NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XVI, Issue 2159, 19 March 1870, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

We learn that the date of the colonial rifle contest at Dunedin is fixed for the 29th and and 30th of April. The earthquake on Thursday at 11.30 p.m. was felt at Kaiapoi, being accompanied by a rumbling sound. Another shock is reported at 4 a.m. yesterday. A building in rear of the Northern store is said to have been damaged ; the upper floor, which was overloaded with grain, giving way. The sensational drama of " Poul a Dhoul" was repeated last evening at the Theatre Royal, and the manner in which it was placed on the stage left nothing for the moat exacting critic to desire. All the parts went off smoothly and the mechanical arrangements were excellent. The burlesque of "Susan, the Black eyed," terminated tho performance. The same pieces will be repeated this evening, A meeting of the committee of the Horticultural Society was held last night, in the sideroom of the Town Hall; Mr Jones in the chair. Several accounts were passed and ordered to be paid. The date of the annual general meeting was fixed for Monday, March 31st, Messrs Duncan, Jones, and the secretary were appointed a sub-committee to draw up the annual report, and Messrs Duncan apd Newman were appointed auditors. The committee were requested to meet at half-past seven on the night of the annual meeting. The benefit concert of Miss Rosina Carandini last evening was, we are happy to be able say, a decided success, the front of the hall being completely occupied. The programme is one we have already reviewed, and everything went well. Miss Boeina, on being encored, eang "I cannot mind my wheel, mother," a song for which that lady has achieved a speciality. The duet "Trust her not," concluded a very successful concert. We are requested to state that there will be no performance this evening. An accident oocurred on Thursday evening which has terminated in the death of Mr Sampson Rogers. The deceased was driving in a cart laden with bottles, in Tuam street, not far from the Royal Hotel, when one of the bottles fell from the cart; Mr Rogers turned round to see what was the matter, when the horse suddenly plunged, and deceased fell forward on the horse and became entangled in the traces; he was dragged some distance when he fell to the ground and the wheels of the vehicle went over him. Medical aid was called in, but without avail, as, after lingering for a few hours, he expired. An inquest will be held on the body. A meeting of the collectors towards the building fund for St. Michael's new church was held last evening in the Schoolroom, the Very Rev. the Dean of Christchurch in the chair. Progress was reported, by which it appeared that £1387 Iβ 10d had been promised, and £936 actually paid. As several pictures and other articles had been given to be sold in aid of the building fund, it was determined to endeavour to dispose of them by gift auction. There seems every reason to hope, from the satisfactory progress that has been made, that the building will soon be commenced. A meeting of the general committee of the Temperance Society was held at the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. The Bishop of Christchurch occupied the chair, but owing to some delay in the issue of notices, there were but few members present. A sub-committee was appointed consisting of His Honor the Superintendent, Messrs Reeves, J S Williams, and the Rev Chaa Fraser, to draw up a precis of the information already colleoted as to the legislative action which has been taken in other colonies and in the United States of America. It was also resolved to invite certain gentlemen to attend at next meeting, and give puch evidence as they possessed concerning the prevalence of intemperance and the means of repressing it. A harvest dinner was held last evening at the Prebbleton Hotel. The large room of the hotel in which the dinner took place was tastefully decorated with native plants and evergreens. The chair was occupied by Mr J N Tosswill, supported on the right by his Honor the Superintendent, and on the left by the Hons. J Hall and H J Tancoed, Mr S D Glyde acting as croupier. The company numbered about 70, among whom were Mr A C Knight, M. P. C. for Lincoln, and most of the leading farmers in the neighbourhood. The dinner, which was provided by Mr Thomas Helms, of the Prebbleton Hotel, would have reflected credit on the cuisine of many of our city hotels. On the removal of the cloth the Chairman proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, which were duly honored. Several other toasts, amongst which were "His Honor the Superintendent," "The Provincial Council," ** The General Assembly,," "The members for the district in the Provincial Council," "The agricultural interest," &c, were proposed and duly honored, and the party broke up about midnight, having spent a most enjoyable evening. Owing to the lateness of the hour at which the dinner concluded, we are unable to give a detailed report of the speeches, but will do so in our next issue.