CHRISTCHURCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume IV, Issue 108, 8 June 1866, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

[from our own correspondent.] June 4, 18GG.

The past week has been one of singularly opposite states, the first three days of it having been times of the wildest excitement which culminated on Wednesday evening 1 , and the last three having been clear proofs of the fact that after an unnatural excitement, is sure to follow an almost as unnatural lassitude. In a word the election — that is the election — th« contest for the Superintendent is finished. Mr. Moorhouse is returned, and Mr. Lance knows that he has been shamefully deceived. All parties agree that the majority by which Mr. Moorhouse was returned was a decided proof of his being the most popular man. All agree that Mr. Lance has been treated shamefully by persons, who for their own profit gave such a false coloring to the state of matters to him as induced him to continue a contest m which he had no chance of success; and which he is too thorough a gentleman to have put the province to the trouble of, lad he known the real state of the case. In the meantime Mr. Lance has become known to the public by the contest, and he has given evidence, which on a future occasion will not be forgotten, of the possession of talents few people gave him credit for. Lastly, all persons agree that Mr. Travers has earned the thanks of the whole community by the way m which he has drawn to light perhap3 the greatest evil which exists m our provincial laws : namely the pre-emptive right system. Thus the " great event" hns passed and will be celebrated by a public dinner to Mr. Moorhouse on Thursday evening m the Town Hall at which six hundred persons are expected to sit down. Enpassant, I hear a rumour that one of our newSuperintendent's first acts will be to give a ball m the Town Hall to the people of Canterbury. The next little bit of election excitement will be over the members for the Provincial Council. During the ensuing week the candidates for Lyttelton and Christchurch will know their fate, and thus some sixteen or twenty gentlemen who aspire to become martyrs m the cause of their country, and of Lyttelton and Christchurch m particular will be put out of misery. Respecting the candidates for Lyttelton there is little to remark, beyond the great number of them. There are also very many — nine I belies — m the field for Christchnrch, which returns four members. Some of these desire a passing notice. Mr. J. Ollivier has withdrawn from their ranks dnring the last two days; feeling, doubtless, now that

his friend Mr. Moorhouse is elected Superintendent, secure of a comfortable little situation, as Provincial Auditor, to which is attached an annual dovemr of £500. Well, some people make money even out of politics. Mr. Wynn Williams one of the candidates, is the gentleman who is better known than admired for his active opposition to the City Council throngh the Ratepayers Society, a band of dissaffectants whom he has kept together and inspired. He has published a very able address, m which he endeavours to put a very mild colouring on the action he has taken m the matter ; thinking probably that the " Dirt and Darkness club" has somewhat damaged Ids prospect. Another candidate, Mr. W. Wilson, is a man of large property, and much general information. I should like to see him m Council but for one fault which is glaringly manifest m his address — namely, conceit. He thinks, and plainly says, that he is such a great man that Christchurch should go down on its knees to beg him to be its representative. One good defeat — which I expect he will get — will destroy a great deal of this arrogance, and then he may be worth returning. A third candidate is a Mr. Andrews, supposed to be essentially a working- man, and possessing much shrewdness. His chance, I think, is small. The others are all good men enough, and sufficiently well off to render any idea of their going m for profit improbable.

The Criminal Session of the Supreme Court commenced on Friday. The callendar is light and will only occupy a few days. The Civil Session will commence on the Bth but will also be short, there being only two cases to be heard. There are also two Special Jury cases down which will be heard on the 12th.

The Total Abstinence Society held a meeting on Thursday last when the question of starting a Temperance Society was mooted : total Abstinence not being found very popular. A musical class on the Tonic-sol-fa system has been started here and is progressing well. It held a meeting on Monday last which brought it prominently before the public and was a great success. During the past week the second number of the Ifem Zealand Presbyterian, a quarterly magazine, has made its appearance.

The anniversary of St. Pauls Presbyterian Church, was celebrated on Tuesday last by a tea, and a public meeting. The balance sheet was produced showing a bulance to the credit of the Church.

One event of the week I must not pass over, namely the opening 1 of the old Princess's Theatre under the new name of the Theatre Royal, on Friday, and under new lessees, Messrs. Willis and Dale" The company as yet is not very good. Miss Shepparde from Dunedin being 1 the only lady worthy the name of an actress. Several well known professionals are announced as engaged, and when they arrive we will have a capital stock company m Christclmrch once more. The interior of the theatre has been re-decorated and lighted with gas, and the scenery has all been repainted ; so I hope the lessees will reap a good reward for their trouble.