Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 192, 23 December 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

, .rrt~- <&-— | Presbyterian Bazaar, Lyttelton. — We learn that upwards of ,£3OO was taken at thjs bazaar. After paying the expenses, a hanfi-. some auiouut'will be realised. I Panama Mail — The mail arrived this morning^by the Phoebe. It was landed and forwarded to Christchurch by the 11.30 a.n>-; train. - '■'■'_ ''•■ • Canterbury Jockey ■ Club. — We wb\dd remind -themembers of the Jockey Club-that an important meeting- will be; held at 2 p.m. to-morrow. } Katavoi 'Annual Sports. — A meeting of the committee took place on Monday eVeningr, when a programme was fixed and ordered to be printed. , The. Secretary ■«S.s instructed to engage, a ba&d^anclm&ke.qie nece.ssary arrangements for. the.. ball, in tiie evening. Messrs C. E. Dudley and it.' Feldwick were appointed a sub-committee 'to arrange the grounds, &c. It was resolved that the committee meet/ for settliiigi up son Wednesda}^ Dec. 30. All prizes will be paid on the grounds.

Cere Boatdtg Ctuß. — A meeting of this j Club was held" on Monday night, when the necessary arrangements were made for entering the new boat Tui at the Heathcote regatta for the four-oaved and pair-oared | j races. Heathcote Regatta.— We have been requested to call the attention of all those interested in boating to .the fact that entries for the above regatta close at' eight to-night, at White's Hotel. The committee will be in; •attendance from six to eight. Kaiapoi Presbyterian Church. — A soiree was held in the above church last evening, when nearly 200 persons sat down to the tables, plentifully spread by the following ladies : — Mesdaraes Kirton, Gow, ! j Alexander, Wilson, Johnson, and Bowmaker. \ I After tea several gentlemen addressed the ! meeting. The proceeds were devoted in aid I of the Manse Fund. \J k£ Fopr-Oaked Boat Race. — The seconflj race in Watermen's boats between the Rail- j way Rowing Club, Lyttelton, and the crew of the barque John Knox, took place in the harbour on Monday night. The course was from the barque John Knox round the ship Glenmark, and to a buoy off the screw-pile-'' jetty. The crews this time changed boat 3, i the club rowing in Walsh's Blue Jacket, and the crew in Messiter's Grace Darling, the club also had the inner place. A capital start was effected, the crews rowing a neck and neck race to the Glenmark, on rounding?' which, the Club, from its position, was able to draw ahead, and led the way home, winjung a capital race by about two lengths. Cattle Fair. — The inaugural fair at Spreydon was held yesterday, and the '■ business transacted was considered satisfactory by its promoters. A large paddock in rear of the Spreydon hotel, together with^ ; the Stock Yards, served as the fair ground/* and Mr Styche having made his arranged on a liberal scale, tbe stock were all) ! supplied with secure enclosures and ample show room. Several Christchurch caterers competed with Mr Styche in supplying | refreshments, and one of the former had a spacious marquee about forty feet in j length erected. The stock was all on the ground in good time and comprised 36 horses, 149 head of cattle, and 1289 sheep. These were entered by 43 separate persons, thus shewing the great interest taken in the fair by owners of stock. The horses were not above the ordinary class, but the cattle were on the whole of excellent quality.; This department of the fair was almost! cleared, the fat cattle being eagerly taken up | by dealers, some in fact having scarcely been "yarded before they changed hands, others being disposed of whilst on their way to the i fair. The rates obtained averaged from- .£l o -to £12 10s. The sheep were not above the ordinary quality, and a large proportion remained unsold. The attendance comprised most of the West Coast dealers, several of the Christchurch auctioneers, and a large number of private individuals. A sale by auction of Durham stock on Mr Gould's farm immediately opposite the fair ground, took away a large number of the visitors in the afternoon. Amongst the amusements was a greasy pole, for climbing which a large reward was offered, and this, with others, kept the' visitors together until a late hour. Concert.— The concert given last night at the Town Hall in aid of the proposed Catholic Orphanage was probably one of the most successful ever given in Canterbury. The room was completely ' filled, many persons being unable to obtain even standing room. After an overture well played by the full band, Miss Ada Taylor sang " Robert toi quej'aime." She gave the song correctly and truly, but her voice is not powerful enough to fill so large an area as that of the Town Hall, and there was an evident lack both of power and expression. The quartette for the flute, violin, viola and violincello, by Messrs Wilson, Lee, Bonnington, and G. Jones went off very successf u ly. Dr I Haast obtained an encore for his vocal solo, j to wliich he responded by singing another j air. Messrs Triphook and Biiuz have won | themselves a name by their duetts on the clarionets. On this occasion they were accompanied on the piano, by Mr Waddington, and the piece elicited well-merited applause. The vocal quartette fro in Martha was completely spoiled through the nervousness of some of the performers. Miss Lavinia Taylor's solo on the English concertiua was redemanded, but the lady did not respond to the call. A vocal serenade, '' Stars of the Summer Night," most exquisitely played by the full band, terminated the first part of the concert. The second 1 part -opened with the "Mount, Cook Waltzes," by Mr Bonnington. This was one of the chief features of the entertainment. The band, probably, never played be ter, with more '-.-ensemble and power. The piece was loudly applauded. Mrs Lloyd obtained an ovation for her song, " Dreams of Soy," and the trio, between heraelf, Mrs Hornbrook, and' Miss Oakes, was greeted with hearty plaudits. The duet for the piano and violin, by Mrs* Hamilton and Mr Bonnington, was a great treat; just such a performance as persons who axe capable of appreciating good music would enjoy. Mr Merton sang the ever-popular, ■" Death of Nelson,", with the full band accompaniment. After a vocal solo by ' Miss > Ada' Taylor, with an accompaniment on the concertina by her sister, the concert terminated with " Alonzo the Brave," amusingly sung by Mr Bennett, and for which an encore was demanded. In compliance he sang " Joe in the Copper," which created much laughter.