NEWS OF THE DAY.

Lyttblton Vital Statistics.—Following are the vital statistics of the borough of Lyttelton for the month of May— Births 10, deaths 7, marriages 4.

Sotjthebn Cross Petroleum Company. —The Directors of this Company hare received advices from Botokautuku that the bore was down 655 ft on Friday last, with everything progressing favourably.

Bposting.—By a clerical error the name of Mr Wade's Fantasy appeared in the Sprint Handicap of the Plumpton Park Bace Meeting. It should have been in the Two-year-old Flutter.

: City Council.—There was a very lively meeting last night at the City Council, when Fire Brigade matters were under discussion. Ultimately a Committee of the whole Council was appointed to consider the question and report.

Football —A match, which resulted in a draw, wan played on Tuesday between the West Chriatchurch and the Normal Schools. A. Donalson, P. Greig, and Nicholas, played well for the Normal, and J. Currie, &• MeKee, and Beck, for West Christchurch.

Election of Atjditobs.—The election of auditors for the City of Ohrietchurch and Borough of St. Albans took place yesterday. The polling at the former was as under: —H. E. Alport, 289; W. Jameson, 216; H. Andrews, 172; and T. B. Craig, 92. At St. Albans the following number ot votes were recorded:—T. F. Garnett, 34; H. A. E. Hurley, 24; F. Waymoath, 15; and J. F. Ward, 14 1 informal, 1. In both instances the first two candidates are elected. The official declaration for Christchurch takes place at noon to-day.

Cookxry Class.—The classes inaugurated by Mrs C. D. B. Ward, for instruction in elementary cookery continue to be very well attended. Last evening a «lass was held in the Blue Bibbon Hall, Worcester street, at which there was a fair attendance of ladies, who apparently took great interest in the proceedings. Under Mrs Lodge's and Mre Davis' superintendence, practical instructions were given in the preparation of stews, currie3, meat pies, &c. There was to have been a class also for bachelors, but none made their appearance.

Gbmndali.—On Wednesday A very pleasing ceremony took place in the Primitive Methodist Church, Greendale. Miss Budd' was, on the occasion of her marriage, presented with a nice marble clock, water-jug, and pair of goblets, by the choir and members of the Sunday school connected-, with: the church, as a Blight token of their love and esteem, and also in some acknowledgment of her many valuable eervicee to 'the church and Sunday Bohool. Mies B. Mills made the presentation, and Miss Budd very feelingly replied. * ' .

The Whbat Mabxbt.—We learn that private information has been received in this city by cable from London, dated May 31st, to the effect that the wheat market is affected by low prices in America, and is 6d cheaper. No. 1 Standard Californian, 8000 to 10,000 quarters cargoes, for shipment in November, December, and January next, is worth 84s 6d per 5001bs, cost, freight and insurance to the U. K. This is believed to be the lowest price on record for an option so far ahead, being for delivery about ten months hence.

Kiujnchy School District. , — The householders in the Eillinchy district having failed to elect a School Committee on April 27th, the Board of Education appointed Wednesday last as the date for a second meeting to be held. There was a good attendance, and Mr M. Jones presided. The following were then elected— Meeara J. McLeod, T. Tolerton, J. Spence, S. Lemon, S. Sanderson, B. O'Neill, and J. Levett. At the meeting of the newlyelected Committee, held immediately after, Mr J. McLeod was chosen Chairman.

Alleged Labchnt. — Chief-Detective Neill yesterday morning arrested a man named Andrew yon Holland on the charge of stealing from Thomas Joyce, of the Hill Top Hotel, an order, drawn by one King, for the payment of the sum of £13 4*. Holland presented the order at the Mew Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association, representing himself as Joyce, and received a cheque on the Bank of New Zealand for the amount of the order, which he afterwards got cashed at the Bank. Holland, when arrested, only had £1 7s 6d in cash upon him. He will be brought before the Court this morning.

Bbqisxbation of Doos.—At the Bangiora Magistrate's Court yesterday the Borough Council brought an Action against a resident for - non-registration of four doge. The defence raised was that three of the animals had been registered at the Waiau, where the fee is only sa, the earn charged by the Borough Council of Bangiora being 10s. Owing to an informality in the manner of taking proceedings, the Council was non-suited, but the Besident Magistrate pointed out that the provisions of the Dog Begistration Act were sufficiently plain to show that the registration must be made in the district where the owners of the dogs regularly resided, and that owners could make no choice of districts.

Sunday Trading.—A report on the above subject from a body styled the Vigilance Committee of the Temperance Societies, and addressed to the Chairmen of the Licensing Committees in and near Christchurch, has been forwarded for publication. It may be noted that it did not come before the first of the Licensing Committee's meetings yesterday. The report after stating pie reasons which led to the organisation, went on to give the following results of inspection of the various houses -in ' Christ church and Lyttelton daring one Sunday:— "37 persons entered one house before noon, by back door only ; 38 persons entered one houae before noon, by side door only; *30 persons entered one house between 11 and 1 o'clock, by back door only; 43 persons entered one house before 5 pan., by back door only; no record taken of other doors; •44 pert-ens entered one house before 5 p.m. ; 55 persons entered one house before 2 p.m., side door only; 25 persons entered same house between. 2 and 3 o'clock, side door only; 57persons entered one boose before 5 p.m., side door only, no record of other doors; -€8 persons entered one house before 5 p.m., 68 before 2 p.m., 76 before 2 p.m., *110 before 16 p.m., 124 before 5 p.m., 148 before 5 pan., *163 before 5 p.m., 197 before 5 p.m. The last number included 7 women and 17 young girls. All the above houses, with the exception of four marked * are within the city licensing districts. At Lyttelton three houses were watched and were entered by a total of 481 persons, 469 of whom were residents in Lyttelton, only 12 were visitors; 43 entered before 9 a.m. The totals of each house were 88, 123, 270, respectively." ; The report goes on to say, that from observation fully 4000 visits are paid to hotels in Chrietchurch on Sunday, and expressed a hope that the Licensing Committee will repress theevS.

Bangioba Council.—Mr John Fulton was yesterday nominated and elected Councillor of the borough of Bangiora, vice Mr NicoDs resigned.

Tbm Govxbhxknt Ijtsttbanch Association. —By advertisement in another column Mr Fisher aeka those policyholders who sympathise with bis views to send him their proxies, for the purpoee of strengthening hie hands. The resolutiens relating to the reconetitution of the Board, it may be mentioned, will not be decided upon at the meeting on the 14th June, but will be finally decided by a poll of the policy-holders.

Concbbt at Lincoln.—A very successful concert in aid of the funds of the local branch of the Hibernian Benefit Society, Newheadford, was given in the Lincoln schoolroom on Friday evening, by members of the Chri&tchnrch Working Men's Club Dramatic Class. The room was crowded to excess, many being refoeed admittance. The proceeds realised .£3O. The programme submitted by the troupe was a long and varied one, and judging by the repeated encozes must have given entire satisfaction.

Danch at Lekston.—The young ladies connected with St. John's Church Work Society, Lees ton, gave a most successful dance in the Leeston Town HaU on Friday night last. The hall was tastefully decorated and furnished, the profusion of flowers used presenting a very pleasing effect. About forty couples were present by invitation. The music was supplied by Messrs Sharp and Paget, the refreshments being under the care of the young ladies themselves, this alone being buf&cient guarantee that the catering was of the best. The dance was one of the most successful that has been held in Leeston, everybody enjoying themselves thoroughly.

BtTRNHAM. — A general meetinsr of parishioners was held at All Saints Church. Burnham, on the 25th ult., the Bey. W. Baliachey in the chair. The attendance was very limited. Mr F. H. Brittan presented a statement of accounts and balance-sheet, which showed the total receipts to have been £42 3a 3d, total expenditure J839 154 2£d, balance remaining on hand -S2 18s Oid. After auditing and passing the accounts, the Curate nominated Mr Brittan and the parishioners elected Mr Easther as the two Churchwardens, Messrs J. Palmer, Smith, Palethorpe, and Woodfield being chosen Vestrymen. Great regret was expressed at tbe departure of Mr W. H. Alington from the district, he having officiated as Lay Header and Churchwarden for the last seven years. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to him for his services, and a similar compliment was paid to Mrs Brittan for her gift of altar linen, and to Mr Kohfte for his donation to church reroofing fund. It was resolved to send circulars to all parishioners, urging them to send donations or subscriptions to the clergy stipend guarantee fund. A vote of thanks to the Chairman and officers of the past year terminated the proceedings.

Licensing Comkittbb. — The annual meeting of the .Licensing Committee for Christchurch South-* aer. will be held today at noon, at the City Council Chamber*. Pabliamentaby Association. — Aa already notified, the third session of the Christcauich Parliamentary Association will be opened this evening, in the Provincial Council Chambers, at 7.39 p.m., by Mr T. 8. Weston, acting as Governor. - . Populas Lectures.—The next of the series of. Professor Bickerton'e lectures will be delivered this evening, in the Lecture Theatre, Canterbury College. Opawa.—A meeting of the ratepayers of Opawa will be held this evening, at the district school, to protest against the extension by the Drainage Board of the boundaries of the district to the south side of the Biver Heathcote.

Benefit Concbbt.—A conceit will be given on Friday evening in the Oddfellows' Ball, Ljttelton, under the auspices of the United Ancient Order of Druids, for the benefit of Mr W. L. Lawson, who recently met with an accident on board the Soukar. A very attractive programme haa been prepared for the ocra don. The Band Botttnda.—A concert will be given in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lichfleld street, on the 11th instant, to assist in clearing the existing debt on the band rotunda. :

Dbainaqe Boabd Election. — The nominations for the vacant, seat on the Drainage Board, caused by the retirement of Mr B. M. Taylor, close at noon to day. at. the Sydenham Borough Council office. Tsra Life of an M.P.—An M.P.. deploring the evil effects of London habits on the health, said that were it not for the American Co.'s Hop Bitters he could not live through with the irregular hours he was forced to keep. Maid he—" Aβ soon as I feel weak and exhausted from long night sessions and meals at irregular hours, I resort to my Hop Bitters instead of stimulants. They regulate my bowela and keep my appetite good, my brain clear, and my etrength and health are preserved." See.—rADVT.J

Ax.coHoz.tc FATtriTT.—The chronic debauchee feels that he positively cannot exist without his alcoholic stimulation. To quit drinking or to continue the habit brings death all the same. Such a man can find in American Co.'s Hop Bitters, properly need, a perfect panacea for the drunkard's cure. Bead.—[advt.J