NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1856, 4 February 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The New Fibe Beii. —By advertisement it -will be seen that the new fire-bell will be rung this evening at 6 30. We understand it has now been properly fixed, and will be used from this time in all oases of fire. Resident Magistbate's Oot/bt.—There was a clean sheet at the Court to-day. Escape ibom Dbowning.—A young midshipman on the ship Lady Jocelyn, named Arnold, at some risk to his life, rescued a boy from alongside that vessel on Tuesday evening. The boy, by name Simmonds, bad slipped off the wharf, and would almost of a certainty have been drowned had not young Arnold chanced to looking over the side of the ship at the time, as there was no one about the wharf, and the choked cry of the lid for help could not be heard any great distance.

Butchebs' Picnic.—At a meeting of butchers held last night at the Golden Fleece Hotel, the final arrangements wore made for the annual picnic of the trade, to be held tomorrow at Cashmere. Inquest at Oxfobd.—On Tuesday an inquest was held touching the death of the infant femalo child of Mr Thomas Kabala. The child, three days old, died from weakness, but had not been attended by a medical practitioner. Evidence was given to show that every care had been taken by the parents. A verdict of " Died from natural causes " was returned. VoLUNTEaa Review.—lt seems probable now that the committee appointed to make arrangements for the reception of the volunteers expected to attend the Easter review, will have little or no difficulty in getting the accommodation required. So far as can bo ascertained, from 1300 to 1500 men may be expected. In addition to those coming 'from the South, Wellington and Nelson also purpose sending contingents. Pboposed New Railway.—A scheme has been mooted by which it is proposed to connect Kyle, Seafield, and Wakanui with Rakaia. The idea is to make a short and inexpensive line some seven or eight miles in length from a point called Edwards', joining the main south line about two and a half miles from Rakaia. This would benefit nearle the whole of the settlers between Rakaia and the sea. Land Tax. —Six cases were set down for hearing yesterday at the Magistrate's Court, but of the defaulters only one appeared to support his objection. Judgment was given for the Crown with costs. Now that no doubt exists as to the necessity for payment, it »ppears to be a pity that landowners should render themselves liable to Court fees in addition to the amount of the tax. Summonses will be issued in all cases. Kaiapoi Institute.—The monthly meeting was held on Monday evening, six members present, the president in the chair. The Treasurer reported a balance of £1 13s 9d. Accounts to the amount of £4 0j lOd were passed. The President stated he had forwarded the return required by the Education department. He hoped the members of committee would consider some scheme before next meeting with a view to carrying out further improvements to the reading rooms before the winter months. Sundry routine mutters were disposed of.

Tesiplaby. —At the weekly session of Lodge Sea Shell, No. 105, Lyttelton, on Monday, two candidates were initiated. The reports of the retiring officers were read and received, showing the Lodge to be in a very flourishing condition, after which the following officers were installed by the L.D Bro. J. Atkinson : P.W.C.T., Bro. T. Foaarty; W.0.T.. Bro. A. McWilliaros; WVJT., Sister J. Williams; W.G., Bro. G Dimond; W.F.S., Bro. H. Cross; W.T., Bro. S. C. Phillips ; W.C., Bro. J. Worgan ; W.M, Bro. J. Querie; W.1.G., Bro. J. Benniogton ; W.O G., Bro. H. Brown ; W.A.S., Sister A. Fisher ; W.D.M: , Bro. E. Jelfrey ; W.R.H.S., Sister E. Gibbons ; WL.H.S., Bro. A. Bell.

The Hospital. Mr Pridgeon, who has been connected with the Christchurch Hospital for the last seven years, has resigned his position as acting house surgeon and dispenser. Acatbmv op Music.—lt is stated that Mr H. H. de Bourbel has become the lessee of the Academy of Music, and will reopen it on Easter Monday with a strong dramatic company. The Opeba.—Verdi's masterpiece, " Aida," was again repeated list night to a very fair house, and, judging by the rapturous applause tbat was bestowed on some of the scenes, to a very appreciative audience. It is not every opera by the same master that wears so well as this, and which leaves suoh vivid impressions behind it. The artistes on this occasion maintained the prestige they have acquired in this difficult work, and exerted themselves to the utmost to secure the efficiency of its representation. We only begin to realise the beauty of its various vocal effects and elegant instrumental combinations, upon frequent hearings, and leave it with the feeling that there is yet niuoh that one desires to be acquainted with. The orchestra, with the exception of one or two plaoes where its power was assertod rather too much, was verv effective, the individuality of the different instruments in the refined passages bting brought out with great judgment. To-tight "Oarmen " is to be repeated for the lest time. Obbat Autumn 1 Handicap.—Owners are reminded that nominations for this event, to be run on Tuesday, March 30th, close this evening at the 0 J.C. rooms. Ybomanbt Cobps.—Captain Slater, of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, and the new drill instructor, proceed to Ashburton this morning for tha purpose of drilling the contingent in that district. Mb Chiniquy's Lectubes. —Mr Chiniquy delivered hiß second lecture last night at the Oddfellows' Hall. There was a very large attendance. He will deliver the concluding leoture of the series this evening. Steam: llammeb.—A large steam hammer, the weight of which is 23.8001b5, was landed from the Amerioan barque Ada Wis well yesterday, by the derriok cranes on the breastwork. The hammer is for the railway workshops. New Disease among Shesp.—A strange disesas, says the "Banffshire Journal," has made great ravages among sheep in the neighborhood of Lostwithiel, and during the past few weeks hundreds of animals, principally young sheep, have died from it, half-a-dozen or more dying in a single day on some small farms. The disease is sudden in its attack, and proves rapidly fatal. Farmers have had their sheep examined and been informed that they were perfectly healthy; and yet in an hour or so afterwards two or three of the animals have been found dead. An examination of the carcases has done little 10 determino the nature of the disease, the only peculiarity observable being the unusually red color of the flesh. Several flocks have been slaughtered, and something very much like a panic prevails among breeders in Lostwithiel," the most productive part of Cornwall in an agricultural sense, and a large feeder of the London meat market. Ashburton Fibb Bbioadb and Police. — Last night was the annual festival of ihe above bodies, After inarching through the town, the annual meeting for electing officers, receiving balance-sheet, <scc, was held, and was followed by the annual dinner at the Somerset Hotel. A Comet.—lnformation was brought to the Pbess office last night that shortly after sundown there was visible in the West what appeared to be a large comet. It will be seen from a Blenheim telegram, published elsewhere, that a similar appearance was observed there. Municipal.—The usual meeting of the works committee of the City Council was held yesterday. A good deal of routine business was transacted. The only portion of the work done that was of public interest was the instruction to the surveyor to arrange for a supply of shingle for road work.

Musical Society.—A well-attended meeting was held in the Colombo road schoolroom last evening to consider the desirability of establishing a musical society in Sydenham. The oonvener, Mr J. H. Edmonds, briefly explained the object of the meeting, and_ the advantages to be derived from such a society, and it was eventually decided to form a sooiety in Sydenham. The first practice of the aociety will be held on Tuesdav evpnina Cricket Fixtures.—The Bakers will play the return match with St. Albans on Thursday, commencing at 10 a.m. sharp, on the Association ground. Board op Education.—A. meeting of the Board of Education for North Canterbury will be held to-morrow at 3 p.m. at the Normal School. Oddpellowship. The Bebekah Degree Lodge, attached to the Loyal Avon Lodge No. 23, working under the American Constitution, will hold its second meeting to-night. Hotel Employes' Picnic. —The adjourned meeting of those interested in a picnic for hotel employes will be held to. morrow evening at the Commercial Hotel. Archery Club —The next scoring day of the Canterbury Archery Club is fixed for Thursday, February 12th. St. Michael's Choral Society.—This society will give a concert to-morrow evening at St. Michael's schoolroom. An excellent programme has been prepared, in which Mrs Palariet, Miss A. Taylor, Miss L. Taylor, Messrs Landergan, Coombes. Wells, Appleby, Izard, and the members of the Orpheus Glee Union will take part. Orange Society.—The next meeting of the L.O. Lodge, No. 3 C.T.8., will be held in the Orange Hall on the evening of Wednesday, February 11th, and not this evening, as stated in onr issue of yesterday.

SAiiETAEDS Company.—The sixth annuil general m sting of the Canterbury Saleyardß Company will take place next Tuesday evening, at Messrs R. Wilkin and Co.'s roomß, Hereford street.

The committee of the London Sunday School Union purpose bringing out their present aerial, "Kind Words," as a penny weekly for boys and girls, under the title of " Young England." The first number was to be ready before Christmas. A few fellows determined to give a dinner to a brother officer who had just returned " covered with glory " from Zululand. When the night came and dinner was served, several men who did not know the hero whom they had met to honor, aeked which was he This led to inquiry. " Whpre is 6he Captain 1 " " Don't know ; cidn't you bring him?" "No; I thought he would come with you." "Who invited him?" " Not I," was the general answr. Everybody thought everybody else wouldd o that. It turned out that the guest of the evening knew nothing about the festal distinction intended for him. So his " brother officers" sat down and enjoyed themselves without him.