NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2175, 14 February 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

Oantebbuey and Wxstland Gband Tbitnk Railway. —The share lists for this truly great work have been distributed in Canterbury and Westland, and applications have been received for share lists from Dunedin. As nearly as can bo ascertained, 10,000 shares have already been taken up. Theatbical. — Our readers will be pleased to hear that the Theatre Royal will open tomorrow (Tuesday) with a first-class company, who intend to produce a series of new dramas during the ensuing fortnight. The opening piece is a dramatised version of Mr Farjeon’s novel “Griff,” and Mrs Walter Hill, who will represent the heroine of the story, will be supported by adequate and competent ladies and gentlem®n - After tho wretched stuff which the public have had inflicted on them for the past month, under the high sounding name of opera, by Mr Martin Simonson and his mediocre assistants, it. will be a real relief to the playgoing public, to once more have tho opportunity of enjoying firat-claea amusement and instruction.

Apbioan Diamond Fields.—A letter, written by an old Canterbury man to hit wife, says—“ The place at which we are located M called Gong Gong, Vaal Hirer, Griqualand, sixty miles from Kimberley, we are doing well. Any white man can get £4 a week here 1 as overseer to watch the Kaffirs at work to present their stealing the diamonds, as’no white man works, or is expected to. I hope you got the £6O I sent you in July last, and I am glad to be able to send you another £6O now. A few days ago we found a2J carat diamond, which I sold for £4O. Had it been 10 carat it would have been worth £I,OOO. The only fault in them is the color; the whiter they are the more we get for them. Diamond digging is different to gold digging, because the find is so much more valuable. Provisions are dear here. Flour, £3 a 1001 b. bag ; tea, 3s 6d a lb.; beef, when wo can get it, 6d a lb., and bad at that. I have seen cabbages sold at 8s each. Potatoes fetch £4.. a bag; onions the same. I am paying £2 a week for board, and it’s jolly bad at that.” Moonlight Trip on the Haebob Next Thursday there will be a moonlight excursion round Lyttelton Harbor by the e.s. Akaroa. The local band of musicians will accompany the steamer, and should the evening be fine a few hours very pleasant recreation may be depended upon. The Akaroa is to return in time to connect with the late train, which leaves that night for Christchurch. For fares see advertisement.

Magistrate's Court, Ltttelton. Alfred Westlake was charged with cruelty to a horse belonging to Mr Thomas Bryant, and was remanded until Wednesday, bail being allowed. An application for a re-hearing of the late weights and measures cases was made on behalf of the late defendants, and, after consideration, Mr Beswick granted the request, the hearing to take place next Monday,

Oxpobd Amateue Dramatic Association. —A very successful performance was given on Wednesday evening, the pieces selected being “ Lady Audley’s Secret” and “ Family Jars.” The principal characters were undertaken by Miss Lily May, Miss E. Thompson, Messrs O. Thompson, Wilson, and Parish, all of whom acquitted themselves well.

Rkcattubed.—The man Downing who esoaped from the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum one day last week wag recaptured at Lincoln yesterday. Sporting.— "The Poet” and “Hilda’' were submitted by auction by Messrs J. T. Ford and 00., on Saturday, but despite the eloquence of Mr Newton the owner’s reserve was not reached, and they were passed in. Thb Mobmons.—The Mormon apostle attempted to hold forth in Oranmer square last evening, but a crowd was there for the purpose, apparently, of preventing the performance, which they most successfully did. Harbor Board Election.—An election for a member of the Lyttelton Harbor Board will be held to-day at Port, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are two candidates—Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley, the late member, and Mr Thomas Merson.

Anothbb Pionio.—On Saturday the employes of Messrs N, J. Suckling and 00. and Messrs Scott Bros., joined common cause and assembled in St. Asaph street, at the warehouse of the former firm, from whence a departure was made to Sumner, to celebrate their annual picnic. Ohoiob American Wheats.—By the San Francisco meil, on Saturday, Messrs Boyse, Stead and 00. received samples of some celebrated wheats, such as the Golden Grain, Sonora, Defiance, and others, which those who take an interest in agricultural matters can inspect at their office. By an early steamer they expect some Rio Grande, Minnesota Fife, long-berried Amber, Hard Red, and long-berried Winter, for distribution amongst farmers having suitable soil for giving them a fair trial. Oolonially-madh Parchment.—Mr J. T. Smith, of the Wesleyan Book Depot, has forwarded us samples of parchment manufactured by Mr Thomas Collins, of Nelson. Mr Smith, in an accompanying note says—“ Mr Oollins states that these samples were made last winter, when he had nothing else to do. He says, further, that he can manufacture parchment equal in quality, and sell it at less cost than the imported article.” We can only

add that the sample sent to us is well and evenly made and shows a very good surface. The Railway Band.—A popular experimental lecture, illustrated by models, will be given this evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall, by Professor Bickerton, in aid of the library and band funds of the Railway Band. The band during the present season have, by tbeir excellent performances in the Square, afforded pleasure to a large number of persons without any charge, and the lecture this evening affords an opportunity to the public to reciprocate in seme way by aiding two very laudable objects in connection with it. His Worship the Mayor will occupy the chair, and, from the known ability of Professor Bickerton, the lecture should be both interesting and instructive. Local Industry.—A trial of the new boiler just put into the steamer Waiparafrom Mr John Anderson’s foundry, and of the vessel’s engines, was made on Saturday evening, in presence of the Government Inspector, who expressed himself highly pleased with the result. The rivetting of the boilers was perfect, not so much as “a weep” showing itself from any rivet in it. Altogether the visit of the steamer has resulted in demonstrating that marine boiler making can bo done here quite equal to that of any port in the colonies, and it is said on as good if not perhaps better terms. The shipwright portion of the workmanship required by the Waipara has previously been referred to as reflecting credit upon the firm that undertook it. All in the way of accommodation and facilities now wanting may be said to be the graving dock, and the Port of Lyttelton in respect to this bids fair to outdo any port in New Zealand within a very short time.

A sensational drama, “ Father and Son,” is being produced at the Novelty Theatre, Bourke street, Melbourne. John E, Fulton has organised a series of band contests on the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Mr J, Summers (Government Inspector of Music), gave his fourth organ recital at the Melbourne Exhibition building. At the Globe Theatre, London, the new oomio opera, “Les Mouequetaires,” has been a great success. Lankester’s comedy, “ The Gov’nor”’ is being played at the Vaudeville, London. Mr George Oolman's annual matinee at the Gaiety Theatre, London, on November 24th, was well attended. Master Boucicault and Miss Sothern made their debut, Mr Alfred Dampinr has appeared at the Surrey Theatre, London, and proved a great success. Here is a recent musical criticism of a piano recital from a Maryland paper :—“ The professor closed the music rack, and without notes made the handsome grand pianoforte fairly roar with music. The ‘ ppV and the ‘ ffV were beautiful, and the crescendo was very noticeable. Ho gave a pleasing little encore.” A San Francisco paper asks :—“ What’s the use—what on earth, we say, is the use of talking about art culture in San Francisco, when it is an open secret that a certain rich mining man recently sent to Florence for a copy of the Venus of Milo, and when the statue was delivered actually sued the O. P. Company for mutilating a work of art, and, what is more, recovered large damages.”