Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5993, 30 July 1887, Page 5

Local & General.

Jobymen.-— The common jurymen, summoned for Monday next at the Supreme Court will not be required to attend. The Midland Eailwat.— The Midland Eailway works are progressing rapidly, and the contractors have now about 800 men employed. A number of men are still going over to the West Coast looking for work, and it may save disappointment if we state that on enquiry we l&irn that the contractors are full handed, and are not likely to require any inorenands for the present.

Industrial Convebsazione. — The crowded state of the Tuam Street Hall yesterday evening showed that the Industrial Arts Conversazione is rather gaining than losing popularity. The entertainment consisted of songs by Mrs and Miss Amos, and Messrs C. Bead, Millar, and Healy; pianoforte selections by Miss E. Smith ; and a number of pieces played by the Stanmore Band, under Mr M'Killop. In addition to the exhibits already noticed may be mentioned the oil paintings sent by Mr E. Attwood, the best of which is, perhaps, his "Winter Scene."

Deattghts. — The draughts tourney in connection with the Chriatchurch Bicycle Club is progressing favourably, aad as many of the players are well advanced in their games, additional interest is being taken in it. Messrs J. Little and T. Menzieß have vißited the Club rooms, and played games with several of the members. They must be thanked for the interest they are taking in the tourney, and so kindly instructing the members in the game. Mr Menzies has presented the Club with a copy of the book of games of the international draughts match between England and Scotland as an additional prize. New Zealand Stud Company. A Press Association telegram from Auckland states that the horse purchased by Major Walmesley in England for the New Zealand Stud Company is Sword Dance, half brother to Limestone, being by Tomahawk from Duvernay. He has been shipped for New Zealand by the E.M.S. Aorangi. Sword Dance was foaled in 1877 ; his sire Tomahawk (who was destroyed in 1884) was by King Tom out of Mincemeat, by Sweetmeat out of Hybla, by The Provost out of Otisina, sister to Lanercostj his dam Duvernay is by Beadsman out of Cachuca, by Voltigeur out of Ayacanora, by Birdcatcher.

Amateur Athletic Association. — In response to an invitation from the Secre- ( tary of the South Canterbury Athletic Club delegates from different clubs in New Zealand met last evening at Warner's Hotel. The following were present :— Messrs Bunny (Hawkes Bay), Blanchard (Dunedin), Anson and Cuff (Christchurch), Teschemaker and Rhode 3 (South Canterbury). The Southland Club wrote, saying they would be pleased to join the Asociation, and would be bound by the decisions arrived at by the delegates. Auckland refused to join. Mr Rhodes was voted to the chair, and briefly explained that the object in view in forming the Association was the furtherance of athletics in New Zealand. It waa resolved that the Association be called " The New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association." A sub-Committee was then formed, consisting o£ the following :— Messrs Bunny, Cuff, Anson, Teseheniaker, Clulee, and Loughnan. It wa3 decided that a meeting of delegates should be held on August 12 nest, to frame rules, <fee. Mr Cuff waß appointed Secretary pro icm.

Theatre Eoyal.— The third change o£ programme was given by the Mammoth Minstrels at the Theatre Royal last night, and was as well received as the previous performances. The curtain rose to a scene representing a harvest field, with the company in picnic coßtume, the effect of which was charmingly natural and very pretty. Two of Miss Amy Blakie's songs, "You will Never Miss Mother till She's Gone," and a pretty waltz song, " Bid Me Goodbye," took with the audience, and both were encored; while Miss Violet Kingsley's waltz song, " Love is a Eover," also earned that distinction. A couple of Mr Wai. Cottier's capital comic Bongs were also recalled, " She Sat by the Side of the River" being the premier. Mr Fred Turner, who is recovering from his severe cold, sang a yachting song, "Whito Wings," so well that it was encored. He, however, substituted " Many Happy Returns of the Day," a well-known old song, in its stead. In the latter half of the performance, Mr Turner and Mr Douglas Hamilton, who has a good bass voice, sang a sparkling duet, "The Merry Sailors," which earned considerable applause. There was the usual clever dancing and acrobatio business, and a characteristic Irish song and dance, " The Gaffers of the Gang," by Messrs Delowry, Craydon, Holland, and P. Woodward; and Mr Peter Woodward showed himself to be an adept on the single trapeze. The performance concluded with a really amusing nigger farce, "Thompson's Dead," which, while it included some very laughable ghost business, served to show Mr Charles Fanings' talent in the nigger line to great advantage.