Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 489, 10 December 1869, Page 2

Local and General.

Magistkkial. — There was no public business transacted at the Christchurch Magistrate's Court this morning. The Murder Case.— A petition is being handed round for signature, praying for the commutation of the sentence of death passed upon John Smyth. Entertainment at Kaiapoi. — The Duke ©f Edinburgh Dramatic and Acrobatic Company, performed at Burnip's Assembly Rooms, Kaiapoi, on Wednesday last, to a rather limited but highly appreciative audience. Masonic. — The consecration of the Canterbury Masonic Hall will take place on Friday next, the 1 7th inst. Brother Baylee will also be installed as W.M. for the year. Jn the evening, a banquet will be held at the Criterion Hotel. The next Suez Mail. — The next outward mail leaves Melbourne on .Tan 4. It is probable that the Tararua, leaving Melbourne on Dec. 11, for New Zealand ports, via Bluff, will take away our portion of the mail. In the ordinary course, she is due sn Lyttelton on or about Dec. 20. Sunnyside. — One of those pleasant reunions which are a distinguishing feature in the treatment of patients at the Sunnyside Asylum, and afford friends an appreciable opportunity of mixing with them, took place last night in the new concert hall, with a success equal to any of its predecessors. A number of lady aud gentlemen vocalists from Christchurch contributed a very enjoyable programme, accompanied by Mr Zinckgraff, on the. pianoforte ; and dancing was afterwards indulged in with great zest by all. ' Kaiapoi Annual Sports.— A meeting to arrange for the above took place on Wednesday last at the Pier Hotel, Mr pew-lings occupying the chair. The -_Mlowiug committee were appointed : — Mfessrs Hewlings, Dudley, Porter, Oram, J. Feldwick, R. Wright, Smith, Hassal, Harris, If. Feldwick, H. Kerr, Rose, C. S. Bell, Cambridge, Craig, Burnip, Winterburne, and Alexander, with power to add to their number. Mr H. Feldwick, on behalf of Mr feldwick, senr., offered the use of his paddock for the sports. It was resolved, '• That Mr Feldwick's offer be accepted." Mr H. Feldwick was elected hon. sec. to the committee, and it was resolved to ask Mr J. C. Porter, the present Mayor, to be president of the committee. Mr Harris offered the use of his ball room gratuitously for the ball in the evening. He was thanked for 6is liberal offer, but its consideration was deferred till Saturday evening. The secretary was directed to invite tenders for publicans' and confectioners' booths, also, to arrange for a band, and the meeting adjourned till Saturday next. /Seattle Trespass on Public Roads. — vrfences of this nature are becoming such a nuisance in tlie districts immediately around Christchurch that some strenuous measures should be adopted by private persons or public bodies for putting a stop to it. The police are themselves commendably active in prosecuting offenders, as every week's record of proceedings at the Resident Magistrate's Court demonstrates ; but it is impossible for them to be always scouring the highways and t>y ways in. quest of wandering cattle, and it fe only by the action of residents suffering ..Sr.pm the nuisance that anything like effective itti^asures can be adopted^ Many are, no 'doubt, disinclined to "Jax informations, as would appear from the remarks of his Worship, C. C. Bowen, Esq., on Thursday, when '.fining au offender, because they are afraid of incurring ill-will from their neighbours ; but until this feeling is discarded, no security will be obtained. Not a week passes at the Court but instances of personal danger or gseat injury to property are recorded, and the extent of the evil may be further judged _ _oai the fact that his Worship stated many per_ons even went tohisprivate residence to lodge complaints. He himself had more than onct gp.nc to obtain occular demonstration of the -trespassing, and knew that cattle were posi timely turned adrift in droves to feed on the roadways. In face of tliis, surely the Road J-frards, who must be extensive sufferer* from the cattle, might initiate some plan fo* setting the police on the track of offenders. . mxi m, !■■■* i ■ ■