NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1741, 18 September 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Caps Appaies.—A Northern contemporary is responsible for the following:—“ It is rumored in London that, in the probable event of Sir Bartle Frore resigning the Governorship of the Cape, Sir Hercules Robinson will be transferred there.” Spokt at thb Elections.— With reference to the individuals who were “run in” for throwing small bags of flour among tho crowd at the Wellington elections, the “ Post ” says : —“ Several of them bad gone to work in a systematic manner, and made extensive preparations for tho ‘ sport.’ In the pocket of one of them no fewer than seventeen little bags of flour were found. The pocket of another gentleman contained eight neatlyfolded packages of soot. A third person had several turnips and potatoes on his person, and a fourth had a largo tin match-box containing a number of living cockroaches, but he could not bo got to explain what ho intended doing with them.” Resident Magistrate’s Court. —At the Cpurt to-day, George Brown was charged by his wife with threatening her life. The defendant had been drinking heavily, and the doctor who had attended him was of opinion that he was hardly in a fit state to bo at large. He was remanded to Addington gaol for forty-eight hours. St. Michael’s Entertainment. —The entertainment in connection with St. Michael’s Sunday school is postponed for a fortnight. Waimakabihi Conservancy. —lt is proposed to obtain the appointment of a Board of Conservators for the north bank of the Waimakariri. The question will be discussed at the next meeting of the Kaiapoi Borough Council. Rangioea Horticultural Society.—A meeting of the committee of this society was held on Monday evening, Mr John Ivory, one of the vice-presidents, in the chair. It was decided that the forthcoming exhibitions of tho society be held on December 6th and March 4th. Tho catalogue was amended and revised. During the evening one or two rare plants were exhibited by members, which attracted a considerable amount of attention. South bridge Cricket Club. —An adjourned meeting was held at Mitchell’s Royal Hotel on Tuesday evening, Mr Stavely in the chair. It was proposed by Mr Herdman, seconded by Mr Lewis, and carried—“ That Messrs M. Smith and J. Bourn act as delegates to the Ellesmere Cricket Association.” The secretary was instructed to write to Mr Wm. Graham, thanking him for his kindness in granting the use of his paddock. Twenty new members were elected, bringing the number up to over forty. Several minor matters having been discussed, the meeting closed.

Railway Works. —Several improvements have recently been made at the Christchurch railway station, the value of which is not publicly known. They consist chiefly in additions to the original plans, rendered necessary by the curved approaches to the station from the direction of the plains. A signal box has been erected some aistance from the station, and beyond the first signal post. In this box, which from its height and position commands a view of all tho lines, there is an ingenious apparatus, by which the signals can be worked for a considerable distance, as well as the points, a great saving of labor being thus effected. There is also a means of communicating by telegraphic bells, between the signal box and Addington on the one hand, and the Christchurch station on the other. A man is stationad in this box during the hours that the trains run. The whole apparatus is the most complete system of railway signalling in tho colony.

Benefit Concert at Port. —The concert given on Tuesday night at tho Colonists’ Hall, Lyttelton, for the joint benefit of the widow and orphans of the late Charles Playstead and Edward Gill, drew a full house, and in all respects passed off very successfully. The entertainment was altogether the effort of local talent, the performance throughout being extremely creditable to those who took part in it. Mr Robert Macffarlane very efficiently conducted tho different choruses, and to his able directorship a great part of tho success must be attributed. Besides the six choruses rendered during the evening, there were the following solos and duets : “ On the blue wave,” sung by Mrs Rich and Mrs Gibson ; “ Never more,” by Miss Kissel; “ Sweethearts,” by Mrs Lance ; “ The Irian Emigrant,” by Mrs Rich; “The Storm” (with miserere choral accompaniment), by Mrs Macphorson ; “I am thinking of tho Roses,” by Mrs Miller; “Thy face,” by Mrs Allwright; duet (piano) by tho Misses Kenner, and three songs by gentlemen, tho National Anthem concluding an enjoyable and really excellent amateur entertainment. Ashburton Magistrate’s Court. —Geo. Franklin, a lad of 16, was brought up yesterday, charged with the larceny of a watch and a number of other articles from a tent at Rakaia. The case was remanded till to-morrow.

Charitable Aid Board. —The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board had under consideration at its meeting yesterday the question of appointing a house surgeon. After a lengthy discussion the motion suggesting the appointment was carried, but the amount of salary to be paid was deferred for future deliberation.

Oddfbllowship. The Grand Ledge session of the American constitution concluded its sitting yesterday. The next convention was appointed to be held at Dunedin. In the evening a very successful banquet was given to tho Grand Master and the Grand Lodge officers and delegates. To-night the ceremony of installation of the Grand Lodge officers elect will be performed, and the secret work of the order gone through by the Grand Master.

Oxford West. —On Monday the Most Rev. the Primate laid tho foundation stone of the new church in the abovo township. He was assisted by tho Yen. Archdeacon Dudley and Rev. W. Sheldon. There was a large attendance of church members. The service was commenced in the Towm Hall at 11 a.m., after which the foundation stone was laid on the site of the new church. With the stone was deposited a sealed bottle containing copies of the Press and “ Times.” After the ceremony his Lordship delivered an impressive address. The offertory amounted to £l3 7s.

Theatre Royal. —“ New Men and Old Acres ” was repeated last night. This evening the dramatic adaptation of Wilkie Collins’ novel, “No Name,” entitled “ Great Temptation,” will be produced, in which Mr Wybert Reeve will sustain the character of Captain Wruggo, and Miss Ada Lester that of Eleanor Yanstono. To-morrow evening tho performance will be for the joint benefit of Miss Beatrice and Mr D'Orsay Ogdon, and in addition to a very attractive programme, Miss Marie Morrell will make her first and only appearance in Christchurch in a new and brilliant comedy entitled “ Minerva; or, That Mother-in-Law of Mine.” Miss Beatrice, Miss Ada Lester, and Mr Ogden will appear in a laughable sketch entitled “One Hour with Ned Kelly,” and further variety will be given to the entertainment by a musical interlude sustained by Miss Beatrice and Messrs Boothman, Lonton, and Fisher. Phillipstown Entertainments.- A meeting of the committee ia connection with tho series of concerts recently concluded at Phillipstown, was held on Tuesday evening to wind up matters. Tho proceeds of tho concerts wore devoted to procuring now seats for the Church of the Good Shepherd. The order for those seats has been given, and a balance in hand remained when ail expenses were paid amounting to nearly £5. It was resolved that this sum should . o handed over to a fund already in hand for purchasing an American organ, which it is intended to pro cure for the church at once. Amongst other votes of thanks to those who had assisted at the six concerts which have been held, a special resolution was passed conveying tho thanks of tho committee to those strangers and residents in the different town parishes whose assistance had done so much to render the concerts'a success. Another concert of a somewhat novel character will shortly be given in aid of.'tho [Sunday - school funds, and about Christmas time a bazaar is to be held with a view to purchasing certain articles of church furniture superior to those at present in use.

Philosophical Institute.— A lecture in continuance of the popular series, now in course of delivery in connection with tho Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, will bo given this evening at Canterbury College. The lecturer will be Professor Bickertnn, the President of tho Institute, and the subject chosen is “Astaonomy.” After the lecture there will bo an exhibition of microscopes.

Jewish New Year. —The Jewish new year commenced yesterday, and was observed as a strict holiday. The Protection Out. —On this subject the Auckland “ Star ” says : —Tho importation of cheap American buggies has proved so detrimental to the business of the local manufacturers that they have been obliged to discharge from their employ many skilled artisans who are thus denied the moans of subsistence. Tho matter is now being agitated in tho community, and we understand there is a probability of a mass meeting being held shortly, for the purpose of adopting a petition to the Government, urging them to so amend the tariff as to put the local manufacturers on equal terms with their American competitors. The Druids.—A preliminary meeting of the Hope of St. Alban’s Lodge was held at tho Caledonian Hotel, last evening. Bros. Opponheim, D.P., and P. B. Rooke, from the Pioneer Lodge, were present, and the former occupied the chair. Dr. Chilton was elected lodge surgeon by ballot. It was stated that there were about forty members on the books, and that the lodge would be opened on September 30th. The Chairman read a letter from the Grand Lodge secretary at Melbourne, stating that a member of the Grand Lodge left Melbourne for Christchurch on September 16th, per Albion, to open the lodge. A vote of thanks to tho chairman closed the meeting. Mb O. Cubtis. —Commenting on Mr Curtis’s defeat, the “Nelson Mail” says, though expected, it was never believed for a moment that such a crushing one awaited a man who went to the poll for the tenth, and was beaten for the first time, he having come successfully out of three contests for tho Provincial Council, three for the Superintendency, and three for the House of Representatives. The large majority accorded to his opponents proved beyond doubt that this was no accident, but that the determination existed to exclude him at all hazards. After thirteen years in the House, Mr Curtis leaves it with perfectly clean hands, and carrying with him the respect and esteem of all wbo have during that time taken part the politics of the country, whether in conjunction with or in opposition to him. Victoria Loftus Troupe. —This company will open on Saturday evening next, at the Gaiety Theatre, which is being renovated for the season.

Lincoln F.C. and P. Association. — A general meeting will be held at Sluis’ Hotel, on Saturday evening next, the 20thinstant, at 7.30. Business—General. Mr Ogden’s Benefit. The farewell benefit of Miss Beatrice and Mr Ogden takes place at the Theatre Royal on Friday evening next, when a most attractive bill will be produced. The first piece will be a sketch on the prevailing Kelly scare, in which Miss Ada Lester and Mr Ogden will appear. This will be followed by an olio, in which Miss Beatrice will give a song and dance, “ Pretty as a Picture.” Messrs Lenton, Boothman, and Fisher will sing songs. Tho last piece, a three act comedy, “ Minerva, or that Mother-in-Law of Mine,” will introduce a new face to to the Christchurch playgoers, viz., Miss Mario Moreli, who has won golden opinions as a comedienne in Australia. The remaining characters will be sustained by Miss Beatrice, Mr Ogden, and tbo members of the dramatic company.