Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 196, 29 December 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

St. Andrew's Ciictrch. — The annual soirefe in connection with this church will be held this evening. The character of the programme, including instrumental and vocal pieces by some of our best performers, will certainly form an attraction quite apart from the other good things provided. St. Augostine Lodge. — The anniversary of St. John falling on Sunday last, the annual meeting for celebrating the Masonic festival was held in the hall, Hereford street, yesterday evening. The usual ceremonies having been performed, the Right Worshipful the District Grand Master, Dr Donald, installed the following officers for the ensuing year:— Brothers G. H. Wilson, W.\l ; H. Thomson, P.M. ; T. B. Craig, S.W. ; F. J. Smith, J.W. ; J. E. Graham, S.D. ; H. Sawtell, J.D. ; J. C. Angus, J.G. ; F. C. •Tribe, secretary ; H. E. Alport, treasurer ; R. D. Thomas and A. M. Bullard, stewards ; and — Dorsett, tyler. A WONDEKFUL DISCOVERT IN TELEgr\phy. — Mr. J. H. Mower has elaborated a discovery which, if the descripiiun given by the New York Herald is to be relied upon will revolutionise trans-oceanic, and generally subaqueous telegraphy. For some years he had been engrossed in electrical experiments, when the Atlantic cable gave a special direction lo his investigations int" generating and conducting substances, the decompo*iii?n of water, the development of the electrica machine, &c. By this summer his arrangements had been so far perfected that, a few weeks ago, he was able to demonstrate to himself ami his coadjutor the feasibility ol his project, on a scale approximate t<> that which it is designed to assume. Selecting the greatest clear distance on an east and west line in Lake Ontario — from a point near Toronto, Canada West, to one on the coasl ol Oswego county, New York, at his first attempt he succeeded in transmitting bis message, without a wire, from the submerged machine at one end of the route to that o the other. The messages and replies wen continued for two hours, the average time of transmission for the 138 miles being less than three-eighths of a second. The upshot ol ihe discovery — on what principle Mr Mower is not yet prepared to disclose— is that electrocurrents can be transmitted through water, salt or fresh, without deviation vertically, or from the parallel of latitude. The inventor we are told, is preparing to go to Europe, to

secure there the patent rights for which the caveats have been filed here. At the inconsiderable coat of 10,000 dol , he expects within three months to establish telegraphic communication between Montouk Point, the eastern extremity of Long Island, and Spain, th 3 eastern end of the line striking the coa-t of Portugal at a point ue»r Oporto. Tliti statement of the discovery is enough to take away one's breath ; but, with the history of the telegraph before us, we no more venture to deny than we do to affirm its possibility. Inquests. — An enquiry was held at the Prince of Wales Hotel yesterday afternoon, before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., coroner, touching the death of an infant named John Heuryi Pereival, who died suddenly some days ago. Deceased was the infant son of an unmarried female, residing near Wilson's bridge on the Ferry Road, and had been buried in the garden, a certificate having first been produced from Dr Frankish. Some of the neighbours not being satisfied with the proceedings, information was given to the police, who caused the tody to be exhumed yesterday morning, aud a post-mortem examination made. The medical and other evidence submitted to the jury showed that the child which was only between seven and eight months of age had been greatly neglected by its mother, and a verdict was returned of died from natural causes accelerated by neglect. J^Visit op His Excellency the Governor. At the meeting of the City Council last night his Lordship the Maj r or detailed a portion of the programme proposed to be carried out during the visit of his Excellency Sir George Bowen, and in compliance with the wishes of the Government a sub-committee was appointed to consider what measures the Council would independently adopt, or how far they should act in conjunction with them. The Council evinced a desire to be careful in their expenditure, as all they may incur will have to come out oil the rates, but it was agreed that every endeavour should be made to afford his Excellency a fitting recepion. The sub-committee will meet at the Council Chamber at half-past nine o'clock, when the preliminary arrangements will be discussed. His Excellency is expected to arrive on the l Oth of January, and to remain about a week in the proviuce. Lincoln School. — The funds of this institution being considerably lower than its requirements, the school committee decided upon getting up a tea and evening entertainment. For this end they enlisted the services of several of the ladies of the neighbourhood and the local choir, together with some amateurs from other places. The event came off last Tuesday evening, and was a very great success There must have been upwards of 200 people present, and the amount obtained was about -£18. The various ladies appeared to vie with one another for the palm of having the best display of edibles, a rivalry very much to the advantage of the visitors. We are told by those best able to judge that in this respect the meeting was a greater success than had ever before been seen in the district. After tea, speeches were delivered by the Revds. J. Campbell and R. S. Jackson ; several pieces were sung by the Lincoln and Tai Tapu choirs by several well known local performers, and two or three strangers, who kindly volunteered their services The Lincoln choir have much improved since last year, and their "Hazel Dell" was decidedly the gem of the evening. The committee have every reason to congratulate themselves on the success which has crowned their efforts, and we think it would be difficult for any country district to offer a better entertainment in every way than the one ''whose success we are happy to chronicle. £ Ca>merbhry Museum. — The following circular has been sent by Dr Haant to the principal inhabitants of the province : — Sir, — It appears from calculations made by Mr Mountfort, the architect selected for the erection of the Canterbury Mus u'm, th.it the sum of money voted by the Provincial Council for that- purpose is -just sufficient to enclose the necessary space for the proper housing of the Provincial collections under ray charge, but it would only allow the walla to be twelve feet lijgh ; consequently, the building would .appear very low and barnlike considering its size — 92 feet long by 32 feet broad — and, moreover, it would not present that aspect which such a public building, erected for the instruction and recreation of the | resent and coming generations — for the advancement of science and the intellectual and material progress of the province — ought to ha-e. Having, also, in view the fact that the Museum will form only a portion of a more extended block of buildings, in which a future public library, and other scientific and literary institutions will be included,it ought at once to be built to such an altitude as would well harmonize with such a design. The proper height to which the walls ought to be raised is about 20 feet, and for such purpose a further sum of about £350 is necessary. Several of the patrons and friends of science here have suggested to me that if I appealed to the inhabitants of the province, who have always borne such a well-leserved reputation for intelligence, good taste, and sound" advancement, 1 could not fail to raise the sum required ; at the same time, they have* promibed me liberal contributions. I therefore take the liberty to appeal to you for this purpose, and I hope you will send me a cheque for the amount you will contribute. The money will be paid by me into a separate account at the Bank of New Zealand, and will be handed over to the Provincial Government as soon as a tender for the building is accepted. The latter will be called for as soon as the plans and specifications are ready for the examination of the intending contractors' "Should, as I hope,' a larger amount be subscribed, there is ample space to make use of it, as the amount voted !>y the Provincial Couricil will simply build four walls, without providing for exterior decoration, which, in such a building, ought not to be altogether wanting. — I have the fftnnur to be, sir, yours most obediently,' Julius Haast.

Lincoln District.— The electors of this district hare invited their representative in the Provincial Council (Mr Knight) to a complimentary dinner on New Year's Day, as a token of their appreciation of his ser« vjces. p North Road.— We would draw the atten tion of the Road Board, and in the meantime caution the public using the road, to a highly dangerous hole immediately adjoining the bridge against the willows, near Mr li. Monk's private house. We are informed that a horseman was thrown through-it a day or two since, and that the animal was a good deal cut. L£The Crops.— We are sorry to hear that fin almost all the agricultural district south of Christchurch, the continued drought and high winds are seriously affecting the crops. Many of the late sown fields of oats and barley will in all probability be hardly worth the cutting, and the wheat on the light soils is becoming very much injured with the blight. Early crop 3 on good land still hold their own, but these are unfortunately in the minority. The pastures are suffering severely, and fat stock are not likely to be very plentiful if the present state of things continues. Core Boating Cluh. — A meeting of this club was held last evening at the Pier Hotel. It was resolved that the Secretary transmit a challenge to the Railway Rowing Club, >nviting them to row a friendly match for £25 a side, with the R.R.C.'s Lurline against the C. B.C.'s Tui ; anydistance from four to six miles on the Waimakariri, at any date most convenient to the members of the R.R.C. ; the same crews to compete in the same boats that rowed at the Heathcote ">egatta It was also resolved to enter the Tui, with the same crews for the Lyttelton Regatta four-oared race. Fatal Accident. — A fatal accident occurred last night to Mr W.I M 'Cor mack, of Sumner. Deceased was returning on horseback from Christchurch, when on nearing horns his horse bolted, and was seen by Mrs M'Cormack to gallop past the front of the house in the direction of the gate. Shortly afterwards deceased was found lying on the ground, where he had evidently been thrown by his horse. It is supposed that the animal shied at a racing boat lying under the trees, and although there are scarcely any external marks of violence, deceased died almost instamaneously. Thb i hina Trade— Great Britain is in the field as a powerful competitor for the trade of the Orient. By aid of the Canul, now in process of construction, she expects to receive great commercial advantages, and a Corporation backed by British capital lms already been formed to construct telegraphic communication from Canton to Calcutta via Singapore, connecting at Calcutta with European lines, and also connecting Great Britain with the Eaat Indies, by way of Germany, European and Asia ie Mus.>i;i and Persia. According to the terras of the contract, the line is to be finished to Teheran by the end of 1869. Immediately after the Persian capital shall have been reached, there will probably be a prompt extension of the line to the Anglo-ludian possessions. Sunntside Asylum. — The annual report on the above institution has been published. We would remind the public that a concert, in aid of a building fund for erecting a new recreation room in connection with the Asylum, will be given in the Town Hall to-morrow night. We are sure that this appeal on behalf of a very deserving object will meet with a liberal response. In connection with this subject, the i-ytlelton Times has received the following letter from one of the patients in the Asylum :— " Sir, I have much pleasure in writing to you a letter, the ground-root of which is, to ask you kindly for your help and inflm-nce towards the erection of a ball room that now is in hand. For, Sir, to tell you the correct truth, in my idea it is one of the best thoughts that ever entered the brain of the manager of Sunnyside. Sir, most of the work is done by ourselves. We only ask the Government to assist us a little, and for the rest we appeal to our friends both public and private. For. Sir, it relieves us in our hours of recreation, and also gives U3 a recollection of our past days ; aud it also enables our friends, public and private to come and enjoy themselves, and afford us some enjoyment. Asking you to assist this humble petition of mine, 1 remain Sir, your humble servant, J. M., M C. of Simnyside." Sprinoston. — The anniversary entertainments in connection with the Wesleyan Church in this district were held on Christmas Day. The usual course has been a tea meeting in the afternoon, and addresses and singing in the evening, but, as many were anxious to come from town and spend the day in the country, the expedient was hit upon of providing a mid-day luncheon, in addition to the usual entertainment. The result proved that this was a step in the right direction, for many visitors came and partook of the good cheer provided. In the course of the afternoon, religious services were held in the schoolroom, under the presidency of the Rev T. Buddie, whilst those who preferred it adjourned to an adjacent paddock and entered heartily into such sports as are usually patronised amongst young people in the open air. The tea was well got up, the credit of which is due to the following ladies : — Mesdames Lawry, . Roberts, F., Wright, Russell, ilvester, Taylor, Dalton, and to the '• nnphninw" Thr. tnt?)^ g»r» crowded, and have been considerably over 2Go"^oplc pt^ppnf.. After tea, a public meeting was held, under the chairmanship of the Rev T. Buddie. Addresses Were delivered by the Rev Mr Bavin, Messrs Lawry, Connel, Opie, and others, and several very good pieces of sacred music were sung by the Tai Tapu choir. One piece was also very well rendered by the new Springston choir. The entertainment resulted in a decided success. The sum of ivo' 10b vria raised towards the Chapel fund, which ia already out of debt.

Lunatic Astlom. — Three tables are appended to the report, from the first, we learn that 34 patients have been admitted to the Asylum during the year, that 18 have been discharged, that 2 have died, aud that the number of inmates on Nov 30 was 90. The second table shows the nationality of the patients, as follows :— England, 33 ; Ireland, 36 ; Scotland, 8 ; France, 2 ; Germany, 2 ; Holland, 1 • Sweden, 1 ; America, 2. The third table sliows the value of work performed by the patients from Feb. I to Nov. 30, 1868. The work of 4 gardeners, at 4s per day, amounts to £187 4s; of 4 masons, at 4a per day, to £187 4s ; of 4 brickraakers, at 4s per day, to £I*7 4s ; of 1 painter, at 4s per day, to £46 16s; of 2 carpenters, at 4s per day, to £93 12s ; of 4 labourer-, at 2s per day, to £93 128; of 1 tailor, at 4s per day, to £46 16s ; of 8 women, for washing, at Is 6d per week, to £31 4s; and of 9 women, for needlework, including repairs of clothing &c, to £20. Altogether, the work of the patients is valued at £893 12s.