LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3435, 15 April 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Large Fbttit.— We have had shown to us a peach of good shape and colour and perfectly sound, 9£in. in circumference, and weighing no less than lloz. This magnificent fruit was taken from a tree in the orohard of R. H. Rhodes, Esq., at Elmwood, and i8 probably the largest fruit of the kind that has been grown in this Island.. Stbeet Bbidgb. — The barricades which have obstructed this bridge were removed yesterday, and traffic resumed as usual. The widening of the bridge appears to have been temporarily abandoned, as the appliances for the work have been removed.

• The Kaitanoata Fund.— A meeting of the Committee elected to get up a concert in aid of the Kaitangata relief fund was held at South Eakaia on Thursday evening. The balance-sheet showed that the amount raised was £10 over and above expenses. Timaru and Oamartj Cadets. — The Timaru and Oamaru Volunteer Cadets, the former numbering 31 and the latter 28, met at Waimate junction yesterday, and after indulging in drill, had a review and sham light. In the afternoon they played football and cricket. The weather was fine, and they enjoyed their outing thoroughly. Each, contingent returned home by evening trains. Cricket. — A match was commenced yesterday between the Ashley and Woodend clubs, but, owing to the rain, only one innings was played out. The Ashley team, which went in first and had the advantage of the weather, made 71, while the Woodend men only put together 10 in all. The bowling of Good and Banks for Ashley proved too formidable in such weather.

f Easter Monday in Poax.— The threatening appearance of the weather yesterday morning and the subsequent heavy rain throughout the day, spoilt the holiday for those who ventured through to the Port. The Akaroa made a trip to Pigeon Bay, and the Titan ran to Little Akaloa, but the weather was against their carrying many passengers. Those who went to the Port in the morning took the earliest opportunity of returning home again after the rain set in.

Telegraph Changes. — A number of changea will tale place in tho Telegraph Department to-day. Mr Harrington will bo removed from Amberley to Wellington, and his place will be supplied by Mr W. Payne, late of the Auckland office. Mr Sargent also leaves the Hurunui for Wellington, and gives place to Mr Bailiff. The Cheviot station will be in charge of Mr Duncan, late at Kaiapoi, and tho junior assistant at Rangiora, Mr G. Barford, also leaves for Wellington to-day.

Green Park School. — A very pleasant day was spent by the children attending this school on Wednesday last. Sports of various kinds were entered into with a zest that gave an appetite for the good things provided by the ladies of tho district, and tho day's proceedings were concluded by a prize distribution. A considerable amount of dissatisfaction is said to exist amongst tho residents in the district, on account of the uncertainty of the date when the school will bo re-opened.

Presentation. — The members of the Guild of the Holy Bood, through Mr R. W. Smith, on Thursday presented Mr 0. C. Howard, of Kaiapoi, with a black and gold marble clock, mounted by a bronze figure. Attached to the clock was a silver plate, bearing the following inscription : — Presented to C. C Howard, Esq., by the members of the G.H.R., on his birthday, April 10, 1879. Mr Howard acknowledged tho gift in suitable terms.

FittE at Gough'b Bay. — Tho Brotliers Masefield have experienced another loss from fire, this timo hi the shape of a large and commodious lmfc. Tho building, which has but recently been erected, has been occupied by a party of bush-fallers, and on Friday last, whilst rendering a large boiler of waste fat, the contents, from some unexplained cause, took fire. One of the occupants threw a bucket of water on it, thereby causing tho flame to shoot up and catch the roof, speedily reducing tho building to a heap of ashes. Cust Oddfellows' Anniversary.— The Oddfellows at the Oust had decided to celebrate their anniversary this year with a day's sport, and all arrangements were made for it yesterday ; but the long wished for rain happening to fall in torrents j ust as tho members of the Order were mustering, a retreat was made to the Institute Hall, where, with the assistance of tho Rangiora Brass Band, the afternoon was spent as jovially as possible under the circumstances. The sports will be held at some future date to be announced.

South Rakaia. — A meeting of the Public Library Committee was held in the Library room on Thursday ; present — Messrs Hardy (in the chair), Bunce, Brimmicombe, Whitta, E. Bowler, A. Bowler, and J. E. Makeig. A letter was read from Mr D. Bruce, asking for the use of the Library hall once a week for the purpose of holding a dancing class. Permission was granted afc the rent of 5s per week. It was resolved that tho Secretary be empowered to let tho hall for the purpose of meetings, &c. The meeting then adjourn od, after a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

Lkctuhe. — A lecture was given in tho Wesloyan church, Woodend, on Tuesday evening last, by Mr T. 8. Manncnng, of JTernside, the subject being " What I saw in Rome." The Rev H. Ellis presided, and introduced Mr Mannering. Tho attendance was only moderate, about two-thirds of the seals being filled, but the audience was a very appreciative one, listening fov two hours without any signs of fatigue, and at the close according Mr Mannering a hearty vote of thanks. Tho proceeds of the lecture will go to the funds of the Sundav-school.

, Somewhat Hazy. — About eight o'clock last night a gentleman drove up to the police ! pepfit in a cab, and entering the office made {the somewhat astounding announcement that jho had " had a brush with the notorious Ned i Kelly, the Victorian bushranger." Ho then If commenced to show the police officers present i how lie was handled by that celebrity, and nflowards asked that half a dozen constables might be spared for a short time to capture the outlaw. The gentleman appoarcd somewhat hazy about the locality in which ho had been set upon by Kelly, but said ifc was " in a room." Not being ablo to get any satisfaction from the police, lie took their hint and drove away again. r y f WIIOIiKSAIiE DE3TBUCTION OF HORSES. — On Wednesday, April 9, Mr Job Osborne sent six horses from South Rakaia to bring his threshing machine from Mr 8. Wright's farm, Wakanui. The horses wero placed in a grass paddock in which, unknown to Mr Wright, a load of wheat had been left by a neighbour. Early the following morning the horsemen wero alarmed at finding a load of wheat in the paddock, but on examination it was found that only a little wheat had been eaten by the horses, which was not considered enough to do them any injury, and as a precaution they wero not allowed any water ; but within 24 hours four horses died, three of which wore show horses, of course making the loss moro severe.

A speoial mooting of tho Tailors' Society will bo hold this evening, at 8 p.m.