NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5362, 1 December 1882, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Thkatbb Eoyal. — Last evening Mr Gardner took a benefit at the Theatre Eoyal. The attendance was moderate, which also represents the quality of the performance. Pilot Station School.—The Harbor Board have resolved to erect a schoolhonse at the pilot .station for the xise of the children of the pilots, &c, stationed at the Heads.

Payabivb Diamond Field.—The Industrial Association at its meeting lasfc night resolved to request the Government to offer a bonus for the discovery in the colony of a payable diamond field. Thk Graving Dock.—lt is intended to hold the opening ceremony in connection with the new graving dock at Lyttelton on January 3rd, when it is hoped the ActingGovernor will be present. , Tkadbs Bowing Club.—At a meeting of the above club, held last evening, the following gentlemen were elected honorary memhers—Messrs T. Acland, W. Beeves, IL. Harper, J. C. Corr, J. T. Matson, J. Cook, J. B. Gresson, Vf. Vincent. Oxtobd. —St. Andrew's Day here was quite a gala:day,.as: usual. There was a bazaarheldinconnectionwiththeChurchof i England, cricket, football,lawn tennis, and other games and spoite were carried out \ ; with eclat. Wakantti Wesl3stan Chubcs*—The tea | held in connection with the opening of the new "Wesleyan Church at Wakanui took place on Monday evening, and passed off very successfully. ... Vitaj. Statistics.—The following are the statistics for the month of November: —Births : City, 55; district, 132. Marriages • City 18; district, 11. Deaths: City, 13 • district, 31. The totals for last year were—Births, 170; marriages, 38; deaths, 50. • . ~ Inquest. — An inquest was held on Thursday at Hood's Hotel, Waikari, before Dr. Morris, coroner, on a child of Mr Banner, whicli had died from diphtheria, according to She evidence. The jury returneda verdict of " Accidental death, with a rider censuring the mother for neglect in not«ending for a doctor.

Assistant Dock Mabtmb.—Mγ Matthew Brown was yesterday elected as assistant dock master to the Harbor Board. There were nineteen applications. Attwoojd; v. D&ainaqb Board.—ln this case a claim for compensation for land taken and for damages done by the Board in their drainage operations, the arbitrators yesterday morning awarded Mr Attwood £112, the Board to pay also .£26 14a expenses. Boabd of Edtjcatioh.—This body held lan ordinary meeting yesterday afternoon, and transacted a great deal of routine business. It was resolved, on the motion lof the Eev. C. Fraser, to ask the school committees of Christchurch and Sydenham whether they intended introducing, at an early date, the compulsory clauses of the ; Education Act,

Simonsen's Ofzba Company. — The opening performance of the Simonsen Opera Company has been fixed for Wednesday nest. The opera to be played on the occasion will most probably be Maillart's "Hermit's Bell." The tariff of prices has been fixed at ss, 3a, and 2s, and the subscription tickets for twentyfour nights at J55. Selwtn. — The crops throughout the Selwyn County are looking more promising now than they have done for some seasons past, and give a prospect of a splendid harvest. If the plains are • not visited by nor'-westers the yield will be a remarkable one, as the spring has been all in favor of the farmers/ The hay crops also will be of a very good description and quantity. Accident. —An accident occurred yeaI terday at Mr C. W. Tomer's store on the South Town Belt. Mr Eobert Wilson was removing coils of American barbed wire, when he accidentally fell with one, which lacerated his leg, rupturing an artery and breaking the side bone. He was conveyed to the Hospital and treated by Dr. Guthrie. Though the injuries are awkward ones, it is trusted that Mr Wilson will ere long be able to resume his ordinary avocations.

Biocabton Spobts.—A meeting was held in the library, Upper Siccarton, on Tuesday night, to arrange for holding the annual sports. Mr J. E. Hanson was voted to the chair. It was decided to hold the sports on Thursday, the 28th December. The following gentlemen were elected a committee—Messrs Taylor, Brake, Atkins, Howison, Wood, Doell, Warburton, Hamilton, Hanson, Gregg, Button, Blythe, sen., and Mullins. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

Waikabi Athletic Spobts.—A meeting was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, on Wednesday evening, 29th November, at which it was decided to hold athletic sports, with concert and ball to follow, on New Year's Day next. It was resolved that Mr J. D. Lance be requested to act as president, and Messrs James Little and Win. Parkison as vice-presidents. A most influential committee was appointed, and a secretary and treasurer elected. The meeting then adjourned till Wednesday, December 6th. L.T.M.M.I.S.—The last meeting this year of the above society was held on Wednesday in the Wesleyan JSchoolroom, the president, the Eev. J. Hill, in the chair. The business of the evening— namely, the election of officers for the ensuing year, was proceeded with :—President, Mr J. B. Milsom ; vice-president, Mr Brown; secretary, Mr E. J. McWilliams; treasurer, Mr J. Malcomson; librarian, Mr W. Biley (re-elected). A new committee was also elected, and it was instructed to take into consideration during the recess the alteration of the name of the society as well as its by-laws. Licensing Committkbs.—The next quarterly meetings of these bodies in this district will take place as follows:—Christchurch North at the Sesident Magistrate's Court, on Friday, December Ist; Christchurch. South, at John's schoolroom, on Monday, December 4th;' Christchurch East, at the Orange Hall, Worcester street, on Tuesday, December sth j Christchurch West, St. Michael's schoolroom, on Wednesday, December 6th; Sydenham, at the Sydenham Borough Council Chambers, on Thursday, December 7th j St. Albans, at St. Albans Borough Council Chamber, on Friday, December Bth; and Avon, at the Avon Road Board office, on Saturday, December 9th. Oxfoed-Shbotibld Bailwat.— Messrs Grigg and Guild have finished their contract for the section of the Oxford-Sheffield railway on the south side of the Waimakariri bridge, and Messrs Coates have reached a point within half a mile of the bridge on the Oxford side with the laying of the rails, and are now completing the cuttings, &c, and ballasting the line where lines are laid. The latter contractors have got through the work at a very rapid I rate. A short section of less than two I miles remains to be constructed near Sheffield to complete the connection by rail between the two townships, but tenders for it are not yet called for, greatly to the disappointment of the inhabitants. Philosophical Institute.—An additional ordinary meeting of the members of the Philosophical Institute was held last evening. Professor Hutton (president) occupied the chair.- Donations of five volumes from Professor Hutton, and one volume from the Boyal Society of New South Wales were announced, a vote of thanks being accorded to the donors. The chairman reported that in consequence of the resignation of Professor J. Yon Haast from the Council, Mr G. Hogbenhad been appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr L. Cohen was nominated for membership. Papers were read by Messrs C. Chilton, J. Inglis, K. W. Fereday, E. Brown, and Professor Bickerton, after which Mr W. M. Maskell made some remarke on the report in " Nature" of ProfessorHaeckel's address to the German naturalists at Eisenach.

Entertainment.—The second entertainment in aid of the Convent building fund took place last evening at the Oddfellows* Hall, and was largely attended. The Hibernian band played a good selection of music, and the various, ladies and gentlemen taking part were very successful, nearly every item being encored. In the first part Mr Heller introduced his glee club in "The Mulligan Guards," and it was evident, from the manner in which the juveniles went through their business, that a great deal of care and trouble had been taken with them. They were loudly applauded, and had to repeat the last verse. Miss Amy Horton was very successful in her " Musical Momenta." The gem of the evening was Heir Braun's violin solo, ■" The Carnival de Venice," with variations. Miss Bowler and Mr MUburn acted as accompanyista during the evening. Abrxst or a. Teasep. —On Wednesday evening Constable Leahy arrested a man named George Ellis, formerly an inmate of the Old Men's Home, at Ashburton, who

was lying on a bundle of rags in a filthy condition in a straw stack on Mr Parnham'a farm, Ohoka road. This old-man, who has reacbed. seventy-one years, gave the home a very bad character, and said he preferred tramping the country for what little he required to keep up the spark of life. It occupied an hour for him to walk a mile to the lock-up, where he received every attention. His begging about has annoyed several of the residents, and it was said he had threatened to cut the throata of some children with a large gardener's knife, but as the parents refuse to prosecute on their statements, the authorities dealt with him as a vagrant, and by J. C. Porter, Esq., 8.M., he was j next morning sentenced to a week's im-i prisonment, and informed he must return to the home. n ' __ Gkeendale Mbthodibt Chu.bch.- —Tee Sabbath school connected with the Primitive Methodist Church, Greendale, held its anniversary on Sunday last. The sermons were preached by the minister,. Bier.. P. W. Jones, to large congregations. The prizes to the children for attendance and conduct were also distributed by him in the afternoon. The children met on Monday, and after indulging in various games took tea at 4.30. The teachers, parents, and friends sat' down at 5.30, and partook of the good things provided. The caterer for the occasion was Mr Sateon, of Kirwee, who appeared .to have given every satisfaction. The evening meeting was presidedover by the 'school snperintendent, Mr J.D. Eudd. Short addresses were given by Messrs J. P. Budd, J- W. Sawle, and Beys. Bray and B. W. Jones. Someexcellent recitaiiana and pieces werejgnrea by the teachers and scholars. • Owing to the illness of Miss Eudd, Mies Treeidder presided at the harmonium.

Elbctbic Lighting at Post.—At the meeting of the Harbor Board yesterday it wae resolved to order from Messrs Siemens Bros., of London, the requisite plant advised by Mr Meddings for electric lighting purposes onj&he wharves and at the graving dock. The lamps for the wharves will bo three in number, and of 3000----candle-power each. Mr Harman, who is visiting England shortly, was requested to see Messrs Siemens Bros, on his arrival in England with reference to the matter. Hknkvolkxt Association. —A meeting of the sub-committee of clergy and laity, to whom was referred the question of considering the constitution and rules of the Benevolent Association, took place at the rooms yesterday. The chair was occupied hy the Eev. H. C. M. Watson. The outcome of the meeting -was that the secretary was instructed to write to the various kindred associations in this colony and Australia for copies of their rules, and also any information they might be able to supply on the subject of constitution. A committee comprising the Kev3. H. C. M. "Watson, W. Morley, and Messrs "W. B. i Mitchell and Maskell, was appointed to consider the information when obtained, and report upon the same to another meeting. St. Albans Loan Proposals. — The polling for the acceptance or rejection of the loan proposals of the St. Albans Borough Council took place yesterday in the Borough Council Chambers, Papanui road. From the first it was evident that but little interest was taken in the matter, and as the day wore on there were unnristake&ble signs that the required number of buigesses would not record their votes. Th total number of votes on the ratepayers' roll is stated as being 745, and as the Act provides that a majority of the whole voting power of a district must be recorded in favor of any" loan proposal, at least 373 affirmative votes were needed to give it effect. The total votes polled were 24.2. Of these 124 were for, and 118 against the loan. No official declaration of the poll was mad*». The doore were closed at cix o'clock, shortly after which hour about twenty ratepayers gathered round the polling place waiting to learn the result, but they were disappointed. The figures quoted above, not officially given, were . obtained from a reliable source.

Public Meeting at Stjdknhak. — A meeting of ratepayers was held Jast night at the Oddf ellowa' Hall, Sydenham, to consider the action of the Borough Council in sanctioning an expenditure for the purchasing of lani to extend Gordon street, so as to open out a thoroughfare from Gasworks road to Colombo road. Mr John Joyce, the Mayor, occupied the chair, and there were about 200 burgesses present. The Chairman stated the reason of the .meeting, and read a letter from Mr Joseph

Gould, on behalf of Mr Stead, protesting against any repudiation of a contract which he said the Council had made with that gentleman, viz.—that he should give to the Council a strip of hind on Goings' road in consideration of their purchasing other land to make a thoroughfare. The letter went on to say that Mr Stead had done his part faithfully, and he thought there was most unreasonable delay on the part of the Council in doing theirs. The Mayor explained that in pursuance of the agreement above named an expenditure had been authorised by an almost unanimous vote for the acquisition of hind, and some had been acquired, while yet more was wanted. Mr Muffett stating, in a long speech, that the expenditure would be about .£4BO, and the matter had been dealt with chiefly in committee by the

Council, proposed a motion condemning

the action of tbe Council. This was seconded and carried by a> large majority. Mr Jones moved a resolution censuring the

Council for their hasty action in voting money in the face of a requisition, handed to the Mayor asking' him to call the present meeting. Mr Nairn proposed as an amendment, and it was seconded—"That in the opinion of this meeting the dignity of the Council should be upheld." Several long and heated speeches were made, the result being that the resolution and the amendment were rejected, and a vote of thanks to the chair brought a somewhat noisy meeting to a close.

AaBICtrtiTtTBAL AND PaBTOBAI. ASSOCIATION. —The usual monthly meeting , of the committee of the above will be held at 2 p.m. to-day. . Comic Almanac—We have received a copy of the " Canterbury Comic Almanac," published by Hr J. C. Duncan, of Ashburton. The little volume is a novelty in its way, and contains a quantity of humorous and other interesting information. Entertainment.—The entertainment at the Avonside schoolroom to-night, which is referred to in our advertising columns, should be a great success. The programme comprises music and readings by wellknown amateurs, and concludes with the laughable farce "lei on parleFrancais," in. which several ladies have kindly promised their assistance.