TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2341, 24 June 1868, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Paxama Mm.-The Auckland left Wellington yesterday at 5 pm, and it is presumed has the Panama mail on hoard. She ought to arrive in port at noon this day. Pigeon Bat—The following gentlemen have been elected members of the Road Board: —Messrs Gillespie (chairman), W. Stewart Hunt, Litten, and FitzGerald. '

llalstvell.—A library is proposed to be formed in the Halswell parochial riistiict. A code of rules has been drawn up, and a committee, consisting of the Kev. C. Bowen, Messrs G. Brittan, junr., and Elwin, are' actively canvassing for subscriptions and donations of books, which latter may be left either at the vestry or the school. Kaiapoi Borough Council.—The nomination of candidates to fill the vacancy in the Kaiapoi Borough Council, caused by the resignation of Mr Woodford, will take place at noon to-day, in front of the Council Chamber.Swing Bridge. Thepoll.if necessary, will he taken at the same place, from 8 am to 5 pm on the Bth of July.

The Governor.—His Excellency, accompanied by his aide-de-camp, Capt. Young, and the Hon J. C. Richmond, arrived at Wellington on June 21, in the ps Sturt. Owing to the vessel not being properly signalled, he met, on landing, with a poor reception, the Hon J. Hall, his Honor the Judge, and Ms Lordship the Bishop, being the only parties present.

Financial Reform Association.—A meeting of the committee of the Financial Reform Association, was held at White's Hotel, at 7 30 last evening, Mr Stevens presiding. The committee resumed their inquiries into the colonial estimates, with a view to recommending reductions wherever practicable. The report, which will be submitted to a public meeting to be held at an early date next month, will comprise such curtailments in the expenditure as the committee considers expedient.

Accident at the Ashley.—On Monday, as a hawker named Walton, residing at Woodend, was crossing the Ashley in a spring cart, drawn by one horse, one of his wheels went into a hole in the ford, causing the vehicle to capsize, and precipitating him and his son, 10 years of age, into the river, a position they were rescued from by Mr James Ashworth, and the horse and cart were extricated; the animal was unhurt, and the vehicle but slightly damaged. The man and child were also unhurt, but so thoroughly exhausted, that they had to be conveyed home.

Pkebbleton.—A meeting was held at the hotel at Prebbleton on Monday evening, to make arrangements for the,annual Liucoln Ploughing Match. Mr Glydo was called to the chair, and was requested to act hs secretary. He read a statement shewing the balance in hand from last year to be £1 Os lod. Messrs It. Wright, Todd, Brook, Dalton, Gammack,G.Oai|ihead,F. Merchant, C. Marchant, W. Prebble, Dunn, McLaughlin) H. White, Overton, E. Prebble, Marshall, and Jackson, were appointed a committee to carry out arrangements and solicit subscriptions. A sum of over £ls was subscribed in the room, and it was decided to have a Champion Prize; open to aU'Canterbury,

BASKRTjricr.-William Bowden, late of Highfleld, cattle-dealer, but now a prisoner for debt in Lyttelton Gaol, has filed a declaration under the Bankruptcy Act, 1867, that he is unable to meet his engagements with his creditors.

No. 5 C.R.Y.-This company paraded last evening under the command of Uapt Beswickthe muster was excellent, about forty being present. The company, headed by their band, marched over to their Drill Shed Kaikainui Concert Room, where they went through their drill in a highly satisfactory manner. Immediately after parade a general meeting of the company for the election of officers took place, when Sergeant Coup was elected lieutenant by a majority of twothirds of the company. Capt Beswick intends to apply for an acting commission for him immediately.

Widow and Orphans' Fdnd.—A performance in aid of the above fund, in connection with the Ancient Order of Foresters took place at the Theatre Eoyal last evening! and we are glad to say that, notwithstanding the unfavourableness of the weather, there was a capital attendance. Amongst the audience were his Honor the Superintendent, and the Executive Council, the Mayor of Christchureh and some of the Councillors, and the Major Commanding and officers of the Yeomanry Cavalry, It is not customary, on such an occasion, to criticise the acting, for it is sufficient to know that everyone who took part in last night's performances did his utmost in aid of a cause which merits the support of a whole community. The Cavalry Band performed between the acts. We must not omit to mention that an appropriate prologue was composed and delivered by Mr E. J. Wakefield.

Inquest.—An inquest was held before J, W. S. Coward, Esq., coroner, at the Prince of Wales Hotel, yesterday afternoon, on the body of a child aged one year and seven months, the daughter of Mr W. G. White, of Colombo street, South. Mr Thomas Morris was foreman of the jury. From the evidence it appeared that the child was in good health on the 21st inst., and was playing in the house, when in passing from one room to the Other, it stumbled against the door step and fell. Shortly afterwards, the child became ill, and became gradually worse until the following day, when lir Frankish was sent for. Medicine was prescribed, but the child died at half-past two pm, from convulsions. A postmortem examination had been made by l)r Frankish, and his evidence having been taken, a verdict of" died from natural causes," was returned.

OddfelloW Bui,.-The sixteenth anniversary of the Lyttelton Manchester Lodge was celebrated by a ball on Monday in the Lyttelton Colonists' Hall, which was one of the most successful that has ever taken place in the town. The large room was tastefully draped with flags andbanneretsjat the eastern! of the room was placed the splendid banner of the Order just received from England, supported on either side witli the English and American Unions. A capital quadrille band was engaged, and dancing which commenced at 9 o'clock, was continued up to an early hour. An excellent supper, provided by Mr Leslie, Saxon Hotel, in his best style, was laid out in the [reading-room, whilst tables were also provided for those who did not join the dancers. The greatest harmony prevailed during the evening, and all present expressed themselves highly delighted with the arrangements. There were about 120 ladies and gentlemen present. The CARANDimg.-Madame Carandini was again unfortunate in the weather last night, and this, added to the counter attraction at the theatre, had the effect of producing only a thin audience. In acknowledgment, as it were, of exceptional support, the programme waß gone through with the careful discrimination vouchsafed to large audiences, and the demands for encores were responded to with cheerful readiness. It it scarcely necessary that we should notice the pieces in detail, as the merits of the vocalists are now bo fully understood at to render criticism unnecessary. A short glance at the leading pieces will suffice, and it may first be remarked that the programme as a whole was one of the best yet submitted. Miss Fannie narrowly escaped an encore for « My Mother bids Me bind my Hair." The first encore of the evening, however, fell to Miss Hosina, for "I cannot mind my wheel Mother." The duet " Beware," which closed the first part of the programme, was as usual, loudly applauded. In the second part, the encores demanded were for a vocal valse by Miss Kosina, " Una Voce," by Miss Fannie—which we think wat the gem of the ovening-a Swiss song by Miss Rosina, and the duet " O'er the hill, o'er the dale," by the sisters. The buffo duet, by Madame Carandini and Mr Sherwin, "I don't object," was effectively given, but did not meet with the applause produced by the more amusing one " Tou Know." Mr Sherwin's " Let me like a Soldier Fall" was applauded, and Madame Carandini received a similar acknowledgment for " The Harp that Once." The programme for this evening is again excellent, and entirely new. 1.0.0.F.,M.U.—The annual meeting of the Lyttelton district was held on Monday, in (lie Odd Fellows' Hall, Lyttelton. Present--J. D. Garwood, 6.M.; W.'Donald, D.G.M.; Charles Littlecott. C.S.; delegates, P.P.G.M. Jenkins and Brother Sowden, City of Norwich Lodge; P. G. Butterworth, Timaru Lodge; P.G. Carroll, Good Intent Lodge, The minutes of last half-yearly meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence was read and received. The accounts for the last half year were duly iiudited, shewing a balance to credit of £6l 9s 6d. Proposed by P.G. Butterworth, seconded by P.P.G.M. Jenkins, " That the flue imposed on the Timaru Lodge for the removal of their lodge be rescinded."—Carried. Proposed by P.G. Butterworth, seconded by Brother Sowden, " That at the next district meeting, scale 2 and 5 of table No. 2, be considered for the purpose of adoption by this district."— Carried. Proposed by P.P.G.M. Jenkins, seconded by Brother Sowden, "That the deputies present are disposed to look favourably on the application from the Timaru Lodge to form a new district, but the application not being in accordance with clause 4, rule 2, they cannot entertain it on the present occasion," Carried. Proposed by P.G. Jenkins, seconded by P.G. Carroll, "That P.PiG.M. Garwood receive the P.P.G.M. degree at next meeting."—Carried. Proposed by P.G. Jenkins, seconded by Brother Sowden, " That the next half-yearly meeting be held at Lyttelton, on the last Wednesday in December 1868."—Carried. P.P.G.M. W. Donald was duly elected G.M. for the next term. P.P.G.M. Stout was duly elected D.G.M. for the next term. The Nobth KoAD.-The attention of the Mandeville Road Board is greatly required to the extremely bod stite of this'road, from a short distance beyond the Waimakariri Bridge to the Kaikainui culvert. There are many inequalities on the crown of the road, and the approaches on both sides of at least two of the culverts are so cut up, that the wheels of vehicles sink in a considerable _ distance below the level of Die flooring. The late wet weather has, of course, most materially conduced to the cutting up of the road, but the inferior shingle with which repairs have from time to time been effected has rendered the damage much more than would have been the case had the ordinary quality of material been used. The material that has for some time been used has such a large proportion of earth and sand in its composition that it is impossible for a roadway to be made anything like firm for traffic, and is little more than a waste of money. In the interests of the ratepayers, of the district as well as in that of the presons using the road, the material should most certainly be screened before being laid on the road, and although sotne extra expense would thereby lie incurred, it would prove considerably more economical in the end than the plan at present pursued. The comparatively recent formation of the approaches to the culverts may he partially the cause of their cutting up; but the principal portion of it is unquestionably due to the inferior material, ai evidenced by the bad state of the ordinary portions of the road, and therefore it is to he hoped that some additional care may in future be exercised in carrying out repairs. It may be remarked that the whole of the North road on this side of the Waimakariri into Christchurch'is in a greater or smaller degree open to the same remarks.

Okain Bat.—On Friday evening, June 19, a musical entertainment was given in the Schoolroom by the Akaroa Amateur Minstrels, for the benefit of theOkainßay Circulating Library. The programme comprised a number of Negro melodies and dialogues, which were given with good effect, accompanied by excellent music. The whole concluded with a laughable farce, entitled "Black Sayings and Doings by Black People," written expressly bt the occasion. St. Luke's School-Oii Monday evening the schoolroom was crowded by the scholars and their parents (the latter having been specially invited), on the occasion of the declaration of the results of the recent halfyearly examination and the distribution of prizes. A considerable number of visitors were also present. The Rev E. A.Lingard, the Incumbent of the parish, as well as other gentlemen interested in the school, briefly addressed the meeting in congratulatory terms on the results of the examinations, which certainly evince very satisfactory progress on the part of the young people, and reflect great credit on .their master, Mr Gee. The prizes were then distributed by Mr Lingard, who had a few appropriate remarks for each successful competitor. We append the result of the examinations. The lights were then extinguished, to the great amusement of the young people, and Mr Gee gave an exhibition with the magic lantern, accompanying the various scenes with explanations.which combined instruction with amusement. The entertainment broke up at a little before 9 o'clock, after a most pleasant evening. Class I. General improvement, George Ritchie; Scripture history, Mary S.Quentin ; geography, George Ritchie; English grammar, George Ritchie; reading and spelling, Jane Ansley, George Ritchie (equal); arithmetic, William Fepper; writing and dictation, Jane Ansley ; mental arithmetic, Charles Piper. Class ll.—Scripture history, Grace J. Robinson, Louisa Webb (equal) ; reading and spelling, Mary Newsome ; arithmetic, Louisa Webb; writing, Henry Piper, (Mary Newsome, honourable mention). Class _ lll.—Heading and spelling, Annie Martha Tankard (equal); arithmetic, Alice Lawrence ; multiplication tables, Alice Lawrence; writing, Emma Griffin Extra Prizes :—Drawing, Walter Baker, sewing : Class 1.-Rosa Perkins, 1 • Jane Ansley, 2. Class ll.—Mercy Webb, 1 • Matilda Cass, 2. Spelling-Given by Mrs Young ; Class I.—Albert Isles; Class 11.Mary Newsome.