CHRISTCHURCH.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3570, 18 December 1882, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

December 18

Mr William Elder, of Port Chalmers, the manager of a company which fitted out the whaling barque Splendid, now lying at Lytielton, vit-ited that vessel on Friday, when he received from Captain Earle 884lba of ambergris, extracted from one whale. Mr Elder estimates the value of the ambergris at £45,000, as it is stated that the commodity sells at £4 10s an ounce. Hie estimate does not appear to be excessive. The Splendid is said to be " a full ship," so that her owners must have done very well with her this voyage.

Christchurch was en fete on Saturday, and almost all the places of business were closed. The Caledonian sports in Lancaster Park and the popular sports in Hagley Park attracted crowds of patrons, the weather being everything that could be wished. The Wesleyan Sunday School picnic at Heatbcote Valley was attended by 500 or COO children.

About balf-paet 3 o'clock on Saturday morning Cashel House in Caßhel-street was found to be on fire. The brigade turned out immediately, and succeeded in extinguishing the fire before it got a good hold. The premises were occupied downstairs by Messrs Craig and Smyth, retail drapers, and upstairs by Meesrs Ross and Glendinning, warehousemen, cfDunedic. The stock of both firms were much damaged by fire and water. Messrs Craig and Smyth's insurance amounts to £3,200 in the New Zealand office £2000 in the Standard office, and £1000 in the Guardiau office. Messrs Kosa and Glendiuning's insurance is £2500 in the National office, and £1000 in the Liverpool London and Globe office. It is stated tbat the building is insured, but in what office and for what amount has not yet been ascertained. The fire is believed to be accidental. The police are in charge of the premiees. A sailor named William Wallace fell a distance of twenty feet from a tree at the Lyttletoa Friendly Societies' fete on Saturday, and he is in the hospital in a precarious condition.