NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Mail.—As will be seen by our Post Office notices, an alteration in the hour of closing has been made for the mails by the. Cyphrenes. It closes on Saturday morning, at 7 a.m., for ordinary letters, and for late letters at 7.45 a.m.•; newspapers at 6 a.m. English Saw' Fbancisco Mail.—The mail arrived yesterday by the steamer Cyphrenes. The mail-bags were landed, and sent through to Ghristchurch by the 9 a.m. train, . Football.—-Oh Saturday last, the match, North y. South, vvas played, and resulted in a draw-,' Waxman kicking a goal for the South, and Macqttario for the North. Tomorrow, A to L and M to Z will be played again. The former will wear blue and the latter red caps. Avon Road Boabd.—The Boad Board meeting for the Avon district did not take place last night (Wednesday), i there not being a quorum. The meeting was adjourned till Wednesday next. Cathedral Guild,—A, general meeting of the members of the Cathedral Guild was held yesterday evening in the College library. The proceedings were commenced by singing and prayer. The Very Rev the Dean, who occupied the chair, said he regretted the absence of his brother, vice* president from that meeting, and also-the scanty attendance that evening. The affairs of the Guild Were progressing satisfactorily, and the number of members continued to increase. A paper ,oa hymn , tunes was to have been read by Mr Parker that evening, illustrated by the Cathedral Guild choir, who were to appear for the first time, hut shortly before the meeting he had received a note from Mr Parker Stating that, through a succession of > circumstances the choir had been unable to hold a rehearsal, and as the paper would fall very tamely without these illustrations, he had postponed its reading until the next meeting of the Guild. The Very Rev the. Chairman then stated the object of the meeting to be the consideration of the building of the western doorway of the Cathedral, the final consideration of which had, on an amendment moved on the Rev Mr Paige's motion; been postponed at the last meeting, as it was thought that more notice should be given of the intention of the Guild in this matter. Ample time had .now been given; and hewould.ask Rev Mr to again move his motion. The Bey W; E. Paige, after some preliminary remarks, moved " That the funds of the Guild be de* voted in the first instance to the building of the western doorway of the Cathedral, with the approval of the Cathedral Commission, and on the condition that the plans of Mr Scott be adhered to." The motion was seconded by the Rev. 0. Bowen, who, as a member of the Cathedral Commission, quite, approved of the desire of the Guild to. construct some specific work in connectioa with the Cathedral; the main building wulf he constructed by the Commission, but m $?»*" mental work might be fitly undertaken by the Guild; Mr G. fflclntyre asked if tbisdoor; way could not be undertaken at any timet It would be a pity, he thought, if the doorway was erected and the work of the tnaia building suspended for want of' fafifis. Personally he would prefer contributing *° the?general fund, and would move,', as W amendment, "That the funds eerived by the GuiJd be paid over from time to time to the general purposes of the Cathedral .*' The Rev Mr Paige would den* tion that he had been informed by setae members of the Cathedral Commission that they would be prepared tocail for the second contract when the present one had expiwui The Rev Mr|Bowen stated that waff** erected by the Commission or the Gaud* the arches of this doorway would have'to he built before the superstructure could be pro* ceeded with. Mr Mclntyrc then, withdrew his amendment/and the, Bfev'Mr Taigcs motion Was put and carried. *he jev chairman thought it would not be a badiaea as suggested in a letter in the last number 01 the " Church Hews," if the Cathedral Commission were to expend a little"inpttfflT J Q having photographic views taken of taa Cathedral, which might be hung Up in public places, and those who had not seen the plans would have an idea of what t&9 building would be when erected. This had been done with St. Michael's Church, and he believed that an outlay for this purpose would <■ soon' be repaid. The rev chairman then read. " The recollections of a Dean, -from v Essays on Cathedrals," and the meeting closed with singing and prayer. German Chukch.—We learn tfcAtineen' sequence of not'being able to obtain-*ae books, harmonium, &c., necessary for conducting the service, the committee of the German Church have decided to postpone toe opening of their church till Thursday B «»r Awjejjwou day,

—IsMroßxirairr*Bß -Apei^geßv^A,ntrm|jei yesterday! #c* f Cornering:' to s ' AkaroJtMad Timaru. About 20d were brought ffirongh by special train to the depot, Addington, ■ where they will be open for engagement ' (Saturday). In order to prevent disappointment to many people we have been requested to state that there ~wtyl be very few domestic servants for engagement. The Yernon may, however, be now daily . expected with a shipment from Glasgow. ISlsr Town Bkit.—We understand that the inhabitants on the East Town Belt have subscribed and paid to the Boad Board £20 towards forming the belt and footpaths. BoB33COLTSTRAii. SociETT.—A meeting of the committee of the above society was held -last evening at the Clarendon Botel. The president, Mr W. Wilson, occupied the chair, and there was a very, good attendance'of members. It waa resolved on the motion of -Mr Gordon that the schedules of last season be the basis of the ensuing one. The presi- „ • cjenik Messrs J. Allen, Crooks, Chudley, and Smith were appointed as a sub-committee to prepare the schedule and report at the next meeting of committee. It was decided that first show of the season should be held Ton ' the -same-: day as the show of -the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, oa their grounds, and that thej>reaident be requested to make the in* tentiou of the society mown to the Pastoral Association. After passing accounts the' monthly meeting was afterwards held, at which a capital show: of chrysanthemnms WM exhibited by Mr William Wilson, com*

prising thirty varieties, Mr Chudley exhibited a very fine specimen of Cypripedium Villosam ("Ladies' slippers"), natural order X Orchid acete. This plant is easily cultivated, remaining in bloom, tea weeks. ' It was brought by the Great Britain on her last trip to Melbourne* Mr Low exhibited some well grown intermediate carrots and a Blenheim orange apple. - Phii/OSOPHIcax, Institute.—An ordinary meeting of the institute was held last evening at the Public Library. Haast (president), Beys J. Bnller, W. J. Habens, and J.Wi Stack, Or Powell, his Honor the Judge, Messrs Fereday, Inglis, Tancred, Wakefield, and Hall. The minutes of the last monthly meeting were read and confirmed. Mi J. S. Guthrie was elected a member of the institute. The Bey J.W. Stack read a paper on the existence of a large specie? of lizard in the province of Canterbury, in which: he had. collected: the •Maori traditions respecting the existenceof the great -lizard. After a slight discussion iaponthe paper, the- Bey J. Boiler gave an .account of a large lizard being known to ■exist by the Maoris amongst the ranges in theKaipara district, North Island.;.-l '■■■■:■ l LsaAi/.—His Honor will eit in Chambers this day at 11 a.m. This will be the-last Chamber sitting before: the Jndge until bis Honor's return from, the Court of Appeal. The Eegistrar will sit during his Honor's absence to dispose of bankruptcy applications. .. ~ -..J--..':' J ...'* -- :'-' -:.' =t) ,