LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A rarity in auction sales will be held by Messrs Tanks, Norton and Co. on Wednesday, August 16, when they, will offer 100 marble and gTard'te tombstones'? A visitor from i'he country says ijhait the Cheviot Road between Domett and , Mackenzie' is in a very 'bad condition, even ligih't traps frequently sinking to the axle. j A public meeting will oe held on Monday evening in the ballroom, Hobbs's BintS'ings, under the auspices of the Women's Political Association. Mr W. W. Collins will give an address on "Colonial Finance under liberal Administration."' No less titan four anquests were arranged for no-day. Two of these at the hospital at 9.30 this morning; the third at the Grosvenor Hotel ait three o"oioek ; and the fourtih uncter the liiiaaifc life Protection Act at tihe Star and Garter Hotel at five o'clock. The funeral of Mrs Alfred Cox, who was a very early settler in Canterbury, took place * yesterday afternoon at Paipasmii, where the burial service of the Church of England was read by tihe Rev H. Airey Wateon. Many relatives of the deceased lady were present. j The Secretary of the Lyttelton Harbour Board received the following telegram this morning from the Secretary of the Marine Department : — " Agent-General cables that dredge will be detained at Gibraltar another fortnight. Correspondence from AgentGeneral about detention there posted you from here to-day." A few weeks ago complaints were made to the Lyttelton Harbour Board and the 'Acclimatisation Society Khat Hhe seagulls on tie estuary wer& being shot, and at was decided to recommend the Colonial Secretary to protect these -useful birds. In last week's " Gazetite " a proclamation was published protecting seagulls of any species, so "cockney" sportsmen would do well to. take warning. A meeting of the committee of the Christchurch Sheep Dog Trial Club was held at Messrs H. Ma-tson and Co.'s rooms this afternoon, Mr F. A. Archer (president) in ■tfie chair. The hono'ary Treasurer (Mr W. W. Morten) submitted a statement of accounts in connection with the late trials, : which showed receipts £285 8s 6d, and expenditure £238 18s Bd, leaving a credit balance on the meeting of £46 9s lOd. A donation of £5 was voted to the "Waikqfri Collie Dog Club for supplying sheep for the trials at cost price, ana for having them grazed until they weri required. The Tara-wera, from Melbourne and Hobart, arrived at the Bluff yesterday. Mr J. H. Lowe, of Wellington, who has retired from the Railway Department, will deliver a farewell address at the Oddfellows' Hall, Lichfield Street, at 7.45 p.m. to-inoirow. Butter. — Fresh Factory lOd, Black Swan Is. Fresh Eggs lid. Hubbard, Hall and Co. 2384