CHRISTCHURCH.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3226, 1 November 1881, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

> November L There are now forty-eight candidates for the twenty-one seats in Canterbury. Avon, LincolD. Akaroa, Selwyn, and Ashburton, are the only seats uncontested. At a public meeting last night a proposal by the City Council to borrow £20,000 for providing waterworks for the city was almost unanimously rejected. The Mayor announced that a poll will be taken to finally decide the question. A telegraphing contest took place yesterday between a male operator jat Lyttelton and a female operator at Christchurch. The latter transmitted 1055 words in half an hour, beating her opponent by 140 words. Considerable dissatisfaction is felt here at tbe Government not accepting the services of the Canterbury volunteers for active service. A corps is being formed of old volunteers and men formerly in the army to be available should the Government require further assistance. A committee of the Drainage Board has recommended the Board to borrow £20,000 for the construction of pipe sewers. The ceremony of. consecrating the Cathedral took place this morning. Nearly all tbe places-of business in the city were closed in honor of the event. The weather was beautifully fine. The Governor had intended to be present, but was prevented by-the present state of affairs. Long before the hour fixed for the ceremony a large crowd assembled outside the Cathedral, which soon after the opening of the doors was literally crammed, and about 2000 were unable to obtain admission. At 11 o'clock about forty attending bishops and clergy, headed by the Primate bearing his crozier walked in procession around the building to the western doorway, and thence into the cathedral, the ceremony of consecration proceeding in the usual form. The Lessons were read by Archdeacon Harper and the Dean of Christchurch. The Primate preached a very impressive and appropriate sermon. The service occupied about three hours. (For continuation of news see fourthpage.) It has now been decided beyond a doubt by all the leading lights of the ape that the wave of heat whioh lately passed through England is coming for us in a dire*t line. The ladies of Napier would do well to avail themselves of the splendid values we offer in Sunshades, 2/9, 3/6/4/6, to 30/; also, Parasols, 10/6 to 30/.—Combs & Co.