NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5801, 17 April 1884, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Opera.—"Rip van Winkle" was repeated very successfully at the Theatre last night by Mr Dunning's company, and was greatly appreciated by the audience. It will be played again this evening. Oddfellows* Hall.—Professor Anderson appeared at the Oddfellows' HaU hut night in a programme in which some new feats were introduced. He gives another entertainment to-night. Rifle Match.— In, the triangular match fired on Raster Monday, the Kowai Rifle Club did not compete. The scores made by the other Clubs were:—Kaiapoi, 454 ; South Canterbury, 369.

Trinity Congregational Church.—A special meeting of. the members of the above was held last night, and the Rev. J. Hoatson was appointed to the pastorate of the church.

North Canterbury Coursing: Club.— The first meeting of this club commenced on Wednesday on Messrs Chapman's property, Springoank, and wiU be continued to-day. Bowxing.—The return match between the Christchurch and Canterbury Clubs will be played on Saturday next on the green of the former. As nearly as possible the same teams taking part in the first match wUI again compete.

Sales of Thoroughbreds.—Yesterday Messrs C. Newton and Son submitted at Miles and Co.'s Repository a number of lots of thoroughbred horses on account of weU-known owners, but biddings were by no means' brisk, and a large number of lots were passed in. At Middle Park the annual Sale of yearlings took place, but the prevailing depression had a dispiriting effect upon the prices real's d The N.Z. Shipping Company's Steamers. —The New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited, have received by hist mail a letter advising them that their three new steamships—Tongariro, Aorangi and Ruapehu—have been surveyed and found to fulfil the necessary conditions for admission to the Admiralty list of merchant ships suited for employment for State purposes, and have been accordingly entered on that list

Drainage Board Election.—The contested election of members to represent the Avon sub-district on the Christohurch Drainage Board ended as foUows : —Wm. Flesher, 121 votes; S. B. Seymour, S7 votes, and Geo. Swarm, 32 votes. Mr Flesher was therefore declared elected. Mr R.Walton had retired in favor of Mr Seymour, who exactly represented his views. Considerable interest was excited over the election, and the total number of votes poUed was, with one informal vote, 251. East Oxford.—A dramatic entertainment was recently given at the Town HaU, East Oxford, under the auspices and assisted by the Oxford Amateur Dramatic Club. There was a very good house. New and capital scenery had been painted for the occasion by Mr Parish. The ladies and gentlemen who sustained the parts in the two pieces played acquitted themselves very creditably, and well deserved the applause with which they were greeted. Ashburton R.M. Court.—At this Court yesterday, before H. C. S. Baddeley, Esq., R.M., C. Physic, G.T.Johns, J.J.Johns, W. Johns, H. Martin, W. Willcocks, and J. Finnerty were charged with stealing, at Dundas, on April 13th, a quantity of grain, value _200, the property of Samuel Saunders. The pouce prosecuted, and Mr Caygill appeared for the accused. Owing to the absence of the arresting constable, a remand was granted till Saturday next, ball being allowed, each of the accused in _40 and one surety in £20. Mr CaygUl appUed to have the drays, in which the grain now lies at the PoUce Depot, reI leased, stating that the horses and harness | had been given up, and his clients were } unable to proceed with their work without the drays. The police objected to give up possession of the drays till after the grain had been identified to the satisfaction of the Court, and Mr CaygiU's appUcation was refused. The circumstances connected with the charge of stealing the grain are somewhat peculiar and complicated, and the case is exciting great interest.

Licensino CoKMrrr_~.—The meeting of the Rangiora and Mandeville Licensing Committee was held in the Templar Hall, Rangiora, on Tuesday evening. Present— Messrs Wallace ((Jhairman), Withers, Kerr, Leech, Catehpole, Leggett, and Ivory. The Chairman brought before the meeting the business for which it was called, viz., to consider the desirability of granting licenses to show, race, and sports grounds. After a great deal of discussion it was resolved that it is inexpedient to grant licenses to the racecourse, show grounds, or places of a similar character. The meeting then terminated. Supreme Court.—The quarterly sessions of the Supreme Court were commenced yesterday, before His Honor Mr Justice Johnston. For forgery and uttering A. McMillan was sentenced to four years' penal servitude; D. B. N. Ogilvie to three years' penal servitude, and C. - F. Corrigan to a similar term, and F. S. Sayles received twelve months' hard labor for horse stealing. Charles Rouse pleaded guilty to cutting open and stealing letters from a Government mail bag. Sentence waa deferred untU Friday. The Court adjourned shortly before 5 p.m. until 10 a.m. to-day. Unlighted Vehicles.—A capsize, fortunately without serious result, happened to a man named Bamberger on Tuesday evening about seven o'clock, opposite the St. Albans poUce camp. There were no Ughts in the trap, and the driver apparently took too short a turn at Dickenson'B corner, and so came to grief. Under the care of Dr. Meikle, Bamberger recovered consciousness, and was able to . proceed home. A few minutes previously in the Crescent road a collision nearly occurred with a van load of school forms, both vehicles being without lights on a very dark and narrow part of theroad. Congregational Chtjech.—The anniversary services in connection with the Sunday School of the PhiUipstown Congregational Church were celebrated with a tea and public meeting on Tuesday night, which was held in the OddfeUows' Hall, East town belt. The tea was presided over by the ladies and friends of the congregation, and waa done fuU justice to, and the after meeting, presided over by the Rev. J. Hoatson, was weU attended. After Mr Pine, the Superintendent, had read his report, the foUowing gentlemen gave addresses —Bey. Seth Smith, Messrs Dexter, Pine, and Greenwood. A number of special hymns were weU rendered during the evening by the choir, under the direction of Mr J. Higgins. Miss Faulkner presided at the harmonium in her usual efficient style. Several of the successful scholars were presented with prizes for good attendance, and at the close a coUection was made.

Ashburton Borough Council.—The usual meeting of the above was held on Tuesday evening. Present —His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Bird, Friedlander, Harrison, Sealey, and Nelson. The debit balance at the Bank was stated to be £1123 16a 6d. In reply to some correspondence re protective works, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Harrison, seconded by Cr. Friedlander, that the matter be left in the hands of the Major to arrange with the County Council. Correspondence re the Fire Biigade caretaker's duties was referred to the Fire Brigade Committee, and Cr. Harrison remarked that he intended te bring up his usual report at the next meeting of the CouncU. In reply to a letter from the Captain of the Fire Brigade reporting a fire at the back of the Somerset stables on April 14th, Cr. Harrison said out of a total of twenty-four members, twenty were at the scene of the fire in five minutes after the alarm rung out, and owing to the promptness of the Brigade, the fire was speedUy got under. i After the transaction of some business of a

minor nature, the Council adjourned.

St. Albans Church, Ohoka. — The Easter anniversaries of this Church were commenced on Good Friday, continued on Easter Sunday, and terminated, on Tuesday bast by a harvest festival, at* which the Rev. H. V. White, of Kaiapoi, preached an impressive sermon. The church, which was neatly decorated with fiowjars and fruit by the lady members, presented a most pleasing appearance, and was filled on each occasion by congregations of earnest worshippers—an attendance which does not seem a holiday only. The harvest festival was made use of to present Miss Emma Jane Wilmot with a handsome watch and chain as a token of affectionate respect from the congregation for her services as organist during the past two years. The presentation, which was made by the Rev. F. R. Inwood, was supported by Mr F. R. Fendall, and acknowledged by Mr WUmot, who thanked the kind givers for the good fellowship he and his famUy had experienced during their stay amongst them. To the lady members of the congregation at Ohoka is no doubt owing, to a great extent, the prosperity of their parish, but the hearty good feeling felt for the cure, the Rev. F. R. Inwood, is universal, and helps most materially in the good work now carried on.

Woodend.—The members of the Wesleyan Church at Woodend having had {or some time in contemplation the buUding of a parsonage for their resident minister, held a bazaar, gift auction, &c, on Monday la3t in furtherance of that object. The locale was the District School, which had been tastefully decorated with evergreens, a large Christmas tree laden with toys, &c, to engage the attention of the juveniles, standing at the upper end of the room. The stalls, filled with choice specimens of needle, fancy, and other work, among which were many beautiful articles wrought by Mrs Thomas Wilson, of Waikuku, were presided over by Mesdames Hudson, Burpy, Burgess, Little, Rickus, Norton, Mossman, and Mies Thompson, and a brisk sale rewarded their exertions. A stall for loUies, fruit, &c, under the care of Mr John Howell, was weU patronised, as also was the bran tub under Miss Catehpole, and Christmas tree of Miss Judson. Among the amusements were the galvanic batteries and telephone under care of Mr Mossman; puff and dart, under Mr Wm. Salkeld; and "try your weight," &c, Mr Hopkins. It is satisfactory to know that while 80 much was to attract the eye, the inner man was well cared for—the refresh-ment-room was catered for and attended to by Mesdames Catehpole, Hopkins, Stanton, Hunter, and Chambers, who ably sustained their duties in that direction. The bazaar waa opened in the forenoon by the Rev. Lewis Hudson. A goodly number of visitors were present during the day and evening. The proceeds arc estimated at between £60 and -370, which may be considered very satisfactory in view of the unfavorable season.

Board op Education.—The ordinary meeting of the North Canterbury Board of Education, will be held at 3 p.m. to-day. Licensed Victuallkbs.—A special general meeting of the Canterbury Licensed Victuallers' Association is called for this day, at 7.30 p.m., at the Corn Exchange. Working Men's Club.—Profess.r Hutton will lecture on "Earthquakes" this evening in the hall of the Working Men's Club.

Cathedral. —A special service, conducted by the Rev. A. W. Hands, will be held at the Cathedral this evening, commencing at eight o'clock. Dbuids. —A meeting of this fraternity, to consider the action taken to constitute a New Zealand Grand Lodge, wUI be held at the Ten_in is Hotel this evening,at 7.30 p.m. MsETrNG of Avon Electors. —It will be observed by an advertisement in our front page that a pubUc meeting of the electors of the Avon has been called for Friday evening by the Reform Association. The meeting wUI be held at the Papanui Town HaU.

Musical Sociktt. —The first concert of the Christchurch Musical Society for the season has been fixed to take place on the 29th inste-nt in the OddfeUows' HaU. The first part will comprise the cantata " The Bride of Dunkerron/' and the second miscellaneous music.

Lecture, Working Men's Club.—Mr Graham's lecture to-night to the Working Men's Club is upon " Experiences of a London Apprentice Sixty Years Ago," not of a London printer. Sheffield Coursing Club.—lntending nominators for the Puppy (members only) and AU-aged (open) Stakes at the above meeting are reminded that nominations are due this evening, at 9 pjn., with the Secretary, Mr G. A. Keys. Wholesale Prices. You can now buy your New Millinery, Fur Capes, and all kinds of Drapery. aB above. 65 cases and bales now opened ex Fenstanton, British §aeen, and Ruapehu. CaU and inspect. .B. Church, direct importer, 161 Cashel 1 treat, Christchuroh,—rADvr.J