LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1369, 13 October 1886, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The ordinary weekly meeting of the Ashburton Musical and Dramatic Association will be held to-morrow evening instead of Friday. At the R.M. Court, this morning, before Mr T. Bullock, J.P., Charles Ryell, for drunkenness, was fined 40s and costs, with the alternative of seven days’ imprisonment. A first offender, who made his appearance in a red coat of military cut, was fined 20s and costs, for being drunk while in charge of a horse. The seventh annual concert of the Ashburton Caledonian Society will be held in the Town Hall on Friday evening. This society, as is its wont, has prepared a very attractive programme, and it is whispered that that for Friday’s entertainment will eclipse any of its predecessors. The Committee have made every arrangement for carrying the affair to a successful issue, and there seems little doubt that a bumper house will assemble on the occasion. The concert will be followed by a ball. The Ashburton School Committee has resolved upon the piesentation of goodattendance certificates to such of the pupils as may qualify themselves to receive them. The Ashburton Borough School will be examined by Messrs Wood and Anderson, inspectors, on Monday next. A lecture on “ The History of Caricature and the Grotesque in Art,” was delivered in St. Schoolroom last evening, by Mr T. A Gates, in aid of the Sunday School Library Fund. The attendance was moderate, and the Rev E. R. Otway presided. The lecture which was of a very instructive and amusing character, was profusely illustrated by diagrams prepared by the lecturer, who dealt with his subject from the time of the Pharoahs down to Hogarth. The customary votee of thanks brought the proceedings to a elose.

The Star of the East Lodge of Good Templars will hold an open meeting in the Orange Hall this evening. A public meeting of ratepayers was held at the Rar.gitata Hoad Board office, Lismore, on Monday, October 11. Mr C. J, Harper, as Chairman of the Road Board, presided. The Chairman said the meeting had been called for the purpose of. taking the vote of the ratepayers with regard to the question of closing certain roads as described by advertisement and plan exhibited. He also read a portion ef the Act bearing on the subject, and having read the notice convening the meeting, called (upon any ratepayers to make any remarks they might wish on the matter. After some discussion it was unanimously agreed to that the road running through Messrs Green and Sorint’s laud should be closed. The Chairman then read the notice concerning road known as Helmore’s After considerable discussion, for and against the proposed closing, a vote was taken with the following result; —For the closing, 14; against. 8. The Chairman declared the proposal to close the road to be carried, and the meeting a Ijourned withjthe customary compliment to the Chairman.

A concert was he’d in the Newlands Schoolroom in aid of the Library Fund on Tuesday evening, when there was a large attendance, the room being filled. The chair was taken by the Rev. Mr Hill. Songs and recitations were given by the following: Misses Hay and Murray, and Messrs Gamble, Thomas, Ray, Kneen, Atkinson, Stevenson, and Wilkinson, and a recitation, “ The Quack Doctor,” by Messrs Steel Bros, apd Marlin. A very pleasant evening was brought to a close by the company singing the National Anthem,

According to a Sydney exchange the Rosenill executive have projected a monster stake for January, 1888, which is to be entitled the Rosehiil Centennial Handicap, It will be <SOOO sovs. The first horao ia to receive 3500 sovs, second horse 1-300 sovs, and the third horse SQQ sovs. It is intended for a handicap of 50 sovs each for starters, instead of, as stated, a handicap of 50 sovs to be paid—--10 sovs on nomination, 20 sovs on first acceptance, and remaining 20 sovs on final acceptance.

The colonies (says the Taranaki Herald} are tho best customers for British manufactures, Australasia consuming to the value of 166 ■hillings per head. South Africa 67, and Canada 43, as against the River Plate 42, France 10, Germany 14, Brazil 14, the United States 13, Spain 6, Italy 6, Russia 2, Ac., or an average of 98 in the colonies to 6 in Europe and 14 in America. Taking the British Colonies as a whole, the ratio of commerce to population is £2O per head, against £7 in 1850, the ratio in Europe being only £7 now, and in the United States £5 per head.

According to the Matanra Ensign a child of Sir MTvor, Waikaia, about four months old, was attacked by a ferret while asleep in its cot on Sunday evening last. Its cries aroused its mother, who discovered the animal eating at the child’s face, which was one mass of blood and wounds. It was at once remqved and destroyed. These animals, our informant remarks, are likely to prove a greater pest than the rabbits.

Keferring to the new Bishop of Melbourne, the Argus says The new bishop has certainly a very extraordinary name, and one ot which he might fairly complain-.—Field Flowers Qoe. it he true, as is confidently averted, that bis brother was christened Wild Flowers (Joe, the conviction will be strong that his parents must have had a strange taste in the matter of names. Mr Goe ii Mid to be a Yoikebiieman.