Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 565, 12 March 1870, Page 2

Local and General.

Quartz Crushing. — The Peninsula Com-

pony's machine is now engaged on stone from the Waikari reef, but the result will not be known until Monday or Tuesday next. The amalgam from the Peninsula stone has been retorted, but nothing will be made public concerning its gold-bearing qualities until the general meeting of shareholders, to be held on Tuesday next. Colonial Prizes.— The inclement weather this morning compelled a postponement of the competitive firing fixed to commence at ten o'clock. Wednesday next has now been named by the Colonel commanding, the squads to muster at the same hours as previously advertised.

Scientific— Dr Haast has just returned from the Amuri, where he has been engaged for the past month in further prosecuting the geological examination of this interesting district. The public will be glad to learn that Dr Haast has been successful in adding important information to that already acquired.

The Carandinis. — Another musical reunion was held last night at the Town Hall, and was characterised by the usual success of these entertainments. The programme was varied, and possessed attractions for all musical tastes. There will be no performance this evening, and next week there will be a reduction in the prices of admission.

Theatre Royal.— The same programme was repeated last evening to a capital house, and will again be presented feg the last time this evening. The drama and burlesque passed off with equal success, and the applause accorded by the audience was most demonstrative. On Monday evening, the oriental extravaganza of " Lalla Rookh " will be presented:

Postal.— lt will be seen, from a Post Office notice elsewhere, that mails for despatch by the Suez route will close on or about Thursday next, March 17. The Post Office authorities are yet uncertain as to the exact date, and of course are not able to give the hours of closing either. It is particularly necessary to observe that all letters, See., intended to go by this route must be specially addressed " Via Suez." If not, they will be detained, and sent via San Francisco, orders to that effect having been received from head-quarters. The mails for despatch by. the San Francisco route will close on March 26, and it is expected that they will reach England as soon as those sent by the Suez route on March 17.

Chess Club. — A . special general meeting of the Canterbury Chess Club, was held at the Literary Institute last evening, Mr Gillespie in the chair. The secretary stated that the chess tournament being concluded, the meeting had been called for the purpose of receiving the report on the same. He had no doubt that those present were already aware of the result. . It would be seen by the report that Mr George Stead was the winner of the trophy. The report was then read, i and gave general satisfaction. Mr Stead received the congratulations of all present on being presented with the prize. It was proposed to hold another tournament for tlie championship, open to the province of Canterbury, and the following gentlemen were appointed a committee to make the necessary arrangements*.— The Rev. J. OB. Hoare | and Messrs W. D. Wood, H. J. Tancred, and George Stead.

The Late Fire. — An inquiry touching the origin of the recent fire at the London Restaurant, Cashel street, was begun yesterday afternoon, at the White Hart Hotel. J. W. S. Coward, Esq., district coroner presided, and Messrs John Ollivier (foreman),

George J. Ruddenklau, Charles Kiver, Joseph Rowley, Edward Richardson, William Robert Mitchell, John William Oram, Aaron Ayers, Herbert Edward Alport, Michael Brennan Hart, Robert Sutherland, John Stace, and James Booth, were empanelled as a jury. His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Fredk Thompson, D. Craig, J. A. Bird, J. E. Graham, J. Lewis, insurance agents, and a large number of influential citizens were present during the proceedings. Mr Harper, on behalf of the insurance companies doing business in the city, and Inspector Pender conducted the examination. Margaret Paterson, proprietrix of the Restaurant, and Emily Jane Williams her barmaid, were examined for two hours, after which, the enquiry was adjourned at the request of Mr Harper until Friday next, at 2 p.m. In accordance with a request from the Coroner, we refrain from publishing the evidence taken. Temperance Society. — A meeting of the members of the newly organised Temperance Society was held at the Literary Institute last night, for the purpose of appointing officers and a working committee for the year ending November next. Amongst those present were his Honor the Superintendent, The Very Rev. the Dean, his Worship the Mayor, the Revds. C. Fraser, W. J. Habens, E. A. Lingard, Messrs Anderson, Jameson and March. His Honor the Superintendent was voted to the chair, and the result of the election was as follows : — President, his Honor the Superintendent ; Vice-presidents, the Right Rev. the Primate, his Honor Mr Justice Gresson, his Worship the Mayor, H. J. Tancred (Speaker of the Provincial Council, the Very Rev. the Dean Jacobs, and J. C. Wilson, C.B. ; Fecretary, Rev. C. Fraser ; Treasurer, J. Anderson ; Committee, the Revds. J. OB. Hoare, W. J. Habens, T. Buddie, Dr Turnbull, Dr Prins, R. J. S. Harman, L. Harper, W. Reeves, J. S. Williams, F. J. Garrick, G. Gordon, and T. Nottidge. The meeting then terminated, but a lengthy discussion took place upon the next steps to be adopted to further the objects of the Society. His Honor said that he had collected considerable evidence on the matter, and recommended that a summary of it should be drawn up in order to present to the General Assembly when they asked for the bill necessary to their future success. A desultory conversation followed, and was continued for some time.