Treasury

Fbeehoud Land Society. — The first annual soiree of this society will be held this evening in the Town Hall. After tea the report for the past year will be read, and the financial statement made.

Racehokse Stobmbibd. — This horse caught a severe cold whilst crossing the Waitangi, which will preclude him from running at the Oamaru races. ..It is very doubtful whether he will be fit even for the Dunedin meeting.

Theatre Roya_.—-The attendance at the theatre is gradually increasing, but as yet it is not nearly equal to the deserts of the company performing there. Last evening the bill was the same as on Monday evening, and the excellent extravaganza, " The Invisible Prince," was played with, if possible, more success than on the previous night.

Trotting- Match at Abowhentta.—The " Timaru Herald " states that a trotting match took place on Tuesday last between Mr Gatherer's Tommy, and Mr Gray's pony, the former giving the " little one " a quarter of a mile out of ten, for £10 a side. The start took place in the direction of the Wailii, and finished at the township. The race was well contested, the old horse catching the pony on the post and winning by about half a length. Mr Donnelly rode the pony admirably, but could not command success.

The Mabvkls of P_Btr.—Miss Fanny Brown, tho most marvellous of the Marvels of Peru, will take her benefit this evening at the theatre. As nothing but horsemanship seems to be popular in Christchurch at the present time, the lessee has decided on producing an extra sensational equine piece, viz., the old favori'e AsHey's piece of ' Mazeppa." No expense has been spared in getting up the piece ; entirely new scenery has been painted, and everything possible done to secure success. Miss Brown is a very talented and pleasing ac'ress, and from the number of tickets already taken she must have a bumper house this evening. i

Cibcus.—The performance last night by the circus company was again a great success, the house being crowded in all parts—in fact it was difficult to obtain even standing room. Several fresh feats were introduced, the most prominent of which was a double equestrian act by Mesdames Tourrear and Anareau, which was very gracefully executed. The clown (Mr Cooke) drew forth, as usual, roars of laughter, and the performances of the

trained pony, Tom Thumb, were equally successful. The entertainment was a great success. There will be a mid-d«y performance, commencing at two o'clock, on Saturday next.

Horticultubal SocrETY.—A meeting of this society was held last evening in the sideroom of the Town Hall, the president in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting ware read and confirmed. The charges for a<lmission to the exhibition were decided to be 2s 6d from noon to three p.m. ; and Is until tho close of the exhibition. It was stated that the articles exhibited were likely to be greatly in excess of what is usually "the case at the autumn exhibition of the society. We are also led to believe that the splendid Lilium attralum will be exhibited, should it not be out of bloom by that time. It was resolved that the annual dinner of the society bo held at an early date. The Secretary stated that lie had secured the services of the baDd of the Volunteers.

Gipt to Lady Dabling.—The "Australasian," of February 23, informs us that " the Home Government has declined to permit Lady Darling to receive the £20,000 which the Legislative Assembly of this colony was desirous of voting her. The despatch presented to the House on Tuesday by the hon. the Chief Secretary, points out that to allow the proposed presentation to Lady Darling would be simply an evasion of the rule, which has always been strictly adhered to, prohibiting Governors of colonies from accepting any such gifts from the colonies over which they had been appointed to preside. The despatch, however, stated that the correspondence on the subject between the Colonial Secretary and Sir Charles Darling had scarcely terminated ; and referring to this fact, the Chief Secretary announced that in the event of Sir Charles severing his connexion with the Imperial Government, a message would be brought down asking the House to re-vote the sum."

Rettjbn of the Salmon.—The " Australasian," of the 23rd ult., informs us that " the Tasmanian salmon let loose in their younger days in a tributary of the Derwent have returned from the sea, and in good time to justify the prophecy of Mr Ramsbottom, who told all concerned to look out for them in all January and February. The complete success of the greatest acclimatizing effort ever made in any country is now assured. A plentiful supply of spawn, irrespective of importations from the Old World, will be now available for stocking with salmon all the rivers in Australia or New Zealand that are judged likely to furnish a congenial retreat for the monarch of the tide. It is generally believed that in the rivers of New Zealand the salmon will find a still more congenial habitat than Tasmanian or Australian rivers afford. The stocking of rivers everywhere in this part of the world with salmon will afford useful imployment to our pisciculturists for many years to come."

St. Luke's Paeish. —A meeting of the 9 Vestry of St. Luke's parish was held yester--3 day, at the City Council office, at half-past four o'clock. Present—Messrs Fletcher, Coxr head, Crooke, E. B. Bishop, and the church - . wardens, Gh Gordon and A. F. N. Blakiston. Mr Blakiston in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, A 3 letter was read from the Diocesan Secretary respecting the cost of printing the report and other papers connected with the last sessions of . Synod. The Secretary pointed out that as the i. fund from which the printing has been heretofore defrayed was very likely to fall short, from 5 the considerable reduction being made in the j licences of marriages having been reduced from £2 to 10s, the parishes were now called on to 1 contribute a small sum, and said that a . parish so contributing would be furnished with a certain number of copies of the proceed--1 ings. The Vestry ordered that the sum asked, . viz. £3, be paid to the Diocesan Secretary. It was announced that the Rev. E. A. ' Lingard was prepared to accept the incumI bency of St. Luke's parish, subject to the Bishop's approval. The Vestry agreed as to ' the desirability of commencing the parsonage, ; three members of Vestry giving their bond for £150, and another member of the church having also given the same for an equal ; amount, it remained only to secure the , guarantee of one other person for £50, which the Vestry believed would be got at once, in order to comply with the resolution of the Church Property Trustees, who have agreed to give £500 provided £250 is raised by the parish. The schoolmaster of St. Luke's school, Mr &. Thompson, applied for some " Instruction Books," as he had commenced teaching the boys to sing. It was agreed to allow the matter to remain over until the incumbent had taken charge of the parish. Mr Thompson requested that certain alterations should be made respecting the children, which the Vestry thought desirable, and requested Mr Gordon to have the improvements carried out. After some other routine business the Vestry adjourned to that day fortnight.