Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6438, 7 January 1889, Page 3

Local & General.

Lecture. — A public exhibition of the Jenny Lind voice - producing apparatus and lecture on vocal physiology will be held on Jan. 24 in the V.M.C.A. Hall. Details of the programme appear elsewhere in this issue. Fire at PbbbbiiEton. — About half-past nine on Saturday a large wooden house at Prebbleton, with a dairy attached, belonging to Mr J. Hogen, was destroyed by fire, caused, it is supposed, through a defective chimney. Hagiißt Park. — The cocksfoot grass in Hagley Park ie now in such a state that if a lighted match were to give it a start there is no telling how much damage would be done to the plantations. The Domain Board shouldhave the crop seen to atones. It is a most prolific one, and would pay well to cut. E.M.S. Mariposa. — The Mariposa, with the San Francisco mail on board, arrived at Auckland on Saturday morning. The European news includes dates to Dec. 15. The Rink. — It will be seen that the Pony Race, which was to have taken place at the Palace Sink to-night, has been postponed for the present. Land for Sale.— The land advertised for sale by Messrs Matson and Co. on Saturday, was withdrawn from auction, as satisfactory arrangements had been made be tween the mortgagor and mortgagee. Nor'-westkb. —On Saturday evening there were a few slight showers, but yesterday a regular fierce Nor'-wester blew during the whole day. Clouds of dust were raised, but beyond a considerable thinning of the fruit on apple and other trees, little or no damage appears to have been done. The temperature in the forenoon was very high, but it cooled very much before evening. At Wellington there was a Btrong gale all day, and at Dunedin there were heavy rain-squalls in the afternoon, with a lower temperature. LoTAIi SICCARTON LODGE, M.TL.1.0.0.F. — At the annual meeting of the above Lodge the usual change of officers took place, when Bro J. Hanson took the G.M.s chair, with Bro Bucknell as N.G., Bro Webb as V.Q., and Bro Eowland as E.S. Certificates of merit, framed, were voted to the late Q M., Bro Lowe, and the late E.S., Bro J. S. Hepburn, for their services to the Lodge. Past Grands Bros Popp and Lowe also filled some of the minor offices. A benevolent fund, instituted for the help of distressed brethren, has made a fair etart. The Lodge is well in funds. The Volunteers.— The Volunteer companies in Christchurch are beginning to prove that they are determined to make the best of the altered state of affairs introduced by the new regulations, and are casting about for means of raiting their strength to the maximum of 100 men per company. The City Guards, the .senior rifle corps, have a meeting after parade to-night for discussing the position. The Christ's College Rifles have called a meeting for a like purpose for Wednesday next. The Bichmond Bifle3, a company thoroughly equipped with the requisites for campaigning, are advertising for recruits, and tbe officers of other corps will be glad to receive applications from active young men willing to serve Her Majesty in the ranks of the Christchurch Volunteer force.

ShAkspehian Fhstivax.— The Executive Committee met at the Hibernian Hall on Friday evening, and arranged Bundry matters in connection with the coming festival. It is probable that the Hallelujah Chorus will be sung at the opening on Jan. 30. Lincoln Election. —Mr Ollivier j addressed the electors at Springfield, in j the schoolroom, on Thnrsday evening. f Mr James Cunningham' was called to the : chair, and introduced Mr Ollivier. The . candidate spoke for over an hour and a i half, and was listened to, as is invariably the case when Mr Ollivier speaks, with j pleasure and respect. At the close a number of questions were asked, and | j satisfactorily replied to. xV vote of thanks , ! and confidence was proposed, but Mr j Ollivier preferred simply a vote of thanks ; , j the confidence he would leave to be i i decided by the ballot-box. The meeting j • closed with a vote of thanks to the Chair- j man. Mr Ollivier addressed the electors ! in the Eoad Board office, Sheffield, on j Friday evening. There were about forty i present, and Mr G. R. Williß was elected | Chairman. The candidate was very well j received, beingfrequentlyapplaudedduring < the delivery of his address; but the putting and answering of questions was hardly bo ' happy a part of the proceedings as could ! be wished. A vote of thanks to the j speaker, moved by the Chairman, was | carried by acclamation. Mr Saunders I addressed the electors in the Lincoln Schoolroom on Friday evening. The chair was occupied byMr.J. Doherty. There was a comparatively small attendance. Mr Saunders, whose remarks were simply a I resum4 of speeches already published, was accorded a vezy patient hearing, and at the close of his address a vote of thanks and confidence was carried, on the motion of Mr Morgan, seconded by Mr Thomas Greaves. A meeting of the members of the Amuri Turf Club will be hnld on Satarday afternoou next, at the Cntverden Hotel, to fix the date for the annual races, and transact other business.