Christchurch.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 18, 29 July 1893, Page 5

Christchurch.

(from our own correspondent.) A special general meeting of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Thursday last. Mr John Grigg (President of the Association) was in the chair. The question of making the annual show a three days’ one came up for consideration. The Chairman, in opening the discussion, said that although the Committee would probably • report favourably on the innovation, members generally were opposed to it. Personally he did not think it desirable, as it would be contrary to the interests of the Association. A lengthy discussion followed. The alteration was objected to mainly on the ground that the stock would suffer by being on exhibition three days ; and that greater expense in running the show would be incurved. Some of the speakers were in favour of the public luncheon being curtailed in order that a parade of the entire stock .might be made. At a meeting of the Committee held subsequently the report of the sub-committee on the question of the three days’ show was read. Mr King, who had moved that the show be extended to three days, then withdrew his motion. The determination of the three Sydenham hotels to keep open despite Mr Justice Denniston’s recent decision and the determination of the Prohibitionists to keep them shut, is causing a good deal of interest here. The publicans maintain that the decision quashes only the application for a license, and not the license itself; hence their present position. Finding that the licensees were still selling ,a deputation waited on Mr Inspector Broham to ascertain whether the police intended to enforce the law and have the hotels closed. The Inspector • replied that the question as to whether Mr Justice Denniston’s judgment quashed the license as well as the application had been raised, and that point would have to be settled before he could take action. Mr Broham informed the deputation that he would very probably be in a position to give a decided answer on the following day. Accordingly, on Thursday, the deputation returned to the attack, but with a small measure of success. Mr Broham stated that he had taken legal advice, and he was now satisfied that his first opinion was the right one. Mr G. J. Smith, who spoke on behalf of the deputation, said that they had also taken legal advice, the nature of which was that the judgment quashed the licenses. He considered that the law was being openly broken. Shortly after the deputation withdrew, and it was then decided that liquor should be purchased from the three hotels and prosecutions made without further delay. The Prohibitionists are not confining their attention solely to the Crown, Southern Cross, and Sandridge Hotels. They now hold that the three remaining hotels in Sydenham are affected by the decision, and intend taking proceedings with a view' to closing them. The progress of events is watched w'ith considerable interest. A band contest is to be held here in November. Mr G. A. Martin, formerly of Dunedin, has been elected judge. At the Addington Saleyards on Wednesday last there was ail unusuel entry, considering the time of the year, of fat lambs. The lambs were bred on Mr Acton Adams’ Templer Island estate, and were born about April 1. They were sold by Messrs H. Matson and Co. at. prices ranging from 13s to 15s each. I. have to announce with regret the death of Mrs H. P. Murray-Aynsle}', who died at her residence, Hiverlaw, Opawa, on Wednesday night. About a year ago, the deceased lady was attacked with paralysis, and since then she. has been more or less an invalidand on Monday she had another seizure, from which she never recovered, but passed peacefully away. Mrs Murray-Aynsley arrived in Lyttelton in the steamer Royal Bride as fearly as December : 28, 1859. She

took a prominent part in the Queen’s Jubilee Fund, and she was also one of the committee of management of the Addington Orphan! Asylum. She was an enthusiastic florist; the Riverlaw roses, which were grown under her supervision, have long been classed amongst the best in Canterbury. She took a lively interest in the affairs of the Parish church, Opawa, and was mainly instrumental in reducing the debt on that church. The deceased lady, wdio was 64 years of age, leaves four sons and three daughtei s. Mr Archibald Campbell, of Southland, is one of her brothers. The funeral took place at the Woolston cemelery on Saturday morning. July 24.