LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1381, 27 October 1886, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The news convoyed in messages to the Australian papers, and telegraphed from Auckland to-day, is of a very ominous char acter. It is stated that the opinion in wellinformed circles as to the si nation in Bulgaria is that war cannot long he delayed, Russia, it is said, is massing troops on the Afghan frontier, and has vessels in readiness to out the ocean cables should war be declared.

About 50 Rifles, under Captain Dolman, and about 40 Guards, under Captain Restell, paraded at the Drillshed on Monday night in command of Major Douglas, Captain and Adjutant Fooka being also present. The Inspecting Oflicer, Colonel Bailey, who was accompanied by Major Newall, expressed his satisfaction with the muster, and hoped that the men would attend drills regularly and otherwise endeavour to make themselves thoroughly oflicient before next encampment. About 80 men turned out for judging-distanoe practice, under Major Newall, at 6 o’clock on Tuesday morning.

An entertainment and dance were hold at Seafield on Thursday evening last, and proved the most successful ever held in the district. A capital programme tor concert and dance, and refreshments abundant and good, are the usual characteristics of social gatherings at Soafield, but on the occasion in question all previous efforts were outdone. The undertaking was most gratifying from a financial point of view, for the piano fund was increasd by about £l2, making the total amount in hand £25. It is intended to purchase the instrument at once, certain gentlemen having agreed to make arrangements for tho payment of the balance of the money. The most successful items of the programme were the duets and songs of Misses Moss and Messrs Thomas, Kncen, and Simpson. The local burnt-cork troop brought the concert to a close with a few good songs and funny business. Dancing followed, and was kept up until daylight, excellent music being supplied by Messrs Cookaon and Lambie. The President of the Canterbury Agricul-

lural and Pastoral Association has received a letter from His Excellency the Governor announcing his intention of being present at the metropolitan show on the 3rd November,

The prolonged criminal session of the Supreme Court came to a close at Christchurch yesterday. No doubt in expectation of seeing Hall in prison clothes a large crowd- assembled at the Courthouse. They were, however, disappointed. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr Martin, informed the Court that the only remaining cases were those of forgery agaiust Thomas Hall. In each of the cases—-twelve in all—a nolle prosequi had been entered by the Crown. His Honor, Mr Justice Johnston, said that as the AttorneyGeneral had entered a nolle prosequi in these cases, tho calendar was exhausted. Although Hall was brought up from Lyttelton, in charge of Mr O'Brien, the gaoler, it was not deemed necessary by His Honor that he should be put in the dock. On (lit that legal proceedings are about to be taken by a gentleman in the Wakanui district in connection with certain letters that recently appeared in the public press.

Mails for the Australian colonies, United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe, via Melbourne, close at tho Bluff on Monday, Ist November, at noon. This mail is due in London on December 15.

On Sunday next the Rev Father Chastagnon will celebrate Mass at Rukaia at 10.30 a.m.; Vespers at Ashburton at the usual hour.

A special meeting of the Ashburton Fire Brigade will bo held this evening for the purpose of presenting medals to throe exmembers of the Brigade who are entitled to them.

At the Timaru A. and P. Show, which opened yesterday, prizes in sheep were taken by Messrs Dudley and N'orthey, Tinwald, and Mr Lyttelton, South Rakaia.

At tho - sitting of the Diocesan Synod at Christchurch yesterday, tho Yen. Archdeacon Harper moved—“ That this Synod expresses its earnest hope that further steps may be. taken towards the establishment of Church day schools in the diocese, wherever possible.” A long discussion ensued, which was interrupted by the adjournment. Most of the speakers spoke chiefly against the present school system rather than directly to the motion.

Australia boasts of tho largest amount of railway accommodation in proportion to population in the world, and the United States of America and Canada stand next.

A Nelson girl who took laughing gas went to sleep for three days. This would have been very unfortunate had it occurred any where else, but her condition would never be noticed in Ncdson.

“Trial by Jury” will be performed in the Oddfellows’ Hall to-morrow and Friday evenings. The anniversary of the Ashburton Primitive Methodist Church will be celebrated by a ten on Friday evening. A gentleman in Ashburton has placed at our disposal a letter which ho has received from n friend at Big Bay. It will appear to-morrow. There was again a large attendance at the Wesleyan bazaar last evening and we understand that up to the present over £l2O has been realised. The conundrum competition was very succesful, bringing out a number of competitors. The first prize was taken by the Itev D. McNicoll and the second by Mr C. Dixon. The winning conuradrum was “ Why is the Wesleyan bazaar unlike

a Sporting Tournament ?—Because there is a ‘ Gamble ’ without a swindle, a ‘ Fox ’ without a hunt, and a ‘ Steel 1 without dishonesty.”

At the B.M. Court, Christchurch, yesterday Stephen Hubbard was charged wilh committing perjury in the Court on October 1-1, and Ellesmere Goodwin that the did maliciously suborn and procure Stephen Hubbard to perjure bimijcU. The charge arose out of an affiliation case, in which Goodwin was defendant. Inspector Pender said he was compelled to ask for a farther remand, as the i.- ads in the Ellesmere district were so bad that some of the witnesses could not be communicated with, and the police had not had time to collect evidence. The Bench remanded the accused to Monday next. Bail was fixed—in Goodwin’s case, two sureties of £250 each, and accused iu £200; in Hubbard’s case, one surety in £IOO, and himself in a like amount.