NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2392, 2 December 1881, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY

Lsttbiton Industrial Exhibition.—A meeting of the committee was held on Thursday, hie Worship the Mayor in the chair. It was resolved that the exhibition be held in the Colonists’ Hall on the 19th, 20tb, and 2lat January, 1883. The secretary was instructed to advertise for applications for space and particulars of exhibits. Applications to bo received until the 2Xst inst.

Druids.— The Lyttelton Hearts of Oak Lodge held their usual fortnightly meeting on Thursday evening, at the Foresters’ Hall, Lyttelton. Two candidates were initiated by the A.D. Bro. Lawson, assisted by the P. A. Bro. Gillies. A presentation is to be made to P.B. Bro. Harrington by the brethren. Lvttbiton Magistrate's Court —Alexander Storm was charged, at this Court this morning, with indecently exposing himself, and was sent to prison for seven days. A first offender against the Sobriety Act was fined 5», and B. Meehan, for brutal assault upon E. Hanson, was remanded until the sth instant, there being but one Justice of the Peace (Mr Allwright) on the Bench, where the nature of the case required two or a Besident Magistrate.

Elkctobai. —Mr W. White, junr., invites the electors of Sydenham to meet him at the Oddfellows* Hall, Waltham, on Monday, December sth, and at the schoolroom, Addington, on Wednesday, December 7th,’ at eight o’clock each evening, Mr Biohardson announces that he will address the electors of Lyttelton at the Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton, on Thursday evening at eight o’clock. Haebob Boabd. —The Lyttelton Harbor Board held its usual fortnightly meeting yesterday, and transacted a good deal of business. A report from the finance committee was adopted recommending reductions in the rates of wharfage and transhipment to the extent of about £SCCO a year, and in the pilotage dues to the amount of about £BOO a year. It was decided to urge upon the Government the desirability of also reducing its chargee at the port, which in the opinion of the Board are excessive and injurious to the trade of Canterbury. Opbn-aik Promenade Concerts. —The first of a series of concerts by the Artillery Band was given in the drill-shed enclosure last evening, when a very well chosen programme of nine numbers was submitted. It will be remembered that this band was favourably known last season as Hamilton’s, but recently it has been incorporated in the E Battery of Artillery as its regimental band. The conductor, Mr Hamilton, to whose exertions the present efficiency of the band is due, hails from the Boyal Military College, England, and he wielded the baton last evening. It need scarcely be said that the concert was a most enjoyable one.

Mkbitalb Entbbtainment. —A bazaar in aid of the Sunday school funds of this parish was held last evening in the side school, Papanui road. A large Christmas tree was seen at the eastern end of the room, laden with juvenile delights, whilst the sides of the building were devoted to four large and well filled stalls, laden with articles of very juvenile attire and fancy work, and a brisk trade was driven by the fair stall keepers. In the evening the laughable farce of “ Box and Cox” was enacted, in which the Merivale amateurs distinguished themselves, and added much to the enjoyment. Sefton Fabmebs’ Club.— A meeting of this club was held on evening last, Mr 0. Houghton in the chair, and at which there was a good attendance. The rules of the club wore considered and approved, and it was decided to take up the question of the small birds nuisance. Mr Barclay was appointed to receive and pay boys for eggs delivered to him. After discussing some minor matters the meeting adjourned.

Littlb Biter Railway. —Mr A. D. Allan of Little River has received a letter from the Public Works Department, stating that it is proposed this year to complete the line to the foot of Lake Forsyth, and to commence an additional section along the lake.

Stdbnhak Baptist Church.— A bazaar in aid of the building fund of the above church ■will be held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street, on Monday and Tuesday, December 19th and 20th.

TBADBiMEK's Loah Socibtt. —The annualf meeting o£ the Tradesmen’* and Mohanioa' Loan Society trill bo held at the offices, Worcester street, at 7 30 this evening. Mb Stout's Lbotubb. —Lost evening Mr Robert Stout gave a lecture on “ Evolution and Theism ” in connection with the Canterbury Freethought Association, at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street. Mr B. M. Olissold took the chair in the absence of Mr Pratt, and explained the cause preventing Mr Stout’s earlier arrival. Mr Stout, who on

rising wag well received, began his lecture by defining freethought as the outcome of the natural desire of mankind to discover the reason for everything, and the great question of thinkers was the origin and end of the universe. The positive, speculative, and unknowable might be aptly illustrated by the astronomer, who has positive knowledge of the motions and positions of the heavenly bodies, but when he starts a theory to explain their motions that is the speculative, and when he tries to consider what purpose these motions serve he wanders into the regions of the unknowable and gets beyond expression. After a long argumentative explanation of the the title subject of the lecture, Mr Stout concluded by remarking that scientists restrict themselves to known phenomena, such as geology and zoology, and then start a theory to account for differences, and according as that theory fits in with well known facts so will belief !in its truth be strengthened. The special creation theory is shown in the two first chapters of Genesis; the theory of Evolution is shown by organic and inorganic bodies till the present form of being, but the discovery of the fossils in rooks gave the greatest difficulty to those who held the special creation theory. Mr F. C. Hall proposed, and Mr Webber seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr Stout. Mr B. Osss moved as an amendment that no vote of thanks be accorded, characterising Mr Stout as an exponent of atheism. Two or three hands were held up for the amendment, and the vote of thanks was carried by a large majority. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings, which were interspersed by musical selections by Mr Button’s band. Boabd op Oonsebtatobb. — A meeting of the above Board, for the Mandeville and Bangiora drainage district, was held at Mr Mulcock’s, Eiaxton, on Thursday morning. Present—Messrs Muloock (chairman). Boys, Duncan, and Young. Correspondence was read from Messrs Joyot and Perceval re Hirers Act, 1831. The clerk read a report stating that the contract for deepening No. 3 drain had been let to Mr W. Sloan at 8s fid j P

jer chain, and that for filling broach on Pearson’s road to Mr Dodd at £3 15s ; also giving measurements of work on mouth of main drain. The clerk was instructed to invite tenders at once for this work, the stuff to bo placed on both sides of the main drain between the Skewbridge and the Flaxton bridge as far as it would go. Mr Boys reported that the Oust was working back to its old channel, and it was decided that it should not bo interfered with. After passing accounts, to the amount of £lB Bs, the Board adjourned.

Pebshktation.— A large number of membora of the Working Men's Club assembled at the Club rooms last evening, on the occasion of a presentation to Mr J. S. Wykes, the retiring president of the Club. The present took the form of a very handsome marble clock and a colonial gold locket. His Worship the Mayor (Mr Gapes) made the presentation in a few appropriate remarks, during which ha mentioned that the success of the Club was mainly due to the exertions of Mr Wykes. Mr Wykes thanked his Worship and the subscribers for the very handsome present. The clock bears the following inscription—“ Presented by the members of the W.M.O. and M.S.A. to J. S. Wykes, in recognition of his services as first president. Deo. Ist, 1881. The proceedings were enlivened by several songs by the members, and Mr T. Tankard received loud applause for his cornet solo.

East Oxfobd.—Wednesday last being the anniversary of the dedication of the Ohuroh to St. Andrew, it was, aa usual, observed as a holiday in the district. The day was commenced by service in the church of St. Andrew’s at 9,30 a.m. The incumbent read the prayers, and the Eev. G. Oholmondely took the communion service, and preached a most impressive sermon on “ Home duties,” taking his text from the Ist chapter St. John, part 40 and 41 v. During the service the anthem was very nicely rendered by the choir. At the conclusion of the service the bazaar was opened in the Town Hall, the stalls being presided over by the ladies of the district, who appeared to do a lively trade in the various departments, including a substantial luncheon at the modest price of Is, At the close of the bazaar a large quantity of things were sold by auction by Mr Mardon. Daring the day the proceedings were enlivened by the strains of the Kangiora brass band, which kindly gave its services for the day. The bazaar was followed by a tea, and the enjoyments of the day were brought to a close by an entertainment, consisting of songs and readings, &o. The band played some selections from the " Pirates,” which were much appreciated. During the evening the chair was occupied by the Kev. J. Sheldon. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies, who had attended to the bazaar, tea, &0., and to those who bad come from a distance to assist in the concert.