TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1000, 11 June 1862, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS.

On Monday last, an election took place at the Magistrate's Court, Lyttelton, for a member to serve in the General Assembly, for the Ellesmere district. The Returning-officer, W. Donald, Esq., having read the writ, called upon the electors to propose a candidate. After some little delay in getting a proposer and seconder, Mr. Robt. Heaton Rhodes came forward to propose Mr. James Edward FitzGerald. He : said that, in his opinion, they could not return a better man, especially as Canterbnry was not well represented in the Assembly last year. He considered Mr. FitzGerald the best politician in the province, therefore the electors would do well to send him to look to their interests. Major Hornbrook seconded the nomiuation of Mr. FitzGerald. He thought it rather lukewarm in the candidate not to be present at his nomination. However, he thought ; with Mr. Rhodes that he was the best man to represent them. No other candidate coming forward, the Returning-officer declared Mr. James Edward Fitz- : Gerald duly elected. The Hon. H. J. Tancrefd delivered a lecture on Monday evening last to a well attended meeting of the Lyttelton Colonists' Society on 'Uhe Present Crisis in the United States of America." The able manner in which Mr. Tancred handled his subject, and the great interest taken in the civil war now raging in America, induces us to endeavour to give a more extended notice of the subject in a succeeding issue. The receipts at- the Land office on Monday last reached over £1200. ! An inquest was held last week on the body of a young, man, who died in the Hospital at Christchurch. The deceased's name, was Frank French, aged about 18. He had been brought up at one of the Unions in England, having ho relatives, and arrived some months ago in the Mystery. Soon after this he went to work on Messrs. Phillips' station, but being in very infirm health he came down to town a few weeks ago. His little capital was soon exhausted, and, being destitute, he sought shelter from the recent inclement weather, in a stable in Cashel street. His condition was made known on Saturday week to the Superintendent, who had him promptly removed to the hospital, where it was found that he was in the worst stage of typhus. He only spoke once sensibly after his removal, and death put an end- to his sufferings early oh the morning of Monday following. ; The Society of the Christchurch Band of Hope had a public meeting in the Town Hall, on Monday evening. There was a goodly attendance of both children and adults. Several speakers delivered suitable addresses, and the singing of Band of Hope melodies furnished an agreeable variety to the proceedings. In pursuance of resolutions passed at a general meeting held on Friday, May 2, at Birdsey's Hotel, for the purpose of making arrangements for a general show of stock and implements, a committee summoned by circular, met at the White Hart Hotel, on Friday, June 6, at 3 o'clock. R, Wilkin, Esq., was unanimously called to the chair. There were about fifty gentlemen present, all of whom appeared to take a great interest in the proposed show; every district and interest appeared well represented. The various classes of both stock and implements for which prizes should be awarded were agreed to, and will, as soon as possible, be advertised. The following resolutions were also passed:— Moved by Mr. W. Thomson, seconded by Mr. J. Mcllwraithe, " That a general show of stock and implements be held on Wednesday, October 22, 1862, at such place in or near Christchurch as the acting committee may appoint." Moved by Mr. W. Thomson, and seconded by Mr. G. Rodgers:—" That the following gentlemen be requested to act as a working committee for the purpose of carrying out the objects of this meeting, with power to add to their number: R. H Rhodes R. Wilkin, B. Dowling, Major Coots, Major White,' J. Brittan, J. Ollivier, W. Thomson, M. Sprot, w'. Boag, J. Hill, R. Brunsden," Moved by Mr. W. S. Moorhouse, and seconded by Mr. W. Thomson -.—"That no person be allowed to exhibit stock or implements in competition at the coming show, unless he be a subscriber, such subscription to be decided by the working committee." Moved by Mr. J. Brittan, seconded by Mr. W. S. Moorhouse, "That the next general committee meeting be held at this place on the Ist September, 1862." Moved by Mr. W. Thomson, seconded by Mr. Sprott, "That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to act as patron, R. Wilkin, Esq. as president, and J. Palmer, Esq., as treasurer." ' The working committee agreed to meet again for the despatch of business at the White Hart on Friday next, June 13, at 3 o'clock p.m. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting separated.