Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4676, 21 June 1893, Page 3

Local & General.

j Entertainment. — The Dramatic Club , in connection with the Temple of Truth repeated last evening in the Social Hall their performance of The Merchant of Venice. The performance was marked by a commendable degree of merit, and the effect of the production was enhanced by the new scenery. The hall was filled. Accident.— Last night Mr W. Henderson's horse harnessed in his buggy took fright at a traction engine at the corner of \ Liohfield and Tuam streets, and bolted j down Colombo street and along the Pound | road to the end of Antigua street. The I animal then collided with a telegraph post. iMr Henderson was thrown out, and ! rendered unconscious. He was severely bruised about the face and body, but was ' getting on well this morning. Central Daibt Factory. — The official opening of the Central Dairy Factory at Addington took place yesterday, when nearly three hundred shareholders and visitors inspected the factory, and were entertained by the Directors. Speeches were made by Sir John Hall, the Hons W. Montgomery and W. Rolleston, Mr John Deans, Chairman of the Company, and others. Mutual Improvement. — The Papanui Weßleyan Mutual Improvement and Recreation Club held its usual weekly meeting on Friday evening. About sixty members and friends wore present, the Rev J. W. Smith presiding. The subject for the evening wao a debate on " Monarchy v. Republic," Messrs T. R. Cresswell, M.A., and W. J. Creeswell taking the respective sides. Considerable discussion ensued, and on a vote being taken a large majority declared for monarchy. Australasian Athletic Championships.—Mr L. A. Cuff, Honorary Secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, has received a letter from Mr i E. S. Marks, Honorary Secretary of the New South Wales Association, stating that at a meeting of the council of that body held in Sydney a few days ago, the rules and regulations passed by the Committee of the New Zealand Association for carrying out the Australasian championships to be held alternately in Victoria, New Zealand and New Bouth Wale?, had been passed and approved. The l Railway AcciDENT.-=The Otago Daily Times says:— The railway accident which occurred at Pelichet Bay on Sunday morning was due, we understand, to the neglect of a porter toßhiftthe points at the junction of the siding and the line by which the train left the railway station for the north. The porter in question admits that he had forgotten to alter the points, which are always left overnight in such a position that any truckß that may be driven along the line by force of the wind will fun into the aiding and clear of the main line. The officer has, we are informed, been in the service for a number of years, and has hitherto always discharged his duties with care and attention. Masonic.— The regular meeting of the Robert Burns Lodge was held last night in the St Augustine Hall, Manchester street. There was a very large attendance, eightyfour brethren and visitors being present. An official visit was made by the District Grand Lodge and fraternal visits from the Masters and officers of the Conyers, Crown and Canterbury Lodges. One candidate was initiated, and during the evening the Grand Master, Bro Louieson, at the request of the Master of the Lodge, Bro Bruce, presented Past Master Barßht with a jewel, which bore the inscription— " Presented by the brethren to Bro W. Barsht, P.M., June 20, 1893." A pleasant hour was spent after the Lodge closed. Direct Veto. — The Direst Veto Party is early in the field in its efforts to secure such amendment to existing licensing legislation as will remove the disabilities which the recent decision cf the Court of Appeal is considered to have placed upon it. A " Direct Veto " Conference is to be held in the Tuam street hall, on Friday, June 30. Three sessions will beheld; in the morning at 11 a.m., afternoon at 2.30, and the principal meeting at 7.30 p.m. Specially written papers dealing with certain phaßeß of the liquor question will be read at the morning and afternoon sessions, and a series of resolutions submitted in the evening. Representative speakers are being invited to ssflist, and a very large convention is anticipated. Full details will be duly advertised. Police Matters. — It having become known that the Commissioner of Police proposed to remove' Constable Hilliard from Fairlie, where he has been stationed for some years, all the Justices of the Peace in the Mackenzie Country — Meßsra J. Wilaon, J. M'Gregor, E. Eichardaon, A. H. M'Lean and F. B. Gillingham, attended the sitting of the Court at Fairlie on Monday, and signed a letter to the Commissioner requesting him to reconsider his decision. The letter Btates that Constable Hilliard has given muoh satisfaction to the residents, and performs his duty impartially, and haß a thorough knowledge of the district. He ia also well qualified to act as Clerk of the Court, and is attentive to his duties aa inspector of licensed houses. The Justices there* fore asked that the order for his removal should be reconsidered. POLLABD'S LILIPUTIAN OPEEA COMPANY. —On Monday next ttu3 much-travelled organisation will commence a short season at the Theatre Royal. The initial performance will be the gorgeous pantomime Aladdin. This production contains the latest marches, ballets, songs, dances, &c, enhanced by elaborate scenery, wardrobe and effects. The management promises one of the most complete representations of modern pantomime yet given in the Colony. This pantomime, was originally Btaged at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, during the Christmas season of 1889, and in the following year was taken to Melbourne Theatre Royal, wheie it ran to immense houses for twelve weeks. It cost Messrs Williamson, Garner and Muagrove, the original producers, J83500 before the curtain went up - on the opening night. There are 720 dresses used., the entire company changing six times. Mr Duval, the manager of the company, states that the dresses, masks, wigs, properties and effects are exactly the same as were used in the Melbourne and Sydney productions. When it is considered that there are 138 tons of effects used some idea of the magnitude of the undertaking can be formed. The Company numbers sixty performers, and there are over one hundred local people employed, who are rehearsing daily. This production ran for twelve nights in Auckland and sixteen in Wellington to crowded houses, which is in itself sufficient guarantee as to the excellence of the entertainment. The box plan is now open at Messrs Milner and Thompson's. A. terrible explosion, which it has Bices been ascertained was deliberately caused by a miner named Boehme, occurred on March 17 in an iron mine at Volkmarskeller, in the Harz district. Boehme, it appears, ignited no less than 101 bof dynamite. The engine-house at the top of the shaft was hurled into the air, and seven men, including Boehme himself, were blown literally to pieces. Boehme, who was about fifty years of age, went to work somewhat earlier than usual, and left a letter at his home in which he stated that he should not return.