Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 283, 10 April 1869, Page 2

Local and General.

.*. ■ Magisterial. — There was no public business transacted in the Christchurch Magistrate's Court this mornin/. ADDRESSES TO THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. — We have been requested to state that copies of addresses to be presented to H.R.H. 4he Duke of Edinburgh, must be sent to His Excellency the Governor at Wellington, -£iireagh the Superintendent by the next ■scuxil. VyPVESLETAN Church;. — We have been requested to mention that the new Wesleyan jehurch, St Albans, will be opened for Divine -worship to-morrow. The Rev Thos. Buddie, superintendent of the circuit, will conduct *he opening service in the morning, which will lake place at eleven o'clock ; and Mr F. J. Garrick that in the evening, at half- ; six o'clojfjg*, Ou the following Tuesday there will be a tea-meeting" in the schoolcoom, at 6 p.m., to be followed by a public ■aieefiug, at which Mr J. T. Peacock; M.H.R , fcas kindly undertaken to preside. The col--tections will be devoted to he building fund.

The Prince. — We understand that both the Blanche and Galatea will come to Lyttelton, and that from Lyttelton the Prince will proceed to Otago in the Blanche. The Galatea will most likely meet the Prince at Akaroa on his return. Royal Irish C.R.V. — A meeting was held in connection with the above company last evening, at the Zetland Anns Hotel. Mr W. P. Morton was nominated lieutenant in command. The other officers remain in abeyance for the present. The Homeward Mail. — It being considered very probable that the Alhambra will not leave New Zealand in time to catch the outgoing mail at Melbourne, the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce has petitioned the Government to offer such a subsidy as will induce the steamer to leave at such a date as Avill enable her to reach Melbourne before the departure of the mail boat. Thoy telegraphed their action to the Christchurch Chamber, soliciting- their co-operation, and Mr Graham, after consulting as many members as were available, has sent a similar telegram to the Postmaster-General at Wellington. Alleged Cannibalism in an Auction Mart. — Under tin's heading, the Auckland Herald of March 26 reports a case in its Police Court intelligence, wherein David Bloom was charged by Abraham Abrahams with assaulting him by striking him in the face with his fist, and biting his finger. It appeared in evidence that the complainant, in the course of an argument as to some cheese, which were being sold at Arthur's Auction mart, in Queen street, told defendant that he " had to run away from Christchurch for perjuring his creditors." A scuffle then ensued, and defendant bit the complainant's finger very severely. The Bench inflicted a fine of one shilling, and ordered each party to pay his own costs. In another case, Joseph Hart, Bloom's brother-in-law, was charged with having assaulted Abraham Abrahams, and was fined 20s. It appeared that the complainant had purchased 5 cheese, and Hart 4; that the latter picked out the best, and that on remonstrating, the defendant struck him, Bloom joining in the affair by informing the storeman and the company that Abrahams was a b loafer. J^Tiie Races.— The sites for booths, horse yards, and right of vending k'rect cards at the meeting to be held in honour of the visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, were disposed of at public auction by Mr Barnard this morning. There was a good attendance, and spirited bidding, the lots being quickly run up to good figures. The allotments for two publicans' booths were both knocked down to a Mr Dixon, who, does not himself hold a license, for £30 and £24 respectively ; the bidding for the first commencing at £5, and for the second, at £10. The site for a confectioner's booth started at £2, and was eventually sold to Mr J. Carter for £3 advance on that sum. The horse yards commenced at £2, and were bought by Mr Clark for £3 3s. Whilst the cards, after opening at £10, were disposed of ' to Mr Simmonds, the purchaser of the same? right for the January meeting, for £21. Compared with the prices obtained for similar privileges at the last auction of the kind, the total of £73 3s affords a very favourable comparison, the average for each day at the January races being £40 Bs. The RowrxG Cluhs— A meeting of representatives of the rowing clubs was held at White's Hotel, last evening. Present — R.R.C., Messrs Gilchrist (chairman), Crosbie, Hesketh, Ollivier (secretary); C.R.C., C. Blakiston, Churton, Douglas. Herdson, Stead; A.R.C, D. Reese. The chairman read some correspondence with his Honor the Superintendent relative to a procession of boats on the Avon. A discussion ensued as to inviting the Lyttelton and Kaiapoi Clubs to take part in the procession. If a telegram should be obtained from Wellington soon after the arrival there of H.R.H., it was calculated that over 100 men would turn out in upwards of thirty boats. It was proposed by Mr Douglas, and seconded by Mr Stead, " That a committee of representatives of the three Christchurch clubs be formed to make arrangements for having a procession of boats on the Avon during the stay of H.R.H., to consist of Messrs. J. O. Gilchrist, R.R.C. ; J. H. Herdson, C.R.C. ; D. Reese, A.B.C. ; and W. M. Ollivier (secretary), R.R.C. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. Napoleon a Canon. — Odd things do happen, and not the least singular of these is the circumstance that the Pope is a Freemason, so says the Siecle, and the ICmperor of France is a canon of the church of St. Jean de Latrura. This priestly dignity held by a crowned head is not unexampled. When there was an Emperor of Germany, he was by right of his position a canon of St Peter's at Rome ; the King of France was canon of the church of St Martin de Tours; the Dukes of Berry were canons of St Jean de Lyon. Many canonries have been hereditary in the families of laymen since the time of Pope Boniface VIIL, who sold the title when he was in urgent need of money. The Emperor Napoleon 111. is not a canon by virtue of his position, nor by right of birth, inasmuch as neither his father the ex-King of Holland, nor his uncle, Napoleon r., was invested with canonries ; he must, therefore, have asked for it, though whether he paid for it, or it was given him by the Pope in return for services rendered, is best known to themselves and the persons concerned in arranging the matter. A very curious circumstance in connection with the present Emperor is that in bis capacity of canon he is entitled to a seat in the Qbcumenical Council, which is to be held in Rome, in which case he would have to sink the title of Emperor and don the surplice and the other paraphernalia which canons are wont to put on on occasions of ceremony. The right of canons to be present at these councils is said to have been acknowledged by the Fourth Council of Carthage, held a,d. 398.

Popular Amusement and Entertainment Association. — A meeting of members was held at the City Council Chambers at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Present : — His Worship the Mayor (chairman), his Honor the Superintendent, Rev W. J. Habens, Messrs J. Ollivier, J. C. St. Quentin, G. H. Wilson, J. A. Bird, Crosbie, Gordon, and Hesketh. The secretary (Mr Gordon) read the following correspondence: — Letter from the Very Rev the Dean of Christchurch, stating that he highly appreciated the honour the Association had done him iv appointing him one of the vice-presidents, and that he will do his best to further the important objects in view; letter from his Lordship the Primate of New Zealand, accepting the office of vice-president; letter from his Honor Mr Justice Gresson, also accepting the office of vice-president; letter from the Rev J. OB. Hoare, declining the honour of being one of the vice-presidents; letter from Mr J. F. McCardell, saying he will have much pleasure in acting on the committee ; and letters from Messrs J. A. Bird and L. G. Cole to a like effect. Mr Ollivier brought under the notice of the meeting the advisability of getting up some general public demonstration during the visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh. The matter had already been considered by several gentlemen, who were determined to carry it out, but at the same time they desired the co-operation of the Association. He would move, " That it is desirable that a festival should be given to the general public on the visit of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, at Barnard's repository." Mr Bird seconded the rriotiori. In reply to Mr Crosbie, Mr Ollivier stated that no doubt Mr Barnard would remove the horses from the repository on the day before the festival. It would be for the committee to put tlie place in proper order. Mr Barnard had also kindly volunteered to place his employes at the disposal of the committee for the occasion, and appeared to be very earnest in the matter. Mr Ollivier further stated that there would be sitting accommodation for 560 persons at a time. He had already been promised nine sheep, one bullock, a hogshead of ale, one cwt. of plum pudding, poultry, aud other things too numerous to particularise now. He hid no doubt that plenty of eatables and drinkables would be forthcoming. After some discussion, the resolution was put and agreed to. Mr Ollivier then moved, " That to secure perfect order in the arrangements on the occasion alluded to, it is desirable the public should be admitted by ticket, and that a charge of threepence should be made for the came." Mr Crosbie moved an amendment, to the effect that the charge should be sixpence. The amendment was carried on a show of hands. Mr Ollivier moved, " That the treasurer be requested to carry all contributions for the entertainment toa separate account." The motion was agreed to. Mr Ollivier then handed in a contribution of £1 from Mr Henry Thomson. Mr Ollivier moved, " That a sub-committee be appointed to make the arrangements, snch r committee to consist of Messrs J. Ollivier, St. Quentin, G. H. Wilson, J. A. Bird, Crosbie, George Allan, Nalder, Alport, Barnard, C. M. Ollivier, Bruce, and Mitchell, with power to add to their number." The motion was carried. After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting adjourned until next day, at 2 p.m.