Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 352, 30 June 1869, Page 2

Local and General.

: — ♦ The Apocalypse. — The Town Hall was very largely attended again last night, and the entertainment passed off with its wonted success. To night i* announced as the last one of the series. Meetings of Creditors. — Adjourned meetings of creditors were to have been held in the following cases to-day : — Re Alexander Alexander, Alexander Cairns, John Smith, and Joseph Batchelor, but the meetr ings lapsed, and the estates were declared vested in the provisional trustee. Re Evan Griffiths.— To-day was appointed for the first meeting of creditors in this estate, but the meeting was adjourned by the Registrar until Wednesday next. Dog Show. —At the meeting of the Poultry Association held last night, a suggestion was made for the arrangement of a dog show on the same day as the ensuing annual exhibition qf the Association, and in the same building. Action was not taken in the matter ist the - time because it was impossible to devote any of the Association's funds to the project, and that the management of each must be independent of the other. Ifc was uuderstood, however, that decisive steps would be taken in the course of a few days. Trout. — A new enemy to the young trout appears to have been discovered in the little native kingfisher. Eor some time one of these birds lias daily visited the trout ponds, and has been seen to dive and bring up a fish as large as a smelt. Subsequently five kingfishers were seen to dive into the river near the domain, and each bird brought up a good sized fish at the spot where fifty of the young trout were turned out. We understand from the curator that on examination bf those birds shot, their food would appear to consist principally of mice. Poultuy Association. — A meeting of the committee was held at White's Hotel last night for the purpose of receiving a report on the arrangements for the ensuing show, and transacting ether business connected with the show. Mr J. O. Gilchrist presided, and there was a large attendance of members. The report was submitted, and in addition to defining departmental regulations, advised that a silver cup should be given to the winner of the largest number of prizes in poultry. It also stated that private prizes had been promised —from Mr W. Wilson, a gold medal; Mr L. G. Cole, a silver cup for the best pen of game, fowls; Mr J. O. Gilchrist, silver medal for the best pen of Hauiburghs; and from a number of gentlemen, a silver cup for the winner of the greatest number of prizes in pigeons and canaries. Saturday, the 7th of August, was recommended as the best day for the exhibition. Several gentlemen were suggested as judges in the respective classes, and some trifling alterations having been made, the report was adopted. It was resolved to ask Messrs Wilson and Alport to receive entries for the exhibition in .the same manner as last year. A sample - exhibition pen for poultry was shown, and met with general approval. It comprised five compartments under one roof, aud had a very light appearance, whilst it was capable of being taken to pieces when not in use. The sides and roof were composed of one-inch galvanised wire netting, and the partitions ef wood, the framework' being of the same material, but of the lightest character consistent with the necessary strength. . The design was adopted, the only alteration thought necessary being in the gauge >of the netting. The secretary was instructed to' call for tenders for the manufacture of £30' Z worth. The meeting then J i I adjourned.

Magisterial. — There were no criminal cases at the Christchurch Magistrate's Court this morning, Sunnyside Asylum. — The second of the series of lectures by the Rev Canon Wilson will be given this evening in the new Assembly Room attached to the Asylum. It will be a passing sketch of Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress, and will be illustrated by the views recently exhibited in the Town Hall. Lttteltox Choral Society. — A general meeting of the members was held in the Colonists' Hall on Tuesday evening. The balance-sheet for the past year was read, showing a deficit of £15. The society had, however, during the past year, purchased a pianoforte, at a cost of £30. It was resolved to carry on the society. Mr Parker was engaged as conductor. Diorama. —Mr Bachelder's tableau of Paradise Lost was exhibited at the Colonists' Hall on Monday evening, but owing to the inclemency of the weather there was only a moderate attendance. Many of the scenes are very well executed. A second exhibition took place last night to a much better attendance. At the close, a number of prizes were distributed. The diorama will be exhibited to-night for the last time. Literary Institute. — The first of a series of entertainments in aid of the f uuds of the Literary Institute, was held in the lecture-room last evening. There was a very large attendance, and the entertainment appeared to be thoroughly appreciated. The chair was taken by Mr William Montgomery, who said that the entertainment was to have been opened hy a musical selection, but as the performers had not yet arrived, he would say a few words to the audience in the meantime. The managers of the Institute thought they would be fulfilling a part of their mission if they could get some ladies and gentlemen to come occasionally and assist, by music of a good character and selections from good authors, in passing a few evenings pleasantly; and it would also be a matter of some importance to the Institute if the citizeus would patronise these entertainments, hecause the fund that would be derived from them would go to improve the rooms and enlarge the library, and render the Institute more complete in every way than it is now. There had been so many addresses delivered of late, that it would ber quite impossible to say anything new upon such an occasion, unless a person chose a special subject, and. then it would not be an opening address, but would be more in the shape of a lecture, and as there were some customs more honoured in the breach than in the observance, he would not occupy their time any longer, but would at once call upon the Very Rev the Dean to give a reading. (Applause.) The Very Rev the Dean read Longfellow's " Student's Tale " with great clearness, and was applauded. Miss Rowley followed with an air from Lucrezia Borgia, which was favourably received. Mr J. B. Dale recited Southey's " Mary, the Maid of the Inn " with considerable feeling, and wa3 applauded. Mr Rowley's flute solo (accompanied by Mr Zinckgraf on the piano) was much admired, and received a well-merited encore. The duet sung by Mr Zeesler and Miss Brunstrom was also encored. Mr J. A. Bird read a poetical selection entitled " Virginia; " and Mr Crosbie followed with the song entitled " The Pilgrim of Love." Miss Rowley's song was encored. The Rev Charles Fraser read Dickens' description of public dinners, which called forth roars of laughter. Miss Brunstrom, who is evidently a good pianiste, favoured the audience with a solo, which was encored ; and Mr and Miss Rowley followed with the duet '• The Gipsy Countess," which had an equal share of favour bestowed upon it. The chairman announced that for that night fortnight, several friends of the Institute had promised to assist. Some pieces of instrumental music by several performers connected with the Musical Society, and some quartettes and quintettes by the Philharmonic Society, were being practised for the occasion. He was rejoiced to find that the first entertainment had been so successful, and trusted that the exertions of the committee would be as well supported by the public throughout the series. The entertainment was closed before ten o'clock by the singing of the National Anthem. We may mention that the Committee have secured a piauo for use during rehearsals.