LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3524, 28 July 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Aebest. — A young man named Robert Schott was arrested this morning on the charge of stealing a dog belonging to H. M. Goodyer.

/ New Town Hail Designs.— The, Subcommittee have appointed Messrs Hubbard and Drewett, quantitative surveyors, to go through the six plans which have thua far been selected, and report the cost of the of the buildings.

f South Rakaia. — On Monday morning last a . .ttle boy belonging to Constable Horan had rather a narrow escape of being burnt to death. The little fellow was standing in his night-Bhirt, warming his hands near the fire, preparatory to his being dressed, when his shirt suddenly caught fire, and ho was soon enveloped in flames. His mother who wa9 luckily near at the time, with presence of mind, immediately throw a rug round him and exti.guished the flames. However, he seems to have got off exceedingly we) l , as we hear he is not seriously br-rnt.

, Tiie Missing Invebcargili, Witness.— [Oa Saturday last a notorious thief named George Titmouse, aliat Juck-the-Li-.r, woll known throughout Now Zoaland, and who lad been arrested nt Kawpoi for drunkenness, informed tho police- that a prieo.icr named fc. tcphen Walsh, in Lyttelton Gaol, convicted last criminal sessions of larceny,' bur.) tbo ?iamo "Mary Murphy," aiul nn anchor aiul sfciv ■tf.ty ood on his rig? it arm, and waa i^onticil with tl '0 missing witness Lyons wanted ut Invercargill in an arson cas.'. On membor of the detective force ju'occeding to Lj.tc.tnn he found the only redeeming feature for his troublo wa9 that " Jack •' had r.ctcd consistently with ) is unenviable soubriquet, for there wns no. a particle of truth in his whole statement.

t Wobks Committee.— At a meeting of the 'Works Committee held this morning in the City Council Chamber a letter was read from the Drainage Board, offering to pay if the Council would restore the channelling on tho enst side of Madras street. The City Surveyor was instructed to have tho work done. Tho Surveyor reported that the Victoria street works had been completed, and ho had reduced the number of unemployed men taken on by 11. The Chairman reported that ho hnd arranged with the caretaker lo look after the designs for tho Town HaM, whilo they wore on exhibition. A letter was read from tho Chief Postmaster as to the removal and erection of pillar boxes, and asking that the Surveyor might be allowod to arrange tho carrying out of the work. Tho Surveyor was directed to reply that ho would carry out the work within the city boundaries only. Mr W-lkden was also instructed to put down an iron culvert at tho junction of Durham and Salisbury streets. The Committee decided to meet again on Wednesday evening to consider the question of gas supply.

[ Sydenham Borough Views tob Sydney Exhibition. — Thero is now on view at th > chop of Messrs H. Fisher and Son, Hereford [street, a set of views of tho principal buildings [within the borough boundarici, taken by Mr P. Schourup, for the Sydenham Council. Tho various buildings are clearly brought out in the pictures, but wero evidently taken in dull weather, making the shading rather dark. They comprise the following: — "Addington Gaol," "Gas Works," "Railway Terminus,"

"Railway Goods Sheds," "Colombo Road Wesleyan Church," " Colombo road School,"

" Mr C. W. Turner's largo grain store," andthe " Addington United Freo Methodist Chvrch." Each vitixv is surrounded by ornamental scroll work wliich forms a frame, and tho centre panel contains tho following statistical information of tho Borough worked in illuminated texf — "Borough of Sydenham, incorporated 20th September, 1877. Number of inhabitants, 70C0 ; street mileage, 32 j area of Borough, 1163 acres ; churches and Bchools, 8 ; number of names on burgess roll, 1175. Mayor, G. Booth. Councillors — Andrew, Brown, Charters, Foster, Hall, Jones, Langdown, Pavitt, White." The mountings are enclosed in a handsome gilt Alhambra frame, I manufactured by Messrs Fisher and Son, bearing a gilt tablet on the lower portion, with the words, "Sydenham, New Zealand."

Something Like a Benefit.— On July 19 last a grand matinSe performance and monster benefit was tendered to Mrs F. M. Eates and her children by the entire dramatic and murical profession of Sydney. The performance was under the patronago of the Mayor and Mayoress, the Consul of tho United States, over 100 American gentleman, and an immense number of tho most influential residents of New South Wales. Tho Theatre Royal was given entirely free of all charges and expenses, and all tbo professionals in Sydnoy offered their services freely. Tho following were amongst tho companies and artistes that appeared : — Lyster's Royal Ita'-'an and English Opera Company, the Theatre Koyal Company, William Creswick, Esq., Miss Helen Ashton, Kelly and Leon's Operatic Company, tho Theatre Royal Company, the Taylor Troupe, Mies Mattie, Mr Sam Emery, Signor Giorza, Mr J. H. Rainford, Mr H. R. Uarwood, Mr J. Wallace, Mr Edmund Holloway, Mr Henry Walton, and Mr Harry Loston. In addition, the united bands of the English Opera Company, tbo Queen's Theatre, and the Theatre Royal formed themselves into a mammoth orohestTa. In shoi t, thero was a warm and universal feeling amongst the members of the profession, highly honourable in its naturo, to show sympathy and at tho same time render substantial Bervico to Mrs Bates in hor recent sudden bereavement. This conduct stands out in striking contrast to that of the leading members of the profession on a recent somowhat similar occurrence in Christchurch. Somo of them could write gushing notices to tho newspapers, taking care that tbe auinorship should be known, but for any practical steps tho mombers of the profession apparently could do nothing of themselves.

Tnß ScrprosED Cash of Dbowning in Poet. — The police wore engaged in dragging for tho body of Captain Preston on Saturday, but without success.

Drainage. — A petition is now in course of Bignaturo for presentation to the Drainago Board, praying that something might bo dono in the way of draining tho East Bolt and Armagh street.

Lunacy.— Mr J. R. Brandon, of Rangiora, better known as Captain Brandon, was, on Saturday, brought up on a second charge of lunacy, having written several extraordinary letters to various porsonß. .Ho will bo brought up at Obristchurch to-morrow for medical evidence.

Odituaky.— Wo rep-ot to record the death, which took place at her residence, Park terrace, yosterday morning, of Mrs W. Montgomery, wifo of tho member for Akaroa. We have been requested to stato that the funeral will take place at the Church of England Cemetery at threo o'clock on Wednesday aftornoon.

Entertainment in Aid or thb Kaiapoi Chaeitablb Aid FtjND.— lt is the intention of the amateurs who performed at the Normal Sohool entertainment to play "She Stoops to Conquer" at Kaiapoi, half tno proceeds of.which are to go to the Charitable Aid of the Borough. The performance iB advertised to take plaoo at tho Oddfellows' Hall, Kaiapoi, on Thursday next. . Considering the object for. which the entertainment is to be given, and the creditable way it was performed in Christchurch lately, thoro .should be a bumper house.

i The Peisonee Bahnaed.— The man Barnard, who absconded on May 20, since whioh Rime ho has been in hiding somewhere in IConterbury till a day or two ago, when ho was [found in a railway train, was brought to town on Saturday by tho ovening express. He will be brought up at tho Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, and thenco will bo remanded to Rangiora. He states that during his concealment he has been in a desponding condition, and has frequently thought of firing himself up. He is much thinner than ( o was, and avows that he would not attempt to escape were tho look-up doors loft open.