LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3417, 24 March 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

< The Gbain Season. — During tlio six working days of last week, there was carried from the various stations on the Christohurch section 181,786 bags of grain. On Saturday last 10,000 bags were brought into Ohristjhurch, and about 5000 into Timaru, special trains being put on to the latter station. Notwithstanding this large removal, 20,000 )ags had accumulated at the various stations ij night time. An early start was made at »qrk this morning.

Lyttelton Bobottoii Council The nomination for the vacant seat in the Council closed at noon to-day. 'Jho candidates are Messrs William Eeed and William Holmes

I O.G.T.— The members of the Seashell Lodge, Lyltelton, are informed by advertisement that the meeting will be held on Wednesday instead of this evening.

/ Mercantile Suspension.— Mr Saunders, general merchant of this City, has been the first to feel the pressure of the times, and held a meeting of his creditors to-day. His liabilities are stated to be £27,000, and the assets from £20,000 to £30,000 over that amount. This is said to be an outcome of the City of Glasgow Bank failure. /Poisoned Rabbits.— Our correspondent at |!Kaikoura telegraphs that rabbits are being poisoned in large numbers in that district. It is not considered safe to eat rabbits that have died of poison, and consumers will do well to be careful to ascertain where the rabbits they are about to purchase come from. We understand that a large portion of the Christchurch supply is derived from Kaikoura.

Accident at Southbridge. — On Sunday last, a buggy containing Misses Hastings and Bridge, being left by the driver (who had occasion to go into the schoolliouse), the horao suddenly bolted, throwing the occupants violently out, and badly bruising both. It is feared that Miss Bridge lias sustained a fracture of the small bones of the leg. The sufferers were removed to a house close by, and Dr Chapman was quickly in attendance. The buggy was completely smashed.

Pbesentatiox at Lincoln.— On March 19 Mr J. Frame, lato station master at Lincoln, was presented with a handsome gold watch, on his being promoted to Southbridge. The souvenir was purchased from Messrs Petersen and Co., and bore the following inscription .— " Presented to Mr J. Frame, as a token of esteem, by his Lincoln friends. Feb., 1879."

' What Did They Meet For ?— The ÜBual weekly meetings of the Finance and Works Committees were held this morning at the City Council Chamber, but on enquiry it was ascertained from the Town Clerk that no business had been transacted by either of the Committees during the time they sal;. Outside, however, it was whispered that one result of the Finance Committee's meeting was that they had decided not to pass the accounts of any department which had nob previously been submitted to them.

■f Waggons on Pbivate Sidings. — An impression in some quarters has erroneously that no record is kept of waggons | placed on private sidings or demurrage chai'ged for delay. The fact is that for the last 18 months one duty of the man who assists in shunting at each siding is to keep a complete record of tho number of waggons placed on the siding, with date, and hour. These records are strictly checked by an officer of the department, and unless under very exceptional circumstances demurrage is charged on truck which is detained over 4 hours.

Habyest Festival.— Harvest thanksgiving services were held yesterday at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Phillipstown. The building was very tastefully decorated for tho occasion. A Committee, consisting of Mesdames Allwright and Calvert, Mr Copley, and Mr Page, had been appointed to collect gifts of fruit, and were very successful in their efforts, Messrs A. Duncan, W. Wilson, Lewis, Chudley, and others sending in handsome contributions. Morning servico was conducted by Mr Brittan, and in tho evening the Rev J. Smalloy preached, the church being crowded with an attentive audience upon both occasions. The fruit was forwarded to the Hospital this morning for the use of tho patients in that institution.

< Auditing Municipal Accounts. — It is not unlikely that there may be some little bother between the City Auditors and Council officials about the approaching half-yearly balance of the municipal accounts. It w stated that hitherto the Auditors hare drawn out their own statements, and taken therequired abstracts themselves, without troubling the officials. Through some little unpleasantness that has occurred, the Auditors decline to perform the extra work, which is really no part of their duty as Auditors, and the officials do not seem to care about ifc either. The result is, time is going fast, and the end of March is approaching, 15 days after which the accounts should positively bo in the \Auditors' hands under a clause of the Municipal Corporations' Act.

% Signal Bells at Railway Station. — The rsignal boxes at tho western platform of tho jChmtchuroh railway station and at the Colombo street crossing have been placed in communication by means of a gong bell, which is worked to a simple code by means of a small handle. The approach of a train from tho north or south is signalled by " Colombo crossing" to the platform box, and on receiving the reply " all clear" tho train is allowed to proceed. Should it bo necessary the line can be blocked and the train stopped before reaching any of the station linos. The departure of every train is signalled from tho platform box, and if necessary can be stopped |.befoi'e it reaches tho crossing.

Governor's Bay.— Tho steam launch Eclipse will not run to Governor's Bay to-day, as she is undergoing cleaning.

Time Ball at Lyttglton.— This ball will be dropped again daily at 1 p.m., tho work of cleaning tho clock being now finished.

Hioks' Georgia Minstrels.— This Minstrel Company arrived from Wellington in the 8.8. Ladybird yesterday. They open at tho Gaiety Theatre to-night in a minstrel programme.

Charge op Aeson. — Tho case of alleged arson against Mr Schwartz will be taken in tho Rosident Magistrate's Court to-morrow morning.

Northern Railway Extension. — The contractor for this lino has niado auch progress in his preparations that lie will be able to commence tho work on Thursday next.

Suprbmr Court.— His Honor Mr Justice Williams sat in chambers on Saturday morning, and disposed of some two dozen cases. There will be a sittiug In Banco to-morrow, and probably another on Friday next. / Tun Premier at Whangarei.— On Saturfday Sir George Grey turned the first sod of [the Whangarei - Kamo railway, which will eventually join the main trunk line north of Auckland. A report of the jn'oceedings and the Premier's speech on tho occasion will bo vfound elsewhere.

Lewis' Georgia Jubilee Singers. — This company gave an entertainment at tho Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton, on Friday night, when there was a full house. The several items comprising tho programmo wore well received, tho audience testifying their approbation thereof by loud applause.

The Minister of Public Wobks. — On Saturday evening Mr Macandrow proceeded to Wellington *in tho Huwea. During his short stay ho contrived to pay a visit to tho Public Works oUico to enquiro into the progress of the works of tho district, witli which ho expressed himself aa highly pleased.

The New Hospital Stapv.— The new Medical Staff at the Hospital commenced their duties yesterday morning, fcho members being introduced into tho various wards by Dr Prins. Tho following is the disposition of tho Staff :— Physicians— Drs Ellis and Campbell ; Surgeons -Drs Prinß and Patrick : Opthalmic Surgeon — Dr Marks.

Fire.— A fire broke out in some stacks of oats belonging to a Mr Hamilton, a farmer, living near Tinwald, on Monday evening, and totally destroyed three of them. clue as to the origin of the fire has yet been obtained, but it is supposed to be tho work of an inuendiary. Tho stacks were insured in the South British office for £200.

Woodbnd Distbioi School —An interesting ceremony took place at the close of the afternoon session on Friday lost. ' Miss Mathiuß, who has been connected with the school for five years as a teacher, and who waa recently appointed mistress at Waikuku, was presented by the Chairman of the School Committee, on behalf of the parents, with a beautiful gold watch and guard. In making tne presentation, Mr Little spoke of the general satisfaction which Miss Mathias had given to the Committee, the parents, and her fellow-teachers during her term of office; and while her leaving is much regretted, especially by the infants of whom Bhe had charge, she will be followed by the good wishes of all in any way connected with the school. Miss Mathias was too nervous to personally acknowledge the gift, but waa represented by a friend.

The English Cbicketbhs. — Lord Harris and his companions left by the Hawea on Saturday night for Napier.