TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6534, 4 February 1882, Page 5

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Thb Exhibition.— His Excellency tho Governor has signified, to the promoters of the International Exhibition, hie intention to visit Christchurch for (he purpose of formally opening the Exhibition. Assaulting thb Foliob.— A man named Smith was yesterday fined 40s by Mr B. Alcorn, at Ashburton, for assaulting a constable at Bakaia. A charge of larceny against Smith was remitted to the Bakaia Court for hearing. Agrioultubal and Pasxobal Association. —The Agricultural and Pastoral Association yesterday afternoon held a Committee meeting, at which a good deal of business was transacted, as reported on another page. The Committee resolved to hold their annual meeting on the evening of Friday, March 10. Thb Abbbubton Libbaby.— The Ashburton Library Committee held a special meeting on Thursday evening last, and discussed the question of re-building, the Library on a new site, but beyond appointing a sub-Oom-mittoe to enquire after a suitable temporary reading-room, and its rentable terms, nothing was done.

CJ.C.—We beg to remind owners of horses who intend entering for the Great Autumn Handicap of SOO sovs, with Mr B. Campbell’s oup of 100 guineas additional, that nominations close at the 0.J.0. rooms, Cathedral square, at 9 p.m. this evening. Nominations for the Easter Handicap and Flying Stakes also olosq at same time. Tasmanian Woods.—A very interesting collection of specimens of Tasmanian woods is to be seen at the shop of Mr D. B. M'Laren, wholesale seedsman. It comprises some nine varieties, including the handsome sheoak, the well known Buou pine, and the silver wattle, largely used in the manufao ture of oil casks for whalers. There is also specimen of blue gum cut from a tree 300 ft in height, and showing a fine grain. Masonic. —The first annual meeting of the Lodge of Concord, Papanui, was held on Thursday evening, at which there was a good attendance. The election of the W.M. for the ensuing year was the chief business, and resumed in the unanimous election of Bro N. Wolfe, P.9.W. Bro 0. E. Briggs, the retiring W.M., was elected Treasurer ; and tho office of Tyler was again placed in the hands of Bro Main. The consideration of a site for, and plans of, a new hall was deferred till next meeting. Bandsomb Pbbsbnt. —There has just been added to the collection of portraits, which adorn the walls of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s offices, a portrait in oil of the celebrated Clydesdale sire Prince of Wales. The portrait was painted by Mr E. Mitchell to the order of, and is a present to the Association, from Mr Thomas Wilkin, brother of Mr Bobert Wilkin of this city, and was on view at yesterday’s meeting of the Committee, who accorded the donor a hearty vote of thanks, and a life member’s ticket. South Bakaia Domain Boabd.— An adjourned meeting of the above Board was held on Thursday in the. Bead Board office ; present—Messrs 0. N. Maokie (Chairman), W. Hartnell, A. Makeig, and 0. Hardy. It was resolved —“ That Mr Maokie be reelected Chairman.” A discussion ensued as to the advisability of laying the Domain down in grass in the autumn or waiting until spring. It was decided to let tho matter stand over until next meeting, to be held on Feb. 10. Accounts amounting to £4los_4d were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned. Nbw Zealand Chbbsb.— ln the report of the proceedings of the Committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral 'Association, on another page, will be found an account of a successful experiment made by the President of the .Association, Mr J. B. Hill, in the export of New Zealand cheese to England. Mr Hill’s experiment, which was with one of Mr Candy’s well - known productions, leaves nothing to be desired, and should greatly modify the disappointment caused by the failure of the Akaroa cheese exported by the Orari last year. Thbatbb Botal.— Bepetition of “The Snowball” and “The Chinese Question” seemed only to make them more enjoyable for those who witnessed them. Last night the laughter and applause were as enthusiastic as on Its first presentation seven nights previously. To-night Mias Maggie Moore and Mr J. 0. Williamson appear for the first time in Christchurch in another of their special pieces, entitled “ Eureka,” for whioh they have received lavish praise in other places. The drama will be followed by a laughable farce. We have been requested to state that in future no ladies will, be admitted to the stalls unless accompanied by gentlemen.

Gbeaudinb Bbabs Bakd. —A Committee meeting of the above took place at the Geraldine Hotel, on Wednesday last; present —Messrs Weston (Chairman), B. Taylor, J. Gore, A. Mundell, F. Worner, and B. Berry (See). The Chairman handed in a report of price list of instruments examined by him. It was resolved that the matter of choosing instruments be left in abeyance for the present, and that in the meantime subscription lists be distributed for the purpose of raising sufficient funds to purchase the instruments. It was also resolved that the instruments, when purchased, shall bo vested in the hands of Trustees, to be composed of the following gentlemen:—Messrs B. Taylor, J. Mundell, and W. Shiers. The meeting then adjourned till Wednesday next. 8 posting. The sporting men of the Lincoln district have had quite a lively time lately. On Jan. 26 a match was got off between Mr E. Townend’s bay mare Lunatic, 4yrs, by Marmion, and Mr J. Cress well’s bay mare Lorna, 6yrs, by Totara. The distance was half a mile, the stakes being £5 a side. The- latter conceded 4st to the former. A good start was effected, but after they had covered half the distance, it looked any odds on Lunatic, who was leading by two lengths, bat Lama came at the finish and won by a short length. The winner was ridden by her owner, and Lunatic by G. Bosewame. Another match was made on Feb. 2 between the winner and a bay gelding (Nipper) owned by Ur Bosewame; distance, three-quarters of a mile; lOst up; the stakes again being £6 a side. This also was a very close finish, the mare again coming in first by a short length. She was ridden by T. Sheenan. A large gathering of spectators assembled to witness the sport, and the majority were of opinion that tho maro could have won by a greater distance on both occasions. Stbbpixohasb Mbbtino at Gbemak Bat.—A meeting of the gentlemen interested in the holding of a steeplechase at German Bay was held at Bodrigues’Hotel, Akaroa, on Thursday afternoon. There was a very fair attendance, Mr Lyons in the chair. Mr O’Beilly stated that Messrs Lyons, Boberts, Hammond, and Phillips had kindly promised to allow the lace to toko place on their land. It was proposed by Mr Kissell— That a steeplechase meeting be held on the Queen s Birthday in German Bay.” Seconded by Mr Chappell (Carried.) Mr W. Montgomery •sras appointed President, and Mr Lyons Vice-President. Messrs Lyons, Boberts, BunckelJ, O'Beilly, Chappell, Kissel, M Gregor, Lee, Shadbolt, Chamberlain, Jacobson, and M. Daly were appointed a working Committee with power to add to their number. Messrs Anson, Birdling, Buchanan, S. Boberteon, Judge, Piper, Dr Bingleton.Hay, Coop, Hussey, B. Latter, W. Masefield, V. Masefield, J. Aylmer, J. Gebbie, Adams, A. Lelievre, Hargreaves, G. Armstrong, and Garwood were appointed Stewards. Messrs Sandys, Olphert, Brooks, Condon, Harris, Thacker, Barker, Alexander, Duxbury, Williams, 0. Haylook, and U. Henning were appoint'd a bounty Committee to collect subscriptions. The foUomng officers were appointed Mr W. Birdling, sen., Judge; Mr 8, Johnson, Starter ; Handioappers, Messrs B. G. Griffith and B. Lee; Clerk of the Course, Mr Boberts ; Clerk of the Seales, Mr Kissel } Hon 1 M'Gregor ; Hon Treasurer, Mr Hwgreaves The meeting then adjourned. - wee subeoribed in the room.— dkmr—

A Maobi Bxblbton.— During last week one of Mr Coates* men. while at work getting ■tone for the Little Biver Hallway, found a skeleton near the Devil's Nob. It was in a sitting posture, and evidently the remains of a Maori. Constable Smart wont down, obtained the bones, and handed them over to the Maories. The Maories have often stated that many years ago a Maori was buried in a sitting posture, close to the place whore the skeleton was found.

National Insubahob Company. Tho Directors of the National insurance Company of Now Zealand have decided to strengthen the institution elill further by issuing 100,060 more shares, whioh will be offered to the protonfc shareholders at 25s each, under easy calls. This will double the present capital, and tho premium on the now shares will bo carried to the roierve fund, A meeting of shareholders will bo called at ones to consider the proposal. Fbbbbytbbian Ohuhoh. Tho Presbyterians of (ho Peninsula J(havo again been moving in the matter of calling a minister. Congregational meetings were held on Wednesday and Thursday, the Bev A. Blake presiding, and the mind of the people at Akaroa, Pigeon Bay, and Wainui has been ascertained. Of several ministers who have recently conducted service (here, it was resolved to call tho Bov B. 0. Morison, of Otago, to be their pastor.

Obbistohuboh Industbial Association. •—The collection of objects illustrative of (he various industries of New Zealand which it was the aim of the Christchurch Industrial Association to establish in their rooms in Hereford street has not, we regret to say, reached those dimensions whioh its promoters hoped and desired. The shelves, whioh were fitted up at considerable trouble and expense, are more than' tk.ee-fourths empty, and no exhibit of any moment has been placed on them for several months. A sample of raw silk, sent by. Mr Bederll, and a jar of lubrieating grease, prepared by Mr J. Mutton, of Lyttelton, have been received recently, and it is hoped that further additions will be made to the collection era long. Fibb Pbbtbstioh.— The Insurance Association is evidently wise in its generation, considering that it is better to invest a small sum to prevent the occurrence of fires, than pay heavy amounts to policy-holders whose premises have been destroyed. With this object a number of small pail-engines were ordered, through Mr W. Harris, from Messrs Shand, Mason and Co., of London, and have just come to hand from the Helen Soott. They are of superior construction, with ten feet of hose and nozzle attached to each, and admirably suited for extinguishing small fires occurring in a room or elsewhere, “ if taken in time.” A jet of water can be thrown from the nozzle attached to the hose with great force, and continued so long as tho pail is kept full. We believe it is intended to distribute these engines amongst the principal hotels and other buildings in town that are insured in the associated offices. Working Men’s Political Association —A general meeting of the members of this Association was held last evening in the back room of the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street. There was a good attendance, and the chair was occupied by Mr J. Beltoliff. Tho rules drawn up by the Committee appointed for the purpose, were considered seriatim, and passed with some slight alterations. It was decided that the entrance fee ishould be Is, and that members should pay a quarterly contribution of Is. The meeting tben proceeded to the election of officebearers for the ensuing yeajr, with-the following result President, Mr H. Toomer, genr.; Vice-President, Mr J. Beltoliff j Hon Secretary, Mr T. Graham ; Treasurer, Mr J. Crowley; Trustees, Messrs L. Fozzi and W. Lockwood ; Committee, Messrs Handysides, Bullock, O’Neill, Soott, Davis, Fraser, Ekberg, White, Boebuok, Boyd, Johnson, and Miller.

Tsh Domain.—There are now in bloom, in the Public Gardens, two plants of special interest; one for its beauty, and the other for its chameleon-like habit. The beautiful plant referred to is a Sollya, a class* of plants indigenous to Australia, and named after Mr B. H. Solly, a naturalist. The small glossy foliage is ever-green; and the numerous flowers, freely produced throughout the summer, are of a rich blue, approaching to ultra-marine. The curious plant, of the newer arrivals, comes from Armenia, and is related to the common borage. It bears the Arabic name, Arnebia. The clusters of flowers are freely produced. Every bloom, when newly expanded, has a ground of rich sulphur-yellow, upon which there is a circle of large, jet-black spots. After a time, the spots turn to a rich brown; they then gradually fade, and at length no trace of them can be detected. Meanwhile the groundwork of sulphur-yellow.becomes, and remains, a pale primrose. Oexczet. —The Interprovincial match was commenced at Dunedin yesterday, and, eo far, Canterbury has got considerably the worst of it. The weather seems to have been very disagreeable for fielding, and our men being on the field got the full benefit of the wind overhead and the wet under foot. The Otago men made 153, Haskell and Crawehaw making nearly half the runs between them, while six of our best men are out for the small total of 43. However, there Is no saying what the second innings may bring forth, and, at any rate, this time itr will be no runaway game.—-A match was played on Lancaster Park yesterday between the Theatre Boyal Company and a team of Muffs. The latter contained in their ranks three or four whose claim to the appellation was, to say the least, doubtful, and going in first mastered the bowling to the extent of 181 runs. Lodge made top score with 67 ; Milburn coming next with 18; Cohen, 14, not out; Kitohin, 10. Seagrave secured four wickets, and Moore three. The Thespians then took their places at the wickets, and thanks to the erratic nature of the bowling administered to them, succeeded in getting within 10 of , their opponente* total. D'Blmaine carried his bat for a well hit 40, which included a fine leg stroke for 6, and a number of 4’s; Hodge made 18 ; Williamson, 16; Tankard, 13; and Bose, 11. MrDombrain excited great applause by the agility of his fielding, which was much beyond the usual compass of beginners at the game, and undoubtedly saved a lot of runs for his side. A very enjoyable afternoon had thus quite an exciting termination, and will probably lead to a return match being played next week.

Accidents. —On Monday a little girl named Emily Petrie, aged 10 years, a daughter of Mr J. Petrie, Woodend, met with an accident while attempting to cross a stile in one of the fields, which resulted in her breaking her arm below the elbow. Dr Ovenden set the limb, and the child is progressing favourably. —As Mr George Duncan, of Hillsborough, was returning home from town yesterday afternoon, he was thrown from his buggy opposite the church at Opawa, He was immediately attended by Dr Mickle, but ho serious consequences are anticipated.—Yesterday a lad named John Nevin.was assisting to stack some corn on Mr Graham’s farm at Opawa, and having to climb on to the stack, stuck his hay-fork into the ground, with the prongs upwards. In climbing the stack he slipped, and fell on the fork, one of the prongs passing through his left arm, close to the shoulder. Be was at once ‘removed to the hospital, where the wound was dressed, and he is now doing well.—The sufferer from another accident was admitted into the hospital in the afternoon. This was a man named Hnrtrolli, who, while engaged last Monday in a saw-pit at Alford Forest, fell from the log ho was working at to the bottom of the pit, and dislocated his right shoulder.—About a quarter to sight o’clock yesterday, as a milk cart belonging to Mr Bobert Nankivell was being driven by his son through Market square towards Victoria bridge, the horse took fright at a tram oar coming from the opposite direction, and backed the cart on the line. The driver and conductor of the tram at once put down the brakes, but as the oar was going down the , incline, they were unable to stop it before it struck the vehicle, whioh was overturned. The occupants, Mrs Nankivell and her son, fortunately escaped unhurt. The splashboard of the cart was broken, and some milk was alip spilt. The horse was not seriously injured.

Lyttelton Natal Bbigadb.—The silver cup presented by Lieutenant M Delian to be competed for by the three highest scorers of the Lyttelton Naval Brigade in their recent match with the Christchurch City Guardi, i« at the establishment ef Mr N., Wolfe, Hereford street. It is a goblet, ornamented with a handsome embossed floral design, and bearing two shield!, on, one or which liengrtwod a figure of ft riflowau kneeling, while the other will receive tho name of the W An entertainment consisting of a concert and a farce will be hold In the Aronaldo sdhooltoom on Thursday, Feb. 0. ■ , . , . _ , . .. The tlißt rehearsal of Ae's and Galatea by the members of tho Christchurch Musical Society, will be hold on Tuesday evening next. Tho anniversary worrioos of the Sydenham Baptiat Church will bo held to-morrow in the Oddfollows’ Hall, Montreal street south, when the Bov C D.Haston will preach In the morning, and Mr James Ward In tho evening. On Tuesday a sale of work, tea meeting, and public meet n« willbohold, tho jproooods of which will bo devoted to the buildA Bazaar In connection with 1 the United Methodist Free Church, Addington, will- be held on Wednesday and Thursday nest in the schoolroom, Belwyn street, opening at noo* each day. The Bev Mr Bunoinmn, of Auckland, will preach at both sor vices to-morrow in tho North Belt Presbytorian Ohnroh.

Ibish Banking.— lrish bank shares have, with almost all other -Irish securities, suffarad daring the past three years from materially diminished profits, and their resources in the shape of deposits have likewise been seriously 1 reduced.- Upon the average the drop in dividends has reached as much as if per cent as compared with 1877.-* Banker's Magazine, Spying out thb Land.— One of the Bubsian officers on board (he ironclad Peter the Great at Glasgow, has been paying a visit along the coast of Ireland, presumedly with the object of acquiring that information whioh would be valuable to Russian cruiser officers if their country went to war -with England and endeavoured to stimulate an Irish rising—an idea which has been often favoured by Bussian political writers. The officer in question, Sub Lieut. Zimmernihn, has reserved his report specially for his Government. An Histoeio Oastlb.— The Castle of Breitenburg, the head-quarters of the Crown Prince of Germany, daring the military manoeuvres now going on near Itzehoe, is a place of historic interest. The• castle was erected during the sixteenth century by a Count von Bantzan, who was Danish Governor of Schleswig-Holstein. In the year 1627, during the Thirty Years’" War, it contained a garrison, of Scotchmen under Dunbar’s command, and was then besieged by the Imperial army under Wallenstein. Notwithstanding the heroic defence, the Austrian guns soon laid a breach in the strong fortifications, whereupon the castle was taken by assault, and all surviving defenders put to the sword. In 1643 the castle was re-captured by (he Swedes under Torstenson, and in the fallowing year it surrendered to the besieging Danes. Gobbd by a Bull.— The guard of the Northern express train, on arriving at Palmerston yesterday (says the Otago Daily Times of Wednesday), reported (hat a man was lying, apparently covered with blood, somewhere about Seacliff. Dr Brown and Sergeant Moore, on receipt of the news, immediately proceeded thither by the 10.30 a,m. train. They found that a settler named William Gould, a resident at Seacliff, had been badly gored by a bull which was his own property. The brute had driven one horn through the man's chest, mad the other through the lower part of the jaw, breaking tho jawbone. The sufferer was also badly gored about the hip, and it was only by managing to crawl to the fence, and ultimately through it, that he escaped with his life. Dr Neill, from the Seacliff Asylum, attended to the man’s injuries, and; D* Brown, on his arrival, took charge of - the case. Although Gould had- a very harrow escape for his life, the doctor thinks, at present, no serions result is likely to eventuate. The bull will be at once destroyed. It is an Ayrshire bull, and Gould was shifting it from one paddock to another.