CHRISTCHURCH. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Christchurch, 28th May, 1866.

North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 119, 31 May 1866, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Christchurch, 28th May, 1866.

Wo have during the past week had plenty to do, plenty to say. as well ns plenty to hear. One day we who loyal subjecU of Her 'Majesty, and gave ourselves up to holiday-making and steeplechasing, and nnothor we were oblivious to anything but politics, mid the respective merits of the. three candidates for the Supcrintendency — Messrs Lance, Moorhouse, and Travers. On Thursday (Queen's Birthday), despite very un> propitious weather, our citizens certainly mndo the most of their time, and in the midst of a pouring rain it cannot .but be said that they proved themselves truly loyal subjects. We had a grand mustering of our volunteers and yeomanry cavalry. On this occasion Captain Moorhouse, in the absence of Captain Orucroft Wilson, presented the Challenge Cup won by tho marksmen of the latter corps. The volunteers turned out remarkably well, and, proceeding to a large field kindly set apart by Mr C. Wright for tho occasion, the whole force was reviewed by Adjutant Rookes, Major Pucko being in command. A feu dejnie was lired three times, the band playing in the intervals a few bars of the National Anthem, after which three hearty cheers lor tho Queen were given. A urious evolutions being performed, Mrs Wilson, on bcnalf of the ladies of Canterbury, presented a silver bugle to Major Packo, on account of tho volunteers. Cheers were given for Mrs Wilson, and the ladies generally. A grand ball took place in the evening in tho Town Hull, under tho patronage of His Honor the Superintendent and tlio volunteers. The volunteers at Lyttelton vied with their Christrhurch brethren in arms in doing honor to Her Ma-je-h's birthday, firing salutes, and holding a ball in the Assembly Booms. One of the chief events of tho day, howovcr, — if not (he event par emphaxi* — was the Grand Provincial Steeplechase meeting. There was a numerous attendance on the course, notwithstanding the inclemency of tho weather. Tho first and greatest event on the card wns the Grand Provincial Handicap, of 250 «ovs., 15 sovs. each, h. f. Second horse to receive 30 »ovs. out of the stake«. About four miles. Mr W. Bowler*! eh m Jessie, aged, ll«t 121b (Jan- ,, ••• .• nawav) 1 Mr J. Page's g g Musician, 6 yrs, list 71b ... (IJall) 2 Mr II. Dunn's br g Sinking Fund (late Mildew , 5 yrs, 10st81b (Taylor) 3 Mr Mirehous-'s g m Banshee, aged, list ... " ... 0 Capt. Stone's g g Weka, aged, 12st Mb ... 0 Mr R. Thomson's g g Camel (late Risk), nged, 12«fc \ olb 0 Mr R. Ray'« eh g Lottery, 5 yrs, 12«t 4lb ... .'.'. 0 # r & O. R-Obmaon'* ch g Buccaneer, aged, 12st ... 0 jmit W H. Hams' b g Dolphin, aired, list 121b ... 0 Mr Woodman ■ b m Locomotive, 5 yni, list... 0 Mr J. 0. Wilson's b c Nobleman, 3 yis, lOst 91b (including 01b« ovor) 0 Mr Brabazon'« ch g Pre-emptive, 3 yrs, list (including lib over) ,. , 0 Mr Palmer's ch g Pantaloon, 3 yrs, 10nt ... ..'. o Your Otago horse Buccaneer, of whom some had " great expectations," was nowhere, ho knocked down 8. rail in his first jump and got out of the race. Jessie although, not always lending, ran splendidly nil the* way and won pluekily. Musician stood a good chance of winning, had ho not ran away with his rider. The Selling Steeplechase was a gift to Lottery, mishaps to bis rivali enabling him to win by a quarter of a mile. The Scurry Race wan won by Statesman with ease ;' find this concluded the meeting, which was a thoroughly successful one. There is a rumor here to the effect that tho first'

Panama «ta»m«r will after all not leave Wellington till the 21th of June ? if so the dato first published in the O vu vnu TtMEa will be correct. The nomination of candidates for the Superintendeney took place on Wednesday last, when there was a crowd of about 2000 persons at the hustings in front of the Old Town Hall. Everything went off very orderly. Mr Moorhouse proposed by Mr Ollivicr, and seconded by Mr John Anderson ; Mr Trovers was nominated by Mr Cutler, Mr Hanmer being peeonder j Mr Pitzgcrald proposed Mr J. D. Lance, Mr J. L. Wilson seconding the nomination. On a show of hands being called for, it was declared in favor of Mr Moorhouse ; and a poll was, of course, demanded on behalf of the other candidates. The poll will be taken on Wednesday next. The rxcitement is waxing stronger and stronger day by day. The race, in my opinion, appears to rest between Mr Moorhouso and Mr Lance ; but the odds, if any, are in favor of the former. It is not supposed that Mr Trnvcrs stands any chance of snecess. I will not here enter upon their respective political opinions, feeling that your readers generally cannot be interested so deeply in tlio question as to require my doing so. I observe that considerable interest is taken in your district in the subject of acclimatisation. The Council of our Society held its monthly meeting on Friday last, wh"n the balance sheet submitted showed that, nt. the. end of a twelvemonth's operations, a balance of L107 stood on the right side of the bank books. The Society has not yet accomplished a great deal, but it appear*? to be gathering strength gradually, nnd I hope you will be able to say the same of your Oamaru Society. It was also mentioned that the following contributions had been received during the month : — From Mr J. D. Ennis, a packet of Tasmanian seeds ; from Mr Dupper, a large nntive hawk ; from Mr C. W. S. Purdie, a cedar of Lebanon, believed to be the first imported into the province ; from Mr Frederick Thompson, cuttings of the Ceicis siliguastrum, the tree on which tradition ascribes ai that on which Judas Iseariot hanged himself — (this shrub was introduced by the donor into the provinco in 1853) ; and from Dr Prins, a king-parrot. Dogs and cats have been doing sad havoc in the Domain, occasioning much annoyance to the society, as well as producing a certain dispiriting effect. The birds killed in this manner during the past few months include, the einu " Jack," live black swan*, one p iradise duck, eight native grey ducks, one Muscovy duck ; besides several Guinea fowls, chickens, and bantams of the best descriptions.