Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 128, 9 October 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

3> Kaiapoi Dramatic Society*. — This society gave their last performance for the season last evening, performing " The Terrible Secret," and " Lend Me Five Shillings." A ball concluded the entertainment. Legal. — The folio wing business was transacted at the Supreme Court Chambers today: — Re James Fergusou Douglas— order made for the debtor's surrender on Saturday, 17th October; creditors to meet at 11 o'clock ou the same day. — Re William Grigson, deceased. Letters of Adininistratiou were granted to the widow. — Re Edward Goodacre—order of adjudication made; creditors to meet at 11 o'clock on Wednesday, 21st October. — Re John Brook— Mr Matson's application for leave to explain his evidence was refused. — Elsbee v. Smith: Judgment entered up by default for £25 and half the usual costs. — Main v. Robinson, application b} r defendant~ for amendment of the plaintiff's declaration, allowed with costs. His Honor intimated that the Canterbury cases would he taken up at the Court of Appeal on Monday, the 19th inst. Magisterial. — At the Christchurch Magistrate's Court this morning, George Barton was brought before C. C. Bowen Esq., R.ML, for having been drunk and incapable last night. Defendant said he was going to Auckland, aud denied the offence. The apprehending constable stated the case, and his Worship being satisfied as to defendant's guilt, fined him ss. Walter Hartnall, who was charged yesterday with having left his vehicle unattended whilst in a brothel, but granted an adjournment in order that he might produce evidence in proof of his statement that he had not entered the house, merely having asked at the door for a light, was again brought up. He called two females living in the house who gave corroborative evidence, but admitted that defendant was standing at the door about ten minutes. His Worship said whether defendant had entered the house or not, it was quite evident that he had left his vehicle unattended within the meaning of the ordinance, and he would be fined lOsNf At a- later period of the day John M^Jxs^ ten years; Francis Neleen, seven years; Jaj»es N^sob> ten years; and Ale*. M'Alpine, twelve years, were brought up in custodycharged with having stolen five ducks, the property of William Sycamore, and — M'Gregor, Caledonian road, and from the evidence it appeared that the ducks were hunted out of the pond into a gorse hedge, were they were caught, and then brought into the city and sold. His Worship ordered the delinquents to be locked up for three hours, and severely whipped.

The Trout Ova. — The Curator expects a number of the second batch of ova — those of the later spawning — to be hatched out this morning. Signs of active vitality were plainly visible last night, and the whole 200 will probably be successfully reared. The pond water has now been turned into the boxes where those first hatched are confined in order to afford the food which their advanced state renders necessary, but w*hich is not contained in the Artesian water hitherto used. Volunteer General Committee. — The adjourned meeting of this committee was held at the Criterion Hotel last evening, Captain Lean in the chair. The chairman impressed on members the importance of punctual attendance of at least one representative from each corps; the meetings were held on the first Thursday in each month, and absentees caused a serious inconvenience on those attending at meetings when no quorum was obtained. On the occasion of the firing for Mr Bishop's cup, the fine of 20s was enforced on No. 2 Company for not providing a marker. He had offered Mr Duncan £16 for the cow shot at the range, this being the highest valuation put on the beast by Mr Hill. Mr Duucan's account for rent to the 9th October, was ordered to be paid. It was decided that steps should be taken for laying the targets on their faces. It was moved by Mr Allison, seconded by Mr Barnes, and agreed to — " That the Chairman be requested to see Colonel Packe, and take the necessary steps for the presentation of the cups given by Messrs Bishop and Wilson, on parade, on the 28th inst." It wa9 moved by Mr Hawkes, seconded by Mr Barnes, and agreed to — " That the Templeton contingent of No. 6 Company, C.R.V., be represented by one member ; such representative to belong to, and be appointed by, the contingent." It was also decided, on the motion of Mr Hawkes, seconded by Mr Slee — " That it is desirable, if practicable, that an encampment should be held on the 7th, Bth, and 9th of November (the locality to he fixed by the Lieut.-Colonel) and that this committee, on behalf of the Christchurch Volunteers, requests the Lieut.-Colonel Commanding, should he approve of the same, to give the necessary orders." Kaiapoi Land, Building, and Investment Society. — The annual general meeting of this society wae held on Wednesday evening at the Kaiapoi Institute. Present — Mr VV . Eckersly (in the chair) ; Mr Mathews (Treasurer) ; Mr R. C. Rose (Secretary) ; and about twenty shareholders. The minutes of last annual meeting were read and confirmed, as were also the balance sheet, and the first annual report of the directory, which were adopted. A discussion ensued as to whether the treasurer was entitled to vote on the hoard of directors, when a resolution was passed to the effect that he was not so entitled by the rules. Messrs F. Ellen and J. Perrin were elected directors for the ensuing year, and the meeting separated with a vote of thanks to the retiring directors. Riccarton Road Board. — The ordinary monthly meeting was held on Wednesday last. Present — Messrs Shand (chairman), Pavitt, Nunwick, and Helmore. The following correspondence was considered: — Letter from the Provincial Secretary intimating that the Government were desirous of obtaining a return of the acreage of wheat, oats, and barley, now growing in the district, together with that unthreshed or in store. The Surveyor was instructed to reply, stating that the Board will endeavour to supply the statistics as nearly as possible in accordance with the terms specified. Another letter from the same source respecting the Education Rate in Aid, and asking if the Board would undertake its collection in their dis trict, before the Ist of December. Considerable discussion ensued, and the Surveyor was directed to inform the Government that the Board regretted they could not accept the responsibility, the collection of their own Road rates being, in consequence of the present depression, already attended with great difficulty. The Board also expressed their opinion that the imposition of new taxes on the assessed value of property in the district will act prejudicially and ruinously on the ratepayers by causing a great depreciation in value of all properties and they considered that a house or poll tax would be much more equitable. An application for money on account was read from the contractor, for keeping the Harewood Road in repair, but the Board refused to make any further payments on the contract until the work is satisfactorily completed. A memorial was received from a number of ratepayers residing on section 145, requesting the Board to form the road past their properties, and offering to contribute £0 10s towards the work. The surveyor was directed to reply, stating that the Board had uot the power to entertain the proposal. It was resolved to apply to the Government for the balance of the grant for main roads. The surveyor's report was read. It gave an estimate of the cost of gravelling a portion of the Bush Inn Road, and also a portion of the road by Highsteads, tenders for both of which works were ordered to be invited by next meeting. The report also stated that repairs to the bridge near Sutcliff's, and other works ordered at the last meeting of the Board, had been completed. The following tenders were received and considered : — For gravelling the Millrace Road — W. Hall, lslld per yard; John Foster, 2s 3d; T. Hall, 2s 4d; R. Dearsley, 2s 3d; Lewis and Philpot, Is lOd (accepted); C. Lewis, ls 10d; Long and Brizley, 2s 2J[d; II Jackson, 2s 6d. For gravelling the Middleton Road — W. Hall, 2s 3d per yard; Lewis and Philpot, ls lld; C.Lewis, 2s od ; Long aud Brizley, ls lld (accepted); 11. Jackson, 2s 9d; Jos. Taylor, 2s 2d. For gravelling Fendallton and Riccarton Junction Road, 1 5 chains — C. Lewis, 2s (accepted); Lewis and Philpot, 2s 2d; Jasper O'Callaghan, 2s 9d; Long and Brizley, 2 ; H. Jackson, 2s 9d; Jos. Taylor, 2s 2d. After some further business of a routine nature, the Board adjourned.

Cricket.— The U.C.C.C. open their season to-morrow with the match Past and Present Cellege v. U.C.C.C. It is proposed that the match shall commence at half-past one punctually, and be played out on Saturday, the 17th instant. Literary Institute. — A meeting of the committee was held yesterday evening. The Rev C. Fraser occupied the chair, 'lhe Treasurer was requested to write to the Secretary of the Musical Society as to the rent due to the Literary Institute. Accounts amounting to £39 4s 3d were ordered to be paid. The cash in hand was stated at £34 18s lOd. The report of the committee appointed to recommend improvements in the arrangement of the rooms of the Institute was read, and referred to the General committee for considering the position df the Institute. Licensed Victuallers' Association. — A meeting of this Association was held at the City hotel last evening, Mr T. B. Thompkins in the chair. There was a large attendance of members. The Secretary was instructed to return thanks, on behalf of the Association, to those gentlemen who had made presents of trees for planting the ground belonging to the Association, and to Mr George Holmes for his money donation and present of timber. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs W. D. Barnard, J. W. Oram, and Morton, was appointed to draw up rules and regulations for the Widow and Orphan Fund.