TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVII, Issue 977, 22 March 1862, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS.

Wednesday next is the day appointed for the Lyttelton Company of the Rifle Volunteers to shoot for the Hibburd Rifles. Volunteers sworn in any time previously to the day of shooting will be in a position to compete for the prizes. The Government prizes will be shot for some time in April, and the Champion prize in May. The last, we understand, will probably consist of a cup.

The Christchurch Town Hall Committee have "been trying to develop the latent architectural talent of the province, by offering prizes for designs for an addition to the present building, in consequence of which several sets of designs have been sent in, and are now on view in the Mechanics' Institute. Messrs. Mallinson and Co.'s designs are accepted, the second prize being awarded to Mr. Barnard, and the third to Messrs. Hawkes and Strouts: The prizes were undoubtedly very small, "but we think that more pains might have been taken in the drawings. The palm, we think, has been very justly awarded, as Messrs. Mallinson and Co. liave taken pains to consider the former architect's ideas in assimilating the additions to the style of the present building without adopting its generally disliked proportions. The designers have evidently Tjeen attempting to make a very ugly piece of .work' a useful adjunct, and en masse it will be a handsome pile of buildings. The additions are to be in Imck, ornamentally worked.

On Thursday evening last, the members and friends of the Foresters Court, Queen of the Isles, celebrated their first anniversaiy by a substantial dinner at the Universal hotel, Lyttelton; about 50 were present. After the cloth was Avithdrawn, Mr. .A. T. Bradwell took the chair, C. R. Westall in the "vice. During the evening several loyal and patriotic toasts, songs, and sentiments were given and "responded to in thorough old English style. Host -Atkinson appeared to please everybody.

On Thursday last, a large party of Mr. C. Martin's rfriends assembled at the invitation of Messrs. Newton and Barnard, at the White Hart, to celebrate the birthday of the first-mentioned gentleman. Mr. Wakefield having taken the chair at nine o'clock, supper was served up in a manner that did infinite •credit to the ' chef' of the White Hart. After the usual loyal toasts had been given iv a most ina;pressivo manner, Mr. Wakofield proposed the toast ■of the evening, "The health of Mr. C. Martin." 'The tonst was received in the most enthusiastic rmanner, the room resounding for many minutes ■ with perfectly deafening cheers. After some more itoasts had been drunk and responded to, harmony (commenced, and conviviality was kejit up until a .late hour,