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Lyttelton Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1316, 12 November 1864, Page 11 (Supplement)

Vegetation of tub Chatham Islands.—We have the pleasure of recording another addition to scientific knowledge which may fairly be called local? in the shape of a small volume bearing the title given above, and written by Professor Ferdinand Mueller, director of the Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. l)r. Mueller's reputation is that of a thoroughly scientific botanist, and it is well therefore that this account of the Flora of the Chatham Islands has passed through his hands. But it does not emanate from him. The credit is given by Dr. Mueller, nist, to Mr. Henry Travers, the collector of specimens in the islands; and secondly, to Mr. W. T. L. Travers, who, at the suggestion of Dr. Ilaast, arranged the investigation and bore the expenses himself. I lie little book is dedicated to Mr. Travers, who is described, by the way, as " formerly Judge of the Supreme Court of the Province of Canterbury, New Zealand." We have every confidence that Dr. Mueller would not have erred so widely in his desmpiion had his subject belonged to the vegetable kingdom. The work itself is a botanical dictionary for the Chatham Islands,and is illustrated with several wdl-executed lithographic drawings. We extract from Dr. Mueller's preface a condensed enumeration of the additions to science now published, and of the known flora of the Islands as compared with NewZealand and adjacent countries. Dr. Mueller says: " The collections thus accumulated in the Chatham Islands comprise 129 species of plants, apparently indigenous. Of these 42 are dicotyledonous, representing not less than 32 orders and 37 genera; 20 are monocotyledonous (including a doubtful calorophus mentioned by Dr. Hooker), and these exhibit 9 orders and 19 genera; the remaining 67 plants are acotyledonous. It may, however, be predicted, that although we are now fully acquainted with the trees and shrubs of these islands, still some phanerogamic herbaceous plants, most likely also several of the ferns common in New Zealand, and certainly an abundance of cryptogamic plants remain still to be discovered. Of ferns, inclusive of lycopodiaceae, we know now 25 as existing in the Chatham Islands, all identical with species found in New Zealand; these comprise 14 genera. A comparison of the plants of the Chatham Islands with those of New Zealand, as far as they are known to the author, has proved that only 9 phanerogamous species are peculiar to th 3 former, and even of the specific validity of some of these we are not finally assured. Eight of these seemingly endemic plants are referable to the genera coprosma, gingidium, eurybia senecio, leptinella and myrsine, whilstonly one(myosotidiumnobile) constitutes a genus peculiar to the islands. As all the other genera are represented in the vegetation of New Zealand, we are warranted in regarding the flora as merely an extension of that of the great neighbouring group, the territory of which may indeed at one period have stretched uninterruptedly across, a supposition strengthened by the fact of na< vigators having obtained soundings throughout the interjacent sea. This persuasion impresses itself the more forcibly on the mind of the observer, if he contrasts the Chatham vegetation with that of Baoul Island, imperfectly as it is known (conf. J. Hooker in Proceed. Linn. Soc. i. 125) and more particularly with that of Norfolk Island and of Tasmania, certain points of all these isolated spots being nearly equidistant from New Zealand. Little in the vegetation of the Chatham Islands is strikingly peculiar, except the myosotidium and the grand arborescent composite (Eurybia Traversa and Senecio Huntii), which add two singular forms to the very limited number of such plants of this extensive order as rise to the

height of trees; such also elsewhere occur chiefly in

insular localities." We may add that thanks are given to Mr. Frederick Hunt, of Pitt Island, to Captain Thomas, and Mr. Archibald Shand, for their kindness and assistance to Mr. Travers.

City Improvements.—Thanks to the march of progress in building, Christchurch will soon present the appearance of an old friend with a new face. New stores and buildings of every description are springing up on every side. The Council Chamber is making rapid progress towards completion, and already the substantial stone building throws the wood-work erections hitherto used entirely into

the shade. The new Wesleyan chapel is getting on fast; it is now roofed, floored, and partly plastered

in the interior. The one in High-street, used until the present moment, will soon be a thing of the past, the site and materials both of the chapel and the school-room attached being in the market. Then we have the new offices of Messrs. Aikman and Wilson, also in High-street; this is a large timber structure, of commanding appearance. One of the many rooms up-stairs is used for the place of meeting for the Chamber of Commerce. In Herefordstreet, the new stone offices of Messrs. Matson and Torlesse attract some attention, both from their size and massiveness. They are built of blue and grey rubble. The design was furnished by Messrs. Mountfort and Bury ; Messrs. Balcke and Brouard being the contractors for the wood-work, and Messrs. Greig and Brock for the masonry. The base of the building is of white stone from Mr. Ellis' quarry, the front being of rubble with dressings of white tufa. The next buildings to be noticed are

those erected oil the site of the late disastrous fire in Colombo-street. Here is the warehouse of Messrs. Axup, Steward and Bell, a large timber erection, fitted with plate-glass windows of a considerable size. Attached to the warehouse is a spacious showroom, (the largest in the province), fitted with every convenience, and every device to attract the notice of the ladies. Above are large roomy offices, corn-

manding a fine view of the city. Messrs. Brooke and Co., chemists, have rebuilt their shop of stone, and the house is of tasteful design, apparently well and substantially built. Mr. Ayers'baths are situated close by, and will doubtless prove a great convenience to the inhabitants of Christchurch. There are already six baths, conveniently arranged, and supplied with hot and cold water from tanks (filled by means of force pumps) which contain 400 and 700 gallons respectively. The ProvincialLarder,arecently established restaurant, is also situated near the same spot, on the site of the former offices of Messrs. Matson and Torlesse. The proprietor, Mr. Anslow, seems to have spared neither pains nor expense in fitting up this establishment, which is elegantly decorated. It consists of diningrooms, both public and private, smoking and chess rooms. It is contemplated to establish both chess and whist clubs in connection with the cafe, which will answer all the general purposes of a London restaurant. In Oxford terrace, we find a building which reminds one of the habitat of lawyers at home. This is an extensive pile of wooden buildings known by the ominous appellation of the " Court house Chambers." Further down the terrace, we come to the new printing-office of our contemporary the Standard, who lias abandoned the old dingy locality where his thunderbolts were concocted, for large and roomy premises on the site of what was one of the oldest shops in the city. Among the works in progress Mr. Colter's new room must not be overlooked. It is intended to answer the purposes of a popular music hall, and being of considerable size will be well adapted for it. For the day time the room will be found convenient for various purposes. In this hasty notice it is probable that we have overlooked many buildings worthy of notke, but the variety of them and the speed with which they are erected must plead our excuse. In conclusion, we are desirous of chronicling a new indication of taste which his lately been developed to a considerable extent, namely, the mania for decorating the shops with painted windows. Some of these are executed with much taste and skill, especially those ornamented by the hand of Mr. St. Quentin ; but one cannoi help wondering that in some instances so much expense and trouble are incurred in adorning the windows of some establishments which were really not worth the outlay. They bring to the recollection Goldsmith's happy simile of " putting lace ruffles on a ragged shirt."

Gymnasium Association. —The Provisional Committee of this body met on Nov. 7, and agreed to the fundamental rules of (he association, to be submitted to the Government, and to form the basis of the agreement upon which the site promised for the Gymnasium will be granted by the Government. On the acceptance of these rules the committee will be prepared to come before the public and ask for means to proceed with the undertaking. The site is well selected, being on the continuation of Casbel street, between the river and Montreal street, and alongside the "Volunteer Ground, where the drill-shed is now being erected. The Gymnasium building will be 60 feet long by 42 feet in width, and the design for its erection provides for fixtures and fittings of the complelest and most approved description. Power is to be taken to provide baths and other conveniences for the members, who will become bo by virtue of a subscription to be fixed.