LOCAL AND GENERAL.

— • — TVk "Canterbury Times."— The demand for the Christmas number of the Canterbury Times is so great that orders come to hand faster than copies can be printed. A large second edition was put in hand on Thursday, but it is now all but exhausted, and a third edition is inevitable. Agents are requested to state at once the number of copies they are likely to require, to enable the publishers to provide a supply sufficient to satisfy the extraordinary demand. Lbsai Vacation. — The Christmas vacation of the Supreme Court began this afternoon, and will continue until the end. of January. Auction Sale. — A special auction sale of pianos and furniture is announced by Messrs Ayers, Beaucbamp and Co. for 1 pjn. on Monday. Cable Interruption. — Adelaide advises, " The Port Darwin line is working very badly beyond the Hergott Springs, owing to a thunderstorm ; and the cable business is being delayed in consequence. Crctraa Bbcobd.— Mr W. A. Thompson, a well-known North Island cyclist, is desirous of breaking Shoriand's Christchurch to Dunedin record, and with this purpose in view, will set out from the Post Office at 3 ajn. on Tuesday morning. He will have the assistance of Dunlop pacemakers. The distance to be covered is 230 miles, which he expects to accomplish inUihrs. Kaiapoi VotuOTEBBS. — At the parade held in the drillhall last evening/ there was a muster of forty. Sergeant-Major Purvis was present in addition to all the officers. The men were put through the ordinary exercises, and a match was arranged to be fired on the local range this afternoon between teams chosen from the adults and the cadet 3, one side using the Martini-Henry and the other Sniders. Laugh and Grow Fat. — This is the title of a musical and dramatic entertainment that will be given in the Oddfellows' Hall on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 27 and 28, by Mr Bussell Craufurd. The entertainer is one who has had a wide experience on the stage, and whose efforts for the amusement of the public have always been keenly appreciated. Mr Craufurd will be assisted by Mr Maitland Gardner and Miss Lillian Thompson, and Mrs Edgar will be the pianiste. Sunday Services. — At the Trinity Congregational Church the Eev Sidney J. Baker •w-Gl conduct both the morning and the evening service; the subject of the discourse in the evening will be " The Teaching of Jesus an Imperishable Reality." In connection with the Church of Christ, Mr H. Emmetfc will pieach in the Caledonian Society's rooms, Hereford Street, in the evening, his subject being "The Three Salvations, or Salvation in itß Fold Aspect." The Students of Truth will hold services in their social hall, Latimer Square. At the Lower High Street Church Bey W. Tinsley will preach, the evening subject being " Famine and Feast." Kaiapoi. — Last evening Mrs T. Bingham held her annual musical entertainment, the performers being pupils trained by her. Many of the children were very young, and quite surprised the audience by the dexterity and precision with which they performed in the presence of a large audience of parents and friends from Christchurch and the surrounding districts. Useful prizes were awarded to several of the children, who afterwards sprang a surprise on their teacher by presenting her with a handsome dressing-case, &c. The whole entertainment was a pronounced success, and reflects great-creditupon Mrs Bingham, who conducted throughout the evening, and for whom hearty cheers were given at the finish. Sports Carnival. — Particulars of the sports carnival and art union in connection with the New Zealand Natives' Association, which will be held at Wellington on Jan. 22, are advertised in this issue. • Seventh Dat Adventists. — Pastor E. "W. Farnsworth, president of the New Zealand Conference of Seventh Day Adventists, and Pastor A. G. Daniells will conduct special services here, and will proceed early next week to Napier, to attend a conference of the denomination. Piqbon Fltino. — The Christchurch Pigeon Flying Club flew off a race from Waikari on Anniversary Day. The winner was Mr Thompson's Reality, with a velocity of 1105 yds per minute. The stationmaster at Waikari kindly acted as liberator. The following are the placed birds: — Mr Thompson's Keality, 1105 yds per minute ; Mr Brown's Couranto, 1080; Mr Ayling's Kari, 1061 ; Mr Gerard's Bruges, 999. Socialist Church. — The weekly meetof the Socialist Church was held on Thursday evening in the rooms, Cathedral Square. A long and interesting discussion took place on the working of the Preferential Voting Bill. The following resolution was unanimously passed by the meeting: — "The Socialist Church emphatically protests against the action of the Legislative Council in rejecting the Old Age Pensions Bill, and expresses the opinion that the existence of an irresponsible body of so-called legislators standing between the people and the attainment of their expressed desires is an anomaly not to be tolerated in a democratic country." The Floral Fetk. — Several prizewinners at the Floral Fete, which took place on Thursday, called upon the Secretary yesterday, and requested him to hand their prizes over to the funds of the fete, as the financial resalts had been spoiled by the bad weather. This should be most gratifying to the committee, who will most likely have a heavy deficit to face in connection with the gathering. It is probable that arrangements will be made to have the fete repeated early in January. The first prize for the best decorated baker's cart was gained by Mr C. F. Parsons, with Mr P. Flavillo second. The first prize for the best decorated parasol was awarded to Miss Elsie Eoss, Mrs A. Marshall being second. Mrs A. Marshall gained first

Fibs. — A fire at Hokifcika this morning did damage estimated at £10,000. Personal, — The Hon Sir John Hall and Lady Hall arrived to-day from Wellington by the as. Wakatipu, on their return from their visit to Europe and Australia. The Hon George Jones and Mr Justice Denniston arrived from Wellington this morning by the e.s. Rotomahana. Mr Jones left for Oamaru by the express. Wedding. — This morning Dr Hargreaves, son of one of the oldest residents of Canterbury, Mr W. H. Hargreaves, was married at St Michael's Chnrch to Miss Jessop, daughter of Dr Jessop, a lady who recently came to the colony from England. The Rev A. W. Averill conducted the service. Dr and Mrs Hargreaves left for Dunedin by the express. An Eye to the Main Chance. — A postcard was received in Christchurch this morning from Hong Kong. The writer is a well-known theatrical entrepreneur, who, while in this city, had been beguiled into purchasing a shilling ticket in an. art union. Bethinking himself of the fortune he might be unwittingly throwing away, he wrote to Mr T. Jacobs, commission agent, asking him to act as his attorney in the event of his ticket winning a prize. Arrests. — A man was arrested this afternoon by Constable Hill on a charge of having stolen a Gladstone bag, value £2, from the shop of Mr Prank White, jeweller, Colombo Street. Mr White had left the bag on tho shop counter, and during his absence in an adjoining room, which only lasted a few seconds, the theft had been effected. A boy was also arrested on the charge of having stolen a watch, value -E5, at Hals well. The watch was recovered by Detective Benjamin. Opawa Dramatic Club. — There was a large attendance at the second entertainment given by the Opawa Dramatic Club, in St Mark's Schoolroom, Opawa, last evening. Items were given by Misses M. Bonnington, May Marsh, Talbot and J. Moir and Messrs G, and L. Bonnington, G. March, H. F. Styche and H. E. March. The various characters in the farce, A Cliarming Pair, were admirably sustained by Misses Minnie March, Laura Baxter and Jamieson, and Messrs D. Macleod, G. March, E. Chohnondeley and H. V. Styche. Lancaster Park Swimming Club. — The adjourned meeting of the proposed Lancaster Park Swimming Club will be held at the Lancaster Park Hotel on Monday evening, when officers will be elected and rules passed. Messrs R. O. Duncan, W. Bergh and P. Hillary, the sub-committee appointed for the purpose, waited on the chairman of directors of the Park Ground Company last week, and very favourable terms have been arranged with regard to leasing the bath. All interested are invited to attend. Presentation, — Last evening Mr W. C. Ferrier, who is leaving the employ of the Union Steamship Company at Lyttelton for the purpose of entering into business with Mr T. C. Field, was presented with a handsome silver-mounted pipe and silver matchbox by the members of the permanent staff of the company at Lyttelton. Reference was made to the pleasant relations existing amongst the staff, and Mr Ferrier was wished success in his new undertaking. The matchbox was inscribed as follows : — " Presented to C. Ferrier, Esq., by the permanent working staff of the Union Steamship Company, Dec. 18, 1897." Mr Ferrier suitably replied, and thanked the donora for their very handsome present and th« kindly feeling that had prompted it. Sunday Lecture.— Mr W. W. Collins will lecture in the Lyceum to-morrow on "Joseph's Coat ; a Coat of Many Colours." New Zealand Natives' Association. — A meeting for the formation of a Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Natives' Association is called for Wednesday evening next at the Temple. The movement has been gaining ground rapidly since it was first set on foot in Christchurch, and a large attendance is anticipated. Arrangements will be made to rent the Temple one night a week for the future meetings of the Association, and a number of prominent citizens have interested themselves in the movement. The Late Mes Greaves. — The funeral of the late Mrs Greaves took place yesterday. The deceased lady, who arrived here in April, 1851, was the widow of the late Captain Robert Greaves, who for many years was Collector of Customs' at Akaroa, and who died in November, 1879, leaving his wife, who was then sixty years of age, and one daughter and one son, both of whom are still living. The former is now Mrs Herbert Bridge, of Oriental Bay, Wellington. Many old colonists attended the funeral, and the burial took place at the Avonside Cemetery, and was conducted by the Rev W. A. Pascoe. Co-operative Building Society. — The first annual meeting of the Christchurch Working Men's Co-operafcive Building Society, No. 2, was held in the Oddfefiows : Chamber last night. Mr G. H. Watson presided, and there was a good attendance of shareholders. An apology for absence was received from Mr A. Marshall. Th€ report and balance-sheet showed that the revenue for the year amounted to JJ1637 5s 2d, and the net profit to .£6O Is lid. The result was considered satisfactory in view of the fact that the whole 'of the initial expenses, which would not be recurrent, had been paid out of the year's profit. Messrs R. Young, D. A. Moore, C. Read and W. B Bultitnde were elected directors for the ensuing year, and. Mr C. P. Gillman waE appointed directors' auditor and Mr A. Marshall shareholders' auditor. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. Theatrk Royal. — Mr T. Hudson's Surprise Party gave another change of programme at the Theatre Royal last evening, when there was a most appreciative audience, and many of the items on a varied and lengthy programme were encored. Mi Hudson's specialties were as much appreciated as ever, and Miss May Habgood't pianoforte playirg was received with marks of approval. Miss Lillie Linton scored s success in her sketch entitled "The Modem School of Acting." The feature of th< evening, however, from a musical point oi view, was the singing of Mr Wallace King who sang Stephen Adams's " Holy City " ii a manner in which it has never been hearc here previously, and received a double en core. His singing of "I Love Her Still r was so good that he was compelled to repeat it also. The other items in the evening's entertainment were all considerably above the average, and the audience appeared to be thoroughly satisfied. This evening will be the last of thepreseni programme, and a change will be made oi Monday evening. Hx;bbard, Hall and Co. for Christma! hams, Christinas fruits, preserving sugars teas and all kinds of general groceries ai lowest prices. • 1912 A doctor says .that persons who attain their thirtieth year without suffering fron any serious disease, are likely — all thingi being equal — to live till they are at leasi seventy-three years of age.