TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1353, 31 January 1865, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

. Artesian Well Water.—We have had the pleasure of perusing the report of an able analytical chemist in Melbourne upon some specimens of water submitted to him by Messrs, H. S. Brown anil Co,, of the Albion Brewery, from the artesian well upon their premises on the Lincpln Road. The analyst, Mr. Johnson, reports that" the water is essentially a soft one, being remarkably free from any considerable quantity of lime salts, whilst it also contains a marked proportion of free alkaline carbonate, which imparts to it its most marked characteristic," One Imperial gallon was found to contain— Vegetable organic matter, grains, ... 1.00 Carbonate of soda „ ... 1,33 „ lime „ ... 1.90 „ magnesia - „ ... traces Sulphate of soda „ ... 0.30 Ckloride of calcium „ ... 0.39 „ magnesium „ ... traces Iron alumina „ ... 0.13 Silicious matter „ .... 1.55 Grains ... 6.6 This report will be most satisfactory, establishing, as it does, the character of Chrißtchurch water for

purity and softness, in addition to its palpable pleasantness to the taste. It may be callel perfectly pure? M waters which are put down as excellent for town purpose* contain as much as 28 to 30 grains of foreign matter to the gallon, and are seldom so free from objectionable characteristics as this is. The analyst further reports that he placed a strip of lead in tho water for four days, and found at Jthe end of the time that there had been no action on the lead, nor had the lead left any trace of its presence in the water.

The Comet.—This mysterious visitor has been satisfactorily visible during the past few nights, which have been clear of clouds and without moonshine. The comet is perceptibly diminishing in brilliancy, and now docs not equal a star of the fourth magnitude. At the same time it is rising further above the horizon, and therefore setting later, and giving longer opportunities for observation. The tail does not alter in apparent length or general shape, excepting that the curve is a little more marked. On Saturday night the nucleus touched the horizon exactly at midnight, and only a few degrees westward of south.

Cokbb's Exchakoe.—Mr. Coker has prepared a new convenience for the commercial public of Christchurch, in the shape of Exchange-rooms, in Cathedral Square. The building recently erected and known as Coker'# Hall has been devoted by the proprietor, during the day time, as a place where mercantile men can meet, do business, see the papers, and obtain reports of prices, telegrams, and other diurnal public information ; and private rooms are also provided for special use. In addition, the indispensable luncheon is forthcoming on the premises, so that a day's work can be got through in comfort. The whole is to be carefully conducted. No doubt *the convenience offered by Mr. Coker will be largely taken advantage of.

The New Steam Fire Engine.—The first working trial of the steam fire engine, lately imported, came off last evening. The Fire Brigade, with the engine drawn by two horses, proceeded, about 5 o'clock, to the river, by Lane's mill, where, the fire, having been previously "laid," was lighted,and steam got up in 14 minutes; a series of testing experiments then were made. The engine was backed up as close as possible to the river, into which was led the suction hose, a flexible pipe of about 5 inches diameter. A length of 80 feet of hose was then to each of the delivery nozzles—of which there are two, and at these distances jets of water from 1-inch branches were obtained to cover a sweep of about 120 feet, the gauge registering a pressure of 55lbs. of steam per square inch. The branches were then unscrewed, and in their places breechings attached, and two hose,each 40 feet long, screwed on; the hose attached to each delivering nozzle then presented a figure of the letter Y, tfie base to the engine and the limbs delivering water, thus supplying 4jetsatonce, 120 feet from the engine. The branches in this position commanded a radius of about 90 feet, at a steam pressure of 80lbs. The hose were then singled, and taken down Cashel street and High street, a distance of 1000 feet on both hose; at that length from the engine, two good stream water, about 25 feet perpendicular, and 60 feet horizontal radius, were thrown; the pressure not exceeding 70lbs per inch on the boiler. The water was next thrown into one hose, and produced a jet commanding nearly double the sweep of the preceding ones. Finally > the whole length of hose, 2000 feet, reaching from the engine to the triangle opposite O'Hara's, Harp Tavern, was attached singly. The result was certainly not very satisfactory: a feeble stream, sweeping only about 30 feet from the branch. It was intended to fill and empty the water-tank at Lane's mill with the engine, and note the time of each operation, thus testing the deliv_ering_eapaoity i»-voiume; -but owing to want of fuel, it was not continued sufficiently long to obtain a comparative result. The .whole operations occupied two hours and thirteen minutes, during which time absut two hundredweight of coals and two sacks of firewood were eonsupied. The-working pressure did not exceed 85lb; even when the engine was at rest, the register never indicated more than 1301b. When it is considered that "she" is said to work up to 2001b, the performances were not what they ought to have been; but this is always the case at a first trial. We believe that on this occasion some of the bearings were so heated, that it would have been dangerous to get up more steam; besides this, everything worked stiffly, as all new machinery does, and the vibration was very great—matters which a little use will set right. We were surprised to see steam got up so quickly j under the circumstances. It is usual to mix tar, resin, &c., amongst the fuel, when steam is wanted quickly; but in this instance no extraordinary means were resorted to, and the fire, which should have been lighted on starting from the engine-house, was not kindled till the arrival at the ground. If this course were followed on the occurrence of a fire, much valuable time would be lost; but we have no doubt that" things will be arranged properly when the time comes for the real working of the first steam fire engine in New Zealand.

Land Sales.—'The following is a statement of the land sold at the Land Office during the month of January ■Christchurch, 164 acres; Ashley, 701; Timaru, 347-J ; Lincoln, 286£ ; Mandeville, 720; Ellesniere, 1,114; Banks Peninsula, 132; Oxford, 1,209 ; Ashburton, 70 ; Waitangi, 175 ; total, 4,919 acres. The sum realized by the above was £9872. Acclimatization Society. — This Association held a meeting on Thursday last, at their rooms, at the Mechanics' Institute, but no business of any importance was transacted beyond the purchase of 6 thrushes, 2 blackbirds, 2 chaffinches, 1 linnet, 4 skylarks, and 2 goldfinches, from the purser of the ship Mermaid. Bathing at Aicaroa. —By advertisement our readers will perceive that Mr. Waeckerle has introduced a great improvement in the way of enjoying seabathing. He has had a suitable bathing machine constructed for the use of visitors to this salubrious spot. Akaroa, with its romantic scenery, should receive a fair share of patronage at this season of the year. Special Services. —On Sunday last, open-air services, especially intended (according to the advertisement) for the working-classes, were held in a paddock adjoining the school-room, St. Albans. They took place in the afternoon, and in the evening. Walter Douglas—we believe that he eschews the title of Reverend, or the more ordinary prefix of Mr.— conducted them. A good many persons, attracted, probably by the fineness of the weather, the novelty of the scene, and the rumoured eccentricity of the preacher, w ere in attendance. He preached fluently enough, 'although his discourse was disfigured by some not very complimentary allusions to the good folks of Christchurch, although he carefully forebore to give that appellation to our fair city.

lattelton Volunteer Artillery.—We have been requested by the preliminary committee to call the attention of the members of the above corps already sworn in, and those gentlemen who signed the requisition for enrolment, that the next meeting will take place at the Queen's, on Thursday evening, at eight o'clock. Tim Kowai Road Board held a meeting at Northport, on the 28th inst. It was proposed and eed to, tluit a claim should be made uptn the Pro•icial Government for the sum expended by the Board during thrte'months, amounting to £764 9d ; also, that the surveyor do employ a sufficient number of hands in preparing levels, to enable future tforks to be proceeded with.

Distress.—Our readers may recollect that some little time back we announced the sadden death, at Leithfleld, of a man • named Malcolm. We learn, with regret, that he has left a widow jand children in a condition of great distress, they being total y unprovided for. Mr. George Jones, High street, will be happy to afford any information on the su ject, and will gladly receive the donations of those who may be willing to aid in this painful case. Royal Pbincbbs' Thbatbb.—The piece performed hero on Saturday, was " The Sea of Ice," which was both as well played and as well put upon the stage as on former occasions. The house was but thinly attended. Last night the drama of "The Pirate of the Savannah." followed by the burlesque of " Cinderella, were represented ; in the former piece. Mr. Manly was called for. The attendance "was not a very numerous

Fatal Accident m thb Ranoitata. —On Sunday, the 22nd, a young man, named Robert Hughes, aged about 20, was drowned in the Rangitata. It appears that the unfortunate young man was crossing the river on horseback, when, by the violence of the current, the horse was turned down the stream, and Hughes was washed off his saddle. The deceased was in the employ of Dr, Moorhouse, and was much respected by his employer and the other hands on the station. We have not heard whether the body has been recovered or not. From the late flooded state of the rivers, we are afraid that we shall hear of numerous accidents, besides the one now recorded.

Accident at the Rakaia.—-On Friday morning Messrs. Cobb and Co.'s waggon, with two horses attached, which is used for the purpose of conveying feed to the different points on their postal route, met with an accident on attempting to cross the Rakaia. It appears that the river was considered fordable at the time, and the pilot went ahead as usual, and by some means the horses and waggon got out of their depth. The horses then commenced to swim, when the force of the current washed them down the stream, and although the driver manfully stuck to his horses, and endeavoured to guide them on to a spit, he was unable to do so, and with difficulty managed to save himself, being compelled to abandon the horses to their fa te. The horses were drowned, and carried a quarter of a mile down the river. The waggon became disconnected, and fetched upon a spit, and will probably be recovered.