Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 406, 2 September 1869, Page 2

Local and General.

S. Luke's Parish. — A very good programme is announced for the usual fortnightly entertainment at S. Luke's schoolroom, to-morrow evening. The Weather. — The following remarks on the weather for the month of July are taken from the Gazette of Sept. 1 : —Severe weather was experienced on the Ist and 2nd, when rain to the depth of more than two inches fell : the remainder of the month was fine. There was a slight fall of snow on the Bth, and a heavier one on the 24th. A smart shock of earthquake was felt on the 23rd, at j 10 a.m. The mean temperature for the month was very low, the average being 40*8 Fah. ; whereas the average for the same month for the years 1864 to 1868 inclusive was 436 Fah.; also the average of the lowest temperature for the nights of July during the years above-mentioned was 35-4 Fah., but during the past month it was 32*5 Fah. S. John's.— Last night's entertainment was entitled "An Evening in France." For the first time since the commencement of the scries, there was no crush for admission, and consequently visitors were more comfortably placed, the schoolroom being no more than conveniently filled. The readings consisted of a fragment from an article entitled " A week in a French Country House," by the Rev. C. Bowen, and the " Notary," by the Rev J. 08. Hoare. The pianoforte duet, by Mrs Hamilton and Mr Sims, was applauded. Mrs Chas. Harper's song 3, Miss L. Taylor's two concertina solos, Mr G. Jones' violin solo, and Mr Sims' pianoforte solo were re demanded. Mr Chas. Coombes' cornet solo was loudly applauded ; likewise the duet (violin and cornet) by Messrs Jones and Coombes, Mrs Hamilton accompanying on the piano. This lady accompanied most of the evening's performances. Philosophical Institute. — The ordinary monthly meeting of the Philosophical Institute was held last night at their room, near the Government Buildings. Dr Haast, president of the Institute, presided, aud there was a very good attendance of members. The election of office-bearers was first proceeded with. Dr Haast was re-elected president. The Rev Canon Wilson and Mr T. Nottidge were elected vice-presidents. The Rev C. Fraser was re-elected secretary, and Mr J. W. S. Coward treasurer. The following were elected as a Council : — Messrs H. J. Tancred, E. Jollie, W. Rolleston, R. W. Fereday, C. Davie, and S. Tancred. It was agreed, on the motion of the Rev C. Fraser, that the annual dinner of the Institute should be postponed till Oct. 8, being the centenary anniversary of Captain Cook's landing in New Zealand. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr T. Nottidge, that a microscopic section, in connection with and under the rules of the Institute, be established. It was also resolved, on the motion of Mr Nottidge, that the Couucil of the Institute be empowered to purchase a microscope and such accessories as they may consider necessary, at a cost not exceeding £40. Dr Haast read an able, interesting, and exhaustive paper on the geology and paleontology of the Waipara district. Mr F. E. Wright read a very l sugge .tive paper on some peculiarities in the earth-conducion of electricity in New Zealand. Mr T. Nottidge read a paper on the structure and colour of the fibre of the phormin n tenax. Goia>. — With regard to the Stewart's Island diggings, the correspondent of a Southland contemporary writes as follows : — This rush seems to be rapidly comiug to an end. No gold has yet been found, nor does there seem much likelihood of its being found immediately, or even soon. The famous quartz reef that Invercargill heard so much about some ten days ago, is a lode or vein of white quartz running magnetic north and south through the bluff marked Red Head on the chart, nearly abreast of Codfish Island. The. landing place to these diggings (?) is at Rugged Point, at the mouth of the small streamlet shown on the chart, and provisions aud camp utensils have to be humped or swagged from thence to Red Head, through perhaps the most abominable bush tracks that human beings ever travelled. Redllead is composed of a very open coarse grained, reddish granite, mostly felspar and quartz, the mica being in very subordinate and minute quantities — aud the quartz lode or reef contains iron pyrites in large quantities, and probably other ores. No 1 Company and No 2 Company have, for some days past, been blasting into the reef (by-the-by, No 1 is blasting on a small lode running parallel to the large one, and situate about sixty yards to the east of it) and intended to send over a ton weight of the quartz to have it properly tested. As yet, not the faintest appearance of gold has been discovered in the reef. Most of the other parties and representatives of companies are shepherding their claims, waiting to see the result of the exertions of Nos. 1 and 2. Until proper tracks have been cut through the Island, and specimens of quartz containing gold discovered, and that in considerable quantity, the formation of companies, and sending over diggers and wagesmen, &c, is very j remature, and certain to end in disappointment and disgust.

Auctioneers Ordinance. — It is notified | in a Gazette published yesterday that Charles Wesley Turner, of Christchurch, has taken out an auctioneer's license for the term ending June 30, 1870. ViLocal Enterprise. — Mr J. Anderson is faking still further additions to his already extensive facilities for mechanical operations by erecting a new building for the fitting and finishing departments. Its dimensions are 86 feet by 36 feet, with sufficient height for : two floors, and the materials used are principally stone and iron. There are twenty-two windows on one side, and fifteen on the other, with large entrance doors. Gold Prospecting Company. — A meeting i of the committee was held in Mr Deßourbel's 1 office yesterday afternoon at four o'clock The resignations of Mr Warner, mining manager, and Mr Brooke, hon. sec, were submitted and accepted. A vote of thanks was awarded to the latter gentleman for his able and disinterested services, and Mr D. Craig was unanimously appointed to the vacancy. The mining manager's report was read and discussed, and several specimens of quartz handed in. Gaol Returns. — The chief warder of the provincial gaols has forwarded his returns for the past month. In Christchurch there were during that period 23 males ancl 16 females incarcerated, and in Lyttelton 83 and 2 respectively. Of the Christchurch males 1 was for trial at the Supreme Court, 16 at hard labour, and 6 ordinary imprisonment; the females being 4 for trial, and 12 at hard labour, 'lhe Lyttelton males were 11 for trial, 57 at hard labour, 5 ordinary imprisonment, and 10 debtors; the females being 1 each at hard labour and imprisonment. The discharges for the month were 16 from each gaol. Licensed Victuallers Association. — The licensed victuallers of Canterbury, according to annual custom, solicit the support of the public to-morrow evening, at the Theatre Royal, iv aid of their Benevolent Fund. The performance, which comprises two pieces altogether new to Canterbury, is under the patronage of his Honor the Superintendent and the Executive. Apart from the very laudable object for which the performance is given, the public have every reason to expect a really good entertainment. The performers have been indefatigable in rehearsal, and every attention has been paid to the dressing of the pieces. We may be permitted to remind the public that the Licensed Victuallers have always given their services readily in aid of charitable objects outside their own body, and that they have thus an additional claim for support. Board of Conservators. — The board met yesterday at 12 o'clock. Present all the members. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The chairman announced that he had communicated with the Government upon the question of the extension of the district of the Conservators, ancl had been referred to the chief surveyor, by whom he had been informed that the district where the works ara proposed to be erected has been reserved for protective purposes, though not included in the proclaimed district. He had received an opinion from the solicitor to the board to the effect that the board had no power to undertake any work outside their district. It was resolved that the chairman be authorised to communicate again with the Government, urging upon them the immediate necessity of constructing the protective works recommended by the engineer of the board, which are situated outside the district under their jurisdiction. The following accounts were ordered to be paid:— M'Carthy (wages), £7 14s; Hall (carting), £2 17s 6d; Murphy (sowing gorse), £6 7s 9d; Potts (salary as overseer to Aug. 28), £18; Potts (horse hire), £8 10s ; Clerk (salary to Sept. 2), £7 10s. The engineer was instructed to employ the necessary amount of labour for pei-fecting the top of No. 1 embankment. The board then adjourned to Wednesday, Sept. 8. >A^Jnion Rowing Club. — The aanual general meeting of members was held last night at White's Hotel. Mr A. H. Graham presided, and there was a fair attendance of membera_\ The name of the club having been altered at the close of last season, and the affairs of the old one then wound up, there was no report to be submitted by the committee. Mr Crosbie explained that the accounts of the late treasurer had been duly audited by himself and Mr Gilchrist, and found to be correct. The chairman said the first business would be to elect officers, and the following gentlemen were then appointed: f— President, Mr G. Holmes; vice-presidents, Messrs E. Richardson, H. H. Hennah. and J. Ollivier ; commodore, the Rev. J. O'Bryan Hoare ; vice - commodore, Mr J. O. Gilchrist ; treasurer, Mr R. Allan ; secretary: Mr A. H. Graham; committee: Messrs G. Jameson, H. Gain, R. P. Crosbie, D. Rutherford, G. R. Barnea The election of a custodian was postponeu until the next general meeting. A financial statement was submitted, from which it appeared that after the payment of all outstanding accounts there would remain a balance of somewhat over £3 in hand, whilst the asnets — the boats, sheds, &c. — were, at the lowest computation, valued at over £200. A list of overdue subscriptions for past years was submitted, and amounted to £26. The statements were adopted. The secretary announced that the new rules had been printed, and were ready for issue. • The Canterbury Club having communicated with the meeting concerning the opening ceremony of the ensuing season, Saturday week was fixed for the purpose, and a sub-committee elected to confer with the other clubs relative to the programme for the day. A conversation ensued on the great impediment caused to rowing by the Government having ceased to keep the river below the city clear of cress; and the secretary was instructed to act conjointly with those of the Canterbury and Avon Clubs in preparing a requisition for presentation to His Honor the Superintendent on the matter.

The Land Sales to-day amounted to 90 acres, as follows: — 50 acres, Timaru; 40 acres, Banks' Peninsula. Reserves. — The Gazette of September 1 contains a long list of reserves, made temporarily by his Honor the Superintendent, in the Waitangi, Oxford, Ashley, and Waipara districts, for educational and charitable purposes. Canterbury Railways.— The traffic returns for July aie stated in the Gazette as follows:— Lyttelton and Christchurch line passengers, 7297; merchandise, 1747 tons; coals, 1329£ tons; timber (100 feet), 2891; wool, 62^ bales; wheat, 18,197 bushels; oats, 7098 bushels; flour, 281 tons, for which, including a few sundries, £2245 3s 3d was received. Great South line — Passengers, 2313; merchandise, 182J tons; coals, 98 tons; timber (100 feet), 6641; w - 00 \ t 2 5 bales; wheat, 2536 bushels; oats, 4G64 bushels. The amount received was £538 9s 7d. Tai Tapu School.— On Tuesday, August 31, a presentation of prizes was made to the scholars of the above school, as awarded by the Inspector, after a very careful and judicious examination, which lasted three hours. The names of the successful competitors were :— lst Class— lst prize, Sophia Barnctt ; 2nd do, Amelia Davies ; 3rd do, Edward Peryman. 2nd Class— lst prize, John William Sycamore ; 2nd do, Wallace Latham ; 3rd do, Garibaldi Cooke. 3rd Class— lst prize, Helena Yarr ; 2nd do, Margaret Irvine ; 3rd do, Isabella Yarr. Rowisg Club.— The members held their annual general meeting at White's Hotel yesterday evening, Mr A. F. N. Blakiston in the chaif\ There was a large attendance, and the treasurer read his financial statement, showing a balance of £6 is Id against the club. A ballot for new members was then taken, which resulted in the election of Messrs G. Gordon, J. H. Loyd, C. Palairet, J. McAlpine, J. Toller, J. M. Smith, G. A. Reade, Geo. Packe, T. A. Winter, and James Callender. \The election of officers succeeded, and the following appointments were made. President — Mr R. J. S. Harman. Vicepresident—The Rev. W. C. Harris. Captain — The Rev. E. A. Lingard. Hon. Sec— B. C. Mounier. Treasurer— VV. H. Churton. Committee — Messrs J. H. Herdson, A . F. N. Blakiston, S. S. Revans, T. Douglas, and G. Stead^ A conference then took place respecting the opening of the season, and Saturday the Ilth instant was ultimately fixed, a sub-committee being appointed to arrange with the other clubs respecting the order of proceedings. New Footbridge. — The City Council have just completed the erection of a new footbridge across the Avon, in continuation of Antigua street. It is very ornamental in appearance, and wili undoubtedly prove a great boon to residents in the vicinity. The plan is a new feature in such structures within the city, but as it is cheaper than the old mode of piling or trussing, and possesses durability sufficient to last until such bridges will be superseded by cart bridges, it will probably be generally adopted. The body of the bridge, which is 120 feet long, is suspended from each cud by six galvanized iron wires, of strong proportions, and further wires are judiciously placed on the most approved suspension principle When passing from one end to the other the flooring sways to and fro with an easy pleasing motion, but not sufficiently strong to shake its stability. The total cost of the structure exclusive of repairing the damage done during its construction, has been about] £50, which is jointly met by local subscriptions, and grant from the Council. "JS^he Museum. — The new building for the Canterbury museum is rapidly approaching completion, and will in all probability be handed over by the contractors during the I early part of November^ The design, which is by Mr Mountfort, is not at present being carried out in its integrity. The main hall, entrance porch, and work-rooms ouly comprising the present contract. The former is 70 feet long by 85 feet wide, and 30 feet high. Twelve feet from the basement there is a gallery nine feet wide round all sides of the building, and supported on wooden piers. The light for the sides below this is obtainea by windows of suitable size, and the centre and gallery are lighted from the ceiling, which is to be coffered ancl the panels filled in with Chance's quarry plate-glass. S£he main entrance faces directly down Worcester street, and the domain gardens lying all round, it gives a very pretty relief to the massive solidity of the stone walls. Dr Haast is rapidly preparing to remove from his present contracted quarters, and a large number of cases containing European and American rarities are on their way, so that large as the space at disposal will undoubtedly be, it will not be in the least degree more than what is required^ How the Rebels got their Ammunition. — The leading Wellington journal, of Aug. 30, has the following :— " There is nothing," a native tells us, whose present position should show him to be a good authority, " serves our purpose better than a good fight." After the pakehas have retired, which they generally do, we pick up hundreds and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Whole packages we often find thrust under the roots of trees and in all sorts of out-of-the-way holes and corners. This was especially the case at several of the engagements on the West Coast. We used to buy from the soldiers, too, sometimes, and once got 200 rounds for ls 6d and a tin pot." But these sources of supply are failing now, and there is reason to believe that the want of ammunition is the chief cause of the surrender of themselves by the natives. When Tito Kowaru was surprised at Otoutu, whence he decamped so hastily that he left his coat behind with £120 in cash in the pockets, several packages of ammunition were found with not more than one teaspoonful of powder to a dozen bullets, and the small package of powder wrapped up most carefully in almost innumerable folds ;of paper and cloth to preserve it from the damp.

Whaling. — We hear that the boats from Mr Buchanan's Whale Fishery at Ikoraki, Akaron, succeeded in capturing a large right whale on the 28th ult. This is the second whale caught by them this season, but we understand the one last caught is far larger than the one first taken. Lyttelton Borough Council.— The nomination for Councillors closed yesterday afternoon. The following gentlemen are nominated:—Messrs Willcox, Allwright, Ward, Bunker, Young, Cummins, Weastall, and Stout. The election will take place on Thursday, the 9th instant. Meetings of Creditors. — Meetings in the estates of Thomas Williams, George Pearce, and Egerton Ninnis were to have been held yesterday, before Mr Richard Davis, DeputyRegistrar, at the Supreme Court Chambers, but no creditors attending in Pesrce's estate, it was adjourned until Wednesday next, the Sth inst. The proceedings in Ninnis' estate being an adjourned meeting and no creditors attending, were declared vested in the Provisional Trustee, pursuant to Sec. 6, Bankruptcy Amendment Aot, 1868; liabilities are stated at £927 12s 2d, assets £844.