Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7025, 2 December 1890, Page 3

Local & General.

• ♦ Timaktj.— At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Captain S utter and Mr D. M. JttO3s, John Breen pleaded " Quilcy " to stealing a case of gin belonging to T. H. Eitchey, of the Club Hotel and waß sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labour. In Darkest Afeica.— Mr C. H. Brown, n.n acti/eand useful member of the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, delivered a lecture on this highly popular subject in the schoolroom adjoining the church last night. There was a good attendance, and the lecture was illustrated by a number of capital views shown by the aid of a magic lantern. At the close the lecturer waß accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. East Oxfobd.— The annual meeting of shareholders of the Town Hall Company was held on Thursday. There was a small attendance. The Hon Secretary, Mr J. Laming, lead th 6 Director's report, which shewed receipts .£23 Us, just sufficient to meet all liabilities 5 and that the Company was for the first time for the past eight years, now free of debt. The retiring Directors, — Messrs Weld, Parish, Laming, and Weber, — were re-elected, and Mr C. H. Petrie elected Chairman of Directors for the ensuing year. A Book-LoviNG People. — " Anglo-Aus-tralian " writes in the European Mail : — Speaking of Canterbury the other day to a Colonist, a man who is really authoritative on such points, I was informed that section of the Britain of the South purchases more books than aDy other part of New Zealand. All the settlers, from the beginning, have been men of education, of taste and of mental attainments, and I really think that Canterbury ought to be called the Attica, and Christchurch the Athens, of New Zealand. Oxford Spoets. — At a meeting of the Sports Committee held at Mr Ingram'B auction rooms, at which twenty-one members attended, it was decided that in addition to the usual prizes a grand silver challenge cup will be given to be competed for among the Athletic Clubs of the district, and that there will be a formal opening of the new recreation ground, preceded by a procession of Friendly Societies headed by the Oxford band. The promises of support are sufficient to warrant an increase in the value of the prizes from that of last year. The Bbllbingbks. — A telegram from Napier Bays :— The London bellringers and Faust family opened here on Saturday night. The audience was highly pleased with the refined entertainment given by this clever company, and the season promises to be as prosperous here as has been the case throughout the rest of the island. The New Bkighton Loan.— At an ordinary meeting of the Avon Eoad Board, held yesterday, all the membera were present. Correspondence was read, inter alia, from the Colonial Treasurer, stating that he had approved of the proposed New Brighton loan, whereupon Mr Patterson gave notice that he would move at the next ordinary meeting— " That a special rate of twenty-one-sixteenths of a penny in the £ be struck on the value of the rateable property in the area affected to meot the interest." On the motion of Mr Walter the meeting adjourned until Dec. 8. Papandi.— The Wesleyan Band of Hope held their monthly meeting in the Town Hall on Friday evening. There was a good attendance, the Eev C. H. Standage in the chair. Two glees Were well given by junior members ; three dialogues were well rendered by Masters E. Free, L. Willcox, and the Misseß S. Moncrieff, M. Cooper, E. Eobinson, H. Porter, V. Eobin* son, E. Eeeve and L. Appleton ; recitations by Masters A. Willcox, C. Smith, A. Cooper and Alice Lawrence; a duet by Minnie Cooper and Alice Lawrence; Messrs Hedley Free and G. Sides gave recitations ; the band played selections, and Mr Cooper sang. Some new members were enrolled. Temfleton.— On Thursday Bishpp Julius delivered his promised lecture, "Three Teara in an English Country Village." The Eev W. F. Knowle3 presided. The inclemency of the weather interfered considerably with the attendance. Those who were present, however, had a treat. The dramatic manner in which the lecture was delivered added greatly to its interest, and the Bishop succeeded in gaining the full attention of his audience. Previous to the delivery of the lecture, resolutions of ■ welcome to the Bishop were proposed by Mr Bailey, seconded by Mr Benjamin, and carried unanimously, as were also 1 the votes of thanks at the conclusion.- A coffee supper followed. Loburn. — The annual entertainment in aid of the school prize fund was held in the schoolroom on Friday evening; Mr D. Carr Chairman. The programme was nicely carried out, the singing of the Loburn choir and the Misseß Banks, Caperley, Duncan, Miles, Martin and Peach and Mr Sloane, of Fernside, being thoroughly appreciated. The accompaniments by the JMisEea Carmichael and De Troy were nicely played. The recitation of Master Smith, of Fernside, deserves special mention. The entertainment concluded vtith the farce of Sox and Cox, Miss Martin acting the part of Mrs Bouncer to perfection and the Whatman Bros.' playing _ Box and Cox with, their usual ability. The attendance was large and a good sum should be the result. Belfast.— The Belfast school concert, like the school treat, seems to be an affair wh ich the whole community to a family must necessarily attend, and last Friday evening proved that this year was no exception to the rule, for the Town Hall was uncomfortably filled, and even then many could not obtain admittance. Mr Patchett, the Chairman of the School Committee, occupied the chair. The first part of the programme consisted of songs and recitations by the children, their performancee highly delighting every one present and reflecting great credit on their teachers, During the interval Miss Longman and Mist Wilson favoured the audience with several pianoforte solos. Becitations were gives by Messrs Longman and S. H. Ferguson, songs by Messrs Latimer and " O'Grady," the latter fairly bringing down the hous( with Eillaloe (in character). Mr Duffy also sang^ two character songs, for whicl he received deserved encores. Mn Vaughan played the various accompani ments. A comedy, entitled Pepperpot'. Little Pets, waa splendidly rendered bj Mrs Vanghan, Miss Barker, Messrs Fer guson Brothers and J.and B. Allender. Mri Yaughan and Miss Barker showed con siderable tact and ability in their difficul parts, and were loudly cheered at the closi of one of the most pleasant performance; given in Belfast.