NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8740, 12 March 1894, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Australian News.—lv another column, forwarded by our Australian correspondents by telegraph from the Bluff, will be found details of a gallant rescue of a drowning man at sea; and some particulars, from one of the emigrants; of the unhappy state ot affairs in "New Australia."

Defence.—Two of the 5-ton guns at Fort Jervois have been dismounted and cased up ready for sending Home. They are now lying on the wharf at Lyttelton awaiting shipment.

The Payne Family.-—Mr Dawson, the agent of the Payne Family, a combination of whom Christchurch people will have many pleasant memories, arrived ou Saturday to make arrangements for their season here. They open at the Tuam street Hall on Good Friday evening with a sacred concert.

The Volunteer Camp. —On Saturday Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, accompanied by Majors Slater, Francis, and Captain Bowrou, visited the site of the proposed Voluuteer camp, and laid off the ground for tents, cc •., for the Easter encampment. The site ut the infantry camp will be on the east side of the North road, on the Borough reserve, near to Mr G. Edwards's farm, the cavalry camp being on Mr F. Horrell's farm. The frout of the camp will be placed to the north, and 105 tents will be erected next week. A well is being put down to supply w&ter.

The Ram Fair, —The annual ram fair, under the auspices of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, will take place ou Thursday next, on the grounds of the Association, at Addington. The entries far exceed those of any previous year. Last year they totalled 3360 nuns and 110 ewes, this year they are asunder: —Rams—English Leicesters, 1740 ; Border Leicesters, 1600; Lincolns, 1188 ; Shropshire, 523 ; Southdowns, 129 ; Hampshire do, 15; Crossbreds, 104 ; Roraneys, 40. Ewes—Englieh Leicesters, 97 ; Shropshire, 82 j Border Leicesters, 20; Lincolns, 4.

Wesle-an Conference.—The Conference met in Representative and Ministerial sessions on Saturday morning. At the former a motion was almost unanimously carried in favour of the union of Methodist churches. At the latter the business was considered with closed doors. In the afternoon members attended a garden party at Mr R. Dawson's, Brucefield, Sydenham. The Conference opens at 10 a.m. to-day iv Ministerial session. The open meeting resumes at 2.15. p.m., and the Conference lecture will be delivered at 7.30 p.m. by the Rev. J. S. Smailey, subject " The Second Advent."

Inquest at Rangiora.—On Saturday morning an inquest was- held at the Rangiora Magistrate's Courthouse by Mr H. W. Bishop, Coroner, and a jury, of which Mr E. W. Relph was foreman, touching the death of Mr Phillip Brady, farmer, of Loburn, who was on Wednesday knocked over by a horse which trod on one of his legs near the thigh and dragged the wheels of a dray over both legs. Dr. Volckman stated tbat he attributed death to haemorrhage caused by the rupture of the femoral artery. Owing to the advanced age of the deceased-, and to the fact that it would have been dangerous from his condition to place him under anaesthetics, Drs. Volckman and Clayton had considered life could not have been saved by an operation. The jury returned a verdict of " Accidental death."

An Artist's Art Union.—With a kindly feeling, which it is gratifying (says the Otago Daily Times) to notice, come of the artists belonging to parts of the colony outside Dunedin h-ive contributed works to the art union which has been promoted with the object of raising funds to assist Mr A. H. O'Kfieffe, the well-known local genre painter, to visit Paris so that he may derive the benefit of the iufltaence of that great art centre. Mr P. Van der Velden, tho distinguished Dutch artist, residing in Christchurch, whose examples were so unanimously admired on tiie walls of the Choral Hall at the two last annual exhibitions of the Otago Art Society, has sent down a very clever sketch in crayons; Mr T. JL. Drummond, of Whangarei, has sent all the way from the far north an oil painting; Mr Jobn Baillie, of Wellington, has contributed a water colour pictare; and Mr C. Howorth, of Inrercargill, has forwarded a painting in oils of "Sandhills in tho South." The drawing in connection with the art union will take place next week.

An article which is sure to command the attention of every householder, architect and builder is now obtainable from Mr E. Dombrain, 141 Cashel street. O.K. bituminous deadening felt, for laying between floors or under carpets, is absolutely waterproof, will not mildew or decay, is odourless, excludes sound, and offers perfect protection from injury to ceiliugs by leaky roofs, &c. Rats, mice and vermin will not disturb it. Call and see samples. 3208 Standish aud Preece—-Cabinet photos from 15s. Telephone 715. Studio, High street, Christchurch.—[Advt.]

Kxox Cntjßon, Donedtn.—Tha' * Church session has accepted the resinS?* of the Rev. A. P. Davidson oa assistantssuccessor to the Rev. Dr. Stuart. - Theatre Royal. - The F«_, k Q . Alhambra Company will opon thai- ~ at the Theatre Royal this evening 0 company is a very strong ono, oomprhtini. it does soino forty artists from the O ** House, Melbourne. Amongst the nrihV pM , a ire Messrs Frank Clark,* H. ffi Fv? makes his first appearance liemi t«_ ° Cowan Harry Giloert, Steve Adson and Frank Wyatt Ti ladies include tho twin sisters Anderson of whose dancing report speaks highly M__._ Ada Juuecn, Georgio Devoe, U'cSS? and Blanche Montague. There » alio i troupe of ballerinas, headed by Miss Edith Y\ i son. lis company, which arrived _._ night from Wellington, brings a com___ orchestra, and during the season will in traduce a number of novelties in tha variety and song end dance lines Th« booking of seats has been remarkably aood and tho management has arranged for thY reserving of several rows of chairs _ orchestra stalls. The company i 3 under the management of Mr Allan Hamilton which is a guarantee that ail will be done that is possiblo to make the entertainment attractive. "

Good TEMPLARY.-The Bud oi Woolston Juvenile lemplo hold its weekly session on Monday evening. There was a full attendance of membors. It was decided to take part in the Easter Monday demonstration. After the usual busiuesa was concluded harmony was indulged in and the Temple closed iv tho usual manner by tho F..T. Sister L. Orchard and the D.S.J.T.—The Hope of Christchurch Lodge, No. 8, held its usual session on Thursday evening. There was a very largo attendance of members and visitors also thirty membors from H.M. ships' Orlando and Tauranga. Ono member joined on clearance card, and one candidate was initiated by tho officers of tho Orlando Lodge, No. 176, who had been invited to till the various chairs. Greet* ings were brought by the naval brethren from Sydney and Auckland lodges which were warmly roceived aud reciprocated. Business having been gone through the followiug Brothers (assisted by local members) contributed Jiarui'iuy*:—Bros. Jeffery, Drench, Martin, Liudloy,*Hind»on Cusacks, Bramuer, Maxie, Allen (Orlando* Lodge 176), and Bros. Solomon and Quum' Vanguard Lodge No. 117 (H.M.S. Taurauga), Bro. Hudson contributing the musical portion of the programme. Thanks were accorded to tho naval brethren for their attendance. In responding Bro. Cusacks, C.T. of the Orlando Lodge, an*, nounced that their Lodge would hold a sessiou aud open meeting on Monday* next. A pleasant meotiuf* waa brought to a close by the visiting C.T.