Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6313, 10 August 1888, Page 3

Local & General.

The Centennial Exhibition. — The letter from our special correspondent, published in this issue, describes the great procession at the opening of the Exhibition, and the grandeur of the inaugural ceremony. A brief sketch, is also given of tho New Zealand Court. Church of the Good Shepherd, Phillipstown. — An entertainment was given last night in the schoolroom of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Phillipstown, in aid of the funds of the church, to an audience which, though very appreciative, was much limited by the inclement weather. Those who braved the rain seemed well satisfied with the amusement offered them, and were especially gratified by the songs of Misses Long (2), and Messrs Iggleden, Marriott and Carder, and pianoforte solo by Miss Burrell. The series of entertainments will be continued on Thursday next.

The Direct Steau Service. —We understand that the representatives of the New Zealand Shipping Company and the local Board of Advice of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company have been sitting in Christchurch for the past two days considering the question of mail contracts. Ib is Btated that they are concerting arrangements to tender for a mail service fortnightly to and from London, on such, terms aa will yield a considerable profit to the Colony. It is also in contemplation to give passengers travelling by the two lines the privilege of stopping en route, and resuming their voyage by the Bteamers of either line. Kritish Israel. — The Sydenhain Association meb on Tuesday evening, Mr T. M. Gee (President) in the chair. The following officers were re-elected for the ensuing year : — Mr T. M. Gee, President ; Mr S. Smart, V ice-President ; and Mr Parsons, Secretary. For the .next meeting, the anniversary of the Association, it was arranged that ss many visitors as possible should be asked to attend ; and those of them who should be wiiling, invited to address the meeting. The President promised to give a report of the Association's proceedings during the past year, and also an addresß on tho nature and proofs of British Israelism. Mr M'Hallie concluded his paper on " The Territorial Possessions of Israel in the Latter Days." After a short discussion tho meeting was closed.

Agricultural Progress in Southland. — Tho New 3 says : — A visitor jusfc returned from a trip in tho western district states that agricultural operations in I that quarter are in a satisfactorily advanced state. A good deal of ploughing has been done, and much of the wheat land > is already sown. Despite the frosts cf the past week or two, ploughing and sowing have been energetically carried on, In one large paddock of wheat, near the railway line, a promising braird waa perceptible. The traveller was particularly struck with the extent of the drainage work going on, as compared with that observed by him in. former seasons. Various styles, from the old-fashioned V bottomed drain with plank cover, to the modern tile, were seen, as well as in places indications of the passage oJ the drain plough. From Makarewa to Uiverton, and also up the Jacob's Biver Plat — an atea of several thousand acres — the ground was intersected by drain trenches, many of more than usual depth, thus reclaiming acres of previously useless swamp. New Zealand Nuggets. — Observing some correspondence in our exchanges recently with respect to the 360z Eiverton nugget, and stating that it was the largest nugget yet found in new Zealand, we (Lyell Times) wiah to correct that imI piession. During the year 1869 Messrs Scott, Hutton and party, while working on the bank of the Duller river, opposite Junker's present accommodation house, and about five miles below Lyell, dis- ■ covered a nugget of pure gold weighing 920z. Also, in Lyell creek, and two of its tributaries, Irishman's and Scottv's, nuggets have "been found weighing 730z, •660z, 520z, and a large number between :30oz and 50oz. The " Pistol Nugget/* is2oz, was unearthed at Maori Bar, Lyell creek. We are also aware that at Maori Point, Greenstone, and Moonlight creek, larger pieces of gold than 3Goz have been discovered. Parliamentary. — The Council carried the third reading of the Mining Act Amendment Bdi by 21 to 9, and then, by 17 to 13, "laid aside" the, Naval and Military Settlers Bill. One or two other measures were forwarded a stage. The Bills passed in the evening included tho ( Kaiapoi DrilJshed and the Timaru Harbour [ Loan Act Amendment. When the Native I Land Bill came on in tho House, the northern Maori member was as good as his word. Mr Taiwhanga had threatened a I stonewalling, and he succeeded in keeping* possession of the floor, in spite of all protest and appeal, until the 5.30 adjournment. In the evening, after a protesting speech, by Sir George Grey, Mr Taiwhanga resumed his tactics, and, from his point of view, with uncommon success. At 10.25 he was still talking, and then, on the motion of Mr Eish, the galleries were cleared— the ladies' gallery exoepted— and the House was left sitting. Selwyn Copper and Manganese Company. — A general meeting of the shareholders in this Company was held at the ' Market Hotel on Wednesday evening, ab i which there waa a good attendance. Mr T. Cooper presided, and the business of the meeting having been explained, ib waa resolved that the proposal to amalgamate with the other Company was not acceptable to the shareholders. Th« other proposals were likewise rejected, whilo thanking the applicants for their offers ; but fta it wa3 iVhe intention of the Company to issue a prospectus and offer shares to tho public, the offers were inopportune. Some really excellent specimens of copper ore were displayed which, evoked enthusiastic comment. Mr J. Free wa3 appointed canvasser to the Company, and the desirability of at once proceeding \rith the working of the mine.was urged by all present.

Him,-'. Christian ' C.Hcrucn,^ ? k:r \*? Road. — A lcotms was delivered in fc ! '< ; j Cfuirch lasi; nighc by fcho liuv J. G. W. EiJb, in ilio presence oi' ntt-in.dis.~ce principally composed cf the fair t.c:-:.- US subject was "Woman ti.-J a Miaistering Angel," and the manner in which he dealt •wiUi if; was both practical and interesting. He spoke oi: her as the qu'eea'of thsliouie, aud deprecated her interference in political or other matters winch w«sre out oE her sphere, espraysicg no sympathy for those ladies wbo took part in women's rights' agitations, &c. Ho reforred to her influence for good as sistsr, wife, oj? niotber, and instanced notable cases ia which that influence had brought great; benefit. Tho lecture was to'vrith great attentioa, and at its close- a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the. lecturer on the motion of the Rev J. Orchard; a similar vote being passed to the Chairman, tho Rev J. C?ewee. Refreshments were served ia a liberal tnsimer by sevorrtl ladies of the congregation, and a social hour was passed agcce&bly. Tlio Scnrotary of tho Ctrhtcluirc'i Enspital fcoijs to acknowledge, with thanks, tho racoipt of apple jelly from Juris Bishop, 'fupanuij a case of oraugea from Mrs We ; t.in.