NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XIX, Issue 2707, 3 January 1872, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The session of the Provincial Conncil opens to-day at 2 p.m.

A special meeting of the Early Closing Association will be held this evening at White's at 7.30.

There was no magisterial business before the Kaiapoi Resident Magistrate's Conrt on Tuesday, in consequence of the holidays.

The City Conncil will meet this evening for their usual meeting, the holidays having interfered with the meeting being held on Monday.The members of the Star "Vaudeville Company gave an entertainment at the Lyttelton Colonists' Hall. Owing to the short notice there was a very limited attendance.

The annual picnic of the teachers of St. Paul's Church Sunday school took place yesterday. Mr M'Conneirs dray carried the company from the charch door to Sumner where, ou a suitable spot, a tent was erected. The party enjoyed themSehea abundantly during the day.

By advertisement ia another column it is announced that the Suntiav school festival

in connection with the parish of Heathcote is postponed from Thursday (to-morrow) to Friday (the following day). The change ot date is in consequence of the funeral of a parishioner taking place on the former day.

We observe that the railway authorities have agreed to the request made a short time ago for a late train once a week. Thursday evening is the night fixed on, which in consequence of the half-holiday occurring on the same day, is perhaps the most suitable. The train will leave Christchurch at 11 and return from Lyttelton at 11.30.

At the quarteriy meeting of the Coort Star of Canterbury, held on Monday, the Ist instant, the following brethren were elected to fill the respective offices for the ensuing six months:—-C.E, Bio. W. W. Stevens; S.C JL, Bro. R. Bowbyes ; Secretary P.C.B M Bro. E. Long; Treasurer, P.D.C&, Bro. H. Crooks ; S.W., Bro. C. Cox : J.W., Bro. <x. Scott i 5.8., Bro, 8. Cowbrick; Bzo. W. Faddy.

The usual treat to the children of the j Congregational Schools took place on New ' Year's Day. at the High School grounds, { when about 360 children were present. | Games of various kinds were indulged in, j aud each child received some memento of the beginning of a new year. Altogether the affair was a great success, nearly 200 adults taking part in the proceedings.

During the proceedings of the Supreme j Court yesterday the Foreman of the Grand j Jury mentioned to his Honor that one of : the witnesses in the case of J. T. Terry for , sheopsteriiins-. had come before the Grand j Jury in a state of intoxication. His Honor i sat.i that in any future case, if it was brought ] before him. he would punish the offender j

severely, j The Theatre Eoyal was well filled last j evening, in spite of the powerful attractions j elsewhere. The new burlesque opening to j the pantomime is far supsriorto the old one, J and went capitally throughout. A great , deal of patience must have been exercised j with the juveniles to have got them to such j a pitch of military precision.

There appears to be some misapprenension in respect to season tickets for the opera. We have therefore been requested to inform oar readers that tickets may be purchased in packets of twelve; dress circle, £4 4s ; stalls, £3 ; and galllery, 36s ; and that these tickets may be used in any way the holders of them may wish during the remaining nights of tbe season, that is, the twelve of them can be used on any night and by any person or persons. We hope this will now be generally understood.

On Sunday last, the Rev Mr Aylmer, incumbent of St Peter's, Akaroa, delivered an impressive sermon on Emanuel, at the conclusion of which he announced his resignation, after having been iv the ministry fortyfour years, twenty of which he had passed in Akaroa. Circumstances over which he had no control had caused him to send in his resignation ; he said, though he had wished to have spent the remainder of his life as their pastor, and ihat though his voice might not be heard in the pulpit any more, he would always take a lively interest in the congregation, and he concluded a very affectionate and earnest address by bidding the people farewell as their curate. A p>icn;c was given to th» children attending the Pigeon Bay School and their friends on Monday last, by Mr Thomson, the master, assisted by Mr Litton. Mr Holmes gave a quantity of cherries and Messrs Gordon and George Holmes visited the ground near the jetty during the day, and kiudly subscribed towards refreshments. The parents and friends of the children contributed a liberal supply of provisions, in addition to those given by Mr Thomson. Prizes were awarded for foot races, the best runners among the boys winning knives, and among the girls, books. The treat was successful, and a very pleasant day was spent. We regret that the patent sheaf, hay. and straw stacking machine exhibited by Mr Robert Buiton, of Leeston, at the Eilesmere Agricultural Show on Thursday last, should have been unintentionally omitted in our report. The machine was imported by Mr Buiton last year, and it took the first prize at the Poole (Dorsetshire) Agricultural Show in 1S70; Mr S. Lewins being the patentee, the machine arrived just in time for last year' 6 meeting, and we heard it stated on all sides that it is the only machine in the district that can do it 3 work in a manner most satisfactory to the employer.

The annual examination of the Woodend Wesleyan Sunday school took place on Sudday last, being conducted by Mr F. Dewsbnry, of Christchurch ; the senior classes on the life and character of St Paul, and the junior classes on the life of Christ. The answers which were given were considered very satisfactory, and showed that great care had been taken to bring the knowledge attained by the children to perfection, redounding to the credit of the school superintendent and his staff of teachers. On Monday. New Year's Day, the children were assembled at 10 a.m., with their teachers and friends, and being formed into a precession of ten conveyances under flags and banners, made their way to the residence of Mr J. Wilson, of Tarnbank, the school superintendent, where they indulged in a variety of games which had a tendency to sharpen the appetites of the young people for the good things provided. A multifarious supply of sweetmeats and fruit was also provided for the young people during the day. There was, among other notable events, a little girls' race for a handsome doll, which was won by Louisa Gibbs. After tea at four p.m, and a few more games, the company dispersed, well satisfied with the proceedings of the day.

On Monday last the Sabbath scholars and parents of the children attending the Waltham Sunday School were kindly entertained by Mr and Mrs Montgomery, at their residence, near Wilson's bridge. For the recreation and amusement of the children, flat races, running blindfold, wheelbarrow race. Aunt Sally, and other sports, too numerous to particularise, were provided, and entered into with that zeal and energy which characterises the present age for athletic sports. A sumptuous tea was also provided, and all seemed to do ample justice to the good things set before them : immediately after which. Miss Rosa Aldrldge, on behalf of the school, presented, in a few appropriate words, a memorial to Mrs Montgomery, as an expression of the regard and esteem which the school entertains towards her. and in gratitude for the many favors enjoyed by them. Mrs Montgomery replied in suitable terms for this expression of kindly feeliDg which the school cherished towards her. Mr Montgomery also addressed a few words of encouragement to those assembled. Then came the Christmas tree, guarded by Old Father Christmas, which created not a little fun among the juveniles; every one receiving a present. During the afternoon the choir sang several pieces very effectively under their leader, Mr G. Daltry. Three cheers for Mr and Mrs Montgomery terminated the day's enjoyment.

Meetings of creditors were held yesterday at the Supreme Court Office, before Mr Richard Davis, the Deputy Registrar, in the following estates : — Andrew H'Teggart, Christchurch, cab driver ; Mr H. A. Bamford, solicitor ; liabilities, £103 15s Od ; assets, £2$ 3s 3d ; no creditors attended, and the estate was declared rested in the Provisional Trustee. Re James Hyland, Mount Grey Downs, brewer ; Dr Foster, solicitor : liabilities, £60: assets, £.2 : no creditors attended, and the meeting was adjourned to Tuesday next at the same time and place. Be Henry Rossiter, Lyttelton, 'gatclsTßal.fr; labilities, £105 Os Od ; assets,

£95 19s Od; no creditors attending, the meeting was adjourned until Tuesday nest. Re William Washington Webb. Lyttelton, gardener: Mr Slater, solicitor; liabilities, £73 17s 6d ; assets, £60 Os Od ; the meeting was adjourned until Tuesday next. Re Samuel Corrigan, of Woodend, labourer : no creditors attended, and the estate was declared vested in the Provisional Trustee ; liabilities, £83 6s lOd ; assets, £9.

An accident occurred on Lake George, near Riverton. Southland, by which two diggers lost their lives and am-tner one had a narrow escape. They were on their way to Eivertoii to spend the Christmas holidays. and were crossing tbe like iv a "dug-o'.it. when a puS of wind, caught and ups-t tii.ir craft. Only one, named Charles Fryatr. succeeded in reaching the shore. The names of the two drowned were Thomas Finch aad John Fryatt. The Courier Diplomatique, published fn Paris, contains a letter from a London correspondent, which gives an awful picture of the daDger threatening this country from the spread of socialist!? di«ctrines. The writer says, " The whole of this vast empire is permeated by secret societies. The Internationale here holds its meetings almost publicly. It is said that the greater number of the dispossessed Princes of India, a good number of officers belonging to the Army and Navy, as well as members of Parliament and even Ministers, are affiliated to it. The Government is aware of the infernal plan by which, at a given moment, the public buildings of London are to be exposed to the fate which befell so many in Paris. Boats are already warring on the Thames to receive the treasures of the Bank of England—an easy prey, say the conspirators —as soon as the main artery of the Strand shall have been burnt, and the public buildings—the barracks especially— shall have been biown up, as was three years ago the Clerkt-nwell Prison. Careless by nature, and too much engaged -with bnsint-ss to think of the morrow, sj>oilt-d by a long established liberty and a fabulous prosperity, having for mauy generations forgotten the scourge of war. foreign or civil, we allow ourselves to drift on without taking heed of the signs of the times."