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Lyttelton Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1331, 15 December 1864, Page 4 (Supplement)

The Cathedral—The Cathedral Commission met at the College Library on Thursday Dec. l r for the purpose of making arrangements for the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Cathedral, which will take place on the 16th instant, that day being the anniversary of the foundation of the settlement. A committee was formed for the purpose alluded to, consisting of the Ven. the Archdeacon of Christchurch and Mr. J. G. Hawkes, who are to act in concert with any other gentlemen whom they nay select,.in combination with Mr. R. Speechly, the resident architect. It has been arthat Piyine worship shall be celebrated, in St. Michael's Church, at 9.30; the procession will then be formetf and proceed: to the ground. The foundation-stone is a large block of stone, presented by Mr. F. Thompson, and is Ave feet by two feet and a-halt The design was furnished by Mr.; R. Speechly, and represents a Greek icthua between four crosses. In the centre is a large cross in which the bottle containing the following, inscriptions will be placed:— In Honorem Sanctos Trinitatis, Patrls, Filii, Spirttill Sancti, Hanc Lapidem Angularem, Ecclesiss

Cathedralis JEdis-Christi, in orbe JEdis-Christi, Posuit Ver admodufmßeverendusHenricusJ. C. Harper, S. T. P., PrimuijEdis-Christi Episcopus, Civitatii, Cantuariensis Natali Die Quatuor dectmo, Die DecembrU XVI., Anno Victoria Begin* XXVIII., Nostra MDCCCLXIV. Circumitante clero, Populoque, et grata animo recordante quot et quanta beneflcia DEUS :0: M; omnium bonorum Auctor, Brltannise flliis, lianc novam patriam colentibui, largitus sit, et summi vi nitontium, alteram ut Angliatn matre non indignam condanfc, spes et consilia, quarn prospero usque adhuc eventu secundaverits nec non et precante, sicut universa Christi Eeclesia immota manet in Saxo fiindata, et usque ad mundi finemest mansura, ita JEdes Christi hoc Lapide Angularl innixa, invictso in Christum fldei inconcutMoque in omnes futures annos testis ex stefc flrina, pulchra, nobilis conspicua, ab initio usque ad exituin hujus Oporis adjit -DEUS, laborique nostro faveat propitius, Amen, ' Laus Deo," "In the name of the Father and of the Bon, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. To the honour and glory of Almighty God, and in the name and for the advancement of Christ's Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, on the 16th day of December, in the year of our Lord Jesus 1864, this chief-corner-stone of the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Christchurch is laid by the Eight Reverend Henry J. C. Harper, D.D., First Bishop of Christchurch, assisted by the following persons appointed by the Synod of the Diocese to serve as a Cathedral-Commission, namely, ihe Ven. Henry Jacobs, M.A., Archdeacon of Chrischurch, the Reverend James Wilson, M.A.; His IJonor Mr. Justice Gresson, the Hon. Henry John Tancred, M.L.C., Alfred Charles Barker, Charles Robert Blakiston, Cyrus Davie, Bichard James Strachan Harman, James George Hawkes, M.P.C., George Holmes, Grosvenor Miles,and George Arthur ißmilius Ross, M.P.C., Esquires. This Cathedral Church is to be erected from the designs and drawings of George Gilbert Scott, Esq., R-A., architect, London, England, and Robert Speechly, Esquire, M.R.1.8.A., resident architect, Christchurch. Glory j to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will towards men." At the bottom of the stone is incised in old English characters—"Glory to God in tliehighest, on earth peace, good will towards men. Amen." Mr. Speechly had prepared an appropriate design in the mediaeval style for the silver trowel to be used on the occasion, but Mr. Smith, • the silversmith, had not the necessary appliances for carrying it out. Nevertheless the one which Mr. Smith has undertaken to supply will, no doubt, be a very satisfactory specimen of workmanship. The inscriptions, Latin and English, were drawn up by the Ven. H. Jacobs and Mr. Speechly, *nd are to be executed in two colours at the Union printing office. Messrs. Hemmingway and Sheriff are the contractors for the foundation; this work is about 224 feet by 115, and consists of trenches six feet in depth, that of the tower being seven. The average may be iaken at six feet and a-half. These trenches are to be filled in with concrete composed of shingle and neat Portland cement. About two thousand barrels of cement will be required at the least, the concrete being two feet'in depth. The corner-stone, which has been described, will be placed at the east end. of the chancel.

The Yeomanry Cavalry.—On Saturday, Nov. 26, a meeting of those interested in this corps, was held at the old Town Hall, Captain Commandant Reader (for so he has been gazetted, although elected by the corps as Major Commanding) in the* chair. Shortly after the members were assembled, Captain Armstrong attended, and as senior officer of militia, in the unavoidable absence of Major White, administered the oath of allegiance to 49 members. He stated he could not remain long, but would swear in any other gentlemen desirous of joining, at the Government Buildings any day between the hours of one and three p.m. The hon. secretary, Sir. Ollivier, appeared in a suit of uniform that had been recommended by Capt. Reader with a view to the Bame being adopted by the corps. It is a really nice, smart, soldierlike uniform, consisting of a blue tunic with red facings and gold mountings; the sword-belt being worn underneath, while a pair of pantaloons of corresponding colour and material are worn under a pair of serviceable long boots. The cap is of the regular undress pattern used in the old country, commonly known as the "muffin cap," but can be made to suit this climate by the simple addition of a white cover and long peak made to fit firmly to the front, while the spurs are of the swan's neck pattern. The arms, supplied by Government, were submitted,—Terry's breechloading carbine giving great satisfaction, but the sabre is rather heavy, yet withal a serviceable article. A slight mistake has apparently occurred at head quarters as the sword-belts and knots are white, while the cartouche boxes and belts are of plain brown leather and of infantry regulation. This, however, is to be altered under the supervision of Mr. St. Quentin, who volunteered to get the belts altered to the proper shape, and to japan the whole sets free of cost. It was carried unanimously that Captain Reader should communicate with the Commissioner of Police, asking him to allow Sergeant Darby of that force to be transferred to the Yeomanry, where he will hold the position of Sergeant Major and Drill Instructor. Sergeant Darby was at one time Drill Instructor to the Cavalry Volunteers in Melbourne, from which place he has brought good testimonials. On the motion of Mr. W. K. M'Lean, the following gentlemen were elected as a committee, in addition to the officers who are ex officio members—Messrs. C. M. Ollivier, J. St. Quentin, W. K. M'Lean, D. Innes, E. Coleman, 0. W. Oakes, Joshua Cuff, J. C. Brooke, J. H. Fysh. Mr. C. M. Ollivier was requested to continue as secretary. Mr. St. Quentin and Mr. W. H. Morlev then offered their services to act as drills—in which occupation th6y have both had some experience- 1 - under the supervision of the Sergeant Major ; and a vote of thanks to the former gentleman was recorded for his handsome offer and services hitherto. A very pretty stand was exhibited by Mr. Wood, saddler of High-street, containing samples of semi-military bridles and sheepskins for the saddles; They were much admired, and reflected great credit on Mr. Wood. The samples are again to be submitted to the committee, when they will form: a subject of consideration. The sheepskins in particular were worthy of notice. Mr. J. C. Aikman was detailed by the Commandant to act as Adjutant, and he will take charge of the arms and accoutrements, serving them out to those members sworn in; This appointment gave general satisfaction, and a vote of thanks to the chair brought the proceedings to a clcjse. A committee meeting will be held this evening, at five o'clock,' at Messrs. Ollivier's when the hour and locality of the first drill will be determined upon. From the foregoing proceedings and from the names of: the gentlemen associated with the movement, the Yeomanry Cavalry must undoubtedly: hold a leading position in the volunteer force of New Zealand.

Thatcher's Opening Address was delivered at the Town Hall on the 16th Nov. It commences by remarking upon the alteration in the appearance of the town since his last visit here two years ago, and lamenting the advance which has been made upon, what he terms the "good old days." The various improvements and new buildings of the city are all touched upon in a serio-comic vein, which suggests the thought that the satirist would have preferred to find the city in the same stage of progress in which he left it. He mourns the disappearance of the " well-known little shop," and Redman with his bullock and tilbury, and cites the fact sis !>roof of the decay of our ancient institutions. The nnovation of King Cobb with his four-in-liand coaches, is also noticed, and he makes a former Jarvey remark that the times are strangely altered from what they were two years ago when money was plentiful. We have only room for the following extract, which hits off two of the most important subjects of the day. Alluding to the period referred to above, he says:— I

Hotels juat then were few and far between: Inevery street in Christohuroh now they're seen. The cause ia evident. OUivier'a Act Has cooked the publican's and that's a fact. In days gone by no toll-bars stopped the way j No turnpike-man held out his hand for pay, , Springing out on you'ftom his small abode Erected on the Papanui road. This monstrous imposition no one likes: We're fond of whitebait, but we can't bearpiiet, Government is hard up; useless aro debentures; In this vile way to raise the wind it ventures, taxing wayfarers to obtain somo gold; And that's the reason, you and I are told. The Insolvent Court and its long array of debtors is amusingly treated, the singer, asserting that they must not ascribe their ruin to an indulgence in the opera, but to " pressure of creditors, business stagnation, high rents and property depreciation." The address concludes with a few remarks upon the progress made by the Christchurch journals, and an appeal totho critics todeal with him gently.

! > Christchurch Total Abstinence Society.i-t The anuual meeting of this society i was held Nov. 18 at the old Town Hall. About thirty-five members were present, Mr. 0. F. Worth occupying the chair. The annual report was read and adopted; The flection of offlcers was proceeded with, the following being- appointed ? — Mr. G. Booth was chosen preeidentfor the ensuing year, and Mp. PoJe, minute secretary ? Mr. J. ,G. Baker, corresponding secretary; Mr. CaygUl, registrar 5 Mi. J, G.Baker, librarian. Twelve members were alio elected to

servo as committee men. and it was decided to re quest the permission of the following gentlemen to hare their names placed on the list of vice-president*. Dr.. Florance and the Revs. J. W. Habens B A and Lorenzo Moore, curate of Papanui. ' ' '' Lexthfibld Market.—ln a recent number wa incidentally alluded to the contemplated establishment of a market for this district, The project seems in a fair way of being carried out, for a circular has been forwarded to us from which the following is an extract At a meeting held at Leithfleld on Saturday, Oct. 29, W. B. Pauli, Esq B.M. in the chair, it was resolved to establish a regular monthly market for this district. The meeting considered that the best form of market would be one formed on the model of those in England, and carried on, if possible, without the aid of auction sales, all present being of opinion that at such sales both buyers and sellers must transact business under a disadvantage. The market-day was fixed for the first Saturday in each month, commencing in December. The meeting unanimously agreed that a regular day on which dealers in stock or grain could be certain of finding purchasers, or holders of such goods, would tend greatly to the advancement of the district as well as the convenience of parties concerned in such business, and it is confidently expected that the advantages hereby held oat will be sufficient to induce business men in the province to lend their aid to the movement." The promoters of the scheme intend, should sufficient inducement offer, to hold a fortnightly market instead of a monthly one. The establishment of & market such as the one proposed will doubtless prove a great advantage to the district. If we may judge from the success which has attended similar institutions in other countries, it can hardly fail of having a favourable result. Markets are such a simple and obvious means of advancing the smaller interests of every community, and form such a ready medium of the interchange of commodities which it would otherwise be difficult to procure, or which, if procured in quantities larger toan sufficient to satisfy the requirements of a place would be unsaleable, that one wonders that they have not been more generally adopted in a new colony. True it is that in almost all our townships a site is reserved for a market-place, and the plan of it drawn out upon a map, but the work apparently stops there, and we see no steps taken to bring the scheme into actual working. Meanwhile, the consumers are left to the mercy of any one who chooses to ava'l himself of the opportunity afforded himbya system wliich virtually amounts to a monopoly. In these free-trade days we ought not to tolerate any linger than absolutely necessary, a system fraught with so many inconveniences.

Fish Curing.—We recently paid a visit to the establishment of Mr. Carter, of High-street, who has lately started the plan of curing and smoking flsh. Hitherto, our townspeople, if they wished to enjoy the luxury of a dainty bloater, hare been compelled to depend upon those imported in tins, and which were not at all times to be procured at a reasonable price, or if obtainable, frequently proved anything but appetizing. Now, however, thanks to the newly introduced process, we can be supplied with herrings and other fish, freshly cured, and fully equal to those imported from England. Possibly when the undertaking has been a little longier in operation, and experience has introduced some new improvements into it,we may find the Canterbury bloaters rivalling those of Yarmouth. The Dutch boast that Amsterdam is built upon herring bones, for it owes much of its wealth and extent to the money obtained from tbe fisheries. Perhaps, the future historian of the province will have to chronicle the foundation of some township established upon the same basis. However, leaving the future, let us return to the present. The premises of Mr. Carter are situated in Chester-street Christchurch. On entering the premises, we find a small brick structure, with a slated roof; transversed in the interior with iron bars, on which, as soon as the senses get accustomed to the dense smoke, we find suspended rows of herrings and other fish undergoing the process of drying and smoking. The smoke is caused by a large smouldering fire composed of manuka scrub and other materials which create Btifiing fumes, which are allowed partially to escape through a very small aperture in the roof. The fish suspended in this style, remind one of Dugald Dalgetty's simile to the unfortunate parent of the Children of the Mist. After hanging until they are sufficiently smoked on one side, the fish are turned, so that every portion of them shall be duly cured. The fish are brought down to Christchurch every evening by Messrs. Cobb's coach, in quantities of 112lbs at a time, from Saltwater Creek. Mr. Carter informed us that he has already found a very large sale for the fish so prepared; could he enlarge his premises, and ensure a greater supply of fish he might greatly extend his operations. The public mo beginning to appreciate his exertions in starting this new branch of industry, and we hope that he will reap the reward of his enterprise. We should add that moki after undergoing the process we have sketched, forms a capital substitute for kippered salmon—a hint which we throw out for the benefit of our readers north of Hie Tweed.

Stone-planing.—Mr. Blyth of Chester-street, Chris tohurch, has just introduced a stone-planing machine into the province, which apparently succeeds very well. Under the shelter of a small shed is a four horse-power oscillating steain-engine, which sets in motion a large, heavy travelling slide made of solid beams, firmly tied together. This is famished with revolving blades, made of highly tempered steel. The stone to be planed is subjected to the action of these blades, which are about two inches in diameter, and shaped something like a carpenter's chisel. The engine having been started, works as if gifted with intelligence, and polishes the stones placed beneath the bladfes as perfectly and almost as noiselessly as if they were deal boaiils. The stones so prepared can be used as plinths, hearth or gravestones. The hardness of the stone is apparently no hindrance, as the machine has been applied with equal success to that fonrid in the different Canterbury quarries. That supplied by Mr. F. Thompson and by Messrs. Forgan and Sons, which are totally distinct in their composition, have been smoothed with equal facility, and when we saw it, a hard, lumpy block of tufa was undergoing the process. The machine, at present, stands upon a temporary platform, but it is the intention of the proprietor to have it placed upon a permanent basis, and thus to increase the efficiency of its operations. The Unemployed.—On the 15th Nov. & second deputation from the unemployed at Kaiapoi, and its vicinity, waited upon the Government with reference to the prevalent distress. They were informed by the Provincial Secretary that the Government would make careful inquiry into the alleged distress, with a view of ascertaining what amount of truth there might be in the statements which had been made, and also of devising means of reiieviug cases of individual suffering. For.this purpose, a commission consisting of the following gentlemen would be ap-pointed-Rev. W. W. Willock, Messrs. J. Beswick, and C. Dudley. The commission would attend to any representations which might be made to them, and would be authorized to provide work for the applicants, provided that the remuneration for such work did not exceed 5s per diem. The deputation then withdrew. On the 19th instant, the commissioners sent in the annexed report:—" Kaiapoi, 19ta November, 1§64. The commission appointed by tlie Provincial Secretary to consider and enquire into the supposed distress amongst the labouring classes at Kaiapoi reports, that the commissioners met yesterday morning aud evening, after notice given, at the Court House, to receive applications for relief ana inquire into the circumstances of each case. -l" e result is, that out of fifty applications tho commissioners though it right to give work of a temporary nature to thirty-si* married men, rally speaking having families, and twelve singi men—to the former for six days a week, except in the iustances (where either the man had property o his own or there wero no children), work waa promised for only five days in the week. 'Io the single men work for four days a week was made the rui . The commissioners havo to report thatiu conducting the inquiry no case of want of the necessane life has been brought to their notice. Yet from tne length of time many of the applicants have Dee out of work, the commissioners feel saisned that a - tress to some extent has prevailed, and that the p sent relief is not only desirable but also necessar, _ prevent immediate want, and further, olu circumstances of several of the applicants, y commissioners are fully alive to the fact that u e administration of relief must be exercised wit greatest degree of circumspection. Ihe c 0" . siohers ire glad to state thatwork hasibeenfouna close at hand of a most useful nature, and such p whicb the men can for awhile be profitably emp y • Upon this work a number of men have a | re this menced, the commissioners venturing to taK step at once without waiting for . an ,, an ? w „ L v discommunicfttion as the best way of Rl ! ayiD f. Lmcontent which may exist. In conclusion, ti missioned would briefly promise that J n endeavour faithfully to carry out the conditions which, as stated in your letter, the p har j e8 offered this assistance. W. W. Willock, Charley Dudley, Josiah Birch, Joseph Beswick. ,f. Bolleaton, Esg,, Provincial Secrgtyy, •