LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5456, 7 January 1896, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Ohristchuech Election.— Mr T. E. Taylor/one of the candidates for the Christchurch. seat at the by-election> returned from a visit to;fche south last night, and intends entering at once upon his elec-

tion campaign,

The. Labour Bureau. — Mr Tregear, 'Secretary of the Department of Labour, .. Wellington, has forwarded a circular to ;' MrcLoniaSj ;of ' the Laboiir Bureau Office, - Christcnurch, stating that nien desirous of . obtaining., worjr from the Christchuroh office must'make their application in person, * and if not employed must send in their names to Mr Lornas once a week. If application is not thus renewed the Department . trill consider that work has been obtained elsewhere. '

Angling.— Some, very fine trout have

"been caught in the Selwyn during the past ,~few- days. On Dec. 27 Mr J. Clapham caught 6 fish weighing 401 b; on Jan. 3 Mr , W. J. Alpe caught 5 fish weighing 391 b, and on Jan 5, 2 fish weighing 41b. Mr J. Uoakes caught 39 fish, weighing in all 1771 b, during a period of ten days. Some of these fish were in exceedingly good condition; the largest , weighed 14lb, 6 weighed Blb each, 3 71b, Und 4 51b each. The* Selwyn is now in capital order for fishing, but most of the other large rivers are inflood.

The Volttnteers. — The Christchurch City Rifle 3 mustered twenty-five strong in Hagley Park for outpost duty at 5 a.m. today. At 5.30 a position was taken up about the centre of the park, the line of observation being between the river and the north boundary on Park Road. Colonel .Fox examined the men of the picket thoroughly in all the details of , outpost work, the men replying very well all round. He then proceeded to the sentry posts, and examined the sentries in a similar way. The position was well chosen, and was a capital instruction of actual outpost work. Captaiii Hobday gave the inspecting officer & plan of the whole position. '

.-, Ukios Rowing Club. — The Trial Double / Sculls were rowed off last evening, oyer a course from Cowlishaw's corner, owing to :i the ; river, being: in such.. -.a: dreadful statje; 'further ! v '&wiiir:C : l^/;fa.pfc^;ftyeK : 'tHe'<»iirse-. that used, most careful steering . fia& ' to ba. adopted to dodge, the masses of weed!. In the first heat, J. Smith arid , Hi Berry beat F. Mitchell and H. N. Caratti. This was an excellent contest. Mitchell lead nearly the whole way, but Smith just drew level when nearly home, and finally won by three yards. The final heat was got off "in semi-darkness, and Smith and Berry again turned up the' winners, defeating F. Fabling and J. Hoaie. Two other crews who had entered were scratched.

The "Weather at Cust. — On Saturday afternoon a nor-wester which assumed hurricane force, blew for several hours, and unfortunately for the farming community, caused a .considerable amount of damage to the crops. In various parts of the district report is made of grass-seed crops being thoroughly destroyed. In other cases the oat crop has materially suffered, whilst the damage to a number of promising fields of barley is very great. The nature of the past season having tended to an unusual growth, as a result of the gale the heavy crops have in some parts of the country been flattened down and the stalk injured to such an extent that it would be almost impossible for a machine to do its legitimate work. Sunday turned out to be fine, but on Monday the wind again blew furiously and added to tho previous loss.-

Papantji School Committee. — The monthly meeting of the Papanui School Committee was held last evening; present —Messrs GifMns (chairman), Pnchard, Derrett, Hudson, Were, Free and Buntin. An apology was received from Mr Jones. Correspondence was received from the Board stating that the clerk of works would prepare plans and specifications for the additions to the master's house at the earliest possible opportunity. The .'Board also reminded the committee that there would be three vacancies on the Board after March, 31 next, ; and requested the committee to nominate'two candidates. It was resolved that Messrs GifMns and Buntiri should interview Messrs Weston and Cresswell, and ascertain if they would consent to be nominated. The matter of the school treat was adjourned until the next monthly meeting. ■

The Faust Family.— The Faust Family and London Bellringers will initiate their Christchurch season at the Opera House to-morrow evening. Speaking •of the performance in Wellington the New Zealand Tiiftes says :— "Of .fjhe success which attended the performance given by the clever company there can be but one opinion — that a distinct triumph was achieved. From the time Mr Hagari and Miss Fraser appeared till the end of the programme was reached, laughter, loud and long, and continuous applause were the order of the night. The Fausts have a first-rate reputation, and it -will be enhanced by their performance of last night. Miss Fraser and "Mr Hagan, though well known in Australia, are strangers here, but judging from their reception last night they have already become favourites of the first order. They •are without doubt really clever artists, and have the happy faculty of winning the good graces of the audience at very short notice." •

Obder op Dbtjids. — The half-yearly-meeting of the Mistletoe Lodge was held on Monday evening, when there was a good attendance of members, A.D. Bro Triggs presiding. After rontine business had been disposed of and one candidate initiated, the balance-sheet was read by the Secretary.* It showed that the Lodge was possessed of JJ1046 2a invested in sound securities, and that, notwithstanding heavy sick pay during the past six months, a substantial increase was made. The Auditors, in their report, congratulated the Lodge upon its financial position, and the officers upon the manner in which the l)ooks were kept. The balance-sheet and auditors' report were unanimously adopted. The election of officers was then proceeded with, and after some very keen contests, resulted as follows : — .P.A., Bro ■W. H. Triggs ; A. D. Bro W. H. Dentonj V.A., Bro W. Davison; secretary, Bro H. D. Bayner; treasurer, Bro W. Bailey; M.S., Bro J. W. Hull; 1.G., Bro J. Smith; OG Bro W. Allan; A.D.B.'s, Bros E. Forsey and W. Hill; Y.A.B.'s, Bros W. Cresswell and J. L. Brown; D.G.L., Bro J. W. Hull; D.P., Bros B.Dyer, C. Israelson, J. Sorton and E. Forsey ; Hall Committee, Bros W. Bailey and C. Edward. Votes of thanks were accorded to the scrutineers and' retiring P. A., Bro A. Marshall, which were duly responded to. It was decided to present a framed diploma to Bro Marshall at the. next Lodge meeting. The installation of officers was left over till next Lodge night owing to the late hour. It was decided that the Lodge should pay an official visit to the Ohoka Lodge on Jan. 22. . . ■ ,