CHRISTCHURCH.

The annual meeting for the installation j of his Worship the Mayor, Mr C. P. Hulbert, took place to-day at noon in the City Council Chamber. The following were present : — Councillors Vincent, Louisson, Hosking, Brice, Crooks, Kiver, Andiews, Prudhoe, Lambert; also, exMayors Euddenklau and Thomson. His Worship formally announced the object of the meeting, and then made and signed the usual declaration. This concluded the business. After the formal business had been concluded, the Councillors adjourned to the Mayor's room, where a pleasing little ceremony of a semi-official character took place. This was the presentation to the Mayor, by the City Councillors, of a silver cradle. The presentation was made by Councillor Vincent, who, at the close of a neat speech, proposed the health of his Worship and Mrs Hulbert. His Worship thanked the Council for their handsome present, and, in the course of his speech, referred at some length to Municipal affairs, incidentally mentioning a fact highly creditable to the city' officials, that out of the revenue of nearly ,£_o,ooo from rates only .£229 remained uncollected, and this too in such dull times without law proceedings being necessary, except in the case of some few who seem never to dream of paying till absolutely compelled. The toast of " Ex-Mayors and City Councillors," followed, and was responded to by Messrs Hobbs, Thomson, Euddenklau and Briggs. After the toast of " The Press," proposed by his Worship had been duly responded to the party br.ke up. The silver cradle which has been alluded to above is a very artistic work, manufactured by Messrs Coates and Co., of this city. It consists of a gracefully modelled oak tree supporting a glass dish for flowers. From a branch hangs suspended the cradle, gilt inside, and shell shaped, the pedestal representing turf, on which stands a deer " at gaze." On the tree a bird has just alighted, and at each corner of the pedestal is a dove with wings extended. The following is the inscription on this handsome piece of plate : — " Presented by tho members of the City Council to C. P. Hulbert Esq., Mayor of Christchurch, New Zealand, in eommemoration of the birth, during his Mayoralty, of his sou Edward Jamc3."