Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 432, 2 October 1869, Page 2

Local and General.

Ckicket. — A full meeting of the Victoria (Youths') Cricket Club was held at Boot's Assembly Room yesterday evening, and, after the admission of eight new members, the following officers were elected for the ensuing season : — Captain, A. Newman; deputy -captain, H. Hebden; secretary, J. G. Armitage; treasurer, A. Piper.

Acclimatization. — The introduction of salmon into Tasmania cost £7494, of which £995 was contributed by Victoria, and £450 by New Zealand. Another Golden Report.— We are informed that specimens of quartz, brought from the locality of M'Queen's, yielded distinct traces of gold on being chemically tested. Akiel Boating Club. — This Club launched the Avon, lately purchased from a Christchurch club, yesterday. They proceeded on a trial trip down the river, and her performances were considered highly satisfactory. Lyttelton Land Building axd Investment Societk. — The annual meeting was held in the Colonists' Hall on Friday night. There was no balance sheet read. Three new members were elected to serve on the committee. •^La.cclimatisation.— The utility of importing hedgehogs for the destruction of insects has been frequently discussed by the members of the Society. A pair of these insectivorus animals, the first imported, have been presented to the Society by Mr D. Robb, purser of tie ship Hydaspes, and will doubtless afford the opportunity of arriving at a satisfactory conclusion as to whether the hedgehog may be considered a valuable acquisition for tnruing out at large. Inquest at Akaroa.— At inquest was held at the Travellers' Rest, Duvauchelle Bay, Akaroa, ou the 28th ult., before J. Watson, Esq., R.M., and a jury, upon the body of Thomas Julyan, who had been killed whilst engaged in his usual occupation of falling timber for the Cumberland Steam Haw Mills. After hearing the evidence of George Soames and Donald Fraser, the jury returned a verdict of " accidental death." St Michael's Church. — We understand that the subscriptions towards the rebuilding of this church, amount to upwards of £1000, and that a fair proportion of this sum is already in hand. Some who have undertaken to canvas for subscriptions have yet to do their work, but it is anticipated that a meeting of parishioners will shortly be called to discuss the question of plans for the building, and to take steps for setting the work on foot. of Entires. — The annual show of entire horses was held in Latimer square this afternoon. Twenty-four were exhibited, and as compared with last year, there was a perceptible improvement in the average merit of those for heavy work. Mr Walls again took the premier position with his Clydesdale, Sir Colin Campbell, and also showed well with two others^ For second place opinion was very diversified, as almost every horse had a large circle of admirers. The thoroughbreds, hacks, and ponies were very poorly represented. The most noticable for improvement was Youug Quicksilver, which is rapidly developing into a fine horse. The show did not last more than an hour and a half. The Races — An opinion is gaining ground that the next Christchurch race nieetiug should bo held during tlie stay of the Flying Squadron in Lyttelton. According to the Admiralty programme the Squadron is due at Lyttelton on the sth Jan., but as in all probability it may he delayed a little, it would be necessary, in changing the date of the meeting, to reserve power to change the race days in accordance with the movements of the Squadron, which would be known at least a month before arrival afc Lyt elton. As the Squadron consists of six men-of-war, it would be desirable to afford so numerous and distinguished a body of visitors all the amusement in our power. We understand that the Jockey Club propose to take the matter into consideration on Monday next. Kaiapoi Institute. — The monthly committee meeting of members took place .on Thursday. Present: Dr Dudley (president 1 ), Messrs Hall, Matthews, Beei, Newnham, C. E. Dudley, Hassal, Weston, J. Feldwick, Ellis, Beau, Clark, H. Feldwick. J. Craig (treasurer), and J. L. Wilson (hon. sec.) A letter was submitted from Messrs White and Co., enclosing list of books now arrived per Hydaspes. A gentleman in Christchurch kindly offering to supply the Melbourne Argus gratuitously, his offer was accepted with thanks. Ac .ounts amounting to £19 ls 8d were passed and ordered to be paid. The general quarterly meeting was then held, above 30 members being present. The secretary presented a highly satisfactory report, which was adopted. The report congratulated the meeting on the large accession of members during the last quarter. The meeting then proceeded to discuss two plans for increasing the accommodation of the Institute; one set of drawings was gratuitously furnished by Mr C. E. Dudley, the other by Mr R. Powrie. The improvements suggested by Mr Powrie were by him estimated at £310. A long discussion ensued as to ways and means, the meeting generally being averse to burdening the institute with interest on a loan. Votes of thanks were passed to the gentlemen giving plans, and on the motion of Mr J. L. Wilson, seconded by Mr J. C. Porter, it was resolved, " That the two plans for proposed enlargements are beyond the limits of the present means of the institute." The following gentlemen, namely, Messrs Porter, Matthews, and h'ckcrsley, were then appointed a committee to collect subscriptions towards a smoking room, and report fully ou the subject at the next committee meeting. It was resolved that on the openiug of the bridge, the institute should be open all day. The librarian, Mr Wilson, gave one month's notice of his intention to resign. He had not sufficient time to devote to the library. Entertainment. — The St. Luke's series of winter entertainments was brought to a close last night by one of the most successful yet held in Christchurch. The schoolroom was filled to overflowing by a demonstrative andience, and perhaps the best praise we cau bestow on the programme is to say that it was fully worthy of the applause so freely awarded. Unusually varied in its nature, and comprising pieces of more than average merit, the programme was in every

instance excellently rendered. The only matter which can be said to have detracted from the evening's enjoymentwas the stamping which was resorted to near the door in applauding some of the pieces, and the occasional interruptions caused in the same part of the room by loud talking. This annoyance would scarcely be expected in such a place, and from the persons indulging in it, but it has become so noticeable in several parts of the city of late, that it cannot be any longer ignored, and it is to be hoped that next season will not witness a repetition of it. The programme was opened by Mr Cobb, who read •' The Baron's Story," from Nicholas Nickleby, after which the following pieces were successively given: —flute solo, "Home Sweet Home," Mr Thompson ; piano duett, Beethoven, the Misses Marshman ; song, " Scenes that are Brightest," Mrs Barry ; instrumental duett, "Cujus Animani," harmonium and clarionet, Messrs R. Parker and Triphook ; reading " Mrs Badgeriy's Persecutions" from "Household Words," Mr Marshman ; instrumental arrangement of airs from Cherubini's Operatic Works, piano, forte, Mrs Hamilton ; flute, Mr Thompson ; violin, Mr Lean ; and violincello, Mr Spensley ; solo on the harmonium, Mr R. Parker, encored and responded to with popular airs; song " All Things are Passing Away," encore demanded but not responded to ; reading from " The Merchant of Venice," Mr Bowron ; pianoforte selections from II Traviatn, Mrs Selby Tancred ; song " When the Swallows," Mr Appleby, encored; reading from "Frank Fairleigh," the Rev. E. A. Lingard ; duett, piano and violin, fantasia from William Tell (De Beriot) Mrs Hamilton and Mr G. Jones, the National Anthem terminating the proceedings. Immediately prior to the latter Mr Lingard briefly thanked the ladies and gentlemen who had assisted at so much personal trouble in carrying out the series of entertainments, expressing at the same time a hope that they had been enjoyed as much as the voluntary services deserved. He stated that after that evening'sproceeds were taken into account, not only would the debt be cleared from the school, but about £5 Would remain to the credit of the fund. This information was greeted with hearty applause, and the vote of thanks was carried by acclamation. Three cheers were also given for Mr and Mrs Lingard immediately the anthem had been sung, and the audience then separated