Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 178, 7 December 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

_—^- , . .. : : Magisterial. — There were no criminal cases to be disposed of this day at the Kesident Magistrate's Court Christchurch. Confirmation. — The Lord Bishop of Christchurch held a confirmation service yesterday at Holy Trinity Church; Lyttelton, when about thirty adults were confirmed; Akaroa Horticultural Society.— - At a meeting of committee of the above society, held in the reading room of the Akaroa Literary Institute, on Thursday evening, the 3rd inst., it was resolved that the first show of the ensuing season shall be held in the Town Hall, Akaroa, on the Ist day of January proximo. ■ 'Coke Boating Club.— - An entertainment in aid of the funds of this club took place on Friday evening. The attendance was fair, though less than was expected. The performances commenced with " The Washing day" which elicited roars of laughter. A Christy Minstrel entertainment followed, and the evening terminated with a ball. Pernside. — On Friday evening last at 7 o'clock a lecture was delivered by Mr Meredith in the Eernside Schoolroom on Phrenology in its bearing on education, illustrated with diagrams. The lecture, which was of a useful and interesting character, was listened to throughout with great attention by the audience, and at the close a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Meredith. The Japanese. — Afternoon and evening performances were given in the Town Hall on Saturday, and both were very fairly attended. No new tricks were submitted, but good programmes were gone through on both occasions, with the same ease and finish we have noticed on previous evenings. The audience applauded vociferously during the progress, and on conclusion of each exhibition of skill. To-night the troupe will appear at the Theatre, when the Japanese mode of conducting stage plays will be illustrated, and several new sensational feats produced. We learn that the season will close in eight days, and during the present week the management purpose drawing largely upon their stock of new tricks, amongst which there are many of a more startling nature even than those already produced. ; An Insect-eater.— The Gardener's' ehro- j nicle has the following:-^ln Algeria, where j considerable ravages hare been produced by locusts, the most signal advantages were derived from the importation of a bird called by the French Martin triste, the result of a first experiment being so favourable that the Imperial Government is about to renew it upon a still larger scale. In the Mauritius the Martin triste did most effectual service, entirely freeing the country from the hosts of gluttonous intruders with which it had been for some time infested. The Italians would; do well to turn their attention towards this usuful ally,vand to encourage; the introduce tion of various other breeds of insect-eaters, for there can, be little doubt that the whole-: J sale destruction of birds which has been going on. for ages on the Italian soil has not a littlecontributed to aggravate the damage occasioned by these periodical visitations. s/lue Chatham Islands Natives. — Rumours "having for some time been in circulation as to the natives formerly resident in the Chatham Islands, having recently left J those islands with a view of joining the i rebels, - and having . taken with them a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition we have been requested by the Government j to publish the following facts : — The resident natives left Chatham Islands on the' 12th Nov., in the Colling wood, and have arrived at New Plymouth ; total numbers, males 67, females 43, children 38, in all 148. Capt. Thomas, Resident Magistrate, with their consent, kept their arms and ammunition to be sent to the Government to be dealt with as the latter choose. They are not going to join the rebels, but to live with their relatives, who emigrated last year, and are living peaqeably near the Waitara. The., Superintendent of Taranaki reports that he he is glad of their arrival, as it will strensthen the defence of Taranaki towards the North. News from the North continues satisfactory.

A Four-oared Racing Gig. — The^ibarmfisr' John Knox has brought for the l^e^Glab a racing boat which measures ,4S feet in length. The model was highly spoken of in Sydney. ; ,;':-. Lake Ellesmebe DR.wsA.Qrs.— A large party of gentlemen, including several members of the Provincial Council, proceeded to Lake Ellesmere to-day, starting at ten o'clock. Fine Arts Exhibition— lib is proposed to hold a Fine Arts Exhibition'in Dunedin in January next. His Excellency Sir G. F. Bowen, is announced as patron and president. The following circular has been issued by the managing committee :-- "With the view of holding^ an exhibition of pictures, and other works of art, the committee request the possessors of paintings in oil and water colours, drawings in chalk, pencil, &c., engravings, lithographs, statuary, bronzes, and other works of arts, to contribute the same for that purpose. The exhibition will take place, in Dunedin, in the month of January next in rooms on the ground floor of the new Post Office, which , have been kindly lent by the Hon. the Postmaster-General. These rooms are admirably adapted for the purpose, combining safety from fire with sufficient wallspace and good light. The desire of the committee being to promote, not only a taste for the fine arts generally, but to encourage the production of pictures and other works by colonial artists, they would especially invite artists to send in such of their works as they may wish to exhibit for the purpose of sale or otherwise. On the sale of any works the committee will deduct 5 per cent, towards defraying expenses. The committee have arranged for the insurance of all works entrusted to them for exhibition, and will also take every possible care of the contributions, but they will not hold themselves liable for any loss or damage which may be sustained by contributors. As it is necessary that the committee should be informed of the number of pictures, &c, likely to be sent in, in order that proper arrangements may be made for' the allotment of space, persons having works which they are willing to exhibit, are requested to inform the honorary secretary, at their earliest convenience, of the particulars of the works they purpose sending in, specifying the title, class, size, &c. .