TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2472, 24 November 1868, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Armstrong Guns. Orders have been received to send,one of the Armstrong guns by the ne».steaijior to Wellington, \.: j Thbatsjßot&— The" Jihjf f as -repcatcd last night.i We have already nOtlcqd the pie<Se at length; and: it is only ; necessary to say that repetition is attended" with marked improvement. ! ' ,| CitioicßT,—A match betwecnthc Oxford and Kaiapoi 1 Cricket Clubs took place on Saturday last, at Messent's Half-way House, Moeraki Downs. The site selected for the match wus a 'paddock belonging to Mr Messont, in the swamp fronting the terrace on which his house stands. The ground was in Very bad order, both for batting and fielding, nevertheless all the blame cannot belaid to this'..cause, both clubs being evidently much in want of practice, neither of them having niiule a creditable score. Of the two, Ox-' ford's fielding was the best, the men backing up better, and beiug also more judiciously placed, At eleven o'clock, the Kaiapoi Club, having won the toss, sent their opponents to the wickets, the game terminating about halfptist five in favour of Oxford. Mr Porter acted as umpire for Kaiapoi, and Mr Sale for Oxford, The scores were Oxford, first innings, 42; second, do, 47—89. Kaiapoi, first innings, 37; second do, 36—73. Lyttelton Horticultural Snow.—On Wednesday next the first show of the season will be held in the Colonists' Hall, Lyttelton. There will, no doubt, be a fine display of flowers, of roses especially, for which the bays are famous. Fruit and vegetables also will be well from the sheltered position of the gardens of port, the season there is • considerably in advance of that of the plains. Two large Nikau palms are to be shown, which will be interesting objects to many of the visitors. In the evening'the show is to be illuminated by the lime light. A novel feature will be the'department for New Zealand products, and judging from the applications for space it will be not the least attractive part of the exhibition. The Government have complied with the request of the Committee to run trains at half fares, and an additional train will leave Lyttelton in the evening at ten o'clock. Arrangements have also been made for facilitating the transmission of exhibits from Christchurch and its vicinity, by allotting special carriages for the purpose. j Hair Cutting by Machinery.-We have inspected t new hair-cutting machine imported by Mr Briceof Colombo street, and in addition to being a very ingenious contrivance, it has the advantage of doing its work remarkably well. So much 10, indeed, is this the case, that it is a matter of some doubt whether the owner or customer derives the greatest advantage from its use. The hair is cut with remarkable evenness and regularity, a considerable saving of time is effected, and the operation is unattended by any danger of an accidental wound from the knives, or unpleasant sensation of any kind, The principle of the machine is somewhat similar to that in use for lawn cutting, but it is so reduced in size as to require no unusual exertion to work. There are four revolving knives in a circular box, on the outside of which are two combs, capable of being regulated to cut the hair as. short as may be desired. It is easily held in the hands of the operator, and the motive power is obtained from a, pulley fixed under the chair, and worked by a footboard on' the crank principle. The machine is manufactured by a London company, and of but recent invention. It is a decided improvement on the old system, and'will, no doubt, speedily attain considerable popularity, • Literary Institute.—The second entertainment in aid of the funds of the above Institute took place at the Town Hall last evening, and we are glad to say that the , attendance was almost doubly as numerous as it was on the first occasion. The Rev Charles Fraser delivered the opening address, . in the shape of a short reading on self-educa-iion, with regard to which he desired to give a few hints. The first question in connec- ' tion with self-culture was, what was the 1 great busiuess of life ? In his opinion, it consisted mainly of two parts—what they were to make of themselves, and what they should ( do in the wortd. Culture meant to make the best use of themselves, that was, ! to do all the good they could. The first i hint that might be : suggested to those , who desired to improve themselves, was to make themselves as thoroughly acquainted | as they could with any science or scraps oi ! knowledge connected with their profession: > and callings; secondly, they should seize I upon all the incidents and circumstances oi j life, so as to increase their interest in an)

kind or branch of knowledge; thirdly, they should take advantage of all special opportunities within their reach, such as lectures,

museums, &c; fourthly, they should base all their knowledge aud acquaintance on things, and not on words; fifthly, young men should make notes of everything they learnt and everything that might be of importance to them; sixthly, they should select some special branch to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with. At the same time, let them not be afraid of taking up all sorts of knowledge that a good man could, but let them make some special subject their favourite study. It was intended that these meetings should assist in this way; they were meant to effect two results—to encourage

men to read and practise music, and to take

share in the entertainments. The committee invited those who desired to do so to send iu ■their names, together with the pieces which 'they wished to sing or read, andlie trusted that many would respond to the invitation. The opening address was followed by "Alas ■those Chimes," by the Cavalry Band, which ;was applauded,, Mr Ollivier gave a reading, entitled' " I told you so," which was read in ithat gentleman's customary pleasing style. :Dr Haast sang " Adelaide, I "'and was encored j|Mir McCardell read "The Bottle Hill Legend," 'with considerable sprightliness. Mr Birdread: a chapter, from " Nicholas Nickleby," which received a fair share of applause. The only fault of the readings was, that they I .were each a "little too long for such an occasion. Major Wilson played a flute.; solo ,and was encored; and Mr Zeesler had a simijlar compliment paid hiin. This gentleman ; sang at the stage appointed for an operatic ! selection by the Cavalry Band, & prior engagement; .having prevented it from attending iuatp the end of the entertainment. Before ithe Nation*! Anthem was sung, the chair-, jman announced that the next entertainment : would take place on Tuesday, Dee. Ist, if .nothing intervened to prevent the use of the hall