Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4742, 6 September 1893, Page 3

Local & General.

— « Oddfellowship. — A social in connection with the Addington Oddfellows will be held at the hall, Lincoln road, to-morrow evening. Abrest. — Two men were arrested this morning by Chief Detective O'Connor for assault and robbery. The offence is alleged to have been committed last night in St ABaph street, when two men knocked down a man named Sydney Claxon, aud robbed him of his watch and chain. The City Squares.— The City Council employees have been engaged during tbe past day or two in replacing the tree 3in Latimer and Cranmer squares, which bave been broken down by boys playing in the enclosures. It is to be hoped that the preaent trees, which have been obtained from the plantations in Hagley Park, will be allowed to grow unmolested. The Central Mission. — A tea-meeting in connection with the new Central Mission will be held in the Blue Ribbon Hall this evening. Frienda and sympathisers are informed, by advertisement in another column, of the adjournment, after the tea, to the Tuam strnet Theatre, instead of the Oddfellows' Hall — where the Liberal i Association meet to-night, when a pro- j gramme of vocal and instrumental music I will be rendered. Pastor Birch will preside. Electoral.— At the Christchurch Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr R. Beetham, R.M., and Mr R. Weßtenra, J.P., Louis Ferdinand, who stated that he was born at San Lucia in the West Indies, made an application to have his name placed on the Christchurch electoral roll. It waß admitted that he was a British subject, and their Worships granted the application. A similar application, made by George Henry Albrecht, a German, who was not a British subject and could not produce his naturalisation papers, was adjourned till next day. Parishioners' Gathering.—- On Tuesday evening a meeting of the parishioners of St Bartholomew's, Kaiapoi, was held in the schoolroom. There was a good attendance. The Rev H. H. Mathias presided, and read a most interesting paper received from the Rev H. Northcote, in which he gave a graphic account of his voyage Home. Pianoforte solos were given by Miss Wilson, songs by Misses Sims, Mathews and Winterbaurae and Mr Dunn, recitations by Misses L. Cox, L. Or am, E. Fxaser and E. Batch, duets by Misses Balch and Fraser, and Misses L. Cox and L. Oram, a reading from Charles Dickens by the Chairman, and a song and chorus by the choir. Canterbury Liberal Association. — A meeting of the Rangiora Branch of the Canterbury Liberal Association was held at the Institute Hall ante-room on Tuesday evening, Mr H. Boyd in the chair. Delegates were present from the Kaiapoi and Oxford branches, and the question of selecting a candidate for the Kaiapoi constituency was discussed at considerable length. Eventually it wa3 decided that those who had expressed a desire to become candidates should address public meetings in the three chief centres, and the Association would be guided in its choice by the voting at these meeting's. A Committee was appointed to make arrangements for the meetings. With reference to the invitaticn to Sir Robert Stoat to contest the district, it was stated that a definite reply had not yet been received, but the Secretary expected a letter within a few dayß. Ferry Road School.— The ordinary meeting of the Ferry road School Committee was held on Monday evening last ; present— Mr Douglas (Chairman) and Meßsrß Anderson, Bailey, Edkins, Ewart, and M'Diarmid. . Mr M'Gregor was also present (the head master still being unwell), and reported the average attendance foe the past three weeks m 474, average last week 490, highest attendance 502, roll number 550; also, that a pane of glass was required in the boyß' lavatory. A circulnr was received from the Secretary of the Board of Education, stating that the school would be examined on September 6 by Dr Anderson and Mr T. Ritchie. The Chairman was instructed to write to Mr Tanner concerning the swimming bath, and to send a letter of condolence to Mrs Irwin in her sad bereavement, as Mr Irwin had taken very great interest in the spiritual welfare of the scholars. A motion was tabled (for consideration at next meeting) to alter the name of the school to the Yf oolaton Borough Schools. After passing accounts, to the amount of .£6 6s 3d, leaving a credit balance of 17s lOd and outstanding accounts of .£5 4s sd, the meeting terminated. Mutual Improvement. — The Papanui Wesleyan Mutual Improvement and Recreation Club held its usual weekly meeting on Friday evening. Mr W. J. Cresswell (Vice-Preßident) occupied the chair. There was a very good attendance. Tbe evening was devoted to "impromptu speaking," some very good questions being discussed. Football.— Great interest ia being taken in the match Otago v. Canterbury, which will be played at Lancaster Park on Saturday next at half-past two. Both teams are considered very strong ones, and should the weather continue fine a first, class exhibit : on of football may be looked forward to. The southern men will arrive by the express to-morrow evening. They will be met at the Chrhtchurch Railway Station by the officials of the Canterbury Rugby Union, and all footballers are requested to attend and give the visitors a hearty reception. A number of local bandsmen have offered their services. St. John's Entertainment. — St. John's schoolroom was crowded last night, when a capital entertainment was given by the Sunday school teachers, assisted by friends. The entertainment took the form of tableaux vivants, and the 6uccesa which attended the efforts of the performers was evidenced by the frequent applause of the onlookera. The tableaux, of which there were forty in all, consisted of representations illustrative of " The Snow Maiden," " Faith, Hope and Charity," "Jack's Return," "The Gypsy Encampment," &c. The effect in each instance was heightened by the limelight manipulated by Mr T. Crook. The tableaux had been organised by Misses Elerig, Lanauze and Wat kins, who may be congratulated upon their success. Band " Social." — The Lyceum was very well attended last night, when a "Booial" was given in aid of the recently formed brasa band of the Freethought Association. During the evening the band played three pieces, " The Polly Waltz," "Gollity Polka" and "Adelina Schottische," in a manner that reflected the greatest credit on Mr Berry, the teacher, who undertook the instruction only some weeks ago, when many of the performers last night had not previously played any instrument. Between the dance 3 songß were contributed by Misa Button and Messrs Woodward and Stokes ; Miss Spring and Mr G. Ward gave recitations ; Mr Bunz contributed a violin solo; and Mr Derry a solo on the cornet. An enjoyable evening was brought to a clo3e soon after midnight. A Salvation Army Gas-burner.— Among the applications for patents gazetted last week ia the following :— William John Harvey, of Newton, Auckland, Near Zealand, Salvation Army Captain. An invention for "Improved S.A. Triplet Gas-burner."

[ Artistic. — A very fine oil painting has • just been completed by Mr J. M. Madden, to be forwarded to the Wellington Ait Society's exhibition. The canvas is of large size, and the subject is entitled " An Old Tidal Fence." The artist's standpoint — the picture having been almost entirely painted on the spot — was about two miles from New Brighton, on the tongue of land extending toward* the Shag Rock, and looking over the ettuory. It is late in the afternoon on a clear summer-like day, and over the distant mountain range pearly clouds are massing. The entire scope of colour is in perfect harmony ; wonderfully diversified tints on land and water, gradated with the skill of the artist who studies Nature closely. The foreground expanse is beautifully treated ; Eand-spitß, Bedgy margins, contemplative cattle barred by a time-worn fence-line from further wandering. It is a subject such as many an artist of the best English Schools would love to paint, and Mr Madden haß done justice to it.