NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2134, 27 December 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Pbotkbtant Alliance Picnic. The above society hold its annual picnic at Probbleton this day. The members and their friends assembled at the Orange Hall, Worcester street, at nine o’clock, where the procession was formed. The members were in full regalia, and the banners of the order formed a striking feature in the procession. The railway station being reached in due time, the whole were soon en route for Prebbleton, where the day’s festivities will take place, and it the weather be a criterion the success of the fete is certain. The Shooting Case—Early this morning the unfortunate man Korrison, who was shot by W. P. Gibson on Saturday night last, was in such a low state that it was considered necessary to take his dying depositions, which was accoringly done at the Hospital, where ho is lying. Bhicb and Montague’s Fbee Oabniyal. —To increase the holiday attractions, free admission to this monster carnival is advertised, thus affording the juveniles, as well as children of a larger growth, an opportunity of inspecting the largest collection of toys, paintings, and articles of almost every description of a recherche hind, without any charge. Those who wish to share in the art union, for which many valuable prizes are offered, including the £75 piano, can purchase tickets as hitherto an the spot.

Abbival of the City op Lahore.—The ship City of Lahore, with a cargo of cornsack?, oil, &0., arrived this morning from Calcutta. Lyttelton Regatta.—A few site? for stall on the day of the regatta at Lyttelton are still available. Applicants are notified elsewhere to apply to the agent for the Globe for particulars. Kaiafoi Woollen Factory.—A tender from Mr W. Weston, a local builder, was accepted on Friday for tho extensive improvements to this factory, by which the space for the machinery will be doubled.

Cheisxmas at Eanoioba.—On Christmas eve the various stores were decorated, and a good show of cheer exposed for sale. The butchers vied with each other in the display. During the evening the brass band played a good selection of music. On Christmas Day special services were held in the Church of England and the Eoman Catholic Church. Otago Caledonian Society.—The programme for the nineteenth annual sports of the Caledonian Society of Otago shows that over £SOO will bo given in prizes. The various events are, therefore, likely to fill exceptionally well; indeed, judging from the number of nominations already received for the running stakes, which close to-night, they will far exceed those of any previous meeting. The society gives a champion belt and medal for Cornish wrestling as well as for the Border stylo ; and they have also established gold championship medals (to become the properly of winners in four consecutive years) for vaulting, quoiting, dancing, jumping, putting the stone, hammer throwing and tossing the caber. Entries for unhandicappod events close on Thursday next.

Alaem of Eibe.— At 1.43 to-day the Lichfield street and Chester street fire-bells rang out an alarm of fire. The engines were quickly on the spot, and a detaohmont of brigade men turned up from the Sports’ Ground, but as it was only a gorse hedge near Ward’s Brewery, their services were not required. Ohbistmas at Kaiapoi. —The stores, including the butchers and general storekeepers, made an unusually fine display of Christmas cheer, freely decorating their premises with evergreen and flowers. The hotel which have verandahs were profusely decorated with greening and flags. On Christmas Day at the Episcopalian Church there were fulljjervicee, commencing with early celebration of Holy Communion. The ladies of the congregation deserve a word of praise for the tasteful manner in which this church was decorated. The services were fully choral. Blindness fbom the Electbio Light.— A resident of Elaiton who had previously lost the use of one of his eyes, had the second one injured by the glare of light in Cole’s circus, and for a time is nearly quite blind, though'Dr. Wilkins hopes to effect a cure. Another visitor to this show is also said to have Buffered partial less of eyesight from a like cause. Kaiapoi Ohoeal Society. —The second grand concert of this society, given in the Oddfellows’ Hall, in aid of tue local charities on Christmas eve, was well attended, both the reserved and back seats being all taken up. In the first part the vice-president apologised for the non-production of an instrumental duet,J and stated it was also feared that one of the principal lady singers, suffering from sore throat, would not be able to do justice to her songs. Miss S. Monk sang Martha Martha, thou wilt leave me.” Mr Pullan received an encore for his song, “ The Priar of Orders Grey.” Mr Mathews’ cornet solo, with echo chorus, “Silver Moonlight,” was very effective. Mr Blakeley gave an organ recital. Misses S. and J. Monk gave the duett “ Farewell,” from “ Sonambula,” and met with a marked encore. Mr Millsom sang “Alice where art .thou,” and Miss J. Monk “ Kate O’Shane,” the latter being redemanded. The choruses, “ The Minstrel Boy,” “ The Harp that once,” and “Happy and light,” by the full strength of the society were rendered with care and precision. The closing portion of the concert included sacred selections, a vocal duett, “ The Angelas,” by Mrs Hanson and Miss Champion; arias, “In this Vale of Tears,” Dr. Ovonden; and “O, Best in the Lord," Mrs Champion, which, were each fully appreciated, though Mrs Champion was evidently suffering from hoarseness. Mr Mathews here contributed a cornet solo, “ Oujus Animam.” Mr Champion’s song, “ Nazareth,” Jwith organ, piano and chorus of fourteen male voices, was one of the features of the concert and generally appreciated. Selections from Sphor’s “Last Judgment,” piano and organ, “ Praise his awful name,” by Mr and Mrs Macfarlane, was beautifully given. The tenor solo and quartette, “ Holy, Holy, Holy,” by Dr. Ovenden, Mrs Macfarlane, Mrs Hansen, Mr and Mrs Champion, received a deserved re-call. The society gave the Epiphany hymn “ Brightest and best ” as an opening piece, and the anthem “ Thine, O Lord, is the Greatness ” as a closing piece, as well as during the evening “ Thine, O Lord, is the Honor,” all of which were marked by steadiness and other evidences of careful practice. Mr Macfarlane again conducted. Mesdamos Macfarlane, Oldham and Wilson played the accompaniments.

Thb Ketten Concbets.— To-night the first of a series of pianoforte concerts will be given at the Oddfellows’ Hall by Chevalier H. Ketten. The high and distinguished reputation as a pianist achieved by the Chevalier almost renders any eulogium or remarks as to his ability superfluous. He brings with him not only high testimonials from the music lovers of Australia, but of it may be sa’d the world, and Christchurch has now an opportunity of showing practically that we deserve the character hitherto accorded to us of being a music loving people. That a great treat is in store for us there can be no doubt, and it is to bo hoped that the public will avail themselves of an opportunity scarcely ever likely to occur again, of hearing so masterly and finished an exponent of the works of the great composers eb Chevalier Ketten. Speaking of his farewell concert in Sydney, the Sydney “ Morning Herald ” says :—“ The visit of Henry Ketten will long be remembered as furnishing to the lovers, the students, and teachers of pianoforte music a model to whose leadership all will bow, not only for the unexampled mastery of the resources of the instrument to which be has devoted hie executive skill; but for the thoroughly artistic interpretation of the works of the greatest classic and modern writers, and for introducing many hitherto unknown to “ Young Australia.” More than . this, in Henry Ketten we have not only an executive artist of superlative excellence, but one possessed of a creative mind, whose own compositions prove his title to rank with the truly inspired eons of genius. As evidence of Mr Ketten’s prodigious repertoire wo may inform our readers that, in his seventeen public performances, fifteen recitals, and two matinees, he has given us 130 different solos, representing the compositions of twenty-five composers, from the great Bach to those of the present day, that he has played 240 solos, exclusive of encores ; which represent nearly eight solos each evening, and an average of more than fourteen pieces each night. When it is remembered that, with two exceptions, the Kreutser sonata and the Mazeppa duet, these wore played by heart, and that night after night the one performer charmed, instructed and astonished hundreds, we may well acknowledge that as a pianist and musician Henry Kebten incontestably proved his power to entrance an audience.” To-night the programme includes selections from the works of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Ohopin, Liszt, Boccherini, and Gottschalk, with several of the chevalier’s own compositions, including his celebrated paraphrase of themes from “ Faust,” Fibbwoeks Display.—The festive season will appropriately be closed this evening by a grand display of fireworks by the volunteer fire brigade on Hagley Park. The brigade have made more than ordinary preparations this year, a number of pyrotechnic novelties having been specially obtained from the well known firm of Brook and Sons, London. The display will occupy about an hour, commencing at nine o’clock. Subsequently to the display a procession will take place, starting from the Oarlton, in which the engines of the brigade and trains of tram cars will take part. This last arrangement will enable those desirous of seeing the procession to do so without the crush and crowd usually experienced on such occasions. As the night promises to be dark, no doubt the various devices, &c., will be seen to the beet advantage. New Pbesbytebian Ohuech, Sydenham. —Yesterday this church was opened by services conducted by the Bev. T. B. Cairns, minister of the congregation, the Hev. James Hill, of Lyttelton, and the Bev. David Gordon, of Temuka. This church, which is situated at the corner of Colombo road and Fifth street, Sydenham, is a handsome erection, built by Messrs Marshall Bros., from plans furnished by Mr John Whitelaw, architect, Hereford street. As a report of the dimensions, &c., has already appeared in our columns, it is needless to furnish them again to our readers; suffice it to say, that the building has been substantially built under the superintendence of the architect, to whom and the builders great credit is duo for such a handsome addition to the architecture of the city. The fittings of the church wore furnished by Mr Archibald Lusk, and the interior of the church has been completed in a satisfactory manner, la the forenoon the Bev. J. Hill, of Lyttelton, preached to a large and attentive audience an interesting sermon from the text Acts xx., v. 27 —"For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” At three o’clock the Bev. T. B. Cairns preached a sermon from the text 1 Peter ii., v. s—“ Yo also as lively stones,” This sermon had an especial reference to religious architecture, and illustrated the building of the chosen of God into a spiritual house. In the evening the Bov. David Gordon, of Temuka, preached a brilliant and eloquent discourse from the text, “ Watch yo, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, bo slrong.” Collections were taken at all the diets of worship in aid of the building fund, which amounted in all to £3l ss. Accident at Qlbntui.—Walter Cresswell, a youth sixteen years of age, residing at Papanui, mot with a painful accident whilst returning from a pig hunt on Saturday. He had dismounted for some purpose, and in picking up his gun—which was loaded and which he had laid on the ground—ho took hold of it by the muzzle, the result being that something touched the trigger and the contents of the gun entered his forearm. Ho was admitted to the Hospital yesterday afternoon and received prompt attention.

Canterbury Sunday School Union.— Services in connection with the above were held at the Durham street Wesleyan Church, St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, and the Wesleyan Church, Colombo road, yesterday afternoon ; the children from the various Sunday schools in connection with the Union in Christchurch and suburbs being apportioned to the three churches in question. The services were well attended, and the addresses were listened to with marked attention.

PiBB AT W OOLBTON.— A fire occurred at Woolston on Christmas morning abont two o’clock, in the house (an old wooden building) of Mr 8. Davies. The house was burnt to the ground, but a good deal of furniture was saved, and the inmates escaped uninjured. The insurances were—On the house, £l5O j on the furniture, £75. The fire is supposed to have been caused by a spark from the grate, in which some wood had been left burning to cook the Christmas pudding. Hospital Decorations. —The local hospital, though the home of sickness and Buffering, put on proper indications of rejoicing, so far as externals were concerned, lor the Christmas season of the year ; in other words, that is to say, tho nurses and others did their beat to bring Christmas home to the senses and hearts of the patients by decorating the interior—corridors, wards, and all, and they succeeded most admirably. The Hospital looked really charming, and there is every reason to believe that the inmates of that institution (though many of them long sufferers} have not, by a long way, been the least joyful of this community during the great holiday season of ths year. Railway Band. —This band gave a festival performance near Coker’s Hotel on Christmas Eve, which attracted a large number of persons. The programme was one entirely new here, only having arrived by the last mail from England, specially to tho order of the band. They way in which they performed the various items was deserving of great praise, the more so as there has not been time to practice the new mnsic so thoroughly as they would have liked. Tho band have arranged for a moonlight excursion round the harbor in the p.s. Titan about January 13th, which no doubt, from the fact of it being a novelty and also taking place on a late train night, will be largely patronised. Papanui Town Hall. —The opening of this building, which is rapidly approaching completion, will be celebrated on New Year’s Day, when the pretty village of Papanui will be en Jet . In tho day there will be sports of all kinds, for which a liberal programme has been prepared. The Papanui braes band will be in attendance, and as tram cars will run from town at short intervals, no doubt there will be a large attendance of visitors. In the evening the Hall will be formally opened by a dramatic entertainment, in which Mrs Walter Hill, Miss Arethusa May, and a number of lady and gentlemen amateurs will take part. Ranqioba Industrial Exhibition.— This exhibition was closed on Thursday evening. During that day it was very well attended. The Mayor (Mr John Johnston), in declaring it closed, said that the committee had every reason to be gratified with the success of the affair, and he trusted it would not be long before they had a repetition of it on a larger scale. The gross proceeds were •bout £45. It is proposed to hand the balance, after paying expenses, to the Literary Institute. To Mr B. Aherne, the honorary secretary, the thanks of the committee are due for the complete way in which their arrangements were carried ont. It is reported that some influential gentlemen have taken the matter up, and propose giving a complimentary dinner to the managing committee.

Match ice £23 a Side ok thb Eliesmere Baobcohbbe. —The match between Mr Bryan’s Lady Ellen and Mr George Gordon's Lady Heron (late Miss Biddy) took place on the Ellesmere racecourse on Friday morning at 9 a.m. The weights were 10st up. Lady Ellen was ridden with excellent judgment by Mr Robinson Bryan, the owner, old Biddy being piloted by Young McClure. Mr Wm. Bishop acted as starter and judge. He got tho mares away to a splendid start, both taking the turf on the fall of the dag. Mr Bryan’s mare kept very slightly in advance for about half the distance, when Lady Heron collared her, and a splendid race ensued for a few chains, when it became very evident that the old mare’s bolt was shot. Lady Ellen then came away with a clear lead of two lengths, which she maintained at her discretion to the finish. There was a numerous attendance on the course, and both mares being supposed to be about evenly matched, there was a large amount of even betting, some hundreds changing hands. Acknowledgment.—The House Steward of the Hospital desires to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of a box of frnit from Mr H. B. Sorensen; a basket of flowers and toys for the children in the Hospital from Mr Thos. F. Baldwin; a box of oranges from Mr J. G. Hawkea; and Christmas cards for the patients from Mrs Hamilton.