Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4547, 20 November 1882, Page 2

Local & General.

The monthly meeting of the Kaiapoi Farmers' Club will be held at their rooms this evening. A smart shock of earthquake was felt at Wellington late on Friday. No damugo is reported. At the adjourned meeting of Bela Binger's creditors, in Dunedin, an offer hy the debtor of eight, shilling* in tho pound was marie. The meeting, by a majority, resolved that unless ten shillings in the pound be guaranteed by Monday, the debtor be compelled to file. Telegraphic advice has been received at Dunedin, so it is said, to tho effect that the freezing apparatus on board the steamer Marsala broke down, and that, in consequence, her cargo of meat had to be thrown overboard. It is understood that the entire shipment was insured in Home cffices. The robbery case in connection with the steamer Wellington is assuming a serious aspect. Another man named George Dean, belonging to the vessel, wos arrested at Auckland on Saturday mornirg, and makes the sixth charged with having been concerned in the disappearance of jewellery, valued at £.00. Dean was remanded. Edward leed, a deserter from H.M.B. Nelson, remanded from week to week for nearly three months, was again brought up on Saturday in the Besident Magistrate's Court, Auckland, and committed to gaol until he can be honded over to the first of Her Majesty's ships which shall come into Auckland waters. Tho poor fellow seemed astonished, but resigned. Tbe mission schooner Southern Cross has returned to Auckland after a four months' cruise in the Norfolk, New Hebrides, and Solomon Islands. The news brought by the vessel is of little importance, everything being very quiet at the various placfß visited. Bishop Selwyn remains at the Solomons for six months. Mr B. S. Smythe, the well known agent, is a passenger by the Arawata, which steamer arrived at the Bluff this morning. He is now acting as advance agent for Archibald Forbes. The famous war correspondent himsolf, who has been laid up for several weeks from the effects of an old gunshot wound, has now regained bis health, and leaves for New Zealand on the 21st of this month. The entries received for tho Dunedin Agricultural Show this year number 753, as against 768 last yoar. In Lincolns thero is an increase, there being 56, as compared with 18 last yoar. Shorthorn cattle show a falling off, but Ayrshires are nearly twice as many. Fat cattlo are scarce, only 9 entering, as compared with 27 last year. Both in implements and dairy produce the number is much decreased. An ingenious gymnastic apparatus, intended for tho use of new beginners in tho. art of rowing, and somewhat of a novolty in Chrietchurch, is on view -t the establishment of Messrs Walters and Co., Manchester street. It consists of a wooden framework, to which are affixed a sliding seat, a footboard, and a couple of handles fitted on hinges, and also connected with the frame by spiral springs, so as to imitate exactly the motion of an oar in the rowlook. The Freobody case was advanced a stage in Chambers on Friday, as shortly noted by our Wellington correspondent on Saturday. Mr Edward tthaw moved before Mr Justice Bichmond sitting in Banco for a rule calling upon a Maori named Winiata to show cause why he should not deliver up to the custody of Mies Freebody her sister Annie Froebody, agod about nine years. A rule nisi was granted, and yeßterday Mr Buckley appeared to show cause against it, Mr E. Shaw attending in support of it. After argument His Honor made the rule absolute, and a writ of habeas corpus has been issuod for the surrender of tho child to the Judg9 at eleven o'clock on Tuesday next. Tho annual entertainment of the Lyttelton Times Dramatic Society, in aid of the Lt/t---telton Times Sick Fund,* takes place on Friday and Saturday noxt at the Theatre Boyal. The programme includes Cravens' entertaining comedy "Our Nelly," and a screaming farco entitled " The Goose with the Golden Eggs." Neither of the pieces havo been roprpsented in Christchurch bt-fore. Miss Amy Horton and Miss May 801 l will render valuable assistance in sustaining somo of tho important female character?, und tho former will sing soveral bodes in the course of tbe comedy. As a large number of tickets have alroady been disposed of, the entertainment should provo most successful from a financial point of view.* The majority of tho buildings in Colombo streot south are not, to Bay the least, of such architectural pretensions as to striko tho beholder with any great degree of awo. On the contrary, most of those who trouble to notice them at all express a fervent wish that thoy could bo swept away to mako room for something better. A. fow r.f them have already retired in this manner, and one of tho lost structures to do so iB that formorly occupied by Mr Day os a plumber's shop. This old building has recently been taken down in order lo bo supplanted by n brick structure, now being erected to the order of Dr Downes Tho new building is to contain two storeys, and will have a frontago of 40ft, with a depth of 50ft, and height of 2fift. It is to comprise a couple of shops, with rooms attached suitable for a dwclling-hour-e or c.fficoß. Tho front will be finishod in white stone, and is to be of o plain but effective design. 'Ihe plans wero prepnrcd hy Mr T. 8. Limberr, and the carrying out of tho work has been entrusted to Mr J. C. Prudhoo. A consular report from Sweden gives a description of a new explosive called sebtialine, which, it is said, has competed most favour, ably with dynamite. Sebostine appears to bo an explosive based upon nitro-glycerine, but safer to handle than tho ordinary dynamite, while moro powerful in effect and choapor to purchase. The greater eafcty oP oebcslino depends on two circumstances, first, that tho explosive oil is moro completely absorbed and bound by a specially prepared kind of charcoal and other ingredients, and secondly, that in ordinary cases it requires no percussion cap to explode. As to use in mining, it is reported that tho no-v sehastine iB exploded simply by the fuse, providing tho bore holo is properly secured by a stronger wadding as in an ordinary chargo of blasting powder. According to official statements thero has not been one single instance of accident hnppening when using the new sebastine. The Swedish Government having ordered trials of sebastine against, dynamite, it is said to hove been p'oved that sebaotino wes far superior in effect, and about equal in force to English gun cotton when used in torpedoes. Tho consul at Gothenburg adds : "As an explosive of great power, and offering superior security particularly tor mining and similar purposes, I would rocommond the new sebußtine, or more properly, its improved form, viritc, to' tho notice ot Hor Majesty's Government." Tho oasecngor steamboat Robert E. Leo, which had pained the namo of "champion of tho Mi!-Fis«ipi" by her many victories in sensational races upon that river, was burned on tiio Mississippi, about 30 miles below Vicksburg, on Sept. £9, and the disaster rofultod in a norious loss of life. When tho firo wan discovered tho steamboat wag under way, and the flames 6proud so rapidly that every person on board was in imminent peril. It is known that 21 deaths havo resulted, including several women. Most of tho survivors were moro or Icsb burned. Rrery lifo depended on the fidelity and courage of the engineer and pilot, who, in spite of tht- flames scorching thorn, maintained their posts until the vessel had run ashore, when they escaped, though much burned. The amount of loss is uncertain, but it includes many thousand boles of cotton,

Mr Andrew Young will oontest th* Mayoralty of Wellington. On Saturday, articles of agreement wore sinned for a matoh bofctreon Woods and Hulston for £25 a t-ido, to he run on Deo, 23. Tbe distances will be 120vds, 150 yds, and 200 yds. In our aocount on Saturday of the oheese Bent Home hy tho barque lona an error ocourrod in tho n*niio of the person from whom the cheese utu purchased. It should huve boen Mr W. Ewiut, r.(,t Hewitt. The contractor had tho caisson righted on Baturday afternoon, Hiid iv quantity of stone ballast was put into her lower compartment. The coision has not sustained tho slightest damage from its capsize, and will bo pub into position to-day, nnd tented. All the Hon W. Robinson's horses have been scratched for thoir Auckland engagements.— Bundoora and Prim havo been scratohed for tho Auckland Cup.— The Administrator and Gentle Annie have been scratched for the Hutt Park Bpring Handicap, and The Administrator for tho Railway Plate. ' The Ohristchurch Choral Hociety will giro their first concert on Friday evening next at the Oddfellows' Hall, Signor E. Sorgo conducting. Tho first part will consist of the principal songs and ohorusos from Mendelsohn's St Paul, in whioh the members of tho Amateur Orchestral Society will assist. Ihe second will oompri-*e miscellaneous vocal nnd instrumental selections. Laßt evening t*o men named Charles Chamberlain and James Bratt wore arrested for fighting in the stroet. The latter was walking with his sister at the corner of Montreal street and Oxford terrace, when the former with one or two companions gave him some cause for offence, tho result of which was an appeal to fisticuffs. Ac there happened to be a constable close at hand tbe belligerents wero arreßted. A good deal of attontion was attracted on Saturday night by a large heap of very fine trout exhibited in the wiadow of Mr M.-WilliamV chop. The fish in question numbered 21, and were all fine specimens, in tho very pink of condition. They varied in weight from ilb to 51b, more than half of them turning the c eale at 81b and over. Eleven of thorn wore caught by one rod at a stream in tho vicinity of Woodend, while tho remaining ten woro captured by two anglers at the Selwyn. In oach eaee the bait employed was artificial fly. The following returns of the rosulti of the operations of last week at the principal gold mines in Bt-ofton, were received by telegraph on Saturday night br Mr B. Wiekes, of tbe Western Mining Exchange -.— Keepit-Dark, 198 tons of stone crushed, yielding 401 oz amalgam; Welcome, 60 tons of stone crushed, yielding 3230*_ amalgam, for four days' orushine; Golden '. Fleece, 127 tons of quartz crushed, yielding 357ez amalgam, for fivo and a-half daya* crushing.^ Mr Wiekes olso reoeived a tolei gram which ftated that it was reported that rich stone had boen struck in the Golden Crown mine at Mokihinui. A meeting of tho Friendly Societies* Fete Committee was hold last Thursday evening. Correspondence was read from the masters of the Orphanage and the Burnham School, the former isocepting, the latter declining an invitation to briDp the children to the ffito ; „Uo, from Meßßrs Aitken and Hoberts, Mr H. Thomson, ond the Mayor ' of Christchurch, raoh giving a prize for the : sports. The tenders ot tho lyttelton Bras* Band and the Artillery Bund were accepted. 'J he report of the Art Union Committee was 1 adopted. It was resolved that tho right toerect two publicans' and two confectioners* booths be sold by auction. The right of sports, kc, was left in tho hands of the Secrotary. A meeting of tho delegates from the \ Oidfollotvs and Druid 3* Lodgos at Lyttel- ', ton was held on Friday evoning last. The meeting waß held for the purpose 1 of promoting a joint picnio of the two societies on Anniversary Duy, Deo. 16. It was decided that the pionio bo hold at the Beathcoto Valley, and a Committee wae olected, Mr Giftord being appointed Chairman, Mr Hildyard 'treasurer, and Mr Griffiths Seoretary. A Committee was also appointed to carry out tho sports of the day. It was decided to accept tho services of the Lyttelton Band, and t ? arrango for a special ' train. A considerable amount has already been subscribed for prizes, and a very enjoyable day is anticipated. So heavy have been tho marine immmnoe j losses from which " Lloyd's " have suffered (says a Home papor) thnt, we hear that as muoh as £750,000 has lately been paid away . by the underwriters there. Quite a number ' cf them have withdrawn from business altogether, some perforce because their means ' were nt an ond, othera becausH they saw no hope of doing a moro profitable business in the futuro, and preferrod to keep what was left of * their fortunes, 'iho competition of tho outsido Marine Insuranoo Companies is blamed for this state of things. Thoy havo knocked 1 rates down, it is said, till it no longer pays to • take risks. Judging by the accounts of many | of these Marine Companies, thcto must be a good deal of truth in that view, and if matters nre so bad with the underwriters of Lloyd's as to cause a serious talk of closing tho marine husinnßS done thore altogether, what can we expect to bo the ond of the Companies who by their recklossnoss have brought matters to such a pass ? An automatic instrument for closing a gas supply at a given timo has boon recently deicribed in the Berlin Chomical Sooiety by Herr Michaelis, and is said lo hare given good results in practice. It looks liko a small round alarm clock, and has on oithor side a nipple, for connection of the cxotitchouo tubing by which tho gas pnsies through tho body of the clock. A hand corresponding to that of an alarm, is sot to the hour nt whioh the gasis to be shut off ; a wheel liberated at that hour clofos a cock on tho tube within tho instrument. There is a slit on tho top of the clock, with a projooting brass arm connected with tho clock. By turning this arm, one may, independently of the clock-work, lesson, or shut off altogether, tho supply of gas. The apparatus, it is notod, will servo for othor kinds of gas besides luminous, and ib may be used for the automatic sloppngo of gas motors. The foot bridge over the railway lines at Lyttelton is now finished, except tho painting. The bridge is by no means an ornamental one, that foatuie having boen sacrificed for the eivko of strength. The bridgo is supported by threo concrete piers, and accafla to it at tho railway station end is gainod by a double tlight of ttairs, ono of whioh commences close by the exit gate of the platform. A single flight of stairs leads from tho southern ond of tho bridge to tho ground, j\nd lands tho pcdeolrian just beside tho lines of rails leading on to tho stsumcr jetty, which have to be crossed beforo the base of the jetty is reached. On these milo a Urge amount of shunting is dono when Btoamerß art' lying at tho wharf, ond that, of course, is the time when tho bridgo will be supposed to bo the most used, so that pa?sengoro descending from the bridgo will havo to keep a sharp look out. for passing trucks, &•}., ac tho spot is cortuinly a dangerous one. Another objectionable feature in the bridge is that tho sides arc i.ot. closod in at all, so that passengers crooning in stormy weather will bo fully exposed to the wind and rain, oßpociolly wljou tho wind is from the south, south-west and north-west. The bridge is not favourobly rogorded by anyone. A mooting of tho Directors of the Ranpiora Linseed Oil Company was held on Friday ovening, at their tflloos. Ihe Chairman (Mr J. Johnston) nnd all tho Directors wore profent, with tho exception of Mr W. 0. Nicholls and Mr Koborts. Tho Articles of Astociation wero received from the Company's solicitor and signed by tho Chairman and Directors present. A lol.ter wns road from Mr W. B. Perceval, stating that aftor examining his section lie would not lot tho Compmy liuvo mere than tho throe acres originally olTorod. Tho Directors decided to instruct thoir solicitor to proparo tho conveyance of tho lund from Mr Perceval to the Company. A letter whs receivod from Mr J. C. Andrews, recommending tho Company to procure an American scutching machino. The Company adopted his recommendation, aw-Mlio Secretary vns instructed to request. Mr Blaokett to send for ono without lose of timo. A disciifsion arose as to the advisability of procuring fresh seed for next season, ond it. was finally determined lo a«cer- • oin which wero tho best sorts and tho best placo to obtain them, and instruct Mr Blnckntt to got thorn in good timo for next s?aeon. The share books showed that ovor 1<X)0 sharos had boon takon up, and there was a good prospect of a great many more being taken as aoon as tho Company was fairly at work.

Tha gentleman who races under the name f Mr Bate scratched Hilda on Saturday for *11 her engagements at the Dunedin Spring Meeting. This morning a young man named Jtrnest Smith was admitted to the Hospital, sufferiog from BBvore injuries causod by his being crushed by a bullock falling on him as ho waß driving it into a yard. It ia feared that he haß been injured internally. The following original and Bomewhat amusing "Notice to Trespassers " ia posted up on the property of a resident in the flingsland district :-— " Aa I cannot provido ducks, poultry, and egg 8 f° r la™i-« n9 a ? 7 longer, tany person Been trespassing upon this property will be punished by law or any other means in my power." it may be added t*-at tho •author of this terrifying notion h»d sufficient. confidence in its powers as to leave his property entirely unfenced at the place where it was stuck up. The requisition asking the Government to constitute the Light Infantrjr Company of Volunteers has roceived considerably moro than the minimum numher of signatures required, most of the original promoters of the -aoheme, who signed a similar document twelve mouths ago, having put down their names, aa well vi several other intending members. Tho petition will be forwarded to Government at once, and those interested purpose, if posnblo, to bogin drilling during the prerent week. Some attentiou was attracted in Colombo _t*eet north to-day by a large gilded pyramid •displayed in tho window of Mr Wiekes' Mining Htohange. Thifl model, it was found •on closer inspection, did not refer in any way to the " pyramid teaching " as expounded by frofesaor P.azzi Smyth, and his disciple, Mr Alfred Brunton, but waa merely intended to -represent the quantity of gold obtained from twenty quartz mines in tho Beefton diatriot •during the decennial period— lß72 82. Tho pyramid is four feet high, and two feet square «t the base. The weight of gold it aymbolises is 16,6181 b Troy. worth £768 043 5s stm-lini?.