NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 3218, 23 December 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

♦- Engineers* Company.—This company will parade at the drill shed this evening at half-past seven. Popular Entertainment Association. —A meeting of the committee will be held this afternoon at four o'clock at the Council Chambers. Eyreton Branch Line.—This line of railway will be opened for goods and passenger traffic on and after Monday, 27th inst. The time table appears in another column. Legal. — Owing to Friday, the usual Chamber day, being Christmas eve and a Court holiday, his Honor Mr Justice Johnston will sit in Chambers at 11 a.m. this day. The Suez Mail.—The Suez mail arrived by the s.s. Arawata yesterday, and the Christchurch portion was forwarded by the 12.30 luggage train. There were nineteen bags, thirteen for Christchurch and six for Lyttelton. Mr Brown at Leithfield. —In Mr Brown's speech on Monday he onght to have been reported to say—" He waß opposed to nominated Superintendents, but not to nominated Judges and magistrates. The Superintendents should be elected." Telegraphic.—The Arawata is expected to leave Hokitika at 8 p.m. on Friday, the 24th instant. Telegrams for the Australian Colonies, or Europe via Java telegraph office, for transmission to HoKitika up till 5 p.m. of the 24th inst. Donation to the Hospital.—Dr Guthrie, house surgeon to the hospital, acknowledges with thanks the receipt of £50 towards the library 'fund from Mr Charles Corkran, as a recognition of the attention shown to his son during his late illness, while he was a in-patient of the institution. Canterbury Tradesmen's Athletic Club. —The right of erecting one publican's and two confectioners' booths on the Agri- ' cultural Grounds at the sports of the above club, to be held on Monday next, was sold on yesterday by Mr H. E. Alport. The former was knocked down to Mr W. Simmonds, of the Warwick Hotel, for £5, and the latter to Mr Poole, Colombo street, for £3 10s and £2 respectively. The Messiah.—The Harmonic Society will give " The Messiah" this evening in the Oddfellows' Hall. The programme includes fifty-seven numbers, and the principal solos will be taken by Miss R. Carandini, Miss B. Rowley, Me.srs T. W. Jones, F. Hobbs, and A. P. Sheath. Mr Knox will conduct, Mr Neville Barnrtt, F.CO, officiating as organist, and Herr Bunz as leader. Mr John Smith.—The many friends in Christchurch of this veteran caterer for public amusement will be glad to learn that, after a well earned rest, he is again on the war path with a very excellent show, and may be expected here early in January. Mr P. H. Kirby, his agent in advance, arrived per Arawata, and, after a short season in Dunedin, the company, which is expected per ' Ringarooma, will come on here. Mr. Fisher at Prebbleton.—Mr Fisher met the electors of the Heathcote in the schoolroom, Prebbleton, on Tuesday evening last; Mr J.N. Tosswill occupied the chair. Mr Fisher, in a short speech, reiterated his views on the questions before the country, and after answering several questions, a vote of confidence in Mr Fisher was proposed and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close. Kaiapoi Election. — The hon C. C. Bowen, by advertisement, intimates his regret that owing to being obliged to leave for Wellington in the steamer Ladybird, which sails to-day, he will be precluded from being present at the declaration of the poll to-morrow. At the same time Mr Bowen thanks the electors for the honor they have conferred on him by returning him a second time as their representative. Theatre Royal—"The Tragedy Queen," in which Miss Colville was very good as the actress Mdlle. Dumesnil, formed the first piece at the Theatre last eveniDg. " Checkmate," in which Miss Docy Mainwaring, Mrs Hill, and Messrs Hill and Booth, kept the house in roars of laughter, concluded the performance. To-night Mr Hoskins takes a benefit, when "An M.P. for a Rotten Borough," and " A Handsome Husband," will be performed. C.C.C. v E.C.C.—This match will be played on the ground of the latter at Southbridge on Monday next. Play to commence at 9.30 a.m., in order to allow the visitors to return by the afternoon train. The following gentlemen will do battle for the C.C.C, and are requested to be at the Christchurch railway station in time for the 6.45 a.m. south train, viz., Messrs F. J. Reeder, G. A. Taylor, J. F. J. Tayler, S. Alpe, F. Dixon, W. Beard, C. Frith, K. C. Kent. G. A. Turner, G. Mclntyre, and C. Palairet. Chbistmas Services. —At St John's Church there will be a special vigil service on Friday night at eleven o'clock, when an address will be delivered by the Lord Bishop of the diocese, and various carols, kc, will be sung. On Christmas Day there will be choral service in the morning at eleven o'clock, and also in the eveniug at half-past six o'clock. On Sunday the rite of Confirmation will be administered in the afternoon at three o'clock. At St Michael's there will be choral evensong at 7.30, for which the following music has been arranged :—Processional Hymn 43 ; Psalm 24 to Langdon in F; Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (Dr Bunnett); anthem, "Nazareth" (Gounod) ; Christmas carols, "Once again, oh blessed time," " See. amid the winter's mow," " Good Christian men, rejoice," and "The first Noweiy* receseional, 876»

SCABLETINA. —We understand that an order was received by Dr Donald (the health officer at \ Lyttelton) yesterday from th« Central Board of Health at Christchurch, informing him that in consequence of the prevalence of scarletina at Melbourne, all intercolonial vessels would in future have to be inspected before anyone was allowed to board them. We particularly call the attention of the watermen and others to this fact, as many would be liable to offend unwittingly on the arrival of any of Messrs McMeckan, Blackwood, and Co's steamers or other intercolonial vessels. Mr Pilliet at Governor's Bay.—A meeting of the electors of Governor's Bay was held at the schoolroom last Tuesday. Mr Lytten, having been voted to the chair, introduced Mr Pilliet, who addressed the electors at considerable length. A few questions having been answered, it was proposed by Mr Wallis, seconded by Mr McKenzie, and carried unanimously—"That this meeting thanks Mr Pilliet for his address, and is of opinion that he is a fit and proper person to represent the district in the General Assembly." A vote of thanks to the chairman, and three cheers for Mr Pilliet, terminated the proceedings. Oxford.—The vestry of St. Andrew's, Oxford, met on Friday last, to decide upon the appropriation of the funds now in the hands of the churchwardens. All the outstanding accounts against the church, for which accounts had been rendered, were ordered to be paid, and the church insured. The cost of building having been so great, (over £1100) for the last two and a half years, for so poor a parish, it was found necessary some monthß ago to raise a loan of £100, which is now reduced to £70, andin all probability in a month or two to £50. A new system has been adopted and found to work well ; and the churchwardens are sanguine that they will be in a position to meet with comparative ease all the demands of the year. As the vestry was sorry to hear that there had been some persons overlooked at the late public meeting, votes of thanks were passed to the ladies, who not only gave tables on the day of the festival, but otherwise rendered most valuable assistance ; to the bachelors for their table ; and to Mr Mann, of Christchurch, for the great help he afforded to the managing committee. Narrow Escape from Fire. — The Shades had rather a narrow escape from being burnt down last night. About halfpast" seven o'clock Constables Palmer and Dixon when passing perceived a strong smell of fire, and on going inside observed lames and smoke issuing from the roof of the eastern portion of the building. After informing Mr Hadfield, the proprietor, of the circumstance, Constable Palmer mounted the roof, and by taking a few of the shingles off was enabled to reach the seat of the fire, and a number of buckets of water being quickly poured down it was effectually quenched. It seems that the fire originated from a joint in the gaspipe, which was ob> served to be leaking on Monday last, and waß then stopped up with soap; It is conjectured that an escape of gas must hay. again taken place at this spot, and been sel on fire by some one passing with a lighted candle. There is a space of about foui inches between the outside wall and the lining, and it is fortunate the fire was discovered so soon and before it got too great s hold. INTERPROVINCIAL CRICKET MATCH.—A general meeting of cricketers was held las! evening at Warner's Hotel, for the purpose of electing an interprovincial match committee. Mr E. C. J. Stevens was voted k the chair. Mr T. S. Sweet, secretary to th< retiring committee, submitted a statement of receipts and expenditure of the interprovincial match funds for the season 1874-5 shewing the receipts to have been £141 18« Bd, inclusive of gate money and collections and balance of £7 Is 6d carried forwarc from previous year. The expenditun amounted to £121 15s, leaving a balance it hand of £20 3s Bd, which amount had beer bearing interest at 7 per cent since 20tl SentembeT. 1874. The chairman said «« next DUSiriesß was tne eieu.iuu vl a motel committee. Ten names were proposed, anc on a ballot being taken, the following gentle men were declared to be elected —Messrs E Fowler, A. M. Ollivier, W, F. Neilson, E. C J. Stevens, J. Wood, T. 8. Sweet, and E. P Maples. Mr Sweet was elected secretary t< the committee. It was decided to hold s meeting of the committee to-day at M: Stevens' office, at one o'clock. Determined Case of Stabbing.—.! very determined case of stabbing occurrec last night in front of the Q.C.E. Hotel Shortly after 10 o'clock, Mr A. Faithful lately arrived by the ship Langstone, wai standing in the passage of the above hotc with a few friends, when a man named Theo dore Arnold, who was a steerage passengei by the same vessel, came and asked him ii he would speak with him for a few moment! as he had something important to say tc him. Mr Faithful at once followed the mar out, and on reaching the footpath was seized by the throat and stabbed in the left cheek b. Arnold, who in a second withdrew the knife and aimed a blow at the heart of his intended victim. Mr Faithful tried to waroff this second blow, and fortunately so, as, besides piercing through his clothes, it inflicted a wound over half an inch in depth Constable Hughes, who was standing in front of the theatre, fortunately saw the second attempt, and believing a scuffle wat only taking place, came up and caught hold of Arnold, when the knife (which has a blade nearly nine inches in length) fell on to the pavement; when seeing that something more serious had taken place, ht pinioned the man, who struggled violently, and received the assistance of Sergeant Wilson in handcuffing him, previous tc being taken to the depot. When the blood was seen to be streaming from Mr Faithful's face, he was placed in . a cab and removed to Warner's Hotel, where he is staying. Dr Prins was immediately sent for, and was soon in attendance. Though the wounds are not very deep the result might have been very serious, as the second one was inflicted in a very vital part ; and, fortunately, the first stab had blunted the point of the knife through coming into contact with the cheek-bone, the cause of this attempted murder seems to have arisen out of some grudge of long standing, the origin of which is not yet known. Arnold will be brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. Presentation. —A presentation of a very pleasing nature was made to Mr Hill yesterday by the girls attending the Bingsland school, consisting of Dickens's complete works, accompanied by an address, in which they thanked him for his kindness and efforts to improve them, expressing a hope that they might have him again as their master. Those of the Bingsland girls who where at Gloucester street school assembled at noon for the purpose in the large room, were Misses M. J. Blyth and E. M, Willis made the presentation. After Mr Hill had replied to the effect that this was the more unexpected as he had received one already from the boys, and stated that he would always remember with regret his leaving Bingsland, Misa Maggie Blyth presented Mr B idler with a very handsome pen and inkstand from the girls of the first class for Latin. Rangiora Literary Institute.—The half-yearly general meeting of the members of this institute was held on Tuesday evening, when about thirty members were present, Mr C. Merton in the chair. Mr R. Aherne moved a motion standing in his name, viz—"That instead of the whole of the committee retiring at each annual meeting, only six retire by rotation, those retiring to be eligible for re-election. This was seconded by Mr B. Ellis. After some discussion an amendment was moved—" That the rule remain as it is at present," which was ultimately carried by fourteen to six, and the original resolution was lost. Mr A. H. Cunningham moved—"That a committee be formed to take what steps they may think proper to raise sufficient funds without delay to carry out the extended accommodation and improvements suggested at the late special meeting. Mr B. Ellis seconded the motion pro forma. A good deal of discussion ensued, and several amendments were proposed, but were ruled oat of order, and the

resolution was put to the meeting and lost by thirteen to twelve. A motion to adjourn the meeting was also put and lost, and the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman. At the conclusion of the meeting a petition signed by twenty members was presented to the secretary asking him to call a special meeting to consider the question of addition to the present building. As will be seen by advertisement a general meeting is to be held on Tuesday, January 4th. Hon. Major Atkinson's Address.—The following is the passage omitted, in transmission, from the report of the Hon. Major Atkinson's address to the electors of Egmont, published in yesterday's issue .—" He then proceeded to compare the state of the colony previous to 1871 with the present time. In 1871 the population was 257,000, and the revenue £935.000, which had now increased— the population to 357,000 and the revenue to £1,600,000. The public debt had aIBO increased from eight millions to £17,400,000, and as nine millions was a large sum to raise in five years, they would no doubt like to know what they had got for it. In the first place, they had cash in hand, two millions; then they had spent four millions for railways, one million for immigration and public works, the remainder going for telegraph extension, and various other objects. Now for the fourmilliors, they had obtained two hundred and seventy-seven miles of railway opened at a cost of a million and a half ; they had under construction five hundred and fortyseven miles, upon which there had been paid two millions and a half. They had acquired land from the natives to the extent of two hundred thousand acres, with purchases incomplete of nearly three millions of acres, besides one hundred and twenty-three thousand acres leased from the natives."