Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 656, 30 June 1870, Page 2

Local and General.

Ltttelton Orphanage. — We understand that the children will take possession of their new establishment in Lyttelton to-morrow. They will leave Christchurch by the first train. The San Francisco Route. — It is stated in the Melbourne papers that Mr Collie's proposal to the Victorian Government on behalf of Mr Webb, is " very favourably regarded," but it is not clear whether it is the Government or the pxiblic who entertain this opinion ; nor is it stated what the proposal is. Meetings op Creditors. — The meetings of creditors to be held yesterday in re Charles Ffrench Pemberton, Thomas Roberts, William John Walter, and John Henry Jackson were adjourned through nonattendance of creditors until Wednesday, the 6th July next. Theatre Rotal.— Last night's performance was a repetition of Tuesday's bill, and was attended with equal success. To-night the sensational drama " Black Sheep " will be reproduced, and ought to command a good attendance. It may justly be pronounced a niece that no lover of the modern drama fail to. see. J& More Quartz Reefs.— The Greymouth of June 25, has the following: — The rush to the recently discovered quartz reefs atr-Murray Creek," Inhangahua, is~assumihg very large proportions, in consequence of a case which was heard in the Warden's Court, Ahaura, on Thursday. The prospectors were showing among the crowd of diggers round the Court, rich specimens from their reef, and it is said there are plenty more in the vicinity. Westland County Chairman. — The following motion has been carried in the Westland County Council by sto 2. The Chairman, Mr Hoos, voted in the minority: — " That it is the opinion of the Council, and the desire of the people of Westland generally, that the Chairman of the County Council shall be elected by the people. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the General Government, with a respectful req\iest that they will endeavour to bring about the desired change."

\jt . . ■■■■-. ■ = *TThe Eclipse. — The eclipse of the sun "which ought to have been fully .risible yesterday was barely seen, owing to the murky state of the atmosphere. Legal. — Mr Henry . Augustus Bamford was admitted on Tuesday as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court, and not merely -as a solicitor, as was inadvertently stated in yesterday's issue. Telegraphic. — From our Melbourne files we learn that the South Australian Government has entered into an agreement with Captain Noel Osborn, as agent for the British and Australian Telegraph Company, under which youth Australia is to construct an overland telegraph line from Port Augusta to Port Darwin, on condition that the company land their cable at the latter point. The bargain has been ratified by the Legis lature, and the construction of the land line is to be commenced forthwith. The Incoming Suez Mail. — The May mail via Suez is due at Melbourne on July 7. 'I he New Zealand portion will probably be brought on by the Omeo, advertised to leave Melbourne for New Zealand ports on July 12, via Bluff. It is just possible, however, that the Galle steamer may, as on last occasion, arrive three or four days before her time. In that case our mails might be brought on by the Claud Hamilton, advertised to leave Melbourne for New Zealand ports, via Bluff, on July 4. United Methodist Free Church Sunday School.— A meeting of the officers and teachers of the above school took place last evening for the purpose of presenting an address and a handsome Family Bible to Miss E. Baxter, who is about to embark for England, in acknowledgement of her valuable services in connexion with the above school. The Rpv. T. K. Fisher, president of the school, after an appropriate address on behalf of the teachers, presented Miss E. Baxter with the above testimonial. After Miss E. Baxter had made a suitable reply the superintendent and several of the teachers addressed the meeting. Courtenay. — The usual quarterly fair was held at Watson's, on June 23. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, the attendance was hut limited. In the evening a public meeting was held in order to make arrangements for the annual ploughing match. The meeting was well attended, and a committee was appointed and subscription lists opened. From the liberal manner in which the appeal was responded to, we believe this season's match will be quite equal if not superior, to any previous meeting of the sort in Canterbury. Immigration.— From our Melbourne files, we learn that a vote of £65,000 for immigration purposes has been passed by the Victorian Parliament, together with new immigration regulations. The latter it is said are not so liberal as those framed by the Macpherson administration, and do not differ materially from those which have been in force for some years past. Under them the only persons who can obtain absolutely free passages axe. female domestic servants. All others must be nominated by their friends, and a portion of the passage-money, varying according to age and sex from £ 1 to £8 must be paid for them. Under these regulations, the expense of the passage to the colony for males under 15 years of age will be £2 ; under 40, £5 • and over 40, £8 ; for females under 15 years of age, £1 ; under 40, £2; and over 40, £5. Sporting. — The weights for the Melbourne Cup were to have been published on June 23, the day on which the Rangitoto sailed for New Zealand ports, but we have not been able to ascertain whether the list came on by the Rangitoto. We shall, doubtless, receive it by the next steamer. The writer of turf gossip in the Australasian of June 18 says: — " There is little alteration in market quotations for the Cup, Manuka still holding, but shaky, the pride of place as first favourite, owing to the increasing demaud on his stable companion Praetor." Manuka is still quoted at 100 to 6 in the Australasian list, Duke of Montrose also at 100 to 6, and Praetor at 100 to 5. The list in the Leader quotes Manuka at 100 to 7, and Knottingley at 100 to 3. A Sydney telegram dated June 17 says : — Manuka and the Duke of Montrose are the only horses mentioned for the Melbourne Cup. The former has been backed at 20 to 1, and the latter at 25 to 1 Pigeon Match. — A pigeon match took place yesterday, at the Sawyers' Arms hotel, Papanui Road. The first item on the programme, for competition was a fat pig, valued at £5 10s, which was won by Mr W. Barnes, killing 5 birds out of 7. The pig was shot for a second time, and won by Mr Wald of Rangiora, killing 4 birds out of 5. A sweepstake of 5s each (ten entries) was won by Mr W. Barnes, killing all his birds (3). A match Crawley v. Fox was won by the latter. The ground was rather uneven, and the traps might have been pitched in a better place. The birds too, although finej had been confined too long, and the result was that they didn't rise .so freely as could have been desired by the competitors. Two or three old sportsmen put in an appearance in the two last " sweeps," and figured well at the commencement, but darkness setting in, their chances of success were marred towards the finish of the contest. The landlord of the Sawyers' Arms has 100 pigeons left, for any lovers of the sport who may desire to shoot a match at his premises. West Coast Mail Coaches. — The Hokitika paper of June 28th says :— The Christ church coach, which left on Friday morning last, and was due here on Saturday evening, only arrived yesterday afternoon, at halfpast one o'clock. The cause of the delay was, we learn, as follows : — The coach had proceeded as far as the Waimuri, and from thence had to return to Walter Rae's accommodation house, the rivers having been found in such a flooded state, as to be impassable. The coach was, with the passengers, left at the accommodation house, while Mr Stobie, the driver, proceeded on with the mails, and during the passage of the

Taipo, on horspback^iie lrak twice swept off, but managed, .although with great trouble, in saving the mails, and on. landing them, returned on the following day with the mails from the east ; these were brought down to the accommodation house and deposited in safety. On yesterday, early, both coaches were enabled to connect, and the passengers were transferred, the Hokitika coach arriving as above. Accident. — A serious accident occurred to the Rangiora coach yesterday afternoon. Whilst being driven towards Kaiapoi, a small mob of cattle, in charge of R. Hicks and W. Abbott, was met with, and in endeavouring to pass them a collision took place. Two of the animals, it would appear, were on the opposite side of the road from the others ; but, on seeing the coach, attempted to join them, and in so doing rushed against the pole of the vehicle. About two feet of this was broken off, and being only suspended by the neck-straps it frightened the two horses, causing them to become unmanageable, the near side one kicking at a furious rate. W. C^oke, the driver, having thus but little control over the horses, very judiciously drove the coach into a sand-hill, during which process the pole was further broken and a piece of it was driven a considerable distance into the shoulder of one of the horses. There were two passengers on the box with the driver, but no one was hurt, and both coach and passengers were brought on to Kaiapoi by the Leithfield coach which arrived shortly after. The accident, we should state, occurred between Kaiapoi and Woodend, the cattle being on their way to the latter place. Westland Weather. — The Hokitika paper of June 27 says :— The heavy rain which bas fallen off and on for the last month, and continuously for tbe last four or five day 8, caused a very heavy freshet to rush down the river on Saturday, in fact the heaviest we bave bad this winter. The water rose till it was level with the lower wingdam, and did considerable damage, as might be expected, to the upper Gibson's Quay bank. The damage was very great to that portion of the bank opposite the Waterman's Arms Hotel, and which extended to the second wing-dam, about 12 feet of the bank being washed away, rendering the punt useless, as some of the stays were destroyed. The Ruby wing-dam was capsized, with her head down stream, and is at present useless as a wing-dam. Sand bags were put down by the Corporation near the stern of the Ruby for tbe purpose of preventing tbe water from coming inside the dam and cutting away the bank, and we are glad to say they were efficacious. It becomes a serious matter as to the protection of houses on that portion of the Quay, and it behoves the Borough Council to take, immediate steps in the matter. The low-lying portion of the town, which has been under water for the last two or three days, was drained on Saturday. The cause of the flooding, it is generally thought, was the drains being choked up with kerosene tint, and other rubbish. A channel was, by order of the Corporation, cut across Weld street on Saturday eyening, which had the effect of carrying off the large body of water whioh covered Tancred street.