LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5803, 22 February 1897, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Deaths by Violence. — During the year 1896 there were sixty cases of accidental death registered in New Zealand, and seA'enteen- deaths, by suicide. Of the accidents, seventeen were by drowning.

Cost Presbyterian Church. —On Friday evening a well-attended meeting in connection with the Sabbath School took place, the Rev J). D. Rodger presiding. The scholars sang selections from " Children's Hoeannas," and duets, solos, readings and recitations were contributed by the Misses Charles, Lee, M'Cutchen, Hassall (2) and Masters Forbes, Searell and Rodger. Suitable prizes were distributed, and. short addresses were given by the chairman and Mr Hassall. The procceedings were of a pleasant character.

Swimming. — The committee of the Richmond Amateur Swimming Club met on Friday evening; present — Messrs L. D. Armitage (in the chair), W. Simpson, F. Ward, A. B. Truscott, G. Van der Velden, K. Bassett, and G. Milne (honorary secretary). The Treasurer reported that the returns from the annual race meeting showed a substantial credit balance. It was decided to hold a trial swim over 100 yds, and select a representative for the 100 yds Championship at Ashburton, also to hold a Club Handicap Race, 100 yds, in the baths next Monday, entries to close on Saturday. This terminated the meeting.

IiEiTHFiELD. —An entertainment, consisting of tableaux vivants with limelight effecte, in aid of the vicarage repairs fund,was given by the Kowai Variety Company in the Public Hall, Leithfield, on Friday •evening. /There was a. very large attendance, some being unable-to .obtain admission. The' programme included scenes, action song 3, songs > ..songß,and dances, and was much enjoyed;: . At the close of the entertainment the Rev H. E. East moved a vote of thanks to the performers. The room was then cleared for dancing, Mrs (Franks supplying the music and Mr W. Traill acting as M.C. The proceeds are expected to net about .£l2.

Richmond. — A meeting of the Richmond School Committee was held on Wednesday last; present— Messrs Snowball (chairman), Paull, Bell, Hughes, Shaw, Ledsham, Flesher and Sorensen. An appology was received for the absence of Mr Wright. The master's report was received, giving the roll number as 556, average attendance 476, and requesting chemicals and apparatus for science lessons. An account was received for new gymnastic apparatus, which was referred back for amendment, some of the work being left undone. Final arrangements were made for the school picnic. The committee nominated Messrs Munnings, Cres3well and Feldwick as candidates for seats on the Board of Education.

A Penguin. — Mr J. Moses, while fishing near the Shag Rock, Sumner, yesterday, captured a king penguin.

Canterbury Engineers. — A meeting of members of the Canterbury Engineer Corps will be held in the orderly-room after the Government parade to-morrow evening.

Personal.— The Hons C. C. Bowen, W. Rolleston and M. Holmes, and Professors Cook, Shand and Brown left Lyttelton by the Penguin for Wellington on Saturday evening.

Sunday Lecture. — In the Lyceum last night Mr W. W. Collins gave the first of a series of lectures on " The Bible and 'the Higher Criticism." It was entitled "The Old Testament."

Theosophy. — The weekly public meeting of the Theosophical Society was held yesterday afternoon, in the Lodge-room, Opera House. /A paper was read by the Vice-President on the "First Steps of Discipleship." The usual discussion followed. — The second of a series of lectures was delivered at the Druids' Hall, Woolston, yesterday afternoon, at 3.30. The same lecture, which was entitled "Reincarnation," was delivered at the Sumner Town Hall at 2 p.m.

Christ's College Rifles.— The Christ's College Rifles did their annual volley and independent firing at the Bromley range on Saturday afternoon. Forty-six of all ranks were "present, Under Captain Day, and thirty-seven men fired. The figure of merit was volley firing 1318; independent firing 17*13. The firing was under the superintendence of Lieutenant Colonel Gordon, Avho was assisted by Staff-Sergeant-Major Barrett. Major Slater was also present.

Police Changes. — Sergeant - Major M'Donald and family were passengers by the Oniapere from Timaru ou Saturday, en route to Hokitika. They were given a good send-off from the wharf at Tiniaru by the local members of the police force and many other friends, a piper playing a "Lament." On Friday afternoon the Mayor of Timaru presented to Mrs M'Donald a well-filled purse of sovereigns in token of the esteem with which her husband is regarded in Timaru, and the Mayor expressed his personal regret at the officer's removal from Timaru.— Sergeant Fraser, who has been transferred from Holcitika to Timaru, arrived in town on Saturday evening, and proceeds south to day

Canterbury "Women's Institute. — A meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Women's Institute was held on Saturday evening in the Chancery Lane hall, the president (Mrs May) in the chair. Misses Sherriff-Bain and Garstin were appointed delegates to Mr Ben Tillett's Eeeeption Committee. Matters in connection with the coming meeting of the National Council were discussed and dealt with. Mrs Blake tabled a motion regardino- alleged favouritism in.the appointment of "Government officials. At the general meeting, which followed, a hearty vote of thanks was unanimously tendered to the editor of the Lyttelton Times for his courtesy in printing the presidential address delivered at the annual meeting. Discussion on the subject of homes for homeless and neglected children was renewed. The President explained that it had been thought unwise to ask members of Parliament°to be present till a complete plan had been decided upon.' A paper was read by a member, and a lengthy discussion ensued. Further consideration was deferred till next meeting, when various members will read papers dealing with ajKscial phases of tthe question.

Appointments Gazetted.— -Tho Gazette of Feb. 18 notifies that A. H. Hunt, T. S. Bock, B. W. Black, A. S. Bush, L. N. King, W. J. Leahy, H. C. Milne, L. G. M'Donald, C. M. Whelan and E. H. Whitmore have been appointed cadets in the Christchurch Telegraph Office; D. L. Blackmore, cadettc in the Christchurch Telephono Exchange ; J. R. Smith, junior letter carrier at Ashburton; H. Dobbs, postmaster at Overdale ; M. Hamilton, postmistress and telephonist at Linwood ; Andrew Allan, deputy registrar at Timaru ; T. J. BroAvnall, deputy registrar at Little River.

Gust.— On Saturday evening a special meeting of the School Committee was held, Mr J. Forbes presiding. It Avas resolved that the candidature of Messrs Buddo, Feldwick and Rennie should be supported for vacancies on the Board. Intimation Avas made that" on account of the illness of the headteacher the school had been closed for one Aveek, • but it would be reopened on Monday. The question of dealing Avith a communication from the School Committees' Association Avas deferred. Correspondence was receiA-ed from the Board in reference to a proposed alteration of the Cust and Carleton School districts, but no action Avas taken pending receipt of a communication from the Carleton Committee. In reference to the school picnic to Sumner, which had tAvice been postponed OAving to the weather, it was arranged that it should take place on Thursday, Feb. 25.

Patents.— Notice of the acceptance of complete specifications is gazetted as follows: — Mathew Belle, engineer, Christchurch, an improved ready-reckoner on spring and weight scales. J. H. Walker, machinist, Christchurch, improved hotwater apparatus for household purposes. Joseph Speight, farmer, K irwee, a chainless gear for bicycles. G. B. Pegley, bootmaker, New Brighton, a ventilated box. Provisional specifications : — "VV. C. T. Theobald, coach proprietor, Christchuroh, improvement in horse collars. Frank Wright, storekeeper, Akaroa, an improved lawn tennis scoring machine. W. J. Philp, ironmonger, Timaru, an improved wire fastening, for fastening Avire to standards. J. L. Scott, engineer, and Alfred Smith, electrician, Christchurch, improvements in apparatus for indicating the cost of goods sold by lineal measurement. J. Speight, farmer, Kirwee, chainless gear for bicycles. Henry Cave, butcher, Haiwood Eoad, an improved potato-digger. E. A. Bradbury, accountant, Christchurch, mechanical apparatus for indicating the cost of goods sold by lineal measurement.