tables were ranged down the centre of tbe room, anH covered wit h rare illustrated books, choice photographs, albums, valuable prints, stereoscopes, and articles of vertu. Conspicuous amongst the beautiful articles for inspection was the grand challenge cup of the South Canterbury Athletic Club, lent for the occasion by Messrs B. Petersen and Co. The entrance to the Chamber was adorned with statuettes, furnished through the kindness of friends of the association, the principal ones being contributed by Mr J. H. Twentyman .nifid Mr Hey wood. The Waste Lands Board oroom was converted into an impromptu theai re, £or the exhibition of some very beautiful dissolving views, both local and general, shown by Mr Seager. The old Superintendent’s room up-staira, now occupied by the Survey Department, was a centra of attraction, being devoted to the exhibition and explanation of the wonders of modern science, such as the telephone, microphone, spectroscope, and electrical apparatus ; the corridors below and the staircases were gaily lit by a number of .suspended Chinese lanterns, which lent an .Oriental character to the scene. Refreshments w*jro provided in the appropriate and time-honored precinct of Bellamy’s, which between the hours of halt-past six and halfipast seven o’clock was thronged with an eager and different crowd of visitors than were wont in bygone days to seek ito hospitable privacy. Amongst the exhibits was a champion bicycle, a gem in its way, which combined with the minimum of weight and cost the maximum of possible speed and comfort. The proceedings commenced with an opening address by the President, Mr J, H. Twentyman, followed by a lecture on Edison’s Tasimeter, by Mr N. K. CherrilL The rest of the recreative programme consisted of admirable selections by the band, and glees by an excellent choir of part singers, which numbered some of the best local singers. There was a very large attendance, at least five hundred visitors being present, and the strangers’ and old reporters’ gallery being crowded, as well as the body of the chamber. The whole of the arrangements were under the management of a committee, at the head of which the president and Mr Wheeler, the treasurer, worked indefatigably, and they sueneeded to a miracle in making the whole reunion a grand success. The thanks of the association are .due to the Canterbury members, especially Mr Montgomery, through whoso efforts Government granted the use of the building, and also to Mr Marehman, who an the kindest manner, lent every aid in his power to carry out the necessary arrangements, which entailed considerable inconvenience to his and other departments. During the evening the band performed some choice morceaux, and their efforts were seconded by the vocal choir and Miss Inglia, and Messrs J. S. Jameson and Corrick as accompanyists and conductors. _ A large amount will doubtless swell the building fund, to augment which the conversazione was organised. _____

Otago A, and P. Association.— The railway department has that return tickets at single fares will be issued to the public on the occasion of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Show and Dunedin Races, and available from November 25th to December 2nd inclusive. Kelly and Leon Minstrels. — This celebrated minstrel troupe will make their lirat appearance next Tuesday evening at the Theatre Royal. In consequence of the costly nature of the engagement, the prices of admission, as will be seen by advertisement, have been slightly raised. Cricket.— On Saturday next matches will be played between the Eastern C.C. v Sydenham C.O. and E.C.C. v Melville House C.C. The following is the team against Sydenham : Blakeley, Digby, Hamilton, Hook, Hunt, Hales, Joynt, Paul (captain), Turner, Kinvig, ■Gray; emergency, Keith. A coach will leave Holiday’s corner, Cashel street, at 1.15, to convoy members to the ground. The team against Melville House is as follows : Monas, Perkins (captain) Blakeley, Rogers, R. Mount fort, C. J. Mountfort, Nixon, Shackleton, H. Hall, Lawson, Hiott; emergency, J. John-ton. This match will bo played in Hagley ( Park ground, near the bathing place, at 2 o clock sharp. Any member that cannot play is requested to communicate with the captain oi the respective teams. The Melville House team Bourn (captain), Bailey, Bassett, Craig, Laurence, Laurie, Mountfort. A., Wright, Wood, G , Wood, 0„ Wool, W. : emergency, Cuff. M.C.C.C. v Second Eleven of the College, The (b lowing have been selected to play in this match —Messrs A. Appleby, H. Brithui, 11. Curnow, F Fagan, Si, W. Ferediy. I . A. Hawkcs, W. H. Harvey, H. McCardoll _B. C. Mounier, H. Mcares, F. Robinson, and Withers. The game will commence at 2 o’clock.- Intending players are requested to bo punctual, as any vacancy will bo fi led up on the ground before the commencement of the match. Yestenlay morning a boy dim <1 up into one. of the maples on Fifth street as far as he could go, and then tried to go on a little farther. The limb yielded, snapped, and down he came, crashing through the bough like a tornado, and dropping on the ground with a thump like a bass drum, A passing citizen saw him fall, and with a cry of horror ran to pick him up. To him the boy, slowly assuming an erect posture and walking off with an a-sumed dignity, said, “ You needn’t holler, you old fool, you didn’t make me do it, and you couldn t neither.—“ Burlington Hawk-Eye.”

The Small Point railway line, between Durban ar.cl the By of Natal has, according to the “Cape Standard and Mail,” paid the Government for the first six months of this year 18 025 per cent, on the purchase price (£49,000). The gross earnings were £20,502, and the expenditure £13,352. There are occasions to which none of ns arc equal. When she blandly tells us that she sent our beat coat down to the office by the man, who called and said we wanted to join a party at Brighton Beach and hadn’t time to come home and dress, all the curse woids in a lawyer’s lexicon will not do justice to one’s feelings.—“ N. Y. News.” A good index of the literary social, and commercial character of the Japanese is furnished by the native Postmaster-General’s report for 1877 Letters (ordinary mailed), 23,053,430; letters (registered), 606 354; post cards, 6,764,272; newspapers, 7,372,536; books, patterns, &c,, 322,642 ; free communications, 856,637 ; letters despatched to foreign countries, 140,031. A philosopher at Sacramento the other day intercepted a note making an appointment with his wife that afternoon. Did ho set to work making cartridges, polishing up his breech-loader, and raising a demnitiou row generally? Not in the least. He simply put his false wife’s alse teeth in his coat-, tail pocket, kissed the children, lift his cigar and tranquilly sauntered down town. He was an old, old man, and when he came in this morning with a twenty-four foot bamboo fish-pole, and carelessly remarked that that was the kiud of corn stalks his garden produced in a good season, we never said a word, but walked into the other room and registered a solemn vow never, never to print any more agricultural items if it led men into such moun aiuous exaggeration as this —“Bridgeport Standard.” The man who desires to compile a complete catalogue of his friends can make the work authentic by trying to borrow five dollars in time of adversiiy. He will have a tired pair of logs, though, and a much smaller volume than he anticipated when the task is completed.—“ Cincinnati Breakfast Table.” A friend whose guest Bishop Selwyn (late Bishop of Lichfield, and for twenty-seven j ears Bishop of New Zealand) often was in that colony, writes of him :—“ Whenever he staid in a settler’s house his great desire seemed to be to give no trouble. He would in-ist on carrying his own travelling bags, would always tidy his room and make his own bed, and surreptitiously wash his own clothes. This was done with the knowledge that in New Zealand servants are scarce, and that the ladies of the household do many things for themselves and their families which ladies are not accustomed to do in England. He also refused to take wine when he was a settler’s guest, noton grounds of total abstinence, but because he knew that in out-statious wine was expensive. His own hospitality was profuse but simple ; indeed, he kept open house. Everyone who came to Auckland was welcomed, and knew that formal invitation was not needed. ‘ I give good advice, but bad dinners,’ ho used to say ; the * badness’ being only a synonym for wholesome roast and boiled.” A Very Sad Case of Tyranny.— On the 14th ultimo a tottering old man, who proclaimed himself a centenarian, was securing repeated treats by declaring that he had been a prisoner in the accursed Bastile, whose demolitiou they were celebrating The sympathising crowd figured it out : “ 1789 from IB7S be was only 11 years old, O, the horrors of the ancion regime. Jlola, f/arc on ; pose les en hant encore. (Hi, boy ; set ’em up again.”) Tncy asked him, as he was wiping his mouth, how long he had rotted in that loathsome dungeon, “ Thirty years,” he said, in a sepulchral voice. “Horrible!” exclaimed the crowd. “At the age of 11 the un'ortunate child had already been thirty years secluded from light and air. A has les tyrans !”