Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 181, 10 December 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

Bankruptcy Court. — A sitting of' the Bankruptcy Court was to have been' held ' thiß day, but owing [to the case of B_Jll v. White not havin^beeii concluded, his H,onor , adjourned the sittings until 11 o'clock on Monday next. BANKUDPTcr.T-JqJm Vinage Glasson, of Timaru, late hotelkeeper, and Thomas "William Robsqn,*of Lyttelton, master mariner, have filed declarations, under the Bankruptcy Acts, that they are .finable to meet their engagements with.t)aei£ creditors. • ! NoNrATTKjpA^QK op Jur > ns.T-Mr Charles ' Ooombes, one 6_| Jjie jurors in the case Bell v, WHtef.;\vjis/^edi,.£5 for, not being in attendance* when .list was called over. His Honor' saia ihat the fine would be enforced; unless^qod /cause were shewn.; Mr Copmbes will jtnpefore have to shew jjood ■- cajiise 'or pay the fltifc; ! ' ' ; *'" l ' ■"■-'< *' :. y_''U jrtf/ij :„■:;.:■_ \'

I^J^cstice OF^^Pj^'cßt,.-— His Excellency 'tne XJp.vej.nor 'l&s been pleased to appoint Colori'elvGeorge Packe,. to be a Justice of the Peacejfor the colony. > • Pbince Alfred. — His Excellency the Governor has received a letter from Prince ! Alfred spying he will be here in the Galatea, ; about 6, 1869. ,* ' Society of St. Vincent De Paul. — An entertainment, in connection with the above society, consisting of readings, songs, &c, '■ will be given in the Catholic Schoolroom this evening, commencing at 7.30. Rifle Competition. — In consequence of the disturbed state of the Northern Island, the prize-firing this year will not be general, '■■ but "prizes to the amount of £500 willbe fired for at Dunedin by the Southern Island, and a similar amount by the Northern Island at some place to be hereafter fixed. The Governor. — A Wellington paper says : — We understand that the contemplated visit to the South of his Excellency the Governor has been postponed. We suppose that his Excellency feels that he would not be justified at the present crisis in leaving the seat of Government, but we have no doubt our Southern friends will have the pleasure of his presence as soon as circumstances will admit of his absence. Inter-Colonial Conference. — A despatch, says the Melbourne Age, has been received from the Government of New Zealand, requesting the Victorian Government to take part in the conference to be held at Sydney, early next year, to take into consideration the expediency of establishing free trade between the colonies, not only in articles the produce thereof, but imports from America. It is also proposed tc reconsider the subject of mril communication with Great Britain. Meetings of Creditors. — A meeting of creditors in the estate of Thomas Hill, Christchurch, veterinary surgeon, was to have been held at 1 1 o'clock yesterday, but was adjourned for seven days, owing to the non-attendance of a sufficient number of creditors. An adjourned meeting, in re Henry . Dodd, South town belt, cab driver, lapsed through non-attendance. The property therefore vests in the provisional trustee, according to the 6th section of the Bankruptcy Act Amendment Act, 1868. Mr Richard Davis sat under delegated powers from the Registrar. The Waikato.— lnformation has been received by the Government, uuder date. Auckland, Dec. 2nd, that the Waikato storm has blown over. The King has recalled the man Louis Hetzell, who was ordered out by the war party, and they are said to have taken themselves off in the direction of Mokau. The settlers along the Waikato frontier to Waiuku, and at the immigrant settlements, are being rapidly armed. Gundry's Arawa contingent, a fine looking body of men, 60 in number, who had objected to go to Patea, except under their own chiefs, and with a larger nnmber of men, are now all right, and anxious to have a run at Titokowaru. They will be despatched to Wanganui ,by the first opportunity. 50 Armed Constabulary recruits, fully equipped and clothed, were to leave for Napier in a few days. The East Coast. — The Government paper (Nr.w Zealand Adoert'ser), of Dec. 7, says: — The intelligence from the East Coast is re-assuring. The telegrams which we received on Saturday, and those furnished last night, show that our forces are regaining confidence, and that they are doing their utmost to quell this unfortunate rebellion. Our reverses have been very grave, but our successes, in a r reasonable way, promise to achieve quite as much as good. We are not prepared to believe that the non-success of our arms has so far dispirited our men, and we know full well if they are properly commanded, they will, now that the' Rubicon has been passed — achieve that success which we require, and which their nationality entitles them to. V Taranaki Natives. — We ( Taranaki vferuld) have much pleasure in inserting the following letter from Patara, which he has forwarded to birr office for publication. This, we trust, will giv" - . confidence to the settlers in the out-districts, who we hope will not believe b)1 the idlerumours that are circulated: —"Friends : Maoris and Europeans, — Listen, put a stop to telling lies, Maoris and Europeans. ■ Let the Europeans remain at Okato, Tatarairaaka, and Oakura, there to live quiet. Don't talk nonsense and deceit. Slaying is put a stop to ; the slaying that remains is only an investigation ."by the law's, whether good or bad ; leave it to the laws to settle.' Leave Titokowaru and his adversaries to settle their matter, whether for good or for evil ; leave them to settle it. Ye Europeans within the lines of Okatd and Oakura remain quiet, and leave it to the law 4jO investigate. That is all from your loving *$nejid — From Patara." \ *^Gh_k War in' the North. — The jWel«tngi*H^ Evening Post of Dec. 7 says : — i^L vrho ' c a< * ult population is represented by 500 or 600 actually at the front, and we think this, .number ought to be largely increased. ■ Numerous volunteer companies have been formed in the Middle Island, the Government has armed them, expended on them considerable sums in ammunition and prizes for target-firing, and we think the colony has a right to demand their services in time of need. We consider that each province should provide its contingent of men for actual service in the field, or if they refused to. serve, disband them at once, and bring their arms to where we could find use for them. The colony cannot afford to find them drill instructors, arms, ammunition^ &c, for no better purpose than playing at soldiers/ The same paper of Dec. 8, says*. — " Some of the volunteers in New South Wales have gallantly offered to come forward to our assistance in our present trying circumstances. The offer is a most noble one, and we ought to feel deeply grateful. We wonder when any of our Middle Island volunteer companies, wjll ,do. likewise?;: If it, was a question," of .target shooting. jlpjyUarge prize, they would: come fast.. enoughs. y,, ■

The Pan^i^^Company.— A Wellington contemporary^ says .*y^lt .would appear that the Panama^ mail service is at an end. No information pr particulars are in the Sydney papers*, buO)^ advertisement it appears that the Mataura is intended to leave Sydney for England, via v'agellan Straits and Rio Janerio on the 10th prox. Supreme Court.— The case of Bell v. White is still proceeding. The evidence did not close until half-past twelve o'clock today, when there was an . adjournment for half-an-hour. On the .Court resuming, Counsel on both sides addressed the jury, and his Honor summed up. The verdict of the jury was not returned when we went to press. - The Ashley. — Mr Sansom's coach returned to Kaiapoi last evening, Mr Miles, the driver, having found. the river bank high and perfectly impassable. We are informed that the river rose very suddenly, the water coming down with a rush between the time of Burton and Co's down coach crossing and Mr Miles' arrival at the river. It had evidently been raining for the last day or two heavily in the ranges, and this sudden flood is doubtless the result of it. The General Assembly. — When the session closed the Assembly was prorogued to Dec. 29. In a New Zealand Gazette, dated Dec. 2, the Legislative Councillors and members of the House of Representatives are addressed as follows: — " Whereas on the 20th day of October last I thought fit to prorogue the General Assembly of New Zealand to the 29th day of December instant, at which time you were held and constrained to appear: Now know ye, that for divers causes and considerations I have thought fit to relieve you and each of you of your attendance atthe time aforesaid, hereby convoking and by these presents enjoining you, and each of you, that on Friday, the 26th day of February next, you meet in Parliament, at the city of Wellington, there to take into consideration the state and welfare of the said colony of New Zealand, and therein to do as may seem necessary." Lyttelton Regatta. — A meeting of the committee was held in the Colonists' Hall, last evening, the purpose being to elect the officers and draw out the programme for the ensuing regatta. There was a large attendance of members ; Captain Gibson occupied the chair. The minutes of the former meeting were read and confirmed. Captain McLellan apologised from Mr Aynsley's unavoidable absence. Mr Aynsley had promised to attend the committee meetings as soon as the session was over. A letter was was also read from Captain Evans, expressing his regret at not being able to be present. The secretary stated it would be necessary to appoint a treasurer. Mr G. Tayler, their late treasurer had informed him he was unable, through press of business, to undertake the duties. Mr D. Caro proposed, aud Mr Allwright seconded, that Mr H. R. Webb be appointed treasurer for the ensuing year. Carried unanimously. Captain McLellan pro posed, and Captain Turner seconded, that Mr H. P. M. Aynsley be commodore. Carried unanimously. Mr E. W. Roper proposed, and Captain Turner seconded, that Captain Gibson be vice-commodore. Carried Unanimously. It was resolved that his Honor the Superintendent be asked to become patron. Mr D. Caro proposed, and Mr Merson seconded, that a sub-committee be appointed to frame a programme for the ensuing regatta. Carried. A resolution which proposed that the meeting decide on the races that are to take place, was lost. Mr Merson proposed, and Mr Buchanan seconded, that a sub-committee, consisting of the vice-com-modore, treasurer, Messrs D. Caro, Messiter, Roper, Ockford, and Captain McClutchie be formed to draw up a programme and submit it to the committee. Carried. It was resolved that the sub-committee meet this evening and prepare the programme, and that it be laid before the committee on Saturday next. The Japanese. — Last night, Cuts-who-gero, the female performer of the Japanese troupe, took her benefit, and was favoured with a good house. A capital programme was submitted,, and Cuts-who-Gero herself appeared in a new and much more exciting feat upon the rope. In addition to her .ordinary achievements, she walked up a cord stretched from the floor to the upper par t of one of the windows, and then slid rapidly down again. It was placed at an angle of almost forty-five degrees, but no additional precautions were taken for preserving a correct balance, and this extraordinary woman accomplished the apparently impossible task with but little extra exertion or trouble Amongst the other novelties introduced were the horizontal ladder, balancing and tricks upon the swinging bamboo, which we must unhesitatingly award the palm for intrepidity and skill over any other feats yet produced by the troupe. The former consists of a pependicular ladder balanced on the feet of Sagero, and on the summit of which is fixed an horizontal one for the boy to perform upon. This he does at the utmost extremity, of the projection, and the management may well request the audience " on account of its somewhat sensational character to keep as still as possible." lt would indeed appear that the slightest move or demonstrar tion would involve the performers in destruction, and the loud applause which .was awarded on the termination of the intrepid feat was , never more fully deserved. The second addition to the programme consisted of a long bamboo being held downwards by Metaro, who supports himself from the ceiling on a trapeze, and the boy during the violent oscillations of the bamboo performs a series of most extraordinary tricks upon it. It is but little less exciting than its predecessor, and an adequate description could scarcely be given of it. Suffice it to say that they are both theraost startling achievements that we have seen accomplished in this city, and there would really appear to be no end to the list of astounding feats contained in the repertoire of this most extraordinary and unequalled troupe,

Bathing Club. — A meel^vi^liadof gentlemen interested in thi& club -last night. Subscription lists were ordered to:be prepared and circulated, and it was klso decided that immediately on sufficient names being obtained, a general meeting should be carlled for the purpose of carrying out the scheme without delay. : ' ■ Tea Meeting — A pubhc tea meeting was held in the Baptist Tabernacle, Hereford street, last night, and was attended by upwards of ninety people. The tables were furnished by members/of the congregation, and a pleasanter or more satisfactory gathering could not have been desired. After tea several interesting addresses were delivered. { No. 2 Company.— A general meeting was held last night. Arrangements were made for obtaining the materials for a new uniform, to consist of scarlet Garibaldi, with grey trousers and green facings/ The band instruments were ordered to offered for sale to the St John's Cadet Corps. A ballot was taken for members to be recommended to the commanding officer of the company for appointment as non-comnysioned officers, and it resulted as follows :— 'Sergeants : privates H. Nelson and T. Papprel}. i Corporals : privates Brown and Strange&i^S. Magisterial. — At the CnTSgltehurch court to-day, before C. C.Bowen, Esq., R.M., Thos. Cockerill, against whom there were six previous convictions, pleaded guilty to having been drunk and incapable yesterday. He was fined 10s. John Woodward, James Birch, and Edward North were charged with having been drunk and disorderly. North was fined 20s, and the others 10s each. Several cattle trespass cases were disposed of in the usual way. George Ashbolt was charged with having assaulted the police. Accused was fined 20s and costs. Patrick King, charged with obstructing a pubhc thoroughfare, was dismissed with a caution. C. Dalwood, for a similar offence, was fined 10s and costs. George Jack was fined 20s and costs for furious riding and driving within the city. C. Dalwood, on a somewhat similar charge, was ordered to pay the expenses of the summons. D. H. Christie was fined 15s and costs for having assaulted and beaten W. S. Ivens. Antonio Edmonde was charged with having violently assaulted Bridget Connell, and with having used abusive and threatening language towards E. Prendergast. The cases were adjourned till Saturday next. Taranaki Gold.— The Taranaki Herald has been favoured with a copy of the following assay of the quartz from the Kaitake ranges forwarded to Auckland to be' 'tested. The samples No. 6, 7, and 8, are merely the casing of a reef which was filled with 'water, but the party are now making a drive so as to continue their work: — " Assay Oflice, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland, Nov. 23, 1868. The samples of quartz submitted for testing by Mr Robert Hughes have been carefully assayed by me with the undermentioned results: — Sample marked 1 and 2, no trace of gold; 3, 4, and 5, no trace of gold; 6; 7, and 8, very faint trace of gold, say 10 grains per ton. F. C. Smith, Assayor, Hank of New Zealand." The Perseverance gold prospecting party are still pushing on their operations.' They discontinued work for three! days', waiting the result of the native meeting! at Okato. From the favourable report brought in as regards peace, the party started again on Thursday morning, they have increased their number by 2 additional men, they now muster 6, the object of which is to examine fresh reefs or try for alluvial diggings. A tunnel has been driven 55 feet into their choice reefs and got below the shaft in which the water accumulated on the first starting, it was penetrated into the drive and run clear off, leaving the shaft perfectly dry. The men are quite satisfiied with the appearance of the stuff, and are in good hopes of shortly being repaid for their labour by a find. The Waimakariri. — The rumour prevalent in town on Tuesday night of the lower embankment on the Waimakariri having given way, turned out on inspection to be untrue. The Government despatched one of j the engineering staff to examine the locality yesterday morning, and from the report made by him we learn that both the protective i works are yet uninjured. The river rose j considerably above its ordinary level on Tuesday, and overflowed at several points along its banks. At three o'clock yesterday it was within three feet of the top of the upper embankment, but the structure withstood the force of water pressing against it, and notwithstanding that the river was slowly rising, no danger from this place was anticipated. Below the lower embankment down to Mr Carter's house there were numerous streams overflowing, and, having united, passed over the Intervening land to the head waters of the River Styx. These are the places which have yet to Vbe provided with protective works, but which offer little or no danger of inundation to Christchurch. Two temporary embankments had been thrown up until permanent measures should be decided upon, and it was the partial destruction of one of these which gave rise to the rumour we have referred to Several chains of it were washed away, and we are informed that the breach now affords egress to a stream of water four chains wide by four feet deep. A ridge running parallel with the river until the basin of the Styx is reached prevents any portion of the overflow from joining the Avon, and it would require a flood of i unprecedented dimensions to rise above it. Under these circumstances no fear need be experienced in Christchurch of: an inundation from the present fresh. • ' 'I ■■ iu.»T— WfCT— — —^— — <____M___— _ mmmmm .