Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4430, 6 July 1882, Page 3

Local & General.

At the Police Court this morning, a man named Harvey W. Griffiths, who had been arrested on a warrant, was sentenced to six weeks* imprisonment for disobeying an erder of the Court.

The Enightstown Good Templars paid the Advance of Papanui Lodge a fraternal visit last evening. A miscellaneous programme was arranged and gone through by members of both lodgeß, and altogether a very pleasant evening was spent.

Messrs W. Pentescost, and Paul Chartton Purchase, have signed an agreement to contest a two hours* goas-you< please race for £10 a- side. The event will come off on July 15 on a ground to be fixed upon.

The nominations for the Christchurch Hunt [Club Steeplechases closed last night. There are seven in the Hunt Club Cup, seven in the Gone-Away Stakes, seventeen in the Tally-Ho Plate, and nine in the Harkaway Btakes. Tbe handicaps are due to-morrow.

Another step has been taken towards the completion of the much-delayed and much -fought -over Bangitata Bridge. The Ashburton County Council have adopted a plan for the superstructure, and tenders for the work are to be invited by next meeting of tbe Council.

An inquest was held yeßterday, at Ashburton, on the body of a man named William Farmer, a painter, who died suddenly at a relative's bouse at Seafield. The evidence weßt to show that deoeased died from chronic lead-poisoning (the disease known as " painter's colic "), and a verdict was given accordingly.

At the Ashburton County Council meeting yesterday, a letter was read from the Mount Hutt Boad Board recommending the appointment of the Board's overseer to the position of forest ranger for that district, and a similar recommendation wasmade by the Mount Bomers Board. Both recommendations were forwarded to Governxnent.

On Monday the quarterly meeting of the Mai vern Wesley an Church Circuit was held at Sheffield. In the evening a social tea, provided by ladies of the Sheffield church, was held. At the public meeting there was, considering the atonny state of the weather, a good attendance, and Mr J. Butledge presided. The Bey W.Morley said that during the quarter the Circuit debt had been reduced by about half the amount; the church membership had slightly increased ; and fire Sunday schools were now established, which showed the position of the Circuit to be satisfactory. The Bey gentleman then delivered a lecture, entitled " John Wesley," which was frequently applauded. At the close, the lecturer was accorded a hearty tote of thanks. Totes Of thanks to the ladies and Chairman closed the evening's proceedings.

The football match between a second fifteen of Meri vale and the West Ohriatohuroh school oame off yesterday on Hagley Park, and after an exciting game, resulted in a win for Merivale.

In our issue of Tuesday we commented upon tho proposal which had been made, and had received the advocaoy of His Worship the Mayor, to purchase the Exhibition building, and retain it in ita preient position. The Press of this morning follows our lead, and expresses astonishment and diaguat at the Mayor's action.

A very handsome pair of bullock's hornß, which were forwarded to Mr Quill, from Aahburton, were yesterday added to the Exhibition items. The horns have been moat artistically gilded and then burnished, the effect with a centre of long shaggy white hair being capital. A young man named Gublien, in the employ of Mr Lancaster, of Aahburton, prepared the exhibit in question.

The Leithfield Sparrow Club has been very successful in the destruction of small birds in the Leitbfield district this season. As an example, two farmers purchased one shilling's worth each of poisoned wheat and sowed it in their paddock. In a very ehort time over. 1000 birds were picked up. We are requested to state for the information of farmers in the district that poisoned wheat maybe had by applying at Messrs Smellio and .Eraser's farms, Leithfield ; or to Mr James Barclay, blacksmith, Sefton.

A meeting of the Vestry of St Andrew's Church, Little Biver, was held in the district schoolroom on Tuesday; present — Messrs H. E. Tyaon (in the chair), W. Coop, Proudlock, G. Beynolds and John Reynolds. The following resolutions were passed : — "That an entertajrment be held in the diatribe schoolroom an Friday evening, July 21, for the purpose of raising funds for liquidating the debt on the church; and that the Vestry resolve itself into a Committee to carry out the entertainment." The meeting then adjourned.

! The prizes gained &t the dog 'show held in the Exhibition building on June 84, under the auspices of the Fapanui Coursing Club, was paid over at the City Hotel last evening. The settlement was only partial, many owners not putting in an appearance. The cu^ presented by Messes Joubert and Twopeny for the best greyhound in the show was handed to Mr E. F. Hill, owner of the Champagne Charlie— Peeress pup Daisy. It is an elegant silver goblet, bearing the inscription — "Special prize for best greyhound, Exhibition Dog Show. Awarded to Mr R. P. Hill's Daisy, by Champagne Charlie— Peeress." In London there are 472 places of amusement, including theatres, mueio halls, concert rooms, &0., and it is estimated that they can accommodate 302,000 persons. These are under six separate jurisdictions, the Crown controlling the , patent theatres — Covent Garden and Drury Lane — the Chamberlain 4& theatres, the Divisional Magistrates 10 theatres, the Middlesex. Magistrates licensing 347 muaic halls, 71 large and 272 small ; the Surrey Magistrates 61 music halls, three large and 68 small ;. and the City of London two plaoes, there being five other places presumably unlicensed. We understand that a movement is on foot to form a Committee to wait on his Worship theMayor, to request him to communicate by telegraph with Sir Julius Yogel, and ascertain the date of his arrival in Christchuroh, with a view to giving him a fitting welcome and a banqaet. The project is being taken up with heartineis by all classes, who recognise that Sir Julius Vogel's public works policy has been of incalculable benefit to the Colony. Messrs Joabert and Twopeny were interviewed last evening, and expressed the pleasure it would give them, if aaked by a Committee, to place their building at the disposal of that Committee free of charge for the purpose. A largely attended and enthusiastic meeting of ratepayers was held last night, at the Oddfellows' Hal], to consider the proposal of the City Council to raise a loan of £60,000 for a water supply. Though the Mayor, who presided, refused to put any resolutions to the meeting, as the real deoision upon the matter must be by ballot, he was ultimately induced to comply with the loudly expressed wish of those present, and resolutions opposed to the loan, and in favour of a postal card being sent to eaoh ratepayer, giving all necessary information as to the day for the vote being taken, and as to the nature of the proposal, were carried by overwhelming majorities. A report of the proceedings appears elsewhere. ! The Ashburton County Council, in re* sponse to a request from settlers interested in having a bridge thrown across the river at Dobbin's Ford, have instructed their Engineer to visit the proposed site of the bridge, and to report to the Council a 9 to the practicability and cost of the work. At the Council meeting yeßterday a deputation, consisting of Messrs Osborne and Louden, attended, and laid the claims of the district for a bridge over the Lower Bakaia before the members, but owing to the pressure of work on the kands of Mr Baxter, the Council could not spare him to visit the proposed site and make the report asked for. The Selwyn Council Engineer will, therefore, be asked to make the report and estimate instead. The Ashburton County Counoil having now received communications from the two Road Boards interested in having the approaches to the Ashburton Bridge improved, and also from the Borough Council of Aahburton, and those communications being favourable to the carrying out of the work at the joint expense of the four bodies, the alterations will be proceeded with. For a long time the approaches have been felt to be too narrow, and their narrowness of course made their great length objectionable. The plan of alterations prepared by the County Engineer both shortens and widens the approaches, so that travelling on them will be safer and more comfortable than hitherto. The bridge gates will also be removed from the ends of the bridgo to the entrances to the approaches. Owing to the difficulties experienced in raising money to be expended in the enlargement of the Ashburton County Cattle Saleyards, the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association has written to the County Council, stating that it does not see its way to renew its lease of the yards after the expiration of the current lease. At its meeting yeaterd ay, the County Council adopted the recommendation of the Committee appointed to confer with the Agricultural and Pastoral Association on the subject, which was to the effect that the Council invite tsndera for a lease of the yards for fourteen years, on such terms as may be thought proper by the Council, but one of those terms should be the refunding to the Council of such money as had already been spent on the jarde. The Association's lease runs out in three months. A very pleasant gathering took place last evening in Mr C. KliDgenatein's Family Hotel. The popular host of that establishment invited a number of his friends to assist at the "housewarming" of the hotel for which ho ha* just obtained a license. About 100 gentlemen aßßembled in the dining-room of the hotel, where a dinner & la Bubsb, compruing every delicacy of the season, was served in excellent stylo. The chair was occupied by Mr J. W. Oram, and tbe vicochair was filled by Mr Louisson. After ample justice had been done to the many good things provided, the health of the host and hostess was drank in champagne, with three times three and musical honours. Other toasts succeeded. Borne capital songs were Bung, and tho company separated, having spant a moat pleasant time in the enjoyment of Mr Klingensteiu's hospitality.

The inaugural entertainment of the St Alban's Recreation Club took place last evening, in the Merivale Schoolroom. The Bey T. Flavel ocoupied the chair, and read at letter of apology from the Bey J. BuJler for his unavoidable absence. The Chairman, after a few lemarkg, called upon Mr S. W. Isitt to explain the objects of the Club. Mr leitt said the Club had been formed for the purpose of supplying amusement for the young. The Committee intended to provide ohess, draughts, &c., and to form daises to practise singing, recitations, &0., a Shakespearian olaas and a band. Ha hoped all the young people present would join the Club. The subscription had been fixed at sixpence per month, and the meeting nights were Monday and Thursday. The rest of the evening's entertainment consisted of " Mirth, Magic, and Music," by Mr Seager, who was frequently applauded for his amusing performances. Mr A. Sell presided at the piano* forte. Hearty cheers were given at the conclusion of the entertainment for all who had taken part in tht proceedings.

The Excelsior Boot Factory employees have arranged to have a series of sports at Lancaster Park on Saturday next. Among the events will be four matches and three handicaps. " At the Risk of Her Life " ia the title of a story commenced on the fourth page of this is3uo. A report of the public meeting relative to the raising of a loan for a water supply appearß on the same page. We understand that the work in connection with the system of electric fire alarms is being rapidly pushed forward by Mr Meddings, and that the entire circuit will probably be available by the ond of August. Constable M'Oarthy hat been transferred to Eangiora, to serve as Mounted Constable there in lieu of Constable Gaffnoy, who has been promoted, and is removed to Christchurch. A public meeting in connection with the Dauntless Lodge, 1.0. G.T., is announced to take place in the Templar Hall to-morrow evening, at 8 o'clock. An attractive programme appears to have been arranged, and no charge will be made for admission. The startling announcement of a design upon the Prince of Wales' life appears to have been rather premature. Instead of dynamite, some portion, at any rate, of the auspicious material found in concealment turns out to have been merely fireworks. We have received a copy of a report by Professor Bickerton on the analysis of twelve samples of bread procured by Mr Stevenion, inspector, from various bakers of the oity. The report is of a very satisfactory nature, as in only one sample was there any sign of adulteration — a trace of the presence of alum, and that not sufficient to warrant a proseoution. A meeting of the cornbiaed Sefton and Ambeiley Ploughing Matoh Committee, was held on Saturday last, at M'Lean'a Hotel, Amberley; present — Meaarß Lewton (Chairman), Diok, Hanna, Ross, Bristow and Traill. After arranging the programme, and diaouasing some matters of routine, it was decided that the match be held after the Kaiapoi match, which tikes place shortly. The teachers of the Kaiapoi Wesleyan Sunday Sohool met on Monday evening last, to consider matters in connection with the new building, the Bey J. Simmonds in the chair. The plans of Mr Nimmo were considered and finally adopted, and it was decided to invite tenders at onoe. It was agreed to retain the old lite, and to lell the old building for removal.