TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1567, 20 December 1865, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Christciicjrch City Council.—A meeting of the Council was to have been held last night; but owing to a quorum not being present, no business was transacted. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, the 26th instant, at the usual hour. Stock for the Diggings.—'The number of sheep and cattle which have been travelled past Mr. Blake's camp, on the road to Hokitika, during the week ended Dec. 9, is —Cattle, 77, sheep, 50. I Lyttelton Regatta.—ln addition to the prizes already published, we learn that a prize of £15, to be pulled for by the watermen belonging to Lyttelton, has been placed in the hands of the Regatta Committee. The race will, we understand, be under the patronage of W. S. Moorhouse, Esq. Return op the Volunteers.—Those of the Volunteers, not many in number, who prolonged their stay at the Encampment at Hillsborough beyond last night, returned early this morning. They arrived in town at about half-past seven, and, led by Capt. White, proceeded to the Drill-shed, where they were addressed in highly commendatory eerms by him, after which, they dispersed to aheir several homes.

Provincial Council.—'The following important resolution was to have been brought forward in the Council last night, by Mr. C. Wilson, but was postponed, owing to an adjournment, viz.That in the opinion of this Council, it is expedient that the Superintendents Salary Ordinance, 1863, should be repealed, and that £he Provincial Secretary be instructed to bring in a bill effecting that object, and limiting the emoluments of all future Superintendents of this province to £1000 sterling per annum." It will be brought forward this evening.

Diocesan Synod.—The Synod met last night, at the Freemasons' Hall, at 4.30 p.m., under the presidency of, the Lord Bishop of Christchurch. The principal business was the election of the members of the Standing Committee, six clergymen and six laymen being chosen. On the motion of Mr. Hawkes, it was resolved to form a capitular body, consisting of a Dean and four Canons, in connection with the Cathedral. It was resolved that, a selection of tunes to suit the hymns in th* New Zealand Hymnal should be procured as soon as possible. The rolls of the clerical members of the Synod were ordered to be certified, and two lay-members were appointed as Synodsmen, one for Prebbleton and Templeton, and the other for the district of Ellesmere. After some routine business had been disposed of, a unanimous v«te of thanks to the Masonic body, for the use of their hall, was passed, and the Benedicton having been pronounced, the Synod adjourned sine die. Theatrical.—Miss Julia Mathews's benefit took place yesterday evening, under the patronage of his Honor the Superintendent and the Volunteers, who in this way marked their sense of the obligation under which Miss Mathews had placed the force by kindly assisting at their recent concert. The theatre was 'closely filled, and a good sprinkling of uniforms appeared above and below. The first piece was "King Charles 11.,"iu which Mr. St. Quentin took the part of Captain Copp, and Mr. B. N. Jones that of King Charles. The pieces went smoothly throughout, and the amateur part of the performance received a large share of applause. Miss Julia the second piece as Colin, in " The Youth who never saw a Woman," with the song " Unnumbered Roses," which very pretty piece of music elicited an encore and a shower of bouquets. The last pieee was " Kenilworth," with Captain Anderson as the celebrated virgin queen, and Miss Julia Mathews ■as Leicester. Her Majesty's appearance was the signal for a burst of laughter and applause. The figure and get-up were truly magnificent, and carried the whole house away in roars. The piece halted a little at first, by the accident of Mr. Dunn's inability to appear as Yarney. But after a little, the excellent acting of the principal parts carried off every fault; and the burlesque, which had been patched a little with some local hits, was a complete success. Miss Mathews introduced the song, " Good-bye, Sweetheart," and was encored. At the conclusion, she was called before the curtain, to receive the rapturous applause of the audience. Serious Accident.—On Monday evening an accident happened just as the last train was leaving the Hillsborough station. A man named William Knowles, a labourer, residing at Addington, in endeavouring to enter one of the trucks whilst the train was in motion, missed his footing and fell, the carriages passing over his right arm, lacerating it fearfully. He was seized by Hesketh, the officer in charge of the platform. Great credit is due to the driver of the engine, who witnessed the accident and instantly stopped the train. A door was taken from the camp, and the sufferer being placed upon it, was conveyed to the hospital by a guard of the Volunteers, under the command of Captain Anderson, who, with Dr. Frankish, the surgeon to the Engineer corps, acted with the utmosi

promptitude. Every attention was paid to him, and a medical consultation was held.

It was found that the only chance of saving his life was to amputate his arm, which had sustained a compound comminuted fracture.

He was, besides, severely bruised in the shoulder. The operation was skilfully performed by Dr. Prins, who removed the arm at the shoulder joint, the patient being under the influence of chloroform. At ten o'clock last night the poor man was still alive, but

in a most precarious condition, and although he is doing as well as could possibly be hoped from the severity of the injuries he has received, but little expectation is entertained of his recovery. Several medical gentlemen were present during the operation. Knowles has a family of children, and lost his first wife about a year ago, but has since re-married. He was for some time in the

employment of Messrs. Holmes and Co,