NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2688, 11 December 1871, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

• The Timaru Herald announces that from and after Wednesday it will be issued on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The adjourned meeting of the Popular Eutertainment and Amusement Association will take place to-morrow at the City Council Chambers at four p.m., when the various details will be finally settled. The half yearly meeting of the Loyal Grand Orange Lodge of the Middle Island of New Zealand, will be held at the Lodge room to-morrow evening at half-past seven o'clock. Should the weather on the 16th be propitious enough, it is intended that the annual fete to the children of the Kaiapoi Wesleyan School shall take place at Mr G. Weston's farm, at Okair. The erection of tho railway bridge over the north branch of the Waimakariri, on the line from Kaiapoi to Rangiora, by Mr. E. G. Wright has been commenced. The immigrants by the ship Zealandia were landed on Saturday afternoon, and were conveyed to Christchurch by special train, which left Lyttelton at four o'clock. A correspondent suggests that as the boilers of many of the steam-engines in Canterbury are becoming somewhat antiquated, some one should be appointed whose duty it would be to inspect these machines periodically, and to condemn those on which, in his opinion, good grounds existed to fear explosion. The committee of the Lyttelton .Regatta will meet in tbe Colonists' Hall on Thursday afternoon aext. The business will be the appointment of stewards, and to arrange about the race for Messrs Shaw, Saville's new cup. The programme issued is a capital one. and will afford an excellent day's amusement - A full attendance of the members is requested. The attendance at the open air music orr Saturday afternoon was not so good as on former occasions, owing probably to the change in the weather. During Friday several gentlemen endeavoured to obtain the services of. the band to perform in Latimer square as being more central; but Cornet Slater, who is in command of the C.V.C., owing to the severe illness of Captain Strouts, declined to make the change on his own responsibility. A meeting of those gentlemen interested in the celebration by the old colonists of the twenty-first anniversary of the province, will be held at the City Council Chambers, this day at four o'clock, to meet the committee appointed at the recent meeting. We may say that there is a very general feeling in favor of a pic-nic on a large scale, in which the wives and daughters of old colonists can participate, in place of a dinner, which will -mly allow of comparatively a few taking part.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Oxford, the other day, an action was brought against the Road Board for causing water to overflow on some land. As some difficulty appears to have been found in proving in what direction the natural fall of the wate was, the plaintiff applied that the case might be adjourned till such time as it should rain, in order to show how the fall was. His Worship refused the application, remarking that this was the most novel application lor •an adjournment he had ever heard.

The annual picnic given by the Rev J. D. Fergusson, Dalcroy House, Lyttelton, to the scholars and their parents, and friends, took place on Friday last, and was a very great success. The s.s. Halcyon having been chartered to convey the party, about 120 persons embarked and proceeded to Port ._evy Arriving at the Maori pa, the party landed* The weather was everything that coulld be desired. All manner of games were got up for the amusement of those present, and when the time arrived for returning, all felt that they had indeed spent a very happy day. The steamer returned to Lyttelton in time for the Christchurch visitors to leave by the last train. The annual examination takes places on Friday next. A dramatic entertainment was given in the Colonists' Hall on Friday evening, for the benefit of the Lyttelton Trades Beating Club. The committee are to be congratulated on having such a full house. The pieces chosen were, " Is he Jealous ?,' " Comical Countess," and "Twenty Minutes with a Tiger," &c. The parts were most ably sustained by Mesdames Dolly Green, Gassy Mitthews, and Jenny Nye, Messrs Power, and White. Between the intervals Miss Nye sang and danced, and wiis encored. The pieces went very smoothly, and the performers were loudlyjapplauiled at the close of the entertainment. The Christmas performance of Handel's " Messiah "has been fixed for the evening of Thursday, 21st instant. A large number of vocalists have joined wilih the Christchurch Musical Society in their endeavor to present the Oratorio ir. as complete a manner as possible. It is to be regretted that the Oddfellows' nev/ Hall in Lichfield street will not be finished, in time for the concert. The only room available is the Music Hall, which scarcely affords space on the platform for all who ar» > willing to take part. The Musical Society will have to incur Bouie expense in completing their arrangements, arid we hope the musical public will show their i?npreciatio _ of the committee's endeavors by their attendance. We would suggest that "priv.''*t e -alls be not fixed for the evening of the' concert. The next rehearsal takes place tomorrow evening, in Spehsley's Hall, when all who intend taking part are requested to be punctual in their attendance.

The Daily Times Bays ;—An effort is now being made to have a yearly competition between the amateur runners of Canterbury and the Dunedin Athletic Club. There is, we believe, no Athletic Club in Christchurch, but there are many amateur runners there. The proposal has met with a very favorable reception from the members of the Athletic Club here. A gentleman from Canterbury, who was lately in Dunedin, first mooted the idea, and is endeavoring to have it taken up in the other province. News as to whether he will be successful is expected in a few days. If such an annual competition does take place it will most likely be in the form of four races of different distances, two competitors from each province for each distance or sixteen in all ; the races to be ran at the same place and time in which the ititerprocitc£et mtfsh |a played,

The Rev Mr Foulger delivered a lecture, or rather a continuation of a former lecture, On

" Palestine," in the schoolroom, Harewood road, on Friday evening, in which, amongst other things, he described many places interesting, on account of their association with persons and events mentioned in Holy Writ. This was the last of a series of lectures delivered by the Rev Mr Foulger, which have been the source of Tery great pleasure and instruction to those who have had the advantage of attending them.

The anniversary of the St. Alban's Wesleyan Sabbath schoo.s was celebrated yester" day, when sermons were preached in tbe morning by the Rev. W. Morley (Lyttelton). from Proverbs, chap, ii;., v. 6, and in the evening by the Rev. A. R. Fitchett (Durham street), from St. Mark, chap, x., v. 13, iv both cases to large and attentive congregations. In the afternoon an impressive address was delivered to the teachers and scholars by the Rev. W. Morley. During the services, the children under the leadership of Mr J. T. M. Smith sang some hymns very creditably, showing signs of very great improvement, and indicative of patience and assiduity on the part of their instructors. The church was very prettily decorated for the occasion with flowers, evergreens, &c. The collections made at both services were large, aud will very considerably augment the funds of the school. With reference to the export of grain to England, the Timaru Herald says: — We would call the attention of farmers and others interested to a sale of 793 sacks of Timaru wheat lately sold in the London market. 2918 bushels in all were sold, realising in the gross, including sale of sacks, at 6d each, £1037 19s 6d, or a frac- j tion under 7s per bushel. The expenses in the total amounted to £265 3s Bd, leaving £772 15s lOd as net proceeds, or a fraction over 5s 3£d per bushel. These figures are very satisfactory, as proving that even with the necessarily high expenses involved in shipping to England, a very tolerable paying price remains to the farmer. If the producer could always reckon, say on 5s or even 4s 6d per bushel, farming interests in South Canterbury would brighten considerably. We only trust that the knowledge given to farmers by the figures quoted will have the effect of causing them aa a body to combine and ship on tlheir own account. There is no possible re ason to prevent them doing so, except it be thiU many of them are not their own mas- ' ters, being the slaves of the merchant and storekeeper. The formation of a Farmer's Club at the Point is a step in the right direction. Under careful management, it should turn out a very successful institution, and give to the farmer the means of being his own dealer and master. * Our correspondent at Hororata writes:— This season, as far as we have had experience of it, seems to promise most encouragingly for all the farmers in this district, as almost without exception, the crops about here are looking first-class, if we (in some few instances), except the sorrel, though even this farmers' pest seems to be materially lessened in our neigborhood since last year. The proportion of each kind ,of grain is about the | same as last season, though, if anything there seems to be more barley than there was last year. On several farms the wheat gives a promise of far exceeding the average, and in many, of giving an extraordinarily fine yield. On one farm, belonging to Mr Thomas Ward, there is a field of wheat \ (Stansell white) sown on 28th last May : of about 15 acres, which in the opinion of experienced judges of such matters, will yield sixty bushel* to ihe acre, if the weather, till harvest, should prove favorable. It is beautifully even, and it is rare indeed to see such a field of wheat hereabouts, or indeed anywhere. Last year this particular field was one mass of sorrel. But the indefatigable ploughing, &c, which was expended on it, promises indeed to fully repay Mr Ward. This, of course, though an exception in the district in general, shows that the season has been indeed good as yet. It is to be hoped that the rain from this time may keep off, as some are afraid of the rust, though as yet there are no signs of it. Shearing; began on December 4th, at the hon. J. Hall's station, and Mr J. Cordy's shed will not be long, ere it follows suit. Shearers are much more numerous here than last year, and no settler, as yet, has found any difficulty in filling his shed, and something to spare. Mr M. Hart's coal pits are still supplying all comers, though some of the coal of late, has been rather smaller than the usual run, but the miners anticipate to again be able to supply the coal as before, ere long Mr Hill has sunk a fresh shaft by which he escapes in a great measure the water drainage that used to inconvenience the working in his old shaft ; the overshot wheel he has erected for pumping, &c, working well. The Home Bush seams of coal are fine and wide, and would turn out large and profitable coal: the proprietors are only waiting till there is some absolute certainty of a rail or tramway being commenced to open and work them The road from Mr Hart's pit to the Bluff, where the River Selwyn debouches on the plains, a distance of about five miles, has been about two-thirds metalled, and with a little raking in of the metal, and good rolling, would make an excellent road. Perhaps out Mr Vogel's increased grant (out of the loan) to Road Boards, this and other improvements may be made in the road. The School committee and others have nearly concluded the arrangements for an entertain, meat and tea meeting, to be held at the I Hororata Schoolroom, after the distribution ! ot prizes to the scholars, on Tuesday, 19th December. It is to be hoped that it and ' all other such " may be attended -ith success. T he subject discussed at the Christchurch Mutu."d Improvement Association on Friday evening bist was " The requisites for public speaking,'' opened by Mr Connal. Several useful hints' were thrown ont by him and the succeeding speakers. While verboseness was condemned, it was also shown that epigrammatic speeches are not very popular. It was shown that the subject must be well thought out, although utterance should not be in stereotyped sentences. Both thought and .utterance are greatly helped by writing. It was pointed out that a man should not be for ever troubling himself as to the originality of his ideas ; at the same time it. is very pitiable to find a speaker delivering as his own productions an oration made up of extracts from hooks written by others. Style, gesture, the modulation of the voice, and other branches of the art, were all dwelt upon. After the usual summing up, the ( pbairwaa announced .that the syllabus for

the ensuing quarter was prepared, and Mr Ffrost had offered to print it without cost. Next Friday evening is to be devoted to' readings, &c. and on the 22nd iust. Mr Hart will open the question, " Is a monarchy pre. fcrrable to a democratic form of government ?" Messrs Shaw, Saville and Co. have sent out by Captain White, of tlie ship Zealandia, a silver cup similar to the nno presented by them last year, and which was won by the schooner Aspasia. Captain White has hamled the cup over to the Commodore of tlie Lvttelton Regatta, for the committee to decide iv what way it shall be competed for. The Kaiapoi Regatta Committee met a the Borough Council Chamber on Friday evening last. There were present Messrs Beswick, commodore (in the chair), Smith Wearing, J. Sims, Shaw, C. Bell, Revell C Sims, and E. G. Kerr (hon. sec). The tender of Mr M. Thompkins, Woodend Hotel for the publican's booth, was accepted, he offering £10 10s The tenders for the confec. tioner's booth will be considered at nest meeting. It was announced that tho sum of £55 had been subscribed towards the regatta fund. It was resolved to offer the amount of £70 as prizes for the forthcoming regatta. The committee also decided upon engaging the services of a brass band upon the occasion. The secretary being also instructed to iuvite tenders for a band to play at the ball. The Chairman re. ported he had written to Captain Rose -of the Merope, re Shaw, Saville and Co.'s cup and had received a reply stating the cup was to be rowed for in Lyttelton. The meeting, after transacting some other business, then adjourned. Last Wednesday," the 6th instant, Mrs Cameron,. Saltwater Creek, gave her usual fete to the children attending tho Sunday School in that district, which was held in the paddock behind the hotel where a large tent was erected. At 1 p.m., a large number of children and their parents being assembled, the sports commenced, consisting of flat racing both for boys and girls, aa well as hurdle races for the former. The prizes contended for were most temptingly displaced on a large Christmas tree, literally covered with toys, so precious in childrons' eyea. At 3 p.m. a capital race took plaoa between the married ladies, the prizes being a handsome cushion and a petticoat. Dancing was most spiritedly carried on to the enlivening strains of a concertina, remarkably well played. At 5 p.m., tho children and their parents were regaled with a good and substantial tea. The children did ample justice to the cakes, buns, &c, which were provided for them. Shortly after tea a few words were addressed to the children, expressing' Mrs Cameron's pleasuro in seeing them look so happy. They gave three hearty cheers, in which the parents most cordially joined, as well as one cheer for those who had assisted that lady, and then dispersed, after having spent a most pleasant and happy day. To all present it proved a great success, the weather being all that was desirable. One hundred and Beventy were present. The committee appointed to collect subscriptions for the Grey mouth Annual Christmas sports have collected £135 towards that object. The Committee recently appointed to carry out the arrangements for the Annual Regatta at Christmas time, atGreymouth.h&veissaiSct a very attractive programme of sports;. Tha prizes are valuable. We learn that two steamers and five sailing vessels are employed in the timber* carrying trade on Wakatip, Otago, and a third steamer is in course of construction. The Wellington correspondent of the Daily Times says—The next session of Assembly is almost sure to be held in Dunedin. Major Campbell (Clerk to the House of Representatives) left by the Rangitoto to-day to report on the available accommodation. ' • The Grey River Argus of Dec.7saysi-r» A meeting of the friends and supporters of W. H. Harrison, Esq., M.H.R., took place yesterday afternoon at Sheedy'a Brian Bora Hotel, for the purpose of bidding him farewell, and also to present him with a token of their respect in the shape of a well-filled puree of sovereigns and an illuminated address. Mr G. W. Nicholl was in the chair, and in a neat speech made the presentation, expressing the regret felt by all parties at tha loss the district had sustained through Mr Harrison leaving, and in doingVw spoke highly of the services rendered by that gentlemen both in the Assembly and but of it. Mr Harrison feelingly replied, stating thab although he was compelled by prisma duty to live in Wellington, the intej«B $,;!$« the town and district'would, be belie Ted, be advanced more than if he still resided ia Greymouth. He painfully felt the reparation, and he would never feel satisfied ,iintil htt had accomplished his programme—tise.unity of the district. He anticipated that •during the ensuing session more attention would be given to gold field matters by the Assembly than had been hitherto, and to the best of his abilities he would watch over the interests of the Grey district. Mr Harrison's health was then drank in bumpers of champagne, and three cheers were given for him. The company then escorted Mr Harrison to the steamer Charles Edward, which shortly afterwards left for Nelsoh. Some despatches published in the flew York Herald, and bearing date London, September 29, curiously illustrate, says the Argus, the manner in which English Court news is served up for the edification;of the American people. The telegrams relate to the health of the Queen, and they state: —" The usual daily reference to the condition of health of Her Majesty Queen Victoria does not appear in the chronicle of Court news this morning. There is no bulletin from the physicians in attendance da thß sovereign." We are then told With all the high-sounding and betitled phraseology which American republicans so love, that "His Royal Highness the Prince of ; Wales and the Right Honorable the Premier Gladstone have gone from the city to Balmoral. The people are considerably agitated by the knowledge of these events, The clubs snd monetary and commercial centres flJe ex* cited." The general opinion is that 'tho heir apparent to the throne and the Prime Minister of the kingdom," have been summoned through constitutional necessity, although against this opinion is placed the hope that "the distinguished personages abovenamed have been called to Balmoral in order that they be assured of the realisation of a hopeful convalescence in the Queens health." We are then astounded by reading that " the Right Hon. Benjamin Disraeli, exPremier of England, has succeeded in P 10 * ducing a political and popular agitation in Great Britain, which may result in producing the most serious if not startling consequences suddenly. The learned gentleman baa pla os ** himself in direct collision with the Crown ana its authority, as it is worn and wielded vf Queen Victoria. He has accomplished tea act deliberately, wilfully, and publicly. &? Disraeli attended a dinner at HughendeD,JWS country residence and home. In proposing the toast of the health of Her M*) e fl™Z Queen, he took occasion to assure hißirten and neighbors that the sovereign mjv has become physically, and is morally, lo » pacitated from performing her duties ]0D We are informed by the same voraCio"| chronicler that •' the utterance, has the most tremendous excitement aroong* people. Disraeli has overshadowed almost completely in the eyes of tm who have been accurately informed ot c y word of his remark*, despite « vex vJfwN*

1 has been made.by some of the «*°_J!S_- wurnals to suppress, them by_ i The clubs now discuss the - #Doa-I. u r"T* the Queen's abdication, and very vp»P" e g,j he mos t extreme royalists now that Her Majesty did not follow Lord " f+nn's advice, many years ago, to "KSfSi^clher monarchial duty, and dcl<?B _£.n of her own free will "to accus- - mind to her gradual and graceff/iSppearance from the throne years befDl KSEth " Mr Disraeli would be amused foreaer" •• » a sen iment : already national; Victoria's abdii *£« cheaper government, or a complete "JIS Wfcnn of the ruling power of I ewnp- rita .- n •' Of course the fonndation ! E is the fact as before reported I w, by telegraph, that Mr Disraeli, doubtf ?f in deprecation of the current criticism " l f her Majesty's partial withdrawal from 1 ° \ii7 life, had stated that the Queen was 1 p Jlnted by physical weakness from disI PSpfthe ceremonial although she zeaif fffttlfilled the state duties of a sovereig