LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2042, 23 September 1874, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

♦ Chbistchubch Operative Bootmakers Society. — A meeting of fche Society will be held to-morrow evening in the Foresters' Hall. The business to be transacted is specified in an advertisement. Excelsior Lodge, 1.0.G.T. — The weekly session of the Excelsior lodge was held on Monday evening last, afc the new hall erected afc Woolston. Two candidates were initiated and several were proposed. After the business of the lodge was over, the room was opened to the public, when an entertainment took place, consisting of songs, readings, and recitations, given by members of the order, which was concluded by a farce entitled " Joe, the Apprentice." Education.— From a tabular summary of the quarterly returns of district schools, for the June quarter of this year, published by the Board of Education in a Provincial Government Gazette, dated Sep. 22, it appears that there are 77 school districts in the province, and 84 schools, in which 117 males, and 117 females, or a total of 234 teachers are employed. The highest number of scholars on the books during the June quarter, was : — males, 4957 ; females, 4398; total, 9285. The average attendance was :— males, 3341 ; females, 2738 ; total, 6079. Theatre Royal. — Considering the nature of the weather yesterday evening, the attendance at the theatre must have been highly satisfactory to the management. The comedietta "A Capital Match," was repeated by the dramatic company with the success that attended its firßt representation. The remainder of the entertainment consisted of the performances of the Loyal Combination Troupe, their programme being tho same as thafc of the previous evening. Various acts on the triple trapeze by Mdlle. Zuila and Messrs Loyal and Verletti, were gone through with an ease, grace, and daring, which elicited from the audience frequent expressions of applause. A comic ballet entitled, "The Dancing Scotchman," was the last item in the bill. Kaiapoi Wesleyan Church. — The Circuit quarterly meeting was held yesterday evening, at 6 o'clock, in the vestry of the Kaiapoi Church. Previous to the meeting, the representatives were entertained at tea by Mr Wake, tho stewards and trustees from Kaiapoi, the Island, Mandeville, and Eyreton, were in attendance ; the Rev R. Bavin presiding. The following items are copied from the balance-sheet which was adopted : — Income from all sources to circuit fund for the quarter, £77 16s 3d ; expenditure, £76 18s 8d ; balance in hand, 17s 7d ; Kaiapoi congregation contributed, £64 3s of the above amount ; Mandeville, £4 5s 2d ; Eyreton, £2 10s lOd ; the Island, £6 5b 6dV Beside this, a sum of £7 10s had been contributed during the quarter, for Foreign and Maori missions. These amounts are independent of the sums raised by aeafe rents,, and collections for the trust fund of the church. The chairman reported a very gratifying increase to the membership of the church, returned under the head of "members on trial," an increase of more than 30 per cent, upon the whole. The following resolution was passed; Mr Blackwell presiding pro. tern.: — "Thafc the most cordial and unanimous thinks of this meeting be presented to the Rev R. Bavin, for his very efficient services rendered as Superintendent of this Circuit during fche past year." .After some deliberation, it was WBolved, on the nomination of the circuit stewards, "That the Rev J. Berry, of Wanganui, be invited to succeed Mr Bavin on his removal in April next." Mr Wake read a carefully prepared report upon the Sunday schools of the circuit, lt was received, and Mr Wake instructed to forward to each school a resume of his suggestions. A committee was appointed to arrange for the Home Mission anniversary services next month, and to get up a tea meeting in Kaiapoi. On the m.tion of Mr Bate, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the ladies comprising the sewing meeting for their valuable contributions tothe fund, and expressing the hope that their assistance will be continued. Arrangements were made for a series of lectures at Mandeville, and after some other routine busineßß, a very successful meeting was brought to a close. St. Patrick's Society. — The following is extracted from the Freeman's Journal (Dublin) of June 20: — We have received a copy of the Lyttelton Times, in which we find a long report of the commemoration in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand, of the Feast of Sfc. Patrick. It; is peculiarly gratifying to discover our countrymen at the antipodes celebrating the birthday of our Patron Saint by a feasfc afc once intellectual and enjoyable. At this board there sat down Irishmen of pll opinions, religious and political, of all conditions and ranks of life. A fine superior tone was observed at the gathering, and the speeches were of the first order. A mere glance afc the names of those who appeared most prominently in the proceedings will show how truly representative was the New Zealand celebration. The committee included John Bat oman, of Waterford ; James Quinlan, Tralee ; Daniel Fitzpatrick, Queen's County ; R. C. O'Connell, Nenagh ; 3. P. Craig, Waterford ; J. Mulholland, Belfast; W. andj. Booth, Tipperary: and James Grey (chairman), formerly of Downpatrick. The dinner was supplied by Mr John Eaylee, of Dublin. The chairman on the occasion, C. O. Bowen, Esq., Resident Magistrate of Christchurch, hails from Galway. He proposed the toast of " Our Native Land." Mr Justice Gresson, ono of the Judges of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, is a Dublin man. He proposed " Irishmen afc Home and Abroad." Mr R. J. S. Harman, the DeputySuperintendent of Canterbury, comes from Mayo. He proposed " Our Patron Saint." Mr George Gordon, a Wexf ordman; Mr F. W. Thiel, a Belfaatman; Mr Thomas Ingham Joynt, from Dublin ; Mr William Montgomery, from Belfast ; the Hon Colonel De Renzie Brett, from Roscommon, and other distinguished natives of this country, joined in the proceedings. Most of the gentlemen occupy distinguished positions in the colony, and are members of fche Executive Government. We are proud to observe fchafc it is contemplated to establish a St Patrick's Society on a large, liberal, and comprehensive basis. We tender our fellowcountrymen in New Zealand our heartiest congratulations on their success, their union, their loyalty to the traditions of the Old Land, their fidelity to her and her fortunes.