NEWS OF THE DAY.

HoKiAsroA Sanxnaßrr.—The pioneers of the Hokianga settlement left for tteir destination by steamer yesterday. They were accompanied by Mr Federli and the surveyors who are to layoff the Tarloua blocks of land.

Th» Late Voeuktmr Paeaj>h.—-As win be seen by a Dietrict Order published elsewhere, the Lieat.-Colonel conuaanding las received a telegram from the Hon. Defence Minister, thanking the various Volunteer corps for the readiness with which they turned oat for the general parade on Monday last, and the creditable manner in which they performed the various duties aarigaed to them in the field-

I>Axn> Sau at Bakoxora.—On Thursday Messrs Matson, Ba>B and Co. sold some of the sect.ons offered by Mr l>. Cameron, at Saltwater Creek, toe prices obtained reaching 483 per acre. Thb Ova.~As will be «*ea by »tele gram 'elsewhere, Mi* 8. C. 5» r, the Secretary of tike Aoclimatißrttiun Society, -who went Home for ova, has suooeoded in bringing it ont in good order and condition Mr Fara leaves Wellington to-day for Christchurch.

Tan Fawbt Pamutt.— These clever entertainers open a ■host season at the Theatre Boyal on Saturday evening, when a very attractive programme will le presented. As already stated, Mr Chas. Waud, the well-known 'cello player, will appear with the Faust Family. BraLxmra Construction.—Mr Dobson delivered, last night, his fifth lecture on building construction, the subject being "Arches." He dealt first with the theory of the curves required in designing arches, then with the use of. materials, and next entered fully into the subject of vaulting, both ancient and modern. The last division of the lecture was devoted to piers. There wasa very good attendance. Thsatbicax..—A private letter received, per Kaikoura, from Mr George Lingard, formerly connected with " Zealandia, but who is now in England arranging for novelties, mentions that he leaves per Tongariro with the Boyal Diorama of Scotland. He was also making arrangements, when the mail left, with the Tiohbourne Claimant to make a, tour of the colonies. Mr Harry Bickards left London on April 18th under engagement for Australia and New Zealand.

SxTFsnra Coubt.—The Court daring yesterday was engaged with a wearisome case, Wadsworth v Bennetts and others. Thie was a suit for production of accounts by the trustees under a marriage settlement, and for their removal and theappointment of fresh trustees. After taking l a mass of evidence, His Honor decided that accounts had not been furnished, and granted the prayer of the plaintiff in this respect. The defendants agreed to retire from the trust, and the Court reserved the question<of appointment of new trustees. His Honor wUI sit in Chambers at 11 a.m. t>day. Kaiapoi Borough Cotocu*— The an* nual meeting of the Kaiapoi Borough Council for collecting and signing the burgess list wae held at noon yesterday. Present —Cre. Wilson, Oram, Hansen, Blakely, and Woodford. Cγ. Wilson waa elected Chairman in the absence of the Mayor. With some alteration, the roll was signed, omitting all persons who had not paid the rates and were on the defaulter's list, one of whom was a Councillor, and causes by his neglect to pay a sum under|£3 a cost of JB4 to the Borough for a fresh eleotion.

Mb Booth.—Mr E. T. Booth, the Temperanoe advocate, left by the express yesterday morning for Dunedin. A number of Temperance workers assembled to bid him farewell, and as the train moved off the mission choir, under Mr Cornet's lead, struck up " Shall we gather at the river?" Just before stepping into the carriage, Mr Booth removed the gold Blue Bibbon clasp from his breast and pinned it on to the dress of Mr Mtfs little daughter. H.M.S. PiNAyoßH.—The members of the Ashburton Choral and Orchestral Societies, under the leadership of Mr Sidney Wolf, B.AJH., produced the opera "H.M.S. Pinafore ,f at the local Oddfellows' Hall, on Wednesday. With the exception of a little pardonable unsteadiness here and there the piece went very smoothly, and elicited the warmest; applause from a large and appreciative audience. The principal characters were well sustained, and the chorus was a fairly strong and efficient one. The piece was to be played again last evening. Thhatbs Royal.—"The Silver King" was revived last night at the Theatre Boyal as a special attraction, and, notwithstanding the many timee it had been previously played, went as freshly as ever. To-night the season will come to a close, "Too Saaman, , wnceen t>y •»" ileitcn'J will form the principal item in the bill, and the third ace of "The Librarian" will be played to afford another opportunity of hearing Mr Leitch sing "The good young man who died."

The Niw Zealand Shipping Company. —"The annihilation of time is," saye " Vanity Fair," " slow, but sure. AccordIng to the calculations of the Post Office, it should take exactly 10SO hours t> reach the Antipodes, allowing for ordinary accidents and stoppage;; and the New Zealand Steamship Company recently accepted a contract to carry the Bjyal mails between England and New Zealand within that time. On the occasion of their first attempt with their steamer, the Aoiangi, the distance was traversed in the remarkable time of 932 hours only, and it is confl. dently anticipated that even thu almost fabulous inn will.be beaten hereafter."

Entertainment at . Bakgioba.—-The Faust Family of acrobate and enter* taiaeis exhibited in the Literary Institute, Bangiora, on Wednesday evening, and drew a fair house, although not bo good as the entertainment deserved. The programme included feats on the horizontal bar, natiosal dances, and various acrobatic per* formanceß, representation of statuary, an astonishing-feat entitled the Eialey performance, handbell ringing, and solos on the violincello, concluding with a pantomimic eketch. The "whole is one of the best entertainments of its class ever seen in Bangiora, and from the applauee given, must have pleased everyone present.;

Fibb.—A fire broke oat in Op&wa about half-past seven last night, and destroyed an eight-roomed wooden house, situated near Wilson's Bridge, not far from Mr Murray-Aynaley's houee. The glare was seen from town at a quarter to eight, and an alarm was sounded at the Kailway. The chemical engine was turned out and token a good way towards the fire, bat was brought back when the glare subsided and the distance of the fire wae perceived. The house was owned by a Mr Willie, and let by him to Mr Long, who had only recently entered upon his econpancy, much of hia furniture, of which a large quantity was burned, being in large Doxes, stall unpacked. It was insured for £160 in the Equitable. Mr Long was absent when the house took fire, and his wife was busy ironing. The cause of the fire is not known.

Ageictltoeh in AvsT&ixiA.—TJnder the auspices of the Southbridge Farmers* Club, Mr Edward Wakefleld, M.H.8., delivered a lecture on his tour in Australia in the Town Hall, Southbridge, on Wednesday evening. Owing very probably to a large number of residents not being aware of die lecture and its charitable object, the attendance was only small. The. lecture, however, was highly interesting, and thoroughly appreciated by all who heard it. Mr Wakefleld went over a lot of ground; Agriculture, commerce, /society, were in turn dwelt upon, and now and again amusing little incidents which had ■occunei to the lecturer in his travels were recounted. At the conclusion a hearty vote of thanka was passed to Mr Wakefleld, who expressed Jus willingness to give other lectures in the district should he be asked to do so. The money takes at the doore is to be devoted to assisting the widow and family of the late Mr Hutchinson. ■ " ' ■■.-■■• i;'' ■.':..

Catholic Art TThios.—An art tales tor prizes, varying in value .from 103 to £50, in aid of a Catholic school and residence to be erected at Sangiora, was drawn is the Road Board office in that town on Wednesday evening. For a considerable time toe members of the Somaa Catholic congregation at Bangiora have been engaged in selling tickets for this art union, and the majority of them having been disposed of, the drawing took place a? above. A committee, consisting of the Mayor (Mr A. Ivory), and a number of the lead'ny businees men of toe place, superintended the drawing, and a goodly number of ticket-holders were present. It was stated that the tixtivnui, a eet of pictures, or £50 in caah, had been won by a poor man living at AsM*!? »«** while the Second, a, horse, or J2lB cash, fell to the lot of A clerical gentleman. We understand that it is intended to commence the proposed buildings very shortly. The huuffbr the purpose was purchased some years ago, and is-situated in a pleasant pSrtof tfce distewfe close to theßoiough boundary.

BicrCTone—The last monthly of the Pioneer Bicycle Club for this seaamf ~ ■' wae held last evening, at whioh therewa» : ' : a moderate tttendance of membera- ftl (Mr Preece) in thTdaS Toe items o! business got throw* werethe fixing the dosing run of the eS»Z eonforllay S4th to Akaroa s thHUum trip to occupy the following day, nl Secretary being uutrocted to arrange ftal eteam tojuwh to meet the parly at Buryt Bay. The Volunteer mania bAvine«f tended to cyclists, as well as evervtaL elae Kable to be called out on the MiSSf the matter of forming a Volunteer Con* of bioyoliste came in for a conddeiaßa amount of discussion, with the result tita the Secretary was instructed to adverS* a meeting for Monday next, the 4th MiT at the Commercial Hotel, of all cycliX* favorable to the organising of such a con* Several matteia of minor importance tea* transacted, the meeting adjourned. 1 , P?l !«.—The funeral of th*. late Mr C. T. Icfc was performed yeeteX afternoon, and occasioned a consideraMß dieplay of regret for his loss. The hfittne left hie late residence in the PapanuiroaA at haU-past two, and arrived attte EneKak Cemetery man hour's time. ItwasfoU lowed by some forty carriages, contaimW a large number of gentlemen who hadbeen associated with Mr Ick in hi 3 numetom pubho and charitable duties, as well m many of his private friends. The ooffin was carried by hie Worship the Mayor and three ex-Mayors—Messrs H. Thomson J. Gapes, and J. G. Euddenklau. loonw pany formed the procession to themve noticeable among them being MeeoaT* Crooks, B. Case, C. E. Briggs, Meaara W* E. Mitchell and W. M. M&U Treamrec and Secretary to the Benevolent AbsocU* tion, Mr J. E. March, Secretary to the Hospital Board, and most of the members of those Boards, and of the City Council. The service was conducted by the Esv T Flarell, and the funeral was ooaduoted br Mr J. Lamb. • . ~

HoBTicutTDBAL Tociitt,— The atmtial meeting of the Christohurch Hortioultural Society will be held at the Oddfelß Chambers, lochfield etreet, «a f ridw. May 15th. .'■ . 71?

AOBXODIiTCBAIi AND PaSTOEAI, AsßOOAtion.—The usual monthly meeting* ef the General Committee of the ab<w wiliba held at 2 p.m. to-day. Wobjcing Men's Club.—The dramatic olaesof the above will give an entertaiament to-night in the Becreatioa Ball, comprising a comedy and farce. Mb Booth's Mibsiok.—A meeting of th» Committee in connection with the ab we. and of temperance workers generally, will be held thia evening in the hall of the T.M.C.A., to take steps to conserve th©. effect of the efforts of Mr Booth during his visit. '

C.B.C.—The prerentation of prizes in connection with the 0.8.C. will take placethis evening at Warner's Hotel, at eight o clock.

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Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, &c.« are quickly cured by using Baxter's "Lvmg Preserver." This old-established meditiafr ia pleasant to the palate, and highly < extolled by members of the medical and clerical professions. Can be recommended. For testimonials see fourth page.—[Advt.J