The Evening Star THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1886.

Evening Star, Issue 7093, 23 December 1886, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1886.

With this number we issue our Christmas supplement of four pages, which contain a collection of short stories, portions of our London correspondence, an account of a famous literary quarrel that has excited a great deal of attention in England, selected poetry, etc. Owing to the crush of advertisements we are obliged to hold over all our local reports.

Louise Colvin, aged nine years, was drowned while bathing at the Thames yesterday afternoon. Mr P. North has been elected unopposed for South Ward in the Port Chalmers Borough Council. Chief Justice Higinbotham, of Victoria, will spend his holiday in New Zealand, and is a passenger by the Rotomahana. We have reason for saying that the Charitable Aid difficulty in Roslyn Borough is likely to be got over without having recourse to a poor rate.

At this morning’s sitting of the Supreme Court in Chambers Mr E. Cook applied for a special jury in the case of Isaac v. Mills. The application was refused. Among the lonic’s passengers are Fathers Beeker and Madon, of St. Joseph’s Missionary Society, London, who intend to establish a mission among the Maoris. Mr W. M. Mowatt, for some years chief engineer of the Wairarapa and now employed at the Belfast freezing works, has been appointed inspector of machinery in succession to MrNancarrow,

At the Port Chalmers Police Court to-day Thomas Kelly was fined 5s with the usual alternative for drunkenness, and for using obscene language was sentenced to seven days’ hard labor. Messrs A. Thomson and J, R. Monson, J.P.s, were on the Bench. The * North Otago Times ’ says that a movement is afoot in the Waitaki district to induce the Government to take a large freehold area near Duntroon and throw it open for settlement. The Government are to be asked to buy at the property tax value, plus 10 per cent., and cut the land up into moderately-sized farms. A Wellington telegram states that by the death of Mr Peebles, a London merchant and banker, an estate worth between L 230,000 and L 250.000 has been left to his three nephews, and that of thjs sum Mr Walter Turnbull, of Wellington, being the eldest, takes LIOO.OOO. An impression has got abroad that Mr George Turnbull of this City is a relative of the late Mr Peebles, but such is not the fact.

As Messrs Gregg and Co.’s cart was proceeding down Rattray street, near the railway station, this morning, the horse attached to it shied, and ran up against the horse and cart of Mr W. Ryley, of Green Island. The result was that one of the shafts of the first-mentioned cart penetrated the side of Mr Ryley’s horse, causing bleeding to such an extent that the animal had to be shot.

In the North-cast Valley Church last night a sacred entertainment was given by the choir, assisted by a few of their friends. The programme comprised a number of choruses from Burnham’s “ Christmas Carols and New Year’s Chimes,” interspersed with some well-selected solos. Mr A. Graham was the conductor, and as the choristers duly attended to the dictation of his baton the result was that time and expression were noticeable in most of the choruses, although perhaps there were one or two exceptions where a better effect would have been attained if slower time had been observed. The soloists, on the whole, acquitted themselves well. Mr H. G. Moore accompanied throughout, and the choruses were greatly strengthened by the assistance of Mr Powell’s band. During the evening the members of the choir presented Mr Graham with a silver-mounted

baton, and in making the presentation the Rev. Mr Borne referred in complimentary terms to the services rendered to the Church by the recipient. Maori Ifailc races on Boxing Day start at 11 a,m. Masonic picnic at Blanket Bay on Monday. The Tokapo makes an .excursion trip to Oaraaru on New Years Day, Nelson, Moate, and Co. request customers to call for a copy of their almanac. Entertainment on Christmas night in Lyceum Hall. Concert, farce, and dance. The B.s. Invercargill runs excursions to the Kaik on Christmas and Boxing Days.

The Dunedin Engineers Band have elected Mr H. Benjamin their honorary conductor. 1.0.0. F. picnic at Quarantine Island on Monday. Particulars in advertisement. V No, 1 Company Dpnedin Highland Rifles announce a concert and ball to be held in the Garrison Hall on New Year’s Eve. ladies and gentlemen who sang at the performance of “ The Messiah ” requested to assist in the oratorio at Si, Matthew’s Church on New Year’s Eve.

The Union Steam Ship Company will send the Koranui and Beautiful Star to the Kaik amd outside on Boxing Day, and the Penguin will make a cruise outside the Heads. The Rev. J. A. Dowie ami Mrs Dowie will lecture in the Garrison Hall to-night upon “Spirit, Sioui, and Body,' 1 illustrated by diagrams. Lecture begins at a quarter to eight o’clock.

Organ recital and carol service at St, Matthew’s Church on Christmas Eve. _ The programme, which appears elsewhere, is an attractive one. Mr Normington, assistant organist of Christchurch Cathedral, will play four selections.

A carol service of the same .character as that given last Christmas Eve Is to Ls held at St. Paul’s Church to-morrow night. The uiioral siug'mv will commence at eleven o’clock, atwl at midnight a choral celebration of holy communion will take place, The efforts of the choir last year were much eulogised, and as every preparation has been made for the present occasion an unusual musical treat may be expected. At the quarterly meeting of Loyal Pioneer Lodge, P.A.F.s., one candidate was initiated,

and the following were elected to the various offices for the current term: —WJL, Bro. J. Marine: D.M., Bro. G. Kendall; secretary, Bro. If. Traitor; tf’ennirer, Bro. H. L. Tucker; chaplain, Bro. A. S. Heiulpraon; S.K., Bro. C. W, Wilkinson} J.E., Bro R. Gregg! J. 0., Bro. A. Tornent; auditors, Bros, J. K, Henderson and S. Dickson. Dr H, Tecvan was appointed surgeon, and Messrs Bagley and Sons chemists. Tho half-yearly meeting of the Pioneer Lodge, 1.0.0.P,, wfts hold on Tuesday night, there being a largo attendance of, members and visitors. A candidate was initiated. The election for the several chairs resulted as follow ; —J. P.G., Bro. Blanden: N.G., Bro. S. Solomon; V.G., Bro. F. Bennett; secretary, Bro, Springer; treasurer, Bro. S. Jacobs; trustees, Bro. Johnson, Gourley, and Colo; auditors, Bros. Miohie, Latimer, and Capstick.