TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVI, Issue 945, 30 November 1861, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS.

One of Heath's patent mowing machines will be tested at Mr. W. Thomson's, Scotstoun, Papanui road, on Monday next, December 2nd, on a grass crop of average quantity. This being the first application of machinery to grass mowing in this province considerable interest is manifested as to the result.

The schooner Flirt, well-known as a trader between Lyttelton and Kaiapoi, was wrecked on the bar of the Waimakariri on Saturday last. We hear that the cargo was damaged to a considerable extent.

A little girl, six years old, of the name of Sherritt was drowned in a water hole near, the Wesleyan Chapel, on the Island, Kaiapoi, on Saturday last. An inquest was held on the body on the following Monday when a verdict of " Accidental Death " was returned.

New Building Society.—A movement for the formation of a building society on an improved plan having been for some little time in agitation in Lyttelton, a meeting, called by circular, of those favorable to the undertaking, Avas convened for Wednesday evening last. About 100 were present, and the merits of the proposed scheme, as compared with the society already in existence, were fully discussed. The chief points of difference we understand to be : issuing £25 and £50 shares, and a larger amount of the profits to fall to the share of the borrowers. The meeting were unanimous as to the desirability of the proposed society, and upwards of 100 shares were taken before the meeting separated in addition to many others previously to the meeting. It would be premature to attempt to give any idea of the entire mode of management; but it is intended to be conducted in all respects on a more liberal and comprehensive scale than has been the case with societies of this description previously existing in Canterbury. A committee oi twelve were chosen to take the initiative steps, and to draw up draft,rules, to be submitted to a public meeting, of which due notice will be given. Mr. W. Willcox was requested to act as secretary pro tern. Christchurch Horticultural Society. — A meeting of those interested in re-establishing exhibitions of garden produce was held in the Market Hall onThursday evening the 18th inst., Grosvenor Miles, Esq., in the chair. In consequence however of insufficient notice having been given the attendance was very limited. It was therefore thought best to adjourn the meeting until Monday evening the 9th inst. A sub-committee however was appointed to meet on Monday evening, December 2, to draw up rules for the regulation of the society, and otherwise take the necessary preliminary steps prior to the proposed public meeting. We sincerely trust that a society calculated to effect a large amount of good in the province may meet with the general support and patronage of the province.