NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 756, 22 November 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

New Eailway Station. —The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new railway station took place this morning, in the presence of a considerable number of spectators. Amongst those present were Hon C. C. Bowen, Hon E. lUchardson, Mr J. Brown, M.H.Es. ; Messrs J. B. Fitzgerald, Carruthers, Passmore, Conyers, Col. Gorton, &c. Mr Rolleston, in an interesting speech, performed the ceremony of laying the stone, and concluded his remarks with calling for three cheers for the Minister of Public Works, the Hon E. Richardson. An ad journment was then made to the traffic manager’s room, where an'cxcellent luncheon was provided The chair was occupied by Mr Warner, Railway Engineer. A large number of toasts were proposed and enthusiastically honored, Mr Warner proposed Mr Rolleston’s health, to which that gentleman replied, and then proposed that of the Hon B, Richardson, Mr Olliver proposed the health of Mr Fifzgerald, Mr Bolleston proponed Mr Warner’s health, and Mr Richardson that of Mr Lawson, Other toasts followed, and after spending a pleasant hour the party broke up,

Sporting. —We beg to remind owners that the general entries for the Otago Spring Meeting close on Thursday next. Race Horses.— The race horses Ariel, Ngaro, and Ladybird colt were sent under Mr Cutt’s charge to Auckland yesterday, in the s.a Hawea.

Wool. —Judging by the large quantities of wool brought along the Northern railway the shearing season must be getting into full swing. , Municipality op Sydenham. —A meeting of ratepayers of the Spreydon district will be held at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Montreal street South, on Tuesday next, at 7.30 p.m, to consider the expediency of establishing the above proposed municipality.

Fire Brigade Soiree. The annual soiree given by Mr Superintendent Harris to the members of the brigade, tbeir wives, and sweethearts, will take place to-morrow evening, at the new fire brigade station.

Life-Saving Apparatus —ln accordance with a resolution of the City Council, drags and ropes have been placed along the lino, of river as follows:—At the Hospital, the Boatsheds between Montreal and Cashel bridges ; new Fire Brigade Station ; and at Ward’s Brewery,

City Works. —Some idea of the extent of works carried out during the past year by the City Council throughout the city may be formed from the following comparative statement of expenditure :On general account, 1875, £14,413 11s lid ; 1876, £25,390 10s Id. On drainage loan account, 1875, £14,120 19s 2d ; 1876, £17,169 6a Id,

The San Francisco Service i The Premier of New South Wales has contradicted the statement that the differences between his Government and that of New Zealand were likely to lead to the suspension of the service altogether, He admitted that there were differences, but he believed that they would be removed and the service continued.

School of Agriculture. —At a meeting of the Board of Governors, Canterbury College, held on Monday, November 20th, the following resolution was adopted—“ That a committee, consisting of Hon E, W. Stafford, Hon J, Hall, Messrs H. F. Gray, B. C, J, Stevens, and J. N. Tosswill be appointed to consider and report upon the best manner of administering the Agricultural Trust.”

Popular Amusement Association.—A preliminary meeting of the committee was held yesterday afternoon, at the Council Chambers, to arrange for the Anniversary Sports. There were present—Messrs Bird, B. B, Bishop, Walkden, Alport, Cuff, and Andrews. In the absence of Mr Wynn Williams and Mr J. Ollivier, whom it was stated were out of town, it was decided to adjourn until an early date. Lyttelton Yacht Club. A general meeting of the members was held yesterday afternoon, at the Mitre Hotel, Lyttelton, Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley in the chair. There was a fair attendance. The treasurer stated he had paid £ll lOs for work done on yacht since last meeting. It was resolved—“ That Mr D’Authreau bo appointed sailing master for both the Akaroa and Lyt telton regattas, with full power to act and choose crew." The treasurer stated he had received £4 4s since last meeting. It was determined that the cutter Pleetwing should be provided with an iron false keel at an expense not exceeding £5. Certain alterations in rules were next considered and approved of by the meeting;

Lyttelton Borough School Committee —A meeting was held yesterday afternoon at 4.80. Present—Messrs H. B, Webb (chairman), H. N. Nalder, R. Wood, H. Allwright, P, Cunningham. Dr Donald. The chairman said the principal object of the meeting was to consider the expediency of taking immediate steps re erection of infant school, The plans were laid on the table, and it was resolved—“ That the Board of Education be requested to instruct Mr Cane, the Government architect, to advertise for tenders for the erection of the infant school according to the plan approved of by the committee.’’ amounting to £2 12a 6d, were passed for payment. Several letters from people requesting to have their rates remitted, were read, and recommended by the committee for the consideration of the Board of Education, and in reply to a question asked, the chairman stated that without doubt the remainder of the rate would be collected in Lyttelton,

Interprovincial Cricket Match.—A meeting of the interprovincial match committee wts held yesterday at Warner’s Hotel. Present—Messrs Ollivier (chairman), Moore, Turner, D’Eraden, Sweet, and Fuller. A letter was read from the secretary of the Otago Cricket Association, stating that at a meeting of the association held on the 14th it was resolved that, in view of the contemplated visit of the All-England Eleven, it was undesirable to play the usual match with Christchurch this year. It was proposed by Mr D’Emden, seconded by Mr Moore, and carried-—“ That the secretary write to the Otago Cricket Association, remonstrating with them with reference to their refusal to play an annual match at Christchurch ; and asking them to reconsider their decision. As it would be very much against the interest of cricket both in Otago and Canterbury, and as Canterbury sent an eleven to Otago in 1865, notwithstanding that an All-England Eleven match was played during that season under more adverse circumstances, they cannot agree to abandon the match.” Messrs Ollivier, D’Emden, and Sweet were elected a selection committee to choose twenty-five players to practice for the interprovincial match.

Pantascope, —Bachelder's pantascope of the Californian mail route, was exhibited last evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall, to a very good house. By means of the excellent paintings, many of them real works of art, comprised in the exhibition, the spectator is made familiar with the grand scenery to be met with on the line of route across the continent, and also the various cities and points of interest to be met with on the way. Starting from New York, by means of the pictures one can imagine that the grand tour to New Zealand is being performed. Scene after scene, mountain, valley, falls, and sea pass in rapid succession and a very enjoyable evening can be spent. Mr Bachelder’s descriptive lecture is full of interesting facts, and is delivered with a quaint dry humour which adds greatly to the enjoyment. Where all was so good, it is hard to select any special scene for commendation, but we may note for praise the Falls of Niagara by Moonlight in Winter and the scenes in the Yalley, which are excellently painted, Altogether the exhibition is well worth a visit. . It will be repeated to-night,

O.B.C.—The first two heats for the President’s Cup, given for competition between four-oared crews of the C.R 0, were rowed off last night. As will be seen by our report elsewhere, Pooks’ crew won the first and Jones' crew the second. They will try conclusions for the final heat this evening at 5 p.m.

associated Literary Society, A meeting of all the members of the various debating societies in Christchurch will be held at the Orange Hall, Worcester street, on Friday evening next, at eight o’clock, to elect officers, approve of rules, bye-laws, &c.

Bast Christchurch School Committee.—The usual fortnighly meeting of the committee was held last evening. Present—Mr G. L. Lee (chairman), Eev W. J. Habens, Messrs Colborne-Yeel, Thomson, Kirk, Rose, and Jameson. Leave of absence from that meeting was granted to Mr Farr. A number of accounts were passed for payment. Mr Jameson, one of the sub-com-mittee appointed to inspect the gallery and chimney of Biugsland school, reported that the work had, in his opinion, been very indifferently done. It was decided that the sub committee should visit the school and report at next meeting. The main school committee reported that they had waited upon Mr Loughrey with reference to the detention of the pupil teachers during play hours, and found that a system of rotation such as that approved of by the committee had obtained hitherto. Since the last meeting of the committee Miss Bolton had altered her system to accord with that on the boys’ side. An application from Mr J. M. Watt, asking for the use of the Bingsland school to be used as a Sunday school in connection with St Paul’s Presbyterian Church was considered, after which it was resolved that the committee could not see their way to grant the use of the school for any permanent purpose. Mr Flesher applied for the use of the Bingsland school for the purpose of holding a tea meeting and services in connection with the anniversary of the United Methodist Free Church. It was decided to accede to the request, provided that the insurance on the building is not affected, and also on the understanding that the school shall be left in a clean state. The chairman said the projecting pipes at the main school bath, referred to at last meeting, as dangerous, had been attended to. Mr Colborne-Yeel reported on behalf of the main school committee that they did not think it necessary to frame any regulations for the bath during school hours, as in those hours the children were in the charge of Mr Loughrey, and it would be for him to arrange the hours found most expedient. The committee were also of the opinion that if it were decided to admit the public the hours should be from 6 to 8 a.m,, and certain hours during the evening, a small fee to be charged to pay for the services of a custodian. After some remarks the sub-committee were asked to again confer with Mr Loughrey as to the hours he desired to use the bath for the school, to report at next meeting. After transacting some business of a routine nature the committee adjourned.

Southbridge School Committee.—A meeting of the committee was held at Spring’s Southbridge Hotel on Monday evening. Present—Messrs 0. Bourn (chairman), J. 0, Moore, J. Andrews, W. Spring, and W. Graham. Copies of correspondence with the Education office relative to the proposed enlargement of the school, tenders for which had been advertised returnable on the 23rd ultimo, were laid on the table. The chairman then read Mr Hammond’s general remarks attached to his report, bearing date the 23rd August, as follows :—“ The effects of the recent unsettled state of the school are painfully apparent in the results of the examination. The work is, in some respects, not sufficiently advanced for a fair standard of attainment, and in all cases is deplorably inaccurate. Even with the present permanent and efficient staff, it will take a considerable time to raise the quality of the work to a good standard. The crowded state of the school renders effective teaching impossible. Not only have the individual classes insufficient accommodation, but each is seriously interrupted by the working of others crowded round it. The noise made by the large number of infants must at times effectually stop the work in the highest classes. As the plans for the enlargement of the building are already in hand, the present unsatisfactory state of things will be remedied as soon as possible.” The chairman also stated that 116 children had that day attended the school, 7 1 in the old school buildings and 45 in Town Hall, which was being used at the present time as an infant school. That 141 names were now on the school register, and that the average attendance last week had reached 107, being an increase of nearly onethird for the corresponding week last year. Those present were unanimously of opinion that every effort should be made to have the building arrangements settled as expeditiously as possible, and authorised the chairman to write at once to the Board of Education, requesting them to accept without any further delay one of the tenders already sent in, and to forward them a copy of the Inspector’s report and a statement of the school statistics. A vote of thanks was then passed to the chairman, and the meeting adjourned.