LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6089, 28 January 1898, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Saturday's "Star." — In the sixiy-foiir column edition of the Star to-morrow, the special features will include the following items> in addition to all the news of the day and Sketches— The Fight for the Crown, Dwellers in the Planet Mars, Two-and-Three, Juju, European Queens, The People of the Burmese Frontier. Ladies' Page— Keeping a Secret, A Woman Novelist, The Baby, What to Wear, Woman's World, Household Hints. Reading for Everybody — Fun and Fancy, Notes and Notions, Brief Mention, Band Gossip, Poetry, &c. East Chribtchurch School Committee. —The committee last night, and after a close ballot, selected Miss E. Scott for the position on the staff vacated by Mias Simpson. It was also decided to support the nomination of Mr J. R. Brunt for a seat on the Board of Education. Technical Education. — The Chairman of the Rangiora School Committee has been asked to convene a meeting of the chairmen and members of school committees in the neighbourhood of Rangiora to discuss the question of technical education. A proposal will be made to establish a class in connection with the borough school to serve tor all schools in the surrounding districts. College Rifles.— The gale" did some damage at the College Rifles' camp, at Mr Monck's paddock last evening. The. officers' mess marque and three of the "bell tents were blown over, and one of the latter, that occupied by Staif -Sergeant-Major Barrett* ,was ,-split .''-to ribbons.'* • Lieut.Colpnel Gordon visited the camp last night, and, together with Mr Justice" Denniston, Major Day.and Lieutenants Marceil and Holderness, ex-Lieutenant Webb, and other visitors,' was entertained at dinner in the large marquee by the officers. Stdemhah Amateur Swimming Club. —A committee meeting of this club was held last evening; present — Messrs C. Kent (chairman), W. A. Howison, E. Grover, A. E. Denham, W. Betts. A. H. Cooper, W. Woodward, and A. M. Bttssell. A trophy was received from Mr W, White, of the Electro-plating Company. Final arrangements were made for the club's annual races, which promise to be vary successful. A iarge number of entries are expected for the 50yds Inter-Club Handicap. They close on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Clarendon Hotel. - A Good Suggestion. — It has been suggested that the commanding officers of the men-of-war now in Port should be requested to aid the fond for the relief of the sufferers by the recent bush fires, by sending a3 many of their bluejackets and marines as possible, to the open-air gathering at Lancaster Park on Thursday next, to give a display of military movements, cutlass and rifle drill. The citizens of Christchuroh have never had the spectacle of a body of regular sailors or soldiers going .through their evolutions, and the sight wotild be. highly appreciated. No doubt the committee would be able to make some 'provision for the refreshment and entertainment of the men taking part in' the display. Eailwat Fire Brigade. — The annual meeting of the brigade was held on Wednesday evening, when Superintendent Hemßworth presided, with a full muster of members. The annual balance-sheet and auditors report were read and considered satisfactory. It was decided to send a team consisting of Foreman D. Round, Firemen R. Burke and G. Baichelor to compete at the fire brigades demonstration to be held at Auckland. Foreman D. Bound was appointed delegate to represent Mlm&Stf .%> «Mj conference.^™, w?B -xesolved to contribute to tne tuna being rawed for the relief of the widow and family of Lieutenant Shaw, of the Gore Brigade. The election of officers resulted ta follows j— Trustees, Messrs A. Hoddinott and X>. Gunn; auditors, Messrs J. Irving and J. M'Dougall ; secretary and treasurer, Mr D. Round (re-elected); committee, Messrs G. Batchelor, E. Burke, D. Gunn and A. Hoddinott. Moripork Celebrated Mild-cured Hams and Bacon can be had in any quantities from Hubbard, Hall and Co., Manchester Street, next Milner and Thompson's. 2192

The Stdbnham Band.— The Sydenham Brass Band will not play on the Eotunda to-night. All members are requested to, meet at the practice room. ' . Personal.— Miss M. B. Vartha, who has just concluded a season with Miss Eileen O'Moore's concert company in the North - island, came to Christchurch to-day on a visit, prior to going back to Dunedin. ,It is probable^oweverythat 'this-taientSed-oianiste will shortly return to Christchurch for a time. Holt Trinity, Lyttelton. — The annual picnio of the scholars and teachers of Holy Trinity Sunday School was held yesterday at Diamond Harbour. The party was conveyed across the harbour in the morning by the steamer John Anderson, and, after spending a very pleasant day, returned at dusk. A number of friends accompanied the school. ..• . • . • -.•■'•■:- Sunday School Picnic. — The annual picnic in connection with St.- Saviour's Sunday School, Sydenham, was held yesterday at Opawa. The children assembled at the .church, where a short service was held by- the -Eev -E. JP-. Gachemaille, and then proceeded to grounds kindly lent by Mr Morris, where a most enjoyable day was spent. The food .was supplied by Mr Freeman, and the teachers and friends worked hard to make the onting a success. "Social." — A very enjoyable "social" took place last night at the Druids' Hall. The hosts Avere the temperance men on board H.M.S. Mildura, and a large number of friends accepted their invitation. Songa were contributed by Messrs Bryson, Bell, Shorter, Clark, Marley, Browning, Lowe and Summers (H.M.S. Mildura), and Misses O'Keeffe, Gardiner and Stuthridge, and a sword dance by Mr Bryson. Mr T. Mathews made an efficient M.C, and Mr C. Wells acted as accompanist. The hosts were assiduous in supplying refreshments, and all present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. . Athletic Championship Meeting. — The following men have been chosen to represent Canterbury at the New Zealand Championship Meeting at "Wanganui, on Feb. 10 ''and' 11:— Hi-.. CV Garsia, quarter, half, one and three miles ; S. Pentecost; one and three miles ; J. L. Smith', 100 yds, 250 yds and 440 yds ; John Moir, long jump and* 120 yds hurdles. The team leaves Christchurch on Feb. 5 (Saturday), which gives the men a day or two in Wanganui before the meeting. T. H. Overton will probably be in Wanganui at the time of the meeting, and will compete for Canterbury. The Kinematograph. — Last evening the kinematograph recently in possession of the Chrißtchurch Kinematograph Syndicate was exhibited at Eangiora, but, in consequence of an excursion having taken a large number away from the town, the attendjince was limited. The pictures, which include a number of new ones since the last exhibition in the place were highly appreciated, ■Faust up to Date winning special applause. The programme was varied by musical selections by Mr F. Devon, songs by Miss Nita Beresford, selections from the gramophone and shadowgraph by Mr M. Northcote. An exhibition is to be given at Amberley on Saturday evening, and at Cheviot on Monday and Tuesday. The Massey-Harris Harvester. — On Wednesday a new Massey-Harris. harvester was put to a severe test, and went through it in a very satisfactory manner. The crop operated upon was one of .wheat on Mr Leech's farm, between Eangiora and TVoodend. The crop itself stood eft 6ih in height, and is estimated to yield 75 to 80 bushels to the acre, and in addition the machine had to deal with a thick undergrowth of tares nnd other vegetation. The machine was put to open up the field, and this it did in splendid style, travelling one mile and a half in eighteen minutes. On the following day, in response to an invitation, about twenty farmers assembled at Mr Frank Leech's farm to witness a further trial of the same machine in a crop equally as heavy as that cut on Wednesday. Again the harvester proved itself worthy of the highest commendation, the cutting and binding being carried out withotit a hitch or miss. To give some idea of the weight of the crop it may be stated that a bound sheaf was dropped from the binder at every yard. Masonic. — There was a large gathering of Masons at the Lodge of Unanimity Hall, at Lyttelton, on Thursday evening, on the occasion of the installation of Bro T. M. Lewington as W.M. of the Lodge, and the investiture of his officers. Nearly all the lodges of North Canterbury were represented. The ceremony of installation was performed by. the Grand Superintendent, E.W. Bro. J. J. M. Hamilton, assisted by the Grand Lodge officers. The following are the officers for the year : — W.M., Bro T. M. Lewington; 1.P.M., Eev Bro E. E. Chambers; S.W., Bro A. Bates; J.W., Bro J. A. Suiter ; secretary, Bro J. T. Gifford ; treasurer, W. Bro H. F. Arnold; chaplain, W. Bro C. E. Curtis; organist, Bro J. C. Hughes; S.D., Bro W. H. Dale; J.D., Bro E. Wylie; 1.G., Bro D. Jack;" D.C., Bro J. W. T. Snow ; tyler, Bro N. Neville. At the conclusion of the business the brethren adjourned to the new room recently added to the Lodge, where an excellent repast was served. During the evening the retiring Master, the Eev E. E. Chambers, was presented with a Past-master's jewel, and was congratulated upon the very successful year through which the Lodge bad passed. Trades Picnic. — A meeting of those connected with the building trade will, be held in the Druids^Hail, Worcester Street, at.B o'clock td-mosrrow evening;. to moke arrangements for. holding the annual picnic. Registbation op Factories.— Mr Lomas, inspector of factories, has received a letter from the head office of the Labour Department to the effect that he must insist upon all factories being registered by the -end of the present month. Women's Christian Temperance Union, Kaiapoi. — At the rooms of this Union at Eaiapoi, on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs Armitage gave an address entitled " Two Tears as a Teacher at an Asylum for Imbeciles." Mrs E. Evans presided, and a vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs Armitage for her address. Case Dismissed. — At the magisterial inquiry at Geraldine yesterday, into the case m which a coroner's jury at Mount Peel returned a verdict of manslaughter against a boy of thirteen, for causing the death of a younger brother, the evidence went to show that death had been accidentally caused, and the Bench dismissed the case. A Cabelebs Act.— An instance of the carelessness which is often responsible for fires occurred recently at Cheviot. A man who left his cottage for a few days put the ashes from his fire into a sack, which he placed in the tussock some little distance from" the house; Next day the sack was found to be smouldering, while the.ashes were still afire. Fortunately, the fire had not Communicated itself to the grass around, . New Zealand Natives' Association. — The first sports meeting of the Wellington Branch of this Association was commenced on Saturday, but the majority of the events were not got off owing to the inclemency of the weather. A specially written report of the proceedings at the meeting, and at the Wellington Cycling Club's Carnival, will be found in this week's New Zealand Cyclist. The Governor. — To-morrow his Excellency the Governor^ will leave Christchurch on a visit to Akaroa, where he will remaiti. until Monday. His, Excellency has received the following cable message : "On leaving the station I desire to expresa my high appreciation of the> uniform kindness and courtesy extended by the authorities and people of New Zealand to myself and the officers and men of the squadron during the period of niy command; and, on behalf of the squadron generally, 'as well a3 on my own account, to express the hope that the. New will be one of prosperity and happiness to all. (Signed) Cyprian Bsidge, Admiral, Sydney."