NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXI, Issue 2438, 29 May 1873, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Our readers will learn with satisfaction that a movement has been set on foot for the establishment of a free public library in Christchurch, and that subscriptions to the extent of more than £600, for the purchase of , books, have already been promised. The promoters of the movement anticipate, in a few days, to raise at least £1000. We understand that the trustees of the Literary Institute are willing to hand over that property for the purpose of a free library on terms exceedingly favorable to the public. Messrs J. Anderson, Montgomery, and J. S. Williams, on behalf of the promoters, had an interview with the Provincial Government on Tuesday when these facts were communicated. We understand that the Government expressed themselves highly favorable to the undertaking, and that a sum will be placed on the estimates to enable a suitable building to be erected forthwith. As an important addition is about to be made to the many handsome buildings in and about Christchurch by the erection of the new Canterbury Club House, a few particulars of the same may not prove uninteresting. Our readers are doubtless aware that the site selected is a plot of ground at the corner of Cambridge Terrace and Worcester street, and opposite the Clarendon Hotel. From an inspection of the plans, kindly permitted ns by the architect, Mr btrouts, we are able to give the following description of the building as it will be when completed. The structure is a wooden oue, two stories high, the foundations being of stone, the roof slated, and the chimneys, ornate in appearance, stone dressed, with a [bold projecting cornice, coved ) running round the buildings. The principal entrance faces the river, and is approached by a flight of steps leading into an open porch. Beyond the porch is a vestibule aud spacious entrance hall, the doors to the former being of plate-glass, and the panelled framing further enriched with handsome stained glass lights. The dining-room is of anyle dimensions, being 40ft long, by 25ft in width, and is lit by two deep bay windows, looking respectively on to Worcester street and Cambridge terrace. The strangers' room and smoking room are respectively 30ft by 20ft each, having a large bow window commanding a view of the Avon. The billiarel-room is of spacious proportions, being 38ft long by 32 ft wide, sufficiently large to hold two full sized tables ; the coved ceiling being of silvered glass will act in the double capacity of a reflector and ventilator. The height of this room is twenty feet to the bottom of the lantern light, and is furnished with Louvre ventilators in the lantern roof connected with the ceiling. We may mention that all the principal rooms are fourteen feet bii>h. The panelliug in the dining, billiard, and smoking-rooms is intended to be of different descriptions of native woods, so selected as to form a tasteful contrast, the doors and window-frames being of highly--1 polished cedar. Handsome balconies of ornamental open iron work project from the bay windows of the diningroom, with large French casements opening on to them. We should have raenf tioned that the panelled framing of the i vestibule is provided with handsome stained j glass windows. The domestic offices are all ' arranged on the ground floor and comprise a ' butler's serving-room, kitchen, scullery, stewards' room, housekeeper's room, servants' » hall, pantry, larder, store-room, lavatories, I coal-house, and knife-house. All these are \ commodious, and fitted up with every 4 modern appliance for convenience; they 3 connect with the main bu.lding by a corrij dor. The cellerage is also ample and dry. The upper storey is intended for the present only to extend over that portion of the J building which looks on to Worcester street, bat the architect lias made provision fcr its

complete extension whenever additional accommodation may be required. On the second floor is a suite of handsome and com- I modious sleeping apartments, and is also furnished with a bathroom and luggage room, the remainder of the space being devoted to a large reading room, 15ft high, and lit by a handsome oriel window, fronting on Worcester street. Altogether the building, when completed, will he both a credit to the city and to the taste of the gentleman who has designed it. During the S.W. gale on Friday last the Mandeville Plains school, which stauds in rather an exposed position, had to be propped up to prevent its being blown over. The chimney stack is being taken down, as it requires re-building. The regular monthly meeting of the committee of the Kaiapoi Institute will be held this evening, at which the officers and committee for next year will have to be nominated. We understand a contract has been taken by Mr Sandford, of the Heathcote Valley, for the jetty and fittings of the quarantine buildings, and no unnecessary time will be lost in proceeding with the work. The first of the St. Michael's winter entertainments has been postponed until next Thursday, June sth. A programme will be advertised next week. A meeting was recently held on Kaiapoi Island, at which it was decided to establish a circulating library for the benefit of the residents in the neighbourhood. Already the nucleus of a library has been formed, the committee having obtained about 120 svhich are ready for lending out. The " South Canterbury Times" says : — We learn that three miles of the PareoraTirnaru water-race have been completed with the exception of the fluming across Tiko's flat, and in about a month more another mile will have been completed by the contractors. They are now going down the jide of the mountain where they have about three-quarters of a mile completed. As far is they have tried the race with the water, the contractors find that it will be quite large enough to bring the water in they expect to do. There are now fifteen men at work on the race, and up to the present iime they have had splendid weather all ihrough, with the exception of two days. The ground, as far as the men have passed ;hroagh has been the best for the carriage jf water, being either solid rock or good itiff clay. The contractors have not the east hesitation in saying that the race will ac completed within the stipulated time. A serious accident happened yesterday norning to Mr S. Lee, one of the proprietors )f Sansom and Lee's Northern line of coaches Ele was on a three horse 'bus, driven by Mi 2ook, which had left Cobb and Co's office al ! a.m., aud was proceeding to the Papanui Railway station to catch the morning trair for the North. When nearly opposite Mi ?eacock's residence, in the Papanui road :he thorough-brace broke, and Mr Lee, whe ,vas seated on the near side of the driver iprang to the ground under the impressior ;hat it was the axle that had broken -lighting on his left leg, which had beer jreviously broken, fiom which Mr Lee's ameness had arisen, he broke it agair ust above the ankle. Mr Barlow, who wai i little in advance, turned his horses rounc md conveyed Mr Lee to his residence ir Lichfield street. Dr Prins was promptly sent for, and on arrival set the injured limb md Mr Lee is doing as well as can b< jxpected. The passengers were conveyed tc ;he railway station by Mr Cook. The tiding! if the accident were received with feeling; >f much regret by his friends, with whon ie was a great favorite. An entertainment of magic, music, an< nirth will take place this evening in thi Vlerivale schoolroom. An excellent pro rramme has been drawn up, and durinj ;he evening musical selections will be playee 3y the Christchurch brass band. On dit there is a prospect of the Theatr Royal being shortly re-opened for the pur pose of introducing to the Christchurcl public the celebrated tragedian Mr Fail slough, who has recently concluded a highl; successful engagement at tbe Theatre Roya Melbourne. Mr Fairclough has arrived a the Bluff en route for Dunedin by th last steamer under engagement at th( new Queen's Theatre. The ceremony of opening the Railwa; from Dunsandel to the Rakaia will tak place to-day. A special train will leav Christchurch at 10.30 for the purpose c conveying the guests who have been iuvitet to take part in the proceedings. At a meeting of the City Council held ye* terday a number of objections to the rat list were heard, and several allowed, a lis of which appears in our advertising column The present season's winter evening's ci tertainments in connection with St Andrew will be inaugurated this evening, consistin of readings, recitations, and musical selet tions. The attendance at the Circus last night, coi sidering the inclemency of the weather, we tolerably numerous and the programme aj peared to give general satisfaction. A general meeting of the Athletic Associ: tion will be held at the City Hotel, on Fr day evening, to elect a secretary, in th place of Mr Digby, resigned, and to transa* other important business. The Council were occupied during tl whole of last evening in discussing tr Waste Lands resolutions, brought down b the Government. A series of amendment were moved on the clauses, which were cv about to a great extent. After a lengthene discussion progress wa3 reported wit leave -to sit again. The Education Ordii ance was postponed until to-day, as the rel gious clauses come under discussion. TI only other business transacted was replh to two messages of his Honor the Supe intendent, one respecting the importatic of stock and the other the proposals of ti Nelson Company relative to the railway b twecn the two provinces. To-day the Counc will accompany his Honor on the occasion i the opening of the Rakaia Bridge. The usu sitting will be held this evening. There was only a moderate attendan< last night at the Canterbury Music Ha when Charles' diorama of the overland rou and the Franco-Prussian war were exhibit, for the last time. The really exquisi views of Egyptian scenery and antiqc ties were loudly applauded, and tl lecturer, Mr Perrier, considerably enhanc the attractiveness of the entertainment 1 the graphic descriptive sketches he gave each picture. The war panorama, with i mechanical effects and startling vensimi tude also, came in for a large share of a plaute.