TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Captain Cook.—We learn, from official sources, that sincethe Captain Cook arrived two deaths have occurred among the passengers. The complaint is the common typhoid fever, not unfrequently met with on board immigrant ships. The ship was at once placed in quarantine ; the Harbor Master being detained on board. About 200 of the immigrants have been landed, and are under canvas at Camp Bay. Permanent buildings will be ready in a few days. Of course, those thus placed in quarantine, are very seriously disappointed. We must presume, until we have reason to think otherwise, that the authorities have good reason for the steps taken. They are responsible to the community if they admit contagious diseases. At the same time, it cannot be believed that they would lightly inflict a serious annoyance on immigrants without good cause. We confess ourselves to feeling some about.a "malignant fever, which is neither infectious nor contagious." Church Meeting.—A meeting was held on Wednesday evening last in St. Michael's school, the Rev. H. Jacobs in the chair. Mr. Gordon and Mr. Bury were appointed churchwardens, and Mr. Marley was elected vestryman. A plan prepared by the churchwardens was discussed as to the best mean? of raising a fund for obtaining the services of additional clergymen. His Honor the Superintendent suggested that a system of pew rents should be adbpted. The Bishop of Christchurch expressed his opinion that the imposition of pew rents was the lowest principle that could be adopted. The best principle was an open church as at present carried out, and he hoped that would not be lost sight of. Several gentlemen spoke upon the subject, after which the chairman gave an outline of the proposed plans for the extension of church accommodation. An adjournment of the meeting to that day week was then put and carried, and a vot# of thanks to the chairman 'terminated the proceedings. Mr. FitzGerald and his Constituents.—-We would remind the electors of the Ellesmere district that their representative will meet them on Monday evening at the Town Hall, Lyttelton, to explain his views upon native affairs, and to place himself at their further disposal. Doctors do not Differ.—We find it stated in the' Standard' that Drs. Donald and Rouse disagree as to the nature of the disease on board the Captain Cook. We have the personal assurance of both gentlemen, that the statement has not the slightest foundation. Accident. —The stewardess, and one of the passengers, on leaving the Lady Bird on Thursday evening, while lying alongside the Government Jetty, managed to get overboard, owing to the darkness of the night. Prompt assistance was at hand, and the unfortunates escaped with a ducking. Waste Lands Board.—An abstract of the quantity of land sold and granted in the different districts for the month ending the 31st August, 1863:— DISTRICTS. ACREAGE. Ashburton 250 0 0 Ashley ... 493 0 0 Banks' Peninsula 432 0 12 Christchurch 1465 2 0 Ellesmere 3090 1 20 Lincoln ... 726 3 0 Lyttelton 55 2 0 Mandeville ... 462 0 0 Malvern... 1 ... 867 0 0 Oxford 1053 0 29 Timaru 480 0 0 Waipara 100 0 0 Waitangi ... 155 0 0 Total... ... ... 9630 1 21 General Gaol Return, for the month ending August 31, 1863:— Males Females. For trial at Supreme Court ... 16 ... 2 Hard labor 45 ... 6 Imprisonment 8 ... 5 Lunatics... ....... ... ... 12 ... 4 Debtors ... ... 10 ... — Totals 91 ... 16 —-v ' # Total in Gaol 107 DISCHARGED. Tried at Supreme Court ... ... ... ... 0 Tried before Magistrates ... ... ... 6 j ' Lttnotid*... ... ... ... , 0 , Debtor* ... ... ... ... 6 Total—Males, 13; Females, I ... 14 Education Meeting.—The meeting advertised to take place at the Town Hall Lyttelton, hurt Mbfldny evefiihg, for the consideration of the be*t moan* of j the g«w»t for educational puFpwef, vat, owing to the inclemency of the weAther, post, to Wednesday evening, September fttfi, at •even o'clock. I At a Mbbtimo ov thb Carpkktbrb of Christ* church, held on Thursday evening, September 8, at the City Wine Vaults, to consider the necessity of requesting employers to their wages from 10# »9eet^the i>re«sMi high rate of living; i The following resolution vm unanimously curried:-?*

" That carpenters' wages be raised from 10s to 12s per day, consequent on--the present high prices of An Adjourned "Meeting of the shareholders in the proposed Town Hall and Library, at Akaroa, was held at Mr. Girders's temporary library, on Saturday, the 29th ult. The meeting was convened to receive the report of a sub-committee, who had been appointed at a previous meeting, to obtain offers of sites which might be eligible for the proposed building, many of the shareholders being of opinion that the site as originally contemplated was far too small for the purpose. Offers of land were received from Mr. J. Watson, Mr. J. Anderson, Dr. Watkins, and Mr. Waeckerlie. It was resolved that Mr Anderson's land be purchased for the sum of £125, and that 150 additional £1 shares be issued. Messrs. Latter, Watson, and Weston were appointed trustees for the society. About 130 new shares were taken up in the room, all the old shares having been previously taken up. The plans of the proposed building, by Mr. C. M. Igglesden, were laid before the meeting by Mr. Kirton, the secretary, and gave universal satisfaction to the shareholders present. We trust tlie committee will be enabled to carry out the scheme in its entirety, as not only will the building be an ornament to the town of Akaroa, but it will also be a credit to the province of Canterbury.