NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2426, 14 January 1882, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY.

» R.M. Ooubt.—Thi» mornirg, before B Westerira, Esq., J.F., a man for being drunk wa* fined sa. William Storey waa fined 5» and la cab hire, and William Warner waa fined 10s and la oab hire for a similar offence. U.A.O. Dbuids.—The half-yearly aummoned meeting of the Oak of Sydenham Lodge was held in St. Saviour’* schoolroom on Wedneaday night. There waa a large attendance of member*, also several visiting brothera. There were two candidates initiated by A.D. Bro. Barnett. The balance-sheet waa read and adopted, it showing the lodge to be in a very flourishing condition. The following officers were elected for the ensuing halfyear:—A.D., Bro. J. Hill; V.A., Bro. E. Webber ; secretary, Bro. Hadfleld (re. elected) ; treasurer, Bro. A. Kerr (re-elected) ; 1.0., Bro. J. Dempsey ; A.D.B.’s, Bros. Whinoop and Q. Russell; Y.A.B.’s, Bros. Welsford and Noonan; U. 8., Bro. Dntton; auditors, Bros. Brown and Buck ; lodge surgeons, Drs. Anderson and Russell. P.A. Bro. W. Skinner was nominated for D.P. to No. 20 district. A hearty vote of thanks being passed to D P. Bro. Wil’steed for past services the lodge was closed.

Intkbcolonial Wbatheb Exchange.— Sydney, Friday evening.—Fine weather with light S.W. winds now prevails on the south coast of Australia, fine S.W. in Tasmania, and light B.E. in New South Wales. Barometer—Albany, 30.1; Portland, 30.1; Hobart, 29.8 ; Sydney, 30.1.

Akaboa Boboxtqh Council Election. — An election to fill the office of councillor, vacated by Cr. Adams, Mayor, took place on Wednesday, 11th inst. Two candidates were in the field. Scarcely any interest was manifested in the affair. The result of the polling was—O. J. Waeokerle, 27; H. Libeau, 8. The former gentleman was declared elected. Ashburton Public Libbabv,—The usual monthly meeting was held on Thursday evening, Mr G. H. St, Hill occupying the chair. Subscribers will be glad to learn that it was decided to take in the following additional works:—“European Mail,” “Scientific American,” “Nineteenth Century,” “Young Ladies’ Journal,” and “ Oornbill Magazine."

Fbibndly Societies. —A meeting of delegates from the various friendly societies in Obriatoburoh was held last evening at the foresters’ Hall. There was a large attendance, and the chair was occupied by Mr Samuels. It was unanimously resolved, that a friendly Societies’ Dispensary should be established for the use of the various lodges, and the meeting adjourned for a month on the understanding that in the meantime an expression of opinion with regard to the resolution passed should bo elicited from the different societies.

Oust. —The question of having a watering place at Lower Oust bridge was brought on for discussion at the last meeting of the Road Board. The chairman was asked to make arrangements with Mr John Boulton and Mr Robert Chapman, of Springbank, to have a small corner taken from the lower side of the bridge. On the matter being properly represented to the latter gentleman he has, with bis usual generosity, given as much land as is required free of cost to the Oust Road Board for a public watering place. The above will be highly appreciated by the residents of the North Downs.

Thb O.K. Whisky Teophibs. —On Thursday evening, in Shearman’s Hotel, the presentation took place of the O.K. whisky trophies won by Mr Jas. Mcßae and Mr Murdoch Elder at the Caledonian sports recently held in Ohristohurob. The chair was occupied by Dr. Murdoch. The presentation was made by Mr Bryan, representative of Messrs R. Wilkin and Co., of Christchurch, who gave the trophies, consisting of three cups of silver, Mr Elder having competed successfully in pibroobs and marches and reels and strathspeys, and Mr Mcßae having carried off the palm for sword dancing. On behalf of the Ohristohurob Caledonian Society, Mr Bryan also tendered the recipients prizes presented by Messrs Ward and Co., of Christchurch, being a silver cup won by Mr Mcßae for dancing, and a silver medal gained by Mr Elder as being the most proficient piper on the ground. The oops are on view in Shearman’s Hotel. Rbapbb and Binhbr Tbiae.—The tria of reapers and binders, under the auspices of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, will take place at Burnside (the estate of Mr Boag), on Thurday next, the 19th instant. The trial will be conducted on the following basis :—There will be two classes, one for wire and one for twine. A gold medal will be awarded to the winning machine in each class, and a certificate of merit to the machine placed second. The judges will be eight in number—viz., five practical farmers and three mechanical experts. Each machine will be required to out four acres of wheat and two acres of oats, and the trial will commence at nine o’clock. At present ton entries have been received for the contest, viz :—Wire binders—Aultman, entered by Messrs Twentyman and Cousin ; McCormick, entered by Messrs Morrow, Bassett, and Co. String binders—Howard’s Simplex, entered by Messrs Twentyman and Cousin; McCormick, entered by Meiers Morrow, Bassett, and Co.; Samuelson’s, entered by Messrs Samuelson and Co. ; Esterloy, entered by Messrs Q-. Booth and Son ; Excelsior, entered by Mr John Anderson ; Wood’s (2), entered by Messrs Wood, Shcnd, and Co. ; Deering, entered by Messrs Mason, Strutbers, end Co. It is expected that Messrs Wilkin and Co. will enter Osborne’s machine in both classes.

2Taiapoi Borough Council. —The polling for a Councillor to fill the extraordinary vacancy in this Council, took place on Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Mr Edvard Kevell acting aa deputy returning officer. There was a fair amount of interest taken in the proceedings. The votes recorded were—For Mr B. Feldwick, 83 ; Mr Q-. H. Wearing, 60; and Mr Feldwick was declared elected. The successful candidate briefly thanked the burgesses, and said while in the position of a Councillor he hoped to give every satisfaction. Mr Wearing, in a sarcastic speech, said he did not know whether to thank his friends or those who had voted against him most. Ho thought the latter, for the Augean stable stank so that it would have taken him some months to purify it. [Cheers.] He felt satisfied that be bad tested the feelings of the ratepayers, and bolding aa be did two nominated positions, of member of the Harbor Board and the Domain Board, be bad decided, as the election amounted to a want of confidence, to resign both positions. He could say with a clear conscience he had done his utmost for the town. It had cost him time and money, which he was however willing to sacrifice so long as he saw ho was doing good, but now that time was past. He bad heard certain burgesses say that his speech the other evening was a pack of lies. He challenged any single one of the fifty present to say it was so, and paused for a reply. [Cheers.] A vote of thanks to the returning officer concluded the business.

Open Axe Conobet.—The Railway Band gave one o£ their very enjoyable open air concert* last night in Cathedral square, when there was a large gathering of listeners. A very excellent programme of music was gone through most effectively, Caledonian Spoets.—A meeting of the committee was held at Mr Wilding’s office on Thursday, at 4 p.m. Present—Dr. Maobean Stewart (in the chair), Messrs Hales, Hunt, Sutherland, Wilding, Wilson and the hon. sec. The secretary nreeented a statement of receipts and expenditure in connection with the recent gathering, showing a credit balance, with which the committee expressed complete satisfaction. The protest lodged by the bandioapper against A. J. Kenny, one of the competitors, was withdrawn, and the secretary instructed to pay over the prizes won by him. Votes of thanks were unanimously passed to the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club for the loan of their apparatus, and to Mr Garrard, gunsmith, for the use of the necessary artillery on the occasion. After a conversation on the question of taking stops for the formation of a Caledonian society in Christchurch, the meeting terminated with the usual compliment to the chair. The Williamsons.—On Monday next Mr J. 0. Williamson and Miss Maggie Moore with their company will make the acquaintance of the Christchurch public at the Theatre Boyal in “ Struck Oil. Their success throughout the colonies has been exceedingly great, and as their fame in this opening piece has already preceded them, it may be confidently expected that their debut hero will bo greeted by a crowded house. Ashburton Woollen Faotoey.—At a meeting held yesterday afternoon it was definitely decided to establish a woollen factory in Ashburton. Mr Thos. Bullock occupied the chair, and it was resolved that the capital be £25,000, in shares of £5 each.

Aebbst,—A man named John Brown was arrested by Detective Neil on Park terrace this forenoon. Upon the accused was found a sum of money and valuable property. He was identified by a child who had been assaulted the provions day. To Little Akaloa.—Messrs Cameron Bros, advertise the p.s. Titan to leave Lyttelton next Tuesday for Little Akaloa, returning the same evening. The Rescued Chew.—Captains Owen and Sohenkel, in whose hands, together with Mr F. Helps, the work of collecting money in aid of the rescued men from the ship Alblassarward has rested, report that the exact sum received was £lO6 19s. There were ten able seamen, the second mate of the vessel (Mr B. D. de Breuk), and the master of the Alblassarward (Captain Schultz) to make provision for out of that sum of money. All that the rescued men possessed wore the clothes they had upon them when picked up by the ship Fhasis. The collectors, therefore, deemed it best to fit out the able seamen, and thus place them in a position to accept employment. Not only has that been done, but six of them have been shipped in either home-going or coasting vessels, and places have been offered to three others. The tenth man, who it was known was in bad health, was taken to the Hospital, a small but sufficient sum being retained by the collectors to defray his expenses. The captain of the burnt ship and the second officer will get back to Holland as soon as possible. It is due to the collectors to say that their philanthropic endeavors on behalf of these distressed seamen have resulted most satisfactorily. Their appeal to the people of this city and in the port was met in the heartiest and most cheerful spirit. In connection with that appeal it should also be mentioned that the sailors found themselves in a place in which their native land is not represented by any consular agent. Captain Schultz and Mr de Breuk desire also to express, both for themselves and their crew, their deep gratitude to the master of the ship Fhasis, Captain Brown, not only for his kindness to them whilst at sea but einoe his ship has been in port. Their position was such as may be described as being " in need,” and in Captain Brown they have every reason to say they found him “ a friend indeed.”

Mb Robson. —This gentleman made his first appearance here last night at the Oddfellows’ Hall, and created quite a favorable impression. Doubtless, owing to the other attractions in the matter of amusements existing at present in Christchurch, the attendance was by no means commensurate with the merits of the entertainment. However, the audience, if not numerous, were loud in the expression of thehr approval of Mr Bobsou's powers as an entertainer. Mr Robson prefaced his programme with a short address, in which he described his entertainment as one affording to those, who, from conscientious scruples, did not care to go to theatres, an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the works of the great dramatists in an attractive form. Mr Robson possess.s wonderful elocutionary power, inasmuch as his voice has a voiy great range, enabling him, therefore, to assume the voice of the different characters taking part in the scenes he is pourtraying with much effect. It is true that in His renderings of dramatic pieces there is noticeable, ns with all those who make them a vehicle for elocutionary display, a somewhat studied and formal manner as to cadence and emphasis, but this perhaps is inseperable from such performances. Apart from this he has certainly talent of a very high order, and in some of his readings, particularly in those portions of Shakespeare which he selected, sets up a standard which many of our leading tragedians would do well to aspire to, as by doing so the full beauty of many parts would be more clearly brought out, and impressed on the minds of the auditors. Mr Robson’s Shakespearian selections were “ Hamlet’s address to the players,” the scene between Hubert and Prince Arthur from “King John,” and the banquet and cauldron scenes from “ Macbeth.” Of these decidedly the best was the banquet scene, which was rendered •pith much dramatic power and purity of elocution, particv’arly that portion of it where the ghost of Banquo appears at the table. The lighter parts of the programme were “ M ; is Sqneors’ Courtship,” from “Nicholas Niokleby,” end a Scotch recitation, both of which were very good. The most remarkable feature about the whole entertainment was Mr Robson’s rendering of Bishop’s “Do here the gentle lark,” in a seprano voice, which was marvellously clever. Mr Robson also, in response to ei encore, gave “ Cornin’ through the Bye” in a similar voice. In the former Mr Robson gave every turn and trill with perfect fidelity. Later on he played a clarionet solo very nicely. Mr Lorenz, who as a pianist is entitled to take high rank, played several solos during the evening, the most noticeable of which was the prayer from “ Mose,” played with the left hand. To-night a new programme will be presented.