LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Star, Issue 12883, 4 August 1906, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

General Babmgton's period of appointment expires in October, when he will leave for England. Twenty-five lineal feet of wall space, equal to 375 square feet, has been granted free to the South Australian Society of Arts for pictures from that State at the Exhibition. The new Cathedral Board report that subscriptions towards the £20,000 required to meet the Harfop bequest exceed £B,OOO. Iho Primate, who is now in the Old Country, will send out plans for the proposed cathedral for approval. Our Wellington correspondent advises that the ballot for the workmen's homes will take place rfixt week. The Government have sent invitations to the Australian States to send representatives to the Conference to be held at Cbristchurch during the Exhibition with regard to food adulteration and quarantine. Lost evning ' Conversion of the Jailer' was the subject upon which Mr 0. E. Hamilton spoke to a large audience. The choir sang a number of anthems, and Mr J. P. Garmong's solo was ' Why do you wait, dear brother?' Since the beginning of the mission over 100 conversions have been made. The mission will be continued next week, and special services are to be held on Sunday. . . The prospectus of the official residential bureau in connection with the Exhibition at Christchurch is obtainable at the .New Zealand Government Tourist Offices in Melbourne and Sydney and at all country post and telegraph offices and railway stations and tourist offices within the colony. Attached to each copy of the prospectus is a form of application for accommodation. The Esperanto Club held a meeting in the Chess Club's rooms, at which readings were given from Dickens's ' Christmas Carol ' and other works. Many of the members, picture P.C. collectors, have sent cards away (there being 25,000 names to choose from), and shortly will receive return cards from unheard of foreign towns_ with—of more consequence—descriptions of the views in "nia Lingvo." At Wellington yesterday Alfred George, publisher of a paper at Hastings, pleaded guilty to libelling Inspector MacDonnell, of the police force, and was released on three months' probation. Germany's first submarine has been launched at Kiel. The vessel will have a speed of nine knots per hour when submerged to a depth of 12ft from the surface.

j Plagued rats are still being found in ' the vicinity of Darling Harbor, New South Wales.

j The hearing of the charges against W. ■P. Crick and W. N. Willis in connection |with the New South Wales Land Office : scandals has been further adjourned until Thursday next. At the first meeting of the Boys' Empire League the following office-bearers : were elected .-—President, Mr W. Templeton; chairman, Mr W. Aitchison; secrei tary, Mr E. Anderson; assistant secrei tary, Mr N. M'Kenzie; committee—Messrs . J. Coutts, E. Anderson, E. Kemnitz, S. . Gunning, and J. M'Gregor. , The Rescue Lodge of Good Templars held i their usual monthly concert on Thursday at the Benevolent Institution before a largo gathering of the inmates. O.T. Bro. Hfl- , ton presided. Burrows's orchestra played two items. Songs were given by Mies Edwards, Miss Coombs, and Messrs Leith Coombs (2), Duff, Johnston, and Boyd, recitations by Miss Duncan and Mr W. M'Lean, a mandoline selection by Miss Edwards, a flute selection by Mr Spencer, a mouth-organ selection by Mr Carter, and a violin and pianoforte duet by Misses Maodonald. Miss Spencer and Miss Frustch were the accompanists. Mrs Coombs gave an address.

Mr Jas. Sim, of Tapanni, member of various public bodies, has (says the 'Free Press') been laid aside by illness for some weeks, bat is now nearly convalescent. '-.

Mr Joseph Hunter, M.A., of the Arthur street• School, has been appointed- to fill the vacancy on the Stratford District-High School staff caused by the resignation of Mr W. H. Johnston, B.A.

Messrs Wm. Gardiner, of Papakaio, and Adam M'Kay, of Oamaru, have been appointed to bo members of the Oamaru Harbor Board—the former in place of Mr Alfred Avery (resigned), and the latter to fill the seat which became vacant when Mr James Craig resigned. Prior to bis departure from Naseby the Rev. Canon Neild. who has taken a prominent part in the furtherance of the objects of the local Chess Club, of which he was a leading player, was.presented by the club with, a verjr nice set of chess

men. The presentation -was made by Dr Macknight, who eulogised Canon Neild's good work, and assured him of the club's good wishes for him. The rev. gentleman has taken a great interest also in the two debating societies, by the members of which his loss will be keenly felt. He was an enthusiastic curler, and was farewelled by the curlers on the ice before breakfast yesterday morning. Mr J. C. Gavin, Assistant Controller and Auditor, who is retiring from the Public Service on account of ill-health, has been continuously in ,the service since March, 1860, when he was appointed Secretary to the Treasury and Secretary to the Commissioners of Sinking. Funds.