NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 3076, 2 July 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Chbistchtjrch Habmonic Society.— The annual general meeting will be held this evening, at the Music Hall, at eight o'clock.

Football. — A scratch match will be played on Saturday next, at 2.45 p.m. sharp. All players are requested to bring both jerseys and caps.

Meeting op Ratepayebs, Oust.—A meeting of iatepayers in the Cust district will be held in the schoolroom on next Monday evening, at 7 o'clock.

Sefton Ploughing Match.—The annual district ploughing match will be held on Wednesday, 14th July. A very liberal prize list has been issued.

Concert.—A vocal and instrumental concert will be given by Mr Victor Ponsonby, assisted by several ladies and gentlemen, at the Oddfellows' Hall, on Thursday evening next.

Christchurch Gas Company.—An exextraordlnary meeting of the above company will be held at the company's offices, Gloucester street, on Friday, 9th July, at half-past three o'clock.

The Museum.-—A deputation from the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College waited on the Government yesterday, relative to the museum contract. The proceedings were private.

Sale.—The sale of goods seized by H.M. Customs' takes place to-day, at the rooms of Messrs R. Walton and Co, at eleven o'clock, and not as erroneously announced in our yesterday's issue.

Minister op Education.—lt is notified in yesterday's Gazette that Mr A. C. Knight has been appointed a member of the Executive Council, in charge of the department of Education.

Footpaths.—ln accordance with the provisions of the Footpaths Ordinance, session VIII., No. 12, the footpath aloag the side of the South town belt, from the Lincoln road to tbe West town belt, is declared a public footpath. Addington Cricket Club. —A meeting of members of this club was called for Wednesday night last, at the Britannia Hotel, Lincoln road; but owing to the severe weather, it was adjonrned till Monday evening next.

Lithographic Stone.—A West Coast exchange states that a discovery of lithographic stone has been made at Abbey rocks, in the Southern district. The discoverers have secured twenty acres of land, and intend to properly test the quality of the stone.

Church News.—We have to acknowledge the receipt of the July number of the Church New*. It, as usual, contains a large amount of information with reference to Church masters, not only in New Zealand, but in England and the other colonies.

Eailway Works in the South.—The South Canterbury Times states that the line to the south of Timaru is formed as far as the Pareora, a distance of seven' miles from Timaru, and that the line is completed as far as the Saltwater Creek. The railway to the north of Timaru is quite completed as far as the Opihi river.

New Zealand "Wesleyan."—We have received the July number of this publication. It contains a full. account of the late conference at Melbourne, and also a piece of music (one of Sankey's melodies) set to a Sunday school hymn. Thejnumber also contains a large quantity of circuit news interesting to the general body of the Wesleyan Church.

Railway Tolls. —The following alteration in the schedule of tolls on the railway is gazetted :— Lyttelton and Christchurch Line : Class B — In reference to carriage of coal between Lyttelton andfChristeburch shall be charged the sum of five shillings instead of four shillings and sixpence, as charged heretofore ; and the increased rate to come into operation on and after Friday, the 2nd July, 1875.

Philosophical Institute —The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Institute was held last evening at the Public Library. Present—Dr Powell (president), Revs J. W. Stack, and C. Fraser, Drs Yon Haast, and Coward, Professor Bickerton, and Messrs R. W. Fereday, and C. M. Wakefield (hon sec.) The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Messrs 8. 0. Farr and M. Hart were elected members of the Institute. After the transaction of some routine -mi-ess tbe setting -gowned,

Christchtjbch Steeplechases.—A committee meeting was held last night at Morton's Hotel. There was a good attendance. It was decided that entries for the Hack Steeplechase {should close at Tattersall's on Tuesday evening, 13th, at 8 p.m., instead of post entry as formerly advertised. After some routine business, the meeting adjourned to the Sth instant.

The Fakir of Oolo.—The benefit last evening of Miss Daisy Sylvester was largely attended, and the performance went off excellently. The illusion of "Masks and Faces" still puzeles the would-be knowing ones, and the other parts of the programme are--as entertaining as ever. During the pefforma'nce the orchestra, under Signor Gagliardi, played some operatic selections very nicely. To-night the Fakir himself will take a benefit, when there will no doubt be a crowded house, and on Saturday, being his last appearance, he will give a mid-da; and evening performance.

Registrar's Retttrns.—The following are the returns of tbe births, marriages, and deaths, in the Christchnrch district for the month of June :—Births —City of Christchurch : Males, 39 ; females, 28 ; total. 67. Christchurch district: Males. 54 ; females, 46 ; total, 100. Deaths—City of Christchurch : Males, 17 ; females. 14 ; total, 31. Christchurch district: Males, 18; females, 18 ; total, 36. Marriages—City of Christchurch, 28; Christchurch district, 11. The following were the totals for the corresponding month of 1874—Birth: City of Christchurch, 35; Christchurch district, 81. Deaths —City of Christchurch, 25 ; Christchurch district, 27. Marriages—City of Christchurch, 26 ; Christchurch district, 6.

Drapers' and Clothiers' Association. —The half-yearly general meeting of this association was held last evening in the Foresters' Hall. Mr Dawson in the chair. The report of the secretary and treasurer was read, which Bhowed that the association was in a flourishing condition. The members on the roll are now fifty-ive. The income has been £62 8s lOd, and expenditure, £45 17s lid; outstanding liabilities, £8 10s, leaving a balance of £8 Os lid in the hands of the treasurer. A working committee for the next was elected. Mr Dawson was re-elected chairman, and Mr T. Malcolm, vice-chairman for the next half-year. It was proposed and carried, that another entertainment be held in a fortnight, for members and their friends.

Synodsmen —Wa take the following from the Church News: —The following have been already elected :—For Akaroa, Mr T. Dicken; Ashburton, W.C. Walker ; Avonside, W. P. Cowlishaw; Burnham, W. Miles; Cust, James Tipping ; Geraldine, Sir Thomas Tancred, Bart., and the Hon J. B. A. Acland j Governor's Bay, C. K. Vigers ; Heathcote, T, M. Hassal and J. E. March ; Hokitika, G. Mclntyre and G. L. Lee ; Kaiapoi, P. Hanmer and G. L. Mellish; Leithfield, W. C. Fendall ; Lyttelton, W. Donald, H. M. Nalder, and H. R. We ib ; Malvern, F. G. Stedman ; Okain's Bay, G. Bishop ; Papanui, E. 8. Bell; Prebbleton wjth Templeton, H. J. Ainger; Rangiora, H. W. Packer ; Riccarton, L. Harper; tit. Luke's, Christchurch, C. R. Blakiston, and G. Gordon ; St Michael's, Christchurch, B. J. 8. Harman, and W. G. Brittan, jun ; St Stephen's, Kaiapoi, F. de C. Malet; Southbridge, C. J. Bridge; Waimate, R. D. Thomas.; Woodend, H. B. Gresson; Oxford, J. H. Twenty man.

Chuboh of England Standing Committee.—The Church News reports :—At a special meeting of this body, held on Tuesday, June Ist, the Rev Canon Willock was appointed Diocesan Treasurer, with the full consent of the Rev Canon Cotterili, who had held the office since the resignation of Archdeacon Wilson. The change was made because it was judged desirable that there should be one treasurer of all Church accounts, and Canon Willock was previously treasurer of the Church Property Trust Estate, and Burser of Christ's College. At the same meeting sanction was given for the erection of parsonages, on a somewhat smaller scale than that hitherto required, at Lincoln, Fernside, and Woodend. It was also agreed that Burnham Parsonage should be relinquished as the parsonage for the district under the charge of the Rev H. Stocker, but that it should not be removed, as it may probably serve for a new district, comprising a part of the existing one. It was agreed to recommend the Church Property,, Trustees to make a grant of £50 towards the enlargement of St. Peter's Church, Akaroa, and of £100 towards the erection of a new church at the head of Akaroa harbour, to be called St. Mary's.

Cust.—A meeting of the parishioners of the Oust district was held at the Read Board office, on Wednesday last, bnt owing to the rough state of the weather there was a very limited attendance. The Bey Canon Dudley presided. The meeting having been opened with prayer, the Rev chairman read the notice calling the meeting, expressing his regret at the small attendance of Church members, which had been brought about by the inclement state of the weather. A considerable discussion arose regarding the continuance of Divine service in St James' Church now that the district had lost the services of their late i-cumbent. The Rev chairman said that the district had indeed cause for regret in losing Mr Foulger, who had made himself from his urbanity and kindness to all, a great acquisition to the district. He (the chairman) had heard that Mr Wills would most likely take charge of the cure at once, but his Lordship the Bishop had written to Mr Foulger, and had asked him, if possible, to remain in charge of the Cust for three months longer, which Mr Foalger was willing to do, provided the people in the district so requested him, but only on condition that steps were at once taken to secure the services ©f another clergyman. Mr Roberta moved, Mr George Cook seconded —" That Mr Foulger be requested to retain charge of the cure for three months longer, in order to get the affairs of the parish in a more satisfactory state, and to give more time to get the guarantee for stipend, and appointment of another incumbent." Carried. It was decided to hold morning and evening services in the church every Sunday, and to discontinue holding services at Stoke and Hill View, in consequence of the very limited attendance at those places. The site for erecting the new parsonage upon was also discussed, and the opinion was that tbe site adjoining the church was the most convenient, and it was decided to erect a suitable one upon it as soon as possible. It was also decided that steps should be taken by the vestry to have the additions to the church finished as soon as possible, as the contract for finishing the same had been prolonged a month beyond the specified time. A cordial vote of thanks was accorded the rev chairman for presiding, after which the meeting closed with prayer.

Dr Filhol, the eminent French savant (says a contemporary), has been dredging Blind and Massacre Bays, and is said to be delighted with the number of marine curiosities he has dragged np. He has also found out that the oyster beds are most extensive, and in Golden Bay the true scallop was found in quantities. The Maryborough (Victoria) Standard makes the grave charge against Judge Dunne of " taking his seat on the bench when incapacitated by the use of stimulants for tbe discharge of his duties." It says—" His Honor's whole behaviour and his decisions created a sensation in Court, and we are sorry to say that the impression left on the minds of many of those who witnessed this ■ strange spectacle was that the judge's conduct was due to excess of drink, which a great many persons concur in saying he took freely whilst on the bench." Judge Dunne's medical man states he was suffering from congestion of the lungs. Writing about the "Grangers" in the United States, Iron observes:—" This organi sation, of which little has been heard on this side of the water for a good while, appears to be growing apace, although it makelittle noise, and promises ere long to become a great power in the United States. The order of the Patrons of Husbandry, the) central body of which i»the National Grange, J it a. secret society of the yeoo.cn tf tfc?'

Western and the planters of the Southern States, combined to resist the greater railway ru onopolies, and who are also opposed to that of tbe New England manufacturers. It' was established about eight years ago. and now numbers more than two millions and a half of members. In the West and South the farmers possess 75 per cent of the voting power, but owing to want of organisation they have always been under the thumb of the minority; though it is probable that the recent displacement of the Republican, or anti-freetrade, party has been largely owing fo the votes of individual members of the'new league. Tbe encroachrtents, which it was instituted to repel are, as abovo indicated, two in number. In the West it is mainly the monopoly of transportation, resulting in excessive freights, which are in some quarters almost prohibitive : in the South the want of an outlet for its produce, and also no doubt the high protective duties on imports imposed for tbe sake of the eastern and northern manufacturer. The irritant cause of the movement, however, is the railway interest. Neither the farmer nor the planter holds railway stock ; that is held, as a recent writer informs us, by eastern and northern capitalists, who buy up legislatures and congresses. In the South freight rates are exorbitant, while at the same time, owing to the stagnation of manufactures and trade, the lines are not remunerative. What iB most wanted in the South is mill power to work up the cotton ; and, in default of that, the establishment of a direct trade with Enrope is being attempted. In Georgia a Board has been organised, a considerable capital raised, and cargo shipped. The Grangers have not yet adopted a political platform ; but when they do they will become a leading, perhaps the dominant party, in the States."