Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 180, 9 December 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

■•» The Japanese. — A large audience assembled at the Town Hall last night, and everything passed ofl! with the greatest success aud satisfaction to those present. Loud applause was frequently awarded > during the performance, and the tight rope business was greeted with a perfect ovation. Several new tricks of an increased sensational character are to be produced to-night, in addition to some novel feats in jugglery and balancing. Cricket. — A match between the Christchurch Albion and Ellesmere Clubs was played. on the Hagley Park ground to-day,' but was not concluded before the time for drawing the stumps arrived. The weather was very unfavourable to the game, a boisterous nor'-west wind preventing anything like good bowling or fielding, but the batting was very creditable, and may be deemed as somewhat above the average. The Albion Club won the toss, and sent their opponents to the wickets at 1 1 o'clock. The stumps were drawn at 7, by which time each had played one innings, and the Ellesmere had lost seven wickets in their second. The scores on termination of the play were, Ellesmere, 102 and 146; Albion, 118. The match being decided by the first innings, the Albions were declared the victors by a majority of 16 runs. Mr W. H. Alington officiated as captain of the Ellesmere team, and Mr W. J. Lovell as (oaptain of the Albions. •jf \\The Drainage op Lake Ellesmere. — xm Monday morning, a party of gentlemen proceeded, at the invitation of Messrs Moorhouse and White, to inspect the land proposed to be reclaimed from the bed of Lake Ellesmere by means of drainage into the sea. The members of the Provincial Council had been particularly requested to attend, as being a matter whicli they will have to consider, but only a very few made their appearance. The party in all did not exceed a dozen, and a four-in-hand drgg sufficed to convey them to the Beach Hotel. The horses and trap werej provided by Messrs Cole and Co., and it is scarcely necessary to say that the turn-out was complete in every respect, whilst the fine weather enabled the changes of scenery I to be thoroughly enjoyed. Monday evening was spent in examining the outlet of the proposed drainage works, and on Tuesday morning, the bed of the Lake as far as practicable was inspected. The return journey was commenced shortly after twelve the same day, and the whole distance, including a stoppage at the Halswell Flax Manufactory, was completed in about three hours aijcLa'half , being at the rate of 8£ miles an houjjflj Mr Moorhouse, who accompanied the party, fulfilled the duties of host, and the excellent arrangements he had made enabled the trip to be highly appreciated. Leithfield Sports.— A public meeting was held at Paget's Hotel, Leithfield, on Saturday evening, for the purpose of arranging preliminaries for the annual district sports, and electing the necessary officers for carrying them out. Although there was not a very large attendance, there is every reason to believe that the sports will be as successful as in former years. Messrs Mahler and M'Naught were reappointed treasurer and secretary respectfully, and Messrs Traill, Petrie, Oliver, Locke, Parker, and Miber, were elected as a managing committee. The treasurer reported that the balance in hand from last year was £6 5s 6d, and during the evening subscriptions were promised to the amount of £3 12s 6d, making a present available balance of £9 18s 6d. Some discussion ensued upon the question of confining the entries to persons resident in the district, and it was ultimately decided that no one residing south of the Ashley should be allowed to compete for any of the prizes. Heathcote Road Board. — The usual weekly meeting was held at the Board office, Ferry Road, on Monday last. Present — Messrs Fisher (chairman), Garland, and Kerr. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from Mr T. W. Maude asking the Board to procure him certain agricultural statistics, together with an estimate of the acreage of land broken up, and in crop or grass, in the Heathcote district, for which the sum of. £4 would be allowed. The Surveyor was desired to reply that the Board, declined to undertake the duties on the terms specified. list of persons residing near Colombo, street south, together with the respective amounts they were willing to subscribe towards the widening of the street near its junction with Windmill Road was submitted, and the Surveyor was instructed~to invite teuders immediately, on obtaining a guarantee for the whole amount, and on the requisite land being -made oyer to the Boa*?3j[ Consideration of the request for free passes over the Heathcote bridge for residents in the Valley and Sumner was resumed, but th__ Board decided that they could not-grant it^ They then adjourned until Monday, the 2_st instant.

Lyttelton Regatta!— A meeting of the committee will be held in the Colonist's Hall this evening at 8 o'clock.' Magisterial. — There were no criminal cases for hearing at the Christchurch Magisfaate'g Court this morning. jC^iMARu Mail. — To enable correspondents to answer letters arriving by to-night's mail, the outward mail will, on this occasion, be >fcpt open until 10 o'clock to-night. Waimakariri. — We are informed tHBS the river has burst the embankment near McLean's, and that a strong current was yesterday making its way across the Plains in the direction of the Styx. The Government have despatched messengers to ascertain the truth of the rumour, but no information had come to hand when we went to press. That any of the embankments have burst can scarcely be correct, as, if such were the case, we should have had a portion of the overflow in the Avon before now. It is more probable that the stream has escaped at the new breach near Carter's, and where no protective works have yet been erected. If such be the case, no ty&aage to Christchurch need be apprehendef& Akaroa and Wain 01 {toad Board. — A meeting of the above Board was held at the Survey office, Akaroa, on Monday evening the 7th inst., Mr C. J. Waeckerle presiding. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, a letter was read from Mr H. Munns, of German Bay, drawing the attention of the Board to the encroachment of the creek upon his property, and praying that the same may be remedied. The Engineer was instructed to inform Mr Munns that the Board consider the matter referred to out of their province. A letter from Messrs Wilson and Underden was read, in which the writers proffered to do certain necessary works upon the Little River Road, and also to keep the said road in repair twelvemonths for a stipulated amount. The Engineer was instructed to inform the writers that the subject of their letter would have the consideration of the Board at its next meeting. A circular letter from Mr T. W. Maude was read, in which the writer prayed the assistance of the Board in obtaining statistical information for the General Government, and also wished the Board to recommend a competent person to collect such statistics, the Government being willing to allow the sum of £4 for such services. The Engineer was requested to inform Mr Maude tliat the Board knew of no one that they could recommend for his purpose. : Some accounts were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned until Monday the 21st inst. Lyttelton Colonists' Society. — A general meeting of tbe members was held last night in the committee room. Dr Donald, president, occupied the chair, and stated that the meeting had been called in pursuance of a resolution passed at the last committee meeting, the object being to discuss the ways and means for the erection of a smoking room in connection with the institution. He might state that at the last general meeting, a proposal to allow smoking in the reading room was rejected by a large majority. The present idea was a good one, if it could be carried out ; the only question was, how the funds could he raised. Mr Ward said that it was necessary every class should be accommodated with proper room. He was in favour of a smoking room. The proposed room would do also for draughts, chess, or as a discussion room. He would therefore move, " That the meeting is of opinion that, if practicable, an additional room, in which smoking shall be allowed, should be built in connection with the Lyttelton Colonists' Hall.", The motion was seconded by Mr Weyburn., and carried unanimously. Mr Allwright nibved, Mr Lanauze seconded, and it was resolved, " That as soon as the sum of £20 beobtained or guaranteed, the work be specified and an offer for its completion be obtained." Mr Graham suggested that an upper room for a dressing-room be added as well. This proposition was well received, and several plans were suggested to raise the necessary fund*-/ Mr Willcox moved, Mr Wilkin seconded, and it was resolved, •' That a special coiifmittee be appointed, to consist of President, Vice-President, Messrs Ward, Allwright, H. R. Webb, Weyburn, Willcox, Balestiee, and Carder, to obtain the necessary funds, and draw up specifications, &c, of the proposed room, to be laid before the general committee of the society." The President said that a by-law had been proposed at the hist committee meeting for the consideration 6*f? the general meeting. It was that the seat -of. any member of the committee of the Colonis's Society, who shall be absent from three consecutive ordinary monthly meetings of such committee, without leave, shall be declared vacant, and that the committee be empowered to elect a member forthwith to fill such a vacancy. Mr Lanauze, as proposer of the resolution, stated that he was led to propose this in consequence of several members not attending the committee meetings. At the last general meeting of the members, several gentlemen were elected, who had never been asked if they were willing to attend, whilst others who were old and hard-working friends of the institution had been set, aside. He was of opinion that the proposed rule was a good one, and would give; the society a committee who would attend to its interests. On the motion of Mr Lanauze, seconded by Mr W r ard, the bylaw, as read, was carried unanimously. At a special committee meeting held subsequently for the purpose of considering how to raise funds, &C 5-., for erecting. rthe new smoking room, Dr Donald was elected chairman, and Mr Willcox secretary. A subscription list was opened, and nearly ten pounds subscribed at once. It was resolved that a list be laid in the reading-room of the Institution. College School. — The prizes awarded at the late examinations will be distributed to-morrow (Thursday), in the school room, after Morning Service, which takes fplace at 10 o'clock, when the chapel recently erected will be consecrated. The • offertory , will be iv aid of the building f uri_7 I

"High School, Lyttelton. — The annual examination of the scholars will take place to-niorrow morning, at ten o'clock. His Worship the Mayor has kindly consented ;to preside. The parents of the children are requested to attend. Fire Police. — A general meeting of members was held in the Fire Brigade Reading Room last night at seven o'clock. There was a large attendance, and Mr H. E. Alport, as the senior officer present, occupied the chair. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed, as also a report on the fire at Mr Richardson's. The secretary said he had written to the captains of volunteer corps requesting the co-operation of men under their command for the purpose of saving property at fires, and had received the following replies : — From Captain Moore (Artillery), saying that the members of his battery would gladly comply with the request, but would of course be under command of the senior volunteer officer present:— From Captain Lean, expressing the willingness of the Engineers to give every assistance they could on similar terms; and from Captaia Harman, stating that he had placed the matter in the hands of his subaltern — Ensign Papprill. Some conversation ensued upon these, an opinion being prevalent amongst those in attendance that they were scarcely so definite as could be desired, but the matter was ultimately permitted to drop without any resolution being passed. The secretary said he had also received a letter from his Worship the Mayor, ratifying the appointment of Mr L. G. Cole as Fire Inspector, and further reported that the officers had not considered it advisable to adopt Mr Hislop's suggestion for altering the uniform cap. Two vacancies having occurred from members having teft the city, the Secretary was requested to lake measures for filling them