LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3350, 3 January 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

-» ■ Duck Hunt. — A duck hunt is announced to take place afc 5 o'clock this afternoon afc the Waterman's Steps, Lyttelton, in connection with fche lato regatta. Abbest. — A man named Joseph Hall was arrested this morning in Christchurch on the charge of stealing a valuable retriever dog from a tent afc Hornby junction. Registbation of Dogs.— As many persons have called afc the Police Depdt during the last few days to register dogs, it may be as well to inform owners of these animals that dogs have for the future, to be registered at the Town Clerk's Office, where-eollars can be obtained on payment of the customary fee. 7 ' | yTnBOTTGH Teafeic to Dunedin-.— By fittest advices last nighfc ifc was stated that it Avas doubtful whether the repairs to tho /Rangitata bridge would admiti of the ordinary j through traffic fco Duriediri^being resumed [before Wednesday noxt. We how learn that Iso much expedition has been used in repair- [ ing the damage that the department believe [fchey will be able to run fche passenger trains \through to-morrow morning, and they hope fco get heavy luggage over towards evening. /^Railway Cab Stand.— The By-law Committee visited the South belt this morning, -and decided on fche position of the cab-stand lat the railway-station. It is intended fchat after allowing a width of one chain across the belfc from the main passenger entrance, the hansom cabs shall range at one side and the four-wheelers^lie otber, so that a passenger by bailing r*^B| or left can have tbe description of cab ,c desires. It is to be hoped the jCommittee will compel fche cabmen to leave ia sufficient space for foofc passengers to cross \nto Manchester street from tbe landing of the new foot-bridge. 1.0.G.T. — At the regular weekly session of Sfc. Andrew's Lodge, No. 41, held on last Tuesday evening, Dec. 31, Bro Clephane, D.D.G.W.C.T., and representative to the Grand Lodge, gave an interesting resumti of the business done at the Grand Lodge, for which fche worthy and respected brother received fche hearty thanks of the Lodge. The Lodge also expressed its approval of the work done at the Grand Lodge session in Nelson. Manchbstee Stbeet Cbossing. — Councillor Ayers' efforts to have a crossing made over the South town belt, from Manchester sfcreefc to the railway station, are likoly to meet with success, as Mr T. Richmond, of the Terminus Hotel, has offered- to contribute one-half the cosfc of an asphalfce crossing from the western footpath in Manchester street to the footpath opposite tho railway footbridge, which leads to tho new landing platform used for the up trains. The Council promised to cany oufc this very necessary work if one-half its cosfc were contributed, and it will no doubt now be put in hand after the nexfc meeting of that body. Avon Road Boabd. — The annual meeting of the ratepayers of the Avon Road District was held afc noon to-day, in the Road Board oflice, for the purpose of electing tliree members to the Board, in the place of Messrs Strout, Dickenson, and Munro, who retire hy rotation. The following gentlemen were nominated : — Messrs Munro, Elesher, Bligh Strouts, Dickenson, and Philpott. Th< polling will take place on Friday, Jan. 10. Watbb Surri.Y Committee. — A meeting of the Water Supply Committee was hclc fchis morning afc fche City Council Chambers. Present — Councillors Cass (Cliairman), Ayers Wilson, and Gapes. The Committee closelj considered an epitomoof a few of tho scheme! sent in which had been drawn up by fche Cifc*] Surveyor at their request, and decided to further consider the subject on Monday nexfc Mi* J. S. M. Jacobsen waited upon the Com mittee, and further explained his scheme fo: water supply sent in some time ago. Tin meeting thanked Mr Jacobsen for his information. Ifc was decided fchafc fche Chairmai and Councillors Wilson and Ayers shoulc visit Anderson's foundry and learn whether i cylinder and cylindrical pipes of the required size could be obtained for an experiment o'. Mr W. White's plan of supply from the Waimakariri. Recent Fibe at Timabu. — At the re quest of Judge Ward an inquiry will be helc afc the Melville Hotel, on Friday next, inti fcho origin of the fire fchat destroyed hii garden and grounds lasfc Saturday. FopuliAß SroBTS Committee. — A confer ence was to have taken place yesfcerda; between the Popular Sports Committee ant the Domain Board, but aB it was found im possible to obtain a quorum of tho latte body, fche meeting was adjourned sine die. Mb Vabley. — Mr Henry Varley, whos name has recently been before the public a a revivalist preacher is expected by tin Wakatipu on Tuesday, and will givo gospe addresses at *he Theatre Royal on Sunday We hear fchafc arrangements are being mad for othor services during his stay in Christ church. Tiie Snow Ground and Tns Fobestebe — The Agricultural and Pastoral Associatio: consider themselves to have been badl; treated by those responsible for their showgrounds on Boxing Day. At the meeting o tlie Association held yesterday, the matte was referred to by Mr Duncan, who sai< fchafc fche amount of rent received for tho usi of the ground would nofc by any means com pensate for the damage done to ifc during an< after fche Foresters' Fete. Theatbe RoYAii. — Last evening Messr Baker and Farron produced a new play, enti tied " Lisa Eccles." There was a fairly goo attendance, and apparently the audience wa satisfied with the performance, since applaus was freely bestowed. The drama as repre senfced was of a mosfc common-place charactei and was so heavily laden with the specia humour in which Messrs Baker and Farror excel as to bo neither more nor less than ai ordinary music hall entertainment. Of th innumerable jokes introduced, some wer drearily old, and many were far from bein' in good tasto. Tho piece is to be playec again this evening. Accident. — An accident of rather a serious nature occurred at the Springfield Collierj on tlie morning of Jan. 1, by which a max named Hollows, one of the miners, received such injuries as necessitated his removal tc the Christchurch Hospital by the 12.45 train the samo day. Owing to some mismanagement on the parfc of the lad in charge of the engine, several loaded trucks were allowed tc run back in the drive dislodging some of the props and causing a fall in the roof. Hollows ifc appears, was sent in to repair the damage, svhen another fall took place, inflicting such injuries as necessitated liis immediate removal to the Hospital. North Avon Dbainage. — Good progress s being made with fcho drainage cutting ir. Madras streefc North, considering the treachor )us nature of the ground, and some idea oi ihe extent of the work may bo formed when fc is stated that the trench is 9 feofc 6 inches leep and 7 feofc 6 inches wide. Afc fche verj >ufcset a bed of quicksand was encountered md to relieve the work from the inimens* •uantity of water, a new pump had to b< unk to the depth of 11 feet 6 inches. Tin '•gging is becoming an unusually troublesom* iperation, in consequence of the numeroui tumps of white pine deeply embedded, anc irobably towards fche Belt these will increa-3* n number, ac was tho case in the formation o Jarbadoes street North by tho City Council rorkmen. v

■^ mm^mmmmmmm, —m.mm Indecbnoy. — A man was yesterday arrested on a charge of indecency committed near the Stanmore road bridge on the evening of Tuesday lasfc. ' . Labbikins' Spoils. — The police have afc then* depot a shop window blind. 12f fc long by 3£ffc wide, which hisl' evidently been carried off from its rightful position by some frolicsome larrikins. Ifc was found aboufc 2 o'clock on Wednesday morning afc the corner of Tuam and Manchester streets. Mademoiselle Chabbonnet. — We hear there is a prospect; of seeing fchis celebrated pianiste in Christchurch in a few weeks. She lias just given a very successful concert in Nelson, and arrangements aro being made to get up a complimentary concert for her m Wellington at an early date. Hoese Found. — A mare, which was suffering from either a broken leg or a dislocated fetlock joint, was found yesterday by Constable Crockett in the road aboufc a mile on this side of Cashmere. The constable made every inquiry in the neighbourhood for the animal's owner, bufc wifchoufc success. Cantebbuey Coursing Club. — A meeting of the Committee was held yesterday at the Shades ; present — Messrs Walker, Disher, Jerome, Hill, Porter, and Judge. Mr Walker was voted to the chair. After confirming the minutes of the previous meeting the Chairman read a letter from Mr H. V. Anson, in which that gentleman resigned the office A^^j Secretary, owing to increasing business^B^HH gagements, and Mr Walker, at the r? S/^^Bj^^ the meeting, agreed to act as Secret'tt^iinti^^.; the general meeting, which will be held on ' the third Wednesday in the present month. Several accounts were passed for payment, and after the disposal of a few routine duties fche meeting terminated. Fibe. — Aboufc daybreak yesterday morning ifc was discovered that fche stables and coachhouse to be connected wifch Mr Poole's new hotel at Bingsland, were on fire. Fortunately there was no wind, and the fire was consequently confined to the premises mentioned, and a stack of timber, which however, were totally destroyed, entailing a loss upon Mr T. J. Gee, the contractor, of some £500 or £600. The adjoining premises arc those of Mr Hardy Johnston, but the only loss that gentleman has sustained is the destruction of a portion of Ms fence, and of somo fruifc trees. No clue has as yet been found to lead to the discovery of the origin of fcho fire. Mr Gee had not insured the property, which has been destroyed. Hortus Siccus. — A very interesting and collection of naturalised grasses, that [is to say, English grasses now becoming wild ) throughout New Zealand, has been made by Mr M. Murphy, secretary to the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. They, number in all aboufc 40, and are arranged. 1 according to their values from an agricultural point of view. It is intended to add to this collection the indigenous grasses and wild plants of New Zoaland, to bo duly named, with their peculiarities and characteristics as indicative of the nature of the soils upon which they grow fidly noted. When the whole is completed in the excellent manner in ■ which the firsfc parfc has been, the collection "will be of very greafc use fco our agriculturists and graziers. Bible Chbistians. — The Christchurch and Addington Sunday-schools held their pic- . nic ©n Wednesday, at Mr Straw's, Wilderness J Farm, permission having been given by Mr ■ Grigg. The children met in tho Lincoln road whence they proceeded to the farm. A fine triumphal arch was erected at tho entrance into the paddock, on which was written, " Welcome to the Bible Christian Schools." The Games Committee, Mr J. W. Reed and Mr D. Lanyon, soon found their hands full. A cricket match, Christchurch v. Addington, resulted in a victory for the formor. A luncheon was spread, afc which ample justice was dono. A varioty of games wero then organised, and the children presented with toys. About 5 o'clock a tea was spread, followed by more games until about 8 o'clock when all the conveyances were formed into a circle and lusty cheers given, by young and old, to Mr and Mrs Straw for fcheir groat kindness, and to Mr Grigg for the loan of the paddock. Town was reached about 9, without a singlo mishap, and all having thoroughly enjoyed the day. Complimentary Suppeb.— On New Year's Eve the members of the firm of Messrs J. T. Smith and Co., printers, &c, Hereford street, were entertained to supper by their employes at their works, Springfield road. The large compositor's room was cleared and fcasfcefulfy decorated with evergreens and mottoes for the occasion, and after the visitors and friends, numbering over fifty, had inspected tbe machinery and received explanations of the mysteries of lithographing and printing, they sat down fco a good supper. Mr Scotfc, the* foreman of the works, presided. After supper, when the usual loyal toasts had beon drunk, Mr Scofcfc proposed fche firm of Messrs J. T. Smith and Co., and alluded to fiie good feeling tliat had always existed between masters and men, and the pleasure the employes had in working for masters who were so considerate towards them. Mr J. T. Smith, sen., the head of tho firm, responded, thanking the employes for fcheir expressions of good will and the kindly way in which they had drunk to the toast. Tlie "Employes" was nexfc proposed by Mr W. Sidney Smith, one of fche firm, and responded fco by Messrs Scott, M'lntosh and S. W. Smith, foremen of the different departments. The toast of the " Visitors " was nexfc given, and responded to by fche editor of the Neio Zealand Wesleyan. The evening wa3 further enlivened by selections, of music and songs, rendered by Mr J. T. M'Leod-Smith and other friends. The proceedings terminated a Uttie after ten, after a most enjoyable evening had been spent. Costly Telegbams. — A lato number of Mayfair, says ''Mr Archibald Forbes, abandoning at an hour's notice his profrainme of a lecturing tour in tho United tates, sefc out lasfc week for India, fco describe the now Afghan war. Telegraphing from India is no joke, and the Daily News will have to pay pretty stiffly for its conjfcribution fco maintain its pre-eminenco in war fcorrcspondence. Each word telegraphed from ftndia costs 4s 6d. Thus Mr Forbes' comnnuuication to his paper will cosfc over £100 a fcolumn for the mere chargo of telegraphic