TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2483, 17 December 1868, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Superintendent—His Honor the Superintendent arrived at Tiinaru on Tuesday night. He will address a public meeting there on an early day. The Japanese.—This troupe made its farewell appearance at the Theatre Royal last evening. The charges of admission were reduced to three, two, and one shilling, and the consequence was, that the house was crammed in every part. The Japanese will leave by the Airedale to-morrow. It is their intention to perform at Wellington and Nelson on their way to Auckland. C.vTnoLic Orphan Astlum,—We observe that efforts are being made to raise funds for the erection of an Orphan Asylum in connection with the Convent of Our Lady of Missions, Ferry Road. Mr Bonnington, prior to his departure for England, has announced a concert in aid of the fund for Tuesday evening next, and a reference to the programme will shew that he is seconded by a large circle of our most noted amateurs.

Fire at Oxford.—On Tuesday afternoon, ahout two o'clock, the house of Mr E, B. Youngman was discovered to be on fire. No one being in the house at the time, nothing was known until flames were seen issuing from the roof, and a brisk south wind blowing at the time, the work of destruction proceeded rapidly. In less than ten minutes the roof fell in, and in les3 than half-an-hour the whole was one smouldering mass. A subscription list has been opened and numerously signed to recompense Mr Youngman for his loss, TiMAiro Races.—We learn from the local paper, that a jockey club meeting was held at the Royal Hotel, on Saturday, for the purpose of drawing up a programme for the races, 18G9. It was decided to hold the races on the 3rd of February. The meeting deemed it advisable somewhat to curtail the programme ofracesnextyear,inordertomeettlie times, as it was thought that owing to the late disastrous fire, subscriptions would not be as large as formerly. A programme for one day's racing was then drawn up, and the meeting separated. The programme will be found in our advertising columns. Anniversary Day.—The town of Lyttelton looked very gay yesterday. From every flag-post bunting was flying, and all the ships in harbour were dressed with flags, The great attractions for viewing the ships in harbour brought large crowds of visitors into port. The weather being fine, the 10.30 train was crowded; nearly 400 persons were passengers by it, and many others were left behiud, The p.s. Betsy Douglas, and also the watermen's boats, were well patronised, to go off and see the Hylaspes and Blue Jacket, which had been thrown open for inspection by Captains Babot and White. Other visitors made their way to the Presbyterian bazaar at the Colonists' Hall, which at noon was well filled, A large number of persons arrived by the 12.30 train,and during the afternoon Fort received a considerable influx of visitors,

Concert.—We arc glad to say that Mr J. M. Thompson's benefit concert was a great success, notwithstanding the attractions elsewhere. The hall was nearly lllled, and the entertainment, on the whole, appeared to give full satisfaction The string band, under Mr lionnington's direction, performed two overtures, which were unquestionably the foremost feature of the concert. The waltz, " Paul ct Virginie," was admirably played. Mrs Thompson sang " I weep for Thee," very nicely, and with great expression; she was loudly applauded.and Miss Rowley was encored in "The Blind Girl's Song to her Harp." Mr Rowley, jmi,, favoured the audience with the flute solo, " Jenny Jones," with variations; his performance was not quite so successful as formerly t The second part of the entertainment consisted of comic and sentimental songs by the Christchurch Christy Ministrels, Albion - v. United Gantkrwiry.—This match was played yesterday in Uagley Park, The Albions having won the toss, sent to the wickels Maples and Wood to the bowling of Moore and Parkevson, It was not until fl.'i runs were scored, that Wood was run out, after a careful innings of 18. Alington followed, scoring 10, Maples at this point being caught at short leg by Stevens afler a finely played innings of 37. Odell made !i!l in good style, Hobhs, 12; which, with minor scores and extras, produced a total of 1 (10. The U.C.C.C. sent Ollivier and Collerill to represent tliem, Taylorcommencing the howling; his second ball dismissed Collerill, and from the next Hurley was well caught, one and two wickets thus falling for one run. Ollivier played steadily and well for 21, his being the eighth wicket down, Moore quickly ran up 14, but the other scores were small, The extras were 7, making altogether a total of 73. Being in a large minority, the U.C.C.C. followed their inuings, and at the drawing of the stumps at C.30," had made 74 for the loss of six wickets, Ollivier making 26, Harley 16, and Stevens, 11, The Albions thus won by 87 runs on the first innings. Score Albiou, 160 ; U.C.C.C. 73 and 74, with four wickets to fall.

Acoioknt.-Wc luve to record an accident, fortunately attended without lons of life, but which has destroyed the two large derricks at tho screw-pile jetty. It appears that the s.a. Moa, having received from the steamer Omco nor new boiler, weighing upwards of 9 tons, came alongside tho wharf to get it properly placed in tho hold. The two derricks were being employed in this work, when, without warning, they botli gave way. The cup of the jib at the cast end broke, carrying away the guys and chain. The upright pin of the shaft of the other broke, the large timbers being smashed like mateh wood. Several men were at work, hut ill escaped without any injury. The voscl and the boiler arc also uninjured. DAr,cnoY House, Ltttelton.—The annual examination of tho day scholars and boarders of this school took place on Monday and Tuesday in the school-room. The examination commenced on Monday by the Hev J. D, Ferguson, master, and was carried on all that day by written papers, and was finished by him on Tuesday, by an oral examination in the presence of the parents and visitors. The answers given by the scholars shewed that they had been thoroughly grounded iu their various studies, the answers especially in modern history and grammar being excellent. Some good specimens of maps, the work of the boys, were exhibited, and were deservedly praised by all present; the writing also was praiseworthy. After the examination, the boys were put through their drill by Sergt J. Kerr, drill instructor ; their inarching and counter-marcliing was very good, and the sword exercise reflected great credit on their instructor. The boys were thon marched into school, where the presentation of a number of handsome prizes took place. Mrs H. B, Webb kindly presented the prizes to the boys as follows : English-Class 4, W.F.Kuowles, 1 ; P. Birdling; Class 3, G. Birdlingj Class 2, W. Davis; Class l, W. J. Webb. History, Modcrn-W. Birdling; Ditto, Ancient—W. C. Drako. Writing—Senior—Class 1, F. Barker; Class 2, F. Birdling. Junior Class-H. P. Webb. Drawing-J. W, Mansfield. GrammarW. C. Drake, 1; W. F. Knowles,2. Geo-graphy-Senior-W. Birdling, 1; Best Maps —W. C. Drake and W. F. Knowles, equal; Extra prize—W. Mutton. Junior—H. J. Knowles. Arithmetic—Senior Class—W. F.

Knowles; Greatest number of marks for speed and accuracy in simple rules—W. Birdling; Class 2, G. G. Lanauze. Junior Class— C. Woledge. Latin—Senior Class—W. C. Drake; Second Class—L. Harris; Junior Class—G. C. Lanauze. Mathematics—W. F. Knowles; Extra prize, E. F. Wright. Military Drill—Steadiness in ranks—W. F.

Knowles ; Sword Exercise -W. Birdling, Bible Class-W. Birdling, 1; W. C.Drake, 2. Good Conduct-H. Hawkins. After the distribution had taken place, the scholars were addressed by the llcv. F. Knowles, who passed a very high eulogium on their master. The Rev. J. D. Ferguson also expressed his pleasure at hearing such an excellent examination; the progress the scholars had made during the past year in their studies was most satisfactory. He concluded by giving them a few words of good advice and counsel as to their future conduct in Me. Mr H. R, Webb also addressed the scholars, and expressed his gratification at the examination. Cheers were then given with hearty good-will by the boys for their master, and at the conclusion the Rev. J, D. Ferguson addressed the pupils in a few kind words, expressive of the pleasure he had received from the terms in which the progress of the scholars had been spoken of.

Who is Responsible ?—Under the above heading, the following letter, signed " History," appears in the Timaru Herald of Dec. 12:—A recent leading ariicle in the Press seeks to throw upon Mr Stafford the responsibility of not having provided a colonial military force sufficiently numerous and well organised to deal with the present native outbreak. The writer of that article must have forgotten an incident of the sessiun of 1866, which ought not to be foi gotten by the public at the present time, and of which I trust you will allow me to remind it. On the Blh August, 1866, the then Colonial Treasurer made his financial statement, in the course of which and in the estimates which accompanied it, he stated the amount of the force which the Government considered it necessary to establish f*r the purpose of colonial defence. This proposal was met by a series of resolutions, which were rn<>ved in a very able speech, and of which resolutions the following was one:-"That whilst this House recognises the duty of providing for the security of life and property and the maintenance of public peace in all parts of the colony, it doss not perceive the necessity for creating a permanent military force of the magnitude comeinpkted by the Government." This resolution never came to the vote (although it is well known tint it wouhl have been carried by a considerable majority), as the Ministry were defeated upon an amendment moved by Mr Muorhouse, The Ministry, which was by this means turned out of office, was the Ministry of Mr Stafford. The mover of this resolution was Mr FitzGerald. Who is, then, really responsible for our state of unpreparedness ?