Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5294, 26 June 1895, Page 3

Local & General.

Train Delated.— Tbe last train from Lyttelton to Christchurch was delayed till 11.30 last night, to accommodate the Penguin's passengers.

Sydenham Band.— ln connection with the Sydenham Band, a social gathering will be held to-morrow evening, in the Kingsley Club's rooms.

I Cust.— The grounds appertaining to St James's Church and the Presbyterian Manse have had some necessary improvements carried out by working-beeß made up of members of both congregations. In connection with the Episcopal Church, after mature consideration, ifc has been decided to dispense with the annual bazaar as a means of supplementing the funds and to rely upon other methods more in harmony with the objeot deßired.

! Thb .Weatheb.— Onr Cust correspondent writes .— At abont midnight on Snnday rain eet in from the sooth- weat and has continued without intermission Up to the present (Tnesday night). The Oust .River ia in flood, and in the low-lying parts of the Valley there iB a considerable body o! wa.ei.. The weather has been extremely cold, and any outside work has been carried on under conditions the reverse of pleasant.

St John's, Ltttelton.—Notwithstanding the wet weather, there wbb a good attendance at the weekly meeting of Sfc John's Literary Association (Lyttelton) last evening. Mr George Laureuaon waß in the chair. Papers were read as follows I«-" Dsperi-Itces of Sea Life," Mr CIOW 5 " Booka and Reading," Mr Be th une ; and "The Aboriginal Inhabitants of America," Mr Rodger. The paperß were freely criticised, and an enjoyable time was spent.

OBAi.osiß__t.~The monthly meeting of No. 2 Purple Star Lodge was held last evening, the W.M. Bro C. Cooper presiding. There was a fait attendance of members and vieifcorß, including D.M. Bro H. Simpson and the distriot officers. Certificates were granted to four brethren to enable them to join in the re-opening of No. 14, which haß not been working for many yearß. A large nnmber of brethren gave in their names to attend the Church parade at Southbridge on July 7. The report of the committee on the 12th of July celebration stated that matters were in a forward state. Votes of thanks were passed to the visitors, and responded to. The Lodge granted assistance to a needy brother, and then adjourned to the refectory, where a pleasant hour wad spent.

Thb Hospital Inquiry.— At the sitting of the Hospital Commission this morning the Commissioner said he had received a letter from Dr Hacon, which he wonld hand to the representatives of the Press. The letter drew attention to the fact that it had been sworn before the Commissioner, in open court, that a delirious patient had been assaulted. Dr Hacon asked the Commissioner to atonce do his duty and order an information to be laid, and bave the matter at once cleared up in the Besident Magistrate's 'Court. In his cross-examination Dr Murray-Aynsley, house surgeon of the hospital, stated that he considered that the requirements of the case had been met by a caution to the attendant to be more careful in future. The attendant had, it appeared, been nearly killed by a delirious patient Bhortly before.

Mutual Impbovement Society.— The weekly meeting of St Saviour's Mutual Improvement Society was held in the schoolroom on Monday evening. The Vice-President, Mr L. Packer, occupied the chair. The sum of £1 ls was given in aid of the Winter Work Fond. Owing to the inclement weather, Mr W. C. Large's lecture on " Photography " was postponed, and impromptu speeches formed the subject of the evening. ••■

Plttmbebb and Gasfittbbb' Union.— The annual " social " of the Plumbers and Gasfitterß'. Union was held in Hobbs's Assembly Rooms yesterday evening. About fifty couples were present, and dancing was kept up vigorously to the capital mußic played by Mr C. H. Fox. Mr C. Colville acted as M.C. Between the dances some good songs were sung by Misses M. Wat-ton, N. Wilson and M. Morrison, and Messrs Billoliff, Eldridge and Morrison. Refreshments were provided by the committee, and all present spent a very pleasant time.