Latest .Locals.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7038, 18 December 1890, Page 3

Latest .Locals.

Christmas Number. — The Canterbury Times this week comes out clad in ite Christmas raiment, and stored with the good things which readers expect at this sea3on of the year. It is impossible in a notice of this description even to mention the many novel and interesting features of what is undoubtedly the largest weekly paper ever published in the Colony, but it may be said, briefly, that particular attention has been turned to seasonable literature, and the tales, sketches and articles, by Colonial authors, abundantly establish the claims of local talent to wider appreciation in the literary world. The Prize Tale competition has produced most creditable results, and the winning stories will be read with much enjoyment in every corner of the Colony before the end of the decaying year. Mrs M; S. Campbell, o Papanui, contributes one of those delight 7 ful sketches which have made this lady'i 1 writings so popular among readers ol I fiction, and the other prizes are awarded t< ' Mra M. L. Jones (Christchurch), Hiss I M. A. Cargill (Dunedin), Mra Ostlei I (Wellington), Mrs C. Eeynolds (Christchurch) and Mrs T. Craig (Greyinoutb), Then there are other original tales and seasonable verses ; Constance Cave tells of a Christmas at the Foot of the Rockies, and Commander Lavett Cameron gives A Sailor's Christmas Tarn in his own inimitable style. Sportsmen will enjoy a Desperate Plunge, which is almost as exciting, and far less perilous iv fiction than real life, and even the sober farmer, who leaves tales and the like to the wife and children, will be tempted by a Legend of Mildura. In short, there is something for everybody ; no one has been forgotten in the efforts to give the readers of the Canterbury Times a Merry Christmas. The Mayor. — His Worship the Mayor will, for the convenience of ratepayers, attend at the City Council Office daily. Morning from 10 to 10.30 ; afternoon from 2.30 to 3, Postponement. — An advertisement announces that the step dancing competition at the Heathcote bridge lawn has been postponed till Monday next, on account of the unfavourable weather. The Fire Brigade. — Superintendent Turton, of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, acknowledges through these columns the receipt of a donation of .£3 3s from Mr "William Clydesdale, Oxford Terrace, in recognition of the services of the Brigade in saving his premises during the recent fire. The R.M.S.S. Taintti.— -This direct liner arrived at Lyttelton this forenoon from London vi& ports of call. A complete list of her passengers will be found elsewhere. Luring the voyage two deaths occurred, the Bey M. Bobs on Nov. 18, and Mr G. W. Herbert on Nov. 8. Sudden Death.— A man named Thomas Smith, sixty-eight yearß of age, died suddenly at his residence, Harewood road, Papanui, last evening, it is supposed from heart disease. He had been ailing some time, but no medical man was in attendance on him. It has not yet been decided whether an inquest is necessary. Property Auction. — This afternoon Mr Charles Clark offered to public auction, under instructions from Mr R. D. Thomas, the property known as Hopesaye, consisting of half an acre of land, with twelveroomed house and outbuildings, on Park Terrace. One bid of £2000 was received, but not accepted, and the property was passed in, Mr Clark announcing that it was for sale by private treaty. The CabliE Guarantee. — The Committee of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce has sent letters to the other Chambers in the Colony, suggesting the advisableness of urging the Government to reconsider their determination not to participate in the guarantee required by I the Cable Company from the Australasian | j Colonies, in order that the charges for j messages may be reduced. Christmas Presents.— Christmas time has come again, and with its coming the shops are all stocked and dressed out with goods in demand at this season of the year. Messrs Shaw, Robinson and Co., of The Hall, High street, Christchurch, have spared no effort to maintain their position in the van of trade. Their stock is replete with all the latest novelties from the markets of the world. In addition to giving undeniable sterling value they, during this month, make a present to every i customer equal to ten per cent of the ! amount of their purchase. Farmers' Union.— Mr L. C. Williams, of this city, has been selected out of one hundred and fifty applicants, for the post of manager of the Farmers' Union Grain and Produce Company. By Mr Williams' appointment undoubtedly the new Company will be gainers, as that gentleman's experience in connection with the early career of the Farmers' Co-operative Association, and his thorough, knowledge of I all mercantile business, will be of great | value to them. Popular Sports Association. — This j morning a deputation, representing the ] j Popular Sports Association, and consisting of the Mayor, Messrs H. Crooks (President), W. Garrard (Vice-Preßident), and W. E. Samuels (Treasurer), arranged to wait on Mr L. Harper, Chairman of the Domain Board, to endeavour to obtain the I sanction of the Board to the fence that has | been erected round the sports ground remaining. As, however, Mr Harper had to leave by the express train for Dunedin, the visit had to be deferred till his return on Monday next. [ The Wool Sales.— There was a better attendance of buyers at the third of this Beason's wool sales, several new faces being prominent within the select circle. The f order of the sale was as follows : — l, Messrs j Dicken and Co. ; 2, Messrs Matson and Co. j (associated with the National M. and A. I Company of N.Z., Limited) ; 3, Messrs Pyne j and Co. ; 4, Messrs Miles and Co. ; 5, the '. Farmers' Co-operative Association ; 6, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited; 7, Mr F. C. Tabart. So far as the sale had proceeded up to our going to pre3B there appeared to be a decidedly healthier tone, and there was very keen competition between the principal buyers of the leading clips. Art Exhibition at Kaiafoi. — Thi exhibition, which is held in the Wesleyan schoolroom, Kaiapoi, was opened on Wednesday night by the Mayor, Mr B. Blakeley, who delivered an address. Mr R. Moore, M.H.R., also spoke. Despite the wet weather the attendance during the evening was very large, and the visitors were delighted with the numerous works of art displayed. The collectiou, which contains many articles of great value, is well worth a visit, and several hours can be profitably spent in surveying the great variety of beautiful things shown. The Secretary, Miss H. Vesey, is indefatigable in giving every information to inquiring visitors. Knightstown Libraby. — At the usual monthly meeting of the Knightstown Library Committee, there were present Messrs G. Capper, President (in the chair), W. Hathaway, Alloway, Knight, Webster, and J. Hathaway. Messrs A. Knight, Thomas Moor, J. Colville, and C. Harris were elected to fill vacancies on the Committee. The Treasurer reported that the finances were in a aatißfactory condition, and that a donation of £2 2s had been received from Mr E. W. Humphreys. It was resolved that the sum of £5 be expended in the purchase of new books, and a scheme was put forward by which it iB estimated that fifty new volumes can be added to the library immediately. Messrs Capper, A. Knight, Alloway and J. Hathaway were appointed a Selection Committee. Messrs Alloway and J. Hathaway were appointed Auditors, Mr Arthur Knight was unanimously appointed Hon. Secretary. A number of accounts were passed for payment, and sundry routine matters disposed of, after which the meeting adjourned nntil the second Friday in January,

A Disappearance. — On Tuesday evening a patient in the hospital left the institution under peculiar circumstances. He was admitted on Sunday giving the name of James Davis, and stating that he came from Waiau, but letters which have been found in his pockets appear to indicate that Davis was not his real name. On Tuesday evening he went out of the ward, being then dressed in trousers, shirt and socks, and as he appeared to be absent an unuaual length of time a searsh was made, but without result. The police were then informed, and they have since been carrying on the search, but so far no trace of the man has been found. , His ItxCELLKScY Lord Oksi,ow havingvhoTiourad U a. Maknisg witha sitting for his phofrgra-nh, specimens of them may he seen at the studio among tna usual brilliant display. All patrons cau rely upon being pbotographud by C. M. Mansikq per so^aiiy. The superiority of hia work is uu' versally tMown and admired.