Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5188, 19 December 1884, Page 3

Local & General.

The annual exhibition of the works of the School of Art students is open to the public to-day, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m The Land Board yesterday authorised a certain portion of the runs put up to auction on Nov. 17 to be again put up at a reduced price, and that another portion should be open for application at the former auction rates, after a month's notice. The Canterbury Land Board have reserved from sale all land north of the Rakaia, pending the fixing of the route for the West Coast railway. In consequence of some further important evidence being required, the Government has acceded to a request by the Commission on the unemployed to extend the time for sending in their report till Jan. 1. A detachment of the Salvation Army, under Captain Condon, opened fire upon the Cust on Wednesday evening, at the Institute Hall. There were over 200 people present, and the meeting, which was a rather lengthy one, concluded without any interruption. • It was announced that the next meeting would be held on ! Jan. 7, after which date weekly meetings would be held. The fish - breeding establishment at Opawa was fairly well patronised by the public on Tuesday last, the first day on which admission bas been charged. The amount of entrance nioneyi however, did not reach an embarrassing total, as many of the visitors were under the impression that it was open free aR usual. The Government has sent a circular to the Land Boards to the effect that no free selector, whether he took up his selection before or subsequent to the passing of the Land Act Amendment Act, 1879, shall be entitled to acquire the freehold till after six years' occupation.™ Mr Isaac Selby delivered a lecture in the Freethought Hall last night, on the subject " The World that is, and the World that is to Come." There was a good attendance, and the lecturer was frequently applauded during the discourse. Mr Selby will lecture on " Darwin and Moses " at the Theatre Royal on Sunday evening, at 8 o'clock. The annual sale of work and Christmastree in aid of the funds of the Sunday school of St Mary's, Merivale, takes place to-morrow. A large and useful assortment of articles of all descriptions has been provided, including a collection of West Coast ferns, some fine specimens of the West Coast ranunculus cut blooms, pot plants, Christmas cards, &c. Strawberries and cream, kindly presided over by Miss Jervoig, will be obtainable, while in the evening several of our best known amateurs will contribute vocal and instrumental music. v " The Queen's Favorite " was repeated» at the Theatre Royal for the last time yesterday evening. There was a moderate but appreciative audience, who, as usual, were lavish of their applause, and full of mirth at Mr Vernon's excellent impersonation of the hero. Miss Ward also came in for her customary share of the plaudits, especially at the end of the second act. " Mammon "is announced for to-night. A special omnibus has b^en arranged for, to suit the. convenience of people living at Sumner and Heathcote. After the play Miss Genevieve Ward will recite Professor Aytoun'a fine poem, the " Widow of Glencoe." In the case National Bank of N. Z. v. Executors of Cramond, deceased, heard at Timaru on Wednesday, before Mr Justice Johnston, out of the forty-seven issues submitted to the jury, forty-five were found in favour of the plaintiff, and the remainder for the defendant, leaving these two to be hereafter disposed of on questions of law, 1 upon motion for a new trial. Mr George Harper and Mr White appeared for* the plaintiff, and the Attorney- General and Mr Joynt for the defendants. The business of the Court closed yesterday, the case Holmes and Others v. T. Hyland, claim £35 18s 4d expenses, and .£206 6s damages for breach of contract, in regard ±o a sale of land, being the last on the list. Mr Wilding for plaintiffs, Mr Hamersley for defendant. It was agreed to dispense with a jury, and the Judge, after a full hearing, gave judgment for defendant with co&ts on the second scale. An old face is just now in Christchurch in the shape of Mr George Lingard, who a few years ago took Home the panorama of " Zealandia." Mr Willis' paintings met with considerable success at Home ; and encouraged by his reception, Mr Lingard afterwards engaged a company for travelling, which he has only just disbanded. He has journeyed over most parts of the world since leaving England, including India, China, and the East gonerally. Mr Lingard, it will be remembered, was formerly here with Kelly and Leon's Minstrels, and several other minstrel and variety troupes. He goes Home by tho Kaikoura to-day, to bring out another company to New Zealand, the direct steamers affording him a capital opportunity of doing this to advantage, as they enable a manager to include the Cape in his programme. Mr Lingard expects to be back in four or five months, and we shall be glad to welcome his return, with novelties in the theatrical line. ! A welcome addition to the attractions of Sumner has just been completed, viz., the successful opening of a lawn tennis ground, j The Cluhhas secured a magnificent position on favourable terms, from tho owner, Mr Oliver. The ground, a little over half an acre in extent, is situated at the junction of the esplanade with Stoke street, and is ; surrounded by a belt of ornamental tries, at least 20 feet high. These have wen trimmed a little, and several openings left between the trees and the esplanade afford j a very refreshing view of the sea. Two j clay courts are to be constructed, and the first of these was formally opened for play J on Tuesday last, when members of the Club mustered strongly, and enjoyed some t well contested sets. The courts bid fair to ■ give excellent and true play, and as the position and surroundings are as pleasant as can be desired, the Club is sure to become very popular. As the rules of the Club admit of short terms of membership, visitors for the holidays will be able to secure all the advantage? of the ground.

! Yesterday afternoon an nocident of a painful nature occurred to Mrs Roberts, of tho North Downs, Ashley. The lady in question unfortunately fell from a dray loaded with hay, and sustained a fracture of the thigh. The sufferer was attended by a medical man, and is progressing favourably. ! Last oveninp the installation of officers for the ensuing year in the Crown Lodge (G75, S.C.), took place iv the Conyers , Masonic Hall, Sydenham. In the absence ! of the R.W.D.D.G.M. (Bro the Rev J. Hill), tlic Cciciuuiiy was conducted in an able manner by the R.W.D.G.W. (Bro J. C. ' Watson). There was an exceedingly numerous attendance of members and ! visitors of tho Scotch and Bister constitutions. The following were the officers installed :— R.W.M., Bro J. Wendelken ; . W.S.W., Bro J. Nutsey ; W.J.W.. Bro G. F. Heath ; Treasurer, Bro W. Pirie ; Secretary, Bro E. Sandford ; Chaplain, Bro • the Rev I. Zachariah ; S.D., Bro A. Webb ; ! J.D., Bro S. Penrose ; S.S., Bro J. T. ; Faville ; J.S., Bro R. B. Lane ; 1.G., Bro ' .S. R. Bourddt ; Tyler, Bro J. Young. A . j pleasing feature in the evening's pro- ; gramme was tho presentation of a very \ handsome Past Master's jewel to the retir- : ing Master, Bro C. Louisson, as a mark of j the esteem in which he is held by the j Lodge and craft. Tho presentation was : made by the Worshipful Master, and acknowledged by Bro Louisson in a neat speech. Business over, an adjournment was made to the banqueting table ; and a ' most successful installation brought to a close in the usual Masonic style. j Our Alford Forest correspondent writes j —The Race Committee has decided to hold its annual meeting on Dec. 24, to ' avoid clashing with the Mount Somers meeting to be held on Boxing Day. Most j of the prizes have been increased, the Open ! Race to .£2O, and tho Maiden Plate to JBIO. Active training is going on in the district, and the Committee considers the possibility of carrying out the programme to be thoroughly established. Numerous subscriptions have been given, and much more promised, but the entrance fees and acceptances will leave a good balance in hand for athletic sports. Mr John Tisch caters for spirituous refreshments, and Mr T. E. M'Rae for light refreshments. Should the weather prove favourable, there •will be an enjoyable day's sports for the public. Last year was a remarkably successful affair. There is no want ot preparations for Christmas week, nearly every place having selected its day, and there will be no clashing in the fixtures. — A heavy nor'-wester has severely tested the stability of settlers' houses, these last three days the wind being so strong as to impede the ploughing going on ready for drilling turnips. Shearing has also been much hindered by the wet weather, many sheds being a month behind. The bush trade is fair, though not quite so active as it was a few weeks ago. Plenty of men from various localities call on their way looking for employment, but most people in the timber trade have just sufficient to do to keep their own regular hands employed. It costs the 35,000,000 people in England .£880,000,000 to live.