LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3651, 23 December 1879, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

~4 A Chuirtmas Goosi:.— A atranger, who wafl, fortunately for hiiii-olf, tithcn in by tho polico at au curly period of his town lifo, uppoarod at tho Court this morning in tho ohaructor of an inebriate During tho hearing that followed his bow to tho Bunch, it oamo out that his last address was somowlwro in tho Amborloy district, whoro for sovoral months ho had boon delving hard from early morning to lato at night for tho laudnblo purpose of saving a littlo monoy. Having accomplished this good purposo ho noxt dotorminod to oomo lo towu for a Christina. spreo, and started fair by gotting drunk and rolling about tho railway station with JEM lis in his pookot. His incapability to "stoor fair" attracted tho attention of a. Samaritan iii bluo stationed on tho look out at tho torminus, tho reiult boing tho formor'tf introduction this morning to. Mr Mollish. Had this child of earth only suocoeded in reaching somo parts of CluistahiU-h ho would, without doubt, before today, have boen r_liovod of everything but his hcadaohe ; nnd, being a '■. strangor to town, tho groat probability is that instead of goose for Christmas dinner he would, whilo resting himself on the stool of ; repentance, havo been ablo to indulgb in ihe pleasing reminiscences of " pratio and point." f" Pbivatb stukktb,— At a mooting of tho Works Committoo hold thin morniug, tho I Burvoyor was authoriied to oall for tender* for a supply of oement and timber to continue the.., work of formation of private. 1. »treoti.

I Chinese Festival.— The Festival of Ung feco was duly celebrated la9t night at the gardens of Messrs Ching Won and Ching George, St. Albans. This Festival, which amongst tho Chinese answers to Christmas, though of course with a wholly different origin, seems to havo been instituted with a view of affording a temporary rest from tho almost ceaseless labour in which tho Chinese engage, or it may bo looked upon as a sort of preliminary to the Great Annual Festival of the New Year, which in China lasts a month. Tho festivities observed last night commenced with the discharge of one thousand crackers, together with rockets and maroons; then followed the burning of wax tapers and perfumed rushes, and the usual prayers, prostrations and genuflexions, succeeded by a repast of ducks, fowls, rice, vegetables, and cakes. This over, the party separated for the night. A / IJogs Begistebbd.— For the present year : «L 370 dogs havo been registered for Christj church and 1012 for the Selwyn District. [These registrations have been made at the Vfown Clerk's.Ofßce. - V Supeemb Couht.— His Honor Mr Justice Johnston sat in Chambers and in Banco today, and disposed of a lorjglistof cases. There will be no sittings to-morrow, as Christmas Eve is a holiday in the Supremo Court. -~ TheA-CKE Eov Al.— This evening Mr J. J. Wallaco will re-appear at the Theatre Boyal in Ihe " Colleen Bawn." Wathe Bvvvly.— The accounts from ! Messrs Hubbard and Black v. ell, in connection with their reports upon the water supply scheme were last night passed for payment by the City Council. The former's was £156 10s, the latter'a £348 lis 6d ; total, £505 lsGd. f TBLEOBApnic— The Christchurch and Lyttolton Post Offices are to be connected by belegraph, and the instruments are now being placed in position. Mr Meddings hopes to have communication between the Heads and the Lyttelton Harbour Board's offices, established by Saturday next. Waisiakabibi.— This river, owing to the heavy nor'-westers of tbe past few days, has been in flood, but not to any Berious extent. A good deal of water found its way through Stewart's Gully, and no doubt fej ..'me extent 1 -lievod the south branch. L Ciibist_ias Gifts to the Hospital.— The House Steward at the Hospital desires to acknowledge, with thanks, the following gifts : — From Mr 3 Peez, Opawa, two Christmas cakeß for the children in tho Hospital ; from " M. MC," 2_ volumes for tho library, with Chri-tuias cards and picture books for the sick children. f Academy of Music. — Thore were quite a number of visitors to this Thea.ro yesterday, [all of whom appeared considerably surprised [at the extent and effect of the alterations made. We understand that sea.3 are in request, the family boxes, on the American iplan, particularly commending themselves to intending patrons of the Academy. Lyttelto-T Obphaxagk. — We are sorry to hear that tho contributions towards the children's Christmas treat have as yot been very Biriall indeed. It is to be hoped they will be able to havo to their annual merry making, but to carry out this the officials have to rely upon tho genorosity of the public. The Chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board acknowledges, with thanks, the receipt through Mr G. Elliott, of the sum of £2 12s, from a few of tho Railway employees. This is their second annual donation to the Lyttelton Orphanage Recreation Fund. St Maby's, Mbeivalb.— On Christmas Eve thero will b 9 a special service in this Church at 9 p.m., at which a selection of carols will ba sung by the choir. The offertory at this service will be devoted to the Church Organ Fund. A short address will be given by the Incumbent (Roy T. Flavell). On Christmas Day the servico. will be as follows : — Celebration of Holy Communion at 8.30 a.m. ; choral matins, with second celebration, at 11 a.m. ; choral evensong at 6.30 p.m. Tho an hem will be Dr Stainer's "0, Zion, that bring.st good tidiugs." A Dastardly Act. — A horse belonging to Mr Salek, storekeeper, Timaru, was found in the paddock behind its owner's house early on Sunday morning with ita throat cut. The wound, which had been inflicted with a sharp instrument, was about six inches long and one inch deep, but fortunately the windpipo had not been cut. Tho wound was sown up by Mr Durham, Veterinary Surgoon, and although the animal had bled profusely, it is expected it will recover. Tho police have not yet been ablo to discover the scoundrol who committed tho cowardly act, but they are making active search. Spabkows in a New LionT. — Those unlappy Utile wretohos, tho sparrows, have somo out in a new character, which will make insurance agents tremble in their shoes. On a recent wot day, so we are assured by a competent authority, tbo mistress in one of tho Government schools in North Canterbury gave instructions for a fire to be lit in tho stove. Shortly afterwards someone happening to look up, noticed that the stovepipo was perfectly red hot where it passed through tho roof. A ladder was procured and a neighbour promptly clambered up to tho rescue. It was then found that the pipe of the stove (which had been unused for some time) was quite choked up with sparrows' nests, about four feet from the top. These hnd ignited, ond having heutod the pipe, under other circumstances might havo beon the mrans of burning down the building. An Intebkstinq Offbb.— A case which created considerable amusoment was heard at the Polico Court yesterday morning. Two men wero summoned for having driven horsos and carts over tho asphalt footpath in Gloucostor street. Mr Parkes, medical galvanist, appoarod as the defendant, the mon having boen employed as his servants at the time. He ploadod that ho obtainod permission at the oilicos of the City Council to take some loads of hay into the promises in question, the gatoway to which was in oxistence long bofore the asphalt, and that tho absonco of a proper cartway was attributable to tho negligonco of the Council. Ho further pleaded that the asphalt had not been in the slightest degroo injured, and offered to give £10 for tho bonefit of tho children at the Burnham Industrial School if it was shown that thero really had beon any damngo dono. His Worship docidod to adjourn the c_eo for a wook, in order that the point as to injury to tho asphalt might bo dotormined. At tho samo timo ho hintod, amid genoral laughtor, thut the offer of Mr Parkos ought not to bo lost eight of. Confibmation AT Woodend.— On Sunday, tho Most Reverend the Primate attonded at the parish ohurch, Woodend, to perform tho rito of confirmation on soveral candidates. Tho ohurch had born most tastefully doooratod for tho occasion, and a special feature in those was tho addition of a hnndsOm. illumination on tho Communion tablo, bearing tho inscription " Sanetits," in rod and black lot tcrd, throe times, with a gold maltose oross between euoh. Tho illumination was really oxcollontly dono by Mr A. D. L. Feasor, of Waikuku, and was presented by him to tho churoh j tho officers of which h»vo so far recognised tho merit of tht» work, nnd tho valuo of the prosont, ns to have it om _oted in a glnss caio, rosting on tho tablo. Twenty thrco candidates presented themselves for confirmation, and aftor tho ceremony, tho Bishop dolivored a most impressive address to thorn. His Lordihlp nlso profiled iv thfc ovoning, tho curato, tho Rev J. L. Keating, conducting the scrvioos. AooiDKNTfl.— A serious accident happonod yostoidav aftornoon to a little hoy namod Philpottj son of Mr W. Philpott, living at St. Alluns. His fathor w,u engaged in outting htvy, and dropping 'is whip oallod to his won to hand 'it to him. The littlo follow piokod it up, but unhappily ran. to the wrong tido of tho maohino, and befcra it oould bo stopped tho knivos struck his right log at tho anklo, and out the foot oloan off. Tho other leg was also fiiit, but not sovorolr. Dr Grimos was immediately Bent for, and was in attendance ' •10 minutos after tho aooident took place. Aftor fv con-ultation with Dra Towmmd and Prins, it was determined to HinpuUto the leg below the knee. Dospite the seoond operation, tho poor littlo follow, who is only novon yoar* old, bore up remarkably well, and is in a fair way to .rioody reoovery.— Yestorday afternoon v small boy was fishing at tho baso of tho eorew pile jetty when ho ovor balanced himsolf and foil into tho wntor. Ono of tho crow of tho tug Lyttoltonj lying at tho wharf, seeing tho aw.dent, made for tho boy at onoo and got him out of 'tho water, considerably frightor.od» but unhurt. This should be a warning to a number of youngsters who are in tlio habit of fishing from and underneath the whn» wi. Tho following will represent tbe Oxford l 0.0. in thoir watoh mp*V »tP. BUanpon, W. Push, J. Bu.h. W. Hiriop, U. «ounsltn.O. Uem»-tt«._.Quort*-»to. J. Priest, i.ftl). 0. Maok.m'o, <\ Uttln»,P.BM£t-. ! JEW b-_..1«--M. Ho.lijs W, Sh»-vu.n, F. Q MHml-, >, .ivnll.on,