CANTERBURY.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 27, 8 January 1864, Page 2

CANTERBURY.

"We have received our Canterbury files to [ to the Ist. The news is of an unimportant ! .character. There had been, the usual amount of Christmas and New Year's festivities. ' The tunnel between Lyttelton and the plains : is progressing satisfactorily. The entire 5 length of -that, portion of it, on the Ckrist--1 church side of the hill, which has been exca- , vated; has been bricked in the usual mannej. A further distance of 1400 yards still remains to be burrowed through, but_ the con--3 tractors are^-within their,time, and'iif no un- » foreseen circumstances arise, they will com- » plete their- work as soon as was originally i expected. The first theatre in Canterbury , was opened on Boxing Day. The building is the old "Music Hall, which has been fitted i up in the orthodox 'style, and christened the Princess Theatre. The manager" caters well 1 for the public, wlio do. not, howeyer^appeai '' to appreciate his exertions to the extent thej - deserve. A second batch' of volunteers foi c Taranaki left oh the 29th ult. They numbered seventy -^ mostly young men. The b schooner Choice took them to their desti--3 nation.- ■■/-•' . ; • ; The. state of {the; River Waimakariri was 7 still considered"dangerouß. A public meetinf 3 had been held, and the following resolution! *•' passed :— .-. ..-• .-■:■•• ■-.^- ■ ■■■■ , '•/>- • : : .;. .■;-•;■■- -:.■ a :■ " That' it is the .opinion of this .meeting • that the works hitherto' carried on by th< a Government are- totally -inefficient; 1 as the em barikment is still washing away, while thi _ river is stili in its lowest state." , -v " That the only efficient means of makinj the necessary embankment is iby timber," then " being a good and available road to* Oxfor< '" bush, from which, it can readily be procured. 1 f- ;• " That this meeting earnestly Hop that the Government will take: the mos . active measures without further delay stop the present mischief, which is much in r creased by the fresh." s » "That the following persons be ap *" pointed •deputation to wait on his Hono: ct the Superintendent:— Mv.^ey ward, M plack#,.Mr Macdonald, ; Air, Cherry."