Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4546, 18 November 1882, Page 2

Local & General.

The New Year's Day popular sports will be held at Lancaster Park on Jan. 1. The Terapleton Sports Committee meet at the Public Library, Templeton, this evening, at 7.30 p.m. At the next monthly meeting of the Kaiapoi Farmers' Olub, to be held on Nov. 20, Mr Foster, of Amberley, will read a paper entitled " Sheep on the farm." The House Steward of Obriitohuroh Hospital begs to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of a quantity of flowers fer the patients from the Bydenham Wesleyan Sunday soholars j also from Miss Dann, Armagh street. Messrs Moor and Sons, coach-builders, of Viotoria street, are now constructing three one-horse cars for the Tramway Company. These will be ready for use very shortly, and are somewhat similar to those now running on the lines, exoopt that they have no seats on the roof. The Most Bey the Primate has been pleased to appoint the following offioers for the Churoh of St Matthew, iv the Parochial District of 8t Alban the Martyr :—Churchwardens, Messrs Wright and Innes ; officers assistant to the Wardens, Messrs M'lntosh, W. J. Barker, R. Barker, W. Woodward, Q. Newell, and T. Allen. As Captain Fisher, accompanied by his wife and servant, was driving into town in his trap, along Colombo road south, on reaohing Smart's road, the belly-band of the horse broke, and, the animal plunging, overturned the trap, throwing the ocoupants out. Captain Fisher secured the horse's head till assistance arrived, and the harness was cut. Fortunatoly no injury was sustained by any member of the party, and no damage was done be/on d a little injury to the harness and trap, Mr 8. 0. Farr, eocretary to the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, the other day received a telegram from the Secretary of the Gisborne Acclimatisation Society, stating that the shipment of trout sent from hero to Gisborne, in the s.s. Wairarapa, had been most successful. A telegram from the person who had ohargo of thorn conveyed tho f urthor information that only 800 had died out of the whole consignment, — 3500. This, considering the sea voyage and other difficulties attending their transport, must be regarded as very satisfactory. A meoting of tho Prebbloton Horticultural Sooiety Committee was held in the District schoolroom on Thursday evening, Mr J. Maskrey in the chair. The Seorelary having statod that some misapprehension bad arisen with regard to the cottagers' garden competition, it was decided that the liit of competitors should bo loft open until Wednoiday next, by whioh date all names must be left with the Socrotary. The judges, olass stewards and room Oommittoo having been appointed, and arrangements made for the forthcoming show on Friday next, the Committee adjourned. The Middle Island Railway Eitonsion Commissioners arrived in town last night, after having inspeoted the route of line via Tophouee. lhe Secretary to the Railway Loaguo lost no time in applying to tho Commissioners for the appointment of an hour ut which they would roooive tho League's deputation. Ho promptly received a roply to tho effect Hint tho Commissioners would rocuivo the deputation at 3 p.m. on Monday next, in tho room formorly known as Bollatny's, at the Provincial Council Chamberi, whore the Commissioners will hold their fMingfi and bo propared to recoivo any information proffered to them. The sittings, it is understood, will bo open to tho reporters of tie Press.

Mr M. W. Green, the member for Dunednt East, addresses his constituent! on Wednesday, A complimentary dinner will be given to Bergeßnfc Kennedy, the Bifle champion, on Wednesday at Dunedin. Albert Edward Long was committed for trial at Auokland on a cbargo of trying to murder his father and attempting suicide. Sergeant M'Govern and Constable Gillies, who visited Pukokura, believe Savage met bit death by drowning, not by foul moans. A publio meeting is called for to-day at Dunedin to protest against the removal of Mr Oaldwell, head gaoler, to Auckland. At a meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board, on Thursday, it was resolved to increase the wages of the employes, bo aa to bring them up to current rates. The Hon W. Kolleston left Timaru for the Mackenzie Country yesterday with the intention of making a close inspection of land there. He will be absent some days. About £800 is the total amount so far colleoted in Dunedin for the boy Webb, who lost both legs in consequence of exposure to snow. It will be invested to bring in an annuity for his benefit. Mr James M'Oosh Olark was returned as Mayor of Auokland for a third term unopposed. The support tendered did not satisfy Councillor Waddell of the utility of contesting the eleotion. It is probable that both the Spray and the Clementina will represent Dunedin in the yacht race at Lyttelton on New Year's Day. An effort is being made to induoe some of the Wellington boats to compote in the regatta here on Boxing Day. Boase, a Wanganui oarter, who was struok by a fellow employe named Thomas on the head with a pick in a quarrel on Saturday last, died yesterday. Thomas, who was out on bail, charged with unlawfully wounding, was arrested yesterday on a oharge of murder. It is understood that Mr Bryoe has written to Wahanui, but when the messenger went to deliver the missive it was ascertained that Wahanui had gone to Mokau to attend tho funeral of his sister, who had just died there. A Native messenger has, however, been Bent on with the letter. Nearly half-a-dozen deputations waited on the Hon W. Johnßton yesterday, at Dunedin, the prinoipal questions being the Fort Chalmers dook and Otago Central Bailway. With regard to the latter, he promised to have the plane in readiness so that when the money is available out of the new loan the works can be pushed on without delay. News of a sad occurrence has been received by the Ban Frauoisoo mail. Some months ago Mr J. A. Isaaoi, traveller for Messrs Joseph Nathan and Co., of Wellington, died somewhat suddenly at Napier from fever. The mournful intelligence was duly sent to his friends in England, and it now transpires that his mother was so affected that she aotually died of a broken heart. William N eagle was oharged at Auokland with breach of the Shipping Act in making false declarations to tho Examiner of Seamen. The Magistrate, as this was tho first offence in Auokland of the kind, dealt with it summarily, and fined defendant £5, with £8 19s costs. Prisoner, in order to bn admitted to examination, produoed a certificate purporting to be signed by the master of the vessel Ghost, whioh was alleged to be a forgery. Thomas and Hugh Lloyd and Biohard Pearco, arrested on a charge of brutally assaulting a Maori man and woman at Onehunga bridge on the night of the North Shore Begatta while returning (o Mangare settlement, were brought before thn Onehunga Benoh. The Bench did not think the evidence sufficient to oonviot, and the accused were discharged. As a most convincing proof of Die probable Buooess of the exportation of cheese, a letter haß just been received by Mr B. Atkinson, of Bangiora, who sent a cheese Home in April last, as an experiment. Captain Atkinson, of the barque lona, undertook to convey the cheese to Mr Atkinson's friends at Scarborough, England, and one was prooured from Mr Hewitt, in Christohuroh. It arrived at its destination on Sept. 15, and was pronounoed to be in exoellent condition, and worth Is per lb. No speoial care or attention appears to have been paid to the cheese, but the Captain, before taking it, stipulated that it must be a good sound cheese, and was oonfidont that such an article would arrive in good condition. "Frank Fudge" writes :~I have not the slightest sympathy with the individual who was heard singing the following verse of a new song to an old tune at the close of the Papanui meeting : — Oh i Willlo, you look blno, dear, Although you aro at homo ; Wo havo no faith in you, dear, We've hissod you in the room ; Wo watched your little unties In tho city o'er tho foam ; Oh I Willio, we haro hisiiod yon, And that's your wolcome Lome. A despatch has been reoeived from the Secretary of State for the Colonies statiDg that the petition to the Queen from the Senate of the Now Zealand University asking for power to confer degrees in soienoe had been presented to Her Majesty, together with the Miniiterial reoommendation in favour of it, and the Queen had been pleased graoiously to grant the petition. Lord Kimberley, however, points out that the letters patent cannot be prepared until the looal Legislature has modified or repealed the New Zealand University Act of 1875. It may be mentioned that until this Aot is modified or repealed the letters patent are useless. The Acclimatisation Sooiety has just now a "little difficulty" on the board with the Buller County Counoil, whioh body certainly appears to have behaved to the Society in a somewhat discourteous manner. During last trout season, the County Oounoil telegraphed for a consignment of 2000 trout, to be sent by steamer. Ihe fish were accordingly despatched, but out of the whole number only 78 survived the voyage. This, it was afterwards ascertained, was partly owing to the careless manner in whioh they had been treated on board the steamor. However, the Acoliinatißation Hooioty were not responsible, as everything had been done at this end of the journey, whioh was neoes* eary to ensuro a safe passage. 8o the bill was presented to the Council for the full number of trout supplied. No notioe whatever was taken of tho communication. After a lapse of some time, the Seoretary of the Society wrote to the Chairman of the Council, again forwarding the account, with a full statement of tho affair. This also was not favoured with a reply. The Sooiety, feeling that at least their communications deiorved the courtesy of an answer, oven if it wore in tho form of a request for the Council to be excused payment of tho aocount, will probably take further action in tho matter. The remains of the late Mr Arthur B. Pearson wore intorrod in tho Bangiora Ohuroh cemetery yostorday aftornoon, and wore followed by a largo concourse of poople on foot, who had como from long distances to bo proeont. 'Jho servioo at tho fjravo wae porformod by the Yen Archdeacon Dudloy, OBBiatod by the J<nv J. Sheldon. Tho following particulars of tho accident appoared in tho IVaikato Time* :— Tho deceased left tho Te Aktui Station about noon on Sunday, Nov. 5, on horsobuck, for Waitotuna, for the purposo of meeting some cattlo coming from Waikato. On arriving at the Kauri croßiing, whioh runs across an arm of the harbour, tho deceased cooeed for tho Natives living on the oppoiitu bank, who ferry backward and forward in a oanao. The Nativtß being from home, he received no answer, bo ho took in hand to swim his hono aoroßs, who on Rolling into doop wat or, plungod about so as to uneoat his rider, who struok out for the opposito bank. Boforo going far, the boy who was sent from the station to show Mr Pearson tho crowing say« that ho throw up lain urnib and sank out of sight. The crowing wlioro tho accident occurred is only hulf-n-chain across, and the wator wbb obout 10 or lift deep. The body was found just whore tho aooident occurred, after a conBidorablo amount of dragging. AL the inquest, a rider was addod to tho verdict to tho effect that tho attention of the Bftglan Harbour Board should ho drawn to tho desirability of having a wiro rope, with «\ canoo, placed nt lite Kauri cro'sing for tho convo»>ienco of pußdougo™. Tho report addrd Uml " tho cad occurrence hud a proftt effect upon thn minds of tho Bottlers in t.ho district, among whom deceased was woll and popularly known, notwithstanding his rcconl arrival."

Another Aurora was visible just before midnight, but not for long. It was a very "beautiful sight while it lasted. A meeting of the Ghristohuroh Distriot .Hoard of Health was to have been held y esterday, but fell through for want of sufficient membors to form a quorum. His Worship the Mayor has roceivod a • cheque for £50 from Mr Bobert Rhodes, for the Fire Brigade, in recognition of their servioes at the reoent fire at Elmswood. Constable M'Qorman, who has been for a considerable time stationed in Ohristohurch, and was previously loouted at? Akaroa, is to be transferred to Oxford, in place of Constable Xawlor, who will return to Ohiwtohuroh. A man named John Dowio was arrested yeaterday at Halswoll, by Constable T. Whitty, on a charge of failing to contribute to the support of his children in the Burnham flohool. Yesterday, a batch of 50 summonses were prepared in the City Council Offico against defaulting ratepayers. Another 50 were taken -out the day previous. It is the intention of the officials to wind up the rate books, and -consequently steps are being taken to at once recover all arrears. The clerks and various other employes of the Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agenoy Company held a pionio yesterday at Pigeon Bay. The party went down to the Bay by the s s. Akaroa in the morning, and returned to Port in the evening. Tho weather wa3 delightful, and a most enjoyable day was spent. Thera was only a limited number of Oxford residents at tho meeting on Wedneß■day, at Mr Halo's, to oonsider matters in connection with the New Tear's Day Sports at Oxford, and in consequence it was adjourned to Tuesday next. A subscription list was handed round, and a considerable amount promised. A well-attended meeting of the Ohristchurch Builders' Labourers Sooiety wob held in the Foresters' Hall last evening. The President, Mr William Patten, oooupied the ohair. The meeting had been called for the purpose of ' arranging for a cricket match between this and the Bricklayers' Sooiety. It was resolved that Mesfirs Patten, Kitohoner and Bnooks be appointed dolegates to oonfer with the Brioklayers' t-ooiety to fix tho date, &o. The meeting then prooeeded to the transaction of routine business, and shortly after adjourned. The Artillery and Guards assembled for in* ■peotion parade at the Drill Shed last evening. There was a good muster, of each Company j both bands wore in attendance, and the total number of tfficors and men on parade was about ninety. Major Lean, tho offioer in -Charge of the distriot, inspeoted the arms and accoutrements of the men, after whioh they were put through a variety of military evolutions. At the conclusion of the inspection the Companies paraded the town, accompanied by their respective bands. With regard to the mishap at the Lyt* telton dook yesterday, we learn that it was not until about five o'clock in the afternoon yesterday that the caisson was . lighted sufficiently to replace the ballast in its proper position. When this is done the caisson will be floated down to its place. She opinion of some is that thera waa not sufficient ballast in the caisson to keep her upright. The two main pumps at the dook irere tested yesterday, and worked admirably, railing an immense body of water. The quarterly vestry meeting of the Waipara distriot was held at the schoolroom, Waikari, on Thursday j present — Rev A. B. D Tosswill, (Ohairman) . Messrs J. D. Lance, W. Parkerion,W. Kuhvoh, W. Knight. The proceedings were opened frith prayer. The Chairman placed a statement of accounts on the table, ■hewing a o.edk balance, when all outstanding debts v.oro paid, of £19 13* 3!. This was considered satisfactory, and it was proKsed by Mr Lunoe, and seconded by Mr rkersoo, Vw\ they be passed as read. The resignation of Mr M. Cordner, one of the Ohuroh officers, was reooived, owing to his leaving tho district. It was proposed by Mr Parkofson, and seconded by Mr Beeves, that Mr John Yaughan be eleoted to fill the vacant office. Tho alteration in the time of holding ■ervioes in the various parts of the district was then made, so as to have an evening serTice on evory Sunday at Waikari, a large number generally attending. The subsoription list of the Waikari parsonage building fund was read and considered, and with thanks to the Chairman tho meeting closed. At an emergency meeting of tho Son* them Oro-a Maaonio Lodge, Kaiapoi, on Thursday uroning, it was deoided to postpone the installation of the W.M., and investiture of the officers till the new hall is ready for the opening ceremony, when both events will be held the same evening, after whioh a banquet will be held. This has been rendered necessary in consequence of the new hall not being ready for the ordinary meeting in December, and the date of the opening is not yet fixed.— 2he installation of officers of the Phcenix Lodge, Akaroa, for the ensuing year, took place on Thursday last. The W.M., Bro Grange, and all the offioers, having been re-elected, there waß no formal ceremony, !Ehe B.W. District Doputy G.M., Bro H. Thomson, and the Grand Lodge offioers, attended, and the ohairs were filled as follows :—D.G.M. (acting), Bro H. Thomson; D.D.G.M. (acting), Bro W. B. Mitchell; D.G.B.W. (acting), Bro B. 0. Bishop; D.G.J.W. (aoting), Bro 0. P. Hulbert; D.G.B.D. (aoting), Bro G.B. Hart j D.G.8.8., Bro Sanaom. Several visitors were alae progent from the St Augustine, Oonyors, Cantorbury, Boso and 'Hustle, and other Lodges, Ihe work of the annual meeting haviiag been oomplet. d, Bro H. Sawtell, W.M. of the St Auguetino Lodge, presented the Phconix Lodge with a unique " Volume of the Sacred Law," whioh wa» duly acknowledged. The B.W.D.G.M. congratulated the Lodgo upon their po&ition, and the formal proceedings terminated. A banquet was subsequently held at Bruoe'a Hotel. The catoring, by Bro Grange was of the most satisfactory desoription. Tho ohair wao oooupied by Bro Grange, W.M. of tho Phconix Lodge, supported by B.W.D.G.M. Bro Thomson, and the Grand Lodge officer:). The vice ohnira were filled by Bros J. D. Gurwaod, B.W. of the Lodge, and H. 0. Jaoobaon. The usual loyal and maaonio toasts, including, " Prosperity to tho Phconix Lodge," wertj heavtily drunk, and the brethren separated at an early hour, having most thoroughly enjoyed their visit. Concerning tho False Prophet of tho Soudan the Argus writes : — Ho is being generally accepted as tho Mahdy, the promised Bedoemor foretold by Mohammed. He threatens to conquor Egypt, and afterwards to advance on Mecca, tho saored city of Islam, and fight tho Turks. Grave fears are expressed that the Egyptians composing the expedition now being organised by Baker Puaha would d«sert if led against the Prophet, and that Khartoum, the principal city of tho Soudan, will ba loft undefended. An interesting article in the Septembor number of " Blaokwood" on the •'Cominß of the Mahdy" Btates that the exSedation in very widely spread among the [oslems. According to tradition, the Prophot prodioted lhat a deliverer should bo born from his descendants, and many Mo?lems believo that tho present year (1300 of the aroa of the Hegirv.) is tho appointed timo. A propheoy ooncorninff one of tho impostors who has ttsaunwl this title is as follows : — •" On iho firgf; month of Moharrem, in tho year 1300 (Nov. 12, 1832), will appear El Modhi, oi- Messiah. Ho will beexaotly4O years of npe, and of noblo bearing. One arm will ho longer than tho other. His father'n nuuo will bo Mohammed, and his mothor'a Fatimn, and ho will be hidden for a time proviouß to his manifestation." The writor in " Blaokwood " atatos that the prophetical foro- warning deolaros that the coming will bo preceded by a time of great and goneral trouble Gog and Mtigojt, in whom tho faithful rocogniso the Russian powor, must firat burst the bonds set for them by Aloxandor tho Great ; tho loss of tho Kbalif's dominions, swallowed up by the infidels, ia expected to follow ; and in the -vicinity of Homa, or, according to others, of Aleppo, tho great buttle— tho Moslom Armageddon—is to bo fought between the faithful and the oombinod powors of heathendom. The final result of the battle is to bo deoided by tho appearanco of Xl Mahdy, who will rally tho dispersed Moslems, and put the in fldols to flight.