Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6034, 16 September 1887, Page 3

Local & General.

Weights and MEABCJREs.-—The standard weights and measures have been sent to Wellington for proof, so that no testing can be done at the Police Station for a few days.

Band Performance.— The Sfcanmore Brass Band -will give a performance of sacred music in Lyttelton on a Sunday afternoon at an early date. A collection will be made, and the proceeds given to the Orphanage. CoiiiYEGB Rm,Es. — Lieutenant Melliah, the senior subaltern of the Christ's College Bifles, is about to leave the Province, and a social gathering of the Company will ba held on Tuesday evening for the purpose of bidding him farewell. The E. -Battery.— Captain Martin, of the E. Balitery, has received another nine pounder 1t.8.L. gun, similar to those with which the battery wa3 previously armed. It now has four guns, and will be able to wort in two divisions, a result upon, which tbo members are certainly to be congratulated.

( Ellesmere Caledonian Society. — This Society is showing considerable signs o£ vitality, and ih is expected that this year's Bports will equal any of the past both for prizeß as well as competition. At a Committee meeting held on Wednesday, the principal details of the fifth annual concert were discussed, with a most satisfactory result. The concert will take place on Oct. 7. .....,.■

: Timari" Lunatics. — Herbert Mason, teacher (30), and Mrs M. Foster (35), charged with- lunacy, were yesterday, on the certificates of Drs Hogg and Reid, committed to the Sunnyside Asylum. The former wag exceedingly violent, and the ; latter broodingly mad. : . 1.0.G.T. — On "Wednesday evening the 1 members of the Good Intent Lodge, Rangiora, provided a free entertainment of a most enjoyable character at their hall, and attracted a good audience. A long and varied programme was contributed by members and friends of the Order. CHniBTcmjKCH Liedertaveii.— ■ The next " smoke concert " of this Society will be held 'hi Hobbs* Assembly Rooms on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 8 o'clock. Judging from the _ great popularity these reunions have attained, the new room, large as it is, should be found all too small to accommodate the members anxious to enjoy the musical programme provided for them by the Liedertafel. Evangelistic— The evangelistic meetings in the Sydenham Presbyterian Church are still well attended, and the interest is growing deeper as the meetings continue. Many; were deeply impressed with the 'earnest address delivered by the Rev D. ■M'Lennan last night, and several went into the enquiry room. The meetings will be continued every night this week, and a prayer meeting will be held in the vestry every afternoon at 3 o'clock. Lady Visitors' Hospital Fcxo.—The performance in aid of the Lady Visitors' Hospital Fund for relieving" destitute patients takes place at the Theatre Royal to-night, when a representation of that capital comedy, " Not Such a Fool as He Liiioks " will be rendered by the amateurs w&o previously presented it for the benefit of the Hunt Club. The object of this performance ia alone a sufficient reason for hoping that an overflowing house will reward the efforts of the amateurs. New Zealand Allunck. — A meeting of the Christchurch auxiliary of the New Zealand Alliance was held yesterday evening in the Blue Ribbon Hall, Mr J. T. Smith.. President, in the chair. As replies from all tho candidates had not yet been received, in answer to the question put by the Alliance, it was resolved that it be an instruction to the Commifctee to announce through the newspapers, after the nominations, the names of candidates favourable

to local option or otherwise,

Dc.RffA.3r Street Muttjat, Ijipkovement Society. — The ordinary weekly meeting of this Society was held last evening, the Rev. ,J. J. Lewis occupying the chair. Mr Telford read an excellent essay on " Edmund Burke," for which he was highly complimented by those present. Mr Dowle also read an > essay entitled "The Slavery of Freethought," which was considered by some as rather tame. Next Thursday being the closing night of the session, there will be a social gathering of . members and friends. Pigeon Flyino- Club. — The fir3t general meeting of members of the newly-formed Christchurch Pigeon Flying Club was held at Hobbs' buildings last evening. There was a large attendance, and Mr S. Saunders occupied the chair. The rules drafted by the Sub-Committee were considered and adopted, and officers for the ensuing year were appointed. An offer from the Poultry Club, of the use of a room for the purposes of the Club, was accepted, and after the transaction of some routine business the meeting adjourned until Tuesday next. Working Men's Club. — Last night the Variety and Combination Troupe of the Christchurch Working Men's Club gave one of their excellent entertainments, to the succeas of which Messrs Thornton, Pethericlc, Ashford, Hobbs, Bond, Oppenheim, Spanjer, Newman, Maurice, Dickie, Mitchell, Davidson, ' and Kiddle contributed. Mr T. Williams also caused much amusement by his clever and seasonable

"Election Speech," for which he would no doubt liave received " hearty vote of thanks and confidence " had he been a candidate for one of the Canterbury constituencies. The Club's recreation hall was crowded with an audience that was most liberal in the matiier of applause.

Tjempiietojj School. — Tlie monthly meeting of the Templeton School Committee was held iv the Library on Monday evening, Sept. 12; present — Mr S. v Bailey (Chairman)., and Messrs G. W. Lucock and C. Benjamin. Correspondence was received from the Boa.rd of Education re salaries for the month of August. The monthly report was received lirom the master, in which he stated that the attendance had improved during the past month. Nurabor on roll, 11C5 ; average daily attendance, 76-7 5 highest attendance, 93; left during the month, 2 ; admitted, 3. Other business of a routine nature was transacted, and accounts to the amount of «£3 were passed for payment. The Committee then adjourned.

Musicai-, Society.— The weekly practice on Tuesday evening was a great success, and was well atteuded, notwithstanding the inclement state of the weather... As the dates of the public performances of " Eli" are now drawing near, a comprehensive idea of the work is obtainable from the practice of solos and chorus work, and a very fine performance may be looked for. The orchestra and chorus of the Society on thia occasion will surpass anything of thekindpreviously heard in Christchurch, and the names of the soloists, previously mentioned, are a guarantee of excellence in this direction. The concerts will take place on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 3 and 4.

St Albans United Cricket Club.— Last Friday, at a meeting of the P&panui and St Albans Clubs, it was decided to amalgamate the two, and last evening a meeting of the newly-formed Club was held in the St Albans Library, when it was decided that it should be known as the St Albans United Cricket Club. The election of officers took place, with the following result .—Patron, G. Gould, Esqf; President, F. J. Garrick, Esq. ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs A. E. G. Rhodes, J. Neill, W. P. Reeves, T. S. Weston, and W. Homer; Secretary, A. W. Amos; Treasurer, W. Hathaway ; Committee — Messrs Leach, Fowler, Homer, West, Curtis, Jowsev, and Casack; Match Committee— Messrs* Philpott, Homer, Cusack, and Moor.

Art Society.— The Exhibition of the Canterbury Art Society, now being held in Simpson and Williams' premises, bids fair to become as fashionable a lounge this year as it has been on previous occasions. Last night there was a large attendance of visitors, who evidently enjoyed the admirable musical programme, kindly provided for them by Mr Button and his excellent orchestra. Two instrumental solos, one for the flute by Mr Rowley, and the other for the cornet by Mr Tankard, were specially appreciated. In addition to the band selections, Miss Button, accompanied on the piano by her sister, sang two songs in which she achieved her usual success. The Exhibition will be open to-day and thia evening, and to-morrow evening there will be another concert.

j " A Besieged City, or Self-Defence." | The Laymen's Association in connection with the social purity, whose advertisement, notifying a special service in the Cathedral on Sunday afternoon, appears in another column, is the outcome of several meetings which have been held from time to time during the past two or three months. It is designed to promote the practical application of two radical principles— namely, the sacredness of the home, and the duty of men to live and to suffer women to live in purity. The membor3 of the Association may do true services by endeavouring to establish these principles by every means in their power, by privately using their influence to elevate the moral tone of the society with which they come in contact; by personally, according to their opportunities, helping to bring back into the paths of purity those who have strayed therefrom, whether ! men or women ; and by lending their aid to combined effort for reinstating in honest industry those women who have been the victims of profligacy.' A3 already some SCO men have intimated their intention of 3oinmg the Association, we predict for it a career of usefulness.

In 1873 there were about 8000 convicts m New Caledonia (the French penal station), a total which has since been swelled to 20,000. The lowest sentence for transportation is for seven year 3. After, that, each man has to serve, for seven yoavs more as a liberc under surveillance.