TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2127, 15 October 1867, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Volunteers.—Last night a parade for inspection of the engineers and the companies of No. l brigade of rifles, took place at the drill shed, when a good muster was present. Provincial Council.-A contemporary states that the Provincial Council is summoned to meet on November 8. We are not aware that any official intimation lus been made to this effect. By proclamation in a Provincial Gazette, dated September 12, the Council stands prorogued till November 8. The Duke or Edinburgh's Visit.—An Auckland contemporary authoritatively states that after the prorogation, Mr Stafford is to go up to Auckland to superintend tlit arrangements for the reception of the Duke of Kdinburgh. It is expected there will be a large Native gathering. TiiETuNNEu-Wearegladtobe able to inform our readers that by the time this publication is in their hands, the floor of the tunnel will have been completed, and the water will be running along the proper level to Lyttelton. All that now remains to be done is to clear away the rfeira.and then set the plate-layers to work. CIIRISTCHnRCH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. —The first monthly meeting of the season in connectionwiththisSocietywill.be held this evening in the Side Kooni of the Town Hall, at Seven o'clock. The subject for discussion is, " The Fertilization of Flowers." The public will be admitted free of charge. High School Lectures.—Dr Haast will deliver the first of a series of lectures on " Geology," in the room adjoining the old Town Hall, this evening. Dr Haast's series will be followed by a course on " Chemistry," by Mr Powell, house surgeon at the Hospital. To those who enter as regular attendants at these lectures free tickets of admission will be issued by the Kev C. Fra3er, and Messrs W. Wilson, and J. Anderson. Northern Agricultural SociETr,—An advertisement in our columns invites tenders for supplying a brass band; two publicans' booths, and two confectioners' stalls on the ground during the exhibition of stock, &c, on the 6th of next month. The prices of admission are also announced as 2s 6d from 12 noon to 2 p.m., and Is from 2 p,m., to the hour of closing. Cups will be given as first prizes in all classes of sheep, cattle, and horses, and for Ist and 3rd classes on pigs, money or certificates being given on all other exhibits. The entries are we understand progressing very favourably, and there is no doubt that weather permitting the show will be as successful as its predecessor.

The Maori Lexicon.—Students of the Maori tongue will be pleased to learn that the first part of the Maori-English and Eng-lish-Maori Library Lexicon, now in course of preparation by Mr Wm. Oolenso, of Napier, under the auspices of the Government, will probably be published next year, although the remaining part of the work will not be completed until 1872. A Wellington contemporary states that it appears, from correspondence between the Government and Mr Colenso, laid on the table of the House of Representatives, that the work will be very elaborate, and will contain every known word in the Maori language, with clear unquestionable examples of Maori usage. Canterbury Sundat School Union.—

A public conference in connection with this association will be held in the school-room attached to the Wesleyan Church, Durham street, on Friday evening next, at 7.30. The room has been kindly lent for the occasion. The Kev T. Buddie has undertaken to preside. Tea will be provided at six p.m., for which tickets may be obtained from Messrs Farr and Flesher, and at the door. The subject for consideration will be—- " Whether it is desirable that a uniform list of Scripture lessons be used in Sundayschools, or that the teachers should be left to select their own subjects." Mr Booth will open the discussion. As the subject is one of some importance, it is to be hoped that there will

be a large attendance of persons who take an interest in the success of Sunday-school tuition. The discussion will be as free as possible, so as to elicit a general expression of opinion.

Boiling Down.—lt appears that flockowners in Napier are seriously setting to work at boiling-down. Two companies arc now in existence, and the plant for the last established is on its way from Melbourne. In Victoria, as we learn from our latest files, attention has again been directed to the boil-ing-down of sheep, as a means of disposing of the surplus stock of the colony; but it is now proposed to adopt, in connection with this system, some method by which the lean of the animals may be utilised, either by simple preservation, or by extracting the essence of the meat by Liebig's process. It seems to be generally conceded that a more ready market will be found for the preserved meat than for the extract; but those who have taken up the matter in Melbourne do not appear to see their way clear to entering upon the manufacture of either on a large scale just at present, simply because of the expensive machinery which would be required. A Mr R. Caldwell, however, stated at a meeting recetitly held in Melbourne, that he had organised at his own expense a meat preserving establishment, and that the result of his experience with seven or eight tons of meat enabled him to say that, by a process already known (M'Crncken's), 1000 sheep per week could be boiled down and the meat

preserved, leaving a balance of profit at the end of a year of X 25,524 2s 4d. In fact, lie reckoned that lie could make each sheep worth 209, while by the simple boiling-down process, which by itself pays well, only 6s or 7s is realised from each animal. Mr John Van Heinert is the patentee of another process for boiling-down and preserving sheep, which is also well spoken of. Several meetings had been held on the subject, which had resulted in the formation of a public company with a capital of £16,000. Itisproposedjto commence at first with boiling-down and to purchase plant for the additional processes of preserving meat and obtaining the extract na soon as funds are ara'lablo. Ckickkt at Kaiai'oi.—'l'lie heilthy and truly English game of cricket, which for some years has been allowed to lapse into a state of quiescence in Kaiapiii, is, we are glad to observe,giving signs of returning life, and promises to be even more liberally patronised (him in the days of its former popularity in the town. On Saturday last, those intcreste I in the game were invited to meet at the Kaikainui paddock, at two p in., where a scratch match was to be played, and a public meeting afterwards held, to resuscitaie the old club or establish a new one. Notwithstanding the extremely inclement state of the weather the iiiTitation was freely responded to, and a good wicket being obtained, Messrs J, C. Porter and K. Wright were deputed to choose sides from those assembled, the latter winning the toss, and being the first to handle the willow. Before the game commenced rain was falling somewhat heavily, arid shortly afterwards it poured, making the ground very slippery and altogether oppose! 10 a scientific display either by batsmen or

fielders, any attempt at stealing a run or sharp fielding generally resulting in an acquaintance with terra firma, or gome ludicrous reversal of the natural mode of locomotion, The game might indcod be described as" cricket under dilllcultiesj" but whatever was wanting in science was more than made up for by amusement, so that, notwithstanding wet clothes and sloppy ground, the sport was really enjoyed. Good scores) could not, of course, under the circumstances, be expected, neither could any fair criticism of tlie players be made; therefore we refrain faom noting either good o had points until a more favourable opportunity of judging is afforded us, We may,however, in the meantime, congratulate the town on possessing the nucleus of a good club. Moro than one of the players on Saturday displayed hatting and bowling powers of no meira ability, and which with practice will earn them a good name. The second innings remained unfinished, in consequence of the increased fall of rain towards evening. Mr Porter's side claim the victory, although possessing one man less than their opponents. On conclusion of the play, an adjournment was made to the Kaikainui hotel, where Mr G. Weston was voted to the chair. It was then decided that a club to be called the Kaiapoi Cricket Club Should be formed, and fourteen names were at once put down. The annual subscription was fixed at lus 6d for adults, an 1 5s for boys under 16 years of age. The necessary officers were then elected resulting as follows: President, Mr J. Birch; Secretary, Mr J. C. Porter; CommitteeMessrs. G. Weston, 0. Barker, K, Wright, E, Kevell, E. Parnham, and W. Burnip, with the officers ex officio. The rules of the Marylebone Cricket Club were adopted for guidancs in all matches, and it was also resolved that persons residing within one mile of the town boundary should not he allowed to play unless as subscribers. The practice days were fixed for Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 2 p.m., and all matches for Saturdays, at 2 p.m. A vote of thanks to the chair then terminated the proceedings. We undentand that several persons hava joined the club since Saturday, and many who were prevented from being present on that day have signified their intention of doing so also. The club promises to be a strong one, and should a favourable plot of ground be procured there can be no doubt of its success. We trust shortly to hear of them testing their prowess against one or other of the clubs already formed.

Tijiaru and Gladstone Board Bill.~A public meeting was held in the Royal Assembly Rooms, Timaru, on the evening of Oct, 10, mainly for the purpose of hearing from Mr Cox, M.H.R., an account of the circumstances attending the passing of the Timaru and Gladstone Board Bill. The chair was occupied by Mr T. W. Hall, who is chairman of the Local Government League, and the speakers, besides Mr Cox, were Messrs Belfield, H. J. LeCren, Cardale, and Mr R. Turnbull. Mr Cox is reported by our contemporary to have said:— '< The G vernment of the day have sufficiently shewn that they sympathise strongly in the movement commenced, or rather renewed by Timaru, but to encourage them in this work it will be necessary that all parts of the colony should speak out loudly and unitedly, and then the people of this district may not only hope but expect that whatever is wanting in the Timaru and Gladstone Local Government Bill will be very shortly supplemented. He need not remind them that this Act, to so great an extent suitable to the case of Timaru, would hardly secure the result longed for by districts in the provinces in the North Island, or by some, indeed, in the South. As to the continuing of the League, he might be allowed to advise them not to give it up at present; it had done much, but it _ had not done all; it had secured something for Timaru and Gladstone, but it had yet to fight side by side with others in a somewhat similar position. It might be that the battle was over, bathe hardly anticipated that the game would be admitted to be quite |"p by those in provincial authority. The " natural opponents" were not unimportant in number, and were characterised by an energy not common in matters political. It may be thai the leaders of that once powerful party may again appear on the stage of political life; that the high priest of provineialism may shew symptom* of again desiring to over-rule the people of the province, although they may have good reason for not believing in his chance of success. It would be wiser on these accounts that the League should continue in existence and shew a desire to enter into friendly relations with those who iu other districts and other provinces have yet to fight the good fight." Mrß.Turnbull.speaking of MrMoorhouse, is reported to have said. —" The treatment he had met with iu Christchurch was no more than took place every day; it was an old fashion, that as soon as a man was unfortunate his friends deserted him, and this they had done, for as soon as there was no more monay to lavish around Christchurch, they turned on him. They must look for no deeper source of action than that. Of course at that meeting in Christchurch there were a few leading minds, men earnest in the cause, but the others were only there, not taking interest in the question, but to shew their dislike to Mr Moorhouse. If prosperity returned to them and the

Superintendent, they would take as likely as not the contrary part, and would do all they could against Timaru." On the motion of Mr Belfiold, seconded by Mr H. J. LeCren, the following resolution was passed with great applause:—" That this meeting desires to tender its best thanks to Sir Cox ' and Mr Jollie for the great services they have rendered the Timaru and Gladstone districts, by assisting to pass through the General Assembly the Timaru Board of Works Bill." Mr Cardale remarked that it was necessary that a meeting of representatives of the whole district should be held, to confer together in reference to future movements. Correspondence should be opened with other districts, and they ought to be fully prepared for another session of the Assembly, lie moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr li, Turnbull and carried :—" That a general public meeting of the inhabitants of the district be held at Timaru on Tuesday evening, the 29th inst."

Waimate.—The annual pu' lie meeting of householders and landowners to elect a school committee for thr ensuing year in terms of the Education Ordinance, 18(i4, was held at Dow's Waimate Hotel, on Tuesday evening last. The report of the retiring school committee whs read and gave great satisfaction, shewing a balance in hand of £25 2s. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr U Buckley for the handsome sum of £25 lately presented by him to the school; also, to Mr S. W. Goldsmith, for the praiseworthy manner in which he has conducted the affairs of the school, as chairman of the late committee. The following gentlemen were then elected members of committee for the ensuing year, viz., Messrs S. W. Goldsmith (chairman), G. M. Babington, James W. Gaitt, F. Gaitt, Thos. Newel!, G. It. Freeman, John Lett, James T. Tain, senior, and James Collins. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to Mr James \V. Gaitt, who occupied the chair. There has be»n ut very extensive hush lire in

le district for several days past. Regarding lis fire our Timaru contemporary of Satur-

lny says:—There is very little doubt that lie origin of the fire which broke out in the msli, on Tuesday, the 2nd iitst, about mid-

day, may be fairly laid to the charge of a gang of three men at work for Mr Smith, the contractor, on the road skirting the east side of the bush. The men in question were camped close to where

the fire tomjujiiced, and it is supposed that a fire lit by them for the purpose of boiling their billy of tea, communicated with the dry fern and scrub, which abounds in

that locality ; and a nor'-wester blowing at the time, spread and increased the flames too rapidly for any chance of arresting their progress. Fortunately, the course of the tire has been through that portion ot the bush which has been considerably cut up, and previously burnt, so that the loss of the timber is not so heavy as the fire would indicate. Still much damage has been done, and large quantities of firewood and posts and rails, slabs, &c, have been destroyed. The fire commenced in the north-eastern portion of section 4312, passed through the Maori section No. 4310, through Messrs Buckley

and M'Lean's section of seventh" ' through the northern partof M?,„ ",,,"? sectm„ No. 431 l.and section cI ' Am'* 3 ' the lone. Bu.tained is the coniuipfi** onsiderable number of posts pre P . ' ° » the T.maru Agricultural show yaj B for