TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVII, Issue 981, 5 April 1862, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS.

Jan. i.—-New Year's Day was celebrated in Lyttelton by a regatta, more liberally supported than any preceding one, the weather was all that could be desired for the'occasion, but the sport was not so good as had been anticipated. The Court Star of Canterbury, A.0.0.F., celebrated their anniversary by a procession from Christchurch to Riccarton, where dancing and rural sports were indulged in for several hours. In the evening they returned and dined at the Foresters' Hall, where they were well catered for by Brothers Green and Mummery. Their festival was brought to a close the following day by a soiree for Foresters' wives and sweethearts, and a ball for juveniles. The annual regatta and rural sports at Akaroa came off on New Year's Day. The races, with the exception of the five-oared whale-boat race, were well contested ; owing to an accident to one of the whale-boats manned by Europeans, the Maoris had the honor of bearing off the chief prize. The sailing match was won by Mr. J. Clarke's Ida May ; in this race one of the boats capsized but fortunately her crew escaped with a ducking. The Maoris came out strong in the rural sports, carrying off the first prizes for foot racing and jumping in sacks, and likewise catching the boar with the greased tail. The great "event "of the day was a foot race by Maori women, which was ran in gallant style; a Maori song or "Laka" was given by the native ladies, assisted by native lads, finishing with a war dance, in which both sexes and all ages did their best to appear demoniacal. r A ball given by the Akaroa Lodge of Odd Fellows, M.U., which was both numerously and respectably attended, closed the proceedings of New Year's Day in Akaroa. From a statistical return recently handed in to the Provincial Government by Mr. W. Buller relative to the Maori population of this province, exclusive of the West Coast settlement, the following gratifying rate of increase is shown: — March 1860. Dec. 1861. Males under 14 ... ... 58 ... 74 Females „ 47 ... 62 Males above 14 ... ... 210 ... 236 Females „ ■••...-. ... 165 ... 169

Total 480 ... 541 This increase of 61 is not owing to immigration from the other provinces, for, on the contrary, the number of foreign Maoris now resident here is one less than in the previous enumeration, nor as far as can be ascertained, has the population received any accession from the West Coast settlements. Jan. 5.—A respectable young man named Richards accidentally fell out of a dogcart at Kaiapoi, and fractured his skull; he lingered for ten days, and then died. Jan. 6.—The Sunday School children of Timaru were very handsomely entertained by Mr. and Mrs. G. Rhodes, at their station, " The Levels." The largest amount ever taken iv one day by the Canterbury Waste Lands Board was received today, tinder the following heads : —Auction sale, £37 14s; land sales, £23,466 10s; timber license, £4; pastoral rents, £147 4s 2d ; forfeited deposit, £2 ss; deposits for land, £64 8s; total, £23,722 Is 2d. Jan. 7. —The Sunday School children, of all denominations, resident in Lyttelton, to the number of 300, were conveyed in the Avon steamer to Rhodes' Bay en route to Epworth Grange, where they were entertained with dinner, dessert and tea, by Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Rhodes. The Provincial Council unanimously agreed to the erection of a free bridge over the Heathcote, near the site of the present ferry. Jan. 9.—The Council agreed to the erection of a new hospital at Lyttelton, and voted for that purpose a sum of £1500, which a few days afterwards was increased to £2000. Jan. 10.—The most important act of the Provincial Council was passed this day. A message had been received from His Honor the Superintendent congratulating the Council and province on the flourishing state of their finances, and recommending that the Government should itself buy up the first instalment of debentures for the Railway loan, amounting to £50,000. The Council unanimously adopted His Honor's suggestion, and voted the necessary sum. - A meeting was held in the Market Hall, Christchurch, to organise an Amateur Dramatic Society, and preliminaries were agreed to. Since then the society has been established under the title of the Canterbury Garrick Club, and what promises to be a pretty little theatre is being fitted up in the Foresters' Hall, where the members intend to present to their friends a series of dramatic entertainments. Mr. Bradwell has been elected president and acting manager; Mr. Furby, stage manager; Mr. Smith, secretary; and Mr. Barnard, treasurer. Jan 14—Mr. John Wat^s,, a sheep farmer belonging to the Nelson district,' on his way home from Christchurch; fell from his horse whilst attempting to cross the Hurunui, and was drowned. Several days elapsed before his body was recovered from the stream.

Jan. 22.—News of the death of John Rob. Godley, Esq.., the first leader of the Canterbury Settlers, was received here by the English Mail, and created a deep feeling of sorrow amongst those who remembered his wise and able rule. Mrs. Wm. Slater, of the Dunolly station, Ashburton district, was thrown from a dog-cart, and sustained injuries of which she died in a few hours. Mr. Newton, the importer of the celebrated horse 'Towton' was drowned about this time, in his attempt to assist Mr. Lent over the Taieri river. Jan. 23.—The session of the Provincial Council having closed on the previous clay, all the members in town united in an invitation to tho Superintendent to dine with them; tho invitation was accepted, and an elegant entertainment, presided over by tho Speaker, C. C. Howen, Esfl. was given at Birdsey'a British Hotel. A remarkably large fish of the ray tribe was caught off the Shag Kock at Sumner. It weighed 422 Jhs. A fine specimen of coal was brought down to

Christchurch by Mr. B. Hart, from the Malvern Hills, Avhere he had discovered a-valuable seam, bmce then Mr. Hart has steadily persevered, though with the aid of only very inferior mechanical appliances, to develop this mineral wealth, and according to the latest advices, with much success. Ihis bed ol coal is about 40 miles from Christchureh, and easy of access. Some other valuable deposits have been discovered in the same locality; amongst others nre clay, marble, manganese and plumbago.

Jan. 24.—An influential meeting of the gentry, merchants, townsmen and others of Christclmrch, was held in the rooms of Messrs. John Ollivier and Son, to receive a proposition from Mr. Sheath for rendering available to the public the seams of coal lying in the lands recently purchased by that gentleman. Captain McLean was called to the chair. Mr. Travers, on behalf of Mr. Sheath, introduced that gentleman's proposals ; they were to this effect: —That to develop the coal and bring it to town, boring operations should be at once undertaken, and "if the seams turned out well a cheap railway should be laid down from the. Kbwai to Christchurch. The expense of this and of the necessary working plant was put down at £130,000, which it was proposed to raise in j£l shares—£3o,ooo in the colony and the remainder in England. Tor a preliminary investigation of the coal measures, ,£3OOO would be required, which it was proposed to raise by subscription, Mr. Sheath putting down his name for .£SOO Tor each pound so subscribed a preferential share might be claimed, representing two ordinary shares. Mr. Sheath further proposed to lease out the mines to the company for a chief rent of £1000 per annum, but for such rent not more than 10,000 tons of coal per annum should be raised; if a larger quantity should be desired it might be raised on the payment of a royalty to the lessor of 2s. per ton. Any gold, iron, or other mineral met with in the working to be the exclusive property of Mr. Sheath, who also reserves to himself the exclusive use of the land's surface. These proposals did not appear to be generally satisfactory to those present, and it was agreed that a committee should be formed from that meeting to confer with Mr. Sheath, with a view of obtaining such modifications in the plan as would permit the leasing to a company of the whole estate, on terms less one-sided than those proposed. The committee was appointed and subsequently had an interview with Mr. Sheath, who submitted to them the following proposal:-—" He would make over to the parties who would raise £2500, in addition to his £500, to test the value of the said freehold, all his rights for £15,000, and 6d per ton royalty for ever for every ton of coal raised ; the £15,000 to be paid to Mr. Sheath on satisfactory proof being obtained that the said freehold did contain a valuable coal field." The committee reported this to an adjourned meeting, and recommended its rejection, which recommendation was silently acquiesced in; and since then no further action has been taken in the matter. Jan. 28.—A man named Moody was crossing the Waimakariri, at Kaiapoi, in a boat, and whilst taking a strong pull one of his oars snapped in two, and precipitated him into the river. The unfortunate man instantly sank and rose no more, leaving a widow and large family to mourn his loss. Jan. 29.—An inquest was held in Christchurch to enquire into the circumstances leading to the death of a carter named Hurrell, who was killed on the Lower Lincoln Road on a previous day. It appears that the man was taking a load of bricks in a cart drawn by two horses, and had injudiciously taken a seat upon the shafts, from which he accidentally fell, and one of the wheels passed over the base of his skull, crushing his brains out. Of course the ill-fated man died instantly. Feb. 1.-—By proclamation in the Provincial Government Gazette Christchurch is declared a municipality. Feb. 3.—At a meeting of the committee of the Lyttelton Colonists' Society the following resolution was passed, on the motion of Mr. Willcox, seconded by Mr. Graham :—" That this committee hear, Avith sincere regret, of the death of the late founder of the society, John Robert Godley, Esq., and desire thus publicly to award to his memory that praise so justly due to his untiring zeal and exertions in promoting the best interests and objects of this institution." The Society has now been fairly established and promises to become a useful adjunct to the Temperance Society here, the praiseworthy exertion of whose members to redeem from drunkenness and vice deserve honourable mention. Mr. E. Seager, late sub-inspector of- police, has been appointed governor of Lyttelton Gaol, vice Mr. Reston, who, after many years of faithful service, has been placed upon the Northern Engineering staff, as custodian of stores. Mr. Prank Guinness takes Mr. Seager's office in the police department A public meeting of the electors was held in the Town Hall, Lyttelton, at the call of the Superintendent, to form the town into a municipality, and elect nine councillors. A number of persons were nominated to these offices, and the following day (Feb. 4) a poll was taken, resulting in the election of Messrs. W. Donald, H. P. M. Aynsley, E. A. Hargreaves, J. Grubb, J. T. Peacock, J L. Balestiee, J. S. Willcox, J. G. Fyfe, and E. Genet. Feb. B.—The Kaiapoi timber trade has a long time been closed, the timbered land belonging to the natives, and they having no power to alienate the land, and disputing among themselves about their several boundaries of bush land. The disputes have been amicably settled, the land has been subdivided into farms of 14 acres, each having a certain proportion of bush, and powers are expected to be granted by the Government to enable the natives to lease their lands for long terms; whereby the timber trade will be re-opened, to the great benefit of Kaiapoi and surrounding country. Feb. 10.—Thomas McCoy, aged 26, a native of Glasgow, formerly a sailor, was killed on the Ferry road, Christchurch, by a dray passing over his body, after he had been knocked down by an ox attached to another dray. Feb. 11.—The first day of the Canterbury Races, dear to the great majority of our people. The day was . all that could be desired, and the sport was excellent, albeit the crack horse of the province, Wetsail had gone Avrong two days before the meeting and considerably damped the ardour of our sporting fraternity. For several previous years our own stock had been unequal to the Nelson and Auckland horses, and the present ugly contretemps again gave them a clear course. The money raised for the meeting indicated the liberality of the province, and so tempted visitors from remote parts of the colony. The race-course is situated abotit five miles from the city, and is one of the finest in the world, being almost as level as a billiard table, with an uninterrupted sweep of two miles. There were four great events on the first day. The Maiden Stakes of £100 added to a sweepstakes of £6 each, 13 subscribers, was won by Mr. Redwood's Nelson mare Waimea, beating five others. The distance was If miles and the time 2 mm. 54 sees. The Lottery Plate of £3 each with £30 added was won by Mr. Moneys gelding Rob Roy, beating three others. This race was in £ mile heats, the first beingjun in 1 mm. 25 sees ; the last in 1 mm. 24 sees. The Sleight-of-Hand Cup, value £50, was won by Mr. Mallock's Auckland filly Emraeline, beating three others. Distance l£ miles ; timo 3 mm. 2 sees The Canterbury Cup, value £50, added to a sweepstakes of £5 each, was won by Mr. II Stafford's Nelson mave Ultima, beating Revoke and two others. A slashing raco between the winner and Revoke. Feb. 12.—The second day's races opened with the Criterion Stakes of £3 each with £30 added, and was won by Mr. Redwood's Waimoa, beating two others. Distance H miles; time 3 mm. The Derby Stakes of £10 each with £100 added, 12 subscribers, was won by Mr. Mallock's filly Emmoline, beating tK pITi S lBtT2; liTOiles stime l »*» M sees 8 The Grand Stand Plato, value £50,- was won by Mr. Moneys Rob Roy, beating two others. DisTW Wl f Ji"!!! Preceding race. The Ladies' i 10& adcled t0 a sweepstakes of £10, was won by Mr. Morse's mare Revoke, beating Ultima and two others. Of the struggle for this prize botweon Ultima and Revoke, our reporter says:—" It was a sight to do a sportsman good and will never be forgotten by thoso who saw it. The rivalry between tho owners of the two crack mares has for some time keenly existed, and was formed by the struggle between them on Tuesday for the Canter- j

bury Cup, which Stafford's marc won by only „ f inches after a desperate struggle. That event stirr^i the blood of both, and it was generally felt th- 1 effort would be spared to-day in the contest betw "° them. Revoke was slightly the favorite spit. 1 her yesterday's defeat, and she was backed'to a 1 siderablo amount, the long distance to run'bo/"" considered in her favour. On first passim' tt judge's chair, Ultima had the lead, Deception in! Revoke following about a length behind, Sultan w i up. For the next mile there was but little -iltL tioninthe position of the two cracks TWrthad got a little to the rear, and Sultan's case i? hopeless. Jfrom this point the race was entirely /* tween Ultima and Revoke, the former maintainin f" slight lead. The excitement on the course uimmense. "Ultima has it!" "Revoke! Revoke» "Hip, hip, Stafford!" "Go it, Redwood!" «£: yoke will get it yet!" Such were the cries of tl eager throng as the two flying mares swept tl upper flat in the last half mile, Ultima, whip ami spur at work, still maintaining her lead At tf distance they were nose and nose, and the two carrl^ up in that position to within a dozen paces of tl ■ winning post, Stafford lashing and spurring as if f '° very life; young Redwood gave a pull; the noble beast beneath him seemed to understand it well an] answered with a bound which brought her halfneck in advance when she passed the judge's ch'iir greeted by a shout sucli as never before rung out on the plains of Canterbury; a worthy return for the liberality of the ladies of the province." ]);<■ tance 2£ miles, time 5 mm.

Feb. 13.—The last day of the races. The first race was the Metropolitan Plate, value £50, and was won by Mr. Moneys Rob Roy, being his third vie tory during the meeting. Six started. The principal event of the day was the Queen's Plate, value 100 guineas, £ 5 entrance, and was won by Ultima after a slashing race between her and Revoke' Distance three miles, time three minutes two seconds The Consolation Stakes were carried off by Major White's gelding Rob, beating four others. This was the last race of the meeting During the week Christchurch kept carnival, there being every ni»ht either balls, suppers, or theatrical entertainments"

Feb. 17.—Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand, having issued a proclamation disbanding the Volonteer forces with a view to their enrolment under more stringent regulations, the Lyttelton Companies met in the Town Hall to wind up their affairs. It appeared that there were, some outstanding liabilities, and assets in the form of subscriptions due, and band instruments, and a committee was appointed to take charge of the same with a view to making terms with the companies to be organized.

Feb. 19.—A bazaar in aid of the Lyttelton Church Building Fund was opened to-day in the School room, a dingy place, but, which, by the artistic contrivances of those who took part in the undertaking, presented on this occasion quite a gay and elegant appearance. Great credit is due to the ladies especially for the charming display of fancy work and elegant nic-nacs with which the stalls abounded, and to the gentlemen too for the liberality they displayed in seconding their efforts. Our old home readers can understand better than we can describe the fascinating way in which foolish men are beguiled by beseeching eyes and honied tones to empty their pockets in the purchase of things of no earthly use But to remind one of the pleasure sometimes felt in being cheated; and we hope it is no reflection on our Canterbury ladies, to say that on this occasion they exercised their craft with remarkable effect. To prove this we only need say that the two days' proceeds of the bazaar amonnted to £570, by which means the church is for the first time made clear of debt. Feb 22.- —A very influential and numerouslyattended meeting was held in the Town Hall, Christchurch, under the presidency of John Hall, Esq., R M., for the purpose of considering the best means of organising an efficient volunteer force under Sir George Grey's amended regulations. The chairman delivered a most able address, pointing out the defenceless state of the province in case of any hostile power attacking us; and of the duty devolving upon every citizen to exert himself for the protection of his home and country. In the course of the evening, His Honor the Superintendent, the Hon. Mr. Crosbie Ward, and other gentlemen addressed the meeting, and the folloAving resolutions were unanimously adopted:—" That the totally unprotected state of the province calls for immediate steps to be taken for inaugurating an efficient system of defence, in order to place the province in a state of greater security." i " That the most important practical step to be taken for this purpose is to place the volunteer force on a permanent and efficient footing, under the amended regulations ; and that such corps consist of cavalry, artillery and rifles." " That this meeting, recognising the importance of the principle that the colony should assist in its internal defence, agree to afford all the help and encouragement in their power to the volunteer movement, either by joining the ranks as active members, or contributing pecuniary assistance as honorary members." " That from the fact of a supply of arms and I ammunition being already in the province no time should be lost in endeavouring to raise a sufficient number of volunteers to form five companies of Rifles." " That His Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to take the necessary steps, in concurrence with the General Government, for obtaining from the Imperial Government (by purchase if required,) the necessary guns for the armament of batteries for the defence of the ports of the province. And this meeting earnestly trusts that the Provincial Government will afford to the volunteer force such further recognition and assistance as may secure to that institution a permanent and efficient footing." Feb. 24.—A meeting of members of the Presbyterian Church resident in Lyttelton, was held in the High School, the Rev. W. Kirton occupying the chair. After prayer and an earnest address by the chairman Mr. McPherson, the treasurer, read the financial statement, from which it appeared that all liabilities on the church had been discharged, and that the building in which they were assembled was free from debt. It was stated that Mr. Ferguson, the esteemed principal of the school, was about to seek license and ordination, so as to carry on the work of the ministry. Feb. 25. —A Provincial Government Gazette notifies that after this day, C. C. Bowen, Esq. Avill resume the duties of Provincial Treasurer. Feb. 25.—-First day of the Timnru races. The cheering progress of Timaru, the extreme southern district of the province, is remarkably exemplified in the race meeting of the present year. The town of Timaru is on the south coast of the middle island, having an open roadstead for its only port, and separated from the capital landward *by several broad and rapid rivers as yet unbridged. A few years ago Timaru Town was only a name, now it is a thriving place, being a port of entry, and having its own custom house. The capital, so to speak, of a rich pastoral country, it has been raised to importance by the liberality of its sheep farmers, and can now boast of stores and hotels second to none in the province. The fact that £500 was furnished by them as prizes for this year's races will tell its own tale of their wealth and public spirit. The sport extended over two days and was well attended. During the race-week Timaru was the scene of unbounded festivity, and visitors from the North speak in gratifying terms of the hospitality displayed by the southern gentry. Fob. 26.—At 9 p.m. the main drive of the Lyttelton and Christchurch railway tunnel from the sea face at Lyttelton found a junction with the drive from tho bottom of the deep shaft at the end of London-street. For a month previous the progress of driving northwards had been stopped, owing to tho increasing body of water met with, the quantity having reached the enormous volume of 50,000 gallons in 24 hours before the northern drive was stayed. The water will now find its way down the tunnel and flow into the sea. A bonding warehouse lias been licensed at the whatf of Messrs. Aikman, on the river Heathcoto, and another at Kaiapoi, to the great content of the merchants, who will thus be relieved from the risk of loss on duty-paid goods, and from a heavy outlay for duty before refunds from purchasers could reach them. Timaru will almost immediately be declared

a free warehousing port, which will enable the people there to obtain their goods at a considerable reduction on former price?. Fob. 2S. —A meeting of the citizens of Christchurch was held in the Town Hall, to elect nine persons to serve in the first Municipal Council of that city. A great number of candidates were nominated, and a poll was taken the following day, which resulted in the election of the following irontlemon :—J. Hall, J. Anderson, G. Miles, W. AVilson. W. .1). Barnard, E. Recce, J. Barrett, 11. E. Alport and G. Gould.

March I.—A branch of the New Zealand Bank was opened on premises in Cashel-street, Christchurch. The Provincial Government account has been transferred to this establishment.

March 3.—The Christehureh Municipal Council held their first sitting in the Judge's Chambers, and elected John Hall, Esq., their chairman. It was resolved to meet weekly, and for the present not to admit reporters or the public. Since then, reporters iiave been allowed to attend, but the public are still shut out.

The adjourned meeting of the Lyttelton Volunteers was held this evening to receive a. report from the committee-appointed at the late meeting. It appeared from the report that the liabilities of the companies amounted to about £64, towards which they had cash in hand and subscriptions due amounting to £31 14s Id, band instruments, uniforms, &c. Absolution was passed empowering the cominittge to transfer the instruments and other assets to auy future companies in Lyttelton on their accepting the outstanding liabilities. It was also resolved that there was a necessity for graining and arming a military force in the colony, and that it was desirable that steps be immediately taken to enrol Volunteers in Lyttelton; and several gentlemen thereupon came forward for enrolment.

A session of the' Supreme Coixrt was opened this day at the Town Hall, Christchurch, before Mr. Justice Gresson, for the trial of criminal cases, of which there were six on the calendar: one of highway robbery, one of rape, one of horse-stealing, one of wounding cattle, and one of dog-stealing. The The last case was dismissed as unworthy of the Grand Jury's attention. The rape, horse-stealing, and larceny cases fell through owing to no prosecutor appearing, The two men, Wm. Henry McDermott and Wm. Handley, miners, charged with highway robbery, were acquitted; and Thos. Evenden, who pleaded guilty to the charge of Avounding cattle, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. This closed the business. Two civil cases before special juries were set down for hearing on the 10th March.

March 4.—A meeting of residents in the Heatheote Valey was held to consider the best means of providing a school-room for that district, the Rev. H. Fendall in the chair. It was resolved to erect a school-room on half-an-acre of land given by Mr. Lee for that purpose, and to raise the necessary funds by subscription.

Miuch s.—The Christchurch Volunteers met for the purpose of electing officers. For No. 1 Company, Frank Guinness was elected Captain; John F. Ballard, Lieutenant; and Edw. W. Tippetts, Ensign.

March 7.—A large hotel at Timaru, kept by Mr. Sam Williams, was discovered to be on fire at two o'clock this morning, and the whole of the property was destroyed. The building was the property of Messrs. R. and G. Rhodes, and was insured; but Mr. Williams's furniture and effects were not so. This will be a great loss to the .landlord, who deserves, and no doubt will obtain, the sympathy of his neighbours, as he might have saved a great amount of his property but for the praiseworthy exertions he made to rescue his lodgers and other inmates from the conflagration. Happily no lives were lost. The fire is supposed to be the act of an incendiary, and suspicion rests upon a man named Hugh Williams, who has been committed by the Coroner's warrant to take his trial on the charge.

An enthusiastic meeting was held in White's music hall, Kaiapoi, to further the Volunteer movement. Able addresses were delivered by W. C. Beswick, Dr. Dudley, W. Revell, J. Beswick, J. Birch, the Revds. J. Raven, and W. W. "Willock. £30 was collected towards the expenses of a company to be organised and named the No. 5, or Kaiapoi Company, and twenty-three members were sworn in.

March 10.—The Supreme Court was opened today, before Mr. Justice Gresson, to dispose of two civil cases, by special Jury. The first was an action brought by Mr. Eoss against an extensive sheepfarmer named Duppa, for balance of wages, £97 Bs, and £150 compensation for wrongful dismissal from service. The jury gave a verdict for the full amount. The second case was brought by a sheepfarmer anmed Geo. Douglas against Messrs. Burke and W. G. Brittan, for damages in not having handed over to him a sheeprun on the Otago boundary, for which he had paid defendants £1000. The purchasemoney had been refunded by defendants, together with an amount for special damages; but this had not satisfied plaintiff, and he now brought his action for general damages, which he laid at £1000. After a long trial, the jury gave plaintiff a verdict for £400' The two cases occupied the court three days. An interesting match at cricket was played at Piiccarton, by a united eleven of the youths in Christ's College and the Union Club, against eleven of the Albion Club, Christchurch. The youths beat their seniors in one innings, with 23 runs to spare. The highest score (22) was made by F. M. Ollivier, one of the collegians. March 11.—The Lyttelton volunteers elected as officers of No. 3 Company, the following gentlemen: —H. P. M. Aynsley, Captain; Wm. Donald, Lieutenant ; —Macdonald, Ensign. March 13.—Captain Rose, of the Mermaid, now in harbour, entertained a large number of gentry of the district on board his ship. March 14.—A special meeting of the Lyttelton Chamber of Commerce was held, at which an address to the Governor was agreed to, praying that he would appoint legal quays and wharves in that port. March IC—The news of the death of the Prince Consort was received to-day, and seemed to fill every mind capable of appreciating the calamity with sorrow for the irreparable loss sustained by the empire and the Queen. A Gazette was received to-day, dated March 7, dissolving the Provincial Council of Canterbury. Writs for a new election were also received. March 17.—A match at cricket was played to-day, between the Lower Lincoln Road club and a scratch eleven of Christchurch gentlemen, about which there is nothing notable, except the batting of Mr. Clande M. Ollivier, who carried out his bat after scoring 52 rung. ■■■-'■■■ March 18.—By proclamation of the Superintendent, all places of bUHinwo .were closed this day, in respect to the memory of the deceased Prince Consort. In Christchureh the great bell was tolled throughout the day. The shipping in port hoistud flags half-mast high, and marks of mourning were shown throughout the province. The committee of the Christchurch Town Hall Slaving advertised for designs for Important additions and alterations to that building, and offered prizes for the same, several sets of designs were sent in. The first prize lias been awarded to Messrs. Malhnson & Co., the second to Mr. Barnard, and the third to Mr. Strouts. The palm, we think, has been very justly awarded, as Messrs. Mallinson & Co. Have taken pains to conf»der the former architect's ideas in assimilating the additions to the style of the preBtnt building, without fclopting its generally disliked proportions. The designers have evidently been attempting to make a very «gly piece of work a useful adjunct, and en mam it wil be a handsome pile ot toiildings. The additions a«j to be in brick, ornamentally worked. March 20.—The Foresters' v.!»urt Queen of the Isles, Lyttelton, celebrated theii first anniversary ljy a dinner, of which about 50 partook, at the Universal Hotel. March 22.—A child, 3£ years old, named Wra. Henry Piper, was accidentally drowned * v the river Heathcote. March 25.—At a meeting of the goveriw body of Christ's College, Henry Thornton Dudley, >owley scholar, was elected a scholar on the Somes fo,jda-

tion. The value of this scholarship is £50 per annum.

March 26.—The Christehureh Mechanics' Institute held a quarterly general meeting, when the members ■wore- informed that the Institution appears to be steadily progressing. .£2O had been expended during the quarter in the purchase of upwards of seventy volumes of books; and seventy volumes hud been presented during that period by W. Thomson, Esq., and Messrs. Tribe, Ford, and Toinkins. Steps had also been taken, through the kindness of Messrs. Miles, Recce, and Wood, to secure n building site. Owing to the indisposition of Mr. FitzGerald, his third reading from Tennyson's "Idylls of the King," on behalf of the Mechanics' Institution, was not given as announced on Thursday evening. We understand that Mr. Bradwell will read Bulwer's comedy of "Money," in aid of the same institution. We have heard this reading of Mr. BradwelPs, and, as well for the benefit of the society as for the delectation of the public, we recommend as many as can to be present. ■