LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3358, 13 January 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

) Cabeiees' Licenses.— Out of 91 carriers' I; licenses issued last year, which expired on Dec. 24, according to the by-law, only 23 applications for renewals have been so far 1 received this month. These will be considered i by the Council at to-night's meeting, and the . police will then be instructed to proceed _ against the carriers who are working without a license. 1 / Eollino THE South Belt. — Instructions t /were given by the Works Corninitteo this l morning to have the South belt rolled with the steam roller, from Madras to Colombo Istreets. This work, if effectually performed, Will be a great boon to pedestrians going to - 'and coming from the railway. 1 FOOTBBIDGE NEABWABD'S BbEWEBY.— As the contractor for the footbridge over the » Avon near Ward's brewery is making very little preparation, so far as can be seen, for 1 carrying out his contract, tho Works Comi mittee have instructed the City Surveyor to ' notify to him the time that has elapsed since , the contract was signed. [ Foeestet.— The name of P.D.C.R. Bro. W. B. Hobbs should have appeared in our report ' of tlie district meeting as delegate for Court i 2309, instead of that of Bro. Williams. i The Stewaet Family.— To-night will be J the last opportunity that the Christchurch I public will have for enjoying a thoroughly I pleasant evening with the Stewart Family, at | the Oddfellows' Hall. On Saturday there was an excellent house to witness, for the last f time in its entirety, the performance of " If." , The performance this evening will consist of the first act of " Rainbow Eevels " and tho last act of " If." It will be for tlie benefit . of the Misses Stewart, whose popularity will no doubt be abundantly manifested by the patronage they will receive. Eailway Band. — A meeting of the members of the Eailway Band was held on Friday evening, when some new members were enrolled. The present manager was elected President and trustee of the band's property. Mr Bowles was appointed seei*etary, and Mr Fitch Treasurer. A strong working committee was also appointed. As funds were wanting, a subscription list was opened in the room, when nearly £1.0 was subscribed by the members present. Arrangements were also made to procure at once the necessary instruments completing the strength of the band. As tho Society comprises some first-class musicians, there is no doubt of its future succoss. Sunday School Picnic — Tho annual picnic in connection with tho Sunday school of St John's Church at Leeston, was held on Now Year's eve. Tho children assembled at tho Church about 2 o'clock, whence they marched to a paddock, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr J. J. Loe, whore games of various kinds were indulged in. A bountiful supply of prizes wore presented to the winners. About half-past four tho children again mustered for tea, which was provided by tho ladies of tho congregation, and after ample justice had beon dono to the good things provided, the games were again started and entered into with much spirit. By the kindness of Mr and Mrs Lawrence, and Mrs Cliapman, each child was tho recipient of a prize. Tho success Of tho day's picnic was mainly due to tho untiring exertions of Mr and Mrs Harper, Mesdames Loo, Lawrence, Chapman, and Dudley. Before separating, hearty cheers were given for Mr and Mra Loe, Eev W. Harper, and Mr Ford. Evangelical. — Mr Henry Varley's meetings yesterday were very largely attended. In tho morning he preached in tho Congregational Church, taking for his subject " The abundance of spiritual life," as shown forth in Ezckiel, chapter xlvii. In the afternoon, long before tho time announced, crowds of people had besieged the Theatre, which was quickly filled, the service lasting for about an hour and a half. In the evening an immense concourse was brought together, not only tho body of tho Theatre being filled, wherovei* standing room as well as seats could bo found, but also all the available space on the stage was used in like manner, and numbers wero unable to gain admission. In consequence of i tho place being so completely filled,' Mi* 1 Varley commenced the service boforo tho J appointed time by giving out tho well-known hymn, "Stand up for Jesus." Prayer was i then offered by Mr Varley, after which he read the 3rd chapter of the Epistle to tho j Ephesians, and founded his address from the * words : " The unsearchable riches of Christ." 1 About 9 o'clock, when this was concluded, Mr t Varley, after he had prayed, said if any desired t to leave they would havo an opportunity affor- s ded them, inviting others who might wish to do t so to remain for a short time longer. Those who \ left seemed to mako but very little difference a in the appearance of tho building, and a very r interesting after-meeting then took place, I when Mr Varley held a dialogue with tho 1 Bev E. Walker, and this appeared to make an v impression upon those presont, the subject v being taken from 1 Peter, ii, chap. 24 verse, v Mr Varley will give a bible reading at the f Congregational Church at three o'clock this s afternoon, and in tho evening there will be a c" special address at 7.30, i

GAoir Depabtment. — Seven prisoners now at Timaru undergoing long sentences of imprisonment will be transferred from the Timaru gaol to the Lyttelton gaol to-day. Abbest. — Detective Benjamin yesterday arrested a man on a charge of larceny from a dwelling. The man, who is well known to the police, had taken a watch, a silk handkerchief, and some other things, from the Terminus hotel, where he had been temporarily assisting the boots.*3 The Canteebttbt Team in Victobia.— From our special correspondent's account of the South Melbourne match, which will be found in another column, it will be seen that the Canterbury Eleven received a severe defeat at the hands of their opponents. The scores were— South Melbourne, 317: Canterbury, 90 and 134.

To his Honor : When a man is "solid " he ho is able to do business. To Mr Williams : The first time I saw him waa on the 18th. I saw him again on the Saturday. I saw him, I am positive, on Friday, and wanted to bring him down some booon. To his Honor : Hirst was knocking about Kaiapoi on Thursday, ITriday, and Saturday. I saw Hirst and Saunders together on those days. I was passing tho place for four days that week delivering flour at tho railway Btation. All the excitement I saw upon Hirst was joy at having bought tho house. They were all in good humour. To Mr Harper : Ho told me ho had been knocking about, and felt tired. William Burnip deposed : I am liconsoo of Middleton's Hotel, Kaiapoi. I saw defendant at dinner time on July 18. Saundors was with him. Hirst had dinner, but Saunders had not. Hirst had a good dinner ;ho hurried over it a littlo. Ho had no drink, -and was quite sober when he left. Saunders told me he was going to Eangiora. Saunders and Hirst camo baok with tho buggy about five o'clock. I can't say that Hirst had any drink, but Saunder3 had. I cannot say whether Hirst was drunk or sober. Ho was sitting on the ottoman in tho commercial room. Ho went away by train quietly. He did not tell me that ho had bought the Snef.d's Hotel. To Mr Williams : I had no means of judging as to tho state Hirst was in. Joshua Charles Porter deposed: I am a solicitor practising at Kaiapoi. I received letter produced, instructing me to prepare a conveyance. I was told that Mr Clark had brought the papers. I prepared the conveyance. It lias been lying in my office Bince unexecuted. Tho cheque for £100 given as deposit was here put in. Mr Harper addressed tho jury for the plaintiff. Mr Williams followed on the other side. His Honor went through tho evidence and directed the jui-y that they had to find on the issues for the plaintiff on all which were admitted, viz., those as to tho agreement having been signod, and as to tho plaintiff being willing to carry out his part of it. There woro only threo issues on which they would have to decide. 1. Did tho defendant toll the plaintiff that he would give £600 for the property, and did the defendant consent to accept that amount ? 2. Did the plaintiff give to the defendant strong and intoxicating spirits which so affected tho defendant that he was induced to sign a document of tho contonts of which he had no knowledge ? 3. Did the plaintiff, knowing that the defendant was perfectly incapablo, fraudulently obtain his signature to tho agreement ? With regard to the first ho ruled that thoro was no evidence. 'Tho jury retired to considor their verdict, and after an absence of about ton minutos found on each of tho three issues in tho negative, i.e., for the plaintiff. The case of Twentynian and Another v. Jebson was called on, but Mr Harper informed the Court that it had beod settled. There being no other common jury case, the j ury wore dismissed with the thanks of the Court. The Court then adjourned till 10 o'clock on Tuesday morning.