Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4684, 30 June 1893, Page 3

Local & General.

■ • I " The Stab."— To-morrow's issue of The Star will consist of eight pages, filled with reading of a most interesting description. There will be all the news of the day, and the latest topics of interest in the political world will be treated of. Novel readers will find a further instalment of Clark Russell's exciting story of the sea, "The Emigrant Ship." Another specimen of that author's style will be given, in the form of a short story, entitled "The Strange Adventures .of a South Seaman." There are to be other short Btories, and a popular writer will discourse on *' The Fascination of Japan." An article which should be read with interest in these days of the " emancipation of woman" is one with the somewhat startling title, " Will the Coming Woman Wear a Moustache ?" Matters interesting to ladies will be dealt with in " Woman's World," and persons with a liking for wit and humour will find something to their taste in the "Fun and Fancy" column. Altogether, the issue promises to be fully equal to any of those which have preceded it. New Auctioneering Fibm.— lfc is announced that Messrs Joseph Clark and Son will inaugurate a new departure in their business to-morrow morning, when they will hold an auotion sale of fruit, in the premises formerly occupied by Messrs Clarkson and Sons, Manchester street. Mr Morrall, who has had considerable experience as an auctioneer elsewhere, will wield the hammer. Sales of fruit, general merchandise, property, &c, will be held periodically. Chubch of CHEiST.—The members of the Oxford Terrace Baptist Tabernacle choir gave Thomas' cantata, "The Picnic," at the Church of Christ last evening. There was a very good attendance, and the cantata wa3 given in a manner which j evoked hearty applause. The soloists j were Misses Fuller and F. Wells, Messrs fG. Dennis and R. Butterfield. Mr Efford

, gave a reading and Miss M'Naßb a recita' tion. The choruses were spiritedly sung. Mr H. Corrick acted aB conductor, and Miss Mabel Corrick and Mr C. Wells presided at the piano and organ re- ! spectively. A hearty vote of thanks was j accorded the performers. ! ODDKELLOwsnip. — The annual meeting | of the Loyal Onslow Lodge of Past Grands i was held recently at the Oddfellows' Hall, ; Cust. Tho chair waa taken by the President, P.P.G.M. Bro Crampton. P.P.G.M.'a Payne, Murfitt, Marshall, the G.M., Bro Nottingham, and a number of tho brethren of tho Rangiora and Cust Lodges were also prosent. Tho purple degree was conferred on five Paßt Grands of the Cust Lodge. Tho financial statement submitted ; showed a credit balance. Tbe election of i officers resulted as follows :— -President, P.G. Nottingham ; Vice-President, P.G. Tallatt ; Secretary, P.G. Marshall ; Tyler, P.G. H. Innes. It was decided to hold the next meeting at Ohoka. The nameß of ; twelve members of the Cust Lodge wero added to tbe roll. It wa3 unanimously ; resolved to vote an honorarium of a guinea 1 to the Secretary as a recognition of past ■, services. The retiring officers were very ; heartily thanked for the interest they j had taken in tho Lodge during their term of office. At the conclusion of business, the visitors were entertained by the local members. The Musmjm.— The Museum will be I cloßed for cleaning from Monday. July 3. ! till Monday, July 10. I The Steelino Concerts.— The box plan | for the two concerts to be given by j Madame Antoinette Sterling next week j in the Tuam Btreet hall, will be open at i 10 o'clock this morning, at Messrs Milner | and Thompson's. Theater Royal.— Aladdin was repeated { at the Theatre Royal last night to a good I house. Aladdin will be repeated to-night, j and on Monday La Mascotte will be ; presented. The fame of the Company has ; been firmly enough established to ensure J the continued success of its Christchurch season. Linwood Public Hall.— A meeting of the Committee was held on Tuesday evening, at the Borough Council Chambers, Mr J. R. Brunt presiding. A draft copy of a circular drawn up by a sub-Committee : was placed before the meeting and approved : of. A number of copies were ordered to be printed for circulation amongßt the i Borough residents. j Pabliambntaby.— ln the Legislative i Council yesterday, Bills were road a second time dealing with Supreme Court practice ' and procedure, and the jurisdiction of j District Courts. In the House of Repre- ■ sentatives, questions, supply and first . readings of Bills having been disposed of, the Shops Bills and Ellesmere Lake Lands j Bill were read a second time, and the | Premier's Electoral Bill was introduced, ] the debate thereon being adjourned till j Tuesday next. j Bible Chbistian Chubch.— The annual ; tea and public meeting in counection with j the Bible Christian Church, Lower High street, were held last evening. A large number Bat down to the tea, which was j provided by the ladies of the congregation. • At the public meeting a number of selecj tions were given by a string band under j the leadership of the Rev A. Mitchell, who contributed a solo. The choir sang i special items, and addresses were delivered ' by ministers and others. ! Obangeism.— Loyal Orange Lodge, No. | 2, Purple Star, held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, when there was a very fair attendance of members and visitors. Three ! candidates were accepted. Correspondence ) regarding the celebrations to be held on ; July 12 were read and considered. Ifc was ' resolved to attend the ohurch parade on July 9, the brethren to meet at the Orange Hall at 2 p.m. A vote of thanks to the visitors was passed, after which the Lodge was closed by the W.M. Bro Doig. Good Templary.— The Hope of Chrißtohurch Lodge, No. 8, held its usual weekly session in the Druids' Hall on Thursday evening. There was a fair attendance, and the C.T., Bro F. W. Bastion, presided. One candidate was re-admitted into the Lodge. Bros Cooper and Young gave violin soloa, which were well received. It was resolved that the Lodge should go ] into mourning as a mark of respect to the ■ memories of the late Bro Sir W. Fox and j Bro C. Wensley, of H.M.S. Curacoa. The Lodge closed at 9.30 p.m. Liberal Association.— A special general meeting of the Canterbury Liberal Association was held in St Michael's schoolroom last evening, The President (Mr W. Ensom) occupied the chair, and there were about five hundred members present. The meeting was called to discuss a notice of motion to the effect that the recent addition to the seventh plank of the Association's should be struck out. The plank originally stood, " That all adult residents Bhall have votes on licensing questions," the words recently added being, " including the increase, decrease or total extinction of all licenses." After lengthy and somewhat heated discussion the addition to the plank wasßtruckout by 233 votes to 213. The matter is not likely to be allowed to rest here, as it is understood that the result will be challenged on account of informality of procedure. Thubbdat Popular Concert. — There was a very good attendance at the Tuam street theatre laßt evening, when the usual weekly entertainment was given. Miss Boon, of Wellington, sang very sweetly "Love's Golden Dream" and "Jock o' Hazeldeane," both of which she had to repeat. Mis 3F. Martin's songs were both encored. Mr Arthur Bracey contributed " My Son," and comic items were given by Mr Ralston, who essayed the song "I Chucked up the Push for my Donah," in which he acquitted himself well. Miss Varfcha played " La Regatta Venziana" in her usual tasteful manner, and the " Stephanie Gavotte," in which Bhe used a harp attachment to the piano with very pretty effect. Captain Fred Thomas told some humorous Btories in his inimitable style, and astonished his hearers with his whistling ventriloquism. In the comedy Irish Justice the Captain proved himself to be a capable Irish comedian, and kept the house in roars of laughter. A Negro farce concluded the entertainment, which was decidedly the best of the eeries. Woman and Musician.— Madame Antoinette Sterling, while one of the recognised " queens of song," is a woman first, and a musician after ; and in whatever town she may be singing she makes a point of visiting the gaols and most of the various charitable institutions. While tia Melbourne she looked in at Pentridge, and the female prisoners, many of whom were "in seclusion " owing to unrestrained indulgence in the wine cup, were not alone permitted to hear Madame Sterling's magnificent voice in some of the songs which she has made peculiarly her own, but afterwards were privileged to listen fco a lecture from the songstress on the advantages of temperance. The women listened quite as attentively to the lecture as to the songs ; and at the conclusion, when Bhe offered to bring round some of the white temperance badges, one of which she herself always wears, if they would promise to put them on and to observe the implied pledge, the prisoners were unanimous in giving the required assurance, though whether they will observe the obligation as permanantly binding remains to be seen. In view of acts of genuine human kindness like these, one can readily understand how Madame Antoinette Sterling has come to be regarded as perhaps the most popular exponent of the musical art to be found in the two hemispheres. We understand that the Christchurch W.C.T.U., the Young Women's Christian Association, and other kindred societies intend extending a hearty welcome to the distinguished lady whilst she is in Christchurch, and entertain her at the Tuam street hall on Saturday afternoon, July 8. At a meeting of the Queensland Flood Relief Committee held in Brisbane, a statement was presented showing that the total cash donations received amounted tc £64,326. The balance in hand was .£35,766, and the claims put in by various districts amounted to £117,542. Deafness Pkbh»hently Udeed.— A gaut'eirai who cured himself of deafness and uois<s iv the head, ot many years' standing, by a aow ltaihocl, ■ will be pleased to sond full particulars, witl i oopios ot testimonials, &0., for two stanj;':i, Thi . most successful treatment evez iutvoaucod Address, Herbert Ohssqk, 51, Uppei* KeuuUisct oi ■ auo, London, S.St

Popular Science. — The last lecture of Professor Biokerton's present course, dealing with the influence of science on the i arts, was given last night to a good ■ audience. The subject gave the Professor an excellent opportunity tv point out the j value to the world of a complete knowI ledge of natural laws. The next course i of lectures, entitled " Tho Chemistry of , Organic Life." will commence on Thursday, , July 6, with a lecture on " Chemical ! Affinity." j Supbeme Covet.— His Honor Mr Justice ; Denniston wao occupied all day yesterday i hearing a civil action, Strouts v. Whittle, in which the plaintiff claimed J3168 9d 9d for plans and specifications prepared to the order of tho defendant. After hearing evidence and arguments of counsel, his Honor gave judgment for the plaintiff for i>lo6 13s 9d, reducing the charge on the firnt sot of plans to 2_ per cent and to 1_ per cent on the second set. Dbuidihh.— The Mistletoe Lodge, No. 30, held its half-yearly summoned meeting in the Dtuidß* Hall on Monday evening, when there was a largo attendance of members. A.D., Bro F. T; Lawson, presided. Tho Bards reported that two members of the Lodge were on tho sick fund. After accounts to the amount of J825 Si 6d had been passed for payment, the nomination of officers for the next term took place. Bro H. Hiddleßtono was elected Junior Auditor. The Committee reported that the first "social" would beheld on Monday, July 24. The Lodge waa closed in the usual manner at 10 p.m. The receipts of the evening amounted to £50. Reckless Extebminauo.*.— Tho Southland News says :— Two or three specimens of tho beautiful white crane had for some time past taken up their quarters on the reedy flat behind the powder magazine, and there they might have remained in peace but for tho fact becoming known to Borne youngsters that they would fetch £1 a piece for taxidermie purposes. Thereupon a shooting party waß organised, and a " flattie " or punt procured to reach the haunt of the game. Sunday last was chosen for the assassination of the unsuspecting birds, which from long immunity from attack were about as tamo as domestic geese, and from their height and snowy colour jußt the kind of mark for the poorest of " pot shots." As we are informed, two were bagged, and the expeoted blood money duly paid over. Suoh an act of vandalism is deserving of more than mere reprobation, and should bring punishment in its train, as the birds, if we mistake not, are specially protected by law. The " sportsmen " would, we fancy, look rather blue if confronted with the Resident Magistrate, and sentenced to pay a fine of each i while the receiver, who is, according to the proverb "as bad as the thief " (and, in • this case, worse), might find it difficult to account for the possession of the skins. Unlawfully killing hare* is a punishable offence, but it is a venial one compared with that under notice, for the white crane is a rare bird and rapidly becoming extinct. It is to be feared, indeed, that the two shot were " the last of the Mohicans " in so far as the Waihopai Estuary is concerned.