TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 4552, 15 September 1875, Page 2

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Supreme Court. —After Chambers, on Friday next, his Honor the Judge will consult with the Profession relative to the library and the fixing of sitting days in haneo. Lyttelton Regatta.—A meeting of the Committee is summoned for Thursday evening at the Colonists’ Hall, the business being to receive the balance-sheet, and make arrange* menta for the annual meeting. Lunatic Asylum. —lt Is very desirable that better accommodation should be provided for the refractory male patients at the Lunatic Asylum. Not only is tho present ward overcrowded, but the protection afforded to patients from the weather is not so complete as it should be. There are also other matters connected with the same department, which, if report speaks truly, might be enquired into with advantage. Certainly the matter is one which deserves earnest and immediate attention.

Christchurch Dbainagb Bill. —We learn from good authority that, at the request of Mr Wilson, Mr Montgomery met the I'entlemen mentioned in the paragraph published yesterday, that they might state to him their reasons for certain alterations they wished to have made in the Drainage Bill. The alteration decided on—increased representation for the City—was, we believe, telegraphed to bis Honor the Superintendent and Mr Richardson,

M.U.I. 0.0. F., Loyal Rangiora Lodge.— At a special summoned meeting of this Lodge, held on Monday evening last, it was decided to celebrate the Anniversary of the Lodge on Thursday, October 14, with a grand procession of members of the Order, a luncheon in the hall; sports, &0., in the afternoon; and a dinner in the evening. A committee, consisting of Bros B. Miles, Wheeler, Duff, Barrell, and Easterbrook was appointed to carry out the details.

Honoue to an odd Oheistohubch Eesident. —The Colonies of July 24 says : The Emperor of Austria has sent the Imperial Gold Medal of Arts and Sciences to Mr D. L. Mundy, photographic artist, late of Christchurch, New Zealand, for his publication of a series of views, entitled " Rotomahana, or the Hot Springs of New Zealand," with descriptive notes by Professor Ferdinand von Hoohstetter, of Vienna. These and other views of New Zealand scenery, magnified by the oxy-bydrogen light reflector, are now being exhibited at the Boyal Polytechnic Institution, Begent street. Kaiafoi Instituth.— An entertainment consisting of instrumental and vocal music, and a farce entitled . “ The Persecuted Bachelor,” will be given in the hall of the Institute on Friday evening next. Messrs W. H. Simms, 0. Bonningfcon, H. Wood, and other gentlemen from Christchurch will take part in the musical portion of the programme, and the leading dramatis personce m the farce will be sustained by two well-known local amateurs. The proceeds of the entertainment are to be devoted towards the ooat of erecting a stage and proscenium in the lecture ball, providing reserved chairs, painting scenery, &o. The Sub-Committee appointed to carry out the improvements to the hall have completed • their work in a most satisfactory manner, and the opening entertainment is certain to be a success. Considering the size of the ball, and its internal fitting and decorations, there is not a better in the Province.

KaiAPOi Boeotjgh School. —The ordinary monthly meeting of the Committee, of this School, was held on Monday evening last. Present, all the members except Mr Maofarlane; the Chairman (Mr B, G. Kerr) presiding. Letters were read from the Secretary for Education, sanctioning the expenditure for painting and erecting the drill apparatus. The returns for the month showed an increase on the average daily attendance of thirty scholars, as compared with the returns of the previous month. Accounts, amounting to £l3B 18s, were passed for payment. The Chairman reported that the levelling of the School site, and the concreting in front of the building had been completed ; also, that the contractor for the erection of the caretaker’s house, would finish his work in about a week. The Sub committee, appointed to plant and i fence the School site, had nearly completed their work. Id was resolved That the Minister of Education be written to requesting him to sanction the cost of painting the outside of the caretaker’s house." A letter was read from the Minister for Education, stating that the question of re-organising the School, as a mixed one, would be allowed to stand over to Christmas; also, enclosing copy of Inspector’s report upon the School. It was resolved—" That a special meeting of the Committee be held on Oofc. 6, to prepare a report for the annual meeting." Ashextetoh Foeks.—ln response to an advertisement, a numerous and influential attendance of householders in the above District assembled at Mr Church’s farm, on Saturday last, to discuss the advisability of taking steps for the establishment of a school in this locality. Mr Isaac Sargeant, on being voted to the chair, read the advertisement convening the meeting, and in explaining the object for which it had been called, ‘Stated that he had been in communication with the authorities, and that a reserve of about twenty acres in a centra! position (near Mrs Greenstreet’s), had already been granted 'by the Government for a school site. The meeting expressed very general approval of the site selected, and of the Chairman’s prompt action in securing it in so desirable a situation. The following resolutions were unanimously agreed to :—“ 1. That this meeting is of opinion that the number of children (about fifty), now inhabiting the Forks of the Ashburton, renders it desirable that this neighbourhood should be constituted an Educational District, to be called the Ashburton Forks Educational District."— “3. That the Ashburton Forks Educational District bo comprised within the following boundaries, viz.On the West, the Mount Somers Bond District; on the South, the South branch of the Ashburton Birer; on the East, the Ashburton Educational District ; and on the North, by ft line two miles North of the North branch of the Biver Ashburton, and running parallel with it." V r Sargeant here remarked that however desirable it might have been to extend the proposed District further South, the ftiver Ashburton formed a natural and insuperable barrier to any communication so far as a school was concerned. "3. That the householders present at this meeting are willing to be rated as provided by Clause 40 of the Education Ordinance, 1875, for the purpose of providing the one-sixth of the cost of erecting school buildings, &o, as thereby required.”— " 4. That the- Chairman be requested to foi word a copy of the foregoing resolutions to the hon the Minister for Education.” The meeting then terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman.

! ANBliIA.— For »ereral year* past, I could neither stand nordigest any food. Ten bottle# of Dusart’e Syrup hors brought back my appetite and restored ray former strength. I likewise giro this medicine to a young rickety infant of mine. All trace* of disease disappeared, and the child’s constitution i* ■well developed Mrs JoHNSOS, Washington, D.B.—[A err ]

Catholic School Concbbt.— A moat attractive programme for the concert, which ii to be held to-morrow evening, la published in another column. Waimaxabibi Gorge Bridge. — The Provincial Government invite tendon for the construction of an iron plate girder bridge over the lower gorge. Chamber or Commbbob.— A special meeting, of the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce which had been convened for the purpose of considering the increased rates for lighterage, wharfage, and railway carriage, was to have been held yesterday, but lapsed from want of a quorum. The members present were Messrs W. H- Lane (chairman), P. Cunningham, J. Inglis, and Oonnal. NORMAL School.—The new building in Oranmer sqoare was formally taken over by the Minister, of.• Education on .Monday last. Seeing the additional school accommodation, to say nothing of what would be saved in rent, it is a matter for regret that the Normal School is not ready for opening yet. If the arrangements for obtaining a Rector and the necessary, furniture had been mode early enough, the building might have been ready for opening now. _ , „ Theatre Royal. “Luorexia Borgia was presented last night to a very good house. Mrs Hill sustained - the principal part with considerable credit ; and Don Alphonso and Gennaro found good representatives in Mr Burford and Mr Douglas. Owing to the sudden Indisposition of Me Hoskins, the farce of “ The Man who follows the Ladies was substituted for the comedietta “ Founded on Facts.” To-night, “ Camille ” will be presented, _ . ; Agricultural Show at Lbithfibld.—a movement is on foot, to establish an annual show at the above Township, and tho gentlemen who are interesting themselves in the matter are sanguine of success. The population of the District is now large, and mainly employed in agricultural and pastoral pur-, suits. It is, therefore, thought that with a little energy and good management, a very creditable show could be got up. A preliminary meeting of the projectors is to be held shortly, of which due notice will be advertised.

Death of Councillor Raphael. our unfortunate duty to have to announce the death of this gentleman early yesterday morning. He was suffering from congestion of the lungs, and: bis illness has only lasted a few days. The announcement of. his somewhat sudden death took his friends by satirise, and great sympathy is expressed for his : ’amily. Mr Raphael Will doubtless be missed from other places than his family, for he was gradually gaining the confidence of the citizens as an energetic and trustworthy Councillor. The funeral will take place at three o’clock this afternoon, and will be attended by his Worship the Mayor and City Councillors.

Imkiobatioit.—The following is a summary of the trades and occupations of the immigrants to arrive per ship Waikato: — Farm labourers, 60; general labourers, 34 ; farmers,-3; navvy, 1; gardener, 1; ploughmen, 6; nurserymen, B;.carpenters, 6; wheelwright, I; joiners, 6; shepherds, 1;- grooms, 2; shoemakers, 4 s porters, 3; platelayer, 1; engine fitters, 1; turner, 1; bricklayer, 1; engineer, 1; masons, 2; tailor, I; blacksmiths, 4; mechanic, 1, Single Women — General servants, 30; cooks, 4; dairymaids, 7; nurses, 4 ; housekeepers, 3; laundress, 1. Summary—Male adults, 166; female adults, 100; male children, 30; female children, 31; infants, 11; total souls, 327, equal to 285 J statute adults. Nationality—English, 161; Scotch, 29; Irish, 138; Channel Islanders, 1 j total, 327 souls. The Metope sailed for Timaru on July 1. The following is a summary of the trades and occupations of the immigrants on board:—Farm labourers, 61; general labourers, 25; navvies, 4; shepherds, 8; carpenters, 7; joiner, 1; sawyers, 3; blacksmiths, 4; bookmakers, 2; plasterer, 1; shoemakers, 2; butcher, 1; constable, 1; hairdresser*!; printer,!. Single Women— Cook, 1; dressmaker, 1; general servants, 16 ; housemaids, 3; laundress, 1; maid servant, 1; dairymaids, 8. Summary—Male adults, 124; female adults, 74; male children, 28; female children, 26; infants, 12; total souls, 264, equal to 236 statute adults. Nationality— English, 203; Irish, 68; Welsh, 1; French, 1; Channel Islanders, 1 j total souls, 264. The lists can be inspected on application at the Immigration office. Both ships are due about the end of the month. Lbestok Ceioibt OiiUß.—The annual general meeting of this Club took place in the Lees ton Hotel on Monday evening last. Present—Messrs W. G. Lonn (in the chair), D. Loe (hon treasurer), Alfred Loe, E. Bow. land, B. Frankish, Craddock, J. Bourne, T. S. Lewis, James Williams, Parker, G. Tremaine (bon. sec.), J. B. Smith, W. Woodman, L H. Herdman, Albert Loe, and Watts. The Treasurer laid a statement of the accounts of the Club on the table. The receipts amounted to £44 2s, and the expenditure to £26 11s 9d, leaving a balance credit of £l7 10s 3d. The following gentlemen were enrolled in the Club as new members Messrs Crowe, J. Lewis, J. Bennett, Corbett, J. Bourne, Craddock, iHerdman, J. Williams, W. Smith, J. Fowler, H. Madison, A. Wilson, Gane, Hobbs, Duncan, Lane, Bruce, Bryan, Corbett, jun., Bently, and W. Woodman. The election of officers for the ensuing year was then entered into, and the following gentlemen appointed :— Bey W. J. Q. Bluett, president; Mr Albeit Lee, 'captain ; Mr D. Loe, hon treasurer ; Mr G. Tremaine, hon secretary. Committee Messrs W. G. Lunu, Craddock, Watts,' H. Corbett, Parker, Bowlaud, and W. Woodman, Besolved thanks be accorded to the hon Secretary and 'Treasurer for their services during the past .season.” "That a vote of thanks be accorded to Mr J. J. Loe for the use of ■the ground,” " That a vote of thanks be accorded to Mr J. Watts for his services as ; umpire.” “ That in the event of any match taking place with any Club outside of the Ellesmere District, the Committee should be empowered to make arrangements with the Ellesmere, Brookside, and Killinchy Clubs, with a view to amalgamating and forming a •good eleven.” Some conversation now took place with reference to the new ground, and the advisability of members attending on practising days. No other business being brought before the meeting, it was terminated by a vote of thanks to the_ Chairman. Raiivtat Bates.—Dissatisfaction at the recent increase in the traffic rates for merchandise on the railway continues to exist, and practical steps have already been taken by several Christchurch merchants to avoid payment of them. The increase in the charges for coal from 6s 6d to 9s per ton will bear heavily bn all classes, but more particularly on working men, and affords a very striking contrast with the charges at Home. The freight for ooals in England from Newcastle to London, a distance of about two hundred and seventy miles, is only 7s 6d per ton, while from Lyttelton to Christchurch, a distance of only about seven miles, the charges are 9s per ton. The charges for coals from Lyttelton to Kaiapoi arc 12s per ton, and as vessels are prepared to take them at 10s per ton, merchants are now generally adopting the latter mode of conveyance. The charges on timber have been increased from Is 43 to Is lOd per 100 ft from Lyttelton to Christchurch, and as owners of .timber-vessels are willing to deliver their cargoes at the Heathooto Steam Wharf at an advance of 6d per 100 ft on their ordinary chargee, some of the timber mer-, chants hove already made arrangements toy their consignments to be delivered at the latter plaoe. The cost of cartage from the wharf to Christchurch will be about.6J par, 100 f t; but as the cost from the Bail way Station into the City i* 4l per 100 ft,, the increased cost of cartage by the,new system will only jbe 2d per hundred feet. fly Railway, the total cost per hundred feet delivered. at merchants’ stores would be 2s 2d.per hundred;toel, but vii the Heathooto it will only be Is per hundred feet. This is a difference, indeed, and fully justifies' a reversion to the old mode of conveyance between Lyttelton and Christchurch-, A saving could also be effected in the conveyance of general merchandise, and it is by no means improbable that steps will be taken to utilise the River Heathcote for it. A meeting of the: Committee of the Chamber of Commerce was j to have been held yesterday for the purpose 1 of considering the increased chargee, but it lapsed from want of a quorum.

Football. —The practice is postponed until this eveniag. The Committee will select the fifteen to represent Canterbury m the Interprovincial Football Match, on Thursday evening. There will be a practice as usual on Thursday. „ . ... Lyttelton Borough Council.—As wul be seen by the report of tho Council's proceedings on Monday, the Town Clerk denies that the Burgess List was altered daring the election of Councillors. It was currently reported yesterday, that farther step would be taken in the matter, owing to the statemeats,mode bj, Councillor Buiat *nd other®, and inquiry demanded a® to whether the Burgess Roll had been tampered with. : Doylbston Public general meeting of subscribers, in connection withthe Public Hall, was held on Saturday evening, Sept, 11. There was a good attendance,,and Mr J. Lambie waa voted to the chair. On opening the proceedings, the. Chairman stated the object or the meeting was to receive the report of the late Managing Committee, and he called upon Mr Robb to submit the same. Mr Robb stated that ho was. not prepared to give any great statement farther than a derailed account of tbs several items of income and expenditure,- which showed—Assets, £lB 16s 6d; liabilties, £l4 8s 6dj leavings balance of £4 8s 6d. An animated discussion took place with regard to an item of eight guineas charged by Mr Thomas for Court expenses. After several explanations by Mr Robb, Mr J. Bennie moved that, the report be adopted, which was carried unanimously. The Chairman said the next part of the business would' be to elect a. Managing Committee for the next twelve months. Mr J. M’Laohlan said before this was done he wished to make a personal explanation with regard to the management of the hall. After commenting strongly on the way the late Committee had acted, he said there could be no doubt that Mr Robb had. broken faith with him in not adhering to the arrangement they had entered into. Had this been done the hall would, in all: probability, have been in a much better state of repair. The following gentlemen were then elected as a Managing Committee—G. Gilmour, J. Rennie, J. Osborne, B. Leokhead, O H. Parker, D. Scott, and J. Lambie. Mr Bennie moved—“ That a subscription list be opened so as to aid in carrying out the necessary improvements to the hall.” This was done, and the amount of £l4 10s was subscribed, A vote of thanks to Mr Bennie for calling the meeting, and also to the Chairman and the Retiring Committee was passed, and the meeting separated.

British Merchant Shipping. Tho Board of Trade returns show that at the end of the year 1874 there were registered os belonging to the United Kingdom, including the Channel Islands, 21,464 sailing vessels of, in the aggregate, 4,108,220 tons, and 4033 steam vessels, of 1,870,611 tons, making in the whole 25,497 Vessels of 5,978,831 tons, being 173,669 tons more than at the end of the year 1873. The above numbers, compared with those for 1860, show in the fourteen years a decline of 4199 ia the number of sailing vessels, bat of only 96,140 tons ia the tonnage; in steam vessels, an increase of 2033 in the number and of 1,416,284 tons in the tonnage; the total shipping showing a decline of 2166 in the number of vessels, but an increase of 1,320,144 tons in the tonnage.

Teleseaphv.—At a banquet given in Sydney recently to Mr Charles Winter, connected with the engineering staff of the British Government Telegraph, the chairman, Mr E. 0. Cracknel!, the Superintendent of Telegraphs for New South Wales, in the course of his remarks, made a comparison of the rates of charges tor messages. He said on this subject;—“They of course were all aware that the minimum rates Were, on Nov. 1, 1873, reduced in all the Australian Colonies to a Is tariff for ten words, so that messages were now sent daily from Wentworth to the Guff of Carpentaria, a distance of nearly 4000 miles, for. the: absurdly small sum of two shillings, which was the lowest tariff in the whole world. He would now compare these charges with those over the American lines, which were so often quoted for their low tariffs, Mr Orton, the. President of the Western Union Company, in his last report takes credit for a reduction in the tariff between the Atlantic and Pacific States, say 3000 miles, of 60 per cent, the charges being now fixed at 2dol 60e, or 10s 6d for ton words. The previous rates had ranged from 6dol to 7dol 50c, or 20s lOd to 31s 3d, and even,at these very high rates (to us) a considerable reduction of revenue resulted, but the messages were more numerous than during any corresponding period before therntes were reduced, and they hod been transmitted with greater promptness, without additional wires, over the trans-continental line, through adopting the duplex system. Mr Orton also alluded to the introduction of the quadruple! system, by which two messages con be sent in each direction and on one wire at the same time, and spoke with confidence as to the growth of telegraph business in the next few years; that it would be practicable tor the company to continue reducing . the higher rates and extending the distances to whioh the lower rates are applied, until ultimately they will have but four rates, namely, 260, 60c, 760, and Idol ; and that this result can be gradually accomplished without inquiring the company’s ability to pay satisfactory dividends to the stockholders. Now, although we were told that we were awfully slow in all matters of progress in these Colonies, he was sure it would be satisfactory to Sad that we were far in advance of our American friends as regards telegraphic charges, when wo could send for two shillings wnat at present in America, costs over ten shillings, and for greater distances." These remarks in effect will equally apply to New Zsaland.