NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1540, 24 January 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Mb. Cokyees. —Our readers will be pleased to learn that Mr Conyers’ state is less critical than it was yesterday. The doctors in attendance state that a decided turn for the better has sot in.

Resident Magistrate's Couet. The police business lately has been unusually light. Last Monday, as far as police offences were concerned, there was a clear sheet, there being not even a case of drunkennesss from the previous Saturday night—a most unusual circumstance, This morning there were no criminal cases, and only two summonses for cattle trespass, which were disposed of in the usual manner.

Thk Ship Htdkabid.—A telegram from Foiton, states that there is now every probability that the ship Hydrabad, which for the last two months has lain on the beach near Otaki, will be successfully launched.

Theatbe Royal.— Tho house was again well attended last night, the audience being the largest since the commencement of the season. Mr George Rignold is growing in popularity, and from the enthusiastic applause of the audience, it would seem that they would never tire of the gorgeous representation of Shakspero’s magnificent play. Time Table. —The Union Steam Shipping Company have issued a very compact and handy timetable for February, which, in addition to giving the dates of arrival and departure of the fleet belonging to the company, contains a train guide for tne Southern lines of railway, which will be found invaluable to travellers.

Masonic.—' The banquet in connection with the installation ot the officers of tho St. Augustine Lodge, No. 609, E. 0., took place last evening in tho hall, Manchester street, and was well attended, both by tho members of the lodge and visiting brethren. The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honored, and a very pleasant evening was* spent by those present on the occasion.

School Picnic. —About two hundred children, representing St. John’s Presbyterian Church Sabbath school, held their annual picnic at Rhodes’ Bay yesterday, accompanied by their teachers and a number of their parents and friends. The steamer Akaroa was engaged for the occasion, and conveyed the party across at ten o’clock, returning last evening. The weather was as lino as could be desired, and the picnic a success in all respects,

Theatrical.— Messrs Hiscocke, Hayman, and Co. yesterday purchased the lease of the Theatre Royal here from Mr W. Hoskins, and take possession of the theatre ns lessees on February Bth. The same firm hare also leased the Q,ueen’s Theatre in Dunedin for a long term, and intend presenting a constant succession of novelties to the play-going public of both cities. Mr Alf. Hayman leaves to-day for Melbourne via Dunedin, to complete arrangements for the opening of the new season. It is the intention of the lessees to close the theatre for a couple of weeks previous to opening, for the purpose of renovating and decorating it. Total Abstinence Societt.-— The annual meeting of this society was held last night in the Templar Hall, Worcester street. There was only a scant attendance of members, and the meeting was delayed for some time. The chair was taken about half-past eight o’clock by Mr J. T. Smith, the president of the soeiety. The president reviewed the works of the past year, alluding especially to the purchase of the hall in which they were then assembled. Good work had also been dene in spreading temperance principles, a number of open meetings having been held, and many persons had signed the pledge. A very successful soiree had also been held. The reports of the secretary and treasurer wore adopted. A sub-committee which had been appointed for the purpose of promoting a temperance alliance reported that the work they had been appointed for had been elsewhere done. The committee wore accordingly discharged. The election of officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with. President, Mr J. T. Smith, reelected ; vice-presidents, Messrs H. Bennetts, J. Caygill, R. Olephane, and Alf. Saunders, M.H.R.: treasurer, Mr 0. M. Gray; secretary, Mr Samuel Jones; collector, Mr John Buxton; committee, Messrs J. Webber, T. Forrest, J. Herriott, C. Stevens, F, E. Buckland, G. M. Bennetts, J. Coombs, J. Allison, J. King, 8. A. Patrick, and Mesdames Lodge and Sherlock, Mr 0. M. Gray read correspondence from Mr J. W. Jago, of Dunedin, relative to the formation of an alliance for the whole of New Zealand. The matter was referred to a committee. The rule for constituting a life membership of the society, which provides that any donor of £4 to the funds become a life member, was formally passed. Yotes of thanks to the retiring officers closed the proceedings. The Object of Education. —In an article on education, the Melbourne “ Imperial Review” says:—“The primal object of education is to teach everyone to procure sufficient food and clothes. It is almost super{Tons to remark that this is the great point in which education fails, because most people are behindhand in their food and clothes. The art of securing these things includes many ingredients, which it is the duty of the educators to bo able to teach. First, there must bo a rational business, which takes, as it wore, a proper slice out of the roast beef and cabbage of the world. Then the young aspirant for honest tucker wants to have his, or her, mind instructed by precept, example, and habit, to run in that moderate groove wherein alone happiness and usefulness are possible. Human creature* are most plastic. They are born to bo moulded right—not wrong.” Railway Picnic.—A general meeting of the Railway employes was hold last night, in the accountant’s office, Christchurch Railway station. There was a very fair attendance, and Mr Stevens, railway storekeeper, was voted to the chair. Mr Stevens stated that on a short notice he had been asked to take the chair. He would inform the meeting that, owing to the unfortunate accident to Mr Conyers, that gentleman was unable to be present that night, and he felt certain that all those present would reciprocate the feelings of regret which he now expressed for the sad accident which had happened to that gentleman. The meeting was held for the purpose of receiving report of Messrs Knight and Crosbie re site for holding picnic, and also to fix the day upon which it is to be held. The secretary, Mr Crosbie, then made his report re site at Rangiora, also re site at Southbrook, asking the general meeting to endorse the action of the committee, so that the picnic be held in Mr Sanaom’s paddock, at Southbrook, which was over twenty acres in area. Milk for the children, refreshments, &c., had all been left to the hands of subcommittees to arrange for, and he hoped the action taken by them would be endorsed tonight. Mr Pope asked whether the prizes would be in money or gifts. Mr Crosbie said that it was not proposed to give any money prizes, but that there should be a gift or a trophy to the value of the amount named in the prize list. Mr Murphy proposed, Mr Pope seconded —“ That the secretary’s report be received and adopted re sites and arrangements of sports. Carried. Mr Ockford proposed, Mr Norman seconded—“ That the picnic be held on Thursday, 6th February.” Carried. The Railway Baud, who were practising in a room underneath the accountant’s office, were asked to desist for a short time,, which they kindly did, and joined the picnic meeting. A vote of thanks to the band and to the chairman terminated the proceedings.