LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3359, 14 January 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Lytteltgn Sunday School Picnic— On account of the wot weather, it has been deaided to postpone this picnic until Thursday. Coubsing Club. — The annual genera meeting of members of the Coursing Club is to be held at the Shades at half-past four o'clock to-morrow afternoon. The general meeting will be preceded by a meeting of the Committee, who will sit at four o'clock. It is much desired that there should be a good attendance of members. /"Flooded Footpaths. — At the intersection of sonic of tho streets this morniug at the /southern end of the city the footpaths were covered with water, notably at the intersection of Manchester and Tuaui streets, and Lichfield and Barhadoes streets, where the street was half covered, and it was " Hobson's choice "about noon with those who desired to get across the road. Councillors Wilson and Tremayne, of the Sanitary Committee, were round the city early, and found tbat the channels were clear enough, but the pipes under the crossings were not of sufficient 1 capacity to carry away the sudden rush of water. At the Lichfield street intersection it was noticed that the pipe had been stuffed up with old boots, the work evidently of some young larrikins, who were noticed to be at some mischief about this place yeeterday. The Impounded Land Fund. — The text of tho circular addressed to tho Canterbury Road Boards on the subject of the impounded bind fund will be found in another column. Railway Tabh'f.— A revised railway tariff list appears in tho Gazette of Jan 3. Owing to the numberless changes that have been made since its first issue, the re-publica-tion of the tariff was urgently required. r Tkmpebatube Last Wbek.— The following are tho particulars of the temperature registered on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday last week by Mr Stansell. Thursday, in shade, maximum temperature 76deg., minimum, 53.1 ; radiation in sun 152deg., at night 52deg. Friday, in shade, maximum temperature 82.6 deg., minimum 50.1 ; radiation in sun 152deg., at night 45deg. Saturday, in shade, maximum temperature 89deg., minimum 57.2 ; radiation in sun 155deg., at knight 55.2deg. Me Heney Varley. — The meeting for Bible reading at the Congregational Church yesterday afternoon was the largest that lias been held. In the evening tho church was crowded to hear the special address, " Lamed for Life," which appeared greatly to rivot the attention of the audience, the subject introduced being that of Jacob prevailing with God in prayer. At the conclusion of his address Mr "Varley appealed to those present who trusted in God to rise from their seats, which was responded to by a largo number. Mr Varley having engaged in prayer with great earnestness, the meeting was brought to a close. Banks' Peninsula.— This district was lately visited by the Most Rev. tho Primate, for the purposo of confirmations. Forty candidates, who have been about twelve months under preparation by tho Rot. D. 0. Hampton, were presented. Confirmations were held at Port Levy, Pigeon Bay, and jittle Akaloa, though candidates were present from Okain's and Le Bon's also. The time of service, viz., a week day and mid-day hour, in all cases at this busy season necessitated by the Bishop's leaving by return of steamer, was against largo congregations ; but notwithstanding this a good number of friends were present to witness the sacred rite and to listen to the earnest and touching addresses of the Bishop— addresses which will not soon be forgotten by those who .had the privilege of attending. Wo regret that tho curate is obliged, through ill-heallh from six years' hard work hero, to leave the district, without any immediate prospect of a successor. f Friends of Labour Loan and Investment Society. —The fifth general halfyearly meeting was held last evening, at the Market Hotel, Mr Parry presiding. Tho Secretary read the report and balance sheet, from which it appears that tho Society continues to increase in numbers and capital. The Society has now over 300 members, holding G24 shares, with a capital of £2000. Loans liavo been granted since last meeting to the amount of £2235. The amount of profit now in hand is £247 10s. The Secretary recommended that a dividend of 1\ per cent should bo declared and added to members' stock. This would leave a balance of £112 to cover risks on loans now out. The report, balance sheet, and Secretary's recommendation were adopted. The meeting then proceeded to tho election of . officers for the ensuing half-year, with the following result: — Mr Gwatkin, President ; Mr S. Alpe, Cashier; and Messrs Phipps, Brocket, and Hood, Committeemen.

The Attorney-General. — The Hon Mr Stout, Attorney-General, arrived in town yesterday from Dunedin. It is understood that he will appear in the Supreme Court tomorrow in a case in which the Napier Harbour Board are the defendants. The Telegraph. — In consequence of tho wet weather yesterday the telegraph wires worked very badly. As an instance of this it may be mentioned that a telegram of 1700 words, put in at the Bluff at half -past 11 a.m. yesterday, did not reach the Lyltelton Times oflice till 1 o'clock this morning. . Waimakahiri North.— During the sumpier season it is customaryjfor persons driving Across this river by thd Girder bridge to j deviate from the direct roadway in order to f clean their horses' legs, and sometimes to go tso far as to wash then- vehicles in the still, ' deep water. Yesterday morning two gentlej men, more venturesome than cautious, proX ceeded to follow the custom, but went slightly | further than they were warranted in doing, \and before they could turn, found that they and the horse wero fairly afloat. The horse had to swim for above a chain before they were enabled to reach the shore. The trap and occupants got off with a thorough drenching and the loss of a foot-rug. Exemptions proji Serving- on Juries. — Mr A. Duncan, when called to serve on the common iury yesterday at the Supreme Court, claimed exemption on the ground that he was a member of the Land Board. His Honor admitted the justice of the claim, and advised Mr Duncan to make application in open Court for his name to be struck out of tho jury list. Until such application was made the name miißt continue on tho list, though Mr Duncan need not serve. Another claim was made, almost identical in character with the well-known one in " Pickwick." This was made by Mr H. F. Gray, dispenser to the outside institutions connected with the Hospital. In this case his Honor, while not admitting tho right of the applicant to be exempted, complied with his request, on account of the serious public inconvenience which Mr Gray's absence from his post would occasion. Mr J. F. Grau ait's Benefit. — The programme of Mr Graham's benefit appears elsewhcro this morning, and if nothing else, it is certainly highly original. Not only is there an original drama, but Mr Graham has oven gone so far as to compose a song for tho occasion, which will bo sung by Miss Tilly Andrews. In tho drmna the benvjiciaire will introduce imitations of Signor Majeroni, Mr Hoskins, Mr F. M. Bates, and other actors well known to Christchurch, and as his abilities in this lino are well known privately, his public appearance as a mimic will be watched with some curiosity. The remainder of tho entertainment consists of the closet scene from Hamlet, the third act of " The Lady of Lyons," and a concert, in which Mrs YV. A. Toke plays an important part. A programme so varied and attractive, independent of the personal popularity of Mr Graham, should ensure him a house that will at least procure him some solid recompense for his trouble. Grand Operatic Entertainment.—Tonight Miss' Amy Shenvin will make her re-appearance in Christchurch at the Theatre Royal, and a programme is offered which must satisfy the mo3t exacting of musical patrons. To begin with, there is an act from " Maritana " — the last one, — in which besides the Tasmanian prima donna, Signora Venosta, and Messrs Towle, Marshall, and T. G. Walker will appear. Tho sestotto from " Lucia di Lammermoor" follows, and then a ballet under Signor Borzoni's control, performed by 16 little boys. The third part consists of the fourth act of "II Trovatore," Miss Sherwin as Leonora, Signora Venosta Azucena, Mr Towle Manrico, and Mr Marshall tho Count. The chorus will bo given by Mr Towle's pupils. Such an entertainment ought and will draw a crowded house, for we believe tho greater portion of the dress circle seats have already been secured. Miss Sherwin will have the advantage of being supported by well-trained and capable musicians, and considering this and the excellent choice of pieces, we may expect to see a performance of first-rate merit. This will, moreover, bo almost the last chance of seeing the renowned Tasmanian vocalist. A Legal Story from Rangiora. — A most amusing story comes from tho town of Eangiora, regarding some legal proceedings that have lately taken place there. An old and well-known resident, whose name has been prominently before the law courts of late, " had filed his schedule," and offered his disconsolate creditors 5s in tho £. The grounds of bankruptcy were fehc alleged loss, in Dunedin, of a large sum of money in notes, to tho amount, it was stated, of £2100. The creditors were naturally loth to believe this statement, or to accept the dividend offered, and instituted an enquiry.f or which purpose the services of Detective Benjamin were secured. Yesterday this enquiry terminated very successfully, as tho debtor in question having been called to town, the detective, accompanied by the female searcher, duly provided with tho necessary warrants, proceeded to the debtor's residence. After a long search, as the story goes, they were successful in finding a considerable sum of money in notes sown into an article of dress belonging to the wife of the gentleman whose veracity had been so stoutly impugned. As the enquiry is a private one, no information could be obtained direct from the detective or police officers, but it was definitely stated in Rangiora yesterday that the amount secured was over £800. Considerable excitement; was caused in Rangiora by this and the statement that the debtor had boon arrested, but till a late hour nothing definite in this respect was known.