Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 286, 14 April 1869, Page 2

Local and General.

♦ Magisterial. — There Avere no criminal cases at the Christchurch Magistrate's Court this morning, and only a small number of undisputed civil actions Avere disposed of. V Prince Alfred.— His Honor the Superintendent received a telegram yesterday, stating that his Royal Highness Avould not join in any procession Avhich included Orangemen as a distinctive body, or in Avhich anj' party emblems Avere displayed. Royal Visit. — The erection of the arch across Cashel street, from the corner of Waterloo House, Avas commenced yesterday, aud we understand that the one across Colombo street, at the Golden Fleece corner, Avill be proceeded Avith to-day. Men Avere also employed yesterday enclosing the space reserved for the school children in Cathedral Square. Both sides of the'roadWay are to be occupied for the Avhole length of the curve, and the space will be ample for the Avhole of the schools.

Accident. —On Monday, about two o'clock, John Hills was thrown from a horse belonging to Mr Osborne, horse dealer, and had his leg broken between the ancle aud knee. He was taken to the Hospital, and properly cared for by the house surgeon. Appointment. — In a New Zealand Gazette dated April 8, we find tlie following : — lt is hereby notified that His Honor Mr Justice Gresson has reported that he has appointed Edward James Lee, Esq , to be Revising Officer for the Electoral Districts of Christchurch, Lyttelton, Cheviot, Ashley, Kaiapoi, Avon, Heathcote, Mount Herbert, Akaroa, Selwyn, Coleridge, Timaru, and Gladstone. Accidents at Kaiapoi. — On Monday last, W. A. Crooke, livery stable-keeper, had his leg broken by a kick from a horse which he was about to feed. Medical assistance was called in, and he is now progressing favourably. An accident occurred to a youth named William Jackson, who was riding a horse to Kaiapoi with shaft harness ou. The horse shied and threw him. He was shortly afterwards found insensible and conveyed to Kelso's, whence he was subsequently taken home. He has sustained some severe contusions on the head, and his ancle is also injured. He now lies in a very weak state, but no fears are entertained of his ultimate recovery. TnE (Jourlays. — These accomplished artistes re-appeared at the Town Hall last night, before a large audience. The programme was the same as that preseuted on the occasion of their first entertainment in Christchurch. " Mrs McGregor's Levee" is entirely made up of Scotch representations, in which, we believe, Mr Gourlay surpasses any actor who has undertaken this particular role. Those best acquainted with the customs of the country, and the peculiarities of its dialects, will admit that Mr Gourlay is a true prototype of the various individuals he impersonates. His make-up has been studied to a nicety, and few would believe, were not the fact mentioned in the programme, that Andrew Guidale, Katy McTavish, Mrs Patterson, Daft Watty, Needle Tarn, Kirsty Claver, and the Auld Village Nurse, are represented by the same person. In all his parts, Mr Gourlay was heartily and most deservedly applauded. The Bonnie Fishwife is as near perfection as it is possible to be. Mra Gourlay was also received with much favour ; and Little Johnny was encored in all his songs, the audience even expressing a desire to hear him oftener than was compatible with his powers of endurance The family is announced for three more nights, and we are certain that those who pay them a visit will come away amused and delighted. St Albas s Wesleyan Church. — The new church erected by the Wesleyan Methodists, at St Albans, was opened by two services on Sunday last, anl a soiree yesterday evening. The Rev. T.Buddie conducted the morning devotions, and Mr Garrick those in the evening. There was a large attendance at each, and the collections made in aid of the building fund amounted to £27. The proceedings last night commenced with a tea, provided in the schoolroom by lady members of the church, of which upwards of two hundred partook, and was succeeded by a public meeting held in the church. The edifice was crowded, and its beautiful design and finish was the theme of general comment. It is in the early English style, of cruciform shape, and without doubt one of the handsomest places of worship either in Christchurch or the suburbs. Externally the general effect is much enhanced by a beautif ully desigued spire, and internally there is everything necessary to comfort and convenience. The roof is stained and varnished; the walls are pierced with lancet windows; the floor is carpeted; and the fittings, more especially in the chancel, are perfect, and of beautiful design and workmanship. There, was a large number of clergymen of various denominations present, besides many influential laymen, and the chair was occupied by Mr J. T. Peacock, the donor of the site on which the church stands. The proceedings having been opened by devotional exercises, the Rev T. Buddie congratulated the district on possessing such a commodious and elegant place of worship. The chairman then explained the object of the meeting, solicited contributions in aid of the church, and called upon Mr C. W. Turner, who read a statement of the building and general accounts of the church. From this it appeared that the total expense of building, fitting, and furnishing the church had been £1254 1 8s sd, and that an additional item of £50 in connection with the church had been incurred. The receipts to meet this bad been £924 18s 3d, but £937 17s ld had been paid, leaving £12 18s lOd due to the treasurer, and the balance between these and the total expense incurred — £70 2s — remained outstanding against the church. The Revs C. Fraser, A. Reid. W. J. Habens, L. Moore, and Richardson, and Messrs Bradley, Garrick, and Cumberworth, then delivered appropriate addresses. Votes of thanks were accorded to the ladies who provided the tea, and to Mr Rutland, the builder, whose manner of carrying out the contract for building the church — a verbal one— was very highly eulogised by Mr Garrick. The Rev. T. Buddie proposed a voto of thanks to the chairman, and in doing so referred to the rapid progress made by the Wesleyan body of late years. He said that seven new chapels had been erected within the last three years, whilst two others were in the course of erection, and there are now five ministers employed in the vicinity of Christchurch, where three years ago there were only three. All the votes were carried by acclamation, and the chairman suitably acknowledged the one tendered to hira. Some anthems and other musical selections were excellently sung by a local choir. The proceeds of the tea amounted to £12, and £9 were collected in the church during the evening, making a total of £21 to be deducted from the deficit given above.

Lyttelton Borough Council'. — At noon, yesterday, iv accordance with clause 87 of the Municipal Council Act, his Worship the Mayor attended at the Council Chamber, and declared Mr John Louis Balestiee duly elected Councillor in the room of Mr T. Merson resigned. Kaiapoi Institute. — An Art-uuion distribution of works of art, consisting of photographic views, engravings, &c, will take place in the library of the Institute, this evening, after the meeting of ratepayers. A portion of the proceeds will go to the library fund of the Institute. Saltwater Crhek. — The flax mill erected in this district by Messrs Pavitt, commenced operations on the sth instant. The mill turns out about a ton of fibre weekly, but as the steam power is ample, additions to the machinery are contemplated by which a much larger quantity will be produced. Lyttelton Choral Society. — The second concert of the season was given in the Colonists' Hall last night, and was well attended. The performance throughout was very good, and showed a marked improvement on the former concert. The first part was sacred music, and consisted of selections from the "Messiah," "Creation," and "Elijah." The performance commenced with the chorus " The Marvellous Work," the solo part being very nicely rendered by Miss Ward. "In splendour bright " and " The Heavens are teiling " followed, the chorus being sung with good spirit. '*' O, Rest in. the Lord," by Mrs Gibson, was very well sung, and deserved the applause it received. "In Native Worth" was exceedingly well sung by Mr Plimmer. " Comfort Ye," aud "Every Valley," were sung by Mr Car.ler. Miss Ward sang, with great taste, " With Verdure Clad," and was warmly applauded. The first part concluded with the " Hallelujah Chorus." This was also very well sung. The second part, which consisted of secular music, commenced with a pianoforte solo, " Caller Herrin," by Mr Waddingtou : this was encored. A quartette, " Who shall be Fairest," followed. Miss Ward's song, " The Lover and the Bird," was encored, as was also the duett, " I've wandered in Dreams," by Miss Ward and Mr Plimmer. Bishop's glee, " Desolate is the Dwelling of Morma," was very well sung. Mr Ellisdon, who was in excellent voice, was encored in Ms song of " The Blacksmith." The concert proper was brought to a close by the chorus " Hail to the Chief," the " National Anthem " concluding the performance. Great praise is due to Mr J. A. Waddingtou for conducting, and also for the way in the choruses were sung. These shewed that great pains have been bestowed on the voices. The society will suffer great loss in Mr Waddington's departure from the colony. Presbytery op Canterbury. — A meeting of the Presbytery was held within the vestry, Christchurch, at noon to-day. Present — The Revs. Joshua M'lntosh, G. Grant, and C Fraser ; Rev. J. Campbell, and Mr J. G. Fyfe, elder. In the absence of the Moderation, the Rev. C. Fraser was appointed Moderator pro tern., and conducted devotional exercises. Mr M'lntosh was afterwards appointed Moderator for the rest of the sederunt. The Rev. G. Grant, being present, was requested to take his seat in the Presbytery, and to assist in its deliberations. Mr Richard Powell; who had been giving assistance lately in supplying the pulpit of St. Paul's I hurch, was then introduced by the Moderator, and presented his certificate of ordination in connection with the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, and several letters from Christian friends. Mr Powell was then invited to take his seat along with the Presbytery. The Clerk then asked for instructions with regard to the engrossing of the reports presented to last meeting of Presbytery. It was moved and agreed to, that they be engrossed in the minutes. The propriety of presenting an address from this Court to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh was then considered. The members of the Presbytery present were appointed a committee to draw up an address, and the Clerk was instructed to present the same, accompanied by as many members of the Court as could conveniently attend. Mr M'lntosh then reported concerning the maintenance of services at St Paul's Christchurch, that these had been regularly maintained since the vacancy, and that the attendance had been fully equal to its former extent; also, that he, as well as the congregation, were greatly indebted to Mr James D. Fergusson and Mr R. Powell, for their readiness in officiating on the Lord's Day; also, that as the elders had all resigned, he must now apply to the Presbytery for assessors to aid him in constituting a kirk session. He further stated that the financial committee had made two payments of £100 10s 3d and £104 16s 2d respectively, or in all of £205 Cssd, being, according to the opinion of the committee, the entire liability of the congregation to Mr Grant. Mr Grant thereon stated that there was a discrepancy between his statement of the balance due to him and that given by the committee, to the amount of over £27. This was owing to the fact that he had all along distinctly understood that a reduction of his stipend to the rate of £250 per annum for one half-year was only temporary, and for the purpose of enabling the Financial Committee to overtake the arrears at that time due to him. He therefore considered that, on the expiry of the six months, when, in fact, the arrears were not paid, he returned to, and was in every way entitled to to, the ordinary rate of £*50. It Avas then moved by Mr Campbell, seconded by Mr Fyfe, and unanimously carried, that the minute-book of the Financial Committee of St. Paul's Church, and all relative documents bearing on this suhject of the balance owing to Mr Grant, especially any correspondence between Mr Grant and the Moderator or treasurer of the Committee, be laid before next meeting of Presbytery. The Clerk was instructed to furnish extract minute to the Moderator of tlie financial committee of St. Paul's, and apply for the books and papers specified. Messrs

Campbell, Fraser, Powell, and Fyfe, were appointed assessors, to enable Mr Mclntosh to constitute an interim kirk session for St. Paul's, Christchurch. The Clerk was instructed to summon a special meeting of Presbytery for the day on Avhich H.R.H. might be prepared to receive the proposed address, said meeting to take up any further business brought fonvard. Mr Grant moved, and Mr Campbell seconded a motion, that the Presbytery record its sympathy Avith Mr Fraser in the domestic bereavement which he had recently sustained. Messrs Mclntosh and Grant Avere appointed to draw up a minute thereon. Mr Fraser begged to be excused from referring to the matter. He highly appreciated the sympathy sheAvn by the Presbytery. The meeting closed with prayer.