Local & General.

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

Local & General.

The Sydenham Borough Council last night passed formal resolutions, deciding to take certain pieces of land under the provisions of the Public Works Acts, for the purpose of widening Andrew street and Lord Brougham street. Councillors Bowden and Muffett voted against the proposal.

The Jewish bazaar opened at Dunedin on Monday night by Sir Julius Yogel had some very novel features. The stall holders were dressed to represent Shakespearian and other characters, and they formed a splendid procession. But a sensation was caused when, as described by the Otago Daily Times, "a corps of tiny videttes took up positions round the hall, and the lilliputian army made its appearance to astonish and delight the spectators. The army consisted of 16 little girls dressed as sailors, and 70 boys in the uniform of life guards. The appearance of the little soldiers was all that could be desired ; they looked smart and dashing enough, their bearing was good and their drill admirable. They were led by Mr J. Moss (late dux of the High School) and went through a number of military evolutions with marvellous precision. This exhibition alone was worth more than the price of admission to the bazaar, and the applause clearly showed that such was the opinion of the spectators."

Some weeks ago it was mentioned in these columns that several complaints had been made by residents of their gardens having been robbed of certain valuable plants, and allusion was made, also, to the fact that one individual had had the audacity even to pull up two plants in broad daylight, and before the eyes of their astounded owner. It is a singular circumstance, but nevertheless the fact, that only a night or two ago another raid was made upon a garden in the came neighbourhood. A Mrs Hutchard, residing in Bath street, has in the front of her house a small garden, in which are Beveral very rare flower plants. A few days ago a man passing begged hard for one of these, but was refused. On Tuesday morning, three plante, two of one kind and one of another, both very rare, were found to have been taken. Apparently, people's gardens may be robbed with impunity here. Surely some steps could be taken to bring to iusticeoneortwo of the offenders, the conviction and punishment of whom would thereby set an example to others.

From the seventy-eighth annnal British poor rate return for 1884-85, it appears that the total amount of poor rates raised SMifi-. ye m-f for all Ptoses was 1 14 i°A 8^8 fi ft Th ? «3»--tM» amounted to £15,7d1,866, of which .£6,560,678 was o^ ll6l with the relief of the poor.

Messrs H. ; A. Scot-V and- B/ Gardner started from the Springfield Hotel for the West Coaßt yesterday, at 12 b'clock, in a waggonette and p<-ir, provided by Cobb and Co. At starting, the horses being fresh, commenced to play up, and one of them kicking out, broke a swing-bar. A new one being on hand, was immediately fixed, and the journey was resumed with a delay of only about ten minutes.| The members of the Railway Volunteer Fire Brigade held a special meeting last evening. It was mentioned that the contract for horsing the engine expired at 5 p.m. on Nov. 22. borne considerable discussion took place on the matter. The horses of the late contractor having been removed from the lailway premises, the Brigade will be unable to take their plant should a fire occur in the city, no provision having been made pending the acceptance of a new contract. Tenders have been called, but no more is known about too matter by the Brigade. The Volunteer review, which passed off so well, has been the occasion of some polite letter-writing by LieutenantColonel Lean and Inspector Pender. The Colonel has complimented the Inspector on the excellent manner in which the police kept clear the space for the Volunteers* manoeuvres. Ihe Inspector has replied that it gives great pleasure to himself and the Force under his control to feel that they have given satisfaction to Colonel Lean and his staff. This is very pleasant and very satisfactory to all parties concerned. The public, also, deserve to be complimented for having the good sense not to give the Police or Volunteers much trouble on the review day. Major Gudgeon and Major Crowe, the Commissioners appointed to consider military, naval, and volunteer land claims, and Mr W. Mitchell, Secretary and shorthand writer, arrived here on Tuesday, and commenced their labours at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, in the Provincial Council Chamber. About 70 claims have already been received, and some 50 were investigated ye-terday. They were nearly all the claims of discharged soldiers. Evidence was taken in each case. The Commissioners will sit to-day and Friday. They will visit Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin and Invercargill. Every facility has been afforded claimants to have their claims thoroughly investigated, this being their last opportunity.