NEWS OF THE DAY.

Held Over. —Owing to the great pressure on our space a number of letters and other matter are held over.

Ini»ian Famink Relief Fund. — The following additional subscription has been received at the Press Oflice :—Halkett and Kimberley Presbyterian Church £1 10s.

Assessment Court. — The Assessment Court for the City of Christchurch will be held at the Council Chambers, on April 7th, at 11 a.m.

Art Exhibition.—There was a good attendance yesterday at the exhibition of the Society of Arts. To-night there will be music by Miss Lilian Smith and Mr W. A. Bowring. Professor Bickerton will also give a lecture on "Colour in Relation to Art."

Industrial Building Society.—The first annual meeting of No. 5 Industrial Building Society will be held at No. 154 Worcester street, Christehurch, on Wednesday, April 14th, at 8 p.m. Opbn-air MtJSio.—The Stanmore Band will perform the following programme of music on the Band Rotunda (under the baton of Mr D. McKillop) on Friday night, starting at 8 o'clock, weather permitting:—Quick step, " Washington Greys"; solo polka, "The Fusilade"; grand contest selection, " Reminiscences of Verdi" ; overture, " Crown of Victory" ; contest selection, "Souvenir de Bellini"; overture, "Austral"; valse (en suite), "Les Fleura d'Auatralie"; "Godj Save the Queen."

Winslow.—At a well-attended meeting on Saturday evening, Mr C. Doherty presiding, it was deoided to hold a sports meeting on the Queen's Birthday. A draft programme of horse racing events was submitted, and a Committee appointed to draw up.a programme of athletic events. Officers were elected as follows :—President, Mr D. McLean; Vice-President, Mr J. C. N. Grigg;'Treasurer, Mr W. Sutherland; Committee, Messrs W. Sutherland, T. Waifce, C. Doherty, L. Sutherland, P.. Kellar, J. v Heseltine^, J. Sutherland, W. tJdcker, -St' Kennington, W , ."' Renme, x. Grace and T. Sutherland. Mr A. A. Fooks was asked to act as Secretary. Footbax.li.—At>a public meeting on Monday evening, Mr E. Cowan in the chair, it was decided to form a Club, to be called "the Southbridge Football Club. The following officers were elected :—Patron, Mr W. H. Montgomery, M.H.R.; President, Mr John McMillan; Vice - Presidents, Messrs J. Inwood, E. Cowan, C. H. Willis, and Rev. P. J. Cocks; Captain, H. Fincham ; DeputyCaptain, W. R. Smith; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr A. Campbell; Committee, Messrs E. Cowan, J. Cowan, Jno. Kilbride, J. Halliday, D. Gilmpur, R. Rowe, G. Bueoh, J. Mcllwraith, W. McEvedy, G. Hibhard, and R. P. Hill. It was decided to join the Union. Mr T. E. Boyce was elected Delegate to the Club. The Club's colours were to be blue and white and yellow saeh. Selection and Match Committee, Secretary, Captain, Vice-Captain, and E. Cowan. It was decided to open ■ the season on the 10th April with' a scratch match.

Prrskntatioks. —Yesterday afternoon Mr C. D. Hardie, the head master of the Papanui school, who is leaving to take up a similar position in the Ashburton State school,, was presented with a volume of Tennyson's poems and also with a marble clock for himself and his wife. Upon a silver plate on the clock aro the words— " From the teachers, pupils and Committee of the Bapanui school, March, 1897." The presentation was made hy Mr D. Buntm. There were present also the Rev. H. Williame, Mr T. Weaton and a number of parents. An apology was received for the absence of the Rev. H. Purchas.—The captain,officers and passengers of the R.M.S. Tongariro presented Mr G. Jameson witha testimonial and spirit flask, in recognition "of his efforts to promote thehappiness of those on board daring the voyage by getting up sports, &c. . Handbook of Gardening. —Mr M. Murphy, F.L.S., is now issuing the third edition of his well-known "Handbook of Gardening for New Zealand." The work has been carefully revised and enlarged by the author and for the most part re-written, with the view of giving fuller details of the various operations in connection wfrh. the garden, greenhouse, orchard, &c. It is now a very complete and useful guide to every one who has a garden and more especially to amateurs. It contains the usual garden calendar, with the reminder to persons residing north of Napier that the seasons in those districts are quite one month in advance of the Sonth Island of New Zealand, the average time for sowing having been given as for Canterbury. Under the heading of the vegetable garden, orchard and fruit garden, lower garden, spring flowering plants, and greenhouse, there aro full instructions and useful hints given which will enable anyone to carry on the various operations ofgardening with every prospect of success. There are also special articles on orchids, New Zealand plants, the fernery, orange culture, inaict pesta, and diseases of plants, bee-keeping and the poultry yard. The book is illustrated with a number of instructive plates, and the work is wellprinted and got up. Cantkrboky Rugby Union.—The Committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union met yesterday evening at the Clarendon. Present Messrs J. C. Adams (in the chair), A. W. Walton, H. Frost, T. M. Buntin, F. & Asquith, and F. T. Evans. An apology for absence was received from Mr Mason. A telegram was read from Mr De Costa saying in the Otago-Canterbnry match the English Union had awarded the disputed try to Otago. It was decided to write to Wellington asking for all the documents relating to the matter which had been sent to England. Permission was given to Sydenham to play Melrosc, and Chrietehurch Club to play the Wellington. Club, at Easter time. ,MrG. Harris, -who had been elected to the position of Vice-President of the Union on Saturday evening, wrote thanking the delegates, but regretting his inability to act. It was decided to refer the letter to the general meeting. Messrs H. Frost, McNamaraand W. G. Garrard were appointed a Postponement Committee. It was decided that entries for all competitions close on April sth. The disqualification of H. M. Christie was removed. Messrs Garrard, Buntm and Walton were elected a Permit Committee. It was decided to vote aa honorarium of £1010* to tiie Secretary and £4 10s to the Treasure*. -The Committee then ad journed,

The I-INematooraph.—The kinematograph was exhibited at the Oddfellows' hambers yesterday, evening, when there was a good attendance of visitors. It will be again exhibited to-night. CANTERBURY COLLEGE GBAOTATES' ASSOCIATION.—The annual general meeting of this Association will be held to-morrow ! evening at 7.30. | This Qajn-NsJ-AND Exhibition.—Mr F. N. Meadows left for Wellington by the Penguin last night. He has been very successful in getting the promise of a thoroughly representative lot of exhibits which will do New Zealand credit. Obituary. — The ladies attending the school will learn with regret of the death of Mrs Dyer, of the Domestic School of Instruction, which took place on Monday. The funeral takes place to-day, at 3 p.m., at the Burwood Cemetery. Lkctoek. — A locture on " Christian Sociology " will Iks delivered this evening in Trinity Hall, Manchester street, at eight o'clock, by the Rev. J. Reed Glasson, of Wellington. Mechanical Drawing.—Messr3 Bickerton Bros. 5 classes in geometrical and mechanical drawing, in connection with the Canterbury Technical Institute, will commence to-night, in the Chancery Lane Hall, at seven o'clock. Agricultural and Pastoral Association.—A general meeting of the members of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association will be held on Thursday, April Bth, at 2 p.m., to consider a resolution that new members should be elected by the General Committee instead of the members. Theosophy.—Mrs E. Richmond, President of the Christchurch branch of the Theosophical Society, has just returned from a lecturing tour through some of the principal towns of the North Island. Mrs Richmond lectured in Auckland, Palmerston, Wanganui and Wellington. Bazaar.—The ladies of the Methodist Churches in the Christchurch South Circuit have been for some time: working to help the funds of the Circuit. Elsewhere it is announced tiiat a bazaar will be opened, tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock in the Sydenham We-ileyan Sunday-schoolroom by Mr G. .7. Smith, M.H.R. There will be stalls of ussful and fancy articles, {and in the evening an attractive programme of music, songs and tableaux. Canterbury Rowing Club.—The Scratch Fours were rowed oft" on Saturday afternoon from the Stanmore bridge to "The Willows," in the presence of about seventy members and their friends. The course was in anything but good order. Afternoon tea was kindly dispensed by lady supporters of the Club in the Social Hall. The strokes of the crews and results were as follows:—Nicoll beat Hawkes, Wright beat Wray, Hardy-Johnson heat Dunnage, also Wright, and won the final by beating Nicoll. Monro Memorial Fund.—ln connection with the Monro Memorial Fund, a Trust Committee has been formed, consisting of Messrs G. T. Booth, C. I. Jennings, T. E. Taylor, M.H.R.,and Revs. Gordon Webster, VV. Scorgie and L. M. Isitt. Mr Archibald Scott has kindly consented to act as Secretary and Treasurer, and all moneys may be sent to his address, Standard Insurance Office, Hereford street, Christchurch. Band of Hope Festival.—The Canterbury Band of Hope Union has made arrangements to hold a children's musical festival at the Opera House on Wednesday, 14th April. There will be upwards of 600 performers from the various Bands of Hope affiliated to the Union. An attractive programme has been prepared, comprising choruses, action songs, solos, recitations, &c. The orchestra will be led by Mr A. Corrick, and Mr J. A. Flesher will act as conductor. A united practice will be held to-night in the Wesleyan schoolroom, Durham street. Harvest Thanksgiving Services. — Harvest thanksgiving services were conducted at the Wesleyan Church, Lyctelton, on Sunday last, by the Rev. D. J. Murray. On Monday evening a concert and fruit banquet were held in the schoolroom. Songs were sung by Mrs H. N. Hiskens, Misses Hough, Bradley, and K. Aschman, and Mr Page. A piano solo Mas cleverly played by Miss O. Cook, and a violin solo by Master Stewart. The Rev. D. J. Mtnray, who occupied the chair, gave an interesting sketch of the doings of the late Conference. —The harvest thanksgiving services in connection with St. Paul's Church, Papanui, took place last Sunday, and were conducted by the Rev #i F. P. Fendall. The serviceswere fully choral, and Dykes's "Te Deuro in F " and Battison Haynes's " Magnificat" and " Nunc Dimittis in E flat," were well sung by the choir, as also wa3 the chorus "The Heavens are Telling" ("Creation"), which was sung as an anthem at both services; The music was under the direction of the organist, Miss A. Searell. The offertories, which were in aid of the stipend fund, amounted to a little over £30. Captatn Kidley. —The latest news as to Captain Kidley is that he is improving, and that it will not be long before he is once more able to take active command of bis fine steamer. Theatrical.—Mr Geach, the business manager of Mr Carl Hertz, will arrive tomorrow from Wellington, to make arrangements for the opening of the season here at the Theatre Royal on April sth. Imported Sheep.—The three Shropshire rams imported from England, ex Waimate, by Mr A. Macfarlane, Achray, were released from quarantine on Monday. Mr R. F. Holderness, Chief Inspector, Mr Hill, veterinary surgeon, and Mr J. J. Isbister went down to see the sheep released and found them in splendid condition. The Late Mr J. D. Lance. —At a meeting of the North Canterbury Jockey Club, held at the Corn Exchange Rooms, Rangiora, on Monday evening, Mr Mark Scott (President), in the chair, it was unanimously resolved that a letter expressive of the sympathy of members be forwarded to Mrs J. D. Lance and family on the sudden death of Mr Lance, who was an earnest supporter of racing. Amateur Swimming Association.—The monthly general meeting ot the Association was held on Monday at the Clarendon Hotel. Mr E. W. Roper, Vice-President, occupied the chair and there was a full attendance of delegates. It was resolved that a black and silver cap, with monogram, should be awarded to every amateur swimmer breaking a record of the Association and a certificate to anyone reducing a standard. The amateur status of the delegates from Wellington and Geraldine was challenged and referred to the Executive to report. It was decided to recommend to the Rules Revision Committee that no person not a member of an affiliated Club should be eligible as a delegate to the Association and that not more than six members of one Club should be allowed to act as delegates. A motion by Mr K. Bassett, with regard to the constitutional rule of the Association defining an amateur swimmer, was lost, after discussion, by 15 to 13. It was resolved to recommend the Rules Revision Committee to reduce the standard for the .plunge competition from 60ft to 30ft and eliminate the long* diva from the list of championship events. Master H. Wauchop, of the East Christchnrch sohool, was presented by the Chairman, on behalf of the Canterbury Swimming Club, with a gold medal. Master Wauchop has won the school championship, with all the test races.

Medical Electricity. —Massage and all kinds of medical baths. Health Supplies Company, 245 Cashel street. Inquire for our Health F<»od, Drink, Lemon Juice, Fruit Crystals, &c. Economic Independence of Wombk.—A meeting of ladies interested in this great question is held each day at Hubbard, Hall and Co.'s, where all groceries and provisions are purchased at lowest prices. 2159 Sαvk Yocr Babiks. — Use Townend s Tasteless Teething Powders. These powders oannot be excelled in allayingirritation ia teething. All storekeepers. W. P. Townend, 183 Colombo street. 1982

Nkrvk.—The hpst brain aad nerve tonic jet discovered is Compound Syrup of Hypophosphites. Barnett and Co., V ictoria street. 6938 Danlop tyres, fitted to a Kewhsven machine, secured the half and one mile cash records of New Zealand. 2751 Agaik to the Feont.—T. Clarkson, mounted on a "Swift" cycle, secured first place in the Half-mile Championship, and second in the ten miles recently at Oamaru. Inspect oar stock. Austral Cycle Agency, 48 Manchester street. 5326 The " Standard " DiCTtoxAßy.-~Mr T. E. Taylor has just taken the agency in this colony for the " Standard " Dictionary, aad in another column draws attention at length to its merits. The work is claimed to be the greatest yet published, it being the product of 247 specialists,. amongst whom were Professors Max Mueller and Sayce aad representatives from the chief seats of learning mt&e.world." ~?Ti&

The Recobt* Bjogn Celebration.—The Sub-Committee appointed, .at'-the- public meeting with refere&ce to the commemoration of the record reign will hold-their first meeting at the City Council Chambers to-night* in order to consider the schemes proposed If any scheme is thought of, it wilt be necifsisry for it to be sent in to the Sa&GomMtfcee so as to be reported upon. The SmoBNHAM Sewase Qukstion. —A largely signed memorial on the subject of the Sydenham sewafge depot, graying for its removal, will be presented at the special meeting of the Drainage Board tomorrow. Local Cehekt.—The Sub-Committee appointed by the Industrial Association to interview the Works Committee of the City Council with respect to their refusal;'to use local cement, will do so on Friday afternoon

Chjustchubch Gtmsasxttm. — The promoters of the gymnasium in the Social Hall, Madras street, are working zealously to fit ifc up in the basfe possible m.tnner. A shower bath has been a-ided, and other improvements are contemplated at an early date. Rangioka Lodge, 1.0.0.,_ M.U.—At a meeting of the Lodge on Monday Bros. Marshall, jSTottingham, Bell and Colder were appointed delegates to the Ashley district annual meeting on April 10th. It was reaolved to purchase the hall piano from the sick and funeral fund by the management fund, and to place the income from the instrument t<o a fund for relief of brethren under special circumstances of distress.