Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4564, 9 December 1882, Page 3

Local & General.

minations for the Ohoka and Ejreton Handicaps olose at 8 p.m. on Monday. A ball in aid of the funds of the Trafalgar lodge of Druida, Kaiapoi, will be hold in the Oddfellows' Hall on Boxing Day. The Sydonham Horticultural Sooiefcy hold their roso bliow in the schoolroom, Selwyn Btroet, on Tuesday, Deo. 12. The Wood end Horticultural Society's annual spriDg show takes place in the Bohoolroom on Deo. 14. A tin company is being formed to work the depoiits of tin found on Howe's Island, near Auokland. The Premier will loavo Wellington for Auckland about the end of next week to upend Christmas with his family. At tho Appeal Court, Wellington, yesterday leave was granted to appeal to the Privy Oounoil in the case of Connor r. M'Kay >(Dunedin). The Dunedin Horticultural Society'^ Show took place yesterday, but was not a succesß owing to the backwardness of the season and the laok of support by professional gardeners. A largo auotion sale of furniture takes plaoe at 99, Eilroore street, on Thursday next, commencing at 1 o'clock. Mr H. ID. Alport ia the auctioneer. An important sale by auction of groceries, to., is announced by Mr H. E. Alport, to take placo at Lyttelton on Monday. The sale (Maokay's estate) will be commenced at noon, in the Norwich Quay stores. Tnaprka County has an overdraft of £5000, and serious thoughts aro entortained of stopping all works for two or three months. A proposal is made to divide the County, by muting Teviot a separate County. The City Council notify that all cabmen , are required to present their lioonsoa for renewal by Deo. 14. They are also expected to fee that their cabs are put in such order as will comply with the requirements of the new By-law before the same date. The police recently seized fully a dozen samples of milk from the milkmen engaged in supplying the oitizons of Dunodin and the suburbs. These were submitted to Profeßßor Blaok, and the report of the analysis was to far satisfactory that no prosecution will be made. Under the new Aot tha fh'at convictions were obtained by the District Babbit Inapeotor at InvercEugill yesterday, and fines imposed on epvcral large landholders, for failuro tj fak« proper steps to keep down the rabbits on tliuir properties. Iho prosecution excited great interest, The oaso of Gsorga Longhunt has not yol; been fully dealt with by the Cabinet. It is considered indispensable that Ministers should be in possession of a complete record of the oase in all its varied stages, and this has been in course of preparation since the Court of Appeal pronounced judgment. Copies of the numerous- documontß, judgment, notoa, depositions, &3., are now almost ready, and when they aro oompleto tho case will ooino before the Cabinet for iinal decision. In another column will be fouud the full Srogrammo of the Amalgamated Benefit 'riendly Societies 1 FGte, to be held on Boxing Day, in tho Agricultural Show Gronnds. The merest glance will show that a most liberal aoale of arrangements has been adopted, and that visitora will certainly find no laok of amusements. Musio thoro will be in plenty, two first-class bands having been engaged ; and the procession this year is expected to be both elaborate and imposing. The Auckland Harbour Board leasod their allotments which are situated noar the new railway station yesterday for 50 years, at prices varying from £4 to over £10 per foot pot annum, realising an annual rental of £2600. The prices aro the largest ever obtained iu Auckland for leasehold property per foot. Among tho buyers wore the New . Zealand Shipping Company, Tramway Company, and Mr Thomas Bussell. Yesterday the latter gentloman gave £1000 premium on tho lease of tho OoiToe Palaoo site, immediately opposite, sold last wook. At a meeting held hot night by several of the roflideuts at St Albans favourable to the widening of tho roads, it was stated that tho majority of tho ratepayers ia St Albans lane and Crescent road aro willing either to givo the land rrquirod, or, in tho event of tho Oounoil deciding to purohase the land, to pay a spociil ratn towards tho widening of tho said rondo, by taking an equal quantity off both sides. A deputation, oonsialing of Messrs Bowbyoß, Kelly, Hawkins, and Henley, w>ia appointed to wuit on the Council on Monday next, to make preliminary enquirioß. A constable ban prorod that Mr Gilbert's famous son£ ia not ontiroly founded on fact. Two yuan) ago Misa Ellard, tho ownor of a flno estaU iv'j Newtonollard, wub flrod at, but, fortunately, both she and hsr ooaohman obcapod Ilia bullot of the ossussin. Shortly aftorwarcU pnlico protection was afforded Miss Ellard, Uto constables being drawn for that purpoau (rum the Now Pallas station. One of thom, riamod 3boeli7, a iioe young fellow, flcquiLLu'.l himaolf ao woll that Mub Ellard resolved to vendor his protection a pormanent duty, 'ihn f»ub- countable ia now tho husband of a bountiful wifo, and a landed propriotor, with an income of some £10,003 a year. For tho fu'.urc, vro presume tho malcontents will , fire atbheohy irutpad of his wife, but never- ! tholoaa fcho " fooroo " has coma into high favour Binco tho story booame known, and thero is quite a rush of recruits. Tho " Pionoor " singing olago connected with tho Ortlor of Druids gavo thoir usual monthly entertainment at thoir ball (adjoining the Terminus tiotol) lust evening, to a largo and approciutivo audience. Tho ilrsb part of tho programme oomistod of "Court Minatrol" busineet, tho tonga of which were rendered by Messrs Opponheim, Roao, Hill, Parker, and Beid, and wore loudly applauded, tho two last-named gontleruon reooiving an enthusiastic encoro lor " Como whore my love lies dreaming " aud " Gunevievo." The second part conHiflted of songs, &a, by Messrs Samuels, Francis, Parkor, Boid, Oppcnhciin, and Miss Patterson. The lady ovokod loud applause for her rendering of " A littlo mountain lad." 'iho performanco oonoluded by Mr 0. Hill delivering a vory humoroui stump spoech on " Tomperauco," whioh caused considerable laughtor The wliolo wasundor tho ablo oonduotorahip of Mr G. B. Fleming (who presided at tho pianoforto), and was a great BucoeßS. Wo underataud that the proceodsof these entertain monts aro duvotod to charitable purpoiei.

All the prinoipal jewellers of Ohnstohurch httTO consented to clobo their plaoes of busineii on Saturday, Deo. 16 (Anniversary day). Messrs Beauchamp and Bell advertise a large auotion sale, in the estate of Mr George Farr, Methven, for eleven o'olock on next Thursday. The extension of the tram line to the swiug bridge on the Ferry road was officially opened at 3 o'olook this afternoon. In consequence of this addition to the Company's line*, all the time-tables have had to be cancelled, and i a new ene will come into foroe to-morrow. j There appears every probability that the Maolean Piokle and Preserving Company will be floated with even more ease than was anticipated. A considerable number of shares have been applied for since the preliminary meeting, and it ia Btated that upwards of 1000 are either applied for or guaranteed. A telegram was received this morning from a member of the Christ's College Eleven, whioh went south by the express train yesterday morning, to the effect that their first matoh— with an eleven of the Otaio CO.— had resulted in a victory for the College boys by three runs. The team wbb to play at Oamaru to-day. The following (as stated in our yesterday's third edition) is the number of entries received for the various handicap events in the Popular sports, to be held in Hagley Park, on Anniversary Day :— One-Mile Sunning Handicap, 18; Two-Miles Walking Handicap, 26; Two-Miles Running Handicap, 11 ; Five-Mile Bicycle Handioap, 3. Total, 68. There were no nominations made yesterday for the vacant seat on the Amuii County Council for the Tennyson Biding, consequently Mr Whitefoord, Beturning-Officer, declared another extraordinary vaoanoy, for whioh an eleotion will be held on Deo. 29. A meeting of the members of the congregation of Sb Andrew's Presbyterian Church was held loßt evening. About 100 persons were present, and the Bev O. Eraser presided. Several resolutions were passed by a considerable majority. The proceedings occasionally were of a rather lively deeoription. A report appears on our back page of this iasue. Mr Shaw, the Hon Secretary of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animalß, attended a meeting of the Durham Btreet Wesleyan Band of Hope on Wednesday evening, and gave an address on the connection between temperanoe and kindness. At the conclusion of the meeting, soveral of those present enrolled themselves as members of the Society. An entertaining programme was submitted last night at the conoert in St Mary's schoolroom, Addington. The proceeds were in aid of the ohoir fund. Misses Button and Pratt, Mrs Swindell and Mobbm Huxtable, Farrant, and Cliff rendered a number of songs in a very pleasing manner, and the accompaniments were given with more than average ability by the Misses Thompson, Bush, & Bowler respectively. The "National Anthem" brought to a close a very pleasant ontertainment. Tho"Lytton" Temperance Dramatic Club gave an entertainment in the Blast Belt Oddfellows' Hall last evening, to a moderate audience. The pieceß presented were a domestic drama entitled "Doing for the Best," and the farce •'Lend me Jive Shillings." The various characters were fairly well sustained, but a few additional rehearsals would have been advantageous. The entertainment was followed by a dance. An inquest oa the body of the man irho was found dead at Leeston on Wednesday was hold at the Leeston Hotel on Thursday, before Mr B. B. Willis, Coroner, and a jury of whom Mr Lunn was chosen foreman. From enquiries made, the police found that the man's name was Bodoriok Noble, and that he had only come into the township the evening previous. After a rather lengthy sitting, the jury returned a verdiot " 'Xhat the deceased committed suicide during a fit of temporary insanity." A bazaar will take place in Lyttelton on Deo. 20 and 21, and Jan. 1, the proceeds of whioh will be devoted to re-roofing aid repairing Holy Trinity Church, Lyttelton. Mr P. Cunningham has kindly given the use of his store for the occasion. A very large amount of work of all kinds has bean in hand for the bazaar for a long time past, the parishioners having determined to muke the affair a thorough suooesß. It is to be hoped that as the proceeds are to be devoted to so important and necessary a work their wishes will be realised. A misapprehension has got abroad regarding the tonnage of vessels competing in tho yacht and traders' raceß at the forthcoming Lyttelton Begatta. No vessel is restricted from competing bo far as tonnage is con* cerned, except in the coasters' race, the maximum tonnage for which is 150 tons. The point at issue is the time allowance for tonnage. In the yaoht race any vesiel under ten tons will rank as a ten-tonner, and in the coasters' ruce anything undor 40 tons will be classed as a forty -tonnor. This morning a man named Edward Johnsou made a daring attempt at petty larceny is Colombo street, whioh was fortunately unsuccessful. His cupidity was exoited by the appoarauco of a number of pairs of boots at Mr Halo's shop, and he accordingly appropriated a pair. When making off with his plunder, howevor, ho was notioed by a passerby, whose suspicions were excited by the fact that he carried the boots, not wrapped up, but openly in hia hand. Constable Wallaoo who was on duty at the spot, at once arrested him, and he will appear to answer for hia conduct at the B.M. Court on Monday. A meeting was held in the Otaio schoolroom on Tuesday for the purpose of considering the advisability of borrowing the sum of £100,000, for the purpose of carrying on the harbour works at 'i'imaru. About twenty ratepayers were present, and the chair was taken by Mr John Bell. Mr Teachomaker was in attendance to explain tho purpoaes of the meeting, whioh he did very fully. Although the meeting was not large, it represented flomo of the largest landowners in the distriot, and all seemed unanimous that tho loan should be raised. Tho usual vote of thanks to the chair brought tho meeting to a close. A concert was moat successfully giren in the Oddfellows' Hall, Sydenham, last evening. There was a moderate attendance, and a programme of a miscellaneous oharaoter was gone through to the evident satisfaction of the audience The moat noticeable features of tho performance were the Bongß of Mesdamcs M'Ewen and Forsoy, and Messrs Foster and Eorr, tho Irish dances of Mr O'Callaghun, and the Highland fling and sword danco of Mr M'GJregor. The chair was occupied by Mr John Joyce. The proceedings wcro concluded with a dance. To-night the acceptances close for the Ohristuhufch Oup and Mprinfc Handicap, to bo run at tho 0.J.0. New Year Day's meeting. To-nighr, nlso, acceptances close for the Amborltiy Cup, Hurdle Handicap, and Northern Handicap ; while at the same timo nominations are duo for the Maiden Plato and Ludien' Purao. — Vallanco left for Auckland yesterday with Turquoise. Ho also took up, for tho Auckland Stud Company, Mias Laura, Petroleuae, and Amohia, these Ihree handsome matrons boing tho balance of tho lot purchased by the Company from Mr Stead Miss Laura has a filly, Potrolouso a colt, and Amohit. a colt at foot, all by Loolinua. George Williams was nlso a pueaonger for Auokland, and the little Australian should have plenty of riding at the big Auckland racing carnival, to fulfil their cngagoinonts at which Cituro Welcome Jack, Clurenco, Mincrrn, and Tho Agont also departed henco yesterday. Tho Poet and Canard will join thom at Wellington. — FitzHercules is improving for tbo Auokland Cup, His ownor took 300 to 30 yoßtorday that ho wins. Ho is now quotod at 100 to 12. Tho Otago Daily Times in a reoent issue had tho following" : — " One of our roportors has rocoived tho following extraordinary effusion from tho Bov A. U. Gillies :— ' Hir,— iloforo beginning my lecture on 'Tho Inspiration of tho Bible, 1 I etatod that I wished 'it to bo distinctly understood that neithor tho Times nor tho Star is allowed to report mo any more. 1 But I havo boen told that eotao timo after this you came in. Of coursu you wore not aware of what had been said boforo you ontorod. Now, to prevent any possible misunderstanding in future, I wish to eay to yoursolf that your presence ia not desired in North Dunodin Presbyterian Ghuroh so long as I am the minister of it. Only Christiana and such sinnors aa are worth i saving, or at least are cupablo of boing saved, • aro wolcomo thoro. — Respectfully, A. C. ; Gillies. Dunedin, Dec. 7, 1882." Tho : beauty of tho thing is that the reporter in i quostion has never had tho pleasure of listening to any of Ms Gillies' eminently Christian

discourses in the North Dunedin Church. Poor Mr Gillies is evidently suffering from acute mania, and needs looking after. We nead hardly say we shall hold ourselves per- , fectly free to report Mr Gillies or not, as it may suit our convenience. Tho kindly and ■ oharitable judgment whioh Mr Gillies pronounces on the spiritual condition of our reporter is eminently characteristic of the man, and we hope will be duly appreciated by his brother ministers. It i» not given to every man to read his own biography in the morning papers. This was tho case with Lord Brougham, but it is said that he had arranged it himself, to see what the 1 world would say of him. But sympathy may • be expressed with the highly-respected Chief Justice of Jamaica, Sir J. Lucie Smith, under 1 a similar infliotion. The Morning Post, with its uaual acouraoy in dealing with West Indian 1 Bubjeots, devotes an obituary paragraph, reoounting the Bervices of this eminent Judge. The error probably arose from the fact that a District Judge of Jamaica, Mr Smith, unfortunately died on the voyage home ; but a little care ought to be taken by the conductors of newspapers to avoid announcements, the i only result of which must be considerable ; pain to their subject and his many friends. The ways of French journalists remind us more of the backwoods of America than La Ville Lumihre. One week the rival camps | of the Bonapartists settled their quarrel in blood ;' next week the Socialists, who Bre divided into Anarohists and Collcctivists, have , had their little battle. Citizen Godard, of , the Citoyen, having been dismissed from that paper, swore veDgeance. Gathering thirty of his trusty comrades together, they proceeded ' at midnight to the editorial offices, armed with revolvers. They first arrested the staff and locked them up in their rooms. This done, they marched into the printing-office, j ' and f oroed the " printer," tinder penalty of having his brains blown out, to undo the «' formes " and insert a paragraph retracting all tho journal had said against Godard and his brother Anarchists. They then waited until the paper was printed, when they departed, singing the " Marseillaise." Another " gold rush" is taking place in South Africa, where the reports of enormously rich finds of gold being made at the De Kaap, in the Transvaal, are engaging the attention of all classes to the exclusion almost of every other topic. At Spitzkof one digger is reported to have been turning out over lOOoz of gold a week ; a neighbour of his has from 20 to 30 men in his employ, all successfully engaged in the all-absorbing searoh for gold. A third man reports hiving pioked up lilb weight of gold in six weeks by merely turning ever the stones. On the banks of the Kaap 60 farmers claim that their lands are goldbearing. But this very faot makes one rather suspicious as to the reality of tho assertion, for if the land in question was really auriferous it would seem more likely that the fortunate owners would endeavour to keep the matter secret until its wealth had been proved. Undoubtedly, however, gold has been found, and in coneiderable abundance ; but caution should be exercised by those who meditate the "rush." A Bhrowd observer remarks that those with money are not so eager to join as thoße without; and this indicates that the permanent gold-bearing capacity, of this new field haß not been absolutely proved as yet. The existence of gold in the Transvaal has long been known, and there are vast stores of other minerals, whioh, if not bo faaoinating as gold, will eventually repay working even more thoroughly than the " precious metal " itself. There is always the risk that "rußhes" of this kind will entail muoh misery on disappointed speculators and prospectors ; but an accession of fresh population in a naturally rich country cannot be regarded as otherwise than an advantage in the long run. — The Colonies and India. Some moit ingenious and pains-taking statistician has recently taken the trouble to compile a table of the eccentrio elopements of the past six months. The season he desoribos as having been " active and spasmodic." Here are a few of them. An elopement at Louisville was frustrated by a small boy, who with a well-directed snowball knooked off the coaohman's hat. While he was recovering his hat the train the unhappy couple were endeavouring to reach started, and the pursuing parents came up. In Illinois a young lady ran away barefooted ; her lover insisted upon stopping tobuyapair of shoes. The delay proved fatal. A lover at Winona was so impetuous that he did not even wait for the young lady's consent, but lassoed her as she was going to ohurch, and was dragging her away to a justice's office when help arrived. England does not figure very largely, though we find one case in which a man was eccentric enough to run off with hiß mother-in-law. At Batavia, Frederick L. Jackeon, aged forty-nine, ran away with his father-in-law's second wife, a young woman, leaving behind his own spouse, whom ho had shot in the face, rendering her totally blind, and who had been supported, with his family, by her father. One elopement ended in a tragic manner. The lady was pursued by her mother down the railroad track, The old lady, in her exoitement, failed to notice the approach of a locomotive, which ran over her and killed her. A man hailing from Wisconsin eloped with his employor's wife, and left tho following note for the bereaved husband : — "I have tooked your woman ; but you or wdcum to my last week'B wages, which I didn't draw ; and I hoap that squares things."