Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 204, 7 January 1869, Page 2

Local and General.

4. ■^Boiling Down. — We are informed that the Messrs Tinline are erecting a large boil-ing-down establishment at the . Lyndon Station, Amuri. They expect to commence operations in May next. Inquest. — An inquest was held on' Tuesday at three p.m., before C. Dudley, Esq., Coroner, and a jury of whom R. U. Matthews was foreman, at the Kaikainui Hotel, on the body of the infant daughter of Geo. Dawson, aged one day. After hearing the evidence, a verdict of death from natural causes was returned. The Crops. — Regarding the crops in the Timaru district, the local journal of yesterday says : — The rain which fell on Saturday night has not had that beneficial effect upon the crops which was anticipated. The oats are in many places too far gone for rain to be of any. great service, : but the wheat, with few exceptions, :is looking moderately well. In some places, however, it is ripening prematurely, and the ears have broken off through the heavy, nor'rwest winds. We are glad to learn, however, that the extent of the wheat crops so affected, is not large at. present. '■;..,.■ . --A-. New Year's Day at Prebbleton. — The new year was inaugurated at Prebbleton by a cricket match between the members of the Lincoln Club and by sundry athletic sports. Mr Blyth gave his workmen and some of hia neighbours a capital luncheon, which was laid out in his large carpenter's shop. Upwai*ds of 40 must have been present, "and, judging by the laughter and good-fellowship which prevailed, were highly pleased with the entertainment provided. The annual children's treat comes off to-day, when the scholars of the Templeton and Halswell Schools will help to swell the ranks of the youngsters. . - rrft <||M — -

Supreme 'Qovkx Buildings. — We are glad to hear that -these buildings are to be proceeded with at once. It was the unanimous wish of the members of the legal profession that his Honor Mr Justice Gresson should lay the foundation stone during the Governor's visit to the province, but this, it appears, cannot be arranged. Panama Mail.— The whole of the Southern portion of the Panama mail was on board the Phoebe, which left Lyttelton this afternoon. The authorities South decided to send on their mail in the usual way, in case the Mataura arrived from Sydney. We learn on good authority that the Mataura was to sail from Sydney for Panama, but that she would be a few days late. The Post-office authorities in Lyttelton, acting under orders from Wellington, refused to make up a mail by the Phoebe for the Panama steamer. Mr Kirk, purser of the Gothenburg, had heard iv Melbourne that the Mataura would Soil for Panama as usual. v. Dinner to Mr A. C. Knight. — A dinner was given to the above gentleman at Prebbleton on Tuesday evening. He has served the Lincoln district as one of its representatives in the Provincial Council since the last general election, and has, in every instance, proved himself well worthy of the people's choice. As many of the influential men in the district opposed his election, and have since seen reason to be sorry for having done so, they, in conjunction with his old supporters, determined upon showing him this mark of their appreciation. The dinner was largely attended, and was got up in very good style by Mr Prebble, indeed, it would have done no discredit to a town hotel. Mr Jno. Tosswill occupied the chair, and Mr Glyde the vice-chair. The usual loyal toasts having been drunk, the toast of the evening was proposed by Mr W. B. Tosswill, that gentleman having been Mr Knight's proposer at the election. Other toasts of a local nature were drunk during the evening, and every thing passed off in a highly satisfactory and manner. N. 7% School Treat. — Yesterday the children* attending the Avonside and Sandhills Schools, participated in their annual fete, arranged and carried out under thg supervision o^f the Rev J. C. Bagshaw.*? 'the former to the number of 60, and the latter numbering about 30, met at Mr Rudd's, whence they marched^ to join their intended companions, stopping\ a short time at Mr Thomas's to partake of refreshment which that gentleman had provided for them. Arrived at the Avonside School, the two detachments\.prpceeded about 3 o'clock to Mr Cowlishaw's paddock, and entered heartily into the various games provided for their amusemenljjlffioth Schools displayed a beautiful banner which had been made and presented to them by ladies resident in the district. That oj the Avonside had a white ground with magenta border, and the motto "In everything^ give thanks " in letters of the same colour, aud that of the Sandhills School had a similar ground with blue border, and the motto, "Let truth be our guide^ displayed in letters of the same materjaj} Mr Slater had charge of the Avonside scholars, and Mr F. W. Thompson of the Sandhills, whilst several ladies and gentlemen took part in the proceedings. Avery pleasant afternoon was spent, the weather being most propitious, and in the evening suitable refreshments were liberally supplied. Springs Road Board. — The usual annual meeting was held at the Road Board Office, on Tuesday. The retiring members were Messrs Pannett, Gammack, and Goodwin, but the ratepayers being thoroughly satisfied with their past conduct, unanimously returned them again. A statement shewing the receipts and expenditure of the Board for the past year was read. The receipts were as follows : — Balance in hand from last year, £462 5s lOd ; Provincial Government (ordinary), £1000; do (for Main Roads), £500 ; do (proportion of cost of Miles' Drain), £34 16s 8d ; do (collecting grain statistics), £20 ; rates, £282 14s sd ; contribution from Mr Miles, on account of drain, £32 5s lOd. Total, £2331 3s lld. The expenditure was as follows :— Carting and sundries, £49 14s ; advertising, £11 ls 8d ; clearing out No. 1 river, £45 ; Eaton's road, £38 9s 6d ; Kimber's road, £19 6s ; Andrew's road, £40 16s ; White's road, £10 3s ; Ross road, £15 10s; Hudson's road, £5 15s ; Marshall's road, £7 10s ; Innes' road, £14 18s ; Kime's road, £10 ; Graban's road, £3; Day's road, £106 2s ; Spring's road, £176 16s 10d; Shand's road; £117 17s 5d ; Ellesmere Junction road, £257 10s 4d ; Maddison's road, £160 19s 6d ; Leeston road, £275 ls 9d ; Waterholes road, £107 ss : Miles' drain, £119 3s 6d ; Tai tapu drains, £76 10s 4d : timber and wages, £169 15s 2d; salary and collecting . grain statistics, £190; balance, £303 8s ild; total, £2331 3s lld. Immediately after the public meeting, a meeting of the Board was held, and Mr Pannett was unanimously elected chairman for the ensuing year. Lincoln Road Board.— The annual meeting of the ratepayers was held at the office on Tuesday. The retiring . members were Messrs Tosswill, Craighead and Prebble. The annual balance sheet shewing the receipts and' expenditure for the past year was read. The receipts were as. follows : — Balance in hand at commencement of year, £577 13s 4d; Government grant, £350 ; Government grant for main roads, £200 ; bonus for collectingstatistics, £20 ; rates, £244 8s 7d ; sale of wire, 16s 6d ; total, £1392 18s sd. The expenditure was as follows :— Shand's road, £204 12s 6d ; Prebbleton and Lincoln road, £127 13s lOd; Spring's road, £106 6s; Knight's road, £49 8s 9d; Waterholes road, £170 18s 2d; Winter's road, £11 8s; Prebble's road, £13 ss; Townsend's drain, £76 Is 6d; Graban's drain, £26 15s ; Moffeet's drain, £10 12s; Blackler's Creek, £5 10s; work at office and stable, £39 12s 10d; timber, £44 ls 6d; advertising, £17 2s 6d; Surveyor's salary, £150; wages and sundries, £56 4s 7d; collecting grain statistics £20; balance in band, £263 2s 3d— £1392 18s 5d In addi'ion to this, a statement was read

showing the total receipts and expenditure on all the roads in the district since the formation of the Road Board in 1864. The following gentlemen were proposed as members of the board:— Mr John Tosswill, W. Craighead, A. C. Knight, and Thomas Barret. A poll having been demanded, the result was as follows: — J. Tosswill, 81; A. C. Knight, 65; W. Craighead, 47; Barrett, 33. The three first were declared duly elected. At a meeting of the board held subsequently, Mr J. Tosswill was re-elected chairman for the year.