The Press. MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1869.

Press, Volume XIV, Issue 1881, 26 April 1869, Page 2

The Press. MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1869.

Telegbaphic. — Telegraphic communication with Weetland has been interrupted since Saturday.

The Clabendon Hotel. —Before leaving the Clarendon Hotel yesterday morning both HEH Prince Alfred and Hie Excellency the Governor expressed 1o Mr Oram their entire satisfaction at the arrangements made for their accommodation. Mr Oram has been appointed hotel-keeper to H R H. Spoeting.—The preliminaries of a flat race, of 1£ mile, between Mr Morley's Dutchman and Mr W. C. Maxwell's Nugget, have been arranged; and of a hurdle race between Mr Osborne's Trump and Mr Brabazon'e Centurion, and the matches will come off to-day. Stjtbbme Cottbt. —The Wellington "Evening Post" says it is rumored that a redistribution of the judicial distriots of the Supreme Court is likely to be made shortly, and that the Wellington district will then be assigned to His Honor Sir George A. Arney, the Chief Justice.

The City on Satt/bday.—The appearance of the city on Saturday was nearly as festive as on the two i>revious days. The triumphal arches and the various deooratione of greenery looked nearly as fresh as on the day of Prince Alfred's entrance into Christchurch. Numerous fogs were still flying, and in the evening several of the devices, including the arch in High street, were, again illuminated.

Pbesebvation of Meat. — Mr George Hyde, who has just arrived from Melbourne, informs us that the object of his coming here is to start an establishment for preserving meat by McCracken's process. Hβ has with him samples of meat preserved by the Victoria Meat Preserving Company, who follow the procesi! mentioned ; and he will be prepared to show them to-morrow.

The Galatea.- —The veesel -was again crowded with visitors on Saturday, most of whom came down from Christchurch by rail. Trains were running every half-hour from both ends and passing at the Heath cote valley station, filled with passengers each trip. All the Port steamers were hard at work going to and from the Galatea, piled up with passengers, who covered every inch of standing room. Although the people were constantly coming and going, even the spacious decks of the frigate were inconveniently crowded, and getting on or off her was a work of considerable unpleasantness and difficulty. Her excellent band played during the day, and the tare were tripping it merrily with some of their female visitors. It was quite dark ere the last of the visitors had left the ship; and before the close of the afternoon the passengers brought by the steamers to shore were so numerous that the rolling stock of the railway was not sufficient to meet the demande upon it; and would-be passengers were left behind every train. A late train ran to bring back the last of the exour•iozrijts to Chriafc&urch. .■ :

Sc no. >l Entertainment.—On Friday «venincr M.t en'prtalnment consisting of dissolving views and selections of voc*l music performed by the Vocal Union, was given at the Drill Shed under the direction of Mr Stansell. On that occasion HBH the Duke of Edinburgh attended, and was preseuted with an address by Master Thomas Samuel Stansell, of the Wesleyan School, Durham street, and a handsome Bible purchased by the children was also presented by Miss Mary Florence Willie, of the Addington School. Miss Minnie Bannister, of the Presbyterian School, also |prfeented the Duke with a bouquet of choice exotics. Large as the Drill-shed is, it could not contain the numbers who applied for admittance, and therefore the entertainment wae repeated on Saturday evening to a large audience, the performance being, if possible, more successful than on the previous evening.

The Cattle Disease. —The following is the reply sent to the deputation who lately waited on the Provincial Government relative to the rescinding of the Diseased Cattle regulations : —Sir, —In reference to the interview which the deputation had with the Government on the 10th inst., on the subject of the cattle oonfined on the Maori Reserve, Kaiapoi, I have the honor to inform you that the Government has decided to take the necessary steps to obtain legal power to order all cattle on the reserve to be killed after a certain date, allowing them to be sold in the meantime under inspection as at present, but it will not pledge itself to recommend any compensation to be given for those ordered to be killed. It will be open to the owners as in the case of cattle previously slaughtered to sell the cattle for beef subject to inspection. I have the honor, &c, W. Rolleston, Superintendent. — Superintendent's office, Christchurch, April 16, 1869.—M. Dixon, Esq.

Dbamatio Pebfobmance. —The Lioensed Victuallers gave a dramatic performance on Saturday evening at the Theatre Koyal, which was crowded in every part of the house. An extemporary royal box had been fitted up for the reception of our illustrious visitor and Hie Excellency the Governor, in the centre of the dress circle. The performance consisted of the comic drama of " The Illustrious Stranger." The cast of characters was virtually the same as that on previous occasions. The character of Bowbell was exceedingly well taken by Mr W. D. Barnard, who displayed real talent by the manner in which he depicted the distress brought upon him by the untoward conjunction of events. His efforts were well seconded by the other members of the company. The dresses brilliant and in good taste, and the whole arrangement reflected the greatest credi*" on those concerned in getting up the piece. Previously to the commencement of the play, there was an allegorical tableau of Britannia, standing on a raised platform, and supported by two worthy representatives of the thorough type of the British tar, appropriately dressed in true nautical costume. During the representation the National Anthem was sung, Mrs Long and Mr Foley sustaining the eolo parts. At the close of the drama, Mr Thompkins, the President of the Association, tendered an apology to the audience for the unexpected absence of the Gourlay Family, who had been engaged to take a part in the proceedings, but who were obliged to leave Chrietchurch for Dunedin. He also stated that an intimation had been received from H R H the Duke of Edinburgh to the effect that he and the other guests had been so long detained at the Club, that they were unable to attend. Both apologies were good humoredly accepted by the audience.

The Nobthebn Distbiots.—Much disappointment was felt in Kaiapoi and Rangiora on Saturday at the Prinoe not visiting those places. At Kaiapoi, in the early part of the morning, the streets were thronged with people expecting the arrival of the Prince, in honor of whom a quantity of bunting was flying from various buildings and the craft in the river. Arches had been erected in Peraki street, near the Kaikainui hotel; in Cookson street, near the Bank of New Zealand ; and in Raven street, near the bridge. An address had been drawn up, and the school children of the town were in readiness to eing " God save the Queen" upon its presentation. The Maoris, in native garb of flax mats, and fancy head dresses of feathers, chaunted their " Welcome" for the edification of their hearers, from whom, however, they expected utu for their trouble, the said utu being devoted to the purchase of the necessaries for a feast. They also favored the spectators with a sort of modified war dance. The stores were closed during the day. By noon all hopes of a visit from the Prince had faded away, and every face wore a look of disappointment. The children's treat, which had been arranged for the occasion, took place on a section belonging to Mr Matthews. The Wesleyan, Church, and other Bchools, including Woodend, were present, and mustered about 400 in all. The youngsters, although, like their elders, disappointed at not seeing "the Duke," thoroughly enjoyed the cake and other pleasures provided for them. The show of flags was the best we remember to have seen in this part of the country. The weather was truly delightful, and the affair was a decided success.—At an early hour the streets of Rangiora were crowded with people from tho surrounding country; many having come from as far as Oxford to catch a sight of the Duke, and do their share towards giving him a warm reception. Six arches of evergreens would have been put up the day before had definite information been received that the Duke wag coming. Flags were flying from some of the buildings, but the display was not so great as we have seen on other occasions, and it was evident that a damper had been thrown on the loyal feelings of the people. All day an unusual number of people were about, and at one time sports were suggested, but they were not what was wanted. The great free banquet scheme, towards which we are assured twice the amount of contribution already published were promised, had been given up owing to the uncertainty. An address had also been prepared. A number of persons were to meet in the boys' schoolroom, at an entertainment got up by contributions, and at which resolutions disapproving of the conduct of the Government, in not inducing H R H to visit North Canterbury, were to be submitted. There appeared to be a decided feeling of dissatisfaction evinced by all with whom we conversed at the way in which the Reception Committee were originally led to believe that Prince Alfred would visit Rangiora.

The Longest Abthxeky Range.—The longest artillery range on record, viz., 10, 300 yards, was attained at Shoeburyness, recently, by Mr Whitworfeh's nine-inch muzzle-loader gun of fourteen tone firing a shot of 2501b,

with a charge of 1501b. This range is 225 yards over that of the Beven-inch Lynall Thomas gun, which in 1861 ranged 10,075 yards.—" Pall Mall Oazette."

The Otago Government—The Dunedin "Evening Star" says it believes that Mr Vogsl and Mr Burns have tendered their resignations of there seats in the Provincial Executive, but that the resignation of neither haa been accepted. The " Star " adds that Mr Vogel will shortly leave for Auckland, and will remain theere in connection with th " Southern Cross " newspaper.

P. N. Z. A. R. M. Company.—On Friday, Feb. 12, a meeting of the creditors and shareholders of this company was held at the City Terminus Hotel j Mr Cave, M.P., in the chair. The purpose of the meeting wae to enable the new board and the joint committee of creditors and shareholdees appointed in October last, to report their proceedings, and to con- j eider what steps should be taken as to the liquidation of the company. A resolution was passed that a liquidation by the Court of Chancery should be sought, and that Mr John Young be appointed liquidator. In ViceChancellor Malm's Court on Feb. 18 two petitions for the winding up of the Panama and New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, in accordance with a resolution paesen at the above meeting, were ordered to be in the paper on Friday, Feb. 26, and Mr John Young, of the firm of Turquand and Young, was appointed interim liquidator.

Tahiti.—By the arrival of the barque Moara, we are informed of the rapid progress made in the coffee and cotton plantations at Tahiti. The company formed some time since, under the title of the Tahiti Coffee and Cotton Plantation Company, are carrying on an enormous undertaking, under most skilful management and with apparently very profitable results, under charter from the French Government. The Company have leased an immense tract of country, extending four miles along the sea coast, and running inland a distance of eight miles, for a term of twenty-one years, free of all taxes. Some 10,000 acres are already under cultivation, and there are over 1,000 men, including 800 Chinamen, kept constantly employed on this farm. These men pick at the rate of 2,500 lb of cotton per diem ; they are housed and fed by the company, besides receiving fair wages. The whole of this gigantic enterprise is under the management of William Stewart, Esq, a gentleman specially adapted to superintend the carrying out of what promises to yield a very handsome dividend to the shareholders.—" Southern Cross."