TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2525, 5 February 1869, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Inter-provincial CRiciCEr Match. —TheOtago Eleven arrived by the John Penn last night. St Albans.—A Concert will be given in the Schoolroom on Monday next, in aid of the Band of Hops drum aud fife band. Coke Boating Club.—The usual monthly meeting of the club was held on Wednesday evening at the Pier Hotel, Mr C. Sims (commodore) in the chair. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The secretary reported that the alterations, as directed, had been made to the Tui. The four-oared prize from Lyttelton had not yet been received. The Kaiapoi prize would be paid in a day or two. Mr Burnip moved, and Mr Wright seconded, a cordial vote of thanks to Capt M'Lellan, of the s.s. Gazelle, for his kindness in taking charge of the boat after the Port regatta and bringing her up free of expense. -/The motion was carried unanimously. Mr W. Burnip was appointed custodian of the boats and property of the club. Volunteer General Committee.—The ordinary monthly meeting of members was held at the Criterion Hotel last night, present: Cornet Slee (chairman), Captain Hawkes, Sergeant Brass, Corporal Manning, Sapper Barnes, Private Hebden, Trooper Judge, and Mr Tippetts (hon. sec.) The Secretary reported that he had written to the officers commanding No. 8 Company, C.R.V., and St John's Cadet Corps, respecting the use of the rifle range, and representation on the committee, but had not received a reply. The Secretary was repeated to write again on the subject, and also to ask for the contribution due by them towards the lighting of the. Drill Shed. Several accounts were presented for payment, and the funds being inadequate to meet them, a conversation accrued on the financial position of the committee, the Secretary being eventually requested to apply to the respective corps for the subscriptions now overdue. Horticultural Society—A meeting of the committee was held at the Town Hall side-room, last evening. Mr William Wilson presided. Several accounts having been passed, it was decided that the next exhibition should be held in Coker's gardens on the 25th instant, and that the gates should be opened and closed at the same hours as on former occasions. The following judges were appointed-Pot plants, Messrs Lowe, Armstrong, and H. 11. Webb; Cut flowersMessrs Bunting, Turner, and Chudley j Fruit and Vegetables-Messrs Ivory, Barker, and Wilson. Stewards: for Pot plants and Cut flowers-Messrs Stewart and Milne; Fruit and Vegetables-Messrs Elliott and Hislop. Messrs St Quentin, Stewart, and Norman were appointed as a sub-committee of management of the details of the exhibition. It was resolved that the annual dinner be held on the evening of the show day, Feb. 25. In the caseof the protest of M r Spicer, the award of the judgeswas confirmed, but it was decided that special entries must be made for all extra prizes. In acknowledgment of a letter from the Secretary of Public Works, the Secretary of the Society was empowered to destroy the thistles on the society's grounds, Some good spikes of hollyhocks were exhibited by Mr Booth.

Lincoln Road Board.—The Board met on Tuesday, at six o'clock in the evening, the members present being Messrs Knight, Dawson, and G. : Craighead. In the absence of the Chairman, Mr Dawson was voted to the chair. The; Surveyor's report was read. It was resolved to deepen Townsend's drain, and to continue the same further through the swamp, also to board up the lower end, which was continually slipping in. Tenders were opened for works on the Tramway road and drain; but being too high it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Surveyor to let, if possible. The Surveyor stated that he had written to the Secretary for Public Works respecting thistles growing on the Tramway reserve, and lo the Chairman of the Halswell Road Board with reference to the proposed bridge across the river Halswell. Several accounts were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned to the 2nd of March, at two o'clock. Avonside Church.—A meeting of parishioners was held in the schoolroom last night, for the purpose of considering matters bearing upon the appointment of an incumbent. Mr W. Kennaway occupied the chair, and upwards of thirty gentlemen were in attendance. The chairman, after explaining the business on hand, said the Right Rev. the Primate of New Zealand had intimated that a sum of at least £2lO per annum would have to be guaranteed before he could call upou the board of nominators to act, and the principal matter was, therefore, to consider how this could be done. A lengthened discussion ensued, and it was ultimately resolved, on the motion of Mr Hennah, seconded by Mr Carruthers, that it was desirable to appoint an incumbent, and that the vestry and a committee, consisting of Messrs Laine, C Cuff, Moule, and Ness, should be appointed to canvass for the necessary subscriptions. A list was also opened in the room, when upwards of £BO was subscribed; and after discussing some other unimportant parochial affairs, the meeting adjourned, Entertainment.—An entertainment took place at St. Luke's School-room, last evening, in aid of the funds, and was largely attended The Rev. E. Pember presided. The entertainment was opened by a glee, sung by the church choir. Mr W. Ueeves followed with a reading, entitled "How I became a Yeoman," from Blackwood. He stated that the length of the piece rendered it necessary that he should divide the reading into two parts, reserving one half for the latter portion of the programme. The story is very humourously written, and the manner in which it was read did not detract from its merits. That portion referring to the first parade of the yeoman, more especially, drew forth roars of laughter. The only drawback was, that Mr Reeves had not mastered the peculiar dialect with which the story is interspersed. The quartette'< Take Care," was loudly applauded, as was also the pianoforte duet which followed. Mrs Pember, whohasasweet.butby no means astrong voice, was deservedlyapplauded inthe song « Cherry Ripe." The Rev F. Pember read Tennyson's " Dora " as it ought to be read, and the reading was attentively listened to and the reader warmly applauded. The choir opened the second part of the entertainment with " The Men of Harlech:" and a duett (pianoforte and violin) byMrs;HamiltonandMr A. Lean, followed. The Lullaby was encored, and both it and the trios were sung in good time. The entertainment was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem, The ladies and gentlemen who took part in it can congratulate themselves upon the success of the entertainment, and it must "be a source of greater satisfaction to them that they were promoting the cause of education before so large an audience.

Public Amusement Committee,—A meeting of the lluial Sports and Popular Entertainments Committees (amalgamated), was held at the City louncil Chambers, at 430 p.m. yesterday. His Worship the Mayor presided, and the other gentlemen in attendance were Messrs Wynu Williams, Jameson, W. Wilson, St Quentin, Ollivier. Captain Wilson, Crosbie, Hesketh, Gordon, and Alport. The statement of accounts, submitted by the honorary treasurer was received, on the motion of Mr Ollivier It was moved by Mr Ollivier, seconded by Mr Wilson, and agreed to-" That the amalgamated committees be styled the Popular Amusement and Entertainment Association, and that the following gentlemen be elected: 1 atron, his Honor the Superintendent; President, his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch; Vice-President*, the Bight He v. the 1 nmate of New Zealand; his Honor Mr Justice Gresson, the Dean of Christchurch, the Kcv.Chas Eraser, the Eev. J.O'B.Hoare, and Mr William Montgomery. Committee— The Kevds E. A. Lingard, and J. W. Habens, Messrs Wynn Williams, Jameson, Capt Wilson, Crosbie, Hesketh, St, Quentin, A Lean, J. Ollivier, McCardell, C. C. Bowen, Bird, and L. G. Cole (with power to add to their number), treasurers, Messrs Wilson and Alport; honorary secretary.Mr Gordon, who, together with the patron, president, and vicepresidents, shall be ex-officio members of all committees." Mr Ollivier moved the next resolution, which was carried, as follows : - "That the honorary secretary be requested to write to the gentlemen whose names have been proposed as vice-presidents and members of the committee, and request their acceptation of the offices to which they have been elected." It was moved by Mr Crosbie, seconded by Mr Jameson, and agreed to:- " That Messrs Ollivier and Gordon be requested to audit the accounts of the committees, and to take an inventory of the stock, and report at the next meeting." Raxgioka and Mandeviue Koadßoakd -An ordinary meeting was held at the Board office on Monday, Mr G. L. lee presiding, and Messrs Bowron, Clark, Dixon and Pearce present. The chairman reported that the £91)0 voted for the district would, in the event of a division, be equitably apportioned between the two. The surveyor reputed that two creeks on the Cust and Mundeville division road would either have to be bridged or fords made, and a cutting made in a terrace. Several contracts had been completed, and permission was asked to employ two men to clear the channel of the Tl fe , o .'i e approach a,ld a P or t'on of Uutts Mill bridge had given away, and he did not consider the proposed new site any better than the present one. Repairs _ necessary to re-open the communication, and estimate of cost were given <_>n the Eyreton direct road the most essential requirement was a bridge across the north branch of the Waimakariri. Particulars and estimates of cost were given. The report was considered, and the following resolutions adopted: That the Board would not expend further funds on the division road: That fio be expended in clearing the main dram: That a final contribution of £4O be given towards maintaining ('outts' Mill Bridge, provided that those interested in it subscribe a like sum, the work to be commenced as soon as the latter is in the Chairman's hands. The Surveyor was directed to give Mr Rowe notice to remove all impediments to the natural flow of water on section 9942, and fill up a ditch thereon Ihe culvert on the Eyreton road was ordered to be replaced at a cost of £4 lus. Estimates were ordered to be prepared of the cost of keeping the main roads in repair, and for any other probable road works, during the year. Estimates and specifications were also ordered to be prepared for providing for tramc on the Eyreton direct rond £l2 10s was reported to have been spent, on the authority of the chairman, in lengthening the approach to the Cust bridge, and it Avas approved. The Surveyor was directed to apply to the Cust Board for an interchange of district maps, and also to to re; ort on the top cross drain. Letters were read from Mr Greenwood, complaining that no steps had been taken with reference to persons diverting the water from his mill race, and asking that something should be done at once. The Surveyor was directed to recommend him to lay the matter before his solicitor Prom Mr J. C. Boys calling attention to thistles in the Rangiora swamp. The Board were of opinion that owners of adjoining <and ought to informagainst them, Apetition, asking for the opening of the Cam road was referred to the Surveyor to report upon and he was directed to attend to the drainage on the Ohoka Drain road, and also report on the Eyre main drain and the Oxford main road from Fernside school to I the Cust. The following tenders forworki

were accepted:—Belcher and Co., for timber at 13s per 100; Humphries and Co,, forming Eyreton road near White's farm, at 19s 6d per chain. The Surveyor was directed to make Belcher and Co, an offer for the whole cargo of timber mentioned in their letter. A number [of accounts was passed, and the meeting adjourned,

The General Assembly.—The Auckland Herald of Jan. 30 has the following:—" We understand from good authority that the General Assembly will be called together in March next, for the purpose of passing a Money Bill, so as to enable ministers to meet the war expenditure, It is also stated o the same authority, that the business for ivliich the Assembly was culled together having been completed, a dissolution will take place.

Colonel Whitmoke,—A good deal having at different times been said about Colonel Whitmore's antecedents, we give the following, on the authority of the Hawk's Ban Times, as having been taken from the British Army Gazette:—" Major Whitmore served in the latter part of the Kaffir war in 1847. Was in the action of Boem Plaits and defeat cf the Insurgent Boers in 1848. Served throughout the Knfflrwar in 1851-52, and was present with the 2nd Division in nearly every affair, including the storming of the Iron Mountain. Commanded Sir Harry Smith's escort from March to Nov. 1851, during which time he was repeatedly employed as a staff officer with the columns on patrol. Acted as Major of Brigade to the 2nd Divwon from Nov. 1851, to Oct. 1852 i and as Brigade Major to the Cavalry Brigade in the Expedition under Sir George Cathcart, ending in the battle of Berea. He has had two horses shot under mm in action, and has been repeatedly thanked in Brigade and Division Orders, as well as in the General Orders of Sir H. Smith and of Sir G. Cathcart. Medal, Brevet Major and 4th Class of the Medjidie, for Service with the Turkish Contingent."