Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 667, 13 July 1870, Page 2

Local and General.

Tub Cavalry Band. — A Jrocal and instrumental concert will be given to-morrow evening, in the Town Hall, in aid of the funds of the Yeomanry Cavalry Band. The programme is unusually attractive. Lecture.— Dr Haast has kindly consented to deliver a lecture on Friday evening next, at the Colonists' Hall. The subject is " The formation of Banks' Peninsula and Volcanic Action." Members of the Colonists' Society *and their families will be admitted free. .£ Fikes in Lyttklton. — The inhabitants of P this town were alartno'l last night, about six o'clock, by the ringing of the fire bell, when it was found that one of the chimneys of the Lyttelton Gaol was on fire. This was almost immediately extinguished, and the excitement had scarcely subsided when the fire bell rang a secoud time. Flames were seen rising in the direction of Dampier's Bay. It turned out that a house belonging to Mr Littlecott, of the Queen's Hotel, and in the occupation of Capt. Galbraith (of the Ocean Wave) was on fire.^JThe town was soon alarmed, and large numbers of persons hurried to the spot. The flames, however, had got such a hold of the building that it was soon gutted. We learn the following particulars. It appears that Mrs Galbraith waß sitting in the front room, when she heard a noise as if a cart was passing the house. 'Her son ran out to see what it wa3, and saw flames coming up through the chimney. In a few minutes the roof was on fire, and so rapid was the work of destruction, that nothing in the way of furniture could be taken out. On examining the ruins, the cause of the disaster was apparent. In the front room chimney some bricks had become displaced, and the flames from the fire had penetrated through and caught the skirting boards of the next room. The police were quickly on the spot, and tried to save some of the property adjoining the house. Constable Davidson had a very narrow escape from being severely injured. The house and con- , tents were uninsured. I

The Voi.uKTEEßg>4The inspection appointed for last night was postponed, in consequence of the extreme inclemency of the weather. ./ Theatre" Royal. — Despite the inclement nature of the weather, there was a fair atttendance at the Theatre last evening. Ihe curtain rose to the two-act comedy of " Who Killed Cock Robin." The piece was capitally performed, the acting of Mr Steele, as Jack Ragget ; Mrs Steele, as Satanella and Mr Searle, as Tinkle, being equally deserving of praise. "Kitheiine and Petruchio " terminated the performances. The Lyttelton Loyal Orange Lodge. The members of this lodge, to the number of 60, sat down to an excellent dinner, served by Bro. Littlecott at the Queen's Hotel, last night, to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. Brother Thomas Wallis, Grand Master of the Middle Island, occupied the chair. After the usual loyal toasts, the health of the Earl of Inniskillen, Grand Master of the Orange Society, was drunk with great enthusiasm. Some capital songs brought to a close a pleasant evening. «vAvon Road Board. — A meeting of the Board was held on Tuesday last. The members | resent were Messrs Abbott, Norman, and Philpotts; Mr Abbott in the chair. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The clerk's report was read, in which it was stated that the two labourers had been employed since last Board day on the North Road, and that the Springfield Road required some more gravel, which was ordered to be supplied. yThe clerk was instructed to ascertain if the inhabitants of St. Albans would previde the timber for a culvert on the roadside opposite the school, about two chains. % The following tenders were received for clearing the creek through Bing's land, and keeping the same clear for 12 nonths: — Coleman, 2s 6d per chain; Hannan, 2s 5d per chain ; Holden and Nicholson, 3s 5d per chain. The Board accepted the tender of Hannan, subject to Mr Bing guaranteeing the cost of the same. The meeting then adjourned. A.0.F., Canterbury United District. — The half yearly meeting took place on Tuesday, July 12, at the Foresters' Hall, Lyttelton. The following officers were present : — D.C.R. Bro. Carroll, D.S.C.R. Bro Hudson, D.*v Bro. Allifon, D.J. Bro. Crooks. Cre-. dentials were handed to the chair, from the following delegates :— Court 2309, P.D.C.R. Bro. i'ine, and P.C.R. Bro. Long. From Court 2703, P.D.C.R, Bro. Willcox, and P.C.R, Bro. Thompson. The D.C.R. then opened court in the usual form, after which the miuutea of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Applications from Court 2309 the funeral donations for the widow of the late Bro. Macdonald, and Bro. Burrows, for his late wife, were passed to the treasurer for payment. The district officers reported that the sum of sixty pounds had been transmitted to the executive council of the High Court for goods required. The report was received and approved. The district officers gave their report of the investigation into the affairs of the Court Albion at Kaiapoi, together with the expenses attending the same, also recommending the services rendered to the court by Bro. A. Dobbs as hon. secretary. It was resolved that the thanks of the district, together with a neck-ribbon be presented to Bro. A. Dobba. The following correspondence wa3 then read from the High Court and executive council : — From Court Pride of the West, Hokitika, accompanied with cash returns and balance-sheet ; lilso from Court Good Intent, Ross Town ; and Court Waimea, Stafford Town. The rules of the district were then considered previous to registering the same, after which the court was closed in the usual form. Popular Entertainments. — The attendance at the Town Hall last night was a most pleasing testimony to the estimation in which the efforts of the Winter Entertainments Association are held. Notwithstanding the very adverse state of the weather, there was a large attendance, and not the least noticeable fact was the presence of a considerable number of ladies. The programme deserved this general recognition in the fullest sense, for in addition to local talent, there was an offlcient reinforcement from Lyttelton. The Rev. C. Fraser presided, and after a brief opening address, introduced the respective contributors of amusement to the audience. Some alteration had to be made in the published programme, but it did not suffer by the change. The entertainment was opened by the performance of Haydn's Symphony No. 11, Messrs Zinckgraff (piano), T. Lee (violin), Phillips (violin), J. Thompson (flute), and Spensley (violincello), being the instrumentalists. This composition, together with "Cherubini," from Calcott's [ " Half hours with the best composers," and Haydn's Symphony No. 7, given at later periods of the evening, was very creditably rendered. Mr Inglis read " Our Dogs," by Dr Brown, which was evidently well appreciated by the audience. Miss Rogers sung " To-morrow " very correctly, a little more spirit only being required to make it a complete success. Dr Haast sung the German song " Mein Engel," by Esser, to which a well-deserved encore was awarded. In response, he gave the Suabian popular song, and later on the Swedish song "In the Forest." Mr Craig rend Charles Lamb's essay on "Roast Pig," and received a hearty round of applause. Mr Carder contributed Gabriel's new song v Out in the" Streets,' supported by a choius of five voices — Messrs Woledge, Spensley, Crosbie, Miller, and Lee. Being in capital voice, he was loudly encored. Mr Thomas followed with a very judiciously abridged piece called " Mistaken Identity," from Cuthbert Bede's " College Life." It is a very amusing trifle, and being well read, was demonstratively applauded. Mr Woledge came next, and achieved the most conspicuous success of the evening. He sung a most ludicrous medley, entitled " Robinson Crusoe," and was encored. Not satisfied with making one demand, the audience,

after the response to the encore had been j given, insisted upon another, and Mr Woledge complying with it, sung '• Complaints and Remedies," from Terry's burlesque on the " Pilgrim of Love," with still greater effect. The chairman announced that Mr Bradwell's prize would be competed for on the 26th instant ; competitors to send in their names on or before the 19th instant ; also, that a prize of £5 for the best glee, by male voices unaccompanied, was offered ; the competing parties not to number less than three, and each party to sing two glees during the evening ; also, that a prize of £3 3s would be given for the best song by a lady, and the same amount for one by a gentleman ; the competitors in each case not to number less than four, and names to be sent in on or before the 19th instant.