TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 4450, 19 May 1875, Page 2

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. —A committee meeting will be held on Tuesday next. Cathedral Guild. —A general meeting of the Guild will be held at the College Library to-morrow evening. Electoral' Districts of Avon and Hbathcotb. —A Court for the revision of the rolls of these districts will be held at the City Council Chamber, Christchurch, to-day, commencing at eleven o’clock. Papanux Church. —A meeting of the vestry was held on Monday night, the Hev F. G. Brittan in the chair. It was reported that subscriptions to the' amount of about £4BO had been promised towards the erection of the new church, and the building committee were appointed to wait upon Mr Mountfort, architect, with a view to inviting tenders at once for the foundations. Insectivorous Birds.— About £220 worth of the birds imported per Tintem Abbey have been sold, and there is only a small number now left on hand. The consignment for Timarn was despatched by the s.s. Beautiful Star yesterday morning. The birds were in charge of Mr Hills, and comprised 25 partridges, 20 thrashes, 40 blackbirds, 30 goldfinches, 40 redpoles, 30 linnets, and 40 yellow hammers. Harmonic Society.— A meeting of the committee of this society was held yesterday afternoon; present—Mr Geo Bowron (president)', in the chair; Messrs O. Bennington, Feldwick, Hart, Jameson (treasurer), Knox (conductor), and Stephens (hon. sec.) The principal business was to decide as to recommendations regarding financial matters to be submitted to the general meeting of members and subscribers, to be held on Friday and to definitely fix (die date of the next concert. It was resolved that the concert a performance of Costa’s oratorio-” Naaman ” should take place on June 24. Eangioba Horticultural and Floral Society. —A meeting of those interested in the formation of this Society, was held in the Bead Hoard office, on Monday evening. Present Messrs C. Merton, Homiblow, Shorland, Stephens, Atkinson, Anderson, and Stapleforth. Mr O. Merton was voted to the chair. Mr B. Atkinson consented to act as secretary pro. tern. It was resolved that all present enrol themselves as members of the Society, with power to add to their number. Resolved that the Society consist of a patron, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and a managing committee. It was then decided to adjourn the meeting till Tuesdav, May 25. Theater Royal.— Why will modem managers persist in stuffing “sensational ’’ dramas down the throats of the play-going public, despite the remonstrances so constantly made ? It is a calumny upon the character of the present generation ; because, if they do draw audiences at all, it is only owing to the fact that the public must have something to amuse them, and they are obliged to put up with what they can got. They have been so accustomed to this style of dramatic writing, that the vast majority are entirely ignorant that anything better exists. No one can assert that anything ennobling or conducive to the improvement of human nature is to be found in them. Yet ithas alwaysbeenacknowledgedtbat the purpose of the stage is to refine and purify the manners and customs of the age, by bolding up to ridicule the bad and praising the good. It is not as though a substitute could not he found for these trashy productions. Any person at all acquainted with the literature of the last century knows that it was a period abounding in excellent comedies, infinitely more entertaining and instructive than any which have been written for years. When does the “ Heir-at-Law,” the “ Honeymoon,” the “ Jealous Wife,” fail to draw a good house? And how many times have these been acted over and over again ? There are scores of others, the very names of which are hardly known now, Which can lay good claim to rival these, but they have been allowed to lapse into obscurity, and are enjoyed only by those who read them privately. English managers have lately begun to see their folly; they have revived these forgotten comedies, and success has attended their efforts. They pay no copyright; they are put to very little expense for dress or scenery, and find it pay. Hut here, because we are in the colonies, we are obliged to put up with such rubbish as the “ Watch-dog of Walsingham/’ the “ Streets of London,” and dramatic versions of sensational novels. We have had recently a perfect flood of them poured upon the unoffending ears of the public, and perhaps may continue to be so treated. Let any manager in New Zealand pat the “ Wonder ” or the “ Busybody,” “ Belle’s Stratagem,” any of the plays which have been revived in England, and more too, if he can, and he wUI have a good claim to the sympathy and support of the play-going public, at least, in his effort to reform the spirit of the stage. It is only the penny wise and pound foolish who would follow the same beaten track as at present, when once the way was opened. The chief consideration is always “ will it pay ?” It is easy to mount such pieces as the “Geneva Cross”or the'“New Magdalen;” there are no fresh items of expenditure for dress; the samesoenery can be madeto doduty tor half-a-dozen purposes; and so “ The Red Pocket Hook,” et hot omne genus, bear sway, and sit in the high placet. The particular play which has drawn forth these remarks is like most of the rest of its class, a collection of wild improbabilities, impossible scenes, and extravagant language. The orchestra strums when the heroine approaches, and the villain, as a matter of course, attempts to murder the hero to slow music.. To vary the monotony,an extravagant monkey performs incredible gambols, much to the delight of the frequenters of the pit. It certainly is exciting, but so is the Police Gazette. The best thing in the whole piece is a song by Mrs ' Bates, which certainly deserved its encore.

Ohahbib of Oomxkbob.—The monthly general meeting will be held to-morrow. Dbdtohbb Vbebin. —A epeoial general meeting of membere Will be held tbie erening. Kaiapoi Fakhbbs’ Club. The uaual monthly meeting will be held to-morrow evening. Dbstbtjotion of Hawis.—Since the Council of the Acclimatisation Society decided to give a reward of one (hilling per. head for the destruction of hawks, nearly three hundred have been delived at the gardens and paid for by the Curator. Tbie gives an average of one hundred per week. Philadelphia Exhibition,—By advertisement in another column, those who propose to send articles for exhibition at the Philadelphia Exhibition of 1876, in accordance with the terms of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary's letter published in the morning papers of May 11, are requested to intimate their intention to his Honor the Superintendent as early as possible. Pbotincial Scholabships.—lntending candidates are reminded that the time for sending in names expires at 4 p.m. to-day. Up to yesterday sixty names had been received by the Secretary to the Board of Education, comprising thirty-four boys and twenty-six girls. The number of candidates last year was seventy-four, all boys.

Yioiobia Beidge.—The alterations to this bridge are progressing very slowly, and a further cause of dissatisfaction exists in both the footways being obstructed at the same time. Instead of one side of the bridge being completed and provided with a good footpath before the other side was disturbed, both are in process of alteration at once, and the result is, that pedestrians are compelled to take to the road. In wet weather, this is not pleasant, especially for ladies and children, while during the busy part of the day it is anything but safe. Some attention should be paid to the matter at once.

Oxfobd.—A public meeting was held at Olphert’s Hotel, on Monday evening, for the purpose of petitioning the Government to open the railway line as far as Oxford on the 24th instant, being the Queen’s birthday j also to take steps to get up a public luncheon for the occasion, Mr F. Briggs was voted to the chair. A petition was then drawn out, and numerously signed. Mr John Pearson was deputed to wait upon the Government with the petition, and see if they would grant the request for that day; also to ask the Government for the use of the goods shed, for the purpose of having luncheon on the day mentioned in the petition. A committee was then appointed, consisting of Messrs Briggs, Parish, Pearson, Fisher, Guff, Brittargh, Olphert, and Lamb, with power to add to their number, for the purpose of getting up the luncheon. Mr Ingram was appointed hon secretary. After passing a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting adjourned until Wednesday evening. Chbisiohubch Baiibbt | of Abzillbbt. A special general meeting of members was held at the Orderly room last night; Captain Craig in the chair. On the motion of Gunner Triggs, it was decided that a ball should be given under the auspices of the battery, a sub-committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements for it, and Gunner Chartres consented to act as Secretary. Gunner Hall offered a silver inkstand for competition at 200, 300, and 400 yards, any position, and it was decided that the firing should take place early on the morning of Her Majesty’s Birthday. It was also resolved, that subject to the approval of Colonel Packe, the members of the battery should proceed to Lyttelton by the 10.30 a.m. train on the same day for shot and shell practice. Captain Craig intimated, in connection with the latter, that if sufficient members turned out to form two detachments, he would give £3 for competition between them. The meeting then adjourned. Chbisxchxtbch Fieeßbigade.—The quarterly practice of all the companies took place last night, when there was a full attendance of membere. Arrangements had been made to time the performances of the respective companies, and the result proved very satisfactory. Two messengers started from the Cathedral Square tank at ten minutes post seven o’clock to give notice at the two stations for the men to tom out with their plant. In eight minutes the Pioneer company arrived, and had their ladders erected against a building adjacent to the. tank. In nine minutes the Drsadnaught hand-engine company had their hose laid from the tank, and were pumping water. In twelve minutes the steamer Deluge was in position at the Armagh street bridge, with 50 lbs of steam up, and throwing two jets of water; mid in fifteen minutes the Extinguisher, which was placed at the Cathedral Square tank, had sixtyfive pounds of steam up, and was throwing water from two jets. A general meeting of the brigade was afterwards held in the Inchfield street station. Pbbsbxtbbian Synod.—The third annual session of the Presbyterian Synod of Canterbury was opened in S. Andrew’s Church last night. There was only a moderate attendance. The proceedings having been opened by singing and prayer, the Bev. G. Barclay (retiring Moderator) preached an eloquent sermon, taking his text from Nehemiah viii., part of the fourth verse. The sermon being concluded, the Bev. G. Barclay descended from the pulpit and took his seat in the Moderator’s chair. The Synod was then constituted by prayer. The Bev A. F. Douglas called the roll, when the following members answered to their names : —Presbytery of Christchurch : Bevs C. Fraser, A. F. Douglas, W. M'Gowan, W. Douglas, and W. B. Campbell; elders : J. Cameron and J. M'Dowal. Presbytery of Timaru: Bevs J. W. Gillies and G. Barclay. The Bev G. Barclay then said it was the privilege of the retiring Moderator to propose his successor, and he wished on that occasion to propose the Bev W. M'Gowan, who bad been known to them for a number of years, during which he had displayed great diligence and zeal in the work of the church. He had no doubt Mr M'Gowan would be unanimously elected by the Synod, and therefore he would merely say farther that he had very great pleasure in proposing Mr M'Gowan as his successor. (Hear, hear.)' The Bev. 0. Fraser seconded the motion. He said it must be a great pleasure to the retiring Moderator, as it was to him (Mr Fraser) to know that they would he succeeded by one .who could bring greater experience to bear than either of them in discharging the duties of Moderator, and he had no doubt that all present would be glad to see one so highly respected us Mr M'GoWan elected to the 'office. He bad great pleasure in seconding the motion. The Rev W. M'Gowan having been conducted to the Moderator’s chair by his proposer and seconder, delivered the customary address to the Synod. Notices of motion were given, and the Synod then adjourned until 11 a.m. on Wednesday. The Moderator pronounced the benediction, and the proceedings terminated. Peoposed Intkecolonial Ohicket Match —The Committee appointed to confer with the cricketers of Auckland and Otago, with a view to procuring the visit of an Australian eleven during next season, met yesterday, and came to the following resolutions : " That no match will be satisfactory unless played strictly upon Intercolonial terms, that is—that instead of a New Zealand eleven visiting Australia as it would, in the ordinary course be expected to do, if a mutch of the kind were established, payment should be made of the expenses, including remuneration of professionals, of any visiting eleven from Australia, but that the payment should not include any profit to promoters or otherwise; that the visit of an eleven drawn from both New South Wales and Victoria, would be most conducive to the interests of New Zealand cricket; that Canterbury will not play any odds match, but each province should decide what course it will take in this respect; that Canterbury, in joining with one or more provinces, will contribute players only to matches of eleven a side; that Auckland, Otago, and Canterbury should jointly request information by the earliest opportunity as to the cost of the visit of an Australian Eleven.”

The Moedadnt Case.—The San Francisco papers of March 12 contain the following telegram, dated London, March 11:—'“The Divorce Court to-day granted a decree in the Mordaunt case in favour of the plaintiff, Sir Charles Mordaunt, on the ground of Lady Mordaunt’s adultery.”

Killed and Devoueed bt Bate.—An ass belonging to a man named Thomas Newton, of Derwent Cote, near Gonsett, has been

devoured in a moat extraordinary manner, by. rat*. The animal wa« kept in an outbuilding; infested by these creatures, and during the \ night Newton heard an unusual noise. On i going into the stable with a lantern be foiind a large number of rats clinging to, the poor donkey, which was then almost dead, the flhsh on the back from the neck to the tail having been completely devoured.