LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6065, 31 December 1897, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

"Sta^." — To-morrow's sixty-four column edition of the Star will — as was the case with the Christm.ts issue — be replete with tales and sketches specially selected for holiday reading. All the usual attractive features will also be included. Ashley School. — The children attending the Ashle> State School were taken to Lyttelton by train this morning for their annual outing. Kailwat Tkaffic— The southern expresses to-day constituted a heavy train. That for Timaru consisted of six carriages, and that bound for Dunedin of seven. The Minister op Education.— The Hon W. C. Walker, with his private secretary, Mr'Aemilius Smith, paid a visit to the Burnham Industrial School to-day. San Francisco Mail. — A countf r delivery of letters will be mads at the Chief Post Office, Cmjistchurch, betwean 10.30 and 11 a.m. to-irorrow (New Year's Day). ; Canterbury Art Society. — Tt is understood that the annual balance-sheet of the Canterbury Society of Arts for the past year will be of a satisfactory character, and that the sum of .£IOO has been paid off the debt on the Art Gallery. The Governor. — His Excellency the Governor has been spending the day at Lyttelton. He remained on board the Tutanekai during the forenoon, and had arranged for some hill-climbing this afternoon, to enjoy the sight of the harbour on the one hand and the plains on the other. His Excellency was to be accompanied by the Mayor of Lyttelton. Swimming Baths. — The growing popularity of swimming in this community is shown in a marked manner by the increase in the number of baths constructed for the purpose of practising the accomplishment. The movement for establishing one at Fendalton is expected to eventuate shortly in a bath being constructed in that suburb ; and in a few weeks a bath, which is now being built, will be opened at Hornby. Acknowledgments. — Mr T. C. Norris begs to acknowledge, with thanks, donations to the Lyttelton Orphanage and Destitute Children's Christmas Gift Fund, from Messrs Aitken and Eoberts, C. M. Brooke, Mesdames Bridge and Black, Messrs A. Carrick, Charles Clark, Mr Justice Denniston, Messrs Fletcher, Hum-, phreys and Co., Sir John Hall, Mary and Maggie Hunter, Mrs Izard, Bishop Julius, Kaiapoi Woollen. Company, James and Mary Lilley, Messrs Loughrey and Lane, Mason, Struthers.and Co., S. Manning and Co., the Mayors of Chriatchurch and . Sfc Albans, Dr Manning, Miss Fay Mathias, Nanoy Parsons, Messrs E. Eeece and Sons, Dr Russell, Messrs A. Scott, W. Strange and Co., Misses Gertrude and Ethel Secretan, Norrie and Ruth Simpson, Leah Selig, St Albans Church, Ohoka, Messrs H. K. Smith, Wynn-Williams, A. J. White, and several anonymous friends. Sydenhah Working Men's Ciajb. — Last night H. J. Byron's comedy Our Boys was performed in the hall of the Sydenham Working Men's Club. There was a large attendance, and the performance was heartily received. The characters were represented by Mrs Manhire, Misses Hawley (2) and M'Neish and Messrs Irwin, Hollow, Orange, .Dunford and Witham. A full orchestra performed selections. Holiday Traffic. — On account of the heavy passenger traffic in consequence of the holiday season, for the past few days an extra express train has been run from Christchurch to Timaru, and last evening it was found necessary to* run from Timaru to Chtistchurch an extra train, which arrived five minutes before the regular express. Both trains were heavily loaded with passengers, and a good many of those by the ordinary express went on to Lyttelton to catch the steamer for Wellington. Concert. — A vocal and instrumental concert was held laat night in the Lyceum, and was well attended. The programme was of a popular character. Amcng the principal numbers were a cornet °solo, 41 The Lost Chord," by Mr T. Tankard, with piano and organ accompaniment, a fan song and a tambourine song given by a number of ladies in fancy costume, .selec-. tions by the " Zoboe " band, and the gramaphone. Songs were sunsr by .MrsEdgar and others. Eecitations were given by Mr Ryan. Personal.— Mr W.W. Tanner, M.H.E., accompanied by Mrs Tanner and Miss Browett, returned to Canterbury yesterday by the WaikaTe. Since the session closed Mi Tanner has been spending a few days in Napier. — Mr Blair, late associate to his Honor Mr Justice Denniston, who is about to enter the office of a legal firm in Wellington, will be succeeded in the position of Judge's associate by Mr Denniston, his Honor's son. His Honor Mr Justice Denniston was a passenger for Timaru by the express yesterday. "New Zealand Cyclist." — The current number of the New Zealand Cyclist contain? full accounts of the various race meetings which (took place in the different centres of the colony on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The Pioneer Club's meeting is illustrated, and a photo of the winner of the big handicap, Mr J. W. Jones, is reproduced. A full account of the final heat of the Austral Wheel Eace will also be found interesting. " London Gossip" and "The World of Wheels" keep the reader thoroughly in touch with cycling matters in other parts of the world. Articles on chainless bicycles and the proper treatment of the chain give very useful information ; and an article .giving the fullest particulars regarding the invention of the pneumatic tyre is •extremely interesting. This week's issue has been enlarged to thirty-six pages. The Premier. — The Hon E. J. Seddon and Mrs Seddon, with Mr Hamer, private secretary, arrived at Lyttelton by the s.s. Hinemoa last night, in time to catch the 10.50 p.m. train to Cbristchurch, whence 3lr and Mrs Seddon went to Add&gton to the house of their son-in-law, the Eev W. S. Bean, whose young son was seriou3ly ill and not expected to recover.. IvTews of the child's illness reached the Premier yesterday morning £,t Nelson, where the Hinemoa, in which he and his family were proceeding to the West Coast, touched. The steamer was going to the Coast on public business, and 3lr Seddon had taken advantage of her trip. She has also to call at some ports in the south. The Premier and Mrs Seddon decided to come to Lyttelton, and the members of their family were transferred to a steamer which waß starting for the Coa3t, and at 11 a.m. yesterday the Hinemoa left Nelson for Lyttelton. In consequence of the change in her course, she will visit the southern ports before going to Greymouth. The Premier will remain here for a few days, and will probably go overland to the West Coast next Tuesday. Hubbard, Hall and Co. announce that their establishment will be closed on Saturday and all day ? r onday for New Year holidays. 9949

Police Parade.— The monthly inspection and pay parade of the City Police Force was held at two o'clock this afternoon by Inspector Broham. There were only three absentees, and these were engaged on prison escort duty. The parade was a creditable one, both as regarded the physique of the men, and the neatness of their appointments. The Horse-fiend REWARD.—The £100 reward offered by the Government for the conviction of the horse fiend is a little misleading. As a matter of fact, the sum of .£SO is offered by the Government, .£25 by the Agricultural and Pastoral Association arH 525 by the Horse-owners Protection Association. Although it is not improbable that there will be a matenaL increase in the amount of the reward offered, there is at present only .£IOO tor that purpose, made up as above stated. The Agricultural College. — The Board of Governors of the Canterbury Agricultural College held a lengthened sitting in committee yesterday, when the question of the recent resignation of members of the teaching staff at the College was xinder consideration. The result of the proceedings has not yet been made public, but it is "understood that considerable alterations in the management of the institution are pending.