Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 171, 28 November 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

Prebbleton. — Several of the residents in this neighbourhood having expressed a desire to join the Yeomanry Cavalry, that corps, together with their band, intend going up for drill, and to swear in members on Friday, the 4th of December. As many of the young men of Prebbleton have good horses, and know how to ride them, the chances are that a very creditable lot may be got together.

On Monday the first of the trial matches for the interprovincial match with Otago, will come off. The following are the sides: Old Residents— Messrs Brittan,',Calvert, Cotterill, Dickenson, Dickenson, jun; Dawe, Moore, A. Ollivier, iun ; E.Parkersen, Stevens, and Turner. New Churns — Messrs Alington, Anson, Fowler, Gordon, Harley, Lee, F. \ ainwaring, R. Mainwaring, Odell, Reade, and J. H. Ward. Legal. — His Honor Mr Justice Gresson sat in the Court Chambers, at 1 1 o'clock yesterday morning. Judgment was delivered in the case of Heremaia Moutu and Hoani Timaru v. the Queen — a motion to quash a writ of error brought on a judgment of the Native Land Court, upon the ground that a writ of error does not lie on a judgment of that Court. His Honor made the rule absolute, with costs. In the case Creyke v. Waters, leave was given to enter up judgment by default. Re Shaw Crosland— His Honor fixed Thursday, the 7th January, for the last examination of the bankrupt. Orders of adjudication were made in re Chas. Fredk. Worth and Robt. McKenzie — creditors to meet on Saturday, the sth December. A similar order was made in re Thos. Hill— creditors to meet on Wednesday, the 9th proximo. Heathcote Valley. — An entertainment in aid of Sunday School Funds was given in the Valley schoolroom on Thursday evening, and was numerously attended. The Rev. G. J. Cholmondeley, who kindly presided as chairman, addressed the meeting, stating the object of the entertainment. The programme was opened by the band of No. 8 Company playing " The Grand March," which was well executed and applauded. The next piece, " Hail to the Brightness," was well sung by the Church choir, accompanied on the harmonium, at which Mr G. Waters kindly presided. A reading was then given by Mr Mitchell, entitled " Killing '1 imc," which was well read. " The Limerick Races," by the band, was well executed and applauded. " The Moonlit Sea," a solo by Mr H. Thomson, and chorus by tbe choir, was well rendered and encored, which was responded to by " Say a kind word when you can," also nicely sung. " Doctor Marigold, or Cheap Jack," read by Mr Ford, was very amusing, and was loudly applauded. The "Household Fire," was nicely sung; and " Paddle your own Canoe," by Mr A. Ford was encored, and responded to by " Let me like a Soldier Fall," accompanying himself on the concertina. The " Charlestown Quadrilles," and « The Cottage by the Sea," were well played by the band and much applauded. The next, a piece from Tennyson, was well delivered by the reverend Chairman, and loudly applauded. " Home Again," a trio and chorus, also " The Alpine Herdsman," a glee, were both well rendered and applauded. The entertainment was brought to a close by singing the National Anthem. Volunteers for tiie North. — The batch of volunteers enrolled in Christchurch for active service at the front, started for Lyttelton en route to Wellington by the 10.30 train this morning. They were to have j left on Friday, but were delayed by the non- [ arrival of the steamer chartered for them. They have been drilling steadily every day j since our last notice, and are now very fairly ! grounded in the more useful military movements. The total number has increased to forty, and their daily parades have been a source of considerable attraction to the public, who have attended almost every muster in large numbers. Mr Swinley will command the levy, and Messrs W. Wilson and W. Geany have been appointed sergeants. The former was in the Crimea and Indian wars with the Rifle Brigade. The latter served all through [ the Crimean war, and was engaged with his j regiment, the 50th, at Alma, Inkerman, and the siege of Sebastopol. He also served j through the last Maori war, from 1860 till I its conclusion. The men paraded in front of tbe Drill Shed at 10 a.m., and all with the exception of five, who had been arrested by the police, answered to the roll. They appeared in excellent spirits, and freely bandied words with the large crowd which had assembled to witness their departure. They fell in under the verandah, and having formed fours, were marched off under the command of Mr Swinley. The Cavalry and Orphan Asylum bands preceded them, and Colonel Packe was also in attendance. Proceeding up Hereford street, the former band played " Cheer Boys Cheer," and on its termination the latter followed with " The Girl I left behind Me." A large assemblage of civilians followed the detachment, and several of the High school Cadets were also present in uniform. On arrival at the Railway Station, three cheers were given for Col. Packe and Sergt.-Major Morgan, and the train being in waiting, they at once took their seats. Cheers were then given for them by the persons assembled on the platform, amongst whom we noticed Major Wilson, C.8., and the Hon. Mr John Hall. In replying to these parting demonstrations, an attempt was made by some of the volunteers to raise a cheer for Mr Hall, ; but it was a failure, and loud groans preponderated to a considerable extent. The train left punctually to the appointed time, and Col. Packe proceeded to Lyttelton with the men to see them properly on board the steamer, and make final arrangements for their comfortable conveyance to Wellington. The men arrived in Lyttelton by the 11 o'clock train, headed by the band of the Orphan Asylum playing " The Girl I left behind me," they marched in fours to the steamer Rob Soy lying at the Railway wharf. Here they embarked, but it was found that the vessel was not ready for starting, and so an hour's leave was granted them, of wliich they gladly availed themselves. A large crowd assembled on the platform to welcome them. The Rob Roy had already twelve Otago volunteers on board, and also an Armstrong gun from Dunedin. One of the Lyttelton guns and a quantity of arms and ammunition were shipped this morning on board the steamer.

7\The Cust Church Bell. — The bell presented by Sir E. Cust, has been shipped on board the Mermaid. Messrs Shaw, Savill, and Co., the agents, have very kindly consented to convey the bell free of charge. Ashburton. — On Sunday last, a child, two years of age, the daughter of Mr Rose, farmer, Ashburton, whilst amusing herself with her twin brother, fell into a creek about ten yards from the dwelling-house and was drowned. The children had not been away from the house over five or six minutes, when the parents went out to look for them, and found the dead body of their youngest floating face downwards on the water. An inquest was held on Monday by Dr Croft, coroner, and a jury; Mr Irvine, foreman — when a verdict was returned of " Accidentally drowned." Four-Oared Boat Race— A race between the Lyttelton Boating Club, the Railway Rowing Club, the Light Brigade gig, and a scratch crew of watermen, took place ir^ Lyttelton Harbour on Friday evening. The-** course was from the ship Light Brigade, round the Federation Hulk and back ; a distance of about two miles. The race was pulled (with the exception of the gig), in watermen's whale-boats. The boats got away well together, the Lyttelton Boating Club taking the lead until nearing the hulk, when there was a foul. On rounding the hulk the scratch crew showed in front, but was quickly followed by the Railway Club. A splendid race then took place between the two, and it was doubtful which would win. The scratch crew near home put on a fine spurt, and came in winners by about a couple of lengths. Engineer Corps. — The annual general meeting of members was held in their orderly room, near the drill-shed, last night, Captain Lean, presiding. Lieut. Pavitt, the hon. secretary, brought up a financial statement for the past year, which showed a goodly balance to the credit of the corps, and was deemed very satisfactory. He pointed out, however, that many subscriptions were due to the general fund, and urged the desirability of an immediate payment. The balaacesheet was received and adopted, and votes of thanks were unanimously awarded to the secretary, treasurer, retiring committee, and auditor. The election of officers for the ensuing year -was then proceeded with, and resulted in Lieut. Pavitt being unanimously re-elected secretary and treasurer, and Messrs Urquhart, Innes, McNee, Turner, and G. R. Barnes.beingappointedthemanaging committee. On the suggestion of thechairman,thefee for honorary membership of the corps was reduced from £3 3s to £1 ls. The chairman referred to the satisfactory addition to the number of recruits, but pointed out that the cost of uniforms debarred many from joining, and the committee were requested to inquire into the possibility of getting them made at a cheaper rate. A vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Sergeant- Major Mogan for his efficient services during the year, and three cheers having been given for the captain and other officers, the meeting terminated. Springs Road Board. — This Board met on Tuesday the 24th instant, and the members present were — Messrs Pannett, Gammack, and Bourn. Tenders were opened for the deepening of drains and widening of road on the Leeston road, and that of W. Jordan for £22 10s. was accepted; also, for, forming 30 chains of the Ellesmere Junction Road, the tender accepted being that of T. Wooley at 12s per chain; also, for clearing Ffitche's creek, the lowest tender being that of J. Sim at 3s 6d per chain. The Board refused this tender as being too high. It was resolved that the surveyor should endeavour I to let this work privately. Mr White attended to ask the Board to form a road leading to j his section, and the surveyor was instructed to report on the same. Mr Corbett attended to ask the Board to cause the line of his fence along the road to be laid out for him, which the Board declined to do as being beyond their authority. The surveyor was instructed to have the drains on the Ellesmere Junction road, by Haydon's, cleared out, and to inform the contractor for the shingling of Maddison's road, that unless he proceeded with his work forthwith the Board would cancel the same. It was decided that all rates not paid by the Ist of December should be recovered legally. The Chairman was requested to apply to the Government for the balance of the grant for main roads, and also to request that some steps might be taken to prevent the serious injury now being done to swamp roads by narrow-wheeled waggons. A long conversation ensued on this question, and the Chairman's view of the case, that the number of horses drawing the same should be limited to say four, w,os decided upon as being the most practicable. The Board at its rising adjourned till Tuesday, the Bth of December, at 2 p.m. KAiAroi Institute.— A committee meeting was held on Thursday. Present — Dr Dudley (President), Messrs Porter, Beswick, Clark, Ellis, Weston, Matthews, 11. Feldwick, and J. L. Wilson (Secretary). The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Letters were read from Mr J. C. Wilson and the Rev. L. Moore, declining to lecture for private reasons ; and from the Rev. A. Reid, consenting to do so at an early date. The secretary was directed to write to the rev. gentleman, requesting him to fix a date convenient to himself. It was resolved that the Temperance Society have the use of the Hall, on the same terms as last year. A subcommittee was appointed to carry out some improvements in the lighting of the readingroom. The secretary reported that the Institute was in debt to the extent of £5 odd. He was directed to write to the Times Minstrels, asking them to give a concert in aid of the fund, some time about Christmas. Mr J. L. Wilson gave notice of motion for the quarterly general meeting, " That a bazaar in aid of the funds, should be held on the 29th March (Easter Monday) or some other convenient date." The meeting then adjourned.

Acclimatization Society. — The usual monthly meeting of the Council was held yesterday afternoon, at the Literary Institute, Mr C. C. Bowen in the chair. The curator reported that Mr Moreton had presented _ partridges eggs to the society, and that 100 of the trout had been placed in the society's ponds, 50 in the River Avon between Lane's mill and the Government footbridge, and 50 between Wood's mill and the society's gardens. He also gave a list of the birds in the gardens, and sundry goats, pheasants, rabbits, and tench for sale. On the suggestion of the chairman, 50 additional j trout were ordered to be placed in the Avon between Lane's mill and the gardens ; and on the motion of Mr Boy 3, a number were placed at the disposal of Mr Jennings, of Rangiora, to place in the head waters of the River Cam running through his property, provided that he became a member of the society. The birds brought out by Dr Macdonald were .ordered to be set at liberty without delay, and Xt was decided to devote £100 towards the 'importation of rooks and goldfinches, Mr F. A. Weld to be written to with a request to superintend their shipmenO A letter was read from the Queensland society, expressing a desire to enter into reciprocal relations and asking for a pair of Paradise ducks, for which they would return anything in exchange. The curator was instructed to comjply with the request, and apply for some gouramier fish in return. A letter was read i from the Heathcote Road Board stating that they had no funds to devote to the desired importation of insectivorous birds, and the secretary said similar replies had been received from all the other districts. The chairman said the Road Boards appeared to have misuuderstood the application which was for personal contributions and canvassing for subscriptions, and not for votes from the Road Board funds. He should like this to be properly understood. In reply to Mr Williams, the Council expressed their -willingness to give their countenance to a band of music playing in the Domain grounds on Saturday afternoons, and a bridge being erected across the river to the Society's grounds. The curator was ordered to keep a stock book, in which to record the receipt of birds, &c, into the garden, and how ultimately disposed of. On the suggestion of the chairman, application was directed to be made to Auckland or the Bays for some hen pheasants. A proposal by Mr Fereday to devote £3 per month towards improving the ornamental appearance of the garden was deferred for consideration until the next meeting. The secretary read a report of the progress made by the ailanthus silkworms presented to Mr Wilson, from which it appeared that a satisfactory success in hatching and rearing them had been attained. It was decided that the mulberry silkworms should be placed at the disposal of members, after which the meeting adjourned.