TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1694, 22 May 1866, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The City Lights.—We understand that the contract for lighting the city with gas will expire on the sth June next, so that ii'om and after that date, unless a new contract is made, the city will be left in total darkness. The Papanoi Toll Bab.—Some misunderstanding having arisen as to the object of Removing the toll house to the North Town Belt, it may be stated that the Avon Road Board purpose making an office of it, The bar is to be abolished on and after May 31, Excursion to Port Levy.—On Thursday next, being the Queen's Birthday, the steamer Waipara will leave Port Lyttelton for an excursion to Port Levy, returning in time for the ball to be given on that evening, The band of the artillery company will accompany the steamer on the excursion. .

No.l Company C.R.V.—We are requested to mention that this Company of the Volunteers will, in case of fair Weather, march out to Papanui this evening. Parade is ordered! at 7 p.m., at the Drill-shed, and Capt. Harman, commanding No. 2 Company, has kindly permitted the services of the Fife and Drum band attached to that Compauyto be employed. The Panama Eoute. —We understand that the Panama and New Zealand Royal Mail Company have placed a passage to and from Panama at the disposal of Mr. Crosbie Ward, in recognition of his connection with the organization of the service. Mr. Ward has accepted the offer, and will leave by the first boat on the Bth of next month. The last session of the Assembly did not commence before the end of July j and there is good reason to .suppose that the next will be no earlier in the year ; while the first steamer Will return from Panama early in August. We learn that Mr. Ward's health, which has been indifferent for some time past, has partly induced him to make the proposed voyage ; but the chief reason is, doubtless a deep interest in the success of the undertaking. Citt Council.—At the City Council last night a letter was read from Dr. Foster stating the present position of Mr. Williams's Appeal case. The Chairman said that he had had an interview with Mr. Williams, and he had consented to withdraw all opposition, if the Council would get the Governor to proclaim Christchurch a Municipality, A letter was read from the Provincial Secretary asking if a few of the drain pipes could be Bold to the Government, as they wanted some j it was ordered that before any answer was given it should be ascertained how maiiy' the Government wanted. Mr. Luck moved' the first of his resolutions, but it was negatived, and an amendment was passed to the effect that the Council should not at present undertake any large works. A committee was appointed to investigate the present and probable financial condition of the Council, and to, report thereon, after which the.Council'adjourned. ,

Panama. Postal Arrangements. —ln another place will be found a Post Office notice, which relates to the new mail service. As the arrangement will be new to the public, we give the chief points of it. The mail for England will close at Christchurch at 7 a.m. on June 6 j money orders must be procured before 3 p.m. and registered letters posted before 5 p.m. on June 5. The postage on letters for England and the continent of Europe, will remain as heretofore, but newspapers and prices current will be charged one penny each to England, and for other places' via England.; one ppnny advance on the Suez rates! , For British America, tyest Indies, United, States, Central America, South Ameriqa, Madeira,. Canary and Cape da Verd Isles the pQstage will be one shilling per half ounce upon letters and two-pence each upon newspapers and prices current. ; The rate.of' :tage on books for British America, Madeirii, 1 Canary and Cape die Verd Isles,. is > sixpence per quarter of a pound, whileiibooksjfor the: West Indies, ;United States,' Central America and South America will be charged at letter rates.' ; ' '

: '.Ratepayer's Mutual . Protection iSociett.—The annual meeting of this asso--diatio'n was lield last everiirig at the Lyttelton ■Hotel, at 7.3o'p.'m. Mr. G.' Allen l occupied' |t|iechair, i ;The Honorary 'Secretary, Mr, i Wynn Williams* ■ read the: annual- report of iwhich the following is thei.te^t:—"This I Society has been in existence one ' year, and i notwithstanding the. strong f{filings expressed ; againstj the objects of the Society, their exer- : tioris have sucpeeded at any rate in, causing a, more reasonable assessment to be made for ! the present year' and : it is to be hoped that for the future/ the same: equitable arrangement will prevail. In addition to the question of assessment, ihe association should now call upon the ratepayers generally to interest themselves in, the .question of rating the city for , drainage and ,other permanent purpp,se§,; lis, it; appears proposal,at; present before the, : City Council, ihat : ij;^ ; intended,Scarry,out.the system of drpipage by ; levying, rates annually fgr ihatipurpose, whereas,, the (drpiage of the city , should be carried out, by, borrowing money and repaying it in a certain number of years.,; it is, therefore, .aivery.iserious question for the rateiiajyers ito, consider, whether they are, prepared to pity, for such works, which ought undoubtedly to. be' piid for'by those who come after, as well as. by the present occuSiers and land-owners. The question, of ( eit gi'iatest'iinjiOrliaiice is that of the divji aiojx. df the city into wards, as there',cah be blit little doubt but that, before the ratepayers 'of tlie entire city can b'6 fairly dealt with, the city must be divided' into Wards, in 6rder that the rates may 1 be spent fairly over the' different portions of tho city, inBtwld' of being pxpended as at present in particular localities, according to the views of a majority of the City Council. In conclusion, it appears that after paying all lieeessary expenses, the Treasurer has in hand tl|e sum of £\l 13s 7d, so that when tbe arrears and. the annual subscriptions dye on June 1 are paid, there will be a balance .of upwards' of £'6o to the credit of the society," The report having been read and adopted, the meeting adjourned to Friday, June 1, when a committee will be dieted and some other business transacted.