louTnruL CSIMINAL3.—A case oarno before the Resident Magistrate, at Ohristchurch, yesterday, which is deserving of more than a passing notice. A young lad, named Hayton, aged thirteen, was discharged with a caution, having been brought up, charged with stabbing with intent to do grievous bodily harm. It was quite clear that the boy had used the knife, and the only alternative for the Resident Magistrate was to send the case for trial at the Supreme Court, or discharge the boy. The Resident Magistrate, we think very properly, chose the latter course, but in doing so he made some remarks (which appear in our report of the case), and in which we quite concur. The time has arrived for the establishment of a Reformatory School, to meet cases like the one brought into Court yesterday, and we trust that the General Government may be communicated with in order that an Act may be passed in this session of the General Assembly, to deal with cases of this and a similar nature, in which boys of such an age are "concerned. To have send the boy to gaol would have made him a gaol-bird for life ; and to let him escape with a caution, to pass over without punishment a crime of such a nature, is as unkind to the lad as it is unjust to the community. We trust that after the remarks of the Resident Magistrate in the case, something may be done, and that we shall soon see a place established where the criminal youth (and they are not a few) in this place may be confined and punished instead of being eeut to a common gaol, where they are shown the worst example, and taught more crime by old and experienced convicts. Kaiapoi Steeplechases.—The preliminary advertisement of these cross-country events appears in our columns of to-day, the fixture being for Thursday, August 2, thus allowing over a month for horses to recover from the late Riccarton contest, or for fresh nags to bo got ready. The announced programme is liberal and varied, and we are informed that a long list of stewards, both local and otherwise, has been selected, the majority of whom have willingly consented to act. The list of officials will appear, with further particulars, on Wednesday next. Katepayers , MtrnrAii Peotectiok Society.—A meeting of this society was held last evening at the Clarendon hotel. The meeting, owing to no particular business being brought forward, was adjourned for a fortnight. Horticultubal SociBTX.—A meeting of this society was held yesterday. Only a few members were present; and, being unable to form a quorum, the meeting adjourned. Lincoln Elbotion. —The poll for this district was taken yesterday. The candidates were three in number (Mr Allington having withdrawn), viz., Me«ars. Tancred, Knight, and Luck. The Returning Officer (Dr. Donald) at the close of the poll, declared the numbers to be as follows : —Tancred, 83 ; Knight, 61; Luck, 59 ; and, therefore, Messrs. Tancred and Knight were duly returned. Stickikokup.— It seeme that we, in the cisalpine district of the province, are not altogether exempt from clanger on the highway. On Thursday night, as a gentleman was journeying from Chmtcharch to Lyttelton, between eleven and twelve p.m., and when near the top of the Bridle-path on the Christchurch side, a fellow started forward and seized the bridle of hie horse. Recent events on the West Coast acted as a stimulant to the rider, and as quickly as he could, he dealt the f?llow a, blow with a heavy stick which he carried. The blow was just in time, for as the assailant went down another rushed forward ; and though the rider dug hid spurs Into his horse and started at a gallop, he barely escaped three heavy stones which were thrown at him. Ihe accomplice of the man struck down must have had the stones ready in ham , , as from the speed witli which die horso started off there was no time left for him to ' etoop and pick them up.

Election Meetis*.— Mγ Jebeon met the electors of the Heathcoto district l-nt night, at the Euetern hotel. There «w a large attendance. Mr Johnson was called to tno chair, and bri-flv introduced Mr Jotwon. Mr Jebeon prefaced Ins address by etat.ng that, as he had not canvassed the electors personally, he considered it his duty to take the present opportunity of explaining his views to the elector.. He then commenced by alluding to the question of public works, and contended that they should be curried on m proportion to the means that could be firuwhed for undertaking them. He also Awct at some length on the railway contracts, and explafned the difference between the comJletion of those works for which the Government were already pledged, and others which were as yet oiily in a »**» of contemplation, and he considered it would be wrong to spend money on the latter until the former were finished. On the subject of Road Boards, he considered that our road accommodation was at present most ineflicient, and advocated the a doption by the Government of a system cf supplementing rates. He reviewed the three proposed methods of obtaining the means of carrying on the public works, viz., either by floating our debentures in the home market, or lowering the price of our waste lands, or by forming companies and guaranteeing a certain per centage on the outlay. He was more inclined to favor the first-mentioned method, more especially as he considered that the present tightnees in the money market was only temporary, and that money was not actually scarce at home, but only withheld as a matter of caution. He was an advocate for light tramways, which he had seen formed forty years ago, and which had worked admirably. They were not yet prepared for a costly permanent way; the tramways could be laid down, and when the amount of traffic warranted a more substantial line, such could be substituted, and the tramways taken up and laid down again further inland as occasion might require. The resources ot New Zealand were not yet ascertained, and he believed that the country would be found to be as rich in minerals as any part ot the world; when these were more fully developed, then would be the time to extend our operations to facilitate traffic. In treating of the question of immigration, he likened it to the requirements of a manufacturer ; where certain engagements had been entered into, he must employ labour sufiicient to carry them out ; and so with us, we should stop immigration until more labour was requisite. As to female immigration, he was in favour of it so far as judgment was used in the selection. With regard to the Land Regulations, he considered that it would be an injustice to those who have already purchased, to sell the waste lands at a lower figure. The improvement pre-emptive rights ought in his opinion to be abolished. On the subject of education, he gave his definition of the terms "secular," "denominational," and " religious," and was in favor of the latter ejetem, so far as the teaching of the Scripture was concerned. After having exhausted the leading questions of the day, he concluded by stating that he believed the gentleman now at the head of affairs to be an able statesman ; and that if returned he should support his Government so long as their measures were consistent with the well-being of the province, and at the same time should raise his voice against any proposed act of injustice, from whatever quarter it originated. Mr Jebson, on resuming his seat, was loudly cheered. Several questions wej-e asked by Messrs Angue, Farmer and Singlehurst, and atiswered with promptitude, and after a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting dispersed. The Waimakabibi. —A misunderstanding appears to exist as to the method of expending the money lately paid by the Government, to stay the encroachments of this river. The original intention, we believe, was to commence operations at a part of the river on the island, known as Sneyd's*corner. The money ha» been.paid into the hands of theOfaah-man of the Kaiapoi Council, whereas the epot in quostion is in the Manderille district; and the Council consider it should Dβ expended -wxfclxlxa tlxcbt: municipality. It -would l»e as-Bβ-ell if iilfillir Waktok Misohiep. We bear that on Thursday evening, as constable Judge was returning from Christchurch to Kaiapoi, he noticed a bundle of flax, with two large stones attached to it, thrown on the telegraph wires, near Treleaven's public-house. Alter an unsuccessful attempt to remove it, he proceeded to Kaiapoi, and reported tho affair, and wae despatched next morning to endeavor to find tho culprit or culprits. We have not heard whether his investigations have proved successful, but we trust, should such be the case, that the punishment may be in proportion to the amount of damage that might have been incurred. Bangioba VoLTTNTBEBe.—Another valuable addition has been made to our volunteer force in the north, viz., the formation of the Rangiora Company, No. 4. The swearing in took place last Wednesday evening, at the Lion hotel, when there was a large attendance of those who had determined on joining the ranks. The following are the names of the officers chosen: — Captain, W. H. Percival ; Lieutenant, J. A. Poole, ; and Ensign, John Thompson, Colonel White wae in attendance, in company with many other influential gentlemen in the neighborhood, who have taken a very active part in the organization of the company. This movement would be materially aided by the universal adoption of the early closing movement, so as to enable those who are in business to attend drill regularly in tho evening, more particularly as the district is a scattered one, and the members have some distance to travel. Canterbury Kiflb Association , . — A meeting of the association was held last evening, at the Criterion hotel. Present—Messrs Murray-Aynsley, Packe, E. B. Bishop, Cook, De Troy, Steward, and the hon. secretary, Mr H. E. Alport. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The following resolutions were carried— "That the Honorary Secretary be requested to reply to the communication received from the Otago Hide Association, and to state that the organization of the Association of Canterbury was not sufficiently complete to allow of its entertaining the project for the matches suggested." "That the appointment of auditors for the year 1866-7 be made provisionally at the meeting to be held in December next, subject to the approval of the association, at the general meeting in January, 1867." " That the Secretary be authorised to order the printing of 250 copies of the rules and regulations. ,, " That the Honorary Secretary be requested to forward circulars to all the names on the collection lists, and to forward the Christchurch lists as follows, viz., that for the south-east district to Major Packe; the south-west to Captain Steward; the north-east to Mr Hislop ; and the north-west to Lieutentant Cook ; and that those gentlemen be requested to canvass their respective districts, and that Mr H. P, Murray-Aynsley, Mr H. E. Alport, Mr DeTroy, and Mr J. C. Hilton be respectfully asked to give their assistance." " That the Secretary be requested to communicate with Lieutenant Hargreaves of the Lyttelton Volunteer Artillery, asking him to. canvass the inhabitants of Lyttelton and its neighbourhood, requesting them to become members of the Canterbury Rifle Association. That the Secretary be directed to request Lieutenant Porter to be good enough to canvass the districta of Bangiora and EZaiapoi for subscriptions to the Eifle Association. That this Council considers it advisable to offer prizes to be shot for in the year 1866; provided there shall be a clear balance of £150 in the Treasurer's hands available for that purpose ; and that in such case a committee be appointed to make needful arrangements." Tho meeting then adjourned until the first Friday in August.