Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 703, 24 August 1870, Page 2

Local and General.

"•" Postal. — The Timaru papers report that after Monday last there would be daily mail communication between Temuka and Timaru. In addition to the through mails from Christchurcb, mails were to be received and despatched on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The Weather. — The storm which seems to have been predicted by the electrical disturbances observed at the Telegraph Office on Sunday, came in full force yesterday. It rained incessantly, and at times violently, throughout the whole of the day and evening, with every appearance of continuing. Capture op a Seal at Akaroa. — A very large hair seal was caught in German Bay, r Akaroa, on Monday, the 22nd inst. When first discovered, the tide was low and his sealship some distance from the water, but before he could make good his retreat Mr J. Hammond, of German Bay, with his sons, succeeded in killing him. The animul was stated to be 12 feet in length. Accident. — We are sorry to record a serious accident which occurred last week to a man named Parker, living in Laverock Bay. It appears Parker and his mate were at work felling timber, when the axe belonging to his mate struck him on the leg, inflict ing a frightful gash just above the knee. He was conveyed to Lyttelton in the ketch Margaret, and thence to the Christchurch Hospital. „/A Waif from: twe Ocean. — A man from ihe station of Mr Charles Haylock, North Heads, Akaroa, picked up a life buoy in Blind Bay on the 21st in*t. The buoy was marked M. A. Wilson, Liverpool, and apparently had been in the water for some time, as it was quite sodden. Blind Bay lies midway hetween the North Head of Akaroa and Flea Bay. From the Home News we learn that the ship Mary Ann Wilson, of Liverpool, sailed from London for Sydney on Oct. 20, 1869. An Unpleasant Experience. — Mr Reynolds, one of the members for Dunedin, in the debate on Mr Travers' motion in the House of Representatives, regarding trial by jury, seized the opportunity to relate a personal experience of his own. He happened . on one occasion, he said, unfortunately to be on a jury, eleven members of which were agreed as to the verdict, and one dissented. They were likely to be locked up for the night, when one of the jurymen said, " I will „.s.con make him give in." He •' squared " at the juryman, and the result was that he gave in " The Evergreen." — Mr Dry's work of art bearing this title was opened to public exhibition at Leamington House yesterday, but owing to the very unpleasant weather was not largely patronised. The unique originality of the design and excellence of workmanship displayed by the view offer peculiar recommendations to the public support and no one can possibly regret an inspection of it. The feeling induced mußt on the oontrary be one of admiration for the ingenuity, skill, and indomitable perseverance which have brought Buch an effective picture — for such it must be called — into existence. Ecclesiastical. —We learn from our Timaru files that the newly-erected St Saviour's Church, at Temuka, was to be opened by special services on Sunday last, and tbat these services were to be conducted by the Rev W. H. Cooper, mission clergyman. From Waimate it is reported that the Rev W. H. Cooper held three services in the school-room on Sunday, the 14th inst. There was a numerous and : attentive congregation at all the services. The sacrament was administered to many cemraunicants, and a Sabbath school formed. Funds are being raised to build a church, and for the support of a resident clergyman for this district. Theatre Royal. — The comedy and burlesque company, after an uninterrupted season of seven months' duration, bade adieu to the playgoers of Christchurch last night, preparatory to a visit to the North. Unfortunately the weather was exceedingly inclement, otherwise there would doubtless have been a crowded house. As it was, the attendance was much larger than could have been expected under the circumstances. The performances comprised " Raising the Wind " and " Lurline," together with a vocal interlude. The company will proceed to Wellington to day, and will in all likelihood •return to Christchurch in less than six weekß. In view of their re-appearance here, they have taken a further lease of the Theatre .for six months, and in the interim it will be re-decorated and re-furnished. Popular Entertainment Association. — We think that this body acted more wisely in offering a prize for the best executed glee or partsong than, aa on the last occasion, for the best solo. We must, however, express our surprise and regret that whereas some -eight or ten persons more or less incompetent as solo singers came forward to compete" on that occasion, only two quartette parties entered the lists last night. This does not look well. A professedly musical town like Christchurch, with three musical societies, ought to h ive produced ten such parties for

competition. We are afraid that our| amateurs prefer to shine rather as indifferent soloists than as participators in the delightful exercise of part-singing. We suspect that the truth lies in the fact that whereas it is possible to learn a song "by ear," as it is termed, it requires some knowledge of music and some reading power to take part in a glee or partsong. Having said this we are glad to state that all the gentlemen who appeared yesterday evening came well prepared with their work. The prize-winning party comprised Messrs Bell, Price, Hobbs, and Dunlop ; all more or less experienced vocalists. Their first glee " When Evening's Twilight " rather disappointed us, and was certainly inferior to any of the other pieces of the evening. They made amends for this, however, in Hatton's exquisite partsong " Stars of the Summer Night," which was very nicely and expressively sung. It was a little out of tune here and there, but was sufficiently well done to show what might be accomplished if male voices could only be got to practise together. The second party consisted of siugers much less experienced — the Messrs Gates and Anthony; and we are bound to give them very hearty praise. Both their part songs were admirably sung, not by any means faultlessly, but well enough to reflect great credit on their efforts. We would wish now to make one or two remarks on the remaining musical features of the entertainment. I'he best of these was Mr Lingard's " Excelsior," but Blockley's muse is weaker than even Longfellow's words, which is saying a good deal in our opinion. Mrs Rogers sang two songs, which didn't please us much. The public seems to have made up its mind to be pleased with anything, even when voice and accompaniments are totally at variance both as regards time and tune. But the crowning horror of the evening was a violin solo (the "Carnival of Venice," with variations), which was simply excruciating. We would entreat the gentleman who played it to have a few elementary lessons before venturing on another solo in public, as there are, occasionally, a few musicallysensitive people in the hall. The readings comprised " A case of Mystery" (Cuthbert Bede) by Mr J. G. Hawkes ; •■ King Robert of Sicily," from Longfellow's -' Wayside Inn," by the Rev. C. Fraser ; " Disagreeable People, " by the Rev. E. A. Lingard, and -* Nothing to Wear," by Mr Crosbie. Mr Lawrence also recite 1 " Marco Bozzaris." During the absence of the judges the chairman intimated that the last entertainment of the present series would in all probability be given that night fortnight, but the association purposed originating a series of open air entertainments for the summer months. They would take place either in the Domain or in one of the puUic squares, and would be open to all who chose to attend free of charge. The programme on each occasion would be varied by instrumental music, a band being specially engaged for the purpose, and athletic games, the expenses to be defrayed out of the surplus funds remaining from the winter series of entertainments. The announcement was greeted with loud ap plause, and Mr Crosbie on behalf of himself and colleagues, the Rev. E. A. Lingard and R. W. Packer, announced that Messrs Bell, Price, Hobbs, and Dunlop were awarded the prize for the glee. In the absence of Mr J. Ollivier, the Rev. C. Fraser consented to preside, and opened the proceedings with a brief reference to the national calamity sustained by the death of Charles Dickens. He said the works of this author, not only evinced great study and observation, but genius of a very high order. Dickens had also laboured hard in a good man's work — trying to leave the world better than he found it, and had accomplished much. His works were well worthy the study of all classes, and could not do otherwise than interest, whilst at the same time they instilled good principles. The entertainment was brought to a close by the National Anthem. The Suez Canal. — The Times says : — Advices received in Liverpool state that the steam trade through the Suez Canal is rapidly increasing, and that the rates of freight have scarcely undergone any diminution since the last accounts. Up to April 30 the following movements of steamers had occurred : — The Magdala had sailed for Liverpool, with 7214 bales of cotton, and the Apollo, with 6206. The John Dryden, the Europe, the Egitto, the Delaware, the Atlas, the Alonzo, aud the Adalia were to follow, with full cargoes of cotton, by the canal. Telegraphing. — The following is from the New Orleans Times: — Those who witnessed some experiments on (he 15th of May in the office of the Western Union Company in this city believe that the limit of the capacity of the telegraph wires is not yet known. A combinatton of circuits was formed, varying in length from 3000 to 5000 mileß, through which Mr R. C. Duncan, chief operator of the company in this city and one of the most accomplished of the profession, sent messages with great ease and rapidity. The first circuit formed was from New Orleans, via New York, to Plaister Cove, Nova Scotia, the terminus of the Atlantic Cable, a distance of 3000 miles. The operators, thus widely separated, chatted together with perfect ease, the signals coming rapidly and with great distinctness. After a few moments' conversation, another circuit of still greater length was made up, and we are informed that it was the longest land circuit through which intelligible signals were ever sent. Nine repeaters were used, one each at Home, Georgia, Lynchburgh, Virginia, New York City, Pittsburgh, two at Cincinnati, one each at St. Louis, Chicago, and Memphis. The writing was returned to New Orleans almost as clearly as when leaving the office, having passed through 18 States and over 4,800 miles of wire. The electric current traversed the distance in about three quarters of a second. The writing was transmitted as rapidly as on ordinary short wire.

A Good Beginning.— An important announcement is made by Bell's Life, viz. — that Government are determined to abolish the whole of the -list betting at Epsom, and the Clerk of the Course and Messrs Barnard and Langlands have already received notice not to let any part of the ground they hire from Mr Briscow, the lord of the manor, for list betting. There will also be an attempt to put down the bag-men. Prussia and the Baltic. — According to a Berlin correspondent of the Patrie, the Prussians are about to construct very strong works upon the island of Alsen, which, when completed, will, It is believed, render the position impregnable These works will comprise three sar-shaped forts, with double tiers of guns, and five coast batteries comm«nding tbe passage of the Little Belt. All these batteries will be iron faced and armed with the heaviest ordnance. Operations are also about to commence at Hcerupp Haffe, a wide and deep bay, which it is intended to render capable of receiving and sheltering the Federal fleet. " When these works are completed," adds the Patrie, " Prussia, which is already firmly established in the formidable position of Duppel, will have the command of the North Sea, the Baltic, and the Straits." An Irish Parliament. — The Dublin correspondent of the Times, says : —The movement in favour of a federal Parliament for Ireland is proceeding quietly, but earnestly. On Thursday evening a meeting was held Rt which the Key. Professor Galbraith, F.T.C.D. presided, and speeches were delivered by persons representing different political sections. The Conservative and " National " elements were in greatest force, but there was a sprinkling of the old Hepealers who attended to watch the course of this movement, but they have not as yet identified themselves with it. Some of the speakers attempted to advocate an extreme policy, but they were silenced by the meeting, and in one or two instances left in disappointment. Another meeting will be held on Thursday evening next, and no efforts will be spared to make the agitation real and urgent. The word " repeal " is for the present at least repudiated, lest it should frighten the timid, and the programme is strictly limited to an Irish Parliament for local purposes, as well as Imperial representation. Manitodah. — Manitobah Lake, which lies north-west of Fort Garry, and has given a title to the province formed out of the Red River region, derives its name from a small island from which, in the stillness of night, issues a " mysterious voice." <»n no account will tiie Ojibways approach or land upon this island, supposing it to be the home of the Manitobah — " the Speaking God." The cause of this curious sound is the beating of the waves on the " shingle," or large pebbles lining the shores. Along the northern coast of the island there is a long low cliff of fine grained compact limestone, which, under the stroke of the hammer, clinks like steel. The waves beating on the shore at the foot of the cliff cause the fallen fragments to rub against each other, and to give out a sound resembling the chimes of distant church bell 9. This phenomenon occurs when the gales blow from the north, and then, as the winds subside, low, wailing sound-*, like whispering voices, are heard in the air. Travellers assert that the effect i 8 very impressive, and have been awakened at night under the impression that they were listening to church bells. A Professor and his Pupils. — The students of law at the University of Paris, like their brethren of the medical school, appear to be keen politicians and severe Democrats. The hostility against Dr Tardieu has subsided, and that learned professor has resumed his lectures, but M. Laboulaye, whose name had been prominently mentioned as a probable Minister of Public Instruction, has been the object of a violent demonstration on the part of the students attending his lectures. The first appearance of M. Laboulaye was the signal for uproar, hooting, and cries of "Au Senat," to which those students who remained loyal to their professor responded by counter cries and cheers. In an interval of comparative silence M. Laboulaye entered into an explanation of his conduct, and denied that he bad changed his political convictions, quoting in proof a sentence from a work written by him, in which he adopted the words of Benjamin Constant: — " Between a Constitutional Monarchy and a Republic the difference is in form. Between a Constitutional Monarchy and an absolute Monarchy the difference is fundamental." The disorder continued bo great, that the lecture was abandoned, and M. Labouiaye withdrew amid the hootings of his opponents and the cheers of his friends. An Operatic Discord. — Referring to the letter recently published in our (Times) I columns from Herr Wachtel, announcing his retirement from the Italian Opera Company at Co vent Garden, in consequence of a misunderstanding between Madame Patti and himself, the musical editor of Le Gaulois gives the following account of the difference between these distinguished singers: — " In one scene of ' Don Giovanni,' as is well known, the tenor Bings an air of some length, during which time Zerlina and Zannetto are left on the stage taking no part in the music. By a conventional arrangement the artistes representing these characters usually retire, and only return when the tenor has fiuished his air. At the last representation of ' Don Giovanni ' at Covent Garden, Herr Wachtel, who had requested Signor Tagliaflco to arrange with Madame Patti to observe the usual course, found, when about to commence his famous piece, that, although Signor Tagliafico had retired from the stage, Madame Patti was still there. Believing that she had misunderstood the arrangement, be said, in a low voice, * Leave the stage,' which Madame Patti at once did in great indignation, and immediately protested to Mr Gye that Bhe would never again sing with a tenor who could speak to her with such insolence. An explanation followed, whioh waß simply that Signor Tagliafico had omitted to inform Madame Patti of the desire of Herr Wachtel, and the lady at once admitted that the latter could not hive intended to affront her; but

Herr Wachtel, in his turn, was indignant, refused to sing again, and demanded tbat his engagement at £600 per month should be cancelled, which was done." Qualifications for Parliament. — A Democratic paper in Pennsylvania calls upon its party to nominate its best man for Congress — " one whose vigour is not wasted by years, or soul corroded by lust for gain ; who dresses decent, is in the prime of life; who, when elected, will honour the district by his mauliness, his intelligence, and his devotion always to the principles of our faith." Women Physicians — The Russian Government have decided to admit women into the Medical University of St. Petersburg, after passing an examination. They will be taught separately from the male Btudents and the whole course of study is limited to a period of four years. A diploma as midwife, which confers the right to practise, is to be given to those who go through all the prescribed examinations. A Wise Precaution. — The Union of Paris relates an instance of what it denominates the " parsimony " ou the part of the Crown Prince of Prussia, but which others ma}' regard as an instance of prudence. It appears that when the King of Prussia visited Carlsbad in 1865 the keeper of the hotel where his Majesty had lodged included in his bill a sum of 4000fl. for flowers used for the decoration of the apartments. Remembering this fact, the Prince Royal sent about three months ago one of his secretaries to Carlsbad to arrange with the hotel proprietor the terms for accommodation, without mentioning for whom the apartments were required. The hotel- keeper, believing that he was dealing with a private person, agreed to let a suite of six rooms for 90fl. a week. The meils, attendance, and other expenses were also fixed at a like moderate tariff, and it was only when his expected visitors arrived that the hotel-keeper found that the heir to the Prussian throne was to be his guest. The Fenian General. — The Pall Mall Gazette says :— Among other interesting incidents connected with the recent invasion of Canada by the Fenians, we learn from the New York Herald that after the United States' Marshal had captured General O'Neill and caried him off in a buggy, he found that gallant officer's nervousness rendered him a most fidgety and uncomfortable companion. He therefore proposed "to administer a stimulant." General O'Neill at once expressed his cordial approbation of this course of proceeding. The two, therefore, on reaching a place called High-gate alighted from the carriage, and, arm-in-arm, proceeded to a convenient place to obtain some whisky. General O'Neill poured out nearly a tumblerful of the fluid, and drank it off without flinching, to the astonishment of the barkeeper, who remarked that the General '• drank like a Fenian." General O'Neill, together wi h his love for Ireland, seems to combine a certain amount of affection for the ordinary enjoyments of life, for one complaint against him is that on the morning of the attack, when awakened at three o'clock by a captain belonging to his quarters, he merely said, -* All right," and fell asleep again. On two subsequent occasions he was awakened with no more practical result, and on being called a fourth time got up. Even then, however, he declined to proceed at once with the glorious work of liberating Ireland, but said " he guessed he would wait till breakfast." When we remember that all this time, while General O'Neill was sleeping and eating, Ireland was groaning, or supposed to be groaning, beneath the heel of the tyrant, and that General O'Neill, by invading Canada, was able, or supposed to be able, to give her immediate relief from suffering, we are not surprised to hear that some of the Fenians are very indignant, and threaten the moment General O'Neill leaves his prison to shoot him dead for treachery. It further appears that General O'Neill rode on a little pony, in citizen's clothes, his toes almost touching the ground, and a large cavalry sword dangling at his side. A Bishop on Charles Dickens. — On Sunday evening, June 12, the Bishop of Manchester preached at Westminster Abbey from the words, " Great is the mystery of godliness." The sermon was a plea for the toleration of differences of opinion where the foundations of religious truth were accepted. If the hope of a re-united Christendom were nothing better than a soothing dream, let us not (said the Bishop) disturb it needlessly by misrepresentations and jealousies. There might be unity of purpose beneath wide divergences of thought, and in spite of apparent differences of aim. In conclusion, the Bishop said : — " It will not be out of harmony with tbe line of thought we have been pursuing — certainly it will be in keeping with the associations of this place, dear to Englishmen, not only as one ef the proudest Christian temples, hut as containing the memorials of so many who, by their genius in arts, or arms, or statesmanship, or literature, have made England what Bhe is— if, in the simplest, briefest words, I allude to that sad and unexpected death which has robbed English literature of one of its brightest living ornaments, and the news of which two mornings ago must have made every household in England feel as though they bad lost a personal friend. He has been called in one notice an 'apostle of the people.' I suppose it is meant that he had a mission from God to man. He preached— not in a churcb, nor from a pulpit,- but in a style and fashion of his own— a gospel, a cheery, joyous, gladsome message, which the people understood, and by which they could hardly help being bettered ; it was the gospel of kindliness, of brotherly love, of sympathy in the widest sense of the word, of humanity. I am sure I have felt in myself the healthful influence of his teaching. Possibly we might not have been able to subscribe to the same creed in relation to God, but I think we should have subscribed to the same creed in relation to man. He who has taught us our duty to our fellow-men better than we knew it before, who knew so well to weep with them that weep and to rejoice with them that rejoice,

who has shown, with all his knowledge of the dark corners of the earth, how much sunshine may rest upon the lowliest lot, who had such evident sympathy with suffering, such a love of innocence, such a natural instinct of purity, that there is scarcely a page of the thousands which he has written which might not be put into the hands of a little child, may be regarded by those who recognise the diversity of the gifts of the Spirit aa a teacher sent from God. He would surely have been welcomed as a fellow-labourer in the common interests of humanity by him who asked the question, - If a man love not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen ?' " The English Abroad. — The Cologne Gazette dwells at some length, in a recent issue on the woes of an injured hotelkeeper of Frankfort. On the 24th of November, 1869, an Englishman and his wife entered the Hotel de Russe of that toVvh, the husband giving himself out to be a man of great literary importance in the service "of " the far-fam-d house " of Murray. The hotel-keeper was quite taken in, and received his guest with unusual distinction. By-aud-by, when a large account had been run up, the literary man was suddenly called away on business. His wife, however, was left at the hotel. Very soon she received a telegram from her distinguished spouse, informing her that a sad accident had happened — broken bones and other misfortunes. With streaming eyes she came to " the only too philauthropical hotelkeeper" and explained her terrible case. Her husband, she said, had omitted to leave money with which to pay the bill, and she did not know what to do. The landlord's heart was touched ; he opened his purse, and generously presented the lady with 60 thalers. She then went to join her husband. It soon occurred to the landlord after her departure that it was time he had heard from his grand English friends, but no letter came. He therefore wrote to them to their London address. Alas 1 no such name was there known. In vain enquiries were made in every direction. No traces of the charming couple were to be found till early in the present month, when they were discovered in an hotel in the Strand. As the hotelkeeper happened to be in London at the time, he confronted the culprits ; but they only pointed to their empty purses, and he had to be satisfied with reproaching them for their baseness. The Cokgne Gazette plainly says that this is no exceptional case ; tbat almost every year Englishmen visit the German baths, live expensively at first-class hotels, and then decamp without paying their bills. This is certainly a very pleasant thought for those travelling Englishmen who do think it their duty to discharge their debts, and shows how our national character is rising abroad. An Unrepentant Criminal. — The Figaro, of Paris publishes an account of the execution of Bayon, who was condemned to death for the murder of a merchant named Lubanski ia a railway carriage on the Paris and Lyons line. The prisoner was visited by the chaplain ot the gaol at Valence, where he was confined, but rejected all offers of spiritual assistance and advice. On the evening before the execution tbe chaplain again attempted to bring the prisoner into a better state of mind, but without success, although Bayon dearly understood that the fatal hour was near at hand, and, indeed, before retiring to rest laughingly stated so to his keepers. The next morning, at 4 o'clock, when the governor of the prison came to awaken him, he exhibited no emotion, and simply observed, " All right, I expected it." He then dressed himself, ate a hearty breakfast,' drank a cup of coffee, and after having smoked a cigar, resigned himself into the hands of the executioners from Lyons, Grenoble, and Nim'es, with whom he continued to converse while he was being prepared for the fatal operation. The venerable priest made another attempt to soften the heart of the prisoner ; but Bayon thrust him away, saying, with the utmost calmness, " No ; leave me alone, M. le Cure ; I have nothing to tell you." The chaplain, however, would not leave the unhappy man, but accompanied him from tbe prison. It was then halt-past 5 o'clock, and perceiving in the courtyard a carriage intended to convey him to the place of execution he complained and refused to enter it. "A coach," said he, "just as if one was going to the Palais de Justice. No, I wish to proceed on foot to the guillotine." The officers insisted upon his entering the vehicle; but in vain, aud at last, to avoid a dreadful struggle, which Bayon appeared determine d to make, they yielded to his wish, and allowed him to walk to the place of execution. One of the executioners took him by the arm, the chaplain walked by his side, and thus they passed through the outer gates of the prison, around wbich had gathered a considerable throng of persons, mostly women and children. Bayon looked around with a confident air, and then between a double line of soldiers, the melancholy procession advanced towards the scaffold, which was erected on the Place St. Felix. As they drew near to the Place the prisoner remarked to hia attendants upon the crowd of people who had assembled, '■ and noticing that some who saw him pass did not attempt to follow, he had the hardihood to exclain, " Well, why do you not come on ? The sight costs nothing." The priest had continued during all tbis time to pour into the ears of the condemned man words of repentance and pardon, but the latter took no notice whatever of them. Arrived at the foot of the scaffold, he quickened his movements, boldly ascended the steps, damp with the night's dew, and on reaching the platform he signed to the executioner to be expeditious in hia duty. The man being somewhat slow in fastening the straps which bound the prisoner in the fatal groove, Bayon looked up, and seeing the priest still near him, gave expression to his anger, and said harshly, "No more here than in the prison." These were the last words uttered by tbis hardened criminal. A few seconds later justice waa satisfied. A Paris lady is now mourning her eleventh husband.