Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XV, Issue 877, 6 April 1861, Page 4

Local Intelligence.

A very interesting reunion of members of the Church of England in Lyttelton took place on Tuesday evening- to commemorate the first anniversary of the opening of the Parish Church. The meeting was designated by no classical or pretentious name, but was called, as it was, a tea-meeting. Both sexes and all ages met together and partook of the abundance set before them, tea, bread and butter and cake, served by the lady residents of the parish, being the basis of the entertainment. Besides a large gathering of the parishioners, who numbered sufficient to fill the school room where the meeting was held, there were present the Revs. J. Wilson and C. Alabaster from Christehurch, and several ladies and gentlemen not residing in the immediate neighbourhood. The Rev. Francis Knowles, incumbent, addressed the meeting after the tables were cleared, as did also the Revs. J. Wilson and C. Alabaster, and Messrs. Heywood, Donald, and Latter. The progress of the church affairs and especially of the^unday School wefe the chief themes. The choir of the church sang at intervals under the conduct of Mr. Herbert, who presided at the harmonium ; their singing was remarkably good and elicited much applause. The company separated a little after ten. We are requested to call attention to a complaint made by a Maori woman, that on Monday morning she was struck or frightened by a man in a volunteer uniform, near the Bank in tmVtown. She is unable to identify the offender at present, or doubtless he would receive at the hands of the law that punishment which his conduct, disgraceful to any man but more so to one wearing a uniform, i under present circumstances, would deserve. We should suppose that it does not need a formal complaint to be made that dead sheep out of some late stock ships are putrifying on the beach in this town. Hitherto in all such cases the importers have been compelled to bury the carcasses at their own expense, and the duty of seeing that this was done has fallen on the police. The Harbour Master, we presume, is also bound to take cognizance of the carcasses, inasmuch as they have floated and are liable again to float on the waters of the harbour. On Monday last the members of the Kaiapoi (No. 5) Company of Volunteers met for rifle practice at the butts which have been selected for the use of that company. The following very fair practice was made with three rounds at 100 yards and five rounds at 200 yardsc „„■■■ 10°yd8- 200 yds. Total. Sergeant Powell 4 ... 10 ... 14 Private R. Wright 7 ... 7 \\\ 14 „ S. Beswick 5 ... 7 ... 12 „ Dudley 5 ... 5 ... 10 „ F. Homersham.. 3 ... 6 ... 9 Sergeant W.Reve11...... 5 ... 4 ..'.' 9 Private J. Wylde ...... 6 2 ... 8 „ Hewlings 6 ... 2 ... 8 „ Coup 5 ... 2 ... 7 „ W. Wright 6 1 ... 7 „ Jeffrey 3 ... 2 ... 5 „ J. Homersham.. 4 ...- 1 ... 5 After which the following match was shot off at 300 yards; 3 rounds each :— Private R. Wright .. 4 „ J. Wylde ... ... ... "'. 3 „ Revell 2 „ Hewlings ... ... ... ... 1 We are glad to observe that the volunteers of Chnstchurch mean to make a strujHe to keep up their ancient prestige as the first and most vigorous getters up of the volunteer movement in Canterbury. A meeting is called for to-day to arrange the time and other particulars for a match with the Lyttelton Companies, in which we venture to say the latter will not be slow to meet them. Canterbury Vocal Union.—This society gave a concert on Easter Tuesday evening at the. Market Hall, Christchurch, which was well attended by a most respectable audience, and passed off with more eclat than its most sanguine supporters could have anticipated. When we consider the few months that this society has been formed, the progress made

speaks moBt | encouragingly for the musical position which Chrutohirah seems determS to wm. To criticize closely the perforce of so young a society, laboring under t? difficulties which beset refined amusement, i a young province, would be unnecessary but during the course of the evening- ll observed certain points which demand aW tion In the chorus "To the M tain," the pleasing effect was marred "hi one of the prominent tenor voices persist^ in Mounting away at a very extensive rat? in fact, this point of bad pronunciation w « observable throughout the evening and r quires, the attention oF the conductors T the solo in the chorus "Italy" Mi. V » indistinct enunciation caused pain to fh audience. His fine quality of voice alw av ! imparts great pleasure, but as our acquaint ance with him improves, something more than melody will be required ot him. « Mv tmiAi Star," by Mr. J. Foley met with 7J^S " Mynheer Van Dunck," universally 111 received, was in parts sadly disjointed and rendered m a manner almost fatally ne ff lLnt The catch «; Mr. Speaker!» gave^tifE' and was applauded. Hatton's four part son* « The Tar's Song» was quite aC carrying one back with interest to <th voyage.' In "We are coming, sister Mary" the opening part was given with delicacy and the bass went well. The song «fn j bye sweetheart/ by Mr. Elliott, elicited great applause. With a somewhat more emphasized manner, Mr. Elliott's delicate voice would always ensure admirers. « When the earth is hushed in peace," and "Freedom's day both went most successfully. In the solo Autumn winds" the accompaniment was far too heavy. « Crows in a com field," although doubtless introduced with the intention of variety, was scarcely admissible in the concert with its noisy companion. "Britannia en' circled with glory" wants decidedly a good practice. On the whole, the Vocal Union is doing well, and is likely to continue, as it has begun, to command the attendance and applause of the musical population of Christchurch. As it grows strong-, however, its members must expect careful criticism, which properly taken, will be of more service than .mere laudation.

Fire. —Soon after eight o'clock on Wednesday evening- last, a fire occurred in the east corner of the lofty gorse fence which surrounds the nursery garden of Mr. W Wilson, between Cashel and Lichfield streets' Christchurch. The ringing of the fire-bell very soon brought together the Volunteer Fire Brigade, with their engine, which was at once placed by the side of a well closely adjoining, whence a sufficient supply of water was obtained, and the fire thereby almost immediately suppresspd. The alarm created by the ringing of the bell soon drew together some hundreds of persons, who loudly cheered the volunteer brigade upon the efficient services which these gentlemen instantly rendered. The damage done is limited to the destruction of about sixty yards of the fence, and is supposed to be the thoughtless act of some boys, whom the police are endeavouring to discover. Supreme Court.—ln Chambers, April 5. —Joseph Cornish Helmore, Esq., an attorney of her Majesty's Court of Queen's Bench at Westminster, made the usual declaration before his Honor Mr. Justice Gresson, and was admitted to practise as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of New Zealand.

Total Abstinence.—The monthly meeting; of this society was held in the Town Hall, Christchurch, on the evening of Saturday last, Mr. Sanders occupying the chair. Messrs. Clepham, Cooper, and Bennet addressed the audience on behalf of the society. Mr. Thomson gave, during the course of the evening, melodies advocating their cause, and several temperate solos on the violin were also performed with effect.