The Press. MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1867.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1306, 14 January 1867, Page 2

The Press. MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1867.

The Races.—The Sunday morning preceding the races, being that on which the horses are supposed to take their final canter, is usually looked forward to with considerable interest, and at daylight yest#day a great number of persons were congregated on the course. Mr Stafford's horses were the first to put in an appearance, and got over their gallop before many visitors were present. Webb did not turn out with his string until late, and seemed determined to afford as little information as possible, as he contented himself with merely cantering the horses past the Grand Stand once or twice, and then took them back to the stables. The prices which the horses have brought at the Calcutta sweeps are, as far as we can learn, a very fair criterion of the betting. Belle of the Isle is decidedly the favorite for the Cup, although Master Rowe and Stormbird find backers, the former horse being looked upon as rather a dark one. The sweeps drawn on Saturday at Barnard's attracted a good number, and the bidding was spirited, Belle of the Isle being the favorite for the Cup, Stormbird and Master Rowe next. Sweeps will again be drawn to-night at Cuff's, when the latest state of the betting will be ascertainable. The Inteb-pbovincial Cbicket Match. — We learn from the " Otago Daily Times" that the committee of the Dunedin Club have fixed upon nine of the eleven men who are to contend against Canterbury in the inter-provincial match which is to take place at Christchurch on the 7th and Bth February. The nine players chosen are Messrs Butterworth, Downes, Fotheringham, Fulton, Glasgow, Hope, Hendley, Murison, G. K. Turton; the other two players will not bo named until a few days before leaving for Canterbury, as there are several whose merits are so equal that it depends entirely upon the amount of practice they take to enable the committee to make the final selection.

Sunnyside Asylum.—One of the monthly entertainments at this asylum was given on Friday evening last by the Amateur Christy Minstrels, and was well attended by the patients, their relatives, and friends. We are glad to be able to announce that the Government are about to make some considerable additions to the asylum, which will give increased means for what has become an absolute necessity, namely, more definite classification of the inmates, and will facilitate the means of carrying out the plans which have been attended with such marked success. We believe the additions will comprise a new room about sixty feet long, which will give greater accommodation and enlarged means of carrying out these entertainments Jon a more complete

His Excellency's Visit.—Great preparations have been made, both in Lyttelton and Christchurch, for giving a proper reception to his Excellency on his arrival to-day. A special meeting of the Lyttelton Municipal Council was held on Saturday, when the following arrangements were made for the occasion. A dais will be constructed over the weigh-bridge, where his Excellency will be received by the Municipal Council, and an address presented to him by their chairman. The band of the No. 2 Battery of the Lyttelton Volunteer Artillery will be present. The town will be decorated with the display of bunting usual on all festal occasions, and two triumphal arches will be erected, one on the Government wharf, the other near the Post-office. It was also decided that a dejeuner should be given at the Queen's hotel, for which about fifty invitations were directed to be issued. Christchurch has not been behindhand in making similar preparaations. A triumphal arch has been thrown over the Ferry road at the entraace to the city, where the City Council are to receive his Excellency, and present their address ; they have also issued cards of invitation to about 150 of the principal citizens for the dejeuner which is to be given at the Town Hall. We believe that the arrangements made are for the City Council, the Volunteer Fire Brigade, Nos. 1, 2, and 6 Companies of Rifle Volunteers, and any other public bodies who intend joining the procession, to meet at the City Council offices atone o'clock p.m., there to be marshalled in proper form. The procession will then march down High street and the Ferry road, and await his Excellency's arrival. The different bodies will then open out to the right and left, and after the chairman of the City Council has presented the address, they will fall in in their proper places, and march back to the Town Hall. In the evening there will be an illumination, and throughout the day flags, banners, &c, will be flying from most of the principal warehouses in the city. A telegram received yesterday from Wellington announced that the steamer Queen, with his Excellency and suite on board, left Wellington at two p.m., and it may therefore be expected in Lyttelton about eleven o'clock this morning.

Stamps.—The Wellington correspondent of the "Daily Times," writing on the Bth inst., says :—" The mode of introduction of the Stamp Act has occasioned much dissatisfaction everywhere, in consequence of the first supply being inadequate for more than a few days' wants. From all parts southwards telegrams have been coming up day after day crying out for some stamps, and it. is said that at one time there were serious thoughts of chartering a steamer to send down supplies thither. The advices from northward are to the same effect. The Stamp Officers have been at work day and night, and relay, of hands, working eight hours each, have at last succeeded in preparing a supply which, according to the Treasurer's original calculation, will last for three or more years. It is evident that the revenue derivable from stamps has been much underrated. The Banks sent their check-books only at the last minute, and elsewhere than Wellington the most ingenious shi&ts have been resorted to. I happened the other day to be in a Bank at Wanganui, and the only way in -which j customers could be accommodated was by a 'Moan " to the amount (minus a penny) of the cheque lodged as security, the bankers taking care to stamp the cheque as coon as a supply was received. Mr Batkin, the Acting Commissioner, has scarcely had his clothes off for sleep during several weeks past, and the clerks have worked even forty-eight hours without intermission. The longer delay in piocuring the plate, &c, at Sydney than was anticipated, appears to have thrown everything tack." Theatee Rotal. —Wo observe that Miss Jccy Gougenheim arrived yesterday from Dunedin by the Otago. As announced by advertisement she will open the theatre on

Tuesday evening for two extra nights, previous to commencing the season of twenty-four nights, which begins on Thursday. Holders ol season tickets will be admitted froe on the two additional evenings. . , Auctions.—To day having been proclaimed a general holiday, the auction sales advertised by Mr J. H. Bennett, Messrs. Wilson and Alport, Messrs Matson and Co., and Messrs E. Mitchell and Co., have been postponed. The Superintendent's Ball.—At mc ball to be given on Wednesday next by the members of the Provincial Council to Mis Honor the Superintendent, a limited number of tickets of admission to the strangers gallery will be issued, and can be obtained on application to Mr Leslie Thomson, secretary to the ball committee.