Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 421, 20 September 1869, Page 2

Local and General.

-Mr Redwood's Horses. — We hear that the Omeo will call at Nelson for the purpose of taking Mr Redwood's horses up to Melbourne. Lyttelton Colonists' Society. — A special meeting of the members will be held in the . Institute * on Wednesday evening, to amend the existing rules, as recommended by the committee. Lyttelton Choral Society. — The members of this society are now rehearsing Mozart's "Twelfth Mass." This, and Handel's " Acis and Galatea," will be given at their next concert! Lecture.— The Rev. W. J. Habens will deliver his popular lecture on Bunyan's " Pilgrim's Progress," illustrated with dissolving views, in the Colonists' Hall, Lyttelton, on Friday evening next. RiiGATTA Concert. — Active preparations are being made by the committee to make this concert a success. An excellent programme has been prepared, and the Government have acceded to the request of the committee to run a late train from Port to Christchurch after the concert. Greymouth. — The local paper of Sept. 16 states that on Tuesday a party of miners, prospecting on the Nortli Beach, between the Ten-mile creek and tlie Twelvemile beach, on the range running down to the Twelve-mile bluff, and about one mile in from the sea, struck a quartz reef, from which they took some highly auriferous specimens. One of the party came to Cobden, and lodged au application for a lease, while ou the same day, the news having spread, the creek was rushed. It is impossible yet to give any particulars of a definite nature, but from the fact of the reef having been found in the same range as the Moonlight diggings, there is every reason to believe that the discovery is a genuine one, and that it may lead to similar discoveries of a most important 1 nature.

Literary Institute.— The closing entertainment in aid of the library fund will be given at the Town Hall to-morrow evening, when a very diversified programme will be presented. TkIoiJBXALisM.— Christchurch has again four aaily journals — two morning and two evening. The first number of the new evening penny paper, The Independent, was published on Saturday. Theatre Rotal. — The Ancient Order of Foresters renewed their performance of " The Courier of Lyons" and the farce of " The Mummy " on Saturday evening. The attendance was not so large as on either of the former occasions. Ball at Kaiapoi.— A ball, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to a charitable purpose, took place on Friday last at Kaiapoi, in the Kaikainui ball room. Between thirty and forty couples thoroughly enjoyed themselves till an early hour the following morning. After payment of expenses, which were small — most of the musicians giving their services gratuitously — a considerable sum was realised. Reefs in Southland.— An Invercargill paper reports that a number of specimens of quartz from the Longwood Ranges have been brought into that town. All of them contain gold, and, judging by their unworn appearance, have travelled but a very short distance from a reef. It is impossible to resist the conviction that the Longwood district will yet prove rich in auriferous quartz, although the impenetrable nature of tbe country, which is covered with dense bush, must sadly impede the development of its undoubted mineral resources. S^No. 8 Company, C.R.V. — This company was inspected at Heathcote valley on Saturday last. The company was formed up in line in Captain Holmes' paddock, and received the inspecting officer with a general salute, the men presenting arms and the band playing the saluting march. After a minute inspection of arms and accoutrements, the company were put through a series of military evolutions, the band adjourning to Captain Holmes' house, where they played several operatic selections. On the completion of the drill, the men were highly complimented on their good muster (35 all ranks) and their general efficiency in drill. Tbe progress made by the band, under their able instructor, Mr McKenna, V.C., was also extolled^ On being marched home, the company gave three cheers for Captain Holmes and the inspecting officer. HAquatics at Kaiapoi. — On Saturday last, tneboating season on the Waimakariri was formally opened by a processiori^ef the boats of the Cure Boating Clu£\ Such of the members as could attend, and others • intending to join, met at 2 30 p.m. at the boat sheds, and were apportioned to the various boats. procession started at 3 p.m., in the following order : — Tui, Cure, and Undine, four oars ; Mosquito, pair oar; Mr Matthews new scullers' outriger bringing up the rear. In this order they passed through the town, and about a mile down the river and back to the bridge^ The rowing, considering the number of novices in the boats, was decidedly creditab'e, and promises well. On the return of the procession, a scratch match of about a mi!e was rowed between the Tui, Cure, and Undine, the Tui, being the best boat, and her crew being old hands, giving her opponents fully a sixth of the distance start. After a most exciting race, the Undine came in first, beating the Tui by three quarters of a length, the Cure, having broken an oar, being nowhere. V^There was a large number of spectators on the river banks, the ladies mustering in great force. All the principal places of business in the town had their flags hoisted, and the whole scene was gay in the extreme. The boating men of Kaiapoi may be congratulated on the success wliich has attended their first attempt at a procession of boats on the WaimakarirQ Enterprise Gold Mining Company. — A special meeting of the members was held in the Colonists' Hall, Lyttelton, on Saturday evening. There was a large attendance of shareholders. Mr W. Reed occupied the chair, and stated, that the reason for calling the meeting was, to consider the desirability of increasing tlie number of shareholders. The specimens sent in by the workmen were most promising. Dr Hector had given a good opinion of the quantity shown him, and there was every prospect of striking a gold-bearing reef. Mr AUwright said he considered the time had arrived to increase the number of •hareholders, so as to thoroughly test the reef. The men had for some weeks been prospecting, and they" had now succeeded in finding a most likely gold-bearing reef. Dr Hector, who had been shown the specimens, said they were the most promising he had seen in the province, and . as the company could not thoroughly go into the affair with their present capital, he niOYed that the number of shares be increased to 600 £5-sbares, £1 deposit. Tlie motion was seconded by Mr Carder, and carried unanimously. It was resolved that only 200 of the shares be offered to the public at the present time. A discussion ensued respecting the number of shares to be allotted to the original promoters. It was resolved that each original shareholder receive as a bonus nine paid-up shares. On the motion of Mr J. D. Macpherson, seconded by Mr McKay, it was resolved that the company he gazetted, and that Mr Cowlishaw be requested to make out tlie proper deeds. Mr Macpherson also consented to act as secretary to the company. At a committee meeting, held on Friday evening, Mr Macpherson, who had been appointed to wait on the Government asking them for protection for the claim the company were working, informed the committee that he had seen his Honor and Mr Jollie, and had shewn them the specimens taken from the reef. As tlie ground on which the men were working had been reserved for educational purposes, they could not give any right, but should gold be struck by the company they would have prior claim to any reward.

Oxford. — On Wednesday evening last an ! entertainment was given in Mr Briggs' schoolroom, entitled an " Evening at School." Mr Wilson Fisher occupied the chair. The children attending the school passed a very creditable examination in natural objects, geography, history, and mental arithmetic, in the last of which they were very clever. The company, which was a numerous one, appeared to be very much pleased, and complimented Mr Briggs on the success of his undertaking. Several ladies and gentlemen voluntarily offered prizes for children who acquit themselves best at a future examination. Mr Briggs afterwards gave a short lecture on the " History, mystery, and perigrinations of a drop of water." The company broke up about nine o'clock, evidently much pleased with the evening's entertainment. During the evening the proceedings were enlivened by several songs given by the children. m*^mmmmm^^mmmmm.mm^mmmmm.m