TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 4581, 19 October 1875, Page 2

TOWN & COUNTRY.

1.0.Q-.T.—An entertainment will be given in St Andrew’s schoolroom, this evening. Sutbemb Court.— Hia Honor Mr Justice Johnston will sit in the Court Chambers at eleven o’clock this morning, and on Friday next there will be a sitting in ianeo, Ratepayers’ Rolls . —The times and places at which the Revising Commissioner will hold Courts for the revision of the Rate Rolls of the various Road Board Districts are set forth in an advertisement.

Hereford stbebt Bridge. —To the City Council yesterday, the City Surveyor submitted plans of tne proposed bridge across the Avon in a line with Hereford stree., which he estimates to cost £3200, The consideration of the matter was deferred until Monday next.

Education Biel —The Hon E. W. Stafford telegraphed to the Timaru Herald on Saturday as follows Montgomery’s Bill has passed the House of Representatives. South Canterbury will have a member on the Board. Next year the Government will introduce a measure establishing local Boards.”

A Hint to Contbactobs.—lu the Bankruptcy Court, yesterday, his Honor the Judge said it was neither an honest or reputable mode of business for persons without capital to contract for work which they were unable to carry out, and competent contractors were shut out in consequence of the low figure at which persons without capital usually tendered. • Nominated Immigration.— The Timaru Eerald states that the nominations of persons as immigrants received by the Immigration Officer at Timaru up to Friday last, when the list for transmission by the next San Francisco mail closed, numbered twenty-seven souls, equal to twenty-four and a-half adults. Of the twenty-seven souls, twenty-five are Irish and two English. OddfbXiLOWs’ Haul. Mr Davies and company were favoured with a fair attendance last night. Almost every item on the programme was re-demanded, and Mr Davies’ ventriloquial performances were as mirth-provoking as ever. There will be a change of programme to-night, and tomorrow evening a number of valuable prizes will be distributed, each visitor to the ball being supplied with a ticket for the prize distribution.

Mabblb. —The Timaru Herald Bays:—It is not generally known that there exists in South Canterbury an unlimited quantity of the finest marble. Our attention has been drawn to two splendid samples procured from thi Kakahu, and polished by Mr George Muuro, sculptor, of Dunedin. Ono specimen is green, and the other of a dove colour, a handsome grain running through each. Our informant states that the marble, of which there are several shades; is equal to the best Sicilian and French sorts, and that it is by far the best discovered in the Southern Hemisphere. Mr Monro bos taken a lease of a piece of country on the Kakahu, and intends to convey 'the marble to Dunedin, and polish it, there. IJf the marble is as good as it is described to be it cannot fail to become an important article of export from South Canterbury. Opening op the Tikabc and TemukJl Railway. —The Herald of Oct. 18 says The public will bo glad to learn that (he Government have at last decided to open the railway between Timatu and Temnka, The date of the opening is Tuesday, Cot. 26, and trains Will run regularly every da* after this betireea the two towns. Tii table is not yet issued hare but we informed that the tram wilf* leave here ca£ and reach Temuta at about XC. forty minutes on (he journey. >?• Hkte*d : e Temnka correspondent writes:—a 6 8 r ?j? having been forwarded-to the hoZ' ** Richardson, requesting him to open t.. Timaru and Temuka Railway, beforo tbe Agricultural Show at Tin»ra> thw following, reply was received by Dr Rayner, on Friday, Oct. 15" Provincial Authorities have agreed to open the line to Zemuka pnGct. 26. A meeting will be held on Monday evening next, at Mr Arenas’, when an arrangement will be mode «a to the proceedings of (he towns-. people on the occasion of toe openlog.

Bhnepit Ehtbbtaxmxbht. The Oddfellows of Woolstoa intend, at an early date, to give an entertainment for the benefit of the widow of a late brother of the Order.

Thbatbk Royal.— Saturday’s bill was repeated last night to a moderate boaee. " Monte Oristo,” which has been in active preparation for eome time past, will be produced to-night. Mabinr Board of Inquiry. —An inquiry, before a Commission appointed by his Excellency the Governor, commenced yesterday at the Resident Court, Lyttelton, respecting certain allegations against Mr Williams, second officer of the ship Waikato. Soiehh.— The inhabitants of Lyttelton are invited to attend a toirie to meet the Rev Lloyd, the new incumbent of Holy Trinity Church, this evening, at the Colonists’ Hall. Tea will take place at 7 p,m,, and the programme will comprise glees, songs, and addresses.

Saturday Half-Holiday.—At the public meeting held in the Music Hall last evening, a resolution was almost unanimously agreed to in favour of a Saturday half-holiday being established in connection with the building trade.

Sudden Death. —lt was reported in town last night that a shepherd, named Carmichael, was found dead in his hut, at the junction of the runs owned by Messrs Moorhouse, Walker, and Peters. It would appear (hat he had been sitting in his bunk reading the Testament, and on dying had fallen to one side a little, the Testament still remaining on his knees. Oarmiobael was about thirty-five years of age, perfectly steady, and had not complained of illness prior to his death. An inquest will he held at the Ashburton to-day. Masonic Baud. —The date for the Masonic Ball in aid of the Scholarship Endowment Fund has been altered so as to avoid the race week. Very complete arrangements are being made, and an influential list of Stewards, including several non-Masons, has been prepared. A novel feature is to be introduced into the programme for the evening of the Ball. A quadrille is to be arranged for Masons in blue Lodge clothing, after whioh one will be danced in the Royal Arch clothing—purple and red ; and this will be followed by one danced in Grand Lodge clothing—blue and gold. South Rakaia Libhaey. A general meeting of the members of the South Rakaia Library was held on Thursday, Oct. 7. There was a good attendance. A discussion ensued on the advisahleness of raising the subscription, when MrO. N. Maokie proposed, and Mr Clark seconded—“ That after the expiration of the present quarter the subscription be raised to £1 per annum, payable half-yearly in advance.”—Carried. Mr Middleton proposed, Mr C. N. Mackie seconded—“ That a tea meeting and gift-auction be held in aid of the funds on Tuesday, Nov. 1, and that those present form themselvesintoa Committee, with power to add to their number to cany on the above.” The Secretary was directed to advertise the same. Mr Middleton proposed, Mr Poyntz seconded—" That the Library be opened daily as a reading-room, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.” An amendment, proposed by Mr Wason, and seconded by Mr Brown, viz.-. “ That after this date the Library be opened to the public as a reading-room, no books to be allowed to be taken out of the room, except on application to the librarian, under a heavy penalty. This amendment to remain in force for one month.” On being put, the amendment was carried. Diocbban Synod. — The Session of the Synod will be opened at noon, at Christ’s College Library. The opening services will be held in the Church of S. Michael’s and All Angels. There will be a choral celebration of the Holy Communion this morning, at 8.30 o’clock, morning service at II o’clock, and evening service at 7.30 o’clock. The Diocesan Choral Association will ba the choir, and the following is the music selected for the early Communion and evening rervioes:— Choral celebration of the Holy Communion at 8 a.m,: Introit, Hymn 203 (A. and M.);_ Eyrie and Credo,. Marbeoke; Offertorium, “Let your light,” Bamby; Sanotus and Gloria in JJioelsis, Marbecke; Recessional, None Dimittis. Evensong at 7.30. p.m.: Processional Hymn, “We inarch, we march to victory,” the words of which are given on the printed form j Proper psalms, 38 (Barnby in B), 97 (Anon, in A), 160 (Grand Chant); Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, Garrett in F; Anthem, “Praise the Lord/ 0 iny soul,” (Goss) from Psalms 146, 122, and 126; Hymn before sermon, No. 804; Recessional Hymn, No. 322. The offertories daring the day, will be applied to meet the expanses of the Synod. New Ohueck at Phieipsxown.— The new Congregational Ohdroh at Philipstown was opened on Sunday last, and, judging from, the attendance at each service, there can, be no : doubt that the church wa» much requited in the locality. The morning service was conducted by the Rev Tout, who has recently arrived to assist the Rev W. J. Habeas in Canterbuiy. The church was full daring the service. In the afternoon a Sunday-school was inaugurated by Mr Parker* when no. less than seventy children attended. The Rev W. J. Habeas conducted the evening service, and the attendance was so great that many were unable to obtain admission. The collections at the two services realised £6. The church is very pretty, and reflects great credit on the taste of Mr Widdowson, who, it may be said, prepared plans and superintended the work of erection without charge. As already stated, Messrs Thompson and Davies are the contractors, and the promoters of the church are very much gratified with the manner in which their work has been carried out. The church, 'quarter-acre of land on whioh it stands, and the internal fittings, cost in all about £350. Fart of (his has been collected by subscriptions, but the greater portion remains as a debt on (he building. EntbbtainmbntatDovahohkldb’s Bay— An entertainment Was held in the schoolroom on Thursday evening, Oct. 14, in aid of the funds for the erection of a new church, for whioh tenders are already invited. The old church has for the last two years been unfit for service, it being neither wind nor watertight, and it has only been through the strenuous efforts of the Rev W. H. Cooper that services have been carried on in it. The entertainment consisted of music, songs, readings, and recitations, and the way in. whioh they were rendered reflects great credit on the performers. A most enjoyable evening was spent, everyone being thoroughly pleased with it. At the: close, Mr Shadbolt moved a vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen for their kind assistance, stating that he had resided in the District for the last sixteen years, and had never enjoyed so pleasant an evening. Considering the oause_ for whioh it was got up, and the way in which every on* had responded to it, he thought there should be ho difficulty in getting up another in abont five weeks, with tea for the school children. As regarded the new church, he, for his part, would leave no stone unturned till it was an accomplished fact. Ho trusted that all present would do theirutmost, as the old church woe a standing disgrace to the District.

KuxßßTAunißira at Tbmplbton. —Ah entertainment for the purpose of raising funds to purchase prizes for the Sunday-school children was held in the Templeton schoolroom on Friday evening, and whether the success was owing to the worthy Chairman (who always puts bis shoulder to the wheel! haring had a more energetic body of Committeemen to work with t or the view the public took of the cause, certain it is that it Was the most successful affair of the kind that has taken place in Templeton, for after the proceedings were over the Committee, from a rough balance-sheet, found that they will hate ample funds for the purpose intended. The Com millet intend giving anotber entertainment in about a month in aid of the Library Fund. Mr Samuel Bailey, Chairman of the Templeton School Committee, occupied the chair, and, after a short but appropriate speech, opened the proceedings by introducing the Frebbleton Choir, who gave a glee with much success. Then followed a duet (piano and comet) by Mr and Mrs 0. F. Fitch. The evening's was made up of readings by the Bert j?* B«rdt Hovell, Coates, and Mr Flwin. Songs by ‘be MUwt Miles, Kisstl, Mayp, and Mr* Fades*, Messrs Oomeriord, Goodwin, and Hopkins. Wlo-Mua Mayo. The concert terminated at ® clock, when the room was cleared, end dsiTiVf "P** U P w,th spirit for some hours.

Inspection Pabadb,—The Christchurch Artillery, Engineer*, City Guards, and High School Cadets will be inspected by Lieut.Colonel Packe on Thursday. City Impeovekbnts.—Mr 0. Cuff is now engaged preparing plan* for a large brick building of handsome design, to be erected for Messrs Mason and Struthers, wholesale ironmongers, at the corner of Colombo and Lichfield streets. The building will be about 63ft by 46ft, and three stories m height. Diocesan Oh obal Association.— The final practice of members for the first annual festival, which takes place to-day in connection with the opening of the Synod, was held in S. Michael’s Church last night. There was a numerous attendance, all the church choirs in the City being well represented. The practice was very satisfactory, promising well for the success of the proceedings to-day. Aquatic. —Preparations are already being made for boating contests on the Avon. One of the first prizes to be competed for, will be that given by the President of the 0.R.0, last year. The crew who wOn it first has broken up, owing to some of the men being away from Christchurch ; but sufficient entries are expected to ensure a good contest for the prize. The Bankers’ crew, to whose lot so many prizes fell last season, are going to work together again, and Mr J, W. Davis is getting up another one. It is also probable that other prizes will bo forthcoming, and the general opinion seems to be that there will be many Saturday afternoon’s amusement on the Avon during the next three months. Tub Museum:. — The Museum was reopened yesterday, after the usual recess for cleaning and the addition of new specimens. The result is highly satisfactory, a considerable improvement being noticeable in all parts of the Institution. The entrance hall has received the addition of three trophies of aboriginal implements and vessels. On the left-hand wall there is a large trophy of implements and vessels, obtained from the inhabitants of the Tonga and Fiji Islands. These were mostly collected by the late Mr Sherbrook Walker, and have been presented to the Museum by the firm of. Walker and Ologstoun. The trophy contains a large and very fine collection of articles, which Have also the advantage of being well arranged. On the opposite wall there is a smaller trophy of articles, obtained from the aborigines of Australia. A comparison of the two trophies is not devoid of interest. It is easily made, and is decidedly favourable to the Natives of the Polynesian Islands, whose implements and vessels betoken a superior amount of ingenuity and workmanship. Over the room where the elephant skeletons ore kept, there is another trophy, which is composed of implements from New Guinea. On entering the room, a great accession to the mammals in the centre show cases will be observed. Among the new specimens there are several monkeys, including an Onrang-Outang, and the Tasmanian-mam-mals now include a fine Tasmanian tiger. There are also many other novelties, which it is impossible to notice in detail. In a glass case, by itself, the skeleton of an Egyptian mummy is displayed, and though over two thousand years old it is in a good state of preservation. The smallness of the hands and feet show the skeleton to be that of a lady of quality. In the room where the crocodiles are located, a large number of new specimens will be found; Among them there is a well articulated skeleton of an Indian crocodile, several Indian tortoises and turtles, together {with numerous fishes and reptiles. In a case against the wall, a large number of human skulls are exhibited. They are arranged in the order of races, and thus give an insight into the peculiar formation of their heads. The collection includes Romano-British and Anglo-Saxon skeletons from an ancient cemetery at Trilford, in England. There are also in this case, several cremation urns of our Anglo-Saxon ancestors, and some skulls 'from a Roman cemetery at York. All these specimens were obtained daring excavations undertaken by Professor Geo. Rolleston, Oxford, and were presented by.him to th? Museum. Among the other remarkable skulls, there are Severn from the Flat Hoad Indians of North America. The deformity in these skulls, it may be said, is due to a custom among the mothers in the. Flat Head tribes, of tying .-bandages on the heads of their children to produce flatness, as a mark of beauty. In the moa skeleton room, a number of large mammals have been added, as well as a great many birds. In the passage leading to the Maori house, a number of French engravings, forming part of the extensive oslloction representing the work of the best engravers of the last oentmy, is exhibited for the first time. In (fie Sallery, some exquisite glass sponges, obtained using the deep sea explorations, will be found. They wore presented by Dr Holier, O.M.G. Many other new specimens worthy of notice have been added during the recess, but space will not permit of them being referred to in detail. The glass cases throughout the Museum are crowded, and to such an extent as to interfere somewhat with an inspection of the exhibits. It is gratifying to observe, that considerable progress has been made with the foundations for the new building.