LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3356, 10 January 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Municipal Offices. — The Committee appointed by the City Council to consider the question ot' the erection of now municipal oflices mot yesterday afternoon at the Council Chambers'; present — Councillors Wilson (chairman), Binstead, and his Worship the Mayor. The matter of sites was discussed, and as the land on which the present oflices stand and the Council's yard are the only pieces of ground at the disposal of the Council for this purpose, it was decided to recommend that the present yard be chosen as a site for the new buildings, and an opinion was expressed after making a personal inspection that if the Government gave the Council a piece of land adjoining the yard, there would be ample room on which to build & Town Hall and Magistrate's Court. The Committee considered that the present municipal oflices might be readily let and made to yield a rental which would go towards paying the interest on money borrowed for the erection of the new offices. The Committee satisfied themselves that the site to be recommended to the Council contained

a : sufficient area to provide ample room for the erection of the required offices, and decided to aak the Council to call for competitive designs, with first and second premiums.

The Reapeb and Bindbb Contest. — This contest, which takes place on Thursday next at Mr Boag's farm, Riccarton, willacquir« vastly widened interest from the fact that on that occasion Mr John Anderson, of the Canterbury Foundry, will exhibit in action one of Aveling and Porter's Boyal Agricultural Society's first prize agricultural locomotive engines. It may be of interest to state that these engines are now being largely used in England for all classos of farm work j perhaps the greatest novelty in connection with them being the admirably ingenious manner in which they have been employed in the harvest field, where, by a suitable craneattachment they have driven a speciallydesigned reaper, making a cut of eleven feet wide, at the rate of nearly three miles an hour. Reliable authorities state that the engine and reaper in full work easily cut thirty acres per day of 10 hours.

Rcnaway.— A horse in the telegraph express, while standing on the Lincoln road, Addington, to-day, during some repairs being made to the line, had his blinkers taken off by the driver at dinner time to allow him to feed, and becoming startlod at something passing, bolted down the road, turned into Oxford terrace and Worcester street, thence through the square and round the block by Colombo and Gloucester streets, and in making a short cut over the Gloucester street footpath, stuck for a second in the channelling, and then came violently against the corner lamp poat. The horse and trap were turned over completely and with considerable violence. The animal though very much shaken was otherwise uninjured, but the undergear of the trap was smashed to pieces, and one of the shafts broken clean off. The lamp post, though not broken, waß dented, and knocked out of perpendicular.

The Piako.— The Piako sailed from Pernambuco on Dec. 29. The fire was confined to the cargo in the fore-hold principally, and the ship was practically uninjured. She was sunk, but raised again without difficulty three days afterwards.

f Goods Tbaffic, South Linb.— With a view of getting rid of the accumulation of goods intended for the South caused by the late floods, an average number of 140 loaded waggons has been sent down the line daily during the last week, and on Wednesday evening and last nigkt an extra special goods . train was sent to Ashburton, each consisting \>f 44 waggons. H.A.C.B.S.— The Hibernian and Austra-

lasian Catholic Benefit Bociety, Christchurch Branch No. 82, held an extraordinary meeting last night in St Patrick's Hall. Mr E. O'Connor was appointed to represent the Lodge at the half-yearly meeting of delegates to be held at Dunedin on Jan. 16. Three new members were admitted, and three more were nominated for admission. The number now in this lodge is 120.

The Stewaets. — Nothwithstanding the Btrong counter-attractions of last evening, the Stewarts had a good audience at the Oddfellows' Hall, and once more submitted

their medley entertainment with the most satisfactory results. "If " is to be repeated this evening and to-morrow. The season will terminate on Monday night, when the performance will be for the benefit of the Misses Stewart, and on that occasion a special programme is to be produced. Railway Time Table. — In anticipation of the opening of the through line to Inver-

cargill, the Railway Department hare arranged in sheet form a time table showing the whole of tho trains running from Amberley to the Bluff, and also on the various branch lines. This new arrangement will prove a great convenience to the public, and prevent the inconvenience hitherto experienced of having to hunt over each district time table of the various sections before making a lengthened journey. /> Temperance Hotel Company Limited.—

A meeting of the Provisional Directors was held on Wednesday at the Temperance Hall, Gloucester street, Mr W. Pratt in the chair. There was a good attendance, and after much

ducussion of the respective merits of the various sites four were chosen to be brought [before the shareholders nt tho first meeting. The 5000 shares being now almost taken up, the Chairman was empowered to call a mectjing of the shareholders, if possible, within a ifortnight, to float the company, and the Secretary was recommended to commence the canvass of the outlying districts at once. Tailohs' Picnic, — A well-attended meeting of operative tailors was held last evening at the Foresters' Hall, Oxford Terrace, for the purpose of considering the question of holding a general picnic, similar to the gathering of last year. The chair was taken by Mr Hudson, Mr Graham being appointed honorary secretary ; and after a general discussion it was resolved that the picnic should be duly arranged. A deputation was appointed to wait upon the masters, and doubtless they will respond with as much generosity as they did last year, when more than 300 pfirsons joined m the trip to Governor's Bay. Dibect Steam Communication with Europe. — The New Zealand Shipping Company have received a telegram from their London agency, stating that they had ehar-

tered the large, full powered steamer Stail Haarlem, 2700 tons register, for the conveyance of 600 immigrants to the Colony. The

steamer is appointed to make the round voyage out and Home again, and will sail on Jan. 28. She may therefore be expected in New Zealand about March 20. It is the Company's intention to load her back direct to London, and as she has splendid accommodation for first and second cabin passengers, a most favourable opportunity will be presented to parties desirous of a summer Tisit to Europe.

Me Vaeley. — Mr Henry Varley held two meetings yesterday, one in the afternoon! at the Congregational Schoolroom, when a Bible reading took place, and the other in the evening at the Gaiety Theatre, where an evangelistic service was held. Mr Varley gave out a hymn and engaged in prayer : he then read a portion of Scripture, and another hymn was sung. Mr Varley then delivered a stirring address, taking for his subject the slaying of the Paschal Lamb. After singing the hymn " Once for all," the meeting, which was a crowded one, was brought to a close bj' prayer and the Benediction, pronounced by Mr Varley, who stated that the subject for this evening at the Gaiety Theatre would be, " Can I know for a certainty that I am saved, and how?" He also stated that he would hold two services at the Theatre Royal on Sunday next, in the afternoon at three and in the evening at half-past seven.

/ Tub Timabu Bheakwaxkb.— We notice jtliat the contractors have commenced tho flaying down of the permanent way for the crane between the shore and tho 620-ton block. They have also got the concreto mixer ready to work, and will thus be enabled to make blocks much easier, and with less labour. The idea which has got about that the shingle and, action of tho waves is injuring the large block is simply the result of pure imagination, and lias no foundation whatever on fact. The slight irregularities in its corners and sides were caused by tho water getting into the casing while it was being constructed, and before it had time to set properly. Since the casing has been taken off and the block fully ! exposed to tho action of the sea, no damage whatever has been done to it. We may mention that all tho steel rails for the crane have been here for some time ; but we believe the Harbour Board have a9 yet received no advice as to the exact date when the crane itself will be delivered. — Timaru Herald.

Lyttelton Colonists' Society. — The usual monthly meeting of the committee of this Society was held at the Colonists' Hall, Lvttelton, on Wednesday evening. A letter from the Lyttelton Fire Brigade was read, thanking the committee for free use of the Hall. The plans for the proposed enlargement of the Hall were laid on the table and discussed, when it was resolved to refer the mutter back to the sub-committee, to report again at a special meeting, to bo held on Jan. 22. It was decided that the oriel window and staircase windows should be protected with wire netting on the inside. Mr Jacobson stated that owing to Ids leaving Lyttelton it was necessary for him to resign the office of President of the Society. He expressed his regret at having to do so, and assured the Committee of tho interest he should always take in tho Society's welfare. Mr J. C. Boddington was then elected to the office of President, and Mr W. H. Lance to that of vice-president. Mr Lance was also requested to retain the office of Hon. Treasurer. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Jacobson for the very valuable assistance he had rendered to tlie Society during his residence in Lyttelton. The meeting then adjourned.

Panobama.— The Panorama of New Zealand Views will be exhibited this evening to. ti^ U A hh^ e Tomi Ha31 ' * ha* been IS nft "Venipleton, I^ola, Doyleston, i,n?«f pI f CeB ' and has mefc withafai; amount of patronage. DHAPEBB AND Cl0THIEB8? PIONIC.-A meeting of drapers and clothiers has been arranged to take place at 8 o'clock this evening, at the Commercial Hotel, for the purpose of arranging a general picnic. The chair is to be taken by his Worship the Mayor, and a very large attendance is anticipated. / Fevbb Dkns.— The attention of the authorities is once more called to the condition of Lyttelton and George streak, la thp^Krmer a death from fever occu/red last ifight, and there appear to be grounds for the statement that the sanitary condition of/ both these streets is such as fao constitute them fever dens. With pools joi stagnant/water in which ducks revel, and ytne soaden / 'condition of the soil, calculated' to produce the germs of typhoid fever^ together with an atmospheric condition favourable to the spread of disease, it is imperative that prompt and energetic measures should be adopted to remove the ijßvil referred to.

Cbicket. — A match between the Hagley Oakleaf and Avonside Clubs was ulayed on Saturday last, and resulted in a victory for the Hagley Oakleaf by one innings and 37 runs. Fisher 22 not out, Nevin 16, Ashby 10, and Board 10, played well for the H.O.L.C.C. Ridley 14 not out also did well for Avonside. The scores were— H.O.L.C.C. 85, Avonside 23 and 25. A return match was played on Wednesday between the Juvenile Good Templars of Rangiora> and the Woodend District School, which resulted in a victory for Woodend by one innings and 61 rung. The totals were— Woodend, 108; Rangiora J.G.T., first innings, 26 j second innings, 31; total, 57. The highest scorers for Rangiora were— C. Clarke and H. Wilson ; for Woodend, E. Stackwood, E. Francis, and &. Jud-

A6HBUBTONBaHOUGH COUNOIL. — A special meeting of this Council was held at the Town Clerk's offieeß, Montgomery's Buildings, on Thursday afternoon ; present — The Mayor, Councillors Roberts, Williamson, Friedlander, Shearman and Saunders. The Mayor said that the reason the meeting was held was for the purposes of considering the question of Charitable Aid and Hospital Management, and whether the Council thought it necessary to request ft member of this Council to attend the meeting of delegates at Christchurch on Jan. 10. He doubted the advisability of appointing a representative for the Central Board. In doing so they might lose the opportunity of having a local Board of their own in Ashburton, and it would be much better to work independently of the Christchurch Board. Councillor Williamson proposed, Councillor Shearman seconded — " That this Council declines to nominate a representative, or to join the Central Board at present." Carried. Councillor Friedlander moved, Councillor Saunders seconded — " That His Worship the Mayor be requested to attend the meeting at Christchurch on Friday next." Carried. The Council then adjourned.

1.0.0.F., M.U., Nohth Canterbury Dibtbict. — The separation of this district and the formation of a new one, to be called the "Ashley District," with boundaries similar to those of the County of Ashley, appears to have been lost sight of recently. But now it is stated that all the necessary preh"niinarieß have been satisfactorily completed, and applications have been sent from all the lodges north of the Waimakariri, praying to be taken into the district as above. The decision of the delegates at a district meeting in April, 1877, was that the new district be formed, and the delay has been caused through some technical error in the form of making the necessary application, which was referred back to Canterbury for correction. The lodges have now with one exception decided in a most unanimous manner at their annual meetings that the separation shall take place, and the application will therefore be placed before the next A.M.C., to be held in England in May next. The only alteration made in the district is that the southern boundary asked for is the north instead of, as formerly, the south branch of the river Waimakariri, thus leaving the Kaiapoi Lodge in the original district, as they wore opposed to the gepa ration.

Fibe from a Yankee Locomotive. — On Thursday afternoon the third fire -which has occurred in the neighbourhood of Rangiora through the agency of these engines took place, and again in the same spot as the last one, Ttetj a reserve which has been thoroughly planted with forest treeß. The engine attached to the mid-day train to Amberley threw out a spark, or, rather, a lump of red-hot coal into the reserve, and as the grass on it has not been cut or fed off the accumulation of dry material soon ignited and spread rapidly through the trees to the fence which divides the reserve from Mr Thome's property. That gentleman immediately sent a messenger to raise the alarm in Rangiora, and the Fire Brigade turned out at once with their small engine, and were quickly conveyed to the spot in Mr Blackctt's cart. They fixed the engine near the creek, and soon put the fire out. Whilst these engines are permitted to burn the light New Zealand coal without any spark deflector attached to the funnel, fires will of necessity be of constant occurrence, and it is surprising that more damage has not been done during so dry a season. The reserve on which the fire oocurred has been entirely neglected since the days of Provincial rule, when it was let for the sake of the grass, and fires then were obviated because it was not allowed to grow to such a rank Btate as it is now. Fortunately the damage done was confined to tho reserve, and no private property waa injured except the dividing fence above alluded'to.