NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2568, 30 June 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sydenham to ina Fons —The first of a series of people’s concona will be given in the Oddfellows' Hall, Colombo street, Sydenham, to morrow evening, when a varied programme is announced, and a crowded hsuee will no doubt fully appreciate the efforts of the inuugurators of this entertainment.

U.AO.D.—The cub omary meeting of tt* members of tho Dunstan Lodge took place on Thu-s’a? evening, at the Oarlton Hotel, AD. Bro. Darbow prerid ng. There wa* a good attendance or members, and fonr candidates were initiated into the mysteries of Druid-ism, The next me.tiog of the Lodge, being the first in tho new half year, will be a summoned meeting. Lyttelton Brass Band —The anniversary dinner celebrating the completion of the first year’s existence of the Lyttelton Braes Band was, as has been stated, a complimentary' one provided by the popular proprietor of the Oantrrbury Hotel, Mr Andrew McDonald, who surpassed himself in the excellence of the spread. The dinner was laid in the large dining loom of the hotel, and between twenty and thirty sat down to it on Thursday eight. Amongst the entrees on the table was a Scotch haggis. After the usual toasts bad been given host McDonald gave, “ Ihe Lyttelton Brass Band,"' and adverted in flutering terms to the advancement the band had made during its brief existence. He praised also the bandmaster, Mr iicKsllop. Mr John Pope, after the toast “ The host and hostess 11 had been proposed, heartily thanked Mr McDonald for Lis generosity and liberality in a neat speech, which was loudly cheered. Some other toasts were given, and a number of capital songs sang, tho meeting breaking up at eleven o’clock.

Ship Rax ala.—This ship, which sailed on April 20th, for Canterbury, with 152 souls, including fifty-one single women, had to put back 6 > Plymouth, and finally sailed on 29th May. The immigrants are reported to be in good health. The lint can be seen on application at the Immigration office. The Bakaifr is due here the latter end of August.

Christchurch: Horticultural Societu. —The committee o£ the Christchurch Hortion tural Society hi.ld a special meeting in the rooms of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association last evening. Present—H. E. Webb, Btq. (in the ch&ir), Messrs G. A. Eeade, M. Murphy, P. Jones, J. B. Armstrong, J. Guntrip, T. Turner, end P. Whitmore Isitt, secretary. The secretary read letters from tha Hrn. E. O. J. Stevens and from the Commissioner of Customs, relative to the proposed prohibition of the importation of grapes, vines, Ac., and reported that he had communicated with the chief horticultural societies in the colony on the subject. Ha was instructed to communicate with other societies and with individuals in Sydney and Melbourne. Mr P. Jones gave statistics' showing the enormous spread of tha phylloxera in France, and the growing importance of the vino industry in Now Zealand. Further donations for special prizes to the value of £l3 13a were reported. Masonry. —The installation of officers of St. Oidr Kilwinning, No. 656, 5.0., took place yesterday, at the Head of the Bay, at the school-house, and was followed by an adjournment for refreshment at the Wheatshaaf Hotel, whore Bra, Pimm had prepared an excellent spread. Visitors were present from the following lodges : —Nos. 467, 585 and 604 3 0., and 604 and 1043, E.O. The retiring W.M, Bro. Graham, epened the lodge, and D.G S. Bro. Eev. James Hill conducted the installation ceremony. Following are tha newly installed officers :—S W.M., Bro. G. Edmonds ; D.M., Bro. D. Gebbie ; S W., Bro. W. Blutchford; J.W., Bro. J. Parkinson ; treasurer, Bro. M. Milbutn ; secretary, Bro. A, G Oldfield ; 5.0., Bro. W. Parkinson ; J.H , Bro. E. Finn. Bro. Griham was afterward* presented with a Past-Master's jewel by Bro. Kev. J. Hill, bearing the following inscription:—“St. Clair Kilwinning, 6.56, SO, Head of the Bay. Presented to Hro. P.M. W. Graham, by the members of the lodge, as a mark of esteem for his services as first W.M. from 1880 to 1832.” Bro. Graham suitably acknowledged the present. Citizens’ Bali. —These intend'n? to be present at the c.tizene’ ball on Monday, are reminded that no tickets will be sold after to-morrow.

Tub Exhibition. —Considering the gala programme issued for the ensuing few days in connection with the Exhibition, there was a goodly attendance of visitors during the day. A number of school children from Little River and neighborhood, together with several Maoris, took advantage of the excursion train from Birdling’s Flat to pay a visit to the Exhibition, and were exceedingly delighted with what they saw. The children had lunch at Arenas’ Cafe de Paris, and attracted considerable attention by swarming out on the footpath in oor.siderabls numbers. The Austrian band, under Herr Eahout, played some vary good music both afternoon and evening, and there was also some go-as-you-please skating in the concert hall. To-n>ght a panorama of a trip from London to Niagara Falls will be exhibited with lime light effects, an(L also some colsred fountains. On Saturdays the members arrive, and the programme as* already advertised will be gone through. Imbobted Bibds.— Mr Bills has just returned fromAusiraiiawith upwards: f 300 rana» ties,i eluding a lot of prize-takers. The verier ties comprise Norwich, Lizards, Belgians, Cinnamons, Green Variegated, and other kinds, and it would be hard to pick out a bad bird amongst them. They are collected from New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria, ihoso from Victoria being procured from Mr J. Bradley, ot Melbourne, who took thirtyfour ordinary and fourteen special prizes at the last Victorian show. In addition to these, he has brought a ergo number of Green Leeks, Java Sparrows, Mannikin Finches, Love Birds, Blue Mountains, and Cockatoo Parrots. They will be submitted to auction by Messrs Ayers and Co. on Thursday next. In the meantime the birds are on view at the Botherfield Hotel, Cashel street.

Dbttids —The Lyttelton Hearts of Oak Lodge held their half-yearly eummoned ■meeting on Thursday evening at the Eoresiers Hall. One candidate was initiated into »ne order by A.D. Bro. Holland, assisted by r-A. Bro. Lawson, also three proposed for membership. The following were nominated for officers and elected unopposed oro. H. Adams; V.A., Bro. W. B. All wnght ; Secretary, Bro. W. J. Harrington ; IBro. W. Hannay; Treasurer, Bro. A. day lor, O.G, Bro, Morris; A.D.B.’s, Bros. W. Moynihan and D. Serrs ; V.A.D.B.’s, Bros. J. Erickson and S. Ambrose; M.B, Bro. J. Koskila; Auditors, Bros. W. Hannay and J. » Wood ; Surgeons, Bros. Dr. Bouse and Hr, 1 Macdonald. The installation of officers takes \ place on Tuesday, 4th July. After some other business the lodge closed. Receipts of tthe evening, £55 14s 9d. • Dinneb. —A very pleasant little reunion tqjok place at the Royal Hotel last evening, wihen the occasion of Mr W. V. Million's entrance into the ranks of the barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court was celebrated by a\dinner. Messrs Oram Bros, provided a very \flegant repast, which was done justice to byXthoae present. After dinner a number of toasts, including “ Success to Mr Million,” were proposed and heartily responded to. Some good songs were sung, and the evening passed off most r»ujoyably throughout. Death op an Old Colonist. — It is with some regret we learn of the death of Mr Edward Barff, one of the earliest colonial settlers, and\who was for many_ years the representative of the mining interest in Westland, havnng sat for Kumar a and Hokitika in the HouyJe of Representatives. For a considerable period he was the mining correspondent of the Melbourne “Argus” in the up-country districts of Victoria, and also editor of the Hokitika “Evening Star.” Theateioal —Mr Nicholson, agent in advance of the Hove Dramatic Company, arrived yesterday from Dunedin to make arrangements for their opening there at the Theatre .Boyal. The first night of the season has been fixed for the 4th July. The company includes Mr J. B, Howe, an actor of ■ome celebrity, who has achieved success in Australia and elsewhere. Miss Hayward, of whom report speaks favorably, and several ladies and gt-nt'emen well known to Christchurch playgoers. The repertoire of the company includes a number of new pieces, amongst others “Michael Strogoff,” a dramatic adaptation of Jules Verne’s wellknown romance of “ The Courier of the Czar.” In view of the fact that for so long a time we have been without professional dramatic entertainments, and also that the Theatre Boyal has been considerably improved during the time it has been closed, no doubt the season will be a successful one.

I 0.G.T., Sydenham:, —ln view of the proposed amendments in the Licensing Act, a meeting of the Pride of Sydenham Lodge, No. 200, was held last evening in St. Saviour’s school room. Present—Mr H. W. Packer (in the chair), Bev, H. B. Cocks, and a deputation from the Temperance Conference, comprising Messrs J. T, Smith, H. Bennetts, and O. M. Gray. Songs, recitations, and instrumental musio were interspersed throughout the evening’s proceedings. On Mr Bennetl/s proposal, seconded by Mr T. Knight, it was resalved—“ That this meeting is in favor of the present Licensing Act receiving a fair trial, and is strongly opposed to any alteration being made in the Act in the manner laid down in the Licensing Act Amendment Bills now before the House,” On Mr Cock’s motion, seconded by Mr H. Henwood—“ That this meeting most emphatically protests against any proposal that may be made legalising the sale of intoxicating liquors on the Sabbath.” On Mr Gray’s motion, seconded by Mr T. Heath :—“ That in the event sf any alteration being made in the hour of closing publichouses, this meeting would recommend the total abolition of midnight licenses, and the adoption of ton o’clock as the uniform time for the whole colony.” On Mr Smith’s motion, seconded by Mr Joseph Sherlock : *' That this meeting is of opinion that, for the purposes of local option, all adults, male and female, over twenty-one years of age, be entitled to vote ; and the manner of taking the votes be the same as that provided in the Licensing Act of 1873.” On Mr Cooks’ motion, seconded by Mr T. Brown : —“ That local option be made to apply to existing licenses, and not be confined to new applications. ” It was resolved that copies of the foregoing resolutions be sent to Mr W. White, jun„ and the Colonial Secretary. The proceedings concluded with a cordial vote of thanks to the chair, followed by the singing of a verse of the National AnthtmJ Thb Cave De Fabis.— Last evening Mr and Mrs Arenas entertained a large party of guects at the Cafe Da Paris, the large sails a manger being full to overflowing with ladies and gentlemen. A splendid spread was put on the table by Mr Arenas, the chair being occupied by Mr W. Pratt|; the vice-chairs by Messrs H, A. Watt, B. Walton, and D, Caro. About one hundred ladies and gentlemen sat down, and after ample justice had been done to the good things, Mr Pratt gave the usual loyal toasts. These were, followed by “ The City Council,” responded to by Mr E. O. Bishop ; “ The Host and Hostess,” responded to by Mr Arenas. This last toast was drunk amid loud cheers. A ball folio wed at which the members of the Austrian Band supplied the music, and dancing was kept up merrily until an early hour. The gathering altogether was one of the pleasantest given in Christchurch for many a day. St. Maet’s, Addington. —The Most Bey. the Primate will hold a confirmation in this church next Sunday morning, July 2nd. at the 31 o’clock service, when'absut twenty five candidates will be presented.