The Press. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1867.

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1590, 11 December 1867, Page 2

The Press. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1867.

West Coast Road Teatpio.—During the week ended the 4th December 150 head of cattle have been driven past the Rangiriri police camp on their road to Hokitika. Chert's Colleg-e.—The annual sports of the pupils of this College will take place today in the grounds attached to the schoolroom. The first event is to come off at halfpast ten o'clock. Southeen Peovinces Aimanac—We have received a copy of this almanac for the year 1868 ; it is a publication so well known that it is needless to describe it. For the amount of information contained and the manner in which it is arranged it is unequalled by any book of a similar kind in the colony. Resignations.—lt is officially notified that James Coutts Crawford, Esq , Daniel Pollen, Esq., and Alfred Rowland Chetham Strode, Esq., have resigned their seats in the Legislative Council of New Zealand, and that his Excellency the Governor has accepted such resignations. Lecttjbe.—LasteveningMrPowelldelivered the fourth of his series of lectures on chemistry to the pupils of the High School in the old Town Hall. The lecture was a very interest - ing one, and was listened to by a numerous audience with considerable attention. We will give a more lengthened report to-morrow. Mb. Fitzheebeet.—-On Friday laßt a complimentary dinner was given to the Hon. Mr Fitzherbert by a number of his friends. About forty persons sat down to table, amongst whom were the Colonial Secretary, the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Major Richardson, and others. The chair was occupied by C. J. Pharazyn. After the usual loyal toasts, the health of his Excellency the Governor was proposed and received with enthusiasm. The Chairman proposed the health of Mr Fitzherbert, which was received with acclamation and drunk with all honours. ■ The Noeth Road.—The Great North road is now.impassable in consequence of one of the large culverts or bridges having been carried away by the very heavy flood which has been running across the Kaiapoi Island for the hist few days. The afternoon coaches from Kuiapoi were unable to cross, and were detained until the arrival of the conveyance from Christchurch, when the passengers and luggage were transferred and brought to their journey's end. A temporary bridge is being erected by Mr Bowmaker just below the one that has been washed away, so that the inconvenience will not be of long duration. Man Missing.—Yesterday morning information was conveyed to Kaiapoi that a man named Baxter, who lived about a mile or a mile and a half from Kaiapoi on the opposite bank of the river, was missing. He was in the habit of going to Kaiapoi and staying most of the day, and returning home by crossing the river in a small punt. He was last seen about ■nine p.m. on Monday night with the punt, •trying to cross as usual; but since then neither the punt nor himself has been heard of. Search was made yesterday along the river and towards the bar by the police and others, but'without success. It is feared that he has been drowned, and washed out to sea. Legal.—ln Chambers yesterday the following cases were heard before his Honour Mr Justice Greßson : —Burnell v. was an "application made by the defendant to >set. iasidei an injunction granted by his Honour on l the 3rd .Ootober.- Mr Garricki appeared for the defendant, and Dr. Foster, instructed by Mr Wynn Williams, for the plaintiff. After hearing a lengthened argument from counsel son both sides, his Honour reserved- his judgment. Graham v. Walker and.others.—This jwas an ex parte application made by the plaintiff to restrain the defendants from removing certain sheep off the station of Mr G. A. E. Ross. Mr Garrick appeared in- support. After hearing arguments in support;- his Honour stated that he would give his decision to-day at one o'clock in Chambers. Kaiai*oi Island.—A meeting of the committee for carrying out the cutting across Kaiapoi Island met on Monday. The Chairman stated he had seen his Honour the Superintendent, who could not promise any assistance before the Provincial Council met, and it i would be better to go on "With the work if possible by private subscription. Several gentlemen in - Christchurch had promised liberally to " assist, and with the £150 promised by the Road Board they might proceed with some portion'of the work. Mr Joseph Stanton and Mr Belcher were~requested to act on the committee. It was then resolved— " That a contract be entered into at per chain from where the channel is already formed to a point two chains on the Government section, according to specification.'" "That the contract be let tolilessrs. Miller, Humphreys, McDonald, and G. Edwards, at the rate per chain they have offered to do the work, viz., £50 for thirty-five chains ; or, 14s 3d per chain each cutting, no earth to be thrown between the two cuttings." "That the Road Board be applied to for a further grant of £150." " That Mr Coup act as treasurer to the committee." " That the Chairman write to the Rangiora and Mandeville Road Board for the sum of £100, already promised." " That Messrs. Pashby, Birnie, Walls, Wright, and Dunsford act as "a sub-committee, to superintend the The work consists of two cuttings, each "eight feet wide by four feet deep, exactly in a line with that laid down by Mr Doyne, and which lie" had stated was the only means of saving the Island. The object of the cutting is to lead the water by a straight and direct course. St. Albass Mutual Ijipeotement Association. —A tea mid musical entertainment was held in connection with the above association last evening in the society's room at St. Albans. Tea was provided at seven o'clock by Dr. Florance, the president, and the members of the association, Mrs Florance and other ladies presiding at the tables, which were abund mtly furnished. After justice had been done to the good things provided, the tables were cleared away, and a j musical entertainment was given, several ladies and gentlemen from Christchurch volunteering their assistance. The first piece sung wa3 the anthem "How beautiful upon the mountains," which was given with good expression and-taste. JLCbja, air, "Dreams of my childhood," was rendered with great sweet*

ness, with a very good accompaniment on the pianoforte. It was loudly applauded by the by the audience. Dr. Florance, who occupied the chair, then rose, and said he would call upon Mr Cutler to say a few words on the objects of the association. Mr Cutler (who was loudly applauded) said that he had not come | there with any idea of speaking, but as their worthy president had called upon him he felt bound to comply. After expressing his pleasure at seeing so numerous a company present, he spoke of the prospects of the institution, giving it as his conviction that although having to struggle very bard at present it would, by the energy and perseverance lof its members and the support of kind friends, eventually get out of its difficulties, imd ~m~tmr end- be "a decided-success. Mr' Cutler spoke of the lecture delivered by Mr Reeves as a great beginning for them, and concluded by expressing the gratitude he— and he was sure all of them—felt to those ladies and gentlemen who had come forward that evening to give their services. The " Vesper Hymn" was then sung by the choir, the ladies voices being particularly | prominent for their sweetness and melody. It [ was followed by the very -appropriate song, "Hard Times," which was well rendered, the burden of the song; being sung by the ladies, the rest of the choir joining -in the chorus. After a song by Mrs Price, Mr Thompson, by general desire, gave some variations on the concertina, and acquitted himself remarkably well, and being encored played "Let mc kiss him for his mother" with equal skill. After another anthem by the choir Mr Dixey, the secretary of the association, made a few remarks upon it position, saying that although at present in debt he hoped by their united exertions that it would soon be in a prosperous condition. Before sitting down he favoured the audience with "The: cottage by the sea," which be sang very fairly. Mr Farr sang " Good bye," the other members joining in the chorus, which was followed by some more variations in capital style on the concertina by Mr Thompson. After another song by Mr Price, Dr. Florance rose and proposed a cordial vote of thanks to tliose ladies and gentlemen who had so kindly given their services, at the same time hoping it would not be long before they all met again. Mr Cutler briefly seconded the j vote of thanks, which was carried by accla-1 mation. Mr Woodford, in returning thanks on behalf of himself and the others, stated that they wonld be most happy to give their services when required. The National Anthem was then sung, and the company separated.