Local & General.

Kaiapoi B.M. Court. — There was no business for transaction yesterday at this Conrt. Case Dismissed. — The Ashburton " chuck out " cage was resumed yesterday, and will be found reported elsewhere. The result was a dismissal. Sydenham Boeough Councxd, — The fortnightly meeting of this Council was held last night. The business done was principally in connection vath. the supply of gas to the Borough lamps, and the Kingsley street drain. A digest of the proceedings appears elsewhere. Bible Christian Chukot. — The Sabbath school anniversary at the Bible Christian Church, Lower High street, was celebrated by special services on Sunday, when pennons were preached by the Revs J. Orchard, C*. Dallaston, and E. Erwin. Yesterday evening the annual meeting was held, and was well attended. The new church is now rapidly approaching completion ; it promises to be a very commodious building, and the tower forms a conspicuous object. Millers and Bakers v. Butchers. — The return cricket match will be played on the ground of the Addington Cricket Club on Thuraday, commencing at eleven, o'clock. A close and interesting game is anticipated this time. The bakers, being put on their mettle by a series of defeats, have included some new blood in their team, comprising a portion of the milling element. It its hoped that the master bakers will endeavour to so arrange busineßß matters on this occasion that their employees mayibe able to attend and enjoy a pleasant da^'s outing. The following will represent tihe bakers :— Mesprs Ashby, Buchanan, Broadley, Barns, Brtmsdon, Christinas, Hanson, Hopper, Johnson, Moir, Neave, Sundeeland. Wood, and Whitfield.

wWiAkariri Harbour Board.— Mr G. Wright's tender of .£ls has been accepted for the making and erection of the signal staff. t New Zealand Exhibition.— The Canterbury Executive Committee met yesterday afternoon, and will meet again tomorrow, when Mr Twopeny is expected to be present. A. report of yesterday's meeting appears in another column. Tebminaii Chabqes. — A meeting of importers and consignees has been convened by the President of the Chamber of Commerce, to be held in the hall of the Chamber at 2.30 on Friday afternoon, for the purpose of considering the terminal charge on goods landed at Lyttelton. The attendance of all persons interested is invited. Juvenile Criminals. — A meeting of Justices of the Peace resident in Cbristchurch, Lyttelton, Sydenham, Sfc Albanß, and County of Selwyn, is to be held at the Resident Magistrate's Court at 4 p.m. to-morrow, to take into consideration the question of dealing with juvenile criminals. City Mission Home. — Mr Herxick purposes to further the interests of the philanthropic institution over which he presides by addressing public meetings in various centres of population in the Canterbury district. This evening he will plead Imb cauee afc Rang-iora, •where a meeting will be held in the Literary Institute at 7.30. The Mayor of Sangiora will preside. Volunteer Parade. — A Government parade ct the City Guards, Irish Rifles,and Garrison Band took place yesterday evening. The Guards .mustered 40, under Captain Bishop, the Irish 36, under Lieutenant Whiteaide, and the Band 20, under Bandmaster Searell. The Guards, headed by the Band, marched to Cranmcr square, where they were exercised in guard mounting, and tlie Irish .Rifles were put through company drill on the parade ground. Young Women's Christian Association.—Last night, at St Michael's Schoolroom, there was a large gathering to welcome Mias Faulkner. The lady was introduced to the meeting by Mrs Newton, and on the platform was also Mrs Judge Ward. Piayers were offered byMesdames Dallaston and Lodge. Misa Faulkner delivered a very int&resting address of about half-an-hour in length. Hymns were sung from Moody and Sankey's collection. The meeting was "for women only." Junior Cup Cricket. — The match St Albans United No. 1 v. College No. 2 was started on Saturday on the College ground, and should terminate in an easy win for the St Albans United Cricket Club. Scores : College, 38 (Eobison 11, Child 7); St Albans United, 260 for eight wickets (G. G. Homer 102, J. A. Homer 62, W. Garrard 38, A. Mountford 14, and H. Lawrence 10). For Sc Albans United Mountford s. cured six wicket 3 for 13, Eldridge three for 12, and J. A. Homer one for 7. Ward and Brockett bowled best for the College. Pebsonal. —Mr C. H. Speakman, a member of the English football team which played here last winter, is in Christchurch, where he will stay a few days before taking hiu departure for Australia. It will be remembered that Mr Stuart and he preferred to remain in the Colony to going Home with the other members of the team, and tcok up their abode in Wellington, becoming members of the celebrated Poneke Football Club. We understand that the offer of a lucrative position in Brisbane is the inducement that has caused Mr Speakman to leave the Colony. Mkrivale Football Cluh.— Theannual meeting was held last evening at the Britannia Hotel, Mr Garrard in the chair. The Treasurer's balance-sheet showed — Receipts ,£47 19s 2d, and expenditure J847 12s 2d, leaving a balance ot 7s in hand. The following officers were elected : — President, Mr A. S. G. Ehodes, M.H.&. $ Vice-President, Dr Eacon ; Captain, Mr H. Lowryj Vice-Captain, Mr F. Evans; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr A. Gapes. Selection Committee, Mr W. Evans with Captain and Vice-Captain ; General Committee, Mr E. Hiiwkes, H. Nuttall and E. Adcock, with Captain and Vice-Captain. Delegates to Canterbury Eugby Union, Messrs Garrard, Hawkes and Lowry. The .'following new members were elected : — C. Beck, C. Williams, H. Roberts, W. H. Turner, H. Lightband, W. Nicholls, A. M'Gregor, E. Osborn, W. Snarle, W. Mansell, W. and E. Eightoa, W. Ellison, C. Cook, F. Hebden, J. Catlins, G. Swansen, H. Lambert, G. Williams, G. G. Homer, C. H. Brown, C. Hawkea, J. Austin, and T. P.vke. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the retiring officers. St Albans Borough Council. — The St Albaus Borough Council met last night on the invitation of the Mayor (Mr Salter), on the occasion of the unveiling of the grouped portraits of the present Mayor and Councillors, and the separate photographs of the ex- Mayors, the Hun J. T. Peacock, and Messrs J. L. Wilson and Eenjamin Bull, the latter gentlemen with tome others being the guests of the evenirg. The Mayor proposed the toasts of "The Queen and the Governor." Mr G. Capper gave the toast of "The Mayor and Councillors," saying that though they were not infallible they had forwarded the interests of the JBoroug'h wonderfully well considering the limited funds at their disposal ; and under their government Sb Albans compared most favourably with, other small New Zealand Boroughs that he had seen. The Mayor britfly acknowledged the compliment, and, after unveiling the portraits, the health of ex-Mayors Peacock, Wilson and Ball wa3iproposed by Councillor H. O. D. Meares. The Hon J. T. Peacock reviewed the hibtory and finance of the Borough, stating that, had the Borough loan been floated,' as had several times been proposed, it would now have been in even a more admirable state than its present creditable condition. ExMayors Wilson and Bull also spoke in response to the toast. The other toasts honoured were those of " The Artists," by the Chairman; "Trade, Commerce, and Local Industries," Councillor Waymouth ; " The Town Clerk and Staff," by the Chairman, and "The Press," by Councillor Smith. It may be added that Messrs Dutch and Bull, who executed and presented the photographs to the Council, appear to have done their work in a highly creditable manner. A Thrilling Tale of History. — One of the most terible, as it is also one of the most thrilling, tales that history has to tell, is recalled by the announcement in the Scottish papers of Miss Edith Brydon's marriage in Inverness Cathedral. This lady's father was the famous Dr Brydon, of the Afghan massacre of January 1842 — the one survivor who, wounded and faint andweary,afteramostperilousride,reached Jellalabad to tell General Sale the piteous story of what had taken place in the Khyber Pass. They were 16,000 — or, counting women and children, 26,000 — who eet out from Cabul on that ill-starred journey; and he was the only man who had escaped. . Between the dark crags of Jugdullak the murderous Afghans had their fill of blood. The death trap ran with the gore of soldiers, camp followers, women, and children alike. Dr Brydon alone escaped. A Siamkße Eailway. — Surveys for a railway through Siam to the boundaryline of China, following the line of the Meinam river, are in progress. This project is being carried on with the consent of the King of Siam, under terms conceded to English representatives. The English colonial papers in that part of the world are congratulating themselves upon the promise of success which this enterprise affords, and the good results to follow from the construction of a railway through the great river valley of the Siamese kingdom. That this highway will be an important factor in developing the natural -wealth of the country and increasing the prosperity of Siam can scarcely be doubted. It will doubtless extend the influences of civilisation ; but it may be questioned whether it will help to maintain friendly relations between China and the Siamese kingdom. During the last four years 425 fishermen were drowned in connection with the Scottish fisheries, 181 "boats totally wrecked and 543 damaged, the total loss in boats and mstesial being estimated at £192,000.