NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XLII, Issue 6304, 2 December 1885, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Lsoai»—His Honor Mr Justice Johnston, who has returned from tiie Court of Appeal, will sit in Banco to-day at 11 sun., and will also ait in Bankruptcy to-morrow, and Chambers on Friday. His Honor goes on circuit to Timaru on Monday next.

Oddfkllowship.—At a summoned meeting of the dry of Christchnrch Lodge, L0.0.F., M.U.. held on Monday evening, Drs. Deamer, Guthrie, and Thomas were re-elected to serve the Lodge as medical officers during the year 1886. Bros. T. GVennall and A P. Farrow were, during the evening, presented with certificates of merit for past services. Both members replied in suitable terms. Nominations were then received for the various offices to be filled at the forthcoming annual meeting. Paid Fzbb Bbxoads.—The question of forming a paid fire brigade for the town of Ashburton is to be brought up for discus--sion at the next meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council, Cr. T. Quill having given notice to that effect.

CoirvßNT Lrra. daughter of Sir F. A. Weld, late Governor of Tasmania, has recently entered a convent in England. Thb Juno Compant.—Miss Eloise Juno and her talented company appeared at the Ashburton Town Hall on Monday night, when the popular drama " Jeannie Deans'* was produced to a well filled house. Each part was well pliyed, and the piece went very Bmoothly throughout, the principals being frequently applauded to the echo. Last night the Computy appeared in tiie " Bonnie . Fishwife' Bnd " Arragh-na-Pogue." Local Boons Contbaotobs* Acr.-r-Owing to the stringent provisions of the Local Bodies Contractors' Act, Mr John Orr, has been compelled to resign his seat on the Ashburton Borough Council, a position he has filled for some years. This w the second extraordinary vacancy that hafe TSunciTsince the new Act came into forcel Municifai. Buildings. large namß ber of designs for the new muuicipafl buildings baa been sent in, and it ia said that most of them are of a veryl handsome character. A special me.-tmgl of the Council will be held on Monday! next for the purpose of making a selection from the designs sent in, after which they will be open for inspection by the public. One of the conditions imposed by the Council in connection with the competition is that the building shall be erected for 45000, it is therefore to be supposed that the designs which have been forwarded reauire-; jast completed an illuminated musical calendar, which is to be transmitted to the Indian and Colonial Exhibition. In design it ia similar to the one Bent by the same artist to the Sydney Exhibition of 187% but the details are somewhat differently worked out. In the border are given portraits of the variouß composers, and also of Patti, Alboni, Neilsen, Sims Beeves, Maas, and Santley, which are encircled with wreaths of flowers most artistically designed and finished. I a tiie body of the calendar are shown the days re3ording the death or birth of some musical celebrity. The calendar has been enclosed in a frame of native woods, which has been very well made by Mr T.Kent. As a whole, the illumination is excellent, and should attract considerable attention, even at Home, as the work of a colonial artist. Maobi Mission. —A lecture will be delivered in the Wesleyan Schoolroom, Dorbam street, this evening at- 7.30, by the Bey. W. Bowse on his " Reminiscences of Fifteen Years' 'Missionary Life at Hokiasga, among the Ngapuhi Tribe." He remained at his post during the most exciting period of the war between the disaffected tribes and the colonial forces, and thus can narrate some thrilling incidents in connection with those times, as well as many features of Maori life and character, which are of a deeply interesting nature. The lecture has already been well spoken of, and should draw a large audience. At intervals there will be a few mußical selections rendered by members of the choir, under the leadership of Mr B. Trist SearelL Cbbtificatbd Nt/bsks.—From a report in another column it will be seen that the Ambulance Association has begun to realise its plan of enrolling duly qualified nurses, though much in this direction cannot be expected till the Association can train its own students. It Bhould be understood that the certificate cannot be obtained without practical work in the wards of a hospital after the prescribed course of lectures. It is to be hoped that the new Board will render the Aesooia'ion all the facilities required for this purpose. Anew vocation thus opens for some of our young women. With regard to the uncertificated nurses, we understand that only those who are strongly recommended by the honorary medical staff will find a place on the Association's bookß. Thb Eablt Closing Movbmxnt.— B->plying to a query from the Early Closing Association, Mr John Holmes has given the following opinion -.—" In answer to your query re meaning of section 8 of the Employment of Females, Ac, Act, 1885, I am of opinion that the Council can, if it wishes, by special order, appoint Thursday as " the working day" on whioh females, young persons, and children employed in Bpecial trades or occupations, shall have their statutory half-holiday; and can abolish the Saturday half-holiday aa regards such specially employed persons only, without interfering with the Saturday half-holiday for other trades or occupations."

EXCTJBBION TO THE WaIKABI.—It is rather early in the season for the railway excursions, but there was plenty of bustle at the Christohurch Station this morning before the departure of the Waikari train. There were in all some 800 passenger?, and they were despatched in a train drawn by one of tiie large American engines. For the Dunedin excursion the Department will only issue a limited number of tickets, and will take care that everybody has a seat, thus doing their best to make the excursionists comfortable. This should make sin improvement in some of the crowded excursion trains that hare been seen between Christehurch and Dunedin.

Masonic—The installation of officers in connection with the Thistle Lodge, No. 627, S.C., took place at the Aehbnrton Masonic Hall on Monday evening. The following Worshipful Masters and Past Masters were present:—W.M. Bro. Curtis, P.M. Bro. Fooka, St. John's Lodge, E.C.; W.M. Bro. Felton, P.M. Bro. Stephenson, Somerset Lodge, 1811.JE.C.; P.M.S. Bros. Sparrow, Nelson, Macfarlane, and Beid, Thistle Lodge, 627, S.C. A large number of visiting brethren were also present. The following officers ware installed by the 8.W.D.G.M., Bro. Bey. J. Hill:— 8.W.M., Bro. J. Scaly; D.M., Bro. T. Smith; 5.M.,8r0.H. C. Williamson; S.W., Bro. J. Williams; J.W., Bro. J. Smith; S.D., Bro. F. Nokes; J.D., Bro. L. Battray; Treasurer, Bro. D. McFariane, P.M. ,- Secretary, Bro. C. Ward; 1.G., Bro. P. Battray j Tyler, Bro. B. CuUen; Organist, Bro. A. Craighead; M.C., Bro. J. Graham ; Stewards, Bro. J. Banger and Bro. J. Elliot. After the installation the Immediate P.M., Bro. J. Tait, was presented with very handsome P.M. jewels, and a very handsome marble clock was presented by the brethren of the Lodge to Bro. W. Sparrow, P.M., in recognition of the valuable services he had rendered during his term of office. Both the jewels and the clock were from the establishment of Mr Robert Murray. A banquet followed the installation, and a ball afterwards took place in the Oddfellows' Hall.

"Th« N.Z. Couhtby Joubhal."—The November number of the "Country Journal" has been issued, and is, as usual, most interesting. Mr Potto, it is gratifying to notice, is once more to the fore with one of those charmingly breezy papers "Out in the open." This time it has reference to the opening of spring, and the writer discourses most pleasantly, and at the same time instructively on the various objects of interest to be noted by a dose observer of nature in all her moods, such aa Mr Potts. He describes the various flowers and plants to be -met with at this season of the year, and concludes his paper with a most valuable table, showing the growth of no less than 116 varieties of coniferous trees from 1866 to 1885. The heads of tbe table exhibit the height, spread of branches, and girth of bole, together with a column of remarks. From the very valuable records here compiled anyone desirous of planting will be able to judge of the ' most suitable trees for planting in various localities, and it is to be hoped that others in the other parts of the colony will carry on the work there so ably begun by Mr Potts. We know absolutely nothing as yet about the best trees for New Zealand— that is, which will grow best and which it would be well to discard, as planting is now carried on more or less indiscriminately. Buch papers as that contributed by Mr Potts will therefore be of infinite value. Another important and practical paper is that on the turnip crop of Canterbury, contributed by Messrs W. B. Ivey and George Gray, which is #11 of'valuable information. Mr Farr continues his paper on the importation of salmon, and the sporting notes this month are unusually faß ana interesting. The other contents of the number fully keep up the high standard which the journal has attained to.

. Nbw Bbiqhton Tramway Cokcpaht*— The directors of the New Brighton Tramway Company have requested an in-! terview with the Committee of the City Council, to consider and decide matters connected with the extension and working of the tramway, from the Corporation cemetery to New Brighton. Bakoioba Hobticultubai. Show.—The autumn exhibition of this society takes place on Thursday nextj and, owing to the open season is expected to be one of the best that has been held for some yaars. Scab Casks.—At the Kaikoura Court on November 24tb, Walter Gibson was fined fourpenoe per head on 29,500 sheep affected with scab, or about £453, under the 28rd section of the Act for being the owner of the same. The information was laid by I the Inspector.

Bangioba Fibb Bell.—A test of the riftejggfire bell was made on Monday evening tin conjunction with the old bell, with the result that the majority of those who heard the tones of the two preferred the old one, the scuud of which could be heard much ! clearer and at a greater distance. Skfton School Comrrrrsa. —The usual 1 monthly meeting of the Sefton School ComImittee was held on Monday evening. Pre[sent —Messrs Bobertson (presiding), Pem[berton, Shaw, Bsird, Wilson, and Barclay. [Correspondence from the Board of Education, intimating that the examination of She school would take place on tiie 11th East., waa read. It was resolved to notify a Barent that if his child did not attend regularly he would be proceeded against Education Act. It was also reeolvedthat an entertainment be held in the Town Hall on the evening of Boxing Day, 26th inst., for the purpose of raising funds in aid of the children's annual treat.

and a sub-committee was appointed to arrange the details to meet every Saturday night, and also that the school be closed the whole of Christmas week.

Ashton Stjndat School.—Tlm annual treat and distribution of prizes in connection with the Ashton Sunday School (Longbeach district), took place on Friday, the 27th ult., when the school children, their teachers, and friends, assembled at Mr Ashton's farm. The usual sports were indulged is, and after a most substantial tea in the afternoon, the Bey. Mr Blake addressed the children and distributed the prizes. Mr Taylor, the Superintendent of the Schcol, then presented Mr Robert Gilmour, the Treasurer, with a very handsome inkstand, as a recognition of his services in the interests of the school.

Confirmation.—On Sunday morning His Lordship the Primate administered the rite, of confirmation to a number of candidates in St. Andrew's Church, Tinwald. In the evening. His Lordship held a confirmation service in St. Stephen's Church, Ashburton, and administered the rite of confirmation to a number of male and female candidates. The church was crowded to_ excess, and the service was most impressive, the Bishop delivering an eloquent and earnest address. The offertory amounted to nearly £4. . Banoioba Maqistbath'b Court.—At the Rangiora Magistrate's Court yesterday, before C. Whitefoord, Esq., 8.M., A. H. Cunningham, and A. Ivory, Eeqs., the following civil cases were heard:—J. Barclay v B. Truman, £23 7s, for rent and interest; judgment for plaintiff. J. Pole v Captain Cook (a Maori), £5 7s, judgment summons; order made for payment in a month, or a month's imprisonment. Luxton Bros, vD. Drown, £20. Mr Helmore, for defendant, applied for an adjournment, to allow of the attendance of a witness named Wornall, at present in Melbourne. An adjournment was granted for a week. James Miles v W. Dobson, £30, or the return of a mare and foal. Mr tipaokman for plaintiff; Mr Gresson for defendant. The action arose out cf an exchange between the parties of a mare for a horse, the latter not proving satisfactory to the plaintiff. After hearing evidence at some length, the Bench gave judgment for plaintiff for £25 or the animals to be returned, the defendant to pay cost*.

Bxsbbvx Cobps. — A meeting of the above corps wilt be held at the orderlyroom at 7.45 p m. to-morrow evening. " Ahowjca." — The rehearsals of the colonially composed opera "Angelica" continue, and are, it 1b said, very successful. The box plan, aa will be seen by advertisement, has been opened at Messrs Milner and Thompson's. ■ Good Bssoltjtioks.—At the commencement of every new year hundreds and thousands of our young men—and old as well—form resolutions for their guidance for the coming year. Many keep them while others break them. To such we wish to give a word of advice. In order to sustain your determination of leading abetter life in future you should use Hop Bitters. The judicioui use of Hop Bitters strengthens, cleanses, and pur.'fiea the stomach, bowels, blood, liver, nerves and kidnejs, and is just what you want to build up and invigorate yourself.—"Greenbußh, U.S A., Dem." Bead.—[Advt.] Thb Tidy Hotrsßwm. — The careful, tidy housewife, when giving her house its spring cleaning, should bear in mind that the dear inmates are more, precious than houses, their systems need cleansing, by purifying the blood, regulating the stomach and bowels, and she should know tbat there is nothing that will do it so surely as American Co.'a Hop Bitters; the purest and best of all medicines.— [Advt,] Sore Throat quickly yields to " Baxter's Lung Preserver." In Croup, "Baxter's Lung Preserver" operates magically, its expectorant and other properties affording speedy relief. In Whooping Cough, "Barter's Lung Preserver " is a specific. In Bronchitis and Asthma, "Baxter's Lung Preserver" affords immediate relief. —rAnvr.]