TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2486, 10 December 1868, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Societt of St. Vincent De Paul.—An entertainment, in connection with the above society, consisting of readings, songs, &c, will be given in the Catholic Schoolroom this evening, commencing at 7.30.

Bankbottct.—John Vingoe Glasson, of Timaru, late hotelkeeper, and Thomas William Robson, of Lyttelton, master mariner, have filed declarations, under the Bankruptcy Acts, that they are unable to meet their engagements with their creditors.

High School, Ltttelton.—The annual examination of the scholars will take place this morning, at.ten o'clock. His Worship the Mayor has kindly consented to preside. The parents of the children are requested to attend,

Tea Meeting—A public tea meeting was held in the Baptist Tabernacle, Hereford street, last night, and was attended by upwards of ninety people. The tables were furnished by members of the congregation, and a plcasanter or more satisfactory gathering could not have been desired, After tea several interesting addresses were delivered. Meetings of Creditohs.—A meeting of creditors in the estate of Thomas Hill, Christchurch, veterinary surgeon, was to have been held at 11 o'clock yesterday, but was adjourned for seven days, owing to the non-attendance of a sufficient number of creditors. An adjourned meeting, in re Henry Dodd, South town belt, cab driver, lapsed through non-attendance. The property therefore vests in tho provisional trustee, according to the 6th section of the Bankruptcy Act_ Amendment Act, 1808. Mr Richard Davis sat under delegated powers from the Registrar,

Attenda\ce of Juitonß,—Notwitl)Btanding repeated warnings, the attendance of some jurors is just as unpimctual as ever. His Honor Mr Just ice Gresson took his seat in Court at ten o'clock yesterday, but owing to the non-attendance of one juror the business was positively delayed for half-an-hour, The juror made some excuse, and his Honor said he would look over the matter for this time. Again, at the usual adjournment for luncheon, his Honor warned jurors to be in Court at the expiration of half-an-honr; Eleven were in the box when his Honor entered Court, but the other was absent and kept everybody waiting for nine minutes. His Honor reprimanded him when he answered to his namejbutsaid he didn't like toimposeflnCß if he eould possiMy avoid 1 doing so. He was afraid, however, that jurymen presumed on his leniency, and he would be compelled in future to enforce the fines with all strictness. It is to be hoped that this warning will be remembered.

Christ's Coume School,—Tho prizcß awarded at tho late examinations will be distributed this day (Thursday), in the school room, after Morning Service, which takes place at 10 o'clock, when the chapel recently erected will be consecrated. The offertory will be in aid of the building fund.

( Ricoamon Road Board.—A special meeting of this Board was held yesterday. Present Messrs Shand (chairman), Pavitt, Murdock, and Belmore. Tho minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed j a letter was read from Mr Maude, requesting the Board to collect certain agricultural statistics, together with an estimate of tho acreage of land broken up, or in grass or crop, in the lliccarton district. The surveyor was directed to reply that the Board decline to undertake the duties on the terms specified.' The Board resolved that tenders be invited for gravelling a portion of the Coal Track; also, for certain repairs on the Riccarton Road, After some business of a routine nature, the Board adjourned until Friday the 18th instant, at 3 o'clock, '

Ashley BRiDGE.--Thiß bridge is rapidly approaching completion, The contract time expires about the middle of next week and by that time Mr Bowmaker, the contractor, expects to have it finished. It will be remembered that in the flood of February last a large portion of the bridge (82 feet) was swept away, as were also the approaches on either side. The portion destroyed has now been replaced, and an additional length of 125 feet added to it, thus increasing the waterway, and greatly diminishing the risk of a recurrence of that unfortunate accident. The old portion of the bridge which withstood the flood appear to be in excellent condition. On the new part the work is being carried out in a most substantial manner, three-inch planks having been used instead of two-inch as in the old bridge. The North approach is completed, and that on the South bank will not take long to do. Great credit is due to Mr Bowmaker, both for the manner in which he ha? done his work, and also for the energy he has displayed in carrying out his contract, so as to restore this great public convenience at the earliest possible date. Akaroa and Wainui Road Board.—A meeting of the above Board was held at the Survey office, Akaroa, on Monday evening the 7th inst., Mr C. J. Waeckerle presiding, The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, a letter was read from Mr H. Munns, of German Bay, drawing the attention of the Board to the encroachment of the creek upon his property, and praying that the same may be remedied, The Engineer was instructed to inform Mr Munns that the Board consider the matter referred to out of their province. A letter from Messrs Wilson and Underden was read, in which the writers proffered to do certain necessary works upon the Little River Road, and also to keep the said road in repair twelvemonths for a stipulated amount. The Engineer was instructed to inform the writers that the subject of their letter would have the consideration of the Board at its next meeting. A circular letter from Mr T. W.Maude was read, in which the writer prayed the assistance of the Board in obtaining statistical information for the General Government, and also wished the Board to recommend a competent person to collect such statistics, the Government being willing to allow the sum of U for such services. The Engineer was requested to inform Mr Maude thatthe Board knew of no one that they could recommend for his purpose. Some accounts were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned until Monday the 21st inst

The Waimakahhii.—The rumour prevalent m town on Tuesday night of the lower embankment on the Waimakariri having given way, turned out on inspection to be untrue._ The Government despatched one of the engineering staff to examine the locality yesterday morning, and from the report made by him we learn that both the protective works are yet uninjured. The river rose considerably above its ordinary level on Tuesday, and overflowed at several points along its banks. At three o'clock yesterday it was within three feet of the top of the upper embankment, but the structure withstood the force of water pressing against it, and notwithstanding that the river was slowly rising, no danger from this place was anticipated. Below the lower embankment down to Mr Carter's house there were numerous streams overflowing, and, having united, passed over the intervening land to the head waters of the River Styx, These are the places which have yet to be provided with protective works, but which offer little or no danger of inundation to Christchurch. Two temporary embankments had been thrown up until permanent measures should be decided upon, and it was the partial destruction of one of these which gave rise to the rumour we have referred to Several_ chains of it were washed away, and we are informed that the breach now affords egress to a stream of water four chains wide by four feet deep. A ridge running parallel with the river until the basin of the Styx is reached prevents any portion of the overflow from joining the Avon, and it would require a flood of unprecedented dimensions to rise above it. Under these circumstances no fear need be experienced in Christchurch of an inundation from the present fresh. Lyttelton Colonists' Society-. A general meeting of the members was held last night in the committee' room. Br Donald, president, occupied the chair, and stated that the meeting had been called in pursuance of a resolution passed at the last committee meeting, the object being to discuss the ways and means for the erection of a smoking room in connection with the institution. He might state that at the last general meeting, a proposal to allow smoking in the reading room was rejected by a large majority, The present idea was a good one, if it could be carried out; the only question was, how the funds could he raised, Mr Ward said that it was necessary every class should be accommodated with proper room. He was in favour of a smoking room. The proposed, room would do also for draughts, chess, or as. a discussion room. He would therefore move, "That the meeting is of opinion that, if practicable, an additional room, in which smoking shall be allowed, should be built in connection with the Lyttelton Colonists' Hall." The motion was seconded by Mr Weyburn, and carried unanimously. Mr Allwright moved, Mr Lanauze seconded, and it was resolved, "That as soon as the sum of £2O be obtained or guaranteed, the work be specified and an offer for its completion be obtained," Mr Graham suggested that an upper'room for a dressing-room, be added as well. This pro-, position was well received/and several plans were suggested to raise the necessary funds. Mr Willcox moved, Mr Wilkin seconded, and it was resolved, " That a special committee be appointed, to consist of President, Vice-President, Messrs Ward, Allwright H.R, Webb, Weyburn, Willcox, Balestiee, and Carder, to obtain the necessary funds, and draw up specifications, &c„ of the proposed room, to be laid before the committee of thosociety." The President said that a by-law lmdbeon proposed at the last committee meeting for the consideration of the general meeting, It was that the seat of any member of the comniitteeof the Culonis's Society, who shall be absent from three consecutive ordinary monthly meetings of such committee, without leave, shall be declared vacant, and that the committee bb empowered to elect a member forthwith to fill such a vacancy. Mr Laimuze, as proposer of the resolution, stated that he was led to propose this in consequence of several members not attending the committee meetings. At the last general meeting of the . members, several gentlemen wore elected, who had never been asked if they were willing to attend, whilst others who were old and hard-working friends of the Institution had been set aside. He was of opinion that the proposed rule was a good one, and would give the society a committee who would attend to its interests. On the motion of Mr Lanauze, seconded by Mr Ward, the bylaw, &s rend, was carried unanimously. At a special committee meeting held subsequently for tlio purpose of considering how to raise funds, &c, for erecting the new smoking room, Dr Donald was elected chairman, and Mr Willcox secretary. A subscription list was opened, and nearly ten pounds subscribed at once. It was resolved that a list bo laid in the reading-room of the Institution.

Bathing Cluii.-A meeting was held of gentlemen interested in this club last night. Subscription lists were ordered to be prepared and circulated, and it was also decided that immediately on sufficient names being obtained, a general meeting should be called for the purpose of carrying out tho scheme without delay. No. 2 Company.—A genernl meeting was held last night. Arrangements were made for obtaining the materials for a now uniform, to consist of scarlet Garibaldi, with grey trousers and green facings. The band instruments were ordered to be offered for sale to the St John's Cadet Corps. A ballot was taken for members to be recommended to the commanding officer of the company for appointment as non-coramisioned officers, and it resulted as follows:—Sergiants: privates H, Nelson ani T; Papprell; Corporals: privates Brown and Strange. The Japanese.—Last night Cuts-who-Gero, the female performer of the Japanese troupe, took a, benefit at the Town Hall, and was favoured by a good house. A capital programme was offered, and the fair benejiciare herself appeared in a new and exciting feat on the ascension rope. The male performers Sagero and Matero also went through the perpendicular and horizontal ladder balancing, and the swinging bamboo. In both instances the boy performed dangerous tricks, on the extremity of each support, and for sensational effect we must certainly award them a decided superiority over any others which the troupe have yet submitted. They will be performed again this evening.