Latest Locals.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5016, 23 July 1884, Page 3

Latest Locals.

♦ ■ A miscellaneous entertainment will be given in the Merivale Schoolroom at eight o'clock to-morrow evening. An auction sale of groceries, produce, furniture, &c, will be held by Mr H. E. Alport at 1 o'clock to-morrow. Messrs H. B. Sorensen and Co. will hold an auction sale of miscellaneous goods at their Lyttelton rooms at 12.30 to-morrow. The " King cf Ventriloquists," Mr F. W. Millis, is to receive a complimentary benefit this evening at the Oddfellows' Hall. The entertainment is a very attractive one, and no doubt will be fairly patronised.

It is announced that an entertainment will be shortly given in aid of the Kaiapoi Fire Brigade, at which a large number of the most popular amateurs of the district have promised their assistance. The ordinary meeting of the Kaiapoi Institute Committee was held on Monday, Mr J. Lowthian Wilson (President) in the chair. A good deal of routine business was transacted. It is proposed to hold a series of entertainments in aid of the Institute. A new feature will be introduced into the arrangements for judging at the next Metropolitan Show, by the presence of two gentlemen from New South Wales, well known as breeders of stock in that Colony, who have consented to act as judges in the classes for shorthorn cattle and draught horses respectively. A skating-race for <£5 a-side took place at the Queen's Eink this afternoon between G. M'Donald and W. Dixon. The distance was one mile, or 22 laps, M'Donald receiving a handicap allowance of four laps. This proved too much for his opponent, as he won with rather more than a minute to spare; the time being — M'Donald, 6min 34 sec ; Dixon, 7rriin 52£ sec. Mr Eichardson acted as stakeholder and timekeeper. An accident, which might have been of rather a disastrous nature, happened last evening at Kaiapoi. Messrs E. and H. Eevell, who had been at Clarksville (officially connected with the electioneering campaign), were on their way home, and having crossed the bridge a few yards, met Mr Kinley's buggy. Neither of the drivers had time to pull up, and a collision ensued, the off wheels of both buggies locking. Fortunately the occupants escaped uninjured, but Mr Kinley's buggy sustained considerable damage. No blame can be attached to either partyJust at the closing hour of the Kaiapoi hotels last night, terrific screams were heard. A number of persons rushed in the direction, and it was found that a man named John Driscoll (who was before the Bench this morning), had been brutally assaulting his wife. Mr George Wearing, junr., was the first to respond to the calls of help which were uttered by the unfortunate woman, and immediately pulled the offender away. Mr Bourke (station master) also is to be complimented on the ready manner in which he responded to the call of a local J.P. to take Driscoll in charge, whilst he placed the wife under the kind protection of a neighbour and saw to the children. Driscoll was taken to the police station. A meeting of persons interested in the formation of a Debating Society under the Parliamentary rules was held in the Leeston Public Library on Monday evening last. There was a very good attendance, considering the weather. Mr E. G. Park was voted to the chair. He explained the objects of the meeting, and how similar Clubs had worked. Mr F. Overton moved, and Mr BT. White seconded — " That a Club be formed, to be called the Ellesmere Debating Club, to be worked under the Standing Orders of the House of Eepresentatives." The motion was carried unanimously. Mr E. G. Park was elected President, and Mr F. Overton Chairman of Committee. It was decided to hold the meetings weekly in the Leeston Library, provided permission be granted, and that the subscription be 2s 6d a quarter. In answer to a question, the Chairman stated that about forty persons had promised to become members. After passing a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting adjourned. A disturbance occurred at the Salvation Army meeting at Eangiora last night, which had rather a serious termination for one man. At about the middle of the meeting a considerable amount of noise being made at the lower end of the hall, "Captain" Patrick went down the room and taxed a man named Thomas Winters with having misconducted himself, and requested him to leave the place. This he refused to do, and said in a defiant manner that not a man in the building could put him out. "Cadet" Buckingham — who stands about 6ft Gin in height, and on that account rejoices in the sobriquet of "The Baby" — quickly proceeded to undeceive him, and in the scuffle which ensued a friend of Winter's named John Nicholla, who came to his rescue, was forcibly ejected through the doorway, and falling over the step severely dislocated one of his knees. The cries of the injured man put an effectual stop to the row ; and he was then carried to the Eed Lion Hotel, where his hurt was attended to by Dr Williams.