NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXII, Issue 2801, 31 July 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Legal.—The case of Drury v Pain, in which the plaintiff claims £1000 damages for slander, commenced yesterday in the Supreme Court. The only witness examined yesterday was the plaintiff, and at the conclusion of his examination the Court adjourned till ten o'clock this morning.

St. Luke's Entertainment.—Another of the series of these winter entertainments will be given this evening in St. Luke's schoolroom. The programme appears in our <•■ advertising columns.

Vebt Sudden Death.—Mrs Blyth, wife of Mr Blyth, manager of " The Shades," died very suddenly yesterday. She prepared breakfast in the morning, and appeared at that time to be in her usual good health, but shortly afterwards complained of a pain in her heart and of her breath catching. The pain seemed to increase, and she died at half-past two o'clock. Prior to her death Mrs Blyth was visited by Drs Frankish and Powell.

Dauntless Lodge, .No 14,—A special meeting of the above lodge for the election of officers will be held this evening in Gee's Bchool-room. Absent members will be fined.

Theatbe Royal.—The programme of gaged were well received. -To-night will be a fashionable night, and to-morrow the usual mid-day performance will be given.

Benevolent Aid Society.—The secretary of the Benevolent Aid Society begs to acknowledge from Mr C. B. Briggs £1, money found in " Lyttelton Times " office, and not claimed.

The Member foe Akaeoa.—As will be seen by our Assembly news, Mr Montgomery's election for Akaroa has been declared null and void, and a fresh, writ will be issued immediately. Mr Montgomery's address to the electors appears in our advertising columns. We understand that the telegram published by us in yesterday's issue conveyed a wrong impression of the meaning of Mr Montgomery's letter to the Speaker. The following message, received in Christchurch from him yesterday, has been handed to us for publication:—" In my letter to Speaker I did not state that I had not any knowledge of existing arrangements re sleepers. I said I did not know I was disqualified thereby."

MEEtiyAIiE IChukch. —The parish church at Men vale, which has been closed for alterations, will be re-opened on Sunday next with choral services. In the morning the sermon will be preached by the Dean of Christchurch. and in the evening by the Rev C. Bowen. The total cost of the alterations made is £470, of which about £100 yet remains to be made up. The nave has been lengthened twenty feet, a south aisle built, and the south transept enlarged, so that now the sitting accommodation has been doubled. The organ and choir seats have been placed on a dais at the west end of the church.

The Kennedy Family.—There was a capital house last evening at the Oddfellows' Hall on the occasion of the last performance of these talented artistes. The programme comprised some of the choicest songs, duets, &c, from their repertoire, and all were excellently rendered. The recitation, by Mr Kennedy, of Outram's poem, " The Annuity," and his singing of "Allister Macallister," evoked roars of laughter. At the conclusion of the programme Mr Kennedy came forward and said that, ia leaving Canterbury, he desired to express his gratitude for the kindness they had experienced. He had now travelled all over New Zealand, and he must say it was a splendid country, and if those living in it were not happy and prosperous it was their own fault. He bade them goodbye with a fervent hope tbafc he would see them again. At the request of Mr Kennedy thrt audieuce joined heartily, in singing "Auld Lang Syne." The family appear this evening at the Colonists' Hall, Lyttelton, for the last time in Canterbury.; We feel sure all those who have spent so many happy hours in the company of Mr Kennedy and his family will wish them a safe passage to "the " auld" country. ;..

Heathcote Boas Boaed.—A. special meeting was held at the office on Thursday, July 30th; all the members were present. There being 6n\j one tender for assessing the district, it was resolved that the time for receiving tenders be extended to Thursday, August 6th. It was moved, and carried, that application be made to. the Government for the sum of £500 voted towards filling up the Ferry road drain ; also, to the City Council, requesting them to place £500, as their portion of the cost of the same, to the Board's credit at the Union Bank of Australia, on condition Board is prepared to hold the Council harmless should any action be brought against the Board for damages caused from filling up the the said drain.

RANGIOBA PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY School.—Oa Wednesday eveniog a magic lantern entertainment was given in the Literary Institute, in aid of tbe above school. The views were illustrations of the "Pilgrim's Progress," and were exhibited by Mr Waters, and several comic elides were introduced, which afforded much amusement. Mr Starton and members of the Musical Society contributed to the musical part of the enter* taioment. The proceeds amounted to about

ijjCKSDiAiuSM.—It will be «fen by oar advertising columns that the Government offer a reward of £200 for such information as will lead to the conviction of the person who attempted come short time since to set fire to the " Press* , Company's oflices. In addition to this reward His Excellency will grant a free pardon to any_ accomplice giving sqch information, not being the person who actually set fire to the premises.

Bangiora Discussion Class.—The fortnightly meeting of the members of this class was held at the Literary Institute on Wednesday evening. Sixteen persons were present, Mr C. B. Tribe, vice-president, injjhe chair. The subject for discussion, was " Will New Zealand become the Britain of-the South," introduced by Mr B. Ellis, who took the affirmative view of the question. Mr H. Boyd took the negative. A discussion ensued, in which Messrs Buckham, Thompson, Miller, and Moderate were the principal speakers. The voting on the question was ayes seven, noes nine.

Football. —The match between the fifteen and the reet of the club will be continued to-morrow. The fifteen will be the same with one exception as that of Saturday last; D. Thomson will play instead of B. Cotterill, who has left the province. The club will as before wear red, while their opponents will be distinguished by blue caps. The game will commence at 2.45 p.m. sharp.

Public Meeting at Lkithfibld. —On j Wednesday evening a meeting Vwas held at Baldwin's Boyal Hotel, of the supporters of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, to hear the views of the representatives of the committee of the association. There was a good attendance j Mr O.Fendall was voted to the chair. Mr W. Bass, hon. sec. of the association explained its objects, and stated it had been decided to hold the shows at Bangiora, Mr M'llraith, who was present, promised to support the association, and do what he could to further its interests in the Amuri district. An animated discussion, followed as to whether the shows should be open or confined to a local district. Mr Buss said most of the' subscribers were in favor of the latter. Messra L. C. Williams, M. Dalziel, and Benn urged that they should be open. The question was ultimately put by the chairman and decided by a small majority to be in favor of the show being confined to the district north of the Waimakariri.

Templeton.—Onr correspondent writes : » The re-opening of St. Saviour's Church took place on Sunday last. The church, built from designs of Speechly and Crisp Borne years ago, was found to be either getting too small for the parish, or else the neighborhood was increasing so much that often of a : Sunday people were inconveniently crowded. To remedy this defect the vestry obtained a very tasty plan for enlarging the building, viz., by addingjtwo transepts to hold about ■fifty additional seats, and for the erection of a spire to hang the bell,.one of Warner and Co.'s, London. The designs have been faithfully carried oat by Painter and Tricketts of Courtenay, who have spared no trouble in their work, although they exceeded their contract time. Mr Mouutfort, the architect for |the additions, has done his best to make an ugly church look pretty, and had his design for enlarging the chancel and substituting lancets for the present east window been carried into effect, the Templetonians might feel proud of their church. It is, however, intended to do this at some future time, and substitute lining for the present plaster wall. The day was very fine, the eun kindly coming out for the occasion; and when "the church-going bell," heard for the first time in Templeton, rang out its summons, nearly two hundred people answered its call, and the incumbent's heart must have been gladdened, when he walked up the aiele with the Primate, after having to do duty so long in the schoolroom. The service was simple but a very hearty one, all joining in; and at its conclusion an able sermon was preached by the Primate, who t took for his textJHebrews, xiii, 1.5. The offertory in aid of the building fund amounted to £8.

Rangior v School Committee. — A special meeting of this committee was held on Wednesday evening, to consider the necessity of noatjy)ainc{ ,.tbn nnening. of the new Tscnoois. air Cunningham, chairman, atatea that be had received a telegram from Mr Maude, asking him to defer the opening in

order to allow the members of the ment and the Board of Education to attend,

and informing him that Thursday, August 6th was the day appointed for opening the East Christchurch school, and that consequently those gentlemen who wished to attend at Bangiora would be prevented from so doing. Messrs Boyd end Keir applied for a week's extension of time for the painting, the weather having been adverse to the work. The extension was granted. Several matters of detail in"connection with the soiree were considered, and the meeting adjourned. . Wesleyan Musical Festival. — The

festival last evening on the occasion of the

opening of the Durham-street Wesleyan Church was a great success, over 1200 persons being present. The proceedings were opened by the Rev. T. Biiller giving out a hymn and engaging in prayer. The programme was then proceeded with. The first item was a prelude by Mendelssohn, played by Mr R. Parker in a manner which brought out the capabilities of the organ and the various combination of stops. One point about the organ is the absence of softer stops, and the tone of the organ will be greatly improved by the addition of a flute or clarionet. Of the choruses in the. first part, mainly selected from " SamsonJ" we may cay that they were well rendered. The tenor voices once or twice were somewhat too quick in taking up their parts in theconcerted passages, but else the whole of

the choruses went capitally. We may especially note "Round about the starry throne," " Let their celestial concerts," and " How lovely are the messengers," as being

worthy of commendation,

Mr Walcot sang

"God of our Fathers" carefully and well, though a little tendency to drag the time was perceptible. The beautiful aria " Return,

O God of Hosts," was taken by Mrs Taylor,

and sung with an artistic finish and success which rendered it one of the gems of the evening. Mr Merton had only one solo, " How willing my paternal love," and the way he sang it made one wish to hear more. The difficult aiia, "Let the bright seraphim" was entrusted to Miss Rowley, and she sang the music admirably; the florid runs with which it is studded being taken easily and in a manner evincing thorough knowledge of the piece, and Miss Rowley deserves hjgh praise for the way in which this number was-rendered. The gentleman who sang " If with all your hearts," was evidently too ambitious, the music of the air being quite beyond his powers. The next piece, " O, rest in the Lord," from "Blijan," sung by Miss Kent, was a perfect treat. This young lady possesses a really splendid voice, sympathetic and full of melody, and the music of this beantiful aria afforded her every opportunity for displaying it to advantage. This solo undoubtedly was the gem of the first part. Miss A. S. Taylor sang "Jerusalem that killest" with her usual finished execution., This also was excellently rendered. The trio M Lift thine eyes " did not go well, the time being unsteady, and the voices not harmonising. An organ solo, "Andante in F Major" by Wely, was well played by Mr Parker, but suffered in effect from the absence of the softer stops, Mr Parker having to play the piano passages so low as hardly to be audible. The other organ piece was an occasional overture by Handel, arranged as a duet, played by Miss Ash win and Mr Parker. At the conclusion, of the first part the Rev Mr Fitchett delivered a very eloquent address upon music as a help to education and religion, urging upon his hearers the desirability of aiming at a higher standard of popular music than that now obtaining, and the substitution of the sonatas of Mozart and Beethoven for the- trashy . piandforte pieces so generally played. In the second part the choruses also went well, especially " Tb% heavens are telling," and "Achieved is the glorious work." Mr Rowley sang "In splendour bright,". - excellently. . " With verdure clad," was allotted to Miss Winter, and that lady achieved quite ft triumph in fcej rsnd.enog qI it. It is the firat time we

have heard her in sacred music, and we trust to hear her often. It certainly was excellently sung throughout, the difficult runs in the piece being given mjth pre«j cieion and without effort, Tro f trio- •' On thee each living soul," by Miss llgwley,. and Messrs Walcot and Knox, was .also capitally taken, *eing by iar the best concerted piece of this evening. Mr Parker played the "War march of the priests," from "Athalie," and a march by Scotson Clark. The magnificent chorus " The Lord shall reign," splendidly sung, concluded a very successful festival. Mr Speneley and the accompaniments throughout were very good.

DtTNSANDEL Lebrabt. —The second entertainment in aid of the building fund took place on Friday evening last. The hall was crowded in every part. The Rev H. Stocker occupied the chair, and in a short speeoh on the great privileges of reading which libraries of the kind'afforded, opened the meeting. The following programme was then carried out:—Pianoforte solo, by Mrs Stocker ; song,. Mr Jones ; song, Mr Fisher ', violin solo, Mr Chirstenaen (encored) j recitation, Mr Bice; song, Mrs Stocker ; duett, " I know a bank," lady amateur and Mr North; song, Mr Montague H. Smith ; trio, " Swiss toy girl," Mrs North, Master D. Wraight, and Mr Stainger ; marching song, by the Dunsandel Binging Class (encored); piano solo, Mrs Stocker; songj Mr J. Keig ; reading, Rev H. Stocker ; song, " Maggie's Secret," Mrs North ; song, Mr S. Helmes; " Sock mc to sleep, Mother," by the class ; trio, " Hail smiling morn," lady amateur, "Messrs Helmes and North; song, Rev H. Stocker; song, "A farmer's life is the life for mc," Mr W. Wraight (encored) ; song in character, " Betsy Wareing," Mr M. H. Smith; sung with great success and received a well deserved encore ; "The gay young rider," by glass. Votes of thanks were recorded. After which the National Anthem was sung, and the room was cleared for dancing.