BESIDES- MAGISTRATE'S COURT, CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume II, Issue 50, 26 April 1862, Page 4

BESIDES- MAGISTRATE'S COURT, CHRISTCHURCH.

21st April, 1862. j Before John Hall, Esq., R. M. Larceny.—Mary Holmes was charged before the Resident Magistrate with stealing a teapot valued at 12s. from the | shop of Wm. Webb, Christchureh. Prisoner denied the charge. The Resident Magistrate, after hearing the evidence, stated that there was no doubt on his niiud, nor could there be on the mind of any person who had heard the evidence 6f the to two months imprisonment in Lyttelton gaol with hard labor. The same prisoner was also charged by _Mr. (_,un, or the Royal Hotel, with stealing a large dish, three cups and saucers ami three knives, valued at 125., from the Royal hotel. Prisoner admitted taking the articles, but denied her intention to steal them. The Resident Magistrate, after hearing the evidence, stated he could not believe that the prisoner did not intend to steal the articles in question. He must convict her of the theft, and he hoped that when her period of imprisonment had terminated, she would seek some more genial climate for the scene of her labors. Sentenced to 3 months imprisonment in Lyttelton gaol with hard labor. Tuesday', April 22nd. Mary .Ann Robinson was lined 40s. for using abusive and insulting language in the presence and hearing of a Constable. Clarkson v. Adams. —Debt £8. No appearance. Bishop v. Ho.mersiiam. —Debt £11 ss. hi. Settled out of Court. PARKES V. O'NtSIL. Debt £o, being damages for trespass of Defendants pigs. Judgement for £5 and costs 19s. Mr. Oakes appeared for the plaintiff. Cook v. Savage.—Debt £3 13s. 5d Judgment by default for full amount and costs. fooic v. Manning.—Debt £5 Is. Od. Settled out of Court. Hoiibs & Sons v. Er,Lici:.— Oebt.4'l os. (id. No appearance. I Parks v. M'Carty.—Debt £16 17s. Bd. Judgment by consent, for full amount and costs. G-iggs v. Eixice. —Debt £9 18s. Settled out of Court. Smart v. Barxett. Debt,£l4 4s. Gel., being balance due on a contract. Judgment for £6 4s. and costs £4 145.; partly to be paid byPlaintiff and partly by Defendant. Mr. Harston for the Plaintiff, Mr. Travers for the Defendant. Milton v. Warner.—Debt £"8 17s. Paid into Court. Several cases were adjourned to Wednesday, at 11 a.m. Total Abstinence Society.—The members and friends of this society held a tea meeting on Good Friday at the Town Hall, to partake of " the cup which cheers but not inebriates." The audience consisted chiefly of the members of the Band of Hope. If the promoters of this society were onty half as well pleased as the juveniles appeared to be, both must have been mutually satisfied. Some members of the Christchureh and Foresters' bands kindly placed their services at tlie disposal of the Committee and played some excellent music during the evening.. It was not till after the tables were cleared, however, that the most novel part of the entertainment was developed : consisting of a most determined onslaught on this journal. The first speaker contented him. self with the enunciation of a few obvious truisms, which were received as quietly as they were delivered The first act of this "Easter Mystery," was opened by the second orator, who after a few preliminary remarks, produced a well-thumbed copy of the ' Press' of April 5, in which an article appeared containing some remonstrances against the terms in which these gentlemen are wont to speak of those, who do not go heart and soul with them on the score of teetotalism. We will take the liberty of suggesting to this gentleman, if he should be disposed to do us the honour to quote this journal on any future occasion, that it would be more fair and courteous in him to do so entirely, and not in a few fragmentary sentences, as on Good Friday ; more especially as the portion loft unquoted, formed tlie gist of his observations afterwards but tho climax of this part of the performance was. the assertion that practically our definition of "discussion 1 ' was, to use his own phrase, "having all the talk on one side ;" referring to a correspondence which appeared a few months since. This assertion furnishes another instance of the random statements so frequently heard from the teetotal rostrum ; for had the speaker taken the trouble to make himself master of the facts, he would have seen that "A Teetotaller of eighteen years standing," and others, had th c greater share of "the talk.'' The second act of this entertainment was undertaken by the chairman, who, with more force than politeness, flatly contradicted the assertions made by the previous speaker in reference to the discussion alluded to, and very fairly exonerated us from any partiality in the use of our columns. He then proceeded to olwerve that "he denied that any such assertion bad ever been made on that platform, as that •moderate men' were regarded by teetotallers as worse than drunkards," and to make this denial more emphatic, proceeded to demonstrate that not only were "moderate men" dangerous, but "moderate women" almost equally so: really, the responsibility of a young lady who "invites the young man of her heart" to partake of a glass of wine waa put before the meeting in an altogether novel light, iiuuniueh as the young man who had not sufficient stoicism to say "No!" to his fairj challenger " migl.t become a drunkard." It did not seem to strike the Chairman as a remote possibility that he also might not: as an insta nee of self-contradiction the Chairmau's short speech is almost unique. But what slndl be said to the gentleman who furnished act the third ? "Truly, thou wert inmost excellent fooling!" The self-esteem which actuated the relation of the incident on board the Otago steamer was certainly characteristic. We should be exceedingly sorry for In. own sake to comply with a request which fell from him, " to be fully reported :" any individual who can stand before an assemblage of children of ages varying from six to twelve years, raid decry the advantages of education, we should think ' not only a very stupid but a very dangerous man, if we had not reason to regard him as a harmless enthusiast; the state. tuent of this fact alone—for fact it is—will convince our

readeia, tee-total or moderate, that it is in the power of tho gentleman to make himself sufficiently ridiculous without any "full report" from us. The good taste or otherwise of selecting such a theme for the occasion of a Band of Hope meeting might be called in question ; and it must be owned that the harmony of the musicians seemed more in unison with the feelings of the youthful auditory than the wordy discord which occupied the greater portion of the evening. One of the speakers complained of a cerebral disturbance, or "as if his brain was going on wheels ;" this may account in some degree for the incoherence of a great deal that fell from him ; let us hope, for the sake of future audiences, that the attack is not of a chronic character. It is true that in Canter bury we have not yet seen a Christmas pantomime or Easte extravaganza, but we have to thank the Christchurch Total Abstinence Society for an entertainment combining in a very large degree the elements of both. In conclusion, nothing on this subject has .appeared in this journal which we desire to retract: we will merely refer the teetota advocates to the concluding paragraph of a leading article which appeared in * the Press' of July 27 :— "Notwithstanding all that we have said, we do not condemn these gentlemen all that we ask is that they will not condemn us and other advocates of temperance, not teetotal; and so we hope we part in peace." The Canterbury Musical Union gave a concert on Tuesday last to an overflowing audience : as the present entertainment promised to be of an advanced character not a little interest was felt as to the result. That the instrumental accompaniments especially were not free from some very obvious blemishes it would be absurd to deny ; but that they were far better than could have been expected is no less true. But as this was an entirely new feature in the performances of this society, anything like criticism would scarcely be just. We cannot refrain, however, from congratulating the members on the strikingly improved tone and character of their audiences ; ami it is entirely in their own hands whether this improvement shall be permanent or otherwise. " Million's Sons,'," as sung by Mr. A. Bell, entitles that gentleman to great praise; if Mr. Bell could but shake off his timidity, which seems indeed unconquerable, both himself and his audience would be the gainers. With a voice of good musical quality and fair power, and arrived at an age- though witiio-.it any vulgar curiosity on this point—at which we suppose ho may reasonably hope to retain it, it is obvious he has not yet done himself justice: his want of nerve giving almost a lachrymose character to his performances. Mr. Bell received an encore, and the part song " the Soldier's Love" wa» substituted, as much to the satisfaction of an audience as ever. In the selection from "Norma" Mr. Lee gave the vary trying solo with great etnrgy, and the chorus was given with e.jiia animation. Mr. Elliott's song "Autumn Winds" shewed a very marked improvement in his style, being sung with enough expression to be free from affectation. Of the part songs, "the Happiest Land" went with great firmness, and was really well sung and loudly applauded. Une or two 'cuts' were made towards the close of the programme,"and another performance substituted: for what reason this was not very clear; two good things being omitted to introduce what to our thinking was an exhibition of affected promulgation and mutilated English. Air. Lee's solo, "Within this Holy Temple," (a noble composition by Mozart), was not of a character suited to a performance of a miscellaneous character, though, as it deserved to be, it was applauded. With one word in praise of the lady members of the Musical Union, who sang well, and with mi tiring spirit throughout a long and trying performance, we pass on to notice the second musical feature of the week. Cecilian Society.—the first Quarterly Concert of this season was given on Tuesday evening at tlie Town Hall, and was almost as crowded as that of the preceding evening. Taken altogether, the programme was of rather an ambitious character, and would almost lead to the inference that but a very indifferent performance was to be expected ; that such an expectation was not realized the plaudits of the audience gave ample testimony. Indeed, if the doings of last Tuesday evening were taken as a criterion, the more elevated the class of music the better the performance ; the few pieces of a light character being by no means up to the usual standard of this society. As there are no vocalists attached to it, the services of the public's old friend, Air. Merton, were brought into requisition, and from the reception with which lie met— encores and double encores—that gentlemen seems to have only to appear, to resume his old "place as the best vocalist in Canterbury, as undoubtedly he is. Mr. Morton's management and command of his voice, and his almost professional method of producing it, afforded, indeed, a very good lesson in these respects to his predecessors of the previous evening. Though we have been informed that the two societies having their concerts on succeeding evenings was altogether unpremeditated, the fact could not fail, not only to give rise to comparisons, but also to the question—why, where there are two musical societies existing, each having ample material of which the other is deficient—should not their forces be united ? If this were done, we will venture to say that a society woidd be the result, which would be second to none now in existence in any colony. We hear that such a step is in contemplation, though we cannot state this on authority; at all events the experiment is worth trying. We have received 'Government Gazettes' to the 7th of April. The chief matters contained in them of local interest are the appointments of S. Beswick, Esq., as Native medical attendant for the district of Kaiapoi, and G. F. Cattluig, Esq. for that of Banks Peninsula; Lyttelton and Akaroa harbor regulations ; and notice of the naturalization of certain foreigners residing in Canterbury. The General Assembly is summoned to meet at Wellington on the 20th of June. The following is the despatch referred to in our leading article:— b " Downing street, 22nd January, 1802. "Sir,—ln my Despatch of the 20th ultimo, No. 117, I informed you of the apprehensions entertained by Her Majesty's Government that this country might be involved in a war with the United States of America; I am glad to be able to inform you that the question which threatened this calamitous consequence has beeu amicably settled. "The alarm, however, which has been felt will not have been wholly useless, if it shall have impressed on colonial governments the necessity of prompt and effectual preparations against contingencies which, though happily no louder imminent, can never, in the present disturbed state of the world, be regarded as impossible. <./-. „• ,-, „ „ "I have, &c., Newcastle." Governor Sir George Grey. Major T. W. White has been returned a member of the 1 rovmeial Council for the Oxford District.

LYT'J ELTON. ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONSECRATION OF IYTTPit -A tea meeting was held at the Town Hall l?«? l '«ca Easter I ues-lay, in commemoration uf tv , Cl lur ,V on Hoiy I nnity m that town. The L«,rd Hisho,, If, m t,le Mo* presided, and on the platform were the lb v / Lbn8 Wjurdi Messrs Latter, McKellar, Buchanan, Craba?^ 111 the tables had been cleared, the Bishop wuE* 1 f" AftTr Alter expressing his gratification at aa.n his friends in Lyttelton, he congratulated theii o nV° * an > * their Church was now quite free of debt Tl>U VT laettlla t the highest satisfaction, although he' did i t , e(l *"» cordially approve of the means by which so .',' if 1 "Krtlitr had been effected, viz., a bazaar; and j • aa ""d hearers not to suffer the success which had 1 > .** hi » exertions on that occasion, to induce them toresm+T their expedient at any future time. His lurdshh, .ll i 1 **&* satisfactory condition of the parish affairs m LvtM* to tte rally, and especially of the schools, both Sunday ail gene " He gave an interesting sketch of a visit he had ot the Otago gold-fields; and expressed the , tynU(le surprise he had experienced at witnessing the i.J orderly behaviour of the gold-diggers reverential demeanor at Divine Service In Id by himself • t* open air. He then gave a detailed account of the nilr c of Br. Patteson, the Missionary Alelanes.an Bist,""i mentioned several gratifying instances of the i'ood 1. I , effected among the savage inhabitants of the 'To-un of i I < where he was stationed, although he and his coninaiiion ? j to undergo many privations and to incur ninth ,«? , danger. The Bishop then reprobated in strum* E scandulous imputation thrown upon the Clergy of this r * in an anonymous newspaper communication. ° He had v- >!* an answer to that communication, in which he had endei i jto expose the errors and mis-statements contained in if.' Ar McKellar read the report of the Sunday school, a lucid 1 ! well arranged document: which showed that the school wa I a satisfactory state both as regards the progress 0 f tm; '*.?' and their regular attendance. He urged upon his friends both the duty of sending their children to school, and also of eve • one, who could do so, taking a part in this good work teacher. Air. Latter then addressed the meeting, and impressed upon his hearers, especially the younger portion of them the duty of supporting the missionary exertions of which they had heard so interesting an account. The statistics of tht weekly school were read by Air. Graham, who expressed his regret at the retirement of Air. Herbert, the temporary master who during his suporintendance of the school had most efficiently conducted it and greatly aided its advancement l\ r Buchanan expressed the pleasure he felt at witnessing the success of the Sabbath schools of this town, and whilst avowing his attachment to the Weslevan school, assun-d the meeting that he felt a warm interest in that attached to the Church, and promised to do all in his power to promote its welfare and prosperity. He embraced this opportunity oi expressing to the inhabitants of this town the sorrow lie experienced in witnessiii'_' the desecration of the Lord's day. He hoped that this rebuke would be taken in good part, ai:d that means would be re.-,orted to to remove such a reproach from us. The llev. F. Knovles then delivered a most interesting and affectionate address, in the course of which he expressed his thankfulness that the debt on the Church had been discharged. He read a statistical account of the receipts and expenditure of the Church during the past year, which seemed satisfactory, as the expenses, which are very heavy, had all been liquidated He spoke very highly of Mr. Hubert's management of the school, and whilst regretting his retirement, read some very favorable testimonials as to the competency oi his 'successor now" shortly expected by the Zealandia. The i\ vcr -ml gentleman impi-"ssed upon the parents of the children attending the schools the duty of aiding their teachers by sympathy and interest in their progress, auduy/m the children themselves the necessity of regular and punctual attendance, lie then in the name of the meeting thanked his lordship for his kindness in presiding that evening. The Evening Hymn was then sung, and tiie meeting was closed with prayer by the Bishop. Luring the course of the evening several pieces of music wrre well executed by the members of the Church Choir under the able superintendance of Mr. C. J. Hodge. SHIPPING INTKLLIGKNCr. AnniVF.D. April 21—Cutter Vision, 18 tons, Strathan, from Auckland. Passengers— W. Lloyd. W. Storie. April 21 —Schooner' Wild Wave, 40 tons, Alatheson, from Auckland. April 21—Barque Fanny Fisher, 23i> tons, Smith, from Wellington. SAILED. April 19—Steamer Geelong, 108 tons, Boyd, for Dunedm via intermediate porta Passengers—Miss Custin, Miss Chisholm, Airs. Harrington and child, Messrs. Parkinson (2), Wilson, and Garwood. A\ni\ 22—Schooner Louisa, 244 tons, Williams, from the Alauritius via Otago. Passengers- Airs. Corbett and child, Messrs. Donald, Crainger, Williams, Cochrane, Teehame, Crobber, McLean (2). vlpril 23—Schooner Emerald, 30 tons, Ritchie from Wellington. IMPORTS. In the Vision, master, agent; 10,000 feet timber, order. In the Wild Wave, master, agent; 32,000 feet timber, order. In the Fanny Fisher 1 , Cookson & Co., agents; 100 head ot cattle, IGO sheep, order ; 88 bags sugar, Cookson <c Co. In the Louisa Dalgety and' Co., agents: 850 bags sugar Dalgety and Co.; 1 hhd. rum, Williams. EXPORTS. In the Geelong, Miles and Co., agents ; 5 pkgs. sat, 3 cases and 43 casks bottled beer. 5 hhds. 4 barrels ale, Dalgety ami Co. ; 1 case drapery, 1 cask oatmeal, 1 box sago, 2 * ins ! UTo "' root, 6 case 3 oysters, 1 truss drapery, 2 cases brandy, 1 & coffee, 6 do. geneva, I keg tobacco, Peacock and Co.; -* chests tea, 6 boxes candles, 5 mats and 8 bags sugar, U) oafe Hour, 1 chest tea, 5 pkgs. 2 drums, 1 case, 7 casks chees e, Latter ; 3 pk-s. Clarkson and Preece ; 1 dray, 2 l«»"JP, a " fittings, C. Brown and Co. ; 1 box, Taylor and Co. ; '-o u j% Hour, 1 truss calico, 2 cases, 2 kegs nails, 2 bags oiltl j ie r . truss drapery, 3 pkgs. iron, 3 pkgs. ironwork, Miles and • < I case boots, Heywood Co.