Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4880, 21 December 1883, Page 3

Local & General.

Mrssrs Ayera and Co. advertiae an auotion sale of pot plants for noon to-morrow. The Linwood Town Board have come to , the conolusion to prohibit]the use of barbed wire in fences abutting on publio streets and paths. A meeting of the Committee of the Woodend Horticultural Sooiety was held in the distriot schoolroom on Wednesday evoning ; the Hon H. B. Gresson in the chair. The finanoial statement proved the recent spring show to have been a deoided suocess, and a vote of thanks was aooorded to the judges for their generous and effioient services on that occasion. The Treasurer, Mr Catchpole, was anthorised to pay prize-money on application. The meetiug then adjourned.

Ih* following itema will ba found on the fourth page i— Tale : " Tha Longest Hight in a Life}" the " Messiah j" tho Exhibition » Linwood Town Board ; Lyttelton Borough Council ; Nerth Canterbury Board of Eduoation t Bohoes from Ellesmere ; Orioket ; Cable News* Vital Statistics; Survey of Maori Territory ; Tranaitof Venue. The cloae of the half season of the Canterbury Arohery Olub wai oelebrated on Vfedneaday by a handioap matoh, which waa won by Mn Kimbell; Mm Withnall, who received no allowance, being aeoond on the scoring list. The Olub meet again on the first Wednesday in February. One of the largcat takea of trout ever known in Canterbury hae been make thia week by Mr M'William, who took his firat oast in the Selwyn river at half -past three on Wedneaday afternoon, and at seven o'olook had landed twenty -aeven trout. On Thuraday morning, at half- past 10, he commenoed over the aame water, and at half-past three had bagged twenty five, making the grand total of fifty-two fish for eight hours' fishing. The largest trout was fire ,poundß, and the ama'leat three-quarters of a pound. _ Saoh accounta aa thia moat be moat gratifying to the members of the Acclimatisation Booiety aa showing the suocess attending their efforts to Btook the varioua atreama. , Mra Oharles Holder, a lady widtly known in Ohristohuroh, died very suddenly at halfpaat 10 last night at her residenoe, May Villa, Durham atreet north. She appeared to be in her usual atate of health till within five minutea of her death, though the had been for some time slightly ailing. It ia thought apoplexy wai the cause of her death. She had been for over 40 yeara a lady evangelist in the Primitive Methodist comnexion, and for aome time wai wholly em> ployed in tbii work. Bhe arrived with her family from England a little more than three year ■ ago, and sinoe then ihe haa frequently oooupied the pulpit in tho Ohuroh referred to, and has spoken from the temperance platform in and around Ohriatohuroh. She was held in high esteem by all who knew her, and will be by many greatly missed. Tbe members of the Mistletoe Lodge of Drnidi, No. 96, held their half-yearly aum* monad meeting at their Hal), Barbadoes ■treet, laat evening, for the receipt of subscriptions, and the nomination of officera to fill the chain for the ensuing term ; A.D. Bro Bailey, in the chair. There was a very satisfactory master of membera, the receipts far the evening amounting to £38 la 6d. Tho following were nominated for oflice : — AD. Bro Burbury, V.A.j Bio Woolfe, Finanoial Seoretary i Bro Milner re« elected Treasurer; Bro Johnston re-elected Minute-Secretary ; Bro Byan,| P.A., re-elected ; 1.0., Bro. A. Smith; 0.Q., Bro W. Williamß ; Aroh Druid Bards, Broa Davia and Moody; V.A.B's, Bros Coper and Maxwell ; Diatrict President, Bro Bailey, P.A. The uiual routine buiiness wai gone through, harmony indulged in for a short time, and the lodge wai closed at 10.20 p.m. by the A.D. > The annual installation of the Orown Maionio Lodge, S.O. No. 675, took plaoe in the Conyers Masonio Lodge Boom, Sydenham, lost night, Bey Bro J. Mill, D.G.M., aoting as installing officer. The following brethren were installed ai office-bearers for the eniuing year :— Bro Oharlei Louinon, R. W.M. ; Bro 3. Glen, W.S.W. j Bro B. Eastwood, W.J.W.; Bro W. Pirie, Treasurer ; Bro O. F. Heath, S.D. ; Bro Alfred Webb, J.D. ;'Bro W. Gh T. Qood wid, Senior Steward ; Bro J. Isherwoed, Junior Steward; Bro E. Penrose, I.fch ; Bey Bro I. Zaohariah, Chaplain. A past master jewel was presented to P.M. Bro J.O.Watson by Bro Oharlei Louisson, 8.W.M., on behalf ef the Orown Lodge. A handsome jewel was also presented to the Seoretary of tne Lodge. After the usual toasts and aome capital songs, the brethren separated, haviDg apent a yery enjoyable evening. The Jktaaonio jewels presented were made in Ohriatchurch by Bro Bourdot. The annual picnio in oonneotion with the Sydenham Baptist Sunday Sohool was held on Monday last, in a paddock near the steam wharf, Woolston, kindly plaoed at the disposal of the teaohen by Mr Cooksley. The scholars and teaohen, numbering over 200, aooompanied by their paitor (the Bar J. D. Gilmore), and headed by their banner, marohed up Colombo itreet to Cathedral square, and thenoe proceeded by speoial tram to their pleasant rendezvous, where the little folks were thoroughly regaled both with eatables and sports and pastimes of every oonoeivable nature, from raoing for toys, Jbo., to tnga of war. In the evening the Superintendent assembled the whole sohool on the lawn, and thanked Mr and Mrs Cooksley for their generosity by giving three hearty oheera and one cheer more. A oomfortable ride home to Sydenham then brought a moat enjoyable day to iti olose. We may also etate that the teaohen thoroughly appreciated tbe care and attention ahown by the Tramway Company and their guard (Mr Oeo. Wil* liams). She remaina of the lato H. J. Lee were conveyed to their last retting place, in St Jamea* Ohnrohyard, yesterday* A large number of gentlemen from all parta of the district, and from Christ* ohuroh and other plaoes, assembled at the Churoh to pay their last reipeoti to the departed gentleman. The funeral ritea were performed by the Yen Arohdeacon Jacobs, assisted by the Bey A. W. Hands. Mr Lee has loft many behind him to mourn hii loss. He was reoognised aa the father of the distriot in which he has reiidedfor over twenty years. He was alwayi conscientious in discharging the publio duties he was oalled upon to perform, both in the Boad Board (of which body he wai Chairman for many yean), the Selwyn Oounty Oounoil (ef whioh, after the retirement of Bir John Hall, he waa alao Chairman), the Biver Board, and many other publio bodiei. Finally, on the resignation of Sir John Hall, he wai eleoted to the Houie of, Bepreient atives for the distriot, whioh poiition he held until the time of hii death. Alwayi forgivingN to a fault, and kindly in all hia dealings, he earned for himielf the goodwill of the distriot, and died honoured by all who knew him. Hii loss will be deeply felt. The Druids' Coloured Opera Troupe gave their uiual monthly entertainment on Wedneaday evening last at thoir hall, Terminus Hotel, en behalf of the Benevolent Fund of the Pioneer Lodge. The programme, whioh was of the ohrisly minstrel oharaoter, waa ver/ successfully oarried out. Balladi were aung by Messrs Oppenheim, Swinnerton, Harris, and Will■teed. Messrs Dickie and Sinolair, Brown and Mitchell (cornermen), kept the audienoo in good humour with their songs and oomtoalities. The aecond part consisted of a bone solo by Mr MitoheU, long and dance by Messrs Diokie and Gordon, song by Charlie Eox, Dutoh long and danoe by Mr Thompson, banjo solo by Mr Sinolair, and an Irish jig by Mr Diokie — eaoh of these items being encored. Mr Makanini gave one of his very clever trapeze entertainments, for whioh he received, and very deservedly, a full measure of applause. .An Ethiopian faroe brought a very enjoyable evening's entertainment to a olose. Very great oredit ii due to the musical oon* duotor for the creditable manner in which the choruses were sung. It ia the intention of the troupe to offer their aervioea to the Exhibition Oommittee, with a view of giving an entertainment at an early date. An investigation into certain oharges whioh had been forwarded to the Board of Education by a number of the parents of tho ohildren attending the Bussel ,'s Flat sohool, waa held on Monday, Mr Veel, the Seoretary to the Board, conduoted the inquiry. Mr Bobertson objeoted to ths representatives of tbe Press being present, aa it had hitherto been usual to have their meetings amongst themselves. Mr Veel explained that it was not usual for the Board to have theie meeting! held in a "hole and oorner way," and the matter dropped. The oharges brought againat the matter were:— That he, on many oooasions, severely beat the ohildren on the head, and kept them in after the usual houra. Mr Mayhew admitted the latter. Three ohildren, named Jane, Martha, and Oharleß Craighead, stated that, at various times, the maater had beat tbem severely on the head with an arithmotio book and his hand. Their 'elder sister, Helen, who ia a pupil teaoher in tha school, and waa constantly present, laid ■he had never seen the matter strike her brothers or sisters with a book or in any other manner. A very large number of ohildren were examined, but the statements were very contradictory. Mr Yates, in reply to the teaoher, taid that hia complaint, although the alleged offence wai committed a long time ago, was brought to " strengthen the otherß." The matter waa dealt with by the Board of Eduoation yesterday, who deoided that it would be better if the matter •ought another tohoo'.

Bntriaa for the varioua handioap raoes at the Papanui iporti oloie thil evening at nino o'clook. Donation! for the Armagh itreet Dep6t in any shape— fruit, money, gooda, or otherwise, will be thankfully reoeived by the matron. The third priae at the baby ihow am Anniversary Day waa given by Mr H. Keane, of the Sootoh Storee, and not Mr Olatteon, aa ■tated in the prize lilt. j It ii proposed to hold a publio meeting in Oathedral square at 7 p.m. to-morrow, to oonsider the advisablenesa of establishing a Working Men'a inetitution. Tha final arrangementa for the Young Men's Olub pionio on Boxing Day are now complete, and tioketa will be issued to membera at 9i eaoh. Prixei have been offered for swimming and running. A man called Peter Ealom wai injured on board the barque Oonferenoe yetterday morning by a basket of oonl (of whioh the strop broke) falling on hit faoe and thighs. It ii feared he is badly hurt. He waa at onoo taken home and attended to by a dootor. The North Canterbury Board of Education held an ordinary meeting yesterday afternoon. A resolution expressing the Board'a regret at the death of Mr B. J. Lee, and of sympathy with the widow and family in their bereavement, wai pasaod unanimously. We understand tbat Mr John Joyce, ex* Mayor of Sydenham, hai been asked to stand for tha teat on the Eduoation Board, whioh hai been rendered vaoant by the death of Mr Lee. Mr Joyoe has boen on the Sydenham Sohool Oommittee for the past five yearß, during four yoars of whioh he hai been the Chairman. A meeting of the Committee of the Canterbury Temperanoe Union took plaoe last night, the Bey H. 0 M. Wateon presiding. It waa deoided to hold a large temperanoe meeting in St John'i ichoolroom on Deo. 28, for the purpose of taking steps to form a branoh of tho Union. The various Temperanoe Sooieties are to be asked to co-operate with this viow. A Committee meeting in connection with the Canterbury Amateur Swimming Olub wai held on Wedneaday evening last (Mr A. Franoia in the ohair), when the following gentlemen were eleoted members: — Messrs B. Page, W. Bryant, — Donald, — Alexander, and B. Digby. The programme for the annual free exhibition on Jan. 12 was arranged, ond consists of Tub Bace?, Diving Steepleohase, Scratoh Swimming Baces, Water Polo, Bace in ordinary attire and an exhibition of Besouing the drowning — a programme whioh should attraofc a goodly number of visiters. The "Pioneer" and "Ohristohnroh" Bioyole Clubß, whioh have amalgamated for the purpose of holding a grand " Bioyole Tournament" on Boxing Day, anticipate a moit successful gathering. The liberal gifts of prizes that have been made by several private citizens have enabled the oiubs to offer over £100 worth of prizes, and it is expeoted that for all the events there will be upwards of 200 entries. Several competitor! are expeoted from Dunedin, and it may be as well to remind Chrißtohuroh bwyoliats that the entries oloae to-night. Ifc ia intended that the prooession shall leave Cathedral Bquare at noon, and several of the bioyclisti and triojolists will appear in oomio costume. A meeting of the members of the Oity Guards was held at the Commercial Hotel last night, Captain Wolfe presiding. It wai thought by the Captain and SubLieutenant Garnett ihat the Oity Guardi, whioh is one of the oldest companies in Ohristohuroh, should not be behind the other oompanies in the matter of holding encampments. It wai not propoied that any private expense should be inourred, but that the outlay ihould be borne by the funda of the oompany. A majority of those present were in favour of going to Quail Island on Saturday night next, and camping there till Ohristmas Bye. Ihe arrangementa for the oamp out will be made by the officers, who look to the men to make it a luooen by attending in full foroe. The Australian Blondin will oommenoo hit aeaaon here to morrow evening, opposite the Theatre Boyal, where a very large tent hai been ereoted, and so fitted as to provide for the oomfort of the ladiea. The Australian papers speak in the higheit praise of Blondin'a performances, for example, the Ballarat Star .- " The wonderful feats of this olever performer drew a large audienoo last evening, numbering come 3030 persons- The perilous undertakings of the torobat were successfully surmounted, and at the conolusion of each aot rounds of applause were bestowed upon 'him by the admiring throng. In addition to the recognised performance of a veritable Blondin he danced tho Highland fling in oostume, whioh is really wonderful. Walked an inoline of 45 degrees baokwards and forwards; rode a hobby horse upon the wire, &o." We are informed that a band of 60 performers haa been engaged for the present season, whioh in itself ihould be an attraction. The Parliament housesat Brussels— looally known as the Palace of the Nation— whioh have just been destroyed by fire, formed the oentral portion of a large block of buildings in whioh is transacted all the administrative business of the Government, eaoh member of the Ministry having bis bureau and hii offioial staff there. This block covers an area 300 yards wide, and nearly 100 yarda deep, and is oompletely isolated by the Bue Boyale, the Bue de la Loi, the Bue Duoale, and the Bue de Louvain. lhe southern fß9s.de of the two ohamberi faoed tho central avenue of the park, at the other ex'remity of wbioh, at a distance of 500 yards, stands the Boyal palaoe. Aa all thia part of Brussels oooupioß a plateau, overlooking the older portions of the oity, the fire must have been visible from 'a great' distance; and it ia to be feared tbat the calamity haa involved the deatruotion of a number of valuable statues— among others, one of ' Leopold the First by W. Geifs; as also of a fine collection of historical portraits, inoluding IS from the penoil of Gallait; and one by Starck representing the present King of the Belgian* swearing to maintain tho Constitution m 1865. There was nothing remarkable, from an architectural point of view, in the houses thonißolvef, which were oompleted jost a century ago, from a design by Guimerd, under instructions from the Empress Maria Theresa, and wero rathor heavy in appearance. The old Oouncil of Brabant used to hold their assemblies in < hem at the time the Austrian Netherlands were governed by tbe archdukes of the Empire; and the States General also sat there from 1817 to 1836. Sinoe that time the two ohambers of the Belgian Kingdom hove conducted their deliberations under the roof of the Palaoe of the Motion, and the voices of the woithies of the statesmen who bave helped to consolidate the independence of the country and ta advance itß prosperity, have echoed in what is 1 now a heap of smoking ruins.