NEWS OF THE DAY.

Lectube; —The Rev S. Macfarlane delivered a lecture in the Rangiora Literary Institute on Thursday evening, to a fair audience, on " The Bible and Temperance," in aid of the Rangiora division of the Sons of Temperance. Before the lecture commenced MrR. Meredith, W.P. of the Rangiora Lodge, gave a short history of that Lodge, which he informed the meeting, was opened in December last and now numbers 29 members. The Rev Mr Macfarlane had kindly consented to give a lecture to aid their cause, and if he was the means of inducing any persons to wish to join the lodge he (Mr Meredith) would be glad to have them initiated as members. The chairman (Mr A. H. Cunningham) then introduced tbe lecturer to the audience. The rev gentleman then delivered an earnest address upon the many advantages to be derived from becoming members of a temperance society. He had seen a great many instances of the good done by joining such orders, and in many cases signing the pledge waß not only the means of attaining to a better moral life, but frequently resulted in the persons learning more of higher and better things, and becoming true and sincere Christian people. He did not think that temperance was everything, but was often the stepping stone to a christian life. The rev lecturer illustrated his address with a number of interesting and amusing anecdotes, and was frequently applauded during its dtlivery. Mr Meredith moved a vote of thanks to the rev. gentleman for his {kindness in coming from Christchurch to give the lecture, which was seconded by Mr Withers and carried with acclamation. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.

Legal.—His Honor the Judge leaves by the Cyphrenes for Wellington to-day, to attend the Court of Appeal.

Mandeville Election. —Mr Dixon met the electors at the Kaikanui Hotel, Kaiapoi, on Thursday and was favorably received. About thirty persona were present, Mr G. Edwards in the chair. Messrs Beswick and Wilson were also present. The polling takes place today, and the contest is expected to be an exciting one. A special carriage will be attached to the train that leaves Ohrißtchurch at a quarter past twelve, for the conveyance of the friends of Messrs Wilson and Dixon, returning from Kaiapoi at half-past two.

German Church.—The bells for the German Protestant Church have arrived by the Apelles now in Lyttelton harbor. The formal opening of the church will take place on Ascension Day, the 14th inst. After the ceremony a tea meeting will be held.

Wesleyan.—The Bey James Buller will preach a sermon to tbe young to-morrcw evening in the Durham street Wesleyan Church. Harmonic Society.—The usual weekly practice of this Society took place last evening, when Mendelssohn's " St. Paul" waß gone through. Art Union.—The drawing for MrHoyte's water-colour drawings of West Coast and Canterbury scenery will take place on the 12th instant, at Warner's Commercial Hotel. Clifton's Entertainment. —Mr H. Clifton, assisted by Miss Fanny Sara, Messrs Baker and Mat Rielly, will give a variety entertainment this evening at the Music Hall, Cathedral Square. The programme selected is a varied one. „ Mc and Mrs Hoskins. —The friends of these clever artistes —and their name is legion in Canterbury—will be interested to learn that they have played a month at Honolulu to crowded houses. On several occasions they have appeared by command of the King and Queen at the palace in their entertainment. They left per s.s. Tartar on April 2nd, fcr San Francisco, where they intend playing .a season of twelve nights prior to proceeding to the Eastern States.

Clifton Troupe.—Entertainments were given by the Clifton Troupe in the Town Hall, Southbridge, on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The attendance was not as numerous as might have been expected, but those presnet seemed fully to appreciate the entertainment given them, which was of m varied aad most amusing character,

Vienna Exhibition. —Tbe distribution of the medals and certificates of commendation awarded by the executive committee of the late Interprovincial Exhibition, in connection with the Vienna Exhibition, took place yesterday at the Superintendent's office. The medals have already been described. The certificates bear at the top a large size representation of the seal of the colony, surmounted by fern trees and the royal arms of England, the printing being enclosed by a red line border. A report of the proceedings appears elsewhere.

The Opeba.—Balfe's favorite opera " The Bohemian Girl" was repeated last evening at the Theatre Royal to a very good house. The performance throughout went well, the various well-known arias occurring in the opera being received with applause by the audience. Miss Alice May as Arline, Miss Lambert as the Gipsy Queen, and Messrs Templeton and Rainford, as Devilshoof and the Count respectively, were very successful in their rendering of the music of their parts. To-night Benedict's charming opera of "The Lily of Killarney" will be repeated. Miss May's Eily O'Connor, for simple pathetic acting aud singing, ia unequalled.

Entebtainment.—A miscellaneous entertainment—elocutional, comic, and gymnastic—will be given by Mr J. J. Stagpool and Master F. A. Simpson, at Akaroa on Wednesday evening next.

Police.—A man named George Ell, a butcher at Halswell, was arrested yesterday by Chief Detective Feast on the charge of stealing sheep from Mr Roskrudge, farmer in that district. He will be brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning.

United Methodist Fbee Chubches.— The (Rev S. Macfarlane will preach in St Asaph street Church to-morrow morning and evening, and at Bingsland in the afternoon.

Good Templabism.—The usual weekly session of the Dauntless Lodge, No. 14, was held last evening in Gee's schoolroom. Three new members were initiated and several proposed. An appeal through the Provisional Grand Lodge, on behalf of a widow of a brother lately deceased, was favorably received. An important motion relating to the internal affairs of the lodge was discussed at length and disposed of. After the transaction of some routine business the lodge closed with the usual ceremonies. The fortnightly session of the Onward Lodge was held on Wednesday evening in the schoolroom, Waikuku, when the officers for the new term were duly installed by the Lodge Deputy, Bro R. Reeve. One new member was initiated. A letter was read from the Pioneer Lodge, Addington, and one from the Star Lodge of Wellington, which were considered. The lodge was then closed in the usual manner.