NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1782, 6 November 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Show at Lyttelton. —Hudson’s Surprise Party, a company of musical and minstrel performers, here some time since, appear at the Colonists’ Hall, Lyttelton, on Saturday night. Railway Band. The following programme will be gone through hy the railway band this evening in Cathedral square, the concert commencing at 7 p.m.:—Q.uick march, “Little blue eyes, sweet and true,” one of the prettiest quick marches ever published, R. Smith ; grand contest selection, “ Zimpa and Pro aux cleres,” Herold ; valso, “Kildare,” M. Loaman ; quick march, “Primrose path,” R. Smith; fantasio varie, “ Souvenir de Valence,” M. Bleger ; quadrille, “ Le serpent du desert,” M. Bleger ; fantasia, “Caprice,” R. Smith ; solo polka, “Jupiter,” A. Lagny ; national song, “ God bless the Prince of Wales,” Brinloy Richards ; the National Anthem. Psksentation.—At the close of Mrs E, Long’s concert, the pupils took this opportunity, before leaving, to present to that lady a souvenir of their respect and esteem. Mr J. King (one of the pupils), in presenting the testimonial (which consisted of a very handsome lady’s gold Albert chain and appendages) ' said he had been deputed by the pupils to tender this gift on their behalf as a slight token of their esteem and appreciation of the unwearied attention which she had devoted to their studies, and they wished her every success. Mrs Long, in returning thanks, expressed herself highly flattered at receiving so valuable a gift, accompanied as it was with such kindly feelings towards her. Oantbebtjey O' ao 1.3. —On October 31st there were 112 prisoners in Lyttelton gaol, 75 at Addington, and 22 at Timaru, Eleven debtors were in confinement at Addington during the month, of whom four were discharged.

Model Yacht Owner.— An outspoken elderly man dropped in upon a member of the Lyttelton Regatta committee the other afternoon, just to inquire, he said, how they proposed to give the prizes to* the model yachts next year. He said he had a model il built according to scale,” and as* he was a professional yacht builder, he didn’t propose to run his boat against “ a chunk of wood,” for instance. If chunks of wood were wanted, he could make one of that sort which would whip all comers. The astonished committeeman attempted to explain that quite a number of models sailed last year wera built like his own, “ according to scale," and, like his, were fitted with reafblocks, belaying pins, <Ec., and that some of them didn’t cost less than £4O or £SO. But he was hushed up. the old gentleman persisting that he must have a proper understanding with all the committee before bo brought his yacht, built according and true to scale, to sail against mere sharpened pieces of wood, some of which were sft. long, while his model wae only 3ft. long. And he went off down the street saying he thought the prize should be given to the boat built true to scale, and ho would see the “ secketary ” about it. How Canards Originate;- —A good deal of mystery hangs about the origin of those startling canards which periodically get into circulation, seemingly for no better purpose than to provoke anxiety and perhaps pain to the particular community among whom they happen to be set afloat. Whether or not, a seaport, owing to the supposed predilection sailors have of “spinning yarns,” should be more fertile in the production of them than other localities, it is certain that the Port of Lyttelton has a full average, and lately perhaps more than its share. A day or two since it was quite currently reported there that a ship under jurymasts. and supposed to be the Knowsley Hall, was seen to the southward off the coast. The report reached Christchurch, and ultimately found its way, it is said, to the ears of a person who has friends on board the overdue vessel. Enquiry was made in all directions for the author of the rumor, but it was found to be one of those heartless canards, the originator of which everyone readily admitted deserved hanging. As showing, however, how easily what was first started as a joke—and one which, when explained, would not fairly entitle the public to inflict capital punishment upon the perpetrator, yet might have caused considerable inconvenience and aggravation and needless anxiety to some had it got fairly afloat—the following may bo instanced : —On Tuesday afternoon a workman down at one of the wharves at port called out to another that a body was washed ashore in Dampier’s Bay—the body of a man named James Hannell. One of the bystanders more inquisitive than the rest wanted to know whereabouts in the bay, and who found it. After a few such queries the workman, thinking perhaps matters were getting serious—more especially as ho espied a reporter close by—acknowledged that the body was a wooden one, and none other than the figure-head of of the hulk James Hannell, now in process of being broken up up in the bay. No inquest was therefore deemed necessary, nor the body taken to the morgue. A Sad Case. —The miserable spectacle of a woman (with an infant in arms) charged with larceny, appeared in Court this morning. The statement made by this unfortunate disclosed a pitiable history. She said she had been in destitute circumstances for some time, and had stolen the small album produced to supply food for her baby. Repenting of the act, she was about to take the article back when she was arrested. The Court took a lenient view of the case, and sentenced the accused to the short term of seven days’ imprisonment. Concert. —A very well attended concert was given last evening, at the St. Michael’s school-room, by Mr and Mra Long and their pupils, assisted by several musical friends. The main portion of the items on the programme were rendered by the pupils of Mr and Mrs Long, consisting of vocal and instrumental solos, part songs, &c. Mrs Long contributed two well sung solos, and took part in the duett “ The Sailor Sighs ” with Mr Long. Mr Carder ssng “Sweet chiming bells,” with chorus, receiving an enthusiastic encore, and Mr Long gave Fesca’s “Evening Star.” The younger pupils sang very nicely in the pieces allotted to them, and the same may be said of the part songs rendered by the elder ones. The piano solos were given in a manner evincing careful tuition and good execution. Fire. —A fire occurred on the back premises of the Gas Company’s office in Gloucester street, about midnight. Sergeant Barlow wae one of the first to observe the symptoms of fire, and entered the premises. He found a coat half burned and an oilskin in the room. The fire had just begun to lay hold of the woodwork. The damage done was trifling, and no alarm was given. Nothing is known as to the origin of the outbreak. Cricket Fixtures. —A match will be played between Woolston and Richmond on the Woolston ground, on Saturday. On the same day the Richmond will play against the Kaiapoi Club at Kaiapoi. The following will play for the Midland Canterbury C.C. against Ashley County C.C., on Monday : —J. Allen, W. Beard, <3. Watson, J. Fowler, Morioe, Beaumont, Pavitt, Fawcett, Puller, Turner, McDonnell. Emergencies Howarth, Atack, Rowe, and Monck. Philosophical Institute. —The annual meeting of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury will be held this evening at the rooms of the institute. Public Library.