CHRISTCHURCH.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3081, 2 January 1879, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

Tuesday.

The usual Christmas Eve service will be held at the various Wesleyan churches tonight. A large number of people, a body of police, and a squad of the Christchurch and Eaiapoi fire brigades proceeded to Lyttelton by the train this evening to take part in the torchlight procession and fire display at that place to-night. There is nothing fresh :to report of the flood. Communication remains interrupted, end it is feared that a week must elapse before through communication is restored. *

A raid has been made upon owners of unregistered dogs. Superintendent Bro ham is determined to strictly enforce the Don Licensing Ordinance. John Casey, charged to-day with stealing £50, the property of John Gallon, was committed for trial. The robbery took place in an hotel. The milkmen have resolvrd to increase the price of milk from four pence to five pence a quart. Dr. Donald, ihe Lyttelton Magistrate, retired from the Bench this morning. His successor is not known.

The vital statistics for the year are as follows for the Christchurch district :||- Birtlis, 1925, as against 1813 of 1877; marriages, ,438, as against 433 in 1877; and deatßs7s7B, agaiust 570 of last year. It is announced that in future all fees and fines at the K.M. Court will have to be paid in stamps. A very heavy storm of rain |hat fell all last evening and night will do an immense amount of good to the country, though it will not facilitate railway communication. The weather is now very fair, and gives great promise for the Lyttelton Regatta and other sports fix«>d for to-morrow.

In his preliminary remarks last evening the newly installed "Mayor spoke at length on the necessity of city improvements, particularly with regard to new municipal buildings. A committee was appointed to bring up a report on the subject. No action has yet been taken with regard to the conference on the subject of Hospital and Charitable Aid.

The Press this morning makes it very lively lor Baker and Farron for their production of " Struck oil " las' night.

Wednesday. The Press this morning came out as a penny paper. In their announcement the directors state that they were desirous of supplying the public with a first-class morning paper at the lowest possible price. A man named Weir was yesterday committed for trial for attempted rape on a young girl aged sixteen. Both were living at a farmer's place at White Cliffs ; the girl is a servant, and the prisoner a < ploughman. *