Local & General.

The funeral of the late Mr C. W. Bishop took place on Saturday, but, by the desire of the family, was of a strictly private character. The temperance bodies in Ashburton meditate petitioning all the Licensing Committees in the district with a view to having the sale of liquor prohibited at the race meetings, shows, &c, held in the County. . A number of summonses have been issued against youths who have amused themselves for some evenings past by throwing bags of flour and other missiles at the Ashburton Salvation Army soldiers, when the latter have been carrying round their blood-red banner by torchlight. About 3.20 a.m. yesterday an old two-roomed wooden lean-to, situated in Hargood's road, Canal Reserve, was burned down. It belonged to Mr William Attwood, and was unoccupied at the time of the fire, the last tenant having been a man named Michael Ryan, who left about a week before the fire. Nothing is known as to the cause of the fire, which was discovered by a neighbour named Heron. The building was not insured. In a thick fog on Saturday morning the Ringarooma ran ashore somewhere near Akaroa Heads. She was on her way to Lyttelton from Dunedin. A big hole was knocked in her side, and altogether the damage was considerable ; but the watertight bulkheads seem to have saved her. She was . got off without much difficulty, and docked at Lyttelton for temporary repairs. Details of this serious accident are given in our shipping columns. ■ There was much surprise in athletic circles on Saturday night, at the news that the champion oarsman of the world had been beaten by Beach. Only the bare fact was known then, but later telegrams show that the race was not won on its merits, as the Canadian, thinking he had been fouled by his opponent, allowed the latter to pull in an easy winner. The umpire's decision was against Hanlan, and he loses the stake and his proud position as champion. It is not likely he will leave Beach to enjoy his j laurels long without another struggle. ' The latter is a powerfully-built, though not a tall, man, and has latterly shown in several races that he is a really good oarsman. The annual meeting of the Loyal Orange Lodge, True Blue, No. 16, was held in the Orange Hall, Southbridge, on Friday evening. There was a very large attendance, D.M. Bro Huston presiding. After a large amount of business had been disposed of the election of officers was taken as follows : — W.M., Bro W. Gabbie ; D.M., Bro W. Houston; Chaplain, Bro J. Campbell; Secretary, Bro J. Logan; Treasurer, Bro R. Webster; Tyler, Bro T. Short; Inside Guard, Bro R. C. Burns; Lodge Committee, Bros R. C. Burns, R. Webster, T. Short, W. Abercroinbie, and E. J. M'Cormack. A discussion then ensued as to the advisability of holding a concert and tea at some future date, which was ordered to stand over till next meeting. After a few more matters of an unimportant nature had been transacted the meeting adjourned in the usual way. The Service of Song "Christie's Old Organ" was given by the Waddington Choir, in the Wesleyan Church, Sheffield, on Friday evening. There was a fair attendance. The connective readings were given in excellent taste by Mr S. J. Heighway, and the whole service was very successfully rendered. Mr J. Lord conducted, and Miss Tresidder presided at the organ. The proceeds on the occasion were in aid of the Church Organ Fund. The Ashburton Debating Club and the Ashburton Masonic Debating Club held a public debate on Friday, in the upper room of the Public Library. The subject was i female suffrage, the advocacy of the extension of the franchise to females falling to the lot of the. Town Club, the Masonic gentlemen defending existing arrangements. Mr A. H. Shury was Chairman, and the opposing sides were led by Mr Caygill, for female suffrage, and Mr Crisp against it. Six gentlemen spoke on either side, and after two hours of debate a vote was taken, which resulted in female suffrage being rejected. A great fire occurred on May 17 at Bei Bazar, in the province of Angora. Owing to the strong wind prevailing at the time it was impossible to stay the progress of the conflagration, which destroyed 950 houses, 544 warehouses and shops, 11 mosques, 15 schools, 9 khans, and 146 other buildings. Eleven persons perished in the flames.