LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5760, 2 January 1897, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

San Francisco Mail— A counter delivery of letters usually delivered by lettercarriers will be made from 9.30 to 10 o'clock to-night;

Business foe Sale. — Messrs A. G. Tame and Co., auctioneers, of Wellington, notify by advertisement that they have a first-class sash and door factory and timber business for sale for a comparatively small

outlay, owing to tho present owner re-L-tiring. HL.rb^RAMA Excursion.— One hundred and second-class passengers and twenty- • fiv-j first-class left for Otarama by the special train at nine o'clock this morning. Tha Express for tho south was an unusually heavy train, thirteen carriages being well loaded with passengers. The Eomday. — To-day was observed as a partial holiday in town. The banks, offices, and warehouses, and more than half of the shops were closed aii day. Large numbers of persons went to Sumner and New Brighton, ot into the country for pictdcking.

. Sunday Services —At Trinity Congregational Church, the Rev Sidney J. Baker will preach both morning and evening. At the latter service his subject is to be "Old Wells and New Sinkings." Bishop Julius will preach at the morning service at the Phillipstown Church, when Holy Comnumion will be celebrated.

The Otarama Fire.— There is a difference of opinion as to tho cause of the%'e which burned the bush at Otarama. Oh?., statement is that it was due to a fife kindled. by a settler for the purpose of clearing his section, another that it was the result of fires lighted by picnic parties. An enthusiastic advocate of the Midland Railway has made use of the disaster'as fche basis of an argument for pushing on fche construction of that line, and pointed out that half a dozen miles beyond Otarama is Staircase Gully, with its picturesquo ecenery, which could be made easily accessible from Christcliurcli by tiie extension of the railway. Now that Otarauia has been spoiled, or at least seriously damaged E3 a holiday resort it would, it is contended, pay the Government to extend the line so as to provide a substitute in Staircase Gully.

The Lyceum.— Mr W. W. Collins will lecture in the Lyceum to-morrow evening on " Mrs Besaiit, and Life after Death."

Theatre Royal.— The Ada Delroy Company gave ita farewell performance last night to a very appreciative audience. Most of the items were encored, and all were heartily applauded.

Game Protection. — A meeting will be held in the Rangiora Corn Exchange at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, for the purpose of forming an association for the protection of fish and game in the North Canterbury district.

Salvation Army. — The Rangiora corps of the Salvation Army held a field day yesterday in the Maria Andrews Park. Thero was a good attendance, including visitors from Christchurch and elsewhere, ancl a pleasant day was spent.

The Kinematosraph, — Professor Haustnann will open for a short season at the Oddfellows' Hall, Lichfield Street, to-night, with | Edison's kinematograph. The pictures, which depict many events in everyday life, are all life sizo. The first performance will bo given at 7.30 p.m., and will be followed by one every half-horn 1 .

Fire. — At 12.30 a.m. yesterday the DoiKng-down establishment of Mr A. H. Hancock, at Middleton, was destroyed by Ere. Boiling down fat had been going on until about eight o'clock on Thiu-sday evening, when the premises were locked tip for the night. Although the fire was seen from town, no ono in the vicinity appears to have been aware of the fact that the premises had been destroyed until yesterday morning, when one of the employes, on going to work, found the buildings reduced to ashes.

Business Change. — We notice, by our advertising columns, that Mr W. R. Harding has succeeded to the auctioneering business for many years carried on by Messrs Bowman and Son, and that it is his intention to carry on the business in all its branches on the premises, 200-206, Hereford Street. Mr Harding still continues his land and estate agency business. 8524

Chbistmas Tree. — The drawing in connection with Hubbard, Hall ancl Co.'s Christmas Tree is now almost completed, the large doll, the Bride, was drawn by Mrs Clarke. 141, Peterborough Street.

The Baby's Food. — More than the Photo. Try new Health Food: watch Baby out grow the Photo. Call or post for free Sample, and you'll want more. Health /Supplies Coy., 245, Cashel Street. 1823