THE GLOBE. MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1882.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2498, 10 April 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1882.

The Exhibition.—The opening cere. mony o£ the Christchurch International Exhibition took place to-day, in the presence of his Excellency the Governor and a vast con. course of visitors from all part* of the co!ony f and had the effect of bringing together the largest number of people that has ever assembled in the colony on any single occasion. M. Joubert, one of the promoters, read the opening address, after which his Excellency replied and formally declared the Exhibition open, and during the day every part of th e building was thronged with visitors. A detailed report of the proceedings will he found in another column. Resident Magistrate’s Coust. —At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Mr Beotham, four cases of drunkenness were disposed of. One man and two women, having been locked up since the previous Saturday night, were cautioned and discharged. One man was fined ss. .Accident.—At noon to-day, as one of the numerous bands in town was marching up Oa ; bol street to the drill shed, a horse that was being driven in a four-wheeler became unmanageable, and the animal, dashing forward, knocked a little boy over and injured him so seriously that he had to be conveyed at once to the Hospital. H.A.O.D—The fortnightly meeting of the Campbell Lodge was held on Thursday last at the Wellington Hotel, (he district (resident, Bro. O Thomson, being present. It was resolved that the lodge wear their regalia in procession on Monday. It was also resolved that the lodge alter their night of meeting. A considerable amount of general business war transacted, and the lodge was then closed ia due form by the A.D,

Resignation of the Ministry.— -A telegram -will be found elsewhere oonvejing the unlocked for intelligence that the whole of the Ministry have tendered their resignations. It is understood, however, that they will con tiuue to hold office until arrangements are completed for carrying on the business. Our Yibitoba. —Tne night trains from the South, arriving here on Saturday and yesterday, brought large freights of visitors, numbering at least 1200. The Oamaru, Ashburton and Temuka Volunteer contingent arrived on '-Saturday, _ ~ Kaiapoi Bbass Band. —On Good Friday the members of this band gave an open air rehearsal on the beach, where they provided a supply of dance music for the benefit of the very large number of visitors who went to the Kaiapoi beach on that day, and for the devotees of Terpsichore who used the hard beach instead of the well waxed floor to trip the light fantastic toe. The weather was very favorable.

Gaiety Theatbh. —Mr H. Power’s iEsthetio Party opened at the Gaiety Theatre on Saturday evening in a piece entitled “ Bustle and Bounce.” Mr Power has a number of characters to sustain in it, which • show eff to advantage his versatility. _ All were capitally rendered, especially a Chinese "impersonation and one of an seithetic poet of the Banthorne order. Ho sings several songs appropriate to the ojaraoters represented, and the principal weight of the piece rests on him. Mdlle. Do Qlorian also assumes quite a number or characters, to each of which, after the manner of pieces of this class, is appended a song. She looked very pretty in the various dresses assumed in the course of the evening. The two principals are assisted by Miss Leslie, who sang several songs, and Mr J. Langtry. The latter has a very nice baritone voice, which, with cultivation, onght to develop into a very good one indeed. His contributions were mainly of the nautical order. The performance concluded with a sketch, in which Mr H. Power, Mdlle. Da Glorian, and Miss Leslie appeared. The bill will be repeated to-night, School Committed —A meeting of the Little Biver district school committee was held in the schoolroom on Monday evening last, the 3rd instant. Present—Messrs Wm, Coop (chairman), M. Fitton, and J. Olphert. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following correspondence was road, viz.: —From the master, with quarterly returns, monthly report as to attendance of children and holidays, with a list of the names of children not regularly attending school, account of books sold (£2 7s Jd), and list of books. Sc o., required. From Messrs Whitcombe and Co., as to apparatus from Education Board, stating that the sum of £24 6s had been paid into the Bank of New South Wales, Christchurch, to the credit of the committee for salaries_ and incidental expenses j from same, with a copy of resolution as to the punishment of children. The chairman was authorisedto order the books, &c., required from Messrs Whitcombe and Co. Mr Olphert handed a cheque to the chairman for £1 10* for use of the ■chool on two evenings by the Lyons’ troupe. The following resolutions were passed, viz.: —“ That the Education Board bo informed that the compulsory clauses of the Education Act, 1877, have been brought into foroeloy this committee, and that the committee wish for the assistance of the police.” “That an entertainment bo given in aid of the incidental expenses, and that the following form a committee to make the necessary arrangements, viz.:—the school committee and Messrs Proudlook, Grant, and Smart, a meeting of the committee to be held on Thursday, the 6th instant, at half-past seven o’clock in the evening.” Accounts for salaries and school cleaning were passed, and the meeting terminated. A Fortune Lost and Won. —Thirty thousand pounds’ worth of property (says a home paper) have just been lost and won, la the Probate Court and Court of Appeal, simply because a testator hid her hand, so to speak, while she was signing her will. It was not denied that two witnesses were present when the document was signed, but they did not see the name actually written, nor were they absolutely certain that the paper was a will at all, albeit so informed by the other persons present. Nor was it doubted by the Judge that the deed propounded represented the last wishes of the deceased lady. Nor was the signature, as a matter of fact, in dispute. Only it was not, in due form of law “ acknowledged.” Yet the testatrix had received instructions on the subject of willmaking from a friend “ who had been a clerk in the Probate Office.” Her wishes and intentions on the subject were perfectly well known; but the usual discontented relatives were at hand, and the “ last testament ” of the lady fails of effect. It is heartily to be desired that people with fortunes to bequeath, and with real points of justice at stake, should make themselves acquainted with at least those elementary laws of will making which Lord St. Leonards endeavored to explain for tho benefit of the will-making world. Hero were witnesses, but they did not clearly understand what they were witnessing. Here was a dying wish, distinctly expressed and understood, yet of no effect, through that which tho Master of the Rolls admits was “ a more defect iu form.”

Theatre Eotal.—There was quite a holiday audience at the Theatre on Saturday night, every part, even the dress circle, which up to Saturday has been but sparsely filled, being crowded. The opera went splendidly throughout, and the various gems were londly applauded and re-demanded, especially the duet between Lady Jane and Bunthorne, and that between the latter and Grosvenor. To-night "Patience” will bo again repeated, and as late trains will run on all the lines no doubt our country friends will take advantage of tke opportunity to witness the latest sensation in opera bouffe, Inconsequence of the holiday the box-office for dress circle and reserved seats will bo at the Theatre Eoyai, from 10 a.m, to 4 p m. As the lata trains for South, North, and Lyttelton, will run this evening, the performance will commence sharp at eight o’clock, and I the overture at 7.45 p.m. “Beoadpibid.—The retirement of Mr Q-. O. Manning from the mastership of the Broadfield school, and his recent departure from the district, was accompanied with expressions of the moat sincere regret on the part of the many friends he had made during his three years’ tenure of office. Endowed with a warm heart and generous disposition, and ever ready to assist in every object for the welfare of his neighbors, Mr Manning had endeared himself to all the residents in the Broadfield district without respect to class, creed or nationality. In this desire to do good, and assist those who needed help, his good wife joined to the utmost of her ability, and the highest esteem was entertained for her. As a parting token of respect and regard, Mr Manning was presented, by the residents in the district, with a costly and very handsome marble clock, purchased at Messrs Petersen's establishment. Mr Maginness, the late chairman of the school committee, and Mr Harrison, mainly exerted themselves to procure subscriptions for its purchase, and everyone stated that it afforded them the greatest pleasure to contribute towards the object desired. Owing to Mr Manning’s many engagements previous to his departure, there was no formal gathering or leave-taking. Mr and Mrs Manning took away with them the best wishes of all the residents in the Broadfield district for their .happiness and success in their new sphere of duty at Pleasant Valley, Geraldine. Meeting of Plasterers.—The adjourned meeting of plasterers took place on Saturday last at the Wellington Hotel; Mr B. Brocket in the ohair. There was a very large attendance of plasterers. After the minutes of previous meeting were confirmed, a committee of four was appointed to distribute the plaster mementoes along the route. It was carried that the plasterers should meet at the Britannia Hotel at 8 30 a.m. sharp, when it is ■most particularly requested that all shall bo punctual. The meeting then adjourned till Saturday next, at the same time and place. Christchurch Hospital.—The members of the Austrian Band attended at the Hospital grounds on Saturday afternoon to give a performance in aid of the destitute patients’ fund, their services having been kindly placed at tbe disposal of the Hospital authorities for the purpose by Messrs Joubert and Twopeny. The intention was to have .an al fresco promenade concert, and with that view the pretty gronnda attached to the Hospital bad been made exceptionally attractive, and a marquee had been erected by Mr Warnsley, agent for the Oriental Tea Company, in which to dispense refreshments. The wot weather, however, interfered with all the arrangements, and the band had to go through their programme of music in the corridor of the 'Hospital to a rather limited audience. It is hardly necessary to say that under the Circumstances the contributions to the destitute patients’ fund yvero not considerable in Amount.

Lincoln Baptist Ohuech — A very pleasant re-union in connection with the Lincoln Baptist congregation took place in tbe district schoolroom on Good Friday, the ai niversary of its establishment. A large □umber of friends from Christchurch, Greenpark and other places, besides the members ar d local residents, to the number of about 200, sat down to the well-spread tea-tables provided by Mrs Pannett, Mrs Osborne, and the bachelors, who had secured the services of Miss Walls and Miss Wolfe to do the

honors for them. At the public meeting held afterwards the pastor of the church (Rev. W. Spencer) in the chair, the secretary and treasurer (Mr Pannett, senior) read the annual statement, which showed that the progress of the church, both as regards membership and financially, had been very satisfactory; that in fact, during the past two years their number had doubled, and as a consequence they had been enabled to make a corresponding increase in their minister’s stipend, the amount raised during the past year being £l2O. Interesting and appropriate addresses were delivered by the Rev. A. Blake, Messrs Osborne, Marriner, Holland, Efford, and the chairman. The proceedings were very agreeably varied and enlivened by a selection of sacred songs, exceptionally well rendered by a number of musical friends, under the efficient leadership of Mr Oorriok, of Christchurch. After votes of thanks had been heartily accorded to the ladies, the choir, and the speakers, the Benediction was pronounced by the chairman, and a very pleasant and profitable evening was brought to a close.

A Pious Bankrupt. —Tho wave of financial failure which has recently affected so many people in Paris has no doubt been felt in places more remote. Panics upon Stock Exchange and Bourse (rays the “ Home News”) affect speculators everywhere, and there are such in all the great colonial capitals. The Union Qonerale, which has come to such a disastrous smash, was essen-

tially the offspring and pet child of the Roman Catholics in Franco and elsewhere. Gossip concerning M. Bontoux, the leading spirit of the Bank, who was arrested on a charge of fraud, and who has only just been released on bail, has more than a local interest. It is said that M. Bontoux from his earliest days has been remarkable for great austerity of manner. He was so strict an observer of the convenances, even at school, that he is said to have asked his yourg comrades to “cut” one of their number whose moral conduct had not seemed quite above reproach. In later life he was in the habit of retiring to his country residence, where a noble friend spent hours in reading the Scriptures to him aloud. The pious seance was only interrupted by the receipt of telegrams announcing the state of stock markets. “ Union Generale at 222,223," alternated with the prophecy that Israel should be overcome. The last text was a favorite with M. Bontoux, who repeated it frequently. As he had thrown down the gauntlet to the Jews, and his financial career was really a long struggle with the Rothschilds, this prophecy must have given him immense satisfaction ; but in the collapse of tho Union Generale it certainly is not the Israelites who have suffered.

‘ Judges,’ said a lawyer, ‘ have always a greot advantage over us poor fellows, for they guess last.’ ‘Oh, yes,’ said Mrs Brown, as she surveyed with evident pleasure the little parlor sideboard, covered with old china and decorated with highly-colored tiles, ‘Mr B. remarked last night that I was becoming quite an atheist,’ and the old lady’s countenance fairly beamed with delight as her eyes rested on a 16 cent. Japanese teapot. Old Mr Jookabnry, the millionaire farmer of Oolusa, who dotes on his only daughter, sent her for a European trip last May, and she got back with Mrs J., after doing the entire Continent from the north of Franco to Romo, and Bordeaux to Hanover. The old gentleman was so delighted when he got a telegram announcing their safe arrival at Now York that ho went on to Ogden to meet them, and after hugging Jerusha and kissing his daughter, ho said to the latter—‘Why, Mollie, don’t you look gay? you ’ ‘ Marie, aon oher paper, pas plus Mollie,’ said that young lady. ‘I daresay you’re right, Moll, but you do look as sweet as a neaob.’ ‘Oh, mon, papa,’ replied Mollie, ‘ il ns faut pas dire des ohoses comme oa.’ ‘ Well, I didn’t,’ said Mr J., * say your clothes were dear, but what in thunder are yon talking about ? Can’t you talk American 1 ’ ‘ Oh, non, papa, je oomprends oette langue laide, mais je na la parle plus.’ ‘ What in thunder,’cried Mr Jookabury, ‘do you mean, Mollie, by a long-laid parlpln on prongs ? Here I’ve come all the way to Ogden with two now silk dresses for yon, bought in San Francisco, and you can’t say thank you for ’em, I suppose, except in some infernal foreign gibberish.’ ‘ You dear, darling old duck,’ replied Mollie, ‘ you can just bet I don’t talk no more Paree till them dresses is wore out,’ and the angel hugged the old man all the way home, until she got her dresses, and then she remarked ‘ Oh, Fronoe ? jevousadore ! ma belle Fronoe!’