NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1588, 22 March 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sydenham Wesleyan Church.— Services will be conducted to-morrow at the usual hours. The preacher in the morning will be the Rev. J A. Luxford, and in the evening the Rev. W. Morley. Resident Magistrate's Court— The fining of an inebriate 5s was the only business done by the Court to-day. Kaitangata Relief Fund.—The total amount of subscriptions on the Mayor's list in aid of the fund is £287 14* 4d.

Appointment. The Selwyn County Council have appointed Mr Edward Evans to be public poundkeeper of tha Sumner road pound. The Geohcia MinstbblS.—Owing to the detention of the Ladybird, this troupe will be unable to leave Wellington till to-day, and consequently will not open in Christchurch Until Monday. Water Supply.—The water supply committee of the City Council have decided not to accept any of the tenders for the apparatus necessary for testing the merits of tho Waimakariri water supply scheme until they are in possession of additional information.

Canterbury Gun Club.—Tho members of this club had a meeting yesterday at the Bush Inn, Riccarton, when some nine or ten sweeps were fired off, and some excellent shooting was made, most of the crack shots of the club being present. About 300 birds were killed. Re-organisation of the Municipal Staff.—A meeting of the Oily Counoil in committee was held on Thursday evening, when the question of the re-organisation of the staff was considered. The English Cricketers in Canterbury.—The match in which Lord Harris and several of his eleven have consented to take part, will be played on the association ground this day, commencing at eleven o'clock. The sides will probably be arranged as follows : Lord Harris and Messrs Hornby, Hone, Schultz, Puller, Anderson, Turner, Wood, Watson, E. Cotterill, and Longden. The Canterbury side—Messrs Ashby, Beard. Corfe, W. Frith, W. E. Hartland, Leech, Neilson, Lee, Periy, Secretan, Stevens.

New Ohtteoh at Bingsland. The United Methodist Free Church at Bingsland, a description of which has already been published, is now completed, and presents a very handsome appearance both from the exterior and the interior. Both the architect, Mr Widdowson, and Mr J. L. Fleming, the contractor, are to be congratulated on the completion of their work. services will take place to-morrow. The Rev J. White will officiate in the morning, the Rev. J. Elmslie in the afternoon, and the Rev. C. Dallaston in the evening. The opening soiree will take place on Thursday, the 27th instant.

Theatbb ROYAL.—The programme last night consisted of Charles Dance's well-known and pretty drama entitlod "A Wonderful Woman," shorn somewhat of a portion of its attraction by being presented in a modern garb, instead of the more picturesque costume of the First Empire, as intended by the author. This innovation, possibly from unknown circumstances, may bo unavoidable, but it certainly is not an improvement. The story of the ambitious bourgeois widow, marrying a marquis for the sake of serving her ambitious ends by means of the rank thus acquired, coupled with the condition of the pair separating immediately after the completion of the ceremony, with the noble's retaliation by assuming the condition of a cobbler, is too well known to need further allusion. It only remains to notice the performers. As the ambitious but still generous widow Hortense, Mrs Walter Hill acted with her accustomed ability, and contributed materially to the success of the comedy. Miss Holmes is far too amateurish and inexperienced to give effeot to the artless role of Cecile, and the same unfortunate drawbacks were painfully apparent in the gentleman cast for the part of her artist lover Rodolphe, and what was more surprising, afier his recent capital and gentlemanly rendering of St. Clair in Uncle Tom's Cabin, he was guilty of making love to a young lady with his hands in his pockets. Mr Walter Hill was thoroughly at home in the charactor of the rough-spoken but warm-hearted cobbler, Crispin, and Mr W. South was easy, gentlemanly, and fairly effective as the Marquis de Frontignac, though the part was scarcely in hia line. The Vicomte de Milleileurs found an efficient representative in Mr Musgrave, who was, as indeed he always is, conscientious in his endeavour to do justice to the part and to the author. The performance concluded with Buckstone's fine farce "Nan, the Goodfor-Nothing," the title role being undertaken by Miss Fanny Wiseman, and played in a manner but too seldom seen on the colonial stage. Her performance was exceptionally natural and clever, and was heartily applauded. She was well supported by Messrs Musgrave, South, and Hill. There will be an afternoon performance to-day, at reduced prices, accompanied by gifts to the patrons of the theatre, for the benefit of " Dear Eva," and the final performance of the company this evening will be for the benefit of Mr Liddy, the managor, who deserves well at the hands of the public, and will, doubtless, have his deserts dealt te him in a liberal spirit. Pbofessob Scott's Entebtainment.— Entertainments have been given by Professor Scott at Rangiora and Kaiapoi, in which the chief attractions are the shadow pantomime and the singing of Miss Daley. The attendance in the hall at the former place was somewhat limited. At the latter on I hursday Professor Scott opem d to a good house, and repeated the entertainment last evening, when the local brass band wab expected to attend. The Gabbote is Wellington.-Two men, named Shaw and Connell, were committed for trial in Wellington on Thursday on charge of garrotting and robbing a drunken man. Addeesses to Constituents.—Mr J. 0. Wason will address Ida constituents at the undermentioned pluceson the dates named : Town Hall, Ashburton, 27th instant; Schoolroom, Sheffield, 20f.h instant; and Schoolroom, Hororata, 31->t instant. Kaitangata Fete Fund.—The final meeting of the committ"? to. the winding np of all matters conneced ith the recent fete, will take place at the City Council Chambef OS Tuesday evening.

Mr William Cbeswick. A legitimate Shakespearian season of unusual attraction will be inaugurated on Monday night at the Theatre Royal, when Mr Greawick will make his first appearance in Christchurch. As an exponent of the legitimate and classic drama this fine a«tor has few living equals. Long training in tho best school of English actors, combined with great pers3iial gifts, and supplemented by a refined and scholarly taste ard strong love of his profession, eminently qualify Mr Creswick to do justice to the great representative characters of Shakespearo, Sheridan Knowles, and tho ether groat dramatists of the past. He will be supported by Miss Helen Ashton, Mr and Mrs George Darrell, and the members of the company who recently performed in Christchurch with Mr George Rignold. The opening play will be "Virginius," in which Mr Ores wick will sustain the title role, and Mias Helen Ashton Vir ginia. Gymnastic Pbkes.— At the Gloucester street main school yesterday the presentation of prizes awarded by the Board of Education to tho most successful candidates for gymnastics took place. At eleven o'clock all the boys of tho main school having been formed in square, the chairman of the committee, the Rev. H. C. M. Watson, addressing those present said—lt gave him very much pleasure to be able to state that the candidates from the East Christchurch schools had done so well in the late competition, and shown so well to the front. They had won the first prize awarded to assistant maßtors, tho second for pupil teachers, and tho first for scholars. He further hoped it would be an incentive for further emulation, and that at tho next competition they would carry off still more prizes. He then called upon Mr George Gilling, the recipient of the first prize given to assistant masters, to whom he presented two very handsome volumes of " Chambers's Information;" Mr Chas. Francis then received a handsome album and " Naomi, or the Last Days of Pompeii," for tho second prize open to all pupil teachers. To Master Craddook was given a very handsome and comprehensive Atlas, being tho first prize for highest marks in gymnastics obtained by an pupil in tho provincial district of Canterbury. Mr Watson further said he thought it so creditable to the school that he Would request Mr Curnow, the headmaster, to grant those assembled a little extra relaxation. Mr Curnow very willingly agreed, and the school accordingly broke off at two instead of three.

ODRKELTiOWSHip.—The quarterly meeting of the i< angora Lodge takes place on Monday evening, on which occasion there will be an important question discussed, viz., the re-invest-ment of the surplus capital of the Lodge. Lincoln Road Board.—The above Eoad Board advertise their intention, at their next ordinary meeting on April 3rd, of levying a rate of 6d in the £ on all rateable property within the district.

District Court.—The sittings of the District Court were resumed yesterday, when the case of Mason, Struthera and Co.v Waller was taken. This was a case of some importance to the mercantile community, inasmuch as the question at issue was whether the plaintiffs, in indenting certain articles, became the agents of the defendant, or whether it was merely a case of purchaser and vendor. The claim was for £2OO, the cost and charges alleged to have been incurred by the plaintiffs on behalf of defendant, in importing an American planing and matching machine. The defence was, that the machine did not arrive in good order, that the time limited by the defendant for the supply was exceeded, and that the responsibility rested with the plaintiffs as vendors, and not, as they alleged, as agents. A great deal of documentary and other evidence was taken, and the plaintiffs' case closed at the rising of the Court. The sittings were then adjourned until Monday next.

Plhasant !—Says the " Saturday Advertiser" :—"A man who states that he worked at a mate with Ned Kolly at Oxley Plains, Victoria, about two years ago, called at our office and informed us that he had received a letter from a friend in Mansfield, assuring him that it is tho intention of the Kellys to try and escape to Now Zealand. They have a first cousin living near Oamaru, and after visiting him they intend to escape to America. We give the man's statement for what it is worth."

Thb Lyttblton Magistbacy. - Mr Geo. Leslie Lee on Thursday received intimation from the Government of hia appointment to the judgeship of the Assessment Court, vice Dr. Donald, resigned. It is said that the gentleman to whom the Government offered the position of the Ljttelton Magistracy, reference to which was made in yesterday's Pkess, has declined it. Yesterday the Mayor of Lyttelton again telegraphed to the Hon. Mr Shcehan on the subject, requesting that a magistrate might be appointed witti as little delay as possible. Enginebb Volunteebs. —This company sends an order to England by the outgoing mail for thirty complete uniforms, similar to what is now worn, save that while braid will be used in place of rod, and white gluzed belts will take the place of the brow.i ones at present in use.