Local & General

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7079, 3 February 1891, Page 3

Local & General

Crops in the Waibabapa. — A Wellington telegram states that heavy rains have injured the crops in the Wairarapa district. Representatives Returning. — A number of members are passengers by the Tongariro, Penguin and Te Anau, which left Wellington yesterday for southern ports. Mkikle v. Webb. — Proceedings in the libel action. Meikle v. Webb and the Times Company, which have excited some interest in sporting circles, have been discontinued. A Son op the Poet Longfellow. — Amongst the passengers to Auckland by the Mariposa was Mr C. A. Longfellow, a son of the poet Longfellow. He is on a pleasure tour of the Colonies. Test of Freezing Butter. — Yesterday morning Mr M. Murphy went to Islington to inspect the samples of butter which were deposited there about six weeks ago, as an experiment, to see whether it will bear the freezing as well as remaining in a cool chamber. He was accompanied by j Mr S. Munnings, and was met at the factory by the Directors of the Tai Tapu Dairy Factory Company, who were anxious to Bee the result. The boxes being taken out of their respective chambers, the butter was found to be in good order, that in the cool chamber being decidedly better in condition than that which had been in the freezing chamber. This was satisfactorily accounted for by the fact that the butter in the freezing chamber was more heavily salted than that in the cool chamber. Those present felt that this had been a drawback to a successful and reliable trial ; so, though they were in a measure pleased, it was decided to make a fresh experiment, by depositing two boxes of precisely the same quality of butter, and both containing the same weight of salt, in the freezing and cool chambers at once, leaving them there till June next. A number of pound pats of fresh butter arc also to' be placed there, and a week before the time fixed for their opening a similar quantity of fresh and powdered butter is to be made and tested with those thus deposited, to prove to what extent the flavour is retained. Mr M'Gregor Watt is of opinion that freezing the butter will not have the least injurious effect upon it, whereas Mr Wilson, the Victorian expert, in his recent report to the Department of Agriculture, states that the butter sent Home from Victoria in the freezing chamber did not compare with that sent in the cool chamber. After banking Mr M'Gregor Watt for his kindness in looking after the butter and in anticipation of the next experiment, the party had a look round the improvements Hearing completion at the factory, and subsequently returned to town. Missionary Society.— The annual meeting of the Canterbury Auxiliary Branch of the London Missionary Society was held last evening in the Trinity Congregational Church. The chair was taken by the Rev Francis KnowJes, President of the Branch, who spoke at some length, explaining the business of the evening, and introducing the Rev James Chalmers, of New Guinea, and the Rev A. E. Claxton, of Samoa. The Rev John Hoatson, Secretary of the Branch, gave a concise statement of the work done, and visitors received by the Branch since its establishment about four year 3 since. He mentioned that the amounts remitted to the parent Society by the Branch were— in 1887 £oi, and in 1888 .£3B ; and though they had fallen in intermediate years, last year the branch contributed .£l7 10s 9£d. The Rev A. E. Claxton moved the adoption of the report and statement of accounts, and that the Rev Francis Knowles be President, the Rev John Hoatson Secretary and Mr H. Y. Widdowson Treasurer. In Bpeaking to the motion he gave a graphic account of mission work in Samoa, since the yeai 1830 up to the present time. Ho explained how much had been done and how much there remained to do, and the urgent necessity for a mission steamer for the Fly River, New Guinea. The Rev Jameß Chalmers seconded the motion, and gave a highly interesting account of his missionary experiences in New Guinea, speaking in highly complimentary terms of the physique and character of the natives ; and stating that such massacres as had occurred in the country had been brought about by misconduct on the part of the whites, or the ignorance of the natives. He spoke in highly eulogistic terms of the work done by the native teachers, and gave some thrilling experiences of missionary life in the country, The motion waß carried with applause. A collection -was made in aid of the fundf for placing a mission steamer on the Flj River. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the speakers, on the tnotiot of Mr A. Morton, of Tasmania, who brieflj referred to hia New Guinea experiences. Performing members of the Ohristchurcl Maeioai Bociety are reminded that the firs practioe of the season will ba held this evening.

Fbeethought Hall. —Mr W. W Collins will deliver a lecture on " Charle Bradlaughi Sunday School Scholar Iconoclast and Statesman," in the Free thought Hall to-morrow evening. Cab Licenbkß. — The City Conncil las night, on the recommendation of the By law Committee, declined to grant th< I request of the Cabmen's Union for a re^ duction of the cab owners' license fee. Morris-tube Shooting. — Mr Lane's range at the Gladstone Hotel— that mad* by Mr H. Saunders — was re-opened last night. A number of marksmen attended, but the shooting wa3 confined to practice' Maori Pah, Kaiapoi.— Mr Alexander Mackay, Native Commissioner, visits the Kaiapoi Natives to-day (Tuesday), when a meeting will be held to consider various tribal claims— notably their fishing rights' Angling. — Our Ashburton correspondent informs us that Messrs Shury and Simpson recently landed five fine fish at the Rangitata river. Mr Simpson caught four, ' one weighing 141 b and another 121 b. , The river is now very thick and unfit for '• fishing. The New Brighton Baths. — During the last few days Mr Brightling, with a staff of men, has been busily engaged in removing the baths at New Brighton lately owned by Effey, who has relinquished this j venture in consequence of leaving the ; district. Ifc Ib understood that the New ' Brighton Pier Company intend erecting ; spacious baths, and there seems every : reason to believe that the undertaking will i prove amply remunerative. j A Practical Reply.— The Wellington I Post has the following :— " The Hon Mr Bryce triumphantly asked who could say that Sir Harry Atkinson would not have a majority if he were in the House now. The most practically emphatic opinion against the probability of such a thing was that ■ given by Sir Harry Atkinson himself when ' he resigned .£IOOO a year, a free house and the other perquisites of the Premiership, I to accept a Speakerehip, self-conferred, at .£OOO a year. Christchukch Gun Club. — The Summer Meeting of the Christchurch Gun ! Club was held at the Heathcote racecourse yesterday afternoon. The attendance was moderate. The shooting, however, was up to the average. A match at 25yds ended in a tie between Messrs H. Bailey and Cone, both of Rangiora. A handicap of 20s each resulted in a division between Messrs H. Bailey (27yds) and W. Hurcombe (25yds). Mr Bailey (at 27yds) won the next handicap, Mr P. White (22yds) taking second prize, with four kills out of five birds. The next sweep fell to Mr Cone, who, from 24yds, killed six pigeons in succession, Mr Bailey, who missed his last bird, taking second money. The next match was divided between Messrs Bailey (28yds) and R. J Whittle, sen. (26yds), who each killed their five birds. The final sweep was also divided, the dead-heaters being Messrs Bailey (28yds) and R. J. Whittle, jun. (24yds). Mr W. Hickshaw's handicapping and decisions as Referee gave general satisfaction. U.A.O.D.— The installation of Bro John Rose as President of No. 1 District, TJ.A.O.D., took place yesterday evening at the Druids' Hall. In connection with the ceremony the District Grand Lodge officers paid an official visit to the Pioneer Lodge. There was a large gathering of members of the Order, the A.D., Bro James Anderson, presiding. The Lodge was opened in due form. One candidate was initiated, after which the District President was installed by the Grand District President, Bro J. H. Stewart. The Lodge then adjourned for harmony. Songs and recitations were given by various members, and refreshments were provided on a liberal scale, and a very enjoyable time was spent by all present. The thanks of the Lodge were passed to a number of ladies who prepared the refreshments. During the evening the following toasts were honoured: — "The Queen and the Druids," "The Grand Lodge and Board of Directors," " The District Grand Lodge Officers," "The Past District President," "The Pioneer Lodge," "The Visitors," "The Ladies" and " The Press." Knights of Labour. — At the Temperance Hall last evening, an address was delivered by Mr Frost, organiser of the Knights of Labour, upon the aims and objects of the Association which he represents and the advantages attaching to membership. He gave a brief sketch of the history of tbe body, which was started in Philadelphia in 1869, and stated that it was of a different character from ordinary trades unions, inasmuch as, instead of being composed of members of one trade only, it embraced all classes of workers, and admitted employers to membership. It was not a political organisation, in the ordinary sense of the word, but one of its objects was to pro- ! mote legislation for the benefit of the | general iaas3 of the people. He read the programme of the' body, referred to the steadily - increasing membership and pointed out the good work tbat it had achieved in the way of educating its members upon matters that affected their welfare. It desired to prevent the occurrence of strikes, its tendency being rather to promote good feeling between employer and labourer. A vote of thanks for the address was passed", and the meeting terminated. There is some discussion about posters in London. In France the yield from this source is 7,000,000fr.