CANTERBURY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 148, 13 November 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

CANTERBURY.

[From our own Correspondent ]. After a long silence, I now send you a line or two to tell you how things are looking “ down south.” The volunteering in Otago and Canterbury has proceeded pretty briskly ; fifty strapping chaps, amongst whom were many wearers of Crimean and Indian medals, left this place lately to swell the northern Waikato and Taranaki contingent. Considerable excitement prevailed here some time back on the war question ; two monster meetings were held, and the different members of the Upper House addressed their constituents. The voice of the majority was of course for a vigorous prosecution of the war. Cracroft Wilson, C. 8., and Messrs. Jollie and Fitzgerald have just now gone up to the Assembly. Crosbie Ward has not returned from England yet, and Mr. Weld is temporarily detained by urgent private affairs. Two new members, who have only been wailing for the writs, will (along with Mr. Weld) shortly join their colleagues. The general feeling down here is, that until the Maories, as a fighting nation, are completely humbled, that “ be he who cries (to General Cameron) Hold ! enough !”

We were jolly gfad to hear that you had got sucKa lot of fine fellows for your Colonial Defence Force, The Inspector and Sub-In-spector are capital fellow's for the purpose, know’ing the country so well, and up to the mark. The full lists of your Militia, Volunteers, and even Volunteer Cavalry, shewed us that the Hawke’s Bay people are in earnest and mean it when the time comes. We trust’you will not need to fight in earnest

with your Maori neighbours, but there is no telling. Does the Herald still joke ? We noticed “ a very likely yarn' ’ about the kingmaker having paid you a visit, when at the same time he was at Mereraere. But these little contretemps will happen in the best regulated establishment. When such an event as a visit from Tamihana does take place, we would then say, “ Keep your weather eye open.”

Everything goes on here like clockwork. The Railway is hastening rapidly towards completion. The contractors for the tunnel, Messrs. G. Holmes & Co., have leased the line from Healhcote to Christchurch at a reasonable rate, and are also to keep it in thorough repair as per agreement. We expect to be “riding on a rail” about December next. This will be an immense advantage to the mercantile community and the public generally, as goods have all to be either carted from Lyttelton (the port) to Christchurch, or brought round the heads and over the Sumner Bar up the Healhcote River to within two miles of the town, and then carted into towui. The road, of course, cannot be opened the whole way till the funnel is finished, and that may be tw r o years and more yet. It is, for this part of the globe, a truly gigantic undertaking. But the “ navvies” are making rapid and sure progress. One of our rivers, called the Waimakariri (or River Courtenay) has become flooded, owdug to the snow’ from the mountains, and threatens, if the preventatives now being adopted should fail, to submerge from 10,000 to 15,000 acres of fine level country. Much damage has already been done. A strong party are at work cutting a passage into the old chan-

nel, ami will probably succeed in checking its dangerous encroachments. Much land is sold weekly by Government. Our lowest Government price is £2 per acre. Mr. Howitt (son of W. and Mary Howitt) whilst exploring lately, was drowned in Lake Brunner, along with one of his men. One survived to tell the tale, and, after great hardship and privation, during over 21 days, got safe to town here. Another exploring surveyor, Mr. Whitcombe, lost his life previously in the Buller River. Government here gave his widow and family <£looo, and the faithful fellow who stuck by him to the last £IOO. His body was recovered by the exertions of this man (a German) and buried by him (with many tears) in the sand. Mr. Sherrin and a party are searching for Howitl’s body and that of his companion, but as yet without success. A piece of calico known to belong to Howitt is the only thing yet recovered. The sufferings of both of the survivors of these melancholy and fatal events were dreadful. Dr. Hector, another explorer, has succeeded in discovering a passage to the West Coast: This is glorious news, as a town on the West Coast is highly desirable. Dr. Hector, although not the finder of a goldfield, has discovered what is of more consequence a large navigable river from Lake Wakatipu, in the Otago province, to the sea ! All these things will extend the habitable territory of both provinces, and bring Canterbury and Otago nearer each other. Our road is nearly finished —that is the bridle track to meet the Otago track ; and the great main road to the West Coast is progressing under the labor of 150 able immigrants. About 500 have

arrived lately and found places, and the Waterwitch , with 320 more is just come in. Labor is quickly absorbed here. Our treasury is in a good sound state, the affairs of the Province generally are in a flourishing condition. Our markets are well stocked with every variety of goods. We were almost afraid of a glut, but nothing of the sort has happened as yet. An “ Agricultural Show” comes off on Thursday. What splendid horses are to be seen here! The good folks of Hawke's Bay would stare if they saw the fine horses and cattle exposed here, I've no doubt. Our markets are for Horses, high, really good and well-bred horses fetching as high as £SO to <£6o for Saddle, and for harness also the same figure. Draught horses from <£4s to £BO. “ "Weeds” and hacks from £2O to £35 or £4O. Superior from £4O to £SO, for every day work, and long journeys. Cattle are very dear also. For the butcher, 7d. "f- ib. Store Cattle about £lO. Young Store Beasts at £7 or £B. Milkers, £ls to £2O. Draught Bullocks in great demand, at high rates. Wheat, 7s. 6d. cash, (scarce). Flour, £22, Sharps and bran, 2s. Beef, 9d. to Is., Mutton, 7d to 10d., Pork, 8d to lOd.

We have had a Miss Aitken performing, or rather giving a series of reading lately, She is a first-class elocutionist, and her manner is very graceful. The Chri stj Minstrels have been also here for some time; this, I believe is their last night. They need no description of mine, every one knows what they can do. They have drawn full houses. The Californian Circus, under the management of Mr. Foley, is performing here also. The stud and performers are really excellent.

Then we have “ Choral Societies,” Lectures, and occasional Concerts and Balls, so that the good folks of Christchurch have plenty of amusement. Good-bye. 20th October. P.s. — l open this to. say that news has just come in. The Provincial "Engineer cannot stay the progress of the flood at the Waimakariri. Government seem very inert in the matter to the surprise of many. Miles of fencing are going down, and crops covered. Roads dangerous. Great damage. The Waimakariri rises in the snowy ranges, and is a large and swift flowing river. Mure in my next. 220 immigrants per Lancashire Witch have landed at Timaru, a Township GO miles south of this, all hearty and pleased, I hear. This is the third lot landed there. The Township is thriving.