Latest Locals.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5108, 16 September 1884, Page 2

Latest Locals.

A cable message in this morning's papers stnted that Lord Northbronk had opened his Midlothian campaign. The message was incorrectly transmitted : it should have read " Sir Stp.fford N--'-fh 'le," &c. It is stated that Mr J. Ive:-.s lias disposed of tlm Ashhirr'on :'>.'ail t> Mr Clayton, recently of the. l'u'.:-.i Mail, who was formerly iynuei -Ivd ■; r a c •nsiderablc time with the fre-ss of thi.; city. This afternoon D<-tectivo O'Connor arrested a man named Henry Henderson on a charge of stealing several articles of jewellery belonging V > Dr Sinclair, at Ash-burl-on. He will be brought up at the Resident Magistvato'.-i Court to-morrow. Tho Primitive Mothodbt choir will give the service of song. " John Ploughman." to-morrow evening, at e'ght o'clock, in the Primitive Methodist Church, Cambridge terrace. Upwards of 20 voices will take part. The service contains several solos, duets, quartettes, and choruses. This evening Mr Crowes will lecture in the hall of the V.M.C.A., lent for the occasion, on " John Bright, the Radical." Wo understand that Mr Crewes purposes iv some way to apply his subject to NewZealand politics, with special reference tothe unemployed question. The ordinary monthly meeting of tho Kaiapoi Mechanic.;' Institute Committee was held last evening ; present — Messrs Gohlthorpe (chairman), H.Revell,Sherratt, C. Revell, and Mathews. The Secretary reported that sundry repairs had been effected in the reading rooms, and a large quantity of business of minor importance was transacted.

, -mix i up— — —aaa— — — — — A movement has been set on foot for the establishment of another Cyclists' Club in Christchurch. The promoters are old Christ's College Boys, and a considerable number of cyclists have already promised their support to the new Club. A meeting for the purpose of initiating the Club will be held shortly. The anniversary of the Sydenham Baptist school will be celebrated this evening by a Fruit Entertainment, the programme including singing and recitations by the children. Mr W. Olney, of Ijondon, and the Revs Dallaston, Standring, and Gilmore will take part in the meeting. At the conclusion of the business at the TSangiora Resident Magistrate's Court this morning Mr Whitefoord took occasion to expres3° his sincere regret at the death of Mr Joshua Porter. He mentioned that the deceased gentleman was one of the oldest practising solicitors in Canterbury, and he •was sure the regret he had expressed at his death was shared by a large section of the community, especially in this district. Mr Thomas Bracken, we are glad to learn, has decided to give another entertainment in the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening. From the advertised programme, it will be seen that the recitals are to embrace a wide range, and that the grave and gay have been so happily blended as to effectually guard against any sensation of monotony ; though, under any circumstances, those who have the good fortune to listen to the musical ring of Mr Bracken's voice are not at all likely to complain of weariness. The friends of Mr W. H. Jone3, the former energetic Secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association of this city, ■wiU. doubtless be pleased to hear that he lias established an Association of a similar character in B illarat, which unregenerate place has not hitherto, it is said, been able to boast of a Young Men's Christian Association. Mr Jones' bantling is stated to nave commenced life under very favourable conditions, howevei - , with an influential Board of Directors and every prospect of success. Considerable activity has been displayed during the pist few days by merchants and othoi'3 who had large stocks in bond in clearing the same out, for fear the approaching Financial Statement should contain any propositions for increasing the duties on certain articles. By this clearance, which is not an infrequent thing when Financial Statements are anticipated, many persons have in times past protected themselves against no trifling loss in the shape of additional duties, though, of course, the revenue has been a proportionate loser. A petition is now in course of circulation asking the City Council to open up Worcester street through Latiropr square. It points out that the utility of the square as one of the " lungs of the city " would not be affected by the proposed change, which is also considered desirable as it would allow of the tramway line, which, it is to be presumed, will some day be constructed to the new cemetery, being taken direct along Worcester street from Cathedral square. Several signatures to the document bave already been obtained. The usual monthly meeting of the Kaiapoi Farmers' Club was held at the Farmers' Club Chambers la=t evening. Several of the members were present ; Mr Parnham (President) in the chair. A letter was read from the Co-operative Society, requesting the assistance of the Club unappealing against the propoa id increased import duties. The Secretary wa3 instructed to reply that the Club considered the duty on farm implements should not ba raised, It was resolved — " That in order to increase the popularity of the Club, the members' subscription should be reduced to 5s per annum." In consequence of the latenes3 of the hour, owing to a large amount of routine business, the reading of Mr T. Pashby's paper on " Sheep " was postponed till the next meeting. A general meeting -of the Ohoka and ISyreton Jockey Club was held last evening, at Messrs Champion and Smith's offices, Kaiapoi ; Mr George Bailey in the chair. Mr Montague Smith read the report of the sub-Committee appointed to revise the rules, and tbe several suggestions and alterations were adopted, the most important being the abandonment of the qualification fee, and the rule providing that three horses should start or no race. Mr E. Griffiths was appointed handicapper. The following new members were elected : — Messrs W. D. Humphreys, F. Busch, Kennedy, W. T. Webster, J. Sims, J. Davis, J. Jeffreys, G. Cone, W. Baker, and T. Lynskey. It was resolved to accept Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin's offer to work the totalisator on the same terms as last -year. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting. The annual soiree in connection with the Sons of Temperance No 4 Perseverance Division, was celebrated in the Templar Hall last night. Over ICO partook of the good things provided. After tea the evening was spent in social singing and speaking. Bro J. Caygill (G.P.W.P) occupied 'the chair, and spoke for some time on the advantage of Temperance men joining temperance Societies, as the benefits were ;knuch larger than those of other Friendly Societies. Bro T. Cutler, Hon. Sec, read the report, which showed the Division to be in a prosperous condition. Songs were afterwards rendered by the Misses Mazey, King, Robinson, and Jones, and Mrs Corrick. Messrs Cooper, Gott, and Harper also contributed to the enjoyment of the evening. Miss Smith presided at the piano. Mr J. T. Smith gave an interesting address. He made the following quotations from the report : — " Number of deaths expected in the Temperance Section, 2C44 ; actual number, 1842 ; number of deaths -expected of moderate drinkers, 4408 ; actual number, 4339 ; shewing a difference of over 2S per cent." Dr Russell gave an instructive address on "Health and the changes of climate." The meeting was brought to a close with the usual votes of thanks.