LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2434, 11 January 1876, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Drainage Board.— The weekly mooting of tho Board was hold at ten o'olook this morning. Prosont— Mr F. Hobbs (Ohairman) and all tho mombors. The Chairman and Mr Tancred brought up their report on Standing Ordors, whioh was adopted. Mr Jones submitted a petition from residents on the East town belt and Philips' Town, praying that somo scheme of temporary drainage should bo carried out boforo tho wot season sots in. Tho potition was rooeivod, but its consideration was deferred until next mooting. A longthonod disoussion took plaoo on the question of what stops should be taken with a viow to obtaining a comprehensive sohemo for tho drainage of tho Distriot, and it was ultimately deoided on tho motion of Mr Wright— "That Mr Carruthers be written to, asking upon what torms ho will undortako to draw up suoh a sohemo." Tho Aoting Clerk was requested to write to the City Oounoil and the various Boad Boards inoludod in the' district, with a view to an arrangement for the Board using tbeir respective valuations for rating purposes. Tho Board then adjourned. War-MNaTON BaaATTA.— Tho yaoht Annio Offlo sailod yosterday for Wellington. She wfll oorapote in tho yaoht raoo. San Fbanoisoo Mail.— The s.s. Hawea will sail North at 4.80 p.m. on Thursday next, taking the outward San Franoisco mail. Matobb.— The Mayors of Ohristohuroh, Timaru, and Kaiapoi, arc- gazetted as Justices of the Peace, under seotion 188 of tho Munioipal Corporations Aot, 1867. PREBDYTBRY OV CANTERBURY. — Tho Presbytery will moot for businoss in St. Andrew's Church schoolroom, Christohurch on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. Abhiby Election. — The polling takos plaoo to-day, at Leithfleld, Oxford, Oust, Ashley Bank, and Wost Eyroton. Tho official declaration will bo mado at Leithfleld, at 10 a.m., to-morrow. Papanui Saibyardb.— The new saleyards at Papanui are to be formally opened by his Honor the Superintendent or\ Tuesday next, and a dinner will take plaoe ak Wild's Hotel in tho ovoning, in oommemoration of the event. Naturalisation. — His Exoollonoy tho Governor has boon ploasod to issue letters of naturalisation undor tho Aliens' Aot, 1867, in favour of Poter Kollor,boardinghouso keeper, Lyttolton, and William Dempsoy, ballastman, Lyttolton. Waitaki Bridge,— This bridgo is sufficiently finished to onablo passenger and goods trains to run to the Canterbury bank. It is intended to allow traffio at onoo to oross. The bridge is expeotod to be finally completed by the ond of noxt month. Bipib Association.— The annual mooting was hold at Warner's Hotol at eight o'olook last evoning. Present— Messrs Hesketh fin tho ohair), Appleby, Fox, Gain, Paton, Hill, and Eaven. Messrs Apploby, Hill, Strange, Burnett, and Radoliffo woro eleoted members of tho Counoil. Mr Apploby was appointed Soorotary for the yoar, and Mr J. D. Strange, Treasurer. Tho appointment of a President was postponed until next mooting. After the transaction of some routine business, tho meeting adjournod.

Conference op Certificated Teachers, —On tho invitation of tho Canterbury Association of Certificated Teaohers, a oonferenoo, at whioh delegates from tho sister Provinoes woro present, was held in the Durham street school, on Saturday last, whon a resolution was passed affirming tho desirability of uniting tho various Associations of Toaohors at present in oxistonoo in tho Colony. Tho following was tho resolution i— " Thut it is desirable, in ordor to proteot tbo intoreats of teaohors in tho approaohing changes in Educational matters, to unito tho various Distriot Associations undor tho namo of the Certificated Toaohors' Association of Now Z'jaland."

Philadelphia Exhibition,— A meeting of tho Oommitteo was hold in Mr J. A. Bird's office at 3 p.m. yostorday. Presont—His Honor tho Superintendent, Messrs L. Coates, P. Cunningham, W. H. Lane, and A. Dunoan. In the absonoo of Mr L. E. Nathan, his Honor took tho ohair. Tho Secretary (Mr Bird) roported that seventeen oases and one bale of miscellaneous exhibits woro despatched on Nov. 16 ; also that nino exhibits of wool wero despatched on Nov. 24, and ono on Jan. 6, tho contributors of wool boing— No. 1, W. S. Poter, Anama, Ashburton j No. 2, S. Bealey, Haldon, Hororata ; No. 3, W, Rutherford, Mondip Hills, Amuri; No. 4, G. A. Anstoy, Mount Parnassus ; No. 5, do do ; No. 6, J. C. Wason, Oorwar, South Rakaia j No. 7, do ; No. 8, do ; No. 9, tho Hon J. Hall, Hororata ; No. 10, F. M. Riokman, Rangiora. Tho Seoretary further statod that two oasos of New Zoaland Forns, tho property of Mr L. Coates, had beon forwarded at a subsequent date, vifl, Hokitika. A lottor was road from Mr T. H. Fiolding, asking whethor tho Committoo would forward his largo painting, "A viow on tho Wairau." to tho Philadelphia Exhibition. The Soorotary was instruotod to roply that as tho dutios of tho OomwittAO had been virtually brought to a oonolusion," Mr Fielding should oommunioato with the bon W. #. D. Mantoll, Woliington, on tbo sutyoot. Tho Superintendent oxprossod his sincere thanks to tho members of tho Committoo, for having at his request undertaken tho work of oollooting exhibits. A numbor of accounts woro passed for payment, and froni those ijt app^yod that tho total expenditure of the Committee had only beon about £72. A voto of thanks was aodorded to the Secretary (Mr Bird), for the able and judicious mannor in whjpb he had conducted iho business of tbe Committee.

L.O.L.— The Purple Star Lodge will meet this evening, Bankruptcy. — His Honor Mr Justice Johnston will sit in bankruptcy, at 11 o'olook to-morrow morning. ' Nbw Guinba. — In the New Zealand Gazette of Jan. 6, his Exoollonoy the Governor directs that notification be given to all persons interested, tbat, pending the consideration of certain proposals made in Australia for the oooupatlon of New Guinea, Her Majesty's Imperial Government will not sanotion any oooupatlon of that oountry or reoognise the right of British subjeots to attempt to land there with forces.

Absent Jubobs.— George Soott, Andrew Robertson, and Oharles M'Niool were eaoh fined 40', yesterday, for not answering to their summonses. In tbe oase of George Soott, the constable who served the summons, stated tbat the juror in question informed him that he would not attend, as be was too old. . Tho learned judge said tbis was no excuse. If Scott's name were on tbo Jury list, and ho was too old to serve, be should havo takon steps to have his namo struok off. He had been duly served, and did not oome to Oourt and ask to bo excused. If Soott bad any frionds in Court, they bad better inform him bofore tho end of the sitting, as, if he did not appoar and show satisfactory cause, be would find himself in the awkward predioament of not only having to pay 40s, but £6 also for tbe Attorney-General's bertifioate. ' Registrar's Rbturns.— The following is a return of births, marriages, and deaths for tho Oity of Ohristohuroh and Distriot for the month ended Deo. 31 :- Births : City of Ohristohuroh— Males, 27 j females, 24 ; total, 51, Ohristohuroh Distriot — Males, 50; females, 42 1 total, 92. Marriages : Oity of Ohristohuroh, 29; Ohristohuroh Distriot, 7. Deaths : City of Ohristohuroh— Males, 17 ; females, 7; total, 24. Christchuroh Distriot — Males, 27; females, 6; total, 33. Oorresflooding month, 1874 (sinoe whioh time popuation has considerably inoreased) :— Births : Oity of Ohristohuroh— Males, 23; females, 18; total, 41. Ohristohuroh Distriot— Males, 38 ; femalos, 41 ; total, 79. Marriages : City of Ohristohuroh, 85; Ohristohuroh Distriot, 7. Deaths : City of Christchuroh— Males, 13j femalos, 9; total, 22. Ohristohuroh Distriot— Males, 8 ; fomales, 11 ; total, 19.

The Musbum.— The quarterly recess for cleaning terminated on Saturday, and tbe Museum was re-opened to the publio yesterday morning. Some little alterations bave beon made in the arrangement of sneoimens, but with this exoeption there is nothing new to ohroniole. No fresh specimens have been added, as on former occasions, and it is quite easy to understand why. Every part of tbe present building is oooupied, while it is far preferable that instead or exhibits being overcrowded now, the new ones should be kept baok until the opening of the new bailding*, so as to make a display of novelties worthy of it. There are numerous oases on the way from tho Cape of Good Hope, South Amerioa, India, Italy, Bussia, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Franco, the United States, &o. These oontain collections of antiquities, skins, and skeletons, tho two latter comprising, among others, specimens of the Amerioan bison and elk, several bears, inoluding a pair of the grizzly speoies, an Indian rhinooeros, an Irish elk, and a large orooodilo. It should also be mentioned tbat a malo and female skeleton of a toothed speoies of whale, new to soienoe, whioh was stranded at Saltwator Oroek, near the Asbley, on the last day of last year, bave been scoured for the Museum, but oannot be displayed for want of space. Tho new building is progressing rapidly, the walls being now about ten feet high.

Thb Break in thb Telegraph Oabkb. — Tho officers of the Telegraph Department attributo the break in the Cook's Straits Cable to some drift-wood carried along the bottom by the under-ourrent. The late floods brought down some vory large snags. One great tree anchored itself in the obannel just inside the Wellington Heads for a day or two in a rery dangerous position.' Suoh a tree carried along by a rapid under-ourrent would easily snap the cable if it got foul bf it

Payment ov Acting Govbbnobb —The Seoretary of State for the Colonies, in his dospatoh to Sir Herouies Robinson notifying tho appointment of Sir A. Stephen ac Lioutonant-Governor of New South Wales, states that when the absence of the Governor from the Colony does not exceed a fortnight, the Lieutenant Governor is not to draw any portion of the Governor's salary. He is to " foci himself repaid by tbe honour of aotiog in co high a position for the very small amount of labour wbioh it will entail upon him." If tho Governor's absenoe, however, should exceed a fortnight, the LieutenantGovernor is to draw one-fourth of the Governor's salary.

Utilisation of thb Taranaki Tron Sand., — Tho Wellington Evening Post oi Jan. 4 Bays :— The shareholders or the New Zealand Titanic Steel and Iron Oompany will be glad to loam thut a tolegram was received from' Now Plymouth on New Year's Day by the Secretary (Mr T Kennedy Macdonald) stating that the whole of tho Company's machinery was fixed, and overything in oomplete working ordor on Deo, 31, We trust that smelting operations will commonoo at an early date, and that tho faith of the Direotors and Shareholders will bo ro warded by as large a measure of suoocsß as they oould desire. The undertaking has tbo hearty good wishes of evory New Zealand Colonist. Burning ov a Portable Cookshop.— Tho Otago Guardian of Jan. 7, says i— lt is not of ton wo hear of tho partial destruction by fire of a pio and coffee stand. Yet suoh was tho oase shortly aftor 9 o'olook last night, when ono of those nooturnal establishments whioh has boen wont to oooupy a position in front of tho Empiro Hotel, took fire nearly opposite tho Brigado Station, and oaused blaze enough for a conflagration of considerable oonsequonoo. It appears that the pieman, ono John Lingard, and who bad only yesterday purohased tho conoern from tbe former proprietor, was wheeling it to the aooustomed stand, when it was partially upset through ono of the wheels coming againet a stone in crossing a gutter, and in something liko a "jiffy"— to use au old saying—" tho fat was in tbe firo," ond there was no getting tbo blaze out, and pios, saveloys, &0., &0., kerosene lamp and all, Aired up almost instanter, and soon tho roof was non est, and tho greater portion of the conoern consumed, with the exooption of the wheels. Tho blazo attraoted the fire-bell, which soon brought out the Brigade, but there was no need for the hose-reel or fire-engine, and after a good laugh at the contretemps, — wbioh, howover, was rather an awkward one for the unfortunate owner,— tbo wreck was wheeled baok into tho shades for ronairs. The North Dunodin Brigade also turned out, and were on tho soene very shortly afterwards, wben they found, possibly to tbeir chagrin, what bad boferi tbo innooent cause of their alarm, ' *

Thb Gbnbbal Absimblt.— The* Grey River Argus etates that it bas information from a very good source tbat in all probability the General Assembly will be called together for the despatoh of business some time in May. Steps have already been taken, we understand, to alter the end of the financial year to March 31. It is probable tbat tbis arrangement hae been induced by the probability of a protracted Session, and it is well known that a House oannot be kept together after the end of Oct.

Otago Shbbp Bbtubns. — The Otago Guardian of Deo. 26 says :— From tbe annual report of Mr Bayley, ohief inspector of sheep in this Province, it will be seen tbat tbe total number in Otago at present is 3,852,395, of wbioh number 2,360,810 ure depastured on runs generally, and 117.C60 on what are called Goldfields nus. The former grass over an area of six and a balf million of aores of the waste lands of the Provinoe, and yield a revenue of £68,866 19s ; the Utter are depastured on about 400,000 aores of tbat portion of the Wakatipu and Tuapeka Goldfield commonages, the leases of wbioh were sold by auotion abont two years ago, and the contribution to the revenue by tbeir owner by way of rental and assessment is £11,393.

Thb Civil Sbbvicb.— Tbis is what Mr Simmons, Head Master of the Nelson College, thinks about boys going into the Civil Servioe : — " I cannot recommend any boy, in whom I take an interest, to go into a service of wbioh 60 per oent. may and must be ejected as soon as taxation makes itself felt. Of course I make an exception of the Pnblio Works Oflloe, where a boy learns to be an engineer ; and of the Actuaries' Offioe, where one also learns a useful trade with a substantial value in every civilised community. But the unfortunate young men, who spend the ten most telling years of their lives in learning how to be somebody's most obedient servant, will find themselves in a very awkward position wben the country dispenses with their servioes. Tp put it shortly the gate, in otber words the examination, appears exoellent j the paddook inside not worth much."

Daring Attempt at Smuqomno— The Wellington Evening Poet of recent date, reports: — A most audacious attempt at smuggling by tbe oaptain of one of the English shins now lying at the wharf, was discovered and suppressed reoently by the vigilant and energetio officers of H.M. Customs. It was noticed that a very suspioious-lookine hamper was being landed from tbe said ship, under the personal superintendence of the captain. The hamper was seized the instant it touched the shore, and, on being opened, tbe gravest suspicions were realised. Sad to relate, it contained two bottles obampagne and one of brandy! Sadder still, none of this alooholio importation had paid any duty. In vain did the. detected culprit protest that he was mnoeent of any contraband intention, and endeavoured to show that the liquor in question was some of his private stores, whioh he pnrposed to imbibe at the Hutt races, whither he then was bound. The stern officials were inexorable, and the medical comforts were confiscated. Subsequently, however, we understand that the offioial vigour relaxed, and the worthy skipper was permitted to bear away bis smuggled drinkables. Thb Colony of Fiji.— An exohange paper states tbat tHe expenditure of the Fiji Government is estimated at £60,000 annually for all purposes, and this amount is not likely to be reduced. It includes £1600 a year to Cakombau, and £100 a year to his daughter, Adi Kiula. It also inoludes £600 a year to Maaf v, and about £3000 a year to a hundred and twenty ohiefs and Bulis to keep order among tbe Natives. The salaries are all on a moderate scale, and cannot be reduced in a oountry where living is so costly as in Fiji now. The Governor bas shown his earnestness in the desire to push the oountry on, by refunding to the Treasury £2000 out of the £6000 salary awarded him by the Colonial Offioe. He also takes upon himself the entire cost of his household, and asks none of the usual , allowances for that purpose. Better proofs of earnestness could not be asked, and whatever difference of opinion may hereafter arise, tbe feeling ot the Governor and bis disinterestedness oannot be called in question. Tbe Governor, in laying the Estimate! before bis Council, accompanied tbem with a memorandum, fully explaining the position, and bis regret at finding the expenditure necessary, greater, and the revenue less, than bad been anticipated by the Commissioners and Sir Herouies Robinson. His Excellenoy did not say so, but it is very clear that grants from the Imperial Parliament will be required for two or three years to give, the means of carrying on properly the Government of tbe Colony.

Political Harbours.— Tho Wellington Evening Argus makes tbe following remarks on the above subj ect :— There is one thing whiob we hope the majority of the new House of Representatives will be firm regarding, and that is in refusing to vote large sums of money for the purpose of supplying the omissions of Providence in respect to the number and situation of harbours. Napier and Taranaki both want enormous sums thus spsnt, and Napier and Taranaki are all powerful in the Cabinet, so that we may fully expect to see votes for political harbours at these places proposed by the Government. Then Mr Stafford makes tho formation of a harbour at Timaru a condition, and a vital one, of bis support, while Mr Wakefield's vote will evidently depend mainly on the same consideration. Nothing therefore is to be hoped from the firmness or prudence of the Ministry in opposing political harbours, but we do trust that an independent majority will resolutely and successfully oppose all expenditure of the kind. The Colony has suffored enough from, and been sufficiently mulcted by, political railways, but harbours are much more difficult and expensive to make than are railways, and Now Zealand has not, and is not likely to hare, any money to spare to throw into the sea in the doubtful attempt to improve upon Nature in this respect. We are by no means sure tbat we have not too many harboursas it is, or tbat the Colony would not now be in a better position bad it bad fewer harbours on its coast line. Certainly we bave enough now, aud tho whole of our energy and means should be devoted to bringing into rapid and easy communication with existing ports, tbe country which now has no coastal outlet of its own, rather than in seeking to make new ports to gratify local vanity, Timaru may want to rival Cbristchurch, Taranaki and Napier may wish to cut out Wellington and Auckland, but tbe publio interest is opposed to tbe gratification of suoh small ambitions, and the undoubted duty of those in whose hands the decision rests is to bring these districts into communication by rail with good existing ports at tbe earliest possible moment, and to concentrate all the means and energy available on tbe attainment of thia object. '■■•-■

WsBMYAir.- The New Zeatand Herald learns tbat steps are abont to be taken by tha Wesleyan body to open the Three Kings for the training of young men of tha Maon race as toaohers and ministers, and also to establish, at tha same plaoe, a Theological Institution for the training of young men for tha European Wesleyan Ministry. It ie probable that one of the senior Wesleyan ministers will take charge of the institution.

Thb Colonial Tuabubbb ok Kduoation. — In his speeeb on tbe hustings at New Plymouth, Major Atkinson, the Colonial Treasurer, made the following remarks: " With regard to eduoation, the Government proposed to make provision ont of the Oon* solidated Revenue for educational purposes. He was of opinion tbat no sohemo of edoea* tion would be complete without tbe higher class of educational establishments. A 80l would be brought in next Session in accordance with those views. With regard to taxation, all depended npon the people them* selves. If they unduly forced on tne pnblio works, tbey would have to faoe increased taxation, and a monetary crisis; otherwise there would be no need of fresh taxation, except that it might be thought necessary to relieve the Land Fund of the charge now npon it." Mail Communication.— The San Francisco mail route, says the 4)togo Gmardia*. will find a formidable competitor in tbe P. and O. Company, if tbe new scheme propounded is actually carried out. That it most ba so, if the P. and O. Company is not to lose tbat prestige it has so long enjoyed both as mail and passenger carriers, there can be no doubt, for tney have now powerful competition in the Cape and San Francisco routes. The P. and O. Company have, however, declared themselves to be not only equal to the occasion but willing to meet tbis competition. With tbis* view they have prepared a scheme for submission to the Australian Governments by whioh they offer greater rapidity of *"■" communication in conjunction with increased facilities for personal travelling. By the employment of larger and more powerful steamers, and the transfer of tbe intermediate port from Galle to the Ohagos Islands, it is calculated that the mail time between London , and Adelaide may be reduced to thirty-six days, Melbourne to thirty* eight days, Bydney to fortydays, ami Wellington to forty-three days. If the Company oan satisfactorily settle financial diffieultiee with the Australian Governments, the iime-tabla tbey offer will be a most advantageous one to the Colonies— not only in tiie delivery of mails, but in tha neat convenience which travellers will be offered Tha P. and O. Company recognise the fact that tha day ia passing when they must rely upon large mail subsidies to swell dividends; henoe the pro* posed new polioy of oombining speedy mail delirery with first-class accommodation, at moderate rates, for all classes of passengers. Suoh a polioy, if faithfully carried out, will have an appreciable effect npon tha passenger traffio of tbe San Francisco mail-boat*. Wben tbe new contraot is entered into with tha P. and O. Company, we trust the New Zealand Government will make some effort to have the time-table so arranged as to alternate somewhat evenly with the mail via San Francisco.

Thb Philadilphia Exhibition.— The Wellington Evening Post of Jan. 4 states that at that date the New Zealand exhibit* for tha Philadelphia Exhibition were newly all packed npin readiness to be forwarded by the anil steamer next week. They wiU make a very fair show on bebalf of New Zealand, and their number will be greatly augmented by tiie collection of New Zealand specimens and products now being made in London by Dr Hector. A Royal Commission has been issued, appointing tbat gentleman an additional Commissioner, and the special one to represent tbis Colony personally at the Exhibition. Among the various Provinces Canterbury carries off the palm for the extent and excellence of her contributions, especially in grain and wool. Dunedin, Auokiand, and Napier have not contributed anything at all, if we exoept some* rather poor specimens of petroleum from Poverty Bay, which might as well have been left behind. The Bank of New Zealand has ! sent a very magnificent collection of gold specimens. Nelson and Westland furnish splendid illustrations of their mineral wealth, the hematite ore from the former Provinoe, and the coal from the latter being particularly fine. Tbe Maoris are by no means behindhand in contributing and sending a very large and varied assortment of their peculiar workmanship, whioh they readily bare lent for the occasion, suoh as carved spears and other woodwork, flax mats, Ac, greenstone implements, and above all, a famous bone " mere " whioh formerly belonged to tbe oelebrated Titokowaru, but is now the property of Patu Paraora. The exhibits from Wellington Province are not very numerous or remarkable, with one signal ex* ception — a bale of wool sent by Mr Arthur Braithwaite, of Waiwetu, Lower Hutt. This is a superb specimen of Romney Marsh wool (with a fifth cross of merino), sheared on tbe 18th ult from two-toothed ewes, and cold-water washed. Mr Braitbwaite's wool of this olass has realised an average price of ls lOjd per lb in London at auotion during several years, and probably will be the finest of its class sent froro New Zealand. An immense rimu plank, 10*t long, and 4ft 6in in diameter, out from the centre of a log, is sent bjr Mr J. D. Cruioksbaok, of the Upper Hutt sawmills, and a well finished door, by Messrs Greenfield aod Stewart of tbis oity. No other local exhibit* demand special notice. Tbe Minister of Public Works will send a very extensive collection of photograph* representing the nature and progress of tbe Publio Works of the Colony. All the articles will be conveyed free by the steamers and admitted to America free of duty, a special staff of inspectors baying been appointed by the American Customs' authorities on purpose to facilitate the passing and transmission of the exhibits.