Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5054, 15 July 1884, Page 3

Local & General.

A man named Joseph Harrell, who was arrested at Timaru on a charge of stealing a sheep, belonging to Mr Samuel Bealey, of Hororata, arrived in Christchurch by the express yesterday.

The exhibits of Colonial-made glass from Kaiapoi sand have attracted the attention of- several persons resident in the northern district, and with a view of forming a Company to start a factory at Kaiapoi, a meeting of those interested is to be held this week.

Yesterday afternoon a man named Frederick Ridder was admitted to the hospital, suffering from a dislocated ■houlder, caused by a fall from his horse in front of the Junction Hotel, Lincoln road. The dislocation was reduced, and he b now doing well.

' There was a good muster of the City Guards at their inspection parade last evening, 47 of all ranks being present, Captain Wolfe in command. The company was inspected by LieutenantColonel Lean, Captain and Adjutant Newall being also present. After the inspection the men were put through various movements under the supervision of Captain Newall.

About two o'clock yesterday afternoon, as a man named Henry Griffin was riding a colt past the junction of Lichdcld and High streets, the animal shied and kicked a young man named Thomas Lye on the chest, rendering him insensiblo Lye was taken into Messrs Roberts, Paxton and Co.'s office, where he was attended to, and was afterwards removed home by his brother in a cab. From enquiries made last night it was ascertained that he was progressing favourably.

No fewer than five boys, whose) ages range from thirteen to fifteen years, were arrested yesterday, charged with theft ; four of them, who were captured by Detective Jones, are accused of stealing pigeons from various premises. A number of pigeons are now in the possession of the police, who wish to find owners for them. The other youngster was arrested by Sergeant Mcrice, and is charged with attempting to steal money from the shop of Mr John Robinson, bootmaker, Victoria street.

The first of the four All England matches has ended in a draw, a most unsatisfactory termination for the Australians, who had an uncommonly good chance of winning. The Englishmen in their second innings had not quite reached the total of the Australians' first, leaving them only 93 to the good with one wicket still to fall. It is rather strange, seeing the importance attached at Home to these matches, that arrangements were not made, as is the rule in Australia, to play the game right out. The Colonials have undoubtedly had bad luck.

_ A fire that might have been destructive occurred en Saturday, about noon, at Mr Wansey's residence, Arbor-field, New Brighton. At the time mentioned smoke was noticed issuing from a workshop, one of the numerous out-buildings of the place, and the alarm of fire was at once raised. Some men who fortunately were at work there rendered very valuable assistance in speedily stopping the progress of the fire, but not before the roof had been burnt through, and many articles of some value destroyed. Had the flames been allowed to spread, they must have speedily attacked the stabling and several ricks which were in close proximity. The fire was caused by some sparks igniting some scrim in the workshop.

Yesterday evening the authorities at the Hospital were surprised by the appearance in one of the wards of a weary, dirty, and generally dilapidatedlooking youngster, a lad of about ten years old, who, when questioned as to who he was and where he had come from, replied that his name was Stanton, and that he had come from Burnham. It appeared that he and several other lads escaped from the Industrial School on Sunday. He travelled on foot all that night and most of yesterday, and on arriving at Christchurch turned into the Hospital, in the hope of getting what he very much needed, a meal. His wants in that respect were attended to, and he was detained at the Hospital until tbe police were communicated with. He will be sent back to the school to-day.

Our Russell's Flat correspondent writes : — The wheat, owing to the last two or three weeks of favourable weather, is looking all that can be desired. Taking advantage, also, of the fine weather, farmers are busily engaged preparing the land for oats, which is the principal crop hereabouts. The seed is usually sown during the ensuing two months. None of the candidates for Parliamentary honours have thought it worth their while to woo us, who reside in this particular part of the Coleridge district, except in a very general way, and chiefly through the medium of the newspapers ; but now I hear that one of the four aspirants for our favours intends holding a meeting in the schoolroom shortly. I suppose the others will have to follow suit in self-defence, and for fear of being left out in the cold. The inhabitants will be glad to meet them, and hear their views on things in general, with the result, we hope, of obtaining gratis both amusement and instruction.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the St John's Temperance Society was held last evening in the parish schoolroom, Latimer square, the incumbent, the Rev H. C. M. Watson, presiding. An address on the absolute necessity for total abstinence, and its vital importance to the nation, was given by Dr Russell. Songs were contributed by Misses Partridge and Mackett, and one of the Temperance song-book melodies was used at the conclusion. The Chairman, in his closing, remarks, stated that the programme for next meeting would be much more attractive than usual, as it would include an address from the Rev J. OB. Hoare, and a dramatic entertainment.

A full meeting of officers of the Christchurch Volunteer Corps was held in the City Guards' Orderly-room last evening, when the following questions, to be submitted to candidates- for the House of Representatives, were drawn up : — 1. Will you vote for the appointment of an officer on the active list of the Imperial Army to the post of Commander of the Volunteer force of New Zealand ? 2. Will you vote for the appointment to the posts of officers commanding districts and district Adjutants, of officers who are serving, or have served, in the regular Army ? 3. Will you vote for the abolition of the Armed Constabulary, numbering 600 men, who cosb the country over .£85,000 a year ? 4. Will you vote for a part, at least, of the sum hitherto expended on the Armed Constabulary being applied towards increasing the efficiency of the Volunteers ? 5. Will you vote for the cost of maintenance of the police force being excluded from the defence vote, as they are part of the Department of Justice ? 6. Will you vote for the erection of a magazine and armoury, with a store of ammunition and arms, for each district ? 7. Will you vote for the immediate carrying out of a system of defence for the harbours of the Colony ? A mass meeting of Volunteers and all who are interested in the question of defence will be held towards the end of the week, particulars of which will be advertised.

Mosgielhas the honour of having afforded, a'j Mr Fulton's meeting there on July 11, certainly more amusement than has been obtained at any of the meetings during the present electioneering campaign. The Chairman lost control of the meeting most completely, and for over 10 minutes he was the only person in the room with a solemn face, for candidate and audience sat splitting their sides with laughter. The confusion was first brought about by an individual suffering from deafness, who went on to the platform to get the effect of a resolution proposed. Tho Chairman tried in vain to enlighten" him, and then in desperation ordered him back to his seat. Then a full-blooded negro came forward on apparently a similar errand, and he got on to the platform, from which, after much gesticulation and loud talking, the Chairman threw him down. After further confusion, the worthy Chairman gave up his task, and with much dignity, declaring the meeting closed, walked off the platform. — Otago Daily Times.

Leipsic newspapers report that the value of the property left by the famous bookseller, Baron Tauchnitz, i 3 estimated at about .£202,600, together with a valuable piece of landed property. The city of Leipsic is appointed universal heir. From this inheritance are to be deducted the sum of ,£6225 left in various bequests, and a yearly income of £727, derived from public funds, the life interest in which he has also bequeathed. He has directed that the principal must never be alienated or expended, and for the first 200 years after his death ten per cent of the annual income is to bo added to the principal. He has declared that his wish was that the income should be expended for humanitarian purposes ; but he has abstained from laying down any special directions.