SOCIAL SUMMARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2604, 10 May 1869, Page 1 (Supplement)

SOCIAL SUMMARY.

It is stated that quartz containing gold has been found in the Malvern Hills, but the locale of the discovery has not been ascertained. Mr George Osburn, of Saxon farm, Ferry Road, has thrashed from a six-acre paddock 426 bushels of wheat, making an average of 71 bushels to the acre. The foundations of the museum in the Domain have been commenced, and a large quantity of building material is already on the ground. The public subscription amounts to £443. The births of one hundred and one children were registered In the Christchurch district during the month of April, 1869—males, 52 ; females, 49. The deaths during the same period were 22. Mr Whitelaw met with an accident at the fiax mill near the Girder Bridge, Kaiapoi. While attempting to place one of the leather bands over a drum of the machinery, he was drawn bodily over the machine, his right arm being broken in two places near the wrist. The flax mill erected at Saltwater Creek by Messrs Favitt, commenced operations on April 5. The mill turns out about a ton of fibre weekly, but as the steam power is ample, additions to the machinery are contemplated by which a much larger quantity will be produced.

The new committee recently appointed to conduct the affairs of the Literary Institute are determined to do all in their power to render it more attractive and remunerative than it has hitherto been. They have decided to set a room apart for the meetings of members of a chess club, and have fixed the subscription at a moderate figure. In a Provincial Gazette, the traffic returns of the railways for five weeks, ending March 31 are given. The total amount received on the Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway was £3072 7s 3d. On the Great Southern Railway the amount was £2515 7s Bd. Compared with the corresponding month in 1868 the gross revenue of the railways shows an improvement of £794 Os 6d. An accident happened in Cashel street, on April 30. Cowan’s coach had started for Southbridge, and had proceeded as far as the Al Hotel, when the horse which Dr Willis, of Opawa, was riding, shied, and came in collision with the coach. Dr Willis was thrown to the ground, and received some severe injuries, which caused his death. An inquest has been held, and a verdict of “ accidental death ” returned.

The Lyttelton Choral Society gave their second concert of the season in the Colonists’ Hall, on April 13. The first part was composed of sacred music, consisting of selections from the “ Messiah,” “ Creation,” and “ Elijah.” The second part of the programme consisted of secular music. The concert, which was well attended, showed an improvement upon the previous one given by the society. We recently stated that the arbitrators appointed to settle the liabilities of Canterbury under the Act passed last session of the Assembly, had gone up to Wellington to meet the umpire, Mr Fitz Gerald. This was rendered necessary, from the fact that they could not agree. It now turns out that, the Act having been very clumsily drawn, the umpire cannot give his decision for two months.

The directors of the Lincoln Fair Company have decided upon a plan for their yards ; they have chosen the site, and tenders will shortly be invited for their erection. They will be on a very large scale, and as complete and convenient as possible. It is also intended to erect a suitable office for the transaction of business. The shares have been largely distributed since they were first taken up, and there is now hardly a large farmer in the neighbourhood but has a pecuniary interest in the success of the undertaking. A numerously attended meeting of persons interested in the formation of a company for the preparation of flax on the chemico-mechanical principle, has been held. A. Florance, surgeon, presided, and Mr Woodford acted as secretary pro tern. The chairman gave an explanation of the solvent which he proposed should be used by the company. A prospectus was discussed, adopted, and ordered to be printed for distribution. It is proposed to raise 500 shares, at £6 each.

The promised treat to the children of Lyttelton took place on May 1. The children, numbering nearly 600, proceeded to Mr Ward’s paddock, where for two hours they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They were, afterwards marched back to the schools, where an excellent tea had been prepared for them. The National Anthem was sung, three cheers were given for the Queen, Prince Alfred, and also for Mr G. Holmes and the Borough Council, who had contributed largely towards the treat. In the evening, the children assembled in the Colonists’ Hall, where they witnessed a series of dissolving views.

A concert, which was] held in the Town Hall, under the patronage of his Honor the Superintendent, in aid of the widow and children of the late James Malcolm, realised upwards of £2O. Dennis Devine, a farmer on the Mount Grey Downs, met his death on May 4, under the following circumstances. It appears that he was crossing the Saltwater Creek bridge driving a horse in a dray, and when he met a horseman, who was proceeding at a foot pace, the horse in the dray took fright and bolted. The deceased stuck to the reins, and falling, the wheel passed over, his bead, crushing the skull. Death was instantaneous. An inquest was held at the Northport Tavern, before M. Morris, Esq., district coroner, when a verdict of “ Accidental Death” was returned.

On April 22, the day of the arrival of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, the railways carried 1563 passengers to Christchurch, 897 of whom were from Lyttelton. On April 23, the first day on which the Galatea was open to the public, 2397 tickets, principally return, were issued on the Lyttelton and Christchurch line ; and 1980, also principally return, on the South line. The greater part of these was for the Racecourse. On April 24, 2517 return tickets were issued on the Lyttelton and Christchurch line, and 162 on the South line. The gross number of passengers carried over both lines on the three days was : —April 22, 3126 ; 23, 8457 ; 24, 5358 ; total, 16,941. The gross receipts were £B4O 2s Bd. As the South coach was starting from the Ashburton recently, one of the swingletree fastenings gave way, and so frightened the horses as to cause them to bolt. They galloped several times round the open ground in the centre of the township, carrying away two veranda posts from Turton’s Hotel, and doing other damage. The reins were jerked out of the driver’s hands, and he was thrown from the box shortly after the horses broke away, but Thomas Hughes, one of the grooms, seized the reins of the near pole horse, and the horses were stopped by the bystanders. There were three passengers in the coach, but the only injuries sustained were by the driver, who received a slight abrasion on the face and a bruised arm.

A meeting of the Hospital Chaplaincy Committee was held at the City Council Chamber on April 12. Present —The Very Rev. Dean Jacobs (chairman), Rev. Canon Wilson, S. Bealey, George Hart, and Douglas. Mr Gordon (hon. sec.) said that Mr Back and Mr Hanmer would commence to canvass their district' next day. The Chairman stated that he had procured 150 printed circulars and had sent some of them through the various districts. Mr Bealey and Mr Douglas handed in a list of subscriptions (some of them annual) amounting to about £36. Mr Cobb and Mr Wilson handed in their list, containing annual subscriptions to the amount of £3l 10s, The total amount subscribed up to the present time is £l2O. A deputation will shortly wait upon the Government, in furtherance of the object before the Committee. A treat in connection with the Lincoln school was held in the Presbyterian Church, Lincoln. The children were provided with tea by some friends and teachers. Trays were provided by several ladies, and the bachelors also contributed liberally in furnishing a table. After tea, the Rev. J. Campbell gave an address, and made some appropriate remarks on the great advantages of a training in a Sabbath school. Mr T. A. Pannett, the superintendent, read a report, showing the children under tuition to be about 30, which is looked on as a satisfactory state of affairs, considering the short time the school has been opened. There were -ala* lu. teachers. After-some addresses had been delivered, the Lincoln choir sang some anthems very creditably, and the people present adjourned to the schoolroom, where an entertainment with the magic lantern, under the superintendence of the Rev. C. Fraser, was provided.