Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4164, 25 August 1881, Page 2

Local & General.

Intebcoloniai Wbathbb Exchange. — The following information was received today from Sydney : — Tho centre reported yeatorday is now well to the eastward, bringin? a strong southerly wind and a heavy sea along the east coast of Australia. A fresh depression is extending across from Borda to Bathurst. The barometer at Borda rf gistered 300 ; at Hobart, 301 ; and at Sydney, 302.

Accident at Poet. — An accident happened this morning on board tbe b.b. Rotorua, to one of tho crow, named Johnson, a survivor from the b.b. Tararua. He was knocked down the steamer's hold by a bale falling irom tho filing, und sustained a fracture of two ribe, besidea injuries to his head. Dr M'Donald waß summoned, and attondod to the Bufferer' a injuries.

Wool Balks. — The August series of wool sales opened on Tuesday. Closing prices of last sales wero maintained, except for croßßbred, wliich suffered a declino of from id to ld por lb.

Hospital Patients.— During Uie fortnight ending August 20, 33 jcitionts were admitted to the Hoapital, and 21 wero diecharged. Two deaths occurred during tho samo period. On lho dato mentioned there wore 71 patients in tho Institution, as compared with 49 at tho corresponding time last year.

Wakani-i Hoao Boauii.— An election to riippiy l li<> vunmi-y iv the Wnkanui Road Board, ruimed by tho resignation of Mr Georgo Kiiile, wa? held yesterday, at tho Ashburton County frah-v.-iniH. Mr David Wilson wna elected by a majority of 15 over Mr Murdoch Bruce, the other candidate. Mr Wilson obtained'o7 votes, acd Mr Bruce, 52.

The Municipal Elections.— The address of Mr T. S. Lambert, announcing that he offers himself for re-election to tho citizens of the North- West Ward appears in our advertising columns. It is rumoured that Mr Lambert will be opposed by Mr J. P. Oliver. For the North-East Ward Mr W. E. Samuels, of Peterborough street, and Mr R. M'Farlane, of Armagh street, have taken the field, and have commenced an active canvass. No opposition i» yet announced to Mr Jenkins' candidature for the South- West Ward, and it is .probable that he will secure a walk-over. Public interest, however, continues centred in the South-Eaat Ward, where both Councillor Hulbert and Mr 3. Manning's Committees are working hard, and where the adherents of both candidates are equally confident of success.

Dbuid's Obntenaby Cblbbbation.— ln consequence of the extremely unfavourable state of the weather, the torchlight procession and concert and ball in connection with tha centenary celebration, which were to have bfen held this evening, have been postponed to Monday next, August 29.

Gas Company. — A meeting of shareholders . in the Chriatchurch Gas Company was held at half-paat two o'clock this afternoon, for the purpose of authorising the directora to declare snd pay an interim dividend of 7 per cent. After some discussion, however, the meeting t*us adjourned, on the motion of Mr R. D.Thomas, seconded by Mr Gould, until the following afternoon.

Fikb Abts. — Mr Gibb has just completed, to the order of Mr John Anderson, one of the Directora of the New Zealand Shipping Company, a remarkably fine picture of the clipper ship Opawa, 1131 tons. According to the terms of the commission, the painting presents a most faithful dra sing of the vessel, true to scale, though on account of the thoroughly artistic manner in which the subject has baen treated, this fact would certainly not be suspected. 'Ihe Opawa is represented as nearing the Heads at Xiyttelton, tiie wind being nearly true west ; and at some distance the tug Lyttelton is lying to, in readiness to take charge of the stately ship. The expanse of the sea iB finely painted, and may fairly bo regarded as an example of Mr Gibb's manipulative skill. There iB a heavy ground swell and a choppy sea, the broken water exhibiting an extremely beautiful play of light ; and just a perceptible shiver in the Opawa's top-gallant sails shows that she is being well handled. Ihe Peniiiiula hills, with rain-clouds resting upon them, form the background on the left; and away to the right there is a long stretch bf ocean, the line of the horizon being lost in a driving shower. Overhead there ia plenty j of clear blue sky, and the whole picture is fuU of light and life. It is a painting worthy Of Mr Gibb's high reputation, and when— in the course of a few days — it ia placed on view, it is certain to win general admiration.

As Invalid Excuse.— One frequently iears a variety of excuses offered by offenders for drunkenneiß who have the misfortune to come under the cognisance of the presiding magistrates of the Police Court. It is really surprising what a small amount of liquor ia requisite to disturb the balance of aome persons who being paragons of temperance generally, if the partake ever so moderately of the rosy wine, it ha 9 such a treacherous habit of " flying to the head." " I only bad tyro glasses of ginger brandy, your Worship, and it got to my head," said an offender this morning. "No doubt it was the effect of the ginger that affected you,'* replied hia Worship. " You will be fined ten ffbfllinga or undergo forty-eight hours* imprisonment."

Flowbes pob thb Hospital. — At the meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid £oard, held yesterday, the Hospital Committee reported that Messrs Duncan and Son -had kindly undertaken to receive donations of flowers for the Hospital, at their seed warehouse, Cashel street, and to forward them from time to time, as received.

Qbain Shbd at Lyttbltoh. — It appears that the Harbour Board have not decided to build a tro-storey ahed on the new reclamation at Lyttelton, as wbb stated yesterday. They have come to the conclusion to adopt Mr Lowe's general plan for a structure 520 ft in length, but with one floor only, at a coat of £6000.

Tint " Libkbty " Cask. — The result of the charge brought by the proprietors of the ALiberty against Messrs Hossack, Blackett, and Sansom, was that the first named was fined £5, and the others £3 each, while they vere ordered to pay £4 4s 6d each towards the cost of the material destroyed by them. A full report of the case will be found in another column.

Lotbeed Manubactubb. — A meeting of gentlemen interested in the promotion of an industry, in the Bhape of the manufacture of linseed oil, kc, is to be held in the Council Chamber, this evening, the Mayor having issued a circular inviting several of the principal residents in the place, to meet for the purpose df drawing resolutions, &c, preparatory to a publio meeting being called to form •a company. Social Etbning. — A pleasant entertainment was given in the Templar HaU last evening in connection with the Southern Cross Lodge; and notwithstanding the some"what unfavourable nature of the weather, there was a good entertainment. In the earlier part of the evening the gathering was of asocial character, tea being suppUed to the visitors ; and subsequently a concert programme was effectively carried out. Entbbtainiibnt at Stokb. —An entertainment was given by Mr Moore, assisted by Ur Philpot of Christchurch, at the Stoke schoolroom on Friday last, consisting of a number of views shown by the aid of the magic-lantern. At the conclusion Mr Frotheroe proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Messrs Moore and PhUpot for their kindness in entertaining them, which was carried with applause. The amount realised by the entertainment was about £5, which the Committee deoided to hold over with the view of giving the children attending this Bchool a trip to Lyttelton during the summer. On the Bame day the Chairman distributed the prizes to the school children as awarded byMrTwose of West Eyreton. Lbbston Town Hall Company. — A meeting of the Directors of the Leeston Town Hall Com] my was held in the Hall on Tuesday eve Mug last ; preaent — Mr Sandry (Ohairman), Messrs Bowden, Lewis, Emms, Douglas, Jeffrey, and Jameson. The Chairman said the meeting had been called to conaider financial matters and paaa some accounts for payment. The Treasurer's statement of funds in hand and expected was considered Accounts were then passed for payment to the amount of £22. The Chairman said that he had arranged to have the old culvert in front of the HaU removed, .and a bridge erected in its place. Mesßrs Hm-ma and Jeffrey were authorised to have a lamp erected outside the HaU door. Mc Emms gave notice that at the next meeting he would move — " That the scale of charges for the HaU be revised." After transacting some further business the meeting adjourned. Coubtenay Fabmebs' Ciub. — A general meeting of this Club was held on Monday last, Mr O. G. Parker in the chair. Correspondence was read from Messrs MaxweU and Mftfhi«« re letting their paddock at Kirwee to the Club ; also, a letter of apology from Mr T. H. Anson. After some discussion it was reaolved that it is inexpedient to erect permanent yards for one year. The Chairman then called upou members to make suggestions for the drawing up of the new schedule. It was resolved—" That the Show be held on Fiiday, Nov. 25 next." The classes in ibe schedule were then considered seriatim, nd several alterations and additions were mtuie. It was decided that the Courtenny Koad Board be requested to grant the Club the use of their office for holding meetings in ; also, that suoh meetings bi held alternately at Courtenay and Kirwee. Mr Templar gave notice to move at next meeting — "That the rules of tho Olub be revised." The Secretary was requested to write and obtain a copy of the ilUeamere Agricultural Society's rule*. Mr Fairbairn having offered the use -of his paddock for the forthcoming show, it was accepted with thanka. The appointment of Judges waß postponed until next meeting, and the proceedings then terminated.

PBOPO3BD Gigantic Wabship. — Notwithstanding the prepossession in certain quarters in favour of smaUer armour-plated ships than those lately constructed, the Times states that drawings are being prepared at the Admiralty for the laying down cf a turret-ship which wiU throw the Inflexible into the shade, and wUI approach in bulk and armament the colossal fighting machines now being built by the Italian Government. The new turret-thip wiU have a displacement of 13,000 tons, engines working up to 10,000---horse power, and an estimated speed on the measured mile of 18 knots.