TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1241, 26 May 1864, Page 3

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Queen's Birthday.—Voltaire, in ono of .his,cynical moods, amused himself by touching off, in a few smart epigrammatical sentences, the peculiar characteristics of the various European nations. After describing his own countrymen as a singular compound of the'tiger and the monkey, he said of the English lis s'amitsent tristement. This not very complimentary assertion was fully verified on Tuesday in the languid indifferent fashion in which the holiday of the Queen' 9 birthday was indicated—we will not say celebrated or observed. The Shops and stores were closed it is true, the Cathedral-square flagstaff was decorated with flags, and a few other pieces of bunting (including a choice sample at the Government buildings) floated lazily and lifelessly in the still air. Our gallant rifles, excited by a loyal spirit, not less strong we are sure, because it beat in but' few bosoms, repaired to Sumner and shot for prizes. Messrs. Hall and Kohler in the eveningrushed gallantly to the attack against the monster Dullness, who: at one time seemed to be monarch of all he surveyed, the one presenting " a grand allegorical tableau " at the theatre, the other giving an extra quadrille assembly at his Gardens. But the whole thing out of doors fell flat and dead. No public celebration was organised, we suppose, on the principle that what is theoretically everybody's is,in fact, nobody's business. The day, though most magnificent in point of weather, was moi'e like a dull Sunday, or a wet Christmas-day than anything else. The proceedings were dull, stale, flat, and—except, perhaps, to the and the two caterers for public amusement just enumerated—unprofitable. Yet surely, if elver there was a time when Englishmen" in all parts of Her Majesty's dominions were called upon to show their - attachment to good Queen Victoria, the present is that moment. Her situation just now is a most trying one: Storms are darkening the political foreign horizon; The church is torn with strife and schism. A fearful calamity has just desolated a portion of her kingdom, whilst another is only just recovering from an' unprecedented state of stagnation and distress. Added to this, the Queen may be said to be suffering from that proverbially most painful of human sorrows, domestic dissension, for the family of her- son-in-law is engaged in a struggle of which no 'human foresight can see the issue against that of her son's wife. And in the midst of all this complication, she is deprived of the assistance of him, who for upwards of twenty years proved himself no less her loving husband than her truest and best adviser. Surely then, even in this remote corner of the : earth, it behoves us to show by some outward and visible sign that we -are not deficient in feelings of affectionate devotion to a lady wh», in her position of sovereign, has gained the admiration of the world, and in her capacity of woman has won the love of every English heart. In her we personify the double bond which unites us still to England—the tie at once of fealty and affection. We obey her and we love her, and we have the pride of English citizens in doing so—a pride in that the country and its Sovereign still in some sort belong to us. The past at least is our inheritance; we share the glory of that small spot of earth which has produced, century after century, a succession of the greatest men whom the world has known; of which it is said that— One-half her soil has walked the rest, In poets, heroes, martyrs, sages. j And our good Queen represents to us the person of | " J Our little Mother-Isle, God bless her! The Queen's Birthday at Lyttelton.—The 45th anniversary of the birth of our Gracious Sovereign, was observed as a general holiday on Tuesday last. The shops and stores were for the most part dosed, and a Vast amount of bunting was hoisted in various parts of the town. Messrs. M'Pherson, Miles & Co., Dalgety & Co., especially distinguished themselves by this mark of loyalty ; the ships in the harbour were also gaily dressed with flags in honour of the occasion. The signal for hoisting the colours was given by the firing of a gun from the s.s. Alhambra at 8 a.m. The weather being fine—indeed what is commonly known as Queen'B weather—several pleasure trips were made to the different bays, whilst other excursionists visited Sumner. Rural sports, followed by a ball in the evening were got up at the Mitre Hotel. Altogether a very pleasant day was spent, but a degree of regret was felt at the absence of the volunteer's band ; the ladies also were somewhat disappointed at being deprived of the usual volunteer ball.

Rifle Shooting Match. — Tuesday, the 24th instant, being her Majesty's birthday, the match of the Christchurch Companies of Yolunteeers came off at Sumner, pursuant to advertisement. The men assembled at the Christchurch station at 9 a.m., and were conveyed by train to the Ferry, where cai'ts were in waiting to convey them to Sumner. As soon as the target was prepared, shooting commenced. There were .13 competitors under the command of Lieut. Ballard. The ranges marked off were 300, 400, and 500 yards; Government regulation target; five rounds at each range. So far as the weather was concerned nothing could be more favourable for rifle practice; in fact it was one of the finest days that could be wished for, being perfectly calm, Warm and bright. Owing, however, to the imperfect means for scoring, the shooting was greatly retarded, and after five rounds each had been shot at the two first ranges, the match had to be concluded, in order to have time to dine and to return to Christchurch by the last train. We are informed that the competitors considered the shooting as far below the average, but this is easily accounted for, the n?en being out of practice for some time, owing to the shooting at the butt in Hagley Park having been stopped in consequence of complaints having been made of its insecurity. The arms recently served out are the long Enfields, anarm now being generally done away with at home in favor of the medium Enfield, improved by Hollis and Sheath, which was the arm originally served out to the Volunteers here, and is in every respect far superior. After the shooting wais concluded at the first two ranges the members adjourned td' dinner at the Sumner Hotel; after which Lieutenant Ballard distributed the prizes, which consisted of two gold pencil cases and a handsome ring, as follows Surgeon Ned will, first prize, 21 points; Corporal Hilliard, second prize, 20 points ; Private Younghusband, third prize, 17 points. Thei party then returned -to Christchurch as they had come, highly delighted with their day's recreation. Since the above was received we have heard the result of the contest for the Government prizes yesterday at Kaiapoi, by which it appears that the highest score made there out of 15 rounds at the three ranges was twenty-two, while the Christchurch men succeeded in; scoring twenty-one out of ten founds, which leaves the latter in a decided superiority.

Dinner.—On Tuesday last, a dinner was given by Messrs. Ward and Co., of the Canterbury Brewery, to the workmen employed by them. The room was tastefully decorated with flags, evergreens, &c. Ihe usuiil loyal toasts having been given and honored, several excellent songs were sung, and the utmost conviviality prevailed. There is something pleasing in these social gatherings, tending, as they do, to promote that good and kindly feeling which ought to characterize the respective classes of masters and servants, and which it is so desirable to maintain. New Appointments.—After a great deal of trouble Mr. Selfe has succceded in finding a Pro- j vincial Engineer, a Provincial Telegraph Manager, and a Local Architect for the Cathedral, at Christchurch. Mr. George Archer, the Provincial Engineer. and Mr. Theophilus Varly, the Provincial Telegraph Manager, were to sail from England m the Amoor, about the Ist April. Cricket.—A match was played yesterday m Latimer Square, between the Juvenile and Californian Clubs, The former club obtained 148 fUfIS and. the latter 162, aud won the .match with three wickets to go down. Some good play was shewn on both sides, and looking at the detailed score before us we notice that the juvenile Walker ran up a score of 41 in his first innings, and the Californian Stanley obtained in one innings a very fair total of 29. Trinity Church iNsyiTp^is.—We are glad to find that this institute ia becoming very popular in the town. The music class, under the superintendence of Sir. Carder, is well attended. An elocution class is also contemplated for the young men of Lyttelton.

PniNCuys' T;ikat;; Thj picces played at tlie Theatre an Saturday were Bkck-eyed Susan and Gildcroy. Tlic cast of the former piece was slightly changed, in consequence of the retirement of Mr. and Mrs. Newton. On this occasion Mr. .Manly played William, Miss Aitken being Susan. The piece, which was very successful, was followed by Gilderoy, a drama containing some effective scenes, but it is badly constructed, the plot being almost unintelligible. The company did all in their power to ensure its success, which was mainly owing to the exertions of Messrs. Sliiels and Manly, assisted by Miss Aitken and Miss Kate Grant. On Monday night, Miriam was produced for tlie first time. The story hinges upon the destruction of a will, which causes the entanglement of the plot. Miss Aitken played the heroine with much tact and grace. Messrs. Hall, Ingles, and Manly, were capital representatives of Biles, Scumley, and Bernard Reynolds respectively. Some of the scenes were first-rate. Mr. Ingles never played better. Mr. Sheils played the shrewd old lawyer to perfection. Altogether the piece is a Very pretty one, abounding in smart dialogue, and interesting situations. Tlie Colleen B&wn was reproduced On Tuesday night, on which occasion, in honour of Her Majesty's birthday, a fanciful and cleverly managed "Allegorical Tableau" was exhibited on the stage, and was greatly applauded. The ridiculous farce, Whitebait at Greenwich, was the afterpiece. The house was crowded. Last night; "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was played for the first time. It is an extraordinary version of the , popular tale, yet it preserves a sufficient resemblance to it to render the effect almost tantalizing. The sorrows and sufferings of the personages, which in the novel are spun out to such au unconscionable length, are in the acting version crammed into three short acts, and it appears to be the aim of the adaptor that the spectator should sup full of horrors. The escape of Eliza, and the risks run by her husband, are of course made the most of, and the play bill actually bristles with notes of admiration. Then we have thrilling scenes and startling effects enough to satisfy the most eager desire of the' admirers of the sensational. There is, however, one piece of poetic, or rather theatrical justice which is certainly a novelty if not an improvement. One always regrets that in the story, Legree escapes with comparative impunity: in the dramatic version he is most satisfactorily disposed of by Cassy. Again, the character of Eva, the gem of the tale, is altogether omitted. Tlie piece was well put upon the stage, and went off very successfully. Miss Aitken played Cassy with great effect, Miss Ansted being Eliza. Mr. Sheils took the part of George Harris, Mr! Hall being Uncle Tom, whilst Mr. Manly, whose lot it seems to be almost always to play the villain, was the vile sensual tyrant Legree. All the characters were very creditablj sustained. VVe must not omit a notice of the lad Master Maurice, who enacted Topsy, and did it capitally. He looked the part exactly, putting one in mind of a little sooty imp. The scenery, machinery, &c., were first rate, and the ice scene very effective. The attendance was very numerous.

Inqdest —An inquest was held on Tuesday last at Kaiapoi, before C. Dudley, Esq., the coroner of the district, on the body of a man who was recently drowned, whilst endeavouring to cross the Hurunui. From papers which were found in the possession of the deceased, it appeared that his name was Hugh Boyd, of Hampden, near Moeraki, in the province ofOtago. From the evidence adduced, it appeared that the man, who was quite sober at the time of the occurrence, endeavoured to ford the river on foot, but unfortunately lost his life in the attempt. His body having been recovered was brought to Kaiapoi, in order that an inquest might be held upon it. A small sum of money—about £3—was found upon him. After hearing the evidence, the coroner summed up, and the jury returned a verdict of " Accidentally Drowned."

Accident.—On Tuesday afternoon, about 4 p.m., "two gentlemen were returning from Sumner in a light one-horse trap. They stopped at the Heathcote Arms, on tlie Ferry Koad, leaving the vehicle in charge of a man, who imprudently quitted his hold of the horse. The animal started off at a furious rate until it arrived at Mr. Barnard's Repository, which singular to say, ,jt reached without any other accident than an injury done to one of the wheels as the trap entered the building.