GENERAL SUMMARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1372, 14 March 1865, Page 5

GENERAL SUMMARY.

The history of the war in the Northern Island, in its present peculiar phase, occupies a large portion of our paper to-day. There is much in the month's accounts from Wanganui to interest the general reader; but our own affairs, within the boundaries of the province of Canterbury, are more important to ourselves and fall more particularly within the scope of our summary. Some political excitement, already passed away and almost forgotten, was caused during the end of February by the election of a member to fill the seat in the Provincial Council for the Avon district, left vacant by Mr. Bowen's resignation. The Government candidate was Mr. Cowlishaw, the Provincial Solicitor, and on the part of the opposition Mr. Musgrave Anderson had come forward. The struggle becaine one between the two parties to a. greater extent than has ever before been known in Canterbury; the contest was a very keen one, and when, at the close of the poll, on the 23rd of February, it 'was known that the Government candidate had been successful, the other side were stirred up to a pitch of intense indignation. This, however, has calmed down, and political affairs are just now in abeyance, the only action in progress at this time being the systematic registration of votes for the coming year's roll. The West Coast goldfield is, in fact, the absorbing topic of discussion. It has been known for the last eight or ten months that gold was being found on the riVers Grey and Teremakau in sufficient quantities to justify further examination. By degrees the Amount of gold produced began to increase, and the diggers who thought proper to direct their steps in that direction increased in a like proportion. Steamers began to run from Nelson to the Grey and Okitiki rivers, taking gold miners and stores down and bringing back very often a quantity of gold. The diggings were not confined to one spot. Week after week the reports stated that the left one spot to hurry off to another. Claims which had been called "payable" were thus constantly deserted, and the attractive accounts were simply transferred to another locality. At last, the gold exports from the coast began to total up to several hundred ounces; two steamers arrived in Nelson together, bringing about 2900 ounces between them; and more was to come. Then the desire to have to do with a goldfield became manifest in Canterbury. A rich goldfield had been found, and was not to be lightly thrown away; but few or no steps had up to that time—-the end of last month—been taken by the Government or any one on this side to turn the discovery to account. On one of the last days in February a paper was circulated in Christchurch, calling for a public meeting to impress upon the Provincial Government the duty of governing the goldflelds. The meeting was called accordingly for the 2nd of March, and was held on the evening of that day in the Town Hall. But by that time the Government had taken some steps. A party under Mr. George Dobson had been sent to examine the country betweea the head waters of the Waimakariri and the Teremakau to see whether a pass, reported practicable, really did exist by that route. We are able to give publication in our present issue to the report and, journal of Mr. Dobson, who returned to town on Saturday last. Jt will be seen that he reports the route impracticable, on account of a long, steep, and narrow gorge between the pass and the open river bed of the Otira river, which flows into the Teremakau. As, however, the report is only of a negative character, and only declares that a road to the West Coast by that route has not yet been found, it may be the case that another pass exists in the neighbourhood, which may still be discovered, and therefore is worth looking for, if money can be spared in addition to making good the route already kijown. The Waimakariri has a great ad vantage over other rivers, that its bed is available for dray traffic nearly up to its most distant source; and its heiad waters lie directly in the line from Christchurch to the diggings. If & P aBS and a track be found on the West Coast side also, the problem will be solved. But this has yet to be proved. The Government announced also, at the meeting on the 2nd oi March, that the Commissioner of

Police was about to start overland immediately with troopers and an equipage sufficient to establish an escort from the goldfields to Christchurch, if the enterprise were at all possible. Nothing has yet been heard of the party's progress beyond the dividing range. Mr. Rolleston, the Provincial Secretary, at the same time announced his intention of paying the diggings a personal visit, with the view of examining what was wanted, and seeing those operations which the Government had designed; properly commenced. One of them relates to the pilotage and harbour management, to provide for which Captain Gibson, the Port-officer of the province, has gone round by sea to the Okitiki, taking with him the necessary staff and plant, including a semaphore apparatus. There is also a party at work on the Teremakau track, between the junction of the Otira and Lake Brunner, whose services will be equally advantageous to either route from Christchurch, whichever may be ultimately selected; unless, indeed, a pass is found by which communication may be had direct to the head waters of some river south of the Teremakau, from the Waimakariri or Rakaia. The condition of this question may at present be thus described.

The principal rivers on the Wpt Coast of Canterbury, next south of the boundary stream (the Grey), are the Teremakau, the Arahura, and the Okitiki, of these, the Teremakau has its sources furthest inland, or eastward, according to our present knowledge. One of these sources is divided from the head waters of the Hurunui by a saddle of moderate height, and the last named river flows thence easterly into the sea, through a country, not difficult, but not yet quite passable for drays. By this route, up the Hurunui and down the Teremakau, the whole traffic overland at present passes. But as the former river is the extreme north-east boundary of the province on the east, the route along it from Christchurch is far from a direct line, and it is an object of recent explorations to find one that shall be shorter and at least as passable. The Waimakariri seems to present some advantages. For a part of its length it flows parallel to, south of, and not very distant from the Teremakau, the head waters of the two streams as it were overlapping one another, the one flowing east, the other west. There are streams feeding each river, which have their rise in the same range of hills ; and it is supposed that a pass and track may exist from one to the other, fulfilling the conditions above expressed. Mr. Dobson's exploration before referred to has had the discovery of such a route as its object; he has found the pass, but the track he considers unavailable on the northern side; and he will try again. But as the Okitiki and Arahura, on the West Coast, are southward of the Teremakau, and are centrally placed in respect of the diggings, It would be a great success to find away from one of the eastern rivers to either of them, similar to the route connecting the Hurunui and the Teremakau. The Waimakariri and the Arahura are relatively so placed; and so are the Bakaia and the Okitiki. Between the last named pair of rivers a pass is known to exist, which has been used by the Maoris; and a crossing was made from side to side by the illfated explorer Mr. Whitcombe some two yearsago. But so far as is known, there is little hope of finding a route which would be practicable for many months in the year, on account of the snow. The temptation of goldfields may, however, force a- way where none has been found before. And as the exploration of the West Coast country is rendered peculiarly difficult on account of the dense bush, much doubtless still remains to be discovered. The question, of course, has the deepest interest to Canterbury, because the discovery of an easy and always practicable route across the province would place the Eastern Settlements in immediate communication with the Western goldfield, and would secure to them the commerce, the traffic, and the gold returns, besides rendering the execution of the functions of government an easy instead of a very difficult matter.

Our.latest accounts from the goldfield itself are to the 7th instant ly sea. We give elsewhere the short account which appears in the. Nelson Examiner. But we have had an opportunity of obtaining private and reliable information of a somewhat fuller character, coming down to the same date, namely, this day week.

The rivers, portions of which have been found auriferous, flow at intervals of from three to eight miles, for some forty miles along the coast, I southward from the Grey. Every river and stream appears to possess gold; but that which is found close down to the beach is. invariably fine, and the real diggings commence a few mile 9 up. There may be from 2000 to 3000 men now on the field altogether, and the largest gathering, at the time of our latest news, was on the Waimea or 'Six Mile Creek,'.which falls into the ocean between the rivers Teremakau and Arahura. Parties are spread all about, and it is hard to say to what particular quarter the principal diggings will belong. On the Arahura and Okitiki, and thence to the Totara, parties are vigilantly prospecting amongst the main hills whence the rivers issue. We know of no actual discoveries of gold in paying quantities south of the Totara river ; but accounts brought recently by the Maoris seem to indicate the spread of the diggings more southerly still. So much for the longitudinal extent of the field at present. Jts breadth is another matter. Last week three new rushes were reported; one to the left hand branch of the Arahura; another to the north of the Grey, where gold of a peculiarly, coarse character was reported to be found ; and the third was not exactly known. Besides these places, and those beforementioned, the Greenstone Creek (on the Teremakau) is considered to be a paying and profitable river; and dry weather would afford a chance of fairly testing this and other streams. As the various rivers are ascended the size and yield of gold increases ; but the access to the upper part of the rivers has been the difficulty. Almost every river on the coast is 'gorge-bound' at a few miles inland; that is, it descends from the higher ground—which may almost be called a table land,—to the lower terraces which border the coast, by an abrupt descent. The gorges are for the most part narrow, steep, and deep; and prospecting is exceedingly difficult, while packing up them is almost impossible. That gold exists in the upper country is a wellknown fact, and many efforts have been made to get at it effectually. The best permanent access will probably be found up the Waimea, which river is comparatively open and affords a tolerable road to the interior. This stream takes its rise from a saddle range, sit the back of which is the rich Maori Gully, where many are at, work with great advantage to themselves. But the gold is by means confined to one or two spots. The hills are so broken up into spurs that every mile or so there is a gully, and in that part we are now speaking of, in most of the gullies gold is to be procured, generally in some quantities; but it extends only a few chains downwards from the range for the most part. The question of water is of course a great point in the availability of any of these places. It is the puzzle of a goldfield; miners can neither do with it nor without it. If there is too much or too little, work does not go properly on. In the very dry weather some of the streams which have hitherto been flowing down the small gullies will no doubt cease, and the power of sluicing will cease with it. The tendency is now towards the saddle range just mentioned; and along with it the upper country will probably be explored, with less difficulty than has hitherto been encountered. Prospecting has of course been going forward in many directions; but it has taken no systematic form as yet. Those on the ground have been too busy to move about much. At the same time, they have always been on the watch for the chance of improving their prospect; and they have repeatedly hurried from place to place, to seize what they thought the richest spots, before the rush should come in upon them in all its strength. In this fact consist two great advantages for new arrivals. In the first place, a fair quantity of ground is already known to be worth working, that has been abandoned in favour of still more promising spots. This is calculated to be sufficient to occupy agood number of new-comers, who may be in a position to fall to work at onee. But besides this, there are now many on the field who have done well enough to be able to pay others for working their present claims while they go out prospecting further a-fleld.« The* space is wide, the chances are numerous, and the returns are found to be profitable; therefore, it is fairly argued, the field will be able to carry a large population. The richness of the diggings is a matter of comparison. The information which we have received goes to show that, while they are not so rich as Gabriel's Gullv in its first days, they are, nevertheless, almost equally profitable. The reason is that they are so easily worked. The bottom is shallow, the whole topsoil, as a rule, is washdirt, and the operation is easy and very remunerative. Though not so much will be found to the dish as in many rich fields in Otago,it is more easily got at, and, therefore, on some claims as good a week's work can be made. The fact is beyond question that some make a pound weight of gold in the week to the single share. Three ounces a day are known tp have been averaged by a few for the last month; and one ounce is a not uncommon day's work, although the average mav be taken as half an ounce. Twelve pounds a week has been paid as wages, but the price now is lower and may be called a pound a day, wet or dry; and when the rush overland makes itself felt, esnecially if many arrive without means of tam*. diately setting to work on their own account, the

rate of wages will be lower still, as a matter of course. It is to be noted as a remarkable fact that up to this time none but invalids have left, and a very few who bad, made a sum of money and had a special object in view in returning to town, of whom we have had some arrivals in Chriatchurch.

From what we have said of the field, it follows that the diggings which are opened up will quickly be worked out as soon as they are found. Some of the large claims allowed hitherto may give six months work; but, in general, the labour is so light that all the gold can be removed from an ordinary claim in a comparatively short time. On the other hand the country is extensive, and requires rather laborious prospecting. Every reason exists to believe that the region between the snowy range and the ocean is auriferous for a long distance down the coast, and that many of the watercourses will afford profitable employment. On this account a large population may be maintained for a considerable time ; and, considering the way the tributaries are turning out, it may be conjectured that 6000 miners would not overdo the field.

A large number had already arrived overland when the latest news left. They report well of the road, so far as mere travelling on foot is concerned. But the diggers anticipate no supplies from that quarter except meat, and* they look entirely to watercarriage for everything else. Some stock had arrived from Canterbury, both sheep and cattle. Meat was is 2d to Is 6d per lb ; and flour was is. But this last article was sure to go up. The influx of diggers by land, and the difficulty of entering the rivers, had reduced stocks in hand, and would reduce them still further. Those who go overland, therefore, ought to take full supplies with them. The communication with Nelson by sea was giving great anxiety. More than one steamer had been turned back ; the Wallaby only just managed to enter and leave the Okitiki, on her last trip, and the Nelson got into the Grey. But far more communication was needed to keep supplies up to the requirements. It must be remembered, however, that the difficulty of entering was experienced at the time of neap tides. Just now is the season of spring tides, and, no doubt, the boats will be more successful on a I second attempt.

The weather is described by Otago diggers as very different from that of the southern diggings. Rain has fallen plentifully all the summer, and the dry season is now expected. But the great difference is in the amount of wind. From October last to the present time there has been no wind to interfere with navigation; such a thing as a gale has been unknown during that period. In this point the climate certainly; differs from that which prevails on the Eastern coast; and if it continues so it will be well, for a westerly gale would of course render the river entrances impassable, and there must be some such round the year. There has been a total absence of authority on the diggings. Claims have been taken of a much larger size than the regulations permit; but it has been done with general consent, and we hear of no quarrels among the diggers on that account. Storekeepers and publicans have been doing a very profitable trade, and yet have been carrying on their business without a license of any kind. From all accounts, the first act of the Government will be to collect a handsome revenue from miners' rights and licenses, without much dfficulty. The official returns prove the progress of the field. The amount brought away, on which duty has been paid, since the beginning of the year has been over 7000 ounces, and the yield is steadily and rapidly increasing. It will doubtless continue to do so for some time ; but if the influx of diggers goes on as it going, the maximum point will be reached before long. The information which we have received of the character of the diggings is certainly not overcoloured. One caution it is desirable to repeat with all the force we can lend it.' Fortunes are not to be made at gold mining by any but hardy, experienced diggers, and men of the most robust constitution ; and the West Coast diggings are no exception to the rule. The weakly or inexperienced have no chance, and had much better not attempt to go. If they do, illness and misfortune will probably he their lot, and hardships of which they have little conception await them as a certainty.

RELIGIOUS. Chdbch of England.—The foundations of the Cathedral are now nearly completed: those of the tower alone remain, and are now in coarse of being pat in. The remainder are brought up to their ultimate height, ready for the wall itself; and the site is neatly levelled in round them, so that the ground plan of the structure is now apparent to the eye. The foundations are perfect models for builders of stone edifices in the light sandy soil of this town. We have already described the mode of construction, and their finished appearance justifies the opinion which we expressed about the excellence of the workmanship. On the exposed surface a pick-axe would scarcely make an impression, and to remove any portion blasting would have to be resorted to as if they were solid rock throughout. The tower foundations are necessarily deeper and wider than those of any other part of the building ; and the stones which are now lying on the spot to be used in courses on the top of the concrete bed are curiosities for size. They come from Mr. Thompson's Bridle-path quarries, and are the largest which have ever been taken out in the province for building purposes. Every exertion is being used by both architect and contractor to complete this first stage of the Cathedral structure, and work goes on early and late. The performance is highly creditable to Mr. Hemingway, and we trust it may also prove profitable. The new church of St.'John the Baptist in Latimer square, Christchurch, is making rapid progress. The open timber-roof is being placed in position, and the structure promises to be a very elegant one. It is built of stone from a design 1# Messrs. Mountfort and Bury. The wood-work for the interior, such as the rood-screen, lectern, &c., is being furnished by Mr. Detthier of Armagh street, who so successfully executed the lecterns for St. Luke's Church. The new organ for Trinity Church, Lyttelton, has arrived. On Sunday, 26th February, the opening service for the new organ was held. The church was crowded both morning and evening, Jackson's full choral service was performed by the choir, and, considering the members have had so little time for preparation, many parts of the service were admirably sung. In the morning, the Eev. F. Knowles delivered a very impressive sermon, selecting for his text Isaiah lvii., 15. After the sermon, the " Hallelujah Chorus " was very creditably given by the choir. In the evening, the choir acquitted themselves very well. The Rev. G. Cholmondely, of Heathcote Valley, preached an excellent sermon. Collections for defraying the expenses of the organ were made at the close of each service during the day, and about £15 was added to the funds. We attach the following description of the new organ, built by Messrs. Gray and Davidson, New Road, London:— Manual compass, CC to F in alt, with eight stops named as follows: Open and stop diapason, dulciana, principal fifteenth, clarionet, flute, and bourdon; with Venetian swell and two octaves of pedals. A bazaar was held for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Organ, and for paying off some small debts upon the church; the sum of more than £500 was realised. The church at Rangiora has been enlarged by an additional aisle at considerable expense. The Lord Bishop of the Diocese recently held a confirmation there. The bell belonging to the Church has been re-cast at the Canterbury Foundry belonging to Mr. Anderson, and the work has been done in a creditable manner. A meeting of the Church Property Trustees was recently held in the College Library. The Ven. the Archdeacon of Christchurch presided, the following members being present—the Revs. J. Wilson, G. Cholmondeley, J. C. Bagshawe,, G. Carpenter, and W. W. Willock (secretary), and Messrs. Gordon and Restell. The Ordinance appoints the Ist of March for the annual meeting. It feil this year upon Ash Wednesday, which accounts for the limited attendance of the members. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The conditions on which grants will be made for the erection of parsonages, as agreed upon and printed, were adopted. It is a lengthy document, and mentions, amongst other remarks, that parsonages have been built during the last year at Riccarton and Lyttelton; that at Avonside is almost completed,and that at the Heathcote has been enlarged and repaired. These, costing the sum of £1906 4s -have completely exhausted the building fund. At Leithfield, ten acres have been purchased for a glebe, a contribution towards the purchase Qf another near Oxford having been given. The trustees have agreed to hold in trust several sections of land at Northport, presented by Mr. Dampier as sites for a church, parsonage, and schools, and also for the purposes of an endowment. The report pointed out that the net income available for stipends would only amount to £100 per annum, if so much. Mr. G. A. E. Ross was elected a member of the managing committee. The audited accounts were received and ordered to be printed. The secretary undertook to prepare a list of the -attendance of the members of the trust, and to lay it before the next meeting. The annual distribution of prizes, to the children attending St. Luke's school took place en Sunday, March sth, at 2,80 p.m. His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson. presided, and the prizes were given by him, in;cory unction with Sir. C. Davie. They consisted; of Bibles, Prayerbooks, framed pictures, story-books,

&c. There are about one hundred and seventy children attending the school at present, lhe recipients of the prizes seemed to be highly pleased with the rewards allotted to them, and the scene was a highly gratifying one to those who take an interest in the young people of our province. The subjec of the establishment of a bishopry in Otago has been again under consideration. The project wm first mooted at a meeting of the Christchurch Synod, held in June, 1861, when steps were taken to supplement the income of the the £600 per annum promised when the see was erected, and to defray the heavy expenses to which the Bishop was put in his visitation to the southern portion of his diocese. It was discussed again at the meeting of the Diocesan Synod of Christchurch, held in October, 1864, when a resolution to the following effect was passed That in the opinion of this Synod, concurred in by the primate of New Zealand, the Bishop of Christchurch, and the Rural Deanery of Otago, the time lias arrived when a Bishop of Otago should be appointed, who should have the supervision of the Church of England in that province and Southland." Before the scheme can be carried out, the Imperial Government require that an amount of £10,000 should be raised by way of endowment to pay the salary of the Bishop. Towards this sum, £5000, or thereabouts, has been collected in Canterbury and various other parts of the colony. ' _ , Roman Catholic Church.—ln our last summary we announced that a new Roman Catholic Church had been commenced in Lyttelton. The work is being actively carried on, but funds for its completion are much wanted. The churchy at Leithfield will soon lie commenced. Great exertions are being made in order to procure the establishment of schools for the young people belonging to this communion, both at Christchurch and other places. The Right Reverend the Superintendent of the Missionary stations in Oceanica, has been making a pastoral visitation at Dunedin, and intends, we understand, to do the same in Canterbury. ; Presbyterian Church.—This church is making considerable progress in Canterbury. One meeting of the Presbvtery was held recently in St. Andrew s Church, Christchurch, for the purpose of the examination of the Rev. George Barclay, as a candidate for ordination, and of Mr. J. D. Fergusson, for _ a license to preach. It was arranged that the ordination of the first-named gentleman, and his induction to the pastorate of Timara should take place simultaneously. Accordingly, a second meeting of the Presbvtery was held for this purpose ; an account of the proceedings will be found in another column. Some other,formal business was transacted, and the meeting broke up. The new Presbyterian Church in Lyttelton continues to be well attended. Mr. Fergusson officiates. Wesleyak Church.—The Australasian Conference of this denomination was held this year in Sydney, the Rev. James Buller being the president. Some important business was transacted. The Rev. J. S. Waugh was elected president of the Australasian Conference for the year 1865. In retiring from the Buller delivered an address, of which the followiug is the conclusion:—"And now, my dear brethren, I thank you for the forbearance, the courtesy, and the affection I have received from all with whom I have had intercourse or correspondence and have the pleasure of informing you that our esteemed brother, the Rev J. S. Waugh, is appointed,, by the British Conference acceding to your wish to be my successor. And it is, sir, with unqualified pleasure that I deliver into your hands the Conferenee seal, and most heartily do I pray that your presidential year may be a year of much personal happiness, domestic comfort, and connexionial prosperity." At the close of his address Mr. Buller read an extract from the minutes of the British Conference, appointing the Rev. J. S. Waugh to the presidency of the Australasian Conference of 1865. The old church in High street is now temporarily used as a school-room until the building attached to the new church in Durham street is ready for occupation. The Rev. W. Taylor will visit Canterbury as a delegate from the American Methodist Church. Free Methodist Ciicrch.—This branch of the Methodists has been established in Canterbury, the Rev. J. Tyerman of Chesterfield being the pastor. The members have built a pretty little wooden chapel at Addington, near Christchurch, and services are held there and at Bonnington's Hall. A sabbath school has been established in connection with this church, and the number of|members is gradually increasing. A tea meeting was recently held at the chapel in order to welcome Mr. Tyerman, an account of which will be found elsewhere.

Baptist Church.—'The Rev. G. Thornton has "been appointed as the permanent minister of this church, and is highly respected and esteemed by his | congregation. Congregational Church.—The number of members of this body continues to increase. The sabbath school is flourishing, and the singing class is making great progress ; a number of tune books hare been received from England, and the improvement in the psalmody has been very satisfactory. We have now to give a succinct account of the various institutions which have been set on foot in the province. The Orphan Asylum is doing much good in sheltering those unhappy little ones who have been bereft of their natural protectors. A balance-sheet of the receipts and expenditure of the institution has been published, which shows a small deficit in its revenue, but subscriptions aud donations continue to be received, and it is to be hoped that it may struggle through those difficulties which hamper its progress and impede its usefulness. The Refuge.—This benevolent institution continues its useful operations. The applications for admission are sufficient to show the necessity of its establishment. The inmates work hard for their maintenance, and are employed in washing, sewing, &c. But funds are wanting for carrying on the work; the great aim of the founders is to make the institution a self-supporting one. Several donations have been made, including the laundry apparatus, but the expenses are very heavy, and will naturally continue so during the infancy of the undertaking. The Debating Society and the Young Men's Christian Association are thriving, the lormer especially; a debate which took place there recently on the question of Englishmen sympathising cither with the Northern or Southern States of America having excited great interest.

JUDICIAL. The Sessions of the Circuit Court commenced on March Ist, at the Town Hall, Christchurch, for the dispatch of criminal bus'ness, and on the Bth, for hearing the civil cases. His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson presided, and in his charge to the Grand Jury, alluded to the great expense incurred by the practice of such petty cases being sent to the Supreme Court, owing to the limited jurisdiction of the Resident Magistrates' Courts in the various parts of the province. The following are his remarks upon the subject:— "Gentlemen, —I know that the cost of Crown prosecution in this province is very great, and that the Provincial Government would be more thankful if, without detriment to the interest of justice, means could be devised by which the expense could be diminished. You are aware that it is caused by the large sums paid to witnesses for the Crown, whom it is necessary to bring forward, and whose expenses must be paid, not merely while travelling, but also while they are kept in attendance frotn day to day. It is obvious that this expenditure cannot be avoided in any case of committal for trial to this court. Whether it could be diminished by the holding of Circuit Courts periodically at Timaru, and other remote parts, I am hardly able to form an opinion; but I incline to think that at present no saving of expense could be effected by such an arrangement, although it might, in some instances, diminish the inconvenience to persons living at a distance from Christchurch. An effectual method of reducing the expense of the Crown prosecutions would be by enlarging the criminal jurisdiction of the local courts; but the policy of such a measure is entirely for the consideration of the Legislature. I have alluded to this subject, because complaints have reached me from time to time of the largeness of the expenditure on account cf the | administration of justice; and it is fitting that the public should know the cause, and that means should be devised of reducing it, if a reduction can be effected without danger to the public interest."' For the first time in Canterbury, there was a charge against a Maori. He was accused of obtaining money under false pretences, but the Grand Jury at once ignored the bill, and he left the Court, his Honor assuring him that he did bo without the slightest imputation on his character, he having acted through a misconception of the law. John Webb, the young Volunteer who stabbed a man named Gilkea with a bayonet, was foiitld. guilty, notwithstanding a most able and indefence by his counsel, Mr. Moorhouse, and wafi sentenced to two years' imprisonment with hard labour. A female wits sentenced to three months' imprisonment, also with hard ; labour, for perjury. The other cases were unimportant. Two lads, aged . about sixteen, were indicted for having robbed the parents <jf one of them of a considerable sum. Their names were Palmer and Vincent; the latter was acquitted, but Palmer, the more guilty of the two, Was not so fortunate, for he was convicted and ordered to be imprisoned for twenty-four hours, and to be once privately whipped, which sentence wu

duly carried outjn Tritoni Gaol. «£»"<■ the pert of «» hSi pherson, are not of any gre the R e . SSE?r:a^ss the otne . j atteP gentleman having reto »Hosl®, Mr. Anderson horsewhipped him £M* Wnf Rll hotel. He was summoned for the assault, and fined £5, which was payed by subscripHon rased on the spot by those who sympathised with him Most of the other cases heard before the gnS.l. have been of » W trifl ng nature"andon the »hole, we the statements of those best qiuUjfled ooinion, no greater increase of crime than migni reasonably be expected from the secession to ; our nonulation. Probably, howerer, the advent of these persons of a predatory character, who are attracted by ffold, may swell our calendar of crime.

AMUSEMENTS. The Princess' Theatre, under the management of Mr T L Hall, has taken a new hold upon the public by the engagement of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dillon and Mr. George Fawcett for a short season. Mr. Dillon visits us with a reputation which needs no flattery from us. Since the 1856, when he made his first appearance m London, at Sadiers Wells Theatre, he has been recognised as one ot the very few tragic actors upon the English stage of whom their country may be proud. First, as " Belphesror, the Mountebank,' and in romantic ana sentimental dramas of a similar class, and then m the "great" and classical parts, which begih with Hamlet and pass through Richelieu downwards to Viririnius, Mr. Dillon has won abundant laurels and has attained to a rank among British tragic actors second only to those whose names are now almost historical. He has given us in succession Virgimus, Othello, Macbeth, Hamlet, Richelieu, and Louis XI., to which will be added Belphegor and King Lear. The style of his acting is, above all things, original and yet natural. He seems to prefer those parts in which the author has been successful in describing intense emotion without stormy vehemenpe. Pathos and tenderness in all their phases are within his power ; that which is cold, majestic, declamatory is least so. His Hamlet is more human than the conventional Prince. His Othello betrays the husband rather than the hero. His Richelieu is flesh and blood, not a historical painting; and LouisXl., one of Mr. Dillon's most wonderful presentments, is an ideal whose untruth to history is only less than its truth to nature. If there was no such man—so subtle, so avaricious, so cruel, so powerful, so self-confident, and so superstitious—there might have been; and Mr. Dillon has given to the conception form and breath. The estimation in which his powers are held in Christchurch is best shown by the fact that a second representation of Louis XI. was witnessed by the fullest house of the season. Mrs. Charles Dillon has taken the principal female characters in the several pieces ; her styie, tender and womanly, shines in Ophelia or Julie, rather than in Lady Macbeth; but we have not yet had an opportunity of witnessing a thorough test of her abilities. Mr. George Fawcett, a versatile actor of much repute, has revisited the province along with Mr. Dillon, and plays Macduff, Nemours. lago, and corresponding characters with much power. In comedy, however, Mr. Fawcett is stronger than in the tragic drama, and he is taking with immense applause the principal parts, comic, farcical, and burlesque, during his visit, supported exceedingly well by Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Hall, Mrs. South, and the company. Two Lectures on " Love and Flirtation," by Mrs. C. F. Evereste, attracted fair audiences. They were gracefully and easily delivered. A Fencing Academy has been established under the-management of Sergt.-Major Darby, and will, no doubt, prove attractive to those who, in these days, are almost as martial in their tastes as the Baillie in the Antiquary. The Horticultural Show, of which a detailed account is given in this day's issue was almost spoiled by the wretched weather, but still it was something to be proud of, as showing our progress in the growth of flowers, fruits and vegetables. The two Canterbury Music Halls in Christchurch, both bearing the same name, have been open, and a variety of singing and dancing has been provided for the public amusement.