TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Annual Pakish Gathering, Lyttelton.—This event took place last night, and, this year, was held

in the new Assembly Rooms, London street. The proceedings commenced with a capital tea, provided by several ladies belonging to the congregation of Trinity Church. Several members of the Choral Society attended, and gave excellent selections of music, under the leadership of Mr. Hodge, who presided at the pianoforte.

Clerical.—The Rev. A. O'Callaghan, one of the clergymen engaged for Canterbury by Mr. H. Harper, sailed in the Greyhound from London for Lyttelton.

General Synod.—The meeting of this body, which has been called this year in Christchurch, will commence to-morrow, unless circumstances should arise to cause a postponement, of which due notice will be given. We understand that the Metropolitan Bishop of New Zealand, accompanied by other bishops of the different sees of this colony, is expected to arrive in time for the Synod, in the mission schooner.

Slaughter-Houses.—A special meeting of magistrates will be held at the Court-house on Thursday, May 4, when the question of licensing the slaughterhouses will bs taken into consideration. The question of regulating these establishments has become a very serious one for the public health, and on this and other accounts, a good deal of interest has been excited.

.The Panama Postal Service.—By a Sydney telegram in the Argus, of the 13th inst., we observe that the Colonial Secretary gave notice that on the 12th of April he would submit a proposal to the Assembly for co-operation with New Zealand on the Panama postal arrangement.

Sir Frederick Pottinger—A Sydney telegram, published in the Argus, dated April 10th, states that he died the day previous, from the effect of the wound he accidentally received some time ago from the discharge of a pistol.

Otago.—By the City of Dunedin we have one day's liiter news. The chief item is the publication of a rough draft, entitled a proposal to consolidate

the provinces of the Middle Island into one province. We have not space to enter into the merits of the proposal, which seems very mu<;h akin to separation, but has assumed a tangible form in the document before us. We shall take an early opportunity of laying it before our readers.

The Waikouaiti Races took place on Monday and Wednesday last. On the first day four races were run, and on the second, five. The weather on the second day proved very much more agreeable than on the preceding one, and we learn from the Waikouaiti Herald that—" Considering all the difficulties which stood in their way, we think the stewards deserve the highest praise for having organised and carried out such a capital race meeting. Their labours have been unceasing, and often irksome, but they have now the satisfaction of knowing that they did all in their power to render the races a sucoess, and that the public are universally satisfied with the treat afforded them.— Oamaru Times, April 20.

Thb Cashmkiik Malic Goat, formerly noticed by us ns having been presented to the district by the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria, hns arrived, and has been very much admired by those who have seen it. It is of a pure white colour, with very long wool or hair, completely surrounding and shrouding it. It is possible that this single animal may be the means of introducing the breed of pure Cashmere goats into this district.—lbid, Leicester Wethers. ■— On Saturday last, we noticed in Mr. White's shop, two line specimens of Leicester wethers. By what we learn, they surpassed anything which has been produced in this market, both in flavour and quality. They were bred by R. Hunter, Esq., Ardgowan,—Jbid.

Fire at the Waiho Inn—The Timaru Herald, of the 20th inst., states that the Waiho Inp has been burnt down, tut no particulars have at present reached us. We hope to give a full account of this disaster on Saturday.