NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 6905, 10 November 1887, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Bali..—The Heathcote Volunteers will gve a ball this evening in the Oddfellows' all, Woolston. Agricultural Machinery. —- Messrs i Reid and Gray, of Dunedin, &c» have issued an illustrated catalogue of agricull tural machinery manufactured by them, - which no doubt during the forthcoming show will be eagerly perused by tanners. ; CBEisTGHDKcn Rifle Club.—On Saturb day this Club will fire a match with the College BAQes on the Club range. The " following gentlemen will represent the i Club, leaving the office at L3O p.m. sharp: 3 —Messrs Bashford, Scull, Dougall, Fox, ' Gray, Jones; J. Scott, Sandford, E. R. " Anderson, C. A. Lees. Emergencies— 3 Messrs Hackworth and J. A. Tait. l Proposed "Volunteer Review.—On Wednesday Lieut.-C6L Lean, Majors 3 Newair and Slater, and Captain Martin i inspected the country north of Kaiapoi for a suitable ground for holding the general review of Volunteers on December 16th, ■ and also for a sham fight and engagement - with a supposed enemy in the bay off the i entrance of the Waimakariri. The result of the visit'will be made known as soon as ■ possible. Ashburton Gas Company.—At the annual general meeting of the Ashburton 3 Gas Company yesterday the report and t balance-sheet, the former recommending a I dividend of 8 per cent., "were adopted. » Messrs Bullock, Douglas, and R. Fried- ' lander, the retiring "Directors, were re--5 elected. The Circus.—The welcome -change in the weather produced an equally welcome l addition to the number of visitors to the Circus last night. The various items on a good programme were gone through ill a manner Which elicited loud'and frequent i applause. To-night a very attractive pros gramme will be presented, an das a number of visitors will no doubt throng into the " city for the show, there should be a large t attendance. , St. Peters Church, Fkbivt Road.— ' The sale of workin this' church was carried ! on yesterday with increasing interest. It I will be continued to-day from two o'clock, and it is hoped the friends of the cause * may turn out in large numbers to buy up i what may remain of the various useful r articles, which are being offered at very moderate prices. The concert, which is ' expected to be very attractive, begins Q.t l 7.30 o'clock this evening. I CHHISTCttURCH MINISTERS , ASSOCIATION. —The monthly meeting of this Asso- '. ciation took place on Monday last in t Durham street Wesleyan Church. An earnest and thoughtful paper on "Ministerial Responsibility ior Soul "Winning" ■ was read by Rev. Win. Ready, on which a ! free discussion ensued by the members ' present- The Committee appointed to con- ' sider the present state of the law on the ! subject of gambling gave in their report, i and it was agreed that the ministers should . call attention to this prevailing vice in j their several churches on the last Sabbath 'of the present month, and that a public meeting be held on the Monday following, particulars of which will be duly advertised. It is hoped that absent members ' will be careful to carry out this suggestion. , _ _ _ Obaxge CELEKRATicnsr. — The L..0.L. No. 1, Lytteltoa, held their usual_ celei bration in commemoration of the sth of • November, in the Scotch school on the ' evening of November Bth. There was a large number of members, including seveI ralirom England and Christchurch, and • their lady friends present. The R.W.M. Bro. W. A. Williams occupied the chair. Bro. Peason, in the absence of the W.N., i filled the vice-chair. An excellent repast had been provided, and much credit is due to the following ladies for the artistic manner in which the tables were set out, Mesdames E. Thompson, Pearson, and . Williams. A roost bountiful repast having been served up, the usual loyal and ' other toasts were proposed, and songs : were sung, recitations and addresses delivered, and other amusements provided, and after an extensive programme had been exhausted, the gathering broke up, all secmini; to have thoroughly enjoyed them- _ selves.

B azaab, — The Primitive Metfcodirt Church Bazaar, which J* to be held to WP Oddfellows' Hall during the remaining three days of this week, wifi be'opened at two o'clock this afternoon by his ship the Mayor. Th* Sydenham brass band will play selections during tfae.evenlng, and a tea will be provided on Friday. LKnHFrKLD.—At a meeting held at Mr Franks' residence it was unanimously decided to form a cricket dub at LeitfaiieW, when twenty-one entered their names as members, and Mr VTm. Foster was appointed as Captain, and Mr J. Milner Secretary and Treasurer. Russkix's Flat.—A meeting was held in the schoolroom on Wednesday, and, when a cricket club was formed. It was decided that the Club he called the Russell's Flat Cricket Club. Mr Hugh Robertson was appointed Treasurer, and Mr J. M'Gillivray Secretary. The opening match wa§ played on Saturday, when a number of cricketers put in their appearance, and passed a very enjoyable afternoon.

AMeetisg of Ptjjamitebs.—A meeting under the auspices of the Sons of Ireland, a new dynamite society, was held at Cooper Union on the 21st September. About 400 people were present. Violent speeches were made by Professor Mezzcroff, a Russian Nihilist, and others, and an address was circulated opposing constitutional agitation, and appealing lor friends to support MezzcrofTs dynamite college, whose object is to prepare young Irishmen to free Ireland by blowing np London and other English cities. Catholic Literary Society. — The second concert under the auspices of tul* Society was given in the OddfelLowe' Hall last night to an appreciative audience. Songs, dances and comic selection? were contributed, and the latter evoked a deal of laughter. The performers were Mesas Maurice, Zohnn, Kolinz, Mohr, Sinclair, Dickey and Shott Bros. Mr T. Fleming conducted the orchestra.

Entertainment at Stpenham.—An entertainment iv connection with Sydenham Presbyterian Church was given m the Oddfellows' Hall, Colombo roaa, on Tuesday evening, when a most attractive programme was gone through in a highly creditable manner. The Jtfisses Ifcotia Buttonand Sealeacontritrated severalitems in pleasing style, and well deserved the hearty applause which greeted their efforts. Songs were also Riven by ta» Messrs H. S. Johnson, fficbie, fiaigq, Sheirs and Broome. Two recitations were nicely given by Mr P. Johnston, Mr W. B. McLean also played a cornet solo in a pleasing manner. The Eev. P. Mun«*o gave two excellent readings, and altogether a very enjoyable evening was spent.

Theatbe Royal.—" The Librarian " was again produced last night at the Theatre Royal to a good house. Mr Leitch, as the Rev. Robt. Sparerib, created great amusement, more particularly with his song, "The good young man who died." Tonight " His Natural Life," a dramatic adaptation of Marcus Clarke's well-known book, will be produced. To-morrow evening a triple bill is announced, including "Harbor Lights," the sketch of "Money Down," and the comedietta of " Bamboos* ling." Saturday night will close the season here.

The Metropolitan Show.—The annual show of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association will commence to-daj on the new ground. The judgins today will be of sheep, cattle, horses, pigs, ligiu horses, New Zealand manufactures, cared and preserved ineate, and dairy produce. The remainder of the exhibits will be judged to-morrow, which is the popular day of the show, and the stock sales this year will take place on Saturday at the ground. As already stated, trams will run from Cathedra) square to the ground from 10.30 a.m.

Queen's Cadets.—A battalion parade of the Queen's Cadets took place yesterday in honor of the birthday of ELB.H. Prince of Wales. The boys mustered at the Drillshe'd shortly after twelve o'clock, and subsequently were, under the command of Major Richards, marched through town, headed by their Fife and Drum Band, under Mr Bowles. The youngsters looked well in their uniforms. The band acquitted itself creditably, and the marching of the whole battalion was very good. Appended ia the parade state:—Christ's College, Captain Worthy, 42; High School, Captain Lawrence, 33; Nα 1 Queen's, Captain Ayers, 50; No. 2, Captain Hart, 40; No. 3, Captain Ritchie, 43; No. 4, Captain Kircaldie, 52; Band, Bandmaster Bowles, 39. Total, 299. CHBISfCHtTRCH PHONOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATION.—The annual general meeting of the Christchurch Phonographic Association was held in the Young Men's Christian Association rooms on Monday. There was a fairly good attendance, Mr D. Lumsden occupying the chair. The annual report and balance-sheet were read and adopted. The report showed a falling off in the number of new members. During the year examinations were held for Mr Isaac Pitman's certificates of proficiency. The examination papers were sent Home to Mr Pitman, and all the candidates were successful in passing. The library has been well patronised by the members. New books have been received from England during the year, and the regular supply of periodicals every month. The receipts amounted to £48 15s 4d, and the expenditure to £4413s Sd, leaving a credit balance of £4 Isßd. It was decided to postpone all the classes until after the Naw Year holidays, and in the meantime the member? can make use of the library. Officers were elected for the enauing year. After votes of thanks were passed to the retiring officers and the : Chairman the meeting terminated.

Masojoc.— -The ordinary meetinp of the Conyers Masonic Lodge. Wo. 19UJ, E.C., trill take place this evening in the Sydenham Hall.

DrocssAN Choral Association—A practice of tho choirs engaged in the Diocesan Choral Festival on November 24th will take place at St. John's schoolroom this evening at 7.30, Cricket.-The following will represent tho Upper Biecarton C.C. v Sydenham C.C., at Upper Riccarton, on Show morning, play to commence at 9.So:—Messrs J. Hanaos, T. Lyford, C. Taylor, W, Webb. T. Norrieey, J. Blyth, A. Lowe, F, Bpwen, R. Bqwqs, J.t Carloton and F. Whithair. Emergencies— J. Harris, B. Bueknell and H. Frost. If you want to buy or sell shares or property •send particulars to L. E Nelsou, Mortens Buildings, Hereford street, Christchurch.— [Advt.]

Rough on Catarrh corrects offensive odors at once. Complete core of worst chronic cases also unequalled as gargle for diphtheria, sore throat, fonl breath.-qADVT.J "Rouoh on" Pilks/ , — Why snflbr piles J Immediate relief and complete cure guaranteed. Ask for " Rough on Piles." Sure cure for itching, protruding, bleeding, or form of any pfles.—{Advt.]

The Wobkihg "Wombn or Exgland,— A computation just made on good data shows that there are in England now about 3.000,000 working women, of whom one-half are in domestic service; further, that half the working class families in the country are partially or wholly maintained by women, who are widows, or the wives of sick or drunken husbands, or the daughters of aged, afflicted, or dissolute parents, and that most of these latter work at extremely low wages. A Cricketing Family.—Though the Graces are a great cricketing family, the very ladies of which are said to be able to punish loose bowline, they cannot put an eleven in the field. Neither can the Steels nor the Studds. Indeed, this is a boast that only the Christopheraons, of whom one plays for Kent, can make. Every yeareleven members of this family are pitted against Blackheath. For this season the match took place on the 10th, and the Christophersons, going in first, made I#7. Their opponents were still 87. runs behind, with only three wickets to fall, when the wickets were drawn, so that the family had the best of it. Ingenious Smuggling.—A smuggling case, in which considerable ingenuity was displayed, came before the Magistrates at Great "Yarmouth recently. The steamer Wensleydale arrived in the harbor and was duly searched by Customhouse officers. One of the crew, named Salves ton, produced tobacco and cigars, asserting that he had no more. In a locker was found an accordion belonging to Salveston. This an officer attempted to play, but not being able to extract melody as anticipated, he proceeded to make an investigation of the bitch, and he then discovered a number of cigars ingeniously arranged within the instrument. The Bench imposed a fine of double the value and duty, "with costs. Automatic Machixeb. —"Automatic machines" have become so common and have been applied to so many purposes that it may seem like a gratuitous infliction upon a suffering public' to suggest that there is another use to which they could be put. In Paris there are machines which dispense tickets insuring against death or accident for! twenty-four hours after dropping a, ten-centime piece into the slit. For death or the loss of sight or two limbs 2000fr are allowed; for the loss of an arm, foot, or hand lOOOfr; and for the kiss of an eye or a finger, SOQfr; while a stated sum i is given daily for a complete incapacity for work. At railway stations, in England ! such a machine might have greater vogue than any for butter-scotch, or chocolate, or wax vestas; and although possibilities of fraud are opened up by its means, sufficient guarantees might be taken to make this particular "automaton" a popular end paying concern, - j

' Paovsiy Wbapohs.—At the cutlers' 'ftaet recently given at Sheffield, Mr E. Stanhope stated that every weapon ia stone, in the army'and also In the mjlitia, had now undergone a severe test. He considered iteertain that the contracte placed in the hands of Englieh firms would lead to the production of more efficieut arm* than some German weapons. The lesson lately learned would, -he Delieved. resoltin a periodical examination of all British arms in nse.

'* Thk Nosb Must Go."—The noee is, if we are to believe M. Ie Bee, a Frunch savant, gradually losing its power to discharge its traditional function in the caso of the civilised peoples; and when the SSQBB of smell vanishes altogether, as will infallibly be the case one day, he telfa us, the orgau itself is bound to follow its example sooner or later. It is no doubt the fact, as he points out, that the olfactory sense is ever bo niuch keener in the savage than in the civilised man, and it is reasonable to conclude that the more we progress in civilisation the duller the sense wttlgrow. Itseompleteextmction M. le Bee assures as, is a mere question of time, and it is certain that Nature ncter conserves useless organs. When the nose' loses its power of srnelUng, the nose; "must ho." Civilisation is graduallyj making us bald (about that there can be no doubt whatever), and it will be a heavy price to pay for it if wo are to lose our noses as well as oar hair. If this ever happens the civilised world will for one thing have to revise its standard of comeliness. It may be that the civilised man of the future will see no beauty in a Greek statue unless it has lost ltonose, which, it Is true, is the case with most of them.

BIHTORI'S EARLIEST EXPKKIKKOEB.— The Figaro extracie from the advance sheets of BistorFs " Memoirs," which axe to Uβ publisbed in two or three weeks' time, her account of her earlier experiences on the boards. She made her acbvd at the unusually tender age of three months, and played her part very badly, as it happened. All ahehad to do wa*> to keep qafut; but she screamed so lustily the wJUole time eke was on the stage that %h& curtain hod to be lowered before its tirni- to spare the audience the further infliction of thin novel species of "gag." Some three year* afterwords she made her lira* conscious appearance on the boards, and did uo better. The villain of the piece, who was to kidnap her, looked so particularly villainous fri hie stage make-up, that the child set up a terrible howl, and ran oil the stage abouting for her mother. She was nearly five when she nest presented herself before the footlights, &nd this time ehe scored a success, ohe was only fourteen, though ahe looked much older, ahe tells us, wnen she essayed her first great tragic rote—that of the heroine in Silvio PeUico's " Franceses da Bunini "—and won her first trinmph in the genre in which she was destined to achieve so brilliant a reputation.