TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2406, 8 September 1868, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Suez Mail.-Tlus month, the mail from England, via Melbourne, will be unusually early, that is, supposing the steamer arrives up to time. The mail is due at the Bluff to-morrow, and should be delivered in Christchurch on Saturday. Child Dbowned.—A child, about five years of age, was accidentally drowned whilst playing in the back yard of the Caversham Hotel. Yesterday afternoon, Mrs Moulde, its mother, was engaged in washing for the day at the hotel, and had taken the child with her. Shortly before 2 o'clock the child was missed, and a search being made, it was found in a water butt sunk into the ground in the back yard. Life was quite extinct, and it is supposed that the child must have accidentally fallen into the water. Rifle Competitions.—The monthly competition by members of the Cavalry corps for their silver challenge cup will take place today at Hillsborough, competitors going down by the half-past twelve train. A match will also be fired at 3 p.m., between teams of eight men each selected from the Cavalry and Engineers, both firing with the same weapon. The conditions for the cup will be the same as on previous occasions, and those for the match will be five shots each at 200,250, and 300 yards, with Hythe scoring, position, and targets. '

Rangiora Volunteers. After many attempts the Rangiora Volunteers have succeeded in establishing a fife and drum band m connection with the corps. Hitherto a number of scholars attending Mr Merton's school have occasionally been pressed into the service, but a number of boys resident in the town have now been specially enrolled and provided with a uniform, consisting of scarlet Garibaldis, with black facings, blue cloth trowsers, with red stripe, and cap of the same materials. They have already been very fully instructed in the use of their respective instruments, and on thelast parade night marched with the company throuch the town. ■

Volunteer Encampment.—The encamp, ment question has again been raised in volunteering circles, and energetic steps are to be taken with a view to holding a general muster of that description during the spring months. When previously mooted, the holidays available for such purpose did not occur at a proper period of the week, but the anniversary of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales's birthday, on the 9th of November, removes this difficulty. Falling on a Monday it Is proposed that the various corps should assemble on the ground fixed upon,for;the encampment on Saturday evening, and remain there until dusk on Monday or tiUTuesday morning. A plot of ground in the vicinity of the river Styx on the north road is at present suggested, and from the facility such a selection would afford to the Northern corps for being present, it.is worthy of consideration. The general arrangements of the meeting, if decided upon, are to be made on !! i? U rii.Jf? ex P, ensive scal e than those held at Hillsborough, and the work of preparation is to be equally distributed amongst the several corps. The Volunteer General Committee intend taking the question into consiaeration at their next meeting.

Winter Entkutaikmknts.—Mr OUivier announces his intention of giving an entertainment to-night at the Town Hall,, in the form of a lecture, which will comprise a tour from London Bridge to Boulogne. The lecture will be illustrated by views of the principal places on the route, and enlivened by appropriate songs and glees. Lyttklton Land, Building and Investment Sooikty, No. 2.—The usual monthly meeting took place on Saturday evening. The nominations took place for three members of the committee for the ensuing year, in place of those who retired by rotation. The three retiring members were Messrs Balestiec, S. E. Wright, and Thomas Wright, who were nominated again. The latter declined to serve, and Mr Weybourne was nominated in his place, Messrs E. A. Hargreayes, D. Caro, and L. A. Bayfeild were appointed the Auditors of the accounts of the past year. The annual meeting will take place on October 2. Boating at Kaiapoi. An adjourned meeting of the" Cure" Club, was held at the Pier Hotel, Kaiapoi, on Saturday evening last. Nearly all the members were present. Mr W. D. Buddie occupied the chair. The minutes of lost meeting were read and confirmed. Mr Christopher Sims was appointed Commodore of the Club, which was joined by four new members, and a sub-com-mittee, consisting of Messrs Day, Sims, and Buddie were appointed to draw up a new set of rules. Mr Matthews announced that the Cure would be ready for practice on the evening of Saturday next. It was resolved that she be launched on the Monday following, a crew being appointed to take her out, Mr Matthews, according to instructions, submitted a model of a new boat, which was highly approved of, and it was determined that a boat after it should be constructed as soon as the funds of the Club will permit; the Club being unanimously in favour of encouraging local industry. The meeting then adjourned till the 14th in'st. The "Trooramookal" Pouct.—The following is said to be the text of the resolutions which the " Trooral-Ioorals" intended to submit to the House of Representives : " 1, That the expenses of gaols, police, harbours, and other establishments shall be defrayed out of the provincial moiety of the consolidated revenue; the taxation to be reduced by an amount equal to the sum saved. 2. That the partnership between the provinces and the General Government shall be absolutely terminated. 8. 'I hat the land revenue shall he expended in those districts in which it is raised. 4. That the present provincial liabilities shall-be assumed by the colony, and that the provinces which have not borrowed so largely shall be allowed to borrow, or Bhall receive an amount of debentures so that all shall be placed on the same footing. 5. That no money shall be voted to the provinces, and that power shall be granted'to them to impose taxation within their own boundaries., 6. That a bill should be passed, allowing those provinces which refuse to tax themselves, to be administered by agents appointed 'by the General Government, or under a county system. 7. That provincial legislation, except iu unimportant matters, shall be put an end to. Agricultural and Pastoral Association.—A meeting of the Council of this Association was held at-Messrs Wilson and Alport's Rooms, at 2.30 yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs H. E. Alport (in the chair), A. Duncan, W. Norman, B. B. Bishop, J Mine, E. Mitchell, P. Tisch, D. Graham, J, Washbourne, J. Page, and J. Walls. Mr Bishop said that at the last meeting, the Council had granted the sum of £lO towards the Champion Ploughing Match. This amount had been paid, as the committee desired to settle their accounts, and he duced Mr Brunsden's receipt for the money. The payment was passed. It was also agreed that the vote of i's, which Mr Bishop reported had not yet been applied for, should be paid to the Poultry Show committee, in accordance with the resolution passed at the previous meeting. The Chairman said that the next business was to proceed to the appointment, of a sub-committee to revise the catalogue of prizes for the forthcoming show. It would be on e of the duties of this committee to consider the letter addressed to the Association byMrJ.Evanß Brown, recommending a reduction in the number of sheep forming a pen from five to three. The sub-committee would also be required to consider and report at next meeting whether or not it shall be an absolute rule that the date of shearing shall be noted; also, to consider and report at next meeting the manner in which the height of ponies shall be determined on the show-ground. Mr Mitchell said it was most important that the exact date of shearing should be stated at the time of entry; ' it should be made compulsory. On the motion of Mr Mitchell, seconded by Mr Duncan,' the following gentlemen were appointed as a sub-committee to take the foregoing matters into consideration, and report upon them :-Messrs George Gould, Higgins, Washbourn, J. Grigg, and the mover. The Chairman said that the next business was to appoint a subcommittee to consider and report at the next meeting the conditions on which each article of local manufacture shall be allowed to be entered' for a prize, so that competitors may clearly understand the rules to be complied with, and the judges may Know the duties they have to perform Mr Bishop considered that the sub-committee should consist of commercial men. On the' motion of Mr Duncan, seconded by Mr Milne, the following gentlemen were ap- . pointed as the: sub-committee s-Messn G Gould, Wilson, Bishop, Stace, Alport, and the mover. Prizes: will.be offered for: the following articles, manufactured in the province from materials which, with the exceptions named, have not:been imported; in | each case the price is to be affixed at which tup manufacturer can supply the trade in wholesale quantities, which shall be taken into consideration by the judges in their comparisons and awards :-Ale (imported hops allowed), baskets, boots, candles, leather, malt, pickles, preserved meats, rope, woolpacks, cornsacks, gunny bags, saddlery, soap (imported alkalies allowed), sugar (made from beetroot), tweed cloths, and wines (imported sugar allowed). Mr Tisch moved, Mr Graham seconded, and it wascarricd, « That the hon. sec. be requested to forward circulars and catalogues to gentlemen who are likely to obtain subscriptions and donations for the association, and to procure the services of a suitable collector for the Christchurch distact'* Mr Mitchell nioved-«Tbat the thanks of the Association be given to the committee, and especially toMrßrunsden the honorary secretary, for the active and efficient manner in which they carried out foe arrangements in the late Champion Ploughing Match." Mr Milne seconded the motion and it was unanimously-agreed to Mr Bishop reported that no reply had vet been received from Mr Deighton, of Melbourne, through Messrs Matson and Co He had to report a balance in hand of £25 A letter was read from Mr A. A. lantiiam, Lower Lincoln Hoad, making various suggestions relative to the arrangements of the show The communication was referred to the sub-committee, appointed to arrange the catalogue of prizes to be offered. The Chairman said that the next subject for consideration was, whether prizes should be ottered for poultry at the next exhibition. Mr Mitchell considered that prizes should still be offered At the same time, the associaon would have to afford greater facilities than hitherto for the exhibition of stock A proper place,was,needed, both for poultry ocal manufactures, and farm produce Mr uuean considered that every inducement should be ottered to those visiting tl show-ground, and that visitors Should be allowed to nee m much as possible for their money. If they withdrew poultry from the schedule, the result would be that fewer persons would attend, and that the revenue would decrease, which at th'stimewould be very undesirable, lie would move, therefore, " That it is desirable 1° lmT . e *.{?!'»» of poultry, pigems, rabbits, «i~, as hitherto, at the next exhibition of the ( assoemtiion." Mr Walls seconded the motion winch was carried. It was moved by f„ «. ti I T mW b - v Mr Milue > ™«l "greed to, ihat a letter be written to the secretary 2 «Si f '^''^oNSo^t-Jrequestinghim to call attention to the desirability of importing the following insectivorous birds, required on agricultural lauds, namclv roofa and starlings." The meeting fhHSfSS.

lUph Association.—A.meeting of the Council of the Canterbury Rifle Association was held at White's Hotcllast evening, Capt Simmons occupied the chair; the others present were Messrs Mundy, Barnes, H. E. Alport, and Wolfe. Some discussion took place as to the fixing of the day for firing for Mrs Weld's cup. Ultimately, Mr Mundy moved, Mr Barnes seconded, and it was agreed to-" That the consideration of the arrangements for firing for Mrs Weld's cup be deferred until the next monthly meeting of the Council," Mr Alport, the hon, sec, on behalf of Mr Hebden, reported collections of subscriptions in hand amounting to about £lO. Mr Hebden stated that he did not expect to be able to collect any more money on account of this year's subscription, Accounts to the amount of £5 lis were ordered to be paid.

The Cape Route.—The prospects of the new Cape route ar« promising. A great deal of discussion is going on in Melbourne with respect to it. "An old colonist," writes to the .Argus for the purpose of expressing bis objections to the proposal to bring out emigrants by that route, " as they may start off next day to Queensland or Now Zealand." And he adds, " I do humbly submit that any such scheme of immigration should be carried on at the joint expense of the various colonies of the Australasian group."