TOWN AND COUNTURY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1219, 7 April 1864, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTURY.

Panama Contract.—ln pursuance of a requisition addressed to his honor the Superintendent, a public meeting has been called, to be held at the Town Hall, on Monday next, in order to give the inhabitants of Ohristchurcli an opportunity of expressing their sentiments on the contract lately entered into by Mr. Crosbie Ward with reference to the steam service via Panama. Ihe requisition was signed by Messrs. Ollivier, PitzGerald, C. Bowen, Rolleston, and several other influential gentlemen. Prom this fact, and from the interest felt by the public on the subject, a numerously attended meeting may be anticipated.

Gold at last. —In sinking the well in front of Mr. ltuddenklau's premises, some clay was brought up, which, upon examination, was found to contain some samples of gold. It was discovered at about the depth of seventy feet in a slaty stratum. The gold was distinctly visible under the microscope, and stood the test of nitric acid. Whilst on the subject of this well, we may add that water was yesterday struck at the depth of between 70 and 80 feet. There is an ample supply of water of an excellent quality, thus verifying the anticipations of the City Surveyor, and affording a compensation for the labor and outlay hitherto incurred.

Princess' Theatre. —On Tuesday last, the popular pieces of the " Peep o' Day Boys," and " H.M.S. Spitfire," were repeated to a crowded audience. The first piece, which is either much altered from the one played in London, or else is altogether a different version, went off very successfully, Miss Annie Merton, and Messrs. Hall and Manly being called before the curtain, a compliment which they all well deserved. The afterpiece, to judge from the hearty laughter and the vociferous applause which resounded from all sides of the house, must have occasioned much amusement amongst those who witnessed it. Yesterday, the performances were for the benefit of the Christchurch Orphanage, and consisted of " Romeo and Julliet," with the farce of the " Pleasant Neighbor." Those pieces were played under the patronage of his honor the Superintendent and Mrs. Bealey, who were present. The house was numerously attended, which we were glad to see on account of the excellent institution for whose interest the representation was given. The cast of characters was the same in both pieces as on previous occasions, and both were nicely played. To-morrow is fixed for the benefit of Mr. Cooper, the machinist of the theatre, on which occasion the well-known drama of the " Corsican Brothers " will he played. This performance will task the powers of Mr. Cooper, as it involves an amount of complicated machinery hitherto unattempted at this establishment.

Election of Parish Officers.—On Tuesday last a meeting was held in St. Michael's schoolroom, for the election of churchwardens, vestrymen, and church property trustees. The Rev. the Incumbent of Christciiurch occupied the chair. Mr. Gordon was nominated by him as his churchwarden, and Mr. C. 0. Torlesse was elected as the other. After some discussion, the following ten gentlemen were elected vestrymen: —Messrs. Blakiston, Parker, .Tones, Alport, Knight, Hawkes, Stewart, Davie, Wright, and Sewell. Messrs. Sewell, Pavitt, and Broughton were elected for the school committee, and Messrs. Torlesse and Gordon as church property trustees. Mr. Shepherd moved that the thanks of the meeting should be voted to Mr. Gordon for the efficient manner in which he had conducted the affairs of the parish, and to Mr. Jones for the great interest which lie had manifested in church matters generally. Mr. Gordon returned thanks, and stated that he would gladly exert himself to the utmost of his power to forward the interests of the parish. An unanimous vote of thanks was passed to the Rev. 11. Jacobs for the ability which he had shown in presiding over the meeting. The Rev. gentleman having acknowledged the compliment, the meeting terminated.

Parish of Ciiristchdhcii.—We are desirous of drawing the attention of our readers to an advertisement in our columns of the balance sheet of the receipts and expenditure of the parish during the past year. The vestry having determined to secure the services of another clergyman, have guaranteed the sum of £350 for that purpose, of which £100 are to be handed to him on his arrival, as a contribution towards the expenses of his voyage. To effect this, a great exertion must be made, as the expenses to be met are very heavy, and the funds in hand are but limited. The acquisition of another minister is a matter of paramount necessity, as the work of the parish is far too much for any one clergyman, however zealous, efficiently to discharge. Presbyterian Chuucii.—A public meeting of persons interested in the establishment of a second Presbyterian church in this city, will be held in the side room of the Town Hall, on Monday next, at seven p.m. The Rev. George Grant, who has undertaken the pastorate, is expected to arrive from Akaroa in a few days.

Wusr.EYAN Tea Meeting.—A tea meeting of the members of this denomination took place on Monday last in the schoolroom, High street. There was a numerous attendance, and after tea the chair was taken by the Rev. ,J. Buller, the Superintendent of the Wesleyan Circuit. Several addresses were delivered by the gentlemen present, and the meeting broke up after a very pleasant evening had been spent. Christ's College Guaumar School.—An examination was held at the College on Thursday, the 26th March, for the purpose of electing a Free Scholar to the above school. There were five candidates, who were examined in the Church Catechism, Scripture, reading, writing, arithmetic, spelling, history and geography, by the Head Master and the Second Master. The following was the result:— Day (Kaiapoi), 75 marks; Jacobs. Souter, and Winny (Christchureh), each 66 marks; and Orton (Upper Heathcote), 60 marks. Consequently Day was elected.

The Cokonersiiip of Arowbnua.—The Government Gazette announces that Thomas liayner, Esq., M.D., has ceased to be Coroner for this district.

Robbery. — A robbery has just been committed at the liouse of Mr. Geo. Dell, corner of Colombo and Kilmore streets south. Mr. Dell, it appears, had not fastened the door, as it was his usual custom to do, on Tuesday night, but had merely left it closed. Upon rising yesterday morning, he discovered that some person or persons had entered the house during the night, and had carried off three bottles of gin, three of. brandy, three or four small pieces of silver, a pound-book, and a

ledger. Found Dead. —About two o'clock yesterday afternoon, a Mrs. Davidson,who resided on the Ferry Road, was found dead in a bed in her own house. It appears she was last seen by the neighbours on the 4th instant, and was then in her usual state of

health. The daughter of the deceased, a child six years of age, and who was the only creature living in the house with her mother, went to the house of a person residing in the nighbourhood, and being asked how her mother was she replied that she (meaning the mother) had not spoken to her all day. This person immediately proceeded to the house of the deceased, and on going into her bedroom found her to be quite dead. An inquest will be held on the body at three o'clock this afternoon.

Accident at Piper and Co.'s Saw Mill, Aicaroa.—A man named Valor unfortunately met with an accident at the above mills on Monday the 4th ult. Whilst working at the saw-bench, his foot unfortunately slipped, and in endeavouring to save himself from falling, his right hand came in contact with the circular saw then at work. Two of the fingers were fearfully lacerated, and it is supposed they will have to be amputated. Ran Away and Caught again!—lt may be in the remembrance of many of our readers that a Jno. M. Mitchell was recently committed to take his trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court, on a charge of obtaining sixty pounds from Mr. Brown of Christchurch, under false pretences. Previous to his apprehension he had been staying in Akaroa where he became acquainted with Mr. John Anderson, formerly landlord of the Comm'ercial Hotel; he managed to induce Mr. Anderson to lend him some sixty pounds to pay off Mr. Brown. Of course this was not done. Mr. Mitchell appears,

and is committed for trial; he now writes to Mr. Anderson to bail him out, and Mr. A. induces Mr. Etevenaux, also of Akaroa, to join him in so doing; they accordingly went to Lyttelton and bailed him out—Mitchell telling them that he expected a thousand pounds out by the next mail, and he would make it all right, &c.; he also said he had lodged the money he obtained from Anderson in the hands of Mr. Travers of Christchurch. From the way in which Mitchell was acting. Mr. Etevenaux became suspicious,and on Mitchell saying he was coming to Christchurch by the Geelong last week, Mr. Etevenaux determined to go with him and find out the truth of hi 3 circumstances, as he had stated Mr. W. S. Moorhouse held two letters of his which he had no doubt contained his expected money. On arriving in Christchurch, Mitchell went as lie said to Mr. Moorhouse's, and returning showed Mr. Etenevaux a cheque for £960, signed by W. S. Moorhouse, and saying he had received the balance of £1000 in cash. They then returned to Akaroa, when Mr. Etevenaux being still suspicious, he made enquiries which resulted in Mitchell's acknowledging he had written the cheque to allay Mr. Etevenaux's suspicions, and also that the money obtained from Mr. Anderson had never been put in Mr. Travers' hands, but had been left with Mr. Tucker, of Lyttelton. The sureties then determined to hand Mr. Mitchell back to the mercies of the law, to which he agreed by starting for Lyttelton with Mr. Anderson, on the 4th ult., but he managed to give Mr. Anderson the slip in Pigeon bay. A vigorous search was instituted, which resulted in the capture of Mitchell, who was found at the back of Mr. Raye's house, well provisioned, having a bottle of brandy and eatables in store. Mr. Etevenaux took Mitchell to Lyttelton gaol, where no doubt his running will be stopped for a time.

The Panama Contract.—As it was anticipated that some important news would be received by the mail steamer from the North relative to the results of the negotiations at Auckland on the subject of the Panama contract, everybody was anxious yesterday to know the result. So far as we can learn— and we have taken some pains to inquire—there is no result at all as yet. Mr. Ward, Captain Vine Hall, and the representatives of the N.Z.S.N. Company were all in Auckland at the same time, and saw several members of the Ministry, with the exception of Mr. Whittaker, who could not transact business owing to severe illness. Under these circumstances no decision hns been arrived at on the subject. The members of the Government universally condemned those clauses of the contract which granted a monopoly of the Inter-Provincial Services to the I.R.M. Company, but were undecided whether to have the contract submitted to revision and re-construction, or to accept it as it stands, in consideration of the immense benefit which the Panama service would confer on the colony. Capt. 'Vine Ilall was to leave Auckland for Europe on the lstinst.,and though we believe he would not. carry with him the Ministry's decision, yet it is probable that it would be sent by the outgoing English mail. Mr. Crosbie Ward has stated to the Government, what we anticipated he would, that he agreed to the objectionable clauses as a part of the price to be paid for the Panama service. We shall probably learn ere long what decision has been arrived at. — Wellinyton Independent, April 5.