NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 3220, 27 December 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

« Eyreton Railway. —The train begins running on this line to-day. Point Railway.—This line was to be opened for traffic on Friday last ', Fatal Accident-at Waimate.—A boy, j' named P. Nolan, was drowned on Wednesday last, while bathing in a water hole in the Wairriate river bed. Waimate.-—At a meeting of the Presbytery of Timaru, held on Tuesday last, a call was presented to the Rev G. Lindsay; He accepted it; and the Presbytery has fixed his ordination to take place at Waimate on January stb, 1876. The Hutt Nomination,—The nomination for the Hutt took place on Wednesday last, when Messrs Fitzherbert and Hutchison were nominated. The show of hand's was as follows:—Mt Fitzherbert, 34 ; Mr Hutchison, 4. The poll takes place on Thursday. Confirmation Service.—The rite of confirmation was administered yesterday at St John's, Latimer square, by the Primate. Thirteen candidates were confirmed, his Lordship addressing, a few kindly words of advice and exhortation tp each. Skeleton Found.—A pcrtipn pf a human skeleton was found on Friday last in Mr Buckeridge's paddockj at Avonside, by a man engaged in carting sand. When fcund it was in a recumbent position, and only a foot belpw the surface. The bpnes were collected and- conveyed to Dr Coward, coroner, whp states that they are those of a Maori* Hibebnian Society's These sports will take place at the Catholic Church grounds to-day, when the children, of the various Catholip schppls will be present, arid (ttrnpete for prizesr&c, "in facing arid jumping events. .Mr Button's '.band will beiri attendance, and ia the evening a dinner will be held, at which the memberapf the various branches will "be present.' '" Oxß-ofiDf :Town 'HALL>-The new Town Hall near.the Oxford east railway station will soon be completed by Mr Maddison, the contractor. Its'intertial? area is 50ft x 30ft, with a ftage 14ft x 18ft, and twpside rooms, eaoh 14ft x 12ft. The stud is a pood height, and the hall when- finished will be larger than the Rangiora Literary, Institute, on which design it seems tp be built, the ropf being leftas open as possible. Sons of Temperance, Kaiapoi.—The half-yearly meeting of the Progress Division was.heldon Thursday evening,* at the Odd-' fellows' Hall, for the election of officers for the ensuing term. The fellpwing were elected;—Bro W. Hayman, W.P.;B-Horaby, W.A.; D. Hassall, B/S.;R. F.S.; W. H. Wake, chaplain; T. Knight, treasurer; F. Young, G.j J. Baker, A.C; and C. Ching, I; s./'..V.■■■. ■ Extended Jurisdiction op Courts.— On the representation made by Mr Whitefoord," RM. for the northern district, that the jurisdiction pf the'Cpiirts at Liithfield, Oxford, and Rangiora should 'be extended tp hearing cases amdunting tp £100, it is prpbable ;that with the new year this change will be made. The sittings pf the Courts will also, it is said, be made mere frequent. H.A.O.B;S.—At a meeting pf this spciety, heldion Thursday last, the fpllpwing officers were elected to serve for the ensuing half year, vie, president, Bro JB. O'Connor; vicepresident, Bro J. C. Ridley; treasurer, Bro James Hogan ; secretary, Bro A. P. Sheath ; branch medical attendant, Dr Campbell; ?ick visitors, Bros J. McSwiggan and E. Brosnahan. The following were elected as luditprs fpr the year, Bros T. F. Ridley and R.F.Houlihan. ,:;.<■; ,• TRADESMEN'S ATHLETIC CLUB SPORTS.— Phese sports will be held today at the igdcnlturai Show Grounds. The programme a a very'attractive one, and the various intiies are welt rilled. The two-mile walking ■ace will start, at half-past three, and Edwards' match of seven miles in 59mins at I've A'clock. A band of twelve performers -as.been engaged, and sheuld the weather >rpve fine a good day's sport may be auticiyj.ted.^. r "SO OTHBMDGE,RURAL SPpRTS.—A meeteg nf the committee was held in Bailey's Totfl qn. Wednesday^evening? "Eight rriem•ers present, Mr Bourne in the chair, 'he secretary having "read the minutes of he la«t meeting and the programme »s then rraTiged, : - it was resolved to add a trotting ace to the present list, the prize for the first orse to be a whip presented by Mr Howell; nd entries added. The secretary was reaeated to accept the offer of the Southridge'i brass bane*, at £6 10a for the day. It ras also [resolved that a sum not less than ;3 3« be paid by publicans-having booths on lie ground to the funds of the committee, ndtbat all owners of refreshment pr of any tscTipfioa. oi booths, subscribe not less than ne . gplrieaT:"Jti was decided that catch 'ttihfes :be al*owed ; in. all the horse races pvrist! committees were then arranged for jyl/jjn.tdf,'-; thefgrpnndj and the necessary ♦Ij^Vsr.fen*'carrying■ .©nt ■ the day!s sport] **»!! •■& bfejj, Jiected,the meeting adjourned a-Fridaysvening, Uie3lsb instant, , as.

Foresters' Fete.—All the arrangements for the Foresters' fete to-day have been completed, and should the weather prove fine, no doubt it will prove a great success. In addition to sports of various kinds, the timehonored institution of Richardson's Show will be in full forj6e,-Where tragedy, comedy, and farce may be witnessed for a email charge at during the day. The Christchurch'brethren will meet the visitors from Lyttelton at the railway station, and march 'thence to the scene of the sports. "■-■; ■ < Mr Wason at Surveyor's Gully.—A meeting was held at Surveyor's' Gully, Selwyn, to hear Mr Wason express his views. There were between forty and fifty persons present. Mr McMillan was voted to the chair. Mr Wason spoke at considerable length, on the.various topics which are at the present time occupying the minds of the electors. Satisfactory answers were given to questions put by Messrs Lewin, Hobbs, William6,"and Grindrod. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr'Wason for his addrees. On the motion of Mr Wason a vote of thanks was given to the chairman. Accident.—A young girl, five years old, daughter of Mr Thomas Wallis, Addington, wae seriously hurt by a careless horseman on the Sumner beach on Christmas afternoon. This man and three others were racing on the beach, notwithstanding that a large number of women and children were walking on the sands at the time, and before the little girl could get out of the way she was knocked down by the leading horse and rendered insensible, with her head very much cut and bleeding profusely. The little thing did not recover consciousness for some time, but though very much cut she was better yesterday. . Another Stabbing Case . —A mau ns nnd I Abel Joy, laborer, living in the Caledonian road, was stabbed on Christmas morning in the left arm, by a man named William Hall, who lives in the same road. The men had had some altercation the previous night, but made it up shortly afterwards. Next morning Joy went to Hall's place and had something to drink, when they again quarrelled, Hall and bis son striking Joy in the house, assaulting him again in the garden. It was 'on the occasion of the second assault that the man was stabbed. Two persons who happened to be passing brought Joy into Christchurch, where he was attended by Dr Doyle. Some of the arteries are cut, and there is also a wound on the right hand. Both of the Halls are in cußtody. Gkeendale School.—-This school was officially examined on Thursday, December 23rd, by Mr Hammond, when the children were examined for the first time according to the standards. The teacher having acquainted Mr Hammond that the local committee proposed to present substantial priaes, the following were placed first, second, and third, in the standards in which they were presented for examination :— Standard 111. — William Vaughan, Ist; Robert Wallace Wilson, 2nd ; Anna Maria Martin, 3rd. Standard ll.—Hugh John McCrostie, Ist; Annie Sawle, 2nd ; Charles Vaughan, 3rd. Standard I. — Matthew Laffey, Ist; Hary Ann Higgins, 2nd ; Henry Ewenson, 3rd. St James' Church, Southbridge.—-On Tuesday last a special confirmation service was held in the above church when seventeen candidates were presented by tbe curate of the parish to the Bishop and by him confirmed. His lordship addressed the candidates for confirmation in suitable and impressive terms. During the service the new organ, lately purchased out of the proceeds of bazaar and gift auction, got up some time back by the ladies of the district, was, played for the first time by Mr J. T. Jameson, organist of St Mary's, Merivale. Evening service was conducted by J the Rev J. H. • Wills, and a sermon preached by tbe Rev! E. A. Lingard. All the services were well attended, and offertories in aid of the church building extension, amounting to about £4, were collected. Cure Boating Club.—A meeting of this club was held at Oram's Pier Hotel, en Wed-: nesday evening, Mr C. Oram, president, in; the chair, and nine members prtsent. Mr G. W. Wearing was unanimously elected custodian. In reference to selecting a crew ; to row the Cam in the four-oared out-rigged race, it was decided to ask Messrs J. Winterbourne, J. Perrin, G. Wright, and G. W. Wearing to be the crew. A long discussion ensued in reference to sending a boat for the four-oared inrigged raco and the pair oar race, but it was finally decided to defer the matter tilt next meeting. Messrs W. B. Willock, J. Hudson, A. Johnston,: and G. Sellars were elected members of the club. The meeting then adjourned.; :■...•■ " IJO.G;T.—A very handsome banner of blue, silk has just been executed for the Reefton Fraternal Lodge, No 79, 1.0.£, T. The. banner, which js 7ft 6iti by 6ft 6in,-has em-' blazoned on both sides the following- design [ —In the centre ; are the ! figures of Faith, i Hope, and Charity ori a crimson, shield, en-' circled'by gold scrOUwork f and a wreath of roses, and having on each side the mottoes— Good will to all men,'! and " To rAise the fallen." Above 'and' below the shield are -gold ribbons With the motto; " Reefton Fraternal Lodge, instituted December sth, 1874. Below the upper ribbon runs a scroll work of "scarlet and gold carrying the number of the Lodge, and the initial letters 1.0. G.T. The banner is handsomely mounted with crimson ', bullion fringe pendant from gold lace Work. This fine work of att has been executed by Mr R. Atkinson of Oxford terrace. Sunday School Union;—The anniversary services, in connection with the Canterbury Sunday School was held yesterday at the ..Durham.streetWesleyari .Church. There was a very large attendance, about '2000 children being i;J present. The following schools were j represented, viz, Wesleyan— Durham street and Bingslaiid ;; Congregational— and' Ferry josd ; Baptist—Hereford ' street; Lichfield street*;* United Free Methodist— St Asaph street. Mr George Booth, the pre- | sident of the Union, opened, the proceeding's with player, after which the first hymn of the selection was sung by the children. The Rev Mr Hodgson having offered prayer, and the second hymn being sung by the children, MrR. A. Colee read the 34th Psalnr. Mr Colee then delivered* an address to 'th»* children from I Samuel, xvii chap, V 45, 47. The Benediction .was then pronounced by Mr Colee, and the service, which had been an exceedingly interesting 'one. ' throughout, closed. The singing, we. may say, was very good throughout, and waß conducted by Mr W.H. P.oberts. Mr R. Soarell presiding at the organ. The collection at the close amounted to £i Is BJd. 1.0.0.F.M.tJU LEITKiFIELD.—The half yearly summoned meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday evening, When most of the members were present. The ordinary routine of lodge business was gone through and then N.G. declared the lodge open for election of officers foi> thejenauing term. The following were elected f— Bro G. Crampton. N.G.; Bro C. Mason, Y.&;. Bro C. J. Norton, E.S.; G. M. Gibbs and Bro RrSmilh were elected sick visiters,; Bros,P O'iSbaanessy and T. Derritt auditors; and it was res''lv|d that no delegate be appointed lp attend special district meeting. The officers Were then installed;. Bro P. G. Calder was elected lecture ma3ter;. and it was resolved that P. G. Gibbs receive the purule degsee. The D.P.G.M.Wright addressed the lodge. He was always very pleased to pay a visit to the Leithfield Lodge, and he waa glad he 'would' be able to make a very favorable report. He was pleased to see how readily the junior brothers in the lodge took the minor officer to what they did in some other lodges. He felt particular interest in the lodge, be being one of the three that started it, and he hoped they would carrtinne tpt 'pTospi-T arid be amongst the leading lodges. It was very creditable to number as many brothers a* they did. P.G. Simpson proposed, ml •P.O. Gibbs seconded—"A hearty vote of thanks be recorded to D.P.G.M. Wright for his visit to the lodge." (Carried by accla-: mation.) The D.P;Gr.M. returned thanks, and said he felt it his duty to promote. Oddfellowship. He 'bad been sane »ince : lßs9.: He hoped the lodge would riot take it amiss "that the other district officers did'not visit them, Tbe lodge then closed. •x ilt i '■-' -: - " '"'? VT7: ■*■ ;'" "• v 'lj3» V U '.- .: • « *•■ ■"■ l "

I Theathk Royal.—There n». «. hqme in a good humour. To-nieht It? One tomtae will be produced. It i/ii^*- ,,- ---of the career of a hero with whoaiw ?e m the days of oar boyhood ZZ oi! UB familiar, and Judging fiSTSe £LE** made for it, it ehould be a arK attOll » Mr Hoskins Spared neithe? expense Iα ifeproduction, and we hi n °* see itiw. a lengthened rnn M ?fe to has painted aome excellent scenery andT mechanical effects by Messrs BriS W.v ° SSSSSf have beeo Kowai PiCNitx—A meeting of the lWw Kowei and Leithfleld school wmmitLT"? sporta committee, was held at Hotel, Leithfield, on Thursday eJenir? , ? 1 arrange for the children's pSc toWaiW Beacn. There was a eood idw? Wtu P an » 0 W Dumergue g SJ& r^U tlfeta £ that the sports committee had 75LS 5? towards the object Mr r™™ » £9 the North Kow'ai committee hand, £&had been voted or sports, i? , m lunch, and £4 for band. Mr Tw%£? *? explained that the Leithfield committed 1 prepared to do its full sharp . L waa Mr L. 0. Williams, placfng e hi the disposal of the joint ctmmiS wL a cepted with thanks. It was dSd3\Jf: Messrs Dumergue and and other arrangements were mad? S of thanks were given to Messrs Doran aSi Dumergue for their efforts in colleouS Si sorptions, and a vote of thanks to toe fhSr man terminated the meeting wr * Ellesmere Pabochial Distbict a meeting largely attended was' held il'Ti, Town Hall, Soathbridee on Tn«S ."* proceedings with Dravpr ill * T pene ™ th e for this parochial district after and explained that, although he had informed by the Rev Mr Lingard thaS Lordship would attend if requested to do so! he regretted that such was not the caY 2 reference to the meeting of vestrymenheld a marks with respect thereto. He thooStS the same time that a summoned meeKS the parishioners was the St wTK 5T. g , ?- OP L° iOn 8 ? t0 the ad visability of his retaining ius position as curate Thi position was in every respect identical *i£ that of an incumbent. [Question I If an? one had anythinffto say against hi B J conduct he now challenged them to prove that he w≥ unworthyof his high catling. A clergyman has to please large numbers, and hieoharacter was his bread, any accusation against that ought to be made direct to the Bishop He did not wish to remain if thought unworthy or proved guilty of any faulie. He then read extracts of letters received from, the Bishop ot Bloemfoutein and the Primate. expressing their approbation of hie work whilet in their dioceses. Pursuant to the resolution passed at a meeting at Southbridee his Lordehip had licenced him for six monthe Since then he had requested bis Lordship tb make some more definite arrangements, lie had carefully compared the offertories collected for a long period, and found that since his ministry had commenced, the average collection exceeded the previous averages in about ten shillings per SuDday. He stated that the present was one of the most'painful episodee in his not uneventful life, and apologising again for his Lordship's absence, would leave the matter in the hands of the meeting. Mr E. J. Lee, senior churchwarden, then road a letter from himself to Mr Bridge his co-churchwarden, re the Bishop being unwilling to make any appointment until he had visited the district; also letter from Mr Wills expressing his idea that the opinion of the recently held vestry was null and void, and citing clauses in the proceedings of the first session of the ninth eynod of the diocese of Christchurch in support of his views. He thought any insinuations against Mr Wills , moral character (for his part he could not substantiate these reports, which lie believed emanated from the Ash burton) should be now brought forward. He was sure that Mr Wills belonged to an exceedingly advanced section of the Churob, and therefore would get them into endless die* agreeableness should he be retained. He strongly denied that at the vestry meeting in question ho had made any imputations against Mr Wills. On being asked •at the medting ttf give his reason for opposing Mr Wills, he had refused to make any statement. Mr R. B. Willis was of opinion that any imputation against Mr Wills should be -now brought forward. He personally wnein favor of iretaining Mr Wills, whose coDdncl since entering on the cure had been closely watched by him (Mr Willis). Mr Acland then begged leave to: remark that, a* Mr Wills had acknowledged the legality of the meeting of the vestries, and, iia. the present meeting, had been convened to settle the question as to whether he should continue ■in charge or go away, the proper course to adopt was-to read the minutes of that meeting, and decide whether they should be confirmed or not. Air Wills objected to that course of action, and; appealed to the Rev Mr Lingaid. who was secretary to the Synod and well, poeted up in church matters. The Rev Mr Liogard, who was perfectly disinterested in the matter, agreed- to answer any questions Bβ* objected to by either party. In; answer to Mr Lee, Mr Lingard, after having inspected Mr Wills' license, stated that, according to one of the earlier clauses of the regulation*, the fact that the vestries had been sumnumed without notice being given to> the curate rendered such meeting irregular.' Tbe?"fol« lowing resolution was then proposed by Mr D. Moorhead, seconded by Mr Baldwin, end, with a very few dissentientei carried—-"That this meeting, composed of menabersof the Church of England in the Elleamere Diafrict, hae full confidence in the Rev J. H. Wills, who has been for nearly six. months ainfcng them, and requeete the Lord Bishop of Ihe diocese to appoint him permanentlyißciirate." A vote of thanks was then carried to the chairman; and the meeting ndjorraefl..