TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1091, 25 April 1863, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS.

Public House Ordinance.—A meeting was held last night at the Universal Hotel, Lyttelton, Dr. Motley in the chair, when it was resolved to draw up a requisition to the Resident Magistrate to call a public meeting, for the purpose of considering the state of the law in reference to the Public House Ordinance. A committee was formed, consisting of Messrs. Davis, Renshaw, D'Oyly, Walker, Willcox, and Hargreaves. Volunteers.—Eleven of the Lyttelton volunteers met on Wednesday last, to fire for the Government prizes. Mr. Leggett proved himself the best shot, scoring 26 points, and gaining the privilege of wearing the badge given by the Government. The next on the list scored 21, the third 20. Considering that the ranges on this occasion were 300, 400, and 500 yards, and that no opportunity has been hitherto afforded for practising at a greater range than 300 yards, the shooting must be considered very good. We understand that there is now an ample supply of rifles and ammunition, and that arrangements have been made for the purchase of the range with the funds voted by the Provincial Government. In addition the Town Council intend to lease the adjoining land to the rifle corps at a nominal rent, by which means a fair range of 700 yards will be obtained. Every facility will thus be afforded for the practice of the volunteers. It only now remains for that body to come forward and avail themselves of what has been done. As the Government are raising ' defence corps,' we should imagine that self-interest alone would induce the volunteer spirit to revive. Grey Coal Company.—About a year since the promoters of this company endeavoured to obtain from the Government a conditional promise for the lease of the land reserved over the coal field at the Grey, on such terms as would induce them to prosecute the undertaking. In this they were unsuccessful, and the affair has remained in abeyance. The company, which has been strengthened by the addition of some wealthy Victorians, has again made an attempt to obtain terms from the Government, and this time with such success as warrants the hope that before many months are over, a company will be formed sufficiently strong to enter upon the work on a scale to supply the whole of the colony with coal at comparatively low rates. Depot on the West Coast.—-The schooner Crest of the Wave is now taking in stores for the Government depot at the Grey. Early next week she will ship the buildings, and will most probably not be detained more than ten days from this. Sale of Waste Lands.—At the sitting of the Waste Lands Board on Thursday last, there was a sensible improvement in the demand for the Crown Lands, of which 3048 acres were sold, realising to the Government about £6096. Of this land 1930 acres are in the Timaru district, 138 in the Lincoln district, 70 in the Mandeville district, 790 in the Ellesmere district, 85 in Bank's Peninsula, and 40 in the Oxford district. The Maories at East Cape.—Captain Potter reports that during the time he was off the East Cape, he was detained on shore by bad weather for three days, during which time he enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. Baker, R.M. After the gale broke his host went off to see Mrs. Potter and the ship> when they were kept on board by a gale, for three days. They were landed by Mr. Lockman, the chief officer, on a part of the beach which seemed to displease some of the Maories very much. The old chief regularly pitched into Mr. Baker, and ' gave him pretty considerable fits,' stating that he , had warned him once or twice before upon this subject, and, although he would let it pass this time, yet that he had better not try it again, or he would find that it was once too often. Captain Potter seems to think the Maories there extremely lawless, and very ' desirous of convincing all strangers that they were

masters, and speaks of all save one very fine old chief, as a great set of scamps ; they evidently, however, stand in awe of this ' rangitira,' who, when his anger is aroused, seems to be a very volcano of wrath. Accident.—Yesterday evening, about six o'clock, as Mr. Manning, of the Timaru mail, was driving his wagon drawn by four horses to the stables in Christchureh, 011 turning the corner at Mr. Ollivier's offices the horses took fright and bolted down Cashel street at a frightful speed. The wagon came in contact with the rails along the river side of Oxford Terrace, and was smashed to pieces. None of the horses were injured ; and Mr. Manning, who was in the wagon when the horses started, and who did all in his power to stop them managed to make his escape from his seat without serious injury before the catastrophe took place. Mb. Houdin. —Last night, Harry Houdin amused a Lyttelton audience with his Polynational Entertainment, at the Town Hall. Those who wish to " laugh and grow fat" should see Houdin in his mimics. Saltwater Creek and Kaiapoi.—The statements furnished by our correspondents concerning ] the navigation of the Saltwater Creek vary so much as to render it difficult for the casual reader unacquainted with the locality to form a correct opinion of its capabilities. We believe it will be found in this case that the truth, as usual, lies midway. The creek, with ordinary precautions may be rendered perfectly safe for vessels drawing from 4 to 5 feet during certain times of the year. Towards autumn it will usually be found almost impracticable even for these. At present it may be considered virtually closed for the time, and as we understand that about 1000 bales of wool are still waiting shipment, it would be well for the owners if they wish to get their produce home this season to take the necessary steps for getting it conveyed to Lyttleton. The Mermaid will not be likely to remain here after the 15th proximo, and we are fast approaching that date The Bishop of Nelson.—This dignitary at any rate has no doubt about the criminal illegality of marriage with a deceased wife's sister. In his eyes it is simple incest, and all who give the guilty parties their countenance would appear to be considered by him as abettors of the crime. The following account of a meeting held in Oxford will suggest a doubt as to which party ought really to claim the title of ' bigot' At a meeting of the friends of the Bishop of Nelson, which was held in the Hall of Merton College, Oxford, in November last, the Rev. Mr. Hutchinson in the course of his account of the city of Nelson and the people of the province, said, " The standard of morals among the best of them was but at a very low ebb, owing, perhaps in a great measure to the very low (perhaps still sinking) estimate of the sacred character of marriage prevailing." He then read from a letter from Bishop Hobhouse the following very queer account of the moral peculiarities of the good folks of Nelson:— " An attempt which I made in March last to remonstrate against the appointment of an infant schoolmistress in this place—a person stained with the crime of incest —drew me into many conversations, which revealed great unsoundness of principle, and that too, in men who have kept their own name unstained, and have honored the nuptial bond in practice, if not in theory. I found the whole authority of the Divine law, even to the prohibition of polygamy questioned. The clearest precepts of the Divine law-giver confounded with the glosses of human interpreters, and with the encroachments of the mediaeval courts, so that to call any one incestuous seemed to be little better than the hateful slander of a bigot.' "