Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 122, 3 October 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

Bankruptcy. — A meeting of creditors in the estate of Jacob Levien was to have been held at the Registrar's Chambers to-day, but lapsed through non-attendance. Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw are solicitors for the bankrupt. The Fiji Islands. — '■ We acknowledge, with very great pleasure, the receipt of the first four numbers of The Fijian Weekly News and Planters' Journal. The imprint tells us that the paper is printed and published by " Thomas Johnson, at his printing office, Church street, Levuka, Qvalau, Fiji." Our contemporary is decidedly a credit to the Fourth Estate in appearance, and the matter, as far as we can yet judge, is good. . Christchurch Literary Institute. — The committee appointed to enquire into the position of the affairs of the Institute, and to recommend measures of improvement, met yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the Institute. Present: Rev. C. Fraser, Chairman, Messrs C. C. Bowen, G. Gould, E. B. Bishop, J. St Quentin, Alport, and Denham. The business was chiefly preliminary, and the committee adjourned until Friday next, at 4 p.m. Lyttelton Land Building and Invest ment Society No. 2. — The annual meeting of the Lyttelton Land Building and 'nvestment Society No. 2, was held last night, Mr Nalder in the chair. Messrs Balestiee, S. E. Wright, and B. Weyburne, were elected members of committee to supply the usual vacancies. The balance-sheet, from unavoidable circumstances, had not been yet' audited. An adjourned meeting, of which notice will be given, will be held next week to receive it. The usual monthly meeting for receipt of subscriptions will be held in the Colonists' Hall to-night. Jvßoat Race at Kaiapoi. — A race between the A.R.C.'s boat Ariel and the C.B.C.'s Ture came off yesterday. The course was from the Swing Bridge to the Fisherman's hut and back, distance 6 miles. The fineness of the weather, and the fact of the race being the first of the season, combined to cause a large assemblage of spectators. At 4.40, a capital start was effected, Mr C. Oram (giver of the prize) acting as starter. The boats got well away together, but, after the first half-mile, the Cure got sufficiently ahead to take her adversary's water, who had won the choice of sides, and continued to increase her lead to the finish— the time being as follows: — Cure, 37£ minutes; Ariel, 39 minutes. The following were the crews: — Cure— H. Feldwick (1), R, Wright (2), W. Wright (3), R. H.^Matthews (stroke), Geo. Wright coxswain), Ariel — S. Barker (1), C. Barker (2), W. Burnip (3), C..-E. Dudley (stroke), C. Dudley r (coxswain). Both boats were heartily cheered on coming in.

Lecture. — Last night, Mr Dobson gave lis third lecture on Physical Geography, at ;he Literary Institute. The Rev. C. Fraser presided, and there was a fair attendance of pupils of the High School— for whose especial senefit the series is given-rand other persons. The lecturer continued his remarks m the principal rivers of Europe and America, the position of their respective -jhannels compared with the earth's surface, md drawing analogies between them and some of the Canterbury streams. He dwelt upon the mode of irrigation adopted.for protection in those places where the bed of the river was above the level of the surrounding laud, instancing Holland, some parts of the :ourse pursued by the Mississippi, and comparing them with the action of the Waimakariri.- He also detailed the vast benefits which, have accrued to Egypt from the canal •mt by M. Lesseps, the effects it had had in fertilizing what had been for many ages a iesert, and concluded by pointing out how useful and necessary was a knowledge of physical geography. The lecturer accompanied his remarks by maps and diagrams on % black board, which rendered them easily intelligible to all. . Horse Show. — The annual show of entire horses took place this afternoon in Latimer Square, but the late hour at which they assembled, unfortunately precludes a detailed criticism. Compared with former years, there was on the whole a decided improvement perceptible, and the slight falling-off in number was only due to the " wasters " being kept back. The draught stock was naturally the most conspicuous and a, finer lot have not been collected together in the province. A decided lead was however taken by Mr J. Walls with two threeyear old Clydesdales. . They were bred by himself, and are a most valuable acquisition for agricultural requirements. They were universally admired, but Sir Colin Campbell, out of the celebrated mare Scotland's Pride had the preference of the two. For muscular power he is as near perfection as possible, and it would be difficult to find a faulty point about him; he is a dark chestnut, 16$ hands high, and will make a really magnificent horse. Of hack entires there was not a large display, and those present were, with the exception of a young Quicksilver rising two years, old stagers.. In ponies, the same remarks can only be made, the only new addition being a cream-coloured three-year-old shewn by Mr Lockhart which being in bad condition we can scarcely offer many remarks upon him, but he is not likely to occupy a prominent position in his class. As a whole, the exhibits were in splendid condition, and spoke favourably for the care and attention of their grooms. Lyttelton Popular Entertainments. — The last of . this most successful series took place on Thursday night, and attracted one of the largest audiences ever seen in Lyttelton. The hallwas densely packed, and many had to go away. The chair was taken by Dr Donald, President of the' Society, who in a short speech expressed the great pleasure he felt at §eeing such audiences as then present. It "had been said that the readings were too light and frivolous, and that something more solid ought to be given. He must differ from this opinion. He referred to the forthcoming annual meeting of the society, and hoped that there would be a large attendance of the members to hear the report o2 the committee. The managing committee had decided to close the series for this season with a treat to the children. This would be given on Friday next, the 9th inst., when a gentleman wellknown among them had most kindly offered to show a series of dissolving views representing the overland route. The programme commenced with a performance by the Lyttelton Artillery Band ; the selection was excellently played. The Rev. F. Knowles then gave a reading from Macaulay. He was warmly applauded. A song by MrH. Allwrightwas capitally sung, and called forth an encore. Mr Thomson gave a reading from " Ingoldsby " in capital style. The Volunteer Band then gave another performance. Mr Nalder gave a reading in excellent style, and was Very much applauded at its close. Mr Carder sang " Evangeline." Dr Rouse followed with a reading, "Mr Peebles Courtship," and caused great amusement by its excellent delivery. Mr J. A. Waddington was loudly applauded for his pianoforte solo. Mr. Jones gave a reading from Artemus Ward, causing peals of laughter. The entertainment proper was brought to a close by another performance by the band. Mr Thomson volunteered a short original reading. The delivery of this caused roars of laughter ; it was a comic sketch of all the readers who had taken part in these entertainments, and at its close the reader was greeted with a round of applause. Mr W. Mills proposed a vote of thanks to the readers. Captain Thompson seconded it, and on behalf of the officers and crews of the vessels in harbour tendered their thanks to the Committee for their liberality in placing the reading room at their disposal free of charge. He called for three cheers, which were heartily given. Mr Jones proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies, who, by their generous services, had done so much to render these entertainments such a success. The motion was carried with loud cheering. The band concluded by playing the National Anthem.