Local and General.

The English Mail. — Owing to an inter- / ruption in the telegraph line to the South, it F\ cannot be ascertained whether the Oineo, with the English mail, has arrived at the Bluff. KTiie Sel'wyn. — Mr Cowan, proprietor of the Christchurch and Southbridge line of coaches, informs us that the Selwyn was heavy in flood this morning when he crossed. Mr Cowan considered it unadvisable to make the return trip in the afternoon. The Ashley. — There is a heavy fresh in the Ashley, owing to the late rains. This morning, when the coach passed northwards, the water was running all round the bridge. The approaches were believed to be quite safe. Eiflb Association Phizes. — The presentation of these prizes, and the supper of the Canterbury Rifle Association, has beeu postponed from the 24 th to the 31st instant, in consequence of the' hall being engaged on Her Majesty's Birthday. Mails.— We understand that the coaches from Christchurch and Dunedin, due at Timaru last night, had uot arrived this morning at ien o'clock. The coach for Christchurch left Timaru this morning, as •usual, but it -was expected that it would have to return. Legal.— His Honor sat in Chambers at eleven o'clock th's morning. Orders of adjudication were made in re George Joseph Whitley and William Leslie, and the meetings of creditors fixed -for Monday, the 30th May, at 11 and 12 o'clock respectively. Orders were made declaring the complete execution ot the deeds of consignment in re Theodore and Augustus Doyle, and Colin Campbell Aikman.— Re Edward Genet : His Honor fixed the last examination for Monday, the 27th June.— Rhodes and Another v. Robinson : His Honor intimated that he would give judgment in this case at 11 o'clock tomorrow forenoon. — Re Thos. Lester Osborne : Robert Swan was examined by Mr Garrick, on behalf of the trustee, with regard to a sum of £80, which bankrupt said had been lent to him by Mr Swan. The witness corroborated the evidence given by the bankrupt, —Re John Henry Noding, debtor, and re the petition of W. H. Barnes, a creditor: Mr J. S. Williams appeared to show cause why the conditional order of adjudication should not be made absolute. Dr Foster appeared on behalf of the petitioning creditor. The matter stands over until Friday next, with the view of an arrangement being come to between the parties. Avon Road Board.— -A meeting of this Board was held on Wednesday. The members present were Messrs Lame, Norman, Philpott, and the Chairman. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmad. The clerk's report was read and approved The Chairman stated that, according to instructions, tenders had been called for forming DnnieH's road, and that he had accepted the tender of Derrett and Woolridge at 8s Cd per chain. Tenders were received for forming and metalling Toon's and Fisher's Road. The tender of John Toon for forming it, at 15a per chain, was accepted. The tender of Joseph Taylor for metalling, at 4s per yard, was accepted. The clerk was instructed to call for tenders for carting about 100 yards of gravel on to the north | xoad between Papanui Church and the Poatoffice ; tenders to be sent in as soon as possible. The Chairman was authorised to accept the same if satisfactory. The clerk was instructed to effect some repairs on jthe footpath through Pupanui. Accounts, ."unounting to 4)<G. were passed and ordered to be paid. The Board then adjourned until Tuesday, Juuu 14.

The Pbemieb. — The-Hbn. Mt Fox was a passenger yesterday in the 3.8 4 TaYaniki. Lyttelto^. Winter \Reaotng9. — Theße readings which wera to have taken place thiserening, hare, .been postponed in consequence of the. inclemency of the weather. Theatre Koyal.— ln face of such inclement weather, none other than a thin attendance could be expected last evening. To-night, Mr Wolfe, stage manager, takes his benefit. Christy Minstrels. — It will be seen that Rainford and Western's Company of Minstrels, who gave such general satisfaction during their recent visit to Christchurch, will re-appear at the Town Hall next week, on the arrival of the Oraeo from Dunedin. St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. — . Weather less favourable to any public festival could not have prevailed than that of last night, yet the annual soiree of J-'t. Paul's! Presbyterian Church, held in the New Town Hall, was a most complete 'success. There were upwards of four hundred present at the tea, and during the meeting, subsequently held, every chair was occupied. This is an instance of earnestness which deserves notice, and redounds greatly to the credit of the members of the ■ Presbyterian denomination in Christchurch. The hall was fittingly pref pared for the occasion, a number of flags being draped around the walls, and theschdol banner disp'ayed above the centre of the platform. An excellent tea was provided, and dispensed, at half-past six o'clock, by Mesdames J. Anderson, Miln, Dunbar, Reese, Angus, Patbn, Hindman, Urquhart, Henderson, and the Misses Dunbar, Anderson, Reese, Gavin, Duncan, Clark, McKay? and Dick. After clearance of the tables, Mr J. Anderson was called upon to preside, and a very entertaining and enjoyable programme was submitted. Mrs Long presided, with her usual ability, at the harmonium, and amongst the vocal members of the orchestra were several leading voices from the Philharmonic. Society. The programme comprised addresses from the Chairman, his Worship the Mayor, and the Revs. McGowan and Baxter, readings by Mr D. Craig and the Rev J. Fergusson; songs by Miss Rowley, Mr Rowley, Mrs Bowler, and Mr Long; duett by Mrs Long, and Mr Clark, and the anthems, "Behold I Show you a Mystery" and " Awake, Put on thy Strength " by the choir. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. ' Springs Road Board.— The Board mbfc on Tuesday last, the 1 7th inst., the members present being Yfessrs Pannett, Gammack, Wright, and Miles. The minutes of last meeting having been read and confirmed, the Surveyor reported that since the last meeting he had prepared the rate notices, and delivered several of them ; that he had ordered the pound board and books, and forwarded the reso ution of the Board with reference ■to the appointment of Mr Jacobson as poundkeeper to the Superintendent ; that he had let the clearing of Andrews' drain to Thomas Yarr, and hid Carter's Road repaired ; that teams were now carting 1 shiugle on Maddison's Road, and that Collison and mite had completed their contract at L 1 Riveras far as they could this winter, and ;that it had been decided to pay them £20 of the amount of the contract, and leave the balance till the work was completed in the spring; that the clearing of , the cress had been commenced, but that the men could not get on with it for want of a boat. Letters were read from the City Council with reference to rating Government property for the purposes of the Canterbury, Rivers Act, to which it was dbcided to reply that the Board quite agreed with the proposal, provided property belong ing to the City Council were also included in the rate list. From Mr Ranger, askirig to be allowed to fill in a gully near his house. Leave granted, subject to the approval of. the Suryeyor ; and from Mr Parish and others, . asking the Board to clear *ut Eaton's drain, the consideration of which was. deferred till the next meeting of the Board. The Suryeyor was instructed to have more shingle put on Maddison's Road ; that coming from Alipgton's pit to be screened, and to have a piece of road formed near M'Mekin's. Several accounts having been: passed for payment, the Board adjourned till the 14th .of June, at 2 p.m. j Mandeyillb Election.— Messrs M. Dixon and T. Wilson met . the electors of.Ma.ndeville at the schoolroom, Flaxton, on Wednekday last, as . candidates for election to the Provincial Council. Mr P. ;C. Threikeld occupied the chair, and first introduced . Mr Dixon, who, after reviewing his past conduct in the Provincial Council, proceeded to give his views on matters connectedwith the province. He was not in favour of any alteration in the price of, .waste lands, as he considered the present rate of £2 per acre a very fair and reasonable, price. He defended at considerable length the justness of the •'Trespass of Cattle and Fencing Ordinances " now in force. With reference to education, he was in, favour of a system by which children living within a reasonable distance of school could reap the benefits of education. . The present system he thought had . acted very well. In reply to Mr Isaac Wilson, he said, that the Fencing Ordinance could not apply equally to. leaseholder and freeholder as the former had no lien upon the land, and could not therefore be expected to pay the sanje proportion towards iencing. He was • decidedly opposed to deferred payments for land, as it led to jobbery and dishonesty. Mr.T. Wilson was next introduced by the Chairman, and said he was new to politics, and consequently had bo previous conduct ijo review, but if elected he would do his utmost to further the interests of the province, arid this district in particular. He did not feel at liberty, to give any opinion on the principal matters of interest at present. Mr Bramley wished to hear Mr Wilson's opinion of the Feucing Ordinance. Mr Wilson said he knew very little about it, haviug given his attention more to educational matters In reply to Mr Stevenson, he said that he

was not quite prepared to support compulsory education, but something very near it. Several other, unimportant questions were asked, to which ; Very short and cautious replies were given. Mr Isaac Wilson pro posad a resolution in effect that Mr Dixon was not a fit and proper person to represent them. Great" objection was taken to the motion, which^as ultimately withdrawn. On the motion o£s&r Stevenson^ seconded by Mr J. King, a. vote%j>£ confidence was carried in favour of Mr Dix M.'}. '} A vote of '- thanks to the chairman terminated tlie'meeting. Irwell.— On May 16, a tea meeting was held'/ in .--y the Methodist Church, Irwelly in "aid "of the trust fundsy of a character most creditable to all, parties . concerned, in that., praiseworthy.undertaking. The wca: her certainly was dishearteniing even'to the most sanguine, heivy showerslof rain having fallen during the day. Several visitors from Christchurch and surrounding country were nevertheless present. The interior of the church afforded much pleasure. Messrs Johnson and Coe., with the Misses Overton had provided an abundant and excellent tea, and the waitings was beyond all praise. Several appre■ciativecomnients were bestowed upon the very tas'tefuUjdecprations of both food and furniture.- 'The "tea meeting was followed by a public meeting. Mr C. B. Taylor, of Christchurch addressed himself to the discharge of his duties in the chair with the most happy effect. Ihe Rev. W. Kirk, who was the first missionary appointed to this province by the Wesleyan Methodist Conference, reviewed the progress of Methodism in Canterbury since his former appointment to this settlement. This much esteemed minister was listened to by an appreciative audience. The Rev. W. Oliver was applauded for his references to various divisions of labour existing in the Church. The Rev. R. L. Vickers seemed at home on the subject of beneficence. -Mr W. H. -Overton proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies for their sei vices on the occasion. When the usual compliments h«d been given, and as courteously acknowledged, the benediction was pronounced, and the whole of the remaining Church debt was struck off by contributions at the door. ' \". '" '.''■'