Latest Locals.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6017, 27 August 1887, Page 3

Latest Locals.

Municipal. — Mr W. G. Judge haß been nominated a Councillor for the South-west Ward of the City. R.M. Covet.— The only business done this morning was the fining of a woman named Elizabeth Bennetts 10s for drunkenness. Mr Beetham was on the Bench.

Petroleum Oil.— The sample o£ petroleum shown at last night's meeting of the Southern Cross Company's shareholders •was from the South Pacific Company's works, in whose pipes it was that the Chairman stated the 112 gallons were. Sunday Evening Lectubes. — Mr George Grant, who lectures at the Theatre Boyal to-morrow evening, advertises charges to be made for admission. This, we assume, is the outcome of his recent declaration that he would test the legality of the refusal of permission to make any charge on the Sunday. The City Council, it will be remembered, has disclaimed any power in the matter.

Streets in St Albans.— A St Albans householder writes : — " I should very much like to know, if you could inform me, how it iB that in the Borough of StAlbans some of the streets are kept clean (the side channels, for instance), and the other streets are not touched for months. The Clare road, for example, has an accumulation of mud lying at the aide of the road for monthß, the drainage from the houses impregnating the mud, besides the unsightly appearance of the nuisance."

Captain Cotton v. Joe Scott. — From a Press Association telegram appearing elsewhere in this issue it will be seen that the twenty-four hours' walking match between Captain Cotton and Joe Scott collapsed in consequence of the indisposition of the former. The message despatched by the Association contains a statement which is calculated to reflect upon Captain Cotton's bona fides in the matter, but in reply to enquiries made this morning the Captain has addressed the following telegram to a friend in Chriatchurch : " Statement utterly unfounded. Have been very Beedy for forty-eight hours. Had every intention of walking, but doctor prohibited at the last minute, giving certificate." Agricultural and Pastoeal Association. — This forenoon a deputation from the Committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, consisting of the Hon J. T. Peacock, Messrs Henderson, Fergusson, and others, waited upon the Hon the Minister of Public Works, with reference to the arrangements for a railway platform at the new show grounds. The Hon Mr Richardson informed them that the Department had fixed upon the place, and would contribute a Bmall share of the expense of construction, the Association paying the balance. The deputation considered the arrangement perfectly reasonable, and, after thanking Mr Richardson, withdrew.

Thi Panama Canad. — The condition of the Panama Canal was explained to the American Society of Civil Engineers at the room of the Society on Twenty-third street, New York, on the evening of June 15, by Mr T. Boulange, one of the chief engineers at the Isthmus on the great undertaking, who had arrived from Panama a few days previously, having been unable to stand the malarial climate of the Isthmus. He said that the Company had only money enough on hand to continue work for four months. The death rate among the labouring men had averaged (SO per cent. Of seventy-two Frenchmen who went to the Isthmus from France one year ago, but eleven remain to-day. Fortyfive died in that period, and six lefb on account of sickness. Mr Boulange intends to remain in the United States.