THE CHRISTCHURCH CARNIVAL.
(By Ova Vagabond Reporter.)
Having been deputed by the conductor of tho Akaroa Mail to visit the City of the Plains and report on its aspect and that of its inhabitants during the week in which they keep high festival, and (ire supposed to give themselves up to revelry of every description, including the " punching" of fat bullocks and the ''pulling" of fast horses, I but really this sentence threatens to become unmercifully long, and I will cut it short. I was going on to say that I procured a ticket from Mr Henning, entitling me to a passage to Lyttelton and back, and was aroused at some unearthly hour in the night between Monday and Tuesday last to go on board the good ship Wanaka, clipper built, cop-pcr-faßtened, etc., etc. The voyage from our port to Lyttelton was uneventful. There were a good few Akaronians on board, bound for a short holiday trip, but among them were some who were leaving us finally. I allude to Mr Robertshaw, our late telegraphist, who, with bis Laros and Penates, was betaking himself, at the bidding of his Hiiperiors, to other fields of labor. lam euro tke renders of Tub Mail will join with mo in wishing him " God speed." During a residence of several years in the place, it is perfectly safe to cay that he has not made a single enemy, but leaves behind him none but friends and well-wishers.
If I go on digressing at tliie rate, though, I shall never reach the Cathedral City and all the wonders thero awaiting description by nay facile quill. (Hem ! elegant periphrasis that for a stump of black lead pencil. N.B.—Ninepencc a dozen at Billens's. Now, really Mr B. after that cheap ad. you ought, you know, to make me a present —say of a perpetual calendar, or a bath brick, or eonio such trifle, which I should prize for the sake of the givor.) However, as the novelists say, to resume. We arrived in Lyttelton after & splendid trip of a very few minutes over four hours. I found that three-quarters of an hour must elapse before a train would leave for Christchurch. I contrived to satiate myself with the beauties of Lyttelton in about four minutes and three-quarters, and devoted the re6t of the time—no, sir, not to inspecting the interipr of the various hotels, as you were about to remark. For reasons which no one is better acquainted with than you, Mr Editor, and which will appear anon, I was compelled to exercise a certain amount of prudence and self restraint in this matter.
Arrived at Christchurch, I was delighted to rind the train-care once more drawn up alongside the footpath opposite the Railway Station. Of the merits of the dispute between the cabmen and the tramway company I know nothing, but as a member of the public I most emphatically proi.es.t against their convenience being sacrificed to any private interests whatever. The cars aro roomy, comfortable and elegant, and the motion an easy gliding , one. and I '.van ;i!:-t couipo;!;u'j i!iy;'.:-ii ; comfortably liito a wed wl.pu ;va <'U(;iuui!cemer;t ii'i-iit my ovo. end ft&fccti.u'.l'y imnlsl.'oJ. rns oi.'
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