TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2929, 30 May 1870, Page 3

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Football. —A scratch match was played on Saturday, Messrs Gordon and Hall being captains of sides. Mr T. Gordon kicked two goal*. Theatre Royal. —The attendance atjthe Theatre Royal on Saturday evening was very meagre. The present week will bring the season to a close. Miss Mathews’ benefit is fixed for to-morrow evening. Board of Conservators. The Board met on Saturday at one o’clock. Present: The Chairman, Messrs Fisher and Tosswill. Considerable discussion took place upon the works proposed above No. 2 embankment, the Board finally agreeing to meet to-day at 12 o’clock. Children’s Entertainment. —The first of the winter series took place in the Church of England School, Lyttelton, on Friday evening. There was a large number of Children present, and readings, suitable for them, were given by the Rev. F. Knowles and other gentlemen. Christchurch Musical Society. —This Society has arranged to produce Oratorio “ Eli ” upon the 17th of June. This work has been in rehearsal for some time, and, as much of the music is of a pleasing character, and is a novelty to a Christchurch audience, the performance will no doubt attract considerable attention. Christchurch Philharmonic Society.— A general meeting of the Christchurch Philharmonic Society was held at Gridley’s Rooms on Friday evening last, for election of officers. The following gentleman were elected Rev. Chas. Fraser, president; Mr Spensley, conductor ; Messrs Long, Moule, Lawson, J. Davis, W. Anthony, J. Dorn, and Pearce, committee. It was decided that practice will be held every Friday evening. Accident.— On Saturday evening, a man named Arthur Milsom was driving three horses in a dray on the Papanui Road, when opposite Mr Peacock’s, the horses bolted, and in endeavouring to stop them, the driver was knocked down, the wheel of the dray passing over him. Mr C. W. Turner being aware of the accident, sent his man for Dr. Turnbull, who was promptly in attendance upon the sufferer. He was ultimately conveyed to the Hospital, and is now considered out ofdanger. A Babb Bird. —A white woodhen was captured about a week ago on the Four Peaks Run by one of Mr Walker’s shepherds. This beautiful bird is pure white, without a single coloured feather, the legs and bill being of a very much brighter red than those of the ordinary “ weka.” The shepherd (Ross) who caught it has it now in confinement, where it is doing remarkably well. We think it would be a pity if the Acclimatisation Society should fail to secure this rarity, as it is the first yet heard of, and suggest that a premium should be offered to obtain so valuable a specimen. Peebbleton.— A gentleman owning to the facetious title of “Mr Punch,” kindly gave an entertainment in the schoolroom on Thursday evening, for the benefit of the school funds. There were about sixty persons present. The roars of laughter which greeted the eccentric performances of Mr Punch and his wife Judy, shewed that even in this far corner of the earth, English children still retain the partiality of their forefathers for this amusing exhibition. Mr Thomas Helms added greatly to the effect of the performance, by playing several lively tunes on a violin. At the conclusion of the entertainment a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Punch for his services. Sefton Election.— Mr F. Melville Walker met the electors of the Sefton district at Saltwater Creek on Friday night. His address was mainly a repetition of that given at Leithfield. In answer to a question by Mr Moore, whether he would consent to a reserve of another 20,' 'OO acres for educational purposes, Mr Walker said that he was willing to do so if found necessary. In answer to another question by Mr Alexander Cameron, whether he would recommend a vote to be placed on the estimates for dredging or otherwise keeping open the navigation of Saltwater Creek, he answered that he should certainly do so until the completion of the Northern Railway, and he considered alight rail of average speed—l2 miles would be ample for some years to come. Maori Feast at Akaroa. Wirehau Harihoma, the native chief of Onukou, Akaroa, gave hii annual entertainment in commemoration of his son’s natal day, on Thursday, the 26th inst. The attendance of guests, both Maori and European, was numerous, and the bill of fare, consisting of geese, pigeons, pork, and mutton, with the usual additions, was, judging by appearKnces, great! y appreciated, as the comestibles rapidly disappeared under the onslaught that was made upon them. After the dinner was over, dancing was commenced, and kept up with spirit to the music of a concertina. The civility and attention of the natives to their guests certainly deserved more than the thanks which was awarded them lor their courtesy. . , , Christy Minstrels. A varied and attractive programme had the effect or bringing together a very large audience on Saturday night. Most of the performance* were vociferously applauded, and many of them encored. It is the intention of the management to give an entertainment in aid of the Orphan Asylum prior to the departure of the troupe from Christchurch.

Mandetillb Ruction.—Mr Beswick met the electon at ffifaton, in the School-room, on Friday •ventoljjMi Captaia ton in the chair. Thar* wMflWfjtr a small attttadaacr Mr Beswick mUf rated his views oh immigration, education, the Northern Bailway, and the flrafl nuisance, and answered several quenK|ltfttt by electors. Mr Dixon, who was present, spoke briefly on most of the questions. Mr Moffat proposed, Mr Chilton seconded, and it was carried unanimously, “ That Messrs Beswick and Dixon are lit and proper persons to represent the Mandeville district in the Provincial Council.” A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. The nomination of candidates takes place at the school-room, Woodend, to-day. Lancashire Bell-Ringers. —The opening night of these performers at the new Music Hall, Cathedral square, was hardly so successful as might fairly have been anticipated, so far as the attendance was concerned. The entertainment, however, merited a much larger measure of support. In addition to the bellringers, whose wonderful performances were so highly appreciated on the occasion of their first visit to Christchurch, the company comprises Miss M. A. Liddle, who possesses a good voice and sings ballads very well, and Mr W. H. Hilton, whose forte is comic signing. Miss Liddle impressed the audience very favourably by her singing of “ The Blind Girl to her Harp,” which was encored. “ Dennot Asthore,” which was sung in response, was decidedly the best of her performances during the evening. Throughout the entertainment, the applause was most demonstrative, and the encores were frequent and well deserved. The company will re-appear to-night.

Winter Readings.— The Colonists’Hall was well filled on Friday evening last to hear the second of the series, which had been postponed from the previous week on account of the inclemency of the weather. Mr H. R. Webb, Vice-President of the Society, took the chair. He said it was usual on these occasions for the chairman to give a short address, and he thought he could not do better than to urge upon those present the claims of the institute to support. He was sorry to see so few townspeople members of this valuable Society. He had been Jasked a short time| since by some persons in the town if he would form a Working Man’s Institute, and to this he had replied that he did not see the necessity of such an institute when they had the Colonist Society. He wished to impress on all the fact that there was no cliqueism in this Institute ; all who subscribed and became members enjoyed its privileges alike. The committee intended to form a debating society, free to all members, and where questions of importance could be discussed. A French class, in connection with the Institute, had been commenced, under the tuition of Mr Beechey, and he was glad to learn that a number of ladies attended the afternoon class ; and he hoped the evening class would be as successful; if there were suf| ficient members a singing class and a mathematical class would be formed during the winter months. Lectures would also be given by gentlemen of well-known ability. The programme of the evening commenced withan instrumental selection, which was well played by Mr Horsfield’s band. Dr Campbell gave a reading from Dickens. This piece, although lengthy, was very well given. Mr Crosbie followed with a pretty ballad, and was encored. Mr F. J. Garrick gave a reading, which was excellently delivered and heartily applauded. A pianoforte duet by Mrs Ellisdon and Miss Hargreaves was excellently rendered, and wa? encored. Mr G. McKay sang, “ When the kye come hame,” and was encored, to which he responded with “Little Fan.” Mr Wilkin’s recitation was well given, and he met with a hearty round of applause. The chairman apologised for Mr Woledge who was indisposed, but his place was ably filled by Mr Ellis lon, who gave a song in his usual excellent style, which received an encore. Mr Crosbie gave a short reading, the band played a glee, “ Springs Delights,” Mr Boileau 7 sonn. wtiicn was dneorea, ana Mr Fyfe s reading was well received. The evening’s entertainment was brought to a close by the hand playing the National Anthem.