Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7432, 29 November 1892, Page 3

Local & General.

» Angling.— -Meßsrs Shury and Stephens; a few days ago, secured in the Bangitats thirty-eight fine fish, averaging 61b each. The largest scaled 131 b. Orchestral Society— At a meeting ol the Committee of the Christchurch Orchestral Society, held last night, it wae decided to give the firat concert of the second season in the Oddfellows' Hall on Monday, Dec. 12. Masonic. — The regular monthly meeting of the Canterbury Kilwinning Lodge, No. 23, N.Z.C., will be held this evening at 7.30, when the installation of the Wor- ! Bhipful Master elect, and the investiture of his officers will take place. Lawn Tennis.— -tin Saturday a party from the Kowai Lawn Tennis Club played a match with the Linwood Club on the ground of the latter. The home Club won by seventy-six games to sixty-seven. Dunedin Snow.— The total number of entries received for the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Show this week ia 1200, as against 1009 last year, notwithstanding the fact of the housed and clothed sheep clasß being abolished this year. The Express Ta&in. — A petition is being circulated for signature in the Ashburton diatrict, and has already been numerously signed, requesting the Bailway Commissioners to arrange -that 'the southern express train shall stop regularly at the Hinds. The northern express already does bo. The Sydenham Libel action. — The action brought by Mr H. S. Drummond, owner of the Waltham Arms Hotel, against the Rev L. M. Isitt, editor, and Mr T. E. Fraser, printer of The Prohibitionist, to recover damageß for an alleged libel, will be heard in the Supreme Court on Dec. 14. Messrs Caygill and Bruges appear for the defence, and Mr Deacon will conduct the case for the prosecution. The Ell Case. — A Wellington telegram says :— lt iB stated that the Government has requested Mr T. Thompson, M.H.8., and Mr C. C. Graham, 8.M., to meet in Christchurch early in January next for the purpose of investigating the actions of the late official assignee of Canterbury, and the present registrar of the Supreme Court of the same provincial district, with respect to Mr G. W. Ell's claims and Court transactions under their jurisdiction since 1884. Kaiapoi Borough Council, — A special meeting of thiß Council waß held on Saturday night; present — The Mayor and Councillors Matthews, Weston, Hopkins, Bugg, Butt and Lissamen. The Mayor Btated that the meeting waß called to take immediate action with regard to the repairs required to be done to the bridge. After some discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Councillor Weston, seconded by Councillor Hopkins, to call for tenders for the supply of the necessary timber. Breach o_ Promise Case. — Yesterday the Supreme Court was occupied all day in the hearing of the case Stuthridge v. Hill, in which a young woman named Cecilia Stuthridge claimed from John Hill, a farmer, at Shirley, .£IOOO for a breach of promise to marry her. Mr Joynt appeared for the plaintiff, and Messrs Stringer and Kippenberger for the defence. The Jury returned a verdict in favour of the plaintiff, and awarded her .£IOO damages and costs. Pigeon Flying. — A match was flown from Oamaru on Saturday, and, considering the wet weather the birds met with at this end of • their journey, the velocity made was very good. The winner was Mr Jakios' Unknown, velocity 1014 yds per minute ; Mr Earnshaw's Donovan, second, 1004; Mr Smith's Winchmore, third, 1003; and Mr Jackman's Bainbow, 999, fourth. A match was flown on Saturday week for junior members, &_d very good time was made. Mr Buisfs White-feather was first, 1154 ; Mr Sime's Stepniak, second, 1141 ; Mr Bull's Silverbell, 1121, third. The Club has to thank the stationmaster at Waikari, and Mr J. Jack, at Oamaru, for liberating the birds. Biple Shooting.— On Saturday the E Battery fired the third of the spoon matches. The result was a win for Bombardier Higgs, and Gunner Cropp succeeded in winning the cup presented by Quartermaster- Sergeant Dougall. The heavy rain at the short ranges accounted for the poor shooting. The following are the highest scores: — Bombardier Higgs (15) 75, Gunner Butler 68, Gunner Lester 66. — The Kaiapoi Eifle Club held a series of competitions on Saturday. The following were the prize-winners: — J. Judson (2) 63, J. Higgins (2) 60, A. Johnston (6) 58, A. Pearce (2) 57, C. Hayman 56, P. Bate 52, G. Templeton 48, W. Simpson (2) 48, P. Horrell 47, J. Winsloe 47, C. Eder 43, Dr Parsons (10) 42, — . Petrie 41. The Eecent Wool Sales.— a.n analysis of the catalogues of wool submitted at the Chamber of Commerce on Friday and Saturday shows that out of 6242 bales offered 4490 were sold, leaving 1752 bales unsold. The catalogues were as follow : — New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association, 1720 offered, 1600 sold ; New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, 1104 offered, 918 sold ,- Messrs Miles and Co., 844 offered, 695 sold ; Messrs H. Matson and Co., 712 offered, 662 sold; Messrs Todhunter and Jennings, 640 offered, 580 sold; Mr F. C. Tabart, 496 offered, 460 sold ; Messrs Pytie and Co., 463 offered, 410 sold ; Messrs J. T. Ford and Co., 263 offered, 157 sold. ' Witchcraft. — Some ■' time ago one Tauranga Native sued another for damageß for accusing him of witchcraft. The New Zealand Herald, commenting upon the case, expressed surprise that a belief in witchcraft should have survived the teaching ot the missionaries: Upon that the Bey R. Maunsell wrote to our contemporary : — " What would you say to a precisely Bimilar case among Europeans? When I was residing in Waikato a settler charged before the Magistrate a Mrs Wilson, of Eaglan, with haying done him damage by means of witchcraft; and his proof was that he had been pig-shooting, and had hit a bow in the snout. On going to Wilson's bouse, he found Mr Wilson ■bleeding in the nose. You, sir, have often given us specimens of the superstitious practices of gamblers, and very lately told us of an educated gentleman changing his clothes every day to improve hia luck. Witchcraft, until the last few hundred years, was a great bugbear with Englishmen; and the learned Bishop Jewel, preaching before Queen Elizabeth, expressed his apprehension leßt Bhe should be cut off by the sorceries of certain people." Okain's Bay. — Our correspondent writes : —There has probably never been a better season for grass than the present. It is abundant everywhere, consequently stock of all' descriptions ism excellent condition, and, as is to be expected, dairy products are 'satisfactory. There will in all likelihood be a good yield of cocksfoot; but unless the coming season, in regard to the prices, is better than last the owners will have little, room for encouragement. The wet weather some time ago threw gardening behind, but the genial sunshine and showers since have brought the sowings and plantings well forward.— Since telephonic communication with Akaroa, Christchurch and the Bays has been opened a very fair amount of business has been done. It is, of course, new yet, but so far much satisfaction is expressed at having ao desirable an addition to corresponding facilities, and a considerable amount of inconvenience anddelay in business matters has been obviated. Mr William Bobinson ia the officer in charge.— The Educatio Board has lately had completed several useful jobs at the school and master's residence, the whole of which have been well carried out by Mr J. M'Hale. Besides these new houses have been built and large additions to others have been, and are being, completed. This is undoubtedly a healthy sign, tending to show the growing prosperity of the settlers and the confidence they have in the productiveness of the Buy. — Cricket has taken quite a hold upon juveniles and adults. Okain's haß been singularly successful in its matches .with other bayß. An effort ia now being made to form a Peninsula cricket team to play matches with other districts. A meeting of delegates from various parts was held at Duvauchelloß Bay on Saturday to consider the matter.