TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 5008, 8 March 1877, Page 2

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Ashbhbtonßoad Boaed.— A special meeting of this Board will be held on Thursday, March 16.

Railway Sebvants’ Benefit Society.— The usual monthly meeting will be held at the Oddfellows’ Hall this evening. Meeting op Bfbqbssbs. —A meeting of burgesses to consider the resolution of the Council, re acquiring possession of section 733 City of Christchurch is convened for Tuesday, March 13.

OaioxßT—Qbbbie’s Valley v. Head of the Bay. —A return match was played at the Head of the Bay between an Eleven from eaoU of these localities, on Saturday last, Qebbio’s Valley winning the matoh by one run with ten wickets to spare.

Associated Litebaby Society. His Honor Mr Justice Johnston, President of this Society, will deliver his opening address on Thursday, March 15, at the Congregational Schoolroom. All members of the various literary and debating societies in Christchurch and suburbs whose societies have joined tbe Associated Society are considered members, and may obtain two tickets free on application as per advertisement.

Sunntsidb. —A number of the inmates ot this Asylum participated in the annual picnic yesterday. Between 40 and 50 patients, accompanied by several of tho keepers, together with Mr Soager, the Superintendent of tho Asylum, went to the Port by the 9 a.m. train, where the ps. Titan was in readiness at the wharf. All having embarked, the steamer left the wharf at 945 a m., for Little Port Cooper, where the excursionists were landed. The weather was beautifully fine, and a very enjoyable day was spent, tbe company returning to Christchurch by the 6 p.m. train. The band of the Asylum was in attendance.

United Sefton Cricket Club. A meeting of the members of the United Sefton Cricket Club was held at Mr Ramsey’s Sefton Hotel, on Saturday evening last, Mr C. Ensor in the chair. Resolved—“ That the return match against Amberley be played at Sefton on March 24.” Resolved—“ That Mr Ensor be elected captain of the Olub.” A deputation waited upon Mr Toung, asking him for the use of his paddock on the occasion of the match, which he kindly granted. Resolved—“ That regular practice take place on Saturdays, at 3 o’clock p.m. j but that it would be os well to practice any evening, or at any time a few can meet together i” and farther, *' That the boys attending the Mount Grey Downs schools should be admitted as honorary members and have the option of playing with the Olub.” A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings. Government Insurance Department It will be observed by an advertisement elsewhere that the New Zealand Insurance Department in Canterbury Province has been placed under the charge of Mr Henry Olapoott as chief agent. This gentleman has been connected with the department in the North Island for some three years, and as a lecturer, has gained at the bands of the Press, in every plaoe visited, most flattering notices. The Wanganui Chronicle writes : “ Ths Government are very fortunate in possessing such an able, earnest, honest, and eloquent pleader as Mr Olapoott, who will, most undoubtedly, largely assist in achieving a successful career for the Government Life Insurance scheme.” It is hoped that persons who may not yet have insured will bo reminded by Mr Olapoott’s advertisements of the matter, and without delay avail themselves of the liberal terms offered by the Government. Theatre Royal. —“ Macbeth" was produced last evening .to a good house for the second time. The impersonation of Lady Maobeth by Mrs Siddons was as fine a one as that of Saturday evening last, her sleepwalking scene being again a most perfect piece of acting. The audience were very appreoia live, applauding frequently, and calling her many limes before the curtain. The goad, sound acting of Mr Steele secured his Maobeth a fair share of the applause and recalls. Mr Harford, in the scene with Malcolm, was very etTectivo, and deserved the hearty applause he received. The other characters were as on Saturday night. The music was a very groat improvement, thanks partly to Miss Lydia Howarde and Miss Navaro, who assisted, and partly to the practice which the chorus parts have evidently hod since Saturday. Miss Navaro sang the solo music of Hecate with oxo-Tlont effect, as well as that of one of the witches. Miss Howarde sang the rest of the witches’ solo music with good stylo and power, and her floe leading voice did much for the choruses. These were given with plenty of light and shade. The balance of voices might have been here and there better, but the dramatic verve of the singing was very excellent- Altogether, wo have much pleasure in saying that Locke’s Maobeth music does not often got bettor treatment. In conclusion we must give a word of praise to the representative of the baby apparition for bis very excellent little piece of elocution. For to-night 11 The Hunchback ” is announced.

1 nil of oro«n«Ul Fakot *!*,» Ohoich and gooda in aid <A the y |r BH ,L i« School. K««poi.will Raciko Stock,-“Th» how were, Klfin King, Templeton,-ndT^um^ «ent to Duntdm by the ■-•* Licensfng Lickwbino Count. —A. *U the Liwtmng Commissioners were not present ~ **j Irate’i Court thU morning, he application of Messrs Marshall and BucWey for an hotel license for premiM* at,‘J* of Manchester street and the South town belt was further adjourned until March XrfOiißißTcntTßcn Litbbabt and CHaiTiso SociKTV.—The fortnightly meeting of thi* looiety wai held at their room*, in Collins Hotel, lait evening, the mbjeot duouwed being—“ That the publication of cheap literature ia a benefit to the country, Mr Gnndry leading in the affirmative and Mr Wilkinson in the negative. Mb Tbavheb' Liebi, Action.—An Agency telegram etatea that the damages claimed by Mr Travers in the libel action which no has entered against Mr Perrier, as telegraphed by our correspondent, amount to £4OO. We have, to day, received a copy of the paper said to contain the libel, which appears to consist of a little tale about a lawyer and a whale told by “ the intelligent vagrant. Of coarse, wo cannot re-produce the story. Tub Canadian Cokmibsionbb. —Mr Young, the Canadian Commissioner, is accompanied by General Samuel J. Bridges, a friend of our quondam fellow citizen, Mr Thomas Curtis, for some years manager of the American house of Taylor and Co. These two gentlemen are paying us a flying visit on their I way Danedin to Sydney, where a couple of Canadian vessels will shortly be due, having on board Canadian produce for the exhibition. MiflS At.tor Mat.—Our musical readers will be glad to hear that Miss Alice May, who was so great a favourite in Now Zealand, has made her appearanoe in London, and created a most favourable impression. One of the metropolitan journals, in speaking of her, says Miss Alice May, the new prima donna, has made a decided hit at the Gaiety, and she is to be heard again on several afternoons during this week, tihe is young, clever, and gifted with a fine voice, while she evidently possesses rare intelligence as an actress. Inquest at Lakeside. —A Coroner’s inquest waa held yesterday at the house of Mr William Mathews, Lakeside, before B. B Willis, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Robert Wallace, aged three years, who died on Thursday, March 1. From a jury of 14 Mr D. Marshall was chosen foreman. From the evidence of Eliza Wallace, mother of the deceased, and her husband, it was proved that deceased had taken a severe cold while in the Emigration Depdt, London, and had afterwards suffered from measles whils on the passage out. The evidence of Henry Hugh Chapman, M.D., showed that deceased was in delicate health, which waa probably owing to the above mentioned causes. The jury returned a verdict of “ Death from natural causes, to wit, disease of the longs.” The Voltotbkb Bepbebbntatitbs.—The volunteers who represented Canterbury at the General Government prize firing are expected to arrive in Christchurch to-day, and it would not be out of place for their comrades to give them a welcome. They have won more prizes than any former lot of representatives, and this is surely worth some recognition. Sergt. Hill, of the Artillery, was second for the carbine championship, and won a prize in every match in which he competed.. All the other representatives except one have also won prizes. The Stella, with the representatives on board, left Wellington at 6 o’clock yesterday evening, and may, therefore, be expected to arrive in Lyttelton at about 10 o’clock this morning. Anothkb Laboub-Satikq Machine.— On Monday last Mr John Bennie started one of Foust’s bay loading machines to work on bis farm, Oastloton, near Doyleston, the result being h ; ghly satisfactory. The machine is American manufacture, and gained warm commendations from all judges at the Phila delphia exhibition. Mr Bennie saw the machine at work in the Eastern States while travelling through America, and being strongly impressed with its labour saving capabilities, ordered one which, but for a mistake, would have been delivered here in time for the last hay harvest. The hay loader is attached to the rear of the waggon on which the hay is to be carted away, and as the waggon moves forward the loader rakes up the hay and places it on the waggon, where it is arranged by manual labour. The rapidity of loading is regulated by the rate at which the waggon moves forward. When going at a moderate pace one man is able to arrange the hoy as fast as it is hoisted on to the waggon, but, if speed is an object, then two men are required, and with this number at work a ton of hay can be loaded in five minutes. This, it is needless to say, effects a great saving in labour, and, what is of still greater importance, enables the farmer to get his hay in rapidly if bad weather appears imminent. During ihe trial st Mr Beunie'e the loader picked up the hay nearly as clean as a rake, and loaded a dray in four minutes. The machine is certainly a valuable addition to the agricultural labour saving appliances now in use here. Inquest at Ashbubton.—An inquest was held on Tuesday afternoon at the Somerset Hotel, before Dr Trevor, Coroner, on the body of John Sherman, which was found on Monday morning hanging by the neck from the Bail way goods shed at the Hinds Station. The evidence went to show that the deceased arrived at Ashburton on Saturday last. He remained until the following afternoon, when he loft, stating that he intended walking to the Bangitata. He was seen on bis way by two witnesses, who both stated that he appeared in a very odd and excited state, and looked like a man who had been in the horrors. Mr Robert Glass, s;af ion-master at the Hinds, deposed that during Sunday night he beard a voice, and then a ory of “ murder,” I He did not get up, os he thought it was only some drunken man passing. The body was found in the morning by Reuben Kite, a platelayer, hanging from the door guide, between three and four feet from the ground. The man was dead, and lay fiat, his neck bearing on the rope. Saw no marks of struggling near the body. Dr Francis M'Bean Steward,aduly qualified medical practitioner, deposed to having examined the body of the deceased. He was of opinion that death resulted from mingled strangulation and suffocation. There were no marks of violence on the body, and from what witness had seen of it, he did not consider it necessary to make a post mortem examination. H. W. Felton, Sergeant of Polios at Ashburton, deposed to having taken charge of the body, and bringing it to the township. Two sailors' disoharges were found in the pockets of deceased. The jury returned the following verdict:—“The jury are unanimously of opinion that the deceased committed suicide while suffering from a fit of tempoiary insanity."