LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2835, 29 November 1892, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The introduction of foreign plants and . weeds in ships' ballast is a question that is exciting some interest in Timaru just now. It is stated that the dreaded Bathurst burr has been introduced in this way. The installation of R W.M. and investiture of officers of the Thistle Masonic Lodge takes place to-morrow evening. R. W. Rro Louisson, District Grand Master, S.C., and his officers will conduct the ceremony. In the Ohristchurch Supreme Court yesterday the action for breach qf promise of marriage, brought by CJecilia A«n»e Stuth; ridge against John Hill, resulted in a verdict fop plaintiff for £100 damages. Jt was seriously proposed to the Oamaru Caledonian Society that a cycling race fcr ladie* should be included in the programme, One of the principal reasons for throws Jog out the motion vai that an accident; mlaht happen, and the directors would not run the risk, The following team of the Ashburfcon Cricket Club will make the eleven to play Prebbleton on the latter's ground on Wednesday next, leaving Ashburton by the 7,20 a.m. train:—Lane, Dixon, G. Andrews, Penahire, T. Sawle, Todd, Mitchell, J. lawle, Cuthberteon, Fox, and either Stillwell, and J. Siawle pr A. Fcoks. A scratch match will be played to-morrow, beginning at two o'clock, between iwdea of players qt botfo <?lub3. The " Oamaru Mail" states that at the Harbour Boird mgetiog Air Burbury reported that while at Home he had seen most of the bondholders of the £ }00,000 loan, and that it was generally recognised tha,t the board had had reverses and been inequitably treated. He added that there was no de-ire at all topreas the board in any way. 4 special inspection parade of the Ashburton Volunteers will be held this evening. Aa the time in which the prescribed number of dpiljs has to be put in is drawing to a glose eyery yoluijteer slpuld ma^e a point ot attending, The remainder of the comply viW go through tljeir vol.ey firing to-morrow aftepnooa, Last evening, about sevpn o'clock, a thundeistorm burifc over Ashburton, and continued for over an hour. Vivid flashes of lightning followed each other with uir comfortable frequency, and the peals of thunder were unusually loud. Heavy rain fell too, and altogether the evening till nearly ten o'clock was just about as lively a j one as any wan need wish to be out in" There was also q, pretty keayy thunderstorm jto.-day. T]je annual garden party in connection with jib. Stephen's will be held on Wednesday,' Dficewbep f t in the Parsonage garden. There will be fcljjs usual ftallj-s for the sale of needlework, friiit, farm, a^d garden produce, etc., csontrjb^tio^s to wljich are asked for, as also to the tea which will be held in a large tent-supplied by Mr Patching. The Ashburton Band will be.m attendance, and various amusements will be nrevi'levl, Admission, including tea, will oe is 'del a»d la for children. The gates will open at six p.m. and dfsg at nine p.m. The •'Southland. Time*" *t^ a tUt an unl-nown insect is swarming hi mlUiona in Z V7aiamwa district. Tne insect is about three eigh^ of an inch ong, not unlike tic Sybird in Aup, « "?ore ovoid and of , ight brown (cofee aftd milk c t jlor . Like, the ladybird' it has wmg oovew, hbd fa I , j' ?jii, n riv "small It is moat active ai a»jd W.& Vas first attracted in Bwainiß tv t some a w tarn.e, fSvSJlly^Si variety of the cookwhihisso common Im-eat pwwntj

The total number of entries received for the Dunedia Agricultural and Pastoral Show this week is 1200, as against 1069 last year, notwithstanding the fact of the " housed and clothed" sheep class being abolished this year. There was no practice of the Musical Society last night, owing to the inclement weather, and a rehearsal will take place to-night instead. Considering the character of the work the Society has undertaken to produce, and the limited number of practice nights between now. and the public performance of "The Messiah," members cannot afford to lose even one opportunity ot rehearsal, either on their own account individually, or on account of their fellow members. It is stated that the Government have requested Mr T. Thompson, M.H.R., and Mr (J. C. Graham, R.M., to meet in Cluistchnrch early in January next for the purpose of investigating the actions of the late Official Assignee of Canterbury and the present Registrar of the Supreme Court of the same Provincial District, with respect to Mr G. |W. Ell's claims, and the CDurt transactions under their jurisdiction since 1384. The Board of Governors of Canterbury College has decided to offer the position of curator of the Museum and lecturer on geology to Professor Hutton, and to appoint Mr G, P. Foaden, of England, director of the Lincoln Agricultural College, subject to the Board's being satisfied as to his capacity tor organising and governing such an institution. A meeting of delegates representing the swimming clubs of Canterbury, called by the local council of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, was held at the Clarendon Hotel, Christchurch, on Saturday evening. Mr G. J. C. Smart presided, and there were present Messrs J. C. Lane (Ashburton), YV. S. Wharton (St. Albans), J. C. Watson (Christchurch), and F. W. Hobbs (bast Christchurch). The polo rules were revised and adopted. It was resolved to request the following gentlemen to act as referees for polo matches:—Messrs W. G. Atack, G. Harris, V. S. Wharton, W. J. Cotterill, Y. Cresswell, J. C. Lane, C H. Croxton, and A. Francis. It was decided that the rule relating to costume should be strictly enforced. The Ashburton delegate (Mr J. C. Lane) introduced the question of the removal of head-quarters, and it was the,general opinion of the meeting that the head-quarters of the Association should be removed to Christchurch. Mr Tennyson Smith, temperance lecturer, lectured at Masterton on Saturday evening, Mr Hogg, M.H.8., taking the chair. In the '.course of his remarks on his views ,of temperance, Mr Hogg touched on the political aspect of the question, and accused the Conservatives of obstructing temperance and every other reform. He also lauded the Liberals, who, he said, were every where' friends of reform. Referring to Bellamy's, he said the country now enjoyed sober legislation, and men did not now go into the House to make laws muddled with drink. Mr Smith, in reply, said that Mr Hogg had taken an unfair advantage of his position aa* Chairman to introduce politics on the temperance platform. Dr W. Hoskin, a wellknown local medico, challenged Mr Hogg to sign the pledge with him. Mr Hogg declined, and the doctor signed. Mr Hogg is an old Ashburton man, aud w\s at one time editor of the Ashburton Mail. About five o'clock on Friday morning a" young man entered the back door of Mr Hi M. Carson's private residence in Cox street, having previously left his boots and socks in the yard. He first ransacked a trunk, taking some coppers from it, in a bedroom occupied by a boy who did not wake up. He then searched Mr Alfred Carson's room and secured Is 6d from his trousers pockets, and made a noise that awoke Mr Carson, who called out. The stranger replied and made tracks, knocking down a gun in his haste, and then cleared out,of the premises barefooted. A man was arrested inTinaruon suspicion, but on being brought up to day before Mr Alcorn, the charge was withdraw by the police with leave of th* Court, as it was founl the wrong man had been apprehended.