Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 767, 7 November 1870, Page 2

Local and General.

-V Magisterial. — There was no business transacted at the Christchurch Magistrate's Court this morning, neither will there be to-morrow. Both daya were appointed holidays, and all prisoners arrested for minor offences, up to Sunday night, were accordingly allowed to be bailed out. Boat Race at Ltttelton. — A boat race which caused no little amusement, toolplace on Saturday afternoon, between the railway employes, in watermen's boats. The course was from the wharf round the reef, and home. A good start was made, but some of the rowers being novices, the result may be imagined. The Rangitoto, although a long way ahead at first, was, by reckless steering, beaten, and the Just-in - Time came in the winner. The Agbicultukal and Pabtobal Association's Show. — We are indebted to the hon. secretary, Mr E. B. Bishop, for the following list of entries for Wednesday's show, and are glad to learn from him that they are in excess of last year by 106 : — Sheep, 141 ; cattle, 78 ; horses, 76 ; pigs, 28 ; poultry, 32 •. sheep dogs, 9 ; implements, 55 ; dairy produce, 20 ; cured pork, 7 ; new produce and local manufactures, 60 ; total, 506. Ltttelton . Land Building and Investment Societt. — We are glad to learn that the shareholders will lose very little by the late fire. At the meeting on Saturday night | it was stated that only three buildings in the society's hands were uninsured, and this was only because the various offices would not take further risks. The increased rental on pr operty, which, before the fire, could not be let» wilt make up for the loss sustained. ;

Theatbe Rotal — There was a moderate attendance at the Theatre on Saturday. The burlesque of " Kenilworth " constitutes the attraction of this evening. No doubt the company wili see it to their advantage to adhere to burlesque. Post-Office Letteb Boxes, Ltttelton. — Persons having private boxes have been put to great inconvenience during the past week, no steps having been taken to repair the boxes which were burned down at the late fire. On the arrival of the English mail from Christchurch, yesterday morning, the Postmaster waa compelled to throw open the office, and so deliver his letters. It is to be hoped prompt steps will be taken to remedy thia matter. The English . Commissioners. — The " Anglo- Australian " in the European Mail, says : — What about the New Zealand Commissioners, who have got their " million loan," and may well rest satisfied with the task which they were sent home to workout? Resting on their oars, as they have a right to do, they also have sought pleasure in holidaymaking. Dr Featherston is in Norway; Mr Bell would be in Germany, where he has every desire to be, but does not relish the notion of being arrested and posaihly shot as a spy. The secretary of the commissioners, Mr Knowles, is away on a tour to the north of England, but not on pleasure, as I understand his object is to make a further investigation into the subject of New Zealand flax in connection with the English market. Colonists will be competent to judge, from the able report on the article compiled by him and transmitted only last mail, of the zeal and ability with which he pursues his inquiries into the question. Colonial questions have now no earthly chance whatever of consideration from the English ministry. It is stated to me that the Commissioners have been hammering away at the Government in respect to several subjects of importance, but have met with no response. One circumstance is, that almost every member of the Ministry is out of town. For instance, at the Colonial oflice, Lord Kimberleyis non est; so is Sir Frederick Rogers, and poor Mr Holland, no very brilliant individual, ia left alone in all his glory to represent them. I know for a fact that strong efforts have within a few days been made to bring the monstrous regulations in regard to the rates of colonial postage before the authorities, but in vain. All the world is out of town, and what matter political or social questions in comparison! with partridge-shootingandrural-ising ? Well, perhaps the time will come when these things may be altered, but I am afraid its far off. New Commission of the Peace. — The New Zealand Gazette of Oct. 27 contains a list of the new Commission of the Peace. The following are the names for this province : — J. B. A. Acland, H. P. MurrayAynsley, A. Back, S. Bealey, H. Belfield, W. C. Beswick, J. Birch, R. C. Blakiaton, C. C. Bowen, R.M., J. C. Boys, J. de Renzie Brett, C. J. Bridge, W. G. Brittan, J. T. Brown, J. Evans Brown, H. K. Buchanan, G. Buckley, M. S.Campbell, W. J. Carew, T. Cass, W. B. C. Christy, T. A. Clowes, F. Courage, A. Cox, J. Crosby, A. H. Cunningham, M. Dixon, W. Donald, R.M., C. Dudley, J. D. Enys, W. C. Fendall, R. Fish,F. D. Gibson, J. E. Graham, E. Gray, C. H. Greenstreet, J. Grigg, J. Hall, T. W. Hall, W. J. W. Hamilton, R. J. S. Harman, C. J. Harper, G. Hart, T. M. Hassal, R. L. Higgins, W. G. Inman, E. Jollie, F. Jollie, E. C. Latter, A. Lean, E. J. Lee, G. Ll Lee, H. J. Le Cren,R. A. Loughnan, P. B. Luxmore, W. K. Macdonald, J. W. Mallock, J. Marshman, W. M. Maskell, T. W. Maude, E. M'lntosh M'Pherson,G. L. Mellish, BI M. Moorhouse, J. Ollivier, A. Ormsby, R. Packer, G. Packe, J. Palmer, G. B. Parker, W. B. Pauli, J. T. Peacock, C. S. Perring.H. Phillips, W. H. Pilliett, R.M., T. H. Potts, W. Reeves, R. H. Rhodes, W. Rolleston, G. A. E. Ross, 11. A. Scott, R. C. Shearman, W. H. Simms, W. U. Slack, E. G. Stericker, M. P. Stoddart, J. Studholme, M. Studholme, H, J: Tancred, T. S. Tancred, A. M. Thomson. W. B. Tosswill, R. Townsend, L. Walker, R. Walton, H. R. Webb, R. Westenra, jun., T H. Wigley, R. Wilkin, J. Cracroft Wilson C.8..8. Woollcombe, R.M., S. L. Worsley. •Heathcote. — The second of the series of entertainments given by the local Rowing Club came off on Thursday 'evening last at the Ferry Road (or Woolston) Schoolroom, and was a great success. There were about 1 60 persons present, and Mr W. Montgomery (vice-president of the club) occupied the chair. The first piece was a duet on the pianoforte hy the Misses Loughnan, and was very nicely rendered. Mr A. Lean read a piece from " Sam Slick," "a wet day in the country," in his usual good style. Mr Crosbie sung " The wishing gate," which was encored, and kindly responded to. Mr Miller read "Major Namby," and from the mirth displayed it was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. Mrs Langdown and Miss Davis gave a duet in good taste, and Mrs Barry sang a very pretty song. Miss Ashwin played on the pianoforte Hellas celebrated piece "Home, sweet home," with variations, which was a treat, and redemanded. Mr C. Martin's comic song " The Ten Million Loan," was well sung, and he was encored. Mr Marshman read a laughable piece in his usual comical way, causing coßsiderable mirth. Mr A. Duncan, sang " John Anderson my Joe, John," exceedingly well, and was encored ; the' accompaniment to this song was played rery nicely by Miss Loughnan. Messrs Pascoe and Gradwell recited a piece from Shakespeare,, with great taste and judgment. Miss Loughnan sang a song very nicely, and Mr Pascoe read a piece from The Ingoldsby legends, and the National Anthem being sung, brought the entertainment to a close. We must congratulate the Boating Club upon the manner in which they are conducting the series ; also on the selection of the pieces, which are certainly rery enjoyable, particularly in a place where so few opportunities are offered to the resi- : dents in the locality for enjoying a musical evening. jggj ___ ia»ei — - ________

An Enigma. — The following is gene-| ! rally attributed to the contractor for the i Rakaia Bridge :— « Good wine needs no bush, i but a good bridge needs a great deal." What does it mean ? Obituabt. — The obituary given in the Argus' telegraphic summary of the Suez mail news includes the name of "Mr Selfe, '■ Magistrate." The people of Canterbury will learn with regret that this is the gentle- , man who has always taken such a deep interest in, and done so much to advance, , the fortunes of the province. ', Spobting.— The writer of turf gossip in . the Australasian of Oct. 29 says 100 to 4 was recently taken about Manuka to a small amount for the Cup, but that s('o to 15 is , now going a-begging. He is quoted" at 33 to 1 (off) in the list, giving the latest state of | the odds. Morrison was engaged to ride Manuka. "Beacon," in the Leader of the same date, commenting on the Cup horses, ; says : — Manuka, 9 st 9 lb, is a very grand animal, and came here with a wonderful ' reputation, but local favourites as a rule are ', so much overrated that I am always suspicious where praise is so profuse. lam willing to accept him as a thoroughly good I horse, but no star, and having, in my estimation, some pounds too much on his back, I 1 fail to see him in the race. He has done lots of slow work, but none, fast ; he is moreover a gross horse, and the amount of work which it is necessary for him to do has been at the expense of his understandings. No one could have done more for him than his present manager, but he can*not be expected to work miracles. Manuka will start without being tried, and his best effort reserved ' for the race itself. The same writer concludes his review as follows : — Having gone carefully through the list of horses engaged, I have come to the conclusion that the first flight at the finish will consist of Warrior, Croydon, Trump Card, and Prastor, and that Sir William, Sir John, Tim Whiffler, and The Duke of Montrose, will supply the second division. Kaiapoi Fire Brigade. — On Saturday night the Oxford Dramatic Society, Christ- j church, assisted by several musical amateurs, gave an entertainment at the Kaiapoi Assembly Rooms in aid of the funds of the local Fire Brigade. Considering the many appeals recently made to the public of the town, the attendance was highly satisfactory, nearly all the seats being occupied. The bill comprised " The Artful Dodge," the Christchurch prize glee, " Stars of the Summer Night;" recitation, " The Last Days of 1 Herculaneum," Mr J. Hebden; tin whistle solo, " The Swiss Boy," with variations, Mr H. F. Poore; the Christchurch prize song, "Will o' the Wisp," Mr D. Dunlop; and the ' farce of " John Wopps." The first item was eminently successful, if we except the slight drawback accruing from the part originally set down to Mr Gridley having, by reason of that gentleman's unavoidable absence, to be read by . another ' member of the society. The acting of Messrs East and Hebden, reflected great credit upon those gentlemen, and would have done honour to professionals. The glee was 1 given with all that . musical nicety and smoothness of harmony that characterised it in Christchurch, and an encore .was demonstratively called for. Thia waa readily re--1 sponded to by the glee " When Evening's Twilight," which is by the same composer, and 1 which was also loudly applauded. The recitation was a decided success, evincing careful study and judgment. The tin whistle solo was given in a manner defying criticism, and by many of the audience was deemed the great event of the evening. An encore was demanded and obligingly responded to with " The Cure," also with variations. 1 Mr Dunlop's song was given in that gentleman's very beat style. The audience enthusiastically demanded an encore, which was responded to with " Pull, pull together, boys," The farce evoked continued mirth, though it did not run so well as expected. At the termination of the performance, Mr Wright, Fire Inspector, thanked the audience and performers on behalf of the Fire Brigade, and the secretary of the Dramatic Society appropriately acknowledged the compliment paid them by the large attendance, and said 1 he hoped it would not be the last visit of the society to Kaiapoi.