NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1538, 22 January 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Valuation of Sydenham. —Tho increase in tlie value of property in the borough of Sydenham will be seen by a comparison of the valuation lists for this and the preceding year. In 1878 the valuation of the rateable property in the borough was £38,819, while for this year tho return shows a total of £43,765, or an increase for the last twelve months of £4946. The same valuer has assessed the property each year, so that no allowance willhave to be made for difference of opinion. Of course this amount may be modified by the Ecvision Court. Kaiapoi Cricket Club. —At a meeting of this club held at Mr R. M. Wright’s office on Monday evening, Mr Wright in the chair, it was decided in reply to the Amberley club’s challenge to ask if it would be convenient to play a match on February Bth, The captain of the club offered a ball to be won by the best bowler for the club during the season. Rhodes’ Bay Bridge. —The approach to the bridge at Rhodes’ Bay is reported to be in an almost impassable state, the result of the late freshets. The attention of the Port Levy Road Board is directed thereto.

Official Inquiry. —The Collector of Customs held an inquiry yesterday at the Custom House, Lyttelton, into the loss at sea of Mr Foster, off the| brigantine Mary Bannatyno. Nothing transpired in the evidence given, beyond the facts already published. Machinery feom England. —By the barque Times, which came in yesterday from London, have arrived a number of tho celebrated combine threshing machines, also another locomotive for the railway department.

Carriers’ Picnic.— The carriers’ picnic took place yesterday at Sumner. A large number of vans and other vehicles, gaily decorated with evergreens, conveyed the excursionists to tho rendezvous, being accompanied by Toomcr’s band. A good programme of sports and other amusements was drawn up, and tho weather being delightfully fine, a most enjoyable day was spent, Tho number of carriers with their wives and families, who took tho opportunity of a day’s thorough enjoyment, was very largo, and all returned to Christchurch at about 9 p.m., thoroughly pleased with their opting. Supreme Cquet.—Tho whole of the evidence in the case of Henderson v the Napier Harbor Board was concluded yesterday evening, the examination of Mr Webber, the engineer of the Board, lasting nearly the whole of the day.

MpLLE. Chaebonnkt. This talented young artiste, whose performances at the grand pianoforte recitals given by her in the North Island, have been so favorably criticised, will make her first appearance tomorrow evening at tho Oddfellows’ Hall in conjunction with Miss Florence Neville, Herr Lund, and Signor Pietro Luisetti, Mdlle. Charbonnet is spoken of as an executant of classical music of unusual ability, and Miss Neville is said to possess a very sweet soprano voice, which she uses with much taste in rendering choice ballads. Signor Luisetti, it will be remembered, created a favorable impression as a buffo singer at the late hospital concert.

C.Y. Cavalry, Ashburton.— After considerable correspondence with tho Govern, merit, extending over a period of about eighteen months, the defence storekeeper has been instructed to forward targets for the use of the Ashburton contingent of the corps. When the targets were applied for, a reserve on which tho butts were intended to be placed was asked for and the plan of the site forwarded to tho Government. Tho targets, as before stated, are now to hand, but as yet no ground to have been reserved for a range. For the present, therefore, the targets are use! sc, as there is po where to place them. This is a great pity, us the contingent, for want of practice, wifi net he able to send members to be selected for the forthcoming prize firing at Nelson. Drapers’ and Clothiers’ Picnic.— The drapers’ and clothiers’ picnic will take place on Tuesday, the 28th instant, when all the establishments in Christchurch will be doted,

Cukistchubch Horticultural Society. —A meeting of the committee of the Christchurch Horticultural Society was held last evening at the Commercial Hotel, Mr E. 0. J. Stevens in the chair, the other members present being Messrs Q-. A. Reade, I). Craw, D. Nairn, J. Guntrip, and Mr Q-roen-away, hen. see. On the motion of Mr Reado, seconded by Mr Nairn, it was resolved — “ That an art union should be carried out in connection wi'h the Autumn show of March 4th. I!, was moved by Mr Nairn, and agreed to—“ That £lO be_ spent in addition to a number of other prizes that are to be given.” It was resolved that the delivery of the prizes in connection with the art union should be begun during the show. The following subcommittee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements to carry out the affair to a successful issue Messrs Nairn, Gmntrip, Reade, Eereday, and the secretary. In the course of the meeting a new variety of the double geranium, known as the “ Louise Hellsale,” was laid upon the table and stated to bo the finest specimen of this flower ever seen by any of those present.

Amberley Town Hall Company.—A general meeting of the shareholders in this company was held at the hall on Monday night, Mr F, Courage in the chair. All the directors were present, but very few of the shareholders put in an appearance. The chairman called upon the hon. secretary to read the report, which was accordingly read and confirmed. A balance-sheet was then submitted, but, upon being questioned, the secretary said it had not been regularly attested by any auditors appointed by the directors, although he had asked two gentlemen to inspect the same prior to the meeting, and they had thought it correct. Ho said he had represented to several of the directors that no auditors were appointed; but no steps had been taken to procure the appointment. Mr Douglas said he thought it was the secretary’s duty to see that the auditors were appointed before convening that meeting. The hon. secretary said he had done a deal of work gratuitously for the company in the way of keeping their books, selling their shares, Ac. He thought he had executed a fair share of his duties as a shareholder in the concern, but he certainly could not take the responsibility of the directors’ work upon his shoulders or even be their legal adviser. They all knew quite a week ago that the general meeting was appointed to take place, and they had every opportunity of meeting and appointing auditors. Ho thought Mr Douglas was not justified in making such remarks. The chairman and several of the directors said they could not accuse the secretary of being lax in his duties. It was themselves who were in the wrong in not performing their part of the work. They entirely exonerated their hon. see. from blame in the matter. Mr Qreig then proposed, and Mr Williams seconded, the following resolution—- “ That this meeting do adjourn until next Saturday night, at seven o’clock, to enable the directors to appoint legal auditors, and produce a properly attested balance-sheet.” Mr Q-eorge Orampton, one of the directors, wished to move as an amendment—“ That it is not necessary to adjourn.” He said he considered the accounts were before the meeting, and were quite satisfactory. The amendment not being seconded, the resolution was put to the meeting and carried. Mr Douglas said he regretted very much that he had spoken in the heat of the moment. He did not wish to cast any reflections upon the hon. secretary and he now clearly saw that it was the directors who were blameable, and not the secretary. He would ask to withdraw his former remerks. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr R. Foster for his valuable services in making the winter entertainments such a success, and another to the chairman, and then the meeting adjourned till the time appointed in the resolution. The directors then held a meeting and appointed two auditors as required by the Act.

Theater Royal. —The impression created by the first appearance of Mr Q-eorge Rignold in the character of King Henry V. was confirmed by his masterly performance last night. The attendance was as good as on the previous evening, and the audience at once became absorbed in the spirit of the play, and watched its development with breathless interest. Whore the whole performance of the leading character is at once as picturesque as scholarly, as manly and spirit-stirring as it is refined, it is difficult to individualise scenes, but one or two points which Mr Rignold made were sufficient to stamp him as a Shaksperian artist of rare merit, and more than justify the eulogiums which have been passed on him in England, America, and Australia. The delivery of the king’s famous invocation to his troops before Harfleur was a model of fiery and impassioned elocution, and again the answer to the French Herald, “ and those few I have almost no better than so many French,” was full of withering scorn, and in fine contrast to the solemn earnestness with which the succeeding lino “ We are in Q-od’s hand, brother, not in their’s,” was spoken. The gorgeous scenery was again rapturously applauded, particularly the grand tableau of the Battle of Agincourt, the windmill scene, and the Breach at Harfleur. The entire performance is, historically considered, ns instructive as it is delightful, and should be witnessed by all who would see one of Shakspere’s finest plays perfectly mounted and acted. Me. Tablet's Farewell Meetings.— These were commenced yesterday in the Oddfellows’ Hall by an early morning prayer meeting, when nearly 200 persons were present. The meeting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. was also well attended, when addresses were delivered by the Revs. E. Walker and Chas. Dallaston, others also taking part in the meeting. A Bible reading took place in the afternoon, and several questions that had been sent in writing to Mr Yarley were answered by him seriatim. He gave his opinions on the subjects brought before him by copious extracts from the Bible, which he constantly refers to during the whole of his addresses. In the evening a most enthusiastic meeting was held, the hall being closely packed in every part. Mr Yarley took for his text St. John xv., v. 4, and spoke with great earnestness and solemnity. The choir, which was formed principally of former members of the Evangelistic and Young Men’s Christian Association Choirs, under the leadership of Mr J. W. Twcntyman, who played a fine toned and powerful American organ, lent by Mr Spensley, conducted the services of song throughout these services. They were assisted by Mrs Walker during the unavoidable absence of Mr Twentyman from some of the meetings. At the conclusion of the address Mr Yarley asked the audience to join him in thanking the choir and Mr Twentyman, and also MrPurdio and the rest of the stewards, as well as all those who had so heartily assisted him at all the meetings. It was a long time before Mr Yarley could get away from the hall, so many E arsons being anxious to shako hands with im before parting. He will leave this morning for Oamaru, where he is to deliver an address in the evening, and he afterwards goes on to Dunedin, where he will probably stay for a week or two before proceeding to Melbourne on his way to England, Mrs Yarley remains here for a day or two longer, and will be present at the next meeting of the Young Women’s Christian Association, be held at the Congregational schoolroom tomorrow evening. A meeting is to be held in the Congregational Church this evening.

AaiIDUETON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.— A special meeting of the committee of this association was held on Monday night last at the Somerset Hotel. Present— Messrs Joseph Clark (in the chair), Guudry, Carter, Hunt, Ot, and Edmiston. The object of the meeting was to arrange about the reaper and binder trial, which takes place this morning at Mr Carter’s farm at Tinwald. The secretary stated that there were the following entries \iz., Osborne, entered by Misers Fried lander and R. Wilkin and Co. ; Wood, by Messrs Friodlander; McCormick, by Messrs Morrow, Bassett and Co. ; Marsh Xing, by Mr Joseph Clark and Bullock and Co. (four in all). The rules used ot the last Christchurch competition were then considered, and with a few' slight alterations adopted. After a few Him! arrangements had been made, the meeting separated. The competition takes place in a paddock of wiie.A- a very heavy crop—twenty acres of which have been specially reserved for the trial. The machines commence work at 10 a.m,, and are to cut four acres each,

Liability or Railway Servants.— At the Rangiora Magistrate’s Court, on Tuesday, a case of considerable importance was heard, in which the Bench held that, although in all ordinary cases claims against the railway department must bo made against the Minister for Public Works, in terms of the Public Works Act, yet whore an employe exceeded his powers in causing unnecessary delay in the delivery of packages, he was liable for damages. A verdict was consequently obtained by the plaintiff. The gist of the defence for the non-delivery of certain goods on the part of a stalionmaster at the CustJ to a local storekeeper, was that the latter was alleged to be in a “ towering passion.” The Court did not think so, and gave a judgment which every one present, except the defendant, appeared to consider a just one.