TELEGRAMS.

Press, Volume XIX, Issue 2705, 1 January 1872, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(.Per Greville's Telegram Covipany, Renter's

Age7its.) AUSTEALIAN NEWS,

Melbourne, Dec. 23

The Ministerial banquet at Ballarat is generally admitted to have been a success. Mr Duffy made a long and able speech, s^i^^^w^^g^^gn^sentenced to three and "»w&4nj>o vency.

A bazaar will be held in the girls' school, Rangiora. in aid of the Parsonage Fund, and we trust the ladies presiding over the different stalls will be able to dispose of the numerous articles they have collected during the past few months.

With this morning's issue of the Frees onr readers will receive oar usual yearly sheet almanac gratuitously. Our weekly readers will also obtain copies of the same in our next weekly issue of the Press.

The annual treat to the children attending the Durham street, Avonside, and St. James Wesleyan Sunday Schools, will take place today in Mr Gould's paddock, Springfield Road. The various schools will meet at the Durham Street Chapel at 10.30 a.m. this day.

A number of splendid Lincolnshire rams and ewes have just arrived by the ship Harvest Home frem London. We understand they are the property of J. C. Wilson, Esq., C.B. Five of the number shipped died during the passage. The gigs ordered from England by the Canterbury and Union Kowing Clubs arrived yesterday in the Harvest Home. We may state that the gigs are veil packed in cases, and come out apparently in excellent cpndition. In the Resident Magistrate's Court, at Christchnrch, on Saturday last, before C. C. Bowen, Esq., K.M., and E. Jollie, Esq., J.P., Francis South alias Smith, and Hans Clarke, were charged with being drunk and disorderly. Aβ the defendants were both unable to attend through illness, the further hearing of the charges was adjourned till Wednesday next. The usual watch-night service took place last evening at the Wesleyah chapel, Durham street, when there was a very crowded congregation. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. A. R. Fitchett and Messrs Armitage and Fairclougb, and after spending the first few moments of the new year in prayer, the hymn,"" Come let us anew our journey pursue," was sung, and the congregation dispersed. The Lyttelton Regatta takes place to-day, and bids fair to be a very successful one. The committee will meet this morning at seven o'clock to name the hour for starting the gig races. This will entirely depend upon the weather ; should it be fine, the first race will take place at 7.30 a.m. A special train will leave Christchurch at 6.30 a.m. for the convenience of boating men and their friends. The weather during the past week has been splendid for gig races, and it is to be hoped it will be. so to-day. We understand that the Mayor's Cup will be pulled for about 9.30 a.m. The entries for the various races are very good, and there is great deal of speculation as to which one will take the prize in the sailing race. We may add that Dunedin has sent up a boat to compete in the yacht race.

The annual sports at Itangiora will be held to-day in a paddock near the centre of the town, kindly lent by Mr. J. G. Bailey. The members of the committee have been very energetic in collecting subscriptions, and have about £40 in hand. An attractive programme has been arranged, including four horse races, and the usual races and jumping for men. The children have not been forgotten, the committee, having spent £5 in toys, &c, to be competed for by the youngsters. The committee have also received two cups from gentlemen in Christchurch, the one given by" Mr Nashelski, the other by Messrs Beath and Co., and have decided that the former shall be givea for a 200 ytirds race, to be confined to the tradesmen of the town, and the other as fist prize in the champion race. ,:

On the evening of the 29th ult# a deputation of the Presbyterian Church j Extension Association, consisting of the Key. A. F. Douglas, Messrs j James a \Vatt, and J. D. Macpherson, met by appointment with the Presbyterian residents in the Mai vern- district, in the Kowai Pass schoolroom.: After a sermon by the Eev. Mr A. P. Douglas, addresses were delivered by Messrs Watt and Macpherson, expressive of their pleasure that the Presbyterian people in this district were at last bestirring themselves, and had Jinvited the association to come to their jielp. After conference a branch association" was formed, and a committee appointed, consisting of Messrs Gillanders, Henry, Saji and James Craighead, with Mr A. C. Graighead for chairman, and Mr Coulter for secretary. £11 5s were subscribed to the funds. It was also agreed to meet together in the meantime for mutual edification ; and a request was asked to be forwarded for the services of a minister on a week evening once a month, till further supply could be.obtained.

A meeting of the Kaiapoi Eegatta Committee was held at the Council Chamber on Friday evening last. Present—Mr Beswick, the commodore, in the chair, Messrs Craig, Eevell, J. Sims, Smith, Bell, C. Sims, Wearing, Shaw, and Dr Dudley. In the unavoidable absence of the secretary Mr Eevell was elected secretary pro tern. It was resolved that the remainder of the races of the regatta be held on Saturday, January 6th. The programme was then arranged as follows: 12 noon, champion four-oared race as previously advertised; sailing race to start immediately after the foregoing race from Messrs lievell and Co.'c wharf; a prize of £1, added to a sweepstakes of 10s each boat, to be the value of the prize. 12.45 p.m., boys' race, course round Lock's Island ; 1.30 pan., fonr-oared sweepstakes, same course as boys! race; 2.15 p.m., champion scullers' race, course round Lock's Island ; 3 p.m., consolation race. The expenses connected with the regatta on Tuesday for tKe starters' crew were passed for payment. The arrangements in reference to the booths, &c, it was agreed should stand as previously. All the races except the champion fouH>ared race will start from the bridge, It was decided that all payments be made by cheques, to be oountersigned by tte.comnjodore.