NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9234, 11 October 1895, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

O.J.C. Ball—Ab a meeting of the Can-lot-bury Jockey Club, held yesterday, it was decided to hold the mual ball this year. The Harpwr Cask.—The hearing of tho charges against Mr Leonard Harper will take place to-day, at the S. Al. Court, ab 10 30 a.m. Mr Skerrett, of Wellington, will appear for the prosecution, and Mr Wilding for the defence. Lancaster Park Swimming Club.—A meeting of those desirous of forming an Amateur Swimming' Club lo use the Lancaster Park bath, will be held iv the Lancaster Park Hotel on Monday evening, at 8 o'clock. Voutntker Inspection.—The Commandant of the New Z-jalaud Forces, Colonel Fox, inspects the Canterbury Yeomanry Cava'ry ab 3 p.m. to-day at Hagley Park. The Unemployed. —A meeting of tho unemployed was held in Hagley Park yesterday afternoon. There -/are about 100 men present, who were 9poken to by Messrs Dacombe, Powell and others, afcer which it was resolved to form a " Surplus Labour Union." Nearly all who were present signified their inteution to join, and a Committee of nine was formed to take the matter in hand. Sydenham Weslryan Sunday School.— A tea and public meeting in connection with the anniversary of the Sydenham Wesieyan Sunday School took placo last evening, when there was a good attendance. Ab the public meeting the Rev. W. G. Parsooson presided, and addresses were given by him and Messrs Foaton, 0. E. Salter (President of the North Canterbury branch of the Wesieyan Sunday School Teachers' Union), and the Rev. F. W. Isitt. The school children, conducted by Mr W. A. Hall, sang a number of hymns very creditably. Tkmuka Dairy Factory.— The Temuka Cheese Factory will be re-opened for the season on October 14th, when the price paid for milk will be the same as last year, viz., 3d por gallon of lllb. List season's operations were barely so successful aa to justify a continuance of this price, bub it is hoped that, if farmers will maintain a good supply of milk, the extra output will enable the management to show a good return for the ensuing season. A far larger quantity of milk could be handled ab the same cost as the amount hitherto received.

Christ's Colleges Old Boys' Association. —The annual general meeting of the Christ's College Old Boys' Association was held last evening ab the College, Mr A. M. Ollivier presiding. The following officers were elected: — President, Mr A. M. Ollivier; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr G. Harris; Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, Mr K. Neave ; Committee, Messrs T. D. Con dell, E. R Webb, Mortimer Davie, Dr. Moorhouse, and F. I. Cowlishaw.

Southbrook —The anniversary services in connection with the Wesieyan Sunday school were conducted on Sunday last by bhe Rev. W. Grigg. At each of the thiee services the church was crowded. On Tuesday evening the anniversary tea meeting was held. Excellent tables were provided by Mrs Chatterbon and tbe Misses Seed, Dy»on, and Dunlop, assisted by Misses Sloan, Martyn, Oed and Ellis. At the public meeting, in the evening, the audience was addressed by the Revs. Gregg, Garlick aud Bellow, and some recitations were very nicely given by Masters Adamson and Chatterton.

Narrow Escai**. from Fire.—On Wed neiday morning early Mr J). M. Marshall, of the Mandoville Hotel at Kaiapoi, observed a glare from the street lamp at the hotel, ana on going outside with a ladder to extinguish ib, he had reached the lamp wh n tbe kerosene oil vessel in ib exploded. To avoid the flame Mr Marshall jumped from the ladder, seriously spraining one leg and his foot. Fortunately the fUme in the lamp did no further damage. Rakaia. —The annual tea meeting iv connection with St. Andrew'- Church, was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday, and was very successful. The tables were presided over by Mrs McLean and Miss M. Gardiner assisted by Misses Copland and Ironsides, Misses Doig (4), Mrs Riddle assisted by Misses Grubb, Bruce, and Howard, and Mesdames Harvey aud Ross assisted by Misses Strachan aud McMillan. At the after meeting the Rev. P. J. Riddle presided, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. Mackie (Southbridge), Erwio (Christchnrch), Inglis (Ashburton), and the Chairman. An excellen*; musical programme was gone through comprising an organ recital by Mr J. C. J_ane. Songs by Misses Gabbie (2), L. Grubb and Hardy, and Misses Austin, jfalcolm, R. Sharp, Dixon and Lane, and a dueb by Misses Gabbie. At tbe close hearty votes of thanks were accorded to tbe ladies who had provided and presided at the tables, and to the performer-, on the motion of Messrs W. Boag and VV. Morrow. Special thanks were accorded to Messrs Hardy and Tuolter.

Palette Cl.vv.. —There was a good attendance of visitors at the Palette Club', exhibition yesterday, both afternoon and nvoning. U will be open at the usual hours to-day. In the ovening a musical programme will be contributed by ftire Bnrns. Mi's C Lint-i-rd aud Mr F. Corbett, The Außi-UL-i.' ualShou-Gkoun'osGiukc Stand —At tho mectiug of the Committee of tho A. and P. Association yesterday tha Pre-udeut (Mr E G. Ktavoley) stated that there was uo truth in the statements appear, ing in one of the local papers an to tha grand stand on the Show Grounds being ao placed that only comparatively few of the occupants could see what was goinj* on. Acknowledgments. — The Matron of t'l9 Queen's Jubilee Memorial Home desire t 0 acknowledge with thank the receipt of magazines from Mr Bribtan, Review 0 i Reviews from tho Progressive Liberal Society, papers from Mr Bellhoure, hu nsj from '* A Friend," parcel of cuttinus frou, Strange and Co., parcel of cuttings from Ballanbyno and Co.

Masonic.--The ceremony of the oonsecrv tiou of the St. Albans Lodge, under the English Constitution, aud th_ installation ot Bro. Haslam as first Master, with the investiture of his officers,- .will take place this evening at the Art Gallery at 7 o'clock The ceremony will ho conducted by the lUV. Diat, G.M, Bro. P. Cunningham assisted by the District Grand Lodge officers.

The Kaiapoi Wooi.lj-n Company.—Ths local Woollen Company completed another year's successful working on the 30th September last, and at the meeting Yesterday to consider results the Board adopted % recommendation to the annual meeting to further increase the reserve fund by £2500 and pay shareholders a dividend of 3._ pep cent, for the half-year. This, with tli. interim dividend already paid, gives 7 per cent, for the year, a result which should be considered his-hly satisfactory.

General Boot!'.—After the Wellington meetings aro finished General Booth will come ou to Lyttelton, arriving early to* morrow morniug. He will be met at Lyttelton by a large party of Salvationists ami friends, and in the afternoon there will ba a muster of troops a*j 130 ia (Jathodral square, Christchureh, followed by a procession through some of tho principal -treets. The first public meeting will be on Saturday evening at the Opera House at eight o'clock, when the Mayor will preside. Temuka Pari..— Extensive improve, ments have been made in the recreation ground ab the Temuka Park. Advantage vvi.3 taken of the necessity for finding work for the unemployed, aud a number of them were engaged iv relayiug the cricked ground, and the preparation of what promises to be one of the best runniti" tracks in the colony. The expenditure oi a little more labour should leave the track in excellent order for the annual Caledonian Sports. The cricket ground will nob be Si until lato in the season, and the Club are playingou a matting pitch in tho meantime. Cultivator Trial.—A public trial of Messrs P. and D. Duncan's spring tins cultivator was held ab Mr H. Martin's, East Eyreton, ou Thursday. In apita of the very disagreeable weather, there was a fair attendance of farmers. The ground operated upon was full of twitch, and very dry. A now device has been attached to the machine, consisting of a set of knives, which are attached to the draw bars, and Itept in position by a bar attachment behind, tho pressure of the springs causing them to cut clean through the furrow, thus saving cross ploughing, and making the ground loose for the cultivator to work, The firm's representative (Mr Bell) was present, and explained the working of the machine. AU present were well pleased with tho work done.

W.'Vr.U.—At the general meeting held on Wednesday Mrs Venables presided. A portion of Mrs Josephine Butler's second appeal to women was read. Mrs Venables wo,-) authorised to communicate with Mrs Butler and 'he Moral Reform Union in England, stating that the Unions throughout New Zealand were unanimous iv their ilonm id for the repeal of the (J. I). Aots. A resolution wt\s unanimously curiod asking the Churches throughout New Zealand lo discountenance drinking and gambling, and also to refrain from electing to office any person promoting these evils, A grant was mado for relief work, and arrar.gements for the usual booth on the Show Grounds were considered.

North Canterbury Ricycle Clue.—The annual meeting was held at Scott's Junction Hotel, Rangiora, on Tuesday ; Mr A. 0. VVilmoc in the chair. A credit balance oi £3 was shown on the financial statement. Tho officers elected were:—Patron, Mr D. liuddo, M. H.R. ; President, Mr J. Sansom; Vice-Presidents, the Very Rev. Father O'Connor, Messrs H. Boyd, Mark Scott and H. J. C. Bailey ; Captain, Mr A. C. Wiimot, Sub-Captain. Mr H. Martin; Secretary audi Treasurer, Mc D. Blake ; Committee, Messrs H. Wilson, R. Cook, W. Biaeketb, G. Jones and J. Thompson. The Captain is to act as Consul and delegate to the Athletic Association, lb was decided to hold the opening run to Woodend. A cordial vote of thanks to Mc Gns Jones as Secretary and Treasurer was passed. A prize for competition waa offered by Mr Jones.

St. Michael's Temperance Society.— An entertainment was given by the members of St. Michael's Temperance Society in the schoolroom on Wednesday evening. A very good programme was arranged, consisting of a bright musical sketch, entitled '* Christmas Fairies," tho principal characbers being Miss Florrie Myers (Fairy), Miss Bartha Clark (Princess). Mr F. W. Tnoker (Father Christmas), and thirty children as fairies, apiano solo by Miss Do Veaux, songs by Mrs Averill and Miss Millar, and a duet by the Misses Smith. Some very good tableaux were also shown. The amusing comedy in one act, "Turn Him Out," was given by MessrsF. W. Tucker, J. Schueider, E. Bonrdot, and Misses Florrie Myers and Ada Coomb*, fha accompanists for the musical portion of the programme were Misses Wilson and Black. Forestry. — The quarterly summoned meebiug of Court Star of Canterbury was held ou Monday evening, O.R. Bro. J- W. Fi'u/itez in the chair. The Hall was crow-lad and a number of past officers and visiting Brothers were present. The Woodwards reporbed sixteen members on the sick fund. The P.G. laid on the table a report reo«ived from the Registrar of Friendly Societies on the Friendly Societies of New Zealand. Tha C.R. read a portion of the report and informed the members, as the Court had been in existence forty years and had alwfcya been able to meet its payments, they need nob take any notice of wnat the Registrar had to say on the matter. Nominations lor district officers were received as under:—• D.G.C.E., P.CR. j. W. Stevens ; D.8., P. C.R. C. A. Eldridge; District Anditor, P.D.C.R. J. B. Wathew; District App»l Committee, P.DC.E. J. Hudson. Tbe statement of receipts and expenditure lor the quarter ending September 30th WM ._. read. Two new members were proposed for initiation. The receipts of the. evening amounted to £296 16s 7d.

Benefit Concert.—On Monday sf-ar-noon a benefit conoert for the Fire Brigade will be given at the Exhibition, ana an excellent programme has been arranged. The Maoris.—A large party of Maoris from Palmerston North, who have beea spending a week or two very pleasantly *t Kaiapoi left there yesterday. Some time wai occupied prior to departure in rubbing nos« and taking farewells. Football Sowal.—The N'tu Ahoriri Football Club wound up the season on Wednesday evening a*; the Maori pa, Kaiapoi, with a concert and dance. A number of "-"hrisfe* church musicians braved tbe elements and rendered valuable assistance at the concert, daring the progress of which the C.R.U.. Junior Flag was presented to the »W Ahuriri captain, Mr W. Uru, his team having won the trophy this season withottfi a loss. Mr B. Harding, the delegate of tha Miori Club, was che recipient of a gold medal and a handsomely-fraineo photo of the team from the Club M recognition of hia servioes. Dancing w»* kept up with great spirit until daybreak, the music being supplied by the fcatitre band, and Mr W. Uru was a first -km M.C. Rangiora Friendly SoorBMKS. — T*» a annual pionio of Oddfellows, Druids ano Templars fixed for yesterday at Otarama was hardly expected on the.prt* vious night to take place, jbnfc - flB Committee decided at 4 a.m. t^S 0 on and telephoned for the trains. Two trains with about 600 exonrsionists «»* Rangiora about 8 a.m., and though the, weather threatened and rain fell by the tintf Otarama was reached the wind ultimately moderated and there was beautiful s« n " shine. It is said that the meeting WM *° enjoyable one.

Tbs Cavauiy. —The Yeomanry Cavalry find a dismounted parade ut 6 a.m. yesterday, *nd at ft * m * proceeded to Bromley range, where they went through their annual -olley and independent firing, leturning to camp about 530 p.m. Under tbe new regulations the men tired at 300 and 400 yards instead of 200 yards as previously, »nd the result of this year's firing is contideved under tiie circumstances to be very good. The troop v,a3 under Captun Wright, and Lieutenant - Colonel Gordon conducted tho practice. The troop mustered 60, inchnlint; Dr. Irving, and of that number M iked, with the following results : —Volley firing 434 points, average 9 49; independent firing 1023 points, average 20 05. The troop parades in drill order at 9 a.m. to-day. aad in review order at2.lsp.m. for inspection by Colonel Fox in Hagley Park. Lieutenant Archer will be oilieer of the day, and Ssrgeant Coward Orderly Sergeant. The programme for •Saturday's sports includes the spiral and for the other events entries have been received as under : —Best troop horse 15, best jumper over fences 9, Lloyd Lindsay 2, led horee over hurdles 6, walk, trot and gallop 14, sections of led horses 7. run, mount and ride 15. Tho Garrison Bind will be in .Attendance. The Mounted Rifles will provide a guard, and the sports will commence »t 1.30 p.m. ANEW EXPORT TRADE. Pumice for insulation purpoaea is now in great demand in the Australian colonies, nod the export trade from Wanganui is gradually assuming large dimensions in this article. INSPECTION OF MEAT. Mr Cameron, the expert who haa been engaged to take charge of the Dunedin abattoirs, has, it is reported, seen by mere casual inspection sufficient to prove tha urgent necessity for a thorough examination of the meat supplied to that city before it is expo»ed for sale. A LUCKY LOSS. The Wellington Post reports that a small boy loet a threepenny piece on Lambton Quay on Saturday morning. A shopkeeper lent him a broom, with which h9 swept up the dust. On going through the heap ths youngster was delighted to find a half. sovereign. He did not bother any fuither about the silver coin. RIFLE ASSOCIATION. A Picas Association telegram from Dunedin says that, as the Volunteer Corps have all some Martini rifloi now, the Rifle Association, which was moribund, haa been resuscitated, and it has been decided to hold a prize firing meeting. DUXKDIX HARBOUR HOARD. A return of the receipts and expenditure of the Harbour B:>ard for tho nine months ending the 30th September, show increases in most items of revenue, including £3467 for berthage. As comparod with the nine months of the previous year, there ia an increase in revenue of £6263, while the expenditure shows a decrease of £985. THE LICENSING BILL. At a joint meeting of tho Dunedin and Otago Prohibition League Executives yesterday, it was resolved that tho attitude of the Colonial Secretary in tho Upper House in regard to tho Licensing Bill ia in their opinion strongly sng<ostiv_ of insincerity, and the Leagues cili upon the Government to prove their sincerity by insisting upon tho re-introduction of the rejected clames when the Bill comes back to the Lower House. THE CASE OF J. J. MEIKLE. The Public Petitions Committee have reported on tho case of J. J. Meikle, who was released from the imprisonment he had ■ been sentenced to on a charge of sheep ( stealing, ho having established his innocence. ' The Committee find that without tbe evidence of Lambert, who i 9 now serving a ,i«ntenco for perjury in the case, Meikle would not have been found guilty. The Committee therefore recommend the Government to appoint a Commission to remove Muikle's name from the prison records if thU can bo done, and that he should receive compensation on account of loss of property and loss of liberty through being imprisoned on tbe evidence of a perjurer. The Comtnitte leave the Government to fix the amount of compensation to be given to Mtikle. A RIVAL TO THE BICYCLTS. The Edinburgh correspondent of the Otago Daily Times describes a new kind of skate for use on roads. The blade of the ordinary skate is represented by a ateel frame iv the shape of a girder, which has a small wheel in front and two small wheels behind, with robber tyres. The diameter of the wheels !■ six inches, and each skate weighs 3_lb, but it is said this can be reduced. The now machine may consequently be described as combining some ot the characteristics oi the roller skate and tho tricycle. To set forth tho excellencies of their invention, tho inventors engaged the services of Mr James Smart, the champion English skater, who ran out along tho Queensferry road on the ikates. Cabs had no chancA with him, and he easily kept up with a cyclist. He skated a mile in four minutes, and came back, having the wind in his favour, in 3min 25seo, without a trace of strain or fatigue. Going down hill his strides were 20ft long, and weraged eighty per minute. Of course this is an exceptional performance; still it would socm to Bhow that a new method of locomotion, easily learned and cheaper in price than the present cycle, ha? been discovered.