Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5552, 25 February 1886, Page 3

Local & General.

"* Mrs Taabolla G. Fk-tt writes, in reference to her letter of complaint to the Lyttelton Borough Council read at last meeting, that the stormwater ran through, and not under, her house, as reported. Owing to the indisposition of Mrs Barry, wife of the Primate of Australia, Hi 3 Lordship, who is visiting the Lakes, will not arrive in Christohurch until Tuesday next. The conversazione, which was to have been held to welcome the bishop, stands postponed sine die. TheCoroner'sjuryyesterday, after hearing the evidence as to the death of Mr Johnson Midgley, returned a verdictto the effectthat ho died from natural causes. The Coroner, who is also tho Kesident Magistrate, at once discharged Mr Taylor from custody. We (says the Otago Daily Times) had the pleasure yesterday of seeing two water-colour drawings, the work of Mr Eaymond Hornbrook, of Port Chalmers, a rising marine artist. Mr E. Hornbrook, in the works he has just completed, represents the Union Steamship Company's steamer Wanaka entering and leaving Lyttelton harbour. The subjects are treated in a masterly manner, and judged by these works the artist would appear to have a very successful career before him. The Minister of Native Affairs, th« Hon Mr Ballance, left Dunedin yesterday by the express train, but broke his journey at Oamaru, whence he will come on to-day. The usual weekly meeting of the New Zealand Protection Association was held on Tuesday lost, when there was a fair attendance. A good deal of routine business was transacted in Committee. The consideration of the Parliamentary Committee's reply to the article on Freetrade, which appeared in the Watchman on Feb. 10, was postponed until Tuesday next, when it will be- brought up and discussed. The consideration of preparing a pamphlet on Protection will also come before the next meeting. The Secretary read some correspondence, and after the election of new members, and financial matters were discussed, the meeting adjourned. We were shown last night from the garden of Mr Jackman, of this city, three bunches of the plum known as the American damson, and they certainly presented a most phenomenal appearance. The fruit lay as thick and close as the thickest cluster of grapes. There must have been fully fifty on each bunch. Such prolific growth i 3 astonishing. We understand that an Australian gentleman intends taking them home to South Australia to exhibit them as specimens of New Zealand growth. The two companies of Volunteers in Ashburton paraded on Tuesday evening last for inspection by the Adjutant, preliminary to taking part in the daylight parade of the battalion at Timaru to-day. Major Stuart Newall inspected the men, who mustered to about 70 of all ranks, and all the officers were present. It was announced that the mußter for the Timaru parade would take place at the Post-office, this morning, at nine o'clock, and the men would leave by the express. Mr Davidson's entertainment on Tuesday evening, at the Assembly rooms, Timaru, entitled " A Nicht wi' Burns," attracted a small but very appreciative audience. The lecturer gave a sketch of Burns' life, and recited some of the poet's exquisite lyrics, and selections from the "Cotter's Saturday Night." These were received with applause, as was the delivery of " Tarn o J Shanter." Mr Davidson was assisted by Misa Jnnes and Mr M'Nab, who gave several musical selections during the evening. The entertainment closed with " Anld Lang Syne," tung by the performers. The scholars belonging to the Rangiora United Methodist Sunday school were given their annual treat yesterday. The spot chosen for the gathering was the Eangiora Eecreation Ground, where the children and teachers assembled Bhortly after 10 a.m., and spent a very pleasant day, the weather being all that could be wished for. In the evening the party went to their schoolroom and passed an hour or two very happily with music, recitations, &c. _ The election of a member to fill the vacancy in the Lyttelton Borough Council, caused by the death of the late Dr Macdonald, took place yesterday. There were only two aspirants to municipal honours, Messrs Samuel Eollin Webb and James Boynton Milsoin, and the election throughout was a very quiet one j for although there was a certain amount of canvassing done, the town wore its nsual businesa aspect. Mr Webb although he had several times sat in the Council, and twice filled the Mayoral chair, was expected to have a very hard struggle, to win. The election resulted as follows :— Milsom, 201 ; Webb, 195. Mr Milsom is therefore elected. Yesterday afternoon Mr Matthew Burnett delivered an address in the lecture hall of the V.M.C.A., under the auspices of the Women's Temperance Union. In the evening he addressed a large meeting in the Oddfellows' Hall, Sydenham. There was a large attendance, and the meeting passed off successfully. At the close a number of persons signed the pledge and donned the blue. The chair was occupied by the Eev H. B. Redstone, and the mission choir sang several pieces of music. Tonight Mr Burnett will lecture in the Wesleyan Church, Woolston, at 8 o'clock. Previous to the meeting in the church, an open-air gathering will be held. The Blue Eibbon Band will be in attendance.