Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 391, 14 August 1869, Page 2

Local and General.

Musical Lectubb.— Mr R. Parker will - Ljgfcre a musical lecture at the Town Hall, on -Wednesday evening next, particulars of -which will be found in our advertising A Distinguished Visitor.— M. Ie Conite -Se la Ronciere, late Governor of Tahiti, called afc Christchurch to-day on his way to Mel-"-Isourae, whither he will take passage for France. His Excellency visited the Governaaent Buildings and some other places in the ■city, and left by the Rangitoto this afternoon. ?Count Ronciere has been succeeded in the ' -Governorship of Tahiti, by M. Jouslard. "N^Sew Zealand Telegraph. — In accorNSance with Mr Vogel's recent announcement of a uniform rate, the Government notify that on and after September 1, the ■fallowing tariff will be in force for ordinary " telegrams : — From any station to any station — for the first 10 words, 2s 6d ; for every -auiditiohal 5 words oc fraction of 5 words, ■Sd. i Horticultural. — The adjourned meeting •of the Council of the Lyttelton and Port Society was held in the Colonists' Hall on Wednesday evening. The balance sheet for the past year was read, showing a balance in favour of the Society. The nomination of officers was proceeded with, -acd the Spring Prize Schedule was slightly altered. The date of the firat Show was -rfiixed for November 9. , The Peninsula Reefs. —We are informed •that three separate specimens from the reef •an the land belonging to Messrs Cowlishaw aad Johnstone, on being examined by a very -powerful microscope, and compared with "Thames quartz, showed unmistakeable specks •saf gold. The specimens were subjected to chemical test as well, and the gentlemen who -carefully conducted the observations are satisfied that they detected gold in the .-quartz. There can be no doubt that the - they examined came from the ' Ideality we have named. Entertainment.— The usual fortnightly entertainment at Avonside took place last ought in the schoolroom, and was very well sjttejaded. Mr Cowlishaw presided, and the •Traacious pieces in the programme were all •well received. The Misses Ness commenced < wifli a duet, and the Rev E. A. Lingard read -a* Chapter from ".Pakeha Maori," descriptive ' <& an arrival in Maori Land. Mr Milaer flayed selections from " Norma " on the ; iMtrmonium, and was encored. Mr Lockyer i -asead one of the Ingoldsby comic poems. Mr i -John Thompson played a solo on the flute. Mr Marshman read "" A search for a -iator," with amusing effect, keeping audience in continued laughter. Tfce Rev. E. A Lingard sung " The Miller" in < •fceautif ul style and was encored, responding -with " Love and Courage." Mr Thomas •read an extract from " Idylls of the King." Mr R. Davis sung " The Bell Ringer." The -.-Rev. H. Martin read a pathetic piece entitled -" Polly and her Mother.'-' Mrs Barry sung < -< * The Blind Man's Bride," and being encored cgaxe " Molly Asthore." The chairman then ■announced that the entertainment would be ■-repeated that day fortnight, and the Nationa' > - Anthem terminated the proceedings. Presentation.— The pupils and friends of i IMr W. S. Fitzgerald, of Pigeon Bay Academy, met, and presented him with a ""2-taadsome gold watch, and Mrs Fitzgerald •with a locket, on the occasion of their leaving vlor Oamaru. Mr W. Hay, in making the •presentation, said it was with great pleasure •%e congratulated Mr Fitzgerald on his ap- : poiutineut to Oamaru Grammar School. It was a situation where he would have ample .scope for his abilities, and where, he felt jatisfied, he would be duly appreciated. His • departure would be deeply regretted by most present, because they knew they were losing ■a, first-class teacher, and a true friend, whose -place they might have great difficulty in billing. He would now proceed to what' gave -Mm great pleasure, not only because he was * friend, but had once been a pupil of Mr ___tzgerald; that was the presentation of a -watch to Mr Fitzgerald, accompanying •which waa a locket for Mrs Fitzgerald, wishing them, also, with God's blessing, «very j-appiness and success in their new sphere. _ffir Fitzgerald, in returning thanks, said he -was agreeably surprised, not only by receiving a gift so handsome, but by its being^ bestowed in such a handsome. manner, He .•-«Fas much indebted to his pupils for their to his wishes and diligence in their studies, and to their parents for their kind co-operation in procuring punctual atten•si_ace, aud thorough home preparation of lessons. He should not forget to mention i ike benefit he had reaped from the labours of 3iis predecessors, the Rev. F-. Knowles uf __yttelton, and the late Mr Gillespie; that, - entering on the foundation they had laid, and .assisted as he had been by hoth pupils and •parents his work had been comparatively aasy. He would always feel interested in -heir welfare, and hoped that he would have .Hae satisfaction of seeing, his place soon filled, and the work again in progress. Th« meeting separated with three cheers for Mr "Fitzgerald, for Mrs Fitzgerald, and for the 3£ttle ones.

Gold in thb Wanganui District. — The Wanganui (Wellington) local journal says : — Some months ago a gold prospecting party was sent up the river, under the command of Captain M'Donnell. The party returned and reported that they had discovered gold. Since then the natives have prospected in the same locality, and we can assure our readers that a payable goldfield has been discovered up the Wanganui River. •^Dinner. — Last night Mr Harris, Superintendent of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, gave a complimentary dinner to the men under his command, at the Clarendon Hotel, several leading citizens being also present as invite i guests. Amongst these were his Worship the Mayor, who presided, the members of the City Corporation, Mr J. G. Hawkes, M.P.C. for the city, Messrs J. V.! Ross and F. A. Bishop, officers of the Fire! Police ; Messrs D. Craig and J. A. BirjL j Insurance Agents; and Mr M. B. Ha£t) Altogether, the party numbered upwards of sixty, and the table* was furnished hy Mr j Oram with his usual taste and skill. The viands were profuse, and received full justice from the guests, the conventional round of national, political, and local toasts being subsequently drunk with befitting spirit. {The health of Mr Harris, as proposed by iiis Worship the Mayor, was most flatteringly received, loud cheer 3 testifying the estimation in which that gentlemen is held by his men, and the general appreciation of his hospitalityX In replying to it, and at a later period oftue evening, Mr Harris gave some sound practical advice to the brigade, and acknowledged the willing support extended in every necessary respect by the City Council. Several excellent songs were sung during the proceedings.