Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1169, 16 November 1871, Page 2

Local and General.

H.M.S. Basilisk. — A match has been arranged between the officers of H.M.S. Basilisk and the Ellesmere Club, to come off to-day on tlie U.C.C.C. ground. Wickets will be pitched at 10.30 a.m. Acclimatisation. — About 100 of the young trout lately hatched in the Acclimatisation Gardens were forwarded yesterday to the Wellington society by the s.s. Tararua. Should the experiment be successful, a further quantity will follow. A. Valuable Cow. — Mr John Page, of Christchurch and Woodend, is the fortunate owner of a cow which has presented him during tho last three years with no less than six calves — four heifers and two bulls, two on each occasion. Such an animal is worth showing at the Agricultural Exhibition, especially if her progeny can be shown along with her, and: Mr Page is in a position to do that. The cow is of no particular breed, but is described by her owner as a good, useful, and profitable dairy cow of large frame. Public Ball. — A public ball took place last evening in the Provincial Council Chamber, which was lent for the occasion, by his Honor the Deputy-Superintendent. There was a numerous company, amongst whom were Lady Bowen and several officers of H.M.S. Basilisk. A good band, under the direction of Mr Weber, was in attendance, and dancing was kept up to an early hour this morning. The supper, which was laid in the Library and Bellamy's, was provided by M Morton, of the Commercial Hotel. Lincoln Fair. — The attendance at the usual monthly fair on Tuesday Inst waa small, as compared with previous occasions, although a good quantity of stock were yarded. A large proportion of the best were sold privately previous to the usual sale by auction taking place. Mr C. C. Aikman attended for MiBennett, who was engaged at a horso sale in Christchurch. Two-year old steers fetched I 70s ; yearling heifers and steers, 355; young heifers, 57s 6cl. The stock yarded were, 94 head cattle, 200 sheep, and a few horses. Coach Accident.— The Timaru Herald of I yesterday says :— The mail was late last night ' owing to an accident which occurred to the coach on the Christchurch side of the Rakaia. It appears that one of the reins broke, and the horses turning sharp round, smashed one of the hind wheels. They were, by this, brought to a standstill, and were got out of the coach • a dray was procured, which took the luggage on to the Rakaia where a fresh coach was got, and the passengers, of whom there were over twenty, were brought on, arriving in Timaru only about two hours later than the time at which the coach usually arrives. : Wesleyan District Meeting, — Yesterday morning's session was opened with prayer. The minutes of the previous day's proceedings having been read, the examiners then presented their report of the papers prepared by the probationers on theology, ecclesiastical history, mental science, aud the Epistle to the Phillipiuns in Greek. Two candidates for the ministry were presented, and were directed to prepare written papers upon, the evidences, doctrines, and institutions of the Christian faith., The booklists of the probationers were also, handed in, and suitable counsels were given to them- as to th&course of study for the ensuing year. At the afternoon session, Te Kote, the native minister of Raiipaki, was present, and. gave a most encouraging account of his labours among the Maoris of this province during the past year. Tbe papers of the candidates were read, and the remainder of the session was occupied by their oral examination. ■ Earlt Closing- Association. — A meeting of the committee of this Association was jheld at White's Horel, al half -past seven | O'clock last evening. Mr Wm. Pratt occupied :tho chair. After considerable discussion, Mr j. J. Fletcher moved, "That the signatures be obtained of all parties who are willing to icloae their respective places of business at. 4 'o'clock on Saturday, and- to meet the conveni'enco* of the public, keep their places of business open till 9 o'clock on Friday." The resolution wa3 carried. Mr Spencer moved, '" That the committee of employers, appointed at the public meeting, be requested to cor operate with the working committee of the Early Closing Association in carrying out the provisions .of: the. foregoing resolution, and to report. at next meeting of the working comr mittee." "Jitr Foster seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. A commitr tee wa£ then appointed to. canvass .for.Bigna-' 'cures; hy co-operation with ' the 'committee appointed at the'public meeting.

Aquatics. — Lady Bowen has; kindly consented to be pvesent at a procession of boats on the Avon at six o'clock to-morrow evening. The various clubs are determined to make the occasion worthy of Lady Bowen's presence, and notwithstanding the short time for preparation they will no doubt arrange a procession which will in every way do credit to the province. Drowned. — An Hokitika contemporary of Nov. 10 says : — " Fears are entertained that a young man, named Alexander Cumming, who has for some time been engaged in bringing over cattle to Hokitika from Christchurch, has been drowned in the Terainakau. He came on with another man and reached the Taipo last Tuesday. There he remained while his companion went on, who, finding that Cumming did not overtake him, went back and then ascertained that Cumming had left shortly after. It is supposed that he attempted to ford the Teremakau and was drowned. A search has since been made for the body, but no information of its recovery has reached town up to tho time of our going to press." It will be remembered that a recent telegram says the body of the unfortunate young man had been found." Public Meeting- at Woolston. — A public meeting in connection with the Woolston Public Library was held last evening at the Christian Church. On the motion of Mr Taylor, seconded by Mr Loughnan, Mr Norriss was voted to the chair,/ The resolutions passed at a previous meeting were read and approved. The rules and regulations drawn up at a committee meeting appointed by the general meeting were also read. A letter was read from Mr Pavitt, who had been proposed as treasurer, declining to act on the ground that his time was taken up by other jnatters, but stating that his hearty sympathy was with the movement. A letter was read from the Provincial Secretary, in reference to the application for a grant in aid of the library, drawing the attention of the committee to the resolution passed by the Provincial Council, and stating that an application for aid must bo sent in before the 16th instant. A considerable discussion took place as to the advisability of holding the library in the Christian Church, and Mr Norriss stated that if the Woolston Mutual Improvement Society erected a room, it could be moved to that place. "IS, was then resolved that it should be iheld for the present in tbe Christian Church, that the name should be " the Woolston Circulating Library,", and that a President, Secretary, Treasurerf Librarian, and seven members form a committee ; five to form a quorum. It was also decided that the subscription should be 10s per annum, or 2s 6d per quarter, payable in advance. The rules and regulations drawn by the committee were considered seriatim and passed. The committee previously appointed being only provisional, the election of a permanent committee was proceeded with. Mr Bamford was elected President, Mr Davis Treasurer, and Mr Norriss, Secretary. Mr Norriss said he could only take the office for a time, but would act pro tern until the next general meeting. /Mr Norriss was also appointed librarian. Mr Bamford proposed the following . committee men, who were elected : — Messrs. B. Sponger, W. Stamford, W. Taylor, C. Freeman, H. Simmons, A. Denman, and J. Davis/ Resolved that Mr Norriss act as a deputation to wait on the Provincial Secretary to-day with regard to obtaining a grant-in-aid. Mr Stamford proposed, and it was carried — "That the establishment of the Library shall he considered to have taken place on the date of the first mneting that was held — Oct. 13th." It was resolved to hold the next committee meeting on Friday, 24th. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman the meeting terminated.