TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1634, 12 March 1866, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Jury List.—A meeting of Justices was held on Saturday last in a private room at the Magistrate's Court, for the purpose of revising the new Jury Lists. Rangiora.—A serious fire occurred here last Friday night, by which Mr. Luxton lost three valuable wheat stacks. Many rumours are current as to its probable origin; it is generally believed to be the work of an incendiary.

Robbery.—On Saturday night, a disturbance was heard in the stable attached to Dr. Frankish's residence, in Colombo street. On visiting the place, it was found that the saddle had been taken off a horse which was standing saddled and bridled in the stall. Whether the act was committed with a felonious intention, or whether it was done as foolish lark, has not yet been ascertained.

Entebtainment.—On Saturday evening, an entertainment was given at Willis's Assembly Rooms, Hereford street. It consisted of songs and dances, fairly enough executed, interspersed with some "niggereccentricities" by Mr. Collins, wha plays the bones very well. The whole concluded with a sketchy kind of farce. There were a good many persons

present. West Coast Tbaffic.—The following is the return of the number of people, and the quantity of stock which have passed by the Bealey, to and from the West Canterbury goldfields during the week ending March 2. To the goldfields, males, 15 ; horses, 14; cattle, 34 ; number of persons resident at the Bealey, 20. From the goldfields, males, 27 ; horses, 19. During the week ended March 3rd, 360 head of cattle have been driven past Mr. E. Blake's camp, for the same destination.

The East Coast. — The Southetn Cross gives the particulars of a reconnoitring expedition of the tioops at Opotiki under Colonel Lyons. The Hau-haus were surprised, and eight of them killed. Several strong pahs have been erected which are thought to be occupied by the Hau-haus. Five Maoris, accused of the murder of Mr. Volkner, have been taken to Auckland, and remanded for the attendance of witnesses. Nineteen natives, charged with the murder of Fulloon, have been brought up before a magistrate. Part of the prisoners were committed to take their trials for the murder, and the whole for stealing cargo from the Kate.

Electoral. —For the House of Representatives Messrs. Paterson and Reynolds have been returned for the city of Dunedin. The numbers polled by each candidate will be found in our telegraphic news. For Hampden Mr. Haughton has been returned, he being the only candidate. Messrs. Wood and Heale had a close contest for Invercargill, the former gentlemen being returned by a majority of two. The Wairarapa has chosen Mr. Henry Bunny, who defeated Mr. S. Revans by a large majority. For Wanganui Mr. Jno. Bryce has been returned in opposition to Mr. H. S. Harrison, and Mr. A. B. Brandon, for Porirua, was unopposed.

Magisterial.—At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Christchurch, on Saturday, Albert Napthali Prince was charged with having obtained goods under false pretences. Mr. Garriek, who appeared for the prisoner, contended that he had been arrested under suspicion, and not upon a warrant ; and that there were not sufficient grounds for his detention The Resident Magistrate decided that the prisoner could then be formally arrested under the warrant. After the evidence of the Inspector had been taken, the prisoner was remanded until March 16, bail being taken for his appearance, himself in £200 and two sureties of £100 each. After the next hearing he will be remanded, if convicted, to Hokitika.—At Lyttelton, on Saturday last, an action was brought by Messrs. Miles and Co., on behalf of Mr. K. H. Rhodes, to recover the sum of £5, for non-delivery of goods, ex Glenmark. Mr. J. D. Macpherson, the agent of the ship, appeared on behalf of Captain Wrankmore. After hearing the evidence, his Worship gave judgment for the defendant, with costs. Torres Straits Mail Route.—We learn from the Argus of Feb. 28th that the R.M. s.s. Souchays, chartered by the Queensland Government, arrived at Brisbane tw» days previously from Batavia via Torres Straits. Considerable interest attends this experimental trip of the Souchays, as it is the forerunner of a regular mail service by this route, which the Souchays has been the first to traverse as a mail-ship. The Argas says:— " The experiment of running a mail steamer by this route has proved highly satisfactory. The Souchays arrived at Batavia on the 30th January, in time to answer the mail steamer from Singapore, the passage only occupying eighteen days. Captain Black was feted and received the most flattering attention at Batavia. The vessel was exempted from Port dues, and coal is to be supplied to her there at cost price, which will be. equal to Newcastle prices. She sailed from Batavia on the 6th instant; from Port Albany on the 17th, and from Port Denison on the 22nd. She had unfavourable weather during most of the time."

Gazette.—The New Zealand Gazette, No. 13, dated March 3, contains Orders in, Council relative to certain landp on the West Coast, described, belonging to\the natives ; and also some notices with reference to the purchase of lands under " the Native Reserves Act, 1856. Mr. W. Thomson is appointed as Inspector in Bankruptcy, under the Debtors and Creditors Amendment Act, 1865, for the province of Canterbury. The annexed postal arrangements have been made for this province :—T. Mendelshon, to be Postmaster at Timuka, from Ist December, 1865 ; William Chambers, to be Postmaster at Okarita *, Charles Cameron, to be Postmaster at Teremakau ; Benjamin Bulmer, to be Postmaster at Windwhistle House, from Ist January, 1866 ; James M. Munce, to be Postmaster at Bealey township, from Ist January, 1866. The returns of the assets and liabilities of the several banks in the colony, for the quarter ending December 31, 1865, are notified. The Gazette concludes with a statement of the receipts and expenditure of the ordinary re- 1 venue of New Zealand, for the quarter ending December 31, 1865 ; and also of the expenditure under the Loan Acts of the colony during the same period. Wanganui Jockey Club Races.—These races commenced on March 1. The weather was delightful. The races were a great success, and upwards of 2000 persons turned out to witness them. The Produce Stakes, open to all horses foaled in the colony, were won by Mr. Day's ch. g. Pacha, Warrengate being second. The next event on the programme was the Ladies' Purse : this fell to the lot of Mr. Day's b. g. Glengarry, Mr. Daniel's Duodecimo coming in second. Mr. Walker's Nourmahal won the Scurry Stakes easily, Shamrock second. The Wanganui Stakes of £30, added to a sweepstakes of £2 2s. each, open to all horses, were carried off by Dr. Mussen's ch. g. Rob Roy, War Eagle being second. On the second day, the Hurdle Race was won by Duodecimo, Pacha coming in second. A cavalry hurdle race followed. Eight horses started ; this was a splendid race, all the hores taking the hurdles abreast. Mr. Good's b. g. was the winner. The principal event of the day—indeed of the meeting—was the Wanganui Jockey Club Plate of 50 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of £4 4s open to all horses. Mr. J. Walker's ch. f. Policy, was the winner, Mr. Day's Glengarry second, Warrangate third, and Nourmahal fourth. This was a fine race; Nourmahal made the running for the filly for two miles, when Walker called to his boy, and Policy was landed an easy winner. The Consolation Stakes fell to Mr. Potter's Sunrise, Shamrock coming in second; but the stakes were given to Shamrock, in consequence of the boy riding Sunrise having dismounted before going to the scales.