Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 126, 7 October 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

Popular Entertainment. — An entertainment, in aid of the funds of the SundaySchools in the Heathcote district, was given at Messrs Palmer and Company's warehouse (kindly lent for the occasion) last evening. Upwards of 300 persons were present. The Rev G, J. Cholmondeley, who presided, delivered an appropriate address, in the course of which he pointed out the advantages which entertainments of thi3 description were calculated to confer. The entertainment was opened by " Never forget the dear Ones," ia which Mr Frank Pavitt sustained the solo part ; the chorus consisted of eight lady and six gentlemen amateurs of the district. Mr Alexander Lean read a selection from Thackeray, entitled " The Curate's Walk, and a Dinner in the City,', which was loudly applauded. The glee " Breathe soft ye Winds" was well received. Mr J. S. Williams read " The Jackdaw of Rhehns" capitally, and was loudly applauded. The duet, " Wind and the Harp," was sung by two lady amateurs, who displayed a little nervousness throughout, and thereby detracted from the success of the piece. They had the gratification, however, of being warmly applauded. Mr Walter Kennaway read " Nothing to Wear," which, being an amusing piece and well read, drew forth thunders of applause. The next thing given was " Ring, King the Bell," solo by .vlr K. Davis— chorus by company. This was vociferously applauded and encored. Mr Ensor read Dundreary's letter from his Brother Sam, • which provoked roars of laughter. Mr R. Davis (in the place of a gentl man who was unwell) sang "Dreams of my Childhood," the chorus being sustained by a well-chosen company. The audience was most demonstrative in appreciation, and the singing of the National Anthem brought to a conclusion one of the most agreeable reunions that has ever taken place in the Heatheote district. We understand that the Managing Committee purpose giving another entertainmeut in the course Kf a fortnight. Ciiukch. — The Rev J. Tyerman will give a public statement in what was until recently known a3 the Independent Methodist Church, Montreal Street, to-morrow evening, " on the reasons which have induced him to embrace.the views of Emanuel Swedenborg on most of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity." Mr Tyerman will also " vindicate those doctrines from the false accusations which ignorance and prejudice have preferred against them," and give " a full explanation of the course he has taken in relation to the late Independent Methodist Church, since he has changed his views." Boat Race at Kaiapoi. — Another six mile 4-oared race, this time for £20, between the Ariel and Cure, came off yesterday. The former boat was the challenger, and was manned by a crew, three of whom were from the vessels lying in the river. Considerable speculation took place as to the result, and the match drew together two or three hundred spectators on the bridge. A large party of horsemen accompanied the match down the river bank, and encouraged their respective favourites. Shortly after six, the boats were started by Mr C. Grain, and got well away together. The Cure, after the first half mile, took the lead and the best water, which her opponent had won, and continued to increase her lead to the turning point off the fisherman's hut ; here the Ariel made a splendid turn and gained considerably upon her adversary, which, however, in spite of the pluck and determination of her crew, she failed in overhauling. The boats came in amidst the cheers of the spectators, in the following time :— Cure, 37£ minutes ; Ariel, 38-J. The following were the crews : — Cure, H. Feldwick (1) ; 11. Wright (2) ; W. Wright (3) ; R. 11. Matthews (stroke) ; G. Wright (coxswain). Ariel, W. Griffiths (1); D. McKay (2) ; W. Burnip (3) ; T . L. Morton, (stroke) ; \V. Whitly (coxswain). Considering the difference of a boat like the Ariel from those in which seamen generally have to pull, with the short amount of practice they had, the manner in which the crew of the Ariel pulled reflects every credit on them. Draught Houses. — We are pleased to notice an addition to our draught horses in Rob Roy, from Melbourne. His sire Blackleg, is adjudged to be the best Clydesdale ever foaled. His pedigree is as follows, per card forwarded from Melbourne : — " Rob Hoy is a pure Clydesdale, stands IG.V hands high, possessing great muscular power, flue action, and beautiful symmetry; of a rich dapple bay colour, with bone and bair of the right quality, and a splendid temper. He is rising three years old and of a stock unequalled j u Victoria or Great Britain. Rob Uoy is by the imported horse Blackleg, out of Jennie, by Geo. Buchanan, out of Maude by Farmer's Favorite (imported), out of an imported Clydesdale mare. Blackleg has been exhibited at all the principal Agricultural Shows in Great Britain and Victoria, J and has never been beaten. Geo. Buchanan '

was imported into Victoria by the Hon. Jas. McCulloch for the Clyde Company, one of the best sires ever brought into the colony. Jennie has been exhibited 13 times, and won 11 first, and 2 second prizes. Rob Roy has already taken 7 first prizes, and is acknowledged by all competent judges to be the most promising colt in the colonies." He is, as described, a beautiful dappled bay with black points, and a white streak down the face. His shape is perfection for strength and activity ; legs all good, with flat 1 one ; tremendous haunches and gaskins, with hocks clean. The feet also good. These points would of course, denote good action, and in addition to this he has a wonderful forehand and back. He is ribbed like a barrel ; in fact, an ordinary saddle would cover him from wither to hip, thereby giving strength to his fine action. Heathcote Road Board. — The Board met on Monday, and the following business was transacted: — In compliance with the request contained in a letter from the Provincial Secretary, it was decided that the Board should obtain a return of the acreage of land in crop, and the quantity of grain unthreshed or in store in the district. The statistics are to be collected in November, and forwarded to the Government by the Ist of December. The surveyor was directed to inform the Provincial Government that the Board would undertake the collection of the statistics on the terms mentioned. Another letter from the Provincial Secretary was considered. It stated that the Education Rate-in- Aid Ordinance having been brought into force, the Government had decided upon a rate of fourpence in the pound on the Road Board assessment; that the Government wished to employ the agency of the Road Boards and Municipalities in collecting the rate, and with that view desired to be informed whether the Board would collect the rate before December 1, and at what cost. Considerable discussion ensued, and the members expressed themselves very much opposed to the rate in question as being very unfair, and bearing too heavily upon the ratepayers of the district; and objecting, generally, to lend themselves to anything whereby taxation would be increased. The Board directed the surveyor to inform the Provincial Secretary that it was not prepared to undertake the collection of the Education Rate. The surveyor's report, which stated that the roads were in fair order throughout the district, was read. Mr Kennaway reported that he had met the members of the Borough Council relative to the drainage near the Gas works, and he pointed out that part of the Ferry Road drain fronted on Mr Hall's section. The Board directed the surveyor to inform the Council, that the Board approved of the scheme of drainage — deepening the Ferry Road drain, deepening and widening the drain through the city, and placing drain pipes under the South belt — subject to any communication from Mr Hall. It was resolved to apply to the Government for a grant in aid of metalling the Hill's Road. The surveyor was instructed to sue for all arrears of rates. It was resolved that on the completion of the rate roll a new rate of sixpence in the pound be levied. After some routine business the Board adjourned. Concert. — Last night Mr Northcote, late bandmaster of the Yeomanry Cavalry, gave ' a farewell concert in the Town Hall. The audience was a moderate one. The excellent performances of the band during the evening evinced most unmistakeably the great attention and care which must have been been bestowed upon it. A good programme was submitted, but if anything instrumental music predominated somewhat too greatly, although its excellence was such as to remove many of the objections I it was open to. An Overture from " Martha" by the C.V.C. Band, was the first item, and this, together with the " Hallelujah Chorus," and selections from Mozart's " Twelfth Mass," played at subsequent periods of the evening, was given with a unison and evenness of tone, indicative of great progress and able tuition. The two latter were particularly striking, and we have rarely heard the grand and inspiriting strains rendered with greater effect. As a natural consequence, they were loudly applauded. The stringed . band, in a selection from " Zauberflote," and an overture from "II Barbiere," was a great treat, and whenthename of Mr Bonniugton is mentioned as leader it is sufficient to justify the remark. The other instrumental items comprised a cornet duett by Messrs Northcott and Coovnbes, a flute solo, "Carnival de Venise," by Mr Rowley, jun. ; the fantasias, " Sur Marco Hpada," and "II Barbiere," on the clarionet, by Mr Bunz, and a cornet solo by Mr Northcott. All were well played, and received hearty applause with several dcmaiids for encores. 'The length of the programme, however, precluded the latter being complied with, and only one response was made during the evening. The cornet selections were very conspicuous for the complete mastery evinced by the performers over their instruments, but Mr Rowley deserves especial mention. Although we have frequently noticed his playing on previous occasions we have never heard him to such advantage, and he fully deserved the hearty .applause awarded to him during the pauses in the piece, and at its conclusion. The vocal department was far from being on a par with the instrumental, and there was little to admire. The glees, although fairly rendered, were scarcely equal to what we have previously heard from the same gentlemen, whilst in the songs there was a great want of animation. Miss Rowley sang, " Her bright smile haunts me still" very sweetly, notwithstanding a slight want of clearness in the lower notes, and was encored, but " Ihe Singing Rills" fell very flatly, whilst the same remark may be applied to the duett with her sister. Mr Rutland's " Nil Desperaudum" was of fair merit, but wanted spirit to make it effective. The National Anthem by the brass hand concluded the entertainment a little before eleven o'clock