TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5628, 10 March 1879, Page 5

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Cattle TbebpASS.— The North train on Saturday evening was detained near Southbrook by some cattle on the line, and on the other side of the same station several head were straying in dangerous proximity to the railway. The police are wanted in the neighbourhood.

Muff Ceickbt Match.— lt has been suggested, and it is likely that the suggestion will be acted upon, that a cricket match between the Mayor and Councillors of Eaiapoi and the Mayor and Councillors of Eangiora should take place, and that the proceeds of the match be given to the Kaitangata Relief Fund.

Coen Exchange.—A meeting of the Committee was held at the Corn Exchange on Saturday; present—The Chairman (Mr T. Bruce), Messrs Laidley, Bailey, Overton, Perryman, Dick, Willis, Woodman, and Amyes, Captain Willis proposed, Mr Perryman seconded—“ That the General Manager of the Canterbury Railways be written to, urging upon notice a comparison between the railway tariff rates of Victoria, where the Tninimnm is Id per ton per mile, and Is per ton terminal charge, with the rates on the Canterbury lines which are 2£d per ton per mile, with a terminal charge at Christchurch of 3s 9d per ton; and urge that a substantial reduction should be made, and also that the 9d a ton (rebate to private sidings) offered as an inducement to the builders of private stores at sidings which has lately been recalled, be again allowed.” Carried unanimously. The business of the meeting then terminated. Oust TTat.t. Company.—The annual meeting of shareholders was held on Eriday, Mr E. L. Higgins in the chair. The Secretary and Treasurer, Mr Meredith, read the annual report, showing that success bad attended the venture of the Company, while the ball has proved a great convenience to the district by supplying a place in which to hold religious services, meetings, sales, &c. The want of a suitable place for purposes of this kind had been long felt by those resident in and around the Cust; but that was now well provided for, and, as the books proved, highly appreciated, The balance-sheet showed that, notwithstanding some unusual expense, a small balance appeared to the credit or the Company. The Secretary’s statement and balance-sheet were adopted. The four retiring Directors, Messrs Leach* Sear ell, Buddenklau, an d Meredith, were unanimously re-elected. A hearty vote of thanks to the Secretary, Mr Meredith, and the transaction of some minor business brought the meeting to a close, HAi9WEi.ii School Tebat.—The children attending this school had their annual treat on Eriday in a paddock kindly placed at the disposal of the Committee by Mr Candy. There was a very large muster or children and parents, and after doing justice to a very substantial luncheon, the following programme was worked off. The prizes m each case consisted of books or toys :-Boys race, over 12 years: A. Booth, 1; B. 2. Girls’ race, over 12 years: Elizabeth Walker, 1; M. Bickerby, 2, Boys’ race, over 9 and under 12: A, Campion,!; F. Eod g er^; Sullivan, 3. Girls’ race, over 9, and under 12. Jane Moffat, 1; E. Hayes, 2; Mary Hayes, 3. Long jump: J. M‘Donald,l jA.Booth, 2. High lump: H. Campion, 1; IGlbndo, 2. Prize for skipping: M. Hayes, 1; M. ic - erby, 2. Many other events were contested, and after spending a very enjoyable day, the children separated at dusk. Thanks are d to the residents in the district for the Aioerality of their subscriptions, and to the Committee for the energetic and harmonious manner in which they worked to ensure the success of the treat.

Union Sowing Club.—The Union Rowing Club’s season was' closed on Saturday afternoon, when a series of scratch double scull races came off, eight crews competing. Details of the various heats will be found elsewhere.

New Wabehodse in Lichfield Street. —Tenders are being invited for the erection of a new warehouse m Lichfield street for Mr W. Saunders. The plans have been prepared by Mr Jacobsen, and a description of thein will be found in another column. Gaiety Theatee. — The diorama of the Arctic Regions was shown for the last time on Saturday night, at the Gaiety Theatre, to a fairly numerous audience. In the afternoon there was a special exhibition for the convenience of children. The attendance was only moderate.

The Volunteer Championship. —W. Ballinger, of Wellington, is the successful competitor for the rifle championship this year, with a score of 191 out of a possible 224. Gordon, of the Thames, takes the carbine championship, with 192 out of the same possible total.

Ailbged Robbery. —Yesterday evening a man named James Hart was lying on the street, near the Caversham Hotel, under the influence of liquor, when two men were seen to take his watch from him, and make off. with it. Information was given to the poliae, and the alleged offenders were arrested shortly afterwards by Detective Walker and Constable Nelson. The watch was found in the possession of one of the men.

Alabm of Fire. —About five minutes to one o’clock yesterday morning one of the firebells rang out an alarm, fiamos having been observed in Mr G. Booth’s, Victorian Sawmills, Lichfield street. The Fire Brigade and Constabulary were quickly on the spot, but their services fortunately were not required. The fire was confined to some shavings, and was quickly extinguished. Its origin is unknown, as the shavings were near the street door, and at a considerable distance from the engine.

Correction. —Mr Montgomery wishes the following corrections made in our report of his speech at Akoroa: —Where it is said that more than one half of the names on the Electoral Roll of Wanganui and Bay of Islands arc Maoris, it should be “nearly one half.” Instead of u we would have a man who would follow the opinions of the people for the time, &0.,” Mr Montgomery states that it should be—" We would have a man who would, get into power on a wave of popular feeling, perhaps, and we know that popular feeling does not always judge the individual correctly.”

British and Foreign Bible Society.— The Sunday schools of the City assembled at the Durham street Church yesterday afternoon, to hear an address from the Bev J. T. Evans, the Society’s Agent in Australia. The wet weather prevented the attendance of some of the scholars, but about 600, children were present. The Rev W. Morley, minister of the church, and the Rev J. Aldred, the Local Secretary, took part in the devotional exercises, after which Mr Evans addressed the children, giving several pleasing incidents in connection with Bible circulation in North and South America and Africa.

Dueham Stbeet Chueoh Anxiveesaet. —The fourteenth anniversary of the above Church was celebrated yesterday. The sermon at the morning service was preached by the Rev W. Morley, President of the Conference, who took for his text Psalm xxiv., 3-6—“ Who shall ascend unto the hill of the Lord.’ 1 In the evening the Bev J. Elmslie, 8.A., preached from John siii., 7—“ Jesus answered and said unto Peter, What I do thou knowest not now, but shall know here-i after." There was a large congregation at each service, and the collections were in aid of the fund for liquidating the debt on the: Church. The annual soiree in connection' with the anniversary services will be field on Thursday next, after which a public meeting: will take place, when the reports of congregational work will be submitted and the accounts presented. Addresses will be delivered by the Revs Morley, Elmslie, Smalley, Luxford, and Mr 0. W. Turner.

Leitheield School Committee.—The usual monthly meeting was held on March 4. ; The Chairman (Mr W. Eoberts) read correspondence from the Board of Education conan; examination of school for past year, which is as follows;—“In Standard V. four were presented, all of whom passed; average age, Ilf. In Standard IV. six were presented, and five passed; average age, 10|. Standard; 111, seven were presented, and all passed; average age, 9f. Standard 11. 14 presented, 13 passed; average age, 9f. Standard I. 16 presented, all passed, making a total of 47 presented, of whom 45 pass, which makes a per centage of 95. In the infant’s class 19 were presented, and all passed; average age, nearly six years. Their work being mostly nearly up to passing Standard I.” Correspondence also read from Mr Amy, informing the Committee that Mr J. Walker, drill inspector, had examined the school on Feb. 27, and expressed himself highly satisfied. The Committee then passed a vote of thanks the head master, Mr Amy, and Miss May, for the able and efficient manner they conducted the school. The meeting then closed.

St John’s Chuech. —Yesterday the Harvest Festival was celebrated in this Church, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion with wheat, oats, grapes, and other fruits of harvest. Though simply decorated, yet the sacred edifice never looked more attractive, the font, pulpit, lectern, communion table, and east window being especially noticeable. In spite of the threatening weather, all the services (including the confirmation services) were crowded. The Eev F. Knowles, in the absence through indisposition of the Incumbent, the Rev H. C. M. Watson, conducted the morning service, and preached an eloquent sermon suitable for the occasion. In the evening the Incumbent read the prayers, and the Rev F. Knowles again preached to an attentive congregation. The service, was the same as indicated in Saturday’s Times, and was heartily rendered. Indeed, seldom has the music been better and more heartily rendered at St John’s, it being pleasing alike to the trained ear of the few as to the more vigorous tastes of the many. At the confirmation services twenty-one candidates, young men and young women, were presented and, after an impressive address from his Lordship the Bishop, they were duly confirmed by the laying on of hands. A full Church was drawn together to witness the ceremony, and on each occasion the choir attended in full strength. It may be stated that some of the sheaves for the decorations had been sent from Ashburton.

A Cieveb Captueb. —At the Timaru Police Court on Saturday, a man named David M'Kee vras charged with stealing from the person of William Connor two £5 notes and three £1 notes. Detective Neil stated that he was outside the Boyal Hotel shortly after 11 o’clock on the previous night, and saw two men lying down in the yard. Prisoner, who was sober, was lying behind Connor’s back, and the latter was helplessly drunk. The detective struck a match and looked at them, and told prisoner to go away. Witness then left, but believing there was something wrong, he in company with Harry Cornelius, a groom at the stables opposite, went into the next yard and watched the movements of the prisoner. It was moonlight at the time, and he distinctly saw prisoner lying behind Connor as if he were asleep. Occasionally prisoner rose up quietly, and looked round.to see if the coast were clear, and believing all was right, he put his hand into Connor’s pocket and took out something that crackled like new notes when opened them out, and looked at them. He put the money in his pocket and left the yard. Detective Neil followed and arrested him, and on searching him in the lock-up found a £5 note and two £1 notes. Harry Cornelius corroborated the detective’s evidence. Prosecutor said he was drunk last night, and had been drinking in several public-houses during the day. Prisoner, who was a stranger to him, had a drink with him, but knew nothing more till he found himself in the lock-up this 1 morning, with his money gone. Prisoner was committed for trial at the next session of the Supreme Court.

Tmabh Races. —MrNeilson.we learn, has scratched Fishhook for the Timaru ‘ Handicaps. ■ i . '.! ■, hie,! New Zealand Shipping Company.— Advice has been received by this Company of the arrival, all well, at London, of their ships Orari and Waitongh-..both from Lyttelton, and Bakaia from Wellington. As the Waitangi sailed on Deo. 19, she: has made the runhome in 74 dajf., < Lambs bt Railway.— A special train ef 25 trucks started from. Selwyn with JLOOO lambs at fi k;m^ A 'for Oamaru. These lambs were foP Mr Maddison, of Invercargill, and as the Department are unable to take them further than Oamaru, they will have to be travelled from that station to their destination.

Unregistered Dogs. —Mr Beck, City Ranger, has, in his travels during the week, discovered fifteen cases of unregistered dogs,, whose owners will no doubt receive the usual intimation in due course. To save expense it would be as well for these persons who have neglected to register their dogs to do so at once.

Cabtßbidge otbb the Hkathcote.—A public meeting is to be held this evening at the office of the Heathcote Road Board, Ferry road, to consider the site for a proposed bridge over the Heathcote. As much diversity of opinion is believed to exist upon the subject it is anticipated that the proceedings of the meeting will be of an animated character. The Kaitangata Relief Fond.— ln conjunction with the f6te in aid of the Kaitangata sufferers, a monster promenade concert isto be held in the Drill Shed under the supervision of. Messrs 1 Towle and Coombes. Monday next, St Patrick’s Day, has been fixed upon as the date. The Fancy Dress Cricket Match, &0., will come off in the day, and the concert in the evening. Mr Towle’s name is a guarantee that the entertainment will be of the best description. Magisterial. —At the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday a woman named Elizabeth Wells was charged with obtaining money by fraudulent representation. It appeared that accused had been going about collecting subscriptions, ostensibly for the ! purpose of bringing her daughter-in-law, Fanny Gostage, from Invercargill. The money, however, Was never used for that purpose. Two witnesses were called to prove they'gave accused sums of money, but as there was no misrepresentation about the matter, and it was considered by the Magistrate as merely a case of begging, the accused was discharged With a caution.

A Dangee Behoved.—At the entrance to the Magistrate’s Court, by the side door, the matting has for a long time been so worn into, holes as to have become a perfect trap to witnesses and defendants when leaving the Court, the latter of whom especially found it of times go sufficiently against the grain to hand over their five or ten shillings, as the case might be, without being tripped up immediately afterwards and running the risk of breaking their hecks. The state of this matting was brought forcibly before the Magistrate on Saturday morning by a person tripping and nearly landing on his nose in front of the bench. His Worship at once gave orders for; what is left of the matting to be rolled up, so; as to allow a clear passage for defendants and others. Tub English Ceioketebs in Medbouene.—The fine batting power of Lord Hams’team has proved too much for the Victorians in the second match. 248 was more than the Australians could struggle against, and from our telegrams it will be seem that they can scarcely hope to avert a severe thrashing! From the Melbourne papers we find that it was proposed to play another match between a combined eleven and Lord Harris’ team, but as the proposed date was March 7 and following days we presume the idea was abandoned. The Victorian Cricketing Association telegraphed to New South Wales, which is understood to have taken the, initiative in the affair, the willingness of Victoria to find a certain number of men for the match. If the proposal had been carried out, the Australian team .would have consisted of six New South Welshmen and five Victorians. ; Ordinations at St Michael’ Chttech., —Ordinations were held yesterday by His Lordship the Bishop of Christchurch, at the church of St Michael and -All Angels’, where morning prayer was said at half-past nine, and the harvest services: at eleven. The ordination service commenced with the sing■inTimjrli-. ■ ■ .» nf turning nnftiflnt, and Dean of Christchurch, having read tfie^TJnFding ” prayer, gave a discourse from the tenth chapter of St Mathew, verse 24 and part of 25. The Dean afterwards presented the candidates for ordination, ope of whom, Mr Eliot Chambers from Boss, in Westland, was to be ordained a deacon, and the others, the Eevs J. B. Inwood and G. Fynes-Clinton to be admitted to the priesthood. The usual service then proceeded, the Bishop saying the Litany, and the responses being chanted by choir. The epistle was read by the Dean, and gospel by the newly ordained deacon, the Bev. E. Chambers. The , solemn service for the ordination of priests then proceeded. The Very Bev the Dean and the Bev. E. G. Penny joined the Bishop in the administration of the imposition of hands on the candidates for priesthood. Theservice concluded with the Holy Communion, The Bev Eliot Chambers, who has been acting as lay reader at Boss will now be licensed for the district of Boss and Okarito, Westland. Attempted Incendiarism.—- At twenty minutes past three a.m.' on Saturday, Mr B, Leaver, residing at Stanmore road, Avonville, was awakened by hearing his mother-in-law cry fire, and on getting up and opening the back door he saw names travelling up the gable end of his house. Having, with the assistance of his wife and 1 mother-in-law, at once obtained a number of buckets of water, the fire was put out without any very great damage being done. The house is 5-roomed, and is insured for £2BO, and the property freehold, and valued by Mr Leaver at £BOO. There is a path lending from the roadway to the gable end of the house, and when Sergeant Wilson arrived at the place about an hour afterwards, he found three boxes, one containing coal and rubbish, close to the wall, and where the fire had run up there was a strong smell of kerosene, as if it had been smeared with a rag as high up as a man could reach. Mrs Fennell, who slept in the room at the end of the house, stated that a crackling noise, as if of something burning, had startled her but of her sleep. She then got up and looked out of the window, and saw the reflection of the fire On some trees alongside the fence. Smoko was also coming from underneath the flooring, and she at once aroused her son-in-law by crying Fire!” No doubt the matter will receive due inquiry.

Attempted Escape fbom Custody.—On Saturday at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, a man named W. H. Griffiths was summoned bv his wife for failing to provide for herself and family, and an order made against him to pay 25s weekly, due payment of this sum being guaranteed by two sureties in £SO and himself in £IOO, Griffiths had wished to return to live! with his wife, but she would, not hear of it, and this decision—which was' somewhat approved by the Magistrate after he had seen an exhibition of temper between the parties—seemed to affect the defendant very much as he was returning to the dep6t, waiting the necessary bond to be entered into. When the. nature of the security was explained to him by Sergeant Morice, Griffiths insisted that the Magistrate had only ordered one surety, and to satisfy the man. he was allowed to return to the Court accompanied ;by Constable Miles, As he seemed weak and ill the Constable allowed him to sit on the fence at the rear of the Court, while he sent in a messenger to the Clerk of the Court to ask the number, of sureties required. When Griffiths was informed told that there were two of £SO as previously him, he at once exclaimed, “I cant get them, and I’m off," and off he went towards the river and dashed into it, and the constable after him. They had only got a few yards before he was overtaken by the officer, who is a powerful man, and immediately lifted out, though in an unconscious state. Griffiths was taken to the hospital, and as he is suffering very much from the effects of dnnk, and his heart is somewhat affected, the result of the shock may be serious.

i \ >. ■ $ k a- • :■ , J. Pxako Thanksgiving Service at Addingtow. —As soon as it was known that the Pinko -was coming up the coast it was suggested that there should be a special thanksgiving of more than ordinary solemnity, to mark the gratitude of., those who. had gone through with safety such perils as had befallen that ship. On the arrival of immigrant vessels the Rev H. E. East hplds a ,service of thanksgiving in the Addington barracks, but on this occasion some departure from the usual routine was thought to. be desirable, aiid it was at first determined that the service should be held on board the Piako. The enquiry which had to ho held immediately on the ship’s arrival prevented this intention, from being carried into effect, and it was resolved to hold the thanksgiving at Addington immediately before the time fixed for engagements. At a quarter past nine oh Saturday morning, accordingly, the immigrants, to the number of between 100 and 150, were assembled in one of the courtyards of the barracks, in the open air, the women and the elder men sitting on forms, and behind these the younger men standing. The Very Rev the Dean of Christchurch, and the Revs H. E. East and J. Townsend were the clergy present. A shortened form of morning service was used, the Psalms, being those appointed in the Form of Prayer, “To be used at sea,’’ viz., the 66th and 107th. The special lessons were from the 61st chapter of Isaiah, the 9th to the 17th verses, and the eighth chapter of St Luke, the 22nd to the 26th verses. The prayers were said by the Rev H. H. East, and the lessons by the Rev J. Townsend. After the third collect the Very Rev the Dean delivered an address from the appropriate text, Isaiah xliii., 2, “ When thou passest through the waters I will be' with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee j when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned j neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” The immigrants showed great attention to the sermon, some of them being visibly affected. At the conclusion of the address the congregation sang the Old Hundredth, which was followed by the thanksgiving, appointed in the Form of Prayer to be used at sea, slightly modified to suit the occasion. The service, which lasted about threequarters of an hour, concluded with the blessing.

The Eev J. T. Evans, the Australian Agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, will deliver a lecture in the interests of the Society at the Church of England schoolroom, Lyttelton, this evening. ■

The programme for the Kowai Pass Races,, to be held on April 2, will bo found in another column.

A public meeting in connection with the British and Foreign Bible Society will be held in the Oddfellows’Hall, Lichfield street, to-morrow evening at 7.30. . .

We have to acknowledge the receipt of “The Settlers’ Guide,” issued by Mr J. C, f harland, chemist, Auckland, and intended for the use of settlers in outlying districts, who may be beyond the reach of medical aid. It contains a good deal of information and full directions what to do in cases of accident or emergency.