Latest Locals.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5093, 29 August 1884, Page 2

Latest Locals.

A sale by auction of fruit and forest trees, bushes, and seconds wheat will be held at Mr Alport's Hereford street rooms, to-morrow, at 11 o'clock. A meeting of the Masonic fraternity is convened for 8 o'clock this evening, at the St Augustine Hall, for the purpose of arranging the ceremonial in connection with the installation of the District Grand" Master. The New Zealand Shipping Company's steamship Tongariro leaves for London to-morrow morning. Passengers are requested to arrive not later than by the 9.5 a.m. train from Christchurch. The Insurance Critic asserts that there are more than 10,000 steam boilers in New Tork city, attended by 7000 men, of whom not one-seventh are believed to be trustworthy and qualified for their responsible work ; and yet dynamite cartridges are a terror to many people. During the past fortnight over 7500 frozen sheep have been despatched from the Belfast Meat Freezing Works to load the steamships lonic and Tongariro. At the present time a cargo of 4000 sheep is being prepared to be sent on board the Florida next week. After this lot is disposed of, the works will begin to get ready the next shipment for the Aorangi, which, will take about 7000 carcases. In spite of the " hard times," the building trade seems to be tolerably active in Christchurch just now. No less than four buildings of large size are either in course of erection or about to be started in various parts of the City. In Cathedral square the offices of Messrs Fletcher, Humphreys & Co., and the Australian Mutual Provident Society have been commenced. Mr D. Reese, who has secured the contract for the erection of a large pile of buildings on Morten's block, has begun operations ; and in Cashel street, a fair start has been made with the new premises intended for tho Drapery Company, which are to occupy the site of the now demolished Cashel House. Messrs Petersen and Co. have completed the two silver cups, the Hon J. T. Peacock's prizes, made by them for the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. They are fine specimens of silversmith's work, being large goblets of handsome design, and each containing about 220z of silver. One of them is an egg-shaped goblet, 13in in height, brightly burnished. On one side of the body is an engraving representing cattle, surrounded with a border of ferns. On the other is a space, enclosed with a wreath of ferns, for the name of the winner. Around the foot is engraved a border of maiden-hair fern. The other cup is also of burnished silver, but it is different in form, and has handles and a cover. ;On the sides are engraved wreaths of cojj-n, and the cover is surmounted with the figure of a horse in frosted silver. The height of the trophy is about 15in. The members of the Mistletoe Lodge of Druids held their usual fortnightly meeting last evening, Arch Druid Bro Sutherland, P.D.P., presiding. One candidate was initiated, and another proposed for membership ; one brother was reported on the sick list. The District President, Brother W. Bailey, announced that the Royal Arch Chapter meeting, for the confirming of degrees of brothers in No. 13 and 20 districts, would be held at the Terminus Hotel Lodge room on Saturday (to-mor-row), at 8 p.m., and that the meetiug for the presentation to Bro D. S. Sutherland (Past District President of No. 13 district), of a collar, watch, &c.» would be held on Friday, Sept. 5, at the Mistletoe Lodge room at 8 p.m., all subscribers being cordially invited to attend. Bro S. D. Nathan obtained the appointment of a Committee to take preliminary steps for the purchase of a suitable section of land on which Lo erect a hall for Druidical purposes, the Committee to confer with, and seek the cooperation of the other town and suburban Lodges. An extension of time was obtained, and the Lodge went into harmony, Dr Patrick inviting the brothers to partake of a cold collation. The Chairman gave the first toast of the evening, " The Queen and the Druids," drunk with Druidical fire. Brother Nathan, P.A., gavo "Our Brother Doctor Patrick," and on behalf of the Lodge congratulated and welcomed him on his safe return from tho Home Country. Brother Ryau, P.A., gave " Our Visitors," coupled with the name of A.D. Brother Wakely, of the Wakely • Lodge, Winchester, Pr Patrick, in re-,«

Bponding, thanked the members of th«f Mistletoe Lodge for their good wishes. He gave a concise history of the countrie*and medical departments visited by him during his travels. The increase of knowledge would be always at the service of members of the Order. Bro Wakelj feelingly returned thank* for the manner in which he was received. The proceedings were enlivened with Bongs by Bros W. Bailey and W. Smith, asnd recitation* by Broß Dr Patrick and E. J. Arlow. The meeting terminated at 11 p.m. by singing; the Druids' Farewell Ode.