NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume II, Issue 164, 14 December 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

Oddfellows’ Fete, Rangiora.—We notice that a train will leave Lyttelton for the Oddfellows’ fete at Rangiora on Wednesday next. Akaiioa Regatta. —We hear that several vessels are going from Lyttelton to compete at the Akaroa regatta, and that it is likely to be a great success in every way. Agricultural and Pastoral Association. —A meeting of the committee of the above, to consider important business, will be held at Tattcrsall’s at 2.15 p.m. on the 22nd inst, when a full meeting is requested. Lyttelton Yacht Club. —A number of gentlemen from Christchurch came down on Saturday, and with other members of the club resident in port, had a sail in the Annie Ogle, the breeze was fresh, N.B, and the trip most enjoyable. Postal. —The order to afford the public ample time to reply to correspondence received by the San Francisco mail, due here on the 16th inst, the Phoebe will not leave Lyttelton with the outward mails until the 21st inst. The Opera. —On Saturday night Mr Allen’s company played some of the opera of “ Der Freischutz,” Miss Howe taking the part usually filled, by Miss May. The opera was followed by a farce, but we think the innovation of introducing a mixed bill was hardly successful. Miss Alice May takes her benefit to-night, and will re-appear before her Christchurch admirers in the character of 'Marguerite, iu Gounod’s opera of “ Faust.” ' We trust that there will be a full house to welcome Miss May back again. Certificated Teachers’ Association. —The monthly meeting was held in the Durham street school on Saturday. In the absence of the president, Mr Mitchell was voted to the chair. The report of the subcommittee on superannuation was read by the secretary, and after some discussion, adopted. On the motion of Mr Phillips, the following were appointed a sub-committee to arrange for a pic-nic to be held some time in February next—Messrs W, Taylor, Foster, Davidson, Misses Seager, Grierson, and Matthews, with power to add to their number. The reading of Mr Curaming’s paper was postponed until the next meeting, which, on account of the holidays, will not be held until the second Saturday in February, Holy Trinity, Lyttelton.— The monthly meeting of the vestry was held on Friday evening, Rev F. Pember in the chair. Mr Graham reported that £3O would be required to put the church fence in repair, and provide new gates, Sen. It was resolved, as the vestry have not sufficient funds for the purpose, that the worst parts of the fencing be repaired, and the thorough renovation postponed for a month or two, when an appeal will be made to the congregation for the object, as well as for fitting the church with gas. On the motion of Dr Bouse, it was resolved to ask Mr Reston to survey the parsonage, and report as to needful repairs. The vestry then, on the motion of Mr H. R. Webb, resolved itself into a committee of the Church of England school, when it was deciied that that gentleman be requested to ascertain what repairs are necessary to the school buildings, which will not be used by the borough school committee after next week; also that Rev F. Pember do write to Rev Canon Dudley, asking permission to use the funds arising from his endowment for the 1 urposes of the Sunday-school,

Lyttelton Regatta Committee. —A meeting of this committee was held last Friday evening, the commodore (Mr P, Cunningham) in the chair. It was slated in reference to the money required that about £3O more would have to be collected. The time for the various races was then arranged, so that they might be printed, and also the courses. The following additions to the rules were also passed—“ That ballast boats be allowed ten seconds per ton, to be calculated on their burden. That the measurement of yachts be taken according to the Thames Royal Yacht Club rules. That centre-board boats or vessels sail with their centre-boards sealed up or down, or to be used as the committee shall decide on the regatta day.” It was decided that the secretary write to the secretary of the Akaroa regatta, thanking the committee for altering the time of their regatta, so as not to clash with the Lyttelton one. The meeting then adjourned. The Waiau Bridge.—A correspondent of the Press who recently visited the Hanmer Plains writes as follows : —“ I was extremely sorry to notice a paragraph in your paper a week or two ago giving a brief account of the destruction of the Waiau bridge. This bridge has had an existence of about ten years, which is three years longer than the contractor who erected it would guarantee it to stand. This, I think, speaks very well for the way in which it was erected. The approaches to the bridge on either side were of a very indifferent character—in fact, were a disgrace to the Government, within whose jurisdiction they lay, and it is to be hoped will be put in better order when the bridge is rebuilt. I presume there is little doubt that it will be rebuilt, for it had been much used by persons visiting the hot springs of the Hanmer Plains, and also by travellers to Nelson ; and great inconvenience will le felt by residents in the district andotheia until this is done. The structure was well worth a visit. The scene around might be classed as one of the “ awfully grand” description. In consequence of the length of the bridge (about 180 feet) and its extreme narrowness (six feet in all) a slight swaying was plainly to be felt in crossing with a horse, and this must, no doubt, have been much more noticeable when cattle were being driven over it, which, I believe, was often done. When on the bridge, a glance below actually made one feel dizzy, to see the seothing'torrent of murky water 180 feet below (not eighty, as stated in the paragraph before alluded to) rushing at a great pace between its precipitous and rocky cliffs. A short distance above the site of the late bridge, and at the confluence of the rivers Waiau and Hanmer, is a small rocky island containing a cave, in which the skeleton of a man was some time ago discovered, supposed to be that of a Maori, which had probably lain there for a very considerable period. Looking from the bridge, this island, with its surroundings, makes a pretty picture, and 1 may say is one of the prettiest views on the road from Christchurch to the Hanmer Plains. The bridge was a sight I am glad I did not miss, and a visit to that alone would repay anyone for the trouble in getting there. Ido hope the Nelson Government may soon see their way clear to erect another bridge, and that the design and erection together may be as well worthy of notice as the last.” Lyttelton Borough School Committee. —A meeting of this committee was held last Saturday evening, at 7 p.m. Present—Mr Webb (chairman), and Messrs Nalder, Grange, Allwright, Hawkins, Capt. Wood, and Dr Rouse. Correspondence was then read—To the Board of Education re erection of caretaker’s house and fence ; an answer from the Board was read sanctioning the acceptance of Scott Brothers’ tender for the work, and also agreeing to the appointment of Mr J. S. Willcox as clerk of the works at a salary of £3 per week ; from the Board re Miss StanselTs salary. The chairman stated that Scott Bros had not yet signed the bond, and that the ladies had collected £ll6 13s 3d towards the school treat; that about £2O was to be expended in the purchase of prizes, which would be given away on the 17th December. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to the Oddfellows’ for their liberal contribution towards the school funds. The chairman said that the real business was to decide about the treat to be given to the children —he said that there were not sufficient funds to invite all the townspeople. It was decided that the treat to the children be held on Wednesday, January 20tb, and the buildings be formally opened on the following day. It was stated in support of this resolution that it was advisable to have the treat at the end of the holidays to allow the masters who were going into the country for their vacation to get back, and also to allow of the presence of Mr Edge, the new head master. A long discussion took place regarding the site, the charge of transit on the railway, and whether or not it was advisable to make a small charge to adults attending, and it was eventually carried that all subscribers be invited by advertisement to attend and will receive tickets. It was also decided to ask the Sunday school teachers to assist. It was decided to write to the Board asking permission to engage a care-taker at the rate of 30s per week, with house and firing. It was also arranged that Mr Webb should give out the prizes on the 17th, The chairman having stated that the bell was being cast, the meeting adjourned.

‘ Ah. ! mighty Cmsar, hath it come to this ? ’ Julius S. Caesar is a veterinary surgeon at Port Hope, Canada.