NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5860, 25 June 1884, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sporting.—Owners of horsee are reminded that the acceptances for the Flumpton Park races close this evening at the Shades.

Chambeb Sittings. — His Honor Mr Justice Johnston sat in chambers yesterday, and disposed of the applications set down.

Theatre Boyai,.—The benefit whichhas been projected for an old citizen takes place to morrow evening at the Theatre Royal, when " Time and the Hour " and " Boots at the Swan " will be produced. Masonic.—The brethren of the St. Augustine Lodge, No. 609, E.C., celebrated the festival of St. John the Baptist last evening at their hall, Manchester street, when there was a goodly gathering of the craft, including a number of visitors from sister lodges and constitutions. 1.0.0.P., M.U., Bangioba.—At the halfyearly meeting on Monday, Bro. Witham was elected N.G., Bro. W. Smith V.G., and Bro. W. Wilson E.S. The evening's receipts were J677 9a Bd. In the Junior Lodge, Bro. F. Sendall was elected N.G., Bro. Barlow V.G.. and Bro. T. Ker E.S.

A.O.P.—The Court Woodford, Kaiapoi, held its quarterly meeting on Monday, June 23rd, when were was a large attendance of the brothers present. Three candidates were initiated, and two proposed for initiation at next meeting. The receipts of the evening amounted to £49 3s 6d.

Pebpokmancb Stopped.—The exhibition of slack wire walking at the Oddfellows' Hall was Btopped by the police last night. The eldest girl and youngest boy of Mr Anderson's family, aged respectively ten and four years, fell off the wire and hurt themselves slightly. The girl had finished her day's walk againet time shortly before, and her father sow proposed to let her return to the track. This, however, the police would not allow either. Personal. —Mr Isaac Wilson, late M.H.B. fer Kaiapoi, and who for some weeks has been a resident of Lyttelton, hoping to there recruifc'bis health, was removed yesterday to this city. The stay at Port to an extent proved beneficial, but Mr Wilson was advised to undergo a galvanic treatment, which it is largely hoped will restore him to a much, improved state of health.

Wbathbb Exchangb.—New ZealandDecrease of pressure in the South, but high tone generally ; N.E. winds ; gloomy weather and passing showers. Australia— Low pressure approaching from the west generally; showery and wind S.W. Barometer — BosEoll, 30.1; Wellington and Bluff, 29.9 ; Albany, 29.8; Hobart, 30.1; Portland, 30.0; Sydney, 50.3.

Thb Lath Mb Wilfobd Smith. — A large number of the residents of Lyttelton and of this city paid their last tribute of respect yesterday afternoon to the late Mr J. Wilford Smith, whose death was announced in yesterday's issue. The remains of the deceased gentleman were borne from the steamship Manapouri to the Lyttelton railway station, and were thence brought on to Christchurch by the 2 p.m. train. The funeral cortege, numbering some twenty-five carriages, proceeded to the Addington Cemetery, where the remains were interred.

Cat Show.—The entries for the Cat Show in connection with the Poultry Society, closed last night. The following shows the number of entries made in the different classes:— Tortoiseshell and white, 5; brown tabby, 12 5 auy other variety tabby, 10; blue or silver tabby, 8 ; black, 5; white, 35; any other color, 5; Manx, 5; largest cat, any color, to be judged by weight, 9; French, any color, 1 ; Angora, 8; Persian, 2. Total—73 cats. It may be noted that the cats will only be exhibited on Thursday, the second day of the Show, and must be placed in the Oddfellows' Hall by 9 a.m. of that day. Confibmations.—The Most Eev. the Primate held a confirmation at St. John's, Hororata, on Sunday morning, the 22nd inst., when ten candidates (five male and five female) were presented. In the afternoon his Lordship administered the sacred rite to nineteen candidates (five male and fourteen female) in the church of St. Ambrose, Sheffield. The candidates in both instances were presented by the Eev. W. S. Bean, the curate of the district. At botl churches there were crowdsd congregations.

Bubnhah.—The new District School was opened at Burnham yesterday (Tuesday) by Mr E. J. Collins, who has been put in charge by the Board of Education pending the arrival of Mr Bussell from Wainui School. Mr Bussell haying to give his Committee a month's notice, will not be able to take over the Burnham School until that time expires. There was only a small muster of children at the opening, owing partly to the shortness of the notice, and partly to the state of the roads and weather, but it is expected now that the school is opened, parents will at once avail themselves of the opportunity they have so urgently desired.

Conveesazionb.—An enthusiastic meeting of ladies interested in the conversazione on Thursday was held in St. John's schoolroom yesterday afternoon. There was a large attendance, and final arrangements for this gathering were made. Offers of curios, works of art, scientific apparatus, and other works of interest were received from many sources. It was resolved to collect them to-day, and that the ladies and members of the vestry should meet in the schoolroom to-night for the purpose of arranging them. Two hundred and fifty tickets were reported as disposed of,- so that a large gathering may be anticipated on Thursday. Among those contributing songs are Mies Mason, Mr Boyd, Mr Newbury. Among the instrumental pieces will be a trio, consisting of harp, cornet, and piano. The Bey. J. O'Brien Hoare will also deliver an address.

Theatrical.—The Williamson Opera Company were to open last night at Brisbane in " La Fille dv Tambour Major/ for a season of five weeks. At its conclusion the company return to Sydney, and during their season in that city it is intended to produce Luscombe SeareU'a opera of "Estrella/ , and that of "The Merry Duchess." The latter is an adaption of the drama of " Flying Scud," and the action of the opera is therefore of the turf—turfy. The lady choristers appear as jockeys, and the male as dadea. Mr Williamson, it may be noted, leaves for England almost directly, in search of novelties for the spring and summer campaign. Mr Musgrove will remain in Melbourne as manager, while Mr earner goes on travel with the opera company. The dramatic company in connection with the triumvirate visit New Zealand in December next, opening at Dunedln on Boxing Night. The novelties promised are " The Silver King " and " Impulse."

The Skating Binx.—The rink at the Queen's Theatre -was well attended by skaters last night. It will be open again this evening. Obangeism.—At a meeting of the Leyal Orange Lodge, Kaiapoi, No. 10, on Monday evening, it was decided to celebrate the anniversary by a dinner and ball on July 14th.

AcKNOWLEDeMHNT. —The Mayor deares to acknowledge the receipt of a cheque for jBIO for charitable objects from E. B. Bishop; and also of £1 from Messrs Pope for the Young Men's Club. Lwjal.—A sitting in bankruptcy under the Debtors and Creditors Act of 1576 and the Bankruptcy Act of 1883 will be held at 11 a.m. to-day before bis Honor Mr Justice Johnston. The usual banco sitting, for which there Is a formidable looking list of applications set down, will also take place to-day, following upon the bankruptcy Band of Hopb.—A meeting of the Church, of Chriet Band of Hope was held on Monday evening last, in the Church, comer of Durham street and South belt, Mr H. Hannam in tie chair. There was a good attendance of members and friends, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. The following contributed to the enjoyment of the meeting : — Messrs Taylor and F. Greenwood, with short addresses; Mrs Squires, a song; Misses Manifold and Copley, a duetj Mise Bennett, Mrs Bennett, Miss McJerrow, MiBS Manifeld, W. Cox and C. Williams, recitations, and a reading by A. Haberfield. Daring the evening eight came forward and signed the pledge. Thb Potjltby Show. — The Committee of the Poultry Show held a meeting at Warner's Hotel on Monday evening, at which the Vice-President, Mr E. Strange, occupied the chair. It was stated by the Secretary that several addi-tionaJ-special pri zes had been offered. The tender of Mr Gough. was accepted for twenty-two pigeon pens, and a communication was read from Mrs DampierCrosaley, who expressed her willingness to act as a judge of cata. It was agreed to ask Messrs Walker and Deacon to act as j judges of the Antwerps, and after eating a sum of money for the purchase of prizes for the art union, the Committee adjourned. By Monday's post the Secretary received six more entries in the poultry classes, making the total number of exhibits up to 612. This, with 73 cats, brings up the grand total of the exhibition to 685 exhibits. Lyttelton E.M. Coubt.—At the Lyttelton R.M. Court yesterday morning, before J. T. House and P. Bonalds, Esqrs., J.P.s, a lad named Bannerman, ! one of the apprentices belonging to the I ship City of Sparta, was proved to have - refusefl to go on board the ship when erdered to do so by the master. Captain Johnson. Serjeant J. T. Mason and Mr James Malcolmsoa corroborated the evidence of the master to the effect that the youth was most abusive, and was inciting his mates on board to rebel. As the ship would be ready for sea in about ten days, the Court sentenced him to one month's imprisonment, to be put on board when the vessel was ready for sea. Two men named Wilson tried to get a free passage to Auckland by crowding themselves in amongst the cargo of potatoes on board the Devenport. They were dismissed with a caution. J. McWilliam and H. Anderson, for leaving the barque Port Adelaide, were upon the application of Captain Lawson ordered on board. J. Priestly, also absent from the same ship without leave, was ordered on board. Sefton.—The annnal meeting of the shareholders of the Sefton Town Hall Company was held on Monday night. There w«3 a fair attendance of shareholders. The President (Mr Wheeler) was in the chair. The Secretary (Mr Balph) read the balance sheet, which showed that after paying .£2O off the mortgage there was left a credit ba l ance of £38 pounds, which was considered very satisfactory. On the motion of Mr McLean, seconded by Mr Vallance, the balance sheet as read was adopted. It was resolved that the interest due on mortgage to date be paid, and that £20 of the principal be paid on Ist July, which will still leave a debt of £70, which it is hoped will very soon be paid off. A number of accounts were passed for payment. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the retiring directors, as also a well merited vote to retiring Secretary, Mr Ealph, under whose able management; the above results had been obtained. Mr Balph accepted the ; vote> stating that he found a deal of pleasure at the success which had attended his efforts. The real business of the meeting was then proceeded with, viz., the electing of directors in the room of those retiring, Mr Mathers and Mr Vallance, who" were re-elected. On the motion of Mr McLean, seconded by Mr Balph, Mr Barolay was elected in place of Mr Stack who had resigned. On.the motion of Mr Mathers, seconded by Mr McLean, Mr Wheeler was re-elected President, and Mr Balph Secretary. It was resolved that the President and Secretary and Mr McLean sign cheques, and: also that the directors meet on the first Monday of every month. After a vote of thanks to the President the meeting adjourned.

Akatbttb Athletic Clxtb. — The adjourned general meeting of the above will be held to-morrow evening at Warner's Hotel.

Electoeal—A meeting of Sir Julias Vogel's Committee will be held atTembs' buildings, Cathedral square, to-morrow evening. As will be seen by telegram published elsewhere, Sir Julius Vogel states that he has relinquished any intention of coming forward for any other electorate but Christchurch North.

Industbiai. Association. — A general meeting of the members of the above will be held at their rooms to-morrow evening, when a paper will be read by Mr C. M. Gray on n Industries in Victoria." Tub Chttbch of England Temperancb Society.—The Primate will preach the first of a series of quarterly sermons in aid of the objects of the above Society ten morrow evening, at the Cathedral. A collection will be made in aid of the Society. The Life of an M.P. —An M.P. deploring the evil effects of London habits on the health, said that were it not for the Hop Bitters he could not live through with the irregular hears he was forced to keep. Said he—" As soon as I feel weak and exhausted from long night sessions and meals at irregular hours, I resort to my Hop Bitters instead of stimulants. They re- , gulate my bowels and keep |my appetite good, my brain clear, and my strength anil health are preserved." See. [Advt.J Alcoholic Fatuity.—The chronic debauchee feels that he positively cannot exist without his alcoholic stimulation. To quit drinking or to continue the habit brings death all the same. Such a man can find in Hop Bitters, properly used, a perfect panacea for the drunkard's cure. Bead. [Advt.l