TOWN COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1636, 14 March 1866, Page 5

TOWN COUNTRY.

The Late Attorney General.—We find from our Wellington files that the name of Mr. Sewell, the late Attorney General, is included among the list of passengers by the Wild Duck, which was to sail thence to London this day. Freehold Land Society.—The committee of this Association met last night in one of the rooms attached to the Foresters' Hall. Mr. St. Quentin, the secretary, was in attendance. Several new shares were taken up ; and, after some routine business, the committee broke up. Working Men's Association.—A meeting of the Committee of this Association was held last night, at the Eorrester's Hall, Mr. Kent occupying the chair. The object of the meeting was to select the subject for discussion at the next meeting, which will be held on Tuesday evening next, and to enrol members. The subject fixed upon was that of "Pre-emptive Rights." Several new members were elected, and the committee adjourned. Representation of Westland. —- The nomination for the General Assembly was to have taken place on Monday last; but owing to the telegraph not being in working order we have not heard who the candidates are, if any. At the date of the latest news, no decision had been come to, though several names were mentioned. Among others, Mr. Alfred Saunders, Superintendent of Nelson, who was defeated the other day for Waimea, is suggested by the Grey River Argus. If there be opposition, the poll will take place on Saturday. Amateur Foot-Raoe.—A pedestrian match for £100, distance 100 yards, was made last night, between two up-country . gentlemen who are both well known in their respective districts as active performers on either horsehack or foot. Regular articles were drawn up, and half the money posted, so soon as the terms were agreed upon, and the balance is to be made good at the Royal Hotel at seven o'clock on Friday evening. The race is to come off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, and Mr. F. D. Hamilton has been mutually agreed upon to pick the spurt-ground and make necessary arrangements. We shall be enabled to duly inform our readers of the appointed tryst. Another Double - Hurdle Match.— Messrs. Hope and Hamilton have arranged to run a second race, over double-hurdles, between Banshee and Jessie, the terms being for double the former stakes and for double the distance. The wager won by Jessie in the late rather disputed event has been honourably and willingly settled, and the rival riders of the rival mares are only anxious to have another trial of their head, hands, and pluck. Half the match-money has been placed in the hands of Mr. Barnard, accompanied with written articles, and the balance is to be made good on Tuesday. The difficult event is to come off near Atkinson's Racecourse Inn, at three o'clock on Wednesday, March 21st. Magisterial.—At the Magistrate's Court, Christchurch, yesterday, James Russell, charged with assaulting Richard Reid, was fined 10s ; William Pope, charged with assaulting a constable, was fined £2 ; George Bond, charged with being in the Volunteer Hotel at half-past twelve in the morning of yesterday, for an unlawful purpose, was discharged, as it appeared from the evidence that the whole affair was a joke ; Catherine Rowley was charged with stealing a watch, the property of Robert Hart; prosecutor deposed that on Sunday morning last he was at prisoner's house, and she snatched the watch from his hand ; as he could not get it back, he returned on Monday morning, and gave her in charge. Conflicting evidence was given as to whether the prosecutor took away his watch or not, and the Bench remanded the prisoner till this (Wedntsday) morning. Eleven cases were down for hearing for the recovery of rates by the City Council; the cases were heard, and judgment was deferred. At the Magistrate's Court, Lyttelton, a man, named O'Connel, was committed to the Lunatic Asylum ; and at the Magistrate's Court, Kaiapoi, Tuatirai, a halfcaste, charged with supplying a bottle of brandy to a Maori, was dismissed with a caution. There were also some debt cases at the Magistrate's Courts, but they were not of any public importance. Temperance Bazaar. —This event took place yesterday, at the Town Hall, and was a very successful affair. The large room was occupied by the stalls, and had a very gay, animated appearance. At the end of the hall opposite to the entrance, the platform was very tastefully decorated with flowers nd evergreens, a well arranged trophy, composed of native weapons occupying the centre. Beneath, was the refreshment stall, presided over by Miss Buxton, and containing a capital supply of cakes, fruit, and " temperance beverages." All around the walls were placed some very pretty water-colour drawings, kindly lent by Mr. Travers. Interspersed with these were specimens of native cloths made by the natives of the Solomon Islands from the bark of trees, beaten out with smooth stones, and then covered with figures, some of good and even elegant design. The outlines of some portions of diagonal tracery would reflect credit upon more civilized artists. Mr. Travers also contributed these and a fine collection of dried mosses, &c. A suggestive sketch of the thoughtful and almost haggard face of J. B. Gough, "the great apostle of temperance," well executed in pencil, was to be seen on the wall, as if contemplating the progress of his work in this new country. The stalls, which were under the management of Mesdames Baker, Woods, Hale, Tyerman, Rose, and Caygill, the Misses Rowley, Ellis, Smithson, and some other ladies, presented the usual miscellaneous collection of the articles which seem to form the staple commodities of similar undertakings. Dr. Florance sent some gouache sketches, illustrative of Maori life and scenery. These were executed by himself, and are very creditable specimens of his art. Mr. Rowlev, junr., had a wheel of fortune at one the stalls, and did his best to tempt speculative visitors to try their luck. Several friends contributed as presents to aid the scheme, some heterog neous articles, amongst others, a pen of curious fowls, and some rabbits. In the centre of the room there was a piano, upon which several amateurs played various pieces of music during the day. Mr. Woodford sent his electric telegraph, by means of which messages were transmitted as old Trapbois would say, " for a consideration." Mr. Hislop lent the committee some of his conifers, which added by their fine foliage and graceful growth, to the general effect of the scene. The attendance was a very fair one, anil we understand that the promoters have no reason to complain of the result. At 5 pm. tea was served. The Bazaar was kept open until about 10 p.m. The attendance, was far more numerous than during the dayand we understand that nearly £60 was realized which will be devoted towards the erection of a Temperance Hall.