TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1633, 10 March 1866, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Lenton and Nathan Troupes left by the Egmont yesterday, en route for Hokitika. They will play for a few nights at the Oddfellows's Hall, Wellington. St. John's Church.—Last night, the series of Lent lectures was resumed at this church. The Lord Bishop of the diocese read the Litany, the sermon, a very able one, being preached by the Key. the Incumbent. There was a numerous congregation present. Jewish Philanthropic Society. — A meeting of the members of this association will be held on Sunday next, at the Synagogue Chambers, at noon. The chief business is announced to be the revision of the laws as recommended by the committee. Jury List.—A meeting of the Justices of the Peace will be held this day, at the Resident Magistrate's Court, at 11 a.m, for the purpose of forming the Jury List for the ensuing year. A full attendance of Magistrates is desired. Magisterial.—At the Eesident Magistrate's Court, Christchurch, yesterday, John Connop was charged with stealing some tobacco, value 4s. from a man named Gill. From the evidence it appeared that there was no intention to steal it, and his worship therefore dismissed the case. Westland Election.—The nomination of a member to serve in the General Assembly for this district, has been fixed by the Returning Officer, to take place on March 12 ; the poll, if necessary to be taken on the 16th inst. It is rumoured that a requisition is in course of signature to Mr. McGlashan. Willis's Assembly Rooms.—The Assembly Rooms, adjoining the Standard Hotel, have been hired by a gentleman, named Mr. Short, and will be opened by him this evening with a miscellaneous entertainment; it will consist of singing and dancing, and will conclude with a burlesque entitled " Going to the Ball." Temperance Fancy Bazaar.—A fancy bazaar, in aid of the funds of the Temperance Society, will take place in the Town Hall, on Tuesday and Wednesday next, and the proceeds of it will be devoted to the purpose of building a Temperance Hall. The bazaar 1 will open each day at 11 o'clock, and will be enlivened by vocal and instrumental music. " Launch.—On Monday next, at 2 p.m., an interesting event will take place at the Heathcote Ferry;—the first steamer ever built in the province will be launched on the river Avon. The boat, which will be small and of light draught, is being built by Mr. Dixon for Mr. Mills, of Christchurch, sand her engines will be supplied by Mr. John Anderson, She is, we understand, to be christened The Maid of the Avon. Sittings in Banco.—His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson held a sitting in banco yesterday at Chambers, and Mr. F. Wilcocks, a solicitor, against whom certain allegations had been made in an affidavit, was called on to show cause why he should not be struck off the rolls. After some observations from the barristers on either side, his Honor reserved the case for the Court of Appeal meanwhile suspending Mr. Wilcocks from practising in his profession. An Incorrect Version. — Under the heading "Total Abstinence Society," the Press of yesterday purports to give an account of a recent meeting of the society, and states that it was resolved that the members should vote in a body against Mr. Moorhouse on the day of election for the office of Superintendent. The object of the paragraph is sufficiently obvious, but unfortunately for the author's purpose, it is altogether devoid of truth. So far from the society voting in a body against Mr. Moorhouse, we have the best authority for stating that the majority of that very respectable society will vote for the gentleman in question, because they put more faith in a man who has the courage to say what he thinks right than in one who triesto suit his answers to the views of his questioners.

Princess' Theatre.—A complimentary benefit was given at this place of amusement to Miss Aitkim, on which occasion the stage was illuminated with gas for the first time. There was a large attendance, a proof, if any were wanted, of the estimation in which Miss Aitken is held by the public of Christchurch. The performances commenced with the trial scene from the Merchant of Venice, in which Miss Aitken took the part of Por-

tia, and was loudly applauded for her delineation of it. After the scene was finished, Mr. Carder sung " There is a Flower that bloometh," and on being encored he gave " I know an eye so softly bright." Then came the last two acts of Rob Roy in which Miss Aitken took the part of Helen magnificently, and Mr. B. N. Jones gave an extremely good rendering of Rob Roy. Mr. McGregor, as Dugal, also acted extremely well. At the close of the last act, Miss Aitken was called before the curtain; she was accompanied by Mr. Jones, and as many bouquets were showered down on the stage as she was able to carry away. The performances closed with The Bonnie Fishwife.

Gazette.—The Provincial Government Gazette of March 8 contains a proclamation under the hand of his Honor the Superintendent, which, after reciting that the Waipara District Road Board had neglected to give public notice of the annual meeting of ratepayers to elect new members of the Board, as required by section 40 of the Eoads Ordinance, 1864, declares the Road Board for the Waipara district to be suspended, and Alfred George Rich, of Kaiapoi, is appointed to be a Commissioner for the said district. The proclamation is dated March 6. A proclamation, under similar circumstances, applies to the Road Board of the Rakaia district, and Charles John Harper, of Lake Coleridge, is appointed Commissioner. A sale of town and rural lands and timber reserves is notified to take place, by public auction, at the Land Office, Christchurch, on March 19, at noon. The sale will comprise a quantity of town land, at Timaru, the upset |price of which is placed at £12 per rood. The rural land comprises several acres in the Timaru, Waitangi, Christchurch, Ellesmere, Lincoln, Mandeville, and Ashley districts, at £2 per acre. The timber is situated at Duvauchelle's Bay, Akaroa, on Reserves Nos. 235 and 236, and will be sold at the upset price of £1 per acre, subject to a condition that the timber be removed within three years from the date of sale.