Local & .General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6654, 20 September 1889, Page 3

Local & .General.

-t> Bangiora Horse Fair. — The annual Stud Horse Parade under the auspice 3 of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, has been fixed for Tuesday, Oct. 1. Sydenham Poultry Society. — The eighth annual meeting of this Society was held last night. A highly satisfactory report and balance-sheet was presented. A report appears elsewhere. Entertainment at Lyttelton. — It had been atranged by Mr Crook to give a dissolving view entertainment last evening in the Lyttelton Oddfellows' Hall. Owing,however, to the downpour, the entertainment was postponed until to-night. Tee Flax Industry. — Messrs Cook Brothers, of Lyttelton, have for some time past had a gang of men engaged cutting flax on their run off the Sumner road. A large quantity haß already been cut and forwarded to Hornby to one of the milln, and hundreds of ton 3 are still there waiting to undergo the same operations. Northern A gricultural an d Pastoral Association. — The Committee appointed to revise the premium c&tologrie of the above Association's annual exhibition, icst yesterday at the Boad Board office, and carried out the work entrusted to them. No important alterations were made. Three applications for the post of Secretary to the Association were received, and that of Mr A. Templar was accepted. Ashbubton Horse Parade. — The parade of entire horses at Ashburton on Saturday will be the largest ever seen in. the district, no lesa than thirty-one horses of all descriptions having been entered. By a reference to our advertising columns it will be seen that not a few of them are for sale, and I Messrs Williams and Bland, of Ashburton, advertise no less than eight of the hozsea i to be shown. Tinwald. — A concert was given in the Tinwald Templar Hall on Wednesday evening in aidof the St Andrew's Church. There was a large attendance, and a programme, the items of which were contributed by local amateurs, was submitted | successfully to an appreciative audienco. The Rev Mr Garbett was in the chair, and thanked all who had helped to make the concert a success. I.O.G.T.—At the usual meeting of the Ashburton Star of the East Lodge on Wednesday evening, a banner suitably inscribed was presented to the Lodge by a few meinbera, and Sister Edward 3 also presented the Lodge with ahandsome altar cushion. The other business was of the usual nature ; but to show how the order is progressing in Ashburton, it may be mentioned that over 160 members were present at this meeting. St Mary's, Addington. — The parishionera o£ A.d<Jington are about to appeal to the sympathies of the people of the city by a bazaar, at the end of next month. Much interest is being taken in the preparations necessary to an endeavour of this kind, and there promises to be a good display of articles. The bazaar will be opened in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lichfield etieet, on Oct. 2i, and in addition to the stalls for the Eale of goods, there will be many attractions of an entertaining kind. Aleateur Opera Company. — At a Committee meeting of the Christchurch Amateur Opera Company held last evening, it was decided to put in rehearsal at a very early date Gilbert and Sullivan's opera, "The Pirates of Penzftnce." Judging from previous performances of these deservedly popular amateurs, the public may look forward to a repetition at no distant period of the many enjoyable evemng3 previously spent with them. A Curious Friendship. — Some four or five months ago a family, who then lived in Temuka (cays the Leader) removed to some other district, leaving their house empty. They left behind them a wild hen they could i<bt catch, and a cat, and ever since the cat and hen have been, inseparable. They sleep side by sidej they attend each other in their walks abroad, and when the hen is scratching for food the cat is sitting by, looking on. It iB perhaps tho strangest instance of companionship on record. Passed Away. — Mrs C. A. Maslin, mother of Mr W. S. Maslin, auctioneer, one of the oldest residents in the Geraldina district, breathed her last on Monday morning, at the residence oC her son-in-law, Mr T. Sherratt. The deceased lady was seventy yeara of age. Mrs Maslin arrived in the Maori in 1859, landing at Lyttelton, with her husband and family, i shortly afterwards going southward. She was much beloved by all who were acquainted with her. The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon. [ Industrial Building Society. — A meeting was held last evening at the Oddi fellowß' Chambers to allot the seventh appropriation of .£3OO. Mr H. Crooks Chairman of Directors, presided, and there ! was a large attendance. The Directors i recdmmended that in accordance with the original intention of the promoters, the present appropriation should be by ballob. Messrs E. Watts and A. Mander were appointed scrutineers. Share No. 41 was declared entitled to the loan of JE3OO for twelve years without intereet. There will be an appropriation in No. 2 Society on Sept. 26. A vote of thanks to tho Chairman closed the proceedings. Lyttelton United Tjsmpbrance Association. — The monthly meeting of the above Association was held in tho Oddfellows' Hall on Monday last, acd, notwithstanding the wot night, there was a large attendance of members and friends. It is to be regretted that the friends who promised to come from Christchurch to provide the evening'B entertainment failed to put in an appearance, with the exception of Mr and Mrs Heath, who deserve great praise for coming alone and giving their assistance. In spite of the disappointment a pleasant evening was Bpent, , the Bey G. Bond closing with one of hia characteristic speeches, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr aad Mrs Heath; Lawn Tennis. — The President of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Club has kindly offered four prizes to be played for on Sept. 28 at the Ccanmer Square courts. The tournament will consist of two events, viz., a combined ladies' and gentlemen' 3 double handicap, and a gentlemen's double handicap. PJay will commence at 2 yy- 10 - Entries will be received by Messrs E. J. Boss and E. D. Harm an not later than Tuesday, Sept. 24. If the number of entries will not give sufficient time to play through the whole tournament in ono afternoon, arrangements raußt be made by the players to play off the first and second round of each handicap before Saturday. As Mra Nedwill hns kindly offered to give tea, the Committee will be pleased to see members and their friends and those interested in tennis. Our One Man Government. — A Napier contemporary says: — It hag often been asserted that Sir H. Atkinson constitutes the whole of the Government, but such Btatementß have generally come from the mouths of the enemy, and few people would have expected to hear it from the hon gentleman's own lips. On Saturday night the Premier was speaking of the disorganisation of the House to which Mr Balance had alluded, and he plaintively added that no one could feel that disorganisation more than ho did, for the whole weight of it fell upon him. "On the Government," interrupted Mr Hutchison. " Upon me," said the Premier in correction; "and when I speak of inyeelf 1 speak not o? an individual, but of the Government." To say that the whole House exploded with laughter is to mildly describe what followed. Sir Harry got ont of the difficulty by stating that he was please to ace his hon friends aroused, bnt anybody who knew anything about Constitutional law must be aware that whatever the Premier spoke of he Bpoko for, the^tovemment. ;

The "Weather in- tiie Gkbaldine District. — Yesterday afternoon the v.-eather broke with a heavy downpour of ; eieefc, snow, and rain. ; Me Sttivltvan's" Mission. — Mr George T. ( Sullivan will close his mission in Chri&tchurch on Wednesday evening, and will probably proceed to America. Confirmation Service. — A confirmation eervico will bo held at So Saviour's, West Lyttelcon, on Sunday at eleven o'clock. It was first arranged to be held during the afternoon, but has been altered in consequence of the medical advisers to the Bishop forbidding him being out after j Bundowu. I Arrest. — A man named John Luke was ■ arrested yesterday by Sergeant Stagyocle en a charge of stealing a purse containing money, some tobacco and lib tea, of a j total value of £4 12s, from the dwellinghouse of James Smith, at Cashmere. The accused will be brought up at the •Magistrate's Court this morning. Union Bowing Club. — At a Committee meeting of the Club held at the Commercial Hotel last evening the following were elected members •. — J. "W. Flesher, TV. Bacon, C. Pannell, J. Lord, J. Henderson, J. Skinner, G. Bileliffe, W. Johnston, C. M. Mason, W. E. Neville, ft. Sinclair, C. E. Griffen, E. L. Wallace, C. H. Wagstaff, G. Manifold, and E. H. Hey wood. CHTUSTCHURCH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. —The first show of the present season, entitled the bulb and camellia show, was held yesterday in tho Pal&ce Eink, and was a decided success. A report appears elsewhere. The show will remain open to-day between the hours of 2 p.m. and 10 p.m., and is well worthy of a visit. Skating will be continued as usual during the evening. United Methodist Free Chuech, Richmond. — An entertainment was given by the Band of Hope in connection with the above church on Wednesday evening, when there was a very good attendance of members and visitors. The programme consisted of dialogues, recitations, and instrumental items, a duet by Mr and Miss Johnston being much appreciated ; and an address by the Rev S. Macf«rlane concluded a very pleasant evening's entertainment. Theatre Royal. — The popularity gained by Bland Holt's sensational play " Union Jack," did not suffer by the wet weather last night, as long before the curtain rose there was a full downstairs house, and a well patronised dress circle. Doubtless, this accounted in a measure for the spirited performance. Every point wa9 made, and the audience were, if possible, more exacting than on previous evenings in the matter of calls before the curtain. " Union Jack " will be repeated to-night. Sydenhaji. — A meeting of the School Committee was held on Sept. 17, all the members present. A letter was received from the Board of Education intimating that previous to taking any definite steps respecting the transfer of the site for the proposed swimming bath, ib will be necessary to obtain the consent of the Minister for Education. On that being obtained the Board's solicitor will be instructed to proceed with the transfer. The Board also requested the Committee to ascertain on what terms a suitable site can be obtained for an s.d'litiona.l sclioolrootnResolved " that Mr Forrester obtain the neaessary information and the Board be advised as early as possible." Sis applications were received for the two vacancies in the school stuff, viz., fifth and sixth master : Messrs J. P. Kalaugher and W. M. West wgre recommended for the position. Chbistchttrch Bicycle Club. — Ageneral meeting of the Christchurch and St Albans Bicycle Club 3 was held at the Christchurch Bicycle Club's rooms on Wednesday, when there was a very good attendance, Mr N. Oates in the chair. It was resolved that tho two -Clubs amalgamate, keeping the name of the Chrrstchurch Bicycle Club. The election oi" officers resulted as follows: — President, Mr SandEtein; VicePresidents, Messrs A. E. G. Rhodeß, R. H. llhodes and C. R. Bishop; captain, W. T. M'Kay ; sub-captains, J. D. Colville and W. Moor; Secretary, J. C. Cusack ; Treasurer, J. Oates ; Committee — Messrs N. Oates, Andrews, Hobbs and Topliss; buglers, Messrs Leslie, Moor, Hobbs and Thomson. It was resolved to join the opening run on Sept. 2S, and that members bo requested to meet at Club rooms at 2.15 p.m. After passing a hearty votea of thanks the meeting terminated. The Moon. — In further reference to the cable message stating that disturbances were taking place in the lunar crater known as Pliniua, it 1b of interest to recall the fact that some twenty years ago there was keen controversy relative to a similar statement. On that occasion the crater Linne was referred to. Inasmuch as it seemed to have become smaller, and Icsj capable of discernment through tho telescope, there seemed to be reason for the assumption of a change going on. But inasmuch as the crater presented very different appearances under different degrees of illumination, the evidence was held to be inconclusive. Another statement put forward was that a new crater had appeared, of email dimensions. In the course of tho well-known Gresham College lectures ("The Sun, its Planets, &.c") the following passage occurs: — <r ln any case wo must allow that land-slips, and a gradual deterioration and crumbling of the lunar rocks must almost undoubtedly btill continue as a result of the intense alternation of heat and cold which the moon undergoes." East Oxford. — On Wednesday evening the Oxford Dramatic Society gave an entertainment " at tho East Oxford Town Hall, for the benefib of E. Rossiter, who lately met with a bad accident while bush falling. They were assisted by the Oxford Orchestral Society, who mut>t be complimented on this their first appearance on the progress they have made under the able leadership of Mr Brown. The fireti part consisted of "The Fairy's Father," in which the prompter seemed to have rp.ther the beat of it, followed by " Beautiful Snow," by Miss Carrie Fiecher, and a parody on "Beautiful Snow" by Mr Alf ingleson, who appeared as a street Arab, and elicited shouts of laughter by his olever acting 1 . Tho Rev E. H. Wjatt, for the Rev H. Wiiliams, thanked the audience for their attendance, and expressed his surprise and regret that when bo many ladies and gentlemen had given their services for a charitable cause, their efforto ohould be met by so little support among the labouring men of Oxford. He wiehed especially to thank Miss Carrie Fischer, who had most kindly given up her benefit on this occasion, and hoped she would be jto lo*er, but would be greeted with a bumper" house during the Oxford race week. The concluding part was the amusing farce of '". My Turn Next," in which Miss Ada Parish, Miss Carrie Fischer, Mr Harbidge, Mr P. Smith, and Mr A. Ingleeon took leading parts, and being well up in their respective^ roles, were much applauded. . ' Spurgeon. — Mr Spurgeon has now quite recovered from his last atfack of gout, and is preaching as earnestly as over. I noticed the other day says a London Correspondent, wnen present at his Tabernacle, that not only in his sermons, but likewiso in his prayers, he made very distinct allusion to those unorthodox Baptists with whom he lias lately been breaking a lance. The reverend gentleman ha 3 not lost much of his piquancy during the last few years, simply because he has become much more temperate, Now-a-days one hardly ever bears Taiaa makoan attack upon the. Church of England, as an establishment, and certainly nobas a Christian Church, though he occasionally speaks out' against the Ritualists. Like many otherß, he has ripened with age, and his vie wb have roa dened except towards those of his wn denomination who deny the doctrine of eternal punishment. The annual meeting of the AdHiogton Cricket Clnb -will bo heid ■ to-morrow evening, at tho Commercial Hotel. A meeting of tho Ladies' Committee in omujbction with, tho forthcoming bill of the Canterbury Caledonian Society will bo held this afternoon at the Society's rooms, 158. Hereford street. Mr Uerriok desires to acknowledge with sincere thanka the follovriiig ;— Mrs Fiebor, milk ;Mr Freemnn, eoones, fee, ; friend, dripping; Mr Whitfield, Mr Broadley and Bread Company, bread; iriend, boots fc friend, scones: working men at Templeton Freezing "Works, £2 ; friend, Kaiapoi, clothing ; Mr Fox. Waikari, hail ca'caoe beof; Mrs Nairn, eggs- JWr E. Carter, batter; AngJesea I,odge, Lincoln, £210 a« (tioad, S» ; Jix Baafl»lwgfrmeatsie anaaaflfttjiWead, books, :

An American Arsexic Potsonkk. — ' American ?a-{ :P rs ?*' vo accounts of tii« ] execution at Philareiphift, of a worn an j named Mmj Jane "Whitplhg, for poisoning h«r husband and two children, by i means of arsenic. The motive for the j shocking deod apj> o are to tnve been to | obtain the money for which the murdered j persons ware insured. The husband d^ed | in March, ISBB, and the doctor who j attended him gave a certificate of death from inflammation. At the end of April the daughter-, Berfla, nino yeara old, dird from supposed gastric fever, and a month Inter tne sod, a child of three, also died. Suspicion being excited, the bodie3 were exhumed by order of the Coi'oner, andarsertic was four* j, and* upon Mrs Wintering being taxed -witi the crime, she admitted having murdered tho two children, but alleged that her husband poisoned himself. The amount of insurance money realised by the murderer was .£BO. The prisoner walked unsteadily to the gftllow3. This was the fir3t execution of a woman in Philadelphia. Becent statistics show that there are a million widows in England. Ihirty-two new species of fish hare been discovered in the waters of the Northern Pacific. Two-thirds of the persons who commited suicide in the United States Last year were of foreign birth. A " Guide to the Churches of London. " shows that the number of metropolitan churches have increased between 1883 and 1889 from 928 to 1016. The average consumption of water in Glasgow during the whole of last year wes 40,000,000 gallons per day, cv> nearly fifty gallons per head per day. A. new Spanish industry of profltisthe cultivation of tomatoes. Some of the importations laatyear bore 100 per cent profit, and the trade will be much developed thiß I year. In Naples the open carriage is considered a piime necessity by many thousands of people. A Neapolitan will go without his breakfa.\t in order to appear dashing along the Via Koma or the Cuiaja in a " cairozzella." The peasants, the washerwomen, the porters, the coal-heavers, all take cabs, and the alranger who doea not is audibly abused by the fraternity of Jelms. A strange case of suicide on the part of a lad was investigated by a coroner's jury at Dresden, Staffordshire. The deceased, . named Hanry Deakin, aged eight years, had accidentally broken a window in Dresden, &nd his mother, in order to frighten him, told him that he would have to go to priaon. In his fright he rushed out of the hnuse, and, f&wing to return home, drowned himself. One of the consequences of the progress of civilization uppears to be a too considerable reduction or 1 the proportions of the human jp,w. Our fceoth continue the same in number, but our jaws are becoming too little tor thorn. An extensive Etudy recently made in Germany on. a large number of cases shows tnat the greatest common cause of irreg-ulurifcits in the position of the tettSh i 3 want of room.