TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 1752, 28 July 1866, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

+ Football.—The match that was to have taken place last Saturday between the members of the Volunteer Companies and the Football Club will be played to-day in Latimer square at half-past 2 p.m. Kaiapoi Steeplechases.—The ground for these cross-country events was finally decided upon by the stewards yesterday. It is on the island, Kaiapoi, and, as we before stated, is in close vicinity of Ohoka road, being over Messrs. Stace, Travis, and Hassal's farm. There are ten jumps in the course, which, for the principal event, will, of course, have to be run over three times. The entrance to the course is from Ohoka road, where the starting post is situated. It is proposed to erect a grand stand, from which we are informed an excellent and uninterrupted view of the race can be obtained. The land is in good order, as also are the fences, which are composed of gorseand post and rail, several of which I appear somewhat formidable. An advertisement in our columns reminds owners of cross-country horses that nominationsfor the handicap are due on Monday at 9 p.m., at Day's Kaiapoi Hotel, and acceptances on Tuesday, by the same hour, at Qrajji's Pier Hotel, when entries for the Seliing Steeple-chase must also be made. ''West Coast TaAFFic-T-Prom a return handed to us by the Provincial Secretary, the following is the number of persons who have crossed the Bealey to and from the Canterbury Goldfields, and of the stock which has been driven past it. To the Goldfields—males, 31, females, 2; horses, 17; cattle, 87. Prom the Goldfields—males, 24; horses, 14. The permanent residents at the Bealey are five persons, the employes nf the telegraph, Messrs, Cobb and Co.'s groom, Sergeant Pelton, his wife and child. LYmsi/roN Watermen.—We are glad to learn that the watermen have to some extent settled their grievances with the Government. On Thursday evening a deputation waited upon the Port Officer, and several satisfactory explanations were given, which resulted yesterday in some of the watermen applying for their licences. Licensed Victdallbrs'Enteutainhent.— The rehearsals for the performance next Tuesday evening, progress very satisfactorily, and give promise of a very successful issue. A great many tickets have been sold, and the promoters expect to have a crowded house. Theatre Rotal.—Last night there was a good attendance at the theatre. The " Black Doctor," a highly sensational melo-drama, passed off with but few hitches. The assaut \d''armes between Professor Parker and Sergeant-Major Darby, the chief attraction of the evening, was well worth seeing, and was very heartily applauded. Among the audience were a fair number of volunteers, though few appeared in. uniform. Death op Old Colonist.—We are sorry to announce the death of Mr. James Dowling Rogers, of the Hinds, who, we understand, committed suicide whilst suffering from a fit of delirium tremens a few days ago. The details of this sad occurrence have not transpired, but we can rely upon the information above given, which has reached us from one of his relations. ELEcroiUL,-Mr. T. 11. Potts was returned as a member of the House of Representatives for the Mount; Herbert district, yesterday, without opposition. Major M'Donnkll's Expedition.-Tlk! sume paper describes the starting of Major M'Donuell on his expedition against the insurgent tribes, inhabiting the country between the Patea and Taranaki:—Since Wednesday last, the p.s. Sturt has made some fruitless attempts'to reach or enter the Paten, and failing that mode of transit, Major McDonnell determined to start overland, At eleven o'clock yesterday, about seventy of the Contingent paraded on the Marketplace in marching order. They were a flno body of men, nearly all robust young fellows, well fit for a dashing campaign. Captain Kemp addressed them at considerable length, He reminded them of tho duty they owed to the Government and to the country in the suppression of rebellion, and that as they were now about to proceed upon a short campaign, the country und Ihcir friends would expect every man to do his duty. He exhorted tliem to act with moderation and hulnanity towards the enemy, to obey the orders of their officers, and warned them against interfering with horses, cattle, or ■other property belonging to the enemy, unless taken in actual flight. They were not to go about plundering the Hauhaus, but to show them that their only object was the suppression of rebellion and the permanent peace of

.foe country. Ho regretted flhat he cpuld not with them now, aa he would be obliged to e6. to Wellington, as Mete Kingi required Mm there •,;■s& on his return, himself and .another dotachment of the Contingent would fojlow them., ;The speechifying ended, Major DDonne'll, Captain M'Donnell, Lieutenant Gudgeon, and their men, started amid the il'lieers and hearty good-wishes of those who had ussomblod to witness their departure. Sumtusioif''ok Wkukhoa NAtives.—The Wanytinui Times of July 21 gives the following account of the submission of natives at Wercroa:—ln our last issue we intimated that Lleut.-Colonel Trevor, commanding the Garrison, Major Durie, R.M., Mr. Jenkius, interpreter to the forces, Hori Kingi, Captain Kemp, and others, had proceeded to the Wereroa Redoubt, to receive the submission of natiyea of the neighbouring districts, and administer the oath of allegiance. On arriving at the redoubt, they found twenty-five of the chiefs and leading men from Okotuku, with their wives and children, camped in the bush without tents or covering, and under a heavy rain which had continued for fourteen hours without intermission. They were at once sent for by Colonel Trevor, who humanely ordered them to be sheltered and fed, Meantime Apcrahama dispatched a letter to Hakamia, and Te Wapu of Putahi, demanding an explanation as to the cause of the non-appearance of either themselves or their followers. On Tuesday forennon those two chiefs, with their wives and children, arrived at the Wereroa, and presented themselves in a most wretched condition. They stated that more than one-half their tribe were suffering from influenza and low that many had died; and those who were able to move about were attending upon the sick; that all would be too glad to come in and swear allegiance as soon as they were able to do so; but that they—the chiefs—with their wives and children, were prepared, on behalf of their followers, to submit to any terms proposed. By this time a considerable number had collected, and all presented a deplorable appearance. Miserably clad, cold, and dejected, they tendered what we believe to be a sincere submission. The Maori, for once, appeared to appreciate the kind and hospitable manner in which he was treated, and the ceremony of swearing being over, two of the principal chiefs, in order to render the submission binding upon the tribes, presented Colonel Trevor with a mat and greenstone from each. Immigrant Ships.—The Sydney Morning Herald of a late date makes the following remarks on immigrant vessels arriving in that port. Upon the arrival of immigrant ships in Sydney, an inquiry is made by the immigration agent of the immigrants, whether they have any complaints to make in reference to the ship, the captain or officers, the quantity and quality of the rations and water issued to them during the passage, the surgeon superintendent, the matron, or the medical comforts to which, in sickness they were entitled; and when any complaints are lodged an investigation is made by the Immigration Board. The Immigration Commissioners have so far been fortunale in their selection of ships and medical superintendents for Sydney ; and fortunately the ships that have arrived here with immigrants during the last few years have been commanded and officered, for the most part by respectable and skilful men. A serious charge against any officer of an immigrant ship is of rare occurrence; and a case of gross immorality has seldom been brought and scarcely ever proved to the satisfaction of the Board. Occasionally the rules made by tue Commissioners for the guidance of medical superintendents, captains, and officers, are not strictly enforced, and whenever a breach either through ignorance or neglect is proved, it is met by a reduction or entire forfeiture of the gratuity, which, with good conduct, the officer offending would fairly expect to receive. We understand that an investigation into an alleged breach of some of the regulations issued by the Commissioners, by some person who held an official position on board the ship Peerless, which arrived here recently with immigrants, is now going on, but it is satisfactory to, know that the charge is not a grave one, and that, in the event of its being proved, the justice of the case will be met by the infliction of a fine, in the reduction or forfeiture of the gratuity which he would otherwise receive. Judge Boothby.—The eccentricities of Judge Boothby, of Adelaide, have become a sort of by-word in these colonies. A petition for his removal has been addressed to her Majesty, in which the petitioners give the following reasons for urging their suit: — Firstly—Because Mr. Boothby persistently refuses to administer laws duly enacted by the Parliament of South Australia. Secondly —Because he declines to give effect to the provisions of an imperial statute, passed during a session held in the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth year of your Majesty's reign, for the especial purpose of establishing and confirming our local laws, and of freeing their operation from every legal doubt. Thirdly Because he is accustomed upon the Bench to impugn the validity of the local Court ; of Appeal and did, in the month of May last, openly resist the authority of that tribunal. Fourthly—Because he refuses to conform his judgments to the decision of the Supreme C»urt. Fifthly—Because he obstructs the course of justice by a perversity and an habitual disregard of judicial propriety manifested towards the other Judges and the Parliament of this province, and has on many occasions,' and especially during a session of the Supreme Court, held in the above-mentioned month, uttered language which was calculated to bring the judicial office into disrepute. Sixthly—Because from time to time, and amongst other times during the said session he had delivered judgments and dicta not in accordance with law. Majiritius —The correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald, writing from Port Louis on May 18 says, the last mail from England brought news of the formation, at Liverpool, of a company, to be called the England and Madagascar Company, which is to trade between Tamatave (Madagascar) and Liverpool. The news of the commencement of this undertaking has caused a great deal of jealousy among the French residents at the above island. The West Wind, the first vessel of this enterprise, is expected at Tamatave in June. The trade between this and Madagascar has been on the increase again, since such high prices have been ruling for grain in the East. Two or three cargoes of rice from Manaroo are now sold here every month. The ship Shannon, which was wrecked at Diego Garcia, one of the dependencies of this island, about a month ago, has just been sold for 3510 dollars, The vessel was in twenty-three feet of water, and had a large amount of cargo on board, consisting of rails and sleepers, with several locomotives, all of which were sold in one lot with the ship, and included in the above price. The Shannon was bound from London to Calcutta. From the 14th to the 18th of last month, we had some Windy weather here, which was called by the Creoles ' a hurricane. A very mistaken idea exists in the minds of people in England, and I daresay in Australia also, regarding hurricanes. I have been here eight years and have seen at least a dozen of them, and, although I do not think that I am a particularly courageous man, I was not at nil frightened. The hurricane that I experienced would only be called ordinary Btorms in- England. News have been received here from the Capo of Good Hope that gold has been discovered there. My own opinion is that the reports about the finding of the precious motnl are a le-e-clk too strong draws. That gold has been found in small quantities may lie quite true, but several Cape papers talk of such tilings as a rush to the mines, &c, &c, which must likely means that half-a-dozen persons have stopped at the so-called diggings in order to make inquiries. Journalism.—T|io Brisbane Courier of July 7, eays that:—" The proprietorship of the Queensland Journalof Commerce and Prices Current has changed hands, in consequence of Mr. W. Fairfax having made arrangements to.succeed Messrs. Wilson and Mackinnon, of the Argus, in their general printing and publishing departments in Melbourne." A Confederate Coloni.—A Confederate settlement in Mexico is about ten miles from Cordova, and has been named Carlotta, after

the Empress of Mexico. Here, itf 'i beautiful snot, surrounded by rich fruits and on a goorj: soil, about a hundred of those, who were recently engaged In the Souther* iridium have fixed themselves; as jthey declare; for life. Among them are the diatinguumed Generals Ewell, Price, Shelley; Colonel White, and Governor Harris, of Tennessee, and Judge Perkins, of Missouri, They are are living at present in bamboo huts and tents, and are working with their own hands, and very cheerfully, in laying tjie foundations of their town. Many of them have farms of 640 acres apiece, for which they paid only one dollar per acre, and for which they have credit under Maximilian, who shows much favour to the colony. They live for the present on the twelve varieties of banana and six of pine apples, which they find around them, but are not averse to roasted wild cat. Their families are now on the way to ioin them. Gold in TASMANU.-The Hobart Town Mercury of July 7 contains the following:— "We were favoured with the sight of a letter from Fingal yesterday, in which it was stated that the Fingal Quartz Crushing Company have just crushed a trial sample of ten tons of quarto from Grant's Reef, which yielded four ounces four pennyweights of retorted gold,—that is, at the rate of eight pennyweights nine grains and six-tenths to the ton. This is the best return that has yet been obtained from any of the Fingal reefs, and it is gratifying to find that they are thus going on improving. At that rate, quartz crushing on a large scale would beyond all doubt pay handsomely. Let us hope for similar returns from some of the other reefs," From an article in the same paper of July 5, we learn that an expedition for the purpose of exploring the whole west coast of Tasmonia, to be under the leadership of Colonel Chaney, was projected and likely to be carried out, Brilliant results are anticipated. Paris ano Intercolonial Exhibitions— The Australasian of July 7 says:—We are glad to see that the Commissioners for the Paris and Intercolonial Exhibitions are about to make another effort to induce the New South Wales Commission to join with the other Australian colonies in the co-operative scheme of representation in Paris and Melbourne. At the last meeting of the commission it was determined to send a deputation, consisting of the secretary and a commissioner, to Sydney, to see what persuasion would do. Dr. Bleasdale, with the leave of his bishop, is the commissioner selected, and we have strong hopes that the worthy Doctor and Mr. Knight will succeed in their laudable mission. The Victorian Treasurt.—The same paper tells us that rumours of a very damaging kind have been afloat during the past week with reference to the state of the public Treasury. It is said that so serious has been the drain of late on the resources of our colonial exchequer, that the Government have had enough to do to meet the most pressing demands of public creditors. One journal goes so far as to state that the remittances necessary to meet the interest due in London, on the 6th inst, on our public debentures, were not forwarded until a month after the proper time, and that even then the required funds were collected with great difficulty. The causes of this unusual financial embarrassment are stated to be the unexpected occurrence of the necessity for paying the Supreme Court judgments in the tariff actions, combined with the difficulties connected with the tea and sugar bonds, and the alleged unproductiveness of some of the ordinary sources of revenue. A journal in the Ministerial interest, while admitting that the Treasury is at a low ebb, characteristically ascribes this depletion to "losses incurred through factious opposition," and the fact that the Government are ''piuckily going on with public works before the loans wherewith they are to be paid for have been floated on the money market." We hope the taxpayers of the colony will properly appreciate the "pluck" which thus recklessly enters into financial engagements without providing the funds necessary to meet them when they fall due, and which does not scruple even to imperil the credit of the colony in London. It is to be hoped, however, that the revenue returns for the past quarter, which are now anxiously looked for, will dispel, when they do appear, the apprehensions excited by the more serious of these disquieting reports. Victorian Statistics.—As a sort of antidote to the above, it is by no means uninteresting to read the following figures:— The import and expert trade of Melbourne, which in 1851 was valued at about £2,500,000, had increased to £28,000,000 in 1864; that great staple export, wool, having advanced in the same period from a valuation of £734,000 to one of £3,200,000. As for our live stock, our cattle numbered 378,000 in 1851, and our sheep 6,000,000; the former having increased to nearly 700,000 in 1864 and.the latter to upwards of 7,ooo,ooo—and this notwithstanding our immense requirements in the intervals in the way of beef and mutton. Again, in 1851, the total area of land under crop was 52,340 acres; in 1864, it was 507,798 acres. If to all this we add that the public revenue has advanced from less than £400,000 in 1851, to a yearly average at tin present time of nearly £3,000,000, we have a picture of material prosperity which should at all events not incline us to despair of the future. • )