TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XX, Issue 1110, 1 July 1863, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Mr. Selfe.—We are sorry to hear that Mr. Selfe has not escaped the epidemic which is now raging in London. He has had an attack of small-pox, and although much better at the date of the departure of the English mail, was still confined to his bed. The Engußh Mail.—We are glad to learn that the shabby conduct of Messrs. MacMeckan and Blackwood on the occasion of the detention of the last mail at Melbourne has at last determined the Government to put an end to the contract with that firm. Mr. Reader Wood has written to give the six months' notice required. The Post Office. —We have received a letter from Mr. Wright, Chief Postmaster, in reference to a paragraph which appeared in our last issue, about the delivery of the mails. We regret that want of space prevent us from publishing the correspondence to-day. It shall appear in our next. The English Opera Company have given two more concerts in the Music Hall, previous to their departure to the South. They were both well attended and it is a subject of regret that this company cannot remain longer. Abstract of the quantity of land sold and granted in the different districts, for the month ending the 30th June, 1863:— districts. acreage. Christchurch 715 Ashley 392 Timaru 225 Lincoln 578 Mandeville 313 Ellesmere 1135 Banks' Peninsula 232 Oxford 70 Ashburton 210 Waitangi 668 Lyttelton 30 Miscellaneous 20 Total 4590 Also, sections 186, 187, Timaru, 2r. and 4a. 3r., granted compensation for roads. The Southern Monthly Magazine.—We have received the June number of the Southern Monthly Magazine. The object of this periodical is to present its readers with political topics connected with the colonies; subjects of local interest, including native antiquities and traditions; natural history and other questions of interest to the colony; to supply original tales in a serial form; to review all works of general interest; and to give a resume of the current literature of England. In the present number a continuation of " What became of him," gives a vivid description of life on the Californian diggings and a trial scene under Judge Lynch. There is a well written critique upon Mrs. Heman's poetical compositions, wherein the writer notes the beautiful sentiment and elegant diction which characterise some of her poetical effusions. A paper on separation discusses the probability of a future political severance of the colony from the mother country. It shews that the separationist agitation first arose in Otago on the discovery of the gold fields, from the supineness of the Government in redressing grievances arising thereon, and was believed to be an imported plant from Victoria. The writer says the flimsy attempts at argument by the separationists were apparent to the majority of colonists and scarcely required a formal refutation. An article on colonial experience deserves the attention of the new settlers in Auckland, as containing some valuable hints ort the best mode of breaking up land, and another paper gives clear instructions upon ths choice of site for a house and the laying out of the ground. A chapter on sealing is ably written, and evinces an intimate acquaintance with the subject. Lovers of sensation novels will find gratification in the tale " The Rover's Prize," where the usual chase, fight, and sea slang are worked up secundem artem, A review of Mr. Kinglake's work on the Crimea, and other books of note, closes the number before us, and upon the whole it seems of the varied character likely to ait the taste of the general public. It is proposed to make the Magazine a colonial rather than a provincial one, and with this view contributions are requested from the literary men of the Middle and Northern Island.