NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7124, 21 July 1888, Page 5

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Tkstkbdat's Parliament.—The stonewalling iras kept up in the House jester. daj morning till 4.20 a.m., the result being tfaat tie Hospitals Bill is killed for this session. In the Legislative Council, in the afternoon, the motion that the Government be requested to give effect to the Eeport of the Totalisator Committee was lost by 14 to 10, and the "previous question " was carried. In the House yesterday a prolonged debate took place on » motion by the Premier to the effect that GoTernment should be responsible for the Legislative Estimates, and an amendment by Mr Downie Stewart—"That the House end Speaker should continue responsible for the Legislative Estimates." The latter was ultimately carried by 39 to 25. Th c debate was somewhat acrimonious in its tone at times. ABHI.ET Election.— Mγ Alfred Saunders , meetings are notified elsewhere. Magisterial.—There was no business at the Eesident Magistrate's Court,Christchurch, yesterday. The Gbasd National. —The train arrangements in < onnection with the Grand National and Hunt Club Steeplechases appear elsewhere. Sydenham Monttt Club. — The half-

yearly general meeting of the above wilt be held on tho 27th inst., u^theTVesleyani Loan V—a meeting of the ft citizens will be held in the Oddfellows'' It Ball on August Bth, at 7.30, to consider ■ the proposal to borrow .£50,000 for the flestablishment of Municipal Gasworks. I ■-. ■ Mnrap^MK. —The next concertpf. * Tuesday next. The soloists will be Mrs D. Hunt, Mrs C. M. <iray, Mrs Palairet,

Messrs Puschell, H. Gray and T. Acland.

Okatobio ix the Cathedral.—A second performance of Bennett's cantata, "The Woman of Samaria." will be given in the Cathedral on Wednesday evening next. Anyone may obtain tickets by applying to members of the Chapter, the organist or Sidesmen of the Cathedral.

Draughts.—A match was played last evening between the employes of Toomer Bros, and the Christchurch City Guards, ■which resulted in a win for tiie latter after & most exciting contest, especially at Board No. 7, between Mr Lindsay and Sergeant ."Willis, they continuing to play for some hours after all the rest had finished.

Express Delated. —The expess train from the South was about an hour late in arriving at the Christchurch station last evening. The cause of the delay was another small landslip on the line near Waitati. The passengers had to be transferred to other carriages on this side of the interruption, but it was expected the line •would be clear before the express from the Korth was due.

A Valuable Prize.—Mr A. E. G. Bhodes. M.H.E., has presented the prize which is to be competed for in the Flat Bace at the Hunt Club's Steeplechase Meeting. The prize is a lady's bracelet of a handsome description. It is of IS carat gold formed of three. knife wires with pearls and diamonds set alternately, and is known as a half-hoop bracelet. It has been made by Messrs B. Petersen and Co., who are showing it in their shop window.

Belfast Band op Hope.—The monthly meeting of the Belfast Band of Hope wae held in the Bible Christian Church on Wednesday. The Chairman, Eev. Mr Ellis, opened the meeting by a most instructive address. Recitations were given by the Misses Cox and Steel and Master A. Steel, and readings by the Eev. Mr Ellis and Mr Macintosh, both being loudly applauded. Instrumental duets and trios ■were given by Messrs Sobinson, Cox, F. Cresswell, W. Longman, and S. Ferguson. East Bkit Mutual Improvement Association.—Hβ usual weekly meeting of this Society was held on Thursday evening, the President, the Eev. W. J. Williams, being in the chair. The journal was read by the editor, Mr Potts, and the papers submitted, which were of a very interesting description, were ably criticised by the members present. At the next meeting of the Association readings from Shakespeare will be given, and musical selections given bj the members.

Tai Tapu School Committee. — A special meeting of this Committee -was " held on July 16th. Present—The Chairman and all the members. For the erection of girls' lavatory the tender of Mr K. A. Forbes (.£lO 15s) was accepted. The Chairman stated that he had arranged with Mr Jennings for repairs to chimney. -Action approved. Besolved—That the Chairman arrange to have the necessary -repairs to main building done at once, and to obtain estimate of cost of laying on •water to the new building by next meeting.

WAutATE Wesleyan Chuech.—A gift Auction in aid of the funds of the Wesleyan Church was commenced in the Temperance Hall, Waimate, on Thursday. The stalls, presided over by ladies of the congregation, were laden with varied and useful - articles, and throughout the day a large • number of purchasers availed themselves of the opportunity of assisting in - the desired object. In the evening musical •elections were rendered by the Volunteer Band. The sale of gifts will be continued Batil Saturday, and no doubt the amount cf cash received will to a great extent, en- - able the Wesleyan denomination to extinguish the existing small debt on their new taurch.

Kmghts of Lasob.—At the last meeting Mr P. Cairns, Vice-President, took the chair. The Secretary read a letter from tne Eev. Rutherford Waddell, of Dunedin, Wd one from Mr C. H. Bridge. Mr Wadoeil kindly offered to lend Mr A. H. Dyke Adand's work on "Men's Co-operation/ , and strongly urged the Association to start cooperative works: His letter was received *ith thanks. Mr Bridge wrote stating the conditions which, the St. John's Church Vestry required regarding: the occupation « the room, and tie matter was referred to the General Committee. In consequence ? **** 106 from illness of Mr Powell, aia motion on pensions was postponed. . Nobth Eoad Sidk School.—A tea meet ;mg was held in the North Eoad side •ekodl on Thursday, 19th inst. The school crowded to excess. After tea, recita- .. tione were given by the school children •ad several of the Belfast elocution class. Tie people were then entertained by in»taictive and pleasing views worked by ■H* Pepperill, the explanations of which *ere given by Mr Ferguson. Thanks \ *?* given to the several ladies who pro.Tided and presided over the well spread •Mies; al o to Messrs Ferguson and PepPerOl and the Belfast school flute band who played for the people's amusement ■enreal selections during the evening. A ■°<* enjoyable meeting was then broujfnt enclose.

Spobting.—The Grand National c t«eplechase Vi eeting will be held on the C.J.C. course on Thursday next, the first race starting at 12.30. The various merchants and banks have agreed to close their places of business at noon on that day, and the holiday has received the approval of the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce.

Lacrosse. —There will not be a game at Hagley Park this afternoon, in consequence of the football match, Canterbury v Natives, to be played at Lancaster Park. Members not attending that match, however, are requested to put in an appearance and obtain as much practice as possible.

Leestok- Presbyterian Sunday School. The second of a. series of social eTeninss took place in the above Sunday schoolroom on Wednesday evening last. The room was' crowded to exces3, 100 people being present. Everybody present spent a very enjoyable evening-. The choir contributed several gleee, and a liberal supply of refreshments was provided for everyone.

British Israel. —The usual fortnightly meeting of the Sydenham British Israel Association was held on Tuesday evening. Mr T. M. Gee, President, was in the chair. After some routine business Mr McHaffie read a very able paper on " The Promise of Land to the House of Israel in the Latter Days." After a short discussion it was decided that the subject should be continued by Mr Mellaffie at the next meeting.

Ltttelton- Litep.akt Society.—The usuar weekly meeting of this Society was held on Thursday evening. The President (Key. G. Bond) in the chair. Mr James Dawe, M.A., delivered a lecture ou " The infallibility of the Bible and Science." Messrs Henderson, Bradley, Batten, Norton, Ivory, and the President also spoke. Next week, " Protection and Freetrade" ■will form the subject for discussion, tha (Mr S. E. Webb) leading o5 by advocating Protection.

Whom to Marbt. —Such is the title of a special service advertised to be held in the Sydenham Baptist Church to-mcrrow evening. The sermon is specially prepared for those abont to enter the matrimonial state, and will contain advice on that subject. The preacher will be the Pastor F. W. Walker. A church parade of the Foresters will also be held in the same church on Sunday morning.

Sunday Services. —At the Sydenham Wesleyan Church to-morrow the Key. L. 31. Isitt will preach at both services. At the Durham street Wesleyan Church the Bey. C. H. Laws will preach in the uiornin", and the Key. W. J. Williams in the evening. At the Baptist Church, Oxford terrace" the anniversary services will be held. Special sermons will be preached by the Rev. Gordon Webster in the morning, and the Key. C. Dallaston in the evening.

Trimming the Willows.—Some of the Borough Council's workmen are now engaged in lopping off some of the superfluous branches of the willow trees which. *itae the banks of the river between the Hereford street bridge and the Hospital. This is being done to avoid the repetition of the damage which the severe 'gale of some months ago effected among the trees, whereby many of them were blown down jbr reason of their topheavy condition. By away some of the highest and "heaviest branches, it is thought that the trees will have a better chance of withstanding the next nor'-wester. The trees in the gardens, which add so much to the beauty of the river in summer, are not to be touched.

Geraldixe Floral and Horticultural Society.—The annual meeting of the members of this Society was held on Thursday. Mr J. Pye, Vice-President, occupied the chair. The report and balance-sheet as submitted by the Secretary and adopted, showed a small amount to credit. The election of officers for the year resulted as follows :—President, Dr. E. Fish ; Vice-President, Mr J. Williams; Treasurer, Mr J. W. Pye; Secretary, Mr A. Fisher. A slight alteration was made in the rules with regard to the number and constitution of the Committee, and the following were elected :—Messrs Hay,Kowberry, Spence, Williamson, J. Pye, sen., Coles, Eamble, Chapman, and Coombs; auditor, Mr G. H. Patrick. A meeting of the new Committee was held after the annual meeting, all tie members being present.

Inquest at the Waiau.—An inquest was held at Waiau on Thursday on the body of Charles Holt, found dead near Leslie Pass. The deceased had been on the spree at Waiau for a fortnight, and left there on Sunday last for the Hanmer Plains with two companions, A mile this side of Leslie Pass he drank from a bottle of whiskey he had, but his companions refused to drink. He determined to return to Waiau. His companions went on. Arthur Bryant, boundary keeper for Mr D. Eutherford, found the saddle of the deceased at Leslie Wash, and on a further search found the body in a rock-bound creek near Leslie Wash. Life' was quite extinct. Dr. Bolger considered death was caused by exposure while suffering from the effects of drink, and not from falling into the creek. A verdict of "Died from was returned. *

Oxfobd Brass Band. — An entertainment in aid of this band was held on Thursday, July 19th. The large hall was crowded. The first part of the performance was the extravaganza " Jack and the Beanstalk," in which Messrs Harbidge and H. Lahming and Miss Kobillard sustained the principal parts with great success. The children taking part looked very pretty in their costumes. The second part of the programme included "The Pirate King " and nursery rhymes by the children, and songs by Messrs P. Smith and Barnes. Great praise ia due to all concerned, especially Messrs E, H. Parish, Harbidge, and Lahming. During the day the local brass band were driven ronnd Oxford, and their playing reflected the greatest credit on their instructor, Mr Gordon, of the Stanmore band.

U.A.O.D. —A meeting of delegates from Lodges in No. 13 District was held in the Druids' Hall, Worcester street, on Thursday evening, 19th inst., for the purpose of taking into consideration the most advisable means of raising funds to assist a needy brother. There were present Bros. Kayner, Eeynolds and Dyer, of the Mistletoe Lodge; Bros. Hunter, Foster and Watts, of the Hope of St. Albans; and Bros, ilaupttleisch (in the chair), Swinnerton, Bishop and E.E. Isaacs, of the Pioneer. After discussion, it was unanimously resolved to organise an entertainment, to be held in the Druius' Hall at an early date, and the programme arrangements were placed in the hands of Bro. E. E. Isaacs and a strong Committee. So we may reasonably look not only for a good performance, but a crowded house, the object being a very deserving one. The delegates here adjourned to visit the Ivy of Linwood Lodge.

Avo'xs'de ENTERTAiirjrENTS.—Another of the winter evening entertainments in connection with the Avonside Church took place in the schoolroom last evening, and was a great success from every point of view. All available seating accommodation in the building was occupied, and the programme provided was an excellent one. The tableaux vivants were very well carried out, the limelight effects being under the direction of Mr E. "W. Seager. The scenes, kc, represented were :—" Night" and " Morning," " The Last Bequest," " Cross Purposes," " Winding the Skein," " Pygmalion and Galatea," " The Slave Market," " Ton Dirty Boy," " Queen and Nuns," " Queen Catherine's Dream,"

" Last Days of Pompeii," " Faith, Hope, and Charity," "Home they brought her warrior dead," " The Rivals, Britannia, Time, and Justice." In nearly all cases the audience demanded a second view of the scene. Miss Lissaman gave two solos,

" Dear heart" and "LeKeve duprisonnier," receiving a well-merited encore for the latter. "" Queen of the Earth " and " They all loved Jack" were contributed by Mr Parker, and Mr Black read one of Mrs Caudle's amusing curtain lectures. The next entertainment will probably take place on Friday, August 24tk.

QGraxd National Steeplechase.—"Visitors to Christchurch will do well ia having their Photographs taken by C. H. Manning, r 'The " Photographer. Uβ Colombo acreet {late Schou-rup).-HADVT.I