LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5690, 8 October 1896, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

San Francisco Mail. — The San Francisco mail arrived at ' Auckland at ten o'clock this morning, and will reach Wellington to - morrow, by train, from New Plymouth. * Brooklet Coal Company, Limited. — Half the shares having been applied for, a meeting of all interested is called for Friday, for the purpose of completing the formation of the company. The Reserves Committee. — The visit of the Reserves Committee of the City Council to the reserves, which was to have taken place to-day, has been postponed for a week, on account of the absence of one of the members. Supreme Court.— His Honor Mr Justice Denniston held a sitting in Chambers this -morning I,',1 ,', and" disposed x>i iialf-a-dozen ■,applicaSoni|. ? ; . Honor will leave foir I Wellington "this' eye'ning Or to-morrow to attend the sittings of the Court of Appeal. ■. ■ - / Bishop Grimes. — His Lordship Bishop Grimes, accompanied by the Eev Father Galerne, left, for Cheviot to-day. Next Monday evening his lordship will deliver a lecture at Cheviot, probably choosing for Ma subject his " Visit to the South Sea Islands." Ltttblton Rowing Club. — A meeting of the committee of this club was held last evening, when arrangements were completed for formally opening the rowing season on Saturday next. There will be the usual 'procession of boats, and a dance will take place in the evening. The Queen's Clemency. — Mrs Cunnington visited Lyttelton last night for the purpose of interesting residents in her proposal for the release of certain persons serving life sentences in .New Zealand gaols. The weather being boisterous, the attendance was small, and it was decided to postpone the meeting till a fnture evening, the date of which will be announced. St Michael's Temperance Society. — The usual meeting of this society was held in the schoolroom on Wednesday evening. There was a very large* attendance, and the Eev,C. Fraer occupied the chair. The programme included songs by Misses Grace Smith and Isabella Pengelly, Messrs C. Chapman and E. Victor, pianoforte selections by Misses Bertha Clark, Nellie and LUy Coombs, violin solos by Masters Alfred Pengelly and Wilfred Cocks, and recitations by Misses Maggie Linder, Beatrice Martin, Jessie Kemp and Constance Jarvia. . The Early-Ribing Scheme. — The meeting convened at the Chamber of Commerce last night to consider the proposal to advance the standard time two hours during the summer months was attended • by about fourteen representatives of various athletic organisations. It was decided that, as the heavy rain had doubtless prevented many others from attending, the meeting should be adjourned to 8 p.m. on Wednesday next. Garrison Library. — A meeting of the members of the Christchurch Garrison Library was held last night. There was a good attendance, and Major Slater presided in the absence of Colonel Gordon, who was at Kaiapoi. Lieutenant Sandford read a paper on "Volley Firing," which was thoroughly discussed. A resolution was passed approving of the early-rising scheme, which it is proposed to introduce during the summer months. The members decided to request the President to convey an expression of sympathy to the Secretary, Lieutenant Anderson, who is recovering from a long and serious illness. Horsing the Chemical Engine. — Superintendent Smith, who was entrusted by the Fire Brigades Demonstration Committee with the selection of two horses, to be presented by the committee for the Lichfield Street chemical engine, has, after many difficulties, managed, through the kindness of Mr Thomson, manager of the New Brighton Tramway Company, to obtain two very good animals, one of which has been worked in the tram. The other has only been in harness a couple of times. It is intended to have a trial of the horses . before the members of the Fire Brigade Committee on Thursday next. .-. Christchurch Fire Brigade. — The quarterly meeting of the Christchurch Fire Brigade was held in the Chester Street Station on Monday night. Superintendent Smith was in the chair, and there was a full muster of members. A letter was received from the Ashburton Fire Brigade, invitrag a team from the Christchurch Brigade to take part in a competition to be held there at the end of the year. The invitation will be favourably entertained, providing a good all-round programme' is issued. Superintendent Smith presented Foreman E. M'Millan with a five years' service medal. Light refreshments were afterwards served. . Fabian Society. — The fortnightly meeting of the Fabian Society was held last evening at the Art Gallery. Mr H. Hookham occupied the chair. ' Mr Hoare delivered an address entitled "What is the Fabian Society ?" He read a short extract from Edward Carpenter's book "Towards Democracy," and gave a most interesting account of the rise and progress of the Fabian Society in England. He eulogised the work of Sidney Webb, Bernard Shaw and others, and said the members of the local society would no doubt be able to learn something from what these men had done. A discussion ensued, during which the Chairman suggested tliat papers should be discussed at the meeting following the one at which, they were read.

Oddf_llow3hip.— Last night the Loyal Rangiora Lodge held a special meeting to receive visitors from the Sister Pearce and - Kaiapoi Ladies' Lodges, Benevolent, Volunteer, City of Christchurch, Addington, Riccarton and Malvern Lodges. There was a large attendance, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. After the ordinary business had been completed, the Lodge was opened for harmony and the sentiments were duly responded to. The Lodge meeting was followed by supper, and a large number of toasts were honoured, and the proceedings were enlivened with music and songs. The visitors left at midnight, first according the members of the Rangiora Lodge a hearty vote of thanks for the cordial reception given them. Prohibition. — Last night the Eangiora Institute Hall was again crowded to overflowing, when Mr T. E. Taj lor gave an address in reply to Mr Sievwright. Mr T. Keir (Mayor) presided. The Rev P. R. Monro first occupied the platform for a quarter of an hour, and read a quantity of documentary evidence to prove that crime had largely decreased in the prohibition States- of America and that the people were in better circumstances than those in the States where licenses existed. Mr Taylor then spoke, for upwards of two hours, and carried the vast majority of the audience completely with him. The applause was frequent and hearty, and when he resumed his seat it was loud and lon£ continued. . The following motion was carried without a dissentient vote :— " That this meeting heartily thanks Mr Taylor for his address, and emphatically declares that there is no other cure for the drink evil but its total prohibition by the will of the people." During the meeting Ms B. Strong sang the new temperance song," Strike Out the Top Line," the audience joining in the chorus." Benefit Concert. — A very good programme will be presented at the concert to be given in the Temple of Truth to-night, in aid of the fund for the relief of Mr L; Green. Songs will be t sung by Mrs E. T. Robinson, Missea L. Thompson, M. Watson and W. Lloyd, and Messrs Halley, Fairburn, C. Reade, L. M. Brice, C. Edgar and A. Millar. Miss Lawrence will play a pianoforte, and Mr T. Fitzgerald Faulkner an organ solo. Recitations will be given by Messrs W. A. Hall and D. Ryan. The Primrose String • . Band will play overtures, and the Sydenham Mission Brass Band will play selections outside the Temple before the performance.