Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 722, 15 September 1870, Page 2

Local and General.

Bankruptcy. — According to the rules recently fixed by tlie Judges, the fees for filing a declaration of insolvency on and ufter the Ist October will be £2 ; filing ; petition by a creditor for adjudication, £2; < and filing any deed of arrangement between any debtor and bis creditors, £4. All notices : gazetted in any newspaper by any debtor • having filed his declaration of insolvency, or i by a bankrupt, shall be headed by the Royal : Arms, and by the words " In Bankauptcy " 1 iv letters larger than those adopted in the i body of the notice so gazetted, but one ' beading shall be sufficient for a column of < notices if they are all in bankruptcy. j ' Selling Ammdnitiox to the Natives. ] A man named Fagg was recently tried be- i fore the Supreme Court, Auckland, for ] selling arms and ammunition to the Natives, i and convicted. He appealed, but the decision j of the single Judge wa3 confirmed by all the i Judges of Appeal, and the prisoner accord- J ingly sentenced to three years' imprisonment i with hard labour, the heaviest sentence the i law would allow under the indictment. A t year each was added for two offences to y winch he had pleaded guilty. It will be s cj'nerally thought that Fagg richly deserves c aii be I.as go 1 , and more. [

Lincoln Township Fair. — The usual quarterly fair came off on Tuesday. The entries of stock were numerous, there being upwards of 100 head of cattle present and a pen of fair cross-bred hoggetts. ;.A great many sales were effected at current rates-, the "hoggetts realised about 7s 3d. We understand that it is intended to hold fairs on the second Tuesday of each month for the next three months, and to reduce the fair fees to one-fourth of the present rates upon unsold stock. It has also been proposed to allow auction sales to be held after a certain hour on fair days, but no conclusion has been arrived at as yet, and it is doubtful whether the shareholders will give their consent to such an innovation. Pr iBBLETON. — The Prebbleton vestry have called a meeting of all those interested in the erection of a new church in this place, to discuss the best means of securing that object. The building used at present for the services of the Church was put up in 1862, on a site given by Mr John Tosswill, the cost of its erection being defrayed partly by private subscription and also by a grant of £150 from a fund at the disposal of the Bishop. It has been of great service to the district, having been used for over six years as a school and for other public purposes. It is however much more useful than ornamental, and we are glad to note that the intention is to build a new church, and not to enlarge the present building. As a matter of course all the churchmen in the district will subscribe liberally, and those belonging to other denominations should not refuse a helping hand, for the church has a claim upon their support, from the fact that it was for some years the only religious body holding services in the neighbourhood. Tub Government PoLicr.— On Mr Yogel moving the second readiDg of the Appropriation Bill, Mr Richmond is reported to have indulged in the following feeble bit of jocularity : — The present session had been a most remarkable one, not merely as regarded the colony, but also in the annals of legislative assemblies. The only parallel that occurred to him was in the early days of the Roman empire, when the Praetorian Guard, on the death of the Emperor, elevated the Imperial purple on the end of a spear and offered it to the highest bidder. The Colonial Treasurer, with prospective millions at his disposal, was a bidder for the Imperial purple. In the case of the Roman empire, to which he had alluded, the name of the last Roman Emperor who thus purchased the purple was Didius Julianus. (Laughter.) Another aspirant for it, Sulpicius (the hon. member for Timaru), had bid what would now. amount to one hundred pounds per man to each of the Praetorian Guard ; but Didius Julianus, fearing to lose the purple, had offered two hundred pounds per man, but — and he did not know whether this would still apply to the end — Didiu3 Julianus only wore the Imperial purple for some eight months after this transaction. (Laughter.) St. John's Presbyterian Church, Ltttelton. — The committee of the above church held a tea meeting at the Colonists' Hall on Tuesday evening last, and may be congratulated on having been so successful in their efforts to enable their friends to enjoy themselves, and at the same time benefit the church. The hall was densely crowded long before the appointed time for tea. The tables were gratuitously supplied and presided over by Mesdaraes McGowan, Macpherson, Ferguson, Campbell, McDonald, Leslie, Grubb, Godfrey, Pitcaithley, Chalmers, Miss Fyfe, and Miss Stout. After the ..:,:<»».... j».»A~<Mw>&y- o *M\g~k^^ J hjrry^noft;jrthc conductorship of Mr J. Carder, sang the Grace, and Mr J. Anderson, of Christchurch, was voted to the chair. The Rev — M'Gowan, the pastor of the church, expressed his pleasure at seeing such a numerous assembly. Speeches were delivered by the Revs. F. Knowles, C. Fraser, Mr A. Duncan, and the chairman. Mr T. B. Craig gave a humourous reading. The choir gave effectively several part songs, and musical selections were also contributed by Mr Loveday and his son, and Master W. Davis. The evening's entertainment was brought to a close by the National Anthem, and we have no doubt the funds realised will materially assist in paying off the debt now resting on the church. Lecture.— Last night the Rev. A. R. Fitchett delivered a lecture in St. James' Wesleyan Chapel, Montreal street, on " Egypt and the four books of Moses." Mr Garrick presided over a numerous auditory, who listened to the address with the greatest attention throughout. The Rev. Lecturer proceeded to state that Egypt had orginally been called the land of darkness, but now it may be called the land of wonders. Rain in Egypt is an unusual phenomenon, the husbandmen there being entirely independent of it. Egypt is just a river of fertility, 700 miles long and 7 miles broad. Cultivation is not only sustained but created by the Nile; it is still called in the east the land of Mizraim, after the third son of Ham. The peculiar character of the climate tends to preserve the monuments of Egypt so that they still look quite fresh and new. A description of the hieroglyphics, or priest writing, which relate to events of almost every conceivable kind, and have thrown much light on the history written by Moses was given, also an interesting account of how these writings were deciphered. We have a confirmation of Moses' account from the monuments regarding the history of Egypt—that the human race came from somewhere in Asia, that the family of Mizraim came over the Isthmus of Suez, and settled down in the valley of the Nile. Ham or Ammon was the greatest of the Egyptian gods. There were always two monarchs in Egypt — two Pharoahs, who were always rivals, reigned in upper and lower Egypt, the boundaries of which varied according to the successes of the rival kings. The incidents connected with Potiphar, Joseph, Pharaoh's chief butler and baker, and their dreams, also Pharoah's dreams, as related by Afoses, are all more or less confirmed by these monumental inscrip-

tions. A lucid explanation was given of the causes of the seven years' plenty and famine in the days of Joseph. The monuments also bear their testimony to the political and social changes that took place after the days of Joseph. No house of any consequence was considered sufficiently furnished except it had several mummies of ancestors ranged round the walls of the dining-room. The lecture was illustrated by numerous diagrams, and the Durham street church choir, under Mr Spensley, sung several sacred pieces. Votes of thanks to the lecturer, the choir, and the chairman were accorded by acclamation. We understand that this lecture is the first of a series on the same subject. The Opposition. — The Southern Cross of a recent date made the following remarks: — " Banded opposition there is none; each memberer speaks for himself, and continually the Opposition atoms oppose each other. Individually they are mightily athirot for office, but a joint effort to gain their end is no longer possible to them. Such has been the effect of the financial scheme of this year; it has created the most alarming confusion among the ranks of the enemy. Mr Stafford apparently deems it beneath him to take a prominent part in the petty wranglings to which we have alluded, and most people will think he shows his wisdom in so doing. After years of toil for his country's good, he sees his party broken up, his friends at enmity amongst themselves, and the chance of any immediate reorganization of these disjecta membra becoming fainter day by day. Under these circumstances, like a true sage, he takes to philosophy and silence, revolving, no doubt, much deep wisdom on the transient nature of lame: meanwhile externally, he at length reclines his limbs upon a bed of political ashpodel. Mr Fitzherbert is considered to be coqueting and making such quiet approaches to the Government as can be made under the shadow of an opposition. For he does oppase at times, but always defers in the most courteous manner when the Government expresses an opinion. Mr Richmond is set down as a would-be leader without a following, — a general whose army exists principally in his imagination ; yet is his imagination so vivid, his self-cnn-fidence so great, that he scruples , not to adopt the language of vehement denunciation, and as from a position of awful superiority to cry aloud against the sins of the present Government. Nearest in accordance with Mr Richmond is placed Colonel Haultain, who appears to maintain a grim attitude of reserve towards his ex-colleagues. He who once, in office, was so loyal, so ready to support his friends through thick and thin, falters now in his course, knowing that his affections have been misplaced. Of all the ex-Ministry Mr' Hall seems to take the most uncertain and least definite line. If we may venture upon a conjecture we should say that his feelings were not altogether uninfluenced by just a shade of jealousy towards Mr Richmond." The Hon. John Hall didn't relish these remarks, it appears, for he is reported to have'thus referred to them in the House of Representatives: — Mr Hall wished to make a personal explanation with regard to an article appearing in the Daily Southern Cross reflecting on hia character. The article accused him of a line of conduct towards an hon. colleague which was totally unfounded. The article accused him of jealousy towards his hon. friend the member for Grey and Bell. He utterly denied this, and desired to state that none but the most cordial relations had ever existed between himself and his hon. colleague, and he hoped -thfiykfwfcWffleffe tfiaPkwpWtHSU d i<l J3S.I House had any connection with the journal alluded to, but he thought he was perfectly justified in bringing this forward. Ashley Road Board.— The Ashley Road Baard held its monthly meeting on the 10th inst. Present— Mr Cunningham (chairman), and Messrs Barker, Banks, Cone, and Free. Minutes of the former meeting were read and confirmed. For the convenience of persons in attendance, tenders for work advertised were opened. No. 1, Joyce's Road, G. and H. Fisher, 33 lOd per chain (accepted); Pattrick and Co., 3s ll£d. No. 2. Chapel Road and culverts, G. and H. Fisher, 5s 9d per chain, including culverts; T.Hodgson, 5s 3d per chain (accepted); E. Phillpots, 5s per chain and £4 8s culverts. No. 3. Eastern Boundary Road, James Thwaites, £7; E. Rossiter, £7 (accepted). The Chairman reported having obtained a legal opinion to the effect that the Board had a right to enter on private property, giving due notice, and remove every obstruction to the natural flow of water affecting roads. The Chairman also reported receiving from the assessor the assessment of district, a copy of which he had sent to the Secretary for Public Works. The original had been left at Free's store for inspection, and advertised in the Lyttellon Times and Press. The Chairman reported getting 200 copies of Notice Schedule E for non-resident ratepayers. The Chairman also reported that Mr Fendall and he, having agreed to call in Mr Ollivier, the Provincial Auditor, as umpire between the two Boards, and having met on Friday last at the Audit Oltice, that gentleman made the following award:— " Provincial Audit

Office, Sept. 9, 1870.— 1 am requested by Mr Fendall, aa Chairman of the, Kowai Road Board, and Mr Cunningham, as Chairman of the Ashley Road Board, to act as arbitrator between the said Boards, and to determine what portion, if any, of the balance lying to the credit of the Kowai Road Board at the Bank of New Zealand on the Ist January, 1870, amounting to £276 18s 4d, should have been paid over to the Ashley Road Board on the said Ist January, 1870, when the district was divided. After hearing the statements of both gentlemen, and after a careful examination of the accounts laid before me by Mr Fendall on behalf of the Kowai Road Board, I am of opinion that the Ashley Road Board was entitled to and should have been paid the sum of £100 as their portion of the said balance, in full satisfaction of all and every claim which irijjht

arise, and I award that the said sum of £100 be forthwith paid to the Ashley Road Board accordingly.— J. Ollivier, Provincial Auditor." The Chairman reported having fixed upon the Loburn Schoolroom for the Revising Commissioner to hold his court. Sundry letters and replies were read. The Board agreed that D. Banks should put down two culverts with a small cutting for 309, and to allow him timber for another near his own section. The Board agreed to get 3000 feet of black birch for culverts. A memorial from Sinclair and others was considered. The Board agreed to attend to it as soon as it is in funds. Sundry accounts, amounting to £97 12s Bd, were ordered to be paid. The Board then adjourned for a month. Coaching.— From our Otago files we learn that Cobb and Co.'s well-known line of mail coaches in that province has changed hands. Mr Chaplin has retired from the business, and Mr F. P. Mansfield, so long and favourably known as the manager of this important I service, has become proprietor. JSSevere Loss of Sheep. — The Timaru paper of Sept. 14, learns that several stations in the Mackenzie Country have suffered severely during the last few weeks through the heavy fall of snow. In some cases it is said hundreds of sheep have been found dead, and men have been employed for several days in skinning them. Mr Heller. — Another large audience assembled at the Canterbury Music Hall last night to be delighted and astonished at the versatile skill of Mr Heller. To-night a new programme will be submitted, the musical part being notably attractive. In addition to high class selections there is a most amusing item announced as " piano-fortical illustrations of the piano practice of a boarding-school miss." Literaht Institute. — The ordinary monthly meeting of this Institute was held last evening, at their rooms. Present — The Rev C. Fraser (in the chair), and Messrs Crosbie, Martin, Pratt, Jones, Black, Fyfe (Secretary), Thomson (Treasurer). After confirming the minutes of the last meeting, the Secretary reported that in accordance with permission given, a French class had been formed, which promised to be a success. The Treasurer's statement, which showed a balance of cash in hanl of £8 6s 7d, was approved. The outstanding liabilities would readily be paid off by incoming subscriptions; the rent from the Savings Bank would also accrue. Among other donations was one from Mr G. Gould, to the value of £60. It was also reported that the Philosophical Institute had rented the upstairs rooms at £25 per annum, subject to detail arrangements. Messrs Crosbie and Fyfe were deputed to revise the arrangement of files of local papers, and after some routine business the committee specially adjourned until the 24th inst., when a meeting will be held to consider the order for home papers and periodicals. The Dead Alive. — A curious tfcory is told by the Gaulois of the disappearance from the Paris Morgue of a body which had been brought there. The police having found a man lying insensible in the streets, called in the assistance of a doctor, who declared that the man was dead in consequence of congestion of the brain. The body was conveyed to the Morgue, was undressed, and placed upon one of the slab 3 with the clothing suspended above. In the pockets were found a purse and a letter with an address. The keeper of the Morgue was astonished the next morning to fiud the body had disappeared, together with the clothes. He proceeded to the address upon the letter, and inquired for n Jmeptioiied, and was at once introduced to STTSfau -lu-'numu-uc-nxugmneaiHi, missing charge. This man, a printer, employed at the office of the Gaulois, explained that he was subject to cataleptic attacks, which sometimes lasted from eight to ten hours. On the previous evening he had been taken with one of these fits, and remained unconscious until early in the morning, when, recovering, he found himself at the Morgue, with his clothes hanging over him. He dressed himself, and, as the doors were only latched, he took his leave, intending to return later to reclaim his purse, and to explain the causes of his sudden disappearance from legal custody.