Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4346, 29 March 1882, Page 3

Local & General.

The next meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council will be held on Wednesday, April 12, at the usual hour.

To-morr.jw evening the last of the series of open-air concerts this season by the Artillery Band will be given in tho Drill-shed, under the patronage of His Worship the Mayor.

At to-morrow evening's services at tho Cathedral, the Bey F. Kuowles will preach on the subject of "Sin regarded as causing a sense of alienation from God."

The adjourned meeting of the Licensing Committee for the district of Heathcote was to have been held to-day at noon, but as only one member of the Committee, Mr Yorke, was in attendance, the meeting lapsed.

The Besident Medical Superintendent of the Sunnydide Asylum desires to tender his thanks on behalf of the patients to Messrs A. Lean, Ballin, Thomson and Grinsted, for contributions of refreshments, &c, for the annual treut on Saturday laat.

Our special correspondent at Hokitika sends us a message to-day, confirming his previous intelligence that a new claim had been bottomed at Woodstook on payable gold. He adds a few details of considerable interest.

At tho Kaispoi Polico Court yesterday, a lad named Richards, 13, pleaded guilty to the charge of having stolon ' a rowlock from a boat. Tho Mayor, who was the presiding justice, ordered that tho boy should be soundly whipped by his father in the presence of the police.

Yesterday, an information was laid at Ashburton, against Mr Joseph Ivess, for alleged illecral practices tinder the " Corrupt Practices Prevoution Act, 1881." The case is expected to bo heard to-morrow, at the Ashburton Besident Magistrate's Court.

An Acclimatisation Society at Tauranga has been declared duly registered under the " Animals Protection a ct, 1880."

The Corporation labourers are at present engaged in laying down concrete channelling and kerbing along the footpath on the Lower Lincoln road, iv front of the Hospital.

A meeting of the Exhibition Sports Committee was held at A p.m. yesterday. The most important business transacted was the allocation of funds to the various sports and entertainments to be held during the period of the Exhibition. A report of the meeting appears in another column.

At the adjourned meeting of the East Ohristchurch Licensing Committee held yesterday, at noon, the application of Messrs B. Wilkin and Co. for a wholesale wine and spirit license was refused, on the ground that the Act prohibited the granting of a license to a firm a member of which is an auctioneer.

As somedoubtappearsto exist respectingthe appointment of a mechanical engineer to take charge of the pumping etatioß, we have been requested to draw attention to the fact that the amount of remuneration fixed by the Board is £250 per annum, but the person who may be elected to the office will have to provide himself with house accommodation.

The Mastodon Star Dramatic Company arrived in Christchurch by the Te Anau, en route for Dunedin, whence they will return to Chrietchurch, and open at the Theatre Boyal on April 26 for a season of four or five weeks. The pieces to be produced are " Pomp," "Uncle Tom's Cabin," " The Slave's Bevenge," and " The Octoroon "

A house to house visitation has just been made by the city authorities in the^ south portion of Ohristchurcb, in order to discover the owners of unregistered dogs. The results have been fairly satisfactory. A considerable number of persons have registered their animals, and the names of several others who have not complied with the law have been taken with a view to legal proceedings.

The following appointments have been gazetted under date March 23 s — Mr George Leslie Lee to be returning officer for the Electoral district of Stapmore, vice Mr F. E. Wright, resigned. Segiitrar of electors, Mr William Henry Cumerf ord, for the Lincoln electoral district ; Mr Hastings Mayo Lee, for the Selwyn electoral district ; Mr Albert John Franci*, for the Coleridge electoral district. Mr Caleb Whiteford is gazetted as Assessment Court Judge for the Borough of St Albans, and the Avon and Biccarton road districts.

The following applications for patents have been made:— Alexander Binnie, een.,Dunedin, for an illuminating gas and a gas-producing machine. H. E. Shaoklock, Dunedin, for a portable cooking range, to be termed the "Orion." George Scott, Camberwell, England, for "the manufacture of the triple alloys, consisting of manganese, the titaniferous steel sand of Taranaki, and carbon. Benjamin Goulton, of Kaeo, Whangaroa, Auckland, for an invention for fixing handles to saws. Eing David Sykes, of Mount Eden, Auckland, for " the portable hygienic hot-air bath, a method by which all the benefits of hot-air baths, either dry or vapourised, plain or medicated, can be obtained by a convenient and portable apparatus."

A meeting of residents of Kaiapoi Island south, was held in the school on Thursday, last to eleot a Committee for the current year. Mr O'Callaghan, the Chairman, read the report and balance-sheet, whioh was considered satisfactory. At this stage Mr Gillman was Voted to the chair to conduct the business of election. Mr F. Walls proposed, and Mr Wright seconded—" That the report and balance-sheet be adopted." A hearty vote of .thanks was passed to the Chairman and gentlemen of the late Committee. The following were then proposed to form the new Committee : — Messrs F. Walls, Eing, Davis, Boss, Forsyth, Scott, and O'Callaghan. At a subsequent meeting Mr O'Calloghan was re-elected to the chair for the current year.

A curious case came before His Honor Mr Justice Johnston yesterday in Chambers. Since the filing of Mb certificate by a bankrupt a draft of £160 in his favour from his father in London had reached Ohristchurch, and the letter containing it was opened by the trustee. The trustee presented it for payment ; but the Bank, having reoeived notice from the bankrupt's wife that £60 of the draft was for her maintenance, refused to pay it. An applioation for a Judge's order to compel the Bank to pay the trustee was now made ; and after hearing the arguments of learned counsel representing respectively the trustee, the Bank, and the bankrupt's wife, His Honor reserved his deoiaion.

A meeting of the Managing Committee of the Eaiapoi Foal, Grain, and Boot Shew wsß held on Monday last, at whioh there was a 1 nil attendance, Mr B, Coup in the chair. Too special prize list was read, and some ex> ra ones received were added to it, including lira for foals by Blackleg. It was decided i o interview persons interested in the linseed movement, and ascertain if they would uive a prize for that article. The regulations for the exhibition were discussed, and it was decided to adhere to the rule in which it wiis provided that roots should not be trimmcl, but it was resolved not to persist in the >ule referring to their washing. Arrangements were made for providing luncheoi! for the judges, &0., at Burnip's Hotel, ntid Mr F. Denton was elected a steward of the grain class. The meeting then adjourned.

The quarterly circuit meeting of the Bangiora United Methodist Free Church was held on Monday last, when there was a good attendance of office-bearers and members. The report from the Churches was of a cheering character, showing an increase of sixteen full members, with nine on trial. Provision was made for the extinction of a Bmall circuit debt, and the meeting then adjournei to the schoolroom for tea. Between fifty and sixty were present at the tea and after meeting. Plans were submitted to the meeting for the enlargement and improvement of the Church, to make provision for the increasing congregation, and for the purchase of a new harmonium. It was stated that these plans would be carried out by the Trustees if the necessary funds could be obtained. About fifty pounds were promised at the meeting. Several ladies and gentlemen were appointed to canvass for subscriptions, and shortly after the meeting closed.

The Court Woodford, No. 6583, of the Ancient Order of Forester*, at Xaiapoi, held its usual quarterly summoned meeting on Monday evening, in the Courtroom, Kaiapoi, when there was a rery good attendance of members. After the opening ceremonies, the election of officers for the ensuing term was made, with the following result :— J.B., Bro 0. B. Belcher ; 8.8., Bro A. M'Dougall ; J.W., Bro W. Butterworth ; S.W., Bro A. Anderson; Treasurer, Bro Hempleman (re-elected) ; A.S., Bro W. Hayman ; P. 8., Bro P. J. Fowler (re-elected) ; 8.0.8., Bro T. Stevenson ; 0.8., Bro B. Pullan. The following were elected the Managing Committee : — Broß Pullan, Stevenson, Purvis, Hompleman, Brooker, Morley, Barden, Bainsden, Graham, Sohofield, Templeton and A. Anderson ; Trustees : Bros J. L. Wilaon, H. Schofield, P. W. W. Brooke, A. Anderson and T. G. Blackwell ; Auditors : Bros J. L. Wilson and H. Hobofield ; Medical Officer : Bro Dr W. H. Ovenden. The members unanimously resolved to take part in the procession oh opening of the International Exhibition. After transacting other routine business the Court cloßed. The receipts of the evening amounted to £33 14s 6d.

The annual meeting of the Christchurch Football Club was held last night at the Commercial Hotel. There was a modorato attendance, Mr J. B. Evans was elected to tho chair. The Treasurer read the balance-sheet, which showed receipts to the amount of £42 19s 6d, and an expenditure of £35 13a 4d, leaving a credit balance of £7 6a 2d. Last year the receipts were only £14 7s 6d, while the expenditure was £21 6s 6d. The Club were in possession of seven balls. The balance-sheet was received and adopted. The meeting then re-elected Mr E. J. 8. Harman as President of tho Olub ; Mr A. H. Anderson, as Captain ; Mr Q. H. Helraore, as Deputy-Captain ; Mr W. V. Millton, as Secretary ; Mr J. R. Evans, aa Treasurer. The following wero chosen the Committee :— Messrs J. Hartland, Walter Potts, and 0. Bolton. The following were chosen delegates to the Canterbury Rugby Union :— Messrs Evans and Millton. The oloctionof a Ground Committee was left in the hands of tho oflii'ers of the Olub. The names of a number of proposed new members wore read by the Secretary, and, in accordance with the rule, were ordered to be posted in the Olub room. A vote of thanks was passed to tho Exhibition Sports Oommittoo, for voting a trophy of £25 for tho best representative team at the Intercolonial Tournament. A vote of thank* to the chair concluded th» meeting.

The following items will be found on our fourth page:— The first chapter of "Boycotted;" a letter from a correspondent on the subject of Mr Den ton's loctures ; a report of the Durham street church quarterly meeting, and some humourous items.

The first poll of ratepayers under the new Licensing Act took place at Invercargill yesterday. The result was that the inhabitants appeared to consider the issue of more publicans' licenses necessary, while they Btrictly vetoed the issue of bottle or New Zealand wine licenses.

Tbb annual Firo Brigade picnic at Eaiapoi will be held on Monday next, when a cricket match, will be played with the Bangiora Brigade, and an enterainment will be held in the evening. Mr Parnbam's paddock will be the locale of the cricket match, but the members of the Brigade will drive to Bangiora to esoort their rivals to the cricket ground.

A man named E. T. Canneli was to-day admitted to the Hospital from Lyttelton, BU&ering from a broken leg. It appears that the unfortunate man has been engaged in raising a ballast vessel sunk in the harbour, and the work having been satisfactorily accomplished the air pump used was landed on shore. In placing the pump on a dray it slipped, and falling on Canneli broke his left leg just above tbo ankle.

As the employees of Messrs Ward and Co. were returning from their annual picnic last evening, one of their number fell off the carriage on which he was riding, »nd the near fore wheel passed over him, infliotipg a severe wound on the left hip. He was immediately brought to town, and attended by Dr Mickle, who found that although he was considerably bruised and shaken, no Berious results were likely to accrue from the accident.

The junior four-oared outrigper race in connection with the Lyttelton Rowing Club, and which was pulled on Saturday, w»8 again contested this morning. The course was from Rapuii to inside the Breakwater, three miles. A good start was effected, and both crews were on lerel terms as far as Baker's Point, when the Sabrina got a Blight lead, and after a thoroughly well pulled race on the part of both crews came in a winner by a length and a half.

Those of our readers who have made the journey by rail between Christohuroh and Dunedin may have observed, at the place where the Express trains cross, the unpretentious little township which is rising up, named Studholme Junction. This spot promises to be the centre of some little excite* ment on Monday next, when, as will be seen by reference to our advertising columns, extensive sales of land and grain are to be held there.

A very sudden death took place at Gray's road, near Amberley, on Monday evening. Lizzie Smith, second daughter of Mr James Smith, of Leithfield, who was in the employ of Mr John Moore, farmer, Gray's road, was taken suddenly ill immediately after her dinner, and before medical aid could arrive expired. A post mortem examination was to be held by Dr Ovenden on Tuesday afternoon, and an inquest at 4 o'olock was to be held at Leitbfield, before the coroner of the district, Mr M. Morris.

An inquest was held on Saturday morning at Willisden, before Mr E. j. Lee, Coroner, to inquire into the cause of the stack fire which took place on Wednesday evening laßt. Mr Thomas Harbottle was 'chosen foreman of the jury. The evidenw of Captain "Willis, Thomas Willis, and one of the men was taken. Although thero was no direct evidence to show that it was the work of an incendiary, the circumstances were so suspicious that it was decided to adjourn the enquiry to Tuesday, April 2, at the Courthouse, Southbridge, the police in the meantime to make further enquiries.

A meeting of the members of the Lyttelton Brass Band was held at the Council Chambers last evening, when it was resolved "That as the purchase of the instruments had been completed they be handed over to the Borough Council in trust." The band now numbers soma twenty-four instruments, which have all been purchased within the last nine months, a fact that reflects the greatest credit on those who have had the management of affairs. The progress made by the Band is most satisfactory, and does great credit to the leader and instructor. A movement is now on foot to obtain suitable uniforms ; and as the townspeople have the benefit of frequently enjoying an evening's music, it is to be hoped that they will contribute to so laudable an object.

The Times of this morning has an article upon Professor Hultoa's address, which it published yesterday. Our contemporary, as was to be expected, holds that the benefits derivable from the study of history can be gained without the help of biology — which Professor Hutton claims to be necesßary. The Times further considers that Professor Button's lecture cannot be of the smallest benefit to the. student of history and politics, to whom it was specially addressed, and may, on the other hand, be productive of the greatest possible harm by Ub tendency to produce "beings of the wildest and most fanciful conjectures." The very natural sequence is that the Canterbury College Proita'or of Biology is respectfully advised "not to encroach on a domain which is not his."

Shipping casualties are numerous. Cable messages inform us that a disastrous time has been experienced in the English Channel, that on the French coast there have been a number of wrecks, and that sixteen men, composing a lifeboat crew perished whilst proceeding towards a vessel in distress. An Australian liner, the Famenoth, has becoma a total wreok at Gravesend ; the steamship Hollander, bound for Sydney, has been burned at sea ; and — though a minor mishap — the steamship City of Adelaide has run ashore in Sydney harbour. It will have been further noticed that a vessel on fire is believed to have been aeon from the Ocean Ocean beach, Dunedin. This last mentioned incident appears — from a telegram received this afternoon— to have been a false alarm. A search party had to come to the conclusion that the light noticed was caused by a " flaming up " on the s.s. Stella.

On Tuesday morning an inquest waa held at the Courthouse, Bouthbridge, on the body of Thomas Baker, who died in the Southbridge Police Station at midnight on Sunday last. Mr§ Hatch stated that on Sunday afternoon she saw deceased running about the house almost naked. After watching him for some time, she asked Mr Lilly to go for the constable, who shortly after arrived, and took deceased to the Police Station. Mrs Baker, wife of deceased, stated that he had been ill for several years, and had earned nothing for tho last four years for the support of hie family. Henry Lilly deposed that he was informed on Sunday evening that a man living on Flood's Extension was insane. He went to the houeo, and saw deceased wandering about groaning, and evidently in great pain. Ho then proceeded for the constable, who took him to the Station. Dr Malone stated that deceased had been suffering for aomo time front " aboeßS on the brain," which was the immodiuto cause of death. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

By an advertisement elsewhere it will be seen that tho " Patience " season commences to-night, at tho 'iheatre Boyal, in all probability the drop scene painted by Mr Gordon, of Melbourne, will bo presented to view. The picture was shipped by the Botomahana, and is expected to arrive in timo to be ÜBed to-night. Mr Gordon's drop scene at the Adelaide Theatre is said to be a work of. art, and wo are really glad to welcome the production of his brußh in place of tho monotonous red curtain that has done duty here for years. An awning is being erected over the dress circle entrance which will be found very convenient when it happens to ram, and some alterations have been made in the interior of the Theatre which it is hoped will conduce to tho comfort of the audience. Pit and stall tickots are now on sale at Mr Levy's, in High street, and altogether Mr Williamson Booms to have done as much as lies in " mortal to deserve success." The company arrived yesterday morning, and tho stage carpenters wcio at work all night getting ready for the performance this evening. Whilo we are just about to witness the firs! performance of this famous opera wo observe by our mail files that it is still being playod at Home, whore it is so popular that after a run of nearly a year seats uro still bookod a month in advance.

New Plymouth, March 29. Tho b.b. Hawoa sailed for Nolnon and Southorn Ports fit noon, : - Tho Ri-v Mr and Mr« Sharp and child. Re? Mr and Mr.i IficoU and tain.il>, MiHHPR Panioll, Swa«h«n, Brownlo>i, Mr ar<d Mm Uoweu and family, Messrs Houston and Haokjgr.