NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1503, 10 December 1878, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Harmonic Society.— lt will be seen by advertisement that this society will give Handel’s oratorio of the “ Messiah,” in the Provincial Council Chambers, on Monday evening, the 23rd of this month. If constant drilling has anything to do with it, the performance will be a success. The committee earnestly invite competent persons to take part in the proceedings. The Bazaae. —The bazaar in aid of the funds of the Christchurch Convent promises to be, as was predicted, a great success, for during yesterday afternoon and last evening no less a sum than £l5O was taken at the doors and within the bouse. The solicitations of the bevy of fair young ladies who were in charge of the various stalls were perfectly irresistible, and the coin flew from the gentlemen’s pockets as if by magic. During the evening the Hibernian band discoursed “ most eloquent music,” while a number of volunteers —ladies and gentlemen—gave both vocal and instrumental selections with taste and skill. The altar-cloth, to which reference was made in our yesterday’s issue, attracted especial attention, while the stall, the contributions to which it formed aportion, was accorded a special amount of patronage. The bazaar was resumed at eleven o’clock this morning, and at the time we go to press the solicitoresses are again busy at their work, and will not be denied. The fund of the good Sisters of Mercy is being rapidly swelled. For this evening some particularly enticing attractions are promised. The bazaar will be brought to a close to-morrow evening. The Peimatb. —Bishop Harper arrived at the Bluff per s.s. Arawata last night. The vessel was to sail for Dunedin at daylight this morning.

Waimatb Fiek Relief Fund. The Borough of Sydenham has contributed the sum of £22 7s to the relief fund for the benefit of the sufferers by the late disastrous bush fires at Waimate. The money has been paid into the general fund in the Bank of New Zealand. Me. and Mbs. Geoege Daerell.-Mt and Mrs George Darrell are now playing at New Ply mouth,in conjunction with the Clinton company. They afterwards proceed to Wellington, where they open at Christmas time, with Mr George Rignold, in Henry Y, Opeea Class. —A full rehearsal by Mr Towle’s opera class of the opera of “Martha” took place last evening at the Gaiety Theatre, and went very smoothly throughout. Judging from the way in which the various solos and choruses were taken last evening the public performance is likely to be a success. City Council.— The City Council held a special meeting at four o’clock yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of confirming the watering rate struck on the 4th of November last. The adjourned ordinary meeting of the Council was afterwards held, at which a considerable amount of business was transacted. Fiees at Sydenham.— The Sydenham Borough Council last night voted £lO 10s to the Christchurch Fire Brigade in recognition of their services at the late fire in Sydenham. A discussion took place as to the necessity of either subsidising the Christchurch Brigade or else organising a local one for the extinction of fires in the borough, but the matter did not assume any definite shape.

Attempt to Wreck a Train near Flaxton. —On Thursday morning some large stones were found placed on the metals of the Oxford railway at Jackson's Crossing, Flaxton, but were removed before the train arrived. It is surmised that the act was not that of one of the school children (the school is near the Crossing), but that the stones had been laid by some other persons. The police have the matter in hand.

Accident to a Jockey. —A jockey named M'Conkey, in the employ of Mr Redwood, met with a serious accident last Saturday morning. He was leading a mare, when something startling the animal, she kicked out sideways and injured the lad severely in the ribs. Ho was taken to Chokcbore Lodge, and the services of Dr. Townend called into requisition. The injuries are of a very severe nature, and the lad is in a critical state. Banquet. —The people of Akaroa have invited the Hons. John Hall, W. Robinson, E. Gray, and Mr W. Mont gomery, M.H.R., to a banquet at Akaroa on the Bth January, in recognition of their services in connection with the Akaroa railway. Water Supply.— The water supply committee held a meeting yesterday, at which Mr Superintendent Harris gave an explanation regarding a system of pumping in use in America. Pending further information on the subject, the committee decided to postpone their report to the Council on the subject for a fortnight. Girls’ High School.— At a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College, held yesterday, the Chairman intimated that the distribul ion of prizes in connection with the Girls’ High School would take place ou Friday evening next and nvifed the members of the Board to bo present. Invitations have been sent to the parents of the pupils attending (he school and to several others.

Additional Lamps in Sydenham. —The lighting committee of the Sydenham Borough Council have recommended the erection of eighteen additional lamp-posts in the following localities Colombo road, 4 ; Windmill road, 3 ; Gasworks road, 4 ; Opawa road, 2 ; Selwyn street, 1 ; and Lincoln road, 4. A suggestion was made that the outlying places might be temporarily lit with kerosene until the gas was laid on.

The Mayob of Sydenham’s Sunday. —At the meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council last, night a letter was received from Councillor Lingdown, asking for leave of absence for two months, as business called him to Sydney, and staling also that his absence ofc the Mayor’s special service on the 22nd December being unavoidable, he on« closed a cheque for £5 as his donation.

Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. —The Ellesmere contingent of the C.Y.C. met at Doyleston for half-yearly inspection on Friday, December 6th, when the members who were nnable to attend at headquarters on Thursday last mustered under Sub-Lieutenant Brittan, Drill Instructor Lewis being present. The half-yearly inspection of the Ashburton contingent of the above corps will take place on Wednesday next, at 7 p.m., and that of the Rangiora contingent on Thursday, at the same hour.

Anniversary Day Excursions. —Next Monday the U S S. Co.’s steamer Wanaka will make an excursion trip to Akaroa on the occasion of the annual regatta at that place. Arrangements have been made with the railway authorities to have a train in waiting at the depot for the conveyance of the excursionists homo on the return of the steamer. On the same day Messrs Cameron Brothers intend sending the p.s. Titan on an excursion to Little Akaloa.

Boys’ High School. —The vexed question of the site for the Boys’ High School was debated at some length yesterday, at a special meeting of the Board of Governors of the College. The proceedings were taken in committee. After a long discussion, it was resolved to instruct the College committee to make enquiries as to the possibility of obtaining a suitable site for the Boys’ High School separate from the block of land now occupied by the College, whether in conjunction with the site of Mr Craig’s residence or elsewhere.

Grass Seed on the Peninsula.—Owing to the long-continued drought, the crop of cocksfoot grass seed on the Peninsula will not average one-third of the usual yield this season. On many of the exposed hillsides it is completely burned up by the north-west winds, and in sheltered places it will be light and of inferior quality. Owing to the absence of rain the other pastures are getting so bare that the cattle have in many instances been turned into the paddocks originally intended for grass seed. The failure of this crop will be a heavy loss to many of the settlers, as grass seed has for some years past been looked upon as one of the chief products of the district.

Sbeiotts Fibh. —The fire at Mandeville Plains, referred to in these columns last week, which extended over about four miles of ground, caused serious damage to Mr B. Dailey (who had a mile of fencing and five acres of wheat burnt) and other farmers by destroying their fences. Houses which wore endangered were only saved by the active exertions of the farmers. The police are prosecuting inquiries, and probably an inquest will bo held with a view to check the practice of heedlessly lighting fires during the dry season in neighborhoods where damage to settlers is likely to follow.