CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIV, Issue 35, 24 December 1886, Page 23

CHRISTCHURCH.

(Fr om our own Correspondent .) December 20, 1886. The Jubilee Mission was brought to a close on Sunday week in a fitting manner, by the ceremonies of the renewal of the Baptismal vows. There was to have been i grand procession round the Presbytery grounds before the ceremony, but; the rain, which spoils so many things in this country, was too much for that part of the programme. The church was, however, very well filled, and before the end of the ceremony its state merited the use of the word crowded. In conclusion, the reverend missionary, after a last powerful discourse, took leave of the congregation in terms of great kindliness towards them, and thankfulness for the task he had been permitted to undertake. We have had a great fright here. The cables announced this morning that the shares of the Midland Company had been withdrawn from the market, as not enough had been applied for. " The Midland Company has broken down after all— what a sell." Such was the exclamation not uncommon in the town during the forenoon. But the few remembered to have seen it in print that the Midland railway promoters were not issuing shares, or intending to issue them for the present. The first quarter of a million was taken up entirely by the company of promoters, who intended to begin the line by spending that away on it, before offering shares to the public, with the determination to finance otherwise in case of the public refusal to accept the shares ; that ought to have been very generally known as the position of the company. But people forget news so quickly that when this item was made public, many behaved as I have described. Mr Scott being quickly communicated with by the panic-stricken, promptly reassured them with information about the true state of affairs. He suggested that the Midland referred to might be the North Midland railway of Western Australia. A Press Association message confirming this suggestion a few hours later, serenity was once more restored. The contracting company have commenced work by accepting various tenders on the Greymouth side. Mr. Scott, who represents the Company in the Colony has made several journeys, and Mr. Brodie Hoare, who is at the head of the Directors, has made one ; there has been a good deal of negotiation with the Government. The contract is said to be as good as signed, and it is declared to be far more favourable to the Colony than the schedule of last year's Enabling Act allowed us to suspect, and Mr. Howland has built a carriage to carry the ongineers and directors backwards and forwards on their journey. That is the state of the much talked of Midland railway at the present moment. I wish we could echo the sigh of relief with which, as we have been informed, your city received the news that Hall is not to be tued there. The prospect of the murder trial has come upon us all like another nightmare, and everybody is talking about hansjin»s and crimes, and cognate subjects, in a manner whose freedom is appalling. In the interest of public morality, which suffers from this dwelling on crimes and punishments, there ought to be a law against choosing the same phec twice over when there are changes of venue. Schools are breaking up in all directions, and thousands of young people are set free to enjoy themselves as only boyhood and girlhood can enjoy themselves ; but no one has had the courage to speak out like the Governor. Our anniversary day, of which we are all very proud, notwithstanding that the lines of the settlement are so different from the expectation of the day of landing which we commemorate, passed off very well. Games, sports, exercises of all kinds, made it very agreeable. The sons of Scotland (Caledonian Society; had a special gathering, and a special display of tartans and the national spirit. In their bayonet comp -ntion the squad from the Irish Rifles won the prizcj, and the Christchurch Highlanders, whom they beat, were not at all satisfied with the judging. It was truly a dreadful thing to beat Highlanders on their own ground, and wrest away from them their own prize. But it was only Irishmen who could have done such a thing. As showing the Scottish spirit, there is a good story about this gathering. *' Fine company that Irish I " " Ooay, vera fine vera fine indeed." •' They're the best company in the Canterbury b\ttalion.' " With ane exception, sir, ane exception." It is unnect'ssary forme to say that the second speaker was dresei in a kilt, neither need I mention that it is a fact tnat the Irish company is the' finest of the b-italhon, without any exception. St. Patrick's College is getting golden opinions io the district, the lads who have returned bems; in most cases very complimentary in their remarks .ib >ut their new college, and their air and bearing being much commended by all who come across them. Christmas having come round, these hues will find themselves in many households in company with many kindly words of your own Mr. Editor. I hasten therefore to wish our readers all the compliments of the season.

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