Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 92, 29 August 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

St. MioiiAw.'a Cnunon.— Wo understand that special aormons will bo preached tomorrow ln aid of the mhilatratlon of tbo church afc Addington. That In tho morning by tho Bishop of Christchurch, and that in tbo ovcnlng by tho Jlov, Canon Wilaon. Nauuow ,Eso.u'k. — On Thuraday afternoon a boy named Brlghllng had a narrow oscapo from drowning, He waa playing on board tho barque Amorfe.au Lloyds and Tell overboard} fortunately ho wiih rescued by the crew, and escaped with a ducking. Noiitiikiin Vor.iKrn.Kiiß, — Tho intended general parade oi! volunteers at Hangiora has again bcon postponed and will not now lake place until towards tho closed of September. Those postponement.) havo resulted ln considerable inconvcnlenco to tbo Hangiora Volunteer/., who havo twice made arrangement* for receiving their comrades In a fitting manner, and It is to bo hoped that the next day selected will bo adhered to, Poi'ur.AK KNTr.RTAiNMKNTfI. — A« was anticipated, tho tickets for Tuesday evening's ontortainment wero all disposed of ln a romarkably short space of time, The programme possesses a groat many attractions, and wo can safely prom lso that tho entertainment will be the best that has been given in Chrlatchurch for some tlmo. Those who arc to sustain tho musical part of the programme are Informed that a rehearsal will take placo at the Town Hall, on Monday ovoning. Caokt Coui'H.— "The popularity of these corps has evidently extended lo llangloru, whore, wo aro informed, one Is In the courso of organisation. Mr C. J. Morton, oC tho Church of England Day School, ts taking tho Initiative, and tbo boys undor bis tuition aro to form the nucleus of tho force, Having formany years been an actlvo member of tho Hangiora Volunteers, and at present holding an Ensign's commission, Mr Morton is well q uall fled to fulfil tho duties of preceptor in military drill with credit to himself and advantage to thoso under his command, Tlio preliminary measures for instituting tho corps havo already boon taken, aud should reasonable support bo awarded to it by parents lv tho distrlot thoro can bo doubt of itH BUCCOBB. Kaiatoi Instituti',— -The usual monthly committee-meeting was hold last evening. Present —Dr Dudley {president), Messra Ncwnham, Hall, Crafg, Jccldwlck, and J. L, Wilson (secrelary), Tho minutes of last meeting woro read and confirmed, Tho secretary reported that lectures had boou given during tho past month by Dr Morris and Mr John Olllvlor. Copies of •' Hansard" had boon forwarded by Mr Studholmo, and the Acts of the last session had also been rccolvcd anonymously, Mr J, E, FitzGerald had also kindly presented tho Institute with " The Life ef! Mr Godloy » Cordial votes of thanks wero unanimously carried to Dr Morris and Messrs Olllvlor, IfltzOorald, and Studholmo. Tbo Librarian announced that he had received the library catalogues, and expressed bis willingness to make arrangements whereby people In the country could procuro hooks by their aid. Sundry notices of motion were given for tho quarterly goncral meeting next month, and several accounts passed, Tho meeting then ad* journcd. Lunatic AaYnuM,— Last night an entertainment was given at tho Sunnysldo Asylum to tbo patients and thoii* friends, by the Chrlatchurch Amateur Christy Minstrels. About two hundred were present In all, and as usual on such occasions, tbo patients were permitted to mix with tho visitors. A considorablo portion of iho building was thrown open to all who attended, and the cleanly, well ordered appcaranco of the rooms was much commented upon. Thclovcll* ness of tho night also permitted tho grounds I to bo favourably noticed. Tho perfect arrangement and cozy accommodation of the miniature theatre, elicited tho plcaourublo astonishment of those who woro paying thoir first visit, whilst tho many Improvements recently effected by Mr Scagcr, won tbo praise of thoso more familiar with tbc .establishment. Tho boneilclal cil'eots of the periodical rc-unlona held In this part of the building have befero earned well deserved cneenluins for tho style of Mr Soager's treatment, but tho qulofc plcasuro, brightening almost into perfect intelligonco, visible in tbc features of tlio patlonls during tbc performances, Is tbo greatest recommendation In thoir favour, and speaks more for Mr I Scagcr than could columns of our praise, Tho entorlalnnionfc commonccd shortly after eight o'clock, and tho audlenco was kept fully posted up in its particulars by a very neat programme printed by the Inmates, and wo may here mention that all work of tho kind required for giving publicity to mattero conncotod Avlth tho Asylum is done on the premises, Mr Scagcr has Instructed sevoral Inmates in tho mysteries ef tho art, and ho informs us that no less than three cures aro attributable te this proceeding alone. On the faco of it Mils bears tho impress of credibility. Type-setting demands active Intelligence, and being led onwards by degrees, the thoughts of tho patient arc gradually diverted from tho source of his mental disease, whilst they j arc at the samo tlmo strengthened. To return to tho entortninnient.— lt is scarcely necessary to say tbat It was successful In ovory respect, aud received tho hearty ap* plauso of the audience. Tho programme comprised negro melodies, choruses, and comicalities of tho usual description, besides an amusing trlllo called the " Statue Ballet," and tbc celebrated walk round «« Skedaddle." Tho various Items wero of course Interspersed with puns and witticisms of tho usual order, and many of them having a local bearing provoked great amusement. On conclusion of the performance the room was cleared, dancing succedod, and was spiritedly patronised by tho larger proportion of tho visitors and somo of tho inmates,

Mkmtimo ov Cui*mTons.--A meeting of creditors lv tho cstato of John Barker, ex hotel-keeper, was held at tho Registrar's Chamber, at 1 1 o'clock this morning, Mr Ham ford attended on behalf of the bankrupt. The liabilities in this estate amount to £75 7s, and there arc no assets, with the exception of property to tho valuo of £20, which goes to satisfy tho landlord's claim. Creditors proved to tho amount of £17 15s. Mr J. JO. Graham was chosen trustee, and Messrs 10, B, Bishop and 11, G, Burncll, supervisors. A meeting of creditors In the estate of Ell Barter, gardener, was to. have boon hold at twelve o'clock, but no creditors attended, and tbo meeting consequently elapacd. A meet-] ing of creditors In the estate of William! Hamilton Ennla Pinching, of Kaiapoi, chemist 1 and druggist, was hold at ono o'clock. The j liabilities in this matter amount to **376 17s I 3d, and tho assets to £320 10s; deficiency,! £50 7s fld. Creditors proved to the amount of X2.50 14s, Mr J, 10, Graham was chosen trustee > and Messrs J. 11. Johnston and G. F. Howling*, supervisors. Mr Cottrcll is solicitor for the bankrupt. Pout Victoiwa District I'l.ouoinso Matoh —Tbe annual ploughing mutch of tin. Port Victoria district came off on the 27. h, on Und In M'Quoon's Buy. The bind] nelected for competition was a Bplendid piece of smooth nntiro grass, bnt from the amount of rain that foil recently, tho ground was rather wot, otherwise It could not bo f.und fault with. Tho bad roads prevented several teams, from nppcarlng on tho ground. Ihe dny, however, turned out to bo nil thnt could bo desired, Aa it was, only six teams appeared on the ground at nine o'olock, aud after each ploughnun had drawn his ticket, competition commenced. Ie being a general holiday hi the dintrict, a largo concourse of pcoplo as .omblud on tbo ground, nnd during the mutch, a number ef tho young men amused themselves with a game of cricket. Tho teams were oft tbo ground by four o'clock, and tho judges entered upon their duties. Thoy awarded the prizes m follows 5 —lot prize, Tbos, Smith, Barrowman plough} and do, Then, Prtndcrga.it, do ; 3rd do, James Smith Junr,, (Wauon Lincoln) j 4th do, Samuel Manson Junr., Keetley. The Judge* appointed wero Messrs Guild, I). Gobble, nnd Hamilton, who appeared to give general satisfaction, While tbc judges were occupied In their duties, those assembled were engaged in a variety of sport*, viz., jumping, running, too. After tho decision of (hu judges, tho proceeding*) terminated with three chcors for the promoter* of the proceedings, and all left the ground apparently satisflvd with tho day's pluasuro. A Hint for Tiuvklleks.— > A well-known German traveller, I>\ Jngcr, in his Sketches of Travels in Singapore, Malacca, Java (Berlin, 1866), describes tbo powder of the Pynlhmm roseum as a sped lie against all noxious insect*, including the troublesome mosquitoes and those which attack collection*., lie says .-» A tlnoturo prcparol bj macerating ono part of the Pyrcthrum roseum in four part* •of dilute alcchol, and, when diluted, with ton times its bulk of water, applied to any part of tho body, gives perfect security against all vermin. I often passed thu night in my boat 011 the 111-reputed rivers of S>n.» without any other cover, even without the netting, and experienced not the slightest Inconvenience. The • buzzing,' at other times «o great a disturber of ilcop, becomes a harmless tune, aud, in tho feeling of security, a real cradle-song. In the chase, molsUnlng the beard aud hands protects the hunter against flics for at least 12 hours, even In spite of the largely increased transpiration duo *to tho climate. Especially interesting in its action on that plague of all tropical countries, th * countless ants. Before the windows and surrounding the whole homo whero I lived at Alb*<y,on Luzon,- was fastened a board six inches in width, on which long caravans of ants wero constantly moving In all directions, making tt appear mi almost uniformly black surface, A trick of the powder several Inches in width, strewed across the board, or somo tincture sprinkled over it, proved an insurmountable barrier to these processions. The first who halted bofore it were pushed on by tho crowds behind them ; but, Immediately on passing over, showed symtoms of narcosis, nnd died In a minute or two, and within a abort timo the rest left the boU'C altogether, XTuu I'Mionms of I*o7.— Tho Timrshas tho following sXThu following hit shews the occupntions of th. year's emigrants ns far n» ascertained.— General labourers, 47,1 Cxi; gentlemen, professional men, merchant*, toe, 7592 j farmers, 090.1 5 miners and quarry* men, 5041 ; carpenters and joiners. 2117 j smiths, general, 1351; blacksmiths, I. 'VI j tinsmiths, whitesmiths, hrazlvrs, B'*; locksmiths or gunsmiths, 5 ; agricultural labourers, gardeners, carters, too., 947; tailors, 812; chirks, 793 ; bricklayers, masons, slaters, too., 499 1 spinners and weavers, 472 1 shoemakers, 377; shopkeepers, shopmen, and warehousemen, 364 j seamen, 9Q9 ; engineers, 257; donu-stle servants (male), 253 $ painters, paperhangors, plumbers, and glazlors, 212; bakers, 170; upholsterers, 81 ; butchers and poulterers, 70 1 coopers, ,j69 f ; printers, sft ; brickmakers, potters, fee, 53; carvers and glldcra, 51; dyers, 47; millers, maltsters, too , 42 ; cutlers, 38; watchmakers, 37; sugarbakers, toe, 3c ; coalminers, 29 5 turners, 28 ; builders, 27; wheelwrights, SO; cnglno drivers, too,, 25 ; nu Idlers, toe, 24 ; silversmiths, 24 ; sawyers, 21 ; engravers, 19; tanners and cur. ■rlcrs, 17; surveyors, 13; weolcombors, toe, 13; coaehmakors, too., 13; bookbinders and stationers, 0; millwrights. 8; ropemakers, 6; sallmakcrs, 0; shipwrights, 3; variou* other trades, 3583, The chief difference of 1 807 from 1800 consists in 1807 shewing a considerable decrease In agricultural labourers, brieklayors, clerks, general labourers, and tailors, There is a considerable increase in tbo number classed as gentlemen and professional men, Among the femalo emigrants in 18G7 were 1087 gentlowomcn and governesses, a largo increase over 1866; 8599 domestic and farm servants, 354 dressmakers, eight shopwomen, 99 women of various trades, and 21,841 married womtn, j

Tub Borol'oii Emcction, — The candidates for the vacant seats arc Mr Ross, chemist, Colombo street, Mr Nottidge of the firm of Mucforlan nnd Nottidge, Mr W. D. Barnard, Mr Leake, Colombo street, and Mr J. C. Angus, Cashcl street. Sixtt Ykahs ix aCaob.— The Philadelphia Jfedical Reporter describes the case of the son of a clergyman who has just diet) insane at the age of 81, having become insane at college at the age of 21. According to tbis u-sL.un.ling statement, for nearly two yeara ho was not confined, until his father's life had been repeatedly endangered by his violence, when bo was restrained with chains for a couple of years, nnd then was placed in astrong cage in tbe garret of the liouse, whence ho never c.ime forth while he lived. No clothing could bo kept on him; but in severe weather he would allow himself to be covered with a blanket, which Lote*! only till his propensity for destruction became stronger than his fear of the cold. IIU cage was not high onough for him to stand orcct. aud ho rcmulncd constantly in a sitting posture, leaning back against the timber wben he tdept. His limbs could not be straightened, his hair was never trimmel; and for cleanliiimi he received only the attention given to a poorly kept animal. In fact, he had lost all appearance of a human boing, ami bad nearly lost his faculty of speech. No official ot legal investigation of his ease, or his class of cases, has ever been roads by tb* Government, but lie wus left in this pitiable, but uniiiticd state, in tbc midst of a highly enlightened and Christian people, to howl and shrU-k and groan, and suffer the unutterable horrors of mental madnass for sixty yeara. A. Storm im Church Time —lllinois papers have accounts of great devastation, with bwaof life, occasionc I by a recent storm. In {..him*.g.> darkness fell upon the city with such mysterious swiftness as to cause inde<crib<iblo awe ; and the mist and startling chilliness led the people to infer that a tornado was whirling over the city, In other parts of the State it descended and proved very destructive. At Shanghai service was proceeding in the Second Advent Church, a new building completed last autumn. The Iter. G. \V. Hurd ascended the pulpit, and hit di .courso was not Interrupted until it was - through, wben the evidences of ibe coming disaster began to bu apparent. First it was perfectly siill.and thon a noise was heard in tho distance as of the roaring of a mighty ratiract. The windows began to shake, and somo one called out from his seat •• Mr Uurd, a bui storm is coming up." The miniiter aut-wsred, •• Never mind the storm ; there is a day coming when there will be a storm compared with which this will be nothing. I will be through soon." Just then the hall •nd wind commenced breaking in tha window lights, imd iv almost an instant the windows or the church, sash and all, wero torn out. The only two persons who succeeded In go' ting out were George Vern and Harrison Wiser, who were Instantly killed. The building reeled like a drunken mau, but none could get out. Wives clung to their husbands, children to their parents, brothers and slaters to each other, and despair was depleted upon every countenance. Suddenly the era.-)) C4mc and with a deafening sound mingled with tha shriek* ot tlu pent-up people ; timbers, scantling and all, came down with a sudden crash upon the devoted heads of tbo congregation, men, women, and children. Koine had skulls broken, others arms, others received internal injuries from which they can never recover. Nearly all . were more or less injured. 4*Ma John Biuout.— The following is from a recent leading article In (he Timtn—Dld Blue Gown know that he had won the Derby? Does any horso know that he is thoroughbred, and not a butcher's hack? D.ies he know the difference between a gentleman's carriage and a scavenger's cart ? ne appreciates sweet voices, gentle movements, and soft bands, but dots lie feel tbe observance aud the flattery? Ueasontra And themselves obliged to allow a very small degree of consciousness to tbo noblest of our brute companions. There can be no auch difficulty, nor will any such question ever be asked, about Mr John Bright. 110 is a great man, and he knows it. A highly susceptible nature enables him to enjoy tho loftiest eulogies and tho tenderett attentions, not, indeed, that he requires them, for be has the testimouy within. There is a well-known instance of a great Beformer in a another line, who, after relating what ho had done, and dared, and suffered, found himself suddenly checked by the misgiving tbat he had been making rather a fool of himself, and that his rental was not quite in correct taste. We cannot recall that Mr Bright ever found himself pulled up in this fashion, orevcr found it necessary to excuse himself. He never wearies of singing that old song over again — tbc song we have all heard so often, all about himself, and the very great things he himself has done, in company with tht greatest men over known, now no more, or surviving only to receive a small share in his honours. It gives us real pleasure to see iv Mr Bright a man who has laboured up to his power, and beyond his power, in various noble causes. Whon he began life he found a good many capital strokes of work cut out for a man with an honest popular bias, strong physical powers, an excellent delivery, great command of mother English, and a strong hold as well aa a deep root in the British commonalty. With remarkable concentration and unflinching energy, he set about to do, aud to assist others in doing, what bad long halted, faltered, stumbled, and seemingly lapsed altogether in less able hands, or under less favourable circumstance*, We cannot call him the orlglnatorof anyone great fluaneial or political succss, for whenever he has attempted to put his own time, form and manner on a political conception it has uniformly failed. But his assistance has been powerful and his contributions magnificent. He has occupied a high place in all the great causes, and all the grand movements, and all the noble achieve* ments In the Interest of the people and of tbat final liberty, equality, and fraternity to which

ho thlnkn wo tend, Mr Bright knows it, Thero are pcoplo, nnd not bad people, either. who would be puswlod to siiy what good things thoy had over dono In the wholo of their mortal existence, except something they could not well Cflcnpo doing, or something thoy did In a moment of weakness, Mr Bright could answer for himself any day, and tho day aflor, tee, If wo wished to listen. Ills recent visit to Liverpool, ho nays, was rather forced on lilm. Tlio breakfast next day, instead of the snug llttlo affair he had expected, just fifty or sixty gentlemen and indies nltllng round a long table, bad been stretched to ten times that number. But tho hero of tho day was equal to tbo occasion, and gave what might ho called tho hundredth rejiotltion of his favourlto performance,