TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2985, 5 August 1870, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

College Sports. —These annual athletic competitions are fixed to take place on the 24th inst., and a programme quite on a par with those of previous years has been prepared. Entertainment. Notwithstanding the extreme inclemency of the weather last night, there were sufficient persons in attendance at St. Michael’s schoolroom to induce the carrying out of the entertainment previously announced. The Very Rev. the Dean presided, and the following programme was most successfully gone through: Readings: selections from the “ Lotus eater,” Mr Mainwaring; “ Irish Fairy Tale,” Mr Vet-1; “ Visit of Mr Tugs and family to Ramsgate,” the Rev. E, A. Lingard; “De Quincy’s Mail Coach,” the Chairman. Recitations from “ The Lay of St Aloys,” Mr Elwin. Songs; “ Come out upon the weep,” “I think of thee,” Mr Appleby; “ Thinking of thee,” Mr Crooks. Duetts: “ Come with thy lute to the fountain,” Mrs Alabaster and Miss Martin; “ The Brothers,” Mr Appleby and Mr R. Parker. Harmonium solo, selections from Maritana, Mr R. Parker. Encores were warmly awarded to Mrs Alabaster and Miss Martin, Mr Appleby and Mr Parker, the latter of whom played all the accompaniments. The National Anthem terminated the proceedings.

Theatre Rotal.— “ The Corsican Brothers” and “The Maid and the Magpie" were played last night to a thin house. The Temperance Movement. —The Committee holds itq weekly meeting this afternoon at four O’clock at the City Council Chambers.

The City Election, —In compliance with a requisition numerously and influentially signed, Mr Moorhouse announces his intention to stand for the seat in the House of Representatives, vacant by the resignation of Mr Travers.

Pedestrianism. —A pedestrian feat is announced to take place at Dilloway’s Plough Inn, Riccarton, on Monday, August 15, on which occasion “ Young Austin” undertakes to run 18 miles in less than .two hours. “ Young Austin” is styled the champion long distance runner of ■ the Australian colonies, and favourable notices of his performances have appeared in many of the Australian papers. Kaiapoi Mutual Improvement Societ This society held their first meeting at the Wesleyan schoolroom, on Wednesday evening. There were about thirty persons present, and the Rev. R. S. Bunn was voted to the chair. The subject under discussion was the Borough Schools Bill recently brought before the House of Representatives. The discussion was opened by Mr M. Hall, who objected to the Bill, as he considered it would be a system of direct taxation on rateable property, which taxation would not reach the non-householder or lodger. He considered it was a cloaked scheme to save the grants formerly given by the Government for educational purposes. He also objected to the clause which provided that the Bill could be brought into force by a minority of ratepayers, also to Borough Councils being called upon to collect the rate. He was in favour of a general system of education with free schools. He would move, “ That the Borough Schools Bill is impolitic and unsatisfactory, principally on the ground of its instituting a system of direct taxation and its want of uniformity.” The motion was seconded by Mr E. A. Lock, who concurred in the remarks of the proposer. Mr J. L. Wilson said he was in favour of a public schools Bill which would have for its object the control of all the educational districts, whether within boroughs or country districts. He advanced several other objections to the Bill, and moved an amendment, “ That the Borough Schools Bill was in its present form very unsatisfactory,” Mr Ellis seconded the amendment, remarking that he did hot consider the Borough Councils would carry out the spirit of the Bill with anything like satisfactory results. The amendment was then put and declared carried by a majority. Lincoln Road Board. —The usual monthly meeting of the Board was held at the office, Springs Road, on Tuesday, the members present being Messrs J. N. Tosswill (chairman), Knight, Craighead, and Dawson. The surveyor reported that almost the whole of the outstanding rates had been collected, and that the persons summoned had either paid the money into Court or to him. The contracts to form the Ellesmere Road by Dawson’s, and to cut the drain there, were being performed ; the wet weather had cut up the roads very much, and the sum set aside for their repair was altogether inadequate. The Spreydon Road Board had altered Rroskruge’s bridge, and applied for the contribution from this Board on account of the same;' Letters were read from the Secretary for Public Works, stating that the fourth instalment of the Government grant was now payable ; from Mr James Bell complaining of the overflow of the tramway drain, and requesting the Board to widen the same ; from the Acclimatization Society, enclosing copy of their annual report, and requesting the Board to assist in furthering the objects of the society by appointing local Committees, and collecting subscriptions ; from the Rev W. Paige, thanking the Board for having placed the feed on their section at Prebbleton at his disposal; from Messrs Hennelly and others, requesting the formation of portions of Shand’s Road ; and from the Board of Conservators with reference to the Waimakariri rate. It was resolved that Mr Bell be informed that the Board had no control over the drains in the district, the new “ Canterbury Rivers Act ” not having as yet become law, but that as soon as they had power they would considerable propriety, of imposing* special rate for of keeping the drain clear. With the' Acclimatization Society, a resolution was passed to the effect that the Board would be happy to cooperate with them, provided any Sums which they might collect were spent on the introduction of insectivorous birds to be turned out in the district. The petition with regard to Shand’s Road was considered, and the surveyor instructed to state that the Board would give the matiber their consideration as soon as funds were available for the work. The Ellesmere R,ba4 by Dawson’s was ordered to be formed SO feet wide, and some assistance given to Mr Hemmings to widen his ditch to take the water away from the road should the surveyor deem it necessay. Instructions were gjken to prepare the rate roll for the ensuing.year, also to collect the Waimakariri rate. ' Several accounts having been passed for payment, the Board adjourned till the first .Tuesday in September, at 2 30 p.m. Mandevillb and Rangiora Road Board. •—The usual monthly meeting of this Board was held on Tuesday last. Present—Messrs Nicholson, H. Budding, Blackett, and Tipping ; the latter occupied the chair in the absence of the Hon, Mr G. L. Lee. A letter was read from Mr Poole and others, asking the Board to put in some culverts in the River Marsh Road. It was resolved, that from want of funds the request cannot be at present entertained. A letter was read from Mr W. Wilson expressing his willingness to pay a sum not exceeding £6, for putting in a culvert near the Ravenswood Mill. The Surveyor was instructed to furnish Mr Wilson with an estimate of the cost of the same. A letter was read from Mr J. E. Brown, complaining of, persons removing gravel from the banks of the main drain. The Surveyor was instructed to attend to the matter. In reply to another letter from the same subscriber, it was resolved that the balance in aid, of Coutt’s Bridge be paid as soon as possible. A circular was received from the Acclimatisation Society, asking the Board’s co-operation in forwarding the interests of thq Society ; also, to authorise the collector of rates to solicit subscriptions, It, was resolved that the collector- have permission to Jo so. In reply to a letter from the Secretary for Public Works informing thej Council that a sum of £56 was at the disposal of the Board on application; the Chairman was requested to have the same placed in the Bank to the credit of the Board. >A letter was received from the Chairman of the Gust Road Board drawing the attention of the Board to the present state of the Ashley road. The Surveyor was directed to report upon it. A letter was read from Mr Hinge relative to the Board removing posts and rails from his land. The letter was directed to he acknowledged, informing Mr Hinge that the Board had no intention of removing them. An application to make a ford across the main drain was granted. Mr Fisher had an interview with the Board relative to making fords on River Marsh road. The consideration of the matter was postponed till funds would admit. Messrs nickman and Luxton drew the attention of the Hoard to an embankment which had been made by No. 1 drain. Messrs Pateman and Stone drew the attention of the Board to some necessary alteration on the road from Woodend to the sea beach. It was resolved that Mr Nicholson and the surveyor examine the same, with a view to arranging the matter. An application for the formation of part of River Marsh Road was refused. Tenders were opened for the purchase of posts and rails, but, not being considered satisfactory, the Board decided to invite fresh tenders, to be sent in to Mr Blackett on Saturday next. Messrs Blackett and Budding were empowered to let the new office for public meetings, &c. On the question of lending the surveying instruments, the Board decided that they should not be lent to anyone. It was resolved that the Board should prosecute any person found removing sand, earth, &c., from any of the roads—the Ashley Bank Road in particular. Accounts, amounting to £BB 6s Bd, were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.

Akahoa Literary Institute.— The third popular entertainment of the present season given in connexion with, and for the benefit of the above institute; took place at the Town Hall, Akaroa, on Wednesday evening the 3rd inst. The event of the evening was the reading of the prize essay on the advantages of Literary Institutes, and the presentation of the committee’s prize. Previous to the reading of the essay, the Her W. Aylmer said, that himself, the Rev S. D. Green, and Mr R. Townsend, were the judges who had been appointed to decide as to the merits of the papers sent in, which were seven in number. After careful consideration, they had given their award in favour of the paper bearing the motto “Mithetes,” and had there been more than one prize, they considered the paper having the motto of “Amor Patriae ” was worthy of such. He hoped the audience would, by their plaudits, ratify the judges’ decision, and begged to introduce the author of the essay, Mr George Bishop, of Okain Bay, who would read his composition. Mr Bishop’s paper was attentively listened to by the large audience present, and the impressively earnest manner in which he read and had treated his subject gave general satisfaction as to the judges’ award and reader’s power. At the conclusion of the reading, Mr S. Watkins, the president of the Institute, came forward, and stated, in the name of the committee, that he had great pleasure in handing their prize to Mr Bishop, and begged his acceptation of the same. The other portions of the programme were well sustained, especially the musical. Mr H. Bridge’s singing and make-up as a Dutchman in “ Have you seen my little wee dog,” were capital, and in response to an encore he gave “ The King of Otaheite,” a humorous medley production. The programme of the evening wasas follows: Instrumental, * Marriott Quadrilles,’ Messrs E. C. Latter, J. Daly, T. Adams, C. W. Bridge, and G. F. Dunn j reading, ‘ The Practical Joker,’ Rev. W. Aylmer; song, * Kathleen Mavourneen,’ Mr H. Bridge; instrumental, ‘ Fairy Palace Waltz,’ Band ; duet, ‘ Fanny Gay,’ Mr and Mrs Adams ; reading, ‘Mrs B’s. Alarms,’ Mr E. C. Latter; song, ‘ Gay Cavalier,’ Mr C. L. Wiggins ; prize essay, ‘ Advantages of Literary Institutes, as a means of Education,’ Mr G. Bishop ; instrumental, ‘Milgrove Waltz,’ Band ; song, ‘ Long parted have we been,’ Mr H. Watkins; reading, ‘ Pioneers of Civilization in r-ew Zealand,’ Mr G. Bishop; instrumental, ‘ Quadrille,’ (Rossini) Band ; reading, ‘ Deserted Village,’ Mr C. L. Wiggins ; song, ‘ My little wee dog,’ Mr H. Bridge ; instrumental, • Saucy Kate Galop,’ Band. ‘ God save the Queen.’

The Queen gf Madagascar —The Tamatave correspondent of the Overland Commercial Gazette, May 6, says:—“ The following items respecting doings at the capital, hare come to: hand through missionary channels. The Queen embraced Christianity early in the year (1869), and has all the summer been building a chapel royal. Meanwhile the wooden fence around the temple of the great national idol had been pulled down, and the priests assumed a threatening aspect, even hinting that their god had medicine, which would avenge him on the heretic Sovereign. On September 8, they came in force to the capital to claim their rights as nobes. A Council was called, and it was decided to send the Chief Secretary of State and other high officials to the sacred village, seven miles from the capital, and burn the idol before its keepers returned. They set off the same afternoon, and by an authority from the Prime Minister seized the idol’s house. The wood of the fallen fence was collected, and a fire was made, and the contents of the temple were brought out to be burned. First, the long cane carried before the idol in processions was thrown in ; then twelve bullock horns from which incense or holy water had been sprinkled; then three scarlet umbrellas, and the silk robe worn over the idols by the keeper who carried it. Then came the idol’s case, the trunk of a small tree hollowed and fitted with a cover ; and, last of all, the idol itself. Hardly any of the present generation had seen the god, and great was the surprise when he was produced. Two pieces of scarlet silk about three feet long and three inches wide, with a small piece of wood about as big as a man’s thumb, inserted in the middle between them, so that the silk formed as it were two wings, was the great god of Madagascar, whose touch was sanctifying, and whose nearness was preservative. Tou cannot burn him, he is a god, said the people. If he be a god he will not burn, said the officers, we are going to try ; and they held it on a stick in the fire that the people might see It as it was consumed. The victory was complete. Next day four other idols shared the same fate, and the rest followed. One was a little bag of sand ; another consisted of three round pieces of wood, united by a silver chain. The people looked on in wonder, and when the process was over, seeing that they had now no gods to worship, they sent to the queen to ask what they were to worship ‘ for the future.’ It is stat d that after this the Government appealed to the native Christians to send Christian teachers, and they at once responded. It was found that of 280 towns and villages in Imirena (the Hova province), 120 already had Christian churches, and teachers were at once found for the rest. This movement, which is remarkable for its purely native origin, is another proof that in certain stages of civilisation nations may be converted by authority. The conversion of Madagascar had been accomplished in the 19th century much as that of the Saxons was accomplished in the 6th. The iconoclast is the Reformer’s forerunner. To overthrow a fetish worship the fetish itself must be first destroyed. Thus say the missionaries, and the account, coloured as it may possibly be, is certainly interesting and curious. It is stated here that an Anglican Bishop has at last been definitely appointed for Madagascar.”

Deep-sea Explorations. Philosophers had imagined that all life would cease at an ocean depth of 300 fathoms, and that the temperature of the deep sea was everywhere thirty-nine degrees. It was found, on the contrary, that abundant life existed at far greater depths, and tiiat the deep-sea temperature varied within somewhat wide limits. More remarkable still, it was found that a difference in bottom temperature between thirty-two degrees and forty-seven degrees existed at points only eight or ten miles distant from each other, beneath an uniform surface temperature of about fifty-two degrees; and that were this was the case in the cold area the bottom was formed of barren sandstone, mingled with fragments of older rock, and inhabited by a comparatively scanty fauna, of an arctic or boreal character, while in the aojacent warm area the bottom surface was cretaceous, and the more abundant fauna presented characteristics due to the more temperate climate. Hence an upheaval of a few miles of the sea bottom subject to those conditions would present to the geologist of the future two portions of surface totally different in their structure, the one exhibiting traces of a depressed, the other of an elevated temperature; and yet these formations would have been contemporaneous and conterminous. Wherever similar conditions are found upon the dry land of the present day, it has been supposed that the high and the low temperature, the formation of chalk and the formation of sandstone, must have been separated from eacli other by long periods, and the discovery that they may actually co-exist upon adjacent surfaces has done no less than strike at the very root of many of the customary assumptions with regard to geological time. The importance of these results, and the magnitude of the considerations springing from them, induced the Admiralty, at the renewed instance of the Council of the Koyal Society, to assist in the prosecution of further inquiries. Her Majesty’s ship Porcupine, CaptCalver, K.N., was fitted up in the way suggested by the experience gained on the first expedition, and was provided with proper dredges for the deep-sea, hauiing-in machinery, deep-sea thermometers defended against pressure, and apparatus fur the corduct of various chemical and other inquiries. She left Galway, under the scientific charge of Mr Gwynn Jeffreys, on the 18th of May last year, and carried on the exploration in a westerly direction, getting into deeper water, until she reached the Porcupine bank, so

named from one of her former surveys. She □ext proceeded In a north-westerly course towards Bockall, and thence returned to Donegal Bay. In this cruise the, dredging and temperature soundings W!W* carped down to a depth of nearly 1500 fathoms. Early in July she started from Cork, under the scientific charge of Dr Wyvflle Thompson, in a south-westerly couree, lor the purpose of carrying down the - explorations to still greater depths, Which were foflnd at the northern extremity of the Bay of Biloay, about 250 miles west of Ushant. Here the dredge was successfully worked at the extraordinary depth of 2435 fathoms, nearly equal to the height of Mont Blanc, and exceeding by 500 fathoms the depth from which the first Atlantic cable was recovered. She returned in about a fortnight, and started from Belfast in August for a third cruise, under the scientific charge of Dr Carpenter, who was accompanied by Dr Wyville Thompson. The object of this cruise was the more detailed survey of the ground previously surveyed by the Lightning, and the vessel remained out until September 16, 1868, visiting Thorshaven, in the Faroe islands, and Lerwick. The results of the three expeditions went entirely to confirm, and in many respects to enlarge, the conclusions that had been drawn-from the more limited surveys of the„preoeding^ar.