Local & General.

Wbathbb NoTß.—Tbe bu-ometer Las been falling daring to-day. J Supbimb Coubt. — Tbo Marshlands' drainage case, Latter and otherß v. r Gearshawski, waa continued before his / 8 Honor Mr Justice Denniaton to-day. A o nmnbec of witnesses g*vo evidence on t behalf of the defendant. ] x ILtti'jbmoi* Naval. Ais'fixfi.isiix. — The a anniversary of this company T?ill bo celebrated to-morrow eveuiag by a eocial ° gathering, to be b«ld in the Oddfellows' Ci Hall, Lyttelton. The gathering promises A to be a moat saccefwful one, as a strong commit tee has for aome t'm* being working the affair np. BBBiONAi.— The Hon J. T. Peacock went to Wellington by the Takapuna, lost evening, to attend to his legislative duties. Laki Ellesmehe. — Our Leeaton correspondent writea that the sea raised by the aou'-weater yesterday morning, blocked the outlet which was made on tho previous day. Horticultural Society. — The committee of the Chn*Btchurch Horticultural Society held a meeting at the Agricultural and $ Pastoral Association's rooms laet evening. The principal business waa the completion of the revision of the prize schedule for the coming Beason. Voluntbbb Entebtainment. — Owing to the unfavourable weather the meeting of officers which waa to have been held last night, to initiate arrangements for the entertainment to be given by the volun- i teersinthe loduatrial Exhibition Building, was poatpoaed to a date to be notified hereafter. Cbicxbt Concebt.— The concert to be held afc the Theatre Eoyal this evening id aid of the funds of the H*gley Park Cricket. Ground promises to be a great jraccasfl, A large number of seats have aTreocly been refleiv^.. The programiES will include vocal and instrumental items by leading amateurs, a shadow pantomime and the comedy The Snowlall. Hibsbkian Dbahatic Club.— A social evening, given by the members of the Hibernian Dramatic and Variety Club, took place in the Hibernian Hall on Tuesday evening. About thirty-five couples were present. Daring the evening songs were snng by Mieses Evans. Mason (2) and Goggin, and Metsra Dobba, Goggin and_ MaoNamaia. Miss F. Evans accompanied several of the songs on the violin. The dance music waa played by Mrs D. Sorimgeour. St John Ambulance? Association.— Laat night Dc Murray- Ay csley gave the first lecture of the nursing course lo men, at the hospital. There was an attendance of eight. Some who had previously entered their namaa were absent, possibly being prevented by the severe weather. If they attend next Wednesday night they will still be in time for the course. Nursing has hitherto, under the Association's rules, only been taught to women, but is sow open to men. Cbibbaok. — Teama representing the eaat and west end met at the Star and Garter Hotel, Waikari, on Tuesday night, and played a friendly game, resulting as follows : — East End 13 games, West End 7 games. A vote of thanks was proposed to Mrs M'Gowan (who acted as referee), for the very efficient arrangements that were made, and her health was drunk with musical honours. After a few songs, a moat enjoyable evening waa brought to a dose. Obituaby. — Yesterday morning a cable message was received announcing that Mr J. Evans Brown, formerly of Chriatchurcb, had died at Ashville, North Carolina. He had been ill for a considerable time, and his death was not unexpected. Mr Brown waa a native of the United States, but waa for many years a resident of Canterbury, and took a prominent part in public affairs. He waa a member for Ashley in the Houae of Eepresentatives, and also eat in the Provincial Council and on other publio bodies. He was the first chairman of directors of the Canterbury Tramway Company. He left New Zealand for the United States about ten years ago. Thb "Cantbbbuby Timbs."— The onrrent number of this most popular of weeklies contains a very large number of special articles. " Secrets of Beauty," and " MiBB Colonia in London," claim the attention of lady readers ; " Roses " and "Ivy" are dealt with in the garden columns, and "Potato Cultivation" and ••The Value of Leguminous Cropß" are Bubjecta of great interest to farmers, as are "Table Poultry" and a communication on "Poultry Exhibitions," with an editorial note, to practical poultry-rearers and fanoieta. The sporting pages contain some notes of a recant visit to St Albans, a sketch of the career of "The Bed Duke" (the late Dnke of Hamilton), an account of the arrival of Carbine in England, and an article on "How English Eiders Make their Fortunes." To oyolists the question "Does Cycling Cause Heart Disease P" and the answer thereto by Sir B. W. Richardson are of importance} and the game eminent authority's opinion on "Bowing and Health" is also given. Miners will find an interesting description of the "Gold King" amalgamator, and those whose bent is towards natural history and adventure will be thrilled by the account of an expedition to the Philippine lalands " After Apes." " Stanley's Early Adventures" and Other articles in " The Sketcher" are also very entertaining reading; and two particularly good stories are included in the fiction pages, one of them by a writer who won his spars in New Zealand. To musical readers the examination paper, with answers, of the recent Trinity College examinations and a history of the Timaru Garrison Band will be very interesting. The Magdala Asylum is the subject of several illustrations ; and a group of members of the local police force, with their bicycles, shows how the wheel findß its way everywhere. The number is a most excellent one from beginning to «nd. _____ __.