LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6129, 16 March 1898, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Sailing.— The fleet of the Brighton Sailing Club will decade the last race of the season on Saturday next. Personal.— Profeßsor Scott returned from Wellington by the steamer Penguin to-day. The Hon E. Richardson came by the TeAnau. . The Clock Tower*— A start was made this afternoon towards erecting the scaffolding which is to be used in putting up the ironwork of the clock tower. Gala at Somnbb. — Sailing, swimming and other races will be included in the programme of the gala to be held at Sumner to-morrow. The Woolston Band will be in attendance, and- there will be dancing in the evening. The Rabbit Pest. — The rabbits have lately been rapidly increasing on the hills around Lyfctelton, the Native pah at Eaupaki being especially infested with them. The Agricultural Department has just sent a camp of ,rabbiters to the pah, with nets, dogs, &c. They will remain about fourteen days, and hope in that time to pretty well exterminate the pest. The Premier's Visit. — The arrangements for the presentation of an address from the Lyttelton Liberal Association to the Premier on Saturday night are now completed. The meeting will be held in the Social Hall, near the railway station, and the chair will be occupied by Captain H. M'Lellan, president of the Association, who will present the address. The meeting is to be a public one. Canterbury Rowing Club. — On Saturday afternoon next the annual Scratch Fours will be . rowed from Stanmore Bridge to "The'- Willows." Already a large number of entries have been received,' and a good afternoon's sport is expected. Lady members will dispense tea in the -social hall, and the members hope to see ' .a large attendance of their friends and rowing enthusiasts. A Message from the Sea.— A bottle containing one of the printed forms issued to captains of vessels by the Meteorological Department, Sydney, New S<mth Waki, was found on the New. Brighton beach yesterday. The paper sets out that "it is .intended to be thrown overboard so that when found it will indicate the direction of the currents through which it lias passed." The following particulars were given :— " Ship Trafalgar, tpf Aberdeen, 1 p.m., Jan. 27, 1898; latitude 48.17deg south; longitudo 10u.52deg east ; wind W.S.W., strong ; weather fine, clear ; sea S.W., high sea; from Newcastle, New South Wales, •to Taetal, Chili. Signed, .-James Gleave, master. Coal .cargo, temperature f74deg Fah. Barometer 2934 (mercury)." As desired, the paper has been posted by the finder (Miss Bessie Williams) to the Observatory, Sydney. Thb "Canterbury Times." — The illustrations in the current number of the Can ttrbury Times ate of great artistic merit and general interest. They include some charming views illustrating "Westward Ho ! ", portraits of a large number of " Old West Coasters" and other celebrities, a contrasting view of an historical Papanui establishment in 1860 and in 1898, a scene during the Governor's visit to Rangiora, and portraits of a number of fox terriers and an Irish terrier, showing the correct type of each breed. All are beautifully executed, and the number is one oi the best illustrated yet issued in the'oolonie?. , State Farm and Industrial Settlements Conference. — Delegates to the State farm and industrial settlements conference will meet at the Women's Christian Temperance Union Rooms, Gloucester Street, on Friday evening, at eight o'clock. Bubnhaji Industrial School. — The Board of Advice of the Burnham- Industrial School, consisting of Miss ColborceVeel, Mrß Guise and Messrs E. Smith andß. Westenra, will hold a preliminary meeting attheCharitableAidßoard's offices, Armagh Street, on Saturday, with a view to fixiug the date of the first official meeting of the Board and for arranging visits of inspection. It is expected that a Government officer from Wellington will be present at the meeting. • Hospitals and Charitable Aid Board. — At the monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Hospitals and Charitable Aid Board yesterday, the Chairman stated that the funds were about £2600 in credit, irith about .£SOO to be passed for payment that day, and .£SOO due on buildings, leaving a credit balance of .£I6OO at the end of the financial year to carry on till June. A letter from Dr Bowe complained of the inefficiency of tho ventilation arrangements in the male- ward A discussion took place on the desirableness of separating typhoid patients from other cases. Dr Bowe's letter stated that " one patient had contracted typhoid in the institution. This was probably attributable to the present arrangements, but new sanitary offices are in course of erection. A committee was appointed to report on the whole question of the voluntary medical staff. Presentation. —At the Canterbury Chess Club last night, Mr Hookham, the president, on behalf of the members, made a presentation to Mr A. Cant, the club's secretary, who is about to be married. Mr Hookham referred to Mr Cant's lon<* connection with the club as a popular member and of late years as its secretary. Mr Cant had performed a great deal of arduous work in the interests of the club which must have taken up a great deal of Ms valuable time. He wished Mr Cant increased prosperity and happiness, and on behalf of the club, presented him with an overmantel suitably inscribed, which he hoped he would esteem as a memento from the Canterbury Chesa Club. Mr Cook, as the oldest member of the club, heartily endorsed all the President s remarks. Mr Cant briefly thanked the members f or •their gift, and said that it would always remind him pleasantly of the good friends he had at the club. Morefobk Celebrated Mild-cured Hama and Bacon can be had in any quantities j from Hubbard, Hall ani Co., Manchester ! Street, next Milner and Thompson^. 2192 Girl babies are a great disappointment to Persian mothers ; they count as nothing The grand ambition of every married woman ib to have several sons, as through them Bhe iB secured consideration and a provision in advanced years.