Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4306, 9 February 1882, Page 3

Local & General.

No time has been lost in forwarding the Southern portions of the San Francisco mail. Very little delay can have taken place in transhipping them from the Wanaka to the Penguin, as we learn by telegraph that the latter vessel left Wellington at 4 a.m. to-day. She may therefore be expected late this •vening. A number of residents in Papanui purpose holding a picnic on Babbit Island on Thursday, F6b. 16. The Amuri district was yesterday declared by the Scab-Inspector to be clean, so that •neep from the North can now cross the Hurunui bridge. The business dene at the Ashburton District Court yesterday was of no public in* terest, and bis Honor Judge Ward sat only a few minutes. The attention of Volunteers is directed to a District order that all muzzle loading rifles and carbines at present in issue are to be returned at once to be exchanged for Sniders. An ordinary meeting of the Ci-riatcnurch Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday afternoon. A con»id?rablo amount of business was transacted. A report will be found elsewhere. The Buez mail reached Ohristchurch last night, but was not sorted till a late hour. The San Francisco mail will not be delivered here till tomorrow, the Wanaka having been vnable to reach Wellington last night. The Hospital Boa-d, at its meeting yesterday, decided to request the Christchorch Local Board of Health to confer with them en the question of the establishment of a hospital for contagious diseases. The framework of the wh-le of the fide walls, end also of a portion of the roof of the International Exhibition building is already in position, and a very good idea can now be •btained of the vast extent of the structure. The members of the Trades' Bowing Olnb have obtained a site fur the erection of a shed on the south bank of the river, adjoining the Bowing Club's shed. Stops are to be taken to proceed with the building of the shed immediately. The Olab now numbers over 60 members. There will be a general meeting of the Diocesan Bunday Fchool Association in St John's schoolroom this evening, at 8 p.m., to discuss the best means of increasing the usefulness of the Association, as well as of determining its sphere of work for the ensuing year. The following have baen chosen to play for (he TT.C.0.0, in a match against the Midland on the Association ground on Saturday: — Messrs Baker, Harman, Fen wick, M'Farlane, Griffiths, Cox, Pixley, Helmore, - ! aul, Wilkinson, and Beswick; emergencies, Harvey and Potts. Play to commence at 2.30. A meeting of the Tinvrald School Committee was held on Tuesday evening, at which the_ teacher, Mr Allsop, tendered his re§igmation, which was accepted. Prizes were then allotted to several children, the Inspector's report being taken as the Committee's guide in making the award?.. Baring the fortnight ending Feb. 4, 24 patients were received into the n hrigtohurch Hospital and 23 discharged. Two deaths •ccurred during the same period. At present there are 68 patients in the institution. At the corresponding period last year there were 43 inmates in the Hospital. Yesterday morning, after the sitting of the Magistrate's Court at Kaiapoi, several of the residents of the town and neighborhood gathered at the Pier Hotel to bid farewell to Sergeant Gilbert, who has been transferred to Queenstown. The Mayor proposed the Sergeant's health in the kindest terms, and the latter respo> ded, expressing his regret at leaving Kaiapoi. A contemporary says : — Many persons suppose that chamois skins are derived from the animals named the chamois. In fact, the skins so called are the flesh side of sheep skins, soaked in lime water and also in a solution of sulphuric acid. Fish oil .is poured •ver them, and they are then carefully washed in a solution of potash. There are many people who tell sad tales of the degeneracy and want of pluck shown by colonial children, to them the following, which is taken from a West Coast paper, will prove of interest : — The inspector of Schools, referring in his report to a school on the West Coast, says : — " It may shame some of those who absent themselves from an examination on the most frivolous pretexts to learn that a little girl, eighb years old, having been detained at Westport, trudged six miles through the rain in order to take part in the examination, and- contrived to be at school in good time. Next week the first of (he election petitions an to be heard and determined upon by Mr Juitice Johnston and Mr Justice Williams, one at the Oddfellows' Hall, I.jttelton, and the other at the Supreme Courthouse, Christchurch. At Home these enquiries excite a great deal of interest., even among the ladies, who are to be seen daily in the Courts where they are held, and it is understood that even here not a few of the fair sex desire to watch the proceeding*. It would be advisable that ladies, if they want to obtain good seat?, should follow the custom usual at Home, and apply to the Sheriff for orders for Admission. The return match between the United Canterbury C.C. and Lancaster Park CO. will be commenced on Saturday next at Lancaster Park. The following will represent the U.C.O.C. :— Mews Ashby, Castelli, Chapman, Corfe, E. J. Cotferill, W. J. Cotlerill, Easton, F. Fenwick, T. D. Harman, j F. Horwood, snd B. J. Ko3s ; emergencies — B. Harman, Qeo. Helinore, and H. B. Fenwick. Players are requested to be at the Park at 2 o'clock sharp. Ihe following will represent Lancaster Park : — Messrs Stevens, Beeves, M'Donnell, Wilding, Taylor, M'Dowall, H. Louehnan, F. Loughnan, Longden, Millton, and <*ale. Mr J. B. Wingfield, who has acted as teller at the Bank of New Zealand, Waimate, for over fire years, was presented with a purse, containing 40 sovereigns, at Middleton's Hotel, Waimate, on Monday evening, previous to his departure for Christchurch. A large number of influential persons were present, including the Mayor of Waimate, and Mr W. J. Steward, M.H.8., for the district. The latter gentlemrji, who made the presentation, referred to the eateem in which Mr Wiugfield was held by the people of Waimate, and the manager of the Bank, Mr M'Owen, expressed his regret at losing such on able offier. Mr Wingfield briefly replied. Mr Lookhart, of Christchurch, fills the vacancy in the Bank at Waiaato.

Hiß Honor Mr Justice Johnston will sit in Chambers on Monday, Feb. 13, at noou. The British Parliament was opened on Tuesday by Commission. A resumi of the Queen's speech is giren in our telegrams. At the meeting of tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday, it was resolved, on the recommendation of the Hospital Committee, to tako steps to have tha buildings and furniture insured for the Bum of £7200. A trial of the sewage pumping machinery took place yesterday, in the presence of his Worship the Mayor, a number of the members of the Drainage Board and other gentlemen interested in engineering and contracting. A report of the proceedings, together with a detailed description of the machinery, Ac, will be found elsewhere. Yesterday afternoon a horse attached to a trap standing sear the Central Hotel took fright from aome unexplained reason, and bolted up Colombo Btreet towards the North Belt. The driver was standing alongside the trap at the time, with, his foot on the step, and narrowly escaped being injured. The horse was not stopped till the vehicle was seriously damaged. A meeting, of tho Waimate Sohool Committee was held on Tuesday evening last ; present, all the members. Five applications were received for the office of fourth teacher in the Bohool, that of Mr John Marshall being successful. The Committee's vote for tfee three vacancies on the South Canterbury Board of Education was recorded in favour of Mr H. Bolfield and Drs M. Chilton and C. J. Foster. Last night "Struck Oil" was revived at the Theatre Boyal, and was received as cordially as ever. To-night there will be a new piece, entitled " Sear Joe," whioh has never before been played in New Zealand, and to follow thii the intensely amusing "Chinese Question." To-morrow night Mr and Mrs Williamson will take their farewell benefit, on which occasion the programme will inolude " Kerry," in whioh Mr Williamson hai achieved great popularity elsewhere. Oa Saturday the Company appear for the lait time. Tha annual meeting of the Ashburton Fire Brigade members was held on Tuesday evening, at whioh.after some unimportant business, the officers for the year were elected as follows : — i.aptain, J. 0. Dolman ,- lieutenant, W. E. Dolman ; Treasurer, G. Parkin ; foreman, E. Perrjman ; Seoretary, E. Higgins ; auditors, Messrs Marsh and Nullor ; engine keeper, Fireman Stephens. The annual dinner was afterwards given in the Commercial Hotel. The Mayor presided, and mirth and jollity" beguiled the hours till stern respectability sounded the summons for separation in tbe midnight chimes. The annual cricket match between elevens representing tha Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry and the E Battery of Artillery took place on the Association ground yesterday, and resulted in a draw. The match exited a good deal of interest among the members of the two corps, and a considerable number of visitors were present during the day, though, the showers which fell at intervals interfered somewhat with the attendance. The Artillery Band was on the ground during the match and played several selections in its usual praisoworthy manner. Play was commenced at 11.30 a.m., and it *as agreed that time should be called at 7 p.m. The Cavalry, who were captained by Captain Slater, went in first, and put together 100 runs before they were all disposed of. The Artillery, under the lead of Lieutenant Hill, then went to the wickets, and made 93 runs. The Cavalry, in their second innings, obtained 130 runs, making a total of 230 for the two innings." The Artillery, when time was called, had made 64 runs with the loss of one wicket. For the Cavalry, Wheatley, 60 and 25, and Grant (of Timaru), 8 and 60, batted well; and Wheatley, Dunbar and Grant were also successful in their bowling. Amone the Artillery, Washer, 40 and 23 j Taylor, 8 and 36 ; and Napier, 13, were the best bats ; while the bowling of Washer, Stubbs ano D. Lusk was very good. Pluck and persistence accomplish great things. There is no want of the latter quality among the projectors of the East to West Coast railway. Knowing that no prophet is without honour save in his own country, they are now going further afield in search of capital for their enterprise. One would have though that the report of the exploring triumvirate would have damped all their ardour for ever and a day. Not bo. They are going to give the great Antipodean kite- flyer a ohanoe to add another laurel to his " paper " wreath. At a meeting of the proposed provisional Directors held at Mr Weston's 1 rooms yesterday afternoon, it wag decided to write to Sir Julius Yogel in London, and forward to him copies of all documents, with a list of the names of those who have consented to act as provisional Directors, and ask him to cable on receipt to what extent in his 1 opinion he could influence the subscription of British capital in the event of the Colony subscribing say 20,000 shares in the proposed company. It was also determined to write to General Fielding in Australia, giving him all the information the Committee possess re the E&st and West Coast railway, and point out that it is competent for a Syndicate to undertake the construction of the line under the " Railways Construction and Land Aot, • 1881." If he considers tho matter sufficiently important to pay New Zealand a visit, one of fhe promoters will acoompany him over the country through which the line is to pass. A meeting of the Heathoote Regatta Committee was held at the Commercial Hotel at 8 o'clock last evening. Nine members were present, Mr Hay in the chair. Mr Pavitt apologised for the non-attendance of Mr Paul. The Secretary read a letter from the Major of Ohristohurch, promising to give a cup, value £6 6s, for competition at the Regatta. Mr Wynn-Williams had also expressed his willingness to give a cup of like value. It was .resolved that the Mayor's cup be competed for by the champion fours ; Mr Wynn-Wil-I Hams' by the senior pairs ; and Mr Monsen's by the double soulls ; Mr Ellen's cup to be competed for in the swimming race. Mr Davis was appointed to act as umpire. Some disoussion ensued as to the most appropriate costume to be worn by competitors in the swimming race, and it was ultimately resolved to adopt that approved by the Amateur Athletio Club, viz. : Binglet and trousers to the knee. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr NiBB, that Mr Day be employed to lay out the course for the regatta for the sum of £3. It was decided to call for tenders for a confectioner's and a publican's booth on the day of the regatta, and also for the services of an efficient band on the occasion. The Beoretary was instructed to write to the railway authorities requesting that boats for use at the regatta might be carried on the lines free of charge. It was resolved that a revised programme be again advertised, containing the alterations or additions made by the Committee. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was unanimously passed, and the meeting adjourned to Thursday next at the same time and place. A bazaar in aid of the funds of the United Methodist Free Church, Addington, was opened yesterday in the Selwyn street schoolroom. The stalls, which were presided over by the ladies of the church, were loaded with a large assortment of articles both of a useful and ornamental description, comprising children's clothing, crewel work, embroidery, and the many nioknaoks usually found at displays of this nature. Among the more strictly useful portion of the stock-in-trade was observed some eaoku of flour, and a collection of pottery, contributed by Messrs Austin and Kirk and Neighbours. There were also some fine ferns and other pot plants. A wellladen Christmas tree was, as usual, a source of great attraction to the younger visitors. A refreshment stall, where luncheon could be obtained at moderate cost, did a good business during the day. The lotteries and auctions, which are by some considered so objectionable in connection with bazaars, were absent, but their place as " sells " was filled by a so- called " art gallery," where a very curious collection of objeots was open to inspection for a " consideration." A great deal of interest wa« created by the exhibition of two small working models of steam engines, shown in motion, and lent by Messrs Scott Brothers. Dr Parkea' galvanic battery was surrounded bj quite a crowd of visitors, most of whom i seemed anxious for a " shock." The bazaar was opened at noon with a devotional service, at which short addresses wore delirered by the Rev B. Taylor and Mr George Booth. The attendance of the public was good, though somewhat interfered with by the wet woathor. There was a fair amount of business done at the various stalls, the total proceeds for the day being about £104 10s lid. Tho bazaar I will re«op«u at noon to-day.

As will be seen by advertisement elsewhere in this issue, another of the series of social gatherings in connection with, the Liberator Lodge, 1.0.G.T., is to take place this evening at the Temperance Hall, Gloucester street. Wo understand that Mr D. Reese, builder, who suffered considerable pecuniary lobs by the recent fire in his business premises, has most generously given his workmen £60 towards tho value of tools lost by them in the fire. A flying fish has been captured at New Plymouth. The local journal states that the j strange visitor ended his aerial flight in Mr i Coomber's yard, having first oome up the ! mouth of the Huatoki river from the ocean. !It is certainly remarkable that the fish j should have got ao far out of his latitude, the I species being rarely, if ever, seen on that | part of the coast. Those muoh despised Maories are con- > itantly uttering home truths for the lordly pakehas. It is recorded that during Tawhiao's visit to Auckland, the natives were taken over the museum, and the nude statuary presented by Mr T. Bussell was a great souroe of attraction. Patara te Tuhi, however, remarked " that the pakehas were the most hypocritical people under the sun ; they were always turning up their eyes in holy horror at the scanty clothing of the Maories, yet in their own museum he could see nothing but nude figures." Soene, Cathedral square. The V y E v the D n, aocompanied by an elderly friend, is about to enter the Cathedral. The bells are ringing like any* j thing. The V y B v the D n, ! looking rapturously upward : " Isn't it heavenly music ? " Elderly Friend s " I beg your pardon, I didn't catch " The D D| w ith a joyous Bigh: "Isn't it heavenly music ? " Elderly Friend, who aow looks intensely annoyed : " I really beg your pardon, but those confounded belk make such an inf erior noise, I can't hear a word you say." Tableau. The Patea Mail considers that the failure of the Harbour Board at Wanganui to realise their reserve of bush land is an unfortunate incident. Only three sections sold for cash at the auction, all the others being passed in. One section of 249 acres sold for £304; another of 70 acres for £100 ; 71 acres for £88 15s. A few sections are taken up on deferred payment, four sections being contested at 345, 645, 40s, and 36s per acre. The Harbour Board is in this position, that having commenced a oostly wall at the Heads in the expectation of realising this bush reserve to raise funds, the prospect relied on proves delusive. The Nelcon jam factory is proving of service, as it ensures a market for all the fruit that cannot be sold for local consumption. Sleepy Hollow is waking up at last. From a late issue of the Colonist we learn that an immense quantity of fruit is being purchased ; yesterday alone 7021bs of apricots, 6001bs of plums, 3001bs of strawberries, and 412010b of appleß were received at the factory. Five thousand seven hundred and twenty-two pounds of fruit — more than two tons — purchased in one day proves conclusively that those who have orchards and gardens are reaping great benefit from the establishment of the jam factory in that city. A Melbourne paper Bays that two pillars of freestone, weighing about four tons each have been stolen from the Exhibition grounds. They were to be presented to the Hospital for Incurables. This ib probably the most remarbable case of pilfering on record since Samson made off with the gates of Gaza. This Melbourne thief must be a Hercules. Two pillars of freestone weighing I four tons each ! Why, the culprit must have been assisted by the gods! After this, nothing is safe. Some enterprising member of the thieving fraternity will be walking off with Cleopatra's needle very soon ; and the next news will be that the British Museum has been " lifted " during the night. Well, we are sorry for the Melbourne Hospital for Incurables ; but what on earth did the incurable* want with two freestone pillars weighing four tons each P One of the first of the great army of visitors, commercial and otherwise, who are tolerably sure to be attracted to Ohristchurch by the International Exhibition has established himself in the Triangle, High street, where he is conducting an interesting, and, to Ohristchurch, somewhat novel business. The visitor in question is Mr Mills, "professor of caligraphy," who certainly possesses great aptitude as a penman. His principal method of displaying his skill is by the writing of visiting and birth-day cards. The names on these he writes with great rapidity, and in a style resembling copperplate engraving. Hiß ordinary implement is a common fine-pointed pen, but for glazed cards he übcb a kind of pencil of a metallic composition, the marks made by which are as indelible as ink. But Mr Mills' specialty is his engraving, or rather writing, on metal. He inscribes a name on a watch or knife handle in no more time than would be required by a fast writer to trace tho words on a sheet of paper. The letters are as well formed and cut as if executed by an engraver in the ordinary manner. Mr Mills has exhibited specimens of his skill at Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide, and at each place his " show" has been a highly popular one. Mr N. Chevalier has just finished two water-colour drawings, both being New Zealand subjects. One reflects Mount Cook, the giant of the southern hemisphere, and the other Lako Olmu. Mount Cook stands forth in all its solemn majesty, lighted by the rays of the rising sun, which giro to the higher peaks a yellowish, rosy glow, and leave the lower lands in bluish grey, misty colours. The plucid Lake Pukaki, which slumbers as it were at the base of the Mount, and which is fed from the neighbouring glaciers, receives the reflection of the light colours of the snowclad mountain peaks. The foreground intensifies the solemn solitude which one feels in presence of nature's mighty works. Lake Ohau is more pastoral, and one can imagine it, as timo goes on, with its banks peopled with summer visitors from those countries where the air is not bo invigorating as in the mountain heights of New Zealand. A special interest attaches to the drawings under notice, as they are painted for Colonel Sir Herbert Sandford (Royal Commissioner to the Melbourne Exhibition). It is well known that the British exhibitors presented Sir Herbert with a sum of money in recognition of his valuable services, and it appears that in order to have a lasting memorial of his visit to the Colonies he decided to devote the sum to the purchase of works of art, and honoured Mr Chevalier with the above commission. For myself, I can hardly imagine that nature was ever better reflected upon canva3, and it is the opinion of some of the best critics that Mr Chevalier has surpassed himself in respect of colour and the truthfulness of local details.— English paper. Her Miijesty'a Government, having granted the North Borneo Trading Company a charter, bus supplemented it with an equipment for the force which the company proposes to raiso. Instructions have boon given by the War Office for the supply of 15 12---pounder brass howif zers, with the necessary ammunition, and to be complete in all details. Already nearly 150 tons of warlike stores have been despatched from the Boyal Arsenal at Woolwich to the company. It has been arranged that the company shall pay the British Government tho value of the war stores supplied Tho ordnance sent out is not the sum a as now used by our regular forces ; but it will be found to be of material assistance to the company, it being of a formidable and efficient description, and at the same timo a comparatively economical armament. Tho Chinese proprietor of the shop in Littlo Bourke street in whioh the extensive sizeure of cigar* already mentioned was made, waited on tho Commissioner of Customs with an interpreter, to show cauße why he should not bo proceeded against, and the goods forfeited for non- payment of duty. Two hundred and sixty thousand cigars were seized, and it was stated on behalf of Sum Kun Lee, the Chinaman in whose house they were found, that 80,000 of them had paid duty, certificates of having done so being produced. The balance of the cigars, he stated, he bought from Chinoso sailors, but he did not know what vessels they bolongod to He elected to bo dealt with by the Commissioner, but on Mr Graves pointing out to him that he would inflict tho highest possible penalty that the law would allow, the Chinaman thought better of it, and decided to give tho matter consideration bofore ho finally elected whether he should bo dealt with by tho Commissioner or the Supreme Court. If ho leaves the mutter in tho hands of the Minister, says tho Age, Mr Gruvos will fix the penalty after ascertaining tho amount of duty that has been pt»id on the 80,000 cigars, and to do this it will bo necessary that all tho invoices, which are in Chinese, should bo tranjtate.d,

From a private source wo learn that J. C. Grigg, and H. H. Williams, two old College boys, were first nud Becond in tho Freehmen's Bace, at Jesus Collage, Cambridge. The distance was 120yds. Grigg won by a yard, and Williams ran a dead heat for second place with Young. Time — l&ec. The members of tho Dauntless Lodge of Good Templars are to give an ontertainment in the Templar Hall on Friday night. A grand display of flowers is anticipated, and fruit is to be distributed to the audience during the evening. The Bev J.. Orewes will deliver an address on Temperance, and a selection of song*, &c, will be rendered under the direction of Mr A. A. North, A meeting of delegates from the various Temperance Societies and tho Licensed Victuallers Association was held this morning at Mr Weston's chambers for the purpose of selecting five gentlemen to be nominated aB the Licensing Bench for the Christchurch district. It was agreed to nominate the following gentlemen : — Ven Archdeacon Harris, Messrs B. J. S. Harman, J. R. Parker, Peter Cunningham, and Richard Westenra. A few dayß ago (aa) s the New Zealand Herald) we published a statement to the effect that proposals had been made to the Government t) purchase a hulk, with a view of it being used for fumigating purposes. We understand various proposals have been made by the officials here, with a view of obviating the great inconvenience which results from tho detention of the mails at Motuihi. It is stated that the Health Officer (Dr Philson). will not entertain any proposals to erect a fumigating hoc se on this side of the Waitemata. The Government have the different proposals under their consideration, and it is to be hoped that the Premier will look into the matter during his stay in Auckland, and will settle tho question before he leaves for the North. The annual picnic of tho butchers of Ohristchuroh was held to-day ia Mr Kruse'i paddock at Papanui, the use of which had been kindly granted for the occasion. The pleasure seekers assembled in Cathedral square shortly before 10 a.m., and a procession was formed, headed by a dng containing the Artillery Band ; after which came some 20 riders, dressed in the uniform of the trade, with velvet caps and crimson sashes. Two of theee cavaliars carried large banners, bearing the device of a bull's head, and appropriate mottoes. They ware followed by upw»rdt of 60- vehicles, all of which were gaily decorated with evergreens, Sowers and banners. With a view to improve the appearance of the cortege, the Committee had offered a prize for the best decorated butoher's turn out, and another for the beit deoorated turn out of any description in the procession. The former was gained by Mr Bountree. while the latter was awarded to a vehicle the property of Mr Piercy. Both turn outs were tastefully got up. After passing through the principal streets, the excursionists proceeded to Papanui, where a well arranged programme of horse races and athletic sports was gone through. The younger members of the pavty were amuied with races for toys, of whioh a liberal supply had been provided. A large number of persons who had been unable to take part in the procession, went to Papanui later in the day, bo that the gathering in Mr Kr use's paddock was a very numerous one. ,