Untitled

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1588, 9 December 1867, Page 2

• The Nobthebn Rivjsbs.—Owing to the heavy rains the rivers in the northern districts have all been considerably swollen. j The Sot/thebn Maixs. —The mails from Timaru aiad the South arrived in town last evening, two days overdue. The delay was caused by the flooded state of the Rakaia. Financial Repobm Association. — A meeting of the Provisional Committee of this association: will be held in the Town Hall this afternoon, at four p.m. Lyttelton Mail. —The Chief Postmaster notifies t hat on and after Wednesday next the mails for Lyttelton will be despatched three times a-days by the railway. The hours of closing will be—At Christchurch, at 8.30 a.m., 11.30 a_a., and 4 30 p.m. ; and at Lyttelton, at 9.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m., and 5.30 p.m. The Railway.—The railway will be opened for passenger traffic to-day, the first train leaving at nine a.itn. For the first two days seven trains will run each way, but on and after Wednesday next only three trains. The time table will be- found in our advertising columns. AoBICtrXTD_A_ AND PASTOBAI, ASSOCIATION. —A meeting of the committee of this association will be held this afternoon at two o'clock, at the offices of Messrs Wilson and Alport, for the purpose of receiving a deputation from the Farnaers' Club with reference to amalgamating in order to carry out their common object. Pabish Meeting.—ln consequence of the Financial Reform JJeague holding a public meeting on Tuesday evening, the meeting of the parishioners and seat-holders of St. Michael's, which wan announced for the same time, has been postponed until Thursday evening, at half-past seven o'clock, at the St. Michael's school-room. LEiTHriELD.—The races are to take place on the 24th, and among five others there will be a pony and hurdle race. Mr Homewood is clerk to the course; Mr S. Coleman, starter ; Mr Pemberton, judge ; and Mr T. Bull, secretary. The annual sports will come off about a week previous, so that during the month Leithfield will enjoy more than its usual share of events. Theatbb Royal.—" Green Bushes" was again played at the theatre on Saturday evening. To-night the performance is for the benefit of Miss A. Bowling, and a special bill, consisting of Tom Taylor's celebrated drama, " The Serf," has been announced. Should the weather prove fine there will probably be a full house, as Miss Bowring, during her stay ' in Christchurch, has secured many admirers.

Gazette. — A " Provincial Gazette " was issued on Saturday. Monday next, the 16th instant, is proclaimed a public holiday, as it is the anniversary of, the foundation of this province. Daniel Brown has been appointed poundkeeper at Akaroa A country license has been granted to John Leith, of Leithfield. The Supreme Court will sit at Hokitika on the 23rd January next for the despatch of business under the Debtors and Creditors Acts. The time table for the Canterbury railways is published. Lyttelton Regatta.—A meeting of the Lyttelton Regatta Committee will tnke place to-morrow evening at the Lyttelton Colonists Society's new hall, at seven o'clock. As several gentlemen resident in Christchurch and its neighbourhood have been elected on this committee, we would take this opportunity of reminding them of this circumstance, as we presume the regatta will take place as usual on New Year's Day, and therefore little time is to be lost in making preliminary arrangements. Magibtebial.—At the Resident Magistrate's Court, at Christchurch, on Saturday last, John Burnside was fined 20s for drunk and incapable. Thomas Irwin wad charged with being drunk, and with breaking several panes of glass at the White Horse hotel. The apprehending constable, and G. Marshall, the proprietor of the White Horse, gave evidence in support of the charge. It being the first time prisoner had appeared for drunkenness, he was discharged on paying for the damage done. Rangiora Bush. —On Thursday last the anniversary tea meeting in connection with the Rangiora Bush Wesleyan Chapel took place. The tea, in spite of the unfavourable state of the weather, was well attended, and large provision was made for the occasion by the ladies. The proceeds of the affair amounted to £7, of which, after paying a few expenses, the balance will be handed to the ; fund for the erection of a new church at Rangiora. At the public meeting which took place the Rev. T. Buddie occupied the chair, and addresses were delivered by Messrs Dewsbury, Graham, Hodgson, James, Thompson, and the Rev. R. Bavin. Rural Spobts.—A meeting was held on Friday evening at Cameron's hotel, Saltwater Creek, for tbe purpose of arranging the public sports held annually at Saltwater Creek ; Mr Frederick Bull in the chair. A resolution was proposed that the sports should be held on New Year's Day, and an amendment to the effect that some other day be fixed, as the encampment of the Northern Volunteers was to be held at Woodend on that day. The amendment was put to the meeting and lost. The following are the committee appointed to carry out the sports :—Mr Farquharson, Mr R. Cameron, Mr D. Cameron, Mr J. MeLean, Mr Scott, Mr Mc William, and Mr Waughob. A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman. The Chairman then addrsssed a few words to the meeting, in which he expressed his regret at the time fixed for the sports, as either those or the Volunteer encampment would suffer in consequence. The meeting was then adjourned. Congest at Lyttelton.—Madame Carandini and her charming daughters, Miss Rosina and Fannie, left Lyttelton by the Tararua on Friday night, on their way to Wellington, accompanied by Mr Walter Sherwin. On the Thursday and Friday evenings they gave two concerts in the new hall of the Colonists' Society. There was a fair attendance in spite of the weather, which was very unfavourable. Judging from the applause of the audience, the favourites of the evening were the ballad " I cannot mind my wheel, Mother," by Miss Rosina, and " My Mother bids mc bind my hair," by Fannie. The duet "Beware, trust her not," was favourably received, and Madame Carandini sang " The harp that once" with great taste, and received well merited applause. The buffo duet, by the Bame lady and Mr Sherwin, met with a capital reception. Miss F. Carandini's contralto voice and her evidently educated style of singing were much to be admired. Altogether, the performances were a musical treat seldom to be obtained in this town. The Beach at Hokitika.—The " West Coast Times" thus refers to the successful completion of the protective works lately carried out under the supervision of Mr Rochfort: —" Very satisfactory it is to note the rapidity with which the beach is re-forming, two of the groins lately down being nearly covered with sand and shingle, and in the course of a few days we believe that very little of the remaining two will be visible. The protective works are certainly a great success, and the town may be congratulated that the Government is represented here by a gentleman of Mr Bonar's ability, energy, and decision of character, having power to act in emergencies. Much,credit is also due Mr Rochfort for the untiring energy he displayed in carrying out the works so promptly sanctioned by the Goldfields Secretary, and we have much pleasure in announcing that, as a slight acknowledgment of his valuable services, a very handsome testimonial will shortly be presented to Mr Rochfort by the townspeople." Hokitika.—The inhabitants of Hokitika have already appointed a committee to make arrangements fur inviting the Duke of Edinburgh to pay them a visit, and to provide for his fitting reception in case he should accede to their request. A meeting of the committee was held last Monday evening, when the following resolutions were agreed to :—Moved by Mr James Browne, and seconded by Mr Bartlett—" That his Worship the Mayor be I requested to become chairman of the committee for making the necessary arrangements to invite H.RH. the Duke of Edinburgh to visit Westland." Moved by Mr Tait, seconded j by Mr Mee—" That the Mayor be requested to place himself in communication with Mr Stafford, to obtain from him information as to the movements of the Duke, the probable date of his arrival in New Zealand, and the chances of his being induced to visit Westland." Moved by Mr Bartlett, seconded by Mr Marks—r" That his Worship the Mayor and the members of the committee wait upon the Goldfields Secretary and Mr Sale to request their co-operation in the movement." Moved by Mr Ord, and seconded by Mr Marks — " That the Secretary be requested to communicate the proceedings of the meeting to tho Mayor." The meeting then adjourned. West Coast Goldtields.—Speaking of the present condition of mining matters, a local journal says :—Fearful floods visited all parts of this coast. at the commencement of the month. The town of Greymouth was partly submerged, and suffered a great deal of damage, and led us to expect very sad accounts 'from the mines. But the reports that reached us from the various goldfields of the Grey district told of fewer disasters than we dared to anticipate, and further confirmed the good account we had before received of the improved and improving condition of mining there. The losses appear to have principally fallen upon the agriculturists, as a great deal of cultivated land was submerged, the crops destroyed, fences torn away, Sec. With respect to the mines, there are a few claims in Moonlight Creek that required a fortnight's labour ere they were again in working order, whilst the terrace claims escaped scot free. The Upper Grey diggings were equally j fortunate. The Moonlight correspondent of j the " Grey Argus " states that " a few days before the flood came down a paddock was bottomed on the left-hand branch of the creek, and a twelve-ounce nugget and several smaller ones obtained. This speaks well, as the creek is not taken up more than a few weeks, and the inclemency of the weather is against creek working. Several parties were up the middle branch last week, who speak of its likely appearance and well-formed terraces, and are waiting to give it a trial when the weather clears up." Concbbt at Kaiapoi.-—Although the weather was so unfavourable that Mr Merton and his troupe were hardly expected to put in an appearance at the institute on Friday evening last to give their promised concert in aid of the funds, yet the concert took place, and was a great success in every way except as to the attendance, which, owing to the roughness of the weather, was limited. Heavy showers fell about the time of commencing, 'and the fact that several at a distance were

unable to attend from the flooded state of the roads rendered the attendance smaller thnn it would otherwise havo been. Tho first part of the programme eons sted of sacred music, which did not appear to be appreciated by the audience. In the second part many of the selections were very good, and received wellmerited applause. We have not ascertained tho amount of the proceeds, but wo cannot help thinking that the Institute Committee acted wisely in making the price of admission to all parts of the hall alike and '<t a moderate rate, which we hope will be adhered to in future public meetings of tlie like kind. It may not be out of place to notice that it is a very general wish on tho part of the inhabitants of the town that the lecture hall should I be oftener used for its designed purpose —tho holding of public lectures. Boating. — A considerable number of persons visited the Avon on Saturday afternoon to witness the contest for tho cup presented by J. O. Gilchrist, Esq. The match was open to all comers, and it was expected that all of the Christchurch clubs would have sent a boat, instead of which only the R.R.C. and Canterbury Clubs were represented ; the i former by the boats, the Lurline and Express, and the latter by one, the Avon. The Alarm, belonging to the Trades' Club, pulled over the distance, but refused for some reason or other to enter. The course was from Mr DeTroy's to the willows opposite Ward's brewery, a distance of about two miles and three-quarters, and it had been arranged that the boats should start at half-past two o'clock, but it was nearly four before they got away. The Express was allowed five minutes start, the Lurline and Avon being handicapped level. The following were the crews of the different boats :—Express— Jameson, Heaps, Cuff, McKellar, and Lane (coxswain) ; Lurline —C. M. Ollivier, Crosbie, Pavitt, Packard, and Brunsden (coxswain) ; Avon—E. J. Dudley, Herdson, Thomson, Blakiston, and Smith (coxswain). Messrs Roper and Rees officiated as starters, and Mr Harman as judge. The Express pulled the distance in twenty-six minutes and fourteen seconds; the Lurline in twenty-two minutes and nine seconds ; and the Avon in twentytwo minutes and thirty-five seconds. The Express, having five minutes given her, therefore won the race. To the general public the contest must have been almost entirely without interest, for the Express, in addition to the five minutes allowed in handicapping the boats, received another minute in order to prevent the possibility of a foul occurring, and the second boat was allowed one minute start in advance of the third. The result was that the boats passed the winning post at considerable intervals from each other, and no one could tell until the time was declared which of the boatß had won the race. It is a great pity that some other plan is not adopted, because the very best races will really be the most unintersting owing to the fact that if the boats are equally matched they will come in at about the same distances from each other as they were at starting. Of the race very little can be said, as it was almost impossible to see any two of the boats at the same time, and therefore impossible to compare the different styles of pulling, but it was expected that the distance would have been done in a shorter time. There will be a pair-oar race next Saturday afternoon for a pewter, also open to all comers. We have omitted to mention that one of the crews of the Avon was absent at the time of starting, and that his place was filled by Mr Thompson, who belongs to the R.R.C. The Waimakaeibi. —Every year this river appears to seek a fresh outlet to the ocean ; it becomes less manageable from the number of overflows daily increasing cither in one or other direction, and is always subject to uncertain changes taking place throughout its course. It is some few weeks since attention was directed to a new and very formidable overflow which then took place at Mason's corner, and arose through the current working into the bank, consisting only of loose soil, some little distance above certain protective works, which consisted of willow and other etakes and fascine work i along the part of the bank threatened some time previous to this outbreak, and also boxes of rough Blabs filled with shingle, deposited so as to break the force of tho current. The overflow now referred to took its course along the centre of the Island, rendering several tracts of both cultivated and uncultivated land useless, as well as seriously damaging the North road, which, flowing some distance from the north channel, it was divided into two streams by a peat swamp which checked its progress in that direction, and the overflow since then has been entirely unrestrained. It is true, efforts have been made to adopt a meanß of confining the overflow to one single channel, but the work is not begun, and the " penny wise " system will soon be apparent; and those who stood in, the way of the cutting proposed to be oarried out, by demanding compensation before allowing it, will soon see their folly if the present state of things continues. Had the cutting been carried Out one good sized bridge would have been sufficient to span the current brought down instead of at present so many small bridges and culverts, which are inadequate to perform their necessary functions, and the road is • therefore flooded nearly the whole .distance from the Waimakariri bridge tio Kaiapoi. On Friday the river in both branches was much higher than usual, and more water found its way across tbe Island than ever. It was scarcely safe, nor is it yet safe, to travel along the road, which was then covered for some distance with water two or three feet deep, running in a strong stream, and almost putting a stop even to the passage of the coaches. Several of the farmers on the Island are in an unpleasant plight from the water in their houses, or all round on their lands, completely shutting them in. The town of Kaiapoi has not escaped altogether, for some of the houses were on Saturday surrounded by the overflow coming from the Kaikainui creek along the North road. Ohoko road was partly flooded from the overflow, coming down. Though the river rose high in the town, no inundation took place ; in fact it will probably never be flooded except by some very extraordinary flood if all the embankments , are kept in proper condition. At Sneyd's corner the embankment rendered Borne service on Friday and Saturday. Of the protective works at this point sufficient remain to render all safe from this quarter, and although the current has swept into the centre portion to an amazing extent, cutting out a part of the bank, yet so long as the point at the lower end of the gap holds good the bight into the centre will not increase at any very rapid rate. On Saturday evening the river was reported to be going down, and it is to be hoped that the report is correct, The brickyards at Kaiapoi were flooded, and so were the billiard room and the publio meeting.room at the Kaikauni hotel. Such being tbe case, the meeting to be held this evening to consider the best mode of improving the traffic of the north might, after settling that que-tion, take some steps for keeping open, the North road for facilitating traffic till the completion of the railway. Why the Wind Blows.—What is the cause of the winds ? The simple answer, the sun. If in the middle of a room we were to hang up a large mass of iron heated, we should find that currents of air set from all sides, rose up above it,.and spread out when they reached the ceiling, descending again along the walla. The existence of these currents may be easily proved by sprinkling a handful of fine. chaff about the room. What is the reason of the circulation thus produced ? The iron, unless it be extremely hot, as it is when melted by Mr Bessemor's process, does not require the air in order to keep up its heat; and, in fact the constant supply of fresh air cools it, as the metal gives away its own heat to the air as fast as the particles of the latter come in contact with it. Why, then, do the currents arise ? Because the air, when heated, expands or gets lighter, and rises, leaving an empty space, or vacuum, where it was before. Then the surrounding cold air, being elastic, forces itseif into the open space, and gets heated in its turn. From this we can see that there will be a constant tendency in the air to flow towards that point on the earth's surface where the temperature is highest, or, all other things being equal, to that point where the sun may be at that ' moment in the zenith. Accordingly, if the

earth's surface were either entirely dry land or entirely water, and tho sun wero continually i n tho j)lane of tho equator, wo should expect lo find tho direction of the great '.vinil- ;;••)•( • ■■-, permanent and unchanged throughout thn year. The true state of the case is,'however that these conditions are very fur from boin<J fulfilled. Every one knows' that the sun h not always immediately over (lie equator but that ho is at the tropic of Cancer in J,„ u ,' and at the tropic of Capricorn in December" passing tho equator twice every year at tlio equinoxes. Here, then, we have one enu 9o winch disturbs the regular (low of tho wind, currents. Tho effect of this is materially increased by the extremely arbitrary way i n which the dry land has been distributed over the globo. The Northern hemisphere contains the whole of Europe, Asia, and North America, the greater part of Africa, and a portion of South America; while j n t ] lo Southern hemisphere we only find the remaining portions of the two last-named continents with Australia and some of the largo islands in its vicinity. Accordingly during our summer there is a much greater area of dry l an( j exposed to the nearly vertical rays of the sun than is the case during our]) winter. Colonial Court Dbess — The uniforms worn by the members of the New South Wales Ministry at the official reception of the Puke of Edinburgh are thus described by the " Sydney Morning Herald " .—" Tho dress coat is made of fine blue, having black velvet collar richly embroidered with oak leaves and palm branches in bullion. On the wide cuffs (and also on black velvet) there i 8 a similar ornamentation ; the effect is romarkfiblv good. The pocket-flaps are also similarly embroidered on the cloth itself, and between these is a centre-piece of elegant design. Thepnttera of gold embroidery, is the same everywhero-' broad oak leaves and small fronds on the palm" with gold crescents intersecting tho stems' The embroidery is magnificently executed with four or five different kinds of bullion—' So \a tambour thread,' ' rough pearl,' « smoorh pearl,' ( checked pearl,' «gold spangle? and cord.' The button is that belonging to th 6 Civil Service. There is no vest, the coat bebe single breasted with one row of buttons com. ing down in front. The trousers (for undreus) are of blue cloth, with a two-inch gold laoo strip at the Bides. The small-clothes (for full dress) are of white kerseymero, withTamall white buttons at the knees. These will bo worn with white silk stockings, and the usual Court dress, shoe, and buckle. The cocked.httta'tn„o to accompany these uniforms'are aWready. Each of these is made of black silk beavor' with a gold loop and button over a bluck cockade. The edges of the hat aro fringed with ostrich feathers. The dress swords havo also been made in the colony, and aro a credit to those who have had tho difficult and important task of getting up the uniforms. The sword is a rapier in a black scabbard with gilt mountings, and a rich gold sword knot and tassel." Thb Do_b of Edinbttbok.—The " Mercury" thus describes the that have been furnished in anticipation of the visit of H. R. H. the Duke of Edinburgh to Tasmania : — " Without any pretension tc extraordinary magnificence, the apartments are most tastefully and appropriately furnished, and the comfort and convenience of tho royal visitor and his suite have been consulted in every arrangement. The. sitting-room of His Royal Highness is on tho ground floor, and is the room immediately on the right of. the grand lobby. It is a handsome apartment, commanding a fine view of the river and harbour, and is furnished with great tasto. It contains lounge, easy chairs, ordinary chairs, and settees of mahogany, covered with claretcoloured cloth, and trimmed with scarlet and gold cord, an oval 100 table, writing table, side tables, &0., _o. The curtains are of scarlet damask and white lace. The carpet is a very neat star pattern, Brussels, of pale blue ivith' gold spots. Tho side and centre tables are covered with elegant articles of bijouterie, and a handsome vase of flowers occupies the centre table, which will be carefully replenished daily from the treasures of the Government garden. From the sittingroom we proceed upstairs to the suite of sloop-; ing apartments, which have their entrances right and left of the main lobby. The statechamber is at the eastern end of the building, and is an exceedingly spacious and handsome apartment, lighted by two large windows, the one commanding a view of the oity and harbour, and the other a view of the river 83 far as Risdon. We venture to say that there are few such bed-chambers in any of the Australian colonies. The room is covered with a handsome carpet, showing, a brown and white fern pattern upon an emerald ground j it is magnificently furnished, the whola of the upholstery being of green Pekin damask, figured and trimmed with green and gold embroidery. The state bedstead is of brass, very massive, and of fcont form. It is hang with green damask ourtaias richly trimmed, and ia covered with a green quilt, with white looe coverlet. At the head of the bed is a square of white satitf embroidered with floss'silk and beads, and representing the arms and coronet of his Royal Highness within a floral 'border.' Beside the bed stands a handsome chest of drawers of polished oedar, and at the other end of the room a large and beautiful wing wardrobe with mirror front. The lounge, tsasf chairs, and ordinary chairs are of walnut wood, elegantly carved, and upholstered with green Pekin damask. The washstand is very handsome, with a massive marble top, and services of white and gold. The dressing-table is beautifully trimmed with white lace, and carries a magnificent dreßßing-glasa trimmed with lace and green ribbon. In front of the fire-place is a handsome fender and irons, with a large liveqder hearth-rug of wool. Articles of bijouterie are plentifully scattered upon tha tables, which are further beautified with bandsome vases of flowers. The room adjoining tho state-chamber is less elegantly furnished, bufc in the same style ; it is intended for his Royal Highness's principal equerry, the Hon. Eliot Yorke.. The next chamber of the series is to be occupied by Lieutenant Huigh, the second equerry. The curtains and hangings of this room are of a drab pattern, very neat, and the room iB elegantly and approprialftf furnished. A very largo apartment adjoiarag is set apart for the accommodation of Lord Newry, and is elegantly furnished in the same style as the apartment last mentioned. A small chamber adjoining will be appropriated to the use of H. B.H.s valet de ; chamber. On the opposite side of the posaago is a bed chamber, which will be occupied by Mr Brierley ; and adjoining this is series of rooms which will accommodate the servants of th& Royal party. Old and NewOottntbiss—The " Australasian," of the 23rd ultimo, points oat tbe great difference that exists between tbe mother country andthe colonies, aM tbe.inducements which the natural circumstances of the latter hold out to the population of the former to emigrate. The writer says :—" The mail leaves us in a condition which our friends in England must find it "difficult to realize. While money is going begging in London—or was SO in September last—at one and a-half par cent, and bullion was accumulating in the cellars of the Banks of England and France to an unprecedented «xtenfc,-the rates of interest hera range from 7 to 10 per cent., and there is » great quantity of non-mercantile but perfectly good paper negotiated on considerably higher terms. While provisions of all kinds are co dear in the motaer country as to necessitate practising economy in thousand.! oi middle-class households, as well as in those of the working men, excellent mutton is being retailed in Melbourne at l£d and 2d a pound, beef at 2d to 4d, potatoes at from £1 to 30j per ton, bread from 5d to 6d tho four-pound loaf, good wine.from 4s to 5s a gallon, fresh butter 7d to 8d per pound, new milk 3d to W per quart, and all the necessaries of Ufa ia proportion ; while many of what are held to be its luxuries in England are reckoned among its ordinary and commonly accessible comforts here. How are these disparities between the material condition of the people in the oW country and the new to be removed ? We aw making arrangements to send you some of otur surplus meat, as we have already sent y oai f OI ? B of our surplus cereals, from this end of the globe. But would it not bo. a simpler ana a more permanently beneficial proceeding w* you to send us a portion cf your sttspl" 9

your surplus population ? Would to employ the former in itßo *sfJtho emigration orthTrlafter? A and carefully adjusted flow of so sparsely peopled, and so endowed with natural resources as our lavishly gorily enrich the fountain and Offß. *?. j fc wou ld lighten the ever-augment-of population upon the means of ifif? ?tenco i n Greafc Britain ' ttnd enlftr £c tho pjbs ' A for the commodities which constitute ie teple of ber exports to Australia.! ti l 6.!. ag tho creation of capital pro- i $»P 5 7 a c olony where nature co-operates I tersely w 'tb n,an * n fc ' ie production *° Igjjtb the demand for capital con- °; dT outstrips the supply; and the high of interest current in Australia, far from *f t6S .j__ the doubtful character of the S according to the Duke of WellingfXcelebratcd dictum, are in reality the in- £° i n part of a steady demand and in part f _c eminently reproductive uses to which it • capable of being applied, and for which it is ifbitualiy employed. And simultaneously •A this steady creation of wealth there is, of 'Lgggity, a correlative shifting of the bases of Laety, a' progressive elevation of the lower rirata, 'a transfer of the enterprising, the pro*vr n {. gad the industrious —of which, in short, oar be ca^e< * t * ie lite °* tne wor^in S men — Lm tbe ranks of labour to those of the emjaorers of labour. There is, consequently, a produced which must be filled up from without, since it cannot be adequately renleaished by the slow process of the natural Increase of population. Thus, if we have mcceeded in making our meaning plain to our English readers, these colonies are capable of absorbing both capital and labour, cot by intermittent floods, but in equable and evenly flowing streams ; and the advantages *o be derived from such an influx of men and money will be so widely diffused as to reach both the capitalists and the wage-earning classes at home, while quickening every branch of industry and multiplying the channels of unployment among ourselves.