NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9290, 16 December 1895, Page 5

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Bowling.—The first match of the season between the Christchurch and Canterbury Bowling Clubs on Saturday resulted in a win for the former by 108 to 80. Nkw Brighton-.—Trams will run to-day to the ordinary time-table The return fare by those leaving Cathedral square at 10.10 a.m. and 7.15 p.m. will, as usual, be sixpence. National Association. — The usual weekly meeting of the Council was held at the rooms, Morton's Buildings, on Thursday evening, Mr M. Donnelly iv the chair. Routine business was transacted, correspondence was read, and a large number of new members were elected. False Alarm.—At twenty minutes' past 9 p.m. yeßterday tbe syren sounded an alarm, aud the chemical engines, with their companies, went to Sydenham in the direc tiou ot a slight glare that was visible. This appeared to proceed from a gorse fence, and as there were no indications of any other tire the engines returned to their respective stations.

Fire Brigade Demonstration Concert. —To-night at the Opera House, a very excellent eutertaiumeut will be given in aid of the fundß of the Fire Brigade Demonstration. The programme includes " The Surprise Party" aud " Our Picnic," and the various items will be given by some of our best known vocalists, Sec

Fire.—By a fire which occurred at 240 a.m. ye.terday a five-roomed wooden house in Kilmore street east, together with its furniture, was totally destroyed. It was owned and occupied by Mrs E. Hobson, and was insured in the New Zealand office for £125. There was no insurance on the furniture. The origin of the fire is not known. The place was very full of smoke when Miss Hobson was awakened, aud she and her mother had great difficulty in getting out. The brigade were smartly on the spot, and their efforts prevented the fire spreading to the adjoining buildings. Christmas Carp..—We have been requested by the postal authorities to call the attention of persons intending to po3t Christmas cards to the fact that iv order to pass at the book rates the cards must be without covers or in covers entirely open at one or both ends, so as to admit of the contents being easily Withdrawn for examination. For the greater security of the contents, however, the packet may be tied with string, but the string must be easy to unfasten. No communication of the nature of a letter must be enclosed. Tai Tapo*.—The anniversary eervicea of the Wesleyan Sunday School were conducted on December Bth by the Rev. J. A. Luxford. The church wai prettily decorated. The soiree was -held in the schoolroom on Tuesday. Tea, Sec, was dispeneed by Mesdames Wills, J. F. Watson, Misses Peryman, Bishop, Leney, Morgan, Sinclair and Jones. During the evening a programme of recitations and musical selections was given by the scholars, under the baton of Mr J. F. Watson. Mrs Wills presided at the organ ; Miss Lindemann violinist. The Rev. C. Griffin was Chairman. Reports were given by the Superintendent, Mr H. E. Peryman), the Treasurer |Mr Leney) and the Secretary. Certificates and prizes won by some of the scholars at the recent Wesleyan Sunday School Union examination were presented. One of the candidates had divided first honours in grade C. Masonic.—The installation of Bro. D. J. Lowry as W.M. of the Canterbury Lodge, 1048, E.C., and tbe investiture of his officers took place, at the St. Augustine Hall on Friday evening, in the presence of a large and representative gathering of the craft, including the District Grand Masters and Graud Lodge officers of the English and Scottish Constitutions. V.W. Bro. R. D. Thomas, D.D.G. M., acted as installing officer, and R.W. Bro. P. Cunningham, D.G.M., invested the officers. The following were the,officers invested—Bro. E. C. Skog, S. W. : Bro. R. A. Green, J. W. ; Bro. M. Sandstein, P.M. Treasurer; Bro. T. G. Strange, Secretary; Bro. H. C. S-tchell, S.D. : Bro. E. A. England, J.D.; Bro. J. J. Dougall, I.G. ; Bro. A. J. Morton, Organist; Bro, W. A. Tribe, D.C. ; Bros. H. Stowart and T. W. Henley, Stewards. After the installation the brethren were eutertaincd at a sumptuous banquet held in the Trinity Church Schoolroom, where the usual Masonic toasts were duly hououred. Bro. A. J. Morton ably conducted the musical portion of the installation ceremony and afterwards presided at the piano. Swimming.—The following are the handicaps declared for the New Brighton I Amateur Club's races on Monday after- ' noon :—75 Yards Inter-Club Handicap— First hf*at, W. J. Stratton scr, H. L. Armitage 7sec, F. Truscott 83ec, G. Cobbledick Usee, C. JL Hiorns I33ec, A. E. Milne 15sec ; second heat, C. Low ssec, G. J. C. Smart 7sec, E. Grover Bsec, G. Hossaok 12sec, H. Ayers 14sec, J. Button 17sec; third heat, F. Stokes ssec, C, H. Fox Bsec, W. Lennon Bsec, A. Russell lOsec. E. W. Stevens 16sec, H. Clark 17.cc, P. L. Byrne 18sec. 50 Yards Inter-Club HandicapFirst heat. A. B. Truscott scr. T. Wathew ssec, R. Wilson 6sec, H. S. Williams 7sec, P. I_ Byrne Usee ; second beat, T. Orr 3sec, W. C. Harrington 6sec, C L. Hiorns 6sec, E. Willis Bsec, 1_ Young 12iec. Christ's Coll-gk, Gymnasium. — The anuual gymnastic competition took place on Friday night st the College gymnasium, j Mr T. Page kindly acted as*judge, a position which was no sinecure as there were sixty competitors. One feature which struck those present was the uniform excellence with which the various exercises were performed, even by the very smallest of the boys, showing clearly that they had not merely been trained for show exercises, but that all through the term the educational value of gymnastics had been most strictly kept in view. The following are the prizewinner, iv the different classes :—Lowerschool— Holderness iv., first priz. ; Bioxam and Little (equal) second ; class 1)— Foster ii., fir_~ prize; Steel and Tribe, (equal) secoud. Class C — Hobbs ii.. and Lake (equal) first; classes A and B combined —Louisson i., first prize and championship, Mark second. The competition between boarders and dayboys six aside, was very keenly contested, and resulted in a victory for the boarders by

124 .points, the average of the latter being 79 per cent., and of thedajboys 77 per cent. The annual display in connection with the gymnasium will be held to-morrow, at 8 p.m. Ladies requiring Christmas presents for gentlemen friends should not miss seeing Davies and Lamb's splendid stock of pipes, walking sticks, match boxes, cigar c*aes, &.. W7B

Clarkville. —Oa Friday evening an ent-rtainmeat was given iv the district school at Clarkville in aid of the scholars' fund. There was a lante attendance. Musical selections and *■ dramatic piece, " High Lite Below Stairs," were civen by a party of friends from Kaiapoi. The entertainment was followed by a pleasau*, little dance. Bisuop J cues. — Yesterday Bishop Julius held a confirmation service at Woodend, at which a. number oi candidate* wera presented by the vicar, the Rev. H. H. Mathias. The Bishop held services at Clarkville io the afternoon and in the Kaiapoi church in the evening, at which there was a very large congregation. Farm Notes.—Warm weather succeeding upou the rains is bringing the oats and wheat into ear. Everywnero the crop* look healthy, and there is no definite information as to any appearance of vast. Much progress has beeu made with haymak'.ng, and shearing is in full swing among station sheep. The potato crops, which were expected to suffer from au excess of raiD, are doing well, and prospects ol good crops •prevail. Th* Lyceum.—Last night Mr W. W. Collins gave an address in the Lyceum ou the attempt to interfere with our educational system by the introduction of the Irish Texi Book. He criticise- , vie sermons pieachedon the subject, and sts/cd that the book would introduce deuomiu itionalism, and was not approved of by tiie Roman Catholics aud some of the dissenting sects. He objected to What, he said, has always been an element of discord being introduced into the State schools. Morris Tube Shooting. —On Friday evening the members of the Christchurch Working Men's Club Rifle Class fired another competition at the 200 yards range for prizss kindly presented by Messrs J. Gould, E. Recce and Sons, Ashby, Bergh, and Co.. S. H. Vernazoni, aud Burrell Bros. The following were the highest scores : — W. G. Munford (2) 35, W. Garrard (scr) 34, G. Allan (scr) 34. R. C. Wells (scr) 32, W. A. Caldwell (ll 32, D. Markland (1) 32. Musical.—Mr E. G. Lovell, who has just returned from a trip to Dunedin aud Southland, appears to have been very successful in pleasing his audiences. At the Dunedin Orchestral Society's concert Mr Lovell Pang, and the Otago Daily Times says—" Mr Lovell, who was the male vocalist, created a distinctly favourable impression " At Invercargill Mr Lovell was specially engaged from Christchurch to take the tenor solos iv "The Messiah," and the local paper, speaking of the concert, says—" Mr Loveli sang '• Every Valley " well and effectively, his pleasant aud melodious voice being heard to good effect. He was equally successful iv the other solo 3, and certainly juscifisi the enterprise that had brought him to Invercargill." St. Albans Wesleyan* CHURcn.—The anniversary services of the St. Albans Wesleyan Sunday school wer6 held yesterday. The church was prettily decorated and the children, to the number of between 250 and 300, were arranged in the front of the church. Mr B. Hindle led the singing and Miss E. Smith presided at the organ. The hymns were on priuted leaflets and the morning service began with the Te Dcitm. The morning preacher was the pastor, the Rev. J. A. Luxford. In the afternoon the Rev. S. J. Baker delivered an appropriate address to the children on " The trees of the Bible." In the evening the Rev. R. Erwiu preached a capital children's sermon. The congregations were large, especially in the eveiling, when numbers were unable to get into the church. Tahcna Fete.—Although the weather was most suitable the attendance at Tuhuua Park on Saturday afternoon was not very gratifying. The concert, which wa3 really a good one, was provided by Miss Freda Marsden and Mr Maitland Gardner, the vocal and instrumental items being bontributed by their pupils and others. The programme included songs by Miss Meadows and 'cello solo by Miss Edgar, and selections by a children's orchestra, under Miss M-irs-den. The Maypole'dauces of the pupils of the Excelsior Kin dei gar ten were very prettily cxacuted. Tne free tnerry-go-iymml and swing boats were made great use cf by the children, and the exhibition of glassblowing and other scientific novelties under charge of Messrs Bicker ton Bros., attracted a great deal ot attention. To-day Messrs Bickerton Bros, will hold an open-air concert at Tahuna, for which a special holi-. day programme has been arranged, in which Miss Moseley, a Duuedin violinist, will take part. In the Oddfellows' Hall, to-mor-row and Wednesday evening, Messrs Bickerton Brothers will give two eutertainments, introducing a number of novelties in the shape of shadow pantomime, Sec

The Unkmploykd.— His Worship the Mayor received the following telegram on Saturday from the Premier :—>" His Worship the Mayor, Christchurch—On inquiry I find that William Thomas Harrison, one of those unemployed whose circumstances are very necessitous, has on four occasions been assisted by the Government. He has been found employment at Lillyburn ; he was then sent to Otago, then to Kelly's Creek, aud lastly be was sent to Whangarei. The Labour Bureau at Christchurch reports that the case is a very destitute one indeed, and demands the attention of those administering charitable aid matters. The expenditure now on co-operative works is fully up to the appropriation, and the matter referred to in your letter and telegrams must be dealt with by the local authorities as already intimated by me.— R. J. Seddon.-'' Mr Lomas states that, with a view to enable the Department of Labour to know the exact condition of the surplus labour in this district, be will in fnture take the names of all who apply every week, so that only those whose names are taken weekly will be recognised when men are required for work. The Bureau hope by this means to get at the true position of the real unemployed, and to guard against misrepresentation as to how long men have been out of work. This N Battery, Lyttelton.—The N Battery, who uuder Captain Mclntyre aud Lieutenant Palmer have been in camp for fourtoen days at the Permanent Artillery Barracks, Sumner road, brought their camp to a close on Saturday. Captain Mclntyre put his Battery through their annual shot and shell practice. The detachmeot having been formed up, marched to one of the lower fortifications,'where a 7in M.L. Armstrong is situated. Tbe detachment was very complete, having rangefiuders, layers, and in fact all the requirements laid dowu by the regulations. Once in the gun-pit, the men got to work smartly, and quickly had the large gun in working order. The targets, which consisted of barrels surmounted with small flags, were laid at some 2000 yards distance, aud with the heavy mist drifting up the harbour, were difficult at times to distinguish. There was a very stiff breeze blowiug up the harbour, which made laying a difficult matter. The Government allowance of artillery amunition for Garrison Artillery is fifteen rounde, which were divided as follows :—Seven common shell, five Shrapnel and three Palliser. The practice was an excellent one, the first shell striking within a few yards of the target, whilst even the worst aimed one was near enough to have done damage to any advancing enemy. The Shrapnel, whicn is from a spectator's point of view tha prettiest of all the shells, burst in every case in a literal torrent of bullets directly over the target, until it was fairly riddled. Tha three Palliser shells were the only ones I fired with full charges, and the reverberation gave the spectators a fair idea of what the sound of an artillery I duel would be. The practice was carried out under t;he direction of Captain Mclntyre, the staff officers supervising being Staff Sergeant-Major Purvis aud Sergeant-Major Wardle. During .their stay in camp tbe N Battery have had an average attendance of 44. The work done has been very heavy, the orders being—Reveille, 5 a.m.; drill,' 5.30 till 7; tea at 6 p.m., then drill till 9'; lights out at 10.30. Work has been put in both morning and evening with the 7in and 64-pounder., as well as with the Nordenfeldt. On the 7th inst. an excellent practice was put in with the Nordenfeldt, the detachment showing that they had made themselves fully acquainted with the nses of that weapon. Sergeant-Major Wardle Bombardiers Knight and Moir, A.C., have been most assiduous in their endeavours to instruct the battery. The N Battery is the only battery of Garrison Artillery io the colony, and the duties laid down for ib are of an unique character. The gannerv examination in connection with the battery will take place on Wednesday next, when some thirty men will try for the gunnery badge and £1 allowed by the regulations. _*4BRrs —The best Brain and Nerve Tonic yet discovered is Compound Syrup of Hypophosphites. Barnett and Co., Victoria ■treet.— :_.DvrJ.

Political.—Mr Meredith, M.H.R. for Ashley, will address his constituents at the schoolroom, Ashley, on Wednesday ; Town Hail, Leithfield, ou Thnrsday ; schoolroom, Medbury, en Friday ; aud schoolroom, West Oxford, on Monday uexs, at 7.30 p.m. Railway Excursions —Railway excursions will be run to-day to Otarama, Sec The excursion fares for Christmas holidays are r.otifisd elsewhere, and it is also intimated that night trains wiil leave Dunedin for Christchurch aud Christchurch for Dunediu on the 24th inst. Christ's Collegk Old Boys' Association. —A service will he held in the Chapel, Christ's College, at 8 a.m. oa Wednesday next, wheu the window which has beeu erected to the memory of the late Bi.hoD Harper will be unveiled. Arrbstkd —A man was on Saturday arrested ou a charge of cruelty to a horse by riding it while iv had a sore shoulder. Last evening Acting - Detective Marsack arrested a mau for breaking iuto the Salvation Army Barracks at Linwood. Eolidat Social. — \ social is to be given to-night in the Lyceum. Akaroa.—Our Akaroa correspondent telegraphed on Saturday :— *• H..M.S. Goldfinch arrived here at 10.50 this morning. The weather now appears settled, promising a successful regatta." Kaiapoi Rifles.—At an inspection parade of this Company, under Lieutenant J. Simpson, ou Friday evening, forty members were present and a steady drill was carried out. The receipt of four framed photos of the squads on the range at tho volley firing of 1893 was annouueed from Mr Wilson. Political.—Mr A. Saunders, the member for Selwyn, addressed a meeting of his constituents at Greendale on Friday night. He touched on the important events ot the last session of Parliament, chielly those with which he was not in accord with the Government, and very briefly referred to the matters concerning which he considered it worthy of support. At the close he re ceived a vote of thanks and confidence. Waimakarski Harbour Boap.d. — A special meeting of this Board was held on Friday evening, a*, which all members were present except Mr Hopkius, to receive tenders for two of the leasehold properties. There was one tender from the Kaiapoi Milling and Produce Company, ofteriug i"25 a year for renewal ot lease ot" premises already held by the Company, which was accepted. No offer was received for the lease of what is known as the malthouse property. A passage at arms took place between two of the members wish respect to the conditions of the lease agreed to iv respect of the public wharf, but the Chairman, Mr Horreli, said he had already ruled in terms of the by-laws, and the subject could not be re-opened. Wesleyan Sunday School Union.— The results of the examinations of the North Canterbury branch ot this Union have lately been, aunounced and are as follows : — Grade A : Gertrude Brown, 83, St. Albans (disqualified by fault of the scrutineers) ; Edith Baker, Sydenham, 73; Edward Rowe, East belt, Walter Chattel-ton, Southbrook, aud Lottie Shepherd, Southbrook, equal with, 68. Giade B : Rebecca Nelmes, Raugiora, 96; Albert Baker, Sydenham, 92 ; Mabel Newton, Woolston, 88 ; Cassy Hillary, Woolston, 86. Grade C : Euphemia Milne, Woolston. William Peryman, Tai Tapu, equal, 90; John Hale, Alexander Allan, Ivy Lily, Muriel Day, all of East belt, Vere Dellow, Roy Dellow, Woodend, equal, 87. Tho medal, awarded for the highest percentage of marks in any grade, went to Rebecca Nelmes, of Ran giora, with .96. In addition to these, a large number who secured over 50 per cent, received certificates, the high percentage gained by the two younger divisions beiug a great credit to the youthful competitor..

GROUNDING OF THE FIFESHIRE. The magisterial enquiry into the stranding of the steamer Fifeshire will not be held till after the New Year, the pressure of Court work and the holidays preventing Mr Be.tham. from taking it sooner.

GOOD TEMPLAR CONVENTION. The Good Templar Convention in Otago meet in February to organise a plan of campaign for the general election and licensing polls.

A SUCCESSFUL REGATTA. An Auckland Press Association telegram states that the Ponsonby regatta, held on Saturday, was a great Buccess. Over a thousand persons were on the flagship. The events proved very interesting.

CONGRATULATIONS. The Hon. R. H. J. Reeves, the newlyappointed M.L.C., who is in Wellington in connection with the Midland Railway case, has received upwards of 130 telegrams congratulating him on bis appointment.

THE PBEMIER CROSS-EXAMINED. The Wellington Post of Thursday has the following paragraph :—The cross-examina-tion of the Premier by Mr Hutchison and Mr Jones afforded some amusement to the habitues of the Midland Railway Arbitration Court yesterday afternoon and this morning. It was expected that it would last all day, but thia morning sufficed apparently to convince counsel that there was little to be made out of it. It savoured much of the story of the man who " captured " a prisoner, but who was unable to return to camp because the *.' prisoner" would neither go with him nor let lnm go. It was very difficult at times to say whether "counsel was cross-examining Mr Seddon or Mr Seddon was cross-examining counsel.

CONFERENCE OF INSURANCE OFFICERS. A Press Association telegram from Auckland states that it is understood there that the Conference of general managers and controlling officers of all insurance Companies doing business in New Zealand, arranged at the Conference in Melbourne in August last to be held early in the new year, will probably take place in Wellington early in January. The object of the Conference is to remove certain anomalies and difficulties which exist iv the present tariff, and to make such readjustments as shall render the tariff more easily workable and acceptable to insurers.

THE NEWTOWN LICENSING CASE.

The Wellington Opera House was crowded to overflowing on Saturday night, on the occasion of an indignation meeting to protest against the action of the Licensing Committee in granting the removal of a liceuse to Newtown. Among the speakers were Sir Robert Stout and Mr C. Hulke, head master of the Newtown school. All protested strongly against another license in the district, and some of the speakers made attacks on individual members of the Committee, alleging that they were interested in granting the removal. A motion was carried strongly resenting the action of the Committee, as opposed to ths wish of the people, and praying that a petition should be presented to ths Governor urging that they should be removed trom the Bench. A number of ladies were on the stage, and a large number among the audience.