CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume I, Issue 17, 14 September 1861, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH.

Biuths.— On the Bth instant, at Cashmere, the wife of Frederick Herbert Wilson, Esq., of a son. On the 1 lth September, at Cbristchurch, Mrs. John Bealey of a daughter.

Ox Monday the Oth inst., an inquest was held at the police station "by Dr. Coward, coroner, upon the body of Andrew Papper, who, as was stated last week, had been missing since Saturday the 24th. The body was found on Sunday last, near the College bridge, by Mr. Hawkes. From the evidence it appeared that deceased had been drinking at the "White Hart Hotel on the Saturday, and was last seen in the neighbourhood of Woodford's Mill, where he probably missed his way and fell into the river. The jury returned a verdict of " accidental death."

On Thursday the sth inst., the nomination of members of the Provincial Council for the Ashley District took place. Mr. Thos. Sanderson proposed, and Mr. J. T. Brown seconded Mr. Thos. W. Maude. No other candidate having been brought forward, Mr. Maude was declared duly elected. On Saturday last, the nomination of members of the Provincial Council for the Avon district took place at the school house, Papanui. Mr. H. D. Gardiner proposed, and Mr. E. Shepherd, seconded Mr. W. Thomson. Mr. C. W. Bishop proposed, and J. Mr. .Richardsseconded Mr. C. W. Bowen. \ Mr. C. W. Bishop proposed, and Mr. D. Graham seconded Mr. T. S. Duncan. Mr. W. Boag proposed, and Mr. H. D. Gardiner seconded Mr. E. "W". Templer. Mr. P. Guinness proposed and Mr. D. Graham seconded Mr. J. Shand. Mr. C. Jeffreys proposed and Mr. F. Guinness seconded Mr. A. R. Creyke. The candidates then came forward and addressed the electors, repeating in substance what they had already said at the meetings held at Ricearton and Papanui. Mr. Edward Cooper wished to put a question to the candidates on the subject of constructing and keeping in repair the roads in rural districts. He pointed out that it was impossible for the government to spend money on all the roads, or even on all the main roads. In Australia the practice was to divide the country int hundreds, each hundred being managed by a dis trict council, elected from the inhabitants of the hundred; the council had power to value and to impose rates upon all the property within their hundred, for the purpose of raising money to meet the expenses of roads and other public works. He wished to know whether the candidates wore prepared to introduce a measure of a similar character in the ensuing council. Mr. Duncan in reply stated that the subject had been considered by the government of which he was a member, and they had come to the conclusion that it would be advisable to bring forward some measure of the kind suggested, but they had not yet decided on the particular steps which it would be necessary to take.

The other candidates also admitted the importance of the suggestion, and considered that it would be necessary to take sonic steps for placing public works in rural districts under local management. The show of hands was in favour of Messrs. Thomson, Bowen, Duncan and Templer. A poll was demanded and held on Monday, when the result was as follows:— Mr. AY. Thomson, 12G; Mr. T. S. Duncan, 120 ; Mr. C. Boweu, 114; Mr. E. M. Templer, 93; Mr. J. Shand, 36 : Mr. A. E. Creyke, 32. Messrs. Thomson. Duncan, Bowen and Templer were therefore declared duly elected. The successful candidates were chaired by their admiring friends. Some difficulty was found in obtain- ; n£ a team strong enough for the candidate who polled the largest number of votes. Six stalwart men !

undertook the task, but they were very much distressed by the effort. Ox Friday the Oth inst., the nomination of members of the Provincial Council for the Kaiapoi district took place at the Court House. The Rev. J. Raven proposod, and Mr. J. Beswiek seconded Mr. .Tosiah Birch. Mr. A. Blakiston proposed, and Mr. G. Day seconded Mr. J. Wylde. Mr. Pemberton proposed, and Mr. Harrison seconded Mr. Joseph Beswiek. Mr. Jagoe proposed, and Mr. Day seconded Mr. Robert llickmau. The candidates then came forward and addressed the electors. The show of hands was in favour of Messrs Wylde and Rickman. A poll was demanded and will be held on the 17th inst. On Monday evening, a concert was given in the Market Hall, for the benefit of Mr. E. Elliot. The performers were principally members of I the Vocal Union, and the selection included some of the pieces which have recently been given by that society. Mr. C. J. Martin enlivened the evening with some comic singing, and delighted the audience with some allusions to local matters in Christchurch.

Perhaps we may be allowed to whisper—not of course by way of criticism, which is not proper in Christchurch, but simply by way of suggesting what may be an improvement to future concerts—that the piano is intended as an accompaniment to the voice, and not the voice as an accompaniment to the piano. Hatton's part song "When Evening Twilight," and our old acquaintance " Soldier's Love," were performed without any instrumental accompauimont, and were more successful than anything else in the course of the evening.

Ploughing Match.—on Friday the Cth inst., the ploughing match which had been announced to take place at Ricearton, came off at Avon Head Farm, on a piece of land belonging to Mr. Hill. The day was very fine, and the land in good order; and the ploughing was of first-rate character. The judges were Messrs. McCormiok, Kcrr, and Owen.

The prizes were awarded on Saturday as follows:— FIRST CLASS PRIZES. 1. Alexander Mcßratney (owner,) Hawley's Plough. Prize, 2. John McLauchlan owner,) Barrowman's Plough. Prize, £7. b !i. John Boag, (William Boag, owner), Hawley's Plough. Prize, £5. 4. William Wall, (H. Mem, Kaiapoi, owner), Barrowan'a Plough. Prize £3. 5. J. Tobin, (John Smith, owner), Barrowman'a Plough. Prize, £2. h SKCOND CLASS PHIZES. 1. P. Gelletly, (D. Graham, owner), Barrowinan's Plough. Prize, £7. 2. John Coutts, (Rev. J. Wilson, owner), Barrowman's Plough. Prize £5. 3. James Blair, (A. Mcßratney, owner), Barrowman's Plough. Prize, £3. 4. T. Patterson, (A. Waddle, owner), Gray's Plough. Prize, £1.