NEWS OF THE DAY.

Theatre Eoyal. —The Fisher Company •will mate their debut to-morrow night at he Theatre Royal. The pieces chosen for atepayersthat property owners will shortih >c served with rate notices, so that i enants don't want their landlords to knoTi hey are behind with their ratee theys dramatic performance was given last night in the Convalescent Ward of the Hospital by a number of ladies and gentlemen, and wa3 attended by all the patients able to do so. • Matoeali Hospitality.—On Wednesday evening Hia Worship the Mayor and Mm Hulbert gave an official party at their residence, Linwood. The guests included- the members of the City Council and its officers, and a few private friends. A very pleasant evening was spent. Footbau.. —The football match of the Poneke (Wellington) Club against, East Christchurch, takes place, on Lancaster Park [on the 16th August. The visiting team is one of the strongest the Northern Club possesses,-but Barr, who plays halfback, will not be among the number. Expoet op Mutton , .—- The steamship British Queen, despatched by the New Zealand Shipping Company yesterday for London, took a full cargo of produce collected at the ports, Port Chalmers, Wellington, and Lyttelton, include! in which were 8125 carcasse3 of frozen mutton.

Lectubh on Ceylon.-In connection with the Linwood Congregational Church, the Rev. Edward Walker lectured last night in the Oddfellows Hall, East belt; "on " A Fortnight in Ceylon." Mr J. P. Jameson occupied the chair, and the lecturer was followed with much interest by a tolerably large audience. Wbathrb Exchanob. — New Zealand. Depression in the south; weather generally dull and showery; heavy sea on west coast; winde westerly and squally. Australia—Depression passing south of Tasmania ; north-weet and west winds j weather overcast but fine.—Barometers— Russell, 29.9; Wellington, 294; Bluff, 29.3; Hobart, 29.8; Sydney, 30.1. Working Men's Club.—A meeting of the above Club was held last night at the Clubroom, when there was a large attendance. Mr J. M. Thompson, President of the Club, occupied the chair. After the transaction of some routine business it was resolved that a portrait of the President, Mr J. M. Thompson, be procured and hung in the Clubroom.

Cbown Lands Board.—There was no meeting Of the Crown Lands Board yeeterday. The Chief Commissioner, Mr W. Kitsos, granted two gold prospecting licenses; one to Edward Buller, to prospect near Lake Coleridge, and the other to Malcolm Duncan, to prosject in the Davie, Owen, Mathias, Wilberforce, Harper, Lyell, and Whitcombe survey distriote. The ordinary meetings of the Board will in future be held fortnightly. Concbbt. —A concert in aid of the funds of the Durham street Wesleyan Sunday School was given last night, under the patronage of the Methodist Union Conference. Mr J. Gibson occupied the chair. The performers■ were' the members- of Mr was got through. There was a crowded house.

Licensed Victuallers' Association.— A general meeting of the members of the above was held last night at the Corn Exchange, to consider the replies received from candidates with regard to the amendments proposed by the Association in the Licensing Act of 1881. The chair was occupied by Mr W. Vincent, President of the Association, and there was a large attendance. The matter was fully debated, and it was resolved that a circular letter be sent to every hotel keeper, informing him which of the candidates in his particular district had expressed himself most favorable to the views of the Association. The meeting then adjourned. Winter Entertainments. —In the schoolroom of St. Luke's Church last night the first of a series of entertainments to be given this winter in aid of the parish funds took place. The first part was a concert, the overture to which was finely played by Herr Bunz's string band. The other performers were amateurs, and included Mrs Alan Scott, Miss A. S. Taylor, Miss Little, Miss and the Misses Bell. The Rev. E. A. Lingard, Mr H. Crooks, and Mr R. A. Joseph contributed songs. " Tom Bowling," the selection of the last named gentleman, was a particularly fine performance. Miss L. Taylor's solo on the concertina, and Mr T. Tankard's cornet solo were greatly applauded. Part 11. was a conjuring performance by Mr Seager. In the interval the Rev. E. A. Lingard explained that the entertainments would be given fortnightly,, and would end with a social gathering of some sort on St. Luke's day.

Young Men's Club. —The adjourned annual meeting of the Toung Men's Club Association will be held to-night at 7.30 p.m., in the rooms, Gloucester street. West Co ist Railway.—A monster meeting of those interested in the West Coast Railway will be held this evening, at the Oddfellows' Hall, at 7.30 p.m. Skill in the Workshop.—To do good work the mechanic must have good health. If long hours of confinement in close rooms have enfeebled his hand or dimmed his sight, let him at once, and before some organic trouble appears, take plenty of Hop Bitters. His system will be rejuvenated, his nerves strengthened, his sight become clear, and the whole constitution be built up to a higher working condition. Bead.—[Adtt.J Strang* ' Insubordination. —Who has Hot experienced a sort of malady when all the faculties seem in rebellion, and labor is absolutely impossible ? It is a condition of nerves and stomach and brain that pan only be cured by the use of that irresistible remedy, Hop Bitters. Read.—[Advt.J