Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 727, 21 September 1870, Page 2

Local and General.

.* Lz-A — »■ *:• A-A-aa Provincial CoDNCii..-^-The Council is summoned for the despatch of business on Friday, September 30.- ■-' " The Comic News." — We have received the first number of a new periodical with the above title, published at Dunedin. The letter-press is exceedingly tame, and the ; cartoon the worst of its class we have seen produced in the colony. VBlack Swans. — We are pleased to learn 4nat the black swans hive not all disappeared from the Avon. One bird is at present sitting on its nest at Riccarton, and is likely, unless disturbed by the white swans from Ham, to hatch a nice young brood. The nest is built in the centre of a large mass of watercress in the middle of the river, and the bird does not appear to be at all disturbed by the notice of passers-by. Natural Science. — At the last meeting of the Free Church Assembly at Edinburgh, it was announced that a legacy of £10,000 had been left by an elder of the church for the endowment of the chair of natural science in the Divinity Hall. This chair had been established in 1843, and had been maintained ever since, though with some difficulty. Its permanency may now be considered as guaranteed. The special object of the chair is to provide for a thorough acquaintance on the part of candidates for the ministry, with the many important questions discussed in the present day connected with natural science and frequently bearing upon topics of natural and revealed religion. The Weather. — The Provincial Gazette contains the results of meteorological observations at the Christchurch Station for the month of August. The mean atmospheric pressure for the month was 29.667 inches, and the mean of highest daily temperature was 49.6 Fah. The total rainfall on 19 days was 4.436 inches; the greatest rainfall on one day registered at 9.30 a.m. on the 26th for the previous 24 hours was 1.467. The Meteorological Observer remarks that the " rainfall during the month, extending over 19 days, was considerably in excess of the ; ordinary rainfall for this time of the year. It was 2.1 16 inches above the average for the month for the previous 6 years, and 0.253 above the fall in 1864, the highest previously registered at this station for August. From the 23rd to the 27th, rain to the depth of more than 2_ inches fell." Cricket. — We have been requested again to call the attention of cricketers to the meeting to be held this evening at White's Commercial Hotel for the purpose of forming a second cricket club in Christchurch. It is thought by the promoters that cricket is likely to languish if steps are not taken to promote competition and friendly rivalry amongst cricketers, and to keep the interest of the pubic alive in the game. When it is remembered that Christchurch possesses several boating clubs, and that other associations for the recreation and amusement of the - public are numerous, it would appear somewhat strange if such a popular English game as cricket were to be represented only by the United Canterbury Club and one or two small semi-private clubs. Mr Wynn Williams has kindly consented to preside at the meeting, which will commence at 8 p.m. sharp. We hope there will be a full attendance. \ jf'-THE War in Europe. — A meeting of v ' Germans was held at Barrett's Hotel last night to consider the advisability of collecting funds for the widows and orphans of those killed in the war. The meeting was well attended. It was resolved to establish an association to carry out the objects of the meeting, and Dr Haast was unanimously elected president, H. Cohn, secretary and treasurer; committee, Messrs Ruddenklau, Schmidt, Yogel, Hofmeister, Heyder, Hausmann, Bourgeois, Zinckgraf, and Ziem. It was decided that a concert should be given by Germans and friends of Germany in aid of the funds, and a sub-committee, consisting of Dr Haast, Messrs Weber, Linn, Biinz, Zinckgraf, Schmidt, Cohn, and Ruddenklau, was appointed to make the necessary arrangements. The sum of £20 was subscribed in the room. It was resolved to make an appeal to Germans in the outlying districts to send subscriptions to any member of the committee, and that subscriptions from English sympathisers would be thankfully received. It was- also determined to celebrate the formation of the association by a dinner. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. Core Boating Club. — A special general meeting of this club was held at the Pier Hotel on Monday evening ; nearly all the members were present, and Dr Dudley, vicepresident, occupied the chair. A letter was read from Mr G. L. Mellish, accepting the office of president. Mr C. E. Dudley said, acting upon instructions from tho club, he had asked Mr J. C. Boddington to accept the office of vice-president; and that gentleman had expressed his willingness to act. It was *■ resolved that he be elected. Mr R. H. Mathews handed in a tender to build a new [ boat for the club, 42 feet long, at a cost of . £44 ; the boat to be completed in six weeks [ from acceptance of tender. A long discusi sion ensued as to whether it would be advi- [ sable, considering the low state of the funds, . to accept the tender at once or defer its conL sideration till next meeting. It was ulti- _ mately decided to adopt the latter course. . Mr C. Oram urged upon the club the neces- , sity of at once giving an order for a new t boat. There was not much time in which i to consider the matter, if the club intended . to purchase a boat for use at the forthcoming _ regattas. Rather than see the club placed - in its present position he would, on receiving . a cheque from the secretary for £20, r guarantee the payment of the balance, if the order were given at once. It was unanimously resolved that Mr Oram's offer be accepted, with thanks. The tender of Mr Mathews was then accepted, the boat to be finished, subject to the approval of the fol- - lowing committee, viz: — Messrs G. L. Mellish, C. E. Dudley, and W. Burnip. It was

resolved that the opened ;oh i Oct. 7, by a processioityof r boats -oil tiie river ; also, that aball take place in the evening,- the "proceeds of which; are to be "appropriated, towards paying for- the' new boat;"." The secretary announced that twenty -four working and two honorary members had joined the club this year. The meeting then adjourned. S. Michael's Church. — We understand that the Festival of S. Michael and All Angels, the 29th instant, has been definitely fixed for the laying of the corner-stone of the new S. Michael's Church. The stone will be laid by the Right Rev. the Primate, with the usual ceremonies, after morning prayers, which will begin at 1 1 .30, in the old church. The stone for the foundation-walls is all on the ground, having been conveyed thither from the Cathedral site ; a portion of the heavy timber has also arrived. Avon Road Board. — A meeting of the Board was held yesterday. The members present were Messrs Abbott, Lame, and Norman ; Mr Abbott in the chair. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter ■was received from Mr Peacock (chairman), tendering his resignation as a member of the Board, as he was unable to attend regularly. The Board expressed their regret at the receipt of the same. The Board then proceeded to elect a chairman, and upon the motion of Mr Lame, Mr Abbott was elected. The clerk's report was read, which stated that the two labourers had been employed during the month repairing the roads and clearing the drains. Also, that he . had let the contract for clearing the No. 2 Canal Reserve drain, Messrs Rhodes, Recce, Mitchell, and Brooks agreeing to provide the cost of the same. Mr Searell had an interview with the Board, asking for a reduction in his rate for the year 1870, on account of the mill being closed for nine months through the stopping up of the mill race. The Board resolved that one half of the rate be remitted. A letter was received from Mr John Grigg, asking for a bridge across the drain on the accommodation road on the north side of rural section 135. The Clerk was directed to ascertain if it was necessary, and the cost of the same, and to report at next meeting. A letter was received feom Mr W. E. Munday respecting the over-assessment of his property. The Board resolved that they could not entertain his application, his remedy being through the Revising Officer's court. A letter was received from the Chairman of the Board of Conservators in reference to the Waimakariri rate. The clerk was directed to collect the same without delay. Letters were received from Mr James Badden and frora Mr Alexander Lean, agent for Mr Nottidge, asking the Board to take into their consideration the desirability of forming the North town belt from Papanui road to Montreal street. The Clerk was directed to reply to the above, stating that the road in question was not within the district. The Clerk was instructed to call a meeting of ratepayers to elect a member in place of Mr J. T. Peacock, resigned, to take place on Tuesday, October 4, at noon. The Board then adjourned until Tuesday, October 4.