LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5777, 22 January 1897, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Weather. — A much needed change in the weather occurred this afternoon. Steady rain began to fall a few minutes before two o'clock. Lord Brassey. — A Dunedin telegram states that Lord Brassey. yacht the Sunbeam, sailed from Port Chalmers for Lyttelton at 7.30 a.m. to-day. Auction. — Messrs Ayers, Beauchamp and Co. will sell a quarter-acre of land atid six-roomed house at Crescent Road, St Albans, at 2 p,m. on Saturday next. Garden Party. — On Thursday afternoon Mra A. : Campbell, of Stratford (xro-v-e, Rangiora,- invited the /members of tbe Rangiora Juvenile Lodge of Good Templars, with a number of their adult friends, to a garden party at her place. About a. hundred and twenty were present, and all spent a very enjoyable afternoon; the young people taking part in games and compeiiing in sports for prizes, and their elders finishing the day with dancing on. the lawn. GoirPMiNiNG.-^-A,,; co-respondent writes that the paragraph . -in* .the Canterhury Times's West Coast letter to the effect that the shareholders in the Croesus claim have, placed their property under offer to an English firm at a price of -613,000, and a fifth interest in paid-up scrip is incorrect. __te states that an offer was received of .816,900 and 26,000 shares for the option of purchase within six months; or -619,500 ahd 29,900 shares for a similar option for twelve months. This has been declined, the shareholders- considering their holding worth considerably more. '• Swimming. — A 50yds Midsummer Handicap in connection with the Sydenham Amateur Swimming Club was decided fit the Sydenham baths on Thursday evening. . The following are the results : — First heat : A. Kent 4sec, 1 ; A. Russell scr, 2; E. Grover 2sec, 3. Time— 3Bsec. Second heat : J. Fox 2sec, 1 ; R. Howarth 16sec, 2 ; C. Chambers Bsec, 3. Time — _osec. Third heat : B. Midgley Bsec, 1 ; - F. Fox lsec, 2; S. White Usee, 3. Time — 49sec. Fourth heat: D. Casbolt 2sec, 1 ; E. Fox 4sec, 2 ; F. Howarth Bsec, 3. Time— 39sec. Final heat : A. Kent 4sec, 1; J. Fox 2sec, 2; D. Casbolt 2sec, 3. B. Midgley Bsec also started. Time — 37sec. Mr C. Kent acted as starter and timekeeper. Acknowledgements.— Mr Herrick desires to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of the following, which have been distributed during the past three weeks : — Clothing from Mesdames Hassal, Harrington, J. B. Way and , Bowen, Miss Hall, Warwick House, "Nemo" and friends;' meat, Islington Frozen Meat Company; Belfast Frozen Meat Company ; Sir John Hall, Mr Harris and friends; bedsteads, M.J.M., Rangiora; vegetables, Mesdames Lees, Blood and friends; groceries, 105, Durham Street and Supply Stores ; fruit, C. Stanley; bread, &c, Mrs Faville, Mr Tuck, J. Howey, , D.I.C, St Barnabas' Sunday School, Woodend, and Opawa Weßleyan Church; periodicals, Mesdames M'Nicholl, Davies and friend; ham and cheese, friend; potatoes, Mrs Morrison and friend; furniture, Mrs H. Brown ; bacon, Smithfield ; dripping, Mrs Webb; fish, Friend; biscuits, Aulsebrook and Company ; milk, Mrs Julius ; cash donation, H.C. box, 2s 6d. The Tbamway Accident. — In connection with the accident wliich. happened to the tram at the Addington railway crossing on Tuesday evening, Mr G. J. Smith, M.H.R., yesterday wired to the Minister of Raitoays, urging the necessity of crossing keepers being on duty at all the level crossings near the city whilst trains are running. E Battery ''Social."— -Last night oneof the most enjoyable "socials" ever held in New Brighton was tendered to the residents by the members of the E Battery now in camp there. The spacious mess tent was crowded to excess, and shortly after 8 p.m. Sergeant-Major Treleaven opened the proceedings by a toast, "The Queen." Songs, more or less typical of soldier life, were sung by Messrs Millar, Bradley, Mason, Fawcetfc, Cropp, Lewin, Lester, Malcolmson, Captain Owles and others. Violin solos were played by Mr Tombs and pipe marches by Pipe Major M'Tavish. Recitations were given by Sergeant Treleaven, Messrs Fawcett, andW. B. Eyre. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" closed a very pleasant gathering. The Tourist Season.— Large numbers of tourists are arriving by every steamer from Australia. Before undertaking a visit to the cold lakes and West Coast they should take the precaution be supplied with New Zealand pure wool rugs, for which the New Zealand Clothing Factory, Christchurch, is one of the chief retail dep6ts. .. 4201 Clearing Sales.— Messrs Ballantyne ■and Co. intimate that they are commencing their 'usual After Season's Sale to-day (Friday), -when vast quantities .of goods will be placed upon the tables and counters at greatly reduced prices. The success of this firm's sales is phenomenal, and, judging by the numerous lines to be offered, this will prove no exception. 9390 The boiler tubes o£ a large liner, if ■placed in a row would stretch nearly ten miles, and the condenser tubes more than twenty-five miles.