NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1689, 19 July 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Resident Magistbatb's Cotjbt. —No case of any interest was disposed of to day. The Queen on Fashion.—Queen Victoria is said to object seriously to the feminine fashion of wearing the hair in a fringe across tho forehead. It is stated further that she instructed the bridesmaids who appeared at the recent wedding of her eon that they would not be permitted to wear their locks in that fashion, nor to don high-hoeled boots nor to wear tied-back gowns. Last year, it is reported, one young lady who came to a drawing room with her hair over her eyes was informed by the Lord Chamberlain that until her hair had grown she need not attend any more at the palace.

Chuech Enlabobment.—The important additions to the Colombo road Weßleyan Church are not yet completed. It was expected that the new galleries would be formally opened before this, but the seating hag yet to be finished. Meanwhile temporary seats have been placed and occupied on tho last two Sundays. This extra accommodation is urgently needed, and when finished will raise the total number of sittings in the church to nearly 700. The formal opening has been definitely fixed for Sunday, August 3rd, to be followed by a grand sacred concert, with refreshments.

Colombo Road Wbslbyan Chuech:.— The Rev. J. S. Smalley will conduct services to-morrow, morning and evening. The subject of discourse in the evening, selected by request, will be "Saul, and the Witch of Endor, with their Relations to Modern Spiritualism." Washing Day.—The other day there was a grand washing day for the Maori prisoners, and we believe that sixty of them were thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned in two or three hours without any bother. Whakawiria even was obliged to submit to a wholesome dose of soap and water, and after the washing was over one and ail admitted that they feit the better for it. They have all been provided with a cheap rig out of new clothing, costing about 30a per head. Their uniform consists of white corded moleskin trousers and a blue serge shirt. This will be a very. noticeable dross now-a-days, and it will be quite impossible for any of them to avoid identification while in these clothes, if attempting to escape. Biblb Christians. —To-d a tow evening, in the Templar Hall, the Rev. W. H. Keaßt will deliver his third lecture on the " Lord's Prayer." Subject—" The Supreme Will." To c ■mmen?o it 630.

Two Sides op a Question. —During the hearing of the land tax objections in Wellington an auctioneer was among the number of objectors. He gave a number of reasons why he considered his property over valued, stating among other things his belief that the erection of fine buildings adjacent to a property did not increaso its value. The Resident Magistrate asked whether, if he was then engaged in selling the property, he would have followed precisely the same lino of argument. The man of the hammer smiled, but if any answer waj given it was drowned by the laughter evoked from eveiyone in the Court.

Kaiapii Popul&b Entertainments.—lt isg intended at the next of these entertainments, in the second part, to introduce " Cut off with a Shilling," in which the parts will bo sustained by local amateurs. Dbainage Opebations.—Erom the point of junction between the several streets meeting just about the Yicloria bridge, the drainage worts have progressed with groat activity. The drains have been taken a good distance along the soutbe.-n continuation of Kilmore street, and both sides of Durham street are now being attacked vigorously with pick and shovel. Tho present rate of progress is most satisfactory. Baptist Ciitjbch, Madbas Bbidgb.— With regard to this church, the vestry of which was bnrncd down last evening, wo have been requostod to stato that services will be held there as usual to-morrow.

Lectuee. A temperance lecture will be delivered at the Wesleyan Church, Kaiapoi, on Sunday evening. St. Luke's.—A concert will ba given on Wednesday evening next to commemorate the opening of the new schoolroom connected with St. Luke's. Prior to the concert a service will be held, at which the Most Rev. the Primate will officiate. The Rev. J. W. Stack will deliver an address. Tha vocalists on the occasion will be Mis* A. S. Taylor, Miss L. Taylor, Mrs Barnett, Mrs Townend, Mrs Palairet, Messrs Appleby, Joseph, Guoritz, Palairet, Little, Knight, Barnett. and Rev. 13. A. Lingard. Mr R. T. Searell will preside at the piano, and Mr Merton at the harmonium. Mr N. G. Barnett will conduct.

OnDPEtiOTTSniP. —Last evening the 3rd a'niversary of the Star of Waltham Lodge was celebrated by a hanquet at Bro. J. Ack<r a a i'e, Waltham Hotel, Bro Baird presiding. Tho dinner would have done credit to a firstclass houso in Chrietchurch. A long list of toaats and htalths were gono through, and the evening concluded by tho discussion of a considerable amount of harmony. In giving the toast of "The G/.M. and Board of Directors," tho chairman pointed out that the highest positions in tho colony wore open to all. A man had but to use diligence and watch his opportunity. He further dilated on the position of the G.M , who was practically com-mander-in-chief of 603,000 men, an amy banded in heart, though distributed over the whole of that Empire, on which the sun neytr sets.

Terkible TvrES.—The recent incarceraj tion of the editor of the Thomastown "Vidette" in the insane asylum, a hopeless maniac, has a sad, sad history. People who recently saw an article in his paper entitled "Death of an Anglo Worm," and did not read beyond tho heading, were not aware that the article was an obituary of the editor's aunt, who had just left him all her money, and that as tho article went to the printer it waa headed, " Death ofgan|Aged Woman,"—'' Hawkcyo. "j SfcHVjiggSalljj)

Oddfellowship.—A meeting of the Past and Grand lodge of Oddfellows was held in the North Canterbury Chamber on Thursday kit, P.G.M. Bro. Fraser in the chair. Sereral degrees were presented, and the ordinary business of the lodge transacted.

ASHBUBTON Bobough Loak.—The poll of the ratepayers to decide whether the proposed £15,000 loan for drainage and water supply for the town of Ashburton should be raised, was held on Thursday, and resulted as follows : —For the loan, 97; against the loan, 32. The loan will therefore be floated as soon as possible. The Municipal Buildings.—The joint committee of the City Council and those called in to advise them, met at Messrs Ford and Newton's rooms yesterday and inspected the designs. It is probable that a report will be made at the meeting of the City Council on Wednesday next. Mns Hill's Benefit.—The programme for the benefit of Mrs Hill and family has now been finally settled. The Railway Fire Brigade hare notified their intention of attending on the occasion in uniform, and the General Manager has given permission to the Brigade to attend on the evenings selected.

The Fibe Bbigade and Fibe Police.— A conference took place last evening at the City Council Chambers between the representatives of the City Council and those of the Fire Brigade and Fire Police. After a long discussion, resolutions were paesed which wero designed to establish the status of tho Fire Polico, and to settle tho difficulty which has arisen between the two bodies. A report of the proceedings appears elsewhere.

Ventilation of Ships.—Tho Board of naval officers, consisting of Commander Beardslee, Medical Inspector Q-ibbs, and Naval Constructor Mintonye, commicsioned to test upon Dr. Thiers' new apparatus for ventilating ships, have pronouncsd the principle of this apparatus in ejecting the air as the only true method for securing perfect ventilation in ships. The apparatus consists of a copper cylinder attached to the ship's rudder, extending seven feet below the water line and fire above it, to which are connected two sets of valves opening into pipes running to all parts of the ship. The motion of the ship in rising and falling with the waves pumps the foul air out of the ship. The principle is simple, and the apparatus would seem tj bo efficient whenever there is much motion to the water. Whether it would work in still water, when ventilation is most needed, as in the calms of the tropics, is rather doubtful.

Meb Hill's Benefit at Ashbubton.— This performance took place on Thursday night, at the Town Hall, and was very well attended. The Mayor presided, and spoke at some length at the commencement of the entertainment. The entertainment was a most varied one, a great many amateurs assisting, and the audience appeared much pleased. The novel feature was that, whilst the pricos oharged were low, there were no expense?. The use of the hall, printing, advertising, and bill sticking, were all done gratis, so every shilling taken at the doors will go to Mrs Hill. It is almost impossible to speak too highly of the general kindness shown, and Ashburton may certainly be congratulated on contributing its quota to the Hill fund in a thoroughly hearty and kindly spirit. So many havo helped warmly that it is difficult to particularise, but the directors of the Town Hall Company, will no doubt be all the more thought of by professionals generally for their generosity, and Mr Iress of the "Mail," and Messrs Weeks and Dixon of the " Herald," who advertised and printed free of charge, will be remembered. The Mayor also deserves warm thanks for the kindly part he took in the matter. All the tickets are not yet in, but it is thought the proceeds will be some £l4 or £ls. Gaiety Thbateb.—There was a very large audience last evening at the G-aiety Theatre, when Mrs Darrell took her farewell benefit. The piece selected for the occasion was " Leah, tho Forsaken." In the part of the heroine Mrs Darroll was exceedingly successful, the character being represented by her with great power and effect. Mr Darrell, as Rudolph, also deserves a word of praise for the manner in which the part was presented. The other parts were well-filled. At the conclusion of the drama, in answer to an enthusiastic call, Mr and Mrs Darrell appeared before tho curtain, and Mr Dirrell addressed thejnidience as follows:—" In bidding farewell,T must thank the playgoers of Christchurch for the liberal patronage they have always accorded to Mrs Darrell and myself. I may say, without egotism, that I have carried through New Zealand successfully two of the heaviest dramatic ventures ever introduced to the colony. I allude to the Henry Y. and Creswick combinations. Both speculations, I am pleased to be enabled to stato, proved financial and artistic successes. Later on, the production of my own dramas ensured me full houses and complimentary notices from Press and public. At the end of our tour in New Zealand we are Kader offer to play farewell engagements in Melbourne and Sydney, and a new colonial drama will see tho light on those occasions. We purpose visiting England in 1880, to fulfil an engagement in London. There are a few croakora who invariably sneer at colonial productions and colonial enterprise of every description, and yet the colonists have found the way to the goal of victory on the river and the cricketfield, and ere now on the platform and the stage. Should vaj dramas find favour with an English audience, it will afford me great pleasure to know that the favourable opinions expressed throughout the Australiaa havo been endorsed. I must thank the Press of Christchurch, and, indeed, throughout the entire colony, for tho exceedingly (littering and encouraging notices they have over written of Mrs Dirrell and myself, and in thankiDg the playgoers of Christchurch once again, I may mention that in this city I spolio my first line professionally, and wrote my moat successful play, " Transported for Life." In conclusion, you will pardon me if I take great pleasure in Baying that from the hour I first took the boards in tho old Town Hall until the present day, I have ever been fortunate enough to be enabled, as an actor and manager, to meet treasury-day when it came with full salaries, and leave every city with, I think, tho respect of the business men I havo dealt with, and, most assuredly, with their receipts in full of all demands." [Loud applause.] Dangebous Tbaveliing.—The Opihi river bed has become a positive terror to travellers by night since the ford has been shifted by the late floods. Coming home from tho Timaru Steeplechases on Wednesday last one man with a buggy was several hours in the river bed trying to find the right track. Eventually he managed to retrace his steps to Spillane's Hotel, where he obtained the services of a guide to Bhow him the track acros3. Another party lost their reckoning in the stream, and were obliged to get out of their trap while in the river, as the vehicle had got stuck in the soft shingle. Of course the Levels Road Board (in whese district the Opihi is) cannot help the ford shifting, but they might at least have a light put on each side of the river to indicate the position of the ford tonight travellers. The Waehdyke bridge is also in a dangerous state, and on Wednesday last there were no ropes or posts placed to prevent people going across it. Tho creek in this place has to be crossed by a ford, but there are no lights to show its whereabouts. Complaints of tho state of tho roads are heard in all directions, but the members of tho Lovels Road Board appear indifferent.

Thuathe Rotaii.—There was an improved attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, the attraction being the comedy of " The School for Scandal." There were also extra attractions in the first appearance of Miss Beatrice in the character of Lady Teazle, and the reappearance of Mr Wm. Hoskins in his favourite character of Sir Peter. Tho lastmentioned impersonation it is superfluous to criticise, Mr Hoskins' finished portrait of tho old baronet being sd well known. Of the debutante a qualified* Verdict must ba recorded. What may be considered to be essential comedy t6enes were fairly within the scope of Miss Beatiice's ability. In them her acting was distinguished by a buoyancy and vivacity, but in the graver phases of the character she was scarcely so successful. On the whole Miss Beatrice is to be complimented on her general rendering of one of tho most difficult characters on the stage, and sho gives promise that a repetition of tho role will entitle her to less qualified praise. Mr Wybert Reevo made an admirable Charles Surface, all the features of the generous spendthrift's character being artistically portrayed. Mrs Fitzwilliam was a capital Mrs Candour, and Mr J. G-. Joyce represented Sir Oliver Surface to the life. The remaining characters generally found adequate representatives. This evening tho "Woman in White" will be produced, in which Miss Lester will make her first appearance in the title role, and Mr Wybert ReoTO will sustain the character of Count losco.

A young man with the blush of country life on his cheekß sold out his produce on the market yesterday, and entered a shoe store and said he wanted a pair of shoes for his wife. " What number 2 " asked the clerk. The young husband scratched his head, looked very much embarrassed, and finally said: —"Well, I've been married eight months, but this shoe business stumps me. I don't hardly believe she wears 'levens, and I don't think she kin git into fives. I guess if we split the difference we'll hit her pretty close." He was given a pair of eights, and after squinting along the soles, he remarked—"l guess them'll do. She's awful proud, and I know she'll squeeze into 'em for all she's worth."—"Detroit Free Press."