Local and General.

Provincial Councji,. — The Council -will meet for the despatch of business at 2 p.m., on Fri'nv, Nov. 13. Thkatre TJoyat,. — "We were glad to notice seme improvement in the attendance at the Theatre last evening, and we believe that the •swdien«:pp will increase as the merits of the company become more fully known to the ■public. The management, we think, is acting vjcry iurlicioiisly iv the selection of the pieces, for we have noticed that comedy is better appreciate] by those who visit the Theatre here. " David Giirricl: " was played for the l»3t tirijo, and was followed by Lo ver'a <c Born to Good Luck, or an Irishman's Fortune," Mr R. Roberts appearing as Paudheen O (l \tfn»rf v. This is a piece the success of •which depends entirely on one character — that of Oviafferty, and Mr Roberts made the moat vi it. During the progress of the eoiaedy, an Irish jig was danced by Mr Kobers and Miss Leake, which drew forth -thunders of applause, and calla for a re etitt'on. 'Clu-rc wll be an entire change of programme this evening, and we obsere that the lessee will sustain the part of Tom Peckovw iv " The Contested Election." liike all Tom Taylor's [/rpductions, this piece lias had an immense run in London and the principal provincial theatres. It has never yet been played in Canterbury, and it will be tlie more attracti eon this account." " The I/uly of Munster " will conclude the prograinmn. To-morrow evening, the performances w 11 1 lie under the patronage of the "Volunteer." fi-vlet Corps, and the principal Itoblie Schools. Ltncoln Road Baptist Chapel.— The third anniversary of the above chapel wa.s celebrated on Tuesday last, the 3rd instant. An i o-"--i].'"it f-".a wai liberally and grn--fisilously provided by the lady members of Hie church. There were upwards of one ixmdrud persons present. If r Twigger, as is iis usual custom, kindly drove to and fro with his trap on the Lincoln road, to convey . any friends who were going to the meeting. .■After tea, a public meeting was held under 1 ttef presidency of Mr W. Pole. The proceedings were opened by singing a hymn after which prayer was offered by Mr G liooth. After a few remarks from the . <Jliairman, Mr Jefcoate' was called to give

a report of the past to the financial N§jf|la^'chtitch. It showed that the^was a smalT balance of £3 j 6s 2d in hand. Wjie spirituVUfiCfsitioji of the church was*; alsdf rapst cheering.;: After a few other remarks, Mr Jefcoate read a letter fromjDr Foster, stating the" regret he felt in notv-j>eing able to; b§ present through indisposition. The meeting was afterwards addressed^ by the ReV. W. J. Habens, Messrs Morris, Shrimpton,- Chapman, Booth, and Baker. On the motion' of Mr Jefcoate, seconded by Mr Baker, a vote of thanks was returned to the ladies who had supplied the tea. The proceedings closed with prayer... MaMDEVILLB AND RaNGIOKA HOAD tiOARD. — The Board met oil Monday, N»v. 2. Present: the hen. Mr G. L. Lee (chairman)', Messrs Bowron, Threlkeld, Howard, and Pearse. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed, and the surveyor's report read and considered. The BHrreyor was directed to invite tenders for completing the Rangiora Swamp Drain, according to a specification agreed upon with the occupiers of land that would be benefited by it. The chairman whs requested to reply to a letter of the Cust Rond Board, dated Oct. 6, enclosing the sur veyor'n estimate for work proposed to be done on the diviuion road between the two districts, informing the Cust Board that the Uangiora and Mandevilie Board is prepared to bear one-half of the expense conditional on the Oust Koad- Board ponding the other half, and will at once invite tenders on receiving the assent of the fust Load Hoard. Mr Grimwoo.l waited on the Board, complain ing (hat a drain on B'js* Road had been stopped by the residenls. '1 he matter was referred to the surveyor. Mr J. Kvanß had an interview, requesting the Board to make r Mud available to his place ; no other persons r>eing interested in this road, the Board thought they could not at present entertain the appUeatioh. The chairman reported that the Drainage Bill hud not passed the General Assembly, but thought that the Canterbury kivers Bill or Hawke's Bay Rivers Bill would answer the purpose required. Letters were read from the the following : From J. Thompson, praying for a remission of ra'.ei. Application refused. An applica tion from J Purvis was similarly disposed of. From E. Jones, applying for timber to construct a bridge on an accommodation road leading into the Oxford and Ohoka road. The Boa d regretted that his request could not at present be grants From the Acclimatization Society, soliciting a contribution. The clerk was directed to reply that the Board have no fund-* at their disposal to a. ply to that purpose. From the Secretary for Public Works, requesting a return of monies received and how spent by the Board, for the information of the Provincial Council. The surveyor was directed to give the required information. From the sume, nslunK the Board to furnish a list of sites desiruble to be reserved for gravel pit», f'-r the repairing and formation of roads in the district. The surveyor was direrted to give in a report, and to state if on private or public land. The collector of rates reported thut since last Board day he had received £75 3s lid. He was directed to finish the collection by next me>-ting, and to recover the amounts due by lfgal process if necusMary The following account of assets and liabfli ties wks handed in : — KateH uneollected, ±72-1 7s lid ; balance at bank, £120 13s 4-i ; tot*l £845 la 4d. \gaiust -this unnmnt ihe Board Wr-re liable for contract- io hand to th amount of £461, leaving a balance of .£3BIs lOd. Accounts amounting to £i 2 I9> were ordered to be paid, and the Board adjourned. Riccarton Road Board. — The ordinary monthly meeting was held on Wednesday last. Present: Messrs Shand (chairman), Pavitt, Nunwick, and Philpot. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, after which the following correspondence was submitted: — Letter from the Provincial Secretary, asking for returns of the receipts and expenditure of the Board during the present year. Another letter from the same source, enclosing an act to make provision for the management of certain rivers in the | province of Canterbury, the receipt of both of which were ordered to be acknowledged. Letter from the Secretary for Public Works requesting to be furnished with a list of sites for gravel reserves; the Surveyor was instructed to report generally on the subject of road metal at the next meeting of the Board. Letter from the Secretary of the Acclimatization Society, soliciting a contribution; the Board resolved that they had notthe iowerto assist, but that the members individually would give their support as much as possible. Letter from the Borough Council, in reference to the alteration in the market day, and wishing to be informed which day would be most suitable to the farmers for that purpose; the Board instructed their surveyor to gettheopinionoftheinhabituntsof the district/ on the matter, andreport at next meeting. Letter from r n«Keig, on the part of the promotersof the proposed new road through Hagley Park, requesting the co-operation and assists ance of the Board in procuring contributions. The Surveyor was instructed to reply stating that the Board had not the power to enteiv tain the proposal, and would take- uo proceedings in the matter. A memorial from H. Matson, J. Taylor and others was read, requesting the Board to form and gravel the; road from the Harewood Road to the Wairarapa Creek; the Surveyor was directed to report on the requirements of this road by next Board meeting. The surveyor's report was read ; it stated the gravelling of the Millraee Fendalltown Junction and Middleton Accom- j modation road had been completed, and that the contract for the maintenance of the main roads had expired, it also gave -an estimate of the cost of widening the bridge at Stokes', on the Harewood road, and of clearing the gorse from the Avon Head road, both of which works were ordered to be carried out; an estimate was also given of the cost of claying and gravelling a portion of the Sawyers' Arms road, from the Avon District boundary to Highstead's road, in reference to

which the Surveyor wak\iflOTijtjcted' to write to the Avon Road jßoarrf'inp&inwl'g'jheHi that this Board wouia^^d^eytakV'/^^praky. the swampy part of the-tQad^if th&y wsiii(£agree to pay half the cQst.bf'grayellihjg; lire-report also stated that the approaches to Knight's Bridge and theTEormatioffof portions of ley's road, the B^ush*lnnjpoad,and"oti|ier works ordered at the last^meeiiing had, been completed. The following tetfders /yrete read and considered : — For/ metalling 'the . Bush Inn Road, J. Taylor* is' 9d. per yard; Long and Brizley, 2s; CLewia, Is/ Bd .^(accepted); Lewis and Philpot, lslld; J. Forster, Is 9d; H. Jackson, Is 9.d; Monk and Powell, 2s 9d. For gravelling Highstead's and the Arms Roads, W, Hall,] Is 8d per yard; C. Lewis, Is 9d, Lewis and Philpot, Is 8d; J. Forster, Is 8d; R. Dearsley, Is 9d: T. Glaridge, Is 8d (accepted.) The Board, after having passed accounts for work done, adjourned. Philosophical Institute. — A meeting of the Philosophical Institute, was held in their new room, Armagh street, at 7.30 last evening. There was a large attendance of members. Dr Haast presided. The first business of the meeting was the election of new members, which was done by ballot, Dr Turnbull and Mr W. D. I arruthers acting as scrutineers. There were twenty-eight names on the list, and they were all elected. The names are as follow >*fC. G. Tripp, W. Montgomery, E. G. Wright, T. M. Hassal, J. Palmer, J. C. Boys, T. S. Tancred, J. V. Ross, J. Nf. Smith, C. W. Wakefleld, A. F. N. Blakiston, J. T. Peacock, J. G. Hawkes, A. Back, J. O. Giichrist, H. H: Prins, W. Wilson, A. Jameson, W. G. Brittan, S. Hewlings, ("apt Simmonds, George Hall, W. C. Purnel', F. J. Garrick, J. F. Armstrong, T. D. Tjiphook, E. P. Seely, and J. H milton WardJ Dr Turnbuil moved, " That in order to secure permanence to the Philosophical Institute, . a sum of £200 sterling be reserved from the funds of the society, and laid out at interest, and that until the full amount of £200 be secured, a certain proportion of the income of the society be laid apart for that purpose. That the interest of the amount thus capitalized be devoted to the ordinary expenses of the Institute." The motion expressed his purpose in bringing it forward, namely, to secure the continuance of the Institute. In looking over the history of similar Institutes here, he thought every one must admit that they died out simply for want of funds to secure those things that were essential to its existence. His resolution ran against another, I having a good object in view, namely, the purchase of books of reference and instruments, but he considered it would be more politic to secure the permanency of the institute first of all. They had now as nearly as possible £200, the interest c-f which would be sufficient to keep the rbom J open for the meetings of those interested in scientific matters. Mr Coward paid he felt disposed to vote for the expenditure of a certain sum of money in the purchase of books. One reason why other societies went down hitherto was because there were no books of reference to maintain the interest of members. Mr Nottidge said he did not think that the Institute would languish for want of funds, so long as it included gentlemeninitsmembership who would exert themselves in its behalf. I he former society had very few subscribers, and although it went down, he did not understand that it had got into debt. He thought that the best legacy the Institute could leave to the future would be a good library, and such instruments as it might be considered necessary to obtain. He would therefore move as an amendment, " That it is advisable that the Institute should expend £100 in the purchase of books, and that Dr Haast, Mr Tancred, the Rev J. Wilson, Dr urnbull, and the mover be appointed a committee to report at the next meeting what books should be obtained." The Institute had yet no book of reference on ornithology, especially as related to American birds. He understood that the amount of money in hand was & 1 60, besides what might be expected from the members elected that night. Dr Turnbull said the Institute now numbered sixty-two paying members. This number yielded a large income, and subscriptions would again be payable in July. He hoped the Institute would agree to his resolution. The President then put the amendment, and declared it to be carried on the voices, Mr Nottidge moved, " That in the opinion of this meeting, it is desirable that the rules be revised, and that Mr Davie, Mr Wilson, Mr Fereday, and the mover be appointed to draw up re vised rules." The motion was agreed to Dr Turnbull favoured the Institute with a short discourse on the removal of the right upper jaw, in a certain rase in Christchurch &ur years ago. The reading was illustrated by photographs. Dr Turnbull then read a paper on'" causes and treatment bf^ delirium oemens." He entered somewhat minutely into the course of training pursued ;it the colleges of. London, Dublin, and Edinburgh,'and alluded at length to the popular error that prevails, that delirium tremens was caused by a cessation from drink. Much difference of opinion existed as to the treatment to which patients should be subjected, but in his opinion any particular remedy ought to be guarded against. Mr Powell considered that the Institute was greatly indebted to Dr lurnbull for having explained away the popular error which prevailed' as to the cause of delirium tremens. He. had found out that the use of opium w.-vs most dangerous, and agreed with Dr Turnbull that no particular remedy could be admitted. The description of treatment must depend upon the condition of the patient. Dr Fraukish expressed his concurrence with the remark contained in Dr 1 urubull's paper. A member inquired what treatment would be recommended in case a medical man should no* he within reach of the patient. Mr Powell said that in such a case it would be wiser to leave the patient alone. Mr Cyrus Davie read a paper on " Earthquake Waves, as observed in New Zealand

previously to August last." The (Subject gave rise to considerable discusaioni^mr : Powell's and the Rev. C. Fraser'a;^ape^£^ the former on "Four Fish, comtnonfjh foundin the Avon, with speqiaj^ reference to ihe question -What is Whitei>ait,v?" arid the latter !on " A Variety of the -Seat," -were postponed. Mr Dobs&i; stated that white- j bait and eels had re-appeared in the tunnel.

The Races.— The following additional, entries for the C. J. C Handicap hare been received :— Mr Corsan's Stormbird ; Mr Wentworth's b.g., Firetail, by Sir Hercules. /^Acclimatization.— The 'quarterly meeting of this society witt-be held to-night at the Literary. Institute. A paper will be read by Mr S. Beiley, on the subject of the whitebait, and one by Mr T. Nottidge on the means to be employed for keeping in check the increase of destructive insects. The attendance of all interested in Acclimatization is invited. Exciting Bear Figut — Three Small Boys kill Three -;BKARB.--The Waupaca Criterion is responsible for the following story: — One of the most exciting hunting affairs which has ever taken place in this section occurred on Friday, the 11th instant, near Dr Perry's mill, in the town of Dupont. Jimmy Doty, a lad of about twelve years, another lad by the name of Case, and a still younger one, whose name we did not learn, were wandering along the road a short distance from the mill, when they came suddenly upon three bears — an old and large she bear, with her two cubs. Young Doty, who had a gun in his possession, immediately drew up, and fired at the old bear in a courageous manner, but without any apparent ! effect, as she wheeled upon the boys and j made at them in the most savage style, the cubs, however, in their fright, running up a tree. The Case boy, who had commenced climbing a tree, as soon as he discovered the animals, was now safely lodged in a small sapling near at hand; and the old bear, seeming to think he was her safest Vame, tried to climb the tree. As soon as she reared for the purpose, a small dog which belonged to Doty, ran behind and gave her a smart bite in the rear, whereupon her bearship in a very bear-like manner, turned upon the dog and chased him some distance off, and then at once returned to the rear to finish young j Case. But in the meantime, young Doty had ! handed the gun up to Case, and, with the | other small boy, had also climbed a tree. The i bear, nothing daunted at the state of affairs, made for < ase's tree again. While climbing, a fair shot was offered, and Case blazed away, knocking Mrs Bear down to the ground, who now made off. After dragging herself about 40 rods she laid down and died. J The boys now came down from their perches and commenced firing upon the young bears, which still clung to the trees they had climbed, and a few shots brought them to the ground. The boys then returned with their story, which was hardly credited by those who heard it, but upon going out to the scene of action the game was found, thus verifying the statement of the boys, hut for the courage and presence of mind of the Doty boy, probably the other three would have lost their lives.