TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2603, 8 May 1869, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Address.—An address was delivered in the Old Town Hall last night by DrMackern. There was a very large attendance, and the remarks of the speaker were most attentively listened to throughout. Whaling.—We understand that Mr Buchanan, of Ikolaki, and Messrs Wright, of Island Bay, Akaroa, have commenced whaling for the present season. We hope to have the pleasure of chronicling at the expiration of the season that success has attended this branch of industry in the province. Accident.—On Thursday afternoon as Mr J. Petersen was engaged on the schooner Emma Fatersen in trying to get her off a spit in the river, on which she is aground, a rope broke with which he was supporting himself, and he fell on the deck, breaking his leg. He is now progressing favourably. Magisterial.—At the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning Thomas Gamble was charged before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R. M., with having been at such a distance from his horse and cart as not to have proper control over them, and the facts of the case being proved, he was fined 10s and costs.

Stabbing.—A man, who has only been in Christchurch a few days, was stabbed in a brothel on Thursday night, and now lies in a precarious state at the hospital. The wound is in the left breast, and was considered so dangerous yekerday that the sufferer’s deposition was taken by the police. The matter will come before the ResidentMagistrate this morning. Oxford.—A fire occurred at this place on Wednesday night last, in the house near Kenrick’s Mill, in the occupation of Mr George Plaskett. The origin of it is not known, as Plaskett, his wife, and their two children were asleep at the time of its occurrence. The persons were aroused by the explosion of some gunpowder, which was kept in a flask on the mantelpiece in the sitting room. It was then perceived that the furniture of the bed was on fire, and, in escaping and saving his wife and children, Plaskett was severely burnt, everything he possessed being destroyed. Akaroa Literary Institute.—Captain G. H. Wilson gave a lecture on ElectroBiology, at the Town Hall, Akaroa, on Tuesday evening, the 4th inst., for the benefit of the funds of the above Institute. The attendance was numerous, but owing to the ill behaviour of a person on the platform, only one individual proved susceptible. Capt. Wilson informed the audience that he would deliver another lecture on the 6th inst., when he would take measures to preserve the audience and himself from annoyance. Mr C. L. Wiggins presided at the harmonium during the evening. South Selwyn School.—This building having been completed in a most satisfactory manner by the contractors, Messrs Rankin and : Greig, the committee, with the advice of the ladies, decided to have a tea meeting in aid of the funds, which took place on Tuesday evening, the 4th inst. There were about eighty persons present who partook of the variety of good things, so liberally provided by Mesdames Kidd, Graham, Stirling, Stuart, And Brown. Appropriate addresses were delivered by the Chairman, Mr Ellman, and others. The Treasurer stated that it was through the kindness of Mr Mawson advancing the amount required by the committee, that the buildings had been completed before the subscriptions were collected, but he was most happy to be - able to announce that he had got nearly all the subscriptions promised ; that Mr Mawson had been reimbursed in full; and that the proceeds of the meeting amounted to £7 2s 6d, which would reduce the debt on the buildings to £ll. On the motion of Mr Brown, a vote of thanks was most heartily accorded to the ladies for their kind assistance ; also to Messrs Mawson and Brooks, the latter having given the site for the buildings. Winter Readings.—The inauguration of the series in connection with the Colonists’ Society took place in their - hall on Thursday night. The evening was most inauspicious, a heavy sou’-west .gale blowing; but despite the rain, there was a good audience. The pieces given were well chosen by the various readers, and they were heartily applauded. The musical part of the programme was also ably carried out. Dr Donald, president, delivered the opening address. The programme-commenced with a reading by Mr Thomson—“ The Chignon;” it was excellently, read, and provoked great mirth. : Mr Carder sang “ Pulling hard against the stream,” whioh was encored. Mr J. T. Rouse read an amusing sketch exceedingly well, and was heartily applauded. A song, “ Let me .like a soldier fall,” was well sung by Mr Byrne, and. Mr Grange gave a reading with much effect. A song by Mr Carder followed, and Mr Jones gave a reading called “ The Gridiron,” which was capitally read. A comic song by Mr Woledge was vociferously encored, to which he responded. After another reading by Mr Thomson, and a song by Mr Ellisdon, the entertainment was concluded with a reading by Mr-Jones from Artemus Ward, which convulsed the audience. The President proposed a vote of thanks to the pianiste, which was carried by acclamation; he further stated thatlthe next reading would take place iu a fortnight.