LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2531, 4 May 1876, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Panobamic Entbbtaikmbnt.— An entertainment confuting of panoramic views of all the places of interest in Palestine, with a 1 descriptive lecture by the Rev J. Barry, was | exhibited in tho Waltham Caurch last evening ; in aid of the Sunday school. The choir sang ; some selections of mu»ic in a very pleasing : manner. Tne singing of the Doxobgy brought 1 a very enjoyable and profitable meeting to a, close. \ Citt ABBB33MBN*.— Our readers are re- . minded tiiat to day ii the last on which object ions to the rate-list eiu be lodged. 1 Psbsbvtbbian Synod.— The Synod re*! 1 assembled at Ham, yesterday. Saderunt Revs J. W. Oree (Moderator), C. Frawr, W. 1 S. M'Gowan, W. M Gregor, W. Dougirw, W. I R. Cam* b>H, J. P. Wilson, acd H. B Burnett, and Messrs John Milne and W. Johnston Elders. The Rev W. M'Gregor gave not ice of motion— "That the Synod clerk be directed to intimate to conveners of Committees and Presbytery olerks a month previous to next meeting the repor's they art* expected to briDg forward |" also of a motion — " That the Synod instruct Presbyteries te exercise their powers (let) concer ling the nominating or approving i of trustees for ohuroh land property wirhin their bounds ; (2) concerning the ratifying and approving of title de ds." The Rev W. Douglas gave notice—" That the Synod instruct Presbyteries to use all diligence in carr) ing out tbe instruction* of Aseembly in re miniater*' stipends ; alto instruct clerk of Synod to forward copies of Assembly's resolutions -to Treasurers of all Financial Committees." The Rev 0. Fraser gave notioe of motion —"That the Synod considers it to be desirable tbat a weekly newspaper should be established in connection with the Presbyterian Church, similar to the Southern Crons, edited by the Rev Dr Cameron, and instructs the Clerk to communicate with the Synod of Otago, and the Northern Presbyteries of tbis Ohuroh." On the motion of the Rev O. Fraser, seconded by the Bey W. Douglas, the thanks of the Synod were tendered to the retiring Moderator, for his excellent discourse at tbe opening of tho Synod. The mover and seconder of the resolution suggested tbe publication of the sermon. The Rev W. M'Gowan gave in the report of the Committee appointed to examine the minute book of the Presbytery of Hokitika. On the motion of tbe Rev 0. Fraser. the report was approved. Mr Campbell stated that in consequence of the departure of Mr Dymook from Christchuroh, there was no report as to the sobome for a Synodical Sustcntation Fund. Mr Dunoan would be willing to act with any gentleman the Synod might appoint to prepare a report for next Synod. On the motion of the Bey W. Douglas, seconded by the Rev W, M'Gregor, Me^rs John -Anderson, D. Craig, and Androw Duncan were appointed a Committee to consider the subject and bring up a report to tbe next meeting of Synod. The Roy C. Fraser cave in the report of tbe Committee on title deeds of ohurch property. The Committee recommended— l. That a list of all the properties of tbe chnrch be pre* pared, all tha deeds duly registered, and certificates thereof obtained. 2. That tbe following gentlemen be named as trustees for the properties of the ohurch, and recommended to all the congregations throughout tbe Synod, viz., Messrs R. Wilkin, John Anderson, and John Deans. 3. That the congregations be enjoined, through tbeir financial and managing committees, to communicate {withthe Presbytery of their bounds on all J their dealings with churoh property, and obtain j jsanotion of Presbytery for all plans and build[ings. On tha motion of the Rev W. Douglas, eoconded by the Rev W. M'Gregor, the St nod adopted the report, re-appointed the Committee (Mr Fraser, convener), and in view of the development of the Province, instructed ministers and congregations to endeavour to obtain land tot sites for future churches and manse glebes in absolute conveyance. The notice of. motion given by the Rev W. M'Gregor re title deeds, ko , was agreed to. The Synod then adjourned until 6 p.m. On tbe Synod resuming at 6 p.m , the thanks of the Synod were given to the Moderator for his very ingenious and instructive opening address. The Synod expressed a wish tbat the address should be published. On the motion of the Rev. 0. Fraser. it was resolved tbat tho names of the Revs W. Hogg and A. F. Douglas be added to the roll of members of tho Synod. On the motion of tbe Rev W. Douglas, seconded by Mr Fraser, the report from the Prosbytory of Christohuroh on Presbyterial visitations was adopted. The motion proposed by the Rev. W. M'Gregor rs convener of Committees and Oerks of Pres bvtories was agreed tflL Tbe motion of the Roy W. Douglas re Ministers' stipend was agreed to, with a slight amendment The Rev 0. Frasor moved the resolution in re the establishment of a periodical in connection with the Churoh, and suggested that, if possible, the Rev Mr dalmond, Professor of Theology in Dunedin, should be induced to become editor of the periodical he proposed. The Rev W. S. M'Gowan seconded the motion. The Rev W. Douglas moved, as an amendment, " That this Synod considers it desirable to establish a monthly religions periodical for o»nterbury"The,RevH B Burnett seconded the amendment. Tbe Synod agreed to take the motion and amendment separately, as substantive motions, both of whioh were unanimously agreed to. Tbe Synod called for the deputation from the Church Extension Association. The Rev O. Fraser introduced tho deputation, consisting of Messrs Da«id Craig, John Anderson, Andrew Duncan, and William Gavin, all of whom addressed the Synod. On the motion of tbe Roy W. S. M'Gowan, seconded by the Bey H. B. Burnett, the Synod gave thoir thanks to the doputation for their interesting addresses, and for the information given concerning tho progress of the work of tho Association, and also the attention given to the Ooloniai field by tbe Home churches. Tho Moderator conveyed the thanks of the Synod to the deputation. The Rev 0. Fraser handed in the report 'of the Committee j on Sabbath schools, which was adopted. A Committee was appointed to consider how the publications proposed are to be carried out. After the transaction of some formal business, inoluding the passing of votes of thanks for the i use of S. Andrew's for' the meeting of tbe Synod, and to those famiiies'Vho had shewn ; so muoh hospitality to members of Synod during its sitting, the Moderator delivered a i short concluding address, and the Synod , terminated.

OurrnßVßT Couumi.— Dr Powell's 1m*~" tare, adjourned from last week on ace mnt •! the weather, will be delivered to-day. Thb Coba Lit**.— A eomapoodeat informs ns that tha accident to thi* Teasel, %bich it will be remembered wm kaa in th* Humber, occurred daring a fog. Pcblio Mbtwiko at Kaiapoi.— A paMie meeting, convened by Mr & Smethursfc, to consider the " river question," was held in the Orange HaU on Tuesday evening last Ther* were about fifty persona present, and after some persuasion, Mr G. P. Miltom consented • to take the chair. Mr Smetborst repeated wbat he has already been reported as having said regarding dredging the river end opening up the South branoh for tbe purposes of navigation, 00 as to connect the river and railway trade. He said he believed that vessel* of 100 tons could be brought np to the wham* at a cost of £1500. Mr Nettleton wa* the next to address the meeting, but he opposed tbe diverting of the river traffic ap tbe South branoh of the river, because it would interfere wih vested interest*. He thought the North 4 branch of th* river should be opened oat at once, irrespective of the action taken on the contrary tide by the Mayor and Borough Council. He was of opinion that the work - cmld be dnne effectually for less than £1600. Mr W M'Donald opposed the views set forth by the other speakers, and sta**d that in hi* opinion any movement towards dredging the river sbonld first emanate from tbe merchant* and wharfingers. He did not believe in expending publio money for the benefit of a few private individuals, who would not pot their bands in their pookfU and give monetary assistance. Mr A. Btloh followed by asserting tbat tbe North branch of the river could b * opened for vessels of de* d draught at a> cost of £50. Mr G. F. Day, tbe pilot sta* tiooed at tbe bar, referred to his early experience in acting the part of " ancient mariner ** of the Eaiapoi river, and bringing in the first vessel over the bar. He said he was thoroughly acquainted with the river, and what expenditure would have to be incamd in opening it, and if any person gave him £100, he would open ap a good channel from Lock* point ta I the bridge. After a good deal of interrnntion and laughter, Mr 3. Johnston said be thought if anj thing was likely to be done effectually, it ought to be done at a properly convened publio meeting. He would tujgeat that the present meeting be allowed to lapse, and that a requisition be presented to the Mayor asking bim to call one to bave the matter discussed. d Mr Johnston'* suggestion took the form of a resolution, and being seconded by Mr B*lcb> was agreed to. The meeting then terminated. Eaiapoi Bobottob Council — The Conn* cil met at the usual hour on Toctday for tha transaction of their ordinary fortnightly business. Pr. fent — His Worship the Mayor and Councillors Blackwell, Milsom, Porter, Wear* ing and Kllen. The Clerk stated that the receipts during tbe -fortnight bad been, from : Court floes, £4 6s, and the credit balance at | the Bank amounted to £176 liis 2d. A cir- | cular was read from the Town Clerk of tha | City of Adelaide, aaking for information a* to the assessment of the Borough, and the amount of rate* levied annually. The Clerk •aid he had supplied the information. A let* ! ter wa* read from Mr Inspector Barsbam in. reply to one sent to him about cattle treepassing and damaging tree*, footpath*, and embankment*. The Inspector said he had not sufficient men at hi* disposal to keep one on the streets all night, but he would do what he) ' ; could to meet tbe withe* of the Council. He I had drawn the attention of tbe Bench to the j fact that if each small fine* aa 6* were inflicted for eleven horse* wandering afc large, the people were not likely to keep them off the •treet*. One of the member* of the Council was a constant source of trouble to the police by having hi* horse* constantly at large. Account* amounting to £22 4s Id were patted for payment. The Mayor reported that the Embankment* Committee had been bosy daring the fortnight superintending the eon* struction of drain* through the em* bankments to provide for ordinal/ Town drainage, and erecting suitable flood-gate* on the river aide of the embankment* to prevent the water getting back at high tide. A good deal of necessary opening* in the embankment* had been done away with, and part of the drain pipes under Charles street, opposite Jones and Beswick streets, had been cemented together, and well bedded in clay to stop leakage. A satisfactory arrangomeot bad been made with the Provincial Engineer and Mr Lock, by which the embankment originally proposed to be taken along Revell street close to the river would be erected on the street boundary of Mr Lock's section. Most of the material for ita construction would be taken out of Mr Lock* land, and the balance would be obtained by \ sloping and properly forming the street. Ifc > was resolved, on the motion of Councillor Porter, seconded by Councillor Blackwell — " That the Clerk revise tbe old assessment of the town, and lay it before the Council at next meeting, Dreparatory to fche striking of the ordinary Borough rate j also, that he ba paid the nenal fee for the work."— -The Council then adjourned.

MsißOTraro Aotsbxbxts.— The correspondent of the Otago Daily Timet write* a* follows :— Our are exhibition this year by the Victorian Academy of Art ia an improvement on those which have gone before it. The number of pictures sent in gave tbe Committee an opportunity of exercising a stricter selection, and of excluding those of inferior merit, so that there were comparatively few whose Sresence in such an exhibition wa* an absur* ty. On the other hand the absence was n >ted of aome name*, which all would have liked to see represented. An exhibition containing no pictures by Von Cueraud or Busselox, snd only two by Gully, necessarily is deprived of what should have been ita chief attractions. Besides the two of Mr Gully, New Zealand was represented by several able water-coloured drawings by l_r J. C. Hojte, and some oil painting* by Mir Jas. Peele. Altogether the display wa* a | very creditable one as the year's work of most of the artists of the Australian colonies. Passing to art of another kind, I may mention tbat the Rev Charles Clark's new lecture on ** Oliver Cromwell " proved a great success, and a very great draw. Mr Clark is the only man who can draw crowds which pack the Town Hall to ita atmost capacity and leave hundreds to go disappointed away from the doors. It is nseless noticing tha theatres, a* they havo had no change of any kind since I wrote last. Mil* Alice Donning (Lingard) is steadily ingratiating herself ia the publio favour, and, stranger still, is said to be a great personal favourite with all her fellow actors and actresses, in whom her winning manners have overcome every feeling of professional rivalry. Preparations are being m « j * 0T th * erectJon °* * n «* theatre to be railed fche Academy of Music, combined with 'wx Arcade, It is situated in Bourko street —

the home of the drama— a little above th< Opera House, and will, ib is said, whon com Sletod, be tho most comfortablo theatre in felbourne. Thb Dunedin Raoeooubsb— The Austra lasian thus describes tho grand stand and racecourse at the Forbury ; —The accommodation provided is auoh as wo should expect to aoo at some fourth-rate town in Victoria, and a disgrace to suoh a oity as Dunodin. To oull the edifice ereoted for tho accommodation of the publio a grand stand wonld be a mookery ,- it 18 about the roughost thing in stands that w# have seen for many a day, and an the bars underneath are opon to every body, it may be easily imagined how unoomfortablo and inconvenient it must bo for tho ropr<nentutives of the fair sot, few of whom, howovor, putroniso tho dirty looking structure. The saddling paddock is altogether too diminutive, and fche loose-boxes therein muoh smaller than they should be. The arrangements aro of a vory primitive naturo, and will not bear comparison with those of tho V R. 0., A. J.0., Hobart Town, Ballarat, Goolong, and many other clubs thab wo oould mention. Tho course, whioh is about a milo in oircumforence, was in bad ordor, being rough and uneven in many places, and inside it, close to the running, was a ditoh about, threo feet deep, a most dangorous affair, and likoly at • sometime or othor to prove the death of •either a horse or a jookoy. All these defi- • oieneies are attributable to tho foot, of tho olub having no lease of tho ground, and the probability of ita being tukon from them nt any moment j but wo bolieve that in the event uf 'failing to secure a long lease of tho oourse, the club will purohase somo otber ground on tho line of railway, form another track, and erect a stand worthy of euoh a progroßsive oity as Dunedin.