NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 55, 3 August 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Theatrical. — We understand that Messrs Steele and Keogh will open a dramatic season at the Theatre Royal on August 22nd. They are at present playing in Dunedin.

Lyttelton Lumpers' Society.—A summoned meeting of the members of this society will be held in the Foresters' Hall, Lyttelton, on Wednesday next.

New Zealand University.—The result of the recent examination for scholarships in the New Zealand University appears elsewhere.

"".Trade Societies. —A meeting of the Trade Societies will be held at the Foresters' Hall on next Tuesday evening for the consideration of matters important to the trades.

Oddfellows' Ball.—The ball in celebration of the anniversary of the Loyal Benevolent Lodge, will take place to-mor-row evening, at the Oddfellows' Hall. The committee and steward* have made every preparation for the comfort and enjoyment of their friends, and a very pleasant evening may be anticipated.

Akaroa Election.—The writ for the election for the seat in the House of Representatives, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr Montgomery, has been issued, and the nomination fixed for the 10th inst. 'Mr Montgomery returned per Tararua on Saturday, and will take an early opportunity of addressing the electors. General Assembly.—Mr O'Neill will ask the Premier, on Tuesday (to-morrow), when arrangements will be commenced by New Zealand, New South Wales, and Queensland, for the construction of the electric cable between New Zealand and New South Wales, and from Normantown, in Queensland, to Singapore, in terms of the agreement now ratified by the Parliaments of the three colonies. Lyttelton Volunteer Artillery.— The monthly inspection of the Lyttelton Volunteer Ariillery took place at the Railway station. This is the first inspection that has been held since the removal of the drill shed. There was a fair muster, and Colonel Packe expressed himself well satisfied with the appearance and appointments of the men. A special general meeting of the battery took place after parade, several important matters being settled.

The Weather.—The wind has been blowing strong from the S.W. all day, and there has been a constderable sea on in the harbor. All work has been stopped on the wharves in consequence of the wet, and the steamers Taranaki and Maori have been both detained for cargo. About one o'clock the signal was made for ships to drop their second anchor. The barometer, which was at 29'40 this morning, rose to 29'56, a sure sign of wind. A considerable portion of the breakwater has sunk and some washed away. There have been no arrivals or departures to-day. Inquest,—An inquest was held on Saturday at Tai Tapu before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., coroner, on the body of the infant son of John Sheehan. The evidence showed that on the night of the 30th ultimo, Mrs Sheehan retired to bed at 10 o'clock, and awoke shortly after one o'clock, when she found the child lying under her right side. Her sister-in-law, who was sleeping with her, lit a candle, and the child was found to be dead. mortem examination showed that death had resulted from suffocation, and the jury returned a verdict accordingly.

The Domain Bill.—ln the Legislative Council, on July 29th, the second reading of this Bill was moved by the Hon Mr Campbell, and after some debate, the following amendment, moved by the Hon Colonel Brett, was carried :—" That the Bill be referred to a select committee, with power to call for persons, papers, and records, and to report within three days. The committee to consist of the Hon Major Richmond, C. 8., the Hon Mr Waterhousc. the Hon Captain Frasor, the Hon Mr G. R. Johnson, the Hon Mr Campbell, the Hon Mr Menzies, and the mover."

Sunday Observance. —The president of the Canterbury Sunday Observance League, Mr J. 11. Twentyman, has received the following reply to n, letter addressed by him to the Hon the Premier :—" Premier's office, Wellington, July 28. 1874. Sir,—l have the ho'ior to acknowledge the receipt of the letter which, as president of the Canterbury Suuday Observance League, you addressed on the 22nd instant. I have to state, in reply, that at the Christchurch Post-office only the private box-room is opened on Sundays, and that this does not entail labor upon the officers of the department. Respecting your comments upon the meeting of the Christchurch Licensed Victuallers' Association, I have only to state that the Licensing Bill now before the Assembly does not contain provisions for Sunday trading. I have, &c, Juuus VoajiL."

Kaiapoi Ploughing Match.—lt was expected that a meeting of the committee to settle up the affairs of the late match wonld have been held at the Kaikainui Hotel on Friday evening, when Messrs J. Birnie, W. M. Ross, H. Vale and W. Birnie were present. It was stated that all the prizes had been paid and handed over at the dinner, except the handsome 'electro plated cup presented by Mr Carl, of the Empire Hotel, Christchurch, for the best team. This was now produced, and having been admired by all in the room besides the members of committee, who considered it would have formed a valuable prize for champion ploughing, was handed to the winner, and duly filled with champagne. It was decided that Mr Edwards, hon. secretary, be requested to advertise, calling a meeting of the committee.

Football. The match between tbe Fifteen and the remainder of the Club was continued on Saturday last; the former had the south goal and the kick off. Neither side mustered in great force, several usual attendants being frightened by the gloomy state of the weather. The Fifteen played well, but were evidently over-matched, the ball being mostly near their goal. After about half an hour's play, Mr F. W. Moore, by a magnificent drop kick, obtained the first goal for the Club. Sides were changed, and notwithstanding several good attempts on the part of the Fifteen to gain a goal, they were unable to do so. About a quarter of an hour before five Mr Harman, by some good forward play, secured a second goal for the Club. No other advantage was gained by either side. Smith's Combination Troupe.—The mid-day performance by these clever artistes drew a capital house, and the juveniles were highly delighted with what they saw, Mr Vose's figures particularly evoking shouts of laughter, and some original remarks on the part of one or two of the little occupants of the dress circle, to which Master Robin replied. The De Castro's, Airec, Mr Saunders, and the other artistes, also received warm maks of approval from the youngsters. In the evening there was a change of programme, the De Castro Family appearing in several new acts, all of which were gone through with that ease and grace which marks the performances of these clever children. Mr Airec, in addition to his feats upon the areovolante, introduced a novelty in the shape of a laeder affixed to the bur, up which he proceeded while the bar was in motion. Mr Vose reintroduced Mrs Brown and Johnny Trotter, and the audience gave them a hearty welcome ; Mr Trotter's remarks on things in general being received with loud applause. That clever illusion, the Talking Hand, was also capitally done, the resemblance to life in the matter of drinking, smoking, and singing being almost perfect. Mr Saunders played some good music on the harp, and Mdlle Montebello and Mr Vincent were successful in their duologues and solos. The crowning feat of the evening was the flight of Youug England from the dress circle, over pit and stalls, to his father, who was suspended from a trapeze near the proscenium. A large net stretched across the lower part of the house prevented any injury in case of accident. The little fellow started on his serial journey and successfully accomplished it twice, once with a forward somersault from his swinging trapeze,, and once with a backward one; owing, however, to there gnot being sufficient swing in the ropes to give him the requisite impetus he did not succeed in the two following efforts. . However, the apparatus has been altered, and to-night he will no doubt go through it successfully. The same programme will be repeated tonight. Mr Vose, whose clever ventriloquism has made him a prime favorite, takes his benefit on Friday night, when the playgoiug public, for whose amusement he has done so much, ought to practically express their feelings towards him by giving him a bumper house.