LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9092, 23 November 1907, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Woolston Band, having receive-?, the necessary permission, wiU play a i programme at Hagley Park on Sundayjj afternoon. The band is the only Christchurch one that is going to the New Plymouth contest. The quarterly meeting of the Star of Linwood, 1.0.0. F., Lodge tois held inthe Draughts Club rooms, RollestoiStreet, on Thursday evening. N.G. Brother Dorm occupied the chafr, ondi there was a -large attendance of members. The secretary reported that a committee had been set up to_ investigate and report on a suitable site for a lodge-room, the present room now being taxed to its utmost capacity. During the ' evening three candidates wers^iiiii •'• tiated to the Order, and eighteen other _ were proposed for membership. During the past term, twenty-five new memberhave been initiated. It was unanimously resolved to open a branch of the | lodge in one of the ad jacent x districts.

Commenting x on the first. match of the New Zealand professional football team now in England, the "Manchester Guardian" says: "Tho New Zealariders are a long way removed frbml being a 'scratch' side. There can bo no doubt that tho team oontains playerg — an <j a fair number of them — that are fit for any side, national or other. But, on the other hand, one was by no means able to go all the way with the professional enthusiasts who hold that this team is better than its amateur, predecessor of two years ago. Allowing that the match was the first, a * *&?* are still not quite at home with. North* em Union rules, and that, for y*** o " 9 reasons, they are not yet at tbear best, one was quite, unable to see "that they., are even up to the level of tho 1905-0 team, or that they are likely tol>ocom9 so There were evidences after the game that' no% a few Northern Union, _sts were a wee bit disappointed, and r though not many of them went so fst as to put it into words, one or two did so, adding, apparently with soma misgiving, the hope that when the metf settled down things would be better.

A committee meeting of tie Christ^ church Amateur Swimming Club waa held yesterday in the Zetland Hotel; present— Messrs J. R. Buchanan (m the chair), J. Rodger, W. Rodger, P, Rundle,. W. Holderness, P. Clark, T. Bain, G. Pottinger and the secretary.It was decided to hold a 75yds Christ-; mas Handicap "on December 19 at the baths. Mr JT R. Buchanan was elected handicapper for the ensuing year. Nine new members were elected. laa following officers were elected for tho annual carnival on January 18: — Referee, Mr G. Harris ; judges, Messrs A. Francis, W. E. D. Bishop, R. Sn_d«. don and T. Williams; -tarter, Mr J, R. Buchanan; check starter, Mr J. M, Watson; timekeepers, Messrs _R» O'Donnell, A. Gundersen and A. Cal* vert; costume steward and local consul Mr J. R. Buchanan; lntercluh handicapper, Mr W. Johnson: club handicapper, Mr J. R. Buchanan j marksmen, secretaries of various clubs ; Press steward, Mr J. R«<lger. The committee states that the baths have been completely renovated, and now offer every convenience for those wishing to learn the useful art of swimming.

Tho following appears in the latest report of the Sydney agent of the New Zealand Tourist Department: "Inquiries from prospective settler- are still plentiful, and several agricultural la* hour ers have announced their intention of going across. One man ha* £250 in his possession, and has threa sons, the oldest of whom is nineteen, years of ago. Another man, whose de> parture I hope to announce next week* has just arrived from South Africa. He has £300, and will go to Now Zealand to start a business. Some of thn inquirers possess the haziest of idea* concerning the dominion; and I 'aro afraid soro* of the misstatements made and circulated are inspired. For instance, one man who called yesterday, afternoon heard that Auckland, ta which place he thought of going, was very much* hotter than Sydney. Thia ho was told by. a man who boarded his steamer on arrival. At a later stage, the same" individual asked me why thai New Zealand Government wanted only immigrants having £25 in their pc-ses-fiion. This and similar. mis-tatoments wore given to Mm and tho fellow-pas-sen'gere as facts. Needles- to say, ho left the agency an enlightened man.

Lady shoppers who know, without hesitation visit one or other of Armstrong's drapery stores, for all sound reasons; latest styles. Large selection^ low prices, . being the every day order at these ekablLshments. I J r

As th- House of Representatives will fcit to-night the telegraph office will be open for Press work until released by Wellington.

Mr E. J. Righton, the secretary of the Christchurch -Fire Board, has reoeived a telegram from Mr C. M. Gray, M.H.R., stating that the Fire Brigades Amending Bill nas passed both Houses of Parliament, and that the proposed clause providing for combined districts has been struck out.

Who is . Watson P The most reliable Watchmaker and Jeweller, 230, Colombo Street. You will always find him a litth cheaper for Rings, reliable Watches and all lines in General Jewellery. Watch and Jewellery Repairs a specialty, especially fine Watches. Try him.- !