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Press, Volume IX, Issue 1089, 5 May 1866, Page 2

Chubch Sebvices.— Messrs. Inwood and Bilton have on sale a supply of Prayer Books and Church Services, which will be found particularly convenient, as they have bound up with them the hymnal compiled under the direction of tbe General Synod, and used in the churches of this town. They are bound in a variety of styles, some of them very handsome, and the price of all is very reasonable. Stattxabv. —The sale of statuary and articles | otvertu, by Messrs. OUivier and Son, in the old Wesleyan Church, was well attended yesterday, and many of the most valuable lots were Bold at high rates. The sale will be continued to-day. The public will be admitted to view the different lots up to the hour of j sale. ' Hobtict/ltubat, Society. — The usual monthly meeting of this society was held last night in the Town Hall, Mr. W Wilson, vioe- j president, in the chair. A fine specimen of the pomegranate was shown, the first, we believe, which.has been fruited in Canterbury. It is an exotic fruit, that exhibited having been grown in the gardens of Mr. T. H. Potts, Governor bay, and shows the great advantage the inhabitants of the Peninsula have over those on the Plains in climate. A new fuchsia, of the Fulgens species, was sent by Mr. R. H. Rhodes's gardener, and like the pomegranate*, attracted great attention. Tbe special business of the meeting was opened by the Chairman introducing the essayist of the evening, Mr. R. Chudley, who read a very interesting paper on " The culture of pot plants, &c." The majority of the members present took part in the animated discussion which followed. The essay, which was of a practical nature, and treated at considerable length, will be publish in full in the " Weekly Press." Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr. Chudley and the Chairman, after which the meeting separated. Avonside School. —A very agreeable tea j meeting was held on Thursday evening in the new school room at Avonside, to commemorate the opening of the new building, and to obtain additional funds for the completion of the interior fittings. The tables were supplied by some of the ladies resident in the parish, who had taken great, interest in the matter, and exerted themselves with great assiduity to proI mote the success of the meeting. The Rev. J. C. Bagshaw, incumbent of Avonside, presided, and the meeting was .also addressed by the Revs. F. Knowles, J. Hoare, L. Moore, Messrs.Cowlishaw, Cottrell,Hey wood, Hichens, and others ; the parish choir also gave effective assistance to the evening's entertainment by the performance of several pieces of vocal and instrumental music. We regret that the pressure on our advertising columns for the last two days has obliged us to omit a detailed report of this and one or two other matters of local interest. Heathcote Ro*d Boabd.—-The election of a member of the Heathcote Road Board, in place of Mr. Laurie resigned, took place yesterday, at the Board office, Ferry road. Two candidates (Messrs. Hargood and Parish) were proposed, and a poll was taken, which resulted in the return of Mr. Hargood. The Peninsula Mail.—A severe gale from the southwest blew on Tuesday, and for the first time since the mail has been carried by the Betsy Douglas, it did not arrire at Akaroa on its appointed day. We understand that in consequence of the high sea, this little steamer had to put in for shelter to Port Levy, and continued her voyage as soon as the weather moderated. She arrived at Pigeon bay too late for the mail to be sent on, but it reached its destination at about half-past ten on Wednesday morning. Pbesentation to the Rbvebend James D. Febgusson.—Several ofthisgentleman's friends waited on him at his residence, at Dampier bay, on Wednesday evening, for the purpose of presenting him with a handsome mantel-piece clock, and a purse of eighty sovereigns. The clock, which was presented in the name of the subscribers to the testimonial by Mr. J. Drummond Macpherson, bears the following inscription —" Presented to the Rev. J. D. Fergusson, along with a purse of eighty sovereigns, in acknowledgment of his unremitting attention to the religious welfare of the members and adherents of St. John's Church Lyttelton." On presenting the testimonial Mr. Macpherson expressed the gratiCcation he felt as a friend of Mr. Fergusson's, in being permitted to become the medium of conveying to him the present mark of the regard and respect of the subscribers. On looking over the- list of subscribers it would be found that members and adherents of St. John's had, in a very practical manner indeed, gladly embraced the opportunity of marking their I

sense of Mr. Fergusson's usefulness, and of expressing their high appreciation of his conduct, ami of his merit as a christian minister Mr. Macpherson further said that he had been requested by ihe subscribers to express to Mr. Fergusson the deep sympathy they felt with him in the matter which had temporarily interfered with his career as a minister in Lyttelton. Mr. Fergasson, in reply, feelingly expressed his acknowledgments of the kindness exhibited to him, and added that the continued warm sympathy of his friends had been one of his greatest comforts during a season of very trying circumstances. He further stated that he had had different opportunities presented to him of accepting the charge of congregations in other districts ; but that he had not as yet seen his way, considering all circumstances", to accep'ing atiy of these offers. The rev. gentleman concluded by thanking the deputation, and requesting that his warmest thanks might be conveyed to the subscribers. Akaboa Road Boabd —An adjourned meeting of the ratepayers of the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board was held at the Road Board office, Akaroa, on Wednesday, to elect a member in place of Mr. Inman, resigned. The Chairman, Mr. H. Piper, read the clause in the Ordinance which directs that in case of a vacancy the ratepayers shall elect a fresh member, and called on any ratepayer to nominate a candidate. Mr. J. D. Garwood proposed, and Mr. R. Norman seconded, Mr. John Cullen; Mr. Scarbrough proposed, and Mr. Guinness seconded, Mr. George Haylock ; Mr. Williams proposed Mr. Morey, but the nomination was not seconded ; Mr. Shadbolt proposed, and Mr. Haylock seconded, Mr. Sax ton. Mr. Garwood demanded a poll on behalf of Mr. Cullen, which was taken, and was declared at four p.m. as follows :—Hay - lock, 50; Cullen, 17; Saxton, 12. Mr. Haylock was declared duly elected. SCHOOIiMASTBBS' ASSOCIATION. — The first monthly meeting of this association will be held to-day, at noon, in St. Michael's schoolroom.