SOCIAL & GENERAL.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7169, 3 October 1888, Page 2

SOCIAL & GENERAL.

When our last Summary was written the great topic of conversation was the shock of earthquake which had lately bocn experienced. With the subsidence of the shocks, and the discovery that after all ■only a small amount of damage had been done, the public interest in seismic phenomena speedily cooled, until now the matter seems to have been almost forgotten. It has been decided to rebuild the damaged, portion of the Cathedral spire at a cost of aboub £750. The structural defects which it is believed brought about the former disaster will be and every confidence is expressed as to the future stability of the structure on the new lines. It is to be hollow to the top, instead of a portion being in solid masonry as before, and the cross, instead of being rigidly fixed, -will be suspended in a gun-metal bearing, attached to it being an iron rod and a chain bearing a weight, which act: *s a counterpoise.

Tha Christchurch Diocesan Synod has recently completed its sittings. Two matters of importance which had to be dealt with were the Bishopric and th e English loan. The venerable Primate having expressed his desire to be relieved of the duties of his high office as soon a 3 possible, it was resolved to fix the stipend of his Lordship's successor at £1200, with an additional £200 per annum until a house shall be available for him. It was also decided to apply to Parliament for authority to pay an adequate retiring allowance out of the Bishopric estate. In xegard to the English loan, about which there had been a good deal of discussion end some litigation, it was resolved that the whole of the property tax on the Amount should be paid by the Church Property Trustees, so that the debenture holders will receive their interest free from dednction. J It is understood that his Excellency Sir William Jervois has received a cable message announcing that he will be relieved by his successor in the Government of New Zealand about the 21st Jttarch next, and his Excellency has accordingly secured passages for himself j£»d his family by a steamer leaving the ! colony about the end of March. Probably no previous occupants of Government Souse have ever made themselves so y popular as Sir William Jervois Mad his family, and a strong desire is expressed that his Excellency may be reap--1 pointed'for a farther term. It is under- . Btood that the Ministry have made representations on the subject at Home, but it .Sot known how far these are likely to be successful-

The English footballers brought out by Xfllywhite and Shrewsbury leave for England to-morrow. Their tour has been very aooceesrulfromafootball point of view, and it is also understood tolerably so from a «Tn»T»-ial aspect. A mistake seems to have lieem. made in -not sticking to the Rugby game. The team found themselves n° match for the Victorians in the Australian game, and when this was made apparent (fche public in that colony ceased to take much interest in their proceedings. The ■visit to Victoria, therefore, proved a lalhize. In New Zealand and New South i "Wales, -where the Rugby game holds sway, . the team were well supported, and their etyle of play was thoroughly appreciated %ythe colonists. The principal matches ' "which have been played since their •mtarn to this colony were those at y>on<^" and Christchurch against a <3ombuied South Island team. - They '"were both well-fought games, but the South Islanders had had no opportunity of playing together as a team, and consequently had comparatively little ~ahow against their well-disciplined antagoJiists. The Englishmen won the match at sDunedin by 5 points to 3, and that at Christchurch by 6 points to nothing. The ■Wonderful play of Stoddart in these gmaiehes was the subject of the greatest admiration on the part of the colonial spectators.

Cctt Gxjakds.—The privates and noncommissioned officers of the City Guards "invited the offict-irs to a dinner last evening at the Central Hotel. The chair was occupied by Color-Sergeant "Ward, and amongst the officers present as guests were Majors "Wolfe and Francis, Eev. T. Flavell (chaplain of the Company), and Captain Hart, ct the Queen's Cadets, and Sergo&nt-Major . Finn. Mr Helps provided a very excellent spread, and after ample justice had been done to the providing, the following toasts ■were proposed and duly honored:—Lieu-tenant-Colonel Lean, Lieutenant-Colonel fTosswfll and the Ist Canterbury Battalion, which was responded to by Major Francis; Captain Bishop and the officers «€ the Company; Major Wolfe and Hie Chaplain, the Key. T. Flavell ; Serrgeant-Major Finn and Sergeant-Major Baker of the Ist Canterbury Battalion; fne non-commissioned officers of the Com3»ny and the war correspondents. A very pleasant evening was spent, the speeches being of a hearty character, showing the "»ety excellent feeling pervading the -whole company. Daring the evening, reference "Wee to the late night alarm, and credit claimed for the City Guards that "they had the first non-commissioned officer, the first officer, and the only chapparade on that occasion.