NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2535, 16 June 1871, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

An emergency meeting of the Canterbury Lodge, No. 1048, of F. and A. Masons, will be held this evening at the Canterbury Masonic Hall, Manchester street, at halfpast seven o'clock. The Chamber of Commerce has removed to their new rooms in the offices of the Liverpool, London, and Globe Insurance Company's offices, Cashel street, where a very commodious room has been fitted up. A meeting of the Christchurch Winter Entertainments Committee will be held this evening at the Temperance Hall, Gloucester street, to make arrangements for the purpose of arranging details for the first entertainment of the series. We understand that Mr J. A. Bradford, lately clerk in the Provisional Trustee's office here, has been appointed Provisional Trustee in Bankruptcy for the province of Wellington, and that he will enter upon the duties of his office immediately. The adjourned meeting of the parishioners of S. John the Baptist, Latimer square, to consider the advisability of enlarging the Church so as to aiford increased seat accommodation, will be held this evening, iv the Schoolroom, at half-past seven o'clock. The Netv Zealand and United States mail boat Nevada is expected to arrive at Auckland on June 24, and will come down the coast to Port Chalmers as on her first trip. She is expected to reach Lyttelton on or about the 27th, and will sail for Port Chalmers on the following day.

By our latest files from Dunedin we observe that Mr Barlow of " Blue-tailed Fly " notoriety, who has been performing recently in Dunedin with a troupe of artistes, very successfully, intends paying Christchurch a visit shortly, coming overland via Oamaru

and Timaru. The troupe is expected to arrive in about a fortnight. On Wednesday, we are informed, a peculiar and serious accident happened near the Maori hush, at Kaiapoi. It appears that the Maoris were breaking up some new land for grain sowing with a team of three horses. One of the horses took fright and started of, the rest, which broke away from control, dragging the plough with them, and, being unable to disengage themselves from it, one had a leg broke, while the other two were so injured that the whole of them had to be shot. Travellers passing through OkainV Bay, , are cautioned against the dangerous condition of one of tho bridges on the main road, situated near the residence of Mr Thacker, which is very rotten, and unfit for any other than foot traffic. We are informed that the Road Board, being already heavily in debt, are not likely to be in a position to re-build the bridge for some months, notwithstanding that the gully over which this danger lies is nearly twenty feet deep. The first half-yearly entertainment given by the Christchurch Young Mens' Mutual Improvement Society, which has for some time past held weekly meetings in the vestry of the Durham street Wesleyan Church, under the presidency of the Rev. A. R. Fitchett, will take place this evening in the schoolroom of the church. The entertainment will comprise readings, recitations, and vocal and instrumental music. The proceeds will be devoted towards tbe fund now being raised for the re-establishment of a church library, for the joint use of the association and the church. The football match between the Christchurch and College Clubs, postponed from Saturday last, will take place on Cranmer square to-morrow afternoon, should the weather prove favorable. The match will be played according to the Christchurch Club rules, and it is requested that all players taking paTt in the match will be on the ground punctually, so that no time may be lost in commencing play. All the players will be required to appear in the colors of their respective clubs, and it is expected that a goodly number of spectators wall attend should the weather be at all favorable. The sides will be constituted as follows :—Man for man up to 22 a-side, over that the College to be allowed two to one. A very good game is anticipated. At the sitting of the Supreme Court in bankruptcy yesterday, Mr Richard Walton, the recently appointed Provisional Trustee in Bankruptcy, was introduced by the Registrar (Mr E. S. Willcocks.) The various members of the bar present expressed their regret at the loss of the services of Mr J. E. Graham, and that gentleman also spoke very highly of the consideration and courtesy he had experienced during his term of office both from the Bench and Bar. Mr Graham was allowed fourteen days to hand over to the new Provisional Trustee all papers and funds with respect to estates in which he was acting as Provisional Trustee, but in those in which he has been appointed as creditors' trustee he will retain the management of the estates in his hands.

The weekly meeting of the Mutual Improvement Association at Kaiapoi, was held on Wednesday evening last, there being a good attendance of members, the Rev R. S. Bunn presiding. Mr B. Ellis opened the discussion upon the question " Will the policy of the Colonial Treasurer aid the interests of New Zealand." He began by explaining the various features in the policy, and was strongly in favor of it as a means by which through the introduction of immigration and public works, the Maori difficulty would ultimately come to be definitely settled. A discussion ensued principally on the question whether the policy would not shortly increase the taxation, and also as to whether railway extension was not better entrusted to the hands of private capitalists than to a Government as in this case. The division resulted in a majority of one vote being recorded in favor of the views taken'by Mr Ellis. After a vote of thanks the meeting terminated.

An entertainment on a larger scale than usual took place last evening at Sunnyside Asylum. An audience numbering over three hundred, among whom we observed his Honor the Judge and party, the Registrar of the Supreme Court and party, and other well-known citizens, assembled to listen to selections from Handel's oratorio, " The Messiah." Mr Seager had made very excellent arrangements for the comfort of his visitors. Those patients who were able, to enjoy the performance were seated in the centre of the room ; in front Were visitors, and the old stage was also filled with visitors. The platform surrouuding the organ was occupied by the chorus, and the band was immediately in front of the organ. On one side of the room was hung a large drawing, representing the Old Music Hall in Dublin, where the Messiah was first performed, and beneath it an enlarged fac-simile of a few notes of " I know that my Redeemer Liveth," in Handel's writing, and his autograph. The chorus numbered over forty voices, and the band fifteen. Mr J. T. M. Smith, the conductor of the Wesleyan Chapel choir, who formed the majority in the chorus conducted. Herr Biinz led, and Mr C. Hodge presided at the organ. The chorus was very powerful in treble and bass, the minor par ts being rather weak The general effect was very good. The hall ia accoustically very well suited for musical performances. . The overture went much more steadily'than was to be expected from the want of recent rehearsal by the band. The violincello parts were rather weak, but the double bass did good service in support. All the choruses went fairly. Of course now and then there was a slight unsteadiness apparent, which was abnndantly accounted for by the want of sufficient general rehearsal. We do not desire to criticise the performers from too high a standard, as the object for which the concert was given was fully attained. The solo singers were well up in their parts, on the whole. We must, however, candidly tell the gentleman who tried to sing " But who may abide," that j a great deal more practice will be necessary before he can successfully attempt music of even much less difficulty. The effort was painful. The Pastoral Symphony went much more smoothly than might have been expected. Indeed we do not know that we have ever had it much better performed here. This is the first time an oratorio has been performed in Christchurch with an organ, but we should wish to hear it once more before pronouncing on the capa-

bilities of the instrument. Mr Hodge played his part very well. Mr Smith was very successful in conducting, and greatly assisted the choir by the manner in which he marked the leads. The audience, both patients and visitors, seemed well pleased with the music presented to them, which was testified by occasional applause during the evening, and by the spoken i thanks of the inmates, through one of their j number. He warmly thanked Mr Smith and the choir for coming to give them so great a treat, hoped they would come again, and of course introduced his smoking cap in a very pleasant way ; and we trust he got coin sufficient, to express the desire of the audience to assist funds devoted to so merciful a purpose as his collections are. !Mr Seager was, as usual, most attentive to the comfort of his visitors, and very welcome i refreshments were abundantly supplied during the interval. We are sure those taking part will not regret their journey, and we trust Mr Seager will always find musicians anxious to assist him by their art in ameliorating the condition of the unfortunate persons under his care. The Silk Association in Adelaide are about to plant fifty acres on the Torrens river with mulberry trees. At au agricultural show held at Nelson the other day, a Maori took the first prize for the best Southdown rams, and the second prize for the best pen of Southdown ewes. It is stated by settlers in the vicinity of the Brisbane ranges, Queensland, that the deer turned out there have so considerably increased that they are becoming a nuisance to agriculturalists. They seem to be particularly partial to potatoes and mangolds. The Nov Zealand Herald learns from Whakatane that William King, Ngaitai and his party, accompanied by Lieutenant Rushton, have started in search of Te Kooti. The party are supplied with rations by Government, but receive no pay. Speaking of the gold fever raging in Auckland, the Southern Cross says :—" There is money being made, and money yet to be made, in the scrip market. But we are stauding on the brink of a volcano, and a wise man is he who prudently retires before the explosion comes." ■ It is stated says the Grey River Argus that Mr Bamford has declined the position of Registrar at Hokitika, having acoepted a similar one at Invercargill. Mr Stewart, a solicitor, of Invercargill, is said to have accepted the registrarship at Hokitika, and it is anticipated he will undertake his duties at an early date. We notice, says the Post, that a new blast furnace is now in course of erection close to the armoury department of the armed constabulary depot. It is being put up to the order of the General Government, for the purpose of experimentally smelting the Taranaki iron sand, on a somewhat larger scale than has hitherto been tried. The furnace is one patented by Mr Smith, the Government armorer. It will contain a crucible eighteen inches square, and the whole will be constructed of brick, except the chimney, which is to be of iron, lined with fire clay. We shall look with some interest to the result of the fresh experiments shortly to be made with the valuable mineral.

The following rather strong language with reference to the new mail service, is from the San Francisco News Letter. The paper, after touching upon other points, says :—

" This action is quite insignificant in comparison with the more broad and general iniquity of refusing a subsidy to the Australian line of steamers, after the petty colony of New Zealand had been true to the intelligent British policy, and voted a handsome sum to the enterprise in which she is uot half as much interested as we. We think this motley crowd of niggers and intelligent idiots known as the Congress of the United States has covered itself so thickly with infamy that the same might be scraped off with a knife ; and if we were deputed to do the scraping, it should go hard, but some flakes of skin should come off along with it."

A tramway mania is raging in London. Eighty-two miles of rail have been laid down, the traffic is satisfactory, and 110 fewer than nineteen new companies have been formed who propose to lay down an additional length of 266 miles at a cost of £2,830,000. The cost is about £11,000 per mile. The only check to the progress of the mania is the obstructiveness of the parish vestries. In a long line the number of these bodies, which have to be consulted makes the work rather tiresome, and there is a movement to get rid of the difficulty by invoking' the interference of Parliament. It is not difficult to foresee that the vestries will have to yield. The public have got a taste of the tramways, and their appetite grows and must be appeased. Those constructed satisfy alike the promoters and those who use them. It is a question whether, in such a crowded centre as London, they should not be constructed by the State or by the local authorities, as enterprises beyond the legitimate scope ■of joint-stock speculation.

A serious assault, says the Otago Daily Times, was committed at Maungatua on Saturday morning. From what we can learn, Mrs Agnes M'Donald had an altercation there with her husband, William M'Donald, a settler in that district, on the morning in question. It ended in her throwing at him a pitchfork, which entered his side, and caused a wound through which his lungs protruded. Mrs M'Donald was arrested soon after the occurrence, and her husband was quickly attended to by Drs. Inglis and M'Brearty, who have very little hope of his recovery. M'Donald being in so dangerous a state, it was considered advisable to have his depositions taken before a magistrate, and they have accordingly been taken by Mr Fulton, R.M., West Taieri. Mrs M'Donald was received into the gaol on Sunday evening on a charge of maliciously wounding, having been remanded by Mr Fulton upon that charge till the 18th inst.

The Superintendent of Marlborough, in opening the session of the Provincial Council, spoke as follows regarding immigration aud public works: —On the subject of the railway I have from time to time communicated with the General Government, bringing under their notice its advantages, and I am happy to say that the project has been favorably entertained by them. Sir Charles Clifford also, who has lately left for England, has interested himself in it, and has kindly promised mc to use his best endeavors in England to forward its construction, and the marked success which has attended the first financial operations of the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer leads to the hope that this most desirable undertaking will ere long be commenced. It has been said that the sum of £3500 per mile set apart for it is not sufficient; but narrow gauge inexpensive lines are what are wanted here, and looking forward as 1 do to the extension of such lines in various directions supporting each other, and opening up outlying portions of the province for profitable settlement, I do not wish to see this sum exceeded. On the question of immigration, the' Colonial Government has been asked to co-operate with us in introducing immigrants upon the system of assisted passages which has hitherto been adopted in the province.

The Paris correspondent of the. Daily News writes :—" Few things have caused a more painful sensation here than the recent message of President Grant, in which he proposed Ihat the Minister of the United States at Berlin should have the same rank as the similar functionary at London and Paris. The people of Paris are horrified that he seems to pay court to the new great power which has arisen in Europe, and has not a word of sympathy, for- the nation on whose wreck Germany rises to so much glory.

French Republicans counted on the sympathy of the American Republic. Tlje United States was the first, iuoEed tlvc only, great power which recognised the Provisional Government. The French were delighted with this evidence of t fraternity. They regarded America as their natural ally aud their closest friend; and they do not seem to understand that if America be close friends with France it may also be close friends with Germany. Whereas in the earliest stages of the war it was declared that France could never again be in alliance with England, and must look to America for friendship, now the current of feeling is reversed, and America—' Our sister America ' —is in disgrace, while England, who has sent so many hams and cheese, is in the greatest favor."

The Wellington Evening Post, of Juuc 5, gives the following account of a serious accident which occurred on the Manawatu river : —We learn by telegram from Fdxton, of a fatal boat accident iv the Manawatu river, resulting in the drowning of a man named Lawrence. It appears that A. F. Halcombe, Esq., Provincial Treasurer, left Palmerston for Foxton on Friday, in a boat with a crew of six men, to examine into the navigation of the river. A heavy fresh was running, and suddenly the boat caught on a sunken snag, and sunk some three feet under water. The position was a most critical one ; five of the men were unable to swim, and there was nothing for it but that an attempt should be made to reach the shore, and send aid by the two who could swim. Lawrence made the first essay, and struck out gallantly through the rushing " fresh." But alas ! the effort was in vain. Despite a determined struggle, Lawrence at length became exhausted and sunk. Undeterred by the fate of the unfortunate man, Mr Halcombe, who is an excellent swimmer, made an attempt to reach the shore, and after a long struggle succeeded in landing, when he at once sent a canoe from Ngawhakari, which rescued the five men, who were iv a most exhausted condition, owing to their two hours' immersion. The death of poor Lawrence is much regretted in the Manawatu district, and the fact that he leaves a wife and six children of tender years behind him entirely unprovided for, has raised a strong feeling of commiseration for their unfortunate position. This poor fellow Lawrence had, while in life been industrious and frugal, but fortune had frowned upon his efforts, and a previous accident had for a time incapacitated him from work, and put his f?mily to sore pinching. It is to be hoped that something will be done by the benevolent to comfort the bereaved widow, aud help her little ones to obtain bread. Mr Halcombe arrived iv town this afternoon, and received the congratulations of his friends on his escape from a great danger, and his successful accomplishment of a very plucky feat. We believe that Mr Halcombe had to swim a quarter of a mile, owing to the strength of the current.