TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1415, 20 June 1865, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

A Nuisance.—We have heard that several acci-

dents to foot passengers have occurred in Colombo street in consequence of the projection above the footway of the pegs which have been driven into the ground to mark the sections for sale at the junction of Colombo and Hereford streets. These pegs might be driven in level with, or even below, the surface of the soil, and still answer the purpose intended, without causing pedestrians to run the risk of broken limbs on dark nights. Punch in Canterbury.—This humorous periodical deserves a word of compliment for the spirit and vigour which it has displayed in increasing proportions, from the commencement to the present time. One of the chief points noticeable on taking the paper up is its nicety of execution. In print, paper, and picture the work is pleasant and agreeable to the eye. And the impression of good taste is very well maintained in the matter and style of the text. It was rather hard to believe at first that a quantity of humorous material could be got together by any fair means, in a place like this, sufficient and of quality good enough to be worth printing. But the test of practice appears to prove the fact. There is

indifferent as well as good ; but there is not much which suffers in a fair comparison with similar pub-

lications ; and we are bound to say that there is none bad. If we may judge by the recent numbers, the wit of the province is being gradually wakened up, and beginning to show, for there are evidently many handß and heads to help the Editor ; and the great requirement, variety, is thereby attained. The popularity of Punch is, after all, the proof of its success ; and we may now say, as a matter of fact,

that it has grown into a general favourite, and its appearance on Saturday is waited for with a pleasant eagerness. The great feature is, of course, the weekly cartoon, which certainly deserves much praise. The artist has made a great advance in freedom and power, and really succeeds in a very difficult art. Caricaturing is no mean talent. To draw a human face displaying various emo-

tions in a natural manner is far from a simple task. And to sketch a good likeness of any individual, even with the face itself to study from, is not in the power of .every one. But to combine the two, to represent emotion while preserving the likeness, especially when the feeling to be displayed is at all complicated, is a work demanding very rare powers. The artist of Punch in Cunlerbury is gaining proficiency in a science which has many followers but very few masters, even in the old country ; and a great deal of credit is due to him. The range of subjects selected has been very wide ; from the eccentricities of politicians on the spot to the incidents which touch a vital point in the whole colony. The first are of course the most popular; but the latter are no less deserving of commendation. The ideas are good ; the drawing is unimpeachable • the execution is of a very high class ; and there is no descent whatever to anything bordering on vulgarity. If this style is maintained, Punch may make sure of his permanent footing in the place ; and as his position becomes surer, and his character for good taste in jesting more established, a continually increasing field lies before him in which to do real •ervice with the keen weapon of satire.

Assembly Rooms, Lyttelton.—On Saturday evening an entertainment, consisting of dissolving views, &c., took place in these rooms. The attendance was only a limited one, which is the more to be regretted, as some of the views and photographs were very effective, and well worth a visit.

Telegraph Office, LYTTEr/roN.-The business of this office was removed to the new premises, on Norwich quay, yesterday afternoon.

Rifle Match.—We understand tint the match between No 5 (Kaiapoi) and No. 6 (Christchurch), which should have been shot off on Saturday next is unavoidably postponed until the first of July. The conditions of the match are as follows .—Eight men from each company ; distances, 200, ,'ioo, and 400 yards ; 5 shots at each range, and each side to fire on thdrown ground. A match is also being arranged for Monday next, between Nos. i and 5 companL under the same conditions. '

Gmcket.—We are glad to «eo „rr,u, Bei „ en „ are being made by the Chri.tchurch Cricket dub or fencing in and forming tl ,c ir ei .,„„ l(1 in , n '" el) ' "TO-»»nry tlmt something .hould be done m tin, direction, for tl.e old Cantor bury ground, which i. the only public cricket ground in the province, haides being very much out of repair, i, too far tnm for ord]|m _ ' lhe on the Kic. carton road, and 19 not above two or three hundred yard, from the hoapital, will he laid down earl, in theapring.andahouhithefundaat the diapoj o( the club prove auffiaent, it will, „„ d„„bt, £, at for p aying on by abou, JanM sooner. The member, of the club arenow collecting the donation, which have been so liberally promiaed

by some of the gentlemen of Christchurch toward*

defray' o ? the expenses, Phinckss' Theatre.—On Baturday lwt, the nielo* drama of the - Forest of Bondy, or the Dog of Montargis," was produced here. The plot i§ founded upon a real occurrence in the annala of French jurisprudence, In which the guilt #f an assassin waa proved by means of the constant attack made upon the murderer by a dog belonging to his victim. In the saloon of the old Castle of Montargis, the incident is commemorated by a sculptured hearth. The drama is not very interesting, and the language is commonplace in the extreme. It is just one of those conventional Astley-pieces, evidently put together in order to afford the opportunity of introducing trained animals. In the present instance, however, the dog acted very intelligently, and his part certainly formed the most attractive feature of the performance. Perhaps the most pleasing part was the dances incidentally introduced into the piece, and executed by Fraulein Fannie and Mr. H. Leopold, who, it should be stated, took the part of Eloi, a dumb personage, the lover of the Soubrettc Ursula. After some feats by Mr. T. Wieland, the Pantomime concluded the entertainments.

Inquest.—We have been requested to remind the jurors that the adjourned inquest on the body of one of the young men recently drowned in the Rakaia, will be resumed this day, at the Royal Hotel, punctually at noon,

Dinner, at Leithfield. —A farewell dinner was riven at Leith's Hotel, on Tuesday last, to Mr. Frank ijiardet, by the residents of Leithfield. Mr. Liardet s an old and highly respected Victorian Jcolonist, md the occasion of his return to that colony was taken advantage of, in order to testify the respect Mid esteem entertained towards him by the inhabitants of the district, whose good-will he has thoroughly secured. About twenty guests sat down to a capital dinner, provided by Mr. Leith, in a manner which reflected great credit upon him. The usual loyal toasts having been proposed and honoured, the health of the guest of the evening was given, and responded to by that gentleman in a feeling speech. Several other toasts and songs succeeded ; and the proceedings'terminated with a ball, which was numerously attended, and the company separated at an early hour of the ensuing morning.

Acclimatization Society.—The council of thia society has issued a notice that it has decided on throwing open the privileges of members to the public at large, by lowering the admission fee to any amount which they choose to contribute. This has been done with a view of extending the sphere of usefulness of the society. They invite the co-opera-tion of all classes as the best guarantee for the protection of the specimens of birds, animals, fish, and plants, which it is so necessary to provide for their successful cultivation.

Christchurch Literary Society.—lt is, intended to hold a conversazione in connection with this institution, on Thursday, June 29, at the Town Hall, at 7 p.m. His Honor the Superintendent has kindly promised to preside, and several other gentlemen are expected to take part in the proceedings. The committee have been promised several contributions, including specimens of art curiosities, and, in order to add to the enjoyment of the meeting, the proceedings will be varied by the execution of several pieces of music, both vocal and instrumental. During the comparatively short time that the society has been in operati on, it has largely increased, both in the number of the members and also in the interest of the subjects selected for debate. It only requires to be better known to be appreciated as it deserves. It is to be hoped that there will be a large attendance on the evening appointed.

Gazette.—The Provincial Gazette of June 17th, No. XXXIV., announces that Mr. Rolleston has resigned the offices of Provincial Secretary and Member of the Executive Council. Mr. Edward Jollie is appointed as his successor in both offices. The Hon. J. Hall is appointed Commissioner of Waste Lands, in the stead of Mr. Rolleston. The resignation of the latter gentleman as a member of the Board of Education for the Province of Canterbury is notified, as is the appointment of Mr. J. Brittan as his successor. Messrs. J. Munce and S. Macarthy are appointed Station Masters for the West Coast Telegraph. The assent of his Honor the Superintendent to some resolutions passed by the Lyttelton Municipal Council is notified. The building known as " Palmer's Bonding Warehouse," at Hokitika, of which a description is appended, is approved of as a bonding warehouse under the " Customs Regulation Act, 1858.' Some petitions under the Debtors and Creditors Act, 1862, are appointed to be heard at Christchurch, on Wednesday, July sth, 1865. In addition to the reserves already made under clause 19 of the Waste Lands Regulations, No. 386 and 389, in red, are announced, the iformer being ten chains wide on each side of the river Bealey, from No. 378 to its source, for Provincial Government purposes, and the latter being one mile wide on the southern bank of the Orari, for railway purposes. Land Sales.—The following is an nbstract of the land sold and granted in the different districts, on June 15th and June 19th :—Christchurch, 48 acres; Upper Christchurch, 1083; Ashley, 50; Timaru, 281 ; Lincoln, 3 ; Mandeville, 20 ; Ellesmere, 22 ; Banks Peninsula, 3) ; Waipara, 20; Oxford, 67; Malvern, 170; Ashburton, 200 ; total, 1995 acres. The sum of £3990 was paid for the above. The Homeward Mail.—The number of letters and newspapers dispatched by the Airedale, on Friday last, from Christchurch, was as follows:— Letters—London, via Southampton, 4838; via Marseilles, 958; other places, 857; total, 6653. Newspapers—London, via Southampton, 7300; via Marseilles, 78; other places, 657; total, 8035. From the Lyttelton Post Office:—Letters—London, via Southampton, 796; via Marseilles, 181; other places, 429total, 1406. Newspapers—London, via Southampton! 1800 ; Via Marseilles, 7 ; other places, 187 ; total, 1994. Total from Canterbury :—Letters. 8059 ; newspapers, 10,029. The whole were contained in 29 boxes and 6 bags. The College Grammar School.—The prizes awarded at the half-yearlj examination, will be given to the boys on Thursday next, at noon, by the SubWarden. Sports have been arranged to come off in the afternoon, and prizes will be offered for competition by the boys. , Battle of Waterloo.—Last Sunday was the fiftieth anniversary of this famous episode in England's history. This anniversary is the more remarkable that it closes a half-century during which ' France has been at peace with England. !