NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2465, 1 March 1882, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Thbatrb Boyax —The Montague-Turne Opera Company arrived too late last evening to keep their appointment with tho public, and the opening night of the "Royal Middj" will take place this evening at eight o'clock prompt. Oephanage Benefit.—Professor Westen has generously offered a benefit entertainment in aid of the Orphanage. It is to take place in the Lyttelton Oddfellows' Hall, on Thursday evening. The object is a sufficiently deserving one to'draw a orowded house, and (he Professor has promised one of his most varied and attractive programmes. Inquest.—An inquiry respecting the death of the infant child of Mr Henry F*u kener, of Tai Tapu, which survived its birth one day only, was held at three o'olook yesterday afternoon at the father's residence, before Dr. Coward and a jury, of whom Mr Charles Brake was chosen foreman. Dr. A. V. Preston deposed to having made a pest mortem examination of deceased, and statea that death had resulted from malformation of the heart. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony.

Tbinity .'Congregational Church.— The annual tea meeting in connection with this place of worship was held liwst evening at six o'clock, and was well attended. Th* pnblic meeting was afterwards held, when the Rev. H. "Williams, pastor of the church, presided. The MnuaJ report showed an increase of members, although some had been removed from amongst them, especial allusion being made to the late senior deacon, Mr J. T. Hart, whose dut.es necessitated his removal to Wellington during the past year. Addresses were also delivered by the Kevs. B. White, W. E. Gillam and others, and several musical selections were rendered at intervals by the choir. The church was very prettily decorated with flowers and evergreens.

No. 3 Building Society.—The eighth annual meeting of shareholders in this society •was held at its offices, Worcester street, Cathedral square, last evening. Mr William Pratt, chairman of committee, presided. The chairman read the advertisement convening the meeting, and also the report nnd balance-sheet, from which it appeared that the profits for the year ended December 31st, 1881, amounted to .£2982 53 sd, from which sum the investing shareholders had been credited with 7 per cent. compound interest, and this, with the bonus added, made a total of 11 i per cent. The report also stated that the sum of .£5380 had been invested in permanent shares, under the new rules confirmed at the last annual meeting. The Chairman then moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, congratulating the meeting on the successful operations of the society during the past year. Several questions having been asked and satisfactorily an iwered, Mr M. Sandstein seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Messrs J. Atkinson, B. Button, and H. Thomson were re-elected members of committee. Mr R. C. Bishop, on behalf of the auditors, spoke in eulogistic terms of _ the manner in which the accounts and securities held by the society had been presented to them On the motion of Mr B. Batton, seconded by Mr J. Atkinson, Messrs B. C. Bishop and J. White 1 aw were re-elected auditors for the present year. A vote of thanks and confidence in the chairman and committee was carried by acclamation, and the meeting ended. The Exhibition of l(r51. —The following is taken from the " Illustrated Kxhibitor " :—A curious fact connected with the exhibition of 1851 is that of the money received at the doors .£275,000 was in silver and .£71,C00 in gold. The weight of the silver coin so taken (at the Tate of 281 b per .£100) would be thirty-five tons, and its bulk, 900 cubic feet, the rapid flow of the coin into the hands of the money takers prevented an examination of each piece as it was received, and .£9O of bad silver waß taken, but only one piece of bad gold, and that was a half-sovereign. The half-crown was the most usual bad coin, but a much more noticeable fact is that nearly all the bad money was taken on the half-crown and five-shilling days. The cash was received by eighteen money takers on the ■very heavy days, and four extra onoß being employed during the busiest hours. From them it was gathered by three or four money porters, •who carried it to four collectors charged with the task of counting it. From them it went to two tellers, who verified the sumß and handed it to the final custody of the chief financial officer (Mr Carpenter), who locked each day's amount in his peculiar iron chest in the building till next morning, when, in boxes, each holding .£6OO, it was borne off in a haokney Cib in charge of a Bank of England clerk and a Bank porter. The money was [received in all forms, ranging between farthings and notes. Contrary to the notices exhibited, change wsb given. Occasionally foreieners gavo Napoleons, and these coins being mistaken for sovereigns, they received 19s out and liberty of admissbn into the bargain. The moneys of Am°rica, Hamburg, Germany, and France were often tendered and taken. The total number of visitors from the Ist May to the 11th October W 6,063,986.

Cubic Boating Club.—A. 8,P e ™l m 0 8 f °f this club was held at Wearing's Kaiapoi Hotel on Monday evening, to consider a letter or complaint from the Heathcote regatta <» inm »"* J , e > the Union Bowing Club haying alleged that the Care boat, in the junior sculling race at that regatta, was purposely steered into the Union bolt; that the Cure crew had threatened to do I 1 for the Union crew; and that the Cure crew had attempted to unship the rudder of the Union boat. The president occupied the chair. AU the available evidence on the matter was taken, and it was resolved to ask for a report on the matter from the Canterbury Boating Club a crew, which also rowed in the race, before making any reply. _ « 3 InTEBCOLONIAIWeATHBR BBPOBT TJP|T ney, yeßterday-Weather fine; light N.&.. S.W., and light B.E. wind on thei west coast of Australia and of Tasmania, with Jailing ™"°- meter at the latter place. Barometer— Sydney, 30 0 ; Portland, 30.0; Hohart, 29 8. Philosophical Institute.— The ordinary meeting of the Institute will be held to-morrow evening, when a paper will be read by IToreaßor Hntton. PvANGIORA VOLUNTEEB FIBE BRIGADE.— At the usual meeting of this brigade on Monday evening, it was decided that the medals to be obtained through the Fire Brigades Association for long service be allotted to Superiuten. dent Gulliver, foremen H. Blackett and Derbridge, and branchmen McAlcer and Wadey, who have each served over five years as members of the brigade. Mr Gulliver, whose length of service extends over seven years, wiU further be pntitled to receive a silver bar. Vital Statistics.—The following are the returns for Febraary : Births: city, 39; district, 103. Marriages: city, 28; district, 10. Deaths : city, 15 : district, 33. The aggregates for the corresponding month last year were— Births, 130; marriages. 35; deaths, 51. Haheoe Boabd.—A meeting of the Jjyttelton Harbor Board was held yesterday afternoon, when Mr B. J. S. Harman was elected chairman for the ensuing year in the plate of the Bon. E. Bichardson, who retires from office by effluxion of time. A good deal of routine business was also transacted.

Thompson's Dioeama.—rhere was a very large house last night at the Gaiety Theatre, when the Diorama of the Zulu war waß again exhibited. A large number of presents, including a handsome Buite of furniture, were _ distributed. To-night the diorama will again be on v. ; ew and a similar number of presents given away. Picnic to Southbboox.—On Tuesdaythe employes of Messrs P. and D. Duncan, iron founders and agricultural machinery makers, held a picnic in Mr Moir's paddock. They were conveyed by special train, accompanied with their wives and little ones. The Cavalry Band was in attendance. The weather was fine, and the party e-joyed the outing and the day's fun. They returned to town about 6.30 p.m. ASHBUKTON BOBOUOH COUNCIL.—At a special meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council on Monday evening, it was decided that the initiation of a high pressure water-supply scheme for the borough was premature until an appreciable increase of the rate-paying popula tion had taken place Tenders for the extension of the existing water-supply westward were opened, and one accepted for £6llos. The Lyttelton Dock.—His Excellency the Governor has expressed his willingness to perform the ceremony of opening the Lyttelton dock. Kaiapoi Valuation List.—An objection made to the list for the current year is stated to have been withdrawn.