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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 902, 21 December 1867, Page 2

Cricket. — A general meeting will be held at the Masonic Hotel this evening. Papakuka and HncuTOTo Block!]. — Intimation is given that the third half yearly rent will be clue on Saturday the 28th inst. The Census Papers are now being called for. . The Enumerator, as will be seen from advertisement, seeks for information as to houses in which a form has not been left. Artesian Wells. — Tho artesian well commenced by Mr. Garry on the site of the Slaughter house proved a failure in the first instance. On Wednesday last, the pipes being then down 100 feet, the rods were lowered, when it was found that the bottom pipe was bent, having apparently come into contact with some hard substance and slipped tp a side, There waa nothing

for it but to go down in another place, and a fresh attempt is now being made — with, we hope, a more successful result than the first. Ban© op Hope. — The children comprising the Napier Band of Hope are to have ' their annual treat on Boxing Day, an, excursion to Mr. Parker's paddock, Waitangi, having been decided upon. Sail Boat Race. — It will be seen from our advertising columns that a sail boat race will be run on new year's day, in the inner harbour. Five or six boats have already been entered, and there is every promise of a good race. Acts assented to. — The Cemetery Act, the Slaughter House Act, and the Toll-gate Act — passed during last session of the Provincial Council — have been duly assented to by the Governor, and are in force from and after the 18th inst. Fire. — On the afternoon of Wednesday last the unusual alarm of fire was heard in the Meanee township, and, on looking about, it was found that Mr. Lever's bakehouse was partially on fire — the roof having apparently become ignited from the oven. Assistance was promptly on the spot, and, in a few seconds, the fire was extinguished without any material damage having been done. Boiling Down Company.— A meeting of the shareholders is convened for this day, to decide upon tenders for the building, &c, at the Big Bush. Waipukurau. — It will be seen that two additional " events" are announced to come off at Waipukurau, on Boxing day. It will be seen that Cobb's coach will sfcarfc at 5 a.m., instead of 6, as previous announced. The Excubsion Tbip on Boxing day promises to be a very attractive affair, an efficient brass band having been engaged to accompany the steamer. Educational. — The examinations of the various schools in Napier have taken place during the week, and great interest in the result has been taken by visitors. Generally speaking the progress of the pupils has been such as to give great satisfaction to parents and others interested. In Tuesday's issue we purpose giving some particulars of each examination, as well as the names of those children who received prizes. Military Dbill foe Boys. — The General Government has sent a circular to teachers of boys' schools in Napier, calling attention to the following resolution, passed during last session of the House of Representatives : — " That in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that boys in all schools throughout the colony which are maintained either wholly or in part by ' public funds, should, where practicable, \ be trained to military drill ; and that the ' Government be requested to take such steps as to them may seem best to insure the same." The Colonial/Secretary, in the circular referred to, adds that the Government has at Napier a drill instructor, and if any teacher wishes that the boys at his school should be taught military drill, , the attendance of such instructor for that purpose will be given at such times and i places as may be conveniently fixed without I interfering with his usual duties. In the event of any teacher concurring in this proposal, he is request^, to: commumcate with the officer commanding the militia, in order that that officer may give the necessary directions. The idea seems a very good one indeed. Philharmonic Society. — The third, or Christmas, concert of the Philharmonic Society was given on the evening of Thursday last, in the Council Chamber. The performing members mustered very strong on the occasion, several effective additions having been made to the choir since last concert, and general improvement being apparent. The audience was, as usual, large and respectable. The first part of the programme consisted wholly of sacred music — chiefly taken from " The Messiah," as being appropriate to the season of the year. The three instrumental pieces — overture, " Samson ;" The Angelus ; and " Meditation " — were carefully rendered, shewing that the practices have been well kept up. The " Angelus," in particular, one of Wallace's compositions, was played with exquisite effect. The choruses were given with considerable steadiness and precision, and the programme was varied by no less than three well executed solos. The second part was of course the more popular of the two. The overture, "La Dame Blanche," as well as the other instrumental performances, were most creditable. The duett, " Robert de Diabie," and the grand trio — violin, violincello, and piano— were, we venture to say, appreciated by the popular ear no less than by lovers of the "severely classical." Some of the finer passages in both these, by the way, were lost to a portion of the audience through the indecorous behavior of two or three persona in the room, whose noisy demonstrations were most apparent at those times when dead silence would have been in consonance with good taste. The glee, " Ye Spotted Snakes," which was considered a difficult piece, was very successful. A song followed — " The beating of my own heart," by a young lady, the fair songstress being her own accompanist. This is a sweet air ; it was sung with much spirit ; and an encore (not, however, responded to) was elicited. " The Return" was sung by a lady to whom the Society owes much — the flute accompaniment, by a very old member of the society, contributing to the exquisite effect of the performance. The trio — " Winds gently whisper," and the old favorite " From Oberon," were beautifully rendered and warmly applauded. A lively set of quadrilles " Palmyra," by the instrumental performers, ended the programme, and "God Save the Queen," in which the audience joined, terminated the performance. We do not think we exaggerate in saying that this concert, while affording great pleasure to the non-performing members, exhibited unmistakable signs of progress on the part of the performing. We have to congratulate the able pianist and conductors, and the members generally, upon the result. We trust they will not relax in their efforts ; and we hope also that those who enjoy themselves at these periodical concerts will not ignore the obvious want of accommodation on the platform and in the body of the hall, but will seriously consider by what means a music hall is to be erected. Duuedin. — The famed Water of Leifch Reservoir has been completed, and the water formally turned on. The occasion was celebrated in Dunediii as a public holiday. Dunedin will now be supplied with sn abundance of fine water, as pipes are laid on from the reservoir among the liills to the city.