LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Sydenham Post Office.— lt wiili be seen from a Government notification that the Post and Telegraph offices at Sydenham will be opened on Friday next, Deo. 17. The work of fitting and furnishing the building in preparation for the opening is now going on. The arrangements are similar to those of most Post offices in country districts, a large room with a counter and long writing desk for the public and accommodation for the officials behind the counter. There are 77 private letter boxes, arranged at the entranco to the public office. Mr Bailie will aot as postmaster and officer in charge. Sydenham. — At the time appointed for the annual meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council, for the purpose of the installation o£ the Mayor, the only members present were His Worship the Mayor and Councillors Charters, Day and White. The installation waß consequently adjournod to Friday, Dec. 17, at 12 noon. Cobbection.— The charge against William Smith, heard in the Police Court yesterday and adjourned, Bhould have been for failing to provide for his three children and not for failing to provide for his wife aad throe* children as reported. Installation of thb Matoe.— To-day his Worship, Mr James Gapes, was for the second time installed as Mayor of Christchuroh. Ltttelton Matobaltz. — Mr H. AUwright was again duly installed ns Mayor of Lyttelton at nooa to-day. U.A.O.D.— The usual fortnightly meeting of the Lyttelton Hearts of Oak Lodge will beheld thiß evening. Habmonio Society— At tho practice of: the " Messiah," which took place last night, there was a large attendance, and the choruseswent very well. The oratorio is to be given at Christmas in the Academy of Music, under* tho conduotorship of Mr Landergan. Thhatbical.— Mr Walter Reynolds has arranged with Herr Bandmann, the tragedian, and Miss Bcaudet, tho comedienne, who is also celebrated aB a tragedienne, td appear in Ohristchurch with him and a first-clasß Company now to this Colony. Tho admirers of the legitimate drama will not be Borry to learn this news. Mr Reynolds opens at Inver* cargill in Christmas week. Excelsior Band.— On account of tomorrow being a holiday, and the above band being engaged, they will perform the following programme in the Square this evening, commencing at half-past seven, instead of to-morrow :— " When the Days of Autumn. Linger " (J. Riviore) j Grand Fantasia on j popular airs (W. Hawkes) ,- quadrille, " The* Little Duke " (Lecoeq) ; quick step, " Mehe- [ fin's Death " (Bonnieseau) ; mazurka, " Genveva " (E. Marie) ; schottifiche, " Gay Paris " (A. Walleratoin) ; galop, " Three o'Clock" (Hagemayer) ; God save the : Queen. Fast Belt Wbsletan Sunday School. — Tho anniversary of the abovo was celebrated on Sunday last, when the Revs W. Keall, S. Blocombe, and A. Roid, ministered to large congregations. The annual soiree was held last night, when a large number of persons sat down to partake of the good things provided. The after meoting, which was very largely attended, was presided over by Mr N. Martin, the Superintendent of the school, Tha.report, read by tho Seoretary, showed the number of children to be 215, au increase of 47 on laßt year ; and an average attendance of 130 as against 115. Vory interesting addresses were deliverod by the Revs J. Hawea, J. S. Rishworth, A. Reid, and Mr Smyth. Votes of thanks to the ladies and speakers were proposed by the Rev W. Baumber, tho pastor of tho Church, aud vory heartily carried. The scholars sang a selection of hymns at all the services, Misß Martin presiding at the organ. The meeting closed with tho Benediction. Madamh Winter's School.— The distribution of prizeß t6 the pupils attending Mrs Winter's Sohool, Tavistock House, took place yesterday afternoon, in St. John's schoolroom, in tho presence of a numbor of the parents and friends. Tho stage and a portion of tho room had been decorated with pot flowers, bouquets, and wreaths. Tlie programmo of the day included somo pretty glees and vocal duets, some excellent pianoforte solos, duets, Rnd some admirable dances, in all of which the pupils showed considerable proficiency. A striking feature in tho dances was,"'* The Bi'idcsmni i's Quadrille-," composed and arranged by Madamo Winter expressly for the claes. Thiß consisted of a number of pleasing figures, in which tho dancers executed various steps — polka eehottischo, waltz, kc — and produced additional effect with pink and. blue scarves. Tlie music accompanying tlio dancers was brilliant and vory taking. At the closo of tho programme, tlio prizes wore distributed hy Dr Russell, iv lho absence of tlie Very Rev the Dean, who could not remain till tho end of tho proceedings. Iho following I wero tho names appearing on the prize list : — Misses A. Pavitt, M. Halo, Bva Pavitt, M.. Pilliet, Evy Pavitt, Hale, Nellie Hart, A. Watt, F. Pilliot, A. Hale, M. Hart, F. Hale.

Bait Ebasohoo Maili.— The Wanaka is -expeoted in Port early to-morrow with the Inward English mail. Govbbnob's Bay. — The st earn launch lyttelton is advertised to run to and from this bay at intervals during to-morrow, Anniversary Day. Tee Railway Wobks.— -The latest returns from the different sections of theae works show a decrease of 144 men employed, as compared with the previous returns ; 65 mon have left the Weka Pass section, 55 the Waimakariri Gorge, and 24 Albury Downs. The numbers still remaining on the works are — 56 men at Weka Pass, 41 at Waimakariri Gorge, and 40 at Albury Downs, making a total of 137 men still employed. Chbibtohxtbch Hospital.— The following gentlemen were appointod by the Hospital Board yesterday as the medical staff for the Ohristchurch Hospital for the ensuing year : — Drs Prins, Campbell, Wilkin, Anderson, and Townend. Dr Deamer was appointed medical officer to the Oharitablo Aid department. It will be seen that Mr Anderson tendered his resignation immediately he learned who his colleagues were to bo. Air Old Fbattd.— At the Police Court this morning, an elderly, but robust-looking man, named John Hunter, was charged with soliciting alms, contrary to the provisions of the Vagrant Act. It appeared from, the evidence of several witnesses that this old impostor had been haunting one particular neighbourhood — the south-west portion of the town— for several months, appealing for assistance, with a pitiful tale as to his having newly arrived from Auokland, and his failure to obtain employment, winding up with a request for food, and a little money to assist Mm to return to hiß family in Auokland. Unfortunately fcr himself, his memory for faces was not bo good as it should have been, and he told the same tale more than once to the same parties at intervals of some months' duration. The old scamp's career reached a climax about a week ago, when he walked into a house, the master of which was absent, and terrified a lady who was alone in the house at the time by threats of what he -wonld do if food were not Bupplied him. He was arrested byDe'ective O'Connor last night, and this morning, although he protested vigorously that he waß a_" full- bred mechanic," and denied ever having visited the houses referred to, an unsympathising Benoh sentenced him to three months' hard labour, the prospect of which appeared to disgust him most thoroughly.