Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 142, 26 October 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

Provincial Council. — Ws hear it is very probable that the Provincial Council will be summoned to meet for business on the 13th proximo. Pl_uro-Pneui_onia. — We understand that the Provincial Government have decided to j take the restriction respecting the removal of cattle off the greater portion of the Northern district. As notice has to be given in the General Government Gazette before the restriction can be legally removed, a few days must elapse before it can be effected. The Provincial Government have reason to believe that the Government of Westland will remove the restrictions which at present prevent cattle from the Northern district being driven into Westland, so soon as the | Canterbury Government declares certain porI tions of the Northern district free from infection. The Wesiland County Council. — The I West Coast Times of Oct. 22 states : —The assent of the Governor having been given to the new Westland County Act, the first County Council of Westland has ceased to exist. The election of the new Council is fixed to take place not later than the first week in December. The names of Mr Bonar, Mr Shaw, and Mr Mowat are mentioned as probable candidates for Hokitika. Mr Prosser, it is understood, will offer himself as a candidate, but whether for the town or for one of the country districts we are unable to say. Mr Reeves' name is also mentioned as a probable candidate. Other rumours are to the effect that Mr Sale will offer himself for a seat in the Council. In a few days, probably, these floating reports will receive definite shape and substance. Hreat Storm vt Nelson.— The Nelson Examiner of Oct. 17, says, the weather during the whole of (ho past week has been of a very tempestuous character, the wind chiefly blowing from S.W. to N W. with a low barometer, and the vessels that have arrived within the last few days all brought intelligence of bad weather at sea. ' But the climax was rcched heie on ' hursday evening, when with the wind at N.W. it blew in terrific Kusts, and it happening to be a spring tide, the sei rose considerably above its ordinary height ; the Haven road ut high-water (which occurred about nine o'clock) being completely covered, the sea in places washing into the houses facing the road. All the shipping in the livr 1 . our felt the force of the gale, and two barges and two or three small craft were completely destroyed. The schooner Margaret Camphell, lying on the upper side of the Government Wharf, sustained some damage by chafing against the iron I ands which fasten the outer posts, and .-everal feet of her side timbers will have to be removed. The boat-house, opposite the Harbour Office, was washed completely away, and the boat kept there, belonging to the Government officers, was with difficulty saved. Some of the wharves were also damaged, but — with the exception of two or three old and frail erections, which have nearly disappeared — not to any serious extent. A large amount of injury has been done, however, to the Haven road. Between Auckland Point and Levien's warehouses, the face of the road has in several places heen washed completely away, leuvimzihe sleepers of the railway without supporrajfeo high was the tide, that the ketch Folfy^of about thirty tons, wrecked outside the Boulder Bank la-t week, was washed over the bank into de.p water. X The night was exceedingly dark, except when the sky was

lit up with vivid flashes of lightning, which, with the pealing of thunder, and the howling of th. tempest, imparted to it a solemn grandeur. The feilmong ry -establishment of Mr Bettany, on the nmd-fkt, sustained we are informed a good deal of damage, but we have h.ard of no mischief caused in any other part of the town, except that Mr W. M. Stanton had a bow window nt his residence in Upper Collinswood street blown in about midnighjH So violent a s'orm has not been witneessTpTin Kelson for several years, and in the opinion of many persous we never experienced its equal. Oxford. — The Harewood Chapel c unday School Anniversary was celebrated on Thursday, by a tea meeting, to which a hundred and thirty sat down. The tea was provided by Mr Alfred Comyns, to whom very great credit is due for the bountiful supply and excellence of the good things displayed. The Sunday school teachers assisted at the tables, nnd were very earnest in their attendance on the small folk. After tea the whole adjourned to the play grounds, and indulged in various games until sundown, when all repaired to the chapel. After the singing of a hymn and prayer, by the Rey. D. Dolamore, several addresses were delivered, and extracts read from Muller's annual orphanage report, which were very much appreciated. The singing of several hymns by the children, led by the teachers, was very creditable. Oddfellowship. — We are indebted to Mr J. W. Slade, Provincial Corresponding Secretary, for the following statistics with reference to Odd Fellowship ; the figures are up to the Ist January, 1808. There were then connected with the Manchester Unity 453 districts, 3828 lodges, and 417,422 members. Of this number there were 3753 members in New Zealand. The excess in the year 1867 was 12,290 members, and 35 per cent, of them were under 21 years of age. The annual contributions of members amounts to over £3f>0,000. The expenditure for sick pay, medical attendance and funerals, averages £3C0,000 a.year. The accumulated capital of the whole of the Lodges amounts to over £2,000,000. The north Canterbury district contains 6 lodges, 150 members, and the capital amounts to £1269. The amount paid on account .f sickness, &c, during last year was £99. Sunnyside. — A troupe of Christy Minstrels, composed of employes of the Times office, made its first appearance at Sunnyside on Saturday night. The troupe has been but recently organised, and taking this into consideration, the performance was very succssful. Indeed, apart from the unsteadiness always attendant upon the debut of amateurs, which a few repetitions will remove, there were portions of the entertainment of more than average merit. The Times Minstrels do not seek public support from motives of pecuniary advantage, as we are informed that after a performance which they intend to give in the Town Hall on Saturday next, for the purpose of defraying a portion of the expenses connected with the formation of the company, they will be ready to perform from time to time on behalf of the local charities of the city, in the order in which their services are requested. The attendance at Sunnyside on Saturday night was a very large one, including a great number from Christchurch, and many from the district, to whom Mr Seager had issued invitations. A considerable number of patients was also present, and they appeared to enjoy the entertainment thoroughly. The curtain rose shortly before eight o'clock to an opening chorus by the whole strength of the company. This was followed by "Evangeline," sung by Mr Cliff with great effect. This gentleman has a powerful tenor voice, and by cultivating it a little, he would acquit himself .with credit before any audieuce, no matter how critical. It is needless to say that his singing was much admired. Mr J. W. Ffrost sang the " Caraptown Races" very well, and he was supported by an excellent chorus. Mr D. Dunlop favoured the audience with the song "Break it gently to my Mother," playing a violoncello accompaniment. There was a slight tremor iv his voice, iv the first verse, but the remainder of the song was capitally given. " Ring de bango" was sung with much success by _5r J. B. Murphy; after which Mr Carder sang '* Weeping, sad, and lonely," with considerable pathos. He was deservedly applauded; but his second performance, " The Spirit Song," was scarcely so successful. The " Railway Galop " brought the first part of the programme to a close. The second part was opened by a quartette, " Softly falls the Shades of Evening," sung by Messrs Cliff, Ogier, Murphy, aud D. Dunlop. This was unquestionably the piece -_*.-. esintance of the entertainment. Mr Poore then played a solo on the tin whistle, which was loudly applauded. Tin; " Band of Brothers " (sustained by Messrs Cliff, Murphy, J. Dunlop, and D. Dunlop), provoked roars of laughter, and a hearty round of applause at the finish. The evening's amusement was concluded about half-past nine o'clock, by the chorus " Away, Away -," and those of the audience from Christchurch returned in vehicles that had been hired by the Minstrels for this purpose. The courtesy displayed towards visitors by Mr Seager was universally appreciated.