CHRISTCHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1674, 30 June 1875, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

(Per Press Telegram Agency.) This day. Lunch Aboard the Hawea. A lunch was given on board the Union Steamship Company's new steamer Hawea at Lyttelton. A hundred gentlemen were invited ; seventy-five sat down. Special carriages for the guests were attached to the train from Christchurch. They went direct alongside the steamer at Glaclstone "wharf. After examining the saloons, engineroom, etc., the company sat down to lunch The chair was filled by Mr James Mills, managing director of the Company ; and the vice chair by Captain Malcolm. On the right of Mr Mills sat his Honor the Superintendent, and Mr Peacock on the left of the Company's agents. The toast, "Success to the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand," was proposed' by the captain. In responding, the chairman stated that the new Company, which was being registered under the Limited Liability Aot, started with a paid-up capital of £90,000. They would take over the Harbour Company's steamers on the Ist July, and in addition to the Hawea and Taupo, would add still fuither to their fleet, as trade demanded. They had no desire to injure the steam companies already in existence; but would feel themselvek bound to see that the interests of the travelling public received attention. The Auckland Cricketers' Demand., Letters appear in both the Times and Press this morniDg stigmatising the resolution passed by the Auckland oicketers, that the match, Australia v. New Zealand, should be played at Auckland, as absurd, because the Auckland cricketers have no right to decide such an important matter and it would not be fair to the cricketers of other provinces to play such a match either at Auckland or Dunedin ; a more central place should be selected. The writers suggest that a delegate should be appointed by each province to meet at some central place, and decide where the great match shall be played, and how many players each province shall send to the New Zealand team. Fire at the Criterion Hotel. The Criterion Hotel had a narrow escape from destruction by fire last night. " Some gentlemen lodgers in the hotel saw a glare in the adjoining room and found the window drapery in a blaze, ann after some trouble succeeded in extinguishing the fire. Aa this is the second occurrence of the kind within a week, it is supposed to be the work of an incendiary. Mr Balle, the landlord, has placed the matter in the hands of the police.'