NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2368, 4 November 1881, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY

Intercolonial Weather Exchange.— Sydney, Thursday evening—lt is cloudy along the south cost, but elsewhere the weather is fine, with light westerly winds. Barometer— Albany and Portland, 29.8; Hobart, 29.7; <3abj and Sjdney, 27 9. Presbyterian Church Soirke. On Thursday night the annual festival of the congregation of St. John's Church, Lyttelton, was held in the Oddfellows' Hall at Port. A large number of ladies presided over the tables, and supplied to a crowded assemblage the feast prepared for the occasion. After tea was over, and the tables removed, the concorfc part of the entertainment commenced, the pastor, the Kev. James Hill, presiding. The building was full almost to ex-ess, and au attractive programmo brought renewed applause from the well-pleased audience as each part was performed. In times past the soiree of this church has had the name of being liberally patronised, and the one on Thursday night waß certainly not behind its predecessors.

A Returned Townsman.—The Wanganui, which arrived from London this morning, was the bearer back to Canterbury of W. W. Charters, who, it will be remembered, absconded from here some time since. He was in custody of Constable Brooks, and upon the ship's arrival at 3 o'clock this morning he was placed in custody of the police authorities, and brought from port to town early, a conveyance being engaged for the purpose. The police took that course in preference to waiting for the ordinary morning trains.

Concert. —A concert will be given this evening at the Oddfellows' Hall in aid of the funds of the Trades' Bowing Club, for which a very excellent programme has been preparad At the cloae of the concert a ball will be held, for which the services of the Railway Band have been secured.

Thb Fbont. —One of the Ohriatohureh contingent oE the Armed Constabulary, writing to a friend in Canterbury, says : "Sixty-one of us left Wellington forOpunake in the Hinemoa last Friday. The engineer -told me it was the finest passage that the Hinemoa had made for three years. There was scarcely a ripple the whole way. There is a fine redoubt at Opunake, about two chains square. The settlement is going ahead. Land is selling at about £2 an acre ; a corner section sold for £l6O. We have first-class tents to sleep in. It has been raining for four days very hard. There are twenty-two Maoris here, all of whom were in the old Maori war; all but two hare medals ; one is a sergeant. Evorybody likes them, they are so good-natured and kind to ell of us. Two hundred Arawas ocma here to morrow, and also eighty Navals from Wellington, fifty Volunteers from Nelson, and fifty from Picton. We start tomorrow, but do not know whether wo shall all go to the same place ; but we expeot it will be toPungarehu, sixteen or seventeen miles from here, and about a mile and a half from Parihaka. About 200 Maoris are camped close to the camp at Pungarehu, and our sentries and theirs can speak to each other, they are so close. They keep sentries both night and day. Two Maoris wero taken prisoners yesterday. The general opinion hero is that there will be a row."

Freak op Natube. —Mr James Nevin, of Waltbam, has just had hatched, from an ordinary-sized egg, a novelty in the shape of a duck, which was born with two bodies, two tails, four legs, four wings, two necks, but only one head, with the lower part of the beak. Its brain was of unusual size, and burst, after which it was killed. It has been preserved. The Footpaths.—We would like to call the attention of the " powers that be" to the dangerous and unsightly state of the asphalte in various parts of the town, moro especially that portion between the Rotherfield and Judgo's corner. Unless something is at once done to prevent accident, the City Council will certainly stand a good show of being mulcted in heavy damages, as the footpaths in many parts are in such a bad state of repair as to be absolutely dangerous to the unwary passer-by. FfiiENDLY Societies Fete.—A meeting of the Friendly Societies' fete committee was held last evening at the Foresters' Hall. Tenders were opened for the supply of a band, and those of the Railway (twenty performers) and the Artillery (twenty performers) were accepted. Ra the fire brigade drill competition, the secretary reported that ha had communicated with all the brigades between here and Dunedin re conditions of competition, but had not yet received replies. The chairman and Mr Hobbs were appointed a sub-committee to confer with Mr Harris and the Fire Insurance Association about prizes. The secretary reported that the -licensed victuallers had not yet decided upon the terms under which their cup was to be competed for. A legal opinion was received from Messrs Thomas and Bruges, stating that it would be illegal to hold the usual art union in connection with the fete. The officers were appointed a sub-committee to arrange for holding an art union of " works of art" in accordance with the Gaming and Lotteries Act. A new Lodge of Foresters having been established at Papanui since the commilteo was formed, it was decided to invite them to take part in carrying out the fete. Several delegates reported that the medical officers of their lodges were prepared to give special prizea to bo competed for. It was decided to write to them asking for particulars. The appointment of ground and toy committees was held over till next meeting. After adding ssveral events to the programme, the committee adjourned. Obanoe Meeting.—The ceremony of unfurling the new banner of tho Maiden City Lodge was gone through on Thursday night, in tha Presbyterian Church schoolroom. A number of visitorsfrom sister lodges arrived at Port to take part in the ceremony, and, after escorting the banner to the hall, witnessed its exaltation in the lodge. Hitherto it has not been uncommon for societies to send to the old country for a handsome banner, bnt judging from the excellence, both in quality and de»ign, of tho banner which tho Loyal Maiden City members unfurled on the night in qnestion, and which it it is stated was entirely of local manufacture (one of Mr R. Atkinson's of this city), the iin ported article has met with a meritorious competitor. Of purple silk, Rold lettered, beautifully illuminated with the emblems of the society, and handsomely mounted, the lodgo may fairly take credit for having in its possession one of the handsomest banners in the colony, and at the same time the credit for having determined to employ a colonial workman to produce it. After the formal ceremony was over, a cold collation was served, at which Bro. T. Hay, W.M. presided, with Bro. J. Snoswell, D.M., as croupier, and a very pleasant night was spent I the brethren.

De. Coward Dr. Coward and his familyreturned by the ship Wanganui from Home to-day. The doctor's many friends will bo Rind to hear of his return in good health and spirits. Sydbnham Musical Society.—The third concert of the season was given by this society in the schoolroon,°Colombo street, last evening, there being a fair attendance. The first part of the programmo consisted of eccnlar music, comprisiog the glees "Home" and "The Blacksmith," and the trio " Hark," by Mrj Kdmonds and Messrs Edwards and Edmonds, and several solos. Tha ballard " Auld Eobin Gray," given by Miss Watson, received an encore, as did tho quartette " Comes o'er the Brook." The second part consisted of the cantata "Nativity," which wont very nicely throughout. Mrs Edmonds, Miss Collins, and Messrs Edwards and Miller aro deserving special mention. The orchestra was under the leadership of Mr A. Corrick, and Mr Edmonds conducting. Synagogue Decorations—Amongst the very beautiful decoration of the new Synagogue consecrated yesterday, the capitals of the pillars supporting the gallery aro particularly noticeable, the lilies with which they aro ornamented being moulded by Messrs Carrington and Kent, of this city, and are specimens of nativo industry of a very high order. New Zealand Illustrated Annual.— As will bo seen on reference to our advertising columns, this publication, whioh first saw the light a year since, is a claimant for popular favor in the approaching year. It is satisfactory to note that tho illustrations adorning its pages are most creditable specimens of Ghristchuroh art, being pen-and-ink sketohea by Mr T. S. Cousins, the well-known artist, photographed by Messrs Grand and Dunlop, I and photo lithographed by the printers of the I annual.

Fbeh Handicap.—Wo remind owners that the acceptances for the Free Handicap are duo to-night at 8 p.m.

Cathedbal Sebviobs. The ootave of special services was continued yesterday in the following order :—Holy Communion at 7.30 a.m., at whioh upwards of sixty communicated. Matins at 9 a.m., at which the attendance was good ; and evensong at 7.30 p m., when the Cathedral was well fillod. The first and second lessons were read by the Bev. Franois Knowlcs and the Very Be v. the Dean of Ohristohurch respectively; the preacher beirrg the Bishop of Dunedin, who chose for his subject, " The office of the Cathodral as exhibiting the highest attainable type of Divine sorvico," which was most eloquently treated. To-day the services comprise—9 a.m., Matins ;12 30 p.m , Litany ; evensong, sermon by the Bishop of Waiapu,

" Tho office of tho Cathedral in promoting the work of Homo and Foreign Missions." Thb Mails. Tho outgoing mails for Europe and America will be despatched tomorrow by the Union Steamship Company's Waitaki. The s.s. Albion also goes North to morrow, and the Waitaki will take a mail for the Fijian steamer Taiaroa at Auckland. Accidents.—Yesterday an accident of a eerioua nature bofol a man named James Harrow, an employe of Messrs J. and T. Danks, bratefoundejs, of this city. It appears that he was working at Sydenham on a job, when a spirit lamp used by him exploded, the result being that he was badly burnt about the faco and hands. Ho was removed to the Hospital, and is reported as progressing favorably.—On Wednesday evening Mr Alfred Porter was walking home from Ashburton to his residence on the West belt, when be fell, breaking bis leg in two places. A cab at once took him to the Hospital, where bo was attended by Dr. Boss. This is the third time that Mr Porter has broken bis leg within twelve months.