Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4245, 29 November 1881, Page 3

Local & General.

Thb Stanmobe Bibotion.— Mr Walter H. Pilliet, by an advertisement in another column, invites the electors to meet him at the Knightstown Library to-morrow (Wed* nesday) evening at 8 o'olock, when he .promises to interest them with new topics of a novel character. INTBBCOI.ONIAI WBATHBB ExOHANGB.— The following message has been recoivod : — "Sydney, Monday : A moderate depression exists over Bass' titraite, with cloudy weather and slight winds from the S.W. on the south coast, and N.E. at Hobart and Sydney. Barometer: Portland. 29*6: Hobart, 29 6; Bydnoy, 301." Bank Holiday. — To-morrow being 8t Andrew's Day and a recognised Sank holiday, the various Banks will be olosed. Thb FAi-r.ow Dbhb.— Mr 0. Whitcfoori received v tolegram on Monday, stating thut the two deer mentioned last woek had benn shipped in the To Anuu, which arrived at the Bluff yesterday. ThialiGP Hiboki.— Birolii was committed for trial yesterday, on the charge of murdering M'Leun in 1873. Another charge of breaking and ontoring asottlor's dwelling was also preferred against him, and is now under investigation. T«B PCBIIO LiBEAnY.— At yesterday's meeting of tho Board of Governors of tho •Canterbury Collflgo, tho acting Chsirmnn gave the annual expenditure in connection with the Publio Library. Tho subject is to be brought i forward at, a future meeting. Axobuiky Backs.— Tho name of Mr E. Murlitt's brown hone, Young Diomedes, waa omitted from the list as having been nominated for Iho Hurdle Race. Tho privileges tor the Amber loy mooting were sold yesterday by Mr Taburt, and realised over £30. Tna Rivbb Avoir. — At tho meeting of tho Drainago Board held yesterday a letter was read from a number of the residents of Avon* sido, and tho officers of tho Canterbury and Union Bowing Clubs, drawing attention to the neglected state of the Avon, especially from the East Bolt to Wright's corner, whero it is gradually being choked up with woeds. Tho Board referred tho matter to their Engineer.

Waimatb Cotjhty Cotjkcii.. — At the annual meeting of the Waimate County Council yesterday, Mr M. Studholme waa elected chairman for the ensuing year. JvAUPOI Mayobalty.— A publio meeting wiil be held this evening, at the Institute Hall, Kaiapoi, to hoar the views of the candidates for the Mayoral chair for the ensuing term. Embezzlement.— At the Waimate Beeident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, a man named Samuel Garret was charged with embezzling the sum of £3 3a. He was sentenced to three months' hard labour. The Matobal Election. —Mr Gapes haviag withdrawn from the contest, the Mayoralty of Ohristchurch will fall to Mr Taylor or Mr Euddenklau. These gentlemen addressed a publio meeting last night, and their views will be found reported elsewhere. Locui, Boahd op Hbamh. — An ordinary meeting of the Christohurch Local Board of Health was held yesterday afternoon. The medical officer's quarterly report was submitted, and a quantity of other businesß transacted. A report of the meeting will be found elsewhere. Dbainagb Boasd. — An ordinary meeting of the Cbristchurch District Drainage Board was held yesterday afternoon, when a considerable amount of business was transacted. A report of the proceedings appears elsewhere. j Infectious Disbasbs. — During the three | months ending September 30, 171 cases of | infectious diseases were reported to the Board of Health for the Cbristchurch district. The total comprised 43 cases of typhoid fever, 14 of diphtheria, 2 of scarlet fever, and 112 of measles. The medical officer's report, from which the above particulars are taken, is published in lull in the account of the meeting of the Board of Health in another column. l/HBIST COIiLBGB OADBT BIMHS.— The monthly inspection of this corps waa held yesterday on the College grounds at noon. Captain Kichards, of the Cadets, acting for the officer- commanding the district, inspected their arms, &c, and afterwards put them through a number of manoeuvres, and the review exercise (manual and firing). The Cadets went through their drill remarkably well, taking into consideration the limited time they have been instructed. Cokobbt.— A very enjoyable concert was given last ovening in St John's schoolroom, lin aid of the eohool pianoforte fund. There I was a good attendance, and the chair was ooI cupiod by the Bey H. 0. M. Watson. A number I of selections of vocal and instrumental music were rendered in a praiseworthy manner by several ladies and gentlemen connected with St John's Church, assisted by various friends, among these being Madame Winter and Mr B. Searell. A BOEOHGH CotmOILLOB IK COCHT.— At the EM. Court, Kaiapoi, on Monday, Mr J. Stanton was summoned for having two dogs in his possession unregistered. The police pointed out that the defendant was a member of the Borough Council, and that; he had written frequently to the police, asking to have the provisions of the Dog .Registration Ordinance strictly enforced. Mr Whitefoord said he should have great pleasure in doing so in this case, and would fine the worthy Councillor 20s and costs. Nbw CoAii Compaxt.— A meeting was held yesterday at the Scotch Stores for the purpose of forming a Company to work the mines at Whiteolifts, known as Hart's. There were some twenty gentlemen present, and Mr !W. H. Hargreaves took the chair. A report upon the mine by Mr S. Staples, Secretary | pro tern, was read, and considered so satisfactory that a sub- Committee consisting of Messrs Smith, H. A. Davis and Morley, was appointed to select an expert, and in company with him visit the works and report at a future meeting. A new vein of coal has been found, which is said to be of particularly good quality, and, superior even to Brockley coal. The proposed capital of the Company is £4000, in £10 shares, and 250 have already been applied for. Lincoln Spobtb — A meeting of the genaral Committee was held at Sluis' Hotel on Friday evening, Nov. 25. There was a good attendance of members, Mr S. Townsend in the chair. Mr John Tod reported, on behalf [of the ground Committee, that the Committee had selected Sir Qt. Smith's paddock as the most eligible site for holding the sports. The action of the Committee was approved of. The sole privilege of having refreshments and luncheon on . the ground was granted to the Presbyterian Bazaar Committee. The programme was then arranged. It includes 17 athletic events, and four events for horses, including a two mile trotting matoh. All events are open to bond fide residents of the Lincoln electoral district, embracing the Little Biver Road District. With respect to horse racing, it was resolved that all horses that have won £10 or over be disqualified, and that any owner, not a subscriber to the amount of 10s, pay double entrance fee. A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and the meeting dispersed. Industrial Association.— A meeting of the Committee was held last evening ; present — Messrs Howland (chairman), wheath, King, Waller, Espenett,' England, Kelsey, Hale, Toomer, Banks, Stenhouse, and Bates. Mr Bheatb moved— "That the resolution proposed by Mr Allaß, and seconded by Dr Haast, at a Committee meeting held Sept. 27, to heartily support Messrs Joubert and Twopeny in carrying out their Exhibition be rescinded." The resolution was carried with one dissentient. A letter was read from Mr F. E. Wriffht, tendering his resignation as a member of the Committee, in consequence of hia time being fully occupied. The resignation was aooepted. Messrs H. Smith and M. Sandstein were appointed members of the Committee. Mr Kelaey moved—" That in future nominations for members of Committee to fill vacancies caused by resignations, bo taken at one meeting, and the election de- ; f erred until the next meeting of the Commit- \ tee." The meeting then closed. — A general meeting of the Association will be held at the Congregational schoolroom this evening, for the purpose of considering the pamphlet, drawn up by the present Committee with reference to Messrs Joubert and Twopeny's Exhibition ; also, to consider what action shall be taken to secure the representation of local products at that exhibition, and to elect officers. It will be seen from the advertisei»eut that no member is entitled to voto whose subscriptions are three months in arrear. Bicycle Baoes at Dunbdin.— The Christchurch men did not do very well at the Carisbrook sports on Saturday, in which the bicyclo races formed the most prominent feature. Dunsford waa the only one of those who went down to secure a prize, coming in second to F. A. Outten in the ten- mile trip. Tho Dunedin papers comment unfavourably on tho style of tho visitors. The Herald remarks : "Tho beat riders were the Cuttens, W. H. Cutten being the most .graceful ■bicyclist on the ground, and F. A. Cutlen coming second. Oliver does not ride very prettily, but has great endurance for his age. The Ohriatohurch bicyclists ride very badly, their bodies projecting forward in a way suggesting fatal results in case of accidents. Duncan rides fairly well." The Times also says: "The Christchuroh men are far from being neat riders — bending, as they do, very much forward on their machines, which makes the liability to accident very grout. This is probably to be accounted for by the flit nature of the country over which they are accustomed to run, whereas the Dunedin men have comparatively irregular roads on which to practise, necessitating an upright carriage. In this respect the riding of W. H. and F. A. Cutten was much admired." Mr Jolni Forbes begs to acknowlodße with thanks tho receijit of the sum of JM 13s 66. from the members of tho Tiii Tiipu Band of Hope, towards tho expenses of the annual treat to the children of the Industrial School at liurahom. Tho installation of the otlicors of the Sonthorn Cross Masonic Lodgo will bo colebratod on Thursday ovonioif noxr, after which tho annnnl banquet will be held at tho Institute, Kainpol. A CbrißtmnH tree and sale of work, in aid of tho Snnduy School fuuda, will bo hsld at tit Mary's schoolroom, Merivalo, on Thnrsdar noxt. An cutt rtniiimuut will bo given in tho ovoniujf, when tho farce of " Box and Cox " will be played. A special meeting of tho Industrial Association will bo hold at tho Congrogational schoolroom this evening. A nioothii? of tho momborß of the Addington C.C. will I v hold at tho Pavilion this evaniutf. A mooting of tho members of tho Christchurch Working Men's Club will be held thia evoniog-, at their rooms. The United Btatbs Consul.— The Auckland Star says :— Mr G. W. Griffin, United States Consul for Now Zealand, returned from tho South by tho Botomahana. Ho was well received everywhere, and has compiled a large amount of valuable information for his official roporti on the Colony. Wo observed that in tho last number of tho United States Consular reports thore aro two interesting papoM by Mr Griffin, one on " Tho Eovival of Trade in New Zealand/ in which the Consul

reviews at some length tho Government accounts, the Savings' Bank returns, the Bank of New Zealand balance-sheet, wool export banking and exchange, Customs' returns, and other statistics, with a view of showing that '' there is a very general revival of trade throughout the Colony, and especially with the United States." The second paper on " The Public Lands and Products of New Zealand," compares the price of land and the inducements to settle in New Zealand with thoee of Texas and other new districts of the United States, and with the neighbouring Colonies of Australia. In thia paper Mr Griffin speaks very highly of the productiveness of the soil and climate of New Zaaland. Thb Waimate PLAiNS.—The following is an extraot from a letter received in Auckland from a gentleman on the Waimate Plains : — " This will be a wonderful coast when once the Maori difficulty is settled — such a magnificent climate, and such an immense quantity of rich forest land to be taken up, all which may be cleared so easily. Settlers here are already doing work on a large scale ; for instance, my neighbour has already felled the whole of his 300 acres the first year ; and what with the demand for land and tho general march of improvement now proceeding, I may venture the opinion (if we have no serious check) that the noxt five years will see forest cleared to the very foot of the mountain. We have a great future before us." Catching a Votb akd Losihg a Tbain. — Some amusement, says the Post, waa caused at the Lower Hutfc railway station a couple of evenings ago. In the evening train, which left Wellington for the Upper Hutt, were a candidate for Parliamentary honours and his agent, the former proceeding to woo the electors, the latter probably attending to start the applause. When the train reached the Lower Hutt, the agent looked out and espied two likely-looking Huttite electors who had not been canvassed, and towards these he made a dart, calling upon the candidate to follow him. The electors were soon buttonholed and corned out of sight, while the process of vote-extraction was vigorously carried on. They heard not the warning bell nor the shrill screech of the engine-whistle ; and, alas ! the train went off without the most important portion of its living freight. Just as the guard-van was leaving the platform, the touting agent's eye caught its retreating form, and away he rushed with a deafening shout to the enginedriver to pull up. He caught hold of the end of the van and frantically followed alongside, while his principal ran behind, puffing more vigorously than the engine. The spectators looked on and greatly enjoyed the fun. The engine-driver at length increased the Bpeed, and the agent, finding his arms nearly torn from their sockets, was obliged to let go and return with his principal to the station, where they were mercilessly chaffed. They hired a buggy later on and reached their destination in safety.