TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XX, Issue 1111, 4 July 1863, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

To whom does Cathedral Squark belong?— In reference to a paragraph which recently appeared in the 'Press' under the above heading, we are enabled to state that the land was conveyed to the Government some eighteen months ago, that the deeds were duly registered, and that the facts of the case might have been ascertained in the registry office by the writer of the paragraph alluded to, for the moderate charge of one shilling.

Jlit. Elshee has succeeded in taking some very excellent photographic likenesses of the Prince and Princess of Wales. They are copies of the wellknown photographs taken by Desmaisons of Paris, the copyright of which is secured in England. They will form a very suitable remembrance of the happy occasion now about to be celebrated.

Photographs.—We have had the pleasure of inspecting a series of landscape views of Nelson, and some stereoscopic pictures of scenery on the Dun Mountain Railway. Some of the stereo's are very excellent, the detail being clearly brought out and the points of view well chosen. They reflect considerable credit upon the artist, Mr. Fletcher, who intends visiting Canterbury for the purpose of photographing the chief points of interest in our mountain scenery.

Presbyterian Church, Lyttelton.—A meeting of this Congregation, convened by intimation from the pulpit, was held on the evening of Wednesday, the 24th June, in the High School, Winchester street, Mr. Fergusson in the chair. The object of the meeting was to consult with the Acting Committee of the Congregation as to the desirability of erecting a Church for the Presbyterians of the town. Hitherto the Congregation has worshipped in the School-room, which, however well it may have suited the purposes, was never intended to supersede a regular place of worship. It has moreover been found to afford a rather limited accommodation to the numbers now attending. It was unanimously resolved by the meeting, that an effort should be made at once to raise the necessary funds for building a house worthy of the Church and cause, and that an appeal be made for assistance not only to the members of the Presbyterian Church, but to those of the other Protestant Churches in the province. A subscription list was opened, and a sum of between £200 and £300 was at once subscribed, indicating the heartiness with which the Congregation entertained the proposal. It was understood that collectors would be shortly appointed to take up subscriptions in Lyttelton, Christchurch, Timaru, and other districts throughout the province.

More Roguery.—The gun so coolly borrowed by Harvey (mentioned in a former issue) is now in the hands of the police. Our readers will recollect that Harvey called at a lodging house in Christchurch, and asked for a gentleman's gun, saying he was sent for it. It was given him, and he made off with it. He afterwards met with a person employed at the Ricearton mill, and stated that he had arranged for a bakery in Lyttelton. He borrowed £10 from the young man, leaving the gun as security. It is now lying in the Police-office, and the rightful owner will, doubtless, on identification, have his property restored to him. The capture of Harvey is still uncertain, as he is probably now engaged doing the lieges of Otago, and the repayment of the £10 seems at present extremely problematical.

Escape of two Prisoners.—For the last three weeks the prisoners belonging to the hard labor gang have been employed at the cutting at the west end of London-street. Some suspicious circumstances had indicated to the officers in charge that one of the gang was on the look out for the opportunity to bolt, and a prisoner named Procter, with another called Gamble, carried out this intention, to some extent successfully, on Monday morning, about 11 a.m., taking advantage of the opportunity offered by the sudden illness of one of the warders ;*as soon as the other warder discovered that they had bolted, he challenged them, but they did not heed him, and in consequence of children and horses being in the way he was prevented firing at them. Both warders then went in pursuit, and the police immediately turned out also, but up to this time they have not been captured. The prisoners took to the bush, in the direction of Mount Pleasant. Their description is in the hands of the officers and keepers of the ferries throughout the province. It is scarcely possible for them to escape. Procter is a man about 5 feet 6J inches, 23 years of age, round shouldered, and pale complexion, by trade a cooper, and with a strong Irish accent. Gamble is about 5 feet 10J inches, fresh complexion, brown hair and eyes, and a native of Belfast. Procter was sentenced to hard labor for six months, last assizes, for stealing a watch.

Working Men's Home.—A meeting of the shareholders of the Working men's Home was held in the Odd Fellows' Hall, on Wednesday evening last. His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson presided. The object for which the meeting was called was to ascertain whether the undertaking should proceed, and to make provision for liquidating the charges already incurred. The secretary laid before the meeting bills to the amount of £50 for advertising and other expenses and stated there were no funds to meet them. It was proposed that a call of half-a-crown per share should be made to discharge these liabilities and considerable discussion ensued. No definite conclusion was come to, and the secretary was requested to call another meeting on the 21st instant, when a modification of the original scheme would be laid before the meeting by the committee.