The Lyttelton Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1864. GENERAL SUMMARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1249, 14 June 1864, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1864. GENERAL SUMMARY.

The state of the Northern Island, where the problem is being worked out which our English readers will hold to be the great question of the colony, is by the latest accounts far from satisfactory. The details of the progress of the war, which we present as fully as possible in another place, contain no intelligence of any advance since the disastrous occupation of the Gate pah at Tauran«*a. In place of a forward movement to connect the basis of operations at Tauranga with that long formed upon the Waikato, and so to hold by a chain of posts the frontier of that country which may be most easily brought'under English law, and permanently subdued by the arts of civilization, we have to record only some signs of retrogression. After the affair of the Gate Pah, the natives were believed to retire a few miles into the interior, where, for all we know, they are as strong to resist us as ever they have been, if even the time given them has not been all that they require to become unassailable by any attack made in our customary manner. The engineering talent displayed by the insurgent natives has won for them a large measure of approbation. It deserves no less a name than we have given it; for the skill which selects for action on an emergency, not the method absolutely best of all, but the best under the circumstances, is theirs; and combined with the adaptation of circumstances to their object, the design and execution of the native works of defence are thereby stamped with the character of genius. Taking further into consideration the courage and tenacity with which the natives maintain their ground, the skill displayed in their tactics, and the bravery and dash of their encounter, we are justified in holding them as no ordinary enemy. There has not perhaps in the present generation been an opponent to British arms so hard to subdue, whose wrong-doing less plainly stimulates our arms by proving the justice of our cause, or from whose conquest less credit may be reaped by our troops. It is no wonder, then, that the war should lag, or that from a variety of quarters attempts should be made to interfere, to postpone or to obstruct the scheme last adopted for the final pacification of the Maori race. "We elsewhere allude to an interference of the kind which comes from the Aborigines Protection Society, and is directed to Sir George Grey, who has handed the remonstrance of the society to his advisers. Their reply will be found republished in our other columns, and may be taken as a manifesto of the strong war-party of the colony, who now administer its government. In. the meantime, the war makes no forward movement, so far at least as the British troops are concerned. A garrison is maintained at Tauranga, and posts are occupied in the conquered Waikato territory, but the head-quarters have been removed to Auckland. It has been rumoured that the next advance will be made into the Taranaki and Ngatiruanui country, between New Plymouth and "Wanganui; and signs have long been visible of tlie ripeness of the time for such an effort.

If the British troops have been idle, the natives who-rank themselves as 'friendly' have taken up arms with a readiness and success which are noticeable for the novelty at least; and for their probable, if not their actual result upon the war. A band of the Arawa tribe, organized and led by European officers, has managed to rout a much larger number of the Ngatiporou tribe who are among the most dreaded of the insurgents. As the locality is at Maketu, on the Bay of Plenty, and near to where our troops have been striving to effect a lodgment in the country round Tauranga, the actual result of the engagement is an appreciable success. Its moral result upon the war is sure to be much greater and in the same direction. And as a political question, the possibility of employing native allies in the subjugation of the country, if it be considered to be proved, must have much weight upon the plans of the G-overnrnent. It is not alone at Maketu that native allies have been found to fight for us and with success. At Wanganui, where at last an outbreak, such as has long been foretold,was imminent if not actual, the friendly natives took the task of repressing it upon themselves, and the accounts shew that they were competent to the task. It is indeed a question whether a comparatively small victory by native over native is not effectual for the establishment of peace, while greater successes of white troops over natives establish only the permanence of war. It is premature to come to any such conclusion as yet, for the condition of Wanganui, whither one of the Ministry immediately repaired, is still watched with anxiety as being dangerous in a high degree. But even the material aid given to our arms by the support of friendly natives is a strong argument for the policy of seeking their. alliance extensively. The northern natives, including principally'the tribe of Ngapuhi, are looked to as a probable source of strength in this direction. They have been of old enemies of the Waikato tribes, and have, from the outbreak of the war in 1860, offered their services to aid us against their ancient foe, but their offers have been rejected. Some white settlers in the district of Ngapuhi, of old standing and well known to the natives, among whom it may hot be indiscreet to mention the ' Pakeha Maori' who so vividly described the habits and history of ' Old New Zealand,' have fro"m time to time backed the offer of the tribe, and recommended the employment of a body of their fighting men. It appears, however, that late events have shaken either the confidence of the settlers in , the natives, or the good feeling of the natives towards our side, or both, for we are told that it might be unsafe to call out a force of Maori allies from that particular quarter. A warning like this is not to be disregarded, for the settler-author, to whom we have referred, is above all others intimately Acquainted with the views of his Maori friends. The plan of arming friendly

natives must therefore be followed with great care and discretion if at all. And we fancy it will be at all times discreet to distinguish those who are themselves concerned in the peace of the district, and who fight on the basis of their own interest in the result, from those who make of our alliance only an instrument for revenge upon their foes, and an opportunity for working out a savage bloodfeud handed down by tradition. What to us would be cruelty, forbidden by both law and custom in civilized countries, is the common practice of their warfare ; and it cannot be forgotten that in accepting their services we sanction their acts. If we do not adopt their code of practice —and that would be horrible in the extreme—we must control and direct it; and it is very doubtful if such interference would, not render their alliance altogether nugatory. The war has hitherto been the theme of our discourse, month after month, since the colony took upon itself the responsibility of settling the native difficulty. Fov war was the first part of the plan. But all right thinking men have watched the war with an anxiety only to see it safely concluded. The system of settlement upon the conquered land is the second and happier part of the plan. Of this we regret to say that no sign yet appears to indicate its commencement. The land is ready and the military settlers are waiting. But it is believed that, while the Ministers are unanimous in urging the settlement, the Governor has been strenuous m opposition, first by delay and procrastination, more lately by an overt determination to stop action in the matter. We have reason to believe that this report, which reaches us from various sources, is true ; but we can only guess at the reasons. It is plain that the Ministry have grounds for asserting thdt the experiment of settlement may now be tried. But it is difficult to account for the opposite view taken by his Excellency. It must be remembered that, while responsibility is nominally vested in the Colonial Government, some undefined rights are reserved by the Colonial office, and the Governor is their custodian. Further, Sir George Grey has a reputation in England as an excellent ruler of her Majesty's savage subjects, which confers upon him a special personal responsibility, impossible to shake off, but equally impossible in the present case to act upon. Sir George with a responsible ministry is but the shadow of the " Great Proconsul." His talent is buried in a ministerial napkin. To such a man, sent here by the choice of the Imperial Government to restore order among the natives, the history of events since his coming can give only pain and grief. .Pacific measures which he proposed have been unsuccessfully tried, and in their place he has been compelled to substitute a tiresome and expensive war, and a system of land confiscation offensive to the nostrils of the party at home which has praised him as a model administrator. When, in addition to this, he finds himself without power to retrace his steps, and forced forward by men who have accepted the burden of power and mean to act up to their responsibilities, is it any wonder that the Governor seeks a way of escape? We do no more than justice to his Excellency by expressing belief that his plans are always judiciously conceived for his object. If he desire to release , himself from a position in which he finds himself unable either to pursue his undertaking or to resign it with honour and public credit, his most judicious plan will certainly be to raise a question like the present. Let it appear that the colony has urged confiscation and absorption of native property, and that Sir George Grey has opposed colonial greed with all his might but vainly, and the Imperial Government, in removing him at his own desire from an office which they have robbed of all its rights, will make his fame to resound more widely than ever. Sir George Grey will be the administrator who would have pacified the country if the colonists had let him, the Governor who would have saved the Maori race from destruction by the hungry colonist if only her Majesty's Government had not stripped him of all his powers. At present we only know that a dispute between the Governor and his advisers as to the settlement of the Waikato is the subject of rumour, and that both sides are represented to be obstinate: so that a resignation of office by the Executive is expected, to be followed by an immediate summons to the Assembly. As Mr. Pox had not returned to Auckland by the last accounts, the resignation had not yet taken place: and possibly it would be thought prudent to wait for such instructions froirr home as the next English mail may bring. A few weeks will settle the question one way or other. The past month has produced the Panama correspondence, published in an official form. The case of the Government, as shown in their reasons for upsetting the contract is radically unsound, and seems to have been composed with a wonderful carelessness and haste. This is the less excusable, inasmuch as they had been apprised for four or five months before hand that the contract was about to be entered into, and yet had taken no step to warn the contractors, or to fulfil the conditions on their own part. The gold produce of the colony has suffered several fluctuations. In Otago, the escorts have decreased in value, partly owing to the exodus of many miners to Marlborough; partly in consequence of the rivers rising with the early winter rains. As the rush to the Pelorus is at an end, and many have already returned to their old love in Otago, while the rains are gradually falling to their low winter level, the promise of gold production is better than it was. The Pelorus field is about as productive as the first reports would lead any rational person to believe. The immense rush thither was quite unwarranted by anything that had been reported of the value or extent of the field, and made its prospects really neither better nor worse, though at first enthusiasm was excited and then correspondingly damped. Deep sinking and quartz crushing will probably be found the principal groundwork of the gold production of the district. We give elsewhere the latest particulars.

Provincial politics necessarily occupy little space in our present summary, for the sufficient reason that there is nothing to record under the head. The Government are busy strengthening themselves for labour and combflt in the approaching session of the Council, and they continue to enjoy an excellent reputation, especially for economy. The fire which destroyed a portion of the town of Christchurch on the 4th instant has left the legacy of a wholesome warning and stimulus to preventive measures. The particulars of the occurrence, of the inquestjnto its origin, and of the public meeting which followed, will be found at length in our columns to-day. The very small amount of relief which was needed has been provided'to

tho real sufferers ; and. the tfire Brigade of tlio town is in cout',so of extension nppn a better system of organization, which will be made dependent, in all probability, upon a permanent vote from the proceeds of taxation instead of upon the precarious and unequal generosity of private individuals. RELIGIOUS SUMMARY. Church of England.—At length there appears to be some probability of the work of providing church accommodation for the members of this denomination being taken up in earnest. Mr. Speeehley, the gentleman selected by Mr. G. G. Scott to fill the office of resident architect of the Cathedral, is shortly expected by the Ainoor. Almost immediately on his arrival, the work will be commenced. A new stone church is also to be erected in Latimer square. Subscriptions have been received to a sufficient amount to warrant tlie .Convnittej in beginning to build, and the foundation • si one will be laid on the 24th inst.,being the Feast of St. John lie Evangelist. The Masonic body intend being prcse.it in full force at theceremOny. The Lord Bishop of the Diocese has' appointed Tuesday, the 28th in. t., for the opening of the Diocesan Synod. A Reading Room, chiefly for the younger members of the community, has been opened in connection with St. Luke's Church, and continues to be well attended by those for whose benefit it was instituted. Capt. Wilson, the well known professor of medical mesmerism, kindly gave a lecture on Clairvoyance, the proceeds of which were devoted to the funds of this Reading Room. The Lord Bishop of Christchurch held a confirmation at Trinity Church, Lyttelton, on the 12th May ; about twenty-four young persons participated in the rite. At the close of the service, his Lordship delivered an earnest and affectionate address to the catechumens. An election of Vestry men, for the parish of Christchurch, took place on the 18th May, when Messrs. Stringer, and. JoshuaCuff, were elected in the room of Messrs. Alport and Hawkes resigned. Roman Catholic Church.—As will be seen in another column a new Roman Catholic Church has been opened on the Ferry-road. Great liberality has been shown both by the members of the communion for whose use it has been built and also by the members of the other denominations, upwards of £300 having been received from the latter. Presbyterian Church. —The foundation-stone of a new Presbyterian Church has been laid in Lyttelton; full particulars of the ceremony will be found elsewhere. Both the churches belonging to this body are well attended, as are also the Sabbath and day schools, Bible classes, &c. Wesleyan Church.—The • new Church for the use of the members of this body is rapidly approaching completion. The time allowed for finishing it' was limited to January, 1865, but the contractor, Mr. M'Cosker, confidently expects that it will be ready for the solemnization of Divine Worship. early in November. The Church, which is of stone, is from a design by Messrs. Croucher and Co., of Melbourne. The towers and side-walls have already reached a considerable elevation, and when the roof is placed in position, no difficulty will be experienced in completing the remainder of the work. Congregational Church.—This Church, under the pastorate of the Rev. W. J. Habens, B. A., has already received a large accession of members. Hitherto they have held their meetings in Mr. Boiinington's Hall, Cathedral-square, but as this property has recently passed from the hands of the present proprietor they will have to find some other place for that purpose. A piece of land lias been secured and liberal donations have been promised carrying the project into effect. Baptist Church.—Nothing of any importance has taken place in the movements of this denomination since our last summary. The congregation continues to increase, a Sunday School, &c., having recently been established in connexion with the Church.

The Hebrew Congregation are proceeding in earnest with the erection of their Synagogue, tenders for building it having been called for. An eligible piece of ground has been secured and subscriptions continue to be received. PUBLIC WORKS. Since our last summary, but little has been done in the matter of Public Works. The two greatest in contemplation are the Southern Railway and the Rakaia Bridge. Mr. Doyne is preparing plans for these undertakings, but the contracts have not been let. The hard-labor gang are busily employed in levelling the ground for the new Council Chamber, tenders for building which have been called for. The site which has been purchased by the Government for the extension of the offices comprises the whole of the block of sections on the west side of the Market-place overlooking the river. It is certainly the best site in town for the purpose. The price paid for it was £6000, including the buildings upon it, which will be made use of.as temporary offices in case of the General Assembly being called together here. The Town Hall is progressing slowly but steadily; some little delay has been experienced in the furnishing of the iron girders for the roof. The Road Boards are discharging their duties most efficiently, and the result of their labours will be, no doubt, the formation of excellent roads throughout the province; but like all other luxuries, they must be paid for, and a little, bill will probably be soon sent in. Another heavy item of expense will be the improvement of ; Lyttelton Harbour. The report of the Commission on this subject is anxiously expected from England in order that we may ascertain what ameliorations can be effected, and also what amount the province will be called upon to disburse for them. In another part of this day's impression will be found a report from Captain Gibson, the port officer, relative to the present condition of the harbour, and also containing some suggestions for the better regulation of various matters connected with it. The report also notices the condition of the Heathcote and Kaiapoi rivers, the harbour of Saltwater Creek, and those of Timaru and Akaroa. The apparatus for the proposed lighthouse on Godley Head, has arrived from England in the I-vanhoe, but, as will be seen from Captain Gibson's report, there are some objections to the site selected. Tenders have been invited by the Provincial Government, for the erection of a Pilot House on the Port Cooper Heads, which will be a great advantage in facilitating the entrance of vessels into the Port.

THE RAILWAY. Since our last visit to the works of the Lyttelton and Christchurch railway very considerable progress has been made in the tunnel, and the large additions to the station buildings then in progress have been completed. On going into the tunnel at the Lyttelton side of the hill we found that nearly the whole of the brickwork required at that end has been completed, as also the face of the tunnel under Norwich Quay. The whole of the bricks used for this work have been brought into Lyttelton, part from the contractor's brick yard in the I-leathcote Valley, and the remainder were imported from England; the whole have been set in lime imported from Australia, and the contractors have been obliged to take the sand used from Christchurch station ground, that being the nearest procurable free from salt. A large retaining wall has been built of masonry to keep up Norwich Quay over the top of the tunnel, and in a short time the whole of the works necessary to complete the station ground at Lyttelton will be finished, including the ornamental in front of the tunnel to carry the road to Peacock's wharf. This bridge has been imported from England, and is being landed out of the ship Golden Sunset, together with all the rails, &c„ required to lay in the permanent roads in the station yard and for this end of the tunnel.

A small jetty has been built by the contractors upon which they have for the past two months successfully landed all their materials, already amounting to several hundred tons. On going up the main drive of the tunnel, we find that the whole length at present excavated has been finished off to the full size, and is ready for the permanent rails. We notice a second artesian spring lias been tapped and that a large additional supply of water is running to waste into the sea. The material at present being bored through is of the very hardest nature, but we hope it may not last long, as the rock appears to change on this side every few yards. On the Heathcote side, as before, greater progress continues to be made, and the length driven here exceeds that of the Lyttelton end by several chains. The material here being bored through is not so hard, but is just now very wet and causes much annoyance to the miners. The total length of drive now completed is nearly 1,600 yards. The stone, now being excavated, is taken direct to one of Appleton's patent stone breaking machines, which breaks it up snfflciently small for road metal; from the machine it drops into the railway trucks, and is taken direct to Christchurch. This machine has only been in use for a few days; it is working very well, and we imagine ought to enable Messrs. Holmes & Co. to deliver a large quantity of road metal at a comparatively low price, and we have no doubt when they have supplied their own wants the Corporation of Christchurch will be, glad to avail themselves of this much needed material,'

We were surprised to find such a large quantity of bricks stacked here; these have been made for the market, and are intended to be sent into Christchurch when demand arises; we were' told that there wore upwards of one million bricks here on hand.

Owing to the bad weather and the almost entire absence of importation from England, there has been very little traffic on the railway from the Ferry to Christchurch for the past month, but of course this will increase again in the spring, and with the appliances the Lessees now have all the difficulties and delays that occurred last summer ought to disappear next season. At Christchurch the shed accommodation lias been more than doubled; this will also tend to remove the confusion that arose last season from the over crowding of the store then provided for imported goods.

A second engine, manufactured by Messrs. Slaughter, Grunning and Co., of Bristol, has been imported by the lessees. It has been fitted up by Mr Beverley, the driver of tl;e engine, and run a few trips on the line. It is a very fine engine, and appears more highly finished than No 1, and reflects great credit on the makers. We cannot help remarking how fortunate the lessees have been with the working of the Railway, when we consider that the slightest accident to the first engine must have stopped the trains. As it is, this engine has been some fifteen thousand miles, without any delay having occurred to a single train, and looks, to the casual observer, almost as "fresh and clean as if it had been running only a few days ; indeed, we are informed that the only perceptible wear is in the tyres of the wheels, and this is caused by the very severe curves at the Heathcote end of the line. 1 THEATRICAL. The second or winter season of the Princess' Theatre commenced on the 16th ult. During the recess the building has been renovated throughout, many improvements having been effected which greatly conduce both.to the appearance of the edifice and the comfort of the visitors. Instead of the dingy half-completed looking house, familiar to us all in former days, we have as eleganta little theatre as can be desired. The entertainments during the season have been restricted to the representation of the lighter productions of the drama, farces, burlesques, &c. Miss Aitken is still the leading lady performer, whilst the old favorites, Mi* Anstead, Miss Charles and others, still retain their hold on popular favour. A new member has made his appearance in the person of Mr. Sheil Barry, whose forte is the representation of Irish character. His enactment of such parts as Handy Andy, O'Callaghan, &c„ have created much mirtjli amongst the audience, but his success would probably be greater if he would exercise a restraint in the indulgence of indelicate jokes* It would be a matter of regret if the Christchurch company should allow themselves to depart from the standard of refinement hitherto observed by them, and which adds greatly to the charm of theatrical entertainments as a source of intellectual amusement. Mr. Hall continues to be the lessee, and Messrs. Sheils, Manly, Howe, and others still occupy their position in the 'public estimation. We have had some first-rate scenery, due to the skill of Mr. Massey, the scenic artist, and Mr. Cooper, the machinist, whilst Mr. Weller makes a most efficient property-master. SUPREME COURT. A sitting of the Supreme Court was held on Wednesday, the Ist June, in the Town Hall, at 11 a.m., before his Honor Mr. Justice Gresson. The following were the criminal cases disposed of, Mr. Duncan, the Crown prosecutor, conducting the prosecutions.

Arson.—W. Malth us pleaded guilty to this charge, and was sentenced to two years imprisonment, with hard labonr.

Rape.—Robert Fisher was indicted for this offence. Mr. Moorhouse made an abl£ defence, but the prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, with hard labour.—Edward Sampson was also found guilty of an attempt to commit rape, and ordered to be imprisoned for two years, with hard labour.

Obtaining a Valuable Security on False Pretences.—John Murray Mitchell was placed at the bar on an iudictment charging him that he, on the 22nd of January last, unlawfully, knowingly* and designedly did falsely pretend to one James Brown, that he had received a promise from. Mr. Samuel Bealey to give him, on the following day, a bank cheque or order for the payment of £100, and that if he, the said Thomas Brown, would give him a cheque for £60, he would repay, him on the following day, by which pretence he obtained from Brown a cheque for £60 on the Union Bank of Australia. The prisoner was convicted, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment, with hard labour.

Larceny.—John Ossett was next placed at the bar, charged with having taken a parcel containing seven brooches and other articles of jewelry from one Julia Moire, on the 2nd April last. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to be imprisoned for six calendar months, and during that time to be kept at hard labour.—Charles Robinson was indicted for having stolen a pair of blankets and a miscellaneous amount of edibles, the property of Robert Manson, on the 9th of May last. He pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to be imprisoned for six months and to be kept at hard labour.—George Chilman, 15 years of age, pleaded guilty to a charge of having stolen a silver watch and curb chain from the dwelling house of George Angus, situate on the Bridle Path, and was sentence to six months' imprisonment, with hard labour.

Stabbing.—Charles Melbourne, a man of colour, belonging to the Geelong, was indicted for having at Akaroa, on the 31st March last, unlawfully, and with intent to do grievous bodily harm, inflicted a wound with a sharp instrument on the left side of the neck of one John Glynen. The prisoner, who was defended by Mr. Moorhouse, was acquitted.— Robert Carr was found guilty of stabbing another man in a quarrel on board the s.s. Otago, and was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour.

Forgery and Uttering. — Richard St. Hill pleaded guilty t# this charge : sentence—one year's imprisonment with hard labour.—Alfred Robert Sturge was next arraigned, charged with having, in the months of February and March last, forged and uttered several cheques on the Bank of New Zealand. The indictment contained three counts, and to two of these the prisoner pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to be imprisoned for two years,

Assault. —Timothy O'Brien, Thos. Ryan, Michael Corry, and Edward Manning were indicted for having committed an assault on Thomas Khull, Guy Secord, and Jane Gilmore, at the Accommodation house at the Rakaia, on the 23rd May last. The prisoners Manning, Ryan, and Corry were convicted and sentenced—the first-mentioned to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour, and the two latter to three months' imprisonment, also with hard labour. O'Brien was acquitted.

Larceny from a Dwelling-house.—Mary Croft was convicted of this offence, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. Attempted Suicide.—Wm. Calcott was indicted for having attempted to commit suicide by firing the contents of a pistol at himself in Lyttelton, on the 6th of May last. The prisoner, on his arraignment, pleaded guilty, and handed up a document to the Court. His Honor, in passing sentence, dwelt forcibly upon the heinousness of the crime the prisoner had attempted to commit, but the consummation of which had not, through the interposition of Providence, been effected. He believed he had since repented of his rash act, and taking this into consideration, he would not pass more than a nominal sentence upon him. The prisoner was then sentenced to three weeks' imprisonment, and bound over in his own recognizance of <£100 to be of good conduct for the term of 12 months.

Burglary.—-Thomas Williams and William Clough were indicted for that they did, on the 7th March last, break and enter the shop of George Tayler, London-street, Lyttelton, and carry therefrom 28 Albert guards, 38 brooches, 29 gold rings and keepers, and a great many oilier articles of jewelry ; they were charged on a second count for having, on the Bth March following, feloniously received the same knowing them to have been stolen. The prisoner Clough was acquitted, and Williams ordered to undergo imprisonment with hard labour for twelve months.

This case terminated the criminal business, and the Court adjourned to the 10th inst., when the civil cases were heard. SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC. (Summarised from the Lyttelton Times, from 17th May to 14th June. Messrs. Peacock and Co. have commenced the extension of their jetty at Lyttelton by an addition to it, built on iron screw piles on Mitchell's well-known principle. The work, which is progressing most satisfactorily is under the superintendence of Messrs. Wright and Co., who have already performed creditable works on the Government jetty and elsewhere. With a pertinacity worthy of a better cause the weather kept up its annual practice of changing on the 15th of May. On Sunday, being the 15th, the raiu began to fall, not with any defined marks of change, but ao if the rule were so urgent that whether the wind and the atmosphere were suitable or not,

rain must come down. On Sunday evening and Monday a good deal fell, which was welcomed in gardens and on farms after the long spell of fine dry weather which has kept back operations of all kinds. Rain has since fallen at about weekly intervals.

An inquest was held on the 10th May before Dr. Coward, the coroner of the district, on the body of J. Hare, who died suddenly in the Caledonian Hotel, Colombo-street. The verdict was " Died by visitation of God."

Akaroa wa3 recently frightened from its propriety by the anticsof alunatic who,afterdive3tinghimselfof all clothing indulged in some strange capers near Gorman's Bay. lie was arrested by the police, and on the certificate of two medical practitioners was committed as a person of unsound mind, dangerous to himself and others.

A Co-operative Society lias been established in Christchurch, and at a meeting held in the Odd-fel-lows' Hall, the rules and regulations of the Association were drawn up.

An Association under the name of the Deutsche Verein, has been formed in the city; it is composed of the German residents, who are now somewhat numerous, and is conducted on the principle of an English benefit society.

The Acclimatization Society held a meeting on the 19th May, at which the by-laws for its regulation were definitely arranged.

At an adjourned licensing meeting, held on the 18th May, several applicants obtained a renewal of their licenses, general, hotel, and conditional.

A meeting of the Church Institute was held in St. Michael's schoolroom on the 18th May. The rev. the Incumbent of Christchureh occupying the chair. Addresses were delivered by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, and by J. E. FitzGerald, Esq., the former giving an interesting account of an episcopal visitation made by him in the south; the latter reading an exquisite paper on Art. Joseph Brittan, Esq., has resigned the Resident Magistracy, and the appointment has been offered to Mr. C. C. Bowen, who has for several years performed the duties of Provincial Treasurer.

The Juvenile Heading Class, which holds its meetings in St. Luke's School-room, adjoining the church, promises, to be a great success, the reading-room being well attended by the young persons for whose benefit it was originated. It is pleasing to witness them occupied either with reading, playing draughts, dominoes, &c.,as their different inclinations prompt them. They behave themselves with the utmost propriety and decorum. Great praise is due to Mr. Jones, to : whose unremitting care and assiduity the institution mainly owes its existence.

Three lectures liave been given in Christchureh on various subjects of interest and importance. These lectures took place on the 19th and 20th May. One was delivered by the Rev. G. Cholmondely, on Arctic Voyages, at Messrs. Knight's store in the Ferry road, by the kind permission of the owners. Another was given at the Mechanics' Institute — subject, Animal Physiology—by the Rev. W. J. Habens; and the Rev. C. Frazer read a most interesting paper on Palestine, at the Town Hull, under the auspices of the Christchurch Young Men's Christian Association.

On the 18th May a dinner was given to J. H. Ward, Esq., by the workmen at his establishment, the Canterbury Brewery, on the occasion of his departure for England by the Mermaid. Several toasts were proposed and duly honoured, kindly allusion being made to the uniform good feeling which has always existed between the employer and the employed. The anniversary dinner of Court Foresters' Retreat took place at the Papanui Hotel on the 17th ult. A numerous company sat down to an excellent dinner, and the conviviality of the evening was kept up with great spirit.

A fire broke out in the Ferry road on the night of the 18th May, in the house occupied by Mr. Kerrison, which was entirely destroyed. Providentially no lives were lost.

Several gentlemen interested in the formation of a boating club held a . meeting at the Commercial Hotel, Akaroa, on the 14th ult, when it was unanimously agreed that the entrance fee for intending members should be two guineas per annum, with the following gentlemen as officers of the club:— President, Mr. Weston; captain, Mr. It. Townsend; secretary and treasurer, Mr. Geo. Kirton. A boat was ordered to be obtained from Mr. Chandler, of Hobart Town, through Mr. Thos. Ockford.

J. Badeley, the late postmaster of Akaroa, has been arrested on a charge of feloniously concealing letters. It appears that a number of letters have been found in the Post-office on which he had been paid the postage, but had applied the money to his own use. He was brought before the Resident Magistrate's Court on the 28th ult., and evidence having been heard, he was committed for trial, but the Grand Jury ignored the bill.

Courtney Nedwiil, M.D., Esq, has been appointed surgeon to the Canterbury Volunteer Rifles, vice Edwd. Batt, Esq., M.D., resigned.

A meeting convened by R. Rowe, Esq.,M.P.C., was held at the Seeool-house, Akaroa, on the evening of the 16th. Mr. Rowe was called to the chair, and read to the meeting a letter from the Chief Educational Board, requesting him to take steps for the appointment of a Committee in Akaroa, to correspond with the Chief Board on all subjects connected with the school in that place. After some discussion. the following gentlemen were appointed:— Messrs. R. Rowe, G. Ilaylock, E. C. Latter, G. Armstrong, and F. Guinness.

A meeting of the Council of the Acclimatization Society was held in the Mechanics' Institute on the 20th ult., but owing to the attendance being so small, no business was entered into, and the meeting adjourned.

On the 23rd ult. a rehearsal of Handel's grand oratorio, the Messiah, took place at Bonnington's Hall, under the auspices of the Canterbury Musical Union. On the whole, the performance was a very creditable one.

At a meeting of the Oxford Road Board Mr. William Archer Reid was elected chairman in the room of T. W. White, Esq., resigned.

The Queen's Birthday was celebrated in a rather languid, indifferent style both in Christchurch and Lyttelton; the Volunteer Rifles repaired to Sumner and shot for prizes. After the shooting was concluded at the first two ranges the members adjourned to 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 Nedwiil, first prize, 21 points; Corporal Hilliard, second prize, 20 points; Private Younghusband, third prize, 17 points. The party then returned to Christchurch, as they had come, highly delighted with their day's recreation.—At Kaiapoi the Government prizes were also competed for on the same occasion; the highest score made there, out of 15 rounds at the three ranges was 22, while the Christchurch men succeeded in scoring 21 out often rounds, which leaves the latter in a decided superiority.

A.n inquest was held on the 24th ult., on the body of a man who was drowned whilst endeavouring to ford the Hurunui, on foot. His name was Boyd, an inhabitant of Moeraki, in the province of Otago. A verdict of " Accidentally Drowned" was returned.

An accident, fortunately unattended with any serious consequences, took place on the same day. A horse harnessed to a light trap, ran away from the Heathcote Arms, Ferry lload, during the temporary absence of a man left in charge of it. No damage was done except a slight injury to the vehicle.

A meeting of the Acclimatization Society of Canterbury, was held on the 25th ult., at the Mechanics' Institute. The proposal to purchase the Alpacas offered for sale by the Sydney Government, at a cost not exceeding £40 each, was negatived. Some routine business was transacted, and the meeting broke up.

An Institute, known as the Trinity Church Institute, Ims been established in Lyttelton, and has proved a great success. A Music Class has been set on foot, and it is in contemplation to form an Elocution Class for the benefit of the young men of that town.

A cricket match was played on the Queen's birthday, in Latimer Square, between the members of the Juvenile, and the California!! Clubs, the latter won by 18.

A dinner was given by Messrs. Ward and Co., of the Canterbury Brewery, to the workmen employed by them, on the 24th ult. Several loyal and local toasts were given, and duly honoured, and the company separated after having enjoyed a very pleasant evening.

A trotting match came of? on Tuesday at Timaru the 31st May, between Mr. H. Walden's bay cob Tommy, and Mr. J. Gibson's grey Gelding Grey Donnell, for a stake of £5 aside. The course was over the hills from Pighunting Creek to the Commercial Hotel, Timaru, a distance of about five miles. The pony took the lead at starting, was never headed, and won easily by more than 100 yards. The betting was three to one on the pony, anda large amonnt of money was laid out at that price. On the 3rd inst., a child named Connell by some means strayed away from its father's house and fell into the river near Mills' Hotel, Oxford Terrace, and was floating down the river, when a man named Shaw who happened to be passing, got into the river and* saved the child, who was nearly exhausted Infor- ; mat.on was immediately given to the poiice, who called Dr. Deamer, through whose aid the ! child

covered, and towards evening was restored to its parents. On Sunday night, the sth inst., a robbery was committed at the Accommodation House, at Oxford. It appears that two men were sleeping in the same room, and when one awoke in the morning he found (hat the other had cut away the pocket of his trousers, and had abstracted the sum of £80. The delinquent made his escape, and has not yet been detected.

About six o'clock on the 6th inst., a respectably dressed young man went into Mr. Younghusband's shop, and obtained a fencing foil, which he broke in two. Retaining the handle part, he presented it at the astonished proprietor, stating, at the same time, that the shop must be dosed, for it belonged to him, as also did the whole colony—the Queen had given it to him along with 100,000 soldiers to protect liira and his newly acquired possessions, after which he entered several other shops in Colombo.atrcet, and repeated the same actions and story. He then crossed over to Coker's Hotel, of which place he took unceremonious possession. A crowd had by this time collected, hut any person parleying with hiin he charged with the broken foil. He took a horse from a gentleman standing at the door, and was mounting to ride away, when some person seized the weapon, after which he was secured and given into custody. It is believed the offender is of unsound mind.

At the sitting at the Resident Magistrate's Court, held on the 6th instant, three men were brought up charged with having stolen some articles during the fire in Christchurch, and were sentenced to various short terms of imprisonment with hard labour.

On the 4th June, the Honorable Mr. John Hall was elected member for the Mount Cook district, on the nomination of Mr. Teschemaker, there being no opposition. The seat was vacated by Mr. Hall himself on appointment to the office of Secretary for public works. The receipts from the Monthly Land Sales, including four sittings of the Waste Land Boards, have up to this time, been £10,500.

Report says that the appointment of Provincial Solicitor, to lie vacated by the approaching departure of Mr. Tr.avers from the province, will be conferred on Mr. Cowlisliaw ; and that the Treasurership will be given to Mr. George Sale, on the appointment of Mr. C. C. Bow en to he Resident Magistrate. Mr. Sale is a Graduate of Cambridge, with high honours, and a Fellow of Trinity College.

On Wednesday night, the Bth inst., a fire broke out on the premises occupied by Mr. Todd, in the Halswell district. Five stacks, containing about 500 bushels of wheat, valued at about £250, were destroyed.

An advertisement by the City Council publishes the names of those who distinguished themselves by their active exertions at the late fire. We are glad that this slep has been taken to honour the men, whose persons are not so well known as to obtain for them a recognition of their valuable services in the casual notices of the press. Among the names in the list, the most distinguished is William Henry Sherwell, who signalised himself by being foremost of the band of volunteers. He has been in the employment of the Honorable Mr. John Hall.

On the Bth a rifle shooting match took place on a temporary range on Mr. Kerr's run, between Nos. 1 and 2 Companies, to compete for the Government prizes. The firing took place at 300, 400, and 500 yards. The highest points attained were those made by Messrs. Alison and Duncan, who eacli scored 29. Notwithstanding a strong easterly wind the scoring was a fair average one.