NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1900, 27 March 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Latk Sebgbant . Majob Kebb. Asa number of tickets in the Kerr Art Union have been returned unsold, it is intended, during the ensuing festive season, to endeavor to dispose of those still on hand. For this purpose several gentlemen will attend at the Drill Shed and other places to-night. The drawing will take place during Easter week, and the winning numbers will be duly advertised.

Labobny.—A genteel looking young man, named Edward Francis Graves, was tbiß morning charged at the Resident Magistrate's Court with levanting from Victoria with property to the amount of nearly £3OO, belonging to a person named Ooar, living at Sandridge. The prisoner was arrested through the agency of detective Benjamin, who identified him as a person who was wanted in the sister colony.

The Totamsatob.—Wo have been requested to state that Messrs. Hobbs and Goodwin have obtained from the Jockey Club the sole right of working totalisators on the race course at the forthcoming autumn meeting, the working of the instrument being under the supervision of the above clnb. Monday Excubsion.—The steamer Lyttelton is advertised to make excursion trips to Bay next Monday from Port. The VoiiTOTEEBS.—This morning there was. a parade of the corps present in Christchurch, after which the men were dismissed to attend the sports on the Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Grounds in the afterneon. During the day several of the companies paraded the streets with their bands, and attracted a good deal of attention. Tonight there will be a monster concert in the Drill Shed, whioh promises to be a great success.

Bible Chbistian Chubch.—The anniversary meeting in connection with the above was held in the Templar Hall, Worcester street, last evening, under the presidency of the Rev. J. Crewes. A large number partook of tea, and the hall was almost full at the after meeting. The following ladies presided at the tables, viz.: —Mrs Scott, Mrs Knipo, Mrs Soown, Mrs Hamilton, and the Misses Knipe, Ray, Straw and Duncan, The hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion. Addresses were "delivered by the Revs. C. Fraser, J. White and J. Clover and Messrs Reed and Knipe. Mr J. W. Reed presided at. the harmonium.

Mihtabt Spobts.—The sports in connection with the review took place thia afternoon, and were largely attended. Commencing somewhat late in the day, there was nothing of special interest to record when we went to press.

A New Use fob Railway Tbains.—A paragraph in one of the journals published in the Aube department narrates a curious story of the utilisation of railway trains for a novel and rather ingenious purpose. The note is coramunioated by an engine driver on the main line, who has observed for several years the peculiar tactics of a small hawk which often attends him in his journeys. The bird is of the merlin species, the smallest and most courageous of falcons, which was and is still very highly appreciated by practical falconers. Its tactics consist of flying along clobo behind the train, often partly hidden by the smoke, and watching for the small birds which the train frightens up as it passes. It then, while the birds are thinking more of the iron horse than of anything else, makes its stoop at them with incredible speed, but if it misses, returns again to continue its flight in the wake of the carriages. There is nothing at all impossible in the story as it is thus reported, for it is well known by naturalists that the difficulty with a wild hawk is not so much that of striking down its victims when on the wing as of getting them to rise when it is in sight. It will, however, be very interesting to naturalists as well as falconers to hear that one of these hawks can easily keep pace with an express train, and not only so, but outstrip it at any given moment. The engine - driver in question states fhafc although the engine may have a start of 150 or 200 yards, the merlin will catch it up in the twinkling of an eye when a bird rises just ahead in one of the hedges bordering tho line. The firemen and drivers have often tried what effect would be produced by trying to frighten the little falcon, and have thrown stones and other missiles at it with this object. But the marauder simply avoids them by a slight movement, and without being at all disconoerted continues it course at a distnnos of some fifteen or twenty feet overhead*

Maqibtbate'b Covbt, Lyttemox.—Mr J. D. Macpherson presided at this Court this morning and disposed of two cases. Charles O'Brien was fined for using obsoene language, and Thomas Phalean was disoharged tor lunacy from drink. Model Yacht Bags.—The model yacht race advertised to come off on Friday was not so successful as was expected, owing to tto almost total absence of wind. There were nine yachts started. Mr Hutchinson's cutter yacht Elsie came in first, the Winona second, and the others were nowhere. Volttntbbb Conobbt.—A monster coneert has been arranged to take place to-night at the Drill Shed, when the limelight, under the superintendence of Professor Thompson, will be in use. Eight bands will take part in the performance. CABAJfDINi Concbbts.—The first of the series of Carandini concerts will take place on Monday evening, in the Oddfellows' Hall, when a capital programme will be presented. Thb Abethttsa Stab Company. This company, which comprises many old Christchurch favorites, including Mrs Walter Hill, Miss Jennie Nye, Miss Arethusa May, Messrs Burford, Musgrave, &c, opens this evening at the Academy of Music, in " Formosa." The Dbtjids.—A meeting of the proposed Heart of Oak Lodge was held at the Lyttelton Hotel, Lyttelton, at 8 p.m. on Thursday. It was resolved to engage the Foresters' Hall for the meetings, and that Dr. McDonald be appointed Lodge surgeon, and a harmonium be supplied fo:Jthe opening night. About 50 members are to be initiated on the opening of the Lodge. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to the visiting brothers for their attendance, and the meeting adjourned.

Fibb. —Fifteen stacks of corn, the property of Messrs Major and Wilson, were destroyed by fire on Thursday. The fire took place on the land of Mr J. T. Brown, Mount Thomas, and is believed to have been the work of an incendiary. The stacks were insured, but for what amount and in which office have not transpired. Spobtino.—The acceptances for the Free Handicap were made on Thursday evening. Of the twenty-four in the Handicap only four have cried content, viz. Le Loup, Chancellor Tera, and On Difc. Owners are reminded that the final payment of 10 sova for the Champagne, 5 sovs. for the Epsom Stakes, and 3 sovs. for the Free Handicap, are due this evening at nine o'clook. Grip was soratohed at 8.55 on Thursday evening for all his engagements at the forthcoming autumn meeting of the C.J.O.

Theatre Rotal. " Koberfc Macaire " were played for the last time on Thursday night. This evening will witness the special revival, as an Easter attraetion, of Dion Boucicault's famous drama entitled " Formosa," in which Mr Hoskins will sustain his old character of Major Jorum, in whioh he has no rival. Miss Florence Oolville will aho reappear as Jenny Boker, " Formosa," of which she was the original representative in New Zealard. New scenery, from the hands of Mr Williams, will illustrate the drama, which will be placed upon the stage in the most liberal manner.

Disg&aceful Affaib. —Our Ashburton correspondent writes :—A party »f Southern volunteers who arrived at Ashburton about 10 a.m. yesterday, distinguished themselves by going into a shop kept by Mr Fnrness, where fruit, tobacco, lollies, &c, are gold. They bought a few things from Mrs Furness, Mr FurneßS being ill in bed, and stole fully £8 worth of other articles. They cleared the shelves, there being no man about to stop them. Tobacco, pipes, whole tins of lollies, boxes of cigars, &c, disappeared, the gallant defenders of their country appearing much delighted with their dastardly task. Pebsonal —The Kev. J. 8. Smalley, who has been in this city the full term of three years allowed by the law of itinerancy which exist in the Wesleyan body, concludes his labors on Sunday next. At the Dunedin conference in January last Mr Smalley was under invitation to Auckland and Dunedin circuits, and would have been appointed to one of those places but for his strongly expressed wish for a country appointment in the neighborhood of Ohristchuroh. Mr Smalley removes to Springston, and it is expected that he will return to the city at an early date. Frcavb fbow Custody.—George Maointyre, remanded at the Southbridge Court on Thursday for fourteen days on a ohargo of brutally assaulting his wife, whose life is still in imminent danger, escaped from the Southbridge lock-up about eight o'clock on the same evening. Constable Hale, placing rather too much confidence in bis prisoner after giving him his supper, left the door open the whole length of the chain, and sufficient to allow him to undo the latch with his finger-i. The cage was discovered to be empty not long after the escape, but up to four o'clock on the following day no clue had been discovered as to his hiding place, although search had been made by the police in every direotion. The appearance of the runaway is so striking, being of gigantic Btature, broad features and dark complexion, that he is not likely to be at large for any length of time. Thohoughbbbd Stock. There arrived from Melbourne yesterday in the steamer Botorua several valuable horses in fine condition, consigned for sale to Messrs H.Matson and Co. Theycomprisedsixyearlingcoltg and fillies from the stud of Mr Samuel Gardiner, of Victoria, and a thoroughbred stallion Quambone, 5 years old, sire Maribyrnong. The whole of the animals possess unquestionably fine pedigrees, such as will no doubt recommend them to the attention of owners of racing stock. A few particulars in reference to thom may be of interest. No. lis a chestnut colt foaled September 18th, 1878, got by the Peer; his dam Argosy, by Freetrader from Belhari, by Indian Warrior from Blink Bonny, by Egremont (son of Moss Bose) out of Mrs Burt, by Snoozer. No. 2, a bay foaled in 1878, got by Stockham; his dam Stitch-in-time (imported), by the Cure, from Jennala, by Touchstone from Emma, by Whisker. No 3, a brown colt foaled November 18th, 1878, got by Tubal Cain; his dam Ace of Hearts, by Ace of Clubs from Eloise, by The Hermit from Sweethoart (imported) by Bed Hart out of Melesina, by Harkaway. No. 4, also a brown colt, foaled November 10th, 1878, got by Tubal Cain ; his dam Pauline, by Panio out of Kathleen, by Warhawk from Q-ranawheile (imported), by Stockwell. No. 5 is a brown filly foaled October 13th, 1375, got by the Peer; her dam Crumbs, by Maribyrnong from Sweetbread, by Flying Pieman, out of Cassia (imported), by Sweetmeat, and No. 6 a bay filly, foaled October 29th, 1878, got by Maribyrnong; her dam Lady of Linne, by Lord of Linne from Milliner, by Millionaire from Caress, by Indian Warrior out of Sweetheart (imported.) They will be offered at auction on Wednesday next at Tattersall's. Calcutta Sweeps.—Sweeps for the various events in the comiDg races will be drawn this evening in Mr J. G. Hawkes' rooms. Bazaar.—A fancy bazaar in aid of the Heathcote Parish Church Funds will be held at Messrs Ford and Newton's Booms on Eaßter Monday and two following days. Easter Offerings.—Wo are requested to mention that the proceeds of the offertory, both morninjj and evening, in all churches and other places of worship connected {with the Church of England, on Easter Day will be handed over, according to the custom of the diocese, as Easter offerings to the incumbents and curates of the several parishes and districts.