TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1409, 6 June 1865, Page 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Shew on Tram.—Elsewhere will be found areport of Reexamination of Mr. C. Elliott, the respected proriitorof theiWwm Examiner, who has been compelled to call his creditors together, owing to the heavy fall which hastaken place in the price of stock. Thecaseis .. fl vo { interest from the light it throws upon sheep * , cn t 8 —a form of investment which has been in jSerable demand in this province. Mr. Justice johnstou seems very clear in his opinion that, where s h«-n on terms are not branded as the pro!Lv of the person so placing them, they must go to [he "'creditors in the event of the holder becoming '"aHCu'AcciDBST.-On Saturday last Cobb and Co ••>!«» Coach from the south met with a narrow Mcapc from a serious accident while crossing the rakiia From inquiries we have made it appears that" owing to the coach requiring some repairs, Mr. Anderson brought the Ashburton coach through the -ivcr contrary to the usual custom, as Cobb and Co. have' «ince they started, kept coaches and horses on cither side of the large rivers, in order to guard uainst any chances of risks or delay. The coach came to the south bank at the regular hour, and the mails and passengers were taken over the river in the beat. Several wagotis had been crossed during the morning, and Mr. Hower«, the river-pilot, started as guide on horseback across the river. All went well until the centre of the stream was reached, when one of the horses swerved, either from the shinele slipping from under his feet, or some other cau«e This brought the coach sideways on to the current which almost immediately washed the vehicle completely over. Mr. Grey, who was on the coach, jumped off to render what assistance he could, and Mr Anderson climbing from the box to the top, remained for a while by his horses, which he got out of deep water on to sounder ground. Mr. Flowers and Mr Grey than came in on horseback, and loosed the whole learn, which got back to shore without sustaining any damage whatever. Assistance was rendered as promptly as possible by Mr. Middleton, the boatmen, and several diggers, and to their energv and perseverance may be attributed the fact Of the coach being got safely ashore. Mr. Anderson lost a small bag of way mails, which was slung across his shoulders, and which came adrift when he stripped his coat off; but this most likely will be recovered, as it was floated down the stream, and probably will be drifted on to a spit. The ferrymen are looking for it, and we are requested to say that the bag in question contained no mails or letters for Christchurch. We believe that the capsize waa purely accidental, and that, owing to the coolness of Mr. Anderson, and the energetic assistance of the bystanders, serious consequences were prevented. A delay of two hours brought matters straight, and the mails were delivered by seven on Saturday evening. Akaroa a>t> Waisci Road Board.—At a meeting of this body, held on Wednesday evening, the 31st ult., E. C. Latter, Esq., was elected chairman, in the place of Fredk. Pavitt, Esq., resigned.

Kowai Road Board.—At a meeting, held on 3rd June, 1565, all the members present; letters from the Secretary of Public Works, granting a new road in the Western District, in place of one washed away by the Ashley-, and from Mr. Moorhouse (solicitor for Mr. Joseph Dixon).' concerning bridging a drain on the road, were read. Mr. Faucette proposed that the drain by Mr. Dixon's he continued 12 chains, which was carried. A sixpenny vote was ordered to be raised, and thejßoard was adjourned to 17th June.

Lttteltox Choralj Society.—We are [glad to learn tbat the members of this society propose giving their second musical entertainment at the new Assembly Rooms in a few days. The first part will comprise many of the'gems from Handel's Creation; the second part will be selections of glees, duets, &c. Tins society deserves every 'encouragement from the public in the effort to produce an entertainment of so high a class. Waste Lands Sales.—Return of land sold yesterday :—Christchurch district, 100 acres ; Timaru, 540; Kllesmere, 121 ; Malvern, 152 ; Ashburton, 40. Total, 953 acres. Land alienated under 42nd clause of Land Paginations, BG6J acres, Ellesmere district. Fortunate Escape.—A rumour is current that our fellow-townsman, Mr. Bonnington, had a very narrow escape from being a passenger on board the City of Duncdin. it appears that he went to Lyttelton with a view of taking his passage in her, but was too late to do so, for by the time he bad reached Port, the vessel was about to weigh anchor, and proceeded on her voyage. He engaged a boat, but failed by only a few seconds to reach the steamer in time to be taken on board. 1 hus that which at first might have appeared to him to be a great annoyance proved a most fortunate event for him.

Princess' Theatre.—On Saturday night the drama of the " Fatal Brand " was played here for the first time. The play, which bears the other title of " Temptation," was only moderately successful in an inadequate attempt to reach the standard of what, in modern parlance, is styled a sensational one. From first to last the piece is unnatural in conception, and defective in interest. The principal characters devolve upon Mrs. Hall, Miss Cooper, Messrs. Hall and Richardson, and they certainly made the most of the stilted and poor language provided for them by the author. The performances of the Brothers Wieland, and the ballet by the Leopold troupe, were successful, and the farce of "H.M.S. Spitfire" afforded Mr. Hall full scope for display of his broad fun. The drama wasjrepeated last night, and, as usual on a stcond representation, was more perfectly played. The Brothers Wieland exhibited some feats of skill, which were deservedly admired. Their performance on the double trapeze merited the applause it received. They performed a very difficult feat, namely, u, at „f being suspended by a rope, of which their oi.ly hold is by their necks. In this position, they accompanied themselves on the drum. The >'a let by the Leopold family w as as amusing as ever, especially the pas ihinois. Mr. T. Wieland's feats of equilibrium were as neatly performed as everything Jroich these accomplished brothers exhibit. The j ballet, culled by the name of "Amoroso," was of e ullra -comical order, bordering in many parts closely „ n downright screaming pantomime, and as ■»ch it was received by the well-filled house. The incidental dances by the Brothers Leopold and raulein Fannie were exceedingly well executed. Po^iT 0 ', 8 f ° r to ' ni » ht iue Craven's play, "The ost-boy," and a variation of the performance by " 'eland Brothers and the Ballet Troupe. WETT E .-The General Government Gazette, No. JB, and dated May 31, has been received. It con«n« a proclamation by his Excellency the Governor with reference to warlike stores; detonating caps, fort an(l aU ° ther articles ca P able of being ÜBed «* the discharge of fire-arms, are included under it. '"nits of the Port of Grey are defined, and a Pace appointed as a landing-place. The same port bounced to be a port from whence gold may be

exported. The boundaries of the Port of Hokltika are fixed, and a landing-place notified) the port itself is announced as a port from whence gold may be exported. The appointment of Mr. Charles Archer Croft, of the Ashburton, as a coroner in the colony of New Zealand, is published. The following postal arrangements are gazetted amongst others :~James Thomas Wellington Wilkin, to be Postmaster at Lyttelton, from Ist April, 1865 \ John Ready, to be Postmaster at Dtivauehelles Buy, from Ist April, 1365; Michael Kcogh, to be Postmaster at Hokltika, from 25th April, 1865, wee M. Cassins, resigned; Henry Blackttt, to be Postmaster at Bangiora, from Ist'May, 186*>. The following postmasters in Canteibury are appointed Agents for issuing and paying money-orders in Tasmania, namely, those of Akaroa, Hokltika, Kaiapoi, Lyttelton, and Timaru. The Gazette further contains a return of the quantity and value of the gold exported from New Zealand, from j April 1,1857, to December 31, 1864; and also an account of the estate of Thomas Mills, of Canterbury, who died intestate, Nov. 28, 1862 ; nnd of that of Richard Davits, who died intestate whilst a passenger on board the ship Captain Cook, in the year 1863.