NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2144, 8 January 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Stable Btjbnt,—On Friday night, about ine o’clock, a stable belonging to Mr T. H. Parkinson, of Kaitana, and situated in Dampier’s Bay, at Lyttelton, mysteriously took fire and was destroyed. Mr Brownell, who occupies a residence nearest to the place, states that no person was using the stable at the tin e, nor does he know of anyone having been in it for four days before the fire occurred. SCANDIKAVIAN CONGBEGATION. The yearly meeting of the Scandinavian congregation took place last night, in the German Church, Pastor P. G. Jocobsen presiding. Mr J. Andersen read the yearly reports, which were found to be very satisfactory. After transacting some routine business, the meeting elected the following gentlemen as a committee for the ensuing year :—Mr J. Andersen and Mr J. Q. Bay (re-elected) and Mr J. O Mandahl, The meeting agreed that the Scandinavian service, which has hitherto taken place at 3.30, will hereafter take place at 630 in the evening, to commence on Sunday, the 9th instant. The meeting closed with a hearty votes of thanks to Pastor P. G. Jacobsen, for the zeal and earnestness displayed by him in his ministerial duties.

Tub Coeonbu.—Dr. Coward leaves New Zealand to-day for England in the Rangitiki, and no doubt his numerous friends heartily wish that his well earned trip will prove a pleasant one. Dr. Coward’s successor has not yet been appointed. Rbtubned Coeokists. The Rev. J. Duller, on early pioneer of New Zealand in connection with the Wesleyan Church Mission work, arrived yesterday from England by the ship Waimate. Mr Oholmondeley, an old Canterbury settler, was also a passenger by the same ship, and Dr. Farrell, formerly a resident of Nelson. Obatobio at Pobx.—The “ Messiah ” was repeated on Thursday night at Lyttelton, on this occasion in the Wesleyan Church, the orchestra including the church organ, played by Mr R. T. Search. The performance proved as delectable as the previous one, and was greatly enjoyed by an audience of fully four hundred.

West Coast Railway. —A largely attended meeting of citizens was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall last night, to discuss the proposed West Coast railway scheme. A report of the proceedings is published elsewhere. Kaiapoi Presbyterian Ohubch.—At a meeting of adherents of this church, held on Thursday evening, the Rev. Mr Cairns, Moderator, presiding, it was decided to invite Rev. Robert McGregor to the pastorate, and a call in accordance therewith was duly signed for presentation to the ensuing meeting of the Presbytery. Supreme Court.— The Court was occupied during the whole of yesterday with the case of Regina v Michael Murphy, for perjury. The jury returned a verdict of “ Guilty,” aud hie Honor sentenced the prisoner to two years’ imprisonment with hard labor. In the ease of Regina v Watt, for a similar offence, the prisoner pleaded “ Guilty,” and received a sentence of six months* imprisonment with hard labor. The Court adjourned till Monday next, when the case of Regina v Gibson, for murder, will bo taken. The conclusion of the evidence in the case of Michael Murphy will bo found cn the fourth page. Theatre Royal. —There was a very good house last night at the Theatre Royal, when Professor Haselmayer again appeared in a very entertaining programme. The various illusions, especially the magic bell, were capitally executed. The electricity display through the tubes was exceedingly pretty, the intensity of the various colors beiug very marked. To-night is the close of the season. A. and P. Association. —A meeting of the committee of the A. and P. Association was held yesterday afternoon. Present—Mr J. R, Hill (in the chair), and Messrs R. Wilkin, Norman, Murray Aynsley, Bruce, Mcßeatb, Henderson, Money, Sutherland, Garforth, Deans, and Gilmore. The Chairman, before introducing the ordinary business, referred to the death of their late president, and suggested that as this was the first formal meeting since that event, the association should put on record an expression of their regret. A resolution wag carried, in accordance with this suggestion as follows :—‘‘That this committee place upon record its sense of the groat loss the association has sustained by the death of the late president, Mr Andrew Duncan, and instructs the secretary to address a letter to Mrs Duncan, expressing its sympathy with her and her family.” A letter was read from the Sunday-school Association, thanking the committee for their action in preventing games of chance at the late Metropolitan Show. A letter from Mr Morton was received, asking for compensation on account of extra expense incurred by him over and above his contract. It was decided to tender Mr Morton the sum of £lO. A motion given notice of by Mr Money re a change in the rules relating to light horses was postponed, to be referred to the catalogue committee for 1881. The following motion, given notice of by Mr J. Anderson, junr, wag road: —“ That this association communicate with kindred societies in New Zealand, with a view of collecting subscriptions and samples of agricultural productions of the colony, to be exhibited at the next Royal Agricultural Society’s Show in England, and that the Government be asked to aid in the cost of collecting.” After some discussion, it was decided to postpone the motion till next meeting, the secretary in the meantime to see Mr Anderson and ask him to elaborate bis views on the subject. A number of matters of a routine character were dealt with, after which the election of a gentlsman to fill tha president’s cilice, rendered vacant by Mr Duncan’s death, was proceeded with. Mr J. R. Hill was elected president and Mr Wm. Henderson vice-president. The committee then adjourned.

Aiaum op Kibe.—At about half-poet six o’clock last evening tho Railway ilro alarm was sounded, and tho rumour was soon current that tho Christchurch railway station was on firo. Shortly after the Lichfield street bell rang out an alarm, and the whole of the brigades, viz, tho Railway, Lichfield and Chester street Brigades, were soon at the station. Then came the enquiry as to the locality of the fire.l Ultimately it transpired that a fire Lad been caused in the saw mills belonging to Messrs Langdown and Co., Waltham, through a spark igniting some combustible matter. Fortunately the flames were extinguished before much damage was done, and tho extent of which will not be more th»aSlo 4

Evangelistic Service, —The Rev. 0. Pym will conduct an Evangelistic service in the Theatre Royal to-morrow (Sunday) afternoon, at 3 o'clock.

1.0 G.T.—The Liberator Lodge, No. 1, held_ their weekly meeting on Thursday evening, when a good number of members were present. Two were initiated, and four proposed for initiation at our next meeting, after the usual business of the evening was gone through. The Lodge then went into harmony, and passed a very pleasant and enjoyable evening. The Lodge closed at the usual hour (9.30 p.m.). Evangelical Alliance Meetings. —The service announced for last evening was held in the Wesleyan Church, Sydenham, at which a fair audience assembled. The Rev. J. Rishworth presided, and the Rev. B. O. Parry gave the address, the topic chosen being “ Prayer for all Nations.” As was the cace at previous meetings a number of ministers were present, some of which assisted in the service. The last meeting of the series will bo held this evening in the Congregational Schoolroom, Manchester street, under the auspices of the Young Men’s Christian Association. The addresses will be delivered by Revs. J. Orewos and J. Clover. For convenience, Sankey’s selection of hymns will be used at the service.

Masonic. —The Lyttelton K.R.A. Chapter was duly consecrated, and office-bearers installed, on Thursday evening, by M.E.Z. Comp. T. Stapleton and Jubal Fleming, P.Z., assisted by M.B. Comp. J. Smith, Z., and Comp. Dr. Donald, D.G.M., E. 0., and tho officers and companions of the C.K.R.A., Chapter No. 136, who assembled in goodly number to do their Lyttelton companions honor on this occasion. 'The following Companions were installed as office-bearers :—Rev. J. Hill, Z.; T. Green, J.; J. Fleming, T.; W. Clifford, S.E ; W. Austin, Ist Soj.; Thos. Edwards, 2nd Soj.; J. Hamilton, 3rd Soj.; A. Bailey, Janitor. This Chapter was consecrated under warrant from M.B. Comp. P. Patterson, 33 deg., P.G.B. for New Zealand, Dunedin. After the consecration the Companions adjourned to tbe banquet room, and sat down for refreshments. The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honored. The Christchurch visitors returned by the late train, after having spent a very pleasant evening and rendered good service to the craft in Lyttelton by establishing a R. Arch in their midst.—The installation of officers of the Somerset Lodge, E.C., Ashburton, took place last Thursday evening, when the following were installed by Bro. Thompson, D.D.G.M.: Bros. J. Bradley, W.M.; R. Friedlander, S.W.; H. Zander, J.W.; R. Mouschamp, 8.D.; A, O. Aitken, J.D.; treasurer, H. Friedlander ; secretary, P. J. Henry: master of ceremonies, H. W. Felton ; stewards, J. 8. Savage and J. Conning ; inner guard, O. Page ; tyler, R. Cullen, Railway Band. —This band will play at tho Colombo street Bridge on Saturday evening at 7.30. Building Regulations. —A special meeting of the City Council will be held on Monday next, to adopt the Building By-laws. Durham street Wesleyan Church.— Sermons will be preached to-morrow, in the morning by the Rev. E Barber, and in tho evening by the Rev. J. Boiler, both gentlemen having just arrived from England. South Town Belt School.— The member of committee in charge of tbe above (Mr John Whyte) acknowledges receipt of the (donation of .£1 from Mr G. C. J. Stevens, M.H.R., and from Mrs S. Manning of .£1 Is towards the ize fund Surely the ways of theatrical men are peculiar. When a lot of tramps congregate about the entrance to hear tho music, and the policemen drive them away, the manager telegraphs all over the country that his play is an immense success, and that people are turned away from the doors. —“ Oil City Derrick.”

An Irish waiter at an hotel complimented a turkey in the following manner—“ Faith, it’s not six hours since that turkey was walking round his rale estate with his hands in his pocket, aiyer draming what a pretty invitation he’d hare to jine you gentlemen at dinner.”

An American lawyer is now AttorneyGeneral of the Sandwich Islands. If in two years he doesn’t own the entire country and hold the Sing’s note for a large sum he is no credit to the American bar.—“ Philadelphia Ohroniolo.” “In what condition was the patriarch Job at the end of his life ?” asked a Brooklyn Sunday school teacher of a quiet-looking boy at the foot of the class. “ Dead,” calmly replied the quiet-looking boy. Some men must have a quarter of a column to express a well-defined idea when writing for a newspaper, but it is astonishing how concise they can make an advertisement that costs thirty cents per line. San Francisco people have a prejudice against cooking oysters, because they say that cooking makes them indigestible. But they go right along cooking cabbages, sausages, mince pies, and mining reports. Sis : “ Aren't you coming to church with us this morning, Herbert ? ” Herbert : “ Ho; an excursion train is just in. so I shall stroll about on the beach and lock at tho breakers —the Sabbath breakers, I mean.'

M. Gustave Doro ig engaged upon a picture painted upon a close scale, like the majority of his Scriptural subjects, and illustrating the text, “ Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden,”