NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1650, 4 June 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

St. Michael’s Ohubch. —As will bo seen by advertisement in another column, a sale of useful and ornamental needlework will be held in St, Michael’s schoolroom to-morrow. Tho sale will commence at 3 p.m., and close at 10 p.m., and we are assured that those objecting to bazaars, will find nothing to offend their principles in it. Tho funds to be derived are for the benefit of St. Michael’s church. Advance Woman !—The San Francisco “Chronicle” of Januaiy 26 th says that tho sporting world is excited at the prospect of a glove contest between two women, to come off on the 24th February at one of the public halls of tho city. Both candidates for the honors of the ring are as yet untried in fistic warfare. They will, however, be given the requisite discipline by competent trainers. Their names are Mollie Berdan, a Lancashire lass, and Jessie Lewis, a Californian damsel, born in Calaveras, and their homes are in two of the small and delectable streets that nestle under the aristocratic skirts of Nob Hill. Miss Berdan is a blonde of a pronounced type, with hair almost flaxen. Her features are regular, and have been handsome. Her hands are small, white, and well-formed. Her air is mild and quiet, rather than noisy and belligerent. Miss Lewis is a decided brunette, with sparkling eyes peeping out from under a tangled fringe of jet black hair. She is lithe of figure, and her arms are long. She Booms inclined to he belligerent and slightly vicious. Her conversation is snappy and energetic. The terms of the contest are as follows:—“We, the undersigned, Mollie Berdan and Jessie Lewis, do agree to meet in a glove contest to compete for a purse of 250 dollars, tho one displaying the most science and endurance to bo awarded tho prize— Mollie Berdan, Jessie Lewis. Witnesses— Billy Jordan, Billy Riley.” A New Descbiption of Map.—Says the “ Whitehall Review” : —“Mr. Wyld’s military staff map of Zululand is quite the best of any. Tho publisher has also produced it on indiarubbor, after the Prussian plan, so that it can be carried about like a pockot-handker-chief, without creasing, and is impervious to wet. Mr Wyld tells me that tho postage alone last week on these maps to the Capo came to over £20.”

Travelling Incog. —A correspondent of an English paper writes : —“ I remember a story related by a filend of mine who was travelling accidentally with one of the numerous Lilliputian Serene Highnesses with whom Germany is blessed. It appears that on their arrival at some hotel on tho Rhine they had to write their names in the visitors’ book, and, to his great astonishment, my friend saw his Serene companion put down, not his own, but my friend’s name, condescendingly whispering : ‘1 suppose you won’t mind—the truth is, I wish to travel incognito.’ —‘ Not at all,’ replied my friend ; ‘ its just what I mean to do myself ;’ and, taking the pen, ho wrote in the book, ‘ His Serene Highness tho Prince of XXX,’ tho other’s name, observing with a smile, ■ Now we are both incog.’ Journalistic Amenities. —A correspondent of the Inangahua “Times” has fallen foul of the “Lye’l Argus,” and thus holds forth the former: ‘ Argus ’ has taken serious umbrage against me, because in my last letter I suggested, as ho was going to the Sydney Exhibition, the Commissioners ought to preserve a special case for him (I meant case of Hcnnessy), whereupon he used some of his choicest language, taken from the Billingsgate dictionary, and likened me to the connecting link. In returning compliments to his sickly production, I would prefer being considered the connecting link to a veritable ape.” A Healthy Eivalby. —The Melbourne Public Library having a copy of Professor Leij siis’ Antiquities of jEgypc, Sydney must have one, and accordingly a JDr. Renwick has provided £IOO for the purchase of the work. New Zealand Wines. — We understand thrt Mr Gough, of the Mount Pleasant Vineyard, intends sending some samples of various kinds of wines manufactured from grapes of Thames growth to the Sydney Exhibition. Oue Deinking Customs. — The “West Coast Times” draws attention to the number of applications for licenses in the Hokitika district, which, with a population of say 2500, including women and children, has nearly fifty public-houses, and pointing out that the majority of the houses are thoroughly unsuitable for the purpose, as many of them have no accommodation whatever except that of the bar —in fact, nothing more than drinking shops, and that nine out of ten could not support the applicants.

Old CdEj.o3. —As a rule articles of virtu are not very highly prized in the colonies, and old identities find it very hard to comprehend tho enthusiasm manifested by the collectors in the old conntiy of antique china ware, dingy pictures, and quaint and rare bijouterie. To the cognoscenti in these matters may be recommended the inspection of some unique specimens of Chelsea porcelain, Brussels iron jewellery and intaglio rings and seals in the possession of Mr Nathan, of the Mont de Piete. The china ware comprises a tete a tete breakfast set, and a shaving bowl. These articles are over 200 years old, and the shaving dish is a perfect gem of a curio. Probably out of the possession of professional collectors, or of old families, where antique china ware is regarded as a priceless heirloom, such a thing would be very difficult to find, and one would certainly not look for it in Now Zealand. The iron jewellery consists of a lady’s necklace of very rare filagree work, as web-like and delicate as lace, and a century ago was highly piized by ladies of fashion, though now superseded by tho more precious metal. Lastly, the intaglio seals and rings are very curiously and exquisitely carved, and set in old English gold, also rarely chased.

Defaulting Ratepatbes. —ln accordance with an order of the City Council steps are being taken for the recovery of the nighteoil rates which remain unpaid, and a number of summonses against defaulters have been already issued. Lowed High Steeht. —The city surveyor has received instructions to proceed with asphalting Lower High street, so soon as the footpaths recently formed are in a fit condition. Oddfellowship. The district officers — Provincial Grand Muster Fraser, Deputy Grand Master Liddlo, and P.O.S, Wnght, will meet at tho Royal George Hotel, St. Asaph street east, to-morrow, for the purpose of opening the new Loyal Phillipstown Lodge of Oddfellows. Annitebbaey Tea Meeting.— A tea and public meeting was held last evening in connection with the fourth anniversary of the United Methodist Free Church, Colombo road. At the termination of the tea meeting, which was numerously attended, tho chair was taken by Mr O. R. Leadley, and the business of tho public meeting commenced. The treasurer reported that a sum of £l3O had been raised during the past year towards the removal of the debt on the Church. Interesting addresses were delivered by the Revs. T. Macfarlane, J. White, A. Peters, and Messrs Turner and Parkes. During the evening the choir enlivened the proceedings by singing at intervals several hymns and anthems.

Theatre Royal.—“ Back from the Grave” was repeated last night to an excellent house. It will be played during the week, another of Mr Darrell’s pieces, “ Transported for Life.” being in preparation, with new scenic effects. Ministers’ Association. The regular meeting of this association was held on Monday in the vestry of the Durham street Church. There were present the Revs. Macfarlano (president), W. H. Keast (secretary), 0. Eraser, A. Reid, 0. Dallaston, J. White, Richardson, Clarke, Baumbor, Peters, and Blake. The usual arrangements were made for the hospital services for the month, the Rev. 0. Fraser to preach on the Bth, Rev. J. White, 15th; Rev. Mr Clarke, 22nd; Rev. Mr Richardson, 20th; Rot. W. H. Keast, July 6th. These services commence at 4.30 p.m,, and visitors who sympathise with the object might help in its furtherance by persuading their friends (when well enough) to attend, A discussion took place on the Governor’s actions in regard to the Sabbathday, and the association wished to express its respectful but emphatic disapproval of the course his Excellency had taken on two or throe occasions. The Rev. Charles Fraser read a paper on the “ Political action which ought to bo taken with regard to the reading of the Bible in public schools.” In introducing his paper, Mr Fraser referred to the need there was that religion should fce|more earnestly and generally taught in the home, and also that every effort should be put forth to make the Sabbath-school teaching more efficient. In reference to the Bible being read and religious instructions given in the day schools, he argued that the voice of the people should decide. He was strongly opposed to there being a clause in the Act prohibiting the Bible from the schools—a sentiment which was applauded by the whole meeting. Such a clause, it was contended, was a disgrace to the colony, and should be blotted from the statute leok. An interesting discussion ensued.

Entertainment at Kaiapoi.—The popular entertainment committee have decided to hold the first entertainment of the season en Monday, 16th, in the Oddfellows’ Hall. About fifteen ladies and gentlemen have offered to assist. The committee decided to fix the price of admission at one shilling. St. John’s Winter Entertainments. — The first of these entertainments will take place in the schoolroom on Friday evening next. Social Meeting.—The inaugural social meeting in connection with St. Paul’s Church Young Men’s Society will take place in the church, Lichfield street, to morrowievening. Congregational Church.—A tea and social meeting, in connection with the Congregational Church, will be held this evening in the schoolroom attached to Trinity Church, Manchester street.