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" GRAND MILITARY NIGHT."
TO SHE EDITOR.
Sir—By advertisement the Exhibition
authorities notify to the public that Saturday
evening next, September 10, has been
set apart as a grand military night. Thev
state that four military bands will perform
during the evening, that sundry displays of
bayonet and field gun exercises will be fciven,
and that all members of the defence forces in
uniform will be admitted free on that
occasion. To my own knowledge that ad-
vertisement has attracted much attention,
and numerouB parties are being formed to
attend on that evening, whfch bids fair to be
one of the best patronised nights since the
opening of the Exhibition.
Yesterday, however, you published a pvogramme
of drill, &c., to be performed bv oh a
Militia and volunteers on thesame afteruuju,
which if adhered to will altogether destroy
the evening's entertainment.
The forces have to muster at 3 o'clock on
that afternoon on the East Park Lands, and
at a quarter to 4 His Excellency will attend
to present the prizes won at t*<e late rifle
competition. This ceremony alone, without it
is performed in a vtjy perfunctory manner,
will take at least an hour to get through.
After the prizes have been presented the men
have to reform and march past. After that
some brigade drill, and then a sham fight.
A very pretentious programme indeed, but
one it will be imposcible to carry out if faith
with the public is to be kept, If the General
wishes to make both aliernoon and evening
a success, let him after the march past get bis
men back to town so that they can be dismissed
as soon after 6 o'clock aB possible.
They will then be able to have their tea and
attend the Exhibition with their families in
comfort. IS this is not done, it behoves the
authorities concerned to give notice that the
grand military night will not take place.
Adelaide, September 6.
THE MURRAY IRRIGATION COLONY.—O.ir
Renmark correspondent writes on September
3:—"The surveyors engaged by Messrs.
Chaffey commenced work on Thursday.
Their survey for the present will comprise
land in the vicinity of Renmark. The town
of Benmark is to be laid out around a curve
in the river almost mathematically exact,
and throughout the whole course of the
Murray it would be difficult to find a more
suitable site. From the surface of the water
at summer level the banks rise 6 or 7 feet,
and even in the big flood of 1S70 this part of
the river remained unsubmerged. The
height of the bank will be of great advantage
when wharfs are required, aa a'l that iB
recessary to effest suitable landing accom
modation will be to sheetpile the bank and
by a little dredging obtain a greater depth of
water. The width of the river immediatelv
in front of Benmark is about 20 chains, ard
from the town a good view can be obtained
on each side, especially in a north-westerly
direction, where there is a reach of water
about a mile and a half long, which will
make a splendid regatta course when Ren
mark is sufficiently advanced to possess boat
clubs. The area covered by the township
will be a little over 300 acres. This will be
laid out in blocks measuring 50 x 235
links, of which there are about 1,700.
Each block will have frontage to either
3 or a 1 chain road, and also to t
ligbt-of-way 15 links in width. In pursuance
of the agreement arrived at, onetwentieth
of the township will revert to
Government. The price of the blocks will be
£20 each, and subject to the Government
refusaL Those who come first will get the
sites they may like best. At present the land
Is covered with box and undergrowth, but
grubbing is expected to commence almost
immediately, and the allotments will probably
be ready for selection in a month's
time. Several would-be purchasers are
already on tbe ground, but until Air,
Chaffey's return, which is expected either
to-day or on Wednesday, they are not likely
to obtain the land they require. A petition
is being signed by the residents of Benmark
and the neighbourhood, praying that a m&il
- ervice may be established to Ral Ral. It is
to be hoped that the Minister of Education
will see bis way clear to grant the request, as
letters and papers are now received in a very
irregular manner."
ADELAIDE BENEVOLENT AND STRANGERS'
FRIEND SOCIETY.—The monthly meeting of
the full committee was held at the Church
Office on Tuesday afternoon, September 6.
Mr. D. Nock, J.P., presided over a fairly
large attendance. Tne Secretary reported
that the appeal for help made on AuguBt 2
had been supported by the Register. Up to
the end! of August £179 2s. Id. was received
in cash, and oatmeal, blankets, &c., to the
value of about £20. The Society had conse
qnrntly been able to give valuable help, as
nrny as fifty caseB being dealt with in one
d uy. During the month there had been sixty
new applications and 160 reapplications for
reUef. There are still a large number of men
out of work, and a considerable number away
from their families. The wives of the
men had been helped, but Mr.
Stephens said he had told them that they
could not expect continuous assistance. Some
caseB of sickness seemed to him to require
more extended assistance. He suggested
that a Ladies' Committee should be formed
to distribute clothing ?nd look after case3 of
sickness. There seemed to him to be improved
confidence in the Society. There had
been a great deal of distress during the
month, but be considered that now there
would probably be very much less. The
financial statement showed that the receipts
during the month, including a sirull balance
at the commencement, had bee a £211 16s.
2d. The amount given in relief had
been £78 16s. After other ex
penees had been paid a credit balance
of £121 9s. Sd. waa left. There were, how
ever, liabilities to the extent of about £30.
The Treasurer (Mr. J. J. Green) mentioned
that August was the first month at the end
of which the Society had a substantial credit
balance. A regular collector had been appointed.
More workers were required. The
poor should be visited, and sympathy as well
as monetary assistance offered. The expenses
had been very low, the working expenses
since the formation of the Society having
been only £19 Ss., including £15, the Secretary's
salary. During the discussion which
ensued special stress waa laid on the neces
sity of more lady visitors coming forward,
and it was understood that as soon as possible
a Ladies' Committee would be organized.
The reports were adopted. Votes of thanks
were accorded to Messrs. Knox, Gwynne,
and Hargrave for the free use of offices; to
the Hon. A. M. Simpcon for the loan of
fifty collection-boxes; and to the Adelaide
Fcotball Club for their donation of £2714s.
The Secretary (Mr. T. Stephens) tendered
his resignation owing to his contemplated
removal from Adelaide to the country. The
resignation was accepted after several gentle-
S X f e ^ d t o ^
d. Stephens r had . _ . A- done. - The appointment of his
successor was left with Messrs. D. Nock, J-
J. Green, and G. C. Knight. It was decided
that a minimum annual subscription of 10s,
6d. should constitute membership of the
Society. A sum of £5 was voted to Messrs.
Lyons, Madge, and Green to_ meet special
applications for monetary relief to the extent
of over 10s.
MINING RESOURCES OF NEW SOUTH
WALES.—A paper on thia subject will be
read in the concert hall of the Exhibition
by Mr, Wilkinson, F.G.S., thia afternoon,
lam, Sir, &c.,
CITIZEN.
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