TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 5005, 5 March 1877, Page 2

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Ram Fair. —Entries for tho Canterbury Association's Ram Fair must bo made not later than Saturday afternoon. Co operative Society. The adjourned meeting of those interested in establishing a Co-operative Society will be held at tho Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street, (his evening.

Brook Trout. —A box of ova of tho Salmo Fontinali < has been received from America by Mr A. M. Johnston, of Opaws, by the last mail, and a few of the eggs have already commenced to hatch. The eggs aro smaller than tho English brown trout, ond the fish havo tho reputation of being more active, taking the fly more readily, and are considered the best variety, not only in America but in the world. Considerable difficulty and expense has been encountered in obtaining this particular variety, most of the other descriptions of American trout being inferior to the brown trout now established in New Zealand. The Salmo Foniinalis has recently been successfully introduced into England. The Skating Rink. —There was a very good attendunu" at tho Riak on Saturday evening, when the performance was for the benefit of Mdlle Franzini. Miss Lydia Howardo and Miss Ncvaro gave some of their best songs, and in the duet—the “Quarrel Scene'’ from Madame Angot—both ladies were particularly good, and were loudly applauded. Mr Baker contributed several songs in excellent style, and Mdlle Franzini brought tho entertainment to a oloco by her clever performance on the byciole. To-night is sot apart for the benefit of the Misses Howardo and Navaro, and to morrow evening will bring these very enjoyable concerts to ariose. Entertainment at I?outhrriihu!—A highly successful entertainment, iu aid of a benevolent purpose, took place in the Southbridge Town Hall, on Thursiay evening last. Mr and the Vrinsrs Spensloy, from Christchurch, kindly gave their servim-s on the oocaiion, and succeeded in charming the audience, both in the selection of the various snuH# and also in tho manner of their rendering. Mrs Edward Lee kindly played tho iiceompaniments on the piano, Messrs Willis Brigenshnw, Harman, Little, Fuljames, and the members of the Southbridgo brass hniui also gave their assistance, and fully merited the marks nf approval which, wore accorded v,o them Tho programme of the evening was successfully wound up at about II o’clock. Inqukst at Waimatb —An inquest on the bony m damucl I’ruo, who was drowned in (he creek on Wednesday morning, wan held at Rie’.n ond’s Hotel on Thursday last, before Mr oolco.iibe, Coroner, and u jury, of which Mr J. Manchester was chosen foreman. ' fie witne-scs examined were Sergeant O’Ooi.nor, Mrs Prue, wife of do-ora-ed, mid a man named Meltcn, from whore evidiniv it appeared that deceased, who wne mi'q.'ef to heart disease, had been f >r some i ni e pm>l in a desponding stito of mind, on account of not being able to obtain work, and that very early on Wednesday morning lie left his lu'U-o and, not. returning, his wife hi came alarmed, and wont out to search for him About 0 o’clock hia body was din covered by Sergeant O’Connor, in a creek near Mr Stucholmo’a slaughtor-yard. After hearing thu evidence, tho jury returned a verdict of 11 Found Drowned.” I

.ill *u ,U» *£■*££„■£? s. &JS. 5-SlSl —h. »•»- Vnrttktree SehTIOB Gazbtxh.— We here Volunteer Service Oatdle, P^* hed Meiers Reed and Fen wick, at Dunedin. The title sufficiently describes the object of thu periodical, which will b* issued “ onth |7* “J will doubtless bo of great use to members of the force. . _ . Tsmuka Mechanics’ Institcib. A meeting was held on Thursday evening j present— Dr Gumming (in the chair), Messrs Mendelson, Gray, Storey, and Pearpoint. It was resolved that the sum of £ls be expended in the purchase of books, and that Mr Fildes (President), Dr Gumming (Vice-president), Mr Gray, and Mr Brown be a Committee for the selection of now books. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting. Bobbbbt tbom: a Dwelling.—-Op Thursday forenoon last a house on Kaiapoi Island, occupied by ft widow named Clothier, was entered, and £6 in cash and several small articles were stolen from it. Mrs Clothier was absent from home at the time, and on her return found that the box in which she kept the money had been broken open. The door of the house was not locked. The owner of the money could ill afford to lose it, and it is to be hoped that the police will be succesifnl in arresting the thief. Temuka Fisb Bbigade.—A special meeting of this Brigade was held at the Engineshed on Thursday evening, Capt. Friedlander in the chair. Minutes of the last monthly meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from the Captain, tendering his resignation. It was resolved, “ That in hen of accepting Capt. Friodlander’s resignation, he be granted three months leave of absence, and during that time the Lieutenant to take charge of the Brigade.” A letter was read from Lieut.-Col. Facke, Christchurch, requesting to be furnished with a return of the number of officers and members of the Brigade. The Secretary was instructed to answer the same. Mr M. Friedlander was elected a member of the Brigade. After passing accounts to the amount of £9 12s, the meeting terminated.

Uppee Heathcote School.—The distribution of prizes and a treat to the children attending this school took place on Friday, March 2. At the instigation of the Chairman, Sir Oracroft Wilson, a subscription list had been started, and with the assistance of the children’s parents and friends.asum was raised, sufficient to supplement the Government prize grant to a considerable extent, and provide a treat in addition. After the distribution of prizes at the school, the scholars were marched to Cashmere. Hera their arrival had evidently been anticipated by Lady Wilson, who had generously provided a dinner. The sports commenced after dinner, and were conducted admirably throughout. The sports concluded, the children bad tea, and after tea expressed their gratitude to Sir Oracroft and Lady Wilson by loud cheers. The following were the prizetakers:—Class I. Mary M'Donald, George Barrett, Helen Eaglesome, James Henderson, Ellen Griffiths, Jane Henderson, and Mary A. Torrens (Master’s prize for spelling). Class ll,—Elizabeth Smith, Bose Moreland, James Morrison, Caroline Shax, Ethel Hill, Emily Whiting, Florence Baxworthy, and Bose Moreland (Master’s prize for spelling.) Class IH. —David Petrie, Fanny Griffiths, May Seager, Archibald Smith, Lily Hole, Ag. La Messurier, Margaret Moreland. Class IV. Bessie Straw, William Smith, Ay. Hill, Emma Harrison, John Morrison, Elizabeth Torrens, Henry Hole, and Margaret Smith. Class V. —Grace Smith, Eate Petrie, Ellen Comer. Class YI. Harry Bennett, John Whitelaw, Eohert Eaglesome, A. Holmes, Madeline Seager, Elizabeth Hill, and Cecilia Morrell. Chairman’s prize for regular attendance—William Smith and Caroline Straw. Waimaiabisi Haebofe Boabd. The monthly meeting of this Board was held in the Borough Council Chambers, Eaiapoi, on Friday evening last; present —Messrs E. "Coup (Chairman), T. Pashby, E. G. Kerr, E. Smethuist, and his Worship the Mayor. A letter was read from the Eaiapoi Borough Council in reply to one sent by the Board, stating that the Board’s request for the use of the Council Chamber for its meetings had been granted; also, forwarding all leases connected with the river reserves, and a schedule showing when each of the leases expired. The Chairman said he had received no reply to the letter sent to the Commissioner of Customs, re payment of the Pilot’s salary. Mr Eerr brought up the report of the By-laws Committee, which was of a voluminous character. Besides submitting by-laws for regulating the business of the Board, the Committee recommended that three members form a quorum, that any member moving for a Committee be chairman of such Committee, and convene all its meetings and be responsible for all documents placed at the disposal of the Committee, ko. Qa the motion of Mr Ellen, seconded by Mr Pashby, the report of the Committee and by-laws submitted by it were adopted without alteration. A discussion took place relative to the best means of managing the foreshore reserves, and lotting the unoccupied ones, and those the leases for which had expired. Mr Eerr moved—“ That a Committee, consisting of the members present, be formed to report upon the foreshore leases.” Mr Smcthurst seconded the motion, which was carried. lu reply to Mr Smethurst the Chairman said the Ferry reserve was not included in the endowment clause of the Act. It was decided that the first meeting of the Foreshore Leases Committee take place on Friday evening next, and that a sketch plan of the foreshores be procured. The meeting then terminated. Ashuphton Contingent, Canteebubt Ybomankt Oavalbt.—Tne first mounted parade of the above took place on Thursday evening last, at the ground adjoining the Post-office, Ashburton, at 5 pm. Sergeantmajor Lewis, the Drill Instructor from Christchurch, attended to put the men through their drill. The muster was a very fair one for the first parade, and the Sergeantmajor expressed himself as thoroughly satis fied with the manner in which the men carried out his instructions. The drill occupied an hour and a half, and was fully appreciated by the members. A meeting took place at the Court-house, at. S p in , which was numerously attended. Mr J. S. Bruce occupied the ohair. Mr Bachanaa, the hou. sec., read the regnlaiione of the C.Y O. Two letters were submitted to the meeting from Messrs BalUntyuo and Strange and Fountains, regarding' the cist of the uniform. Both firms agreed to supply forage cap, braided scarlet tunic, and blue p'ants or trousers, lor £(!. The Chairman informed the meeting that he had received a telegram from Captain S'routs, regretting his inability to bo present, but hoping to attend at. the next meet. Mr T. S. Lewis stated he was personally opposed to a scarlet tunic, and submitted to the meeting if it were rot possihlo that the Ashburton Volunteers should have a uniform of their own design. The Chairman explained that it was absolutely necessary that, the Ashburton Ycnamny Oaivury, wuioh was a contingent of rho Olmstohuvch troop, ehould huvo a uniform exactly to correspond with that worn by the other members. The Drill Instructor, by rtquest, explained to the meeting that p.rales were ordered annual.v, h.-ii,g six troop parades and six commanding tlll.-ers’ parados. It was al so announced that the k a easier camp commenced on Saturday an i , 1 next, ami that attendance at everv parade or this camp was consider, d cq ml to twelve parades. The folio wit g resolution being duly proposed by Mr Eagle a-.d sicou ul hr Mr Thorn, was unanimously earned:— That the parades take place on v *«lnosday iu every month during «\o summer time at 6 and during iho r lr> m ft > 1 * l ),rn " The next parade was fixed for Wcdmsday, March U, for foot drill. The nairman staled that ho, in connection with ne other members, fully anticipated a good j nustor. A vote of thanks to the Chairman nd bon Secretary terminated the proceedings. ~ Asoha Difpicpltv.—lt seems to be thought, says the New Zealand Herald , that

the row amongst the Thames . Te Aroha will finish up with a great { ee fc a korero.

Thb Gbbat Queensland The Newt, after stating that this tcs»*l sailed between 60 and 100 ton* of gunpowder board, and describing this quantify times more than that which blew up in <> .j/ Regent’s Park explosion, and. p-rhapi V® timet that which destroyed the principal V 1 ' of the city of Leyden, in Holland, in ibo*?* proceeds to give an appalling piece of ir.forir' tion. The account says " But the ito r y & ' not finished here. Small quantities of arum " nition and of saltpetre, with 50 tons of |j r - U ' •tone, appear in the list of the cargo of tv vessel, and she also carried about two tons patent gunpowder The manufacture of pst,«! gunpowder is a- comparatively new inooit-J When properly mane, the product can be'ren dered as safe as well made gun-co“o n . j<..i there are sometimes mistakes in the mancC tore, and then the powder is liable to i por ' Uneous ignition or explosion. Five or i tl days after the Great Queensland soiled r.h* 7e was an explosion of some patent gu.-.pow-j.r'on the premises of the manufacturer? in who had supplied the patent ?on;.-jw-j e , shipped on the Great Queensland. 1,'.. ter was scientifically investigated, a- ; •* Wlj discovered that there was a def--, t( . cleansing process—that the power,- as rr.v.u. factured was impure, and liable d. -herr.ir*) changes which would induce >por explosion. The question whether • V.e gunpowder on board the Great (> was infected with the same vic» - r , 0 . decided merely by the evidence of !:.c rr.it". facturers or the shippers. It is a f r ‘ T the investigation of impartial expe.-'j."