LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2613, 9 August 1876, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stobagk op Timber.— ln reference to tho heavy beams which tbe oifcy authorities havo left lying for somo timo past on Oxford terrace, near to Madras bridgo, it may bo worth whilo fco romark that tho publio streots aro not tho proper plaoe for (he storage of timber, and that only aboufc a yoar ago substantial damages wero reoovered by a porson in Greymouth, who had been injured by tripping ovor somo tolograph poles loft in a similar situation. If a privato citizen were to oreate an obstruction of the kind montioned ho would be forthwith haled before a Court j hut of oourso streets are created for tho oonvonionoo of Counoils,not Councils for tho management of sfcreots. Nevertheless, and supposing that ifc would bo oontrory to the order of nature that this timber ehould be placed in somo moro retired situation, it would bo no infringement upon that order, and involvo no extravagant expenditure, if a small oil lamp— eay of two oandlo power— were suspended over fcho beams in question. This stop might moreover save fcho cosfc of a law suit.

Capture ov a Seal.— A fine seal, measuring Bft 6in in length, was caught on Thursday last, by Mr Thomas Whakelin, afc Harris Bay, Port Levy. The skin waa beautifully flue and very handsomely marked.

Aooident at thb Thbatbb. — Another accident ooourred this afternoon at the new Theatro which, though luckily unattended by sorious oonsequonces, caused a great fright and somo little loss and delay. One of the principals for the roof, eaoh of whioh consists of sovoral huge beams, bolted and jointed together weighing between two and three tons, was boing hoisted into position on the side walls. It had almost readied the required level, and two men were dragging one end, as it swung in tho air, into the western wall, when the ropeß gavo way. The whole mass oame down, one ond resting on tho ground, and the other crashing through the skeleton of tho proßoenium. Tho onlookers expeoted to seo it go through the joists of the wall, but though tho latter trembled a good: deal they remained firm. It waß a very narrow eeoape for tho two men employed upon the wall, and if the prosoenium had not broken tho fall of tho big beams, they would probably havo been knocked off thoir perch, and severely hurt, if not killed.

Bombabding A Sohool,— lt was mentioned in an Otago paper a short time ago that the sohool building at Port Chalmers was damaged by the effects of a blast upon the adjoining railway works. A seoond incident of tho kind ooourred the other day, when a stono of somo four pounds weight was hurled through the window, and struok one of the desks at whioh the ohildren sit. The contractor does not seem to be a oruel man, or to have any homioidal intentions, as he carefully fired off his artillery before the ohildren had assembled for scbool, ot, says tho Daily Times, "one of them would in all probability have been killed."

Oantbbbubt Railways*— ln Appendix B to the Publio Works Statement, the Engineer-in-Chief recommends as follows: — "I take this opportunity of suggesting that the gauge of tho Canterbury broad gauge lines should be changed to 3ft 6in, if possible, during the present year, and that the Ohristohuroh and Lytteiton Stations should be re-arranged, and a largo store ereoted on tbe Gladstone wharf. I have no data for forming any estimate of tbe cost of these works, but think that, with the neoessary rolling stook, it will be about £60,C00."

Thb Late Suioidb in Dunbdin.— lt was mentioned in our telegrams last week that a horsodealer, named Robert Roberts, had committed suicide by taking stryohnine. It seems that on Friday last deoeased left his house early, and as ho did not return to breakfast, one of his sons went to search for him. He was found lying dead in the loft, and near him were two flasks, in one of whioh were traces of strychnine. Deceased had lately beon in a very despondent state about his monetary affairs. At the inquest, the jury returned a verdiot of suioide, while in a state of temporary insanity. Cantbbbuby Rowing Ciub.— The annual meeting ot members will be held on Friday, Sept. 1, at Warner's Hotel. Nbw Fibb Bbigadb Station. — The erection of this building is progressing very rapidly. The roof is now on, the tower ia partly ereoted, and the contractor expeots to finish his work in about a month.

Thb Latb Mb Fulibb'b Family.— The following additional subscriptions have been reoeived by Dr Yon Haast:— Professor Bicker* ton, £1 jDr Powell, ifil ; 0. F. Todhunter, £1 ; A. Carrick, IOs ; J. M. Heywood and Co., £1 Is,- F. J. Garriok, £1 Isj W. P. Cowlishaw, £1 ls j W. Jones, IOs ; James Tait, £1 1 John Inglis, £1 ls. Dbum and Fipb Band. — Efforts are being mado to establish a drum and fife band in oonneotion with the Glouoester street sohool. Mr Woodford, with whom the project originated, has already obtained the promise of about £15 towards the oost of the neoessary instruments, and there are plenty of boys willing to beoome members of the band: Petition.— The petition in favour of the release of Mr W. P. Townend, who was reoently oommitted to a term of imprisonment for manslaughter, will be forwarded to Mr Moorhouse, who has consented to take oharge of it, today. It has been signed by 6000 persons, and measures over 260 feet in length. The heading has been very neatly engrossed by Mr James Goodman. New Municipality. — The residents of the thickly populated suburbs on the south side of the oity purpose taking steps with a view to tho establishment of a municipality. They oonsider that the Road Boards have nofc done justice to thom for many years past, and thafc the Road districts are too large. It is proposed that the municipality shall inolude Newtown, from the Colombo road westward, and a portion of Addington. A meeting will shortly be held to discuss the matter. L.0.L., No. 2.— The usual monthly meeting of the above lodgo was held in the Orange Hall last night. There was a good attendance of the brethren, as well as a number of visitors from the sister lodges, and also some recent arrivals from tho Old Country. The officers and Oommitteo were eleoted for the ensuing year, lhe lodge having been closed with tbe usual ceremonies, the brethren retired for refreshments, when the loyal and patriotic toasts wore duly proposed and responded to, interspersed with a number of songs. The brothren separated after spending a very pleasant evening. Colombo Road Wbsibyan Chuboh.— A meeting of the Committee for promoting tho ereotion of a new Wesleyan Churoh in Colombo road was held at Mr 0. W. Tomer's office on Monday afternoon. A oorner seotion of land olose to the Agricultural Grounds was deoided upon as a site for the ohuroh, subjeot to a t reasonable prioo being asked for it. The ComI mittoo also rosolved to offor a premium of twenty guineas for the best design for a ohuroh to aooommodate 400 persons, and capable of boing onlargod to aooommodate 700. The ohuroh is to be oreoted of wood or concrete, and for 400 poople, not to cost more than £1500. It is intended teereota parsonage immediately tho land is secured, and an aotive canvass is to be mado for subscriptions in aid of the whole undertaking. FIBB Polios.— A genoral meeting of the mombors of the Firo Police was held at the Brigade Hall, Liohfield etreet, at half- post soven o'clook last ovening, Officer R. 0. Bishop in tho ohair. Captain Alport read a report of tho fires whioh had ooourred since their last mooting. A letter was received from the Oity Council conveying tho thanks of the Counoil to the Police for the services they had rendored during the year. A letter was also road from the Counoil notifying tbe appointment of Mr H. E. Alport as Fire Inspootor. Representations were made as to tbe ineffloienoy of tha ringing of (he bells. Mr Superintendent Harris explained (bat in future the bells at tbe different sohools would be rung. Correspondence was read on the question of the inefficient water supply afc the Easfc and South portions of Ohriafcohuroh. Ifc waa stated thafc the Drainage Board had under consideration a soheme for supplying the deficiency. After consideration of the Treasurer's report and other routine bwAuif * tha meeting <dof#d*