LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2043, 24 September 1874, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The English Mail.— The Chief Postmaster notifies that in consequence of the stoppage of the San Franciaco Mail Service, all correspondence for America will, in future, be forwarded via Suez, and full rates of postage must be prepaid accordingly.

Thb Volunteer Fobce. — The New Zealand Gazette of Sept. 17, contains a new code of ruY-s and regulations for the volunteer force of the colony.

Cantebbuby Railways. — New by-laws, rules and regulations, are published under the hand of hia Excellency the Governor in the Neto Zealand Gazette oi Sept. 22.

City Guabds. — The usual monthly inspection of this corps, by Col. Packe, took place at the Drill-shed last night. There was a good muster, ard the inspection passed off very satisfactorily. ', Political. — We learn from Wellington, that Mr CO. Bowen has been offered a portfolio in the Cabinet, and a seat in the Upper House. The department offered to Mr Bowen is that of Minister of Justice.

Assistant Quabantine Officee. — In the New Zealand Gazette oi Sept. 17, it is notified that his Excellency the Governor has been' pleased to appoint Mr George Plimmer, as assistant to the superintendent of the Ripa Island quarantine station, Lyttelton.

Theatbe Royal. — The theatre was moderately well attended last evening, when the comedietta, " Niue Points of the Law," was performed in a manner which was creditable to all who took part in it. The performances of the members of the Loyal Troupe were highly appreciated, the applause and encores being frequent. New items will be submitted this evening M. U., I. O. O. F.— ln the New Zealand Gazette of Sept. 17 it is notified that, in accordance with the provisions of The Friendly Societies Act, 1867, the Widow and Orphans' Institution of the North Canterbury District of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows Friendly Society have transmitted to the Registrar of Friendly Societies an agreement for the dissolution of the sooiety ; which agreement purports to be duly signed by five-sixths in value of fche existing members of the society.

Chbistchubch Excklsiob Lodge, I.O.G.T.— The usual weekly session of the above Lodge, was held in the Temperance Hall, Gloucester street, last evening, when there were three new members admitted by clearance card, and four new ones initiated. Ib waa resolved to hold the lodge meetings in future in Gee's schoolroom. The election of Grand Lodge representatives then took place, which resulted in returning Bros Hutton, W.0.T., and Bro Bennetts, W.M., alao Siater Amos and Bro Wykes, as alternate representatives. It was resolved to recommend Bro Amos to the Grand Lodge aa lodge deputy, and to form a choir in connection with tho lodge.

Isimigbants. — The following is a summary of the trades and occupations of the immigrants by the ship Merope, now daily expected : — Farm labourers 18, gardeners 4, general labourers 53, miner 1, navvy 1, platelayer 1, carpenters 14, sawyers 2, blacksmiths 6, tinplate workers 3, bricklayer 1, masons 4, tiler, ke., 1, shoemakers 2, bakers 3, carman 1, confectioner 1, engine driver 1, miller I,' painter .1, plumbers 2, printers 4, railway porter 1, school teacher 1, sugar refiner 1, tailors 4. Single women — Cooks 4, dressmaker 1, general servants 25, housemaids 4, machinist 1, nurses 5, parlour-maid 1. Summary—Male adulta, 136 ; female adults, 105 ; male children, 47 ; female children, 29 • infants, 14; total, 331, equal to 279 statute adulta.

Lyttelton Bobough Schools.— Owing to the inclemency of the weather, littlo haß been done by the hard-labour gang on the playground. As soon as the weather ia settled, the ground will be covered with a coat of fine rubble and afterwards with two coata of ecreened rubble, which will be quite equal to gravel. This will be properly rolled and will form an excellent playground for the children. The drainage from the roofs to fche concrete tank is now being attended to ; and the closets, &c, including coal and wood house, will shortly be built. The committee have' decided on having patent earth closets, and they are all ready for fixing. Mr Jones iB now engaged in fixing the gymnastic apparatus for the girla ; this will be in the shed. The calisthenic arrangements for the boys will be erected' on the grounds on the playground.

Dkap, Dumb, and Bund in the Colons'. —The hihA number of deaf, dumb, and blind in the ooiony is 113 —47 deaf and dumb, and 66 blind. This return is from the census of 1874.

Expobt op Skins Dubing 1873.— The following export of skins took place from this colony last year :— Rabbit skins, 36,716, £1263; sheepskins, 105,476, £14,387; s<»al skins, 1602, £1847; total value of ski»», £17,493.

RaOECOUBSE AKD SOTJTHBBIDGE RAILWAY. — The second engine for use on this line has been fitted together, and a trial trip to Prebbleton was made with it on Tuesday last. Tlie result was in every respect satisfactory. The engine is much larger than "The Pioneer," and can be worked up to a greater rate of speed. Ballasting is now being actively carried on.

Lyttelton Impbovements. — For some months past, passengers to the Bays have had considerable difficulty in getting on board the steamer Halcyon. In reply to a memorial, the Government promised to erect a Buitable jetty, and yesterday the work was commenced. A small jetty will be run out on the west side of the watermen's steps, and will prove, when finished, a very great convenience to the Bay passengers. The hand-rail from the breakwater to the watermen's steps is being rapidly Proceeded with, and, in a few dayß, the oarding on the ways will be commenced.

Cbioket. — A meeting of cricketers will be held at Warner's Commercial Hotel, this evening, to elect a match committee and consider matters relative to a visit from a Victorian eleven. On the latter subject a correspondent of the Otago Daily Times writes as follows •. — It is possible that the attempt to bring over a Victorian team to New Zealand may fail for this season, because of tbe dilatoriness of Canterbury, without whose assistance a sufficient proposition cannot be made to Victoria ; but a leading Otago cricketer, now on a visit to Australia, will try to arrange with Mr Handfield, of the M.C 0., to send over to Dunedin and Christchurch, in February next, a strong eleven, with Mr Robertson at its head — he who captained the Melbourne eighteen in the first match with Grace's team.

Entebtainment. — A complimentary benefit waa given to Mr H. Eastwood, late business manager for Bachelder's panorama, at the Oddfellows' Hall, lasfc r night, but there was only a moderate attendance. The programing comprised the overtures to " Les Trois Cleres* and " Figaro," by Meßßrs O. Bonnington, first violin j G-. Bonnington and B. Button, second violins ; J, Spenseley, violoncello.; O. Coombes, cornet ; H. F. Poore, flute ; and F. Weber, piano ; songs, " Here upon my vessel's deck," and '^Charge of the Light .Brigade," by Mr Long ; " Adelaida," - and "Last good night," Mr E. D. Price ; " For ever," Miss Kent; "Happy momenta," Mr W. H. Anthony; "Good evening," Mr Mitohell; "Red cross banner," Mr Walcot ; " The Arabs farewell to his steed," Mr J. T. M. Smith; and "Three little pigs," Mr Woledge, who, being encored, sang "Betsy Waring." Mr Woledge also contributed a musical extravaganza, entitled, "Faust in five minutes." Mr W. A. Chapman gave his performance with the magic rings, and, asaiated by Misa Ida Bonnifon, also illustrated what was termed "second sight, or supernatural vision." The entertainment, passed off very satisfacorily.

The Nobthebn Rivebs. — Consequent upon the heavy rains of the last few days}; most of the northern rivers were heavy in flood yesterday, the coach could not cross the Ashley with the up-mails and newspapers, and from an early hour till late last evening, communication with the North was entirely cut off. The river has not been so high for a long time. The Cußt rose on Tuesday night to an unusual height, and was still in a heavy state of flood yesterday evening, and tho Rangiora main drain was not nearly able to carry the body of water that came down through the swamp, despite the great enlargements that have been made to it recently. Tho banks close to the Drain road gave way yesterday afternoon, and the road was impassable up till late last night. It is not thought that much damage will be done to the railway line near Flaxton. The Eyre was alao very high, and the north branch of the Waimakariri waa about two feet higher than uaual, on account of the swamp drainage flowing into it, bufc it was nofc so high as on an ordinary spring tide. Tbe south branch was discoloured, bufc very little swollen. It was not reported than any damage had been done.

A Monsteb Gun. — This monßter piece of ordnance (says the Empire of July 28) will, when finished, be greater than twice the aize of the largest gun in existence, and its destructive powers at fighting range equally proportionate. With a 16in projectile, weighing 16501 b and a maximum charge of 3001 b of powder, it will pierce the best iron plates, 20in thick, at 500 yards, 16in plates at 53CD yards, and will pitch a 16in shell into a ship or fortress at a distance of 10,300 yards. The steel block forming the inner tube was the largest ever cast, weighing 12 tons ; whilst the trunnion piece, about 18 tons, was the largest forging ever produced at tho arsenal. The actual coat of this fearful engine of war will, wo learn, not fall far short of £8500.

An Exciting Incident. — "Some of the workmen employed in painting the outside of London houses," writes the Fall Mall Gazette, "run considerable risk of losing their lives with no better support than the scaffolding too oiten erected by a careless contractor, yet their nerves are equal to their position, and no fear of death gives |a tremour to the hand that holds the paint-brush. It muat, however, require more than ordinary nerve to paint a bridge in the neighbourhood of tbe falls of Niagara, where a scene of great excitement occurred on the morning of June 1, owing to a painter who was employed in painting the bridge leading from Goat Island to the Three Sisters having fallen into the rapidß below. He drifted with the current to a ! point within 40ft of the falls, whero he found anchorage by coming in contact with a rock, to which he clung. In the meantime, newr, of the accident had spread through the village, and an immense crowd of spectators, attracted probably by the prospect of seeing a man carried over the Falls, assembled to gaze at him. Ifc seemed quite impossible to rescue the unhappy painter from his perilous position. His arms and body were fast becoming benumbed, and loaing their hold on the slippery rock, when a vaet shout arose from the spectators, telling him help was nigh, as a guide named Tom Conroy jumped into the Rapids from fche Cave of Winds, and holding a rope in his left hand, swam with the current until he reached the exhausted painter, when he tied the rop* round him, and the two men were dragged ashore amid the frantic applause of all present.