NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2251, 20 June 1881, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The South Belt. —The contractors are making rapid progress with the much-needed improvements on the South Belt, so long « bone of contention betwixt the City Council and the Sydenham Borough Council. Already the concrete channelling is formed from the corner of the Lincoln road as far as Selwyn street, and the proper formation of the road and footpaths are be ng attended to ; we may add not a day too soon, considering the ravages of fever and diphtheria in the neighbourhood.

Legal Amenities.—At the Court this morning Mr X., in reference to something that had gone before, said it Mr Y. chose to allow his clients to sit with him at the barristers’ table—well, ho wished him better company. Mr Y., in reply, said that Mr X. had, often sat in worse company. ‘‘That is true,’’ retorted X ,“I have often—too often, perhtpß —sat with you !” Hunting in Ashburton County.—Arrangements have been made for the Otago hounds to visit Ashburton County on Monday, the 27th instant, returning the following Friday. They will be under the charge of Mr S, Saunders.

The Railways.—During the month of April the railways made a profit of £50,166, equal to nearly 7 per cent, on the cost of construction of the whole of the lines throughout the colony. The Sculling Championship.—The race between Albert White, of Auckland, and W. Hearn, of Wellington, for £2OO and the sculling championship of the colony, is now definitely fixed for the Oth proximo, Mr E. O. Batkin having received a telegram from Mr Thomas Henderson, of Auckland, stating that, with one slight exception, White had agreed to Hearn’s alterations in the terms of the agreement. We (“ Now Zealand Times understand that the match will come off at three o’clock in the afternoon, and besidesthe principal event, there will bo a four-oared race between the town and Civil Service, and a handicap scullers' race, open to all comere. Papanui Couhsikg Club.—The following entries have been received for the meeting of the Papanui Coursing Club, in addition to those already published—For the Leger—Mr R. J. Mason ns fawn or red dog Deerfoot, by Orackshot —Honeymoon Mr Ellen ns blk fc Lulu, by Brigade—Nellie. Members' Plate— Mr E. B. Hill’s bd and w b Pauline, by Rifleman —Running Stream. The running will take place on June 27th, Legal.—His Honor Mr Justice Johnston will hold a sitting in banco to-morrow, when the special case of the rule nisi granted with reference to the Club Hotel, Rangiora, will be argued. Lyttelton Natal Brigade.—A meeting of this brigade was held on Friday night to consider the proposal made by Capt. Johnson and the Wellington brigade relative to forming one organisation from all the brigades in the colony. It was decided to take no action in respect to the proposal for the present. Retrenchments.—Messrs Seed and Batkin, who were instructed hv the Government to report upon the several departments of the Civil Service throughout the colony, spent a portion of Saturday last at Lyttelton gathering information. They left the same night by the Penguin for Wellington. Street Preaching.—Last night a large number of persons had congregated under a lamp in front of the Post Office to listen to a couple of street preachers whose oratory was more remarkable for its vigor than its refinement. The expounders of the gospel were no doubt well meaning enough, but their efforts were evidently not appreciated by the assembled crowd, and the scene was by no means an edifying one. The preachers were frequently interrupted by remarks of a jocular, profane, and even ribald character, ana eventually moved on amid considerable hooting and groaning. New Municipality.—A largely _ attended public meeting of ratepayers of Knightstown, St. Albans, Merivalo, and Papanui, was heldin the district school on Saturday night to consider business connected with the formation of a now municipality. It was decided by a large majority that a new municipality should be formed, and the meeting decided that it should bo called St. Albans. Consider-

able discussion took place, and eventually a poll of the ratepayers was demanded for the purpose of deciding the question of a name. A report of the meeting will be found elsewhere.

I.O.G.T.—The Liberator Lodge, No. I, under the E.W. Grand Lodge of the World held their usual weekly session at the Tcmporance Hall, Gloucester street, on Thursday evening last. There was a good attendance of members. After the usual opening ceremonies one candidate was proposed for membership. It was announced that the brothers and sisters of the Rainbow Lodge, No, 13, Lyttelton, were in waiting in the ante-room, and were duly admitted, and occupied the different officers chairs during the evening, the W.C.T. being supported by Bro. Hoskins, G.D., 0.W.0.X.,, on his right, and Bro. Reid, S.D., G.W.O.T. on his left. Several congratulatory addresses were given, after which the lodge went into harmony. A vote of thanks was accorded to the visiting brothers and sisters from Lyttelton for their attendance. Having spent e. very pleasant evening the lodge was closed in due form at 10 30 p.m. Deep Sea. Fishing. —The return- of the newly imported fishing smack at Lyttelton on Saturday after a week's cruise gave an impetus to the fish trade of the port. The boat was purchased by Mr Walsh in Hobart, and brought down here specially for the fishing industry. The vessel is fitted with a well, in which the fish are put as they are taken off the hook, and by this means they are carried alive to market. The catch brought by the boat on Saturday consisted of upwards of a hundred trumpeter fish and several dozen blue cod. A pretty brisk sale of trumpeter was kept up after the arrival of the smack, the fish being carried from the boat by the purchasers in a “ wriggling” condition which quite justified the remark of the vendor that " there could be no mistake about the freshness of them,” The local demand of the port was not, however, equal to the supply on Saturday, and notwithstanding the fact that the fishermen put the price of the finest trumpeter down to from half-a-crown to five shillings according to size, they succeeded in disposing of only about half their catch. The balance in the well of the boat can no doubt be readily sold to-day, the fishermen having the advantage of being in a position to keep them for some days should they not go off readily. Annivebsaevt Dinkeb.— On Friday evening twenty-nine gentlemen sat down to the third annual dinner of the Court Star Lodge,, 6034, of Ashburton, provided excellently by Mr Shearman, of the Somerset Hotel. The chair was occupied by Bro. J. Edwards, and the vice-chairs by Bros. D. Amos and T. Smith. After the cloth was cleared, the toasts of “Her Majesty,” and the “Royal Family,” wore duly honored, succeeded by the following programme: Song, “TheGood old Days,” Mr R. Cooper; song,, “Down among the Dead Men,” Mr H. 0. Jacobson j toast, “Canterbury United District Ancient Order of Foresters,” proposed by Bro. Amos ; song, "Give me your Blessing, dear Mother,” Bro. T. Smith j toast, “ Kindred Societies,” Bro. T. Smith j song, “ The shabby genteel," Mr Geo. Scott ; song,. “I traced her little Footsteps in the Snow,” Mr Fowke ; songs, “Charming young Jessie” and “ Tom Bowling," Bro. McTaggart ; toast, “ Visitors, ” proposed by the Chairmen; song, “Cheer up, Sam," Mr Maynard;, toast, “ Officers of the Oourt," proposed by Mr Purchase, acknowledged by Bro. Edwards ; song, “ A Farmer’s Boy,” Mr John Smith; toast, “ The Ladies," acknowledged humorously by Mr Scott; toast, “ The Huit and Hostess," proposed by Bro. T. Smith, and acknowledged by Bro. Shearman, who has been a member of the Order for eighteen years. The toast of “ The Press" being given, and the representatives responding, the entertainment concluded early by the company singing “ Auld Lang Syne.” Ehtehtaikmbht at Hobobata —The residents of Hororata wore delighted on Friday evening last at the schoolroom by an entertainment given by the teachers and children connected with the above school. It being the first attempt at anything of the kind by the children, a great number of parents expected nothing short of a complete failure on tho part of their little ones to fulfil their respective parts ; but as the evening wore on it was evident that the applause after each attempt was a guarantee to their success. The proceedings were opened by a selection on the piano by Mies Louisa Napier, which was played with great taste and precision. Several songs and choruses by the full strength of the company were given with very good effect. Recitations by Masters Phillips, Percy, Maffoy, and Steele, and the Misses Phillips, Tbwaitcs, Maffey, and Griffiths, were admirably given by all, each piece receiving full justice at the hands of the tiny orators. The duets, “What are tho wild waves saying” and “Puliski’s Banner,” by Mrs Willis and Miss Batlram, were very deservedly encored, as was also the song “Thy voice is near,” by Miss Bartram. Mr Willis convulsed the audience by his quaint readings from Mrs Brown and Andy Andy, He also took the advantage of a full house to impress upon tho minds of parents the necessity of enforcing regular attendance at school by their children, A collection for tho purpose of getting footballs, cricketing tools, &0., for the children was made at the close of the entertainment, and the sum of £5 12s was received A dance, which was kept up until tho small hours, concluded a most enjoyable evening.

Tr H Oathedbal. —Rapid progress is being made with the work yet remaining to be completed before the Cathedral can be consecrated. The glass has been placed in all the clerestory windows, and the large rose window ii now receiving the glazier’s attention. The north porch is also fast approaching completion, and, us far as can bo foreseen, the building will bo ready to be opened on the 10th of August. Abb thu Poliob Bbsphctablb ?—At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning hie Worship, in laying down the rule of procedure in certain cases, said that the Act required an information to bo made by u 8 >me person of good repute,” Sergeant Mason, who had the case in hand, said the information had been laid by an experienced and well-known detective, and he was a person of good repute, wasn’t ho ? The magistrate explained what bo meant was that ho thought the Act required the information to come from soma one not an officer of tho police. As to the respectability of tho force, or of any one of them, he declined to give an opinior. Abhiby. —Mr O. E. Hugo, phrenologist, delivered his popular lecture on “ Character Beading " in the schoolroom, on Friday evening last, to a large and appreciative audience. At tho close of the lecture several ladies and gentlemen had their characters very correctly delineated by Mr Hugo. The Habmonic and Musical Society. ■ A meeting of the members of the Christchurch Harmonic Society was held at the new Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street last night, to consider the question of joining the Musical Society. The Rev. Mr Watson occupied the chair; and there was a good attendance of members. The secretary, Mr Loughnan, reported that tho receipts for the past year had amounted to £62 14s. After deducting from this tho amount of the expenditure for tho same period there was a balance of £2l 10s, while the liabilities amounted to £4l. There were contingent assets amounting to £5, leaving a deficiency of £l4 odd. The new society, which had really been formed by members of tho Harmonic Society, proposed to accept this obligation, and to honor tho tickets which had been issued to members for tho two concerts to bo given, in consideration of which they were to taka over tho assets, consisting of music, &e. Mr Loughnan moved—“ That this Society hand over its property to the now Musical Society, upon that Society undertaking the Harmonic Society’s liabilities, and that the Harmonic Society be now dissolved.” Tho motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Kaiapoi Boeouqh Council.—On Saturday Mr E. Farnham was the only candidate nominated to fill the vacancy in this Council caused by tho death of Or. Monk. Interesting to Ladibb. —A summary of tho Married Woman’s Property Protection Bill just introduced into the Legislative Council, will be found amongst the Parliamentary news from our Wellington correspondent.