NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2083, 27 October 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Medical. —Wo understand that Dr. Chilton, late of Christchurch, but who has just returned from a trip to England, has received the appointment of surgeon to the Timaru hospital, gaol and constabulary, Lyttelton Choral Society. —The third concert given by this society took place on Tuesday night in the Lyttelton Colonists’ Hall, and in point of merit excelled either of the two previous entertainments. It is to be regretted that the efforts of the society were not encouraged by a more liberal patronage than was accorded on Tuesday evening, there being but sixty or seventy persons in the hall. The following programme was performed, Mr J. T. Macleod Smith officiating as musical director :—Duets and trios on the piano and American organ, by Misses Beid and Stout and Mr Smith, who were repeatedly encored ; songs and choruses by Miss Kissel, Mrs Amos, and Messrs Barnes, Laing, Parker, Smith and Brownell, each of whom received a wellmerited encore. The society has in preparation the Messiah. The New Agent-General— Our Wellington correspondent telegraphed last night as follows :—“Sir Francis Dillon Bell has been appointed Agent-General, at a salary of £1250 per annum. The new Agent-General will be required to act in every capacity required by the colony, including the negotiation and inscription of loans, &o.”

Allocation op County Funds.—The question of allocating the funds of the county held in trust for the local bodies, was raised at the County Council yesterday, and Mr McMillan gave notice of motion that the subject be taken into consideration at next meeting, which will take place on the 24th proximo. Thh Ashburton Railway Beidgb.— The Chairman of the Ashburton County Council on last Monday, received a letter, intimating that it was proposed to disallow public traffic on the above bridge for the next three weeks between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., while the new planking was being put on it. This will cause great inconvenience to the people in tbe district, as the river is at present too high to admit of being crossed by drays.

Nabbow Escape fbom Fihb.—A narrow escape from fire was experienced yesterday morning by the residents of Freshford House, Lichfield street. The servants noticed smoke issuing from the flooring of the kitohen at a distance from the fireplace. An alarm was raised, and Mr William Holley ran in, and with a pick prized up some of the floor boards, disclosing a vast collection of rags, paper, matches, &0., doubtless carried thither by the rate, and which was in full blsze. A few buckets of water soon put an end to any danger.

The Deities’ Society,—A special meeting of the Lyttelton Hearts of Oak will be held on Friday evening. Mount Sombes Rahway. —The following letter has been received by Mr 35. Q-. Wright, M.H.R., in reply to a petition forwarded by him on behalf of the unemployed at Ashburton : —Public Works Office, Wellington, 19th October, 1880.—hir, —I am directed by the Minister for Public Works to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th September enclosing a petition from certain of the unemployed, and in reply to state that the policy of the Government is to reduce the number of men directly employed by it at reduced wages as much as possible, and with tkis view they are anxious to avoid multiplying centres at which such employment is given. Under these circumstances the Minister has been unable to comply with the prayer of the petition, but in order to meet the case, or at any rate partially so, directions were yesterday issued to the Engineer in Charge, Middle Island, to prepare for contract, and call for tenders, a short length of formation on the Mount Somers line.—l have. &c., John Knowles, Under Secretary for Public Works. Exhibition. —We understand that the “ Grand American Exhibition of the Kellys ’’ will open in a few days in the vicinity of the Bank of New Zealand. Juvenile Fohbstby. —The Juvenile Court Star of Canterbury held its regular monthly meeting at the Foresters’ Hall last evening. This Court, which has now been open just twelvemonths, has a membership of over 200, and last evening the anniversary of the Court’s opening, the room was well filled, the majority of the youngsters being present. At the conclusion of the usual business, a few of the juveniles gave an entertainment which included songa (comic and sentimental) recitations, readings, and selections by the drum and fife band, which is now ip a very advanced state, and does great credit to Mr H. Poore, the bandmaster. The fife duet by Bros. Mason and Harrison was especially worthy of mention, the performers receiving a well-deserved encore. Bros. B. Norton (comic song), and W. Robb (recitation) also reoived hearty recalls. P.D.O.R. Bro. Machon of the Parent Court moved a vote of thanks to the performers, which was carried with applause, after which Bro. Machon complimented the drum and fife band on their efficiency. The O.R. then closed the Court. The Dbuids. —The Pioneer Lodge held their usual fortnightly meeting at their Lodge room, Wellington Hotel, on Monday evening. There was a large attendance of members. An official visit was received from the Athelstan Lodge. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to A.D. Bro. Thomson for his present of two boxes for the benevolent fund. One member was initiated and three were proposed. It was decided to lend the regalia to the Otago Lodges for use at a fete to be held at Dunedin on November 9th. A sum of money was voted to a brother of the Ethelherb (Springston) Lodge, who was in distress. P.A. Bro. Willsteed presented D.P. Bro. Swinnerton with an address on behalf of the members of the Order of No. 13 district, which was suitably replied to. D.P. Bro. Swinnerton explained what had bean dot* at the meeting of the delegates of the amalgamated friendly societies’ fete , when it was decided that the Pioneer Lodge take no part in the procession. D.R. Bro. P. B. Raoke was elected R.H.V.A.D.8., vice Bro. J. B. Harris resigned. The secretary was instructed to write to the various Lodges in the district in reference to holding monthly district meetings. Some other routine business having been transacted, the Lodge was closed in due form.

Lonobbach Boas Boabd. —The election of two members to fill vacant seats on the above Board, which took place last Monday, resulted in Mr E. Or. Wright and Mr Dobson being elected.

Kaiapoi Fieh Bbioadh. —The members of this brigade have decided to carry out the anniversary demonstration of fireworks on New Tear's Day, and have already commenced to make the preparations for the same. Haslet Pabk Boasb. —This question was again discussed at the County Council meeting yesterday afternoon. The action of the subcommittee appointed to confer with the other bodies was confirmed, and the Council did not see any reason to prolong the conference under present circumstances. Thbateb Rotas. —Monday’s bill was repeated at the Theatre Royal last evening to a fair house. For to-night, “ Arrah na Pogue,” the well-known and popular Irish drama, is announced. Miss Clara Stephenson will impersonate the heroine, a part she is well qualified to play, and Mr Burford will appear as Colonel O’Q-rady. “ Leah ” is billed for Friday.

Lyttelton Naval Brigade — A notification appears elsewhere to the effect that any desirous of joining this corps may be sworn in at Mr Dransfield’s office, Christchurch, between 7.30 and 8 o’clock this evening. Confederate Diorama —The Confederate Diorama will show at Oxford East to night, at Amborley on Thursday, Leeston on Friday, and Soutbridge on Saturday. Industrial Association. —The general meeting has been postponed till the 3rd pros., at 8 p.m. New Zealand University.— Candidates for matriculation and junior scholarships are reminded that no applications will bo received after November the 13th. Y odng Hen’s Christian Association. — The annual meeting of the Young Men’s Ch-istian Association will taka place this evening, at half-past 7 o’clock.

A Liverpool correspondent writes : “The Salsbury Troubadours,” who derive their name from the founder of the company, Mr N. Salsbury, made their first appearance in England on Monday last, the 12th inst., at the Alexandra Theatre, Liverpool. Their entertainment, which is called “ The Brook,” is divided into two acts, the first of which introduces us to the combination—Miss May Samuels, Miss Nellie Maoßfenry, Mr O. A. Stodman, Mr John Webster, and Mr N. Salsbury, who all meet at a ball. The dialogue, whioh includes a good deal of Shake>peare burlesqued, of course—is smartly written, and the counterplot of two lovers to destroy the affections of each other’s fiancee causes much fun; while a lively song and chorus bring the act to a termination. The scene of the second, and by far the better act of the piece, is by the side of a running brook, whither the guests of the previous evening have repaired for a picnic. The more lively dialogue is introduced, and good songs, set to appropriate music, serve to enliven the piece, whioh goes “as merry os a marriage bell,” terminating with the “Bain, rain ” song from Heive’s “Ohilperio." The whole thing is replete with fun from beginning to end, and probably will become very popular in England, The artists, on whom very much depends, infuse a sufficient amount of humor and vitality into “ The Brook.”