TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Otago Exhibition. — Our readers will observe a paragraph in another column, copied from the Otago Mail, in which it is announced that the premium for the best design for the honorary certificate to be used at the forthcoming Exhibition, has been awarded to that sent in by Messrs. Ward and Reeves, proprietors of tlie Lyttelton Times. We are happy to be able to confirm this statement, and to mention that the designer is Mr. Henry H, Glover, draughtsman in the lithographic department of the Lyttelton Times establishment. Mr. Glover was the artist who produced the prize specimens of chromolithography at the last Victorian Exhibition, one of which we have had the pleasure of seeing. It is a copy of Annibale Carracci's " Three Maries," and in its own line of art can scarcely be surpassed. The Secretary of the Exhibition, in communicating the fact of the premium being awarded to the design in question, mentioned that all those in competition with it exhibited great merit ; so much so, that a second premium was awarded, though 110 such intention had been entertained. Canterbury may expect, therefore, to be well represented in this department in the forthcoming Exhibition. Mit. Cardwull's Dispatch.—'Elsewhere we copy from the Southern Cross an article upon the confiscation policy of the colony, founded upon three dispatches of Sir George Grey's, which it reprints. The object of the article is probably to shew that the Governor is the real author of the policy, even in its expanded form as condemned by Mr. Cardwell. Beyond that it is probably meant to cast a reproach upon his Excellency for changing his mind, in obedience, it is hinted, to irresponsible advisers in the colony, and obtaining secretly a disallowance, from home of a plan which is virtually his own, but the blame of which is now cast on the colony. A plainer interpretation is quite consistent with the facts. Though Sir George Grey assented to the confiscation policy and the nets which embodied it, without any public protest, or even though he personally originated the policy, the interference of the Home Government has been of such a nature as to leave his Excellency no option but to modify bis views. It is, in fact, a very hopeful sign that the Governor means under all circumstances to do the best he can. If his own opinions are like those of his Ministers, and they aro only subordinated to the decisions of the Imperial Government, the Ministry ought to be able on the same grounds to work har moniously with him. The position of the Governor is difficult enough, between the mother country and the colony, and his action is sufficiently explained by legitimate and obvious reasons, without imputing to him improper motives of which there is 110 proof. The Mail.—The following is the number of letters and newspapers dispatched by the Airedale 011 the I.6th inst.:—From Christchurch for London, via Southampton-letters, 45%; newspapors, 7749; via Marseilles—letter, 817; newspapers, 85. For other places—letters, 984; newspapers, 754. Total letters, 0397 ; newspapers, 8588.. The mail was contained in 23 boxes and 2 bags-, viz, London, via Southampton, 21 boxes; London, via Marseilles, 2 boxes; Port Chalmers, I bag; Dunedin, 1 bag. That from Lyttelton consisted of—letters for London, via Southampton, 1007; newspapers, 1710; for London, via Marseilles—letters, 273; newspapers, 11. For other, places—letters, 254; newspapers, 75. Total letters, 1534; newspapers, 1796. The whole of the mail was contained in 29 boxes and 2 bags, of which number 6 boxes were from Lyttelton. Thk Weather.—A great change lias been experienced during the last few days with regard to the weather. The pleasant genial temperature which we have lately been enjoying has given place to a chilly fog accompanied with drizzling rain,—n sort

of ScoU'li ini i 'icnt to convert the atmosphere ot ChristHnnvh irio a very l.iir imitation of that of London in November. The liith instant was one of the d.iy.s marked in Captain Saxby's register, as likely to be either foggy or stormy, Hitherto, his predictions sis to ihe state of the weather have been pretty nearly verified, and the present case appears to be no except ion to the rule. I hk City Dkaixagk.—We call our renders''attention to the report ot the City Surveyor upon the drainage of Cliristohtirch. which was presented to the City Council at their meeting last evening. Canterbury Vomjntkkuh.—lt is intended to form a Juvenile Drum and Eil'e Hand in connection with the Volunteers. Twelve luds will be required for this purpose; of these ten have already enrolled their names. As soon a3 the requisite number shall have been obtained, they will be [tut under instruction, and supplied with instruments and a uniform.

Lytiklton Football Club.—About 30 members of this club met for practice in one of Mr. Rhodes' paddocks at Purau, on Saturday afternoon ; the respective sides were chosen by Messrs. Glenn and Lilly. It is the intention of the members to practise at least once a week during the season. The evening was spent over a capital supper given by the host of the Queen's Hotel. Afier the cloth was removed Messrs. Carder, Bell, Ibbotson, Death, and others gave several vocal selections, Mr. Hodge presiding at the pianoforte.

The New Parsonagk, Lyttelton.—The contractors for this building have taken possession of a part of the section of land known as Dr. Donald's paddock, near the Cemetery, and are preparing it for the foundation of the Parsonage. The first stone will be laid in about a fortnight. The building will contain large and airy rooms, with suitable outbuildings. The ground plan comprises entrance hall, dining and drawing rooms, kitchen and cellarage. The second story contains two bedrooms, study, and other conveniences. The outer walls are to be of stone, from the Sumner road quarries. The style selected is modern Elizabethan. Mr. Farr has prepared the plans, and will have the superintendence of the erection of the building. Messrs. Graham and Wheyburn are the contractors for the stone work; and Messrs. England Brothers for the interior fittings. The total cost will be nearly £2,000.

Desektion from the Ship Ivanhoe.—Yesterday four seamen belonging to the Ivanhoe were convicted and sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour for this offence. In addition to the above, a sum of £24, expended in their capture, will be deducted from their wages. These men were arrested near Timaru. It is stated that they will have to appear on the still more serious charge of robbery. Some of the missing property taken out of the immigrants' luggage has been recovered through the vigilance of the police.

; Princess' Theatre.—-Last Saturday evening, " Pizarro " was played for the first time at this theatre. The piece was translated by Sheridan from the original German work of Kotzebue. The translation was merely thrown off in a hurry as a temporary expedient, for the purpose of occupying the place of some theatrical work which Sheridan, who was then manager of Drury Lane, failed to receive at the appointed time. He «was afterwards thoroughly ashamed of it, and never could bear with equanimity any raillery on the subject. It certainly is altogether unworthy of his reputation, being defective in that easy natural grace which distinguishes all his other works. After having been for a long time consigned to the limbo where similar feffusio.ns find a resting-place, it has been reproduced in London ; but it never will, in all probability, retain a permanent place upon the stage, as it is altogether out of date, belonging to a school of dramatic literature which has long since become a thing of the past. The only success it has recently achieved is due more to the way in which it has been placed upon the boards as a spectacle. Besides, the whole play is very dull, and there is not the slightest attempt to leaven the lump by means of any humorous episodes. Miss Aitken took the part of Elvira, a very unpleasing one, and certainly made the best of it. Mr. Carey acted Pizarro, Messrs. Shiels and Newton being Rolla and Alphonso respectively. Cora was represented by Mrs. Newton, who performed it very creditably. The play was, in theatrical parlance, very nicely mounted and dressed, but no skill in acting, or taste in the miseen scene can remove a feeling of dreary weariness from the mind of the audience as they listen, or rather attempt to listen, to the turgid, stilted language in which it is written. The invocation scene in the Temple of the Sun, was remarkably well done. The after piece was "Black Eyed Susan," Miss Aitken appearing for the first time as the heroine. Mr. Carey makes the best William we have yet had on the Christchurch stage, whilst Mr. Hall was irresistibly comic as Jacob Twig, the luckless bailiff, a personage, who, as Gnatbrain phrases it, "is like a snowstorm, always best outside the door." Last evening, " London Assurance," and a " Phenomenon in a Smock-frock," were successfully represented; and on Tuesday, as we learn from the posters, our " American Cousin and his friend Lord Dundreary " will pay ns a visit. The Mandeville Farmers' Club.—A well attended meeting of this Club was held on Saturday evening last, at the Hotel, Kaiapoi, for the purpose of appointing officers and arranging date and preliminaries for the ploughing match. Dr. Dudley, president, occupied the chair. The minutes of the last meeting .having been read and confirmed, the following gerittenen were re-elected as officers for the ensuing Dr. Dudley; Vice-President and Treasurer, Mr. Rickman; Secretary, Mr. W. Norman; with Messrs. Walls, C. Young, — Lorrimer, James Bernie, — Keighley, and Geo. Edwards, as Committee. It was then resolved that annual ploughing match for 1864 be held in Mr. D. Coutts' paddock, Ohoka road, Kaiapoi, on Thursday, the 4th of August next, and that all arrangements be under the superintendence of Messrs. W. Norman, — Walls, and James Birnie, being nominated as a sub-committee. A list having been opened, subscriptions to the amount of £8 14s were immediately handed in, which, with a balance of £6 from last year, made a total of fourteen guineas in hand. Three beautifully chased silver cups, valug £10 each, provided by Mr. Coates of Christchurch, were adopted as prizes for the forthcoming match. The meeting terminated at 8.30 p.m.