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Star (Christchurch), Issue 6649, 13 September 1889, Page 3

London Bridge. — Eeferring to a paragraph which, appeared in our ißsue of Wednesday last giving some particulars about London bridge, a gentleman brought to this office a brass medallion struck in commemoration of the opening of the bridge. It has on one side a picture of the bridge, with the following dimensions : — Carriage way 33jft, length of bridge 782ffc, centre arch 150 ft, side arch 140 ft. On the other side is this inscription " The firat stone of the new London bridge was laid by John Garratb, Esq.,Lord.Mayor of .London, on March 14,. 1824, and opened by their Majesties August 1, 1831." Gambling in Chokch, the Turibridge Wdls Advertiser remarks, is a diversion that few would advocate or excuse, but, incredible as it may seem, a species of gambling is annually carried on at the parish church of Sb Ives. It seems that some two centuries ago an eccentric person left in trust to the vicar and churchwardens an orchard, the rent of which was to be devoted to the purchase of Bibles. So far, so good. But the pious benefactor further provided that the Bibles Bhould be raffled for with dice in the church, and this extraordinary ceremony was duly carried out on Whit Tuesday last. After a shortened form of evening prayer, the, Vicar delivered an address, telling those.: present they must look upon what was; to take place reverently. He was sorry they had to observe the custom in a place sanctified to the service of God ; but it had been observed for two hundred years. With this lame excuse the proceedings began. A table covered with a white cloth was brought forward, . and some half-dozen boys and girls came up as ; their names were called, andi&rew-toe-dice which .were provided for the occasion. Three throws each was the rule, and-: those who threw the highest numbers won the bibles. The ceremony closed with, a hymn, and the Benediction., A Noncon-formist-writer, indignant at the proceedings, writescto say he-wouldiike fco-faaowif. aohurch-ia not a -"public place" "within, the meaningof the Gaming Acts. If no, ; by-6 GeojjgelV.<cjß3,,.the. THcar •wouloLbe *