NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7476, 25 November 1889, Page 5

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Erarrox Mranra Betttrns.—-The Manager of the Globe Gold Mining Company Limited, telegraphs Mr James Henderson, Hereford street, the returns for the past week as follows:—l72oz of amalgam from ISS tons.

Waitoki Flat School.—At a special meeting of the Committee of this school, Mr V. Graham was selected from among thirteen candidates to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Mr Watson.

1.0.0. F.,: M.TJ. —A summoned meeting of the Loyal City of Cbristchurch Lodge will beheld this evening, for the purpose of electing medical officers for the year 1890.

Mb E. Coad.—The friends of Mr B. Coad will be pleased to le3rn that he returns to Christchureh at the end of this week. He intapds to conduct a ten days' great evangelistic mission in the Durham street Wesleyan Church.

SoLwrsr Cousrvr Council.—The ordinary meeting of this Council will not take place to-morrow. It and the annual meeting, at -which the members to the Hospital and Charitable Aid. Boards are to be elected, will be held on Wednesday morning.

Babt Show.—The management of the Palace Bink have a baby show in contemplation, and the exhibition wlilfelytobe held a short while before Christmas. It ia intended to try and make it equal to the ehowa in Melbourne and Sydney, and for that purpose prizes of some considerable value are to be offered.

Tbajjbs anb Labor Council.—On Saturday evening the Trades and Labor delegates met at the Foresters' Hall, for the further consideration of rules for the proposed Trades' Council of the Provincial District of Canterbury. The attendance was good, and the recently fprmed Societies sent representatives. The drafting of the rules occupied the attention of those present during the sitting, and the meeting then adjourned.

Gobbd Bi.A Bum.—Mr George Levens, of Temuka, was seriously gored by a bull while cutting flax on the rifle range at Temuka. He sustained some severe abrasions on the legs and chest, and had several ribs broken. Mr Levens lay from one o'clock until- 4 p.m. before assistance arrived in the shape of a squad of the Temuka Bines, who fortunately had arranged to fire a match that afternoon.

I Important Sales.—Two large sales are advertised by Mesers Alfred Buckland and Sons, of Auckland. The first is that of a sheep run of 13,000 asres, of which 10,000 acres are freehold and 3000 acres leased faom the Grown. The farmj is within three daye' drive of the Auckland market. The second is a residence and farm situated on the bank of the Waikato river, near Cambridge. The freehold is known as Gwynnland, containing 340 acres, with an excellent dwelling-house. Civni Service Co-opebativs Store.— In consequence of the great supp rt accorded to the Civil Service Co-operative Stores Company, the Directors decided at a meeting held on Friday to register the Company at once, and arrangements are being made to open the store for business. Applications will be received for a few remaining shares, which will be allotted according to priority of application. Th» Ebv. T. Sptjbqeon.—The Rev. T. Spurgeon, who for the past eight years has been in charge of the Baptist Church in Auckland, and is now on his way to Tasmania, preached in the Baptist Church, Oxford terrace, yesterday morning and ■ evening-. There were large congregationa, especially in the evening, when the building was filled in every part. The rev. gentleman's earnest addresses were listened to with great attention. Tbxatbb Rotal.—The Kingsley-Tracey-Devere Company open at the Theatre Koyal to night, in the comedy " Fun in a Parlor." The Kingsley Brothers are known as graceful and successful trick bicycle riders; Mr Tracey is a comedian Mα dancer of no mean ability, Mr Devere is credited with being a clever performer os many kinds' of musical instruments, and Miss Oakes has a good reputation as an instrumentalist. The Company, though not a very large one, buppliea a varied entertainment, which affords amusement for the two hours it occupies.

Promenade Concerts. —Yesterday afternoon was inaugurated, in the Palace Rink, a series of sacred promenade concerts, which are to be of weekly occurrence. The four Chriatchurch bands, Addington Work shops, Stan more, Garrison, and Sydenham, each played two selections yesterday to a large audience, which evinced its appreciation by applauding each item. No charge was made for admission, but visitors were allowed the opportunity of voluntarily contributing towards the expenses incurred in connection with the recent band contest. There was a total absence of promenading, every seat was occupied, and people crowded around the entrances, leaving the large floor unused except by a few children. Next Sunday, on which occasion only one band will play, the arrangements are to be such as to induce visitors to move about.

Gebaldine School Commttteb.—The monthly meeting of this Committee was held in the schoolroom, Geraldine, on Wednesday evening. Present —Messrs W. S. Maslin (Chairman), C. E. Sherratt, W. H. Walton, W. Sbiers, and J. Eiordan. Correspondence was read from the South Canterbury Board of Education, notifying the Committee of the appointment of Mr A. Bell as assistant master. The Chairman reported that the examination of candidates for the prospective vacancy for a pupil teacher had resulted in the appointment of Miss M. Biordan. Accounts amounting to J&6* 10s 10d were passed for payment and the meeting terminated.

Fibb at a Flax Mill.—A fire occurred at Mr Chinnery's flax mill, near Eangiora, yesterday about noon, by which several new buildinga and a quantity of fibre were destroyed. It appeared that a fire had been lit the day previous to burn some rubbish, and during yesterday morning it had burst into a flame and spread towards the buildings. Mr Leech, who lives near, noticed the danger, and endeavored to extinguish the fire, but it soon pot beyond hie control, and the stable, in which was a lot of new harness, the store room, containing about two tons of dressed flax, and the hackling shed were all destroyed. A message. Was/ $tas to Bangiora, and the Fire Brig«»;'niide* Mr Superintendent Smith, went out with the steam engine, and prevented the fire doing farther damage.

Voltthtbbb Field Day.—The field day on the 16th December is, we understand, to be at once novel and instructing. The novelty will be in the locality—the main land behind Fort Jervois, on the south side of the harbor, and the instruction will be in the defence of the fort from the hills which command it behind. To those who know the ground it will appear somewhat of a difficulty for any enemy, however active, to do much hurt to the little fortalice nestling at the foot, 6o carefully protected as it is from the fire of big guns and small arms. However, it may be wise to credit our foes with all possibilities, so the Lyttelton Corps, as we are informed, will play the part of an enterprising invader and the Christchurch volunteers will represent the coverinjc force—"the truarl at Petri Jfirvok." We ftnticipata B

Lfc daj.

1 ] »'«.» f | inn fn TYrraiVi Tigar W mJU several \*\U Ed liuUll, llHii ,

Birdliag*B jPlftt, for-the purpose of eradicating large colony of shags wkjcb, had taken np their abode in the ellfia near that SuTuifl tiSSSSSe3 : r st ' % r "hart two and a days* sbootasjc and during that tame accounted for 220 shags, Mr Macdonald, of Ikuraki, shooting 21, and thus putting' ttnS number disposed of up to 2-il. Of this number, 103 -were bl&elc ahage, ihd land which do the in the iroat streams, and 100 were of tJigfgrey species. Since Messrs Lewis amlWilson commenced their work of extermination, they have shot 355 black shags, and the trout in the district have .therefore that number less of their worst enemies to fejur. The local Acclimatisation Society ehould be much obliged to these gentlemen for the trouble they have taken, for if the shags which they have shot had been permitted to Lye the amount of fish which would have been consumed by them irouidia?* toea tot β-reat.

Bichxokd Kmjcs. — The Richmond Bifles were put through their volley and independent firing on the Bromley range on Saturday morning by Major NewalL The number present of all ranks was 77, er fAtJ :om ? and of 6 - Bowron. Seventy-two, of whom a laWe number k*** maldn of

; I>BTrn>3.—At a summoned meeting of the Ivy of Linwood Lodge, held on Thura aay last, it was resolved that the Lodge should be registered. The electioTfor a District Grand Lodge Representative resulted in A.D. Bro. B. J. Alpe beine returned. Several visitors were preseo£ ™ a lot oi business was put through, lhe Secretary was instructed to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of subscrip--1 1011^ 1 ! a Stressed Brother from the Oak of Sydenham, Pioneer, and Hope of St. Albans Lodges. Congest at Pbkbbleton.—The annual concert in connection with the Presbyteriaa Church vras held in the hall on Thuraday last, the Key. Mr Adamson in the chair. So many concerts having been held in tae district during the winter, and the local people being invariably asked to supply the music, it was deemed advisable to try and get friends from Chriatchurch to help on this occasion. Mr Hunt, organist of St. haul's Church, very generously offered to bring out sufficient singers for the entertainment. About sixteen were driven out u\.Mr Dal wood's drag, and it is not often that the Prebbleton people have the pleasure of listening to such excellent music as was given us. The opening glee was excellently rendered. Mr Adley was in good voice, and sang both his songs very well indeed, being encored for his last one. Mrs Hunt, who is quite a stranger to a Erebbleton audience, fairly brought down the house. Her first item was vociferously encored; she responded with a Scotch song—" Coming through the Eye." She was also encored in her second iong. Miss Dunford was also encored; her singing was very pleasing, from her clear enunciation of the words. Miss Smith sang the "Miller and the Maid," and was heartily re-called. Miss Duncan contributed "To the Woods." Mr Johnson sang two songs, which were excellently rendered. Mr Skelton played two items on the violin, the first of which he received an encore. Mr P. Johnstone gave a recitation in his well-known able manner. Mr Hunt accompanied the whole cf the pieces during the evening. A vote of thanks to the performers was moved by Mr J. W. Prebble, and seconded by Mr Rainy. South Sba Island Cubios.—There is now on view, at Messrs J. Bowman and Son's auction rooms, a very interesting collection of South Sea Island curios and beautiful shells, some of which are very rare and valuable, and all worthy of the inspection invited. Mr Eden George, the leading photographer of Christchurch, advertises in another column a considerable reduction in the price of photographs.—[Advt.]

Never Satisfied. — While the New Zealand tanners are devoting their attention to the wattle for tanning purposes, the Tasmanian tanners are sending over to this colony for the seeds of the kowhai, in order to its cultivation in Tasmania for purposes of tanning. WrLKiE jCoLLiNs.—Mr Wilkie Collins had written just three-fourths of " Blind Love," the story which is now coming out in the Illustrated London News, when he was taken ill at the beginning of July, but, according to the. World, he had drawn out a most elaborate synopsis of the concluding portion, in case he might not be able to complete it himself; bo that Mr Walter Besant has found no difficulty in finishing it in accordance with the design of the author.

The Lady Dsntist.—The Buenos Ayrea Standard, of September 3rd, cays:—"A North. American lady dentist, Mrs Duval, is now shining in Montevideo. Her operating room is an open carriage in Plaza lndependencia. She tugs out the biggest grinders free; bnt hopes to make a fortune by the sale of the usual marvellous elixir with which her tribe is always provided." Can this be our old friend who visited Christchurch under a alightly different name some time ago ?

The Difference. —While travelling down the West Coast Lord Onslow halted for a short time at a house on the way, and entered into conversation with his host and hostess. Said the latter to her husband after the party had left:—"l never thought he'd be so pleasant and chatty, and mc just in my working dress and not fit to receive him." The husband's reply was not wanting in shrewdness. "We 11 ,,, he said, "you know now the difference between a real gentleman and a snob."

Meteorological Report.—According to the official meteorological report for October, 1889, the highest temperature in the shade in (Wellington was 65.0 on the 80th, and the lowest 41.0 on the 26th and 27th. The highest temperatures in the shade were 83.0 in Dunedin, 76.2 in Canterbury, and 74.0 in Auckland. The rainfall for Wellington was below the average, the figures being 8.203 inohes, average 4.830 inches. The rainfall was higher in Wellington than in the other principal boroughs, the returns being—Auckland, 3.200 inches; Christchurch, .496 inohes; Dunedin, 1.670 inches. Rain fell on sixteen days in Wellington, twelve in Dunedin, eleven in Auckland, and five in Christchurch.

A Photographic Feat.—One of the most remarkable feats of photography on record is the photographing the terrible explosion at Antwerp, or, if not the explosion, the immense cloud of smoke produced at the moment. The current number of Lα Nature gives an illustration copied from a photograph of the huge cloud that shot up in the air, roughly in shape like an inverted Florence flask, when the explosion occurred. It has been estimated as being 1700 or 1800 ft across, and, according to the journal quoted, the cloud remained motionless for about a quarter of an hour, preserving the form recorded Toy the photograph. It seems very remarkable that just at the instant someone ehould have been ready with camera and plate and quick witted enough, notwithstanding the shock, to secure the view in time. The author of the negative is given as M. L. Van-Neck. — Brituik Journal of Photography.

Pugnacious Bajlwat Mkn.—-The Melbourne Leader is responsible for the following story: —Aβ the passenger train from Iverang was approaching the Mystic Park station, the passengers were what surprised to find the train come to a standstill. On putting their heads oat of the window to ascertain the cause, a most novel spectacle met their gaze —two men lustily pummelling away at each other. It appears that in the course of the journey the engineer and stoker of the train quar-; relied over some private matters of their own, eventually waxing so warm that the engineer stopped the train and both men jumped down off the engine to settle the dispute in a more substantial way. They accordingly had several rounda, to the intense delectation of the passengers, who had to wait patiently for about twenty minutes till they had finished. Having had it out they jumped on the engine and started on their journey again." Inquiry has elicited the fact that the incident occurred in connection with a contractor's train, said that officials of the Eailway Be- j partment were not concerned.