Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 627, 27 May 1870, Page 2

Local and General.

Ltttelton Winteh Readings. — The entertainment postponed from last week, in consequence of the inclemency of the weather, will take place this evening in the Colonists' Hall. An attractive programme has been arranged. Lancashire Bellringers. — The bellringers, assisted by Miss Liddle and Mr Hilton, will appear to-morrow evening at the Canterbury Music Hall — not this evening, as has been stated. Ferrt Road. — The anniversary services of the Christian Chnrch, Ferry Road, were held on Lord's Day, May 22— a service for the young at 11 a.m. ; and Mr T. Wright, Evangelist, from Dunedin and Victoria, preached in the afternoon at half-past 2, and evening at half-past 6. On Tuesday, May 24, the annual tea meeting was held in the Quay Store, and about 100 sat down to the tables and partook of an excellent repast. After tea Mr W. E. Norris took the, chair, and gave a short but interesting sketch of the history and progress of the cause in the neighbourhood. Mr Simmons (Baptist) gave a short speech in favour of the sinking of minor differences among professing Christians of every name, in order to the promotion of Christian union. Mr T. Wright spoke at length on the desirability of abolishing all human creeds, which were prolific and constant causes of division and strife, in favour of the Divine and infallible creed— the Bible — as the only rule of faith and practice. He had come to Christchurch in the interests of Primitive Christianity, and intended discussing its principles from time to time at the Ferry Road Chapel and Town Hall, Christchurch; all he asked was an impartial and unprejudiced hearing. Shortly after nine the meeting terminated. Chkistt Minstrels. — Last evening's entertainment was largely attended, and passed off with its usual success. A new programme is announced for to-day. West Coast Mails. — The Post-office authorities announce that mails for the West Coast Road, Hokitika, and Greymouth will close on Saturday next, at 8 p.m., instead of on Monday, May 30, as hitherto. The alteration is an exceptional case, and the regular days of closing will be resumed on Thursday, June 2. The Hokitika coach will leave Christchurch at 6 a.m. on Monday, May 30. . Theatre Rotal. — "Green Bushes" and the burlesque of " Aladdin " were produced last night. Some alterations were made in the cast as compared with the last time the pieces were played, but none of them call for any particular comment. To-night, Miss Herberte takes a benefit under the patronage of his Honor the Superintendent and his Worship the Mayor. The second act of " Under the Gaslight," the farce of " Tom Thrasher," and the burlesque of "The Marble Bride," constitute the bill. Miss Herberte is well and favourably known to all playgoers, and it does not require any special recommendation to ensure her a good house. Besides, the bill presented is an attractive one. . i^Found Dead. — An inquest was held at y ollie's Pass Accommodation House, Amuri, on the 18th instant, by Count De la Pasture and a jury, of whom Mr Bu Moulin was chosen fdrenran^on the body of a man named Samuel Gnniquri From the evidence, it would appeafTmt Gilmour had been employed by Mr Jones, of the Waiau station, to do some " cob" work, and that he was left alone on the station during the absence of Mr Jones and a man named Kean in Christchurch. During Mr Jones' absence, Gilmour went to Jollies Pass, a. distance of 18 miles, and left for home on the sth inst., accompanied by another man as far as the Waiau. On the following Friday t.l3th inst.) he was discovered lying on the floor of a hut, de^d, by Kean, oh his return from Christchurch. No marks of violence were visible on the body, except on two fingers, which had apparently been severely bitten. Gilmour had evidently been dead some days when Kean returned, and his sleeves were turned up and his arms covered with mud, showing that when he had expired he had just left off work. It is a pity the attendance of a medical man could not be procured, as it might have thrown some light upon what is at present a mystery— the cause of death. The jury returned an open verdict. Horticultural Society.— An adjourned general meeting was held at the Town Hall last evening. The president read the following, report of the sub-committee: — "The committee appointed at the last general meeting for revising' the rules, &c, met for that purpose, but decided to defer the matter tiU this meeting, because in the first place they did not think that the rules at present in use required any very great alterations or amendment; and secondly, it was thought that by the time appointed for the adjourned general meeting fuller information on this subject would be to hand. The committee in considering what alterations in the operations of the Society could be effected in order the more fully to extend its usefulness, are of opinion that the revival of the monthly meetings is an object for which every one who has the interest of the Society at heart should use his best endeavours in promoting, affording, as they do, the means of extending knowledge on horticultural subjects, and also affording opportunities of bringing together objects of interest in plants, flowers, fruits, &c, for which the regular exhibitions are unsuitable, they would therefore urge upon all members of the Society to at once make an effort for the carrying out of so desirable an object.— H. Wynn Williams, President." The rules of the Society were gone through seriatim, and passed with Borne slight amendment. The consideration of the latter part of the report was deferred to a future meeting. , A long discussion took place upon the idesirdbility of altering the classes in the prize schedule, but nothing definite was arrived at, and ultimately the matter was jli/ft \o a sub-committee to report upoa.

Lancashire Bill Ringers at Akaroa. — The above well-known troupe, assisted by Miss M. A. Liddle and Mr W. H. Hilton, gave one of their entertainments in the Town Hall, Akaroa, on Wednesday evening, the 25th inst., to a crowded and delighted audience. Numerous encores were given and responded to, and Mr Hilton, in thanking the audience for the support received, stated that the company were pleased and gratified at the reception awarded them, which was quite unexpected on their part, and they would carry with them a pleasing remembrance of that night's performances.