LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5503, 2 March 1896, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

■ ■■ , ,m . : ■ ■'.:;■ Auction. — Messrs Avers, Beauchamp and Co. /will offer 7a quantity of Sydney fruit at auction, at 11 a.in; to-morrow. East Christchurch Football Club.— *<- In the report of the annual meeting of the East Christchurch Football Club, the name of Mr R.Perkins, who was elected a vicepresident of the club, was omitted. • Magisterial. — At the Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr R. Beetham, S.M., nine civil cases were called. In eight of these there was no appearance of any of the parties, and the remaining one was ad- : journed by consent. Pollard's Opera Company.— Miss Maud Hewson, who is well-known here as a promising contralto singer and a pupil of Mr Woodhbuse, will reappear before the Christchurch public shortly as a member of Messrs Pollards' Opera. Company, in which she has sustained several parts with success. Miss Cisßy Sandf ord is about to leave the company to be married. Addington Bible Christian Church. — The annual harvest thanksgiving services were held yesterday, and were largely attended. The Rev W. Scorgie preached in the morning, and the Rev B: H. Ginger, pastor of the church, in the evening. In the afternoon the choir rendered a service of song entitled "Hymns and Tunes of Long Ago." The readings, which were effectively given by the pastor, consisted of short biographical sketches of writers of many of the old hymns. ' The church was very prettily decorated with fruits, vegetables, corn and flowers. I Stoke.— The annual picnic and a^w-H took place on Thursday last in a paddock l>elonging to Mr Wilder, who also gave the use of his buildings, in which a substantial luncheon was provided by the committee, Mr A. Searle, of Cust, catering. The weather being fine, a large number of people were present, and a programme of sports was gone through. The two most exciting events were a tug-ofrwar for the gentlemen and one^ for the ladies, which 'Caused considerable amusement. A dance in the evening brought a very enjoyable day to a close. '"'.'.' .'Archdeacon Lingard. — A large number of communicants of St Luke's Church attended the church at 8 a.m. yesterday, when the Yen. Archdeacon Lingard conducted a thanksgiving service for his recovery from hia late illness. The Archdeacon occupied the pulpit at the eleven service, when there was a large congregation. . -Sunday Lectures. — Yesterday afternoon Mr W. W. Collins delivered an .address in the Theatre Royal on "New Lights on the Life of Thomas Paine," in -which he reviewed Paine's work in connection with the American struggle for independence and during the French Revolution. Previous to the lecture Mr Collins made sympathetic -reference to the recentyachting accident. In the evening Mr Collins gave an introductory address to a .series of geological lectures in the Lyceum under the title " Sermons in Stones." Morris-tube Shooting.— On Saturday evening a triangular Morris-tube match was fired at the range of the Christchurch Working Men's Club between teams representing the Rifle Class of the club, the Lyttelton Naval Volunteers and the Linwood Chess and Draughts Club. The scores were : — Christchurch Working Men's Club Rifle Class 316, Lyttelton Naval Volunteers 295, Linwood Chess and Draughts Club 252. After the match the visitors were entertained at a smoke concert, when several of those present contributed songs. f Canterbury Women's Institute.— A general meeting of the Canterbury Women's Institute was held on Thursday at Chancery Lane Hall, the president, Miss Sheriff Bain, in the chair. Two new members were elected. An excellent paper contributed by Miss Jessie Mackay on "The Bible in Schools," was read by the President The discussion which followed resulted in the following resolution:— "That this Institute opposes any interference with the present secular system of education for the following reaaons-(l The State is not yet prepared to assume > aU the functions of the Church. (2) While the State has a right to the control of mattersphysical andmoral, it must respect individual judgment in spiritual things. (V) Few persons interpret the Bible sindlarlv (4) Our present secular system Scates turiversal brotherhood, whereas in other countries religious instruction in State schools has emphasised class differences and radal hatreds (5) Scripturefceachin* in State schools has elsewhere induced" dissimulation with consequences disastrous to teachers and taught; it has alsoresulted in sectional despotism. (6) Our present system does not .debar the clergy from imparting religious instruction to our public scholars."

Chbistchurch Central Mission. — At the Oddfellows' Hall, Lichfield Street, yesterday morning, Mr Bell gave an address on "Christ's Sufferings." There was a good attendance at the service in the evening, when Mr M'Lellan preached. During the service allusion was made to the late fatal boat accident. The choir, tinder the leadership of Mr Jones, sang suitable hymns in an efficient manner.