NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6055, 11 February 1885, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Organ Becital. —Mr Towsey, organist of St. John's, has determined to give his promise! organ recital on Tuesday next in St. John's Church.

Licensing Cohkittbb Elections.—The nominations for the North-West and South-West Wards in connection with the annual election of Licensing Committees will close at noon to-day, at the City Council office and St. Michael's eohoolroom respectively. Pbizb Fibtng.— The following are the highest scorers in the prize firing made by the Ashburton Bifiee at their shooting yesterday :—Private Marshall, 41; Bogler Savage, 33; Captain Douglas, 28; Lieut. Foots, 27; Lieut. Dolman, 25 j Corporal Leitch, 25; Sergeant McDonald, 23. Annual MeariNGe.— The annual meetings of the Canterbury Saleyards Company ana of the Canterbury Building Society were held last night. In connection with the first a dividend of 8 per cent!, for the half year was declared, making 14 per cent, for the ye»r, and in the latter a dividend of nearly 8| per cent for the year was announced.

Harassing At.itmib.—The chemical en* gine was turned oat again last night for a gone fire in Sydenham. These fires are getting numerous again, and impose an annoying tax on the Brigade. They might be avoided if the example of St. Alb&ns were followed by Sydenham, and residents gave notice tp the nearest alarm-station of their intention to born gone, His Excxujcncy the Govxkbob. —A special train which left Christchorch at 9 o clock yesterday morning, had on board His - Excellency the Governor and his private secretary. His excellency, who is expected to be back on Thursday, was a passenger to Danedin, where he opens the new High School for boys. Thmatm Botal.—Mr Q. W. Geddes, the advance agent of the Fan on the Bristol Company, arrived yesterday from Wellington to make the necessary arrangements for the opening of the season here. The Company, which haa been exceedingly successful in "Wellington, will open here on Monday, the 16th inst.

Swimkisg.—At a recent meeting o£ the East Christchurch Swimming Club arrangements were made for members holding tickets to have the use of the bath until the end of the. season. . •" .. Botctnra.—The contest for the President's cap, in connection with the Canterbury Bowling dab, was concluded on Monday, when Mesera Stewart and Hale played off their draw. The scores at the close of the game stood—Stewart 21, Hale 10. Mr Stewart, therefore, becomes the winner of the cop. AuHBtTBTON Bxexbs. —Captain and Adjutant Stewart Newall inspectedtheAahburton Bifles on Monday evening. There was a grand attendance of all ranks, and the Adjutant expressed himself as highly pleased with the men's work, after the officera and Sergeant-Major Finn had put them through various exercises. The Hawkins Eivbb.—A large traffic bridge over the Hawkins Eiver is shortly to be commenced at Sheffield. It will give access to the southern aide of the river, and will also be of service as an outlet either by dray or rail for the coalpits, the i intention being to build it etrong enough for both purposes. The Cbops.—The crops in the Kimberley and Courtenay districts are suffering considerably from the effects of a strong north-west breeze that has been blowing for several days past. The wind being warm ha 3 brought on the ripening at a fast rate to the detriment of the farmers, some of whom say they have lost as much as six to eight bushels per acre of their oat crop. The wheat not being so far advanced has not suffered bo much, but under the influence of the hot weather is getting into a very forward state. Baptist Chubch, Oxtobd Tsbback.— The anniversary tea and public meeting in connection with the church were held hist evening with successful results. The tea, which wa3 provided in a commendable manner, was partaken of by many visitors whose number was increased at the public meeting. At the latter the Bey. Mr Dolomore occupied the chair, and in addition to his address, speeches were delivered by Beys. DaUaston (pastor), Standring, C. C. Brown, Hoatson and Bray. The Secretary and Treasurer's reports were of a satisfactory description. Ashbtoton Distbict Cotjbt.— Judge Ward sat for a short time in Ashburton yesterday. The business he transacted vras all bankruptcy business. John Scrimgeour and G. A. Vincent obtained discharge orders, S. Trevurza's application was adjourned, and C. "W. Ireland's wa3 struck off the list. Wm. Broker's public examination was declared closed, and J. A. Persson's adjourned. Orders for costs were granted in John Scrimgeour'e and 6. A. Vincent's estates, and next Court day was fixed for James Gudsell to apply for discharge.

Masonic—At the last regular meeting of the Robert Burns Lodge, No. 60*, S.C., it was resolved to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the foundation of the Lodge —which takes place on February 24th— by a social re-union instead of the usual banquet. The re-union, which will be held in the Canterbury Masonic Hall, will be open to members of other Lodges, and no doubt a huge number of brethren will take advantage of the occasion to. be preseat. A very strong Committee has been formed, and generally the affair promisee to be a great success.

Sydenham Loan. —A meeting of ratepayers in Add ing ton was held last night, to discuss the loan proposals of the Sydenham Council. About thirty were present, and the Mayor, who occupied the chair, supported by members of the Council, explained the proposals. Mr Bowden moved —" That this meeting approves of the proposal to raise a loan of .£25,000." Mr G. T. Booth seconded the motion. Mr Crowley moved an amendment—" That the matter of a loan should be deferred till the Bating Act could be amended, to allow of permanent works being charged to owners of the frontages abutting on them." The amendment was lost, and the motion was then carried with one dissentient. Eangioea Magistrate's Cottbt. —At the Bangiora Magistrate's Court yester-

Ivory, Esqe.), a renewal of license to slaughter cattle was granted to G. Watson, Southbxook; an application by the police for a protection order against J. Whiteside was adjourned till Thursday. J. B. Downes v W. Fitzgerald, £6 15s; judgment for plaintiff j S. Moody v 1». Niven, £20 j Mr Gresson for plaintiff, and Mr Spaolnnan for defendant. The claim was for value of a mare accidentally shot by .defendant. Judgment was given for plaintiff for £16, the price which it was shown he had purchased the horse at auction.

-Gbooxrs* Picnic. — Cathedral equare presented an animated appearance at a quarter past nine yesterday morning. The grocers rallied up for their picnic so well that there were more than thirty vehicles on the ground, many of them decorated with floral wreaths, and all beautified by the presence of the fairer half of humanity. Large waggonettes were most numerous, so that the number of picnicers must have been very great. The procession when formed was headed by the banner-bearer, after whom came Terrell's drag, drawn by four white horses, and containing the Stanmore Band, whose sweet strains beguiled the time spent in drawing up the procession. The rear of this was brought up by a cavalcade of a number of horsemen, and thus arranged the grocers' picnic presented an imposing appearance as it went through the streets before starting for' Lansdown.

PoultbyAssociation.—A special general meeting of members of the Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon, Canary, and Cat Society, was held at the Shades last evening. Mr W. G. Walker, Vice-President of the Society, occupied the chair. On the motion of Mr A. Walker, seconded by Mr Evans,it was resolved— , ' That the Trustees of the Society be Messrs George Gould, Edward Strange, and W. G. Walker, and .that in case of a vacancy occurring either by death, resignation, or absence from the colony for twelve months, the same to t>3 filled at a special general meeting called for that purpose." Mr Whiteaide proposed, and Mr Bitehie seconded, the following new rule, which was carried—" That the whole property of the Society shall be vested in the Trustees now elected, and for the purposes of the Society, that no alteration of the trust shall be effected unless by resolution of a majority of two-thirds of the members of the Society, who must be present at a general meeting of the Society to be called for that purpose in accordance with rule l<1; that should there be at any annual meeting a profit exceeding £50 after discharging all current liabilities and prize money, the said profit shall be invested in the name of Trustees for the benefit of toe Society/ ,

PourncAi.— Mr F. J. Garrick, M.H.B. for St. Albans, addressee his constituents at the Merivale Schoolroom to-morrow evening, at 7.30. SOUTHBBN CROSS PETBOLEtJM COMPANY. —The »tmii»V general meeting of the above will take place at the rooms of the A gricultural and Pastoral Association, at 7.30 p.m. to-morrew.

Musical.—A series of three concerts is announced to take place at the Oddfellows' Hall on the 19th, 20th and 21st inst. They will be given by the Stanley family. Coubbing.—The opening meeting of the Plumpton Coursing Club will take place on April 23rd and 24th. The entries for the Derby and Oaks close on the 12th March, and for the April Cup on the 21st April ao the Empire Hotel. A Lovblt Chaput—A late fashion report says—"Nothing can be prettier than a chapiet of toe hop vines in blossom." j A recent medical review says, "Nothing can be a better renovator of the health than Hop Bitters. They aid in all the operations of nature; toning up the stomach, assisting the food to become properly assimilated, and promote healthy '' action in all the organs. The dictates of faahfan, as well as the laws of health, alike favor a right application of hops. Bead.— , fADVT.T Mothers Don't Know. — How many children are punished for being uncouth, wilful and indifferent to instructions or reward, simply because they are out of health! An intelligent lady said of a child of this kind: "Mother don't know that sh» should give the little one moderate doses of Hop Bitters for two or three weeks, and the child would be all a parent could desire." Look for.—fAovr.]

Fmiale Bjottgb.—The annua meeting of eabscribers to the Female .Kefuge mfl take place at the City Council office at 4 p.m. to-day. '

Ths Fbxnch in Tonqthn.—■The French Expeditionary Force in Tonquin is stated to be hemmed in on all aides by the Chinese. A French correapondent in that country writes that document? have been discovered chawing the duplicity of toe Court at Hue, which ie strongly antiFrench, notwithstanding its prof essiona of friendship. Large rewards have been conferred upon the men who kffled Captain Biviere. The Boman Catholic Bishop m Western Tonquin bitterly oomplaias that ten months after the massacre of ,the Christians no reparation had been made. A telegram received in Paris oh December 30th, from General Briere de l'lsle, states that he had been fighting for eevera! daya with pirates in the environs of Hong Ten. The French sustained no losses, but 800 of the enemy were killed and wounded, and two guns taken.Cbkmatioh in Swsdkn.—The Swedes have long favored cremation, but hitherto their efforts to obtain from their authorities the sanction for building a crematorium at Stockholm has been unsuccessful. At the the last meeting of the Swedish Cremation Society, however, the President, Lieuten-ant-General KLingenstierna, announced that arrangements had been made with the Stockholm authorities for erecting a crematorium in one of the suburbs. The place chosen is a high rocky plain to the north of the city, where a wide view is obtained of the surroundings. A large plot of greund round the crematenum is to be laid out as a public park, at the expense of the town. It Is hardly likely tobe a popular promenade when a cremation is in progress. _ Thb Fbhnch in Madagascar.—ln respect to the French account of the recent operations 'in Madagascar, the " Morning Post" declares that "if these statements be correct, it is clear that the main difficulties in the way of a French marcaupon the Hova capital have been removed. Wide differences of race have always separated the Hovas, who are mainly descended from Malay settlers, and the remaining population of the island. The passage of the coast districts which separate the Hova stronghold in the province of Imerina from invaders by sea wiU be far more easily traversed with the aid of a native contingent. On the other hand, the dominant race have not been leaving the leisure afforded them by the slowness of the French advance entirely unutilised. Daring blockade runners have easily escaped the eomewhat Bomnolent vigilance of the French squadron, and both cannon and email arms in large numbers have reached the Hova army, whichis alsounderstood to possess the advantage of English instructors. The French have publicly threatened to haug any Englishman whom they may find in command of Hova forces, but the proverbial difficulty about 'catching a Tartar* is too obvious to necessitate a lengthy notice of this menace/ Thb English Pbbjotr.—The seventyfifth birthday of the Premier was celebrated at Hawarden on December 29th. At intervals during the day the bells of Hawarden Church rang merry peals in honor of the occasion, and as Mr Gladstone walked to and from church he was congratulated by his tenants and neighbours. Mr Gladstone seemed as fresh and as hale as he has done at any period during the last four years, and faced the biting easterly wind at eight o'clock in the morning with no other protection than that afforded by a shawl loosely thrown over his shoulders. The " Times," in a leader on the event, remarks that it may be said without reserve or misgiving that the anniversary is consecrated by- the congratulations and kindly wishes of a whole people. True it is that few Ministers have aroused in the breasts of opponents so much bitterness of feeling as the present Premier; but the very strength of this sentiment is a testimony to the powers of the man, and, outside the arena of political strife, it has, we rejoice to believe, no prevailing force. Englishmen, we trust, know how to fight their battles in a manly and loyal spirit,

easily forget ana xorgive aeteate ot wnicn they have no reason to be ashamed, and they are always ready to honor the high qualities of a stout and valiant antagonist. So we are sure the overwhelming majority of Mr Gladstone's party foes will join cordially with his followers in wishing him joy on the attainment of an almost patriarchal age, not only without any apparent diminution, of his physical and intellectual energies, but with. a positive i lciease bothinhiapreecriptiveauthorityand in his active influence over other minds.

Lobd WoLfflH.sr'B Aotancb. — The " Daily News " saye:—" The utmost that Lord Tyblseley can expect {com the Arabs is neutrality—a neutrality, however, •which, in the event of an English reverse, would become hostility. Moreover, the Mahdi'a own position now appears to be stronger than ever. One reason is that the ingathering of the harvests has re? pleniahed His Holiness' commissariat. There is another reason—upon which we are reluctant to dwell, but which must be taken into account; it is to be found in Cairo intrigues. Not only has the Mahdi been kept well informed of our move* mente, but he has been encouraged to resist. We may feel pretty sure that steps have already been taken, to convey the impression to the Mahdi that the European Powers.mean to etep in between England and Egypt; the proposals of a change in the constitution of the Caisse might very well afford the opportunity for a tnck-of this sort. The " Daily Telegraph" says:—" Should it prove correct that the Mahdi is in force sufficient to cut off Khartoum, patrol the road to Metemmah, and hold Berber—probably the most important of all the intermediate places— the difficulties besetting Lord Wolseley'e task will be considerably increased. He, however, is on the spot, has far better means of knowing the truth than anyone else, is a man of great inventive* ] ness, and as coal and cheerful a captain as j ever directed a host. Thus, although the golden days for a Nile expedition to Khartoum were deplorably wasted, and the army, so severely tried, is late on the edge of the ground where the decisive moves must be made, yet we may have faith in the General and his stout picked soldiers, confident that he and they will spare nothing to serve their country, save its j honor, and rescue a brave and mueh-endur-. ing comrade from the deadly perils by which he has been so long surrounded." Thh Cobn Laws in Fbancb.— The French Cabinet have decided on proposing : an additional duty of 2f. per quintal on foreign wheat, which added to the present \ sixty centimes, is upwards of 12 per cent, oa its average value.- At the same time the Paris correspondent of. the. , ' Times" points out that there is an outcry for a reduction in the price of bread: the working classes are suffering from an industrial crisis which has thrown thousands of operatives out of work; a severe winter is expected, and riotous public meetings are held of starving wretches dependent on the very meagre charities of tneir fellows. Bread is to French people what bread and potatoes together are to English people. It forms the balk of their food, and in hard times almost their exclusive food. " If," the correspondent adds, " the proposed duty were intended to save any class of Frenchmen from utter ruin this step would have a faint palliative, but it has no such excuse. The peasant proprietors, who form such a large proportion of the landowners of Fiance, almost entirely absorb the pro luce from their o<ra land. Their small surplus of produce is scarcely affected by foreign competition, and if it were, the only Hardship for them would be that the dowries of their daughters would accumulate a little more slowly than they might wish. The man who does suffer from competition is the large landowner, since he is obliged to reduce the rent of his farms in order to find a tenant for them. Rents have had to be reduced all over France, and the incomes of the owners have been curtailed. There is, however, another consideration which the Government ha 3 altogether neglected. It is that a rise in the price of food entails a demand for a rise in the rate of wages, which in turn leads to strikes and trade disturbances, and these eventual'y result in the rise demanded, and an increase in the cost of production."