Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4341, 23 March 1882, Page 2

Local & General.

•> Commodore Erskine has informed the Mayor of Christchurch that H.M.B. Miranda will visit Lyttelton, in connection with the opening of the Exhibition. Amongst tho questions asked by correspondents in reference to tho Exhibition are, 1. Whether exhibitors in the Ladies' Court will be eligible to receivo medals and certificates of merit ; and 2. How exhibitors are to be treated in regard to admission to the Exhibition. Answers to theße enquiries will bo found undor our " Exhibition " heading. Mr Speight, with a company of Good Templars, haa purchased the Thames Advertiser for J25000. Nearly all tbe shares aro paid up. After glancing at the advertising portion Of *h,e paper, eoya tho VaranaJci Herald, we are inclined to congratulate tho late proprietor on the Bale, and to condole with the present owners on their purchase. Public meetinga of householders in every echool district which failed to elect Committees n' th* annual meeting on Jan. 23, will he held una evening for the eloction of seven householders, to form tho Committeo for each and every district respectively, for the year ending Jan. 4 noxt. The Committee of the Amalgamated ted Society of Carpenters and Joiners held a meeting on Tuesday evening last, at which it was decided to oonveno a general meeting of the trade, for the purpoao of ascertaining how many will joiu in the Exhibition Proees* sion. Ar. ordinary moeting of tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday afternoon. Tho much-iooked-for report of the Inspector-General < f Schools* visit to the Orphunago was received. An account of tho meoting appears iv another column. During the past. 14 duys, 23 patients have been admitted into the Hospital, and 25 discharged ; four deaths also occurred during the Bame period, and there are now 65 patients in the Hospital. This iimo hut year thero wore 80. Possibly Christchurch has grown more healthy einco then. Businoss at tho Ashburton B.M. Court iB not at all brisk at present., only an occasional " drunk " offering. The last was a big follow num«d Cewley, who waa somowhat rough on tho Rakaia constable, whom he nearly choked in a scuffle. Hr was fined 10s yesterday. L pon our fourth pago to-day will bo found the continuation of tho tale *' Far Stranger Than Fiction," meeting of tho Hospital and Oharitablo Aid Hoard, Mra Hampson's Mission, Gorman Bociety Concordia, Mr Denton's Lecture, Remarkablo Hiae of the Barometer at Home, Kcforms in Russia. The uso of honio»jpathio medicines, in preference to draßtic remedica mado use of under tho allopathic system, appears to be largely on tho increase. By an advertisement elsewhere it will be noticed that Mr 3eorge llonnington, chomist, High street, ias beon appointed sole agent in this oity for -tarshall's homoaopathio mediouiei.

Thompson's Diorama entertainment was repeated laßt evening to a crowded house. Mrs Simmons, of Walpola street, Sydenham, was fortunate enough to secure the principal gift. To-night Mr Thompaon takes a benefit, and a buggy horse will be given away.

The appointment of Mecsrs E. C. J. Stevens and H. Williams to the Legislative Council wee gazetted. Mr Stevens ia the well-known resident of Ohriatohurch; Mr Williami belongs to the Bay of Island*, and formerly represented a Northern constituency in the House of Representatives.

A conple of men out fishing in Flea Bay last Sunday almost pulled on to a whale which was asleep. They were within a few feet of it before they saw it, and jnst had time to back away from it when it " turned flukes " and went down. On looking about they saw thre. others. Whales have frequently been seen about Akaroa Heads lately. _

Shaw's team of cricketers left Australia for England ye.-t.rday. They have been more succeaaf ul than was expected — in Australia at least— having won three of the eleven a-side matchea, loat two only, andr drawn two. They were also beaten by a Parramatta Tventy-two, bat suffered no other defeat that wn have heard of. They meet the Australian Eleven in England once more.

Several suspicious fires have ocourrod at Kaikoura lately, and an inqueßt was held into one of them, with the result that the jury returned a vordict to the effect that the lira was the malicious act of some person or persons unknown, adding a rider that " the Ooroner communicate with Government requesting that tha services of a detective be placed at the disposal of the district, with a "view of preventing these mjaterious firos, two of which have occurred within 48 hours."

A meeting of the Broad field SchoolCommittee waa held on Monday evening last ; present — Messrs Maginneas (Chairman), Harrison, Benington, Robinson, and W.Early. Tho Chairman read the applications from eight candidates for the mastership of the school, and, after some discussion, Mr William M'Clure was selected for the post, subject to the approval of the Board of Education. The Committee then adjourned.

About 8 rm. last evening a two-horse buggy driven by Mr Scarlett down Colombo street accidentally came into collision with' a trap driven by Mr Homer, of Papanui. The accident occurred near Mr King's grocer's shop. Mr Scarlett was thrown from his buggy to the road, but fotkunately escaped with a. severe Bhaking. The buggy horses bolted in the direotion of Sydenham, and could not be secured. The trap and its occupant escaped -U-injured.

An accident which might have proved serions, occurred on Tuesday night, near Oxford. When the goods train was within half a mile of the East Oxford station, something went wrong with the gearing of the engine, which caused it to jump off the line. The cow-catcher plunged into the ground, tearing up a portion of the permanont way, and the sudden jerk threw the stoker, driver, and guard off the train, though all fortunately escaped withont injury. The line was put in order by half-past nine. The passengers by the evening train were conveyed to their destination in a trolly.

A sad accident, unfortunately attended with fatal consequences, occurred at Sumner last evening. A little boy, eight years old, n*mod George Victor Monck, a son of Mr J. S. Manck, was fishing with another boy off a small jetty, when he lost his balance and fell into the water below, which was then about 15ft deep. Bis companion, a boy named Dobson, at once ran to Mr Monck's house, and gave the alarm. Mr Monck came to the epot, and dived several times, but was unable to find any trace of his son. Subsequently the water wss dragged for somo distance round, but up to a late hour l_.t night tho body had not been recovered.

At a Committee meeting of the Ashburton Pigeon and Poultry Association, held on Tuesday evening, it was decided to hold the Annual Show fourteen days after that held at Christchurch, and to extend it over two days— a Friday and Saturday. The catalogue having been revised, it was decided to have SCO printed. It was a'so agreed to obtain permission, if possible, to hold an Ait Union in connection with the Show, the Club giving £5 to supplement members' gifts of prizes. It is intended this year to intht on each bird shown having a sepaiate cage. The amount of members' aubsoriptions waa fixed at 6s.

The usuil quarter? v meeting of the Hope of St Albans Lodge, U.A.0.D., was held in the Lodge-rcom, High Btreet, Knightstown, on Tuesday evening hat. There was v v-?ry large attendance of members and several visitors, including Bro 0. lomson, tbe newly-elected D.P., who paid his first -\lsib in Mb official capacity. Bu W. Moor was elected delegate on the Exhibition Committee. A Committee was then elected to draw up a programme and make anangements for the forthcoming concert end ba'l. One candidite was duly initiated by tbo AJD. Bro Tomlinson, assisted by P.A. Bro James Hirst. After passing several accounts for payment and transacting a deal of business, the Lodge was closed in due form by the AJD. The receipts of the evening amounted to £39 13s Gd.

Tbe journeymen saddlers of Ohristchurch invited the masters to a dinner last evening at Bashford's Dining Booms, when about thirty sat down to an excellent spread. Mr Nightingale occupied the ohair, and Mr Liddlethevhe-chair. The Chairman, in proposing the toast, " Our Guests," said that the journeymen saddlers of Christchurch had felt themselves indebted to the masters for the help the latter had given in the trade picnic whioh hr.d recently been held : they wished in somo way to return the compliment, and had adopted this method of doing so. The toast having been duly honoured, Messrs Howell and liddle suitably responded. Other toasts given were, " Prosperity to tho Trade," proposed by Mr Olliver, and responded to by Messrs White and Earnsbaw ; " Our Exhibition," proposed by Mr Whito ; and " The Host and Hostess." Several songs aad recitations were given between the toasts, and a very happy time was passed by the company present.

The following picture of the state of Melbourne is drawn by a correspondent to the Sydney Morniag Herald : " Our civilization is interwoven with horrible savagery, and tbe savagery grows worse and worse. So much worse that the Mayor of Fitzroy has called a meeting to consider what is to be done to put the savagery down. Everybody knows that it might havo been put down years ago if the Legislature had so minded, but it was not so minded, for tho very Buffioienfc reason that the Legislature itself was tainted with savagery. And it is yet so tainted, and tha magistracy is so tainted. There is, in fact, a distinct sympathy with crime on tho magisterial bench, and tha consequence ia that nominal instead of actual penalties are imposed. The savages are masters of the situation, and accordingly they ravish and beat helpless women ; thoy kill policemen ; they rob and maim peaceable citizens ; they destroy works of art 5 they vomit blasphemy in the publio streets -, they make public gardens useless for anybody b_t themselves ; they cause travelling in tba railway carriages to be a terror ; they render life generally a burden."

The exhausting nor'-westors, which scorch us up so, appear to be only beneficial for f.ricienlt u-_l purposes. Mr Federli informs us that during tbo late hot weather the silkworms havo beon eating double the quantity of leaves, and that consequently they will come to maturity much eooncr. Ho speaks in the highest terms of the complete success of his mission to Akaroa, being convinced tbat tho mulbsrry and silkworm will both flourish here exceedingly. The worms are now fast spinning their cocoons, and amongst them are some which Mr Fedorli says would take a prize at any European exhibition. It is to be hoped there will be plenty of mulberry trees 9ent for. A good many of the worms have been distributed amongst thoso who applied for lhem, and in every case have done well, showing that no apodal skill is required. Those on Mr Dawber's farm at German Bay are already spinning cocoons, and so are those of Mr Perm, of Akaroa. Mr Fyfe's are growing enormously, and promise to spin in a few days. Mr Federli will leave Akaroa in about a week to make preparations for the Exhibi- ■'■■■:•, t.rA v-SH 'n»p wfMi him all the wo-m« t hut have not spun. Thoso desirous of n?:y further information should therefore *n\» tha opportunity of seeing him at once. — Akaroa Mail

It has been finally deoided to call Parliament together on Thursday, May 18, instead of the 15th, asreportod a few days ago.

Merohants to whom wholesale licenses were granted at lato meetings should forthwith take up their certificates at the office of the R.M. Court.

An ordinary meeting of the Lyttelton Young Men'B Mutual Improvement Association waa held laat evening, when a debate took place on the question of government by Party or by Independents. Tho Independent party had the best of the argument.

The New Wellington Hotel, Tuam street, formed the subject of many conjectures to passers by last evening, the whole of the windows of that establishment being brilliantly illuminated by a pair of wax candles burning in each, in honour of the anniversary of the birthday of Kaiser Wilhelm.

By the last mail from Sydney Messrs Bamberger and Franz, of Rangiora, received freah orders for a aupply of flour for Sydney. They have been informed that the Government at Noumea intend stipulating for the future that a proportion of the flour supplied to them shall be Now Zealand produce.

Arrangements for the participation of tho various trades in the prcceßsion, on the opening of the Exhibition, are still in progress. A meeting of the butchera, to consider the subject, takes place at Richardson's Empire Hotel this evening. The plasterers hold their adjourned meeting at the Wellington Hotel, on Saturday evening.

There will be great rejoicings in Ashburton County on the 31st of this month. The water supply of that portion of the plains lying between the Rangitata and Ashburton rivers, and which has been growing slowly towards completion, is to be opened on that day. The County Council have issued invitations, and the proceedings will be carried out with fitting ceremony.

A correspondent writes : — "In variouß circles the question is being asked if a night train from Christchuroh to Dnnedin is to bo run during the Easter holidays, as at Christmas time. It ia a conclusive fact that everyone will not he going to the opening of the Exhibition, and many would be glad to avail themselves of the holiday to take a trip South between Thursday and Monday evonings,"

Russia is evidently bent upon making herself a strong naval Power in the Pacific. A large torpedo factory, for the manufacture of all kinds of torpedoes, at Vladivostock, it is reported, is nearly complete, and a purchase of £6000 worth of machinery abroad haß been sanctioned. The dockyard authorities at Cronstadt have been making duplicates of the machinery for the new establishment, and these will be sent cut next Bpring.

Mr Alfred Saunders addressed the Wakanui electors at Rakaia last night in the Town Hall, and received a unanimous vote of confidence. It appears that Messrs Saunders and Ivess are apparently not the only candidates. An eccentric "cockatoo" named MrPhil Maguire, who has essayed a very peculiar kind of lecturing on several occasions, has issued an address, in which he declares his political platform, and announces his intention of addressing the electors at the various centres of population.

The usual quarterly meeting of the Leeston Wesleyan Circuit was held on Tuesday evening last, the Rev W. Keall in tbe chair. The parsonage trustees reported having sold the present parsonage, and were authorised to mako immediate arrangements for building a _>ew one in Leeston. A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to tbe Rot T. G. Brooke, who has officiated during the last year, and a purse of 23 sovereigns was presented to him by a few of his friends. The meeting then aijourned.

8t Andrew's Ohurch, East Oxford, was very appropriately decorated on Sunday last, on the occasion of the annual thanksgiving Bervico. On the communion table were laid fruitß of various kinds, and each of the windows in the ohurch were wreathed with corn. The font waß garlanded with flowers, ond tho lectern was decorated in a vory tasteful manner. The services, both morning and evening, were conducted by the incumbent, the Rev John Sheldon, who preached appropriate sermonß for the day.

Ths annual Ram and Ewe Fair of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association wci opened at the Show Grounds thia morning. Too attendance was not large, as during the whole day there were not 500 persons on the ground. In many instances several of the lots offered were passed in, as competition was far from brisk. The following were the higheat prices obtained for rams, by Mciars R. Wilkin and Co., on account of the Hon M. Holmes : —25. 15, 11 and 9 guineas ; by Messrs Matson and Co., on account of M? J. G. Russell, 15 guineas. a The Melbourne Customs ajthc-i.t? J « had the invoices of the Chinese _*o "' recc .* seized by them translated, and the most ie- ' liberate falsification, it is said, was apparen. . in nearly every line. Cut of 170 cries said to contain sauces in the bi'ls first presented to the Customs, 110 were describe! ai spirits iv the Chinese invoices, six packages ontcrod as caadlewick wero three of oandlowiok and threo of tobaoco, thi-ty trackages of J'ly flour were five of lily flour ana twenty- five of spirits of lour gallons eaoh, and thirteen pacsagea of merchandise wore three of merchandise and ten packages cf tofr.ee:>, in all 26cwt. Tbe goods are now being examined by the Customs authorities, but, owing to the large quantity, this will be a matter of some timo. A rough estimate fixes the value at between £-0,000 and £50,000, so that the revenue will receive an unexpected addition, if, as appeal, almost certam, the goods are to be sold. The officers of the department who are responsible have been called on to report how it was tl' :', the previous shipments were allowed to land without being properly examined.

"Atlas," in tho World, says a numer-ously-signed address of condolence has been propared by the offi.era of the ormy for presentation to Sir Evelyn Wood en his return to England, to quote tbe wordß of tho address, "For tho prominent part he had to play in connection with the most humiliating surrender the British arms had ever, perhaoa, been called on to make." I doubt whether people fully realise how widespread this feeling of depression and humiliation ia throughout tho army. At a costume ball the other day the officers of the regimental district appeared in uniform draped over with crape, in token of their mourning. The worst is thero J9 little prospect of this feeling being eradicated until a chanco has beea secured of retrieving the reputation of the army by a distinct "success"; but it is to be hoped such will be gained over foemen more worthy of their steel than the soldiers of Egypt.

A genius has been revealed to certain favoured individuals in Paris. The following passage ocours in a letter from a resident in that city : —"I have two wonders to toll you of. First, I h_ve aeon and heard tho genius of music. He is a lively boy, nine years of age, with IteUsn gaiters, and speaking blaok eyes. Cesarino Galeotti is the new Mozart. He is inspired ! The piano is to him what a plaything is to an ordinary child. He improvises, plays at sight, composes, and plays from memoiy tho compositions of the greatest matters. Dupre (the old operatic tenor) noted a fow bars,.and the child repeated the air with variations in major, minor, and thon in a different key, meking delicious musio. Ho must be heard to be believed in. His fathor is a m usician, and was a chapel-master. He intends to take the boy to London to make him known, and they they will return to Italy to continue Cegarino's studies as a compos&r. I havo also heard an American girl of 12 play admirably on the violin, but thiß is simply precocious talent, the other is genius."

The Sydney livening Newsot March 8 says : By the arrival of tho F.M.B.City of Melbourne, Captain D. Calder, from Noumea, we learn of two fearfid tragedies which occurred at that port shortly before the vessel left for Sydney. Tho first was a case of jealousy, suicide, and murdor. It appears that a Mons and Madame Odey, who arrived in Noumea somo few months since from France in the steamer Le Precursour, had settlod in the place, Madame taking a hotel or wineshop in Noumea, and her husband, who is eaid to have been in tbe detective force, went into the country to work. Bumours evidently reached his ears which induced him to become jealous of the attractions of his wife, nnd h? r^MTlfd in V>3-'<» *0 t-.v.v»>, nil:', after having somo altercation with her, he deliberately drew a revolver from his bplt and, having shot her dead, he put the muzzle to his own head and blew his brains out. The

horrible occurrence caused a profound son«a tion in Noumea, eap.cially aa both wero well known and wero generally well liked. The second tragedy was one in which thoro ware three convicts ahot. It appears that a butcher's boat left Noumea for tho convict prison on He Non, and having arrived there, and the beef being landed, tho men in charge went up to the storo to see the meat being weighed, leaving three or four Kanakas in the boat. Suddenly seven convicts rushed down into the boat and throw tho Kanakas overboard, and were making off in the boat, when, an alarm being raisod, the gendarmes rushed down and poured a volley from their rifles into tho boat, killing two of the convicts and dangerously woundiDg another. The other men then cap'tulated, and were removed baok to prison.

Aa the 10.20 a.m. goods train wes passing the Lincoln r;ad crossing yesterday morning, a horse and cart belonging to Mr John Fav.'lle, baker, turned sharply aoroaa the lino from the Hazeldean road. Tho boy who was driving did his utmost to pull up, but he lost control of the horse, and the vehicle wa3 brought into collision with the prising train. Ono of the shafts was smashed, and the boy thrown on to the road. He fortunately escaped without much injury. The horse was secured by a constable and the gatekeeper before any further damage was done-