Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6239, 16 May 1888, Page 3

Local & General.

.» Jewish Festival.— To-day is the Jewish Feast of Weeks, celebrated seven weeks — , a " week of weeks "—after the Passover, j South Kakaia. — On Monday evening, j Mr J. D. Foley, assisted by Mrs Foley, . gave another of his amusing entertainments in the Town Hall. la Bpite of the inclement weather he had a bumper house, and the programme, which was a lengthy one, was tarried out to the entiie satisfaction of an appreciative audience. Volunteer Inspection. — Yesterday evening the E Battery New Zealand Artillery and the Canterbury Engineers were inspected by Major Newall. The Artillery mustered forty-two, under Captain Martin, and the Engineers thirtyfour, under Captain Webster. Both Corps presented their usual smart appearance, and, after the inspection, were put through their ordinary drill by their officers. Timaru Jubilee Memorial. — Yesterday the fountain in front of the Po3t Office was Bet in operation, and a limpid stream of pure Pareora now gladdens the eye of the citizen. As no cups have been provided, however, the operation of getting a drink, our correspondent adds, would involve a feat of contortionisni that few citizens would care about attempting, unless they were suffering a recovery in the early morn. Volunteer Parade. — The two Lyttelton Volunteer Companies mustered for inspection on Monday evening. Both Companies were well represented, the Navals, under Captain Roee, numbering fifty-six, and the N Battery, under Lieutenants M'lutyre and Brice, forty-one. Liautcaants Arnold and Joyce were both present with the Navals. Sergeant-Major Barrett was the inspecting officer, and after examining the arms, &c, put the men through the manual and firing exercises. Parliamentary. — There was no evening sitting of tbe House of Representatives yesterday. In the afternoon Sir H. Atkinson wa3 warmly congratulated upon the distinction conferred upon him, aud in reply intimated that to his thinking a Privy Councillorship would be preferable to a title. A number of questions having been asked and answered, the Chinese Bill came on, and received support from both Bides of the House, the second reading being carried on the voices. Sydenham Football Club. — Last night a concert was given in the Sydenham Oddfellows' Hall in aid of the Sydenham Football Club's f undß. The wet weather doubtless prevented many friends of tbe Club from being present, but as it was the audience was fairly large. The programme consisted of duets by Mrs Smith and Miss Skelton and Misses Spiers and Skelton, and songs by Miss Spiers and Mrs Wright. Mr J. T. Sice also sang. There was also some comic business, with which the performers themselves and the more youthful of the audience were much entertained. The concert closed with a farce, " The Spectre Bridegroom," said on the programme to be side-splitting. A dance came off after the concert. Sydenhaii Presbyterian Band of Hofe. — A meeting of the above was held in the Church on Monday evening, the Rev P. R. Monro in the chair. There was a very large attendance of both children and adult 3. Songs were given by Misses L. Ritchie and Barlow, and Messrs Brew, Byers, and Shiers. A duet by Mrs Brinkman and Miss Millet was much appreciated as were also two quartettes by Misses West and G. Whitelaw and Messrs Brew and West. Recitations were given by Misse3 M'Dowall and Milne and Mr M'Gallan. Mr Brown gave a very interesting reading Mr Mitchell delivered a short speech, and Mr M'Gallan added much to the evening's amusement by five minutes' ventriloquism. The evening waß a very pleasant and successful one. The Mysterious Death at Port.— The inquest on the body of the man found in Lyttelton on Monday was' resumed yesterday. It was further adjourned to allow of some letters, which were to arrive from Timaru last night, being read. There is now no doubt but that the man committed suicide. The body has been identified as that of John Morton, a Swede, who had been employed by Mr Douglas, of Timaru. The enquiry will be resumed to-morrow at 4.30 p.m. Though, what particular poison was the cause of death cannot be determined without analysis, it seems probable that "Bough on Hats" -was used by the unfortunate man, as it has been ascertained that a packet of that compound was purchased at Mesßrs Cook and Ross' shop on May 10 by a man who gave the name of J. Morton. St John Ambulance Association. — A notice appearing in our advertising columns intimates that the presentation of medallions will take place to-morrow evening, in the Provincial Council Chamber. The medallions have just arrived from London, and are the first won by any members of the Canterbury Centre, perhaps the first won in Australasia. There are fifty -three recipients of this, the permanent certificate of the Association, which is an elegant little medallion, the device being a Maltese cross within a Jerusalem croea. The medallions are in gold, silver, or bronze, according to the choice of the winners, but the difference in their intrinsic value does not indicate any difference in the degree of proficiency of the recipients, for the honour appertaining to each is the same. It is hoped there will be a good attendance of members and friends of the Association on this interesting occasion. Workmen's Money Club.— On Saturday evening those interested in the forma- ! tion of a Workmen's Money Club attended an adjourned meeting atHowell's Sail way Hotel, South Eakaia. Considering the very wet night, there was a good attendj ance — over thirty being present. Mr Kimble was voted to the chair, and explained the object of the meeting. Mr Windsor stated in detail what had already been done. It was decided that the Club be called the South Rakaia Workmen's Money Club, and that the Sydenham Club's rules should be adopted. Some of the Sydenham Club members kindly attended the meeting to assist in the formation of the new Club. Officers were appointed, Mr Howell undertaking to act as Treasurer, and Mr Moodie as Secretary. Those present having paid their entrance fees and contributions, the new Club I received a good 6tarfc. It was resolved to hold meetings every Saturday evening, from seven till nine, for the transaction tion of ordinary business, in a room provided by Mr Howell. Votes of thanks to the Chairman, and to Mr Howell for the use of his room, terminated the meeting. The Herd Laddie. — Mr Wyllie, in the course of his play yesterday, met a most unexpected cheek from a most unexpected quarter, and had to yield a draw to a mere child. The incident, reminds one of Mr Wyllie's own early career when his master, hard pressed by a better player, left tho game to be played out by his own " Herd Laddie," who was the youthful James Wyllie, and then in the employ of a drover. The "Herd Laddie" won the game, and a dozen others, and that was how he got the sohriquet by which he is now known. Yesterday he played a match with the Gwelve-year-old son of his host, of the White Hart Hotel. Master Tommy Quill has taken a deep interest iv Air Wyllie's play, and has carefully noted, in. r draughts figuring:, every game of conse-' quence he ha 3 seen the veteran play. Yesterday was a dull day, and but few players were about. The boy invited the old gentleman to have a game, and Mr Wyllie, to fill the time, consented. He : played a little carelessly perhaps for a move or two, but soon discovered that he had his work cut out for him, and do as he might, he could only bring tbe game to a draw. In the hands of a Jes* formidable opponent, the young CoUese student was bound to have won. On Saturday Mr Hamilton also got a draw with the champion.

The Midland Railway. — Reports have reached us from Wellington that negotiations as to minor details are going on by cable between the Directors of the Railway and the Government, and that the prospects of a speedy settlement are favourable. Our special correspondent, it , will be noticed, gives the fullest inf orma- | tion, upon which any eort of reliance can be placed. ! Theatre Royal.— The final performance of the "Forty Thieves" by Messrs Brough aud Boucicault's clever Company drew a good home at the Theatre Royal j la3t night. The piece went exceedingly ; well, and the audience were liberal in their demonstrations of approval. To-night " Dick," a comic opern, described as of unusual attractiveness, will be produced for the first time. LiHCENiES. — The woman Emily Russell, who was charged with stealing a rug recently, and discharged because the owner of the rug could not be found, was re-ai rested last night by Chief Detective T. Neil. The rug has been identified by the Rev J. Orcnard as his property. Yesterday evening, also, Constable Koster arrested two boys, named Walter Wood and William Daye, aged eleven and twelve years respectively, on a charge of breaking into the shop of Messrs Hudson and Co., and stealing a bicycle lamp, value £1. Young Women's Christian Association. — The annual tea and publio meeting of the Young Women's Christian Association will be held in the hall of the V.M.C.A. on Monday next. Since the formation of the Association, rather more than a year ago, it has done good work. The coffee-rooms in Colombo street, near the corner of Cashel street, have proved a great boon to numbers of young women. The Committee hope to be able to recommence evening classes soon. Successful musical cveningß are held at intervals, and a weekly devotional meeting takes place on Monday evenings. The Rink. — It is expected that Professor Simmons, the skating champion, will shortly pay Christchurch another visit, and exhibit some of his feats at the Columbia Rink. The fancy dress carnival alluded to last week will probably coane off in a few weeks' time, after which a secies of races will be held. Skaters who have any idea of competing should certainly take advantage of tbe intervening weeks for practice. The efforts of the management to render the rink both popular and select have, it is satisfactory to record, been attended with entire success. A word of praise is due to the band which performs nightly under the direction of Mr Painter. The Sinking of the Cordillera of the Andes. — The Cordillera of the Andes ha 3 for some time been exhibiting a curious phenomenon. It results from observations made upon the altitudes of the most important points, that their height is gradually diminishing. Quito, which in 1745 was 9596 ft above the level of tbe sea, was only 9570 ft in 1803, 9567 ft in 1834-, and scarcely 9520 ft in 1867. The altitude of Quito has, therefore, diminished by 76ft in the space ot! 122 years. Another peak, the Pichincha,hasdiminishedby2lßft during the same period, and its crater has descended 425 ft in tho last twenty-five years. That of Antisana has sunk 165 ft in sixty-four years. Belgian Fortifications. — The fear that France or Germany, in the event of war, will attempt a rush through Belgium, has inspired tbe Belgians to tremendous exertions to prevent such a calamity. The now fortifications on the Meuse have been pushed, until now the builders have arrived at the second stage of construction. At the two forks of the river, to wit, at Namur and Liege, there have been erected enormous works with steel facings bristling with guns. It seems that most of the war material for these fortifications was long since ordered from the Krupp Company, at Essen, Germany, and, as the prevailing sentiment of Belgium is with the French, this has been the subject of protest. Recently it was discovered that the enterprising Krupp Company were sub-letting a portion of their contract to Belgian foundries, and nowthe Independence Beige and La Defense Nationalc are demanding to know if it would not be cheaper in the end to contract directly with home manufacturers than thus to order material from Belgium by way of Germany ? The annual dinner and presentation of prizes in connection with the Honorary Reserve Corps takes place this evening at seven o'clock, at the Clarendon HotoJ. An entertainmf nfc will be given in the Oxford terraco Baptist Church, to-morrow evening, in connection with tne Mutual Improvement Association, Cheap excursion fares between Christchurch and Dunedin will b 9 issued on May 22, 23, and 24, arailable tor return up to May Si), Saturday rctnrn tiokets, from any station to any station, will also bo issued on the above-named dates, available for return to Way 30. Further particulars as to fares, &c., will be found in an advertisement. A Losing Joke. — A prominent physician of Pittsbnrgßaid jokingly to a lady patient who was complaining of her continued itl.hea.lth, and of his inability to enre her, '" Try Dr Soule's American Hopßittere." Tho lady took it in earnest, and need the Bitters, from which she obtained permanent health. She now laughs at the doctor for his joke, bnt ho is not so well pleased with it, as it coat him a good patient.—" Harrisburfj Patriot."