Latest Locals.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5562, 9 March 1886, Page 3

Latest Locals.

Details of the railway excursion to Oxford and the Waimakariri gorge on Thursday, will be found in our advertising columns. Thiß morning the weather was extremely oppressive. In the course of the forenoon, the temperature in the sun, although there was a very appreciable north-east breeze, reached no less than 122 degrees. An auction sale of cement will be held by the National Mortgage and Agency Company at three o'clock on Thursday after- . noon, at Mr C. W. Turner's Bond, South ! Belt. It was mentioned in the Lyttelton j Borough Council last evening that 1758 : bathers' tickets were issued last month, : and that 2879 baths vere 'taken at the ' iay. At Kaiapoi yesterday, a restive horse driven in a buggy, came in slight contact with the beautiful cast-iron handrail of the new bridge; although the blow was apparently of the slightest nature, a whole panel was broken. The driver of the trap escaped before his name could be ' taken. j Mr Matthew Burnett commenced a ■ second temperance mission at Rangiora ' last night. At 7 p.m. fle addressed a large gathering at the junction of High and j Victoria streets, and afterwards spoke for I two hours at the Institute Hall to a \ crowded audience. At the close of the : meeting about ten persons took the total abstinence pledge. ' It is reported that the Hon R. Stout has instructed Mr Austin, Resident Engineer ' •f the Public Works Department, to en- ) quire by telegraph of the captain of the s.s. ; Stella—expected to arrive at Lyttelton to- j night— what his instructions are as to the steamer's destination. If she is not going ; farther than Lyttelton, instructions will be . given to carry to the North Island, free of j charge, as m<my of the unemployed as may be desirous of going there. The Rangiora tradesmen intend to close their business premises on Thursday, to enable themselves and employees to take advantage of the cheap excursions to the ! Waimakariri Gorge and Culverden, ar- ' ranged for that date. In consequence of this determination, should the weather I prove fine, the trains will be well patron- : ised. There is, however, some dißsatisfac* i tion expressed with reference to the farce to the Gorge, 4s first-class, and 8b secondclass being considered rather too high in comparison with the fares from Christchurch, viz., 5s and 4s. A meeting of the Kaiapoi Borough School Committee was held last night; present — Messrs Parnham (Chairman), Coup, Moore, Robins, Pashby. Letters were read from the Head-Master, enclosing monthly report, showing the total number of children on the roll to be 532, and the average attendance 441, equal to 83 per cent. The Master also enclosed a list of absentees, and the Secretary was instructed to issue notices. It waß resolved to alter (on April 1) the mid-day assembly of the scholars from 1.80 p.m. to 1 p.m.; such arrangement to continue in force till Sept. 1. Accounts were passed for payment to £7 19s 10d.