Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 182, 11 December 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

V The Ashley. — This river wa,R still unilordable when Burton. and^Ca/s coach went up yesterday. Mr/'Bp^tdn'itpo^. the horses out of the coach* a,n'd iwi tjjffr;aid of some ■planks got the vebi&lei'oy 1 t<y',ppd across the ■•bridge. The,Aprses ; 'VereVajßo got over and put to adnfo. |m 'the 'otbs'^sfc.,T%&ix&tu.Tn trip wa^maiiagedin a':fl^i^rimanQer.>*All the river^ north of the Ash;l6y were reported high yesterday. . ■: ' i ' ""'.„• r S ; ' Magisteutat*,— At thQ.CJjristchurch Court, this day, before C. C. Bowfetr, Esq ; , K. M.— Jos. William Brown, alias ? General" Brown, •was charged with the larceny of a saddle and bridle, the property of Caroline Watts. After hearing the evidence, the; Resident Magistrate depjded that although' • the articles had been tat^i- forcibly , they had been" 'taken openly ;.tii6ro was therefore lib latcepy.-»The prisoner Was iprdered to-f«tUtn the" property. At the Lyttelton Co^kljpore W! Donald, Esq., R.M. — George Scott, dairyman, was fined 40s, and 4s costs, for cattle trespass. William Rpbiuson, on remand, was charged ■with having attempted to commit suicide. After hearing medical evidence, the Bench discharged the accused, who expressed con-, trition. Si'REYtioN Fair!— A meeting of the managing committee was held at the Spreydon Hotel on Tuesday evening, Mr Milne presiding. A letter wad submitted from Mr G. Gould, apologising for his inability to attend in consequencejof being calledaway to~Akaroa. The final arrangements for the fair were considered. It was decided that business should be commenced at 11 a.m., and after a very lengthened .discussion on the advisability of allowing auction sales, an affirmative resolution was . carried, 4 p.m. being fixed for them to commence. In order to ensure ample accommodation, it was decided that all cattle to be enclosed in pens should be entered on or before the 19th inst. The chairman and Messrs Fantham and Eftglesome were appointed as a sub-committee to officiate as stewards during the fair, and superintend all the arrangements connected with the reception of stock. All persons sending animals for sale were ordered to plage a competent person in charge of them, and instruct him to repain in attendance during the fair. Arranggbents were made for providing office accommodation for the nae of those transacting business, and it was decided that the sports should be held as far away from the stock as necessary to ensure no interruption r to business, A vpte of thanks to the chairman terminated the pro•«eedingß. „..., . -,-.•' : ■

Cdst Bridge. — The contractor, Mr Bowmaker, has put this firldg&aphQnd, a party of his men haying been. deß^»^fch%d there to commence tHSjag^rk at onge. k '"' Magisterial^- At the \ Resident Magistrate's Court^ Akaroa, , pft<Wedriesday, the 9th'inst.; before J. Watsdri, Esq., R.M. K. ViChallis was; charged on two separate informations with obtaining goods and money from .(mJj. Wiggins ; ; by means of a fraudulent orider on Mr G. Gould. After hearing the evidence, the Bench committed the prisoner for trial on both charges. His Excellency the Governor. — We understand that his Excellency the Governor has postponed his proposed visit until the middle of January, in order that he may be present at the Christchurch races. A letter has been received by His Honor the Superintendent announcing that Sir George Bowen will come to Canterbury on the 10th January. Lady Bowen being absent in the North, will not accompany the Governor, who will travel only with a small suite. EoTAt Irish: Volunteers. — The establishment of a national corps of volunteers in Canterbury, is now an accomplished fact. His Excellency, the Governor, has been pleased to gazette the First Royal Irish, and active steps have already been taken to commence drill. There is a large number of men enrolled, and some spirit having so far been sliowd by the promoters, it is more than probable that the corps will take up a prominent position amongst those at present in existance. SI Boating.— The new boat for the Avon 'Club came from Lyttelton yesterday. The order was given on the loth October. She is bnilt of cedar with honeysuckle ribs, by Messrs Langf ord, of Sydney, and was shipped per John Knox, Captain Jenkins having brought her free of any expense. Her dimensions are--extreme length, 45 feet ; beam, 3 feet 6 inches ; depth, I foot 1 inch. Yesterday afternoon Captain Jenkins christened her the Emu, wishing her every success, and steered her on her trial trip, which gave promise of great speed. Tiie Crops.— We understand tliat the following is the acreage tinder crop in the Lincoln district : — Wheat, 2795 acres ; oats, 2564 ; barley, 582 ; in store — wheat, 830 bushels ; oats, 1720. And the following is the average estimated yield: — Wheat, 25 bushels ; oats and barley, 30 bushels. Springs district — wheat, 3468 acres ; oats, 3301 ; and barley, 1026 £ ;in store— wheat, 4347 bushels; oats, 9919. The estimated average yield — wheat, 30 bushels ; oats and barley, 35 bushel^ to the acre. Courtenay — wheat, 3999 acres; oats, 2398; barley, 1179; in store— wheat, 1020 ; oats, 1960. The estimated average yield is — wheat, 27 bushels ; oats, 30 ; barley, 30. ?J The Races. — The Nelson contingent of brses for the Metropolitan meeting, arrived by the Airedale yesterday, and appear to be in excellent condition. They comprise representatives from the stables of Messrs Redwood and Stafford. Mr Redwood's lot includes Blackboy, Manuka, and Peeress. Mr Stafford's are Magenta, Lacenfeed, Lady Florence, and Conquest/ Owing to the railway? horse truck noffDeing prepared, the horses remained in Lyttelton last night, but they will be brought through to-day, and will immediately proceed to the vicinity of the Racecourse, where stables are provided for their accommodation. Those entered for the cup are Magenta, Lady Florence, and Manuka. The Japanese. — In spite of the doubtful weather there was a numerous attendance at the Town Hall, last night A programme similar to that of Wednesday evening was gone through, and was attended by equal success and applause. Cuts-who-Gero received a thorough ovation for her performance on the pointed bamboos and ascension rope, arid the intrepid feats of the boy were almost equally well rewarded. The second grand fashionable performance will be given this evening, and a select bill will be submitted. The stay of. the troupe in Christchurch is now almost at an end. On Monday night they will appear in an entertainment to he given for the benefit of the Lunatic Asylum. Society of St. Vincent De Paul. — A social entertainment in aid of the funds of this society, was given in the Catholic Schoolroom, Ferry Road, last night, and although unfavourable weather prevailed, there was a very good attendance. Mr Hughes occupied the chair, and in opening the proceedings gave a brief resume of the objects of the society, together with, some interesting particulars of its progress. Vocal music, alternated by readings, succeeded. Both were of a high standard, eliciting frequent acknowledgments from tlie audience. There was also a piano duet, which "attained a corresppndingsuccess, andaltogether the programme was of unusual merit. Amongst the musical contributors were Mr Woledge, Mrs Loyd, Miss Oakes, and the Misses Loughlin, whilst the readings were respectively given by Messrs Joynt and Baker. The entertainment did not close until nearly eleven o'clock, and universal satisfaction was expressed. Woodend • Wesley an Chapel. — On the evening of Monday last, a tea meeting was held in this chapel, in celebration of its fourth anniversary ; upwards of 100 persons partaking of an excellent tea, provided by several ladies of the congregration. At the public meeting which followed, the chair was occupied during the evening by Mr Newnhani, of Kaiapoi, and good speeches were delivered by Messrs Little, Graham, Sharplin, and the Revs. W. Keall^ and J. B. Richardson, who congratulated, the Society upon its prosperity. Mr Wilson stated that owing to important alterations having been effected in the interior of the chapel, the year's, expenditure amounted to nearly £$0, arid as the total receipts only ambunted.to £40, the iChurch' was left to the amount of £10, which was however exactly covered by the proceeds off the tea and. Sunday's collections. During the evening, the choir enlivened the proceedings with several good' pieces, arid elicited the applause of the meeting: '■ 'I ' /; r; ■; '

Supreme Court.— The cause Bell v. White was decided yesterday. V^e'/jury returned a verdict for the.defendant? bja aly ,the, issues. The WAiMA^^tßV^ilii.Mhe'^wn of Kaiapoi the river* liaVfibi; rif&n£a"bpve its ordinary level, though^ ' Strong fresh-is running down. --.--' '■ >s " '■■■.. ■:.. I The Disastrous Fire at Timarit.— The 1 following message from hia Honor the' Superintendent was transmitted to the Provincial Council last night:—'' The Superintendent feels that the occasion of the recent disastrous fire at Timaru is one iwhicbNthe Council will consider-t o call for an immediate expression of sympathy with the sufferers on the part of itself and the Government, and he would therefore ask the Council to consider the propriety of- authorising him to promise pecuniary help and assistance to those who may thereby be reduced to a position of want and difficulty. Up to the present time he has received no official information on the subject, and he is unable to form any definite opinion as to the extent to which the public funds may be fairly required for the purpose of rendering assistance in the ' emergency. The reports, however, of the newspapers, and the statements communicated to him from private sources, leave no doubt that a considerable distress will prevail among a number of persons Arhom the calamity has placed in a condition of absolute want. It is in these cases that the Government would desire to have authority to afford help, and as it is possible that the Council may desire to close its labours at an early date, the Superintendent thinks it right to lose no time in bringing the subject before it. He would recommend the appropriation of such a sum as the Council may think fit for the purpose of affording relief in cases of distress arising from the late fire at Timaru." Springs Road Board.— -The Board met on Tuesday, and the members present were Messrs Pannett, Roberts, Gammack, and Geodwin. The Surveyor's report stated that since the last meeting of the Board, he had succeeded in letting the clearing of Ffitche's Creek at .3s per chain, and the clearing of Blackler's Drain, at £7. That the contracts to form a portion of the Ellesmere Junction Road, and to metal Maddison's Road were progressing favourably, and that the deepening of Andrew's and Carter's drains was finished. It recommended that this drain should be deepened for a further distance, and a sum of XI 2 10s was voted for this purpose, and a further sum of £12 for a road applied for by Messrs White Bros. The report on the proposed bridge across the No. 2 river was considered, and the Board decided upon postponing its erection at present. Mr Day applied for the forrriation of a road near his land, and Mr Bethel for the stoppage of a road temporarily, both of which applications were granted. A letter was read from Mr Maude, asking the Board to collect certain agricultural statistics for the General Government for the sum of £6, which offer the Board declined, considering the sum offered altogether inadequate for the work. The agricultural returns collected for the Provincial Government were laid on the table and ordered to be forwarded to the proper quarter. A conversation ensued as to the proposed drainage of Lake Ellesmere, and the Clerk was instructed, to write to Mr Knight asking him to use his best endeavours to bring so desirable a thing about. A memorial was prepared to be forwarded to the Government with reference to the grants for main roads, arid the damage done by narrow-wheeled waggons.