Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 97, 4 September 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

Fmi; Policic Dinner.— The complimentary -tinner to be given by Mr M. IJ. Hart to members of the Christchurch Fire Police has beeu fixed to take place on the lGtli instant, at 7 o'clock. His Worship the Mayor and the Borough Councillors are also to be invited guests. V Vomjx-iekrs.— Tn a New Zealand Gazette, published on Aug. 31, it is noiified that the Governor has accepted the services of the Ahris-church iliyh School Cadet Corps 7 His Excellency has been pleased to accept the res'g-uitiou of the commissions held, by Lii-uipuant I). I "avis, lyttelton Artillery/and Rn<--nr I1 \\\ l_ Powell, No. 9 Company S.R.V. V • Tiik Coxstitctioxal Party.— The following are the members composing the new Constitutional party :— Wellington.— Messrs *V>x, Featherston, Borlase, Brandon, H. S. Harrison (Wanganui), and W. W. Taylor, ■vuckland. —Messrs Diguan, Graham, Heaphy , V.C., O'Rorke, T. Macfarlaue, and Williamson. Canterbury.— Macfarlan, Stevens, RoliCston, Studholme, Tancred, and Travers. Otago. —Messrs Burns, Cargill, V?ain, Macandrew, Reynolds, and Yogel. Southland.— Messrs Bell and AVood. Nelson. — Messrs Jiaigeut, Collins, and Parker.

Canterbury Ordinances. — The following Ordinances, passed by the Provincial Council during the late session and assented to by the Superintendent, having been laid before the Governor, his Excellency, as the Gazelle informs us *' has been advised not to exercise his power of disallowance in respect of them." lt is needless lo say the notice is signed by Mr Stafford :— " The Cattle Rating Ordinance, ISSS ;" " The Diversion of Roads on Great Southern Railway Special Ordinance, 1563 ; " " The Railway Reserves Leasing Ordinance, IS6-3 ;" " The Kaiapoi Bridge Ordinance, 1868 ;" and " The Interpretation Ordinance, 1868." Volunteer Gkneual Committe - *. — The first meeting of the newly appointed committee was held at the Criterion Hotel, last night. Present— Capt. Hawkes, Sergt-inajor Urqubart, Corporal Gulliver, Sapper Barnes, Private Maddeson, and Mr Tippetts, lion, sect. Capt. Hawkes was appointed chairman, pro tew. A list of the representatives of the Engineers and No. 6 Company was handed in, but the secretary said he had not received returns from the other corps. The secretary reported that he had received the annual subscription from all the Christchurch corps. A letter was read from the hon. sec. of the Lyttelton Artillery, acknowledging receipt of resolution conveying the thanks of the committee for the entertainment afforded to the Christchurch Volunteer, on the occasion of their recent visit to Lyttelton. The arrangements for firing for Mr Bishop's Cup, on Saturday next, were discussed, and it was decided that the competitors should be divided into two squads ; the first to meet on the Hillsborough range at .) a.m., and the second at 3 p.m. ; not more than three, or less than two representatives of each contesting corps to fire in either squad. Sapper Barnes was desired to have the targets put in order for the occasion. The following officers were elected : — Chairman, Captain Lean ; treasurer, Capt. Hawke 3 ; secretary, Mr Tippelt3. A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to the latter gentleman for the mauner in which ho had fulfilled his duties during the past year. Capt. Hawkes referred to the Tcmpletou contingent of his company being unrepresented on the committee. The stipulated subscription was paid for all the members, and he thought one of their number was consequently fairly entitled to a seat. He would give notice of motion for its discussion at next meeting. Sergt.- -tajor Urquhart referred to the necessity of a sub-committee being appointed to regulate matters connected with the rifle ranjrc ; and on his motion. Messrs Moore, Pavitfc, Barne?., Paton, aud Papprill, were selected for that purpose. The competition for the Mayor's cup was discussed, and it wa~* fixed to take place on the 19th inst., undor the same conditions as those imposed for Mr Bishop's. It was decided to inflict a fine of £1 upon such of the competing corps as failed to provide a marker at each of the competitions. Inquest. -An inquest on the body of William Harris, who died suddenly in Stanmore Road, on Wednesday afternoon, was held at Mill's Hotel, yesterday, hefore J. W. S. Coward, Esq., coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr C. B. Taylor was chosen foreman. After the body had been viewed, the following evidence was adduced. Stephen Buckett said, when near the Stanmore Road, yesterday afternoon, I heard some one groaning, and on going to see whufc was the matter, found deceased lying on his face in the roadway struggling. lat once ran for a neighbour (Mr Fuller) who sent me for the police. I never saw deceased '"before, and cannot state the exact time that I first observed him in the road, but think -it was about two o'clock. Frederick Fuller said, I was called between one and two o'clock on Wednesday afternoon to see a man who was lying in the road. I found tho in;m lying on his face. I turned him over on to his right side. On raising his head I found his eyes fixed, and knew directly that he was dyiug. I raised him to a sitting posture, opened his shirt, and then sent for a doctor, hut he made two or three struggles, and died before any one returned. I noticed his cap near the gorsc hedge, with his pipe inside it. I do not know whether the pipe was lit. Police-Sergeant Pardy said : From information received nt the Depot, I went to the Stanmore Road yesterday afternoon, where I found deceased quite dead. I searched him and found a 2 oz bottle of liniment quite full, a box of Hollo way's pills, and £3 odd in money. lat once had him removed to the spot where he now lies. Caroline Steele, nurse at the Christchurch Hospital said : I knew deceased. He came to my ward on Monday evening, and remained until nearly 12 o'clock yesterday. He complained of a tightness across his head from one ear to the other, as if of great pressure, and also of cold shivers on hi 3 back. He slept well on Monday night, and when I last saw him he appeared in as good health as when he first came to the hospital. I do not know whether he was discharged from the hospital, or he went away of his own accord, but I know that he said to Dr Powell he would like to purchase some medicine as he would rather go home. By the foreman : I liad no reason to think he was not in his proper mind, but he complained of great depression of spirits. W. Deamcr, M.D., said, I have examined the body of deceased. There were no external marks of violence. On opening his skull, I found the membranes of the brain greatly congested, and a considerable amouut of effusion at the base of the brain. The subitance of the brain was also softer than natural. I opened the chest and found that the left lung was adherent throughout its whole extent, and the lower half was infiltrated with blood. This was also visible to a slight extent in the right lung, The heart was rather flabby and fat, but all the other* organs were healthy. I attribute death to pulmonary apoplexy. The jury being satisfied that deceased had died from natural causes, returned a verdict to that effect.

Magisterial. — There were no cases set down for hearing at the Christchurch Magistrate's Court this morning. Legal. — The sittings of the Supreme Court for the hearing of common jury cases were to have commenced on Monday next. There was only one case on the record, which, ho wever, was withdrawn subsequently to the summoning of the jury. The jurymen need not therefore attend. There is one case for trial by special jury on Tuesday, the 15th inst. - Miles and Co. v. Waith and others iv which damages are claimed for the alleged wrongful seizure and conversion of certain wool. Messrs Hanmer and Harper are counsel for the plaintiff's ; and Mr Duncan for the defendants. Kaiapoi Boating Cmjb. The annual meeting of this club was held last evening. Present — Dr Dudley (in the chair), Messrs G. 11. Davis, W. D. Buddie, J. Buddie, C. Oram, W. Burnip, C. E. Dudley, 11. Feldwick, H. Middleton, J. Hurse and E. G. Kerr (secretary). The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The treasurer's report shewed the club to be in debt £8 or £9. Ifc was decided to dispose of the Undine to a resident in the town for £10 ; that any other moneys due to the society to be forthcoming at an adjourned meeting to be held at the Pier hotel on Thursday next, when, after discharging all liabilities, the advisability of winding up the affairs of the club, or continuing it on a fresh basis, will be discussed. The latter will most probably be the case, two gentlemen having headed a subscription list with very liberal donations for the purchase of a first-class racing boat from Melbourne. Some conversation ensued as to having the annual regatta; the meeting, however, being unanimously in favour of its continuance, the subject created but little discussion. Winter Evening Amusements. —An entertainment, consisting of readings, interspersed with vocal and instrumental music, was giveu iv the Congregational • hurch, Ferry Road, last night. Notwithstanding the threatening appearance of the weather, a large company assembled, and vacant space was nowhere to be found in the building. Mr Woodford, senr., presided at the harmonium, with members of the Christohurch choir to sustain the vocal parts. The favourite Anthem " Blessed are the People " opened the programme, and was rendered with a sweet accordance and impressiveness worthy of every commendation. Mr Haber Newton next read the " May Queen " in a clear and pleasing manner, and at later ,'periods of the evening, successively contributed extracts from Arteuius Ward and the Octoroon. These latter were especially applauded, and the manner in which iir Newton identified himself with the peculiar humour of the author, together with the point and forcible expression of delivery, fully merited the approval bestowed by the audience. The other readings given were " The Soldier's Legacy," by »Ir Powell, and the fable of the " Snail and the Worm," by Mr Jameson. The first, although of a somewhat too serious a nature, commanded the interest and applause of the audience; whilst the latter being delivered with the reader's characteristic ability, was even more successful. The musical contributions interspersing these items were duett selections from Davidson's Musical Treasury, by Mr Woodford (harmonium), and Mr Jones (violin), which were all cordially acknowledged by the audience; and anthems, " The Lord of all Power," " O Praise the Lord all ye Nations," and " Lift up your Heads," by the choir, which were sung with the same success as their first piece. On termination of the entertainment Mr Jameson addressed a few words to the audience, and concluded by informing them that another would be given in a fortnight from that date. Winter Entertainments. — The second of a series of winter entertainments took place at the school-room, St. Albans, last evening; and we arc glad to say that there was a large attendance. Mr Garrick was announced to deliver the opening address, but this gentleman was preveuted from attending. In his absence, Mr J. H. Twentyman was requested to take the chair, aud deliver the opening address. Mr Twentyman dwelt at considerable length upon the advantages to be derived from similar entertainments, in which rational amusement was blended with instruction. There were many persons who were debarred from the pleasure to be derived by free access to the works of the best authors and the greatest musical composers, tbe love_and admiration of which are inherent parts of our nature. To such persons, a meeting such as the present, could r.ot fail to be a great boon, for its character embraced both rational amusement and instruction. Relaxation is a necessity of our existence — a great fact recognised by all the distinguished writers of every age; and it only becomes injurious when suffered to run into dissipation. Solomon inculcates this truth, and Horace tells us " That ifc is pleasing to unbend at proper times and seasons." Our own familiar adage, " All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy*," is a corroboration of the same truth. Meetings of this character te> dto promote friendly union among the peo;le of a community, and if they should be fruitful of no other result, this one was sufficient in itself forcongratulation. The objectof the meetings at St. Albans was to instruct and amuse, and at the same time to raise funds for the erection of a church in the neighbourhood, after deducting tlie expenses attending the entertainments. Mr Twentyman was loudly applauded at intervals during the delivery of his address, of which tlie above is the merest outline. Some excelleut anthems were executed by the choir during the evening, Mr J. T. Smith conducting, and Mrs E. Long presiding at the piano. A pretty duet, " The Dove," by Mr Smith and Miss Cumberworth, was loudly applauded. Mr Connell read Burns' famous " Cotter's Saturday Night" very creditably, and the applause that followed was a sufficient testimony that it was universally appreciated. A very pleasing production, entitled " The Starless Crown,"

was well read by Mr Twentyman, and equally well received. In the second part of the programme, Mr Armitage read a chapter from an A merican work, on " Negro Characteristics," which was a very agreeable feature of the entertainment. Mr Jones sang " Before the Battle" and "After the Battle." iv a very creditable manner ; and Mr Smith's " Slave Ship" was also well sung. Mrs Long sang the somewhat popular song '■' Maggie's Secret," which was vociferously applauded and encored. Mr Long had also the pleasure of being encored for his sinsrtng of " The Englishman." The song and chorus " V> r hen we were boys together," merited a hearty round of applause. A quartette was given, M r Smith sustaining the solo part ; and the entertainment was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem. Dr. Florance proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was carried by acclamation. Mr Twentyman, iv reply, spoke of the pleasure which the entertainment had afforded him, and thanked the various performers for what they had done in making the evening so agreeable to everyone present. The price of admission was sixpence, aud we have been informed that the sum taken at the doors amounts to £3 1 Is. Accidknt.— Yesterday afternoon, a serious accident occurred on tho Ferry Hoad, to a man in the employ of Mr Dale. He was driring a horse and dray near Silk. Hotel, when, from some unexplained cause, the horse took fright, and bolted at a furious poca. He retained his seat on the dray as long as possible, but was ultimately pitched into tbe ro*d, breaking one of hit legs in tl.e fall, Rnd receiving several cuts on his face. The hnrse was stopped some distance down the road, without doing further damage Mioat^__H_fe_H__BaaH-Hi H g aE^ HBIH _—^^-—^^^^^^^