Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6185, 13 March 1888, Page 3

Local & General.

- _ «. &AN&IORA. Catholic Church. — The Bight Bey Dr Grimes is to visit the above church on April 14, and great preparations are to be made for his reception. Kaiapoi Sailing Cuts. — Saturday's match for the Club Handicap was declared off, as the wind fell completely, and the four boats that started found the affair had resolved itself into a drifting match. Irish Land League. — At a meeting held at the Bangipra Catholic schoolroom after mass on Sunday last, the Bey Father O'Connor presiding, it was decided to celebrate St Patrick's Day by forming a branch o£ the Irish National Land League in North Canterbury. Another Chemical Engine. — The Fire Brigades' Demonstration Committee ha 3 decided to purchase a second chemical engine for the U3e of the city. They have a balance of .£2lB in hand, and a portion of thla sum is to be expended in procuring a B»bcock chemical engine, which can be obtained in London at a very low price. Conference op School Committees. — A conference of the School Committees of the North Canterbury district will be held to-morrow evening at the East Christchnrch Schoolroom. The conference h»B been convened by the Ferry Eoad Committee, who believe that it will result in benefit to the schools. Gallant Besots. — A boy about thirteen, named Thomas Milton, whilst playing- on the rails o£ the Avonsidc bridge yesterday, slipped and fell into the river. A carpenter, passing at the time, seeing the boy struggling in the water, threw off hia coat, gallantly jumped in, and rescned tho youngster, who when pulled out was very much drenched, but fortunately not much injured. ASHBtTRTON CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. — At a meeting of the Directors of the Ashburton Caledonian Society on Saturday evening, it was decided to hold four " ingleeida" gatherings daring the coming winter, and a Committee was appointed to carry out the arrangements. A letter from the Canterbury Scottish Bifles was read, asking aid to purchase foather bonnets, but the state of tho finances precluded the Directors granting any afisiatanoe, Fire at Waimate. — About a quarter past two on Sunday morning a fire broke out in a small stable and feed-house in High street, Waimate, near the Waimate Hotel. Through the energy of those in the hotel and the people who were on the spot before the bell rang, the fire was confined to the building in which it originated. The damage done was trifling. No idea as to the cause of the fire can bo formed. There was no insurance on the building. Kaiapoi Football Club. — At a meeting in the temporary Council Office on Saturday evening, Mr T. Caverhill in the chair, it was resolved to open the season on March 17. The Club has a balance from last year in their favour, and, after passing accounts, the officerselected were — President, Mr C. Hansen; Vice-President/i, Messrs Alexander and D. Marshall ; Captain, Mr Fantham j Vice-Captain, TMr Higgins ; Secretary, Mr W. Marshall; delegate to C.8.U., Mr T. Caverhill. Beottgh and Bottcicault's Burlesque. — Mr Cunard, Messrs Brough and Boucicault's agent in Sydney* writes to say that Mr "Brough has nor/ completely rocovered from the illness which it was thought would prevent liis coming to New Zealand with the Burlesque Company which is expected hore in two or three months. It will be. the most powerful combination of the kind that has visited this Colony, the performing members numbering 61. lv sp'tta of the great expensa which the introduction of such a company will entail on tbemthe proprietors intend to adhere to tho usual prices for admission. The AsHBttRTON B.M. — The following reply has be^.n received from the Department of Justice to the memorial recently Bent to th/a Minister of Justice by the solicitors practising at Ashbnrton : — " VTellinp'ton, March, 10, 1888.—Gentlemen : I 'nave the honour to acknowledge' tho receipt of your letter of the number and d^.te quoted in the margin (March 7) with - reference, to the proposal that tha sittirags at Aehburtpn shall, in future, be tak'an by the Resident Magistrate from Ti'jiaru. In reply, I am directed by the Minister of Justice to inform you that the proposed re-arrangement is in the direction of economy, and that as Captain Wray will be relieved of the duty of Eitting at Waimate, he will have plenty of time to devote to Ashburton. — I have, &c, C. J. A. Haseldin, Under-Secretary." Draughts. — On Saturday last, at a meeting of Christchurch draughts-players, Mr D. Reese in the chair, it was resolved — "That it will suit the Canterbury players to comply with the request of the Otago playeratoplay the interprovincial draughts match in Chriatchurch on March 31," and the meeting instructed Mr D. Beesa to communicate with those Canterbury men who are likely to take part in the match. Messrs Bobert Boswell, Thomas Menzies, H. W. Kay, and Daniel Reese were appointed a Committee to make all necessary arrangements for the mat oh, and reception of Mr James Wyllie, the champion draughts-player, who is expected to arrive in Canterbury about that time. A letter was received from Mr .Tames Littles, stating that he could not take part in the forthcoming mateb, but wishing Canterbury success. The letter was received with regret, aa it is well known that Mr Little is one of our best play er3. Lecture on Astronomy. — Professor Bickerton laßt evening delivered, in the Selwyn street Schoolroom, a lecture upon " Astronomy." The lecture was given under the auspices of the Washington Lodge of the 1.0.0. F., American constitution. There was a very large attendancej and the chair wastabenby Mr W. L^ngdownj Mayor of Sydenhara. Professor Bickertou succeeded in securing the close and interested attention of his audience during more than an 'nour, during which he des-

cribed the en'orinous size of the' coamoSj and enlarged upon his theory of " Partial Impact." T'ais he illustrated by reference to diagram/), and enforced by quotations from the works of astronomers. Ho argued that the 'system had been definitely designed, »"ad could not have been the result of chanv.e. By means of models he showed the cause of day and n<ght, the variations of the ; seasons, &c. Several simple but tellin-g experiments gave additional interest to tb.e lecture, •which' was repeatedly applavided enthusiastically. At the close of thf; lecture, Mr T. E. Taylor, N.G., moved a hearty vote of thants to Professoi Tjiekerton. Mr Townend seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. . A vobe of thanks to the Chairman, brought the proceedings to a close. Sale of Work. — With the view of disposing of the goods unsold at the recent bazaar, the ladies of the Wesleyan Church opened a sale in the Durham street school last night. The room -was decorated with flags kindly lent by the New Zealand Shipping Company, and the various stalls were presided over by the ladies who wert in charge of them at the bazaar. An inspection of the stock-in-trade showed thai the goods were not mere " remnants/though, they are marked at very low prices. At one end of the room is an exhibition of electrical and other scientific ■ appliances, under the charge of Messrs Martin and England, which is to be supplemented by come notable additions in ' the care of Messrs Howard and Banks. Ii 1 the large room upstairs Mr Crooks dis- ' played to a large audience a number oi J his excellent dissolving views. The at ' tendance during the evening was verj good, and the business satisfactory. Mi Corrick's Btring band played a number oi ; selections. To-day, in consequence o1 • Pain'B fireworks exhibition, the sale will bt ■ open from 2to 6 p.m. It will be open toi morrow evening 1 , when Mr Seager wil give an entertainment of legerdemain 1 and Mr Corrick'e band will again perform To-day, and during the continuance of th« 1 sale, a refreshment stall will be added tc the attritions. 1 Pain's Ptbotechnics.-— To-night, should the weather prove propitious, Mr Pain's protechnic display should be largely patronised. Lancaster Park will be in "gala costume," and the programme, which appears in our advertising columna. : promises a rare pyrotechnic treat for the pleasure-seekers of Clmsfcchuxch. la-

numerable devices and set pieces aro in preparation, and the grounds will be beautifully illuminated. During the early part of the evening the Stanznore Band will perform a brilliant selection of music,an d the pyrotechnic display will commence at 8.45 ■with the ascent of Mr Pain's magnesium balloons. During the next hour Mr Pain's assistants will make things very lively, aud the display will wind up with the beautiful and realistic representation of the bombardment of Alexandria, which haa already been witnessed by upwards of 50,000 people in New Zealand. Special arrangements have been made with the Tramway Comjmuy for the convenience of the public, and the usual late trains will run. Habvest Festival, — The annual harvest festival was held in St Andrew's Church, 'East Oxford, on Sunday last. The Misses Williams, Weld, Preston, Robilliard, Emily Sheldon, and others, assisted by Mr Percy Cor, are to be congratulated on the effective and beautiful manner iv which the chnrsh was decorated. The windows wreathed with, toi-fcoi, the seats, chaneel-raila, reading-desLs, and chandeliers with garlands oi; wheat, rye, and oats, entwined with acarlet flowers, had a very light and pleasing effect, which contrasted well with the mass of fruit aad vegetables j forming the background in tho chancel. J Over the east wandpw were the texts " God giveth the increase " and " Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,'' entwined with oata. The font was decorated with fruit aud vegetables. The church waa crowded, so much so that seats had to be placed iv the aisle. The service was conducted by the incumbent, the Eev H. Williams, who preached & very effective sermon, showing that the fiuits of the earth being 'raised every year are aeon ; tinual reminder and type ot the resurrection. A Fateful Year. — If there be any particular magic in the figures which coujposfc dates, the year which began on Sunday should be an eventful one (writes the P«K Mall Gazette). The fact that tho three final figures of 1888 are alike is itself portentous. Fortunately for England thi3 does not occur very often — as a rule onlj" once in 111 yeara — but even that is too often. The year 1555 (to go no further back) witnessed the Marion prosecution in its full fury, when Ridley, L&timer, and about & hundred others perished at tho stake. The great fire of London makes 1666 for ever memorable in our domestic history. The surrender of General Bnrgoyne and his army at Saratoga ia 1^77 was the turning point in tbe struggle in ■which we lost a big slice of our American Colonies. In this view the outlook for the new year is dark, but still there are gleams of hope. The year 1888 ia the centenary, the bicentenary, and the tercentenary of events closely associated with the progress of British liberty. In 158S the Spanish Armada was destroyed, and England waa saved from Papal domination. In 1688 the evil Sfeuart dynsfitv came, not too soon, to an end. In 178S the Common Council of London petitioned in favour of the abolition of the slave trade, and in that year commenced tha trial of Warren Hastings, which, demonstrated to all Englishmen having charge of subject races that any abuse o£ the power entrusted to them would not escape punishment. Will 18S8 see some great and definite step taken towards giving Ireland a Parliament of her own ? The Djbpekcb 03? Melbourne. — Military authorities concur (says the that tho weak spot in our system of derences is the absence of any restriction ■with regard to the admission into Port Phillip of an unlimited number of fortign warship-. Major- General Downes, on-hi3 accession to the position of Secretary for Defence, directed special attention to this defect. The Government were deeply impressed with the value of his report, and they sought to obtain information respecting the practice of foreign Powers in the matter. They fully recognised the inadvisableness of permitting a number ot foreign war vessels to enter the port, and obtain, without molestation, a position from which, should hostilities occur, they joultt destroy our shipping aud shell Melbourne. In Biich a contingency the defence works &t the Heads would be of little use, except in so far as they might be utilised to bar the exit of the enemy. To force matters to an issue the Government recently communicated to the Imperial Government their intention to adopt protective measures. They requested au expression o£ opinion in relation to their right to shut out war veasels from prescribed Victorian waters, and announced that they purposed framing regulations to achieve that object. Owing to some unexplbinable delay no reply has been received to this communication, and the Government have resolved to act without it. So far a,3 can be learnfc there is no instance of any British Colony having pursued the course now proposed to be adopted. The Government state that the Imperial authorities are acquainted with their designs, and they have no reason to suppose that objection will be offered to a scheme for the proper protection of the port. The necessary regulations will be at once framed by the Minister of Defence, in order that the Cabinet may immediate!;/ con&ider them. Sir James liorimer remarks that the regulations will assume the form of Custom-house regulations, and will bo administered by that department. That course is to be followed to avoid international complications, it being believed that objection will not be taken to what are designated harbour regulations. The object wiU t)& to limit the number of war vessels thst may enter the port to one, and it is probable also that an anchorage may be fixed. The Snnbeam is to be thoroughly overhauled and refitted at Gosport, and the cabinß are to bo redecorated, as Lord Brassey intends to start on another long cruiEe early 111 the summer. ■