LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6137, 25 March 1898, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Saturday's " Star." —In the muchlooked for eight-page edition of the Star, readers will this week find the following specially - selected subjects *. — Tales and Sketches — The Fight for the Crown, Life in the Morning Land, The Black Rider, A Canadian Idyll, "The Bosh Telegraph," An Escape from the Devil's Island. Ladies' Page — At tho Last Moment. A Feminine Mania, Etiquette •of "Weddinga and Dinner-Giving, A Remarkable "Woman, Household Hints, "Woman's "World. Reading tor Everybody — Fun and Fancy, Notes and Notions, Brief Mention, Band Gossip, &c, together *. with all the latest telegraphic and general news. ■ Shooting Rights, -Recognised; -"■- The Land Board decided yesterday : that the leasee can prevent sportsmen- from shooting: over any part of he^erve No. 3192, Lake Ellesmere. . Cycling Corps. — A private message from "Wellington states that the services of the cycling detachment of the North Canterbury Volunteer Battalion have been accepted. The detaohment will parade tonight at Mr Ford's store, for dismounted drill. Ckown Lands. — The interests of nine lessees of Crown land who iiad failed to meet then* payments of arrears of rent, were declared by the Land Board yesterday to be absolutely forfeited. The Board intends to take proceedings for recovery of the .o-.iounts due. I. aii. way Traffic.— The express for the south to-day consisted of nine carriages, severul vans and two engines, but the -number of passengers was not unusually large. The second engine was sent to Timaru in order to bring on a train from that town to Christchurch 'in.;** advance of . the express, this evening, with the view of preventing any delay ot* the latter, or any inconvenience from overcrowding, as it is expected that a large number of persons will return from Dunedin to-night. Durham Street Methodist Church. — The balance-sheet of the above church, -which was read at the anniversary meet.ing last evening, showed that the sum of £416 lis had been spent on renovation. The expenditure, inoluding special items, amounted to .£636 12s lld, leaving a debit .balance of .£262 12s. The income from the ordinary account amounted to .£345 12s od, : and the expenditure to .£373 19s lld, leaving a debit balance on the ordinary income and expenditure of .£25 7s 6d. Botanical Photographs. —Mr L. •Cockayne | has prepared a number of sets of highly interesting photographs representing specimens of the native flora of New Zealand growing in their natural habitat. One set is for the Canterbury Museum, and others have . gone to museums and scientific institutions in various parts of the world. Many of the pictures are highly effective from an artistic point of view, as they represent scenes of great natural beauty, which have evidently been photographed from a position chosen by an artistic eye. Conservation of River Banks. — The Land Board at its meeting yesterday re.ceiveda circular from the Department of Lands, which suggested that, as far as possible, lands should, be reserved on the mountain ranges . and high hills where streams had their sources, and along the banks of the larger or navigable rivers. The suggestions were made with the idea of mitigating the disasters which have occurred chiefly from the denudation of the covering provided by Nature in the hills, and also in the interests of forest conservation, tourists and others. The Board approved of the circular, and decided to put the idea therein contained in operation as soon as possible. Meetings in Cathedral Square. — Several applications for permission to hold public meetings in Cathedral Square have been received at the City Council office. Some of those who have been in the habit of meeting in the square deny the right of the City Council to take np the position it has done in the matter. Alleged Sheep-stealing. — Atthe courthouse, Temuka, yesterday, before Mr E. Cutten, J.P., Michael Sheehan, a Rangitata Island farmer, was charged with sheepstealing. He was, on the application of the police, remanded for seven days. 13ail -was allowed, accused in _gloo and two sureties of <£50. Little River Timber Sale.— The excursion train to Messrs Wood and Laurie's sale of timber at Little River yesterday was not so well patronised as in former years, only about 150 persons going by it. The weather was fine, and those who went for amusement enjoyed themselves thoroughly, picnicing in the hills and valleys. Those who went on business were hospitably entertained at luncheon in the goods shed, where there were two relays of tables. After luncheon Mr Conway Matson submitted for sale about 220,000 ft of timber, but less than half of it changed hands. The timber was nearly all totara, and the difficulty of getting heart timber has caused the proprietors of the mills to raise the Drice for this class to such an extent as to prevent business. The highest price , realised was 16s 3d for Bxß. Six x H brouht 13s6d ; 9x2, 14s 3d; 8x8,6x4,' 6xl and 5 x 2, 13s 3d; 9 x 2,10 x 2, 10 x 3,4 x 3 ancl 4x2,1^33 Secondclass—Ei<*ht x 8 and 6 x b, l^s ; Bxl, 7 S 3d to 10s 6d; 6x I,Bs 6d; 6x 2, 6s to 7s 3d ; 3x 1 and 4 x 1, 7 a ,• and miscellaneous lots of small stuff at from 5s 6d to 6s 6d per 100 ft. A number of bundles of pickets (25 in a bundle) were sold at 2s each.

A Gakuikon Band.— At a meeting of officers of the Christchurch Garrison Volunteer Corps, * held recently, it was resolTed that a military band should be established to take the place of the Garrison Band, whose services have been dispensed with. It is understood that the officers undertook to raise the funds necessary to pay for instruments and to meet other expenses. Another meeting will be held shortly to further consider the matter. Excursion. — Lyttleton yesterday received a temporary addition to its population by the arrival of the Eangiora excursion party, numbering nearly one thousand persons. Marine excursions were largely indulged in, and a large number visited the dock and inspected the direct liners lonic and Perthshire. East Christchurch School Committee. — At a meeting of this committee, held -at the main school last evening, all the members were present, and it was resolved to recommend Miss Kate Baldwin to the Board of Education to fill the position of head-mistress at the main school, in place of Miss M, V, Gibson, resigned, "New Zealand Cyclist."— Prominent features of this week's issue of the New Zealand Cyclist are reports of the cycle racing at the St Patrick's Day sports J throughout the colony, as well as a report I of the Otago Jubilee Demonstration sports. An interview with the Secretary of the Wanganui and West Coast Cycling Club furnishes an interesting account*, of tlifi progress of cycling in the North Island. The editorial, "Rights and Wrongs of the Road," deals with a subject of vital importance to the general body of cyclists. A description is given of the first appearance of motor-cars in New Zealand, and all the other departments of the paper will be found full of up-to-date news. Tbe portraits include those of some well-known racing men, and also of an Auckland lady cyclist. Sale of Work.— The annual sale of work in aid of the funds of the Linwood Congregational Church was opened in the church schoolroom yesterday afternoon by Mr W..W. Tanner, M.H.R.. There was a very good attendance, and brisk business was done at the various stalls. The following were the stall-holders .—Work stalls, Mrs Dobber, Mrs A. Dobber and Miss Alexander; refreshment stall, Mrs New- . burgh; fancy goods stall, Mr Smith, Miss Smith and Mr and Mrs Woodham; produce stall, Miss Aldwin and Miss Bradbury ; jumble stall, Mr Henderson and Mr A.* Dobson; fruit and confections, Mi* M'Callum and Mr Alexander; shooting gallery, gramophone, galvanic battery and weighing machine, Messrs A. and H. Boon, Speak and T. . Newberry ; flower stall, i Misses Dixon and Greig; bran tub, Misses F. Boon and C. Dobber, and Mr Hume. Mr Prank Thornton at the Theatre Royal. — To-night Mr Frank Thornton and the members of his Comedy Company, fresh from triumphs in the south, will commence a brief : season of twelve nights at the Theatre Royal. The opening play is one of Mr Thornton's latest London novelties; a hilarious farce - comedy by Robert Buchanan and Charles Merlowe, entitled The Strange Adventures of Miss Brown. It was originally produced at the Vaudeville Theatre, London, where it enjoyed a successful run, and is most successfully fulfilling its destiny as a laughmaker in Australia and New Zealand. Mr Thornton will be supported by the company organised for his tour, and with whose assistance he achieved brilliantly successful seasons in -Melbourne and Sydney.- Most of the members are new to this country, as the names show* ; namely', Miss Eisie Carew, Miss Clare Manifieldi Miss Florence Poole, Miss Iza Millett, Miss Meta Pelham, Mr Fred Shepherd, Mr W. J. Townsend, Mr George Rowlands, Miss Madge Corcoran, Mr George Carey, Mi* A. Cochrane and Mr E. Haygarth. Mr Frank Thornton is a distinctively original delineator of charater, and it will be peculiarly interesting to see him in the part of Miss Brown. .The box plans are on view at Messrs Milner and Thompson's office. .Morkpork Celebrated Mild-oured Hams and Bacon can be had in any quantities from Hubbard, Hall and Co., Manchester Street, next,Mil*if>r, and Thompson's. 2192