Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 332, 7 June 1869, Page 2

Local and General.

Fire. — Yesterday afternoon, about 2o'clock, an alarm of fire was given from a house in the east end of Tuam street. The house belongs to Mr Haig, and is tenanted by Mrs Armstrong. It was found that a portion of the woodwork near the kitchen stove had caught fire. By the assistance of Mr Oswald, other members of the fire brigades, and neighbours, the fire was speedily subdued. Football. — A spirited' game was played' between members of the club in Latimer square, on Saturday afternoon. The sides were selected alphabetically. The players representing ihe latter section had a slight advantage in strength, but they were opposed with great determination, and it was not until somewhat over an hour had elapsed that they succeeded in scoring a goal. This, too, was the only one won, darkness com- I pelling a. cessation of play before another victory could be secured. The match was undoubtedly the best played this season, and will be concluded on Saturday next. Legal. — His Honor sat in banco this morning — re Barnard Simpson. This was an argument on demurrer, in which Dr Poster endeavoured to upset the right of the Crown to bring Simpson. to trial, on the following grounds.: — Ist, that he was not brought within the bankruptcy jurisdictioa of the Court by. the allegation contained in the indictment ; 2nd, the want of certainty in the description of the offence charged, and of the subject, matter of the offence ; and, 3rd, that the indictment is either self-repug-nant, or at le.ast charges no crime. After a long argument between Dr Foster and Mr Duncan (Crown prosecutor), his Honor said he would consider the matter, and indicate his decision on the following morning. Simpson's trial is fixed for to-morrow, unless the demurrer is allowed. Meetings of Creditors. — Meetings of creditors in the following cases were to have been held before Mr Richard Davis this morning : — lie George Mussen — This was an adjourned meeting, but a number of creditors not attending, the estate was declared to be vested in the provisional trustee, in pursuance of clause 6 of the Amended Bankruptcy Act. The liabilities are £164 2s 6d; assets, £35 ; deficiency, £129 2s 6d.— lie John "Ward — No creditors attended, and a, similar order was made. The liabilities are £2162 10s sd, and the assets £2605; surplus, £442 9s 7d. lie Fredk de Lannoy Luckie — No creditors attending, the meeting was adjourned until Monday next, at 1 o'clock. The liabilities are £445 15s 3d, and the assets £375 16s 3s; deficiency, £69 19s. lie Jonathan Earnshaw— Neither the bankrupt nor his solicitor (Mr Bamford) were present, and the proceedings fell through. Criminal. — From Otago files received last night, we learn that the criminal session of the Supreme Court lasted only one day, except that two convicted prisoners were brought up on June 2, to . receive sentenceone being Henry O. Carey, for obtaining money under false pretences, and the other Henry T. Towndrow, for embezzlement. The other cases dealt with were — Robert Littlecott, sentenced to penal servitude for three years, for fraudulently uttering a forged cheque ; Thomas H. Gootlsir, surgeon, a similar sentence, for stealing a gold watch ; George Oliver, to two years' hard labour, for horse-stealing ; Corfitz Cronquist, a similar sentence, for obtaining money on false pretences, by means of a valueless cheque ; and John Conroy, to four years' penal servitude, for housebreaking. In his address to the Grand Jury, his Honor Mr Justice Ward congratulated them on the lightness of the calendar. St. Lckb'b Church. — The ceremony of consecration was performed yesterday morning by the Right Rev. the Primate of New Zealand. At eleven o'clock his Lordship was met by the .Incumbent, churchwardens and vestrymen, at the main entrance, where the customary petition was read. His Lordship having signified his consent to comply with the terms of it, the 24th Psalm was sung in procession to the chancel, where the choir took their seats. His Lordship and his chaplain, the Rev G. Cotterill, having proceeded to the Communion Table, the prayers of the Consecration Service were read, and the usual morning service followed. The psalms were chanted. The Rev G. Cotterill read the second lesson, and his Lordship then preached an impressive sermon upon Christian Priesthood, the Communion being afterwards administered to sixty-three members of the congregation. The church was well filled during service, and the collections during the day amounted to £17.

Ltttelton Electoral Roll Revision. — Mr E. J. Lee, Revising Officer, attended at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Lyttelton, this morning, to hear any appeals that might be made by the electors whose names had been objected to. No appeal was made against the objections, which are now susfrom Tussock Grass. — A gentleflalin in Christchurch has submitted for our inspection a really fine sample of fibre from toe ordinary tussock grass. The sample was soft, silky, and free from vegetable matter. It will be sent to England for inspection in the proper quarter, and we may probably learn in due course that the tussock grass of New Zealand is as valuable as the esparto grass of Spain, or more so. Sogar from Beet. — A third meeting on the subject of commencing a sugar factory in this province took place at the White Hart hotel on Saturday. Mr Shand was in the chair. In the course of conversation, Mr R. Wilkin explained that although the colonists of Queensland tried the experiment of sugar growing six or seven years ago, yet they are already producing about enough for the consumption of the colony, and are likely soon to be considerable exporters. He also explained that in England and on the continent the farmers now save a large amount of cartage by extracting the juice in the villages, and simply carting that article to the factory. It was also explained that the root can be preserved by a system of slicing and drying, so as annually to extend the period of sugar making, and admit of much more work being done by a small plant. On the motion of Mr Shand, seconded by Mr Wilkin, the following resolution was unanimously adopted : " That a provisional com»ittee be formed for the purpose of collecting information,' and making preparation for laying the subject more fully before the public at a future meeting, and otherwise forwarding the object."