NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2543, 2 June 1882, Page 3

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Singular Match.—Tho potato digging match spoken of in a former isaua took place yesterday on the property of Mr Wild at Papanui. The wager was that a man could not dig half an acre of potatoes in eight hours, the slakes being £SO a side. He won with four minutes to spare, having dug well and cleanly seventy-three bags of potatoes in seven hours fiffcy-oix minutes. Tho contest created considerable interest in Papanui. Closing op Schools. —The attention of parents is called to the fact in another column that the St. Albans District Schools are closed until further notice, owing to the outbreak of diphtheria in the district. Licbnsing Committee. — A number of applications were granted to-day by the Committee for Christchurch North, and one was postponed. Papanui Ploughing Match.—The annual meeting in connection with the above was held last night at the Sawyers’ Arms, The report and balance-sheet were brought up and adopted. Arrangements were made for the opening match of the present season, the date to bo fixed at a future meeting. Mr Wright, the hon. secretary, having tendered his resignation, owing to press of business, much to the regret of all, Mr Munro was appointed to the vacant office. Mr Wild was elected os treasurer, and the following gentlemen were appointed as the committee for the year: Messrs Wild, Frame, Porter, McGregor, Elder, Hawken, Olovendon, Craig, Munro, J. W. Wright, Olaridge, Higham, A. Hawken, M. Hawkon, Kruse, Amyee, Dalton, and Calvert. The meeting then adjourned. Committed pob Trial.—At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Mr O. Whitefoord, Thomas Coffey, for forgery and uttering, and F. H. Williams, for embezzling considerable sums of money belonging to the Railway department, were committed for trial at the next sessions of of the Supreme Court to be held at Christchurch.

D.A.O.D.—The Dacstan Lodge was formally opened on Thursday evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Montreal street, by the D.P.. Mr O. Tomson. There was a large attendance of members of the order, and twenty-nine applicanta were initiated as members of the new lodge. The various officers for the lodge wore then elected, and afterwards installed by the D.P., Bro.Denloo being appointed as Arch-Druid, Bro. Cummins Vice-Arch, Bro. Leach sec., Bro. MoDovitt treasurer, the other office# being filled by Bros. Robins, Winroe, Maoaree, Pratt, Chandler, and Oleary. It was decided that the lodge hold its meetings at the Carlton Hotel each alternate Thursday at 8 p.m. After a cordial vote of thanks had been accorded to the officers and visitors, and suitably responded to by the D.P., the A.D. closed the lodge in the usual form. The Lyttelton Hearts of Oaks Lodge held their usual fortnightly meeting on Thursday evening at the Foresters’ Hall. Thera wa# a large attendance of brethren, also Bro. J. Manning, of the Campbell Ledge, was present. A great deal of business was gone through. It was agreed to by the brethren to erect a tomb over the remains of our late departed Bro. Laurence Such, as a mark of respect. One candidate was initiated into the order by the A.D, Bro. Holland, assisted by P.A. Bro. Lawson, also three candidates were proposed for membership. A very pleasant half-hour was spent in harmony, and the lodge was closed by the A D. Ashbuetok Hospital. —There were eight patients in the Ashburton Hospital at the beginning of May; nine were discharged daring the month, two died, and seven remain.

Kew Thoeoughbbbd Importation.— The Lowlander two-year-old colt, the property o£ Mr Loe-Bmith of Dunedin, and ■which arrived at Port Chalmers last week, cimo ap by the express train to Christchurch on Tuesday, and has since taken up his winter quarters at Russley. Waipaba Sly Geos Selling Cabb.—On Thursday the man H. Muller, fined £SO on each of two charges for selling liquor without a license, and for exposing the same for sale, was brought in to gaol, having made default. The alternative for the non payment of the fine was one month’s imprisonment. The Hounds. —A meet of the hounds was held at Amborley on Thursday, when they •were cs&t oif in the direction of the Waipara There were two short runs after puss, which in ca;h case resulted in a kill, but the day being dull and cold was a bad one for scenting. There was a field of about forty gentlemen. Mr Starkey, well mounted, acted as master, and lei his field well all through. The Lower Heathcotb School Committee AND Me Wilks.—The differences between this committee and Mr Wilks v.o-e the cause of considerable discussion at yesterday’s meeting of the Education Board, and, on the motion of Mr Tancred, it was resolved ii That his Excellency the Governor be moved to appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into the circumstances attendant on the removal of the master of the Tower Heathcoto School.’’ Maghstbatb’s Court, Ambbhlet. —At this Court on Thursday, before A. Broadfoot

and F. Courage, Thoa. Major, for trespassing on Mr Benn’e land in pursuit of game without permission, was fined £2. Thos. Howard was charged with trespassing in pursuit of game on Mr Courage’s land, but owing to the illness of defendant, the case was adjourned. H. McLean, for allowing cattle to stray, was lined 10s. A small debt case of no public importance was heard. Ashbubton Vital Statistics poe May. —Births, 33 : marriages, 3 ; deaths, 10. Old Boys’ Dinnbb.— By the last mail from England very interesting accounts have been received from old Christ’s College boys of an “ old boys’ ” dinner held in London on the night of the Oxford and Cambridge Inter-University sports. Although the dinner was arranged very hurriedly no less than thirty old boys sat down. It was agreed at the dinner that there should be an annual gathering of the kind on the night of the Oxford and Cambridge Inter-University sports ; and 0. H. Tripp, Esq., of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, was appointed seorotaiy to make the necessary arrangements for next year. One fact of especial interest in connection with the dinner ie that the chair was taken by the Rev. O. 0. Prichard, who was the first boy admitted to the school in April, 852, Mebitale Ehteetainmbnt. —The second entertainment of the season took place last evening, and was in every way a decided uuccess. The firit part of the programme was devoted to songs, glees (by the Merivaic Glee Club), a duet for the piano, a trio for pianoforte, flute, and violin, and a fiulo solo, all of which wore well rendered. Tne second portion of the programme was filled by the Avonside Dramatic Club. They gave a rendering of the well known “ Area Belle "in « very creditable manner, the applause being frequent. There was a very large audience, and at the close the Rev. T. Flavall thanked all who had participated in the evening’s amusement. The National Anthem terminated the concert. Weatheb Exchange. —June Ist— New Zealand, fine, with light easterly wind*; cloudy ; heavy swell at sea. Australia— At Sydney, still gloomy and wet. Yesterday there was a bad southerly gale on the South Coast, and a steep depression over Tasmania. Bain still continues all over, reaching 2 sin at tome stations during the last twenty-four hours. Barometer : —New Zealand—Russell, 30.1; Wellington, 30.06; Bluff, 30.0. Australia —Portland, 30.1; Hobart, 28.8; Sydney, 29 9.