Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6292, 17 July 1888, Page 3

Local & General.

Diseased Meat.— The City Council last night, on the motion of Councillor Bishop, instructed the Sanitary Committee to report on the question of inspecting the meat supply of the city, in consequence of the statements which have been made recently that diseased animals have been offered for sale for food in and about Chris tchurch. Stdenham W.M. Club.— A report of the annual meeting of the Sydenham and Addington Working Men's Club appears in another column, together with the name 3 of the newly-elected officers. M r J. A. Beattie was re-elected President Tite Lichfield Street Fire Brigade Station. — A petition from citizens of the South-western portion of the city in favour of re-opening the Lichfield street Fire Brigade Station, was presented to the City Council last night, and referred to the Fire Brigade Committee to report. The Gas Question.— The City Council has decided to take the necessary steps for raising a loan of .£50,000 for the erection of municipal gasworks. The report of the Special Committee of the Council on the subject, and a report of the proceedings at the Council meeting, appear elsewhere.;! Journalistic. — Mr Plunket, who ha 3 occupied the post of chief reporter to the LylteUon Times for many years, and still holds that position, left Lyttelton on Saturday, by the Wakatipu, for Melbourne, via Sydney. He will stay in Victoria about a month, acting while there as the special correspondent for this paper. Railway Accident. — An accident occurred to the southern express yesterday, when four mike 6oufch of Makikihi, at a place known as The Hook, where the train ran over a bullock. The eagine and a few trucks passed over the carcase all right, but the first of the carriages was derailed. It was slightly damaged, and was therefore left at Makikihi. The train arrived in Christchurch an hour and a quarter later than usual. Damage to Street LAsirs. — In consequence of the uuniber of street lamps that have been broken, principally in the neighbourhood of Latimer square, Bteps are being taken to put a stop to its continuance. A lad has been summoned for this offence, he having been caught 'damaging one while playing football. This case seeam to have been purely accidental, but a witness Having said it was -wilfully done, the city autKorities ordered an information to be laid., as in all cases of the kind. Sheep Stealing. — An important meeting is to be held at Rangiora to-day to take into consideration the necessary steps for preventing the continued larceny of sheep that is alleged to have been carried on in the northern district for a number of years. From a brief interview with Mr R. Foi'ster, Chief Inspector of Sheep, it would seem that there are numerous complaints or a like character from several portions of the Canterbury district, and it remains a question whether there is a need of the Branding Act being amended with a view of bringing about a better state of things. That laiceuks of sheep have taken pl; j .oo of late years is a matter of history, and 1:h« only thing to be done is to provide merino of checking its increase. Mr Foster intends being present at the meeting to-day, though he has no invitation ; but as the Government officer of the department, he deems it advisable, in the interests alike of the department and of the sheepowners, to hear any complaints and note any suggestions that may be made on the subject. Some Queer Debentures. — The Auckland Herald reports that when Sir George Grey paid a visit to Masterton lately, he fell in with an old Wellington printer, Mr Everest, from whom he obtained a series of Wellington debentures which he had printed in 18*5, for Mr Eoots, ginger-beer manufacturer. They are of varying denominations of value — a shilling, sixpence, and threepence. One of them runs as follows : — " Wellington, New Zealand. No. 1895 (Sixpence). On. presentation of ten of these notes I promise to pay the bearer the sum of five shillings in Government debentures, or the worth in my celebrated Antipodean Ginger Beer, well up, but, like Governor Fitsroy's head, rather weak. N.B. — Before I issue any of these notes I have a large supply of finger-beer well up.— W. Eoors; Ginger Beer Manufacturer." Sir George (writes our Wellington correspondent) is purchasing, as opportunity serves, every curious souvenir of the olden time obtainable, and I have reason to believe that they will ultimately be presented to the Auckland Free Library, which has been already so much indebted to him for princely gifts. Bhodes' Convalescent Home. — Notwithstanding the recent unfavourable decision of the Commission appointed to decide whether the Rhodes' Memorial Convalescent Home was necessary as a separate institution under the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, the Home has not ceased operations. The fees charged are somewhat higher than they would have been had the trustees been able to obtain the Crorernment subsidy, and this, so far, is the only effect of the decision on the Home, which, judging from several letters from patients to their friends, is doing good work. It will, doubtless, become a boon to the community when its advantages become more generally known. Its elevated situation and pure air, combined with the care and attention bestowed on the patients, and the wholesome, well Berved food, provide just such a restful change as the fastidious invalid or convalescent from this flat district Btanda so much in need of. That the Institution has many friends has been evidenced by the number of donations already made for the use of the patients. Notably, books have been given by gentlemen well known for their acts of benevolence. "Wo are informed by the Secretary that ihe testimony of the medical gentlemen in favour of the Home at the recent enquiry waa given without fee, as none of them made any claim for their expenses. It is to be hoped that the Institution will continue to do its good work, and no doubt the lady superintendent will be as successful as hitherto in making it indeed a " home " to those needing rest and change. Ib is asserted that naturalisation of the British-born residents of the State of New lork would add in four years 00,000 citizens to the voting population.