Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 544, 16 February 1870, Page 2

Local and General.

■*■ The Outgoing Mail. — It will be seen, from the official notices in another column, that the mail for despatch by the Tararua, closes on Friday. Crichet. — The return match Married v Single will be played on the U.C.C.C. ground, on Saturday next. The following are the sides: — Married — Fowler, Hobbs, "Wood, Stevens, Dickinson, Harley, Odell, Calvert, Turner, Mason, and Bennett. Single — Cox, Condell, Cotterill, Souter, Blakiston, Moore, Maples, Mainwaring, Reade, Parkersou, and Miles. ]&fle Association. — A meeting of the Council was held at White's Hotel last night, Mr H. J. Tancred presiding. Messrs Wynn Williams, Bishop, Simmons, Glassford, Thomson, Barnes, Twentyman, Alport, and Pavitt were also present. An offer from Mr Joseph ITadfield to level the new range was accepted, subject to the supervision of the committee. Messrs Simmons, Pavi t, and Alport, were then appointed as a committee to prepare a draft programme for the Easter prize firing, and the meeting terminated. •J^Lkithfield. — The farmers in this neighhave nearly finished harvesting, and notwithstanding the unusual scarcity of labour, and the high rate of wages which has in most instances been paid, the results, it is believed, will be far more satisfactory than they have been for some years past, the yields being so abundant. Messrs Barr and Brown's steam thrashing machine commenced last week with Messrs Evans and Forbes' crop, which has turned out as satisfactorily as could be desired, more especially the oats ■which average from seventy to seventy-five ■bushels per acre. jBb*BD of -Conservators. — A meeting of the Board was held at noon this day, Air Ha'rman ix» the chair. The other members present were his Worship the Mayor of Ghristchurch, and Messrs Peacock and Toss•vrill. It was decided that a circular should be sent to all the Road Boards, enclosing copies of the resolutions with regard to rating passed at the previous meeting of the Board. The chairman reported that Mr Peacock and himself had visited the protfcotiy.'j* works on the previous day, and he was glad to say that No. 1 embankment was in most excellent condition. They had examined the river bed for a mile and a half beyond Nq. 2 embankment, and found that it would be unnecessary at present to execute any further works than those now in hand Altogether, the appearance of the river was most satisfactory, and no clanger was to be apprehended so far as they were able to form an opinion. The Board then proceeded to, -consider the by-laws which had been ted for its guidance.

Sporting. — The Kelson Waimea steeplechase meeting comes off on Feb. 24. The Canterbury horse Trump is entered for the chief event— the Great Waimea-South Stakes, of £100 soys., over about three miles of fair hunting .country — and arrived at Nelson on Feb. 2, in the Lord Ashley. A horse is expected from Wanganui, and several horses are in training at Nelson. The brood mare Wetsail was landed at Picton from the Lord Ashley. She was purchased last year by Mr Redwood for £200, and has gone to his stud at Spring Creek. A yearling filly, by Malton, accompanied the mare, also a foal, by Traducer, the mare being again stinted to the same horse. Dust. — Yesterday afternoon was about the dustiest we ever remember to have- seen in Christchurch. The fine weather which has prevailed for such a long period has reduced every particle of loose earth to its driest" state, and even with a slight breeze the dust for some days past has completely nullified all efforts at street watering. But yesterJay afternoon is to be particularly noticed for this. A heavy sou-wester blew from shortly after noon, increasing in strength until four o'clock. The dust was whirled about in such dense masses that at times it was impossible to see many yards a-head. Shop doors were closed on all sides, but with little avail, for the dust penetrated everywhere, settling in heavy layers on goods and f u^ni- : tore alike. * ~^N /Youthful Delinquents. — The youthful] w breakers of the city would do well to take warning at the altered mode of procedure now adopted by the Resident Magistrate. Formerly, his Worship refrained from imprisoning them in the common gaol, from a natural objection to throwing them into the company of older and more hardened offenders, the absence of a reformatory thus rendering it compulsory to dismiss them with little morj than a caution. But this necessary leniency has been so much imposed upon, that special arrangements haye — pending the establishment of a reformatory — been made for the employment of boys at hard labour, and all those now convicted of crimes necessitating such punishment will be sentenced to it, with the addition of periodical castigations during their imprisonment. The first conviction of this kind was made on Saturday for fruit stealing. Volunteer Inspection. — Colonel Packe held his customary monthly inspection of the Christchurch Volunteers in front of the Drill-shed yesterday evening. The corps in attendance were the Artillery, Engineers, Engineer Cadets, No. 6 Company Rifles, Royal Irish Rifles, and the St. John's Cadets, all with the exception of the latter being fairly represented considering the unfavourable time of the year. The total muster was somewhat over a hundred, the Artillery and Engineers being, if anything, the strongest. The Orphan Asylum band was present, and played during the marching past in their usual effective manner. The movements gone through after the inspection of arms and accoutrements were not of a very extensive nature, but were sufficient to prove the respective corps to be in a fair state of efficiency. The Artillery, we should note, have now procured busbies, and present a much more soldierlike appe irance than before. Altogether the parade was satisfactory, but larger musters will certainly be looked for when a less busy part of the year comes round. The Art Exhibition. — A very gratifying improvement in the attendance at the Art Exhibition took place yesterday, there being more than double the number of visitors than on previous days. The much desired issue of catalogues has no doubt caused this alteration, and now that there is every facility for properly examining the works of art and objects of curiosity contained in the building, it is to be hoped the public will patronise the Exhibition in a manner more commensurate with its merits. To those who have spent a few hours in the building, it is a matter of considerable surprise that anything but good attendances should prevail. It would, indeed, be a peculiar mind that could not find something to appreciate in the Exhibition. Most enjoyable music is nightly discoursed by a band, comprising Messrs Zinckgraff, Biinz, and Cooinbes. The arrangement of the catalogues is most comprehensive, even to the minutest detail, enabling any particular exhibit to be found with the greatest possible ease, and the charge made for it is extremely moderate. To-night the first special musical entertainment will be given, several of our leading amateurs having promised to take part in it. A very good programme has been published, and a large attendance is expected. The committee have made arrangements for providing additional accommodation in the way of seats. The Fire Brigade. — The steam engine company of the City Fire Brigade, held a wet-practice last night under the supervision of their chief officer, Mr Harris. The engine was placed in position at Lane's Mill, Oxford Terrace, with the suction hose in the river, and the delivery hose laid eastward, up Hereford street. The working of the machinery and appliances was fully tested in every way, everything being found to be in excellent order. The movements of the men were also smart, and fully demonstrated their thorough fitness to cope with the devouring element at a moment's notice. Whilst on this subject it may not bo amiss to notice the success which has attended the establishment of a cricket club in the Brigade, and the beneficial results likely to accrue from it. The movement has been taken up zealously by all the members, and one match, Married v. Single, was played with very creditable results. Mr Harris, seeing the tendency which it necessarily has to smarten the men in their movements, has used every means to foster the prosecution of the game, and next year intends offering a series of prizes to the highest average in batting and bowling, and for general efficiency in the field. This is unquestionably a very judicious proceeding in many respects. Not only

will the game tend to increase the bond of amity between members of the force, but there can be little doubt that a good cricketer must necessarily make a smart fireman. Aquatics. — The following, from a Nelson paper of Feb. 11, is a description of the race won by Mr Day's Red Jacket. The race was for a cup and £10; distance, eight miles: — This race, which ougb.t to have been looked forward to with the greatest- interest, was considered, by most, to be a disappointment, on account of not sufficient time being given to the owners of various yachts here to rig and get in readiness to contest with the trim boat that came in the Lord Ashley a few days ago, the Red Jacket. The race, through that short notice, might have ended in an accident, as the May (winner of the cup last year), when partly round the course, commenced leaking at a fearful rate, in fact, the men had hard work to keep her from sinking, and had to turn back. The May has been lying high and dry for a long time, and hence the cause of her leaking. Nothing less than a fortnight's notice would suffice to have put her in sailing trim. The race then rested between the Red Jacket and the Midge, but as the former was of a superior build, and it was plainly seen by all on shore how the contest would end, little or no excitement was exhibited, and the Red Jacket came in an easy winner. Had a little more time been given, possibly the Flying Fish (a boat well known to many here as regards her sailing capabilities) might have been brought up the Croixelles. This would have more evenly balanced the race, and very probably have kept the cup still in the place ; but it now rests in the hands of Mr Day, of Canterbury, until next year, when we hope Nelson will succeed in winning it back. Gold-bearing Quartz at Terawiti. — The following, which we extract from the leading Wellington paper of February 10, gives detailed information of the discovery announced in a recent telegram : — lt would seem that the perseverance of the shareholders of the Never Despair claim is likely to be rewarded with a large measure of success. Mr J. F. E. Wright, the manager and projector of the company, has never for a moment ceased to entertain sanguine expectations of success, or ceased to vigorously work towards its attainment. For months past he has had men working in the Waireka valley, where some splendid gold has been obtained, although in small quantities, from alluvial workings. Experienced persons, however, unhesitatingly declared the finds to be reef and not alluvial gold, and as the lead was followed up it became evident that such was really the fact, indications being obtained that the reef itself was being approached. A few days ago the party became satisfied that the right spot had been reached, and the low ground was abandoned, and sinking on the summit of the range resorted to. The result was the discovery of a very promising reef. As yet only the cap has been struck, but some of the stone which was brought into town by Mr Wright on Tuesday contained gold visible to the naked eye, and bearing the most severe tests. Some of this stone roughly crushed, washed, and treated with quicksilver yielded a large piece of amalgam, which on being retorted produced a little . lump of fine gold. The result was such that if maintained in regard to larger quantities a yield of from 6oz to 7oz to the ton would be obtained. The sand obtained by washing the crushed quartz also contains gold plainly visible to the naked eye. There can be no doubt as to its being the precious metal, for it has withstood all acid tests, and. has also shown by experiment that it is malleable. A meeting of the shareholders is called for this afternoon and the work of developing the reef will no doubt, be rapidly pushed on. The company has, we understand, obtained a leaseof twenty acres of ground from M'Manaman's trustees, on whose property at Terawiti the reef is situated. The news created considerable excitement yesterday, and claims have been pegged out in all directions in the locality of the reef. Theatre Royal. — The dress circle was almost crowded to inconvenience last evening, and the other parts of the house were also well attended. The performances were a decided improvement on those of Monday night in every respect. Most of the shortcomings peculiar to the first evening of a pantomime had disappeared, the company were more perfect . in their respective parts, the mechanism of the stage worked with a greater nicety and precision except in the final scene, and altogether the pantomime was performed in, a manner which reflects the highest credit on the management, considering the many difficulties to be contended with in a theatre where the necessary appliances and space are so limited. Those who saAv Miss Forde on the previous night could perceive the very marked difference in her acting last .evening,, and her sing ing, too, was infinitely better than before. On Monday night, Miss Forde laboured under sundry disadvantages, the most important of which was the difficulty of obtaining anything like a proper accompaniment. This defect in the orchestra displayed itself more palpably in " The. Mocking Bird," and to such an extent, that she was obliged to retire before finishing the song. .It was doubtless in a great measure owing to this fact that Miss Forde acted .with less, spirit than usual Last evening, however, she appeared to full advantage, and as the Prince, did much in the way- of addition to her already establishedreputation as a burlesque . actress. She was decidedly in better voice, and sang "Love's Request," which she judiciously substituted for " The Mocking Bird," so well as to elicit rapturous applause. Than Miss Nye, the most fastidious could not wish to see a better Columbine. This lady lias also established herself as a favourite in Christchurch. She is certainly a very useful adjunct to a theatre ; is invariably well up in her parts ; can sing very creditably, and us v lianseuse is exceedingly graceful in her movements. Miss Mathews adheres to a special line of business, and in it surpasses any

actress who has yet been in Christchurch. Air M. Forde makes a really good clown. He is extremely active, and possesses a good fund of humour. In make-up, he differs with advantage from most clowns, and many of the tricks which he performs are new aud of considerable merit, whilst at the same time they are very cleverly executed. To judge from the laughter and applause of the audience, the pantomime appeared to give general satisfaction. The Irish Jig danced by Miss Nye and Harlequin was loudly applauded, as was also Harlequin's rattlesnake jig. The local allusions created considerable merriment, and the scenery by Mr Willis exhibited just before the fall of the curtain, was applauded for its artistic merit. The pantomime will be continued throughout the present week, and most probably for a night or two at the beginning of the next.