Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 86, 22 August 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

Finn X'omoio,— The following additional member*) woro flworn in by his Worflliip the Mayoi' ycntorday afternoon : — IT. A, Duvifl, James A. Bird. J, Herbert Hanklns, Henry Mohß, and William Pcrclval, Tho total number sworn in at protcnt amount*) to 41. Nino moro aro rcquirca to complo tbo fltrcngtb o£ tlio force, and tho Mayor will attend at tho Council ofTlcoH at 4 p.m, on Monday, when it in to bo hoped tho rcqutaito number will present themHelvco. A general meeting for tlio election oil officer*) will bo licld on Wcdnofldfty evening noxfc.

M.voisTKiiiArj.— Thoro wcro no cases heard at the Chrlstchurch Magistrate^ Court this morning, lltrtiioi' lUhprii, — Tho committee will moot lit St John's 'schoolroom on Monday evening next, to arrange for holding a social Kathoring in tho Town Hull on tho following Thursday, St. Ai.n.vva Mimur. Impuovemknt Association.—A miscellaneous entertainment, in aid of tho funds of thin association, will bo given lit their hall (bo the weather wet or dry) on Monday evening next. Social Oatiiruism.— A meeting of tho committee was to have boon hold at St John's schoolroom, at 8 o'clock last evening, to make arrangements for holding a social gathering In connection with Bishop Harper's return, but It lapsed In consequence of the Inclemency of tho weather. School Treat.— Tho treat to children attending St, John's and St. Michael's day schools, in commemoration of the return of tho Bishop of Chrlstchureh, deferred from Thursday In consequence of tho Inclement weather, was given yesterday evening in their respective school-rooms. A largo party assembled at each placci and tho tea and eako provided by tho committee wcro partaken of with tho zest and enjoyment characteristic of youthful appreciation of good things. Tho children separated shortly after flvo o'clock. Magistrate's Court.— A greatly required Improvement lias been effected in the Christchurch Magistrate's Court, by tho lloor being covered with matting. Tito noise created by tho constant moving to and fro of persona In tho body of tho Court, has long been a source of annoyanco both to the Bench and reporters, tho latter of whom have been especially Inconvenienced by reason of their distance from tho witness box rendering tho evidence very difllcult to hoar, even under tho moat favourable circumstances. Waimatk.— At a preliminary meeting of tho inhabitants of Wahnate held in tho School-room, on Tuesday evening, 18th instant, for tho purpose of taking measures to fovm ft Mechanics' Institute or Mutual Improvement Society, Me J. T. Pain, sen., occupied tho chair. Tho clialrman called attention to tho fact of tho great necessity of some such Institute In tho township, whereby thoy might mutually aid and improvo each other, and recommended tho erection of a building, and tho purchase of a library for that purpose. After some discussion it was finally resolved that a Provisional Committee bo appointed of tho undermentioned gentlemen to make tho necessary inquiries and report thereon at the next meeting to be held on tho following Tuesday evening at tho same timo and place, viz. : Messrs J. T. Pain, hcij,, John Pain, Galtt, J, Jackson, J, Opic, Dickinson, 11. Price, Collins, B. Trogonln?, 11, Cumberland, William Harper, Lr Price, John Lett, and Graham. Found Duad.— An unfortunate girl named Annlo Harding, alias Little, was found dead between sovon and eight o'clock this morning In Worcester strcot cost, between Latimer Square and tho Town Belt. Tho body was first observed by Joseph Yogel, a milkman, who sent a boy to tho Police Depot to give information that a body apparently lifeless was lying on tho roadway. On going to the spot indicated, the constable identified the body, bosido which was lying a brandy bottle containing a small quantity of spirits. It was ovldont from tho extreme frigidity of tho body that animation had ceased for some hours before. The deceased resided in the street whore her body won discovered, and was within fifty yards of her house. It la presumed that sue was proceeding home last night in a state of intoxication, that she fell and was unable to rise ngaln, and that death was accelerated by exposure. Deceased arrived in Canterbury by tho ship Gainsborough. Tho body was removed to Mills' Hotel, where an inquest will bo held before J. \Y\ S, Coward, Esq., Coroner, on Monday afternoon, A Dtmi.KSQUB on Rotai/tt.— According to tho chrontquor of ono of tho Paris papers (v 1822 thoro flourished on tho shore:) of Guinea & chief of blacks, himself as black a* obony, who insisted on being styled King Napoleon, and whim august concert was called Quttcti Mnrlit Thereat, Their historic rominlsceneos wore somewhat peculiar, inasmuch as they entitled their first chambcrtuin His Kxcollcncy Monafgnour Duo do G.uiae, tho fluid excellency being a gigantic negro, thick-lipped ami curly-headed. The rest of tbo Court functloniirlQA were styled Dukes of j Motittuorouay, of Ulcholicu, of Villara, and of Pettro. Tho Royal troop*, consisting of eighty men, all patronising tho costume adopted by Adum, wcro commanded by tho I'rincoof OondoV To complete tho parody, King Napoleon had a rival competitor to his throuo, whoio real name whs Tata-l'useh-kayoui Napoleon, however, entitled him ami addressed him as Loub XVI II, ThU pretender inarched agninut Ids rival at the heml of thirty negroes : deserter', howover flocked to his standard, and tho nrmios met. KouU XVIII. lost Are men, that in, two more than Napoleon, acknowledged himself defeated, him obtained poaoo on the following conditions :— Art. 1. That TatA-Punehkaynu would renounce tho titlo of King, and would henceforth ntylo himself Prlnco of Houbl.is. f tihutlc of tho lovely and adored Mancinl, if she could but Imvo dreamt of her son being ropreocntcd by a thick- Hoped native btnck sarago I). Art 2. The I'rineo of Soubiso will noitlicr nusumo stocking* nor shoes when aont on oilicial missions on board Kuropcm vessels, that distinction being reserved to the King. Art. 3, Tho King will bestow tinmost beautiful of his daughters on the Prince In marriitgo. Her dowry will consist of an Hnglish flfthrc, as well an its scabbard, six bottles of rum, and, moreover, a pair of white pantaloons, neatly mended. This glorious treaty concluded, and a Danish vessel having east anchor on tho coast, Ills Majesty put on his shoes and stockings, went on board, and purchased as a gift for his Hoyal spouie a bottlo of brandy and ft tin snuff-box,

\Xiie Sea Leopard.— About 200 persons, including Dr Hnast, visited Coker'a Gardens yesterday to inspect the sea leopard which had been caught «t New Brighton, The public liavo had an opportunity of seeing it to-day. It will bo cut up on Monday, and wo understand that tho skeleton will bo presented, by Dr Hnast, to the Canterbury Museum, The skin will be stuffed for exhibition in Mr Coker's grounds, Manchester Street Bridoe. — The contractor for this bridge has now completed tho flooring, and the boon which tho work will confer on resident* in the vicinity Is already demonstrated by the Urge number who even in its present unfinished state nuke use of it. Tho only portions of the contract remaining to be completed are the rails, and tho northern Approach, which, we are informed, will not be delayed beyond Wednesday next. Tho contractor has exceeded the specified time for tho work, but not without ample excuse. Nkw Towx Ham..-- We aro glad to notice that the directors of the Town Hall Company have taken complete measures for preventing the possibility of accident in tho event of a panic being created by fright or other moans, amongst a large audience. The entrance doors which hitherto opened inwards, have been taken down, nnd the framework so altered as to permit of them Iwlng swung either way. This will fully meet tho difficulty hitherto existing, nnd any sudden excitement in the hall may now Ihj viewed with unconcern. The directors have earned the thanks of the uublte by their promptness in the matter. In addition to Uie alteration to the doors, some other improvements of a minor nature have been 'effected, and tho south west corner of tho roof, which showed some signs of giving way, has V«n provided with two support*, let iulo the inner waU and otherwise strengthened. Wo are not aware whether anything is to be done towards renovating the interior of the hall, but whilst workmen aro about the building it would be well to complete the improvements as far as tho funds will permit. The wall* and ceiling of the hall arc not at present in tho cleanest condition. And patches of new plastering being visible, a coat of colouring would bo a very desirable addition to the other works. St. John's Cadet Cours.— Tho fife and drum band of this corps Is progressing very rapidly towards efficiency under the instruction of Mr Poore, and will, ln another month, be capahlo of appearing in public. The recent concert has added very materially to tho funds of the corps, as, within a few shillings of £40 was credited after payment of all incidental expenses. The remaining members of the corps are now to be provided with uniform, and the next inspection parade will see at least fifty boys fully equipped in this respect. The wont of arms Is now however beginning to be felt, and it mint be admitted that the corps has been neglected In this respect. It is impossible to maintain the interest -especially of boys— in military matters, unless the means are at disposal for progressing in proportion to the aptitude they evince in acquiring instruction, This, considering the number of spare arms and accoutrements lying idle, would be easily supplied, and really deserves consideration by the authorities. At the last weekly parade the necessity of liaving a responsible body for managing thoaffalrsof the corps was considered, and the following members were elected for such purpose : — Colour-Sergeant Turner, Scrgt. Kissel, L.« Corporal Wilcocks, Private Trent, and Private tirunsden. The commissioned officer* act In connection with them ex Qfpdo, and Mr .7. 11. nankin.*, the ensign elect, was appointed secretary and treasurer. The application for Mr Hankina* commission was also drawn up and signed unanimously ; Captain Trevatt being requested to forward it to the officer commanding the district at once.