TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 5013, 14 March 1877, Page 2

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Ashburton Count* Oounoiu,—A mooting of tho Ashburton County Council will be hold to-day. Mbs Soott-Siddons.—This lady loft for Wellington yesterday. We understand that she purposes returning to Christchurch about April 13, when she will play here for six nights. IO Q.T.—The North Canterbury District Picnic will be held at Oxford to-morrow. Trains will bo run on tho Oxford and Bangiora lino at convenient hours for the holiday makers going and returning. Howobtii’s Hibbenica. —This company arrived by the Bingarooma from the Bluff yesterday. They are all strangers to Christchurch, having as yet only played in Dunedin and Invercargill, where reports speak of them very highly. They wore to appear at the Colonist's Hall, Lyttelton, last evening, and will open at the Music Hall hero on Thursday night Assbssmbnt Court, Bang idea. The Valuation List for the Mandoville and Bangiora Bead district, was produced before C. Whitefoord, judge, yesterday, for revision. The number of appeals on accountof excessive valuation was five, viz., from Messrs Wm. M'Qrcgor, J. Thompson (Waikuku), D. Graham, J. Scott, and J. Shrimpton. These being heard, a reduction was made on tho former four, and the latter was altered as requested. At tho request of the valuer several alterations were then made in the list. The Court for revising the Mandoville and Bangiora Drainage district was adjourned till March 27, to allow of the production of the Byreton Boad District 801 l for comparison.

Rineino at TIMABU.— The rink st Timara iiinow fairly esUbliittul as one of the (took place* of amusement,' antLliwell patronised every evening. At present (the great attraction is Malle Franzinl on the bicycle. tivms MAib.i-lhe lnward Suez Mail, conlilting of 14 bags—lo for Ohristoburoh, and 4 for Lyttelton—arrived per i.i. Taupo yostorday. The Ohristohnrob portion was forwarded by the 9.35 a.m. good* train. Concert at Lbbbton.— A grand concert, for which an excellent programme is offered, will take place in the Leeston Town Hell, thia evening. The vocalists oompriie several Ohriitchuroh amateur* who are favourably known in tho mailool world.

Accident at Timabu.—On leaving the Borough Council Chamber* on Monday evening, Mr T. W. Fyffe (ell into a cellar, a drop of about four foot, breaking leveral of hi* rib*. He wo* at once attended to by Dr Hammond, and is progreising favourably. Tub Dabrbllb. —fhe*e renowned artistes, e’silted by a large company, opened to a full home at the Mechanics’ Hall, Timara, on Monday night. The piece* were the “ Lady of Lyons,”and "Katherine and Petruohio.*’ The entertainment was one of tho best that has been given in Timara for some time. Theater Royal,— There was a very good attendance at the Theatre last evening, when " Conrad and Lizefcte ” was repeated, evidently to the satisfaction of the audience, judging from their loud and frequent applauee. The eame programme will be repeated this evening, and until further notice.

Baeaia Bridge.— An accident took place on Monday night, owing to. a threshing machine getting jammed on the railway line. It took two hoars to get the machine clear, and the bridge-keeper who very good natnredly assisted in the operation, got very roughly handled by the men in charge, through whose intoxication the mishap bod occurred. There being no constable at hand, as the officer stationed at Bakaia wac elsewhere on duty, the perpetrators of the assault have escaped scot-free. Fortunately the mishap took place when there was no tram due at the spot; otherwise, there would have been a stoppage of traffic for two hours.

Gaol Returns. —The Chief Gaoler reports, regarding the Canterbury gaols for the month of February, as follows Males: For trial at the Supreme Court —Lyttelton, 10; Timara, 1; Hard labour—Lyttelton, 102; Addington, 62; Timara, 60. Imprisonment—Lyttelton, 2; Addington, 10; Timara, 6. For medical treatment—Lyttelton, 7. Lunatics—Timara, 1. Debtors—Lyttelton, 8. Total males— Lyttelton, 124; Addington, 72 ; Timara, 68. Females: Hard labour Addington, 20; Timara, 2. Imprisonment Timara, 1. Medical treatment—Addington, 4. Tot".’. Females—Addington, 24; Timara, 3. The prisoners discharged daring the month were—from Lyttelton 22, from Addington 63, from Timara 48

Bangioea Disteict Schools.—A meeting of the Oommittea of these schools was bold on Monday evening last, Messrs Ounningbam, Blackett, Blue Stephens, and Aherne being present. A letter was read from Miss Agnes Bobinson, assistant mistress, stating that she desired to resign her position in the school, as she wished to attend the classes and lectures at the Normal School. It was resolved that the resignation be accepted, the Chairman being requested, when notifying this to Miss Bobinson, to express the regret that the Committee feel at the loss of so efficient a mistress, and at the same time to congratulate Miss Bobinson on her rapid and satisfactory progress as a teacher. The several applications for the vacancy of pupil teacher were considered, and it wes decided to recommend the appointment of Miss Fanny Stephens. The Committee then adjourned. Obickbx. —The return match between the Oust and Bangiora clubs was played on Saturday on the ground of the former, and resulted in an easy victory for the Oust Club. Tbe scores were—Oust, first innings 72, second innings 59; Bangiora, first innings 36, second innings 31. On the same day a match was played on Latimer Square between the Albert and Press Standard Clubs, with the following result:— Albert Club, first innings 24, second innings IS; Press Standard Club, first innings 54. The return match between the M.0.C.0. Second Eleven and the Fapanui 0.0. will be played on the U. 0.0.0 ground on Saturday next, play to commence punctually at 2 p.m. The following are the aides:—M.o.o.o. Reeder, H. and M. Smith, Barringer, Hislop, Taylor, Turner, Palairet, M'lntyre, Thompson, and E. F. Moore. Papanui O.O.—GK and U. Dickenson, J. and W. Homer, Hack, Rev F. G. Brittan, Pavitt, Bitso, Hack, Meriden, and Jennings. Widening of Colombo Stbkbt. —A meet* ing of the citizens, convened by his Worship the Mayor, to take into consideration the question of borrowing £30,000 for purchasing Mr Morten’s section of land, and erecting offices thereon, was held last evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall, his Worship occupying the chair. Under the new Act it is necessary before money can be borrowed to obtain the consent of the citizens, and it is also necessary that a meeting shall be held before the poll is taken. In this instance the expression of opinion has „been very strong, for on the resolution—" That it is inexpedient to borrow the money to purchase Mr Morten’s section” —being put, every hand, in the hall was apparently held up. On the “ contrary” being put, the only person who ventured to raise his hand was Councillor Hewkes; upon which tbe Mayor declared the motion to be carried “unanimously,” a declaration that was received with a loud burst of applause. Councillor Turner demanded a poll, which will be taken in due time, but if tbe meeting of last evening be any criterion, - there is very little chance of the citizens endorsing the action of the majority of their representatives In the Council. Thk Late Obioket Match.—The presentation of the trophies won at tbe late cricket match with the All-England Eleven, took place last evening, at Badoliffa’s Commercial Hotel. The trophies consisted of two solid silver cups, value £lO each—one presented by Mr Badoliffe, and the other by tbe employes of the Lyttelton Times ; four cricket bats, presented by Messrs M'Williams, Hobday, J. Montague, and B. Simpson; a ball, presented by the Canterbury cricketers; and a smoker’s companion, presented by Messrs Schwartz, Bros. The presentations were made by Mr Harman, who said that he had been honoured with a request to present the trophies. This was an occasion of which Canterbury might well be proud. Barely twenty-five years Ago the first recorded match was played on the Plains, and he might mention that many of those who had played in the late match were not then born. The match to which he bad alluded was played on a bit of ground in Hagley Park, and in that match the public schools of England were well represented, and a firm determination existed to make cricket one of their leading sports. He thought they might well be proud of the progress they had made as shown by the play of the Canterbury men at tbe late match, when tbe public schools of England were also well represented. Cricket was a game peculiar to Englishmen j in fact, they were the only people who excelled in the game. (Cheers.) Of those who played in the match in Hagley Pork, comparatively few remained ; some had left the Colony, and others were dead. One, however, was alive amongst them—Mr Dickenson, and he (Mr Harman) would have been delighted to have seen him there that evening. The trophies were distributed as follows; —Mr Badoliffe’s silver cup to Mr C. Frith, of the Canterbury team, for the best bowling; the silver cup given by the employes of the Lyttelton Timet to Mr 8. Alpe of the Canterbury team for the best fielding ; Mr E. O. J. Stevens of the Canterbury team took two bats, presented respectively by Messrs M‘William and Hobday, for the highest score made on the Canterbury side. The smoking companion, presented by Messrs Schwarts, Bros., was taken by Mr T. 8. Sweet for the highest score made on the Canterbury side in one innings; and also a bat, given by Mr J. Montague, for the second highest score in the match. Mr B. bat was awarded to Mr Allan Hill of the All England Eleven for the highest score on that side; and also a ball, presented by the Canterbury cricketers, for his splendid bowling in the second innings. Each of the gentlemen briefly returned thanks on receiving his trophy. Those won by Mr Allan Hill will be forwarded to him. A vote of thanks to Mr Harman terminated the proceedings.

SKAWira Club.— lt 1* sight end Friday night are . I.O.Q.T.—An entert*imnmfc 1* to take place this evening, At the Onnge H £!b.L.—A meeting cf&« M ‘u«nhirf Lodge ii advertised for Thursday, March 16, Bt Kotos op of oandidatee for the appointment of Bnoderoan for Governor's Bay m«»et be sent in to Mr P, N. Hodgson; before one o clock on Monday, April 2. Nomination* for the dutriote of Bakaia and Longheaoh, must be scat in to Mr 0. N. Mackie, on or before April 8. Harmonic Society —At a general meeting of thie tooiety, held laet evening, the Bev H. 0. M. Wation, vice-president in the chair, after eome diionoion it wae re*olved that the action of the Committee be affirmed, and alio that the qaeition of alteration of role* and engagement* of the tooiety be referred to the Committee to ooniider. City Assessments. —A Court for hearing appeals against the city assessment was opened by Mr MellUh at the City Council Chambers yesterday, and appears likely to extend over the remainder of the week. Ur Mellish sat from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, bat not more than a seventh part of the appeals was disposed of. The Court will resume at 10 o’clock this morning, when the remainder of the appeals in the north-west quarter will be hearo, after which those in the north-east quarter will be taken. In the course of Yesterday’* proceeding* the Town Clerk applied to have the Normal School inserted in the rate list and duly assessed. He explained that although every other school ws* entered on the list, this one bad been omitted, because there wae a doubt at the time whether the Government could be rated for it. Since then, however, a legal opinion had been taken, the effect of which was to show that the Normal School was not exempt from rates. Such being the case, the City Council thought it was only fair that the school should be placed on the rate list. Mr Mellish referred to the Act, and after some consideration, said that he could not do as requested by the Town Clerk, as, although be had power to correct the list by altering figures or substituting one name for another, he could not insert an entirely new property.

Thb Tadmoe Bush.— Respecting the late gold discovery in Nelson, the correspondent of the Guardian sends the following particulars: —For more than 20 years portions of this district have been worked by miners, with the result known as " poor men’s wages.” There is, on an average, 10 feet of stripping to be done, and if the lead runs across the flat, it will not be very, even if fairly, payable, unless it is of considerable width. If the lead takes up the river, it may run for 14 or 15 miles. One man working in the bed of the river made £9 last week, but had worked a week previously for nothing. The flat has been pegged out at the back of Biggs’ claim—the best claim on the ground—and a shaft sunk through the weshdirt, but the yield so far has only been a grain to the dish. The three men reported to have earned £3O in Biggs’Claim in three days were six days obtaining that yield, but were sluicing three days. The gold is fiakey, of the same quality as in the Sheny district, and is worth £3 15s per ounce. Nuggets of about 1 dwt. are occasionally, but very rarely, found. Previous to the rush 17 men were on the ground doing well, and averaging £1 per day. There have been no really large finds, and the prospeoLs would not warrant men leaving employment, or coming from long distances to take their chance on the field, which will probably do no more than pay yield wages to a limited number of miners. Thb Uppbe Wahoahui Natives.— The following further particulars of the recent compulsory return of the Magistrate of Wanganui from an expedition into the Upper Wanganui district, are supplied by the correspondent of the New Zealand Times :—Mr Wood on nearing Topine’s whare was met by two canoes, one of which was loaded and the other empty, and equipped for rapid pulling. A chief named Te Harai, who was in the latter canoe, ordered Mr Woon and his party to turn back, as at several runangas held to discuss the subject of Europeans being allowed access to the Upper Wanganui country, it had been resolved that none should be allowed beyond a point further down the river than where Mr Woon had then reached. It seems some Europeans have been prospecting for gold up the river, and the natives have become alarmed and are determined to stop any strangers from going into the supposed auriferous country at the head of Wanganui. The Natives had no objection to allow Mr Woon or Major Nixon to go on, but objected to the other two gentlemen in the canoe going any further up. Mr Woon expostulated with To Harai, and tried to overcome the obstacles opposed to his progress, but Te Harai out the matter short by taking the B.M.’s canoe in tow, and turning her down stream. There is now a regular aukati on the river, and the opening of a payable goldfield in that quarter is indefinitely postponed. A party of Europeans who were up the river a short time since, found many indications of gold at different points on the river, and it is generally believed a payable goldfield exists in that quarter.