Latest Locals

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5081, 15 August 1884, Page 3

Latest Locals

« The cantata, " Belshazar's Feast," is to lac given in the Oxford terrace Baptist Church, on the dates advertised in this ißSue. In reference to the "Lumpers' strike at Lyttelton, one of the men concerned ■writes : — " I beg leave to state there is no strike. It is simply a refusal on our part to have our wages lowered ; and, furthermore, I, as one of the men locked out, deny most emphatically that it was by the orders, or at the instigation, of the Lumpers' Union that we refused to submit toiihe reduction/ It may be noted, however, that the Secretary to the Lumpers' "Union advertises in this issue a request to working men to " keep away." The Opawa Rifle Club has now started, and as it has 25 members, with a good chance of being increased to twice the number soon, it ought to be the premier Club of the Colony. Through the kindness of Mr Murray- Aynsley, a range has been obtained on his ground, which is both handy to town and the railway station. The Committee have agreed to send for xifle3 at once, so as to begin the season about the beginning of September. The Acting-Secretary is Mr H. E. Peel, Opawa. Shortly after 9 o'clock this morning a trap belonging to Mr M'Dowall, and containing Mrs M'Dowall and three gentlemen, came into collision with a spring cart on Oxford terrace, at the junction of Montreal street. Mr M'Dowall's horse at once bolted, and went towards Hereford street. Two of the gentlemen were thrown out, and the trap finally capsized near Messrs Harper and Co.'b office. All the occupants were more or less cut and bruised, but none sustained very serious injury. The vehicle was a good deal damaged, but the horse was not hurt. At the quarterly meeting of the Pride of Knightstown Lodge of Good Templars, after the usual business had been transacted, the following officers were elected and duly installed for the ensuing term : — P/VV.C.T., Bro Henry Blackmore j W.C.T., BrorF. Knott; W.V.T., Bro Chudleigh; W.S., Bro J. Defeuj W.F.S., Bro P. Philpott; W.T., Bro G. W. Eickard; W.M., Bro J. Hathaway; W.1.G., Bro J. Falloonj W.0.G., Bro K. Coleman; W.D.M., Bro Widdowsonj W.A.S., Bro J. F. Walker. The Finance Committee's report was received showing the Lodge to he in a fair condition. A vote of thanks ■was accorded to the D.D., Bro Bruce, for his kind assistance in conducting the installation, after which the Lodge was closed in the usual form. The Lyttelton Hearts of Oak Lodge of Druids held their usual fortnightly meeting last evening. There was a fair attendance, and a good deal of business was gone through. Great interest is taken by the Committee and members in the sccial gathering which takes place on Thursday next in aid of the Benevolent Fund of the Lodge. All arrangements have been made by the Committee to have a successful and enjoyable evening. The Secretary was instructed to order at once a P.D.P. collar, and the following were appointed as & Committee -to make arrangements to present the same to P.D.P. Bro Hill at an early date — Bro Harrington, Bro Ayers, P. A. Bro Bain, andP.A.BroLawson. It was decided to get a Eespect Board for the Lodge, the matter being left in the hands of the Secretary and Bro H. Wilson. The Lodge then closed. At yesterday's meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board, the net revenue for the month was shown to be X742. The new railway tariff was brought up for consideration, and it was unanimously agreed that the railway department had extended such facilities for shipment at Lyttelton as would tend to divert trade from this port. One member said he was informed on good authority that the Christchurch merchants had guaranteed the -department so many tons per week if they would make the reduction just gazetted. What it formerly cost 15s per ton to convey to Lyttelton, it now cost only 10s 2d; and besides, the Traffic Manager had power to convey large quantities at even a lower rate. It was resolved — " That the attention of the members for South Canterbury bo drawn to the special tariff on grain between Timaru and Lyttelton as being most unjust to the Port of Timaru, as the only alteration made in the new railway tariff is on grain, the reduction being all in favour of the merchants, and the minimum quantity being 100 tons." The alteration, it was pointed •out, was made just before the elections.