LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6572, 24 August 1899, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

o A telegram from Wellington states that Herr Friedenthal's pianoforte recital at the Opera House last night was largely attended, and that the audience was most en'- ! thusiastic. A Dunedin telegram states that the Stamp Deparfcm&nt intends to take action against several persons for a breach of Section 133 of the Stamp Acb, which, requires that the purchaser's name shall appear on a transfer before it is signed by the seller. A man who was charged at the Police J Court this morning with vagrancy, made an able appeal to the Bench on his own behalf. Evidence had been given by the police that the accused had been seen out very late at nights, but he made light of this, and asked if this was not a free country, or was he to- regulate his hours at the dictation of the police? He admitted that he was unfortunately given to drink, but that only happened whea he was in town, and arose from the exuberance of his generosity. When he was in the country he was appreciated. The accused said that if he Avere given the chance, he could go to work up country, and the Bench gave him forty-eight hours to leave tha town. The gap made in the buildings in Stafford Street, Tim-iru, by a fire last Christmas eve, by which some very old wooden buildings were destroyed, is about to be filled, a contract having been lefe for the erection of a block of five handsome shops on the site. The committee of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association has decided to secure the presence at the show in October X)f a veterinary surgeon. The competition for shoeing light horses will be re- " introduced, and special prizes are offered for the best system of bookkeeping for farmers. The Telegraph Department has received the following notice: — The Brazilian Sxibmarine Company announces the opening of communication with the following localities in Nigeria and South. Africa: — Lokoja, Jloran, Ogbosmooro, Stonga and Sgga. Tlie tariff is that of Lagos augmented by 2d per word. Communication between Jamaica and Porto Rco has been re-established. Communication via Key West, via Hayti, via Bermuda, has been interrupted with all islands of the West Indies and places beyond, except Cuba, Chamasque and the Tepublic of Hayti. In regard to tie Californian Thistle Bill introduced into the 'House of Representatives by Mr E. Gv Wright, the committee of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association on Tuesday passed a resolution that, though believing that Mr Wright's Californiun Thistle Bill would be much improved by the omission, or amendment, of Clause 20, it was nevertheless of opinion that Ibe Bill, with the exception of that clause, was a most necessary and useful measure, and that the farmers throughout the colony were much indebted to Mr Wright for the persevering energy he hud shown in the matter. t The annual meeting of the Canterbury branch of the Institute of Accountants of New Zealand was held last evening. Mr A. A. M'Kollar occupied the chair, and Messrs K. Hill Fisher, W. 11. Gundry, T. B. Craig, J. S. M'lnnes and E. G-. Rawnsley were present. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs W. H. E. Wanklyn, E. S. Hardy, W. M. Ollivier and F. E. Wright. The business to come before the general meeting to be held in Wellington on Sept. 13, was discussed. Mr A. A. M'Kellar was nominated for re-election as a member of the council, and it was decided to hold a meeting of the Canterbury branch to consider matters connected with the Institute immediately after the general meeting. For the sake of the large number of travellers on the North Road, it is to be hoped that the efforts being ma.de by the' residents of the Kowai district to obtain a grant from the Government to bridge .the Kowai River at Leithfield will be successful. The cost of the work is estimated at £500, the proposal being to place the bridge at a narrow part of the river, a short distance from the present crossing place. During the winter time the river is often ton high to ford with safety,- and during a good part of tha year cyclists, large numbers of whom u::e the road, are much inconvenience;] by the streams. A petition in support of •„!>.; application for the grant is being largely agned throughout the northern district. .

The heavy sea on the Ninety-milo Beach on Monday has again blocked up the outlet of Lake Ellesmere. The sea broke heavily over the ridge behind the beach, and cameover on to several properties which are ingThe Heathcote Road District Sanitation Bill passed its second reading in the Legislative Council yesterday. The Limvood Loan Bill was introduced into the House oi Representatives. The debate on the Financial Statement was closed. The House went into Committee of Supply, and passed the first item on the Estimates. Meteorological records taken at the Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, during the week ended yesterday show that rain fell on two days, to a depth of .245 in. The wind blew from the south-west on three days, from the- west on two days, from the north-west on one, and from the northeast on one day. At the meeting of the Hospital Board yes- ■; terday afternoon, an application from Dr i Crooke for a week's leave of absence, on account of his approaching marriage, was referred to the House Committee, which undertook to see that suitable arrangements were made during the absence of the doctor. On Tuesday evening there was ai good attendance at St Paul's Presbyterian Church, Kaiapoi, when Miss Voak gave an, account of her experiences in China. Yes- > terday afternoon she gave a second lecture in the rooms of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Some needlework done by Chinese was exhibited. / The Christohurch poKce have received information from Detective Fitzgerald that he has arrested a man on a charge, of being concerned in burglaries committed at Ashburton and Geraldine some weeks ago. Dynamite had been used on both occasions, and when arrested the prisoner was found to have in his possession twelve plugs of dynamite and ninety detonating cartridges. The management of St Mary's Home,. Richmond, having notified their intention to be guaranteed in case of fire, the City Council asked the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade to report upon the matter. A trial was made last night, when the Extinguisher engine had two powerful jets playing wishing fifteen minutes of leaving the Chester Street Station. It is intended during next month to institute a time test for all the various public institutions, so as to get the men into training should their services be required at these places. At the Magistrate's Court afc Timaru yesterday the occupant of one of the small farm settlement sections on Seadown. sued a neighbour for £20 damages for injuries resulting from an assault, a permanent injury being- the. loss of a tooth. Defendant had cut a bole through a sod fence on their | common boandary to allow surface water to flow on to the plaintiffs section. Defendant tbot^ht he had a right to do this, as the bank was erected across a natural water-course, but the plaintiff thought a ditch aloag the boundary should have carried off the water if kept clean. The Magistrate concluded that both parties had been, to blame, and gave judgment for £5 damages and coats, £3 15s. Mi's Herrkk acknowledges, with thanks, the receipt of the following : — Clothing and boots — Mesdames Waymouth, Deans, 'J. Deans, Wilkinson, Cook, T. S. Williams, Ponder and Cane, Working Housekeeper and Unknown Friend, Messrs Ballantyne and Co., Devenish Mcares, Miss Roberts, Richmond Friend* and Friends, 55, Cashel Street ; stretcher and bedding — Mrs Cane and Richmond Friend ; boots — Messrs Suckling Bros. ; potatoes — Mrs E. J. Ford ; hares — Mr Ruitherfca'd ; bread and buns — Messrs Smith, .F. P. Cole, Ebert and S.A. Friend; sheep — Belfast Frozen Meat Company and Clinistchurch Meat Company ; dripping — Mrs Andrews; meat — Messrs Forrester, I Langion and Steel, Henderson and Son, S.A. Friend and H. B. Gresson ; Dorcas garments and material — Members and Friends of Guild, Trinity Church, Waiwera, No. 47, 166; donations — Friend 2s 6d, i postal note ss. I