TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1098, 20 May 1863, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS.

Abstract of the quantity of land sold and granted in the different districts, for the week ending the 18th May, 1863: — districts. acreage. Christchurch 36 Ashley 119 Timaru 545 Lincoln 256 Mandeville Ellesmere 963 Banks' Peninsula 266 Lyttelton Waipara 30 Oxford 25 Malvern Ashburton 100 Total 2340

In addition to the above, at a sale by auction on the 14th instant 120 acres rural land, in small blocks, sold for £264 10s; 6 sections at Timaru sold for £70 10s.

Concerts.—Messrs. Poussard & Douay gave tlmr fourth grand concert in the Town Hall, Christchurch, on Friday evening last. The audience was not quite so numerous as at the three previous concerts, which may be accounted for by the fact of this being the fourth concert in one week. The programme contained instrumental duets and solos for the violin and violincello, a solo for the harmonium, and vocal music. These great artistes, as might be expected from their known reputation, appear to succeed most thoroughly in charming their audience on every occasion; a sufficient proof of which is that everything they have yet done has been most enthusiastially encored. It would be useless our selecting for notice any particular piece, as, without exception, all they do on their respective instruments leaves us with an impression that we have listened to a performance where art and genius have been so well combined that nothing further can be desired. M. Douay particularly appears to have the power of carrying his hearers with him in every flight of fancy —his slow, expressive movements creating a breathless silence and admiration, while an irresistible laugh runs through the house at his imitative music, or, what is better termed, his tricks a " a la Paganini." M. Douay's performance on the violincello, indeed, is wonderful, and we do not know to whom he is to be compared—excelling, as lie does, in every requisite of a violincello solo player. If we say that he unites the vigour and purity of tone of Piatti with the sweet legatto and expressive style of Servais, we do not say too much. His " improvisation " on the harmonium was a clever and artistic performance. The instrument in such hands is capable of infinite and delightful changes in tone and expression, and we have no doubt that M. Douay's performance represented the instrument in quite a new light to many of his auditors. M. Poussard's rendering of a fantasia from " Lucia di Lammermoor," and his " Hungarian Airs," stamp him at once as an artist of the first order. His tone and expression are faultless, while his rapidly-executed staccato bowing, together with the ease with which he plays every intricate passage delights and astonishes everyone. Mr. Wilkinson, whose voice is evidently recovering from a severe cold, sung "Phillip the Falconer," in a manner that produced a rapturous encore. In concluding this short notice, let us urge on all those who have not yet had the pleasure of listening to the eloquent music of Poussard and Douay to lose no time in paying them a visit; for we imagine the opportunity will seldom occur in a small colonial city like ours of hearing such accomplished artistes. —On Monday evening, Messrs. Poussard and Douay gave the first of a series of classical concerts, in answer, we presume, to the request of some of their patrons. The evening, we are sorry to say turned out wet, nevertheless the attendance was not bad, and the audience was, as usual, very enthusiastic, recalling Messrs. Poussard and Douay on every occasion. Mr. Beaumont made his appearance again this evening, and sang the new "Excelsior," written by Hatton for Sims Reeves, and " Through the Woodlands, from " Der Ereischutz." He was still very hoarse, and we think it a pity he should have made the attempt so soon. He is gifted with a good, sound, ringing tenor; but if he persists in straining his voice as he did this evening, it cannot last long. Longfellow's " Excelsior " has been set to music by many composers; but Hatton's version of it, although coming after some which are already popular, is likely to put them all in the shade. We hope, on a future occasion, to hear it again. Mr. Wilkinson sang," As burns the Charger," with great spirit, the effect being considerably augmented by the accompaniment of Messrs. Poussard and Douay on the harmonium and pianoforte. M. Douay's playing throughout the evening was more like inspiration than anything else; he seemed truly to revel in the beauties of the melody he was performing. During the evening he played his own " Second Grand Concerto," a classical composition of the highest order, and " Sweet Spirit, Hear my Prayer;" the latter piece calling forth repeated applause from his hearers during its performance. M. Poussard's execution of De Beriot's " Andante, Third Concerto" was most exquisite; the octave passages, which are generally considered so difficult, being done with that truth and ease which characterises all his performances. M. Poussard gave us, in addition to the andante, his " March de Nuit," a composition of his own, which, as a violin piece, possesses great merit; it abounds in the most beautiful arpeggios, which can only be executed by a master hand. This first classical night was a decided success, and we trust that the public will show its appreciation of this high class of music.

An Accident of a rather serious nature happened yesterday to the wife of a farmer named Mackenzie, living near the race-course. The poor woman was engaged in feeding a thrashing machine, when her hand and arm were drawn in between the rollers, crushing two of the fingers and breaking the arm. Dr. Deamer has amputated the arm above the elbow, and the sufferer now remains in a somewhat precarious state. Lancashire Relief.—We hear that the first batch of immigrants selected from the distressed operatives, for which purpose the sum of £10,000 was voted last session, will be despatched from England during the present month. New Luncheon Eooms have recently been opened in Colombo street by Messrs. Gee & Sons, on the site of the old " Cookham House." As nearly all former similar establishments have invariably ended by becoming beer shops, we are glad to see a new one started under such auspices as afford a reasonable prospect of lasting good management. Mr. Gee is so well known in the province that he needs no recommendation, and we are quite sure that ladies in search of refreshment will not only get something very good in his rooms, but will be sure to get it as comfortably and quietly as in their own houses. Volunteer Champion Prize Cur.—lt will be perceived by our advertising columns that the Champion Prize Cup belonging to the Lyttelton Companies will be fired for on Saturday, the 23rd inst., at the range in Polhill's Bay, subject to the same conditions as last year, viz.:—the cup must be won two years in succession by the same competitor. Last year Private George Tombs gained the highest score, and should he be the successful shot this year the cup will become his absolute property. In addition to the Champion Prize, the second best shot will receive ten pounds, and the third best shot five pounds. Lyttelton Chamber op Commerce.—A meeting of the committee has been called to consider the propriety of holding the future meetings of the Chamber

at Christchurch. For some time past the Chamber may he said to have been virtually dead. If it is to be of any public use, the proposed step is probably the most politic that could be taken.

Tin; Volunteer Ball.—lt will be seen by advertisement that the Lyttelton Volunteers intend to hold their annual ball in commemoration of Her Majesty's Birthday. On this occasion we believe the proceeds will be given to the members of the band, in fulfilment of a promise made some time ago. The presentation of the cup to the champion shot of the company will be included in the evening's programme.

Sukface Drainage.—A first-rate opportunity is now offered for the Town Surveyor to check the past six months work and see what is required to take off the surface water. Though the streets are in a far better state than during the last winter, an inconvenient amount of water appears to stand in many of them even now.

The Lyttelton Fike Brigade.—The members of the brigade are requested to meet on Friday next on important business, and for drill. No doubt part of the business will include the election of another secretary, in the room of Mr. Trew, now on his way to America. Those who have had experience in local matters will know that a good secretary can materially influence the welfare and efficiency of any institution, therefore it is to be hoped the members of the Fire Brigade will elect a gentleman as secretary who will devote his energies to the welfare of the brigade. At the same time we should do an injustice to the late secretary if we did not state that, considering the difficulties experienced in the early formation of the brigade, he was a very efficient officer.

The Lyttelton Municipal Council held their usual weekly meeting oil Friday evening; besides the Chairman we only noticed four of the members present, viz., Messrs. Grubb, Genet, Fyfe, and Mills. Excepting the passing of by-laws respecting nuisances, the business of the evening was devoid of public interest. Sudden Death—One of the apprentices of the ship Huntress died suddenly on Monday night. It appears that he was taken ill in Christcliurch, and managed to get over the hill in the afternoon about five o'clock, and was dead at ten. Public Holiday.—Monday next being the anniversary of the Queen's birthday, is declared a public holiday. The Government offices, including the Waste Lands, will be closed. Edward G. Stericker, Esq., J. P., has resigned the post of returning officer for the Mount Cook district. Public Gaol.—The building in Hereford street, now used as a lock-up, is about to be proclaimed a public jail. Attempt to Desert. —A curious attempt at desertion was made by a sailor of the French ship Winslow, now lying at Akaroa, on Thursday last. The man watched his opportunity when all the boats but one were away from the ship, and then quietly took possession of it and left the ship. The mate fired a gun, apprise the captain, who was on shore, which had the effect of bringing off the two boats belonging to the ship. An exciting chase then took place. The man finding himself hard pushed, took to the water, but without escaping his pursuers, who caught him before he could reach the shore. This took place about mid-day, rather an odd time to choose for such an experiment.