Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6306, 2 August 1888, Page 3

Local & General.

Parliamentary.— Ruaden's" History of | New Zealand" was brought into promi- j nonce in the Legislative Council yesterday, , the Hon J. C. Bichmond referring to certain charges which had been made against him, and speaking in refutation. Jn the House of Bepresentatives the reports of the Sheep Committee and Native Affairs Committee were presented. The former j recommended a sweeping reform, of which our readers have already been advised j and the House evidently felt that the censure of the Committee was justified. In the evening the Premier moved the second reading of the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act Repeal Bill. The Premier was conciliatory to a degree, and his attitude of compromise secured an agreement to the second reading on the voices. TiMAKU Bisd Show. — The preparation of Quinn's fine new buildings for the South Canterbury Society's Bird Show is now in hand. The Show should be a success, the entries exceeding those of last year by 130. Coursing. — A handsome silver cup, subscribed for by some of the hotelkeepers and other tradesmen of Aebburton, has been presented to the United Canterbury Coursing Club as a trophy for the winner of the L&ghmor Cup, at th© Club's meeting next Tuesday. The Herd Laddie.— Mr J. Wyllie, who ! is at present at Akaroa, will arrive at Lyttelton during this week. While there he will be the guest of Mr Lane, at the Canterbury Hotel, where all lovers of draughts in Port will have an opportunity of playing a game. Accident. — As Mr E. Dyer, butcher, o! Madras street North, was driving some cattle yesterday afternoon, one of the mob attempted to escape when near Fendalton bridge. Whilst Mr Dyer was heading the animal, the horse he was riding fell and rolled on him, crushing one of his legs, but fortunately not breaking a bone. Mr Dyer was removed home in a conveyance, which was then passing, but he will be unable to move for a time. A Warning. — A correspondent writes : — "I would like through your columns to warn the public against a certain impostor, going about under the pretence of getting board and lodging, but really only doing it to get an insight into people's houses, and using certain gentlemen's names as a recommendation, whereas he knows nothing of them." A Munificent Gift. — The Librarian of the Chri&tchurch Working Men's Club Reference Library wishes to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt o£ a complete set of "The Popular Encyclopedia," by Charles Annandale, M.A. The work comprises fourteen well-bound volumes, and is a very valuable one, beautifully illustrated with numerous plates. It is a new and revised edition, published by Blackie and Son, London. Ihe work was presented by Mr E. R. Deacon, and will form a valuable adjunct to this already well-stocked and useful library. Lytteltoh Haebodb Eoabd. — Tljia Board held its monthly meeting yesterday afternoon, when there -was a fall attendance of members. The principal business transacted was the decision to lease the dredge to the Wellington Harbour Board for six months for i>lsoo, and the matter of leasing a site on the reclaimed ground near the dock to the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, on condition of a Biding being laid to it. The matter of procuring the siding was left with the Chairman to arrange. A report appears elsewhere. Avonbide Literary Association. — The monthly Bocial meeting of this Association was held on Tuesday evening, Mr W. E. Mitchell, Vice-President, in the chair. Musical selections were given by Mr Tolans, Miss Blanchard and Mr Blanchard ; songs by Mrs M'Ewan, Misses Adams and Hopper, and Messrs M'Ewan, Heard and Batchelor j and humorous readings by Mr Telford. At the conclusion the Chairman thanked all who had helped to afford such a pleasant evening's entertainment, and announced that next Tuesday evening would be devoted to readings and recitations. The Severe Weather in Otago. — The North Otago Times states that all advices from the interior agree as to the deplorable state of stock owing to the continuous fall of snow and severe frosts. For a time every effort was made to keep sheep out of the snow, but latterly that had to be given up, as there was no place to put them, the whole surface being covered. Cattle and horses gathered round the homesteads, looking wistfully at the fast diminishing haystack. It is almost certain that the loss of sheep will be the heaviest ever known on the Upper Waitaki. The Waitaki mail driver reported on arrival at Kurow on Saturday night that on Thursday there was three feet of snow on the Otematata Baddle. Columbia Rink. — The handicap race for employees of the drapery establishmeni s, which took place at the Rink last niglt, drew a large audience, who were rewarded with some exciting racing. Hall (scratch), Cohen (20sec), and Willis (15sec) competed in the first heat, and Hall won by a lap. Time— smin 17-|sec. Second Heat: Musson (ISsec), Goodchild (25sec), Wyinks (15sec), and Myhire (30sec) competed, Musson winning very easily from Goodchild. Time — 4min 43£ sec. Third Heat : E. Strange (scratch), W. Scrivener (lOsec), Hulbert (15sec) Carter (15sec), and Deal (25sec) competed. Strange took the lead at the sixteenth lap, and won easily. Time — 4min 40fsec. Final Heat : Muason (15<sec), 1 ; E. Strange (scratch), 2 ; N. Hall (scratch), S. Musson and Strange went right away from Hall, and the former won after a rattling race by a foot. Time— 4min 28sec. Professor Wyman exhibited some of his wonderful skating feats during the evening, and will perform again to-night. North Belt Literary Association. — At the weekly meeting of this Society on Tuesday, Mr T. H. Smeaton delivered an able and interesting lecture entitled " Scottish Songs and Ballads." The chair was occupied by the Sev K. Erwin, and the schoolroom adjoining the Church was. well filled. The lecturer described how, ill the first instance, the songs and ballads of early Scotland were handed down by tradition. He also pointed out the large production of lyric poetry by Scottish authors. Quotations were given from the works of Ossian, Ramsay, Lady Nairn, and Burns, and during the evening the following Scotch songs were rendered, illustrative of the lecture :— "Caller Herrin'" and "John Anderson, my Jo," by Miss Dunford, "Auld Scotch Sangß" by Mrs Mitchell, and an old melancholy Scottish chaont by the lecturer. At the close of the paper a hearty vote of thankß, proposed by Mr Dick and seconded by MrTxemayne, was conveyed to Mr Smeaton, and to the ladies who had assisted in the musical department. An Unfortunate Captain. —Captain Lane, of the American barque J. D. Peters, seems to have been unfortunate since his vessel arrived at the Dunedin wharf. The Herald Bays :— Soon after his arrival he was obliged to send six of his crew to the Hospital. Last week he had another of his seamen imprisoned for going ashore without leave, and while in Court he said he had had great difficulty with many of hia crew. On Tuesday two more of tho J. D. Peters' sailors were convicted of broaching cargo, while two heavenly looking Celestials had a narrow escape of suffering imprisonment for receiving some starch, which was part of the goods stolen. After the conclusion of the last case, Chief Detective Henderson asked that the starch found on Ah Foo's premises ehould be returned to Captain Lane's barque. In support of this Captain Lane said he had Buffered severely Bince he had been here. I To bis knowledge there had been stolen four cases of starch, two boxes of Florida water, and about seventy pounds of tobacco. How much more had gone he could not | tell till he reached Lyttelton. This pitiful tale failed to draw the sympathising tear from the presiding justice (Mr Hutchison), who, in the most cold-blooded way, suggested that Captain Lane " should keep a better watch over his cargo." The captain seemed to think that the Justice knew " almighty little" atoout the games of evil- } disposed Bailors.

Chakgbs Withdbawn.— At the Resident . Magistrate's Court at Timaru yesterday, ' William Smithson, aged twenty-six, was charged on two informations with embezzling moneys the property of hiß employers, Messrs Peacock and Geaney, butchers. , : The amounts referred to in the informations were small, 13s 2d and 6s 6d respectively, each in three smaller sums, but it ■waa stated that other sums, amounting in all to about .£B, collected during several months, had not been promptly accounted for. Mr Hay appeared for the accused, and stated that as he had settled with his employers they wished to withdraw the charge. They had arranged for a settlement on Monday evening, but something 1 prevented accused from keeping his appointment. He paid in the moneys on Tuesday, but in the meantime his employers had communicated with the police and a warrant had been issued. The Resident Magistrate agreed to the withdrawal of the information, as the police did not think it their duty to take up the prosecution, but warned accused to be careful to hand in moneys day by day in future. Settoit Farmers' Club. — The monthly meeting was held on Saturday night. There was a fair attendance, and Mr J. Vallance, jun., Vice-President, presided. A letter was received from Messrs Cook and Ross, explaining the use of " scrub- • exterminator," and informing the Club i that they had forwarded 501 b to them, as j requested by Mr Lance. It was resolved that Mr Vaughan distribute it to members of the Club. Messrs E. Recce and Sons wrote, offering to exhibit their pulverising plough to the farmers of the district. Mr Vaughan proposed — " That Messrs 13. Recce and Son's offer be accepted, that the Club will endeavour to procure a paddeck at an early date, and that Messrs J. Vallance and J. M'Leod be appointed ! to make all necessary arrangements." Seconded by Mr J. Mather, and carried. A discussion on the desirability of ordering a supply of cornsacks for next season's use then took place. The Secretary stated that if members would combine to send a joint order, a great reduction on current lates would be made. Members generally favoured the idea, but nothing definite was decided upon. Mr Lewis stated that the demand for poisoned wheat still continued, and he would require a further supply of grain for preparation. This the Chairman undertook to forward at his earliest opportunity. After transacting routine business, the Club adjourned till the last Saturday in August. M.C.C. Concert.-— The concert given in the Oddfellows' Hall last night in aid of the funds of the Midland Cricket Club was decidedly a good one, and the audience recognised the fact by the utmost liberality of applause, most of the numbers being encored. The programme was well arranged and well rendered. Mrs Weatrnacott sang in artistic style Molloy'9 "London Bridge." She also gave Piecolomini's " Ora Pro Nobis " with great sweetness and due appreciation of its pathos. For both she was encored. Mrs Garrard received encores for her rendering of "The Kisßing Gate," which was given with appropriate archness, and of tne plaintive "Fiowei'B of the Forest." Mr A. W. Woodward, who was in good voice, sang " Big Ben " and "The Vikings " very well, and was encored. Mr Read was similarly successful in his songs, "Tell Me, Mary," aud "The Pilgrim of Love," which he gave with due spirit and expression. A duet, " The Moon Hath Raised her Lamp," was well sung by Messrs Read and Woodward, who were encored. Mr Freeman eang " Thy Sentinel am I " with due care and feeling, and also gave "The Love Chase" very nicely. Mr Skelton's violin solo, Mozart's "La Flute Enchan tee," was a skilful piece of playing. Mr P. Mohr'e cornet solo, the well-known " Carnival de Venise," was so well played as to deserve the encore he received. An orchestra, composed of members of the Amateur Orchestral Society, contributed two overtures, " Opera Comique " and " La Traviata," with great skill and ta3te. Mr R. Trist Searell acted as accompanist in very artistic style. Dbaughts Match. — The draughts match between the Christchurch Bicycle Club and a team chosen from the employees of Messrs Ballantyne and Co. came oft on Tuesday night in the room of the Bioycle Club. The conditions were — "Draw for partners and play three games, nine men a-side." Score : — Christchurch Bicycle Club, nine games ; Ballantyne and Co , seven games. At the completion of the match refreshments were served, and, after some capital songs, a very enjoyable evening was wound up with "Auld Lang Syne." The next match of the Christchurch Bicysle Club will be against Lightband, Allan and Co. Burnham Industrial School. — An entainment in aid of the prize and recreation fund was held in the theatre of the above institution on Tuesday evening. The attendance was very good. Two farces, "Poor Pillicoddy" and "Box and Cox," were acted in capital manner, the Messrs Brittan sustaining the principal characters. Mrs Brittan and the Misses Palethorpe and Fennal were very good in their respective parts. Between the farces Mrs Westenra sang " Ho-Ro, my Nut brown Maiden," and "True till Death." Miss M. Templar rendered " Lock, Jjoct, Ahoy I" nicely, and Mr Sinclair gave "Little Binks" and "I'm not Myself at all," very humorously, and was encored. Mr E. C. Buckley was in good voice in " Stranded." Miss Campbell played a pianoforte solo very ably, the same lady and Mrs Westenra playing the accompaniments. The Band also played several times during the evening creditably. The farces are to be acted in Christchurch by special request. ! Books foe Public Schools. — The teachers of the Southland Educational Institute met on Saturday afternoon, for the purpose of discussing the universal adoption of certain books in the Southland schools. After considerable discussion, it was decided to recommend the following : —Chambers' School Readers, Mason's Small Grammar, Petrie's First Geography, Goyen's Arithmetic, Nelton's B series Arithmetic, Gardiner's History for IV., V., and VI., and Stories from English History for Standard in. West Christchurch School Committee. — Two members of this Committee, Messrs Kirk and Wendelken, have been making an active tour of the district, with the view of bringing pressure to bear upon the parents of absentees. In this way, many of those concerned have had friendly warning. This they will do well to take to heart, as it has been determined by the Committee, in all cases that may be necessary, to call in the aid of the police to compel the requisite attendance of children at the public schools. Our readers are reminded that the complimentary concert and tall, tendered to Mr li, Maurice trill be held in the Oddfellows' HaU, lachfleid street, this evening. As Mr Maurice has always bean one of the first to offer Lia services when required for all charitable purposes, a full house sbontd result. The Sydenham Crass Band will bo ia attendance.