TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1521, 27 October 1865, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Circus.—Owing to the inclemency of the weather, there was no performance at this popular place of amusement last evening at Kaiapoi. Weather permitting, the Circus will open to-night.

The Climate op the West Coast.— Green peas may be seen fit for the table in a , garden near Hokitika. This would hardly be equalled, we should imagine, in the most favourable spots of the Peninsula.where fruit and vegetables can be ripened fully a month earlier than on the plains.

How TO EVADE THE PROHIBITION. We have intelligence by West Coast telegraph that the Claud Hamilton arrived at Hokitika on Monday last with a cargo of cattle from Sydney. The shippers of the live stock are killing it on board and selling the beef on shore. By this smart device the prohibitive enactment is overcome, a lucrative trade is opened up, and the diggers get a good supply of beef at a reasonable rate.

The Court of Appeal.—The sitting of the Court of Appeal commenced on Tuesday last, in the Supreme Court House at Wellington, before Chief Justice Sir G. A. Arney, and their Honors Mr. Justice Johnston, Mr. Justice Chapman, and Mr. Justice Gresson. We understand that Messrs. Moorhouse Foster, Garrick, and Travers, will proceed to Wellington this day by the Auckland, for the purpose of attending the Court.

Rkpresuntatives for the Goldfields. —We gather from the West Coast papers that four candidates are in the field for the two seats in the Provincial Council representing the Goldfields. Mr. M'Glashan, a late member for the Otago province, Mr. Gerald B. Young, formerly resident in this town, Mr. Shepherd, a member of the legal profession, and Mr. Hawkes, of the Kanieri. Requisitions, numerously signed, have been addressed to the two first-named gentlemen to allow themselves to be put in nomination, to which they have acceded. A committee has also been formed to secure the return of Mr. M'Glashan. The nomination takes place on Nov. 6, and the poll on the 11th, if necessary.

The Panama Route. —It has transpired that the date fixed between the late Government and the agent of the Panama Steam Company for the commencement of the service between Sydney, Wellington, and Panama, is the month of June next Until that time the services at present performed by the company on the coast will remain as they are. The period of the month at which the mail will leave either end, in other words, the time-table of the new service, is not yet fixed.

Return of the Memhehs. — The session is obviously drawing to a close, as will be seen partly from our correspondent's letter from Wellington, but more plainly from tin shipping news of to-day, which contains the following names of Canterbury members as passengers by the Tararua : —Hons. Messrs. Watts Russell and Lance* Messrs. Weld, Cox, and Wilkin. For Otago, also, there are on board the Tararua, Major Richardson, Messrs. Dillon Bell, Brodie, and Mason. The Estimates would, probably, be got through on Friday, and it was expected that the other members would be able to come down in the steamer Wellington, which was detained till Sunday for the purpose.

Twa Overland Route to the West.— As a proof of the improved state of the Otira route, we may mention that Mr. J. C. Brooke, of this town, came through from Hokitika to Christchurch in two days and a-lialf, allowing for loss of time through missing his .way on Wednesday night in the snow. Mr. Brooke used three horses on the journey, and completed the distance from the Bealey to Christchurch in fifteen hours, exclusive of eight short stoppages for baiting. We hear from this source that the bridge over the

Bealey is just completed, and that a coitch will be able to proceed through to the Teremakau within a fortnight. The worst part of the road,between that river and Hokitika is rapidlv improving, and a horse can now make fair play over it.

Miss Edith Palmekston. —Last night this lady made her deb&t before a Christchurch audicnce, at the Town Hall, in an entertainment entitled " Household Sketches.' It consisted of impersonations of various characters, who sang appropriate songs, and exhibited much versatility of mimic talent in the actress, and some power of song. She has a sweet voice, and 'sings ease and grace, and her elocution is both impressive and distinct. Her sphere seems to be comedy, but the characters we saw rendered, with the exception of that of " Ophelia," were burlesque creations, which, however, she managed very well. We liked her short sketch of " Ophelia." The innocence of the character, and the happy tinconsciousnesu of woe buried beneath the ruin of mind, were touehingly given. At the conclusion she declaimed her thanks to the audience in rhyme very effectively. The Hall was crowded with an appreciating audience.

Presbyterian Church.—The Presbytery of Canterbury met in St. Andrew's Church on Wednesday last, at noon. The following members were present : —The Rev. C. Fraser Moderator ; W. Kirton, G. Grant, and W. Hogg; Messrs. Duncan, Gillespie, and Gaven, Elders. After some routine business had been disposed of, the Court proceeded to appoint commissioners to the General Assembly of the Presbytery, which is summoned to meet at Dunedin, on November 21. The following members were nominated:— The Revds. C. Fraser and J. Barclay, and Mr. Duncan, Elder. Letters were read by the Rev. the Moderator from the Free Church Colonial Committee, intimating the appointment of the Rev. G. Gow, of Curmyle, to labour in connection with the Presbytery of Canterbury. This gentleman was expected to sail from the Clyde, in the Robert Henderson, during the month of August, on his way to Dunedin. A resolution, recording the satisfaction of the Presbytery at this addition to the number of ministers, was passed; at the same time, giving instructions to the Rev. the Moderator and to the Clerk, the Rev. G. Grant, to make arrangements for his services. A communication from the Rev. Steele, of Sydney, was read, stating that the Rev. J. Copeland was about to pay a visit to New Zealand, with the view*of obtaining from the Presbyterian Church of that colony the means of placing an additional missionary in connection with the New Hebrides mission. Mr. Steele, in his letter, requests the sympathy of the New Zealand Presbyterian Church in favour of this undertaking. The Presbytery then adjourned until Tuesday, January 9.

Catholic Schools. —This building was inaugurated last night by a tearmeeting. The school which adjoins the church in the Ferry Road has just been completed, the contract for building it Laving uSC" r * Detthier, of Armagh street, Christchurch. The principal room is a very well-propor-tioned one, furnished with an open-timbered roof, of stained pine. On this occasion it was tastefully decorated with flags and evergreens, and presented a pleasing 1 appearance. Attached to the school-roqm are some buildings, which will be hereafter used as a convent. The attendance last night was a very numerous one ; indeed, so much so, that it was hardly possible for all the visitors to be accommodated at once. The Revs. Chataignier and Chevrier kindly threw open their house, and under the direction of Mr. Waddington, dancing to ik place, which was carried on with great spirit. After the tables had been cleared, a public meeting was held; Mr. Shapter occupied the chair, and Mr. Rockcliff the vice-chair. The former gave an address, in the course of which he congratulated the Catholics of Christchurch that the want which they had so long endured, namely, that ,of a place for the education of their children, where they could be brought up in the tenets of their own faith, was now supplied. He begged Catholic parents to see that. their children punctually attended the school, and that they would not, by their remissness in this respect, suffer the good which might be derived from the institution to be nullified. Unfortunately there was a debt upon the building, but he hoped that the Catholics of this province would prove that the spirit of unity, which was the great feature of Catholicism in every part of the world, animated them in this, the land of their adoption. An excellent schoolmaster and an equally good mistress had been obtained, and he was sure that, under their tuition, the young people entrusted to their care could not fail to make progress, both in the knowledge of things useful in this life, and still more of those which pertain to a future existence. Mr. Rockliff next addressed the meeting, and expressed his satisfaction & the successful result which had attended the endeavours of the Catholics of the province to provide a place of education for their children. It was almost impossible to over-rate the importance of early training in childhood, and he felt sure that the rising generation would receive, in the institution inaugurated that day, a teaching which would qualify them to become useful citizens and good colonists. Several pieces of music were sung, and some recitations given, which tended to promote the enjoyment of those present. Mr. Waddington and Mr. M'Cardell kindly tendered their services for this purpose. It should have been mentioned that the children attending the school were treated to tea at four p.m., and, from all appearances, heartily enjoyed themselves. They sung some melodies in a very creditable style.

Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.—The following committee of gentlemen met at the City Council Chamber yesterday, for the purpose of arranging where a depot should be established in the city. The Yen. Archdeacon presided, aiid the follow ng were presentßevs. G. Carpenter, H. Torlesse, 10. A. Lingard, and Messrs. I. Luck, J. Fletcher, C. R. Blakiston, L. Harper, J. W. Smith, and G. Gordon. It was agreed that a house on the Parsonage reserve, Oxford terrace, should be at once taken at a rent of £52 a year. A letter from jiYlr. Tripp was read, declining to be on the' committee, as he could not attend. Also, a letter from Mrs. I. T. Cookson, suggesting a canvass from house to house for subscriptions. The following resolutions were then proposed and seconded :—" That all meetings of the committee be opened with prayer, collects provided by the parent society to be those used." " That Mr. Gordon be appointed secretary and treasurer to the society for the present, and that subscribers are requested to pay subscriptions to him at his office." "That the Rev. E. A. Lingard be instructed to write to the Secretary of the Nelson Depot, requesting that a catalogue of the society's publications be forwarded to the Christchurch committee, with the number of each publication now in stock at Nelson marked off in the margin." " That no publications other than those of the Christian Knowledge Society be kept or sold at the depot, except sucli us are approved by this committee." " That a sub-committee of the following gentlemen b= appointed : Venerable Archdeacon Jacobs, Rev. K. A. Lingard and Mr. L. Harper, to inspect the stock of books now at the depot in the College, and to confer with the standing committee as to the relationship that this committee will hold with the diocesan committee; and also, on what terms the stock would be handed over to this committee." The committee agreed to appoint Mrs. Paddock to take- the charge of the depot. That she should be paid a salary iat the rate of £100 per annum (less a charge for rent of £26 a year); that a commission of 10 -per cent, be allowed her, the fixed salary to be paid monthly, inat this engagement should cease by three months notice of either party." The following donations and subscriptions were announced .-—The Yen Archdeacon Jacobs, fnl if Ja<^ )bs ' 10s - 6(1 i Miss Reynell, ti w ii ii° V ' G< Car P enter > £1 Is.; Rev. B. W Dudley, £1 is. > Isaac Luck, £1 Is.; J. Iletcher, £1 is., J.W.Smith, £1 is. G. Gordon £i i s .. i. Ti Cookson, £1; Mrs! L I. Cookson, £i ; collected by Mrs. I. T. Cookson,in sums of Is. and-under. £2 149 : RUrtlJ ? itzGe i' ald ' 10s - ; ditt0 ' M rs. Ritchie, £3 is.; ditto, Mrs. Cookson, ss. ; journetf r^'ie committee then ad-