TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVII, Issue 991, 10 May 1862, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS

A notice in our advertising columns announces that a meeting will be held in Christchurch, on Wednesday evening next, for the purpose of forming an auxiliary Bible Society, in connection with the parent British and Foreign Bible Society, whose operations are so well known all over the world. The subject needs no comments from us to recommend it to the attention of all who have the interests of Christianity and the welfare of their fellow men at heart. We trust that this rising settlement, which already shows such a deep interest in the subject of education, will give a cordial support to a movement which will so greatly assist our educational efforts, by enabling them to be built up on the only sure foundation —the knowledge of God.

Early next week, Messrs Holmes & Co., the contractors for the erection of the electric telegraph between Christchurch and Lyttelton, will commence work. We understand it is not yet determined where to establish the termini in' the respective towns. The work will be commenced at Christchurch, by the , erection of the iron posts to the corner of Colombo street, and along that street through the city, thence taking the south side of the line of railway, and carrying the line over the hill into Lyttelton, by the side of the Bridle path. The erection of the line will be under the superintendence of Mr. Alfred Sheath, a gentleman who has had large experience in the

construction of telegraphic lines, both on land and submarine. The instruments (Morse's recording) have been purchased by him in Sydney, and have arrived safely.. The staff for working the line is already in active organization, and by the end of June, we are promised by the energetic superintendent of the works, that the electric telegraph between Lyttolton and Christchurch shall be in full working order.

The ladies and gentlemen of Lyttelton will doubtless be gratified to learn that the established custom of the Lyttelton Volunteers will not be departed from this year, of giving a Queen's birthday ball. Considering the success which has crowned their efforts on previous occasions, we are justified in anticipating that this ball will be equally satisfactory in its results.

We would call attention to the fact that the Airedale, on her next visit to this,port, will only have time io land and take up her mails, and be off again. We give this intimation, lest any of our readers should wait the arrival of the steamer before posting their letters, in which case they would inevitably be too late.

We observe, by an advertisement in our columns, that the winter's course of lectures in connexion with the Lyttelton Colonists Society, will be commenced on Monday evening next The first lecture will be delivered by Mr. F. E. Wright, on the " Life of Mr. George Stephenson." We hope, this year, that the lecturers will be encoiwaged by larger audiences than heretofore.

In our last issue we briefly noticed an accident which had happened to Mr. Dransfield. We have since learned the full particulars. It appears that Mr. Dransfield was crossing' the Ashley about 12 a.m., on Saturday last, in a dog-cart, in which were Mrs. Wormald and daughter and another young lady, when the horse was brought to a stand-still by the strength of the current and shortly afterwards became restive. Mr. Dransfield kept the animal pretty quiet for about twenty minutes, when it began to plunge and rear very violently. At this time some person on the bank threw a rope, with which Mr. Dransfield managed to keep the horse's head above water for some time. Mr. Birch was on the bank but his horse would not take the stream, but another gentleman arriving on a powerful black horse came into the stream and took the ladies safely on shore. As soon as the cart was lightened of its load, it commenced to float. The rope having been let go and the horse being drowned Mr. Dransfield soon found himself helplessly floating down the

river with a strong current, till at last the cart fortunately stuck on a shingle bed. At this juncture Mr. Birch and the stranger on the black horse came to his assistance and landed him safely. Horses and ropes having been procured the dead horse and the cart were dragged out, all the luggage with the exception of a small parcel being saved. Mr. Dransfield is desirous of availing himself of this opportunity of returning thanks for the ladies and himself to their brave preservers and to all who assisted them in their difficulty.

Information has reached Christchurch of the disappearance of a young man named G. H. Stuart, late in the War Office, London, and who lauded here from the Chrysolite about a year ago. Mr. Stuart was engaged on Mr. Parke's survey staff, and left-the camp on Good Friday to convey a letter to Mr. Parke's station. The first stage was about eighteen miles, to Gray's station, on the liakaia, but he never reached there, nor has he since been heard of. It is feared that he lost his way and perished in the bush.

Christchurch Cathedral.—Many of our readers may not be aware that steps have been taken which, if vigorously followed, up, will, result in the commencement of the Cathedral The sum of £746 ]2s 5d has been already raised in England for this object, upwards of £50 more has been promised there but not collected ; a further sum of £1000 has been set apart from the provincial grant for the erection of churches for a cathedral, and we believe that when it is once announced that subscriptions are required from the inhabitants of the province a sum will be raised amongst us which will justify the commencement of the building. In the meantime plans are being prepared by Mr. G. Scott, and we give the following extract from a late letter of the Bishop's Commissary in England to his lordship, which will point out the progress already made:— "January 18, 1862. I have been once or twice lately to Mr. Scott's office to see about your plans ; they are getting on well, but not yet ready to be sent off. I wa3 there yesterday and begged for a ground plan to send to you by way of instalment. I think that the design is very beautiful and original. The columns in the nave are to be single trees running up to the plate of the clerestory. It will be worth a voyage to New Zealand to see it should it ever be executed. You must expect to have to wait a little, as you are employing the man whom Mr. Gladstone the other day affirmed to be " the best ecclesiastical architect in Europe, and therefore in the world."— Church Quarterly Paper.

The Home Maori Mission.—By the assistance of the General' Government grant of £200, and of the Provincial grant of £250, the Standing Commission are enabled to commence building operations in connection with the Maori Industrial School at Kaiapoi, and we trust that before long the timber will be on the ground and the proposed buildings in course of erection. The native teacher Kuirni and his wife have arrived from Auckland. The whole of his expenses to Canterbury were paid at Auckland, and the mission was thus saved £40. Thanks are due to Archdeacon Maunsell for his assistance ; he kindly collected £20, and obtained £20 from the Government. Ruimi has been well received by the people here. It is desirable that it should be known that he has had several presents of food from the Natives. One man, Hapurona, has also given him thirty trees valued at £20; others have promised to give trees. Influenced by Hapurona's example, Peta Mutu has offered him the use of two working bullocks when he may require the use of them, and it is hoped soon to commence farming operations on the Mission land. We may add to the statement made with respect to the need of increased assistance to the Maori Mission, that the applications made to several societies in England for aid have failed, and consequently that the necessity for large contributions from members of the church in the diocese is most pressing.— lbid.