NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 175, 30 December 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Railway to Southbridge.—We are informed on reliable authority that this line will probably be ready to open for traffic at the end of February. New Zealand University. —lt is notified in the Gazette that a meeting of the senate of the University of New Zealand will be held in Wellington on the Ist of March. Threshing Machines.—lt is notified in the Gazette that from and after the Ist of January threshing machines will be subject to the provisions of the Inspection of Machinery Act, 1874. Art Union. The drawing for the Japanese cabinet, in aid of the Catholic bazaar, Lyttelton, took place on Monday night at the back of Mr Murray's store. Constable McGorman won the prize, and munificently gave it back for the benefit of the church. Fishing in the Avon.—The council of the Acclimatisation Society have determined to ask the Superintendent to proclaim the months of January, February, and March, 1875, a time when trout may bp taken by rod and line in the River Avon, by persons holding licenses from the society, under the condition that any fish caught not exceeding eight inches in length is to be returned to the river. Sudden Death.—A case of very sudden death occurred yesterday morning. On Mr Charles Paddock, who resides in Hereford street, awaking yesterday morning about six o'clock, he found his wife dead, but only recently so as the body was quite warm. Mrs Paddock had been in delicate health for some time, and attended by a medical man at intervals, but had gone to bed in her usual state of health. An iuquest will be lield.j

Tub Sparrows.—At yesterday's meeting of the council of the Acclimatisation Society it was resolved to request his Honor the Superintendent to remove house Fparrows from the list of protected imported birds. Ashley Bridge.—lt is satisfactory to note the near completion of this extensive contract. Yesterday the last set of iron gilders were fixed, and the woodwork has latterly been kept close up, though in this department, many serious delays have taken place. The footbridge will be available in about a week, and is even now greatly used by pedestrians, as the main stream having left the North bank the portion finished can safely be reached. The farmers of the district are anxiously watching the proceedings, and flatter themselves that " fossicking for a ford " and " double-banking " are things of the past, and that the whistle of the locomotive will form a pleasing accompaniment to that of the threshing machine of the opening seasou.

Bakers' Picnic.—A picnic, in which the millers aud master bakers of Christchurch subscribed to defray expenses, was given yesterday to the journeyman bakers and their families. The party, which also included employers, met at the post office early, and preceded by a band, started for Sumner. On arriving there dancing was indulged in, after which a general lunch followed. Improvised sports, consisting of jumping, foot racing, and a race between baker's horses for prizes was the next order of the day, and a prize given for the best kept baker's horse a»d harness was awarded to Mr Hopper, of Lincoln road. Beer and lemonade, presented by the city brewers and manufacturers, was liberally dispensed, and the party returned to town in the evening having thoroughly enjoyed their first picnic.

Canterbury Railways.—The triffic returns for the five weeks ending December 3rd appear in the Gazette. The following is a summary : —Passengers—Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway, £1042 13s Gd ; season tickets, £lO5 8s; parcels, &c, £GS Us Sd. Passengers—Great Southern Railway, £2258 9s 3d ; season tickets, £9G 2s 2d ; parcel.", &c, £l3O 15s 2d. Passengers—Great Northern Railway, £961 12s ; season tickets, £45 8s Gd; parcels, &c, £4B 17s Bd. Freight up—Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway, £2296 17s lid; do down, £616 15s; do up—Great Southern Railway, £592 Is 7d ; do down, £948 6s 3d; do up—Great Northern Railway, £2231 Is lOd ; do down, £296 7s 3d. ' Storage, £220 0s Gd ; labor, £252 19s 4d ; wharfage, £523 0s Bd. Total, £10.733 18s 4d. The total receipts for the same period in 1873 were £8065 163 Bd. Presentation.—On Monday afternoon the scholars attending the Southbridge school assembled r "'■ . ours for the purpose of pre-, senting a tc. iniaJ to their master, Mr Fergusson, w >s, after an uniemitting couise of labo. r the lastsixyears, obtained a well-earned leave of absence for a period of three months for the purpose of recruiting his health (which has of late been seriously impaired) by an entire relaxation from duty and change of scene. The chairman of the school committee, Mr C. J. Bridge, presided, and in opening the proceedings commented in eulogistic terras on the indefatigable energy displayed by Mr Fergusson during his long course of labors, congratulated him on the marked improvement both in the number attending the school and the acquirements of the scholars, and wished him a pleasant trip and a happy return to Southbridge with renewed health and vigor. He then called upon Master George Andrews, senior boy, to make the presentation, consisting of a very handsome gold albert chain, which he did in a suitable and becoming manner, on behalf of himself and the rest of the scholars. Mr Fergusson then expressed hissiucere acknowledgement of this mark of esteem, and three cheers having been vociferously given for their worthy chairman and for their schoolmaster, the boys were then dismissed.

United Methodist Free Churches.— The quarterly circuit meeting in connection with the above, was held at St Asaph street, on Monday, December 28tb, 1874. The preachen, as usual, met at 11 a.m. to transact the necessary business in connection with the preaching appointments, &c. After partaking of a dinner, kindly provided by the Rev T. R. Fisher, the preachers and representatives of the different churches met to transact the general business of the circuit. It [being the time for the election of officers, considerable time was taken up for that purpose. Amongst other officers, Bro G. Booth was elected circuit secretary, and Bro J. T. Brown circuit steward. This meeting also gave the Eev S. Macfarlane a unanimous invitation to labor in the .circuit another year, which he accepted, to which they added a hearty vote of thanks for the services rendered by him during the past year. The numerical report shows an increase in numbers, and the financial report an increase in the income of the circuit greatly in advance of the past year. After partaking of tea, which was provided in the chapel, the social meeting of the members of the different churches in [the circuit was held. The chair was occupied by the Eev 8. Macfarlane. Addresses were given by the following brethren—The chairman, J, T. Brown, Messrs G. Booth, Caygill, Watson, and Lockwood. The latter having just arrived from England to labor in this circuit, was heartily welcomed by the members of the meeting to his new sphere of labor. The attendance at the meetings was better than usual. After singing the doxology, they dispersed. Catholic Schools Treat.—The annual treat to the girls and boys attending the above schools took place on Monday afternoon last. Soon after noon the children arrived. The girls with their lady friends collected in the grounds attached to the convent, where they amused themselves with various games and foot races. The boys assembled in the paddock adjoining the pres bytery, when Mr O'Connor, their master, with the assistance of a few of the school committee and other friends, got up foot races and other amusements.' An efficient band, under Mr G. Opeheim, was in attendance during the afternoon and evening, and added greatly to the enjoyment of the children. Soon after five o'clock the children were supplied with a most liberal tea, the nuns at the convent having undertaken the arduous task of collecting contributions in the form of cakes, buns, sweetmeats, &c, for the same, and the result reflected great praise on them. After all had done full justice to the good things provided, the chief event of the day was prepared for—namely, the procession of the school children through the town. The procession was marshalled into order in the front of the church by the Rev Fr. Belliard, who, we may here mention, was most indefatigable in his endeavors to

make everything ns enjoyable to the children and their friends during the whole day as possible. Mr C. Opeheim's band headed the procession, they being immediately followed by the girls from the convent schools. attended by their teachers and lady friends; the boys followed next, attended also by teachers and friends. Banners were carried by several of the children, who in their holiday attire, especially the girls, presented quite a say and pleasing sight. There were about 400 children in the two schools After leaving the church, the procession proceeded along Barbadocs street to the Ferry road, along which they turned into High street, passing down High street to its junction with Cashel street, it turned along (Jabhel street east, along which they proceeded until they arrived at Barbadoes street, along which they returned to the boys' schoolroom. During the procession the band played several very appropriate airs. At the schoolroom, MrShanley amused the juveniles for a short time, to bring the afternoon to a pleasant close, by exhibiting his magic lantern, which seemed to be well appreciated by them. Mr Charles Oakcs most ably presided at the piano, and played the magic pictures in and out. Before the children departed, the boys presented Mr E. O'Conner, their schoolmaster, with a very handsome book with a short address, as a their esteem. With three limee three for Fr. Belliard, Mr E. O'Connor, and all kind assisting friends, the boys and girls departed with their parents and friends, after spending a most enjoyable evening and afternoon.