NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1570, 1 March 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

■ -♦ Okbistchxtbch Gas Company.—The annual meeting of the Christchurch Gas Company was held to-day, Mr E. G Wright, chairman of directory presiding. The annual report stated that the directors had ordered the necessary mains for extension to Opawn, Sydenham, Ferry road, St. Albans, Papanui, and Sunny side. But since the order was given, the electric light had taken a new departure, and pending more definite information the directors hesitate to carry out these extensions. The result of the past year's operations showed that, after paying an interim dividend and carrying £2200 to the reserve fund, thero remained a balance of £4786 Is 6d, out of which the directors recommend that £3960 should be paid as a further dividend. The report and balancesheet were adopted. The directors were authorised to pay the dividend as recommended, and Messrs J. Anderson and H. J. Tancrcd were re-elected as directors. Messrs R. Walton and H. B. Alport were re-elected as auditors. Thb Hospital Medical Staff.—The staff have received the following telegram from the Government:—" The Government have decided to cancel the appointments of the medical staff in four months from date, in order that a fresh staff may be then appointed, to commence duties on the Ist of July." Kaitangata Relief Fund.—The offertory to-morrow morning and evening at St. John's will be in aid of the Kaitangata relief fund. The sermon in the evening will be by the Rev. F. Knowles, who was until lately in charge of the district where the catastrophe took place. The San Fbancisoo Mail.—We must apologise to our readers for a printer's error which appeared in our yesterday's issue. The notice of the departure of the San Francisco mail appeared as under Monday next, instead of to-day. It is due to the Post Office department to state that it has no connection whatsoever with this error, which is purely a printer's mistake. Sydenham Wbblbyan Chubch.—The services will be conducted to-morrow; in the morning by Rev. J. S. Smalley, and in the evening by Rev. H. Keast. Bible Chbistians.—This church, having to leave the German church on account of the resumption of service there, will open worship in the Templar Hall, Worcester street, to-morrow. The services will be in connection with the Sunday-school. There will be a sermon at 11 a.m.} at 230 there will be a children's service, to consist in recitations and an address; at 1.30 the Rev. J. S. Smalley will preach. The public are respectfully invited. Fibb.—Last night, a few minutes Dast eleven o'clock, Mr Rigg's boat-building shed, situated within fifty yards of the Lyttelton Gas Company's works, was destroyed by fire. The Volunteer Fire Brigade was promptly at hand, as was also Captain Clarke and the tugboat Lyttelton, with that vessel's steam fire apparatus, but the fire had gained too much headway before the alarm was given to admit of the building being saved. The origin of the fire is unknown. There was an insuranoe of £IOO on the property with the New Zealand Company. Lasbikinism.—About three weeks ago the Addington cemetery was entered and several of the vases were broken and flowers rooted up and scattered about. Attempts have been made to discover the delinquents, but, unfortunately, as yet without success. We understand that ther* are people who are acquainted with the culprits, whom it is to be regretted have not yet been brought to justice, through their names not being divulged. Wbslbtan Chubch, Sydenham.—Tenders have been accepted for building galleries in the above church. The successful tenderers are Messrs Nicol and Co., for the sum of £SOO. The galleries will supply accommodation for 250 persons, and will meet an urgent want in this church. Fibe at Wakanui.—Mr Dale, a farmer at Wakanui, had two stacks of wheat, containing one thousand bushels, burnt on Thursday night. It appears that some men belonging to a threshing machine were sleeping in a tent between the two stacks, and that one went to sleep without extinguishing the candle, the flame of which caught the straw. The stacks are said to have been uninsured. The Pbesbytbbian Assembly.—This Assembly had a long sitting yesterday, lasting from 10 o'clock in the morning until midnight, with only an adjournment tor luncheon. It was found impossible to get through all the busine a even then, and the Assembly will accordingly resume this morning at the übubl time. Ram and Ewb Faib.—The entries for the ram and ewe fair, which takes place under the auspices of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association on the 6th and 7th inst., are as follows :—Rams, 1942 5 ewes, 247—total, 2189. The entries last year were more numerous in the ewes than they are on this occasion.

Tbmplaby.—On Thursday evening an entertainment was given at the Wesleyan school room, Lyttelton, under the auspices of the Rainbow Lodge of Good Templars. There was an excellent attendance, and the audience aeemed much pleased with the evening's entertainment. The proceeds are to be devoted to paying for thp piano. Ibok Baek Piles.—The first of the iron bark piles in the old No. 4 wharf was drawn yesterday. Upon examination it was found to be uninjured by worms, and perfectly sound. It was driven twelve years ago, a sufficient time in which to test its resisting qualities. Moreover, the processes of charrin g and tarring, through which the piles more recently used aro nut,, was not in vogue at the time it was driven, a cirpumstance that adds to the value of the test.

Accidents. —Yesterday morning a man named Charles, in the employ of Messrs Hawkins and Co., Lyttelton, met with a painful accident to his hand, caused by a heavy piece of timber falling upon it. He was taken to Mr Parson's dispensary, where the wound was dreesed by Dr. Bennett. Shortly afterwards, another sufferer, Captain Jansen, of the Alice Jane, was brought to the same shop to have one of his hands dressed, that a few moments before had been crushed in a windlass. In his case it was found necessary to amputate the third finger. Bbkwebs' Picnic.—On Thursday Mr F. Innes, proprietor of the Victoria Brewery, gave his employes and their families and friends, a picnic, which proved most successful The party, numbering sixty-five, left the brewery at 10 o'clock a.m., and were conveyed to Sumner in various vehicles. Soon after the arrival of the party they took lunoh, which had been provided under the superintendance of Mrs Innes. The lunch having been finished, with bumpers and cheers for Mr and Mrs Irmc-n, dancing and sports of various kinds were edmmeufi*d, The day's amusement concluded with a baby'show foi two prizes. Shortly after tea the party again returned to the brewery, danoing and supper having been provided for in the new malthauge. Dancing was kept up until the small hours of %> xuoreinjj, when Mr Innes, ma suitable speech,' proposed tLfc health of his employes and their friends. The"toast wa? acknowledged with mueical aceoffipaniniente."

The German Ohitbch.—Since the retirement of the Rtv. L. Lohr, this church has been virtually closed for worship in the German languago, and has been let to the Bible Christians up to the present time. The churcli authorities, whilst anxious to fill the vacancy as early as possible, yet desired to procure a minister of colonial experience, and in this they have been successful. They have secured the services, as minister of the church, of the Rev. Mr Jacobsen, a native of Si'Meswig Holstein, who has for the past fourteen years been minister of a German congregation in Victoria. His formal installation will take place tomorrow morning at 11 a.m., after which the usual regular services will be held. The rev. gentleman intends holding occasional serviees in tho English and Scandinavian languages. It has been decided, in order to clear off a debt contracted to pay the retiring allowance of the late minister, to hold a gift auction during this month, when all Germans are expeoted to contribute to the best of their ability. Pbecbtxebiak Hospitality.—During the sitting of the Assembly, the members were entertained to dinner at the Royal Hotel, on the invitation of several of the Canterbury lay members of the Church. After dinne*, on Friday, the members of the Assembly gave a very kindly expression of their thanks to the gentlemen who had entertained them. The Revs. 0. Fraser and J. Elmslie replied that it was entirely owing to the want of accommodation that several of the gentlemen referred to were not present to meet them. But it was patent to all that room was wanting. Tha only regret of the Christchurch Presbyterians was that the time of Assembly was so short, and the business so pressing, that little or no leisure was found for paying more personal attention to the members.

The Late Sbbqbakt-Majob Kbbb.—The death by accident on Thursday morning of Serjeant-Major Kerr has caused great regret amongst a large circle of friends. It appears that about three o'clock on the afternoon of Thursday he was driving from Temuka to Winchester, and soon after leaving Temuka, his horse bolted. Opposite Mr Wheelband's the horse made a sudden turn, and upset the buggy. Mr Kerr was thrown out with great violence, and, falling on his head, was rendered insensible. Dr. Hayes was sent for, and had the unfortunate victim of the accident conveyed to the Royal Hotel. Everything was done that could be, but the Serjeant- Major died on Thursday evening. He had been connecting with volunteering for many years, mainly being attached to the artillery corps, in which branch of the service he had been in the regular army. He had several medals, and was universally respected by all with whom he came in contact. The funeral will take place to-morrow, leaving the Drill-shed at 3 p.m. The body will arrive from the South by the express, and will be met at the station by the Christchurch Artillery, by whom it will be escerted to the Artillery orderly room. The funeral will be both military and masonic, the deceased having been a member of the Canterbury Lodge, 1048, B.C. Lobubn SCHOOI Tbbat.—-The annual school treat to the children attending the above school came off yesterday in a paddock placed at the disposal of the Loburn school committee by Mr Anthony Hodgson. Nearly all the scholars, accompanied by a large gathering of their parents and friends, were present, and nothing occurred to mar the complete success of the gathering. A large collection of prizes for the various events were displayed in a tent set apart for the purpose, whilst another marquee was devoted to refreshments, which were provided without stint. About £7 was subscribed by the residents towards the prize find. Tins of lollies, nuts, &c, were contributed by Messrs Vaughan and Cordner, Sefton, H. Blackett and Song, R. Hanna and Co., and Mr Anderson, of Rangiora, the dispensing of which caused many lively scramblei amongst the youngsters. Cricket and jumping matches, vaulting with the pole, &c, for tha elder lads, and a continuance of races in quick Buccession for the younger portion of the gathering, keptjall very busily employed till an adjournment to tea took place. The chairman and members of the school committee—Messrs C. Cunningham (chairman), S. Barwell, A. Hodgson, P. Brady, W. Free, R, Walker, and W. Wells superintended the ■ports. In the evening an adjournment was made to the school-room, where dancing was kept up till a late hour. City Council.—A special meeting of the City Council was held last evening, to consider the question of the reorganisation of the staff. After a long and somewhat purposeless discussion, there being apparently nothing before the meeting, a resolution was agreed to appointing a committee to ascertain whether the officers of the Council were discharging their duty with efficiency and if any change is considered desirable. The subject evidently had attracted considerable publio attention, as the space allotted to ratepayers vras filled with an appreciative audience. Registrar's Rbttjbns.—The returns of births, marriages, and deathß for Christchurch and district in the mon'fh of February are as follows :—Births—city 53, district 106, contrasted with 48 and 96 in February 1878; marriages—city 21, district 8, compared with 22 and 7 in February of last year j deaths—city 49, district 42, compared with 18 and 25 in February 1878. On the number of deaths Mr Field, the registrar, makes the following note: —"The number of deaths (91) is the largest, with the exception of last month, ever registered in this district, and is nearly equal to last month's return, the month being a short one. The number for tho city is much higher, being 49 against 36 in January, and is the largest number ever registered for the city." Gaiett Theatre.—Dr. Ferrari will make his last appearance this evening at the Gaiety Theatre. Matriculation Fxamination. —The examination for Matriculation in connection with the Canterbury College will commence on Monday next. Arctic Panorama.—A panorama of the the Arctic regions will be exhibited at the Gaiety Theatre on Monday evening next for six nights. Rev. J. W. Inglis.—This gentleman will give his opening lecture at the Oddfellows' Hall on Monday next. Scandinavian Service.—The Bev. J. S. Smalley and Kev. Mr Jacobsen (German minister) will conduct religions service in the Scandinavian language, at the Durham street Wesleyan Church, on Sunday afternoon, at 3.30.

St. Paul's Church.—As will be seen by advertisement in another column, the services in St. Paul's church will be conducted to-morrow by two very eloquent preachers, vi?., the Kev. 18. Root and the Rev. J. W. Inglis. Bible Christians.—This Church will begin their services in the Ttmplar Hall to-morrow. There will be three services in connection with the Sunday School.

A revolution in dancing ciioles is promised in Paris this winter Quadrdles ard cotillons are to disappear, and to be replaced by stately ballets, such as were dan-ed in the time of the three last Louis.

It would seem that the theory that rust in wheat appeared only in very wet seasons la fallacious as this, an exceptionally dry »eapon, ha" been the worat for rust that has ever been known in Victoria.