LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3419, 26 March 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

/ Asphalting Rath.— As payments are /boing mado very slowly, on tho notices delivered for asphalting rates duo on tho summer work of 1878 and 1879, instructions have been issued to the Council's officers to take out summonses against all porsons whose rates romain unpaid after Saturday noxt. f CnßisTonuHou's Subscription to Kaitangata. — Tho subscription from Cliristchurch alone in aid of tho Kaitangata sufferers will amount to at least £1500, judging from tho amounts collected and tho->e "•which it is known aro certain to bo received. The approximate amounts are as follows : Carnival, £750 ; Messrs Bird and Paul's list, £400 ; His Worship the Mayor's list, £300 j to come in account of carnival, at least £SQ.

Cricket Match. — A match between 'the Hagley Oakleaf and Ashburton Cricket Clubs will be played on Saturday next on the ground of the former, play to commence at 1.30 p.m. sharp. Tho following will represent the Hagley Oakleaf :— Messrs H. V. Anson (captain), J. Caygill, J. Gibb, J. Hopper, A. Johnstone, D. Lusk, H; Pago, A. White, J. Wheatley, W. H. Smith, H. Fisher. Emergency — J. Lusk, F. Rowe.

| Gbain at Railway. Stations.—Notwithfstanding a large removal of grain yesterday along the line, there had accumulated last evening at the various stations on the Christchurch section 29,995 bags. The following were the largest lots .—Rakaia 3000, Kirwee 3000, Makikihi I^BB, St Andrew 1543, Tinwald 1500, Waimate 1469, Waitaki North 1312, Ashburton 1200, Winslow 1200, Horndon Junction 1200, Chertsey 1011, Winchester 800, Southbridge 780, Sefton 530.

I' The Gbain Season of 187S and 1879. — The quantity ot grain carried on the Christchurch, Dunedin, and Inverrargill sections from Jan 11 to March 9, 1879, the first eight weeks of the present season, has been 27,168 tons 3 cwt 2 qrs. For tho first eight weeks of the 1878 season, Jan 13 to March 10, there were carried 20,998 tons. The large percentage of increase shown so far this year may be due to the fact that this has been a much earlier season so far as the rush of grain is concerned, it having been sent in in large quantities from the commencement of the .season.

Telegbaphio. — Telegrams for the Australian Colonies, per Albion, can be forwarded to the Bluff up till 11 a.m. on March 27.

Abson. — The charge of arson against Isidor Schwartz was yesterday called on and postponed till Thursday, owing to counsel in the case being engaged in the Supreme Court.

Cbiminai Sessions.— The next criminal sessions of the Supreme Oourt in Christchurch will be held on Monday, April 7, and the succeeding days. The calendar, to all appearance, will be a heavy one!

Habboub Defence. — In another column will be found some particulars relative to the heavy guns and appliances, now being landed from the ship City of Quebec, for the defence of Lyttelton harbour.

Hendebson v. Napibb Habboub Boabd. Tlie eases of Henderson r. Napier Harbour Board, wliich had been eet down for hearing at the present Banco sittings of tho Supreme Court, have been postponed by consent. / Amebican Seeds. — Four barrels of valuable fseods were received from Philadelphia by the Acclimatisation Society by the last mail steamer. Included in the assortment is a large quantity of sugar maple, and four kinds i.. of hickory.

./Akakoa Railway.— We understand that pir Hardy-Johnston is now employed by the Government to make a complete survey of the proposed railway line from Lake Forsyth 1 o Akaroa. The line from Lincoln to Lake Forsyth is now being set out for construction.

** Distbiot Coubt. — There was a short sitting of thia Court yesterday, when His Honor Mr Justice Ward delivered judgment in the action — Mason, Struthers, and Co. v. J. Waller, claim £200, for machinery. A verdict was entered for plaintiffs. Pbesentation. — At the Kaitangata Fund Committee meeting last night the Mayor, on behalf of the Committee, presented Mr W. H. Smith, the Hon. Secrotary, with a very handsome gold locket in recognition of his services as Secretary to the F6te Fund. The locket was subscribed for privately by the members of the Committee.

Law Costs in Debtobs' Estates. — In the Chambers sitting of the Supreme Court held yesterday, before their Honors Justices Johnston and Williams, it was decided that in cases whero debtors seek for their discharge, orders for the payment of the preliminary costs out of tlieir estates can be granted at the same timo that the orders for discharge are issued without any separate notico of application having been made. Shooting out of Season. — It was stated at yesterday's meeting of the Acclimatisation Society that some persons have commenced shooting already in various parts of the district. The sand hills at New Brighton were particularly mentioned, and the Society's ranger has received instructions to visit that locality.

Supbejie Coubt. — 'Iheir Honors Justices Johnston and Williams sat iv Chambers and In Banco during the wholo of yesterday, and disposed of a large number of cases wliich had been standing over. Their Honors sat In Banco again to-day, and will every day till Friday (inclusive). On Saturday they leave Christchurch for Dunedin. Shocking Accident. — An extremely painful accident occurred at the Meat Preserving Company's Works, near Timaru, yesterday afternoon, to a workman named Edward Jeffrey; He was afc work taking tins of meat out of a large boiling cauldron, when he lost his balance and foil into it. Two workmen who wero near at the time pulled him out, and got their hands badly scalded in doing so. Tlie boiling liquid in the vat was three feet deep. Dr M'lntyre, of Timaru, was telegraphed for, and he arrived promptly. By his orders Jeffrey was removed to the Hospital in an express waggon. He is frightfully scalded and is not expected to recover the shock. Cabs at Ashbubton. — At the last meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council, cab licenses were granted to two applicants. Fibe.— On the night of March 19, James Wilson, farmer at Fairlie creek, had two large stacks of wheat burned, containing fully 1800 bushels. The stacks were uninsured. The cause of the fire cannot be accounted for. The stacks were situated a long way off the road, and Mr Wilson does not suspect that they were set fire to maliciously. / Shipments op Amebican Bieds and fFISH. — Tho Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society has written to Mr R. J. Creighton of San Francisco, anthorising that gentleman to procure several lots of prairie hens, forwarding the birds by each mail steamer as obtained. Arrangemonts aro also in progress for a shipment of American brook trout ova during next season. These fish are stated not only ito be delicious eating, but also to givo capital snort.

Cuurcii of England Sunday School, Lytpelton. — The annual distribution of awards in this school took place on Sunday afternoon last, at the hands of Mr Alexander

Joyce. At tho close of distribution, Mr Joyce was presented with a handsome gold pencil caso and book by Master W. J. Webb, on behalf of the boys of tho first class, in recognition of his kindness and their esteem for him during his connection with tho school for the last ten years. Kaitangata Fund.— A meeting of tho Kaitangata Fund Committoo was held last night, when tho treasurer's statement showed that about £660 had been collected on account of the fete. It is expected, when all monies are got in, and liabilities paid, therei will be a sum of about £750 to iho credit of the fund. A sub-Committee was appointed to wind up tho affairs of the fete, and votes of thanks to those who had assisted at tho I demonstration were passed, f Timabu Steam Chane. — The crane was tried on Tuesday in the presence of several members of the Harbour Board, Mr Gjodall, the Engineer, the Mayor and Borough Councillors, and a large number of tradespeople. It lilted a 23-ton block and handled it with jjthe greatest easo, much to the satisfaction of jjthoae present. The crane is built to lift 60 lions, but will not bo put to a full test of its s? power till it has beon worked for a timo. The official test has been deferred for about a

month, when there is some talk of a public demonstration. £ New Town Hah.— A preliminary meetling of the Town Hall Committee of the City 'Council wus held in tho Council Chamber on Thero wero prosent His Worship tlie jjMayor, Councillors Cass, Binstead, Lezard, rGapos, and Ayers. It was decided that the used in the construction of the [building should be— Foundation, concrete ; pitßide walls, brick with whito stone facings j jand all the internal walls lo bo of brick, pothing definite has been decided as to the Internal arrangements of the buildings, but it -is probable there will be between 30 and 40 ■rooms. Tho Council room will be, it is Expected, 60ft long by 40ft wide, and the |To\vn Hall 120 ft long by 80ft wido.

Pigeon Shooting — According to arrangement, a pigeon shooting match took pluce yesterday at tho Sawyers' Arms Hotel, Papanui, whero host Wild had arranged for a, meeting of the goneral public. A few members of the Oun Club were amongst tho visitors, and a series of sweeps woro soon arranged. It unfortunately happened, howponed, howover, that although a supply of 200 birds had been arranged for, not half that number could be secured, and the general run of tho shooting being below the average, no decisions were arrived at. To the numerous visitors the occasion made a brief holiday, and all seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly.

A Ministby op Monkeys. — A rather amusing typographical error occurred in tho Dunedin Star last woek, for which it thought proper to apologise : — " Ministers will nofc allow themselves to be written down as asses" was printed " written down as apeß !"