Local & GeneraL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6832, 21 April 1890, Page 3

Local & GeneraL.

Kaiapoi Sailing Club. — On Saturday the Madge beat the Lotiiß for the second heat of Captain Alexander's prize. Irish Eifles. — A church parade of the Canterbury Irish Rifles was held yesterday afternoon, when twenty-one members of tbe corps mustered under Captain Whitesides and attended St Mary's Catholic Church.

Bishop v. Ackrotd. — At Timaru on Saturday morning his Honor Judge Ward gave judgment in this case. The Jury found a verdict for plaintiff, .£4O damages, and the motion was to enter a nonsuit or judgment for plaintiff. His Honor, in a lengthy statement, dismissed the motion, plaintiff holding his verdict with costs. Mr C. Perry was for the plaintiff, and Messrs Hay and Salmond for the defendant.

' The Christohurch Hounds. — The second regular meet of the season was held at Prebbleton on Saturday afternoon, the rendezvous being Mr Joseph Haydon's property. The day was a most favourable one, the result being three capital runs and one kill. There was a good attendance of members and visitors, amongst whom were Misses Wynn-Wil-liams Haydon, Cowlishaw, Delamain, Helmore, and Kiuibell, Mrs Alan Scott, the Master (Mr A. Lyon) Messrs Woodman, Kimbell, D. Kimbellon Eambler, Claridge, Haydon, and many others, including Mr W. Elton, who proved himself equally at home in the saddle as on the lyric stage. The party were hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs Haydon, who were heartily cheered as the day's sport was brought to close.

j The Orrery. — A recent visitor to the , Dunedin Exhibition went into the orrery ! and found a professor giving a lecture on | tbe sun and his planets, illustrating hia i lecture by referring to a beautiful • mechanical orrery worked by a tiny steam ' engine' Bhewing the planets, &c, all spini ning round at a most surprising rate. A ; contemporary asserts that at the conclusion of the lecture, and while the andience were endeavouring to digest the scientific facts just imparted to them, a venerable old fellow who had been paying great attention, got on his feet and asked, " But, sorr, which of the planets is Ohvland?" He could not understand the laughter that ensued, and seemed to think that the lecturer had been guilty of a great omission in net including the Emerald Isle amongst the list of the earth's planetary companions. Nkw Zealand Coal. — Captain Hector, E.N.K., a recent visitor to New Zealand, who is now staying in Sydney, speaks in very high terms of the future of the coal industry in New Zealand. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, he says : — "ln the neighbourhood of Westport the supplj* is almost inexhaustible, and is, too, of splendid quality, and whether for steam, cooking, domestic, or other purposes, is said to be equal to the best English coal. The cost of mining is comparatively small, since the seams (some over thirty feet thick) are mainly above the ordinary surface rather than deep down, but the difficulty of getting the yield to market is still the serious obstacle, though one that is being steadily, if slowly, grappled with. As means of communication and transit are improved, and with the introduction of additional capital, an appreciable stimulus ia expected to be given to the mining industry, the result of which will be found in the placing on the New Zealand market of j Westport coal at the same price as Newcastle."

Church of the Good Shepherd, Phillipstown. — Festival services in connection with this church were held yesterday, both morning and evening. The music was pleasingly rendered by a full choir under the direction of Mr Money, the organist. Dr Clarke's anthem, " Behold how Good and Joyful," was very well sung, the solo being taken by Mr G. Alexander aud tbe duet hy the Misses Holloway. The Eev H. J. C. Gilbert officiated at all the services, and preached special sermons during the day, that in the evening having reference to the early closing movement. Mr Gilbert pointed out who the real oppressors were in this case, namely, the working people themselves, and said the masses needed educating to see the evil of late shopping before the Association could attain its end. He counselled the advocates of this movement to be patient, not to be too eager for legislative enactment to compel men to do what is right, but to go on agitating and endeavouring by all lawful means to obtain remedy for their wrongs, and they might be quite sure of the prayers and sympathy of thousands.

The Early Closing Movement. — As a result of the recent agitation for the adoption of early closing on Saturday evenings, a large number of boys and young men assembled shortly before nine o'clock in the open space in front of the City Hotel, evidently with a view of repeating the performance of the previous Saturday should occasion offer. The shop on which their attention was fixed, however, closed promptly at the stipulated hour. The crowd made their way to Colombo street North, where Mr JS. Powell's shop was found to be open. Having given a few groans, they went to the Armagh street corner, and finding Mr Powell's establishment still open, another halt and more groanings followed. Mr Powell came to his shop door and said a few words to them. They repeated the groaning, and seemed bent on remaining till the shop was closed. Mr Powell, however, was equally determined. Some of the lads in the front commenced to throw pebbles at the window. Mr Pender at once checked this, and cautioned the crowd against any such conduct, whereupon they retired. Mr Powell shortly afterwards closed his shop, and the streets resumed their wonted quietness.

St Albans Co-opekative Money Club. — The first annual meeting was held on Friday evening, and was fairly well attended. The President (Mr H. D. Pine) occupied the chair. The balance-sheet and Committee's report for the half-year showed an increase of members from 74 with 199 shares to 103 with 313, the value of stock standing at .£535 lis Id. During the period .£B2B had been lent, as against .£4OB 10a in the previous term, making a total since commencing of .£1236 10s. The balance to credit of profit and loss amounted to .£Bl 8s 2d. Against this had to be charged salaries, rent, &c., leaving a balance available for distribution of .£SO 17s 7d, with which the Committee recommended a dividend of 7* per cent on each complete 10s, making 15 per cent for the year. The report and balance-sheet were unanimously adopted. The election of officers for the ensuing twelve months resulted as follows :— President, Mr H. D. Pine (re-elected); Vice-President, Mr J. W. Tulley (reelected) ; Treasurer, Mr A. C. Birt (reelected) ; Trustees, Meßsrs J. Evans and J. Thornton ; Finance Committee, Messrs J. J. Hunter and T. Walker; General Committee, Messrs J. J. Gibert, F. Selwyn, T. M. Brown, A. H. Hobbß, E. Bargrove and C.N. Dawkins; Shareholders' Auditor, Mr B. J. Alpe. The appointment of Secretary was adjourned till next Friday. Votes of thanks terminated the proceedings.