LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3438, 18 April 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

/New Town Hall and Municipal ©l'i'iCßS.— The lithographic plans of the /Market Place site have been prepared for tho /guidance of architects who may desire to send lin competitive designs for the now Town Hall and Municipal offices. A number of those

plans with conditions will be forwarded to till ,tho principal towns in New Zealand.

Chhistchuuch Firb Brigade.— Superintendent Harris has received from Air George Hutchinson, as agent for tho Hamburg Magdeburg Fire Insurance Company, a cheque for live guineas as a recognition of services rendered by tho Brigade at tho late fire at Mcbsi-s Edwards, Bennett and Co's bond.

Colombo Steket Buidqe. — This bridge bus been partially restored, and made fit for ordinary traffic. It is to bo hoped that no lengthened time will elapse before the permanent work is put in hand.

Election to Synod. — Messrs W. H. Hurgreaves and 11. Thomson have beeii elected to represent tlio Parish of St John in the Diocesan Synod.

I.O.G.T.— The Dauntless Lodge advertise an open meeting for this evening, in the Templar Hall, Worcester street. The doors will be open to the public at a quarter past eight. These meetings have hithorto been very successful. For further particulars wo refer onr readers to tho advertisement in' another column. 1

j Loweb High Sthbbt. — Tho channelling ion tho Northern sido of Lower High street, from tho St Asaph street junotion to tho East I belt, is now finished, and that on the South side, from Madras street corner to the belt . long known as fcbo Ferry road drain nuisance — will bo commenced at once. This length will ontail a considerable amount of -work, as a suitable foundation will have to bo built up for the channelling. Tho footpath on tlio North aido ia also being lowered to there* iquired level.

Magisterial.— At the Eesident Magistrate's Court thi3 morning the charge sheet comprised merely the names of three drunkards who were punished iti the usual manner.

Oddfellows' Lodge, Piiillipstown. — A meeting of persons interested in the formation of an Oddfellows' Lodge in tho Phillipstown district will be held at the Eoyal George Hotel this evening at half-past seven. r

CaNTERBTJBY YEOMANRY CAVALKY. In addition to the resignation of the Christchurch contingent of the above corps, the band and Eangiora contingents have also forwarded their resignations to the ofllcor commanding the district. A telegram haa been received from Ashburton saying that contingent will resign to a man, and the resignation of the Ellesmero contingent is also expected to arrive daily.

His Excellency the Governor in CnßrsTciiuHCit.— Hia Worship tho Mayor informs us that he has received a telegram from the Hon. J. T. 'Fisher, thankiDg him for the action he has taken in reference to obtaining suitable accommodation for His Excellency, family, and suite in this city during his contemplated visit. His Excellency has also been pleased to accept the invitation of the Mayor to a public luncheon, arrangements for which arc in progress at the Terminus Hotel.

Incendiarism'. — Betweon nine p.m. on Wednesday and eight a.m. yesterday a most determined attempt was made to burn down the furniture warehouse of Mr H. Fuhrmann, Colombo and Gloucester streets. The in-j ccndiary had evidently climbed over a gatel leading from Cathedral square to the rear off the premises, and broke a window-pane of a small wooden store attached to the inaift building, and only a ehort distance from tie gate. Under the window was a pile of iron cots unpacked, with brown paper wrapping, alongside of which a bale of blankets, and one of hair clolh. A parcel of paper had been forced through the broken pauo, falliug fortunately on the cots. Some varnish, containing a largo quantity oE spirits, seems to have then been poured over the paper, and a matcli placed to it. The parcel hud blazed freoly, charring the woodwork under the window, and had burnt itself out on reaching the iron work. Portions of two bottles which had contained varish were found on the cots, and also one unbroken bottle full of the mixture. No varnish of this kind had been usod in Mr Fuhririann's worships. Had the fire once taken firm hold there is no saying what damage might not have resulted, as this small store is in the centre of a number of old wooden buildings with very little space interToning between thorn. i City Works. —At Messrs Wilson and Sawtell's corner, where a large accumulation of water lias always taken place after heavy rains, the City Surveyor has placed a largosized iron culvert, 150ft in length, leading from the corner acroßS High street into the Tuam street channel, along which flood water will How to tho outfall sower. A similar accumulation has always occurred opposite Mr White's furniture warehouse, the outflow from which haß, through the want of sufficient channel accommodation, gathered again at tho corner of St Asaph street, opposite Barrett's Hotel, making travelling to pedestrians in rough weathor anything but pleasant work. To remedy this state of things before the coming winter, Mr Walkdon is taking up tho old stone channel on the wostorn side of High street, from Tuam to St Asaph streets, which will bo replaced with concrete channelling. To accommodate the rapid rush of water on such occasions tho stream will bo divided, ono portion going through to an extra-sized iron culvert leading in a diagonal 'direction from the N.W. corner opposite Barrett's Hotel to the Ferry road corner, and the other through a culvert of similar dimensions leading across to the Cavorsham Hotel ; thence a distance of 212ft to the channelling on the north side of Lower High street. This work, when finished, will bo a groat boon to those who reside in the south-east portion of the city and suburbs. At the Barbadoos and Lower High streots intersections large-sized iron culverts will also bo placed. Pkksistknt.— Au old ditty gocß— " Convince a man against his will, and he'll be of the same opinion still." A man named Wm. Prico, who was brought bofnro tho Magistrate this morning on a remandod clmrgo of drunkenness, proved that ho, at any rate, couldnot or would not bo convinced against his will. Prico had made hia bow before Mr Mellish on the previous day, but, as ho was literally^ crying drunk, he wag sent back to weep himself sober in the lock-up. This morning lie persisted in the face of the strongest testimony that ho was not drunk, and had not been drunk for the last eight years. He explained away his crying on the previous day by saying " the lock-up was enough to make any one cry." Mr Mollish said he had seen prisoner drunk with his own eyes, but still Prico asserted the contrary,and, turning round to tho spectators, he assured them he was tho most sober of men, and could bring hundreds, nay thousands, of witnesses to provo tho fact. As a last resource the Inspector of Police handed in a list of 11 previous convictions against tho man for drunkenness during the past twelve months, and his Worshi]) fined him 10s, and 5s for damaging property whilo drunk in tho cell. The prisoner was being removed when he suddenly turned round to Mr Mellish and said, in tho most childlike and bland manner possible, " Well, your Worship, I'll pay the) fine, but I can assure you I was not drunk."/ This created a roar of laughter, and Prico was/ removed protesting hia innocence. 1 Ashbueton. — Mr John Kapley, one of tho' oldest settlers in the Ashburton district, died I on Wednesday last at Ashburton, after a! short illness. Mr Rapley, during his resi- ! dence in Ashburton, was very much rospoctod, ' and his decease will bo felt by his friends and acquaintances, of whom there wore many. Inqukst. — An inquest was held yesterday at the Southern Hotel on tho body of Frederick Hillyer, who fell dead in St Asaph street on Wednesday. Tho evidence of Dr Bell Hay showed that doatli had resulted from effusion of blood on the brain, and a verdict was returned in accordance with the medical

evidence.

New Magisterial Distuict.— A petition has been largely signed in theTem-ika district praying for the constitution of Die Temuka Gerakline, and Albury districts into a separates Magisterial district and the rolontion of Mr Ciunpboll, R.M., to take charge of tho new district. Mr Campbell is under orders to leave Temuka on Monday.

G-aiktvt Thkatbe. — There was a crowded

house to witness tho Diorama of the American War lust night, and the graphic description of the stirring events illustrated was listened to with the greatest attention. Mr Stanley's songs, too, were thoroughly appreciated. The usual distribution of valuable gifts concludod the entertainment. To-night extra gifts will be made. ,

Theatre Royal.— Last night "Hamlet" was performed at tho Theatre Royal to a small audience, who were, however, unsparing in their applause. The scanty attendance is probably attributable to the fact that this evening Mr Creswick takes his boncfit, at which no doubt there will bo a house crowded

in every part. During tho season which is now closing Mr Creswick has laboured hard, and very successfully, to please tho patrons of the drama, and is on this account entitled to their patronage when he affords them an opportunity of bestowing it, but apart from his claims tho exceedingly liberal programme advertised for to-night should securo a bumper house. Tho pieces to be performed are " William Toll" and " Katherino and Petruohio," in each of which tho benejioiaire will appear. To-morrow this company makes its last appearance in Clmstchurch.

AOCrDENT AT THK LyTTBLTON RAILWAY Station. — As tho 5 p.m. goods train from Chrißtchurch was passing over tho points in the Lyttelton yard near the passengor crossing, tho engine, the Mazoppa, in somo way got off the rails. She ran along the sleepers, tearing tho lino up for a distance of about fifty yards, and then careened over, the side wheels becoming deeply buried in tho ballast. Tho engine hai received considerable damago, though to what extent we wore unable to ascertain. Mr Bradley, tho Station Master, at once telegraphed for another engine and assistance from Christchuroh, and it was anticipated that it would bo late before the engine was placed upon the rails again. No explanation can bo given of tho way in which the engine loft the line, as tho points were quite right when she got to them. The lino is a newly made ono. Fortunately neither tho engine* man or stoior wore hurt, though the former received a severe shaking when tho engine turned over. A gang of men were busy at work getting the engine righted and repairing

fnl i«3 fn A r Ranqior A--A very successTW f u %^ fctQllded dance was held afc Eangtoralasfcmght at the Oddfellows' Hall. The Stewart Family.— "If" drew a, tollows Hall, and seemed to bo well appreciated by the audience. To-night the Misses Stewart take a benefit, when the entertainment will be repeated for the last time.