NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9303, 2 January 1896, Page 5

NEWS OF THE DAY.

ACSTRAUAN M.TOAL PP.-VIDENT ASSOOAIIos.— Au addiesß to policy-holders in the Australian Mutual Provident Association will be delivered thi*. evening in the hull of the Chamber of Coinmorco, at eight o'clock, by Mr B. Short, formerly a Wreotorof the Society. ._"{£_.— Aboub twenty minutes after midD i 2 li. a fire broko out in nn upstairs bedroom of Mrs Holmes's Temperance Hotel, Afsnchester street. The fire engines, with their plant, wero quickly on the scene, but fortunately their services were not required, v the fire was extinguished before much damage was done. ' CiWCKKTEns' Ball,—The ball given by the citizens to the Now South Wale, team of cricketers at tho Art Gallery lasb evening wm very successful and enjoyable, jheie were aboub fifty couples present, and dancing wa9 indulged iv for several hours. The furniture was siit.plied by Mrs A. J. While, the mu.io by Mr Fleming, and a jjipital aupper by Mr J. Freeman. Tub Sunn-Sipe Tramway Extension. —The extension of the tram line on the Lin«lo road, from the Show Ground terminus to Sunny side, was opened for traffic yesterday by the Christchurch Tramway Com?any. The new portion of the line is about 2 chains hi length, and has been well con* itraoted. The extension will be found a great convenience, not only to tbe residents of the district, bub to those who wish to tWtthe Asylum on open days. Railway Caki-yino Co-.tp.act.—Yester-day Mr Brightling, the successful tenderer for the railway carrying contract, took over hj- work. In accordance with the regulations, Mr Brightling had to take over the hones, plant, &c., of tho outgoing contractor. Mr A. Smith (of Christchurch) valued this for Messrs J. M. Hoy wood and Co,, Mr Kennedy Wyille (of Sydney) for Mr Brightling, aud Mr C. E. Calcutb (of the Loan Coinpauy) was umpire in the valuation. AtsrKAtASiAK Championships. — Tbis afternoon the Australasian Amateur Athletic

aoiCycling Championship Meeting opens, > and' sffords a fitting termination to the I iports we havo had in the fortnight. It is an important gathering from the fact that I the pick of New Zealand meet the best from I ths other side, and ib is interesting for the reaaoo, among others, tbab such intercolonial competitions are unlikely to be witnessed in Christchurch during the next s twenty-three years. Tho Mayor of Christchuroh has asked tho citizens to observe tlie afternoon as a holiday, aud most of the firms in town have acceded to the request. -.I-_B Matou.—The anuual rifle match, Kaiapoi v Timaru Rifles, which should have taken place at Timaru oc New Year's Day, was postponed. The visiting team applied m usual for passes for the railway for Volunteers in uniform and were refused. "Mr Buddo, M.H.R, however, interested himself and obtained a promise from the Ifefeuce Minister that the passes would be , forthcoming. On applying as late as yesterday to the district olficos the officers of the Company were informed that no authority bad been given for passes. Kaiapoi Borough Council.—Tho fortnightly meeting was hold on Tuesday evening. Present—The Mayor (Mr Foldwick). aim all the Councillors except Crs. Blakely ,-tt-dßugg, to whom leave was granted. The fortnight's receipts were £13 19s 7d, and present overdraft £619 18s 9d. Accounts •mounting to £37 2s lid were passe.. It was decided that the Mayor, should act as Delegate to a Conference of- municipal insurance. The foes for dog registration were fixed, and a tender from Mr W. Anderson, saddler, for collars, was accepted. The Mayor wished the Councillors a happy and prosperous New Year and the Council adjourned. Magisterial. —At tbe Stipendiary Magistrate's Court, Christohnrch, yesterday, before Mr H. W. Bishop, 8.M., John Mcllroy was charged with leav"J_ » young woman with an nnborn wild without adequate tneaus of support, ns was adjudged the putative father, and ordered to find a surety of £75. Alex. K. j-sllaghsn was fined ss, or twenty-four hours, for drunkenness at Halsweil, and fined 40* or three weeks' hard labour for assaulting and resisting Constable Koster, »nd was convicted aud discharged for using obscene lauguago. A first offender, for drunkenness, was discharged with a caution. Lames requiring Christmas presents for RW.Ue_.en friends should not miss seeing ■ ant * Lamb's splendid Btock of pipes, *"«ing slicks, match boxes, cigar cases, «•• 9578