Latest Locals.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5785, 25 November 1886, Page 3

Latest Locals.

Mr B. M. Taylor, M.H.R., will address his constituents in the Oddfellows' Hall, Sydenham, at 8 p.m. to-day. Theatre goers are reminded that the * c Pink Pearl " Comedy Company open at the Theatre Royal on Saturday.

The Land Claims Commissioners -were occupied the whole of to-day invebtigating claims. About ninety claims have been investigated, and they have finished their labours here. They leave to-morrow

morning for Timaru. Arrangements have been made for three of the City CouncU hoites, with a man in attendance, to be at the Railway Fire Brigade stables every night until a tender has been accepted for horsing the railway steam fire engine in case of lire. Mr G. F. Tendall, assisted by Misa Spensley, the Hon S. Lyttelton, Mr W. B. Dixon, and Mr Izard, will give a concert in the Oddfellows' Hull on Monday, Dec. 13: The proceeds will be devoted to the Cathedral Choir Boys' Recreation Fund.

A congratulatory gathering takes place at The Shades, at eight o'clock this evening, when the member's of Mr Ayers' -Committee will meet at a supper. We -have been requested to say that there can "be no possible admission save by special ticket.

Our readers are reminded that the cricket •match, Australians v. Canterbury, com--mences at Lancaster Park to-morrow, punctually at noon, the Australians arriving this evening per express train. The admission fee is a shilling. For the grand stand an extra charge of half-a--orown is to be imposed ; surely this latter charge is somewhat excessive. The following programme of music will T>e performed by the various bands on Friday evening at the Band rotunda : — <3rrand selection, " Symphonic " (W. David) ; •valse, " Duchesse" (H. Farmer) ; grand aeleation, "Bohemian Girl" (Balfe) ; Talse, " l'"'airy Voices " (A. Growe) j grand selection, "La Dame Blanche " j valse, "Twilight Shadows" ; grand selection, <■ The Field of the Cloth of Gold" (Bout) ; raise, " Silver Rhine " (Meissler). The North Canterbury Hospital Board will hold its annual meeting on "Wednesday, Dec. 1, at the Provincial Council Chambers, at 1 30 p.m., when a report will T»e submitted, and the members will then -go ont of office. The newly elected members will then meet and elect a Chairman. After this (at say 2.30) the Ashburton and North Canterbury United Charitable Aid Board will meet to receive a report, and the members will retire ; and the newly con--tituted Board will then meet and elect a •Chairman. Thns there will really he four -distinct meetings, one after the other.

At a general meeting of those interested in the New Tear's Day Sports at Rangiora, held at the Municipal Council Chambers last evening, it was agreed to amalgamate with the North Canterbury Bicycle Club in arranging the sports on the following terms offered by the Club, viz. : (1) That the Bicycle Club be allowed to put ten .events on the programme, including the One Mile Championship of $ew Zealand. (2) That the track be put in order for the sports, the cost to be paid out of the general fund. (3) That the Club receive half the net proceeds of the meeting. (-_) That the Clnb head the subscription list with the sum of £5.

A "social evening" waa tendered last aight, in the hall of the Working Men' 6 Club, by the members of the Dramatic and 'Variety Entertainment Troupe, the guests "being their wives and lady friends. Ela•*bor_.te floral decorations had been arranged, and the catering of Mr M'Carthy, the Club's custodian, gave great satisfaction. Mr Crookes, the President, in the course of iihe proceedings, welcomed the visitors to a gathering which it was hoped would be an annual affair. Dances, interspersed with songs and recitations, made the time pass all too quickly, the company dispersing at an early hour.

A number of samples of merino wool

from the River Plate have been left at the rooms of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association by Sir John Hall. Firstly, -there is a specimen of the ordinary " camp " wool from the rough, uncared-for sheep which form the bulk of the general flocks of the country. A very much better specimen of "camp" wool from a flock which has been better cared for is also -shown. It wonld compare very favourably with the ordinary wool of Canterbury. A sample of wool from a flock which has been improved by careful breeding is also exhibited. One of the finest specimens in the collection is from a Negretti stud ram, imported from Pomerani* to Mr -Hale's estancia. For quality, fineness, and density it is admirable. Some specimens are on -view showing the mischief done to the wool by the burr. Sir John Hall mentions that the Germans have a process by which they are able to cleanse the wool of this pest. They dry it to a certain temperature, crush it between rollers, and blow the fragments of the burr from the wool by means of a blast.