Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 437, 8 October 1869, Page 2

Local and General.

«. .' Magisterial. — There was no public business transacted at the Christchurch Magistrate's Court this morning. ■' \ The Gold Reward.— Thomas McMahon desires us to state that he did not sign the. application for the Government reward. Vie k- Admiralty Court. — We understand that the seals of this Court have bceu received by Mr E. S. Willcocks, a_ Deputy.Registrar under. the Act. 'E*.TERTAiNMi*Nr. — The last of the Foresters' winter series of entertainments was giveu in their hall, Oxford Terrace, last night. There was not a very large attendance, but the proceedings passed off with tlieir usual success. !Gjft Auction -—There was a large attendance pf persons at the Colonists' Hall, yesterday. During the sale at. night the /hall was well filled. The goods, under the able liands of Mr C. W. H. Woledge, were rapidly disposed of. The hall will be open free to-night, when the remainder of the unsold goods will be disposed of. Volunteers.— ln the New Zealand Gazette of Sept. 25, it is notified that his Excellency the Governor has accepted the resignation of -Captain E. D. Byrne, Timaru Artillery Volunteers. The commission of Lieutenant James B. Williams, Temuka Company, G.R.V., is cancelled for absence from the district "without leave. Ensign Charles John Merton, No. 4 Company, C.R.V. is gazetted Captain of the same Company, the commission to date from August 11. Legal. — His Honor sat in chambers this morning. Re John Apps Dockery and Catherine Dockery, his wife— Mr J. __ Williams moved for leave to be heard in support of the petition presented under the "Leases and £ales of Settled Estates Act, 1865." His Honor made the order. Re John Bainbridge Drake, a bankrupt— Mr Garrick, on behalf of the provisional trustee, moved for an order accepting the resignation pf Mr Clarkson as trustee, and appointing a meeting of creditors for the choice of a new trustee. His Honor considered that the application should be made on behalf of the supervisors, or one half of the proof creditors. The application stands over until a future day. Re Richard Kyffin Kenrick — His Honor commented strongly on the conduct of the bankrupt, and susjpended relief for two years. Mr Harper asked if protection would be withdrawn, and, in) re»ly, his Honor said that it would be better to make a separate order upon a fresh application.

Ministebui* bExpLkSAsOok.-- We understand that the^hon. Mr -5V Dillon Bell proceeds to Dunedin to-day by the Rangitoto. On- his,return"; North, he will positively address a public meeting in Christchurch. Consecration.— On Monday morning, the 4th instant, the Right Rev. the Primate of New Zealand, consecrated the Cemetery, situated on the terrace, between Saltwater Creek and Leithfield. Before concluding the ceremony the Bishop gave a most impressive address. " The Lowing Herd and Zealandia." — We have received a copy of the above work, which is more fully described as " gleanings from the journal of a wild cattle hunter in Canterbury." The author, "G.W," publishes for the benefit of orphans. Messrs Jones and Tombs are the printers and publishers of the book. Melbourne Sr orting News. — The latest news of the Cup is contained in the following extract from the leading journal of Sept. 28 :— " The Cup wagering is almost in statu quQ, as Circassian, Traverton, Sheet Anchor, and Warrior, still occupy their positions in the order named. The only noticeable feature ih the Cup betting of Sept. 27 was the advance of Barhelle, who was backed for. •£2OOO or £3000 at 100 to 3, 100 to 4, and 100 to 5 ; Strop was supported at 100 to 4, with offers to go on at that price, but the layers refused to advance beyond 100 to 5." ' Manuka is not mentioned. I" New Machine rt. — We have been shown ! some machinery invented by a gentleman of this town for a new process of gold saving. This machinery has also been inspected by several gentlemen, practical quartz miners, engineers, and others, whose opinion is most favourable. The advantages claimed by the ' patentee are— lst, a saving of about threefourths of the cost of the manufacture of J the machinery over that now in use; 2nd, I water is not required in any quantity ; and 3rd, the finest gold is all saved in this process, as well as all quicksilver. The letters patent will shortly be issued, when a full descripi tion of the machinery and process will be I given. j-jUßakaia Bridge. — We understand that Mr William White signed the contract for the erection of the above bridge yesterday. Two years, from Oct. 7, are allowed for the completion of the work. The total amount of the contract is £21,500. Of this amount, Mr White will receive 45 per cent, in money from the Government as the work proceeds. The remainder will be paid by giving Mr White a lease of the tolls for eight and a half years "from tlie opening of the bridge. The tolls will be Collected for the first six and a half years according to the scale laid down in the Rakaia Bridge Ordinance, and for the remainder of the lease at half that rate!] The Government has reserved the right trf purchasing the whole or a -part of Mr White's interest in the tolls at any time during the currency of the lease. Athletic Association.— A large and influential meeting of gentlenien was held at White's Hotel last night, for the purpose of finally establishing this Association ••;• His Worship, the Mayor presided,' '• and CM ter opening the proceedings called upon the secretary who read an exhaustive report from the committee appointed to collect information bearing upon the .project. It stated that a five acre paddock on the north boundary of Latimer Square could be procured at a reasonable rental, and that an offer had been received for stripping, levelling, and returflug a course of 680 ' yards, and cricket ground 40 yards square, together with keeping them ih order during the ensuing twelve months, for the sum of £50. It also gave a very moderate estimate of the cost of cricket materials, and a full set of gymnastic apparatus, adding that a dressing and store room was already partially provided for on. the ground. The adoption of a half-guinea subscription for all members, with an entrance fee of 5s from those intending to take an active part in the proceedings of the association was recommended for working and a suggestion was made that the ceremonial opening day should be fixed for the provincial anniversary - the profits accruing from that and other fetes to be devoted to the further improvement of the ground, and . increase of athletic appliances. Three prizes, including a bicycle and a cup, were said to liave been already promised for competition in races, and the committee referred in terms of praise to the ready assistance: rendered by his Worship tlie Mayor, in forwarding the views of the promoters. Mr 'J. Ollivier moved the adoption of the report, expressing his great satisfaction at the question of athletic amusements being taken- up in such a comprehensive manner. He " reviewed their social and physical advantages at considerable length. The Rev. E. A. Lingard seconded the motion, which, after some general conversation, was , unanimously carried. Mr Wynn Williams then moved that an association be formed under the title of the Christchurch Athletic Association, offering many valuable suggestions, and expressing the pleasure it would afford him to see the project so well commenced, successfully carried out. Mr J. A. Bird seconded the resolution, which was • also • carried nem con.. The appointment of officers was next proceeded with, and resulted as follows:— Patron, his Honor the Superintendent ; president, his Hohor Mr Justice Gresson; vice-presidents, his Worship . tho Mayor, Messrs J. Ollivier and Wynn Williams ; secretary, Mr J. Hebden; treasurer, Mr. J. A. Bird; committee, Rev E. A. Lingard, Messrs Wagstaffe, J.O. Gilchrist, B. C. Mounier, R. Mainwaring, T. Grierson, E. Parkerson, A. F. N. Blakiston, R. D. Thomas, J; Piper, S. S. Revans, J. Su flleld, A. Ollivier, T. Moore. E. C. J. Stevens, and W. R. Mitchell, five to form a quorum. A subscription list was opened in the room, and a substantial amount was promised. The committee arranged to meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday next, for the purpose of preparing rules, and a vote of thanks having been accorded to the chairman, meeting terminated. ... t

The Stamp Acr.—ln the New! Zealand ! Gazette of Oct. 2, it is notified thi. t on and ! after January 1, 1870, the 26th section of the j Stamp Act, 1869, shall apply to bills drawn [ within the colony, and that stamp duties now paid on Insurance policies shall no longer be imposed. Also, that oh and after the same date stamped paper shall be nsed for bills of exchange, drafts, orders, and promissory notes instead of the adhesive stamp attached to ordinary paper. ' Orphan Abtlitm:.— A special..entertainment in aid of the above institution (got up principally by Mr G. Willmer) came off at the Town Hall last evening, but the atten- | dance was scarcely so large as might have been anticipated. His Honor the Superintendent occupied the chair; and, in opening the proceedings, he expressed the great interest which he felt in the Orphan Asylum, and a i hope that it would prosper as an institution of the city. His Worship the Mayor, Mr Wynn Williams, &c, also favoured the concert with their presence. The programme was of a varied character, and the applause that was accorded to each performance was a proof of the manner in which the entertainment was appreciated. Kaiapoi Building Society. — The annual general meeting took place on Wednesday last at the Kaiapoi Institute. There was a good attendance. The chairman (Mr M. Hall) having explained the object of the meeting, the treasurer submitted the following statement of accounts, which had been duly audited: — Receipts, Oct. 7: balance in Bank, £517 10s 6d; subscriptions, £523 2s; redemption fees, £67 4s; fines, £21 3s 9d; transfers, £6 15s; discount on shares withdrawn, £12 10s; sale of rules, 2s; total, £1148 7s 3d. Expenditure: working expenses, £41 7s 6d; expenses sale of W. D. Buddies farm, £10 3s 3d; shares realised and paid, £784; deposit in Post Office Savings' Bank, £200; balance in Bank, £112 16s 6d; total, £1148 7s 3d. The secretary read a re--1 port, which waa adopted. The election of directors vice Messrs Eckersley and Parnham was then proceeded with, the result being that Messrs W. T. Newnham and J. Matthews were elected. Mr Matthews raised an objection to the combination of the offices of treasurer and secretary in one person, and he proposed another gentleman as treasurer. After some discussion, an amendment was carried leaving things to remain as they were. Votes of thanks were passed to the treasurer and retiring directors. The secretary, by way of an increase of salary, was relieved from the payment of rent of the I room and auditor's fees, receiving the same | commission on shares as hitherto.