Christchurch.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 12, 17 June 1893, Page 7

Christchurch.

(from our own corrusuoxuent.) LICENSING. The various Licensing Committees have sat, and have so far refused no existing licenses. Applications have been made for granting licenses to the Sydenham houses, which were shut up by the famous Prohibition Committee. Evidence was adduced for and against, but the new Committee has reserved its decision till the adjourned meeting. Some speculation exists as to what will be their decision. THE TEMPERANCE LION. Mention of licensing meetings reminds me that the Rev. L. M. Isitt, the temperance lion, has returned from a predatory visit to the North Island. He spoke at a meeting in Tuam street Hall on Sunday last, and was warmly received. He will be in Invercargill shortly. WEATHER PROPHETS. Winter has begun in real earnest. A fortnight ago we had weather warm enough for spring or autumn, but on Saturday last (such is the inconsistency of the weather clerk) we experienced a snow storm. Croakers are already prophesying a winter of unusual severity. THE TEMPLE OP TRUTH TROUBLE. There is discord in the Worthington world. Sister Magdala, erstwhile Mrs Worthington, has started an opposition “ temple-” The facts that led to the split are already well known to you, so I will not dwell upon them. The “ scandal,” as the newspapers call it, has, however, had the effect of booming Worthington, and affording that gentleman a splendid gratuitous advertisement, and as a result the Temple of Truth on the Sunday following the exposure was filled to the doors long before the performance began. The “ teacher,” as Mr Worthington calls himself, was as unconcerned as usual, and although the newspapers had not hesitated to state their opinion of him in anything hut complimentary language, the “persecution” had produced no visible effect on him. Meanwhile it is rather premature to say what the result of this latest development in Worthingtoniana will result in. I have heard of no serious desertions from the ranks of the Latimer Square Worthingtonians. Mrs Worthington’s first opposition lecture was well attended; the second poorly. By the bye, she calls her followers the “ Original Students of Truth.” Rather galling to the other studen s, you would think. FOOTBALL NOTES. Christchurch football has improved greatly on last year’s and the clubs are playing a more open game. Merrivale is so far leading by a point and a-half, with Linwood and East Christchurch equal for second place. The annual match with Otago should produce a good exhibition of Rugby football. The representatives of the southern city will have to play their best to win the game. SIXPENNY CONCERTS. That the Popular. Concerts are still popular, was conclusively proved by the good house, considering the state of the weather, on Thursday last. The programme was com-

posed of selections from favourite operas. Encores were frequent, one singer being accorded a double encore. The people like plenty for sixpence. If you have no sixpenny concerts in Invercargill there is a good opening for an enterprising gentleman to make a good thing, for I doubt not that an Invercargill audience is as appreciative as a Christchurch one, and ; would reward the enterprise handsomely. OUE WIIEELiWO.VLBX. Bicyclists, both male and female, are in a double sense progressive. Patent follows patent till the bicycle reaches the acme of perfection. But surely the sight of two lady ’cyclists, who had discarded the old-time skirt for the modern knickers, was a thing altogether unexpected. Yet I saw two ladies, so dressed, calmly riding their machine on Queen’s Birthday. Where will it stop ?