LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3948, 13 December 1880, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Suicide. — About a quarter to nine o'clock yesterday evening an old man named John Wileon, 67 years of age, residing at Papanui, committed suicide by cutting his throat. It appears that he went out of his house into the back yard, and as he did not return after some time, his wile went to look for him. She found the door of the watorcloseb shut, and fastened on the inside. Receiving no answer to her calls she procured the assistance of a neighbour named Calvert, who burst open the door and found Wilson in the closet with his throat cut from ear to ear. Some trouble which deceased had in connection with th#land tax is supposed to have weighed upon his mind and iuduced hiai to terminate hia life. The inquest will be held at deceased's house at three o'clock this afternoon.

DiSTßißiraoN of Teoot.— Since Wednesday laßt over 5000 trout have been sent oufc by the Acclimatisation Society. They were distributed as follows : —Dec. B— Mr 0. G. Tripp, Orari, 500; Mr A. M. Johnson, Opawa, 500; Mr K. Wright, Ohoka, 1000. Deo. 9 — Mr Johnson, Opawa, 500 - r Mr J, Josling, Bangiora, 500; Mr W. A. balder, Oxford, 500. Dec. 11— Mr W. 8. Smith, Papanui, 50. This morning 2000 were sent to Springfield railway station, to be forwarded to Mr W. S. Bruce, of the Bealey. A Oohtbadiction.— We have received a telegram from Mr A. Whitley, in Oamaru, desiring the use of our column* to contradict the report which obtained currency in th© city last week of his death, and which received come degree of confirmation through having appeared in a section of the Christchurch Press. Mr Whitley has been ill and very seriously for some time past, but he Bays he is now much better, and hopes to be soon amongst his numerous friends again, who no doubt will be glad to welcome him to his old haunts once more.

New Zealand Univbhsitx-.—TheMatricu-laiton and Junior Scholarship Examinations in connection with the University of New Zealand began to-day. Tho Canterbury examinations are being held at tha Girls' High School, under the supervision of Mr Q-. L. Lee. There are eight candidates for matriculation and fourteen for the junior scholarship. The examination will last all the present week and be concluded on Monday next. Salb of Privileges.— The privileges for the Heathcote raceß were sold by auction by Mr J. Q-. Hawkes this afternoon. The following are the results of the sale :— Publican's booth, Mr Bavenhill, £20; confectioner's booths (2) Mr Basbford, £3 each ; right of sports, Mr Butcher, £4 10a ; cards, Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin, £5; horse yards. Mr Butcher, £1 10s. Total, £37. Aooidbnt.— A sad accident happened to a lad named Kiohard Hadfield, who was working at Mr E. W. Walters' cabinet-maker** shop, and by some means managed to get his right hand between the cog-wheels of part of the machinery, which completely crushed bis fingers. He was removed to the Hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate the thumb and three fingers of the hand.

Ltjkab Rainbow.— About ten o'clock last night a very dearly defined lunar ramboir was to be seen towards the south-east. Ifc lasted for some minutes, during which tima there was a fall of very fine rain.

Thb Eailwax Depabtmbnt. — The accountant's staff lately stationed in Ohristchurch left for Wellington yesterday in the b.s. Wanaka.

Tbout Fishing.— On Friday night last a fine trout, weighing 6£lbs was taken out o£ the Avon by a well known angler. Several other gentlemen have secured good average baskets throughout the week.

Crrr Council. — In consequence of the funeral of the late Mr Duncan, Ex-Mayor, taking place this afternoon, the City Council have decided to adjourn their meeting to Monday next out of respect to his memory.

Holt Innocbkts, Ambbblby.— Tho tower and "spire to this Church are nearly completed, and since the scaffolding baa been removed, the effect of this addition can be seen, and adds considerably to the completeness of the building. It would be as well if the authorities would cover up the open spaces of the spire with netting, as otherwise it will become a regular haunt of sparrows. Collision.— At about half -past five o'clock on Saturday afternoon, a collision took place between a horse and trap driven by Mr Barnes, of Kaiapoi, and a horso and brake driven by Mr Lewi". The vehicles were being driven in opposite directions at a moderate pace, and both were near the centre of the road; when Mr Lewis' horse shied at a woman who was alighting from a trap. Both Bhafts of Mr Barnes' vehicle were broken off, and some damage was done to his harness. The brake was not injured.

Sunday Lbctubb.— Madame Lotti Wilmot delivered her fourth and last lecture yesterday evening at the Theatre Boyal. There was a very large attendance. The subject of her lecture was " The Social Evil," of which she discoursed in an outspoken way, her suggestions as to its regulation and cure frequently eliciting loud applause. Last night'i discourse was by far the best of the series, the lectureßß often displaying considerable eloquence.

Disteict Pbizh-Fibing.— The annual District Volunteer prize-firing took place on Saturday at the Cashmere range. A baffling wind blew aoross the valley all day, and the BCoreß were consequently low. There were 26 competitors, divided into two squads, under the command of Captain Hawkes. The rangeß were 400, 500, and 600 yards, seven shots at each rango. The following were the nine highest Ecorers :— Sapper Chapman, 0.E.V.,62; Sub-Lieut. Francis, C.0.G.,60; Lieut. Appleby, C.E.V., 58 ; Col.-Sergfc. Parker, C.C.G., 53 ; Lieut. Wolfe, 0.0. Gh, 52; Sapper Marshall, C.E. V., 51 ; Lance-Corporal Jeffries, 0.E.V., 50 ; Sergt.-Major Manning, 0.E.V., 48 ; Sergt. Buckley, C.E.V., 46. A protest waß entered on the ground against any non-efCcicnts competing, which will probably have some effect upon the allocation of the prizes. Salb of Pbivilbghs. — The following privileges were sold by Messrs Quill and Co.,Ashburfcon, at their auction room, on Saturday : — Trotting race privileges — Publican* booth, Mr D. M'Kenzio, £11. All the other privileges were withdrawn, not realising the Committee's reserve. Caledonian Society's privileges— Publican's booth No. I—Mrs1 — Mrs Butler, £17 per day ; publican's booth No. 2 — D. M'Konzio, £11 per day ; confectioner's booth No. I— Mr T. Taylor, £1 10s per day ; confectioner's booth No. 2— T. Hicks, £4 per day ; gates— o. Reid, £25 per day ; right of sports— J. Wilkie, £1 15s per day ; sale of cards— not sold ; horse yards— Hay Smith, £1 10s per day. Total result of sale, £129 10b.

Cole's Cibccs. — This popular entertainment continues to draw largo audience?. On Saturday nfternoon tho circus tent was fairly filled. AmoDg the spectators were a number of Maoris, who were by no means the leaat demonstrative members of tho audience. Pico, the clown, appeared in a burlesque military costume, and as usual caused great fun, especially among tho younger visitors, of whom a largo proportion of the audience consisted. At night tho large seating accommodation was taxed to its utmost in all parts except tho dress circle, which, however, was largely patronised. Pico caused much amusement by his pantomime descriptive of a fishing adventure, though a few of the more impatient patrons of the pit appeared to think his pantomime too elaborate Tho museum of curiosities w»b very numerously attended. To-day there \sill be a matinee and an evening performance at the usual hours, when an eut;rejy new programme w»4 be lubmitUd.

Bydeniiam Amatettb Musical Society. — The date of the practice meetings of this Sooiety has been altered from Tuesdays to Mondays, in order to give members an opportunity of attending the rehearsals of " The Mesßiah." The Totalisatob. — The totalisator will b t > brought into use during the ensuing Auckland meeting. Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin have arranged with tho Auckland Jockey Club for the use of both the machines which were set up at the last Christchurch meeting. Entbetainsient. — An entertainment in aid of the West Christchurch District School Prire Fund will be held this evening, in tho schoolroom, Lincolu road. It is hoped that a large number of tho parents aad friends of the scholars will be present, as the prize fund is greatly in need of considerable pecuniary assistance. Ihb Coffee Palace. — It is estimated that between 400 and 500 people visited the new " Coffee Palaca" on Saturday. Owing to the increasing business, considerable improvements and additions have been effected in the establishment recently, lho passage way at the end has been divided iuto private compartments by partitions ; a private room for ladies is in course of preparation, and increased cooking appliances have been added. KAIAPOI SPOBT3 AND HOBSB RAOB3.— A meeting oi the Committee was held on Friday in tho Council Chamber; present — Mesara Parnham (Chairman), Eraser, Moore, Burnip, Fountain, Moran, Kidd, Pattman, Clark, Weston, Pearce, and C. E. Dudley (Hon Sec. and Treasurer). Tho Committee appointed to survey the paddock offered by Mr Bosu3tow, reported that it wa3 so rough as to be unfit for the purpose. Mr J2. Parnham offered the use of his paddock, near the Sneyd's Arms Hotel, which was accepted with thanks. A programme wis then drawn up, and last year's rules adopted. The Secretary was then instructed to invite tenders for a publican's and a confectioner's booth, to be sent in by Friday next. Messrs Parnham, Weston, Moore, Burr ip, and Pattman, were appointed to get the paddock into a fit state, and to act as a Ground Committee. The following Committees were then appointed : — Athletic Sports — Measra W. Fraser, E. Moore, A. T. Clu-k, F. Peureo, N. Kidd, and J. H. Mooro. Horse Haces— Messrs B. Parnham, J. Beharrell, F. Bosu9tow, T. 'Weston, M. O. Moran, J. Sims, B. B. Hicka, Or. Edwards, W. Burnip, and A. Piper. ■Children's Sports— Messrs J. Kidd, B. J. Alexander, E. H. Mathewa, W. Dixon, T. TJnwin, and T. Heney. The annual dinner in connection with the North--em Agricultural A33ooiation, will be held at Mr Boberts' Junction Hotel, Bangiora, on Thursday ' next, at 7 o'clock. Special services will be continued every evening duringr the waek, except Saturday, at Sfc. John's ■ Church. Bible readings will be hold on Wednesday . and Fr day, at 3 o'clock eaoh afternoon.