CHRISTCHURCH.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3353, 20 September 1879, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

Last night.

A case of attempted incendiarism of a shed containing groceries, held by the trustees Saunders and Henderson, lately burnt out at Lichfield street, was reported yesterday to the police. It was proved the cause was that a number of children set fire to the straw that had fallen from a dray near the store. A large number of rare and valuable plants were lately stolen from the domain gardens. There is a good deal of curiosity as to what the Loftus Troupe are like. At a meeting of the Liberal Seform Association to-night, the Committee were instructed to draw up rules for' the guidance of the society, and an address to Sir G. Grey congratulating him on his success during the recent political contest was adopted. The following motion was carried: — " That this meeting affirm its opposition to confer votes by virtue of property* or persons living outside any electoral district, and that manhood suffrage with a resident qualification should be the basis of the franchise.

The Mayor has received a telegram from the Fremier stating that work will be given the unemployed on the railways. The Star to-night publishes the following telegram from Kaiapoi:—"The Kaiapoi election will be petitioned against; on the ground of illegal alteration of the roll by the Eeturning Officer, after the certified copy had been lodged in the Colonial Secretary's Office. I have seeia the roll used by the Eeturning Officer, and 33 names are struck out with blua pencil. At the foot of the roll is written thirty-three West Eyreton names transferred to Ashley roll. (Signed), Caleb Whitefoobd."

It has been bald that the certified roll once lodged in the Colonial Secretary's Office, cannot be amended, and ' even where minors names have been put on the roll, they were allowed to vote. This discovery has to-day caused great consternation in the Opposition camp, and Ministerialists are preparing for another fight. Mr Wearing will not stand again, but it is thought that a candidate certain to command success on personal and political grounds will be brought forward. f