CHRISTCHURCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume IV, Issue 101, 20 April 1866, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

[from our own correspondent.] April 16, 1866. Teetotalers nnd electioneering- have contributed the only item of interest which has occurred during 1 the pa9t week. Necessity draws together strange bed-fel-lows, otherwise I should not have to write on two such opposite subjects together. What can be more unlike a teetotaller than an ordinary electioneering agent. The latter having his head quarters at an Inn, the former believing 1 that bouse to be a shrine of the evil one. Well, strange as the conjunction is, Christchurch has been treated to the mixture last week, and I think, does not seem to relish or care much for it. Even the teetotalers themselves must have thought it rather insipid. I have mentioned m previous letters that the teetotalers were intending to give their support m a body at the ensuing election for the Superintendent to that candidate from whom they would have reason to expect most favour when m office. The question as to who is to be their man has caused them many anxious days and sleepless nights. Deputations have waited on each candidate, to hear their views on temperance, the Permissive Bill, and the liquor

traffic. Meetings, innumerable, have been held — secret ones, to which none but the initiated were admitted — and discussions deep and vast have been carried on. All this toiling and " sweat of the brain " resulted m a meeting m Bonnington's Hall, on Tuesday evening last, attended only by teetotalers and the friends of temperance reform, at which the three candidates for the Superintendency, Messrs. Lance, Moorhouse, and Travers were present by invitation, to explain their temperance or anti temperance views, as the case may be. I, of course, attended as your special representative — having, I am bound to say, previously fortified myself — and must confess that, as far as hearing any pledges of future conduct, or anything that might be satisfactory to teetotallers, I was thoroughly disappointed. Had all three candidates previously met and settled " how not to answer questions," they could not have succeeded more completely. Each one, of course, declaimed against drunkenness — no decent man could do otherwise — Mr. Travers gave a dissertation on physiology and temperance. Mr. Moorhouse announced, what was news to most, that he had once been a teetotaller for two years, and gave his experiences. Mr. Lance very sensibly told the audience that any movement must originate with the people and not with the government, but that if he should be elected Superintendent, and the Permissive Bill was introduced m the Council he would not oppose it. Any decision which the teetotallers may have come to, as to which of the candidates deserve their support, is as yet unknown. But enough of teetotalers and superintendencies.

There is a hill m the excitement respecting the elections for the Provincial Council, m Christchurch just now. The only two candidates who are coming- prominently forward are, Mr. G. Allen, and Mr. Jebson. The former gentleman is one of the great lights of the Ratepayers' Protection Society, to whose soubriquet the Dirt and Darkness Club well ascribes the effect of their litigious opposition to the City Council. At a meeting, a few nights ago, Mr. Allen was asked what he thought of the present system of pre-emptive rights, and he replied, "He did'nt know 'nuthin' about 'em, but would have 'em altered." Canterbury must be very far gone when it has to choose representatives from among" men who cannot speak or write English. This gentleman seems desirous to obtain distinction, for he tried to get elected for the City Council, but failing m this, he is now trying to upset, on grounds of illegality, the very body to which lie desired to belong. So much for consistency. Talking oi the Ratepayers' Society and the City Council brings me to the second great question of the day, the dispute between these two. At present it stands exactly as it did last week. No rates are being collected, notice of the termination of all contracts for works m the city, including scavenging and lighting the street lamps. Thursday evening next will bo our first dark night, and m about three weeks all scavenging and removing of refuse from the houses will cease. Then, therefore, the Dirt and Darkness Club will be able to celebrate a temporary and uncivilized victory. This celebration is, I understand, to oe by a dinner m darkness, m Cathedral Square. Dirt pies being the principal fare. Mr. H. W. Williams, Chairman, Mr. G. Allen, Vice-chairman. In the way of theatrical gossip I have little to detail. The theatre has been opened once or twice for the worst performances I have ever witnessed. Any penny gaff m Shoreditch or Hateltffe Highway would be more worth seeing than what Christchurch has been insulted by being asked to patronise lately. How Miss Aitken, whose talents are known, can make herself so cheap as to take part m such representations puzzles me. Lady Don is not coming here for a season, having made her stay m Dunedin too extended to be able to do so, but will give one performance here as she passes en route for Callao. Mr. and Mrs. Heine have been delighting us again, and have yielded to persuasion, and promised to give three more concerts. I believe you have some Volunteers m your neighborhood, and they doubtless will be glad to learn that Lieut.-Colonel Rookes, who was lately dismissed the service, has been appointed Adjutant of the Canterbury Volunteers. Of course they will be proud to be commanded by so distinguished an officer. The United Methodist Free Church has been celebrating anniversaries both m Christchurch and Lyttelton during the past week. The Rev. J. Duller, the Wesleyan Minister preached his farewell sermon previous to his removal to Auckland, yesterday morning m the Wesleyan Church. The "building was crowded to excess m every part Mr. Buller having earned the respect and affection of all who have been fortunate enough to meet him both among 1 his own sect and every other body m Christchurch. He will be replaced here by the Rev. J. Buddie from Auckland. I should mention that on Friday evening a handsome gold watch and a silver tea service were presented to the Rev. Mr. Buller by his congregation as a mark of their appreciation of his labours among them for the past six years. The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Michaels was held on Thursday evening, and a state of poverty and apathy among the members of the English Church was disclosed, which is disgraceful. With a property m its possession far exceeding that of any other religious body, they seem to perform less, and to be m a worse position than any other. The Fancy Bazaar for the Female Home yielded a net return of £839 19s. Who will say after this that our Christchurch ladies can do nothing. The tunnel through the Port Hills only progressed 98 feet last month, and at that

rate well take fifteen months to complete What can be thought of Mr. Dobson's opinion that it was to be completed last Christmas.