Latest Locals.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6885, 21 June 1890, Page 3

Latest Locals.

Assembly.— The Knightetown Quadrille Assembly, which proved so successful last winter, is to be re-opened on Wednesday evening next in the Knightstown Library. An Interesting Pamphlet. — We have received a copy of a lecture by Mr Murphy, printed in pamphlet form, upon "The General Aspect of Agriculture Throughout the World, but Chiefly with Eeference to New Zealand." Mr Murphy deals with the subject in a comprehensive manner, and the pamphlet is well worth reading, not only by farmers, but by all who take an interest in the welfare of their Colony. A.O.F.—A 'eery pleasant social gathering of the members of Court Queen of the Seas and their friends took place yesterday evening, in Patterson's Hall, New Brighton. Sonets were given by Miss White, Messrs Rowseil, Wyatt, Frost and Orwell. Miss White and Mr Wilson acted as accompanists. After the musical programme dancing was begun, and kept up till a late hour, Mr P. Korr aoting as M.C. Fernside. — A Mutual Improvement Association waß recently formed at FernBide, and, judging by the interest manifested in the proceedings at the weekly meetings, it is likely to flourish and prove of much benefit to the young people of the neighbourhood. The officers are :— President, Mr James Dalziel ; Vice-Presi-dent, Mr John Doak ; Treasurer, Mr John Lehmann ; and Secretary, Mr W. Sloane. Popular Concerts at Lyttelton. — A meeting of those interested in working up a series of popular concerts at Lyttelton during the winter evenings waß held in the Council Chambers on Friday evening, his Worship the Mayor (Mr J. B. Milsom) in the chair. There was a good attendance, and it was decided to get up the,concerts and charge sixpence admission, the following Committee being formed — His Worship the Mayor, Mesßrs Allwright, Laurensen, G. and J. Collins, W. Badcliffe, 1 and E. M. Griffiths (Hon Secretary).

r j A , Conundrum, -r An extraordinary 1 1 question was given to the candidates at the | recent examination of constables at . I Wellington to the . following effect :— 1 1 "What is the lowest rank in the navy . ; that constables are supposed to Balute, and ■ I how do you distinguish the officer from iltlose below him in grade?" It would 1 1 seem that in future constables must be l | excessively courteous to H.IL Navy, i A Social Gathering.— A pleasant social i; gathering took place at the Commercial : ; Hotel yesterday evening, when a number I ! of the friends of Mr J. P. Richardson, {representative of the Walter A. Wood . Harvester Company, met to celebrate his ' birthday. The health of Mr Richardson was proposed by Mr Henson and supported by Mr M'Clain. Several other toasts were drunk, and a pleasant time spent by all present. At thb Lamp-post Again. — A few men might have been seen gathered round the Cathedral Square lamp-post, at noon, to-day, reminding one of the unemployed agitations of which the memories are anything but pleasant. Conspicuous among them was a well-known agitator, who had prepared a request to the Trades and Labour Council to call a public meeting to | consider what shall be done to provide work for men at present out of employment. To the document were appended fifty-one signatures. Christchurch Gabbison Band. — This band, under the baton of Mr R. Trist Searell, will perform the following pro- ) gramme of Bacred music on the green in front of the Hospital to-morrow (Sunday), commencing at 2 p.m. : — Sacred march, "Honour and Armß" (Samson), Handel; anthem, " Glory to God," arranged by H. Round ; prayer, " Mo? 6 in Egitto," Rossini ; selection (Samson), Handel; sacred march, "Arm, Arm, Ye Brave" (Judas Maccabceus), Handel ; euphonium solo, "There is a Green Hill Par Away." Gounod; sacred fantasia. " Yule-tide," Kappey 5 selection, " Elijah," Mendelssohn. Trade with Oamabu. — The Committee of the Chamber of Commerce has decided to write again to the Directors of the Union Steamship Company, asking them to make arrangements for better steam communication between Lyttelton and Oamaru. Considerable inconvenience has been occasioned to merchants here through the service, begun by the steamer Banks PeninEula, having been discontinued since the Union Company purchased that vessel. The Chamber of Commerce communicated with the Company on the matter some time ago, but as yet without any result. North Belt Literary Society. — The weekly meeting of the Society was held in the schoolroom on Tuesday evening last, and took the form of a social gathering of the members of the Society. Tea was kindly provided and dispensed by the lady members, after which the remainder of the evening was spent in a convivial manner. During the evening Bongs were given by Mrß Mitchell Misses Allender and M'Cready, and Messrs H. M. Johnson and W. Wilkineon. Pianoforte solos were rendered by Miss Webster and Miss Mitchell, and a reading from "Mark Twain" by Mr Torrance. The programme for the next meeting will be an essay by the Rev R. Erwin, M.A., entitled the " Association of Ideas." Mutual Improvement.— On Friday last a crowded assembly of members and friends attended at the Durham street Mutual Improvement Aoaociation, Mr J. C. 1 Prddhoe occupying the chair. The evening was devoted to readings from poems on " Life." Miss Ellison read a poem of real merit written by herself; Mrß Cole man read an ode on "Labour," from Lewis Morris's work, " Life ;" and Mr Hitchens read an " Ode of Youth " from the same work. "The Story of Jenny M'Neil" (Anon) waa read by Mr Stracb. The humorous element was well Bupplied by Hood's " Lay of Real Life," read by Mr F. Turner, Mr H. England bringing an enjoyable evening to a close by reading an original poem entitled " Life Beneath the Southern Alps." The manner of reading the various pieces, as well as the pieces themselves, was criticised by the members present. A still more crowded meeting is anticipated next Friday evening, when the programme will be supplied by the ladies. Phabob' Pamphlet. — "Communism and Socialism," by " Pharos," is now on sale at all the booksellers' shops and also at the office of this paper; price 6d. — [Advt.] C. H. Manning's photographic! work, ac is now being produoed by him, is irinnmg hieh encomiums from tue public, big recmt productions, with the most modern appliances and newest chemicals, giving magnificent effeots; his work is unsurpassed. Another now and brilliant display of photos now on view at Studio.