TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1426, 8 July 1865, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

A Ca6e oe Distress. —In another portion of this journal will be found a report of the inquest held upon Archibald Macfarlane, whose death occurred under such awful circumstances during the storm of the 6th inst. It appears that the deceased, who is stated to have been* steady, industrious man, has left a widow and two children (one aged two years, and the other only six months) totally unprovided for. A subscription has been opened for their benefit, and it is to be hoped that the appeal will be liberally responded to. Government Wharf.—We understand that the tender of Messrs. Peacock and Co., for the Government Wharf atLyttelton, for the next twelve months, has been accepted.

Death bt Lightning.—The simple narrative of an accident of a sort which is happily very rare—death by lightning—will be found below in the report of an inquest upon the body of Archibald Macfarlane, whose death was mentioned in yesterday's paper. Many persons have been under the impression that lightning of a dangerous character does not occur in New Zealand, but the effect of Thursday night's storm will undeceive them. There appear, however, to have been but one flash of the kind in the neighbourhood of Christchurch. Almost every one must have seen it; for the light was vivid enough to be visible even through the curtained windows in lighted rooms. The startling effect which it almost universally produced has been a common topic of conversation since. Builders will begin to think henceforward of lightning conductors. The Rifle Range.—lt is notified to Volunteers, by advertisement, that the target prac- j tice at the Hagley Park Butts will be discontinued for the present. The Theatre.—"Jenny Foster " was repeated last night, as the first piece, to a moderate house. It went very smoothly. The exceedingly piquant little comedy " A Morning Call," was played as the next piece, by Miss Cooper and Mr. Richardson. There are in it only the two characters, Sir Frederick Ardent and Mrs. Chillington. On the last occasion of its production, we had to complain of insufficient study spoiling the dialogue, which forms the beauty and merit of the play. Last night, no defect of the kind was noticeable, and the piece went perfectly, and with great success. "My friend, the Governor," concluded the evening. The Legislative Council.—We understand that several fresh nominations to this branch of the Legislature will shortly be announced. The Press of yesterday mentions a rumour that three native chiefs, Martini te Whiwhi, Wi Tako,and the celebrated Tomati Waka Nene, are to be raised to the dignity of Legislative Councillors. The names are tolerably well chosen for the purposes of a rumour ; but wo can scarcely believe that any likelihood attaches to the story in other respects. Champion Ploughing Match.—The Agricultural and Pastoral Association offers a firstclass medal to the best ploughman in a match to come off near Christchurch, in Auguut next. A medal will also be given to the best ploughman in a match open to all comers, excepting those who have won a first-class prize in any match in Canterbury. Licensed Victuallers' Association. — The annual dinner of this association took place on Friday night, at the Town Hall, which was tastefully decorated with flags and flowers for the occasion. Between 6(i and 70 gentlemen sfit down to a capital dinner, provided by Messrs. Morton arul Robertson. Mr. Moorhouse occupied the chair, Mr. W. Wilson acting as vice-chairman. The ordinary loyal and colonial toasts having been disposed of,

the toast of " Prosperity to Canterbury," coupled with the health of Mr. Moorhouso, •wis proposed. Mr. Moorhouse, in reply, observed that he thought it a very good idea to couple his name vrith tho prosperity of Canterbury, as no man had taken a greater interest in the advancement of. the province than he had, and 110 one had ever been more sanguine of t-hr progress of the settlement than he had boon. He remembered the time when it was thought a great feat to dispatch a ship with .100 tons of wool, and when those who looked forward to a larger amount of exports wcro treated as visionaries, Canterbury occupied a higher place than any other province in New Zealand. True it was that wc possessed topographical advantages of which iha other provinces were destitute, but still the great fact remains that all our resources are derived from labour. The advance made had been something wonderful. The Licensed Victuallers' Association now represented more capital than did the v. iiole province when first he visited it. It was true that we were passing through a stage oi' depression, but that depression had been brought ou mainly if not entirely, by over-tradiafj. We had been altogether in the habit ot anticipating our profits. We must all work hard ; much harder than we had hitherto done. He fully believed that New Zealand would ultimately become the emporium of the Southern Pacific. A race would spring up in our jnidst, combining the energy of the old country with the ardour and enthusiasm of colonic 1 existence,and a happy compromise between American progressiveness and the old Anglo-Snxon pluck. Our children would be able fu boast that they, a race born on New Zealand .soil, are the finest population in the world. Mr. Moorhouse then proposed the toast of the evening— " Success to the Licensed Victuallers' Association." He remarked that the company was assembled to celebrate the anniversary of the | association. The numerous attendance in the hall that evening was as convincing a proof as any which could be adduced of the advancement of the province. Their organization, was one of great importance. It was at once their duty and their privilege to secure the maintenance of order and regularity. Union was strength, and the association, by means c£ union, were possessed of great power and influence. He hoped that this power, thus entrusted to them, would be used with prudence and moderation, and that it never would be abused by them, and he trusted to see their strength and numbers increase year by year, until they became the most prosperous and the most intellectual organization in the colony. He should conclude by proposing vh-' health of their new president, Mr. Oram. That gentleman returned thanfcs for the honour done to him by tho Association in electing him as their president. He was taken by surprise when he found himself elected to the post, but he would do all in. his power to promote the interests of the association. It was true that the association ws.s a protective one, but it was one also which proposed to itself the duty of looking afic: the interests and the prosperity of the province. There was one subject to which he iras desirous of drawing their attention, and that was the Benevolent Fund. As they had taken him by surprise in electing him president, he should, in turn,take them by surprise; for he intended to -circulate in the room a subscription-list towards this object, and he hoped that all would liberally contribute towards it. He trusted that sufficient funds would be raised to enable the society to purchase a piece of land in a central position, as a site for a school, and that in the course of three years they would possess not only a fund sufficient to provide for the wants of tho widows of the members of the association, but also for a well-endowed school. In ohort, he hoped that the Licensed Victuallers' Association of Canterbury would soon rival in wealth and importance the powerful institution so long established in England. Tho remaining toasts were those of the health of Mr. Ruddenklau, the retiring president, which that gentleman acknowledged ; of the Press ; and the healths of the Chairman and Vicechairman. Mr. Zinckgraf presided at the piano, and Mr. Kohler played with his usual ability. Several songs were sung, and altogether a very pleasant and social evening was spent. During the evening, the sum oi £29 was collected towards the Benevolent Fund.