TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVI, Issue 927, 28 September 1861, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS.

The General Government with a vlcav to secure for scientific purposes meteorological investigations, have forwarded a complete set of the requisite instruments for the establishment of a station in this province. They have recently been received at the Government Buildings. Some of the specimens of marble from the Malvern Hills have been polished, and promise most favourably ; they class under the head of white variegated marbles, and are beautifully veined with a tinge of grey or green. Through the attention of the Postmaster, Mr. F. LeCren, Christchurch is about to be accommodated with branch offices for posting letters and sale of stamps. The Provincial Government are endeavouring to arrange a weekly mail to Timaru, and also postal communication witli the Makenzie plain.

We are given to understand that several gentlemen are interesting themselves in establishing a Boating Club. They purpose rowing on the river Heathcote. On Thursday evening last they made a trial trip in a neat little four-oared boat, the property of Mr. E. W. Tippetts, of the Steam Wharf. So manly and healthy an amusement deserves encouragement, and we sincerely wish them every success. It is a great misfortune that the river Avon is so obstructed by watercress as to render any sport upon its waters totally impossible.

The Prince Alfred brings the assay value of the Tuapeka gold. It gives the gratifying result of ■£3 17s. 6d. per ounce.

On Thursday evening last, Mr. A. T. Bradwcll* read Uutwcr's play, " The Lady of Lyons," at the ' Town Hall, Christohurch, for the benefit \of the widow and orphans of the late Mr. Tapper, of Papa-* nui. The spirit of the play was not only Well > conceived, but thoroughly rendered, although Mr.Bmdwcll was labouring under the disadvantage of cold and hoarseness. Eight pounds were taken at the door, which, in addition to other collections, makes v total of about £25 subscribed for this charitable purpose. The Christohurch band, conducted by Mr. Button, attended gratuitously, and played during the evening a variety of selections. We understand that Mr. Ollivier's reading for the widow Overhand is postponed from the 3rd to the 7th Oct., in consequence of the hall being engaged. The cases to be tried by Special Jury, on Monday next, are as follows:—Marshall v. Giggs; Wyatt v. Stack and another; and Collier v. Caton.

On Saturday last, Christopher Alderson Calvert, Esq., having made, before his Honor Mr. Justice Gresson, a declaration of his. having been called to the bar in England, his Honor ordered Mr. Calvert's name to be enrolled as a barrister of the Supreme Court of New Zealand.

On Friday last, Michael John Burke, Esq., having made, before his Honor Mr. Justice Gresson, a declaration of his having, been called to the bar in Ireland, his Honor ordered Mr. Burkes name to be enrolled as a barrister of the Supreme Court of New Zealand.

A NEW AND INTERESTING MACHINE—new to this colony at least—is now at work at the upper shaft of of the tunnel in Lyttelton, and which well deserves a visitfrom all,particularly from those who have a taste for machinery. We believe it is the first one of the kind that has been used in New Zealand, and we think that when its advantages become generally known, it will come into quite extensive use. The machine is a Patent Horse Power, to which a driving wheel and band is attached, and is capable of turning any machinery which does not require a greater force to set it in motion than is afforded by the strength of one or two horses. It consists of an endless platform set upon rollers, which traverse upon an elliptical rail; one end of the ellipse is larger than the other, giving the upper surface of the platform a downward inclination. The horse stands upon the platform: his own weight first sets it in motion, and as it passes from underneath him he is compelled to move his legs forward, in order to preserve his balance. Once that he begins to walk in this way, he is obliged to continue, and as he walks, the platform goes round turning the driving wheel, which by means of the band turns whatever other machinery is connected with it. The one now employed at the tunnel is used to turn the fan which drives air down into the shaft, but it can be adapted to almost any purpose. In the United States and Canada it is very extensively used for cutting wood for steam engines, sawing and cutting up heavy logs, and. pumping water into reservoirs. In Australia also a great number of them are used; and indeed wherever they are in use they give entire satisfaction. "We should think this country would be ' just * the field for their operation, considering the expensiveness of steam, engines, and the scarcity of manual labor. The sawyers on the Peninsula and-in the interior would find it to their advantage* to use a machine of this kind for sawing their logs, as their work would be done much more expeditiously than it is at present by hand. The machine was brought out direct from Boston, United, States/ by Messrs. Taylor and Co., who, knowing the great use that is made of it in their own country, thought that it would be well suited to a colony like this; and we are glad for their sake to see that they Avere not mistaken in their judgment. They also imported a double power machine meant for two horses, and a smaller power capable of being driven by a dog or a goat, and of being attached to a churn.

Canterbury Rifle Volunteers.—The Christchurch Companies of the corps turned out a squad for firing practice, on Wednesday last, under the command of Captain and Adjutant Armstong. The alteration of the locality of the parade from Cathedral Square to the Government Buildings without proper notice caused a little delay, but at 5 p.m. the men were under arms, and 600 rounds of blank cartridge served out. On the march to Hagley Park, by way of the College Bridge, several manoeuvres were executed with the precision of old soldiers. The skirmishing comenced at the College Bridge thence to the Avon Mill, and then across towards Riccarton, and after the firing Avas finished, the Volunteers highly commended Mr. Dilloway's ale. Marching then to the town, they were dismissed at the magazine. The exercise is to be repeated on Wednesday, October 3, parading at the Government Buildings at 4 p.m.