TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2482, 16 December 1868, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Coxceiit.—The Concert for the benefit of Mr J. M. Thomson will take place at the Town Hall this evening. The Javanese.—There was a good attendance at the Town Hall last evening. The troupe will appear for the last time in Christchurch at the Theatre Royal, to-night. A reference to the advertisement will shew that the prices of admission are very materially reduced.

Distiuatiox Act.-The attention of brewers aud spirit merchants is directed to the provisions contained in the following clauses of "The Distillation Act, 1868," viz; 125 to 137, inclusive, which will take effect on and after the Ist day of Jauuary, 1869. Classical School,-A reserve of twelve acres in the Ellesiuerc district has been made for the endowment of a classical school. It is bounded on the North-west by the reserve for the Southern railway, on the North-east by section 10179, on the South-east by the road along the tramway reserve, and on the South-west by reserve No 719 (in red). The CimisTcnaßCii Autillkhy.-A general meeting of this battery was convened for last night to elect a captain in the place of Mr Moore resigned, but the gentleman whom it was intended to bring forward being absent at Timaru for a few days, the business was adjourned until next week.

Cat™ Disease ix MAULitoitouou.-The local journal states that the Superintendent of Marlborough (W. 11. Eyes, Esq.) has proclaimed as an infected district, under the Diseased Cattle Act Amendment Act, 1865, " all that district of the province of Marlborough lying between the Clarence ltiver, the Conway Hivcr, the seaward Kaikoura Range, and the s«a." Rifle Match.—A match between six men of each—Nos, 3 Company Leithfiold, and No. 6 Company Christchurch, took place to-day, at the new range, at Hillsborough; the former company only sent four men on to the ground, consequently the average score of the four was taken for the other two. The terms of the match were five shots at each—three, four, and five hundred yards, any position. No. 3 Company made a score of 187; No. 6 Company, 239; the latter company winning by 52 points.

Kaiapoi Rural Sports.—A meeting of the committee was held on Monday evening, Dr Dudley in the chair. Tenders for the booths were opened, and those of Mr Harris for publican's, aud Mr Wilson's for confectionery, were accepted. As the subscriptions did not appear to come in very rapidly, it was decided to defer fixing the programme until Saturday next, to which time the meeting adjourned. Ciikistcuurcii Academv. The annual examination of pupils attending this Academy commenced on Friday last, and was continued the day following and Monday. The result showed a very satisfactory progress in the various branches of instruction, and many of the prizes offered were well deserved. The whole of those were distributed in the schoolroom yesterday morning by the respective masters, and a series of gymnastic games and other sports succeeded. _ Kaiapoi Swing Bridge,—Some speculation, and a little excitement, were caused in Kaiapoi on Monday, by its becoming known that Mr Joseph Beswick had demanded from the Mayor a passage through.the bridge for a vessel to his wharf, and had intimated his intention, if the Council did not open the swing, of doing so himself. By the Mayor's direction, some pieces of wood, which were the only impediments in the way of its opening, were removed. Shortly after three p.m. the s.s. Gazelle came up to the bridge and demanded that the swing should be opened. Mr Johnson, the toll-keeper, informed the captain that he had made every endeavour to open the bridge with the appliances at his command, but had failed, Captain McLellan then offered to place the stein of his boat against it aud force it open, providing he had the permission of the Mayor to do so. No answer being returned to this, he then warped his vessel alongside Messrs Birch and Co.'s wharf and finished his loading. No attempt was made by Mr Beswick to effect an opening.

WoonExn Distihct School.—On Friday last, this school was examined by the Inspector, in presence of the local committee and several of the parents of the children. At the conclusion of the examination, Mr Restell expressed the pleasure he felt in awarding to the winners the prizes which had been so kindly provided bv the committee, and hoped that they would "be the means of encouraging the pupils to renewed exertions during the coming year. The following were the results of the examination:—Class 1— General Proficiency,—Rebecca Ayers; History, Grammar, &c.—Louisa Norton; Arithmetic, Writing, &c—Frederick Orchard and Charles Skevington ; Reading and Spelling -Mary Ann Ball and Lydia Brown, equal; Bible History-Sarah Ann Judaou. Class ll—George Martin, 1; Annie Seawood, 2. Class lll—Walter Walton, 1; Joseph Ramby 2. Class IV-Mary Norton, 1 ; Elizabeth Skevington, 2. Class V-llary Morris 1Mary M'Kie, 2 ; Sarah Crawford, j. Class Vl-John Petrie, 1; William Morris, 2,

Provincial Government Gazette.—A Gaze'te was published on the 11th inst. It contains a notification that the public officeswill be closed this day; a notice that after the 10th inst., Crown grants will be delivered only to the original purchasers or their representatives, on production of the " license to occupy," or to persons presenting authorities from such original purchasers or their representatives, sigued before a solicitor admitted to the Supreme Court, or before a Justice of the Peace; a notice that the Timaru Borough Pound has been removed to the Municipal Reserve, Section No. 171 fronting on Heaton street, and that Mr Joseph Ellis has been appointed poundkeeper. The Gazette also sets out the reserves that have been made for educational purposes in the following districts:—Mandeville, Oxford, Rakaia, Christchurch, Ashhurton, Malvern, Little River, Waiuui, Ashley, and Timaru. Reserves for gravel pits have been made in the Ellesmcre and Christchurch districts, and one ftr a rifle range at Rangiora. An adjourned Court for the revision of the Ratepayers' Roll for Ilittle River district will be held at Williams'hotel, Lake Ellesmere, on Tuesday, the 22nd December at 11 o'clock a.m. The by-laws of the Borough Council of Timaru are also published,

Dixxeb.—Last night a complimentary dinner was given at the Prince of Wales Hotel, to Mr C. Bleakley, the brewer for Messrs Ward and Co. His brother employes were the entertainers, and a number of guests were also present from other breweries iu the city. A substantial and creditable dinner was laid by Mr Pox, and the forty gentlemen present evidently appreciated his catering. Mr Sutherland presided, with Mr Gray as vice-chairman, and on removal of the cloth the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were honoured. Mr Lee then proposed the health of Mr Eleakley, whose services in the capacity of brewer to Messrs Ward and Co. he highly eulogised. Mr Bleakley, in acknowledging the compliment, expressed his pleasure at seeing brethren from other breweries present, and said he hoped a social friendly feeling would be more cultivated than had been of late years. There had been rivalry and unpleasant words bandied about between men of the different firms, but he hoped such would now be discontinued, and a boud of union spring up in its place. The Press was next drunk and responded to. Others of a local nature followed. Several excellent songs were given during the intervals, and altogether a most pleasant and enjoyable evening was spent the party not separating until a late hour. '

lleatiicote Hegatta.—A meeting of the general committee was held at White's Hotel last night; Mr J. C. Gilchrist presiding, and Messrs Crosbie, McCardell (lion, sec), Jteese Day, and Thomas present. The sub-commit-tee then brought up a sketchprogramme which was approved, and comprises the following races;-13oys, pair oar; Sailing; Adult, four oar; Dingy.sculling jl'airoar, with coxswainCnampion Scullers, one pair of sculls; All Owners, four oar, in watermen's licensed boats; Consolation and Duck Hunt. Entries are to be made at White's Hotel, between the hours of G and 8 p.m., on Wednesday, the 23rd instant, or .by letter to the Secretary, any time previous to that date. In the pair oar and champion scullers races, it was resolved that the prizes should only be given in plate, but with the addition to the latter of the aggregate entrance money in cash. As a means of inducing a more bona fide competition than results from money prizes being offered, it was suggested by the sub-committee, and would be considered at the next general meeting, that a cup should be offered for annual competition the members of the winning crew for the time being only to receive some token of their success. The rules for the regatta day were submitted and approved, The stewards were also elected, and some other matters of minor import having been arranged the meeting adjourned till Monday next at'eWit p m. °

Katapoi Wkslbtax Sunday Scuoor AsxivßitsAHY.—On Monday evening a tea' meeting, to celebrate the anniversary of tli'e institution of these schools, and to assist the funds, took place iu the Wesleyan Chanel Kaiaj-oi. About 150 persons sat down to and enjoyed an excellent repast, provided by the following ladies:—Mesdames Newnlniii Parnlmm, Keettey, Hall, Fairweathcr, and Buddie, lhe building was most tastefully decorated with floral and other designs Aftea tea a public meeting was held The Rev It. Bavin opened the proceedings bv pnycr, after which Mr W. T. Newnlnm superintendent of the Sabbath schools was voted to the chair, and briefly explained the objects of the meeting ; he called upon the rcasurerMrMllall.tomakehisfiES statement, from which it appeared that the approximate receipts for the past year had bee,, £S i 3 s lid, and liabilities m 7s Id riie present anniversary had produced with the collections after the sermons preached the day previous, £l3 Ifis lod. The chair nun apologised for the unavoidable absence of the secretary, and read a statement of attendance at the schools, which was most satisfactory; on the previous Sunday the attendance had been 150. Thelievs T B Richardson and R. Bavin, Messrs Kadi, ltarly, and Graham, having addressed the meeting, principally on the importance of biinday schools, the proceedings terminated after a vote of thanks had been passed to the ladies providing trays, and the superinten, dent and teachers of the schools, at about

Bazaab.-A Fancy Bazaar in comTr* withStJohn'sPrcsbyterian Church Lnwt iras ppenedyestcrday morning in the Colon'V Hall, the object being to raise funds for? ing off.:the debt on the manse and oh iT The ladies of the congregation hav*: h 5 busily'engagedfor monthspast in preparing ll it, and the result was that this ni or 2 splendid assortment of goods was i on/the various stalls. The Hall looked v pretty; flags were gracefully draped Z\ floral wreaths and evergreens were i a '« fusion. At the east end a large refresb stall was erected, where creature conifm were dispensed. At the west end, a tail was placed, on which was exhibited son dairy produce, Mrs Chalmers having offer!? a prize for the best cheese and butter fl bazaar was opened by singing P sa l m 122 J, by prayer, the Rev. J. M'lntosh presiding Lyttblhw liigaita.-A meeting of tlw committee was held on Monday night intl Colonists' Hall, Capt Gibson/Vice-Commodott in the chair. The minutes of the former meet ing were read and confirmed. The sub-com mittee'B report was read. It recommends that a space should be enclosed for the sub scribers and families near the railway wharf! that all races should be started in a spaee between the end of the Lighterage (Railway! Wharf' and a vessel moored about 200 yari distant. The courses were also determined A great improvement was suggested in" the rowing courses. The boats, by the course named, will be able to row in smooth water It wasjesolved that the course of the race.-' be "lithographed on the back of the rules so as to prevent any disputes. It was .ilso'resolved that proper cards be printed with the course lithographed. On the motion of Mr Merson, seconded by Captain Turner, it was resolved that the publicans of Lyttelton be invited to tender for a stand for a booth for supplying the committee, their wives, ml their families with refreshments. It Wag resolved that the pair-oared race should he rowed with a steersman. The committee adjourned until Friday evening iext.