Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 187, 17 December 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

Fire at Oxford. — On Tuesday afternoon, about two o'clock, the house of Mr E. B. Youngman was discovered to be on fire. No one being in the house at the time, nothing was known .until flames were seen issmng from the roof, and a brisk south wind blowing at the time, the work of destruction proceeded rapidly. In less than ten minutes Sfce roof fell in, and in less than half-an-hour otic whole was one smouldering mass. A subscription list has been opened and numerously signed to recompense Mr Youugmun for his loss. TisiARU Races. — We learn from the local paper, that a jockey club meeting vras held st the Royal Hotel, on Saturday, for the purpose of drawing up a programme for the races, 1869. It was decided to hold the races oa the 3rd of February. The meeting deemed it advisable somewhat to curtail the programme of races next year, in order to meet the times, as it was thought that owing to the late disastrous fire, subscriptions would not be as large as formerly. A programme for wie day's racing was then drawn up, and the meeting separated. Concert.— We are glad to say that Mr J. M. Thompson's benefit concert .was a great success, notwithstanding the attractions elseTrhere. The hall was nearly filled, and the entertainment, on; the whole, appeared to give full satisfaction The striug band, under Mr Bonningtonfs direction, performed two overtares, which were unquestionably the foremost feature/, of the concert. The waltz, "■ Paul et Virginie," was admirably played. Mrs Thompson sang " I weep for Thee," very nicely, and with great expression; she was 'loudly applauded, andAt iss l|o wley was encored ai "The Blind' GirPs Song to jier Harp.^ 3ffr Rowley; jun.!, favcrured*the .audience with the flute solo, " Jenny Jones," 'with variations; his. performance was not quite so successful as formerly. The second part of 4he entertainment consisted of ' comic and aentimental songs by the Christchurch SThristy Ministrels ;..-..:. Aliiio** v. UVcitkd Canterbury. — This snatch was played yesterday in Hagley Park. Tlie Albions having won the toss, sent to ihe wickets Maples and Wood tojthe bowling of Moore and Parkerson. It was not until 53 runs were scored, that Wood run out, After a careful innings of ISI Alington followed, scoring 1 10, Maples at this point being •caught at short leg by Stevens after a finely, played innings of 37. Odell 'made "^9 in good style, 'Hobbs'',.. 12 ; which,' with' minor scores and extras, produced a total of 160. Tlie U.C.C.C. sent;. Ollivier "and Cotterill to represent them,' Taylor Commencing the bowsing; his second ball dismissed Cotterill, and irom the next" Hariey^w&s well caught, one 2nd two .wickets thus' falling for one run. Ollivier played' steadily J aiid well for 21, his Iwing the., "j eighth 'wtfeket down. Moore <juickly ( fajo . Iip b'ttt tfie^ other scores were amall. The.extras werb 7, making altogether 3. total of '7s. ' BMng'itt '*a large minority, tbe V.C.C.CTfollowed their innings, and at the drawing of the f^fatnps-'at 1 6.30, had made 74 fin* the loss" of six wickets, Ollivier making 26, Haxley r l6, and Stevens, 11. ' The Albions Zhos won by '87 "runtf on the first .innings. Score ~ Altiiofe? I6(Ii;iIF.O.CiG. 73 ftnd'74, with four jackets $&£alL.-

AccLiMATizATibN;"-^ Tne usual monthly meeting of the council of this society will he heldjto-morrow at 3 p*m., at the Literary Institute. The ScrBBiNTEKDENT. — His Honor the Superintendent arrived at Timaru on Tuesday night. He will address a public meeting there on an early day. JCMatcr's Banquet. — Yesterday afternoon the newly-elected Mayor of Christchurch entertained the members of the City Council and its officers to a commemorative dinner at the City Hotel. Mr Ruddenklau tabled an elegant and seasonable repast, and a few complimentary speeches followed the removal of the cloth. The Japanese. — This troupe made its farewell appearance at the Theatre Royal last evening. The charges 'of admissien were reduced to three, two, and one shilling, and the consequence was, that the house was crammed in every part. The Japanese will leave by the Airedale to-morrow. It is their intention to perform- at Wellington and Nelson on their way to Auckland. Orphan Astlum. — We observe that efforts are being made to raise funds for the erection of an Orphan Asylum in connection with the Convent of Our Lady of Missions, Ferry Road. Mr Bonnington, prior to his departure for England, has announced a concert in aid of the fund for Tuesday even^ ing next, and a reference to the programme will show that he is seconded by a large circle of our most noted amateurs. Who is i • esponsible ? — Under the above heading, the following letter, signed " History," appears in the Timaru Herald of Dec. 12 : — A recent leading article in the Press se^ ks to throw upon Mr Stafford the responsibility of not having provided : a colonial military force sufficiently numerous and well organised to deal with the present native outbreak. The writer of that article must have forgotten an incident of the session of 1866, which ought not to be forgotten by the public at the present time, and of which 1 trust yoa will allow me to remind it. On the Bth August, 1866, the then Colonial Treasurer made his financial statement, in the course of which and in the estimates which accompanied it, he stated the amount of the force which the Government considered it necessary to establish for the purpose of colonial defence. This proposal was met by a series of resolutions, which were moved in a very able speech, and of which resolutions the following was one : — " That whilst this House recognises the duty of providing for the security of life and property and the maintenance of public peace in all parts of the colony, it does not perceive the necessity for creating a permanent military force of the magnitude contemplated by the Government," This resolution never came to the vote (although it is well' known that it would have been carried by a considerable majority), as the Ministry were defeated upon an amendment moved by. Mr Moorhouse. The Ministry, which was by this means turned out of office, whs the Ministry of Mr Stafford. The mover of this resolution was Mr FitzGerald. Who is, then, really responsible for our state of unpreparedness ? Dalcroy House, Ltttelton. — The annual examination of the day scholars and hoarders of this school took place on Monday and Tuesday in the school-room. The examination commenced on Monday by the Rev J. D. Ferguson, master, and was carried on all that day by written papers, and was finished by him on Tuesday, by an oral examination in the presence of the parents and visitors. The answers given by the scholars shewed that they had • been thoroughly grounded in their various studies, the answers especially in modern history and grammar being excellent. Some good specimens of maps, the work of the boys, were exhibited, and were deservedly praised by all present; the writing also was pi*aiseworthy. After the examination,; the boys were put through their drill by Sergt J. Kerr, drill instructor ; their marching and counter-marching was very good, and the sword exercise reflected great credit on their instructor. The boys were then marched into school, where the presentation of a number of handsome prizes took place. Mrs H. R. Webb kindly, presented the prizes to the boys as follows : — English— Class 4, W. F. Kuowles, 1 ; F. Birdling; Class 3, G. Birdling; Class 2J W. Davis; Class 1, W. J. Webb. • History, Modern— W. Birdling ; Dittp, Ancient — W\ ;C. Drake. Writing— Senior — Class 1, F. Ba/rker; Class 2, F.. Birdling. Junior, .Cla^s— it P. Webb. Drawing — j. W. Mansfield!' Grammar — W. C. Drake, 1; W. F. Knowles, 2. Geography— Senioc — W. Birdling, I ;'■ Best Maps — W. C. Drake arid WV "F. Kno>vles, equal; Extra prize — W. Mutton. Junidr^H. JKnowles. Arithmetic — -Senior Class — W. F. Knowles; Greatest number of marks for speed and. accuracy in simple rules — W. Birdling; Class 2, G. C. Lanauze. Junior Class-^. C. Woledge. Latin— Senior Class— W. C. Drake ; Second Class — L. Harris-, ' Junior Class-r-G. C. Lanauze. Mathematics — W r . F, Knowles; Extra prize, E. F. Wright: Military Drill — Steadiness in ranks — W. F. Knowles ; Sword Exercise —W- Birdling.'Bible Class— W. Birdling, 1 ;j W. C.Drake, 2: Good Conduct— H. Hawk-ins; '•'•'■'■ Aft&r the distribution had taken i place, . the scholars were addressed by ihß R<3V\' F; ; Knowles, who passed a very high eulogium on their master, the Rev. J. D. Ferguson; atid also expressed 'his pleasure at riearjng ,such an excellent examination ; the progress thescholars had made during the past year in their studies was most satisfactory. He concluded by giving them a few wdrds of good advice and counsel 5 as to tlieir ] future conduct in life. Mr'H. R : . WebW also addressed the scholars,* and expressed his , ; gratification at the examination. Cheers were then given Svithhearty godd-will'by "the bjiys for their master, and at the Conclusion the Rev. J. D. Ferguson addressed the pupils ip a few kind words, expressive of the pleasure he had received from the terms in which- the progress of the scholars had been spoken; of.