CANTERBURY.

Otago Witness, Issue 481, 16 February 1861, Page 9

CANTERBURY.

.From the " Lyttelton Times" to the 9th instant we copy the following paragraphs : —

The fine steamship Omeo arrived on her second visit to this port on Thursday morning. She left Melbourne on Saturday the 20th, and arrived in Port Chalmers- last ' Sunday This long voyage of 8 days was protracted by an accident to the Omeo's machinery which occurred about mid-voyage. The screw of the slide valve gave, the worm of the brass having become worn, the shaft ceased to do its duty, and the engines were for the time useless. For some time the fault was not discovered, and the whole machinery was overhauled before the broken-down part was reached. Fortunately spare fittings were on board and were at once ready for use, and steam was got up again, but not until a delay of 50 hours had been occasioned. The Omeo brought down about 2500 sheep to Otago, and has brought on here a moderate cargo and a goodly freight of passengers. Mr. Duppa has brought down his celebrated mare Phoebe, but too late for the race meeting. One important item of the cargo in the Omeo consists of an addition to our steam fleet in the shape of a smart little screw steamtr, purchased and brought down from Melbourne by Mr. James O'Neill, waterman of this port. The boat is not new, having been well known for some time on the Yarra by the name oi the "Expert." She is admirably adapted for the purpose to which Mr. O'Neill designs her, namely* for the postal service to Pigeon Bay, occasional lightering of light goods, and for pleasure parties about the harbour. The Expert is of iron, measures 59 feet in length, and is of a sharp fust-looking build. Her machinery consists of a single cylinder engine, rated at 12 horse power, working a screw, and capable of driving the boat 8 knots an hour, as many trials have shown. The whole is in good order. The Expert has been brought down entire on the deck of the Omeo, and was launched over her side into the water yesterday. Her fittings, which are on a handsome scale, will be at once proceeded v\ith<. j To all appearance, she will be a sightly and useful addition to our fleet. A fatal accident occurred on Wednesday to a young woman named Harriet Douglas, who resided in Colombo street, Christchurch. Ajs she was sitting by the fire, her dress, which was fashionably expanded by crinoline, caught the blaze and soon enveloped her in flames. Before the fire could be extinguished, the poor girl was so dreadfully burnt that her recovery was 'pronounced ho| eless by the medical men who were speedily callelin; and on Thursday the sufferer expired. Another week of very fine weather has done great service to the farmers in enabling them to push forward their reaping operations vigorously. The wheat harvest is now in full swing over- a great portion of the plains, and a great quantity has by this time been cut in excellent order. The introduction of machinery on a large number of farms tends very much towards facilitating the hitherto slow process of cutting the grain. There are this year an unprecedented number of reaping machines at work, and the time and expense saved thereby will amount to a considerable sum over the province. The wheat crop is a full avtrage o.ie.. We do not hear from any district of its being remarkably heavy or remarkably light. — Times, Feb. 2. The millers of Christchurch report a fall in flour on Monday last to £22. The price of bread it is expected will 'be reduced "to lOd. the 4lb. loaf on Monday next, 11th instant. Messrs. ' Burnell and Bennett report the sale of a run of 20,00Q acres on the R;ikaia, price £2,200; 25,000 acres on the Upper Rakaia district, £2,600 ; 13,000 acres on the Orari, £1,000. 2,000 ewes, at 275.; 1,000 ewes, nt 255.; 800 ewes, at 255. Eight bullocks, yokes and chains, price £110; 6 bullocks, yokes and chains, £120 — Lyttellon Times, Feb. 9. Race Meeting. — Yesterday, which ushered in the Canterbury Races for the present year, was every way propitious as regards the weather. Though the programme gave promise of good sport — a promise which was fully carried out in the performance- 1 - it failed to attract any great numbers to witness it The number present could scarcely have equalled that of the first day of last year, and that was by no means a large one. The main noticca'ile difference on the course was a larger number and better style of traps of varioas sorts than in former years. The absence ot the peop'e is, no doubt, owing to the fact that they are unwilling to lose a day of fine harvest weather at this precious season of the year. The races, as far as we can report, were decidedly better than last meeting, when it will be recollected that the "foreigners" came down and divided the- spoil as they liked. Though they are still winning, the two" races that have been won to-day by them have been fairly contested. " •