Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5576, 25 March 1886, Page 3

Local & General.

| • On Tuesday evening an entertaiment in ; aid of tho Springfield Band of Hopo was held in the Road Board office. The building was crowded, and the evening's pre- . ceeding**) were unuaually suooessful. Mr R. Hacker occupied tho chair. Mis 9 May Fraser presided at the organ, and the following took part in the programme of songs, duets, recitations, dialogues, &c. : — From tho local Society — Misses Naesmith (2), Williams, Smith and Fraser. and Mr J. Naesmith; from Russell's Flat— Mrs Layers, Mi.ss Harker, aud Messrs King, . Bax (2), and Quartermain; from Sheffield — Messra Lord and R. Heighway.

Sir George Grey will probably address I the burgesses of Sydenham at an early date. It has been decided to hold a formal opening of the new Ashburton traffic bridge on Tuesday next, at 2 p.m. Very large additions, both of machinery and buildings, htve been made to the Belfast Freezing Factory, and work waa resumed yesterday with the preparation of 4500 sheep for shipment by the lonic. Householders in Salisbury Btreet West report that petty thieves are stealing articles of wearing apparel from the back premises. Now that the public are warned, probably the pilferings will cease for a while, but this should not put householders off their guard. It may be interesting to owners cf property in Ashburton to know that a Board of Reviewers under the Property Assessment and Rating Acts will sit in the Courthouse, Ashburton, on April 7, for the purpose of hearing and determining objections in respect of property in the County. It is satisfactory to learn that the Wakanui flour mill, a large and important factory, is, after standing idle for a lengthened period, once again to be set in motion, Mr Alexander Protheroe, of Wakanui, having leased the property. Work will begin in about a fortnight. At a meeting of members of the Blue Ribbon Gospel Temperance branch at Flemington on Tuesday evening laet, a mo3t satisfactory report for the year was read, and the following Committee was appointed :— Rev A. Blake, Messrs Croy, Harding, Prebble, Dakers, Osborne, Dunn, and Antrobus. On Tuesday night a meeting was held in Ashburton of gentlemen interested, to consider the advisableness of forming an Acclimatisation Society for the County of Ashburton. Mr W. C. Walker, M.H.R., presided, and there was a good attendance, more especially of gentlemen who take an interest in the introduction and presentation of game and fish. A resolution to form a Society was carried, and the following officers were elected : — President, Mr W. C. Walker; vice-Presidents, Messrs C. J. Hawdon and J. M'Lean ; Treasurer, Mr E. G. Crisp ; Secretary, Mr J. J. Quaine ; Committee, Messrs C. C. Fooks, A. H. Shury, H. Stevenson, J. Tasker, and F. Mayo. Rules for the Society's guidance were adopted, and the Secretary waa asked to Babmit them to the Colonial Secretary for approval. Another meeting will be held at an early date. Last Tueeday evening a most successful meeting was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton, for the purpose of inaugurating a United Temperance Association, a want long felt by Temperance residents of the town. The Rev. W. J. Williams, who occupied the chair, opened the meeting, and after stating the purpose of the meeting, introduoed Mr F. W. _itt, who had come from Christchurch to give a helping hand. Mr Isitt gave an address, especially pointing ont individual responsibility in the matter; and, from the frequent applause, it was evident the address was thoroughly appreciated by all present. At the close, the work of forming the Association was proceeded with. Rules were read and adopted. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year :-*-President, Rev W. J. Williams; vice-President, Mr S. R. Webb ; Secretary, Mr P. Couch ; Committee, Messrs H. Baker, E. Derbridge, E. Early, H. Graham, W. Graham, T. Hay, M. Brown, J. S. Olliver, G. Walker. The Association has commenced with 80 members, and by the heartiness with which the work has been taken up by all concerned, the residents of Lyttelton may look forward to some very enjoyable meetings nnder the auapiceß ot the Lyttelton United Temperance Association. The Emperor William, speaking the other day of the state of his health, mid, " My chief complaint is my great age."