LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2089, 18 November 1874, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Conpiematiok. — The Sight Eev the Primate will hold a confirmation at Holy Trinity Church, Lyttelton, on Sunday morning next. Coach Accident. — An accident, which, fortunately, waa not productive of serious results, happened to the Oxford mail coaoh on Monday afternoon last, at Moeraki Downs. Shortly after the coach left Messent's Hotel on the down trip, the horaes shied at a dray, and despite the efforts of Mr Seaton, the driver, the coach was drawn into the ditch at the side of the road. The sudden shock threw Mr Seaton and the two passengers riding on the box seat into the gorse fence, and the horses dragged the coach along almost on its side, with one wheel in the ditch. Mr 0. Young, a passenger, got out, and succeeded in pulling the female passengers out by the door, but they fell heavily, and were very much bruised j and a little child that was in charge of one of them miraculously escaped being killed. The other male passenger jumped out of the window, and got several bruises. The horses continued to drag the coach, until they were stopped some distance east of the river Cust. All the passengers were much shaken, but no bones were broken. Cathedbajd Guild. — A general meeting was held yesterday evening in the College library, the Very Rev the Dean presiding. The first business was the election of two members of committee to fill up recent vacancies. The Rev H. J. Edwards and Mr B. W. Mountfort were proposed and duly elected. Mr Mountfort then exhibited the plans of the Cathedral, describing the work already executed, and also the portion now undertaken. The most interesting exhibit was a very beautiful design, lately received from Sir G. Scott, for the western doorway, which the Guild has undertaken to erect. The Rev C. Bowen then read an admirable paper on the formation of a Diocesan Choral Association, which elicited considerable discussion, and which resulted in the following resolution being parsed by the meeting — "That the Primate be requested to call a meeting of clergy and choirmasters to arrange the preliminary details for such an association." A cordial vote of thanks to Mr Bowen, for his paper was proposed by Mr Parker, and seconded by Mr Jameson, and unanimously passed; after which the proceedings termi-

Chambeb op Comiteboe. — The monthly general meeting will be held on Thursday at 3 p.m. Madame Abbabella Goddabd. — This talented artiste was a passenger by the u.s. Taranaki this morning en route for Dunedin, where she will give some concerts, returning in about a fortnight's time, when she will appear in Christchurch. Populab Amusement and Entebtainaißnx Association.— A meeting of the committee was held at 4 p.m., yesterday. Present—Messrs Wynn Williams (in the chair), W. J&. Mitchell, G. Gordon. A letter was. read from Mr Ness, A.0.F., stating that there was not sufficient time to get up a Richardson's show. A letter was read from the City Council, granting the committee the use of Latimer square, materials and labour on Anniversary Day. Oa the motion of Mr j Mitchell, the name of Mr Cuff was added to ! the ground committee. Mr Mitchell drew attention to the absence from the committee j meetings of those who had assisted in originating these sports. Formerly, his Honor the Superintendent, the Very Rev the Dean, the Rev C. Frewer, and others attended the meetings, which were now conspicuous for their absence. As a good day's sport, without intoxication, was provided each year, he ] thought the gentlemen he had referred to should not cease to take an interest in the affair. It was resolved that a ten guinea cup should be given for a two-mile race, open to all amateurs. The programme of events was then gone through, and it was decided to publish the same. Feuale Refuge. — A meeting of the provisional committee was held at the Superindent's office, at 3 p.m., yesterday. Present — His Honor the Superintendent, the Right Rev the Primate, the Very Rev the Dean of Christohurch, the Rev H. Edwards, the Rev C. Fraser, the Rev W. J. Habens, Mr Wm. Montgomery, the Hon. J. B. Acland, Rev J. Buller, Mr L. Harper, Mr George Hart, Mr H. J. Tancred. On the motion of the Very Rev the Dean, seconded by the Rev J. Buller, the chair was taken by Mr H. J. Xancred. It was intimated that Mr George Gould had given a donation of £25, and an annual subscription of £15 ; also, that Mr Garrick had given an annual subscription of i £3. The subscription lists handed in amounted to a total of £142. It was resolved that the list of subscribers should be published in the newspapers. The Rev W. J. Habens.moved — j " That the chairman be requested to convene j a general meeting of subscribers, to elect a working committee, &c." The Rev O. Fraser | seconded the motion, which was agreed to. j On the motion of the Hon J. B. Acland, ; seconded by the Rev J. Buller, the chairman ; of the meeting was appointed hon. treasurer ; fro tern. • English Opeba. — Bellini's "La Sonnam- ; bula" was performed by the English Opera ; Company yesterday evening. During their ■ former season it was about the least meritorious of their productions, but so marked has been their improvement in its rendering that it may now be fairly ranked among their most successful efforts. As the heroine, Miss Alice May Bang the exacting music pertaining to the part with fidelity and beauty of execution, and her acting, whether serious or gay, was | always natural. At the end of every act Miss May, with the other principals, received enthusiastic calls, that at the finale being accompanied as usual by numerous floral offerings to the favourite cantatrice. Miss Lambert, who made a capital Lisa, was in splendid voice, and sang " Sounds so joyful" very nicely. Mr Hallam's Blvino is a decided improvement on his El vino of last season ; Mb acting last night was excellent, and his vocalisation of the duets "Take now this ring" and "All is lost now" with Miss May, and in the solo "Still so gently," left little to be desired. After singing the latter, he was heartily recalled, and acknowledged the compliment. Mr Vernon as Alessio was exceedingly, amusing, and continually provocative of roars of laughter. As the Count Rodolpho, too, MrTempletonaohieved another success, and his performance of "As I view these scenes so charming," and " Maid those bright eyes " drew forth the hearty plaudits of a discriminating audience. The part of Theresa was satisfactorily filled by Miss Florence Howe. The choruses throughout were excellently sung, and the orchestra played with their distinguishing carefulness and efficiency, For this evening, that charming opera the " Rose of Castile " is announced. The Victobian Loan. — Recently we gave an account of the partial failure of the Victorian new four per cent, loan in the London market and the generous conduct of the Banks in taking up the balance at the minimum dictated by themselves. The ArgvLS at first was at its wits' end to account for this, and fastened the reproach of its failure upon New Zealand. Somebody must be kicked, and we must have damaged the credit of magnificent Melbourne by borrowing money on our own security to carry out reproductive works. This was too flimsy and far-fetched even for the Argus, and like Mr Wegg in his " Decline and Fall," it now drops down on the Stock Exchange. "We are driven, then, to the conclusion that for some reason or other which we havo yet to learn, our four per cent, debentures do not suit the taste of English investors so well as those bearing five per cent, interest. According to the value of the latter in July last (107£), the four per cents, should be worth 93£, making allowance for the differen term of currency. Seeing that at the time tenders were sent in, the money market was easy, the result certainly points to this conclusion. In addition, however to this, it appears to üb, who from a distance observe things more clearly perhaps than those who are in the whirl of affairs, that in some way or other we have been made the innocent victims of a little ingenious ' bearing.' How it was done we cannot say, for of course the London editors are above suspicion of complicity ; bub certain it is that not long before our last loan was announced, several of the leading journals became suddenly alarmed at our lavish expenditure and habitual extravagance. While we cannot trace the inspiration to the Stock Exchange, we are fully aware of the extensive ramifications of that wonderful institution."