NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 246, 24 March 1875, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Dunedin Races. —Up to the hour of going to press we had not received any telegram from our sporting correspondent, but from a private source we have learnt the result of two of to-day’s events, as follows; Handicap Hurdle Race—Kildare, 1; Ivanlioe, 2. Jockey Club Handicap—Templeton, 1; King Philip, 2. Volunteer Inspection. The City Guards will parade for inspection by the officer commanding the district, at the drillshed, this evening, at 7.30 p.m. Meeting op Plasterers.— A meeting ol plasterers was held last evening at the Market Hotel, Mr B. Brooker in the chair. There was a good attendance both of members and non-members of the association. The state of the trade was discussed, and all present expressed themselves in favor of the principles of the association. Those who were not already members, intimated their inteption of joining, and all present pledged themselves to further the objects of the association as far as possible.

Visiting Justices. The Gazette of March 18th contains a notice of the appointment of his Honor the Superintendent as Visiting Justice of Lyttelton and Addington gaols, and Mr G. L. Mellish of Addington gaol. Madame Winter’s Concert. — A concert, comprising vocal and instrumental music, in the first part rendered by pupils of Madame and Miss Winter, and a second part, composed of the music of Wallace’s favorite opera “ Maritana,” will be given on Thursday, Ist April, in the Oddfellows’ Hall. The names of the soloists and chorus in the operatic portion promise a successful rendering of the work, added to which it has been very carefully rehearsed. A full rehearsal will take place to-morrow at the Oddfellows’ Hall.

Shipping Telegrams.— Circulars have been issued by the Telegraph Commissioner to the agents of the various steamship companies at the ports of the colony, and also to the telegraphists, notifying the change in the transmission of information relative to the arrival and departure of steamers on and after April 12th. Tn future the agents of the various steamers are requested to furnish the telegraphist with the information of arrival and departure of their boats, who will despatch it in the usual way. In case of steamers carrying the mail the agent is requested to add the words “ with Suez,” or “ San Francisco mail,” as the case may be, and a copy of such telegrams will be sent to all stations.

Address to his Honor the Judge,— The Bar of Canterbury having resolved to present his Honor Mr Justice Gresson with an address, on the occasion of his retirement, his Honor was requested to say when it would be convenient for him to receive it. In Chambers yesterday his Honor informed Mr Duncan that he would be prepared to receive it on the 31st inst, that being the day upon which his term of office as Judge of this district expired. We feel sure that not only the profession, but all classes of the community, will regret the retirement of his Honor from the high position which he has for many years filled with such integrity and credit to himself and honor to the province. Theatre Koyal, —Rip Van Winkle” was produced last evening at the Theatre, Mr Collier as Rip is exceedingly good, particularly in the scene where he awakens after his lengthened sleep in the mountains. The other characters were well filled. To-night the ,l Octoroon” will be played, as we regret to say Mrs Walter Hill is still seriously indisposed, Playgoers will be glad to learn that Mr Collier has completed engagements with Mr and Mrs Hoskins for short stay of threenights en route to Dunedin, commencing on the sth inst. They will open with “ The Serious Family,” and “The Jealous Wife,” followed on the second night by “ The Hunchback.” We feel sure that these universal favorites will receive a warm and hearty welcome on their re-appearance. Fire at Oamaru. —The Guardian gives the following account of a fire which broke out on the 21st:—A fire, resulting in considerable loss ol property, broke out in Harbison and Henderson’s grocery establishment, Thames street, Oamaru, yesterday morning, at a quarter to one o’clock. When the fire was discovered the flames were issuing through the doorway of the premises just mentioned. It then rapidly extended both north and south, until it stopped in the latter direction at Kite’s carriage factory, where its progress was arrested by a cross street; and in the former direction it was checked by the stone wall of Lane’s butchery. As there was neither water nor fire brigade, but little could be done towards checking the progress of the fire. No accidents of any kind occurred. The fire is supposed to be the result of accident. The New Zealand Insurance office is interested to the extent of £3500, and other offices to the extent ot

£I4OO. We append a list of the premises destroyed : —Harbison and Henderson’s, grocers; Manning’s Alliance Hotel; Farr’s butchery ; Goldhamrner’s furniture establishment ; Kite’s carriage manufactory ; Mail’s, jeweller; Kipperd and O’Neil’s grocery ; Wansborough’s, painter; Falconer’s, seed merchant; Milligan’s, tailor ; Mrs Smith’s fancy goods shop. We understand that very little property was saved from any of the buildings destroyed, which were all constructed of wood, through which the flames rapidly passed from house to house.

Congregational Mission.— The sixth anniversary of the Congregational Mission, Ferry road, was held last evening in the chapel and tent adjoining. About 220 sat down to tea, which was provided by the liberality of the ladies of the congregation and others. After tea a public meeting was held iu the chapel, which was found to be insufficient to accommodate all the visitors. The Rev W. J. Habens took the chair, and after the singing of the hymn “ Blest be the tie that binds,” made a few introductory remarks, in which he called on the secretary, Mr D. Haggett, to read the annual report, which stated that considerable success had attended the work of the mission during the past year. The committee recognised the desirability of obtaining a settled minister for the district, one who could devote a large portion of his time, and had brought the matter under the notice of the pastor and deacons of the Congregational Church. .However, the matter was now in abeyance owing to the absence from the colony of the gentlemen who had guaranteed a considerable portion of the minister’s stipend. The services had been regularly performed by Messrs Allan, Binstead, Jameson, Newton, Waters, and Turvey, to whom the best thanks of the committee were due. A memorial had been received from certain members of the congregation, in answer to which the Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper had been administered on Sunday last, and would be continued on the third Sunday in each alternate month, the Rev W. J. Habeas having consented to visit the mission for this purpose. The Sunday school, under the superintendence of Mr Yoller, numbered 106 scholars, 36 of whom had joined during the year. During the past year a capital free library had been added, which was being successfully worked. The tract visitation and distribution was also progressing satisfactorily, about sixty houses being visited each Sunday. The treasurer’s statement of accounts showed a balance of £l3 to the credit after defraying all expenses. This the committee recommended should be applied towards the purchase of a strip of land adjoining the chapel ground, as the building would have to be enlarged at an early date to meet the requirements of the district. Messrs Allan, Newten, Woodham, Jameson, and Yoller addressed the meeting. During the evening the choir sang some pieces excellently, and the meeting closed with prayer,

Inquest. —An inquest was held yesterday before J. W. S. Coward. Esq, coroner, on an infant child of Thomas Peate, laborer, residing in Cambridge terrace, near Colombo street bridge. From the evidence it appeared that the child was well when its parents retired to bed on Sunday night, and when Mrs Peate awoke on Monday morning, she fonpd one of the child’s arms extended stiff, and the child dead. Dr Deamer made the post mortem examination, and after hearing his evidence, the jury returned a verdict of “ Died from suffocation.” The Karamea Settlement.— The progress of the settlement at Karamea is thus reported upon by the Nelson Mali of the 2nd :—“ The Charles Edward returned early yesterday morning from her trip to the Karamea, from whence she brings very favourable reports of the progress of the settlement. Five-and-twenty families have got on to their land, where they have erected rude huts, some of toi-toi, some of slabs, and are endeavouring to make themselves as comfortable as they can under the circumstances. The sections on which they are located are of twenty-five acres each, and are from two to four miles from the store at the port. A track has been cleared nearly the whole of this distance, and over this the men have carried their household goods, and have tried to give an air of comfort to their temporary dwellings. They are reported to be generally well satisfied with their prospects, and have shown considerable determination in overcoming the hardships they have had to undergo in commencing life in the bush.”

Tea Meeting-, Southbrook.— The anni versary of the opening of the present church at Southbrook was celebrated on Monday evening by a tea meeting and lecture. On Sunday special services were conducted by the Rev W. J. Watkin, of Lyttelton, The tea on Monday evening was laid in the old church, the tables being provided by Mesdames Steggall, W. Seed, Chatterton, Protheroe, and Josling. There was a numerous attendance, a good many visitors coming from the outlying districts, Southbrook being at the present time the head quarters of the circuit. After the tea had been discussed, an adjournment was made to the church, where the Rev W. J. Watkin was advertised to give his popular lecture on “The History of British Colonisation.” The building was soon crowded to excess, the Rev H. Bull, the circuit minister, O' copying the chair. The chairman said that during that day the quarterly meeting of circuit ministers and representatives of the different districts had met, and the circuit steward had showed a balance sheet of receipts and expenditure for the quarter, leaving £2 in hand. He referred to the appointment of a second minister of the circuit, and hoped that arrangements would be made to meet the increased expenditure arising from it. The debt on the church was £Bl 9s lOd, towards which the treasurer had received £8 8s 3d. It was expected that the tea meeting would realise £l6, and he (the chairman) had much pleasure in announcing that two gentlemen had just volunteered to pay the remainder, and so leave the church free of debt. He had now to introduce to them the Rev W. J. Watkin, who had at much inconvenience come up to deliver his lecture on the history of British Colonisation. The Rev Mr Watkin then gave his lecture, which was listened to with much attention, hymns being sung, at intervals to enliven it. At its conclusion Mr D. Graham proposed, and the Rev J. Armitage seconded, a vote of thanks to the rev lecturer for the trouble he had taken in giving his address, which was carried with acclamation and duly acknowledged. A vote of thanks was passed to the ladies who provided the tea, and one to Miss Josling, who presided at the harmonium ; and the meeting terminated with the doxology and benediction.

Presentation. —Last evening a deputation from the congregation of the Wesleyan Church, Lyttelton, waited upon their minister, the Rev W. J. Watkins, at his residence, for the purpose of presenting him with a token of their esteem prior to his departure to another circuit, which took the form of a very handsome electro-plate teaservice and cruet stand, the former being splendidly decorated round the centres with frosted silver squares, and bearing the inscription—“ Presented to the Rev W. J. Watkins, by his Lyttelton friends, March 23rd, 1875,” and the latter a five-stalled fruit of elaborate design, the whole having been purchased at Messrs Coates and Co, Christchurch. The duty of presenting it devolved upon Mr E. C. Brown, who accompanied it by the following address:—“ Dear Mr Watkin—lt requires but a few words from me to explain the object of our visit to you this evening. It is that the congregation to which during the term of your ministry here you have administered that which is of such vital importance to the soul’s welfare, feel that they cannot allow you to leave the circuit and pass from among them without , expressing the high esteem in which you are held by them, for your untiring zeal in the capacity of their minister, for your social value as a friend and a resident, and, above all, for the reflection in you of that paragon of examples, Christ, our head, chiefly by a genial meekness of temperament, a calmness of demeanor, and a submission at all times to the Divine will, especially in the time of affliction, which we have to thank God, and congratulate you upon having survived. On behalf, then, of of the congregation of which we form a part, and are here as a deputation from, I have to beg your acceptance of these articles as a token of esteem; not for the intrinsic value of the offering, but that when hereafter looking on them your thoughts may revert to the present occasion, and feel that you have in Lyttelton a few sincere friends who will always cherish a fond remembrance of your ministry among them; and may the blessing of that God, whose servant you are, ever be with yourself, Mrs Watkin, and family, is the prayer of your devoted friends.” The rev gentleman, in reply, said —“ Dear Mr Brown and friends, I thank you heartily for this token of your goodwill and esteem. I shall not forget my sojourn in Lyttelton. The sympathy and kindness I have received have been appreciated, and it gives me great satisfaction to know that I have your approbation, and that a bond of affection has been established between us, which neither time nor space shall sever. I shall make a keepsake of this testimonial; it will remind me of you whenever I look at it, and it will magnetise my spirit towards you always. May our God and Saviour grant us His guiding and sustaining spirit through life and death, that we may meet again in Heaven.” The deputation, after wishing Mr Watkin and family good-bye and God speed, then withdrew.

“N. Z. Stud Book.” —Mr C. Elliot, of Nelson, being about to issue the fifth volume of the “ New Zealand Stud Book,” has sent to breeders and others a circular, in which he asks for information to be sent to him on or before the end of April next, He also announces his intention of issuing each year a supplement to the “ Stud Book,” to contain a list of foals of the season, mares sent to the stud, pedigrees of horses imported, and a racing calendar, which, besides a report of all the race meetings in the colony, will give the entries for the following season’s two and three-year-old races. Now that contagious diseases are abroad, every housewife should use carbolic soap for household purposes, as it is a thorough disinfectant, and recommended by the faculty.— [Advt. ]