NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2403, 17 December 1881, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY

Shipping!.— A largo vessel, either tho Helen Scott or tho Waimato, was reported twenty miles to the southward, making for Lyttelton, when our expre-s left tbis afternoon. Intercolonial Wbathhr Exchange,— Sydney, Friday:—On the south coast of Australia moderate S.E winds prevail and in New South Wales and Hobart moderate winds. Barometer Fort Adelaide and Sydney, 29 8; Hobart, 29 7.

Township op Falsoravb. —There was s srgo attendance at Messrs J. T. Ford and Oo.’s rooms this afternoon, when the above township was submitted to auction. No sales were, however, effected, as tho land was passed in, the biddings not reaching tho owner’s r serve.

Rahotu. — A corrrespondent from New Plymouth writes as follows :—" Tho No. 3 Company of the A.O. force have been actively engaged during the present week in making preparation for- leaving that spot for Farihaka, preparatory to which they have been employed in taking down the telegraph poles leading from the office at tho camp to the main road, for removal to Farihaka, where they will bo erected for the purpose of laying on a wire from tho offices proposed to be erected there to the main line, consequently several loads of telegraph poles have been seen passing along the road from Rahotu to Farihaka lately. The No. 4 Company of the A.O. are at the latter place, encamped in tho stockade on Yelverton Hill, whilst it is intended to locate the Rahotu A.C. on the flat,”

Druids, —The fortnightly meeting of tho Oak of Sydenham Lodge of Druids was held in St. Saviour’s schoolroom, on Wednesday night, A.D. Bro. Barnett presiding. An official visit was received from the officers and brethren of the Campbell Lodge, Two candidates were initiated into the lodge, and after a hearty vote of thanks had been passed to the visiting brothers, the lodge was closed. Melancholy Accident. —Particulars arc given in the report of the Penguin’s trip to. Akaroa, published in another column, of the accidental death of one of the crew of tho steamer, who was drowned in Akaroa harbor.

Complimentary. —Some of the electors of the Coleridge district having resolved to tender to Mr J. D. Enys a public dinner as some slight token of the esteem in which he is held in that district, a meeting was held at Flanagan’s Hotel, Sheffield, on Wednesday evening, when an influential committee was selected to arrange for the dinner, which is to take place at an early date. Miss Louisk Pomeroy. The many friends of this gifted lady will be glad to learn that arrangements have been made for her playing a second season at the Theatre Royal here, opening probably on Boxing night. Since Miss Pomeroy was here last, she has added several plays to her repertoire, and these will be produced during the season. Mr Fickersgill, the “ unbought and the undefeated,” is here as avant courier, and is arranging details.

Kaiapoi Wbblbyan Sunday School.— The annual treat in connection with this school was held on Friday in a paddock kindly lent by Mr R. Evans, Ohoka. About 250 were present, inclusive of teachers and a number of friends. Various games, suoh as cricket, &c., were carried on during the intervals between refreshments, and despite the hot weather and strong wind a pleasant day was spent. After acknowledging Mr Evans’kindness, and the efforts of those who promoted the day’s pleasure, tho party returned in the evening well pleased with the day’s enjoyment. Presentation. On Thursday last the children attending the Fapanui District School presented their head master, Mr Morgan, with a black marble clock, and their head mistress, Mrs Jennings, with a richly chased silver card case. The presentations were made in the largo schoolroom, which was decorated with flowers, and suitable addresses were read by Rate Baker, dux of the school. Mr Morgan replied in very feeling terms on behalf of himself and Mrs Jennings, who are both leaving, and told the children that the eohool would not close for the Christmas vacation till the end of next week.

Friendly Societies’ Fbtb.— A meeting of the friendly societies’ fete committee was held last evening, when • considerable amount of business in connection with the forthcoming fete was transacted. The art union sub-committee reported that the tickets were being rapidly disposed of. The following entries were received : —Two-mile bioyole race, T. Beared, H. Oakey, O. B. Church, A. B. Preeoe, C. H. Myhrc, K. Atkinson, and F. B. Dunsford ; five-mile bicycle race, T. Seared, A. B. Preeoe, K. Atkinson, H. Oakey, and F. R. Dunsford ; half-mile handicap (L. V. cup), W. 8. Fagan, J. Butler, A. Pierce, C. Scrimshaw, and Samuel Hewitt; two-mile walking race, J. Blaokler, 0. H. Pierce, O. J. Lawrence, and D. Hegarty. Fire Brigade engine drill competition : Bangiora, Kaiapoi, and Lyttelton Brigades, one team each; and Christchuroa two teams. In lieu of the Highland Fling it was decided to substitute a 100 yards race, open to ad comers, first prize £2 2s, second £1 Is, entrance 2s 6d. Be the procession on the morning of the fete, it was decided that the Christchurch lodges form in Latimer square at 10.30 a.m., the order of procession to be definitely settled next meeting. Tho meeting then adjourned.

Thb Wilhelm j Ooncbetb.—The second concert of the season took place last night, and was not so largely attended as it should have been, owing, no doubt,to counter attractions. This, however, did not in any way appear to discourage the artists taking part in it, who both played and sang with great brilliancy and effect. Herr Wilhelmj in the first part played a charming fantasia of his own composition, the execution of which was faultless. He was encored, and responded with a transcription of a song by Jensen. In the second part Herr Wilhelmj played as the opening piece a nocturne by Chopin, which was a great treat, and as an encore Bohubert’s “ Ave Maria.’ Ernst’s fantasia on airs from “ Otello ” produced an enthusiastic encore, to which Herr Wilhemj responded by playing “ The Last Bose of Bummer ” exquisitely. Miss Conran in the first part sang with much taste and expression an aria from Weber’s opera “ Der Preischutz.” In the second she gave a quaint Irish ballad, by Molly, “The Kerry Dance.” This was beautifully sung, and, as an encore. Miss Conron gave “ The Minstrel Boy ” with a great deal of fire and success. Miss Conron also sang Oorven’e “Better Land,” a somewhat namby-pamby composition, and, being encored, gave a beautiful song by Bubensten —“Thou art like a flower.” Mr Yogrioh again deserves the utmost credit for his admirable accompaniments, which were truly artistic, supporting the voice, as they are intended to do, and not piano solos, as by far too many pianists do. His contributions to the programme were a concert by Hensolt, two themes, “ Forest Scenes ” and “ Galop Oromatique,” by Liszt, and a fantasia on themes from *“ Somnambula ” by the came composer. All were played with much power and skill of execution. If anything, the last item was the most successful, being mo»t excellently rendered. To-night there will be a change of programme. The Township op Sbapobth.—The branch railway to Little Biver was inaugurated yesterday, after a fashion,-by on excursion train to Seaforth, the new township on the borders of Lake Forsyth laid out by Mr Coup, which were offered to-day by Messrs Matson and Co. There was a very large gathering of visitors, over 700, and at Lincoln this number was further augmented by four trucks filled with school children, who were going for their annual outing. The lino, which from Lincoln to the present terminus is some seventeen miles in length, was admirably smooth, the carriages travelling over it without any oscillation whatever. The contract for the permanent way of this lino wss in the hands of Mr Ooutts, and the formation, &c , was carried out by Mr McGrath. After a most pleasant run through some charming scenery, the excursionists wore landed at Seaforth, and Messrs B. Walton and John Matson were soon engaged in expatiating to would-be purchasers on the advantage* possessed by the township. A walk to the beach brought the visitors to the Southern Ocean, while on the other bond was Lake Forsyth. Every one expressed themselves highly pleased with the scenery and surroundings, which are certainly exceedingly good, Mr, Mrs, and the Misses Coup, with great hospitality,provided a splendid luncheon,which

Iwas done ample justice to, nor were the fluid* forgotten, including a case of “ sparkling,” which Mr Matson had in his care. A most pleasant and enjoyable day was spent by all present. Just before leaving for home, a race, which was entitled by some one the Seaforth Gap, was got up, for which five started. The winner turned up in Mr Bradley’s Jenny, nominated by Mr M. H. Oram, and rode capitally by a lad named Tyson. After this, a whaleboat race on the lake took place. Three crews, two European and one Maori entered, and tho latter won by two lengths easily. Three cheers having been given for Mr, Mrs, and the Misses Coup, the party returned home, having spent quite a jolly day.

It was a bereaved miser who, after composing a long epitaph for his wife, suppressed it altogether, and said, “ It’s too expensive ; but on the gravestone a few tears.” “ Very well,” responded the artist; “ say three tears like this—! !!” “Heavens, no! Three tears when I have only two eyes ! Absurd ! Two will be plenty.” Macaulay, when a child, had a little plot of ground at the back of his father’s house, which was marked out as his own, wo are told, by a row of oyster-shells which a maid one day threw away as rubbish. On discovering the act the little fellow went straight to the drawing room, where his mother was entertaining some visitors, walked into the circle, and said very solemnly,” Oursod bo Sally ; for it is written, ‘ Cursed be he that removeth hie neighbour’s land-mark.’ ”

Woman at the telephone.—Mark Twain gives a curious specimen of what ha considers one of the queerest things of this queer world —a conversation with only one end to it—that is to say through a telephone. He was writing a deeply philosophical article while a lady of his family was carrying on this friendly chat with an intimate some miles away. Of course the answer* to the questions put from your end can be only heard by the person whoso ear is at the instrument, and the effect is certainly curious, “Yes. Why, how did that happen ? ” Pause. “Vi hat did you say ? ” Fause. “ Oh, no, I don’t think it was!” Fause. “ Yes, I like that way too; but I think it’s better to baste it on with Valenciennes or bombasine, or something of that sort.” Pause. “Since when?” Fause. “Why, I never heard of it!” Pause. “You astonish me ! It seems utterly impossible !” Fause. “ Who did?” Fe.use, “ Good-ness gracious !” Pause. “Well, what is this world coming to? And was her mother there ?” Pause. “Why, Mrs Bagley, I should have died of humiliation! What did they do?” Long pause.