NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2552, 6 July 1871, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Registrar of the Supreme Conrt (E. S. Willcocks, Esq.) will sit in Chambers tomorrow, at 11 a.m.

The regular convocation of the St. Augustine Chapter of Royal Arch Masons will take place ou Tuesday evening next, at the hall, Manchester street. Mr Edwin Parnham was duly elected a Councillor for the Borough of Kaiapoi, at noon yesterday, in place of Mr Birch, resigned. Our Illustrated Monthly Summary fot transmission by the mail is published this morning. In addition to all the new* of the . month, it contains a number of well executed engravings, amongst which are Borae views in Fiji. /' '[ The petition to secure the release of James Alexander, late postmaster at Kaiapoi, had had received yesterday nearly 100 signatures. Persons wishing to sign it can do so we are informed at Messrs Dudley and Craig's office.

A large assembly of Mr Glyde's friends met last evening, at the Hotel Prebbleton, to bid him farewell on his leaving the province, A very pleasant evening was spent, and the utmost harmony prevailed. A full account appears in another column.

Dγ Haast wishes us to correct an error in the list of the presents to -the Canterbury Museum which has crept in> Instead of "Mr R. H. Webb, Lyttelton, one copper case," it should be—" Mr B. Weyburne, Lyttelton, one copper coin."

The second entertainment of the series in connection with S. Michael's Church will take place this evening in the schoolroom, when a very varied and attractive programme will be submitted. The proceeds will be devoted towards the fund now being raised for the purpose of purchasing a new organ for the church.

The Lyttelton Wesleyan bazaar'was" again open yesterday. The attendance on Tuesday evening was very good, the sum of over £80 being taken for the day. A number of visitors arrived from Christchurch and returned home by the special train at 11 p.m. The whole of the goods unsold were to be sold by auction last night.

At the meeting of the Philosophical Institute last evening, the president, Dr Julius Haast, mentioned that he had recently received advices from Berlin that a scientific expedition would shortly leave Germany on a tour-of exploration to the Southern Seas, and that it was intended that the fleet should call at Lyttelton.

The drawing of the monster art union in connection with the, City Guards, will take place this evening at the Drill-shed. The members of the corps have been indefatigable during the past two or three days in preparing the Drill-shed for the event, and there is no doubt but that the drawing will bo productive of endless fun and amusement. It is needless to say that the whoje 2000 tickets have been disposed of, and that numbers are yet unsatisfied.

A resolution has been passed by the Wellington Provincial Council requesting his Honor the Superintendent to take the necessary steps to procure the passing of an Act in the next session of the General Assembly for raising a loan of £100,000. The total appropriations for the year commencing 1871 and euding March 31, 1872, amount to £117,226, and the estimated income is £34,256, showing a deficit of £82,970. The loan is to meet this deficiency.

The annual meeting of the Literary Institute will be held this evening for the election of office bearers and committee for the ensuing year. Very great improvements have been made in the rooms of the institute lately, and the management seem to be energetic in advancing its interests. We trust the subscribing members will show their appreciation of' these endeavours by their attendance at tie meeting.

An interesting souvenir of the war between Franc<|and Prussia has recently been received by I)r Haast, from Germany. It consists of two very handsomely bound and finished albujas, one of which contains the portraits of &cry. general or person of note taking part ia the struggle, the portraiture of which is The other contains photographic] copies of the despatches from the EmperorSuring the whole war, numbering some hutdreds, which are photographed from the orginal affiches on the walls of Berlin. / We are authorised to state that by a recent ord|- in Council the fee of one pound heretofore charged for each certificate of title nailer the Land Transfer Act is remitted in cases where land has not been previously fealt with, and the certificate is applied fo? in the name of the original grantee, (jiginal grantees, who have not dealt with their land, can now bring it under the in their own names, on payment of sefen shillings for each grant and a halfpenny jn the pound ou the value.

While ccjnmending the spirit of liberality which hasjprompted the committee of the winter enfcrtainments to offer a silver cup for the bit recitation at the next of their series of entertainments on Monday next) we would Venture to make a suggestion on the matteji It is this, that the time should be exten&d for the reception of the names and snbjets chosen, as at present it is far too short to allow of due preparation being made. be far better under the cir. cumstanc(3 to postpone the competition until the next)fortnightly* entertainment. We commendthe suggestion to the notice of the committi in the hope that they will see their waj clear to carry it out.

The owning of the new hall erected for the Ldy| Volunteer Lodge, L0.0.F.,M.U., took pla& last evening, being the regular Lodge nfht. A large number of brethren from the? sister Lodges of the district were present 5 full regalia, and the Lodge having been ope ed in due form, the balance sheet was sub: itted and approved of. The following bretlren were then installed into their respecti 2 offices, with the usual ceremonies, viz.:—lG. Bro. J. Crowley ; V.G. Bro. P.G. Saddlerj G.M. Bro. P.N.G. Thos. King; ElectivcjSecretary, Bro. Hood. The visiting brethren oae and all, expressed their satisfaction \bX\ finding the Lodge, albeit so young in working, in so prosperous a conditvoi and congratulated the brethren of the Volu teer Lodge on having erected so commodioxi and handsome a building. Af tc* several cbi fratulatory addresses the Lodge closed in p ice and harmony. The new Hall will be for tally opened by a ball on Tuesday inert. 1 • "■ ■ • ■ - ;

The works on the Northern railway, section No. 4, arc progressing nifJftllv., isftssxs Hayter and Co. are proceeding with i&e earthworks, and the old Ferryman's Arrbs Hotel, which now flies'a red flag, is the rendezvous for the workmen. This is where the station is expected to be. The contractor, Mr WStocks, is proceeding with his contract for the bridge spanning the south stream of the Waimakariri. It, is to be carried aotoss in nineteen spans. Four of the piers have been driven, and a considerable number of the heavy iron girders have arrived on the ground The work is being prosecuted from the north side, and before reaching the river, six or seven pairs of piles will be almost always out of water. The piles are driven at the rate of about two a day, and this will be increased upon when everything is in good working order! To the south side of the river it is not so deep, and the piles will require to be shorter than for the north side. I The bridge we learn is not to be floored, but open.

The regular monthly meeting of the St. Augustine Lodge was held yesterday evening in the Masonic Hall, Manchester street. Since the last meeting the hall has been much improved, both in its acoustic properties and its appearance ; the gallery has been curtained off with crimson rep, and a drapery of the same material has been placed round the arch of the dais, the back of which has been painted a rich blue. Altogether the room has now that air of warmth and comfort it so much wanted. The addition of some more color would be a yet further improvement. No Masonic work coming before the Lodge, the W.M. delivered a most interesting lecture on the tracing board ; the precision, clearness, and emphasis with which the lecture was delivered elicited the hearty applause of those present. P. M. Brother Bird was unanimously requested to prepare and deliver at the next meeting, a paper on some Masonic subject, and it was agreed that whenever there was no work to be done in the Lodge means would be taken to make the meeting both instructive and interesting. Several joining members, and three candidates for initiation, were then proposed, and the Lodge was closed in Peace, Love aad Harmony.

The usual meeting of the Riccarton Road Board was held yesterday. Present—Messrs Pavitt (chairman), D. Inwood, and D. Graham. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr Abbott waited on the Board, and requested that the road might be gravelled from the Avon boundary to the river bed near Mason's ; the consideration of the subject was. deferred for a full Board. Mr Guntrjp, of Fendalltown, attended£"~and" : complained .of thß imperfect state of the.drainage near his property, and of the: damage caused by certain culverts being too small; it was agreed that Mr Inwood and the Surveyor examine the locality referred to, and if advisable make arrangements for the better drainage of that part of the district. A letter was read from the Provincial Secretary (in reply), stating that the Government could uot accede to the request of the Board to make good the damage done to the Fendalltown road during the construction of the Northern railway line. The Chairman reported that he had con-, suited the Board's solicitor on the subject, who advised that the Superintendent was liable to make good the damage done. The Board decided to refer the matter to Mr Joynt, with. instructions to communicate with the Government. A letter was received from the Secretary for Public Works, asking for a return of the receipts and expenditure of the Board for the past year. The surveyor was directed to furnish the return. The surveyor reported that the contract for gravelling Gardner's road had been carried out satisfactorily; also that a culvert had been placed at Buckley's corner, and that the work ordered on the Riccarton road, footpath had to be abandoned for the present, in consequence of the wet weather. The munthly report was read and considered. The surveyor was directed to have the drain on the east side of Ladbrook's road cleaned out; also to lay drain-pipes across the Coal track near Mr Bolton's. After passing accounts for work done, and other business of a routine nature, the Board adjourned until Wednesday, the 2nd August.

A .special general meeting , of the Christchurch Poultry Association was held last j Tuesday evening, in "White's hotel, at which there was a very numerous attendance of members. Mr Sawtell, who presided as chairman,' after reading the advertisement convening the..meeting, .'and having given some explanation concerning it, called upon Mr Beade, who said that since the last committee meeting he had seen Mr Gould, who had promised the association the use of the money at £8 sterling per centum per annum interest, for an indefinite period, instead of for three years, as originally proposed. Mr Reade ■ then moved a resolution to the effect " That the association, with its best thanks to Mr Gould,, accepts his offer to lend £50 at 8 per cent, per annum interest on the security of the old and new pens, and an insurance policy thereon." The motion, after being seconded, caused a warm debate, which lasted for nearly an hour and a-half, and during which many weighty reasons were advanced, both for and against the resolution, which, upon being put to the meeting, was declared to be carried by two votes; and after a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting terminated. Mr Sawtell then said that if any member had a suggestion to offer he might, do so, for although it cpuld not take the shape of a resolution, yet the feeling of the meeting, upon any particular question, might be a guide to the Managing Committee. Mr Davie said that he was under an impression that it was the intention of the treasurer to propose the raising of the rental of the exhibition pens from Is., to Is 6d each ; this he objected to because he considered, and more particularly where an exhibitor had a number of pens to enter, that 3s 6d, the price at present charged for entrance fee and rental of pens, was quite as much as the majority of exhibitors could afford to pay. He consideied every encouragement ought to be given to exhibitors, but the raising of the rental of the pens would certainly not effect this end. The feeling of the meeting de« crdedly favored Mr Davie's view of the case. After some desultory conversation, the managing committee adjourned to another room, where they transacted some detail business connected with the forthcoming show,

———*, i, After the dinner to Mr Glyde last evenin I a meeting of the fanners of the district ' held,.for the purpose of getting up apl •' ing match in the district at an early date.°

Mr Barlow's entertainment last ni"ht ai "* the Music Hall, drew a crowded house— [ h fact, crowded houses seem the rule and not *■ the exception in his case. The progmmmp presented was good throughout, the only fault—if it can be called a fault—being that there were rather too many good things pro. vided. The manner in which the various items were gone through fully sustaiucd the high reputation Mr Barlow and his talented coadjutors have earned for themselves during their short stay in Christchurch« Amongst those specially calling for commendation, we may particularise Mr Brom. ley's assumption of the two phases o! character as presented by Mr Skinner on the occasions of his going to and returning from a public dinner. This was really good, and requires to be seen to be appreciated. Mr Barlow contributed several sougs in the first part of the pro. gramme, all of which were excellently given more especially a new one " The Fair Girl in Check," in which Mr Barlow's impersonation of a blushiDg young damsel with red —we beg pardon—auburn hair, created roars of laughter. The next character, in which he assumed the dress of a West-end fop, also created much amusement, from tho fact that the make-up was a life-like photo, graph of a well-known Christchurch boniface a fact of which Mr Barlow, Btrange to eayi seemed perfectly unaware. Of course' Chang Hi again created quite a furore; and the really splendid dancing o! j Messrs Buckley and Holley in " The rival darkies," and " The golden shoe dance" ig worth all the money to see—although the execrable time of tho orchestra militated very much against the success of the dancing. Altogether, last night's bill was decidedly the best yet produced. To-night is the last night of Mr Barlow's appearance at the Music Hall, he having determined to migrate to another building.

The usual monthly meeting of the Philosophical Institute took plaoe last evening at . the rooms of the Institute, Dr Haast, the '■ President, presiding.. The minutes, of the preceding meeting having been read and confirmed, a ballot was token for the election of Mr W. Mills, H.M.C., as a member of the I Institute, which resulted in the election of 5 that gentleman unanimously, A ballot was l also taken for the election of Dγ Matthews, X of London, as an honorary member of ,the • Institute, in recognition of services rendered. This gentleman was also unanimously elected. Mr James Tuckey, o. f Spaston station, was proposei as a new member to be balloted for at next meeting. The acting hon. sec. (Dr Coward) said that Dr Ferd. Mueller, of Victoria, had forwarded the following papers :—" On the - application of phytology to'the'industrial ) purposes of life"; "The principal timber ; trees readily eligible for Victorian industrial ; culture" ; also, a paper "On certain pre* i historic remains discovered in New Zealand," ; by Dγ Haast, read before the Ethnological ; Society of London. Mr Dobson had also presented the Institute with several reports j on the Victorian railway system. Mr Fere- ; day then moved, " That the following gentle- ; men be appointed as a committee to carry J into effect a resolution of the 7th June last, passed at a general meeting of the institute for collecting and reporting upon the soils of the province, viz. : —Dr. Haast, Messrs J. F. Armstrong, H. R. Webb, J. D. Enys, Q. Hall, Andrew Duncan, R. Wilkin, and the mover." Mr John Inglis seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The President then gave a few observations on some moa eggs recently received from the Colonial Museum, in comparison with those of living birds. The various models of eggs were displayed on the table. The President skid that the first egg to which he would desire to draw their attention was one, the pieces of which had heen discovered by the Hon. Walter Mantell, and by him re-united after much labor. The original egg from which a model had been taken by Dr Hector, was in the British Museum. The second model was that of the largest egg found. 'It had been discovered in the Kaikoras Peninsula, between the legs of a human skeletons which had been buried in a sitting position' and from the fact of.it having been so found, he argued that the moa was of great antiquity, as there was no mention in the very earliest Maori traditions of such a mode of burial being adopted. The egg was afterwards exhibited at the Otago exhibition, and the model had been made by Dr Hector, from measurements taken by him. The third a&d last model was that of a email egg now in the Colonial Museum, which had been found in Otago, and which had in it the bones of a moa chick. He then proceeded to compare the models of the , moa eggs with those of the ostrich and kiwi, pointing out the respects in which they differed. After some conversation the meeting adjourned.

We learn from the Auckland papers that the company for the importation of purebred stock into that which was formed by some of its ,; mos* influential settlers," has turned out a failure.

The Wellington Provincial Council has voted £8000 for the erection of new Government Buildings on the reclaimed laud and a further sum for the mecessary furniture. The good peopleof Wellington evidently think that provincial institutions are going to receive afresh lease of .life. ;

A Northern contemporary says :—The Provincial Council of Taranaki has been discussing the advisability of getting a sort of harbor work constructed at New Plymouth, and recently the Superintendent laii plan? of the proposed work before the members of that body. Wβ estimated cost is £Bo,ooo t and it is expected that the General Government will incur the necessary expense.

The Daily Times thus refers to the manner in which the telegrams : are compiled : —lf any further evidence, were required of the stupidity of the compiler ol Greville and Co.'s last English mail summary, it will be fonnd in the additional telegrams from the San Francisco papers which we publish today. It will be seen from these that desperate fighting has taken place in and before Paris, not a word of which the aforesaid genius thought worth telegraphing. T^ 6 pursuit of beetles and bugs was apparently of more importance in his eyes than the slaughter of thousands of human beings.

We learn, says the Southern Orots, from ft private'letter, that the news of the fatal occurrence on board the Moses Taylor created" so much excitement at Honolulu, that some of the passengers by the Nevada on their way to Bau Francisco,; refused"; to proceed in the Moses Taylor to San Francisco unless the captain would have a eurf ey

- — h&& tmon"4ier~4»tler»—by-* disintereelee! board of competent engineers. A protest *as being signed by the passengers, headed tby Dγ Featherston, against the" Moses Taylor, unless the survey was held.;

Among the mining on ditx from Auckland says the Daily Tines, we hearthat Mr.Farmer, so well known as one of the largest original shareholders in the Golden Crown and Caledonian, has gold the whole, of his interest in these and other mines at the Thames to Mr Thomas Russell. The sum has not transpired, bnt is various stated at from £25.000 to £40,000. Mr Farmer originally held 340 shares in the Caledonian, of which he sold about two months ago 100 to Mr Russell for £10.000; andit is said he has now cleared oat with over £80,000 from the Caledonian alone. It is scarcely to be wondered at'that' instances of such success l so rapidly attained should produce the excitement of which Auckland is now the scene. At the same time, it; is not to be forgotten that .Mr. -. Farmer Bteadily stuck to the Caledonian and paid up large and heavy calls at a time when its prospects were of the poorest, and, the shares were selling at less than the amount representing the 'calls paid upon- them. An opposite picture is presented by the Hazlebank Company, whose suit is now before the Supreme Court. Tired, of paying calls, the mine appears to have been virtually aban- j doned, with heavy liabilities upon it, by the shareholders, in October last It was then pegged out, and a lease, applied for afresh by the , manager, backed by some of the directors. The shareholders maintain that the directors acted for the company, or rather for those shareholders of the company who paid calls and were determined to adhere to it. The directors and manager deny thisj and of course the whole case hangs upon the point. The claim, so valueless in October last, would now realise at least £20,000 in the Auckland market, from its vicinity ito the Caledonian. The" keenness of the-parties engaged in this lawsuit may therefore be imagined. The Tokatea Company, of Coromandel. we also hear, promises to be the key to that district,' just as the Caledonian has been at the Thames. When the last mail left its shares were falling, as the difficulty of getting stone to the battery 'before the completion of the tramway has caused delay in declaring the expected dividend, as well as cast a doubt over the asserted richness of the mine; of which, however, we are informed on good authority there is no doubt among those acquainted with it and with the district. Mr George M'Leotjy a well-known miner on the Otago goldfields in their earlier days, is one of the original prospectors and largest holders in the Tokatea