Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4343, 25 March 1882, Page 3

Local & General.

By reference to advertisement it will be seen that the ladieß in connection with the United Methodist Churoh, Stanmore road, will hold a Bazaar in tho schoolroom next Wednesday and Thursday. A large variety of seasonable and useful goods have been provided, and will be offered for sale at very moderate prices. There will also be an exhibition of electric and mechanical apparatus and other objects of an interesting and instructive character. The Bazaar is being held in connection with efforts whioh are being made to pay off the debt on the Church premises, in order that ■tops may be taken to provide additional accommodation for the Sabbath School, whioh is fast out growing the room available for its use.

During the dredging operations carried on recently at Timaru, two tiny soles were brought up in the sand. These were about 2in and 3iu long' respectively (says the Herald), and are certainly of the genus Plewonectes. It is but rarely that specimens of the true sole are found on the New Zealand coast, and it has not yet been ascertained that they exist in any quantity in these seas. Next to the turbot, the sole is Hie most delicious of fish, some indeed give it the preference, and it would prove a very welcome change from rock cod or undersized founders.

A contemporary says that Mr Tiffen, while in France and Italy, made inquiries relative to the cultivation of the grape and the manufacture of wine. He comes* to the conclusion that Hawke's Bay and other parts of the North Island are adapted by nature to the production of the best olaases of wine, under proper conditions. He suggests that the importation of vines should be absolutely prohibited, as he believes that otherwise the introduction of the dreadful phylloxera is inevitable. As to the mildew or oidium blight, which we have already, his inquiries lead him to believe that it may be easily stamped out by concerted action, but unless all owners of vines combine' in the effort, it cannot be successful.

An instructive comment upon our railway management has been made by means of an advertisement. Tenders have been invited for carting 150 tons grain from the Hakateramea station to Oamaru, a distance of 60 miles, alongside 50 of wbioh a railway runs. "The advertisement in question," says the Mail, "is a somewhat startling and severe commentary upon our national railway system, especially when we take into account that the railways were constructed for the purpose of opening up the country and aiding in developing its resources, and that in a large measure the grain traffic of Canterbury and Otago is depended upon to give the colony a satisfactory return for the millions expended upon publio works." A meeting waa held in tbe Wesleyan School-room, Lytte'ton, on Friday evening, to arrange for giving a free tea to the sailors in Port. The Bey Mr Marten occupied the chair, and stat- d what had been done in tbe matter. The Presbyterian Church had joined heartily in the proposal ; but the Epiacopalians, through the Bey Mr Townaend, had declined to take any part in it. There would be no difficulty with regard to funds, aa a number ot gentlemen connected with the shipping had promised liberal contributions. It remained only to complete the arrangements. On the motion of the Bey Mr Hill, it was resolved to hold tho mesting in the Oddfellows' Hall, on Tuesday, April 4. A committee was elected to attend to all the necessary detaila: and the Bey Me- era Hill and Marten were requested to draw up a programme of the evening's entertainment. As there are so many largo vessels in Port at * -vi.r.l, thn rro-oT'l rci-T *hrtnM t titc n great success, and will no doubt be thoroughly appreciated by the seamen, for whoso benefit it has been undertaken.

Mr C.Kiver haa, at the request of a number of ratepayers, consented to stand for the seat for the South-East Ward in the City Council rendered vacant by the resignation of Councillor Cuff.

An adjourned meeting of Friendly Sooietiea' delegates, for the purpose of establishing a cooperative dispensary waa held at the Foresters' Hall laat evening. Mr Nathan was voted to the chair. The draft rules were further considered, and a number adopted. The meeting then adjourned.

The Lighting Committee of the Borough Council of Bangiora have been expeditious in having the new lamp poats erected. Yesterday, the men were engaged in putting up all those that had come to hand, and the remainder are expected to-day. The poats are to be placed at the corners of the principal streets.

The acceptances for the Great Autumn Handicap are to close this evening. — Meaars Mason and Vallance have aold their two-year-old colt Armourer to Mr Donald Eraser, of Bangitikei. — Mr Allan M'Lean, of Napier, has purchased Virginia Water for £600 from Mr C. G. Murray.— Mr P. Butler has aold Amazon to Mr J. Gallagher, owner of Te Whetu.

The Ashburton Football Club held its annual meeting on Thursday evening last, when tha usual busineaa having been transacted, the following officers were elected :— Mr Alfred Harrison, Preaident; Dr Boaa, Yice-Preaident ; Mr A. Fooka, Captain ; Mr W. Townahend, Seoretary and Treasurer ; and Means Evans, Lichner, J. Fooka, Fiah, and Brett, Committeemen.

The boisterous weather on Thursday night did not appear to interfere muoh with the attendance at a sacred concert given by the Ashburton Wealeyan Choir, over 200 people Having faced the wind and rain to be present. Their courage was well rewarded, for an admirable programme of the better claas of sacred mußio was very well sung indeed. Mr 0. Bay waa conductor, and Mias Hodder oxganiat, while the chorus compoaed about twenty voices.

As Mr W. Langdown was- returning from Sumner yesterday, morning driving a light buggy, he left the vehicle for the purpose of obtaining some stones to act as ballast and thus prevent his conveyance from jolting, when the horse — a young, and spirited one— bolted straight into the river not far from the Ferrybridge. The animal and buggy attached were with, difficulty extricate- from the river! The latter was found to be considerably damaged, but the horae eacaped without serious injury.

As the time approaches for the last exhibition of the Diorama of the Zulu War, the audiences appear to, if possible, become more numerous. Last night the Academy of Music was crowded in every part. The principal gift, a Buite of bedroom furniture, was presented to Mrs Geoghegan, Sandiford street,. Syden* ham. Thia afrernoon the Diorama will be open for children, who will each receive a present, and to-night will be the final opportunity for the patrons of Mr Thompson availing themselves of that gentleman's liberal distribution of gifta.

There was a largo attendance of carpenters and joiners last night at the Wellington Hotel, in accordance with an advertisement convening a meeting to consider the question of attending the procession at the opening of the Exhibition. A motion to that effect, on being put by the Chairman (Mr Handyaidea) was carried unanimously. It was alao resolved that the occasion should bo taken advantage of to hold a demonstration in favour of the eight hours' system, and that every endeavour should be made to get the system legalised at the next sitting of Parliament. Four officers having been appointed to represent the trades at the Exhibition on the opening day, the meeting adjourned.

As was noted yesterday in our second edition the Bank of England has reduced the rate of discount to three per cent. This proves that the effects of the panic which commenced some two months ago on the Paris Bourse and spread thence lo New York and London, have entirely disappeared. The rate of discount, which previously to the panio stood in London at three per cent, rose rapidly to six, and has since then almost as rapidly fallen back to the original figure. It was thought at one time by bankers and moneylenders in the Colonies, that the value of money here would rise in answer to its increased value in London, but those anticipations have not been realised, and now ifc would appear as if the old downward ten* dency might again set in.

About half -past ten p.m. on Wednesday a fire occurred on Captain Willis' farm, near Mouthbridge, by which he lost oloee upon 1000 bushels of wheat. The grain had been threshed, and was lying in the paddock under the straw. There were three heaps of straw, and at about the time meationed above the whole three heaps were seen to take fire simultaneously, after which tho stubbles caught fire, and it was with the greatest difficulty the flames were kept from the gorae fence close to Captain Willis' house. If this had not been accomplished, the probability is all the house and farm buildings would have been destroyed. The grain waß insured in the Union Insurance Company's offices for 2s a bushel. Captain Willis estimates his logs, over and above this, at £100. The fire is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary.

It ia gratifying to learn that the Ferry road is to be lowered. It will be remembered that the proposal of the Heathcote Boad Board was to provide for the cost of the work out of the general funds, supplemented by a small special rate on the proprietors of the frontages on the road. This offer was in the first instance rejected, very muoh to the regret of thoae who estimated the improvement at its real value. However, second thoughts sometimes prove the best, and so it has happened in this case ; for on reconsideration of the subjeot, a large majority of the ratepayers have requisitioned the Board to levy a special rate as proposed, and proceed wtih the work at once. Had it terminated otherwise it would have been a matter of lasting regret to the Board and to the ratepayers. The hindrance to the first proposals will entail some additional coat on the work, and a section of it remains yet to be provided for.

The second day of the Bam and Ewe Fair, whioh might be said to be exclusively set apart for the sale of the various lots of ewes, was held at the ground of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society yesterday. The attendance of buyers was very limited, and many lots were passed in through the pricea not coming up to the vendora* reaerve. A fair line of Bomney Marsh ewes, bred by Mi J. Beid, of Elderalie, failed to draw a purchaser, although all the stud Linoolna penned by the. same owner met with ready aale. Some English Leicester ewea the property of Mr J. Gregg, realised good prices. The only ewe lambs offered were knooked down at a very low figure. A capital line of Lincolns, bred by Mr J. Guild, of Flaxton, not catalogued, and offered at the oonoluaion of the regular business, failed to meet with a purchaser. During the day several private sales were effected, some rams changing hands at figures far in excess of thoae offered for them at auction the previous da>

Yesterday a special meeting of the Woodend District School Committee was held for the purpose of presenting Mr C. 8. Howard, late head master of the school, with a memento of their respect and esteem. Mr J. Little occupied the chair, and with a few introductory remarka read tho congratulatory addreas whioh had been prepared, and which waa moat artistically illuminated by Mr J. Goodman. The addreas was neatly but substantially framed, and had been aubacribed for by the members of the Committee individually. The Chairman said that the text of the memorial waa of itself almost sufficient, and it only remained for him to testify to the general regret felt in the district through Mr Howard's removal to fine head mastership of the Bingsland school. The other members of the Comm:*'tee having confirmed the remarks made by the Chairman, Mr Howard briefly and appropriately replied to tbe Committee, remarking that a testimonial such aa that coming from them waa extremely flattering, and he waa glad he had been able to merit their approval. He thanked them most cordially for their kind expressions. This concluded the proceodinga. — The ohildren and junior teacher of the Milford school, presented the maetor, Mr E. Moaaman, with a handaome silver inkstand aa a token of regard, and expressed their regret at hia depirtnro for Nor h CV;lci-l«:ry, where ho ia about to take chargo if the Woodend schoo„. A pleasing souvenir of reapeot and affec^on i was also presented to Mrs Mossman.

The pot culture of vines has been successfully tried on the west coast.

The coal trade between Greymouth and Wanganui is stated to be assuming large dimensiona.

A sample of tea grown and prepared in Auokland is described as having given satisfactory results. '

A meeting of the ironworkers will be held at the New Wellington Hotel, on Monday evening, re Exhibition procession.

A contemporary states that a firm at Fielding has received by the San Francisco mail an order for 10,000 eupple-j.cks, suitable for walking sticks.

On our fourth page will be found a further inatalmenfc oi "Far Stranger than Fiction," a Ladiea' column, and "Bro Gardner on mußic."

Dr Leahy, of the Dunatan Hospital, is to be the new medical man in Ashburton, in place of Dr Murdoch, whose departure has been rendered neceaaary by failing health.

A new Ohriatchurch gymnasium, Lichfield street, will be opened this evening, at halfpast seven, when Dan Lea and Young Massey, of Timaru, will give an exhibition of boxing.

Harvest thanksgiving services, as will be seen by an advertisement elsewhere, are to be held to-morrow morning and evening in Colombo road Wealeyan Church. In the afternoon a children's flower service ia to be held.

To enable the congregation to attend Mrs Hampson's service to-morrow evening, the Ber J. Ward will conclude his evening service in the Cambridge terrace Primitive Methodiat Church to-morrow not later than seven.

Mr Gardner, the advance agent for Mr Thompson's celebrated Zulu War diorama, was busy in port this morning billing tbe town with the now well-known posters of this favourite exhibition, which opens at the Oddfellows' Hall on Friday evening next.

Among thoae who perished in the Bing Theatre was- Henry Samex, the chief of the claque, who, after displaying extraordinary gallantry in rescuing several persons from the galleries of the burning house, lost his life in a vain effort to saye — his overcoat !

Tho number of persons vaccinated in Viotoria for the first time last year was 27,245, an increase of 8113 as compared with 1880, when the total was 19,132. Theße figures do not include re-vaccinations. The estimated total cost to the Government on account of vaccinations last year was £6000.

The following showa the amount of grain carried on the Canterbury railways during the three seasons of 1880-1-2, ending Maroh 23 in each year t— Season 1880—236,807 bags; 1881, 456,967 bags; 1882, 419,751. It will be seen that there has been a slight falling off in this year as compared with the preceding season.

The ceremony of consecrating the new Ashley Masonic Lodge at Bangiora, will take place on Thursday next, after which a banquet will be held in the hall of the Institute. Brethren of eaoh constitution are cordially invited to consecration ceremony and banquet. A special train will leave Christohurch at 4 p.m., returning about midnight.

Some few weeks ago- the witnesses in a case of assault by a gang of larrikins declined to take their expenses, and requested that the amount should be applied to come charitable purpose. The Bench haß given effect to thia request by ordering that the money now in the hands of the Clerk of the Court shall be applied to the assistance of the injured man Clements.

The Kumara Borough Council have given notice of their intention to construct a tank, lay down pipes and fix hydrants, for the purpose of supplying water for fire and general purposes. The Counoil proposes to borrow £1800, and to pledge as security for the loan, a special general rate of Is in the £on all rateable property in the Borough ; a firat charge on general rates, and the rents and profits of the Borough reserves of 600 acres.

The Oak of Sydenham Lodge of Druids held their quarterly summoned meeting on Wednesday night last, in St Saviour's sohoolroom, AJ>. Bro Hill presiding. There was a large attendance of members, also a good number of visiting brethren. It was resolved that the members take part in the procession at the opening at the Exhibition. There was one candidate initiated, and one brother admitted by clearance. After a considerable amount of business had been gone through, the Lodge was closed. Beceipta of the evening, £40 18s.

According to the Lake Walcatip Mail, the nursery of forest trees at Lake Wanaka is showing highly satisfactory results. The rabbits last year destroyed no less than 20,000 plants, but wire-netting, &c, will in future prevent depredations on the part of these pests. In spite of this loss there will be ready for sale and distribution this season 25,000 plants of various species, while in the seed* beds there are 26,000 plants. It is intended to ask a grant-in-aid from Government of £200 or £300 towards the perfecting of the work being carried on.

A highly poetic inoident is related in connection with the closing scenes in. the history of the late President Garfield. It is said that " a bud trom the wreath sent by the Queen for President Garfield's coffin having dropped off, a high officer of the Government took it home to his wife, who wbb confined to a siok bed. and put it in a glaaa upon a table by her Bide. Next morning the bud opened and disclosed in the centre of the flower a beautiful white dove. A a the invalid looked upon this, to her, miraculoua manifestation (for Bhe never before had seen a flower of the " Holy Spirit," Peristeria JBlata, and did not know of its existence), she exclaimed to her husband that it was a revelation to her that ahe was going to recover, and she began to mend from that moment." It will be of interest to add, for the information of our readers, that the peristeria, or " dove flower," belongs to the group of stove orchids, and is a native of the Panama district. The central portion of the expanded flower bears a striking resemblance to a miniature dove.

The British Admiralty has lately been trying experiments with a view to get at the best way of reflecting the electric light without lobs, a problem that is likely to concern the photographer very closely ere long. Most of our battle ships carry the electric light for the purpose of sweeping the seas in searoh of torpedo-boats contemplating a night attack. It would be the aim, of course, of the torpedo launch to destroy the light apparatus as soon as it could, and for this and other motives the swift little craft is armed with small, but powerful guns. The battle ship, on the other hand, is seeking to protect its source of light behind armour, and then to bend the rays in the proper direction by some suitable apparatus. Both lenses and reflectors have, been tried on board the Sultan at Portsmouth, and her captain has come to the conclusion that a dioptric lens is by far the best apparatus to employ. A reflector made of Chance's glass, and carefully silvered, proved tolerabl* serviceable, but the bright light travelled a much greater distance when aided by the lons. The smoke and steam of a torpedo launch can be plainly seen a mile off, for tho rays strike against the vapour as it would against a solid screen.

Ihe Faure accumulator, which is now producing such a great change in the prospects of lighting by electricity, is a aecondary battery, consiatiug of lead platea coated with a film of red lead or minium, with a layer of felt, and steeped in chemicals. Tht>ae electrical boxes are to the light-convey-ing wiroa what a water cistern is to tho pipes, a gasometer to the gas tubes, or the air-bag to the bagpiper. The bag once filled, the tune will go on and the wind be supplied at constant pressure until the bag be empty. The Faure boxeß, stored by the Societe de la Forco et la Lumiere, can be filled anywhore, at any time, and taksn away to be uaed when and where they aro wanted. You can thus store any number of houra of light, and use it up as required, just as you use a bag of oxyhydrogen for light. Your light will not flicker, aa it often doea when the electricity flows direct from an engine; still you can have an engine, if neceßaary, always replenishing the box, like water always flowing into a cistern at one end, whilst it flows out at the othor; the box then serves to regulate tho current, making ita aupply perfectly uniform, and thus avoiding thoae fluctuations and winkings oi the light which, when there is no eloctrical cistern, como from the irregularity of the driving engine, change of resistance in the ourrent, or any other hitch. Tbo Edison and Maxim lights, burning in vaouo, burn softly and clear, the hard blue and violet raya so much objected to being merely the result pf contact with the. atmosphere.

While the attention of England is engrossed by domestio troubles and European complications, Bueaia ia quietly and pertinaciously making good her advancea in Central Aaia, up to the very borders of Afghanistan. We learn from the Noooe Vremya that the Busaian engineer Leaaar, who, with an escort of 2,0 Ooßsaoks and a few workmen, recently fell in with 3000 Merv Teikea on a marauding expedition to Persia, waa engaged in levelling the country between Askabad and Herat, and actually accomplished the work aa far as Sarraka, within a few verata of the Afghan frontier. A significant reference to this undertaking waa recently made (before the Paris speech) by General Bkobeloff, when speaking at a dinner given in celobration of the anniversary of the taking of Geok Tepe. He said that the late Emperor thoroughly comprehended the immense importance of the Akbal Tekke oasis aa a place of arms at the gates of Khoraßsan and Afghanistan. " Never," he added, " has the influence of the Bußaian Ambassador at Teheran been bo completely supreme as at the present moment. Not only did he succeed in lightening our task, but what is still more important, he has secured the solidity of its results. The prestige of the Russian flag is acknowledged far east of the confines of the country which we have actually subdued, and this faot can be especially confirmed by our engineers, who have jußt returned from Sarraks." Still the General has the effrontery in the face of this to pretend contempt for England's fears on the subject of the Busaian advance in Turkestan.