CANTERBURY.

Southland Times, Issue 1336, 18 November 1870, Page 3

CANTERBURY.

There were 100 more entries at the Agricultural Show this year than last, the receipts at the gates amounted to £307 3s 6d. The cattle were admitted by competent judges to be the best ever seen in the Colony. The horses were not equal to those of Otago. Young Austin won the ten mile race easily on the 9 th. Shell had 600 yards start) but gave in after having done less than six miles in 38 minutes. Pentecost, with 60 yards start, retired after running 700 yards. j The number of houses destroyed by the late fire at Lyttelton is 129, and the I damage is estimated at over £100,000. Temporary buildings are being erected, but it is impossible to commence work, as the ruins are still smouldering. The large heap of grain has been removed, a great quantity of it being uninjured. During the past few days, several tradespeople have had to call meetings of their creditors, and amicable arrangements have been effected. Mr J. Kenner, coal and timber merchant, has most liberally given receipts to all his debtors who resiom— in ' the blocKr~Tfie sum amounts to upwards of £30. The crops generally are not looking so well, neither are they so advanced, as at this time last year. The cause of this is principally attributed by the Lyttelton Times to the long and wet winter, and the apathy of farmers in sowing wheat on account of the low price last year. The early crops, though backward, look healthy ; the late crops were beginning to suffer for the want of rain, particularly on the plains, but the few late showers had freshened them and encouraged their growth. About one-third of all grain crops is barley. There are a few small paddocks of wheat about Eangiora looking well, but the best and most advanced piece of crop in this part of the country is about 300 acres. It is really excellent, 50 acres being barley, standing about 3 feet high, with the ear perfectly out of the stalk. It is supposed that this will be fit to cut about the second week in December. The crops on the north Moeraki Downs and on the Ashley Downs are decidedly backward. Judging from present appearances, against every 100 bushels of grain produced in this part of the province list year, there will not be more than 70, if even so much, this year. The grass paddocks look well, and there is every prospect of an abundant crop of hay. The Provincial Council has passed a clause in the Education Bill authorising a uniform household rate of £1 per annum, and 5s for each child up to four in number attending the public schools in the Province. The system of public education is almost entirely assimilated to that of Nelson. -'--T.he jSrat Dog Show inthe Province was held on the ITtITTn Bareara~sEepository. There were 97 entries of various breeds, and, as an inaugural show, it was very encouraging. The Bazaar in aid of St. Michael's new parish Church realised between £600 and £700. Mr Karslake opposes Mr Cracroffc Wilson, C.8., for Coleridge. Colonel Brett retires in favor of Mr Reeves for Selwyn.