TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2135, 24 October 1867, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The New Governor.—A correspondent informs us that the following information is contained in a late telegram from England, We do not vouch for its accuracy" Sir 6. P. Bowen, Governor of Queensland, has been appointed Governor of New Zealand, in the room of Sir George Grey."

Road Board Rate Rolls.—The commissioner appointed undor the Roads Ordinance Amendment Ordinance, 18G7, will hold courts for the revising of the several Rate Rolls of the undermentioned places at noon of the days specified below: — At the Ashburton, on Wednesday, Oct. 20 ; at Gcral.line, on Friday, Nov, 1; for the Levels and Mount Cook districts, at tiie CourtHouse, Timaru, 011 Saturday, Nov. '2; aud at the Waimate, on Monday, Nov. 4. Fire.—Last night, at tiiirteen minutes to twelve oV lock, the fire-bell in the Marketplace gavo the alarm ; anil it was found that a portion of the roof of Kt. Luke's schoolroom was on fire. The Brigade turned out with great promptitude, but there was no need for their services, as the fire was virtually extinguished in a few miuutas. The alarm was first givon by Mr C. Tribe, upholsterer, and was very promptly carried to the superintendent by the driver of cab No. 14.

Excursion.—Yesterday, Mr John Anderson kindly placed his little steamor, the Maid of the Avon, at the disposal of the members of the City Council, and invited them and their families to spend the day at New Brighton. The bout started at 10.30 a.m.,

returning to Chrifltchurchat6 p.m. Luncheon was provided, and the company thoroughly enjoyed themselves in some merry games on the beach. Quoit Club,—'The members of this club met last night at Coker's Hotel. The Hon. Sec. pro tem. stated that thirty-two members were enrolled, and that he had purchased several seti of quoits. The following officers were then elected. Committee—Messrs T. Locke, C. Post, and G. Turner. Hon. Sec., Mr J. Death; Hon. Treasurer and Custodian, Mr John Coker. The committee were empowered to draw up bye laws, and obtain rules of the game, also to have a second ground formed at once.

Tim Hokitika Mayokalty.—The contest for the Mayoralty has resulted in the election of Mr Shaw, by a majority of twelve over Mr Button, and of serenty-flve over Mr Proiieer. The numbers polled were, for Mr Shaw, 205 ; for Mr Button, 193; and for Mr Pronier, 130. At the election for the Municipal Council held some ten days back, Mr Shaw polled precisely the same number of votes that lie did in his candidature for the Mayoralty. Mr Preiser's votes were within 84 of the number recorded in his favour on the 10th inst. The votes for Mr Button were no loss than one hundred and twenty-seven short of the number polled for him last ' week. |

Magisterial.—Yesterday, at the Magisrate's Court, Cliristchurch, before 11. J. S. larman, and S. Bealey, Esqs., the following msiness was transacted. Isaac Mitchell was sharged with haying been drunk and incapa>le on the previous night, and was fined 20s, fobn Brady was charged with having stolen lome hams and bacon from the Warwick Eotel. Patrirk Green said the hams and mcon which had been stolen from the Hotel rae worth about a pound. Sergeant Beatty said he had been stationed on the West Coast, and while he was there the prisoner was convicted of having stolen some crockery, and also of having resisted the police in the discharge of their duty. He also remembered a conviction against the prisoner in Cliristchurch in the year 1865, The prisoner admitted that he had stolen some bacon from the Warwick Hotel. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. In the case of Woodman v. Jackman, which had been adjourned for the evidence of the carpenter who had done the work claimed for, S. Clarkson appeared, and said that the work in question had been done by him. The copy of his account in Court was correct, and the charges were fair ones. He also gave some explanations as to how the charges were made. The Bench considered that plaintiff was entitled to claim 4s a week for the cart-hire, and a large part of Mr Clarkson's account, and gave judgment for £6 18s 9d, defendant to pay the Court costs, and each party to pay his own witnesses,—At Lyttelton, yesterday, before F. D. Gibson, Esq., J. P., Francis Sonse was brought up charged with stealing an oar, value 12s, the property of Capt. McLellan, The Bench dismissed the case with ft caution, as the evidence only went to prove that the oar was found on board the ketch Rebecca Levy, of which accused was master. Emma Kerr was brought up charged with being drunk and incapable. Prisoner, who had been before the Bench on six previous occasions on a similar charge, was sentenced to fortyeight hours' imprisonment, and to be shipped on board the s.s. Umeo for Greymouth, where her husband resides.

Akaroa and Waixdi Road Board,—A meeting of the above Board was held at the Survey Office, Akaroa, on Monday evening last, the 21st inst., Mr C. J. Waeckerle presiding. The minutes of the former meeting having been read and confirmed, a letter was read from the Provincial Secretary, stating, that in addition to the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds, as previously given to this Board, the Government would grant a further sum of five hundred pounds, on receiving the usual requisition for that amount. The engineer was instructed to apply as usual for the" said amount to be placed to the credit of the Board, In answer to a .communication from the Board, relative to the erection of a public pound in Akaroa, a letter was received from the Provincial Secretary, referring to previous communications on the subject, and urging the Board to proceed at once with the work; in reply, the engineer was instructed to inform the Provincial Secretary that the work should be at once commenced. The engineer laid a plan before the Board for the erection of the pound, and was instructed to apply for tenders for its erection, in accordance with the plau shewn. A circular letter was received and read from the Springs Road Board, enclosing copy of resolution paised at a meeting of that Board, relative to the treatment experienced by outlying districts from the Provincial Government, and suggesting that united action should be taken by those districts for their protection, and also that a public meeting should be called in Christchurch previous to the next meeting of the Provincial Council, to agitate the subject. The engineer was instructed, in reply, to inform the Springs Road Board that any information or assistance that this Board can give will be at their service. The tender of William Penlington was accepted for the erection of a bridge in Barry's Bay, the same to be erected within six weeks, for the sum of sixty-eight pounds sterling. The engineer was instructed to prepare plans and specifications, and to invite tenders for the making of the Beach Road in Duvauchelle Bay; and also to report to the Board as to other works. The Board adjourned until Monday, the 4th day of November next. Phoddce Export Company Meetikg at Lbeston.—On Monday last a well attended meeting was held at Loe's Hotel, Leeston, in answer to a call from Mr Wylde, the Secretary of the Produce Export Company. Mr Woodman being called to the chair, Mr Wylde explained that owing to the want of a market for the consumption of their surplus produce, farmers were going to the wall; and that to meet the want was the object which the originators of the company had in view. Large profits as dividends were not looked for, nor was it intended that a body of directors shall possess unrestrained liberty of action ; but that each shareholder shall have an individual interest in the welfare of the company, and a distinct control over its management. Advances 011 produce to the extent of two thirds of its value will be made; the producer taking all the profit accruing from a good market. Statistics were adduced by the speaker, shewing that had the company been at work last harvest, 6s 6d might have been realized for every marketable bushel of wheat, 2s being sufficient to cover the expenses of shipping, &c. The prospectus has been now so long before the public that all should know the several matters which the company purposes to undertake. The conditions of payment of shares bring the privileges of the company within the reach of every storekeeper, farmer, artisan, and labourer. Mr Wylde pointed out the demand existing for malt, proper appliances being required only for malting barley to create a trade in that article with the Australian colonies. A ready sale of properly prepared mess-pork might be made to the shipping, who are now obliged to supply themselves for both the outward and homeward voyage. The ruling price in England for mess-pork is 9Jd per lb, so that the producer here might reasonably expect Bd. Dairy produce was also shewn to be an important item. The company only needs proper support and the most approved appliances to secure a good brand, and ensure a steady remunerative market. Until at least one-fourth of the nominal capital, namely £7,500, is subscribed, no actual business can be commenced. Now, while this might be looked upon as a safeguard against any premature or rash work it should stimulate intending shareholders to enrol themselves at once in order that the ac ion of the company may not he retarded. Some important clauses of the Joint Stock Companies Act were read. Clause 64 runs as follows" In the event of any company being wound up by the Court voluntarily the existing shareholders shall be liable to contribute to the assets of the company, and an amount sufficient to pay the debts of the company, and the costs, charges, and expenses, of winding up the same, with this qualification, that if the company is limited no contributions shall be required from any shareholder, except the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares held by

him. The reaaone for winding un a em* pany are as follow"1. Whenever tU company, m a general meeting, passes » special resolution requiring the company to be wound up by the court. 2. Whener™ V commenc * its business mn i r a ' fromitß 'corporation, or sua Iwl uslne . Bß f ? r tlle B P ac e of a wholevear 3. Whenever the shareholders are reduced in number to less than BCven. 4. Whc'* he company , 8 unablc to ut Whenerer three-fourths of £ capital of the company have been lost or become unavailable." In renlv to miJ;J Mr Wylde said that arrangementS2 to prevent large capitalists from swampS the company, by a scale of votes; that /lonTi was the sura at present registered as paid though all the returns had not been received that at a general meeting of the shareholder twenty form a quorum; that the first annuil meeting will be held in December next and that whether the establishment be in Christ church or Lyttelton will be then decided upon; and that the export of wool, tallow hides, and flour were matters of detail for th<! directors, who would probably, as the company progressed, extend their present W q" scribed operations. Messrs Woodman Lop Smith, Gardiner, and Ro«e\v c J then appointed a local committee to canvass the district, after which a letter on the present depressed state of farming operation* by his Honor the Superintendent, was 2 and commended to the attention of every farmer. Thirteen Bhares were taken up and the business of the evening was brought t 0 close by a vote of thanks to Mr Wylde for his clear and instructive address. vote of thanks was also awarded to the chairman CRiCKET.-To-day may be considered the opening day of the season in Canterbury It is true that the Albion, who, as a club have been dormant last year, celebrated their r-. appearance in the cricketing world with a great fete day a few weeks ago, but all rnu«t admit there was more thought for the display to attract the public and catering for their welfare and amusement th?n for the game itself. The United Canterbury Club also gave notice of an opening game to be played upon their ground in the park, hut tie weather not proving favourable, the attendance of players was small, and that of the public less. The real work commences to day. • A match will be played on the Ha»ley Park ground, between the Albion and United Canterbury Clubs. These old rival teams have met with varied success for many years past, and as a rule the matches have been well contested, caused a fair amount of outside talk, and have been well patronised by the general public. The match to-day we are sure will be no exception to the rule. Although it will not prove a run-getting match, we expect to see the game well contested on all points, and are sure the public will be rewarded by paying the ground a visit. It will be seen from the list of names which we give below that the Albion have four of the best old Canterbury bowlers, good standard men who played in all the principrl matches of their day; while on the oihe.side Mr T. Moore, although quite a young man, is the only bowler who has been often before the public. For defence the United bave some good steady bats, but this being the first match of the season, we can hardly expect them to make up for the weakness of their side in bowling. We, however, hope that the side upon whom fortune may smile will not relax a single point in practice, or in anything that will tend to improve their play and perhaps bring them to something like the state of perfection that the game has now attained in the old country. On the other hand, we hope defeat will only nerve the losing side to that state of enthusiasm that it will be long before they suffer defeat again. The teams will be as follows The U.O.C.C.—Messrs Bethune, Burnell, Cotterill, Heaps, Mainwaring, Moore, A Ollivier, F. Ollivier, and Stevens; the captain will be chosen on the ground. The Albions—Messrs Ashbolt, Bent. Bruce, Calrert, Dawe, Dickenson, Hobbs, Taylor, Turner (captain), Young, and Wood; umpires—Messrs Jas. Bailey and C. M. Ollivier. Wickets will be pitched at 9.30 a.m., and this being only a one day's match we hope to have no complaints to make of players coming late. The care of the inward man has been entrusted to mine host Kuddenklau of the City Hotel. We hope the game will be a hard fought one, and that good feeling and harmony will be shewn by the rival teams. We wish to remind the players in these matches that from the results obtained the men to represent the province in the coming interprovincial match will be selected.

American' Claim to r eeds.—lr reference to this claim, Mr Hargrave Jennings writes an interesting letter to the Times: —Your American correspondent of Philadelphia, who writes concerning this claim by Americans of estates in England belonging to the names of " Wilbraham" and " Dudley," is in error in some particulars. The coming over to England by lawyers in 1854 and other years refers to tbe great domestic question of the heirship to that which is known as the " Great Jennings' property," from which Dickens is understood to have derived his famous " Jarndice v. Jarndice," and concerning which repeated advertisements and allusions appear from time time in your own paper. The enormous property, variously estimated at from two to seven millions sterling, and including estates in eleven counties ia England, and money in all the old bunks in London, is still in vigorous dispute. It was left by an extraordinary miser natned William Jennings, described in the" Annur' Register" of 1798 as the richest commoner in England. He was born in 1708, and died at his seat, Acton Hall, near Long Molford, Suffolk, instanced as one of the most splendid private edifices in Great Britain, aiw basting a. ball-room (which was never once used) constructed at a cost of £30,000. Notwithstanding his incalculable wealth, s.) mean were the habits of this old man that he lived in the underground storey of his great house, permitting, for the space of nearly 30 years, the approach of uo woman. He di >' unmarried and childles , nnd left no will, 'lbe Baroness Howe, daughter of the celebrated Admiral Lord llowe, took possession of tlio old man's property, through a claim ot intermarriage between a member of He Jennings family with that of Curzons. Administation was, howe\er, not granted for eighteen years—a significant fact. William Jennings was the godson of King William 111., ami served as page to monarch. In connection, also, with hs family at this period were Sarah Joining , afterwards Duchess of Marlborough; 1 ranees Jennings (her sister), Marchioness Tyrconnell, wife of Mellaril Talbot, the Low Deputy of Ireland for King James 11.; and, little as it is supposed—Miss Hills, afterward the famous rival and successor of the duchess iu the affections and favour of Qaeen Anne —Mrs Masliam ; in reality the creator of the fortunes of llarley, Earl of Oxford. J"? Masliam was a cousin of the Duchess ot Marlborough, and was introduced at I'M by her. Frances, the Marchioness of l)' r * ■ onuell was, in the days of her distress, tic celebrated " white milliner." appearing in t" domestic history of George 1., and commemorated in a modern comedy. Soane th.> philosopher, and Constantine J en ""l D (there are 11 different ways of spelling ' name), the possessor of three fortunes, w' i notwithstanding, died in poverty in J. the Rules of the King's Bench I "son, a who is known as " bog Jennings," on a^ c 0 of his purchase of •'Alcibiades' ljog, w also of this family. The supposed ng ,ire "Alcibiades' i'og" cost £2OOO ' However, he public interest in regno! to • property and a story which read nioie romance than plain matter of fact res s i circumstance that- the property is stil 111 gation,new chimants appearingevery day. ut Earl Howe, Earl Ueaucbamp, and other ineuj bers of aristocratic rank, chinning «tni V (though remote) with the original fa;"' 1 /: ' 1 in possession, although the chum i." always protested against, of this ex i ! property. Altogether this attraction J great property, lying open to h^ S (| | co some persons undiscoved yet, if at an verable, draws claimants, not onl) United States, but, to my nll J inr , |j» ledge, from the Cape of Good Hope; and Australia. I omit Ireland enrf which countries have sent t/> Engto • ants in profusion, with the proper p 1 of lawyers and pedigree fanciers.