SOCIAL SUMMARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2929, 30 May 1870, Page 4 (Supplement)

SOCIAL SUMMARY.

tin May 19 the annual soiree of St. Paul’s Presbyterian church was held in the Town Hall. There were upwards of 400 present at the tea, and at the meeting subsequently held the Hall was crowded.

Mr W. H. Pilliett has been appointed a Resident Magistrate for the district of Akaroa, and Reg stration and Keturni g Officer for the election of members of the House of Representatives for the same district. A presentation, consisting of a silver tea and coffee service, has been made to Mrs W. Todd by the ladies of Lincoln. The service was supplied by Messrs Petersen and Co., and bore the following inscription :—“ Presented to Mrs William Todd as a mark of esteem, by a few lady friends.—Lincoln, May, 1*70."

The Canterbury Jockey Club have altered the time of holding the annual race meeting. The race* are now fixed to come off on Nor. 7 8, and 10. The programme is the same as that of last year, but the three mile race has been reduced to two and a quarter miles. We bare seen a sample of flax prepared without the use of machinery. The fibre has been simply boiled and scutched, and was equal, if not superior, to the general quality of machine-dressed. It is stated that it can be prepared for about £8 per ton. At the Heathcote annual parish meeting, it was shown that the receipts for the year were £355 13s, and the expenditure £364 Us 7d. Messrs Hassal and March were elected churchwardens ; yestrymen—Messrs Ensor, Konnawsy, Williams, Cobb, Garland, Davis, Clarke, Hargood, Sandford, and Huddleston. A society for the purpose of the improvement of its members in modern classical music has been formed, under the title of the Mendelssohn Society. Dr Prins is president, and Mr John Parker director. The first effort of the society was the performance of “ Athalie,” which was rendered with considerable success for a first attempt. On May 5 the residence of the Rev. J, W. Stack, at the Maori pah, near Woodend, was totally destroyed by fire. The Maori school and Catechists’ room, which adjoined the building, were also totally destroyed. The fire originated in the nursery, but from what cause we have not been able to ascertain. The fire spread so rapidly that a large portion of the household property was consumed, the buildings were not insured, and Mr Stack, we regret to say, will be a very heavy loser in consequence.

At a meeting of the Philosophical Institute Dr Powell submitted a paper on Latrodectus Katipo, the poisonous spider of New Zealand. Mr Nottidge bad fonud a black spider with red spots—a rare species in the Southern Island—in the Maori Bush at Kaiapoi, and Dr Powell had identified it with the Katipo of the North Island, also averring that its bite was poisonous, as those of the same species found in Southern Europe and America were invariably so. A very interesting discussion took place, during whi h Mr Meinertzhiigen, a visitor, said the spider was precisely similar to the Kapito known amongst the Maoris in the North Island. We have had the privilege of inspecting four water-colour views of the Lake Coleridge district, executed by Mr Barraud, of Wellington, for Mr Oakden. In every respect they are worthy of the scenery and of the artist. The point of view in each case has been most judiciously selected ; and the characteristic features of the scenery, than which, in many respects, there is none finer in the province, have been reproduced with artistic fidelity ami finish. The pictures were sent to England by the Charlotte Gladstone, and they cannot fail to enhance the reputation of the artist, or to excite a desire in all who see them to visit a country possessing scenery in which the grand and beautiful are so exquisitely blended.

The election of members for the new Provincial Council, so far as they have proceeded, has resulted as follows -. Christchurch— Wynu Williams, H. Sawteil, J. G. Hawkes ; Lyttelton—W. Richardson, H. R. Webb; Heathcote—J. S. Williams, J. T. Fisher, W. P. Cowlishaw ; Tiraaru—G. Healey ; Riccarton—F. W. Delatnain, W. B. Tosswill; Lincoln—H. J. Tancred, A. C, Knight ; Selwyn —E. Jollie, Col. Brett; Rakaia—Hon. John Hall, J. D. Knys ; Ashburton—J. Stndholme; Geraldine—W. Ormsby, L. Walker ; Mount Cook—A. K. Matson ; Seadown—W. Kennaway, A. Perry ; Waitangi—G. B. Parker ; The Bays—R. H. Rhodes; Wainui—H. Buchanan ; Akaroa—E. Westenra, jun. ; Port Victoria Major Hornbrook ; Papanui—J. T. Peacock, A. Cox.

ARRIVAL OF THE BARQUE MAORI. The barque Maori, Captain Mordeau, from London, was signalled on Sunday, May 15, and having a fair wind she came up to an anchorage off Rhodes’ Bay at 1 p.m. The following is the captain’s report : —“ Sailed from Gravesend Dec. 26, and left the Downs on the 27th, experiencing easterly winds and thick snow storm ; landed the pilot off the Start Point on the 29th, and stood down Channel; on the 3Dth and 31st Dec. experienced strong gales from S.S.W. and W., which drifted us up Channel again as far as the Isle of Wight; on Jan. 2 passed St. Catherine’s Point N.E. by E. 15 miles, the gale moderating enabled us to work down Channel again until midnight of Jan. 5, when we took our departure from the Scilly Lights ; two days of moderate weather from the westward followed, and we stood south into the Bay of Biscay until the Bth, when westerly gales again increased and continued up to the 12th, drifting us again into the Bay of Biscay ; on the 13th the wind shifted to the southward a few points, which enabled us to stand to the westward out of the Bay ; on the 14th encountered strong gales from the west, which continued until the 16th, when the wind veered to the north-east, which enabled us to make progress to the south-west; On the 18th crossed the parallel of Cape Finisterre ; thence had favourable winds to the line, which was crossed on Feb. 3, in 26deg 31 W.; thence had light trades from S.S.E. -, sighted Pernambuco on the 11th, and had to make several tacks to weather Cape St. Augustine ; thence had a continuation of light and dry south-east trades until Feh. 21, in latitude 25deg S., 36deg \Y ; had light variable winds to Feb. 28, in latitude 35deg S., 28deg W., which continued to the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope, which was crossed on March 18th, in latitude 42 deg 53 S ; thence to the meridian of the Lewin, in latitude 43deg 20 S. had favourable winds. On April 14 encountered a succession of heavy gales from the south-east, which continued until the 24th, and from that time until May 3rd had light westerly winds. On that day encountered a heavy gale from the south east, which drove us to 39deg S., 168 deg E , but on May 8 the wind veered round gradually to the W.SAV.; encountered fresh gales, and made Cape Farewell, New Zealand, at sunset, on the 9th ; lay becalmed at midnight off Blind Bay, had light variable winds through Cook Straits, rounded Cape Campbell ou the 12th, at sunset, and thence had light variable winds and calms until midnight of the 14th, when a breeze sprung up from the northeast which ran us to Port Lyttelton on Sunday, after a passage of 130 days from land to land.”

Ou Friday, May 13, a deputation of gentlemen interested in the fate of the Matoaka Availed upon the Hon. the Premier Avith a view to ascertaining Avhat hopes there were of the General Government instituting a search for traces of the missing vessel. The deputation consisted of Mr Inglis (Matheson’s Agency), Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce; Mr Hcnnah (Dalgety and Co.), Deputy-Chair-man of the Chamber; Mr Banks (Miles and Co.), Mr W. Kennaway, and Mr Willcocks, Registrar of the Supreme Court, Avho had relatives on board the vessel; and Captain Roberts, of the ship Caducous, to give evidence. It avus pointed out to Mr Fox that ihc ordinary course of a vessel leaving Lyttelton for England via Cape Horn would be betiveon the Chatham and Bounty Islands, and that on the day the Matoaka left (13th of May, 1869) Captain Thompson, of the barque Southern Cross, started for Sydney, but met with a strong north-east gale which compelled him to return to port. It was, therefore, urged to within the bounds of probability that the Matoaka had been blown so far out of her course as to come against one or other of the Bounty Islands. Mr Fox was reminded that these are tAventy-four in number, and that the charts gave three or four different indications of their position some of the variations being very considerable. The opinion that the Matoaka, not having been spoken beyond them, had been wrecked amongst the group, was thought not at all an unlikely one. It was urged that there were uo other islands in the route, and that the Government would be conferring a great boon if they would send a steamer or some other vessel to cruise amongst the islands, in the hope of discovering some trace of the unfortunate vessel. Capt. Roberts pointed out upon his chart the course theMatoaka would be likel y to take,and, as a gale was blowing, said it was extremely probable that the vessel would come on to the group of islands. In support of this, it

was also stated that Cant White **• bDt “owoft e r » ot Gladstone, had actually gone , ot t» group when the weatlufr particular way; and, further, that there that many instances on record of person, discovered on islands in the AtlLtkL and Indian oceans, a considerable acifi <h the loss of their vessels. Mr Fox re these statements that, in the interests fJ to manity, it was only right that hu ' should be taken to trace the missing v^L Steps that if the matter had only been ,an(i sooner, he had no doubt but that CVimm 4 ? 03 Lambert would have gone to the e that purpose. As it was, if that J r u. 1 for who it must be understood is on t), ( r an > leaving for Australia, could not , nt o£ the expedition, he (Mr Fox) would to get the tit. Kilda, p.s., to go,or fahin adopt some other course. The ( u , ft tendered their warm thanks to Mr f Urj!) this assurance, and after souk- furthr° X for versation the interview terminated, Ct c&n " STTMMARY OF CARGO, Ship Charlotte Gladstone, sailed May j

Election for the W.unfi The nomination of candidates Rr_ „ ‘ io , sentation of the above district m house cial Council was held at the Duvauchelle Bay, Akaroa, ou the 18th inst. Mr E. C. J jat e^/„ a |i e( j upon ing Officer) having read the an for those present to nominate aS e . pro- - vacant seat. Mr G. H. posed, and Mr B. Shadbolt s River) Mr Hugh Buchanan, of Kcalcich, - t j ie is a fit and proper person _t° mc il of Wainui district in the Pro ’ , ."“ ugjug proCanterbury. No other posed. Mr Buchanan was Jf a u 7 seCOn d elected. In returning thanks time of his election, without . t | ie Buchanan begged to i Q himelectors for the confidence £*7 uge jhis He wouU. as he always had done, « f best exertions for the advanc; « that his district and province, an ~ f _ ou id meet services as their represents a _ pro yalata with the same expressions of apP t day re . future date as those he , e completion ceived. He hoped to soon [ t t i, e district of the Little River Road, so *“* vay 0 i might be put into a ce F tai ,, e ot her parts of road communication with th touched the province. Mr cb f, u teres t inclu(ling upon other topics of loc fj. Dt^ ba t unfortuthat of timber l ice “ ses > been sent to nately a memorial which gegslon him for presentation during t fflatter had arrived too la ‘ e ’ t MJn during the should have his prompt attenuo

/ / I Wheat anil Flour. / | Value. Shippers. nifl wool Weight. Skin*. Tow. Wheat. j Sundries. j Value. 11 j Shippers. ijAic* or / \vci/*nt j Wool, j ' Cobb and Saw tell 789 lbs 285642 7 10 bis, 3 tons 5671 sks, 21,300 b 4 cases, 1 cask tongues, 22 1 casks tallow, Q tons | * s. d. V 15595 0 O 1 3269 0 O 200 0 0 438 0 0 740 0 0 459 10 0 203 0 0 | Miles and Co 1 G. Gould Dalgety and Co. Heywood and Co. Birch and Co. Morrison, Sclanders, and Co. Cobb and Saw tell R. Wilkin J. P. Jameson 1963 sro 664 210 64 39 30 8 1 11)8. 687,050 326,000 149,466 72,300 19,200 16,680 9984 3174 44 9 12 3310 sacks wheat, SOI sacks Hour 837 sacks wheat 460 sacks wheat 8649 bushels, 80 tons, 2 cwt 2929 bushels 1755 bushels 15 casks tallow, 2 tons, 10 cwt 1 case pictures 8 casks tallow, 62 cwt 2 qrs, 5 pkgs 1 case curiosities 6 casks tallow, 17 cwt 10 casks tallow, 1 ton 6 cwt j X s28,314 0 12,323 0 5338 0 236 < 0 994 0 695 0 250 0 159 0 695 0 d. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SBMMAKY OF CAKGO, S3 'TS tS 03 o g *3 O a o Q O) 0 Mathcson’s Agency... Heywood and Co. ... Walton Warner & Co. Taylor and Co. J. Grigg Hutchinson 253 21 30 52 23 6 75026 8000 9323 19031 7500 1639 2 2 12 G. G. Rnssell 24 csks tallow, 9 tons, 4 cwt 276 0 0 Total 3848 1,285,354 67 4670 sacks wheat, 801 sacks flour 13333 bushels, 80 tons, 2 cwt 29 casks tallow, 6 tons, 9 cwt, 2 qrs 50,488 0 0 W Total 1174 406,261 23 10 bis, 3 tons 5671 sks, 21,300 b tallow, 14 tons, 4 cwt £21,180 10 0