CHRISTCHURCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume IV, Issue 96, 16 March 1866, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH.

[prom our own correspondent.] Monday, 12th March. " After a storm, a calm," is a proverb the truth of which is practically proved to no class more frequently than to " own correspondents." We are an unfortunate Betofmen always vibrating- between the extremes of a feast or a famine, never resting- peaceably with a moderate amount of excitement. Some weeks there seems to be a rush of sensational sayings and doing-s, rumours and contradictions ; at other times everything- seems dull, flat, and unprofitable. In these latter times no mercy is shewn your " own correspondent," he must fill his sheets with something* readable or risk their being 1 "declined with thanks." I am m this unpleasant position now, without even the resource of a monster gooseberry or a double-headed pig to fall back upon. Christchurch which has just past through all the stages of an election fever is now lying, as it were, weak and prostrate after her exertions. A short recess is necessary to recruit strength; m the mean time rival candidates, the triumphant representative and the " beaten cock" have shaken hands amicably, and agreed to let past asperities born m the heat of the contest, be forgotten and forgiven. But m the midst of the calm which has succeeded the stormy contests for honors a ripple occasionally is seen on the surface of the public mind, caused by some rumour respecting- the election of a Superintendent which cannot be very far distant. The last one has been caused by a slight stir made m the matter by two associations m Christchurch, one the Working Men's and the other the Total Abstinence Society. Tho latter I referred to m my last letter. The members do not seem 3'et to have arrived at any decision except that they will not vote for Mr. Moorhouse. Whether they will gracionsly vouchsafe their support to Mr. Lance or Mr. Travers is still to be settled. The fact of the members numbering three hundred or thereabouts, and havingarranged to vote m a body for one man, gives them a little importance, which otherwise they would scarcely be honored with just now. The Working Men's Association, or rather a few members of it which attended a meeting a few nights ago, seem to have decidedly declared for Moorhouse. While on this subject I may mention that a rumour, of some apparent consistency, has been current m town the last day or two, that the election for the Superintendency will take place within the next fortnight. In theatrical gossip there is little worth recording. The Lenton and Nathan troupes have left us and divided, the former foin» to Hokitika and the latter, with lr. J. Small, has made an engagement to Wellington. An occasional entertainment is given here at the theatre. Spasmodically the doors are opened and the public invited to walk m. One of these sudden revivals took place on Friday last, when Miss M. E. Aitken took a benefit and had a very good house. A new man, said to he from Saddlers Wells Theatre, London, of the name of Addison, makes his first appearance m Canterbury, this evening", as Ingomar. It is decided by the lessees of the theatre to open it for a regular season m a lew weeks, and I believe a very fair company will be got together. Those who are curious as to when our famous tunnel may be expected to be finished can amuse themselves by working out a nice little calculation. A return issued by the Provincial Engineer shows that a distance of 106 feet has been driven m February. There remain still 1551 feet to be completed. How long will this take; and what becomes of Mr. Dobson's assurance that it would be finished m three months. About fifteen months will be required at the present rate. It may interest some of your readers to know that at a meeting of the Presbytery held lately, the Rev. J. Campbell from Nelson was formally inducted pastor of the Lincoln and Leeston districts.

The Provincial Council meets tomorrow. At first it was thought that the session would only last one day, and that the only business transacted would have reference to the lists of voters throughout the Province, but I understand that several notices of motion will probably be laid on the table. Enquiries I hear will be called for respecting 1 the Lyttelton and Hokitika Hospitals, neither of which appear to be managed to the satisfaction of the public. Most of your readers who have visited Ghristchurch well remember the old Lyttelton Hotel, on the banks of the Avon. It is being 1 pulled down, and a building will be erected m modern style, for an hotel, of which Mr. Oram, who was for some time steward at the Club, will be proprietor and manager. When it is opened I shall duly visit it, eat dinners, taste wines, test the comforts and the cigurs of the house, (of course at your expense), and duly report to you on all. Among the celebrities who will shortly risit us are the Cook's circus, and Leotard, who has been for years astounding London and Paris by his performances on the flying trapeze. Mr. and Mrs. Heine, who are said to be splendid musicians, are also announced. Mr. Heine is a violinist, and is blind. He is called the "Blind Pag-anini." Lady Don is also supposed to intend honouring Christchurch with a visit. Among the legal gossip of the week, I am sorry to have to notice the temporary suspension of Mr. Willcocks, a barrister, from practising as a barrister or solicitor m the Supreme Court. He has been making some ugly mistakes, or has had some cruel misfortunes m money matters, and the afimr was brought under the notice of Mr. Justice Gresson, who has referred to the Court of Appeal, and temporarily suspended Mr. Willcocks, pending the decision of the higher Court. There oan be no doubt what this will; be,, and

utter ruin and disgrace is the only prospect to be seen for him. The land sales at the Government Buildings have amounted this week to 14'Jl acres, yielding £2982.