The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 155, 24 December 1853, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times.

December 24, 1853.

■ The Anniversary of the Settlement was kept as a general holiday on Friday, the 16th inst. Unfortunately, the day was most unpropitious and gloomy, forming [a marked contrast with the beautiful weather, before and since. A public ball took place the preceding evening in a temporary room erected for the purpose, fronting the Royal Hotel, which was tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers. The party did not break up till daybreak. A horticultural exhibition was held in the room on Friday. Owing to the wet and wind, which prevented many intending exhibitors forwarding contributions, the Show of fruits, flowers, and vegetables, was by no means so good as last year. We remarked, however, some fine strawberries, gooseberries, and black currants: and there were some good specimens of potatoes, peas, carrots, &c; but the paucity exhibited quite prevented any competition or comparison. We suppose that prizes were awarded; no very difficult matter when they exceeded the articles exhibited. We have not, as yet, been favoured with the awards made by the judges. It was generally felt and expressed, that it was a mistake to have the show apart from the races. Last year it was held on the race-course and formed an agreeable lounge pending the interval of the races. As it was, we very much question whether one half of the pleasure-seekers were aware that there was any exhibition of the kind. In future, the races and horticultural show should either be held on the same spot, or, which would perhaps be better, the latter might take place later (say, New year's day), when a larger quantity and belter description of fruits, .vegetables, &c, might be expected. The races, notwithstanding the extremely unfavourable weather, attracted a goodly concourse of people. Messrs. Devon and Guinness officiated as Stewards; Mr. Worsley, as Judge; and Mr. Rule, as Clerk of the Course. The first race occurred soon after twelve.

Hurdle race, twice ifbuh&Ahe course over six sets of hurdles. .>»*■-• Mr. Laurie's b.m. Maid of the Mountain, \r yrs-'^ 3]bs., (J. D. Brittin),. \ Mr. Leachsb.g. Necromancer, aged, f lOst 7lbs., (Owner) '/; # „" 2 Mr4i? ma/^' S l^Fx //a^aw«y.'aged',']ost. 71bs., (Kendall) Q "H The horses were broiight'to the'starling post in fair o ? der, the general impression being the Maid was too fat. On the word Go given by Mr. Brown, who officiated as starter, the three went off in a trot, Harkaioay and the Maid waiting on Necromancer. This state of things continued till they reached the first hurdle, when Necromancer declined, causing the others to do the same. After a free use of the " Brummagems " and no small waste of whipcord" Necromancer was brought over, and had got well past the second hurdle, before the Maid could be persuaded to take the first leap. She was at last induced to take her fence, by the beautiful management of her rider, Mr. John D. Brittin, who, notwithstanding a " purl" at the fifth hurdle, brought her in a winner. Necromancer was ahead till the last hurdle, which he refused, thus giving the Maid a chance which was not thrown away. His owner lost a stirrup in the first round, which was a serious impediment to his prospect of winning, and, had the last hurdle not been refused, would probably have done so. Harkaway was nowhere, never having even taken his first leap. The excitement in this race was considerable, large sums of money being, we understand, dependent on it. Hack Race. —Open to all horses; entrance £1. Heats, once round.' J. Patterson's b. m. Lady Gladstone, 4 yrs. (Ambrose) ... ... ... 1 H. Read's b. m. Lucy, 4 yrs (owner) ... 2 E. Chapman's g. g. There-he-flies 6 yrs. (Ferredy) C. Torlesse's Silvertail, 6 yrs. (owner)... Wassen's Jack, 6 yrs. (owner) ... H. Ward's b. g. Comet, 6 yrs. (owner)... W. Jackson's b. m. Jeivess, srs. (Fendall) R. Taylor's Bandy, 5 yrs. (Guff) George's b. m. (owner) Lady Gladstone, and George's b.m., by the jockies dismounting before passing the Judge's chair, were disqualified, though coming in first; Mr. Bead's Lucy being taken first. In the second and third heats, Lady Gladstone had it all her own way: the b. m. coming in second, the second time; and Jewess, second, the third time. Anniyersary Pi ate.—Heats, twice round. Mr. Lee's hi. g. Tamerlane, 'aged, -lOst. 71bs. (R. Hilton) 1 l Mr. Lee's b.m. Countess, 5 yrs. lOst. 31bs. (Fendall) 2 2 Mr. Leech's b. g. Necromancer, aged, 10 st. 7 lbs. (Owner) My. Ellis's b. g. Johnny Heki, aged, 10 st. 7lb. (J. Brittin.) ' — Johnny Held went off with the lead at a rattling pace, followed close by Countess, Tamerlane being third. The pace, however, soon put Johnny, hors-de-combat, and left Mr. Lee's two horses to canter in; Tamerlane winning. For the second heat, Tamerlane and Countess alone contended: the former, as before, winning. Consolation Plate.—For all horses beaten in former races. Twice round. Mr. Lee's b.m. Countess, list. (Hilton)- J Mr. Smart's bl.lg. Harkaioay lOst (Leech) -J Mr. Jackson's h.m. Jewess, lOst. (Fendall) v The Countess took the lead with Hark, away, close behind, and came m an easy winner. The Jewess was pulled up alter the first time round.

The Annual Examination of the Collegiate Grammar School, at Chnstchuicb, took place on Wednesday, the 14th inst. in the presence of several of the parents ana friends of the pupils. The Examiners wete His Honor the Superintendent, the ltev •

Mathia*,^tjfs Rev. J. Wilson, Sir Thomas Tancred': Bart., and Conway L. Rose, Esq., each of the examiners taking separate subjects: The Examination, which was thorough^ and searching, and conducted with great care and pains, lasted for about 5 hours. The Chief Subjects were the Greek Testament, the Greek and Latin Classics, Scripture History with the Geography of Palestine, the Church Catechism, the History of England, Euclid, and Arithmetic. The Examination being concluded, the Prizes were distributed, according to the decision of the Examiners, by the HeadMaster, the Rev. H. Jacobs, as follows: Ist Prize, Dudly, Sen.; 2nd, Draper; 3rd,Brittan; 4th, Cojkson; sth, Westenra, Jun. A prize for marked Good Conduct during the past year, was also awarded by the HeadMaster, to Henry C. Parkinson. The Examiners expressed themselves highly gratified with the result of the Examination, and a hope was confidently expressed by His Honor that, at the next Annual Examination there would be something more substantial to be competed for, in the shape of Scholarships and Exhibitions, for the maintenance of Pupils in the Upper Department of the College, which -would be by that time in all probability established. The Company then separated, to all appearance much pleased, and the School broke up for the Christmas Holidays.

We understand that a special meeting of the Lyttelton Magistrates was held yesterday, to take into consideration information conveyed to them on the subject of gambling in Public Houses. It was resolved to warn the Publicans, by circular, that, at the next general annual Licensing meeting, close inquiry would be made into the manner in which the different houses have been conducted during the previous year ; and that the renewal of a License would be opposed in any case in which it shall appear that gambling has been allowed. We are glad to find that the Bench are alive to the necessity of putting a check upon a vice so demoralising as that of gambling, and of which the danger is doubly increased to those who indulge in it, when the opportunity of adding to the excitement, by drinking, is so great.

The house of the Rev. J. Raven, near Kaiapoi, was burnt to the ground on Thursday morning, the 15th instant. The fire is supposed to have originated from the pipe of a carpenter employed in completing the house, from ashes falling among shavings. The house was near completion, and was intended to be occupied at Christmas. We learn that nothing was saved, so rapid was the progress"of the fire^and that the loss of property, &c, is estimated at near £1,500. We learn from Akaroa that, early this month, the " Carnatic," from London, was spoken with off the "Snares," by the French whaler "Le Tour de Pin, 5' the Captain of which piloted the " Carnatic" to the heads of Otago harbour. The " Carnatic " left England towards the end of August, or early in September, and has 150 passengers, a few only of whom are for Otago. It was the intention of the Captain to remain but a few days at Otago, and the " Carnatic " may therefore be hourly expected here. Since the "Le Tour de Pin" has been in Akaroa, she has been deserted by her Chief Officer and many of the crew, who are now at large in the Peninsula. By the Mary, from Nelson, we learn that the day preceding h^r departure, a vessel arrived from Melbourne, bringing English news to the 10th September, brought by a Steamer to that port in 59 days. The Mary did not bring any papers, so that we are in the dark respecting European news, beyond the fact that theltusso-Turkish dispute Avas still unsettled.

The following; appointments appear in the | Gazette of Wednesday last :—Mr. Parkinson to f bei temporarily, Inspector of Sheep ; John' Watson, Esq., to be Provincial SubTreasurer for the district of Akaroa; Mr. Bayfield to be Sub-Postmaster at Christchurch; and James Spowers, Esq., to be, temporarily, Keeper of the Public Records. Mr. Charles Dudley has produced his diploma and proved himself qualified as a Medical Practitioner. The following Correspondence also appears in the Gazette of Wednesday : — Christchurch, Nov. 22, 1853. Sir, —I have the honor to forward you the enclosed copy of a despatch which I have i-eceived from the Civil Secretary, and which I consider it my duty at once to put you in possession of. I have the honor to be, &c. (Signed) W. G. Brittan. His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury.

Wellington, October 5, 1853. Sir, —I am directed by the Governor to authorize you, upon the request of His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury to that effect, to bring into operation throughout the Province of Canterbury, the Government Regulations for the sale and disposal of the Waste Lands of the Crown of the 4th March last, and for the depasturing of the same, upon such a date as may be agreed upon between yourself and the Superintendent. I have the honor to be, &c. (Signed) Alfred Domett. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, &c.

Christchurch, Dec. Ist, 1853. Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd of November, enclosing a despatch from the Civil Secretary, dated the sth of October, instructing you, " upon the request of His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury to that effect, to bring into operation throughout the Province of Canterbury, the Government Regulations for the sale and disposal of the Waste Lands of the Crown of the 4th March last, and for the depasturing of the same, upon such a date as may be agreed upon between yourself and the Superintendent." I beg to acquaint you that the Provincial Council having resolved that the laws for the disposal of the Waste Lands ought not to be altered except by the General Assembly, I shall not feel it my duty to request you to introduce the Regulations referred to. I have the honor to be, &c. (Signed) James Edward Fitzgerald, Superintendent. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, &c.