NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4285, 24 April 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Kaiapoi Fabish.—The writ issued by the Bishop of the diocese, appointing Mr 0. Wbitefoord to conduct the election for the return of a Synodamanfor this parish, did not reach him till after his return from Westland, subsequent to the date fixed for the election. A sew writ will probably be issued. Thh Fras BaiSADB Lebbaby.—By the outgoing California mail the Christonuroh Fire Brigade will forward £50 to London for the purchase of new books for the already excellent; library at the Lichfield street station. The books have been chosen with great care by the selection committee, and their arrival will make this the beet library of the kind in the colony. , Ihsdtfioibht Boixrsa Stock.—At the dose of the special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday the chairman brought under the notioe of the members of the Assembly present the necessity for urging on the Government to provide additional rolling ■took next season. In support of his arguments he stated that the loss this season owing to delay of vessels would amount to £25,000. Akaboa Corarr Elsotkkt.—The election of a councillor for Wainui Siding of the above county was held on Tuesday hut. The candidates were Mr H. Piper, of DuTauchelle's Bay, and Mr McDonald, of WainuL Mr McDonald received forty-three votes, and Mr Piper eleven. The former was declared duly elected.

Thb ADDDjasox Wobebhops.—The ooa« ferenoe between the city members of the House of Beprwentatrrea and the Chamber of Commerce, as provided for by the resolution of the late public meeting, took place yesterday. All three of the members were present, aa well as a large number of the members of the Chamber. After hearing the Tiews of Mr Stevens, the Hon. 33. Bichardeon, and Mr Moorhouee on the subject, the meeting passed a resolution expressing a hope that nothing bat the interests of the railways, as a whole, would be allowed to interfere with the choice of a site for railway workshops. The chairman was requested to forward the resolution to the Hon. Minister for Public Works,

Stoppagb of ah EiranrS.—The last train north on Wednesday had to poll op before reaching the Flaxton-platform on account of the beating of » journal on the driving crank of the engine. . v Gaibty Tksaseh.—The diorama of the Bnsso-Turkish war drew a very good hones at the Gaiety last night. The usual gift distribution closed the performance. The diorama will be again exhibited this erening. : Accn>HHS at AsHßirßTbK.—AtAshburtan, yesterday, the three horses in a dray, laden with timber, belonging to Mr Joyce, Seafleld, and driven by one William Bourke, took fright and bolted down East street to the corner of Moore street, where the dray knocked down the finger post. Here the runaways made a dead stop, the shaft horse falling down. It was released from the ■haft* in a few moments, without any serious damage being done. :. L ' : Oddfkilowb' Back. — The annual ball given by the Oddfellow* will take place this evening in. the hall, Licnfield street. A goodly number of tickets have been disposed of, and the ball promises to be a success. The musical department will be under the superintendence of Mr Schwartz, and all the other arrangements will be under the supervision of a com* mittee. The art union drawing in connection with the late fete will take place on Saturday evening in the hall, and the winning numbers will be published on Monday. Thb Moab.— Atyesterday'i meeting of the local committee of the Sydney Exhibition the proposal was mooted to send over one of the moa specimens now in the Museum, aa part of the exhibit* in the proposed New Zealand Court at the Sydney Exhibition. This was warmly supported by several of the members, and an application will probably be made to the Board of Governors at their meeting today. Aeaboa Eaixwat.—A public meeting was held in the Town Hall, Aiaroa, under the presidency ef the Mayor, on Monday evening, for the purpose of urging upon the Government the desirability of haying a surrey of the railway made to the town of Akaroa. There was but a sparse attendance of the public, and a resolution was carried in conformity with the objects of the meeting. A deputation of a few members of the meeting was appointed to wait upon Mr Knowles, the Under-Seoretary for Public Works, who will be in Akaroa is a few days, in regard to the matter.

Stdhbt Exhibitioh. —The usual weekly meeting of the local committee was held yesterday. In a letter from the Central Commission, ib is requested that all applications for space should be transmitted as ewly as possible, as the Commission intended having a New Zealand Court. One very important item as regards exhibitions was mentioned by the chairman, that had' reference to exhibits which require to be shown in (lass cases. The Commission have made arrangements in Sydney whereby glass cases will be provided free of cost for exhibitors who may send jewellery, plate, or articles of such a nature as to require the protection of glass cases.

COHTBIBr/TIOKB TO TBPB FIBB BbIQADH.— A cheque for £25 was yesterday forwarded to Mr Superintendent Harris from Messrs Edwards, Bennett and Co., together with a complimentary letter in referenoe to the zeal of the Brigade at the late' fire. The various sums of money which the Brigade hare lately received hare been placed to a reserve fund, and it is expected that at the annual demon* stratum next year it will not be necessary to appeal to the publio for subscriptions. This demonstration will be of an unusually brilliant oharacter, and it is anticipated that nearly every fire brigade in the colony will take part in it. Railway Aoawssrt.—A. man named John Beaton, a passenger by the 2.40 train from Christohuroh to Lyttelton yesterday afternoon, having lost his hat between Hillsboro' and the Valley, jumped from the platform after it while the train was* going at full speed. The effect of the jump, as described by some of the passengers present, was that his head came first in contact with the rails. The train was stopped, and the unfortunate man pioked up and taken to Port. He was handed over to the charged with, a breach of the railway by-laws. The man's faoe and head were severely cut. There is little doubt that ho was drunk.

Pbbbbytibiaw Ohpboh, Bahgioba.—On Monday evening a meeting of adherents of. this ohurch mi held in the kirk. There wag a moderate attendance. The Bey. W. MoQ-regor presided. Mr John Pulton, treasurer, read a statement of moneys received and paid. It was considered that the doaatione towards the support of the ministry were not bo satisfactory as could be wished, and after a brief diicussion it was rewired that Messrs J. Johnston and M. MoFarlane be requested to prooeed as a deputation to the next Presbytery session at Christohuroh to ascertain the position in which the Bangiora dirtriot would be placed if separated from KaiapoL The chairman stated that the election of a new committee would hare to be made by ballot. Totes of thanks were recorded on the minutes to the retiring church officers and the ohairman. The proceedings then terminated.

Cause.— The arrangementa for tbo proposed Ghees Congress are being carried oat with activity, and with a fur promise of noons. The committee who have charge of the affair met on Monday evening to draw up the rules. It was decided that the tourney shall begin on August sth, entries being received up to July sth. There will be three prizes, the first of £50 ard the other two of £20 and £10 respectively. The knotty question of the number of games to be played by each competitor was left to be settled by the players themselves, at a meeting to be held the evening before the tourney opens, and will depend on the number of players who enter and the length of time they are able to afford. A time limit of fifteen mores an hour was agreed to. The rules will be circulated among the Chess dubs in the different parts of the colony, and the committee have already reason to expect that, besides several of the best Canterbury players, the list of entries will include representatives of Auckland, Wellingtos, the West Ooast, and Otago. Sydenham Bobottqk Council—A special meeting of this Council was held last evening. Present—The Mayor and Councillors White, Langdown, Andrew, Charters, and Brown. The meeting was held for the purpose of revising the burgess roll, and also to consider the report of the by-laws committee. The 'first portion of the business was of a very light character, there being only one objection, that of Mr W. Christian, who asked to have ! his name placed on the roll in lieu of that of I Mr W. Pearson, who had paid rates last year las agent, and not as owner. The application was granted. Cγ. Brown brought up the report of the by-laws committee on by-laws 2, 3, and 4.. The first had reference to streets; the second was of a miscellaneous character; and the third had relation to the prevention of fires. Or. Brown explained that the by-laws had had the most careful consideration of the committee, and that they had been passed by the solicitor of the OoonoiL fie therefore moved their adoption. The motion was seconded by Or. Charters, and after some slight disoussion the by-laws were adopted. Leave of absence was granted to Or. Hall, after which the Council was adjourned. Oddfblxows' Hall.—The farewell benefit of Miss Tilly Andrews last night in the Oddfellows' Hall attracted a numerous audience. The first item on the programme was a two act comedy entitled "Checkmate," apparently a modernised version of the time-honored " Valet de Sham." The characters were sustained by Miss Tilly Andrews, Miss Madge Herrick, Messrs J. P, BTydes, Wilkinson, and Jerrames. The main credit of amusing the audience was undoubtedly due to Mr J. P. Hydes, Miss Andrews, and Mr Wilkinson. Unfortunately the beneflciaire had a very severe cold, which considerably militated against the effect of her acting. The seoond i part of the entertainment consisted of singing, dp-Tiri"gi and readings. The vocal items were given by Miss Euby D'Arcyand Mus Amy Johns. The first-named lady oontri- j buted " Kathleen Mavourneen" in excellent j style, and being encored substituted " Buby," for which she was loudly applauded. Miss Amy Johns was very successful in her two dance songs, "Supplejack" from the burlesque of "Snow-wnite and "Lilly of the Valley." Mr Wilkinson sang a Teutonised version of " You know what I know/ , and subsequently danced a sand jig. The readings comprised Tennyson's " May Queen" and Bell's "Mary, Queen of Scots, by Miss Colville, and "The Charge of the Light Brigade" aad Wbittier'e poem "Barbara Bitcbie," by Mr Thomas. Bracken. Mies ColvOle's reading of both pieces is well known in Chrifltchuroh, but she greatly marred her own success last night by the unnecesiary time she took in their delivery. Mr Bracken was .more successful in the American than the English reading. The performance eonclnded with the balcony Bcene from "Borneo and Juliet," by Mis* Florence Colville and , Mose EH/Andrew*.

Thbatbh Botai. —The Illusionists repealed their performance at the Theatre Bqyal last evening. Mr Thorn's illations, as usual, were very cleverly executed.. The company appear again to-night. ' AujJSBB Fobsbbt.—A man named Whitehead, arrested at Eatapoi on a charge of forgery at Timaru in February last, was yesterday remanded to Ohrietohurch.

Haebob Impboybicbnt.—The Lyttelton Board has made such progress in deepening the inner bay that a vessel of almost any. draught of water can be accommodated with a berth at one or other of the wharves. A day cr two ago the dredge completed its work alongside No. 4 wharf, and there is now along the west side of that wharf twenty-three feet of water at low tide. This is the wharf at which the Stad Haarlem was berthed the other day, and upon her return from Wellington she will probably be put at the same wharf to load. Were there another dredga at work of the capacity of that now in uee, in a short time vessel* of the Stad Haarlem's size might run alongside or leave any of the wharves at any time of the tide.

Pasahtt Libbaby.—The annual meeting of subscribers to the library was bold on Monday evening, April 21st. The Bey F. G. Brittan, president, 'occupied the chair, and read the report of committee and balancesheet for the past year. It appeared that the number of subscribers was thirty-two, and the balance in hand £3 13s Bd. A shipment of books to the value of £27 7s lid, numbering eighty-three volumes, had been ordered from Messrs Stanford and Go., London, and wen bow on their way per ship Bed Gauntlet. The piece of ground at the baok ot the building had been let, and that in front levelled and planted with trees. The necessity of having the building enlarged in order to make it suitable for holding public entertainment*, and of of adding a smaller room for reading purposes was urged, and it was thought that sufficient funds might be raised in the district to meet the outlay. The report was adopted. The following persons were elected committeemen for the ensuing year.-—Bey. F. G. Brittan, Messrs E. Morgan, O. Jennings, J. Young, H. Godfrey, P. Stewart, H. Derrett, and I. Wild. At a meeting of the committee held subsequently. Mr Brittan was elected , chairman and treasurer, Mr Derrett, librarian Mr Jennings secretary, and Mr Godfrey auditor.

New Zealand at Sydhhy.—Dr. Hector has (says the Wellington " Post ") received plans of the Sydney International Exhibition, showing the space allotted to this colony. The position is extremely favorable. The space on the stain floor is 5625 square feet, or 75 feet by 75 feet, with proportionate space in the galleries and basement. In the transept facing the New Zealand court a space of 600 or 700 feet will be reserved for the exhibition of trophies, &o.

Ahibhed Vallby CoppHsMnrß.—Says the Nelson « Mail" of April 16th :-The following report has been received by Dr. Irvine from Mr Bowe, the manager of the Aniseed Valley Copper Mining Company, the shareholders in which are to be congratulated upon the improving prospects of the mine. It will be seen by an advertisement, which appears elsewhere, that the unallotted pertion of the second issue of shares is now available:— " Sir, I have the honor to inform yon that the lode is now 'resued' to a depth of thirty feet by an avenge length of twelve feet, (30 x 12) showing an average thickness of one foot six inches. This is evidently a permanent shoot of copper; its solidity and copper containing capacity beooming more clearly manifested as depth and length are obtained. The last work done was blasting three holes aoross the 'resued ' lode quite at the bottom of the the under hand stope, making a longitudinal section of the lode fourteen feet right up to the end of the ground. This section shows a' considerable improvement in the size and quality of the lode as compared with the portion revealed at the time you¥ directors and shareholders visited the mine."

Wbbtlakd's DiHHoraTiße.—ln the report of the Finance Committee of West* land County Council, the following passage occurs:—" Your committee would strongly urge on your Hon. Counoil to take some deoided steps to bring the financial position of the West Coast Councils under the notice of Parliament at the ensuing session. Unless the revenues of such Counties are augmented in some way, it seems impossible for the system, to be carried out. Were it not for assistance given from the floods vote, ifr is certain that there would have been no funds available to meet the heavy expenditure of the last three months, and as the whole of the vote has been expended, it appears oertain that a great deal of the imperative and urgent work in connection with the damage done by recent floods cannot, for the present, be even attempted, while the ordinary revenue is utterly inadequate for the usual works of maintenance devolving on the Council. This state of affaire has been chiefly brought about by the formation of -boroughs, absorbing a considerable portion of the County revenue in the County, and your committee earnestly trust that your Hon. Council will take steps to bring the whole question before- Parliament on its assembling. , '

AGBICULTUBAL AND PASTOBAL ASSOCIATION. —The usual monthly meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association will be held at 2.30 p.m. to-day. Pabish of St. Luke's.—The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Luke's will be held at the parsonage at half-past seven o'clock this evening. TeMPEBANCB Meeting.—A public meeting on temperance will be held this evening in the Heathcote Valley School-room. ZiALANDiA.-The panorama of New Zealand will be exhibited for a short season at the Oddfellows' Hall, commencing on Tuesday, 29th met.

Salvage Sale.—The sale of the salvage goods from the late fire at Messrs Edwards, Bennett and Co.'s bonded store, will take place at the rooms of Messrs H. Matson and Co., today, 11 o'clock.

St. Paul's, Papanui.—The annual Easter meeting of parishioners will be held this evening (Thursday) at 7.30. •• ASTERN Football Clxtb.—The following fifteen will play the club on Saturday next:— Messrs. Blakely, Boulton, Crowe, Hawkes, Johnston, A. Kenvig , , Lambert, Sherriff, Stringer. H. Shackleton, Paul, Wilson (captain), Wachsmann, A. Bell, jtesteven. Play to commence at 2.30 p.m. Colors —Fifteen: Blue and white.

Philosophical Institute.—Dr. Yon Haist's lectwe on the " History of Pictorial Art," illustrated by the Arundel Society's paintings, will be delivered in the Laboratory Theatre of the Canterbury College this evening. Cantbbbubt College —A meeting of the Board of Governors will be held at 11 a.m. today.

AcciiiHATiSATios: Socthtt. — A special meeting of tbe Council of the Acclimatisation Society will be held at 3 p.m.. te-day.