Local & General.

A.O.F.— The übual fortnightly meeting of the Court Thistle of the Foreßt, No. 6494, A.0.F., was held in the St. Saviour's schoolroom, on May 3. The Court was opened in due form hy P.O.R. Bro. C. Samuels, at 7.30 p.m. The busineßß of the evening included the reading of the report of the .Diefcrict meeting, which wai received. The sum of 10s 6d was voted annually in aid of the " Forester" and "Foresters' Pride " lifeboats of the Eoyal National Lifeboat Institution. The quarterly balance sheet was also read, and unanimously adopted j it showed that the Court has a very fair balance to its credit. Thb Thbatbb Royal— The general publio will no doubt have been somewnat puzzled by the contradictory announcements that hare appeared in connection with the Theatre Royal. This morning an amicable arrangement was effected between the several parties interested. The Lydia Howarde Company will play this evening, and to-morrow night, and on Saturday "The Danitea" will take possession. "Ghilpbbio." — The Lydia Howarde Troupe will open this evening at the Theatre Royal in Herve's comic opera, " Ohilperic." Caktebbubt Collbgb.— -Tho old poplar trees at the west end of the Canterbury College buildings are now being removed, in order to provide room for tho erection of tho new ball, and other additions to tho buildings. Chbistohuboh Hospital. — During the past fortnight 31 patients have been admitted into the Chriatchurcb Hospital and 36 discharged, leaving 66 patients iv the institution. During the same period four deaths have occurred. Kaiapoi Spobts and Hobsb Racks.— At the adjourned meeting of the Committee held on Tuesday there were only four members present: Messrs Moore, Fraser, Moran, and Dudley, and it was decided to adjourn till Wednesday next at 8 p.m. Alleged Embezzlement. — A man named Charles Gcddis was arrested yeetcrduy nfternoon on three separate charges of onibpzzloment from the funds of the Sefton Loyal Lodge of Oddfellows. Tho amounts uro understood to rango from £17 to lesser sums. Tlio delinquent will be brought before the Police Court this morning.

A Pleasant KimraTAwmin.-Thiiavmv ing Mws LydiaHowarde, a deservedly S favourite with Ohristchureh plavgo/J K. possession of the boards at the *i,aT^w£ own* to an unfortunate business : mtounoM--standing her present season is to be a remarkably short one— two nights only. Miss Howarde hag with her " a host of new faces and old favourites," and as the opera to boproduoed is Herve's new version of Obilperie, with local hits and local songs interwoven, a good house may reasonably be anticipated. Nbwt Guinea.— From an advertisement appearing elsewhere in this issue, our readerswill observe that a lecture on Sew Guinea is to be delivered this, evening, in the .New Odd* fellpws's Hall. The subject is one that is full of interest; and one who han Bpent some time in the modern El Dorado should be able to make his matter sufficiently entertaining,: His Worship the Mayor i» to take the chair. HOSHTAL AND OHAEITABXIB AID BOABJD. —An ordinary meeting of 'this Board wuf held yesterday afternoon. Dr Moore waav. appointed to fill the vacancy on the Hospital staff caused by the resignation of tho late Dr Campbell, and a quantity of other business, of an unimportant character, was tr -nsacted. A report appears in another column. Thb Latb Db Oampbbll.— At «'••» moting of the Hospital and Oliari' t-to Aid Board, a resolution was passed expr. «*ing the deep rcgrob of the Board at. the dea: ii of the late Dr Campbell and his family, *nd their sense of the loss suetained by the Hospital and the entirely community, in the loss of bo valuable a life as that of Dr Campbell. Sunnysidb Cbioebt Club.— a meeting of members of thiß Club was held last night, at whioh it was decided to disband the Olub, and soil the material, &c. The balance remaining after settling all accounts will W divided amongst tho members. Messrs S. H. Seager, D. Turner, and A. White were appointed a Committee to carry out tho resolution arrived at. Bailway Regulations. — A supplement to the New Zealand Gazette wa6 devoted on Thursday to the regulations to be observed by all railway servants in New Zealand. The present code will come into force ou June 1. It occupies 24 closely printed pages of the - Gazette. Dbstettoiiok of a Bbitish Maw-o*-War. — Intelligence comes by cable of the blowing . up of the British man-of-war Doterel in the Straits of Magellan. Only the captain and ten others who escaped by swim wing are reported to survive The Doterel is not given in the Navy Lists of the last four yeaw, and at present we are unable to give any particulars about her. . Vaibdictoby Sbeviob.— ln co '-equenca of Mr 0. Merfcon being about to leave Bangiora next week, and hiß having held the position of precentor to St John's Church for a number of years, the Ten Archdeacon has announced that there will be a special valedictory service on Tuesday evening next. A full service will be given, and an offertorf taken on behalf cf that gentleman. Accident.— As the last train from North was leaving Bangioraon Tuesday evening, Mr H. Moody's roan gelding Satan, which has frequently performed at up-country race meetings in the northern district, was standing on the crossing leading to Manning's brewery when the engine struck him, breaking one of his hind legs near the thigh, and killing him on the spot. He was removed next morning and buried. Physiognomy. — Dr Simms gave another of his lectures on physiognomy in the Congregational schoolroom last evening. He secured a good attendance, though the audience was by no means bo large as at the free entertainment. The doctor has certainly much to say that is entertaining, and his matter is by no means devoid of practical information. During the day-time the room is open, free of charge, so that those who deßire to do so may inspect the large collection of portrait illustrations. Missing Child.— A little girl between four and five years of age, belonging to Mr 0. Woledge, of Travers street (near Haast street), Avonville, waß lost yesterday afternoon. She was last seen near Price's Dispensary, at the corner of Hereford street and the East belt, about 3 o'clock. She then disappeared, and all search was in vain, nor had the police up to late last night heard anything of her. She had on a blue frock and white pinafore, brown silk hat trimmed with pink, elastic side boots, and white stookings, and had light hair. Thbatbb Royal.— There was a good attendance at the Theatre Boyal last evening, on the occasion of the final performance of Pollard's Lilliputian Pinafore Company, which was also the benefit of "Dick Deadeye," who played his part in hie usual admirable manner. The opera, as a whole, went exceedingly well, and was very heartily'received by the audience. It may be mentioned that considerable improvements have been effected in the scenery. The most effective was the addition of a couple of vessels, of large size, in the background. Kaiapoi Institute.— The usual monthly meeting of the Committee of this Institute was held on Monday. There were five mem* bers present, Mr Caleb Smith (President) in the chair. The Treasurer stated that the balance in the bank was £6 16s 6d. The notices of motion standing in Messrs Pinching: and Goldthorpo's names were postponed till the annual meeting, to be held on the first Monday in July. A letter was read from. the Secretary, Mr G. F. Hewlings,' tendering hiß resignation, which was aocepted, and a cordial vote of thanks was passed to him for past services. It was resolved that & Secretary be not appointed till the annual meeting. After passing some few small accounts, the meeting adjourned. 1.0.G-.T. — At the üßual meeting of the Bainbow Lodge, No. 13, Lyttelton, on Tuesday evening, the following officers for the ensuing year were eleoted: — W.0.T., Bro Thomas Hay; W.V.T., Sißter J. Newton; W.S., Bro W. Warren ; W.T., Bro W. Beed j W.F.8., Bro A. Taylor ; W. 0., Sister Bradley j W.M., Bro A. Wallace; W.IG., Bro E. Olarkson ; W.0.G., Bro 0. Warren ; W.A.B.* Bro B. Morgan $ W.D.M., Sinter H. Newton. There was a large attendance of members and visitors. The usual harmony waa dispensed with owing to the melancholy loss of one of the oldest and most respected membors of the Lodge, Bro W. Young, who wbb a passenger in the ill-fated steamer Tararua. Bro Young was a hard-working member of the Lodge,, and held the office of Treasurer lor a lone period. It was decided to send a letter of condolence to his widow, and tho Lodge adjourned. A Chabitablb Aid Case. — At the meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday, one of the members, the Mayor of a Borough, related an incident which illustrates the nature of some of the applications which aro constantly being made for charitable aid. Tho gentleman in question stated that he had been recently waited upon by a woman, who, according to her own account, was in the most abject poverty, and who told a most pitiable tale about her sufferings, &c. Some relief was granted in the customary manner, and the applicant was, of course,,, deoply grateful. What was the astonishment of the worthy Mayor, however, when, on visiting the Borough office b a day or co later, he found the identical woman engaged registering her dog. This case of imposture presents a striking contrast to the shocking instance of real distress recorded in our columns a few days ago. It is worthy of note that the noor creatures whoße misery was there described had made no appeal for charitable t id. Kaiapoi Boeough School— A meeting of this Committee was held on Monday, in the boys' classroom"; present — Messra Ooup (in the chair), Frasor and Pashby. Apologien were received for their non-attendance from Messrs Parnham and Porter. A letter was read from the head master, asking forth* number of marks— in each subject— gamed by the pupil teaohers at the last examination. It was resolved—" That the lottcr bo forwarded to tho Board of Education." Account* amounting to £2 14s 2d, wore passed for payment A long discussion took place as to the advisability of opening tho school on Monday next, as Dr Orondou had stated it wnß n»ite «f>f* to *o «o. Mr Pashby said that at 'tho i£yrotou Board of Health, another caeo had been ropofted from Sncydo etreet that day, and he thought it would be unwise to open tho eohool at present. Ho proposed » fj'hat the school be not opened until after tho Committee had met again, and that tho Secretary be requested to sco the Chairman on tho subject." Mr Frasor soconded the motion, which was carried. Mr K. Aloore was elected a member of the Committee in pluco of Mr J. Korr, resigned, and the Committ«o adjourned. Piltrrims' Football Club match on .Saturday, wil hu Fifteen v. the Field. Tlio immcw of tho tiftecn l>einu us follows :— McßttrK Kuhhcll, Uruut, Woled|?o, E., JJliimhnnl, Mount fort, Fuller, J., Bowley, Monle. A., Field, Dunsford, liillu, Mack, Bieh, Ellis, Woledge, C. Piny to commence at 2.30 p.m. ■harp

Thb Glasgow Bask Dibxctobs. — The Directors of the unfortunate Oil y of Glasgcw Bank, says a contemporary, seem to be flourishing. From a correspondent in Scotland we learn that the manager is living in the Modem Athens "as bright as ever." Potter ia also located there ia a fine mansion. Inglis, another Director, is a factor for a Scottish nobleman in London. Another resides in a magnificent house uear Stirling} ftfid gives state banquets ; while another has built a beautiful palace on the shores of lake Geneva. Thb Gaxb Tbade op Gbsat Bsitxis. — An elaborate estimate of the game consumed in Great Britain shows that the consumption baa increased nearly two-thirds during the last thirty years. Tha numbers estimated for 1880 are 510,000 grouse and black game at 4s per bird, £102,000 ; 376,000 partridges at 2s, £37,600; 335 000 pheasants at 4s, £67,000; 600000 hares at 3s 6d, £87,500; 900,000 rabbits at Is 6d, £67,500; total head, »,731,00O; total value, £361,600; to which is added £30,000 for woodcock, snipe, wild duck, 4c JJsDSsesoxrsD Baixways — In making their underground line the New Yorkers are profiting by the lessons taught by the defects of London lines. Tie locomotives will consume tbp'r own smoke and condense their own etc-, and, by a mechanical arrangement, «''/ will act as ventilators to the 'tunnels iifgaTdless of mere appearance, the front of the engines will be so constructed as to draw a current of air behind them ; and with the assistance of the air-shafts, it is believed that this scheme will keep the tunnels p» c ' ically free from the sulphurous gases of mephitic smells which render some parts of the London underground lines highly objectionable, if not dangerous. Thb Deceased Wise's Sistbb.— A list of .Acts paused last session, and confirmed by Her Majesty, was published in the Gazette a few days ago, but we look in Tain for the "Deceased "Wife's Bister Marriage Act" amongst them. It will be remembered that there wai strenuous opposition to the measure at the time, and threats were held oat of making direct representation to Her Majesty en the b abject. The Wellington Post says that aa nothing has been heard of it, and as the Act contained several defecta of a somewhat serious nature affecting the inheritance of property, it ia thought in well-informed circles that its chance of receiving the Boyal assent is but meagre. Craiova Wat to Decide a Dibnxt». — Two young men of HawHnsville settled the ownership of a double-barrel gun in a novel way. The gun wbb won in a raffle — the two young men being joint owners in the chance that won it.- One of the men proposed that they should go down to the river at a shallow point and trade into it, and the one that waded the furthest or held out the longest should take the gun. The water was was freefing cold, and the margin of the stream was lined with ice, and the icicles were pendant from -every limb, from every bush. Partly divesting themselves of their clothing they entered the water and waded out. One of them went until the water reached bis armpits, but his companion went a little further, and was allowed to come out and take the gun. Whits Islaitd.— A volcanic eruption has taken place on White Island, resulting in the conversion of the flat which had formerly existed on the side of the hot lake into an active volcano. The new crater reaches from near the landing to Big Ben, the name of one of the blow holes on the island, which ia also showing unusual activity. The changes on the left hand side of the island are greater than those on the right. The steam from the crater is visible for a considerable distance at sea. The long stretch of land lying between the hot lake and the shore on White Island has been covered with a fine black deposit from the new crater formed on the far Bide. The wooden tramway has been altogether hidden, and the change in the face of the country is very remarkable. We are informed that there appears to be more pure sulphur on the island now than formerly. — Bay of Plenty Times. Thb Fetakoiai Aspect ok thb Channel Twbvl Project. — Precedents as to cost would hardly justify an engineer in estimating a tunnel under the Channel at lesa than £200 per yard, or £352,000 per mile, being less than half the cost of the metropolitan lines, of the cost of which, however, we must remember that the price of land formed an important though undistinguished portion. To pay 5 per cent on £350,000 per mile requires a traffic of about £35,000 per mile per annum, or more than five times that of the South-Eastern Bailway. No English railway approaches the quarter of this figure with the exception of the two metropolitan lines which take respectively £38,600 and £31,300 per mile. These, it ia well-known, are entirely exceptional cases, fed by constant local urban traffic, with, stations little more than half aynflA apart. In the Channel tunnel there can be no local traffic. Generally speaking it wnl be only the through passengera from Ijondon to Paris and vice versa who could be depended on to feed the line. Taking all things in the most favourable light, we have to consider whether a traffic equal to that of the Metropolitan District line is rationally to "bo expected, under any circumstances, to arise between Dover and Calais.— Builder. Ahothbk Meat Pbbsebviko Pbooess. — The Melbourne Leader, speaking of the new pUn for preserving meat, which has lately been brought before the Australian public, says : — The freezing process is not, it appears, to be our only means of reaching the English market. Another method, patented by aMr Lee, was tested last week with very favourable results, the general opinion of those who tasted the meat being that it would probably have been taken unsuspiciously at any table as freshly killed, though in reality four months old. The details of the invention have not yet been made public, but some idea of it can be obtained from the title which has been adopted by those concerned in it. The " Australian Cooked Joints Company," aa it is called, is to commence operations at once in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, and with good prospects of success. The cost of preserving is stated to be only one penny per Ib, and freights to England £2 10b per ton, prices which should leave a good margin of profit to those who undertake the enterprise. No chemicals are employed in the process, nor is salt used, but it is understood that the meat is boned, and then treated on what has been termed the "dry air" principle. Considering the testimony to its results, it may come to be % formidable rival to the freezing method, to which so much attention has been devoted of late. The difference between the two is that the latter provides for freah and the former for cooked meat. Madams Thibbs' Will.— The will of Madame Thisrs ia so confusedly and imperfectly drawn up, principally by herself, that the executors are having no easy time of- it. However, as her sister, Mdlle Dosue, is the universal legatee, and as the sole desire of that lady, as of the executors, is to carry out Madame Thiers' wishes, the difficulties referred to will, no doubt, be quietly arranged between herself and the executors. Many of the collections left by the late pair are being sent to the Louvre and other museums; among others, the gifts and ■wreaths of gold leaves Bent to M. Thiera as the " Liberator of the Territory." Madame Thiera bequeathed to the Louvre the magnificent pearl necklace of which she collected every pearl herself during many years, and that ia said to have no equal, save the famous one of which the pearls were collected one by one by the ex-Queen of Greece. Mmc Thiers 1 necklace, ai three rows, is valued at £12,000. She had also a superb diamond necklace, of Tery large stones, all of a size, and all of the purest water ; this splendid affair she has left to her sister, who, aa she will never wear it, will possibly give it to the city of Pans. It iB not a little singular that Mmc Thiera, who dressed very elegantly and wore magnificent jewellery during the period wh?n, as the wife of the first Minister under Lonis Phillipe, she mingled at Court with the aristocracy of France, should have adopted so very simple a style of dress— high-necked gowm, generally black, with an entire absence of jewellery or other ornament, when she figured at the Hlyaee aa the wife of the President of the Republic. The poor old ibter of her husband, living in obscurity and penury, in a miserable old age, in the south of France, is left without a penny by the wife, just as she was left by the husband? And it seems not probable that Mdlle Dosue, while disposing of the many millions of her own anci her enter s fortune, will divert any, even the smallest portijn of her great wealth, to reforming this scandalous omission. M. Thiers, of very low o«th, never forga T e hia family for not being nch and noble. As he attained to fortune ■ n «e«l«brtty, he cut all his old connections, his penniless sister.

j Thb Suitah Abdui Aziz. — After a ! period of nearly five years, we learn on the i authority of the telegram we published dated April 23, that Abdul Aziz, who was deposed from the throne of Turkey in 1876, and was afterwards reported to have committed suicide, was in reality murdered by his serT4i.U. The Sultan Abdul, after his deposition, was ppnt from the Dolmabalabe Palace aoross the Bosphorus. In this confinement he eeomed plunged into such depths of melancholy that the people "f his household deemed it expedient to remove all weapons beyond hiß reach. Early on a Sunday morning in May, 1876, the Sultmn was found dead, lying half way across the sofa, with his feet on the floor in a great pool of blood. Nineteen physicians of different nationalities were at once summoned. The direction and nature of the wounds, as well as the instrument which was said to hare produced them, caused them to arrive at the conclusion that the case was one of suicide. Although the opinion was general at the time that Abdul Aziz had been Becretly irade away with, it is only now ascertained for certain by the confession of the servants at the Sultan's palace at Constantinople that it was they who had murdered the Sultan by firat suffocating him, and then opening his veins. Boslyic Tbahwat Accidhnt.—Considerable excitement was occasioned on Tueiday, says the Daily Times, by a report that another accident with serious results had occurred on the Boslyn tramway. On inquiry it was found that, although an accident had oocurred, the consequences were not of a very serious character. It appears that about 10 yesterday morning the gripper of one of the open cars lost its hold on the rope whilst descending Battray street near the top. The brakes were immediately put on, but, owing to the wet, or probably, as ie Btated, to the sandbox failing to act and allow the sand to drip on the rails, they failed to stop tho car. It rapidly increased in velocity, and although the driver did all he could, it was not until it had nearly reaphed the foot of the street that its headlong course was chocked. From the bottom of the line to about fifty yards up there was a good deal of sand on the rails, and to this, as also to the fact of the two front wheels getting off the line, may be ascribed the fortunate stoppage of the car. The only persons on the car were Mr George Duncan (one of the engineers of the line) Thomas W. Munro, of Boslyn, and the con* ductor. The conductor threw himself off the car near the Catholic Church, whilst Mr Munro was thrown off at the corner of Smith street. The injuries sustained by Mr Duncan and the driver were but alight. Those of Mr Munro comprised a cut on the head and a bruise on the left arm. He was taken to the Shamrock Hotel and attended to by Dr Macdonald, after which he went home.