Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 107, 16 September 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

Horticultural Show. — It is the intention of the inhabitants of Lyttelton to have a show this year, and for this purpose a commitee have invited the co-operation of all who are interested in the matter. We have no doubt the project will be taken up warmly by those residing in the bays. Lyttklton Volunteer Artilleuy. — The usual monthly adjutant's parade took place on Monday night, Major Rookes and Captain Packe being present. There -was a good muster, and various evolutions were gone through creditably. The band was in attendance, and performed some musical selections in excellent style. Look Out for Squalls. — Lieutenant Saxby, R.N., sends the following to the London papers: — " Special atmospheric disturbances will take place — July ISth to 24th; August, 15th to 21st ; September, 15th to 19th; October, 13th to 19th. Very high tides may occur on July 20th, August 20th, from 15th to 19th September, and on the 18th October. The above applies to all parts of the earth's surface." The Museum. — Amongst some of the new contributions recently received from Europe is a complete male human skeleton, and a Very fine collection of large European and North African birds. The Golden eagle, and the great Bustard from Europe, the Flamingo, and others from Egypt, are the mo -t conspicuous. It is greatly to be regretted, as we have repeatedly stated, that want of accommodation will prevent these and many other collections previously received, from being exhibited to the public. VThe Lath Borough Election. — The author of the following deserves the sympathy of the public : — " Why should the electors of Christchurch have returned Mr : Ross at the head of the poll at the latej election of Councillors? Because he has more good scents than all the other candidates combined. My Missus objects to the above, she says — Why should no one have voted for him ? Because, if you will take his own word for it, he has no common scents. This is all spite, as in consequence of the hard times she has no scents at all." — Another: — Why are the Burgesses of Chrisfcchurch like amateur gardeners ? — Because 1 they rejected a useful leek (Leake).

Fire Police. — The first annual dinner of the Christchurch Fire JPolice will take place this evening at the White Hart Hotel. The invitations hare been issued by Mr Hart, who personally entertains his brother members of the force, and we understand that his Worship the Mayor and members of the Borough Council have also been requested to be present. The dinner will be served at half-past 7 o'clock, and about 60 gentlemen are expected to sit down. | Meetings of Creditors. — A meeting of creditors in the estate of SAndrew Thomson, of Otaio Station, sheepfarmer, was held at the Registrar's Chambers, at 1 1 o'clock this morning. The estimated liabilities in this estate amount to £34,849 Is 8d ; and the assets to £46,558 4s lid ; surplus, £11,709 3s 3d. Creditors proved to the amount of £4,394 17s 4d. Mr J. E. Graham was appointed trustee. Messrs Charles Orbell and John Hughes were nominated as supervisors, but the Itegistrar declined to confirm their appointment, on the ground that they were not proof creditors. The matter will be decided in Chambers, on Friday, by his Honor Mr Justice Gresson. Messrs Haumer and Harper are solicitors for the bankrupt. A meeting of creditors in the estate of John Sellars, of Christchurch, dyer, was held before the Registrar, at 12 o'clock. The liabilities in this estate are estimated at £156 7s Id, and the assets at £33 1 7s ; deficiency, £122 10s Id. Creditors proved to the amount of £102 6s. Mr J. E.Graham was chosen trustee ; and Messrs Charles Allison and John Caygill, supervisors. Mr Barnford is solicitor for the bankrupt. Lecture. — Last night a lecture was given in the New Town Hall, by Capt. G. H. Wilson, in aid of the funds of the Fire Brigade Library. The subjects to be treated of were the imponderables -light, heat, electricity and magnetism. Mr W. Montgomery, DeputySuperintendent, occupied the chair, and Mr Zinekgraff presided at the pianoforte. The lecturer first proceeded to explain the word imponderable, and then described the properties of light, heat, electricity, and magnetism in this respect. The two first were generated by electricity, but the more common forms of the two last were thunder and lightning in i the air, and earthquakes in the earth. In i describing earthquakes he combated the opinion as given by some that the motion was circular, and alleged that it passed through the earth in a wave from the centre of the convulsion and in the direction of the magnetic meridian. In support of this he advanced that all chains of mountains run in that direction. He then referred to the shock recently felt in Christchurch, and said the effect of the shock on all metals was to render them dia-magnetic, and to oscillate in an opposite direction to the current. The difference of time at which the shock was stated to have been felt must be due to variations of the clocks, as the shock must have been simultaucoxis. In referring to* the recent earthquake wave, he did not think it had any connection with the earthquake, but that it was the result of some enormous convulsion on the West Coast of South America, or some intermediate point. Magnetism and its conversion into electricity was illustrated by practical experiments; and the connection of magnetism with mesmerism was clearly shewn. He illustrated the effect of the mesmerist's passes by two magnets, the larger of which increased or reduced the magnetism of the smaller by downward or upward passes. This concluded the lecture, and the usual experiments upon persons selected from the audience concluded the entertainment. The lecture, throughout, was listened to with the greatest attention, and frequently applauded. Votes of thanks to Captain Wilson and Mr Montgomery closed the proceedings. LYTTEr/roN Boatixg Club. — The annual meeting took place on Monday night, at the Shades club room, to elect officers for the •ensuing year. The chair was taken by Mr J. S. Legett. Messrs W. Davis, T. Merson, H. Hawkins, and J. Carder were elected members of the club. On the motion of Mr Roper, seconded by Mr Kuowles, Mr D. Davis -was unanimously elected president, and Mr J. S. Legett vice-president for the ensuing year. A cordial vote of thanks was tendered to these gentlemen for the great interest they had taken in the club. Mr E. W. Itopur was unanimously elected commodore, and a high compliment was passed by the members, on the way he had acted as commodore during the past year. The following gentlemen were elected as committee: --Messrs. H. 11. Knowles, T. Merson, W. B. Jones, W. Cameron, C. 11. Woledge, D. Caro and L. Caro. Mr Cuff was unanimously elected Secretary and Treasurer, and a vote of thanks was carried by acclamauiation to him for his services. A long discussion ensued respecting a new boat. Mr L. Caro moved, " That a new racing boat from Melbourne or Sydney, as the committee may direct, be procured by the first opportunity and that a subscription list be opened." Mr W. B. Jones seconded the motion, and after discussion it was carried. The members present signed a guarantee for the purchase of the new boat, and it was left for the committee to decide upon the cost and where the boat should be procured from. The Chairman stated that at the last meeting it was proposed that the crew of the winning boat, who had won a large money prize, should have a testimonial presented to them. The result had been that silver belt buckles j and clasps had been obtained, and he had much pleasure in presenting them to the winners. The buckles are of solid silver, and are very neat, they bear the following in- j scription : — "L. B. C, Heathcote regatta ; j won by Snowdrop, A. Cuff (stroke), E. W. Roper, W. D. L. Cameron, E. Wells, R. P. ' Glen (coxswain)." Mr Roper, on behalf of I the crew, returned thanks for the handsome present. He was certain it would be highly prized by the members. Pijulic Lecturb. — Last night Mr Dobson delivered tlie first of his proposed course of lectures on Physical Geography. Previous to the commencement of the lecture, the Rer

Charles Fraser, who occupied the chair, explained the circumstances under which the lectures were prepared. The Directors of the High School had come to an agreement with the Committee of the Literary Institute, according to which the lectures arranged under the care of the former body should be delivered in the large room of the Institute, while the subscribers to the Institute should have free admittance on presenting their tickets of membership, and all the proceeds from the charge made for the admission of the public should go, without any deduction whatever to the funds of the Institute. Through the kindness of their friends, to whom they had on former occasions been so much indebted, a course of lectures, lasting about three months, would now be carried on. Mr Dobson would be succeeded by Dr Powell, whose subject would be chemistry, and Dr Haast would follow with a series upon geology. The lectures had purposely been delayed till the conclusion of the I winter popular entertainments, and though they could not be expected to be so largely attended, it was confidently hoped that a considerable number would shew their appreciation of solid instruction, requiring some mental exertion, as well as of mere amusement and recreation. They were fortunate in having secured Mr Dobson !to commence the course. The lecture by Mr Dobson was of an exceedingly interesting character, and was listened to I with the greatest attention. It was mainly j introductory, shewing the influence of the 'physical character of a country upon the I progress and civilization of its inhabitants. The light which is thrown upon several Greek and Roman classical writers by an acquaintance with the countries referred to by them, -was illustrated by several references from Cassar, Tacitus, and Homer, and the explanations afforded by recent investigations in France, Germany, and Asia Minor, i he lecturer then proceeded to give some illustrations of the manner in which the chief directions of the continents and oceans were affected by the lines of upheaval and depression consequent upon the gradual refrigeration of the globe, and brought out in a striking manner the great Isimilarity in contour of the principal divisions of the earth's surface. The second lecture was announced for Tuesday next at the same hour. Mr Dobson was greeted with several rounds of applause at the conclusion. The Natives. — The Government has organised a line of communication b .'tween Wairoa and Taupo for t!ie purpose of procuring full and immediate informatiou with reference to the hostile tribes. An orderly will leave Taupo once, and Wairoa twice, a week. Auckland.— The Southern Cross informs us that Mr Hammond, a Victorian gentleman, has lately purchased, through his agent, Captain Steele, about 1000 acres, some two raises from Hamilton, Auckland province, on the Ohaupo road. He lias already cleared und laid down with grass 300 acres, and has commenced fencing, intending to enclose the whole property preparatory to s ockitig it with sheep from his run in Victoria. a Cuhiosity. — A great curiosity was recently discovered by a miner near Opossum Valley, in the neighbourhood of Ararat (Victoria), of which the following account is given by the Advertiser: — It consisted of a piece of woo i, apparently honeysuckle, wellpolished, and displaying, besides the grain of the wood, which was beautifully brought out, the linos (in white) of whit looked like the skull and beak of the ibis. It appeared as though the skull had, by some means, been imbedded in the branch or trunk, and that the timber had continued to grow round it until thoroughly encased. It is certain that the lines were distinct, the curves of the skull, as nearly as we c >uld judge, being perfectly define'!, and therefrom a long curved beak, which bore more resemblance to the ibis than to any other known bird. Ltster's Opera Troupe. — Me'bourne papers inform us that a farewell dinner was given on the 18th ult., to Mr W. S. Lyster, by the members of the Athenaeum Club. The Mayor of Melbourne had undertaken to preside, but was detained by his political duties until the dinner was being served, and in his absence, the chair was filled by Mr Aspinall. A. most agreeable evening was spent, and in the course of the proceedings, Mr Lvsier intimated that it was his intention, after taking his company to Oalifo'nia, to visit the principal capitals of .liurop.-, and to return to Victoria with the best taleut hecouhi pr.saiblv engage. Mr Lyster reviewed the stsuo of the lyric art in Australia, und concUi led by thanking the members of the cl<i!> and the public, at large for their generous support that had been so fretly accorded to him. Gold i^i China. — Gold mining has extended its operation* to China, un *er the stimulating influence of European enterprise. The China Mail 'A the 24th July informs us that a company of Europeans had been formed in Chefon for the purpose of visiting the mines, and that the members bad invited over sereral Californian mine?, whom they were expecting by the next steamer from Sun Fran.'.isco, to take part in the experiment. This news caused considerable ox- > itement in Hong que, <>m Saturday night la-i, and we hear a sum of four hundred dollars was subscribed towards defraying the expenses of an old miner, at present en-zi net-r of one of the Chinese steamers here, who is to proceed to the mines and repot t progress ; probably the 500 picks ani sp».dep advertised for in this morning's Daily News may have some connection with this matter. If ao, go it boys, we s'-y, for by the same source we hear that the precious mineral promises a good return to the seekers. Pastoral. — The Deniliquin Journal (Victoria) supplies the following information on pa-t'>ral matters : — The flockowners are busy "hearing, and already a number of drays have passed through for Melbourne. The samples of the clip which we have seen indicate a good harvest, and the quality of the wool is very much better than the last season's clip. There will be about tea millions of sheep

thorn in the pastoral districts of New South Wales west of the great dividing range. There is an active demand for fat cattle, and there is every prospect of the supply of really good beef falling short, as there are not many first-class herds having a large amount of prime fat beasts After Bhearing, it is expected that tiiere will be large quantities of fat sheep goiag to market; they must be sold, as most of the runs are overstocked. VVe hear of one station-holder who will have to travel about 40,000 sheep this season in consequence of the want of sufficient feed for them. In Adelaide, fat cattle are high, and promise to be ; they range from 200s to 280s each for really good beef, which is everywhere in demand ; and unless we can draw much of our supplies thereof from the Upper and Middle Darling aud Northern districts, the neigbhbouring stockowners have very fair, if not good, prospects before them for the coming season. Mr Sandfokd Fa-wcett. — The following is from the Weslland Observer : — A. very sad eveut occurred this morning. Mr Sandford Fawcett Rowe, who was both an artist and comedian of considerable merit, died very suddenly at a House in Hampden street. Mr Uowe (generally known in the profession as Sandy Faweett) had been ailing for the last two or three days of a cold, but his indisposition was not con idered by those in immediate atttndance upon him as likely to terminate fatally. An inquiry into the cause of daath will be held tomorrow by Dr Beswick, coroner. The deceased is brother of George and Thomas Fawcett, the former of whom is on a starring engagement throughout England. His father is Mr Rowe, the very eminent lithographic artist. There are very few in New Zealand or in Victoria who did not know "Sandy Fawcett." He was a clever, kindly, generous-hearted man, and one who did much more good for others, whenever it lay in his power, than he ever did to himself. The body of deceased will be conveyed to the cemetery on Thursday next, and we hope to see those to whom hit many good qualities were known follow it to its last resting place. "Poor Sandy" and " Poor Fawcett " has dropped from the lipa of many a one to-day. His wife — formerly Kate Grant— is, we believe, at Charleston, under a professional engagement. Salmon Ova — The Otago Daily Times of Sept. 14 says: — Instructions have, we believe, already been sent to Britain by the Government respecting a second shipment of salmon and trout ova, for which, it will be remembered, the Provincial Council unanimously voted a sum during its late session. Acclimatization, as a pursuit, is a notable evoker of the naost kindly spirit of assistance between those who take part in it. Our Government has now consented to aid Southland, by arranging fo-r the shipment of ova for that province. The honorary secretary of the Southland society (Mr Butts), writing to his Honor the Superintendent on the 9th irist., saya . — " I beg to express their sincere thanks for the prompt manner in which ths Otago Government has consented to assist their piscicultnral efforts, and to add that an agent of the society will be ready to receive delivery of the ova immediately on its arrival at Port Chalmers.">(The agents of the Government will not, we fear, be able to take advantage of the important offer — as testing the Panama route for acclimatisation purposes — which is made in a letter published^ in the London Times of July 11th, undar the heading, " Fish for New Zealand." The writer, Mr. W. M. Mackenzie, 11, St. St. James's square, S.W., says: — " It may interest soma of your readers to learn that Captain Vine Hall, the general manager of the Panama, New Zealand, and Australian Hoyal Mail Company, is about to go out to the colonies by the next monthly steamer— Atrato— on the 3rd of August, and offers to take a special charge of any properly packed consignments of fish ova, which may be sent in due time to his office, 51, Moorgate street, or to the steamer at Southampton. As the voyage to Wellington, N.Z., will only occupy 48 days, and to' Sydney 55 days, and is attended with only one transhipment at Panama, it may b&vassumed that a very much larger per centage of ora would arrive safely by tliis transit than if sent by long sea."