LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3896, 12 October 1880, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Swimming Olub. — A preliminary meeting for the purposo of forming a Swimming Club in Christchurch was held lasfc evening in Manchester street. Eight intending members wero present. The chair was taken by Mr A. Francis, who opened the meeting with some appropriate remarks. The members present then formed themselves into a Oommittee, and the following officers wero elected for the season : — President, Mr F. Back ; Captain, Mr A. Francis ; Hon Secretary, Mr F. H. Espenett ; Treasurer, Mr B. R. Best. Eules wero thon drawn up for the use of the Club, to bo brought up at a general meeting to bo called by advertisement shortly. It was resolved that the Secretary write to the West Christchurch School Oommittee offering terms for tho use of the school bath for the soason. After transacting some further business the meeting terminated.

The Case of Aechibald Wilson.— His Honor Mr Justice Johnston referred yesterday to an error in the report of tho discussion upon tbe conviction of Archibald Wilson. He said what he had intimated was, not that the Governor had power to grant a new trial, but that tho only course open to tho prisoner was to appeal to his Excellency to use tho prerogative of mercy. He had no doubt thafc the reporter had misunderstood his moaning. Mr Spackman, to whom his Honor's remarks yesterday were addressed, said that he had understood his Honor to refer to the prerogative of mercy. Feibnddy Societies. — The Committee appointed by tho Friendly Societies in Lyttelton to procure the services of another medical practitioner met at the Oddfellows' Hall last evening. Seventeen applications were received. It was unanimously resolved thafc the application from Dr George W. Cole, of Dunedin, be accepted. Tho meeting adjourned to Monday, Oct. 25, further arrangeI ments to be made in the meanwhile.

Sunday School Union. — Sunday and Monday next, Oct. 17 and 18, have been set apart by tho Sunday School Uniona of England and America a 9 days of special intercession on behalf of Sunday schools. The Canterbury Union, which now numbers 72 schools, has also resolved to have spocial intercessory prayer on those days, and they will bo similarly observed in other parts of the Colony.

Accident. — At aboufc threo o'clook this afternoon a man named George Hislop was admitted into the Hospital Buffering from severe injuries to tho left hip. It appears that ho was working at Beath and Co.'s draper shop, and engaged in shifting a heavy iron fire-proof door, which was standing on end near the wall, and which suddenly

slipped and fell over, crushing him againsi the wall.

The Side Channels.— The City Council labourers have been engaged for the past day or so in repairing numerous small injuries to the asphalte footpaths and concrete channelling in various parts of the City. One of the -worst of these was the drain in front of the Canterbury Club, on Cambridge terrace, whero the channelling was very much damaged. Boabd of Consbevatoes. — At the meoting of the Board of Conservators to-day a letter was read from Mr A. Duncan, resigning his seat on account of ill-health. A resolution was passed expressive of regret; afc Mr Duncan's resignation, and of hope that his health might Bhortly be restored. Entertainment. — On tc -morrow evening

an entertainment, consisting of singing, reci-

tatiocs, and speeches, is advertised to be held in the Primitive Methodist Church, Cambridge terrace. The programme being a good one, it should be a success. The Lynch Family. — The Bellringers' season on tho West Coast has so far, we learn, been very successful. The Hokitika theatre has been crowded overy evening by enthusiastic audiences.

Kaiapoi Paeish Chuecii. — Tho plans for enlarging this Ohurch have received the assen of the Church Property T/ustees, and tho work will be tendered for afc once and put in hand forthwith.

Wood Paving.— The Works Committee of the City Council has declined to report upon tho system of wood paving submitted to it, unless after trial in a busy thoroughfare. No action has been taken in fche matter.

TnE TEAinvATS. — At laßt evening's meeting of the City Council a long discussion upon tramway matters took place. The final report of the Committee was not adopted, and eventually a resolution was carried to arrange for a conference.

Dbaugiits. — A tournament was played on Friday nighfc laßt, between Bix gentlemen from Kaiapoi, and an equal number of Woodend. Seventy-two games wero played, resulting in a victory for Woodend. The scores were: — Woodend, 44 games; Kaiapoi, 21; drawn, 7.

Academt of Mttsic. — Captain J. W. Barry will deliver his lecture this evening in the above hall, entitled " Whatl saw in England." As the lecturer announces thafc on account of other engagements he cannot repeat his lecture, those who wish to enjoy an hour's amusement will do well to attend.

Thkatee Eoyai*. — There was an excellent attendance at the Theatre Eoyal last night, when tho usual programmo was got through. The grand gift fell to an occupant of the pifc. To-night tho winner of the chief j riz > .11 be allowed a choice of three suites, in title, lick, and green. ■»■•■*" 7 City Boabd of Health.— Tho Duaini > Board has formally transferred its pewew— ■ as a local Board of Health — within the City boundaries to the City Council, excepting tllfl power to appoint a medical officer. The Council has instructed the By-law Committeo to tako the required action in the matter.

Confirmation. — His Lordship the Primato held a confirmation sorvice at the parish church, Kaiapoi, on Sunday morning. Twenty- six candidates were presented by the curate in charge, the Eev D. O. Hampton, nineteen female and seven male, two of which were adults. The Bishop, after fche ceremony, gave a very impressive address to the candidates. The church was crowded to excess.

The Impounded Land Fund. — At last night's meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council it was resolved, on fcho recommendation of the Finance Committee, to apply to tho Heathcote and Spreydon Boad Boards for a pro rata share of the money lately received by those bodies on account of the Impounded Land Fund. The amount claimed from the Heathcote Board is £79 19s sd, and from Spreydon £190 Is 2d.

A Cheerful Communication. — As a specimen of tho annoyances that aye indicted on unfortunate newspaper editors we append the following lottor, which is printed exactly as wo received it. We present ifc gratis fco our readors with the hopo that some of thoee who now solace thoir idle hours with the convolutions of the Fifteen Gem Puzzle, will find in our anonymous correspondent a new eourco of amusement or irritation : — " Templeton Oct 11th 1880 i Dear Sir,— l got fivo swine laitly & one had a broken There follows something which ie absolutely undecipherable, but laoks liko fcho letter V.] if i get _> not her one tho samo i will try if i cun get the Magistrate to give six months in prison when killed in this 6tato in the summer would Bring trublo on wemin & Children thiß has got nothing to to do with the Broken logs of tlie thumar swine & that man on the other*oide dosc-nfc know cany think about the meascled swino unless ho would stop short."'

Concert) AVO BALL— The Oddfellows* Hall was crowded in ovory part last night,, on the occasion of a grand concert and ball in aid of the Protestant brass band. Tho programme of tho concort was of great length, and executed by ladies and gentlemen of acknowledged talent us amateurs. The audience, though no doubt anxious— at least the i'uirer portion of thorn— to come to tho dancing, woro in excellent humour and applauded everything most heartily. Several of the comic songs wero encored, and had to be repeated, or others substituted for them. The brass bund gave two specimens of their proficiency, which proved that they can play in cood timo and tune boiiio capital pieces. Tho darcing, which was accompanied hy a quadrille band uudcr tho leadership of llcrr Huns., was ki p' v v*p with groat spirit for somo timo.

Railway Taeiff.— The new railway tariff camo in force yesterday. Masonic— A special meeting of the Sfc. tme L ° d K°* No. 609, E.C., is to beheld at half-past 7 o'clock on noxfc Monday evening, fco celebrate tho inauguration of the

INSPKCTOB BUCKLBY.-At the clobo of the sitting of the Kaiapoi Court yesterday, Mr Whitefoord in alluding to tho late dismissal ot Inspector Buckley, said ho was exceedingly corry to lose him, as he was an old mid deservedly esteemed officer. Ho felt it was his duty to make theso remarks, as ho waß su:y tho district would miss liis valuable services, and that if ho held his proper position in the force, his services would no doubt be retained, as ho was one of tho oldest officers in the forte.

Tub Railways.— Instructions havo beon issued to station-masters on the Now Zealand railways, to discontinue tho practice of issuing privilege tickets to railway employees on and after Oct. 11. Theso tickets havo hitherto boen issued to the employees and their families at quarter rates, and were naturally found to bo a very great boon. Following on the 10 per cent, reduction of saiary, the deprivation of these privilege tickots will bo keenly felt. No doubt the next step in the way of retrenchment will bo tho discontinuance of issuing free passes to thoßO privileged individuals the masters of vessels of 250 tons register and upwards.