Local & General.

A special meeting of the 8t Albanß Borough Oouncil will be held thia evening at a quarter past aeven. A meeting of persons interested in the Lincoln Ploughing Match will bo held at Sluis* Hotel thia evening. Lettera of naturalisation havo been granted, under date June 7, to Augusto Jaoiien, blacksmith, Barrhill, South Rakaia. A meeting of the Education Board for the district of North Canterbury wiil be held at fche Board room on Thursday nexfc, afc 3 o'clock p.m. On the fourth page of thia issue wiil be found the conclusion of " Tho Dropped Telegram ;" nowa from the Woodstock rußh ; tho ceremony of blessing the new Convent, and "Amußomenta in California." A late train will be run between Rangiora and Ohristchureh on Thursday evening next. Tho management evidently find that tbe publio keenly appreciate tho use of these trains, and it ia to be hoped thoy will be continued, even aftor the close of the Exhibition. The New Zealand Shipping Oompany (Limited) has received advico by cable from London of tho sailing, on May 29, from Plymouth, of the ship Rakaia. This vessel, it will be remembered, suffered detention at the above port through the breaking out of amall-pox. A drunkard choßO a dangerous resting placo on Friday ovening, near tho Kaiapoi railway Btation. He was found lying on the cattlo trap, in auch a manner that tbo next train would have killed him. He waß dragged away from tho perilous poaition, hia rescuer getting a storm of abuee. The dates of the adjourned meetings of the Ohrißtchurch Licensing Committees aro aa followa: — Thursday, June 15, Ohriatchnrch South, St. John's schoolroom. Friday, June 16, Ohriatchurch North, Resident Magistrate's Court. Monday, Juno 19, Christchurch East, Orange hall. Tuesday, June 20, Ohristchurch Weat, Sfc. Michael's schoolroom. One of the ninety who constituted tbe recont publio meeting afc Sydenham, has written to tho Lyttelton Times slating that the cation for tho non-payment of rates " was treated moro in a jocular way than any other." Upon this thero is tho obvious editorial comment, that if the meeting was intended to be simply an entertainment, ita resolutions can havo no weight with anybody. If, on tho othor hand, tho mooting was serious, tho Sydenham peoplo wero guilty of repudiating their jußt debts. Tho Times of this morning, in referrin- lo tho question of Law Reform, says : — " Tho only romedy is to admit outsiders to the nrofession, who, while understanding its details are untouched by its tradition, nnd imporrious to Hb influences. Thon we ah.dl havo men in the profession who will b»iii£ sound as wll |na learnod mon to tho work of reform, Then legal reform in tho best senso of thn word I will be possible. At present it is nearly hnpopsiblp " It may, however, bo pnifedoufc , that for any porson to be c>"*~ »-.> d with theoretirrl law would not necessarily make him a law ver. A knowledge of the practical working <if the lnwcan scarcely be trained aave in f ho curriculum of a lawj or'a office.

lhe Burdett-Howe Company have been in treaty for the Theatre Eoyal for next month.

The attendance at the Exhibition, from the opening day to Baturday night inclusive, waa 158,200 persons.

Power, who rode here a few aeaaona back for tha late Mr Mallock waa Darebin's pilot in the Adelaide Birthday Cup.

Ben Allah, the illusionist, arrived afc the Bluff by the Rotomahana on Tuesday, with the intention of making another tour of the Colony.

Californian mountain quail, and^ pintail grouse, are declared to be game, within tha meaning of thethir-4 schedule of the A~im_ls' Protection Act, 1880.

Mr J. P. Hydea i 3 engaged to accompany the Mastodon Minstrels in their Australian tour. The Mastodons leave this Colony on June 22 for Melbourne via Hobart.

The new Convent was solemnly bleased yesterday by the Bight Bey Dr Hedwood, Boman Catholio Biahop of Wellington. A report of the proceedings will be found elsewhere.

A Northern contemporary says thafc Mr J. L. Hall ia about to pay this Colony another visit, and will arrive with hia Company on June 14. We shall ba glad to see tho inimitable Jobnnio here again.

We understand that Mr Herman is endeavouring to arrange an amateur dramatic performance iv aid of the Timaru Relief Fund. It is proposed to play Caste, and we believe the patronage of the Mayor has already been secured.

The Presa Association were in error about the visit of the Nelaon to Lyttelton. The mistake will cauae a good deal of disappointment, ws large numbers of people had made up their minds to viait her aa aoon as it was announced that she was coming here.

The Australian jockey, Ivimy, who recently viaited thia colony, made hia first appearance in the saddle, aince hia return to . Melbourne, at the Hunt Club Meeting, at Flemington, on May 24. He had three losing mounts, one being on Gladtidinge, who ran second to Haideo of the Hills in the Flying Handicap.

A "tell-tala" for the purpose of the number of vieitora to the institution haa been placed at tha main entrance to the Museum. It conaiata of a species of turnstile, with an apparatus for recording the entrance and departure of each person pa.eing through the door.

The weather haa caused further Blips of earth in the railway cuttings at tho Weka Paas, and extra hands have been put on to clear the Hue. A slip of earth haa taken place near Pigeon Rock, which io addition to blocking the railway line, haa covered the roadway, but fortunately only at a point which allowa of vehicles passing" round it with ease. The passengers and mails were atill being carried try Mr Holder's coaches on Saturday evening.

An inquest waa held at the Hospital at 3 p.m. on Saturday last, before Dr Coward, coroner, on the body of Henry Marks Baker, who died in tha institution on Friday la3t, from the results of injuries suatained through a fall from his horse on May 17. From tho evidence of deceased's brother, it appeared that he waa on hia way from the Windwhistle Hotol to Hororata on the laat mentioned date, and received a compound fracture of the leg by being thrown fromhia horae. He waa conveyed to the Hospital, where he died.

On Saturday last a fatal accident occurred to a little boy, aged about six yeara, a aon of Mr W. Hat tray, a carpenter reaiding in Dublin street, Lyttelton. The child fell from a verandah at the back of the house, and in falling either struck or caught hold of a grindstone standing just bebw where ho fell from. The grindstone fell over upon the child's head, instantly killing him. Dr Rouae waa epeedily in attendant-., but was unable to do anything. An inqueat will be held this afternoon at Mr Rattray's residence.

It would appear that the honour of obtaining additional police protection for Chriatehurch doea not belong to Mr Wynn-Williama alone, ac, though he first moved in Parliament in the matter, it was the representations of several other Canterbury members combined that finally woke the Defence Minister up to the actual gravity of the situation. The result of the whole agitation ia that a substantial addition to the police force now on duty will be immediately made ; and the thanks of the community are due to the members whose exertions have brought about the change so much desired and ao urgently seeded.

Williamson's Opera Oompany are an immense success at the Opera House, Auckland. Patience drew magnificent houses up to the close of its run on Saturday last.— Tho redoubtable Captain Barry is lecturing to small audiences at the Lome street hall, Auckland. — Mr De Liaa has not jet loat any of hia old spirit aa may be gathered from tha fact that he has announced his intention of making it hot for the opposition theatre proprietor (Mr Abbott of the Opera House) in Auckland. He haa made arrangements for a succession of companies at the Boyal, and the first will appear under the banner of Mr J. L. Hall, on or about June 14.

Sam Powell left for Wanganui on Saturday taking with him Totara and Hinemoa, the latter having been lately purchased by him. She should prove a good advertisement for the merits aa a sire of Totara, whose advent to Wanganui should giva breeding there a great impetus. Hia Biro, Diomedea, who was alao sire of Jfakapo and many other good ones, ■waa by Hesperus, winner of the Two Thousand Guineas, out of Diomedia, sister to the famous Engliah horse Weathergsge, while his dam Waimea, who was by Sir Hercules, out of Flora M'lvor, stands aa one of the leading lights of the New Zealand Stud BooTc, having foaled Manuka, Papapa, Toi Toi (dam of Hornby and ___kapo), Harakeke (dam of IKorari), Puriri, Ramarama, and Waiiti (dam of Iris).

Mrs Moore gave the second of her course of lectures on nursing the sick, at St Michael's schoolroom; on Saturday, at 3 p.m. There was a large number of 'ladiea present, and the Xfoat* 3e-r the Primate presided. The lecture -was en tho ordinary details of nursing, the necessity for close observation of the patient in passing through tho varioua stiges of sickneaa bsing specially dwelt upon. Valuable hints were given as to washing, dressing and feeding the sick, and the administration of medicine. The beat methods of applying bandages to wounds were practically shown "by the lectures?, one or two of the ladiea present coming forward aa "aubjects" to aid theilluatration of thia part of the lecturo. Owing to th? extremely unfavourable weather on Saturday evening, the lecture on this subject, announced to be given in St Miohael'a schoolroom by Mrs Bernard Moore, did not take jjlace. Should iho weather permit, Mrs Moore will deliver her lecture at the same place to-morrow evening. It may be mentioned that Mis Moore holds certificates from the St John's Ambulance Association, of which the Duke of Manchester is patron. It ia to be Loped that the lady will succeed in accomplishing the good ahe ia endeavouring to do.

The nomination of candidates for tho election of a representative for the Wakanui electorate, took place at the County Saleyards, Ashburton, at noon on Saturday. Considering the interest attaching to thia election the attendance was somewhat small, about 50 persons only being preaent ; but this, no doubt, may be attributed to the wretohedly wet weather tbat has prevailed and is still prevailing, in the district. The ReturningOfficer (Mr G. Jameson) having read the advertisement relating to the nomination, Mr .James Brown, in a brief speech, proposed Mr Joseph Ivesa aa a candidate for the representation of Wakanui. Thia was seconded |>y Mr S. Gibson. Mr Joseph Meg3on, after a speech which was received with considerable disapprobation by the majority of those present, proposed Mr Alfred Saunders as a candidate. Mr John Irwin soconded tho proposition. Mr Iveaa thon eaid that as he had already fully explained his views at various meetings throughout the diatrict during the past fortnight, he should not now detain them by making a lengthy speech. He asked for their support, and eaid he had very little doubt of tbe result of the poll to be takon on June 16, and if elected he would do all he could to thoroughly repreaent tho intereata of tho Wakanui conf tituency. Mr Saunders spoke at some length on various topics, after •which the Returning-Oflicer called for a show of hands, the result boing that 36 were held up in favour of Mr Iveaß and 1 _ in favour of Mr Saunders. Mr Mcg3on demanded a poll on behalf of Mr Saunders, and after the Returning-Oflicer had announced that it would be taken on June 16, the proceedings, which had been of a somewhat turbulent nature, were brought to a closo with tho uaual vote of thanks to that gentleman.

By a Gazette notice dated June 7, the Canterbury Judicial Distriot is assigned to hia Honor Mr Justice Williams.

It haa been formally notified that the certificate granted under the Eduotion Act, 1877, to Pearce Phillips, lately a schoolmaster under the Board of the Wanganui diatrict, haa been cancelled.

The following patent has been applied for : June 6. John Robinaon, engineer, Coromandel, for " an invention for auartz-cruahing and amalgamating gold, to be called Robinson's Cylinder Quartz-crushing and Amalgamating Machine."

Another part of the Oolony is being favoured with a burglary. lhe " enterprising" operator has chosen Invercargill for his seat of operations, possibly because a detective has juat been removed therefrom ; and has Becured a desk containing £60 from Watson's Hotel.

A number of f jotball matches were played on Saturday. The contest Fifteen v. Allccmers resulted in favour of the former team by a goal and three tries to nothing. In the matoh Ravens v. Sydenham, tha latter won by four tries to nothing. East Christchurch was victorious over North Canterbury, aud Merivale over the Gloucester Olub.

A resident in Christohurch has received a telegram from Wellington, to the effect that the anticipated hitch in the Upper Houbo in connection with Mr Pilliet's ca9e has no foundation in fact. A slight amendment is being suggested, but iv no hostile epirit.

On Saturday evening, the employes of the Canterbury Tramway Company assembled in their office in order to preaent one of their number, Mr W. F. Ekina, with a slight token of respect, on the occasion of his marriage. The Secretary, Mr A. Evana, preaented Mr Ekina with a handeome marble clock, bearing a silver plate appropriately inscribed, and with an illuminated address. The gifts were Buitably acknowledged by the recipient. One of the most ingenious and useful mechanical appliances in the Exhibition iB the Griawold Knitter, which knits the moat perfect ribs and produces a shapely seamless sock or stocking in any sized yarn. The machine is simple in construction, automatio in ita action, and produces work as nearly like hand knitting as possible. The fittings are chiefly of gun metal, and the maohine is well made and finished. — A very effective kilter with weighted beaters for pressing the material folded is exhibited by Messrs Bradbury and Co. It is strongly made, and of a serviceable description.

A publio meeting of the ratepayera of the Heathcote Road Diatrict waa held at the Boad Board office at 2 pm. to-day. There waa a small attendance. Mr F. Jones, Ohairman of the Road Board, occupied the chair, and explained that the buainesß of the meeting was to take into consideration the closing of certain portions of the road between rural seotions 4533 and 8776, Ohriatchurch district, and to take certain portions of the Said sections in exchange therefor. Alao to atop certain portions of the road at the northern boundary of rural faction 1146, and portions of the road between rural sections 1143, 1150, and 20645, Ohriatchurch d- strict, and to take a portion of rural aection 1150 in exchange therefor. Mr W. T. 0. Mills, Clerk to the Road Board, said tbat the requirements of the Acfc had been complied with. The formal motion for the closing of the road, and the taking of the land, in seotions 4433 and 8776, in exchange therefor, was unanimously agreed to on the motion of Mr W. Attwood, seconded by Mr Q. Dryden. With regard to the second road, it was resolved on the motion of Mr 0. Cuff, seconded by Mr E. Palmer, to carry the advertised alterations into effect. Tnis concluded the businesa, and the meeting terminated with a vote of thanka to the Chairman, who remarked that although the meeting waa not large, all interested in the roada were preaent.