TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2340, 23 June 1868, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Wawara.-A rate of fourpence in the pound lias been struck upon all assessed property within this district. All amounts are to be paid before the 4th of July. GiuvKL.-Persons requiring gravel from the pit ia Hagley Park, can now receive orders by applying «t the office of the Secretary for Public Works, where price and terms can be ascertained.

To tiie Benkvolent.-A subscription list for assisting the wife and family of the unfortunate man Ross, lately drowned in the Waimnknriri, is now lying at the Bank of New Zealand, Kaiapoi, Malvern District.-A meeting of the ratepayers in this district, will be held at Me line's Accommodation House, at noon to-day, for the purpose of electing a member for the Koad Board.

Town and Rural Lands.—An auction sale of town and rural lands of the province, will be held in the Land office, on Thursday, the 23rd day of July, commencing at 12 noon. Applications will be received by the Board up to noon, on Thursday the 9th of July. Ltitelton Borodgu Council. To-day is the last on which the 11th part of the 13th schedule to the Municipal Corporations Act, 1868, recently adopted by the Lyttelton Borough Council, can be inspected. It will lie at the Clerk's office until 5 p.m. this evening.

Raxgiora Volunteers.—A ball is intended to be given by the members of the Hangiora company of volunteers, in the early part of the coming month. Upwards of fifty invitations have been issued, and the movement still being popular in the district, the ball is expected to be carried out with eclat. AccuMATizATioN.-The John Knox, which sailed for Sydney last week, takes with her a choice collection of native plants for exchanges, including a large assortment of veronicas, principally furnished by Mr Armstrong, Government gardener, and which also includes the newly-discovered variety named in honour of that gentleman. Gtotasiuji at Kaiapoi-The public meeting advertised to take place on Saturday night lapsed, owing to the very meagre attendance. The promoters of the gymnasium opened a list of those willing to join, the subscription to be 5s per quarter. About twelve names were immediately put down, and a meeting of subscribers will be held on Saturday next, at the Kaikainui Hotel. New Lamp.—The erection of the new lamp near the Post-office and fixing of the gas pipes were completed on Saturday afternoon. In the evening it was lighted, and the result was as satisfactory as is its appearance by day. The commanding position it occupies enables a large area to be illuminated, ami a great boon is thereby conferred on all residing in or near the locality, By daylight the appearance of the stonework, though simple in design, is appropriate, and the whole forms a most agreeable relief to the previously vacant ground on which it stands. Kaiapoi Volunteers. An amateur entertainment is to be given on the first of July in aid of the funds of the Kaiapoi Volunteer Corps. The first portion of the programme will,it)sex|;ected, consist entirely of vocal and instrumental selections, and the second of Charles Mathews'favourite comedy of "Used Up." Remembering the great success of the last entertainment instituted by members of the corps, and the great claim Kaiapoi has to excellence in dramatic representations, bo'.b parts of the performance

may fairly be expected to be efficiently sustained.

Amateur Entertainment.—The annual dramatic entertainment in aid of the Widow and Orphans' Fund of the Ancient Order of Foresters, will take place nt the Theatre, this evening, commencing with the comedy of "Who Wants a Guinea?" The male characters are all to be sustained by members of the Order; and the cast shews the names of several who are not strangers to the stage Very influential patronage has been obtained, in addition to which the band of the Yeomanry Cavalry have generously proffered their services. These, together with the admitted worthiness of the object for which the performance is given, will, it i 3 hoped, prove sufficient to attract a numerous audience. A new farce, entitled " A Night of the French Revolution," will close the entertainment. The whole stage management is under the .direction of Mr Addison.

BE-BmxDiNo of St Michael's Church.— As every exertion will be needed, especially in the abseuce of any Government grant, to raise the necessary funds for the re-building of this church, it has been determined, amongst other plans, to ask the ladies of the parish, and all others who are willing to give their assistance, to contribute articles of plain and fancy needlework, which will be offered for sale, for the benefit of the building fund, at the depot of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, opposite the Town Hall. We have been credibly informed that a sum of not less than £SOO was once realised in this mannerat Auckland for a similar purpose, and we do not belieTe that the ladies of Canterbury will allow themselves to be outdone by the Aucklanders in so good a cause. Careful organization will be necessary to make the plan successful, but we do not doubt that all proper arrangements will be made by those who have the matter in hand. We wish the enterprise all good success.

The Carandini CoxcERTS,-The attendance at the Town Hall last evening was the largest we have seen since the return of these artistes from the northern provinces; and the applause the most flattering that could be wished for. The Misses Carandini were encored in almost everything they sang, and Madame Carandini had also the pleasure of singing " The Last Rose of Summer," in response to the call of the audience. The duets were highly appreciated, and " Beware, trust her not," was as enthusiastically received as ever, notwithstanding it has so often been repeated. Miss Rosina sang «I heard a Brooklet Gushing," «I cannot mind my wheel, Mother," and "11 Baccio," in such a manner as to carry the house with her, every one joining in the storm of applause which followed. Miss Fannie sang " 0 mio Fernand," and " Dermot Astore," as well as the most hypercritical could desire—the latter more especially, for which she received a hearty and well- meritod round of applause. Mr Sherwin favoured the audience with " I'm a Simple Muleteer," which lie sang very fairly; and a really good concert was brought to a close by the singing of « The Gipsies' Laughing Trio," which is well calculated to dismiss an audience, independently of other performances, with the most favourable impressions. A well-selected programme will be presented this evening. Timaro Local Government League.—A public meeting of the members of the league was held in the Koyal Hotel Assembly Rooms on Wednesday evening, June 17, to discuss the subject of local self-government. There was only a moderate attendance. The chair was occupied by Mr T. W. Hall, chairman of the League, and the principal speakers were Messrs Cox, G. Packer, Belfteld, Turnbull, Perry, Cardale, and Horton. The following resolutions were passed;-" That this meeting, while conscious of the advantages secured to the districts of Timaru and Gladstone by the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works Act, begs to suggest that a more developed scheme of local government, applicable at this time to the condition of the provinces and to the circumstances of the whole colony, as well as to the districts that they represent, be made the law of the land. That in its opinion the political effects of our present financial system are highly injurious, and stand in the way of the funliur development of any -oliomoof loo.il governmentcalculatedtoraeettherequirements of the colony as a whole. That while this meeting is not desirous of asking the Assembly to legislate specially and in an exceptional form for these districts, it is, however, of opinion that it will promote the interests of their inhabitants to be so dealt with, should no general measure of local government as a substitute for Provincial Government he adopted by the Assembly in the coming session of the Parliament Of New Zealand. That the form of the measure to be initiated be left in the hands of the members for the district and the General Government. That copies of the foregoing resolutions he forwarded to the Colonial Secretary and the Speakers of the House of Representatives and the Legislative Council by the Chairman. That the Local Government League be requested to prepare a petition for presentation to the House of Representatives embodying the purport of the first resolution, etc."