Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4158, 18 August 1881, Page 2

Local & General.

Bubopban Flax Cultivation.—Considerable interest is boginning to bo taken in various parta of the Colony in tho cultivation of European flax. Letters asking for information on tbe subject have been received by tho Secretary of tho Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association from all quarters of New Zealand. One gontloman, writing from Halcombe, Wellington, stateß that it ie hie intention to bow a fow acres with flax seed, with the viow of establishing tho industry in that district. He further states that there aro residing in the vicinity a numbor of German and Scandinavian Bettlera, who, having been accustomed to oultivate the flax plant in thoir nativo countrios, would bo ablo to erow it with profit and advantage in Now Zeahnd. He believes that, with their assistance, ilax oultivation will be successfully established in tho district ; and he sees no reason why it should not, in a fow yearß, become a staple article of export from the Colony.

Entektainmbnt at Papanui. — Last evening an entertainment was given bj a numbor of ladies ond .gontlomen in tho Town Hall, Papanui. Tho programme consisted of a concert of vocal aud instrumental music, Wiiich wub very creditably rendered, songs by tho Misses Littlo and Grant being particularly worthy of notice*. The entortainmont concluded with tho farco of " Caught, by tho Cuff," which elicited much laughter, especially tho character of " The Lady," which woe woll rendered by a gontloman amateur.

Tbotting Match.— a match for £25 a*side between Dr M'larthy's ch mare and Mr Porier'a Blackboy came off afc Riccarton to-day. 'Ihs conditions were that Blackboy, who was to be driven in a sulky, should give the mare lOOjds start in three miles, the latter to be driven in a four* wheeled buggy. The start was made at tho Racecourse corner, and the finish at the Plough Inn. The two got away well togeiher. At the church, about a m le f rom the start, fche mare broke, and Blackboy obtained the lead. The mare broke several times uf tei wards, notwithstanding which, at the Riccan on Bush, she again gave Blackboy the go bye. Mr Porter, who drove with great judgment, could not again come on terms with the mare, who finally won by about 100yd a to spare. A large number of people were pieseut, and Blackboy, the favourite was freely backed at from 4 and 5 toi.

Committed fob Tbial.— At the Resident Magistrate's ourt this morning, a man named Frederick Cooper was committed to take his trial at the next criminal sessions of the Supreme Court, on a charge of forging and uttering a cheque for £3 on tbe Bank of New Zealand. Ohristchurch, in the name of Thomas Williams.

Municipal Eieciions— Besides tbe requisition in course of signature for Mr S. Manning to stand ior the South-east Ward, there is also one for Mr F. Jenkins, which we hear has already been numerously signed.

Abbest. — This afternoon, a man named John bharkey, was arreted in town by Detective O'Connor, charged with the larceny of two clocks from the shop of Mr G. D. Murchie, Cashel street.

Wbathbb in thb Nobth. — Sleet and snow fell on Tuesday night and during yeßterday at Amberley, tho weather being very cold.

East Coast * and Company.— ln another column an advertisement will be found notifying that the share list of the East Coast Native Land and Settlement Company (Limited) will close on Saturday next.

Nobth Cantjsbbubt Fabkbbs' Co-Ofbba-tivh Association.— lt is understood that the proposed capital of this Association is likely to be increased, and that a suggestion tomato it £250,000 would meet with the approval of the majority of the Provisional Directors.

Kaiapoi Boabd op Hbalth. — At a meeting of this B jard, held on Tuesday evening last, Mr Pinching stated that Dr Ovenden, who was uuaMe to attend, repoH.'d that there were several cases of meaßle* in tho town, but that all were mild, and pr -jresmng favourably.

Intbbpbovinoial Football Match. — The fifteen to play against Otago this year will be chosen immediately after the match on Saturday, the sides for which will be found iu the usual plaoe. Lists will be posted :it Warner's Hotel and the City Baths establishment -luring the evening.

Kaiapoi Chuboh Sunday Bchool. — Another very interesting entertainment was given on Tuesday evening, in the schoolroom adjoining the Church, by the scholars and teachers, in aid of the funds of the Sunday School. There was a very large attendance, and the vario>i* items, especially thoee given by the ohildren, were nicely rendered and much appreciated.

Poisoning .-mall Bieds.— Tbe Hon Secretary of the Au.berley farmers' Club state* that he has found poisoned rape seed most effeotual in destroying linnets. Our informant states thafc bo found these birds invariably shelled the larger grain such as wheat, and thafc he determined on g'ving the smaller seed a trial, which he states is much mora effeotual.

Thb Mubohison Relief Fund.— The proceeds from the concert lately given in Amberley for Mrs Murohison and family, together with tho voluntary subscriptions, will amount to close upon £50. A meeting of the subscribers will be held on Saturday evening, in the ante-room of the Hall, to devise the best means of expending the money in hand.

Intbbcolonial Wbathbb Exchange. — The folkwing telegram was received from Sydney yesterday: — "Light north and northwest winds prevail over Australia, fche depression over Victoria yesterday having expanded, and ifcs centre passed to the south of Portland. The lowest reading of the barometer is at Portland, 30 0; tho highest at Alico Springs (interior of continent), 30-4."

FkbbtJßoad Pbesbytebian Chubch.— An error inadvertently appeared in a paragraph under fche above heading on Saturday last. The Congregafcionalisfce still hold services at the customary hours at Phillipstown Congregational Ohurch, and will continue to do so till a new building is erected on a central site which has been secured just opposite the new cricket ground, Ferry road.

Kaiapoi Woollen Faotobt.— The new machinery which is to be placed in the additions to thiß factory, is arriving in great quantities, and is being carted to the mill daily by eight different vehicles. Tho casea containing it are becoming quite a feature in the station yard, where they are oeing temporarily stored. It is slated that fche cost of packing and cases ior this consignment was over £600.

Road Boabd Notiobs. — A difßculty soems likely to arise under the present system of taking notices which havo been posted as evidence that the partieß to whom they are addressed have received them. Tho following case is a good illustration *. — A letter, insufficiently stamped, is sent to a ratepayer, requiring him to do certain work iu the way of clearing gorse off fcho road opposite hiß sections • a fine of twopenco is attached to this letter. Is it incumbent on the ratepayer to release this notico from the Post-office ; if not. how can the ratepayer be taken to have received tho notice contained in this letter ?

Rangioba Litbbaby Institutb.— The Committee of this Institute met on Tuesday evening, at which a majority of the members was present, Mr Buckham in fche chair. An application for Jeswe to remove the gallery for the Citizens' ball on Friday ovening, and also for the übo of the reading room and Library that evening, was read, and the Oommittee decided to allow the supports to the gallery beam to be removed if properly stayed, and to grant the reading room and Library as requested. Tho Committee then proceeded to consider lists of books sent in, and further adjourned the matter till nexfc meeting, when fche ordor for books will be completed.

Dbdtob and Cbbdltoe. — At tho laet Bitting of tho Amberley Court, tho Bench decided that whore there was evidence of a party not producing his receipt when called on to pay money, presumed on the one side to be due and on the other to have been paid, the defendant would have to pay costs. Taking this decision aB a precedent, a correspondent asks would tho presumed creditor be satisfied with tho astertion that " the account had been paid ? " Again, would he (the presumed debtor) be justified in forwarding his receipt— probably tho only evidence of payment — to his presumed creditor?

Chess and Dbaught Club, Ranqioba. — A meeting of gontlemon interested in the formation of this Club was hold in the Inb! itute on Tuesdav evening, afc which Meßßrs H. Rcvoll, John if. Blackett, Scott, H. and F. Gulliver, J. Sansom, J. Hoesack, and Robilliard woro present, Mr Reveil boing elected Chairman. It waß roßolvcii that a Club, bearing the abovo title, bo formed. Tho Chrißtchurch Club rules woro road and considered, aud adopted with ono or two minor alterations. Mr Blackott, sonr., was olected Presidont, Mfc J. G. L. Scott, Vice- President, and Mr J. Hossack, Hon Secretary aud Troasuror. The latter gentleman was requested to ascertain whon ifc would be convenient for Mr P. F. Jaeobsen to attend, as promised, to play nino games simultaneously. Tho mooting thon adjourned.

Tai Tapu Spabbow Club. — A meoting of tho abovo waß held in the schoolroom on Monday ovening. There was a fair attendance. Mr Raincy (the Chairman) handed in a petition for signature to tho members, tho object, of which was to pray tho Houee of Representatives to empower Road Boards to levy rates for the destruction of Bmall birds, and also to collect gamo license foes in their respective districts, to bo applied to tho samo purpoßo. Tho petition was approvod and signed by all present. Reports of experiments were received from Messrs Blank, Herrick and Porj-man, which were discussed at somo length. Mr Forbes movod — "That tho several reports bo received ; that tho thanks of tho members bo accorded to thoFo who hud takon so much troublo, and that Mr Blank's experiment, No. 6, be lho ono on which action be taken — viz., 48!bs of wheat to loz of etrychnino steopod in 8 quart* of water, tho addition of sugur ani phosphorus being loft to tho discretion of th? operator.'* The mooting thon adjournod.

Bkpobted Discovbey op Alluvial • Gbound. — Some persons who have been oufc prospecting report; that they have discovered a large area of rich alluvial ground near Waimate, and have lodged a claim for the reward of £SCO guaranteed by certain Waimate business men for the discovery of a payable gold field. ' The men, of courae, decline to atate the locality, but say that the ground is within 20 miles of the town. Ifc is presumed the find is in the Waihao riding of the County. They have taken the necessary stepa to obtain a prospector's l:ase. The following will represent the Sandridge Football Club in a match with the Linwood Football CJloh, on ratnrday. on the ground ot ihe former ; play to commence at threo o'clock sharp :- Smitn, Beare. Allardyce. Taylor, Mason, Lawr*-nce. Newman. Perci*-*.!. L?wry. Eobinson. George, bhierlaw, Brans, Braith-waite, and M'Lean; emergencies. Page, Kn- ell, and Pleasance. The match arranged for next Saturday -to be -clayed on ths Show Groonda-is between a picked fifteen and u. twenty-two. The following are tho named :— Fifteen : Messrs A. H. Anderson, C. Bolton, A. T. Chapman, E. J. Cotterill, U. B. Dobson, Herbert Farr, Henry Fair, B. D. Harms*, J P Hartland, G. Helmore, L. Lane, H. Lee, W. T. Millton (captain), W. Potts and H. Spragge ; colours red and blaok. Twenty-two— Messrs F. Anderson. H. Beswick, Blanchard. E. D'Auvergne, C. D*Auvergne. A. FookP. F. Fuller, E. G. Hawkes, X. Hawkes. J. Ho^ack. F. Kesteven, Knight. M. Xewin (captain). K. MiUton, L. Oliivier, Parker. F. Pratt. F. N. Bobinjon. A Smith, Talbot. C. W>llib, W. Willis and Wynn Williams- colours bine and white. Tram cars will leave Cathedral Square at 2.45 pjn., re-.-irrirg after the match, as on last Saturday. Any of the above who cannot.plav are requested to let. Mr Lewis know at once in order that vacancies may be filled np.