LOCAL AND GENEEAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6052, 14 December 1897, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENEEAL.

Anniversary Day. — On Thursday* the anniversary of the founding of the Province of Canterbury, the Star will not be published. The Eev Db Lamb. — It ia pleasing to be able to record that the Rev Or Lamb is making good progress towards recovery from the serious illness by which he was attacked on his return to New Zealand. The Weekly Hai,f-hoi.it)At.^-A proposal has been mooted to the effect that the Government should be petitioned to alter the law in regard to the weekly halfholiday for shop assistants, by causing the day on which it is to be observed to be fixed by the ratepayers or electors, instead of by the local bodieß. The Samaritan Home. — The committee of the Samaritan Home will hold a meeting on Jan. 4, when the question of the proposed stoppage of the subsidy paid to the Home by the Charitable Aid Board will be considered. At present there are thirty-one adult inmates, besides five infants, in the Home. Chess. — Messrs H. Hookham and H. Andersen have tied for first place in the Championship tourney of the Canterbury Chess Club, and will play off on Friday night. The club will not be represented at the New Zealand Chess Congress, which is to open at Auckland on Boxing Day, as none of the leading players are able to leave their business. Personal. — Mr T. Skelton, of the firm of Skelton, Frostick and Co., who returned by the Gothic from his visit to England, arrived from ■Wellington by the s.s. Eotomahana this morning. His friends will be pleased to know that he is looking exceedingly well after his trip. — Mr J. D. Sievwright arrived by the Eotomahana, and left for Oamaru by the express. Orange Society. — The monthly meeting of No. 33 Lodge was held in the Foresters' Hall, Richmond, on Dec. 10, the W.M. Bro M'Causland presiding. Two delegates were appointed to attend the Grand Lodge meeting at Bakaia. Two persons were proposed for initiation, after which the Lodge was closed, and refreshments were handed round. «, Presentation. — Yesterday a very enjoyable evening was spent in the Lyttelton Swimming Club's Committee Booms. A presentation was made to Mr F. L. Foster, on the occasion of his approaching marriage, by the committee. The chair was taken by the deputy-captain, Mr "W. C. Cleary. The present consisted of a handsome pair of carvers suitably engraved. Various toasts were responded to, and songs were contributed by members of the committee. Hoenby. — The monthly meeting of the School Committee was held on Dec. 10; present— Messrs Lettie, Piper, Derneathy, Hardater, Andrews and Manire. An apology^was received from Mr Spicer, the chairman, and Mr Lettie was voted to the chair. It was decided that the scholars have four weeks' holiday, from ©cc. 17. Visiting Committee for the month — Messrs Lettie and Andrews. The master reported the average attendance for the month to be 36 boys and 45 girls. Number on roll, 42 boys and 60 girls. Lyttelton District School. — A meeting of the committee was held last evening; present — Messrs Field (chairman), Dyer, Hobden, Eadcliffe, Webb and the Eev D. J. Murray. The headmaster's report showed that the average attendance for the past month was 553, highest 575, and the roll number 652. The attendance had shown a great falling off lately-owing to the prevalence of sickness. It was decided to close the school on Wednesday, Dec. 15, for the annual holidays, and to hold the examination for prizes when the school reassembled. Messrs Eadcliffe, Hobden, Webb and the Chairman were appointed a sub-committee to arrange for the disinfecting' of the school ; '-during* the holidays, and also for the tarring of the grounds. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Board as to the necessity that existed for a retaining wall between the Colonists' Hall and the playground. Accounts amounting to .£1 8s 6d were passed for payment and the meeting closed. Druids' Order. — The annual -meeting of the Bud of Hope Lodge, U.A.0.D., Bangiora, was held last evening. There was a large attendance, including about twenty visitors from the Mistletoe Lodge. The balance-sheet presented was considered to be highly satisfactory, considering the heavy calls on the sick f and during the past six months. Officers were elected as follows— A.D., Bro G. H. Felton; V.A., Bro T. Hamilton j secretary, Bro J. J. Wilson; treasurer and D.P., Bro A. W. Hills ; A.D.B.'s, Bros H. Rule and J. Howie ; V.A.8., Bro Old; 1.G., Bro J. Haneox ; 0.G., Bro J, S. Pickard; M.S., Bro H. Luxton, and auditor Bro G. H. Luxton. Bro D. M'Kay was elected a trustee in place of Bro Turner, deceased. The officers were installed by District President Hills. After the business ended, the visitors played a euchre and cribbage match with the members of the Lodge. At euchre the visitors won by twenty games to seventeen, and at cribbage Bangiora won by nineteen to sixteen. The result on the aggregate scores, tvas a tie, each having thirty-six wins. Supper wap provided, and a number of toasts were honoured. Kaiapoi School Committee. — This committee met last evening; present — Mr Feldwick (chairman pro tern), and Messrs Coup, Clark, Young, Caverhill, Ellen, JLrmitage and Butcher. Correspondence was read from the secretary of the Board of Education relative . to repairs and the use of the school premises for amusements, and stating that as the Board had been called upon to pay for keeping the buildings in repair, the committee uiuet not allow them to be used for any such purpose. The head master's report showed nnuiber on iroll — boys 265, girls 240, total 505, averago attendance 91 per cent. It was agreed that tho school should break' tip on Thursday, Dec. 23, for one month's holidays- .AccGunts amounting to £4- Is 9d were passed for payment. Mr Caverhill read a statement relative to the entertainment given by Mr Seager. There was a credit balance of £7 7s 6d, which, with an old balance of .£3 10s, made .£lO 17s 6d available for the prize fund. It was resolved that the fund be supplemented by subscriptions from the members of the committee, and the amount was thas made up to £12. The chairman and Messrs Coup and Butcher were appointed to obtain the prizes. The chairman stated that Mesdames Millar, Leithead and Hicks, the sewing examiners, had given prizes for sewing-, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the donors. " I Hubbabd, Hall and Co. for Preserving Crystals. 1912

Uangiora Mayoralty. — Mr C. I. Jennings, the newly-elected Mayor of Bangiora, was sworn in as a Justice of the Peace to-day by Mr Bishop, S.M. Cycling.— Seven entries five tandems, a triplet and a quadruplet — have been received for the Multicycle Race at the Christchurch Cycling Club's meeting on Saturday next. The handicaps will appear to-morrow. Christian Endeavour Society.— A branch of the Toung People's Society of Christian Endeavour was formed at Loburn, last evening, in connection with the Presbyterian Church. Ten active, and some associate, members were enrolled, and regular meetings were arranged for. Lobtjbn Presbyterian Sunday School. — A lantern entertainment was given in aid of the above school last evening by Mr C. I. Jennings. There was a good attendance, the children having been entertained at tea by the Misses Duncan early in the evening. Readings descriptive of the slides were given by the Hey A. Doull, and the entertainment passed off successfully. The Trout Season.— Mr W. J. Alpe reports that on Dec. 10 Mr T. A. King took five fish from the Avon, weighing re- I spectively 41b, 31b, 1-J-lb and two at lib each. On Dec. 11 a party of three took twelve fish from the Rakaia, the largest of which weighed 111 b. Several otheranglers did equally well, but omitted to furnish returns. Both the Rakaia and Waimakariri are at present in fine fishing order. Military Tournament. — The display of fireworks promises, to be one of the most attractive features of the military tournament on Anniversary night. Several set pieces and mechanical devices specially prepared for the occasion will be shown, the principal ones being a pyrotechnic representation of German ironclads attacking the Chinese fort 3 at Kiao-ehau, and a large set, " God Save the Queen," in multicoloured fires. There will also be revolving fountains of fire, flights of fiery pigeons, temples of fire, wheels, fire suns, Bengal lights, mines, maroons and thousands of blazing cressets and bang crackers. Messrs Bickerton Bros, have sole control of the fireworks, and the display will commence about 10 p.m. Merivale Sale of Work. — The annual sale of work in connection with St Mary's, Merivale, began at two o'clock this afternoon. The room was tastefully decorated and draped with flags. Mesdames Gibbs, Watson and Weetman presided over the sewing stall, all the articles in which were of the useful order. A very attractive Jubilee sweets stall was managed by the Misses Kinsey, Meares and B. Cunningham. Mesdames Allen and Wakelin and Miss Rastrick were in charge of the fish-pond and Christmas tree. The produce stall, containing a varied stock of comestibles, was in the hands of the Misses Laurie and Foley. The Misses Hill, Winstone and Phillips conducted ths business of the flower stall, while the Misses O'Bryen Hoare, Wilson and Walter presided over the fancy goods. Strawberries and cream were dispensed by the Misses Cox, Baker, Martin and Nina Meares. Miss Zouch was in charge of the dark science of palmistry, and the old literature and artificial flower stall was in the hands of Mrs J. Woolcott-Wood and Miss Cook. The sale will be varied this evening by the introduction of vocal and instrumental items. Installation op Mayors. — The installation of Mayors for the ensuing year will take place to-morrow — for Christchurch, Sydenham and Linwood at 12 o'clock, and St Albans at 8 p.m. Athletic.— A half-mile handicap, for a trophy presented by the Post and Telegraph Athletic Club, was run at Lancaster Park at 5 p.m. yesterday. There were twelve starters, and the race resulted as follows : — W. E. Watts 20yds, 1 ; A. Shelton 50yds, 2; J. Curtayne 10yds, 3. Time— 2min IGaec. Canterbury Engineers. — The camp of the Canterbury Engineers was broken up yesterday morning:. A fatigue party of ten men was told off to remove the camp material and the corps equipment, and to return them into store, a task which was I not concluded till about ten o'clock last night. Garrison Band. — A meeting of the late Christchurch Garrison Band, convened' by Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, the officer commanding the district, was held last night in the Engineers' orderly room, for the purpose of winding up the affairs of the band. The proceedings were conducted in private. Calendars for 1898. — The Norwich Union Fire Infeuraaice Company (Messrs J. M. Heywood and Co., agents), the North British and Mercantile Insurance Company (Messrs W. Wood and Co., agents) and the Royal Insurance Company (Messrs F. Archer and Co., agents), have just issued their very useful and artistic calendars for 1898. Personal.- Mr Thomas Skelton, of the firm of Messrs Skelton, Frostick and Co., who has been on a prolonged visit to Europe and America, returned to Wellington by the Gothic yesterday. The Hon J. S. Larke, Trade Commissioner from Canada, was a passenger by the steamer Penguin to Wellington last night. The Late Fire. — Superintendent Smith of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, has received the following letter from 3le3srs WardeU Bros. : — " In acknowledgment of the services rendered by. your men on Friday night last, when by their promptness they prevented what might have been a very serious fire, we herewith beg to enclose our cheque for £5 os." Horse-Taming. — There is every promise that the exhibition to be given by Professor Norton B. Smith, the celebrated horsetrainer, at the Opera House to-morrow evening will be of the most interesting and exciting character. The Professor will handle several seven and eight-year-oldmn-broken stallions from the North Island which promise to be particularly lively. There will then be a contest for riding buckjumping horses. Several of the best local riders will essay the task, and some very rough mounts have been secured for their benefit. The Pro-Cathedral. — The Rev Father Galerne, who for the past three years has discharged the duties of curate to the Very Rev Father Cummings, V.G., at the Catholic pro-Cathedral, Barbadoes Street, has been called to mission work in the islands. He will leave Christchurch on Thursday for Wellington, whence he will proceed to Fiji. It is probable that the scene of his future labours will be the Solomon Islands. Very great regret has been caused to the congregation of Barbadoes Street by Father Galerne's departure, as he has gained "very general esteem during his stay in Christchurch. The Flobal Fete. — A meeting of the Ladies' Committee in connection with the floral fete was held in the City Council library at 4 p.m. yesterday; present — Mrs T. Gordon (in the ' chair), Mesdames C. Louisson, A. H. Hancock, W. H. Cooper, H. D. Pine, A. Marshall, H. 0. D. Meares, F. C. East, C. H. Wagstaff, Badden, S. Anstey, J. E. Baker, C. Hull, Mi3ses Cabot, Smith and Henton. The list of lady judges at the fete, drawn up by the executive, was considered and adopted with a few alterations. Several matters of detail were arranged, and it was agreed that the members of the committee should meet at the Secretary's office on the Agricultural Show Grounds at 11.45 a.ni. on Thursday. A meeting of the Executive Committee will be held at the City Council Chambers at 8 p.m. to-day. * Lonargan's Assioned Estate. — Tenders for the stock in the assigned estate of Lonargan and Co., probably the largest ever put up to public tender in New Zealand, were opened yesterday, and the successful tenderers secured the whole of the large stocks of general drapery and clothing at a remarkably low figure. Within a few days, as quickly as the goods can be remarked, and of which due notice will be given, the premises will be reopened and the stock offered to the public at prices which the tenderers confidently expect will result in a very speedy clearance. 6784 Hubbard, Hall and Co, for Christmas Hams 5 mild and tasty. 1012

Ltttei/ton Navals.— The Lyttelton Navals paraded for boat drUl last night, under Captain Joyce and Lieutenant Torlesse Both boats were fully manned, and Sergeant Major Grant, of the Torpedo Corps, instructed the men in boat drill. • Meeting op Butchers.— At a meeting of butchers, in the Al Hotel last night, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr James . Forrester, for the business he had trans--1 acted in Wellington on behalf of the trade. In a discussion on the subject, Belfast was spoken of as the most suitable place for slaughtering, on account of the perfect drainage there, and Messrs • Forrester, Bull, Steel and Hopkins were appointed a committee to interview the Belfast Freezing Company to ascertain on what conditions slaughtering for the trade in Christchurch and suburbs could be done at their works. Photo Section.— A meeting of the photo section of the Philosophical Institute was held last t night, when Mr E. Beardsley showed a very fine collection of lantern slides of Indian scenery, taken by Mr G. Millais, son of the late President of the Royal Academy. Mr Preece exhibited an excellent sample of double printing. Mr Large showed a specimen of a .redeveloped negative, Mr Becken some transferred gelatine prints, and Mr Bridges a collection of Napier views, which were much admired. The competition subject, "A View on Avon," resulted in Mr Stephen^ Webb securing first and second places, and Mr Becken third. The next competition subjects are hand or stand camera pictures of the Lyttelton regatta 1898.