Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 569, 17 March 1870, Page 2

Local and General.

Theatbb Royai,.— The theatre was fairly attended last evening.

Telegraphic. — The General Government will shortly commence the construction of a line to connect Akaroa with Christchurch..

wGItLVEHN Hiixs Coal.— A trial of coal flhjbm the Malvern Hills was made yesterday, in a portable steam engine of Garrett's manufacture. The result was most satisfactory in every respect, the engineer informing us that the steam properties of the coal were far superior to any colonial sample he had ever used before.

Lincoln Township Faik. — This fair was held on Tuesday last. The entries were: — Cattle, 50; pigs, 90; sheep, 300; horses, 3. There were several of the Christchurch buyers present, and all seemed anxious to purchase anything like fat stock at from 27s 6d to 30a a hundred. A lot of 11 yearling heifers of good quality sold at about £4 5s a head. Well-conditioned ewes, weighing about 40lbs, sold at 5s 6d; and poor stores, at about 4s. A good many of the pigs were sold at prices varying according to size.

The Cabandinis. — The concert last evening was a great success, and it is therefore almost unnecessary to criticise each part. Particular mention must howevtr be made of the duet in. the first part, " Oh Maritana," in which Miss Rosina and Mr Sherwin were most successful ; likewise Miss Fannie in Schorndoff's beautiful song " When the quiet moon is beaming," which was most charmingly sung. In the second part, the duet " Peace to the dead," from Loder's opera " The night dancers," sung by Miss Fannie and Mr Sherwin, and the ballad " When the roses bloom again," well deserved a most unanimous encore, and Mr Sherwin sung Wallace's " Home of my Heart," exceedingly well. The ever pleasing duet, " Trust her not," terminated the concert.

£»Act Exhibition.-— The entertainment last livening was not bo well attended as the Exhibition concerts have generally been. It was given entirely by members of the Philharmonic Society as an acknowledgement d£ the compliment the Exhibition Committee paid the society by closing it on their concert night. The first part consisted of secular music— overture " Radiant Moon " well sung by Mrs Bowler ; violin solo by Mr Biiriz ; "The infant's prayer ; by Miss Rowley; flute solo by Mr Rowley, jun. ; and one of Mendelsohn's glees, " May Song," which was sung by the society, with full accompaniment. The second part consisted of a selection from Handel's " Samson," and although the five performed choruses Trent very ir'ell, it was plainly apparent the disadvantages the performers were labouring under, caused l>y the narrow and scanty platform, and the instrumentalists placed beh'ad were scarcely able to follow the beat < f the conductor. The entertainment on the whole was very creditable.

Board of Consebvator3.— The Board met at noon yesterday. Present : Messrs Harman (chairman), Fisher, and Peacock. The chairman stated thai he had arranged with Mr Palmer, Union Back of Australia, for the additional loan of £1000, for six months. He also reported that the works were being carried out in a most satisfactory manner, and that the effect of them upon the course of the river was most extraordinary, the water being diverted into midchannel. The chairman said that the special business of the meeting was to arrange the terms upon which to borrow a lorn. He thought that the best course to pursue would be to advertise for tenders for a loan of £5000 for a term of 7or 10 years. It would be for the Board to determine in what manner the loan should be raised, and what rate of interest should be given. After some discussion, the following resolution was agreed to :— " That the Board advertise for

tenders for a loan to the amount of £4000, the term to be ten years, the rate of interest offered to be £1 per cent per annum, payable half-yearly ; the debentures to be in the amount of £100 each, with coupons attached; tenders to be sent in within one month from the date of the advertisement." Accounts were passed to the amount of £250, being last year's payment to the five members of the Board..;. Mr Crawford's salary £20 (two months) was also ordered to be paid ; also clerk to the Board £7 10s (three months). The Board then adjourned.