TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2606, 12 May 1869, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Cantebbtobt Waste Lands.—A very valuable and interesting table relating to the above will be found in another column. Accident. — A serious accident occurred on Monday, to Mr McGrath, of the Ohoka Flax Mill. He was crossing a plank in rear of the mill wheel, when he slipped and his arm being drawn into the wheel, was braised up to the shoulder. . . Old Chess Club. A largely attended meeting of this club was held at the Literary Institute last night, for the purpose of dis; cussing future operations, but it was ultimately adjourned .without any decision being arrived at until Tuesday evening next. Springs Road Boabd. —A meeting of the Board was held on Tharsday, the members present being Messrs Pannett (chairman) Goodwin, Bourn and Gamraack. The Surveyor reported that the following works were in progress : —Forming and metalling of Maddeson’s Hoad, and metalling of Waterholes Bond, the clearing of L 1 River, and the

formation of Day’s Road, and Kimber’s Road, and that men had been put on to clear the drains and repair the roads. The rate list was inspected, and signed by the chairman, and the rate ordered to be collected forthwith. It was determined to apply to the Government for a portion of the grant for main roads on account of the Lceston Road, and to petition his Honor the Superintendent to prevent the erection of the proposed tollgate on the Riccarton Road. Sundry accounts were passed for payment, and the Surveyor was ordered to advertise for tenders for further works on the L 1 River, and see to the drainage on Bethel’s Road, and have Gould’s Road repaired with shingle, also to repair the direction posts. The Board then adjourned till the Bth of June. Lincoln Road Board, — A meeting of ratepayers called for the purpose of electing a member to serve on the Lincoln Road Board, in the room of Mr G. Craighead was to have been held on Tuesday, the 4th, but as only five ratepayers were present it was decided to postpone the election till the Ist of June. Immediately on the adjournment of the ratepayers’ meeting, the usual monthly meeting of the Board was held, the members present being Messrs J. N. Tosswill (chairman) Dawson, W. Craighead and A. C. Knight. The Surveyor reported that the works at the Tramway drain were progressing favourably, but that the contractors had applied for an extension of time. The works at Townsend’s drain were also being pushed forward, and culverts had been made for Marsh’s and Horrel’s gullies. Letters from the Templeton Road Board, respecting the proposed toll-gate on the Riccarton Road, and from the Government refusing to pay the costs incurred by the Board in clearing thistles from a Government reserve were read. It was stated by the Chairman that he had been summoned to appear in the Magistrates’ Court as defendant in the case Roskruge versus Lincoln Road Board. Mr Fussel applied to have about two chains of road made, but the Board declined to accede to the request, as they had already spent about £ls for his sole benefit. The following works were ordered to be carried out as soon as funds were available for the purpose. Forming Shand’sßoad by Butler’s, and metaling the same ; widening Knight’s Road, clearing main drain, clearing Blackler’s creek, and draining Osborne’s Road. The Surveyor was ordered to lay out a drain from the mouth of Dawson’fc Creek to the Tramway drain as soon as the latter work was sufficiently advanced. A rate list after the rate of 6d in the £ was ordered to be prepared. The Board then adjourned till the Ist of June.

Concert.— Last night Mr Waddingtpn paid a graceful parting tribute to St. John’s Church, by a concert carried out most successfully in the Town Hall. His services as organist, have been highly esteemed by the parishioners, and this last endeavour to add a most desirable improvement to the church on the eve of his departure for England will not readily be forgotten. As could only be expected, an excellent programme was offered, and the attendance was almost beyond the capacities of the hall. The body of the building was so crowded that standing room was scarcely available, and the gallery over the platform had to be thrown open to the audience. By this means, accommodation was provided for all, and but little real inconvenience was felt. The concert opened with commendable punctuality, and to the credit of the management be it said was carried through without hitch or delay of any kind. A piano overture from “ Zampa,” arranged for eight hands, by Carl Beutel, was the opening piece, and was played in excellent unison by Mr Waddington with Mrs Hamilton, and Mr Simms with Mrs Hawdon. It was loudly applauded, and Haydn’s symphony No 7, played by them in the second _jpart was characterised by the same success, narrowly escaping an encore. The part song “Departure” from Mendelssohn by the St John’s choir, numbering twenty voices, was commenced somewhat unsteadily, but improving as it progressed and the voices being well sustained, it received a round of applause. The chorus, “ 0 hail us, ye Free,” from Ernani, given at a later period of the evening, was scarcely so well, rendered. “ Blest Saint of Heaven,” from Auber, and the glee “ Now Tramp o’er Moss and Fell” met with approval. Mr Carder sang “The Stirrup Cup” and “ Thou art so near, and yet so far,” with hit usual musical care. Mr Simms played a fantasia Thalberg’s Dorn Juan, on the pianoforte in a masterly manner, and was enthusiastically encored. In response he gave “ Reverie,” by Schumann, with no less clearness and nicety of touch. Mrs Hornbrook sung Balfe’s “ Power of Love ” so as to give full effect to this charming composition, which was not lost upon the audience. Miss Taylor was encored for a sparkling fantasia on the concertina from “ William Tell,” and in reply, gave another from “ Don Pasquale,” A fantasia from “ Somnambula ” in the second part of the programme was received as favourably as that in the first part. Mr H. Thompson was freely applauded for his rendering of Beethoven’s “ Adelaida ” —a most trying composition to the singer. Mr Wilson, C. 8., was encored for his flute solo, and Mr Ellisdon, who is new to Christchurch, contributed Blockley’s song “Nil Desperandum ” in a manner worthy of the encore awarded him. He has a good voice, and combines musical knowledge with clear expression. He sang “ The Village Blacksmith,” in answer to the encore. Miss Ward, also appearing for the first time in the city, rendered “ The Lover and the Bird” with great taste and sweetness. She possesses a beautiful soprano voice, which with more cultivation will be a valuable acquisition at our concerts. Mr Zeesler although labouring under the effects of a severe cold, sung “Ah che la morte ” with an evident knowledge of the music, and under other circumstances it would have been a prominent item in the programme, as he possesses a voice of considerable merit. The National Anthem concluded the concert. It should be stated that Mr Waddington played the accompaniments to all the songs, and the concertina fantasia.

Meeting at Flaxton.—A meeting of ratepayers, convened by the chairman of the Rangioraand Mandeville Road Board, was held on Monday evening last, the Hon. G. L. Lee, by virtue of hit office, occupying the chair. There were only about 30 persons present. The chairman said that the object of the meeting was, to elicit from the ratepayers an expression of opinion as to the desirability or otherwise of separating the district into two "portions. A bill had been passed by the Provincial Council last session in order to effect this, but it bad since ap- , peared that it was beyond the power of that body to legislate in the matter. It was now proposed to pass a new Ordinance which, in most particulars, was a consolidation of existing Ordinances, and get it validated in the General Assembly. When, last session, Messrs J. E. Brown and M. Dixon brought in the Ordinance for separation, it took him by surprise ; however, with the short consideration he was able to give at the time, he had thought best to agree to it. He had remained under that impression till recently, and, as he had some doubts whether separation was the wish of the ratepayers or not, he thought it better to invite an expression of opinion from them on the subject. He also referred at some length to the movement in Rangiora, to get that town modea borough, which would very materially affect the proposed division, and would leave one portion of it so small that it would be doubtful if it could raise funds enough to carry on works in the district Mr Lee then adverted to some new points in the proposed bill, one clause of which provides tor the division of a district into wards, each to return its own members, on a petition of a certain number-of ratepayers, in order to ensure a fair representation of all _ parts of the district. There were also gome improvements in the mode of raising special rates. A discussion of an extremely desultory character ensued, in which Messrs Dixon, Fercival, Blackett, T. Wilson, Clark, and Threlkeld, took part; the three former gentlemen arguing in favour of, and the three Utter against, separation. On the one band the unwieldiness of the present district was argued in favour of separation, and that at elections the majority of the members were certain to be returnea

from the neighbourhood of; the Road Board office. That the cost of Managing several small districts would not be greater than a large one. Also, that a majority of the ratepayers were in favour of separation. On the other hand the greater cost of managing a number of small districts was urged. It was contended that the ward system contemplated in the new ordinance would ensure a fair representation oil all parts of the district, and that this might also be effected by holding the election and meetings of the Board at a central place—take Flaxton, instead of in the midst of a large centre of population like llangiora. Also, that as the older settled portions of the district had got their main roads made, and which had been chargeable against the whole, it was right that they should pay their quota towards making roads in the remaining portion. Mr Percival proposed, and Mr Dixon seconded, “ That in the opinion of this meeting the interests of the district will be best served by its being divided into two parts, according to the division laid down in the bill passed by the Provincial Council last session. A discussion ensued as to this being the best boundary line, as it divided the swamp district into two portions. Ultimately the mover and seconder agreed to allow that portion of the resolution fixing the division line to be expunged. The motion as amended was put and lost. Mr Threlkeld moved, Mr Clark seconded, and it was carried, “ That it is advisable that all elections of members and meetings of the Road Board be held as near the centre of the district as possible. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings.