Local and General.
-<s> Kaiapoi Rural Sports. — The Sports Committee met on Saturday, but adjourned till this evening for want of a quorum. Citt Council.— The usual weekly meeting of the City Council has been postponed until to-morrow night, in consequence of the Masonic banquet being held this evening. Trinity Church, Lyttelton. — For some' j months past, the window in the south transept of this • church has been in a very pad state of repair, so much so that it has needed shoreing up. At the last vestry meeting it was decided to raise by subscriptions the necessary funds to put the church in thorough repair; Day of Humiliation and Prayer. — The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church at Wellington in view of the recent calamities which . have befallen certain districts of the colony, have appointed Sunday, Dec. 27, as a day of humiliation and prayer jft the several congregations. The Waimakariei. — Information up to 9 o'clock last night shows both approaches to the Styx bridge to have been washed away, but, by the judicious action, of the Road Board, it is still passable to light traffic. Drays will, however, have to diverge from the North Road and take a circuitous route to evade the river. Starting from Christchurch, they should proceed along the North, Harewood, and Gardiner's Roads. to the Waimakariri, and thence along the bed, until arriving near Mr Tisch's farm, at, which point they will, return to the North Road. Starting from Treleaven's, they will, of course, diverge at this latter point and regain the North Road by means of GaTdincr'fe Road. Magisterial. — At the Christchurch Magistrate's Court, this morning, James Sanderson was brought up before C. C. Bo wen, Esq., R.M., charged with having been drunk and incapable on Saturday evening last. Being his first appearance before the Bench, and having been locked up since his arrest, he was discharged with a caution. At the Lyttelton Court.before W. Donald, Esq., R.M., William Deny was brought up, charged with haying been drunk and incapable. He was fined 20 shillings, or 48 hours' imprisonment. William Johnson, seaman, was charged with vagrancy. Constable Quin stated that he found the accused asleep in the licensed boatmen's house. Aec'us'ed was discharged on promising to leave the town. C A Manifesto by the Maori King. — The following important printed circular from the Maori King, which was read at a large native meeting' held at Awhahuri (Upper Manawatu), has been kindly handed to us (Wellington Independent, Dec. 19) by Mr Burr; who arrived by Cobb's Coach last' night: — 1. That the sword is to be sheathed; 2. Leases not to be granted to Europeans; 3. All puchases to* cease between the races; 4. That the boundary is fixed; 5. No more roads- j are to be made; 6. Digging for gold is not to be allowed; 7\ No more surveys are to be! made; B.« The schools are not to be attended; 9. No parties are allowed to enter any European courts of justice. These articles have been forbidden before. This is the second time they have been forbidden, and they arestrongly forbidden. (Signed) Na Tawhaiao. Printed at Auckland.
Ashley Bridge.— This bridge has, since Friday last, been open for traffic; Trinity School Examination. — The examination of the scholars and distribution of the prizes will take place to-morrow evening in the schoolroom. Volunteers for the North. — We understand that the enrolment of recruits for service in the North ■ Island has been discontinued in Christchurch, and that it is not likely to be recommenced. \r Boating; Club. — We" are sorry to learn that a- telegram was received on :-aturday afternoon from Mr D. Davis to ithe effect that the new boat ordered by the Chrtyand made by Mr Fuller, Melbourne, and shipped by him on board the s.s. Otago, has been smashed during the passage. It appears the Otago has met with very heavy weather, and has been nine days on her passage across. No details as to the extent of damage done, or whether it is irreparable, has been received. The loss will fall on the Club, but we are glad to hear, however, that this accident will not prevent it putting in an appearance at the forthcoming regattas. New Zealand Flax. — In the New Zealand Gazette, of Dec. 14, Mr Edward Denham, Registrar of Joint Stock Companies in Canterbury, notifies that he has registered a memorandum of association, with articles of association establishing a company, with limited liability, intituled " The Selwyn Flax Company (Limited)." The objects for which the company is established are the cultivation of the plant known as New Zealand flax, or Phormium Tenax, and of the separation of the fibre of the same plant from its cortical and other vegetable tissues, so as to render the said fibre fit for manufacture into cordage and woven fabrics, and the manufacture and weaving of such cordage and woven fabrics respectively, and of the utilization of the substance of the said plant, and the doing all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the ttbove objects. Rifle Match. — The competition for No. 2 Subscription Rifle Match came off on Saturday. The conditions were — 200, 300, 400 yards ranges, Hy the position; Wimbledon I regulations; 50 members; six prizes. Only thirty members fired, the remainder giving their subscriptions for the benefit of rifle shooting. Two squads of ten each fired at 6 a.m., and two squads of five each at 3 p.m. The morning squads had a decided advantage, as during the afternoon the wind was very bad from the north-west. . The following were the prizes: — Ist prize, silver lever watch, value £7 — Lieut. Pavitt, Engineers. 46 points. 2nd prize, gilt French ■ clock, value £6 — Private Frew, No! 6, 44 points. 3rd prize, silver-plated inkstand, value £4 10s — Private M. Cunningham, No. 6, 42 points. 4th prize, silver-plated fruit basket, value £2 15s— Gunner Whale, Christchurch Artillery, 38 points. sth prize, meerschaum pipe and case, value 35s— Corporal Paton, No. 6, 35 points. 6th prize, gold and turquoise pin, value 30s— J. D. Woodford, 35 points. -v Recruiting in Melbourne. — The Argufr of Dec. 9 states that the attempt made by 'Captain Stack, as agent of the New Zealand Government, to enrol in Melbourne a force of 200 men to serve in the " armed constabulary," now engaged in coping with the rebellious Maoris, promises to be successful. As wo have stated in previous issues, Captain Stack first endeavoured to get his enterprise countenanced by the Victorian Government, shaping his request so as to ask for moral encouragement and the help of the detective force in avoiding the selection of members of the criminal class. Mr M'Culloch felt compelled to refuse both solicitations, and in consequence Captain Stack began recruiting on his own responsibility. Up to yesterday he had succeeded in enrolling 107 men, whom he expects, to be able to forward to headquarters in New Zealand to-day, by the s.s. Alhambra. He has engaged Mr. Tuck well, formerly of the Victorian detective t force, and now carrying on a "private inquiry" business, to aid him in selecting the right men, and there seems no doubt that the men engaged are a loss to us, being desirable colonists. Many of those who applied to Captain Stack in the first instance have thought better of it, and have not presented themselves a second time, but there seems little doubt that the full number will be made up. A Dissolution. — The Wellington Independent of Dec. 15, says; — Through the semiofficial statements of Mr Charles Edward Haughton, the Acting Under Secretary for Defence, political quid nuncs during the last day or twd have had. abundant matter for gossip. Mr Haughton, indeed, has set a pretty tale' afloat, no l^ss, than that the Governor, ia about to dissolve Parliament. It seems, according to the version which has reached, up, that his Excellency the Governor and the Ministry are nt loggerheads on the question of getting the troops from Australia; that his Excellency wants them and Ministers don't.. This quarrel, so the story goes, reaehud its climax when Ministers refused the request of a deputation 1 the other day that they should advise his Excellency to send for the Imperial troops from Australia, and in consequence of . this, it is asserted lhflt Sir. George Bowen is prepared to dissolve Parliament aud let an appeal be made to the country. We have made' inquiry into this story, "and find, that like most others emanating from the same source, it is only iv a small degree true. There is no doubt whatever of the fact .that.. his. Excellency Sir George Bo v/en wants the services of Imperial troops, and that the Ministry, being bound by past" action, decline to have them. So far, then/there is a clear disagreement between his Excellency and Ministers, b.ut whether that .will induce the former to exercise his constitutional power of dissolving Parliament, is very doubtful, Mr Haughton, who ought to be a reliable' authority on such matters, is reported to have said that' the Governor will dissolve, but we are somewhat sceptical of Mr Haughton'B assertions.
The Late Poverty Bay Massacre. — The Invercargill Weekly News thus remarks on the evanescent nature of the sympathy lexcited by the late massacre by the natives : " The flush of horror and indignation felt on the receipt of the particulars of the Maori invasion of the settled districts on the East and West Coasts of the North Island seems to have faded rapidly from the minds of this community. The generous first impulse has given place to the cool second thought, and people who, three short days ago, talked loudly of their willingness to go to the front and ' exterminate the wretches,' have subsided into a frame of mind that may be best translated by saying they are ' determined to mind their own business.' " Christmas Sports: — A meeting of gentlemen interested in the revival of holiday sports was held at White's Hotel on Saturday evening. His Worship the Mayor presided, and there were also present Messrs Wynn Williams, J. Ollivier, J. F. McCardell, G. Gordon, J. G. Ruddenklau, H. E. Alport, J. P. Jameson, R. P. Crosbie, H. H. Prins, and J. G. St Quentin. The chairman having briefly opened the proceedings, Mr Williams, at his request, explained the object in-; view. He remarked upon the general dulness pervading the city, and said it was very desirable that some kind of games should be originated, to afford general amusement to the public. The committee of the Popular Entertainments would probably devote some of their funds towards such a worthy undertaking, but even otherwise, he was of opinion that a sufficient sum of money might readily be obtained to provide a good programme. Mr Ollivier, as a member of the committee said, without pledging his colleagues, he was prepared to give the present movement his yery heartiest support, and decidedly considered that, summer as well as winter amusements should be instituted. If well fostered, either must be attended with beneficial results, as proved by what had already been tried in respect to one of them. It was useless to have holidays unless some amusement were afforded, and indeed it was an absolute necessity to the well-being and good order of the public. Mr Alport said as a rule holidays in Christchurch were rather an infliction to the majority than otherwise. He had no doubt but that subscriptions would be readily obtained, and he, as a member of the Entertainment Committee, would advocate a portion of their funds being devoted towards assisting the movement. Mr Crosbie supported the revival of the sports, but objected to the day suggested, as the Lyttelton liegatta was fixed for New Year's Day. Mr St Quentin gave some valuable information respecting the last sports held in Latimer Square, and the general arrangement of such matters. The first named he said cost upwards of £60, but he believed such a sum might be raised again, and expressed a y hope that the entertainments committee would see the way to subsidising the general subscriptions by a vote from their funds. He was also in favour of New Year's Day being selected for them to take place. Mr Williams 4n reply to Mr Crosbie's objection on this latter account, said the sports were intended for the amusement of those who could not afford or were otherwise unable to attend the Lyttelton Regatta. He deprecated the idea of any desjxe to clash with the Lyttelton fete. He would move that it is desirable to arrange some athletic and other sports, and that New Year's Day be fixed for them to take place upon. Mr Alport seconded the resolution, and suggested that croquet and dancing should be added to the list of games hitherto in vogue on such occasions. Messrs • llivier and Prins supported the resolution, the latter pointing out that the annual -i ete iof the Sunday School Union being -fixed. for the same day, aud in the vicinity,. of Latimer Square it would be doubly advantageous. He also remarked upon the general benefits arising from out-door recreation, and said he would like to see a society formed for arranging a series of sports either annually or at shorter periods. Mr Gordon said he had personally heard working men express their approval of the Lyttelton Regatta day being suggested for the sports. Mr Jameson thought there was hardly time to form a society this year, but advised the appointment of a permanent committee, who would always be open to receive hints and initiate the proceedings next year. The Chairman would be sorry to clash with any other day of public amuaem cii t, but New Year's day was now the only holiday they had available. Had they met earlier they might have selected the Anniversary Day, which might in future years be selected as a very appropriate occasion for such '■' demotfstrations. ., The motion was put and carried. Mr Williams, wished it to be made known . that the smallest amounts would be gladly received towards defraying the expenses of the sports. Mr Gordon moved that the Chairman of the Entertainments Committee be requested to call a meeting of that body, and ascertain from them what amount they will devote towards the proceedings. Mr Alport seconded the motion. Mr Jameson objected to any ' WUch proceeding until the sporta were permanently established. Mr McCardell thought the winter aud summer entertainments might be merged into one undertaking under the management of the same committee. Mr Crosbie supported the motion which was carried. The following gentlemen were then appointed as a committee to receive subscriptions, and have general supervision of the arrangements, the last eleven on the list being alao further selected as a sub-c immittee to carry out the working details of the undertaking: — His Worship, the Mayor, the Revs C. Eraser, and Habens, Messrs W. Wilson, L. Gr| Cole, Mitchell, Calvert, Nottidge, A. Duncan, Tombs,' Sawtell, Angus, E. Bishop, Captain Wilson, McCardell, St . Quentin, Ollivier, Jameson/ Alport, Gordon, Crosbie, C, Cuff, VV. II: 1 W. Williams and Ruddehklau.;, His Worship' the Mayor was^ then elected'president,'Me Williams treasHrer, and Mr Gordon secretary: ,"
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Bibliographic details
Star (Christchurch), Issue 190, 21 December 1868, Page 2
Word Count
2,532Local and General. Star (Christchurch), Issue 190, 21 December 1868, Page 2
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