Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5994, 1 August 1887, Page 3

Local & General.

Organ Recital. — Mr Tendall's recital announced for Tuesday evening is unavoidably postponed. Personal. — A report is current that Mr Peter Cunningham is dangerously ill. We are, however, able to contradict this, as Mr Cunningham was in town on Saturday, apparently well. Vital Statistics.— During the month of July there were registered in Christchurch and district 139 births, 39 marriages, and 63 deaths. The respective numbers for the corresponding month in 188G were 187, 2S, and 75.

Pkebbleton.— The annual ball in connection with the Prebbleton Oddfellows came off on Thursday evening, July 28, in the Prebbleton Town Hall. The night was fine, which caused the young people to flock in from all quarters, over 200 being present. Dancing was kept up until about four o'clock in the morning, when all went home thoroughly tired out. The ball was a great success financially, and great praise is due to the Oddfellows for the manner everything was conducted.

Accident. — About two o'clock yesterday afternoon two lade, sons of Mr P. Hyndnian, builder, Colombo street north, were driving a trap belonging to him from the Rink Stables when 1 the horse became unmanageable, owing it is said, to the reins becoming entangled. The animal jumped on to the footpath, and slipped, breaking one of the shafts and the splashboard, knocking off a shoe i'roiii one of its hind feet, and tearing the skin of the leg up to the flank. The boys escaped unhurt. The Boys' Brigade. — A free magic lantern entertainment was given on Friday night at the Boys' Brigade, about 50 Brigade boys being present. At the close of the entertainment, a few words were spoken to them, laying before their) the advantages of the Brigade, whicL is, upon different nights of the week, opened for all boys desirous of attending the different classes of reading, writing, arithmetic, &c, upon the payment of Is per week ; also, every Sunday evening addresses will be given by different gentlemen.

Canterbury Engineers. — An effort is to be made by the Canterbury Engineers, with the assistance of a number of friends, to raise funds, in order to obtain certain much needed additions to their equipment. A concert, for which an admirable programme is in course of preparation, will be the means whereby the money is to be obtained, and it is to be hoped that the public will be as liberal in their patronage as the Corps certainly deserves. The fact that Mr Towsey will conduct, and that among those who have promised to assist are Mrs Kelly, Mddlo. Dreyfus, Misses Buchanan and Dixie, Messrs Izard, Miller, Wallace, and Joseph is a proof that the concert will be an excellent one.

Entertainment. — The entertainment given last Thursday evening at St Mary's schoolroom, in aid of the Loyal Addington Lodge Benevolent Fund was a pronounced success. The Halswell Brass Band played two selections very creditably, under the leadership of Mr Petrie. Mrs Curlett and Miss Johnson gave a pianoforte duet, Miss Button a piano and Miss Hall two violin solos, all of which were rapturously encored. Miss Hancock sang two songs, "The Bridge" being re-demanded. Master Sinclair played a clarionet solo, which for one so young was simply marvellous, and he was encored. Messrs G. Woods, Pooley, Maurice, Faddy, and Glanville contributed songs. The accompanists were Misses Button and Johnson, and Mr Brockett. The dance which followed was also well attended, there being over fifty couples present, and the music of the Halswell Band was duly appreciated. During the evening N.G. Bro Johnson intimated that the second entertainment in aid of the above fund would take place ia about a ■month, when he hoped, by giving a good programme, to receive the support which the object of the Lodge deserved.

Matinee Musicals. — The fourth of the series of matinees vmsicalc promoted by Mr Arthur Toweey took place at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association on Saturday afternoon. There waß a good attendance, and the various items in an exceptionally attractive programme were well received. Mrs Westmacott was in excellent voice, and gave "C'est Mon Ami" and "Bo3e Marie" with exquisite taste. Mrs F. M. Wallace enhanced the popularity she won on her dibut at the previous matinee by her careful and effective rendering of "Tell Me My Heart." The number was redemauded, bat Mrs Wallace merely bowed her acknowledgments. Mr P. Barkas gave " I Awake and Dream " in his very best style, and was equally successful with his second number. Mr W. Izard again charmed his hearers in his two efforts, and on each occasion was loudly applauded. Mr P. M. Wallace wa3 unable to be present, but the gaps created by his absence were admirably filled by Mr Towsey, whose piano solo, " Rondo Brillante," and selections from MendelßBohn and Beethoven were the gems of the performance. The next matinee is announced for Saturday, at 3 p.m., when another excellent programme will be presented.

The consumption of gas from natural sources has reached enormous proportions at Pittsburg, Pa. The supply is from six Companies, who manage more than 100 wells and own more than 500 miles of pipe mains. A single Company supplies 400 manufactories and 7000 dwellings with their entire fuel. The total capacity of the lines is estimated at 250,000,000 cubic feet per diem.

"Eough on Bats." — Clears out Bats. Mice, Eoaches, Flies, Ants, Bedbugs, Beetles, Insects. Skunks, Jack-rabbits, Sparrows, Gophers At chemists and druggists.