Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 429, 13 December 1856, Page 6

Local Intelligence.

HORTICULTURAL SHOW. The first exhibition for the season*lßs6-7 of the Lyttelton and Port Victoria Horticultural Society was held in the ToAvn Hall, on Wednesday last, the 10th instant. The Avell known care and taste Avith which the exhibitions o[ this Society have always been produced, combined Avith the extreme beauty of the weather, attracted to the spot such a numerous and gay assemblage as Aye did not expect to see in Lyttelton for many years to come. Among the visitors Aye noticed many from all parts of the country, from Christchurch, Sumner and the Bays, showing that [with a real attraction Lyttelton is not quite inaccessible. Of the beauty and abundance of vegetable productions which there gratified the senses of sight and smell Aye can speak with the highest commendations. But to touch or to taste were forbidden, aud hearing Avas an ungratined sense, owing to the failure of the arrangements at the last moment for obtaining the sei vices of professional musim cians. We confess ourselves unequal to the task of horticultural criticism, and are not sorry that by the confession Aye spare ourselves a truly invidious task. We .understand that the society itself, despairing of the power to discriminate nicely between various excellences, Avitbout professional aid, are determined at their next exhibition to procure Avith any cxpence the services of judges, from whose decision there can bo imagined no appeal. The competitors on this occasion were unusually numerous, and the exhibition Avas altogether one of the best of its kind. Thr prizes were ft warded as follows : — FnuiT.—Strawberries ; Ist prize Dampier, 2nd A, E. White, 3rd Dimond ; Raspberries, Ist j\lturns, 2nd Donald; Black Currants, Ist Dimond, 2nd Abrahams; lied Currants, Ist Dampier, 2nd Stout; Cherries, Ist Rev li. W. Dudley, 2nd Wormald ; Commended, Parkinson, Parsons ; Gooseberries, Ist Parsons, 2nd G. Day ; Do. best collection j Ist Donald, 2nd A. E.'White. Fi.owi.j_s.—Best collection ; Ist Dampier, Josling ; 2nd Donald, Mc.Oardell; 'Flowering Bulbs; Ist Josling, 2nd Parsons; Roses, Ist

Donald, 2nd Josling,'3rd Parkinson ; Geraniums, Ist Joslin., 2nd Allwright, 3rd A. E. White; Sweet Williams, Ist A. E. White, Rev. B. W. Dudley, 2nd Evans; Picotccs, Ist Parkinson, 2nd Munns. A specimen of the Calla _Ethiopica, exhibited by Mr, Parkinson, Avas commended. Veoetabt-es. —Peas ; Ist Alhvright, 2nd Josling, 3rd Stone ; Beans, 2nd W. Scott, Bayfield ; Turnips, Ist Evans, 2nd Deny: Carrots, Ist Munns, 2nd Bayfeild; Onions, Ist Scott, 2nd Oldfiold ; Asparagus, Ist Yen. O. Mathias ; Potherbs, Ist Josling; Potatoes, Ist Dimond, 2nd Dampier; Cabbage, Ist Parkinson, 2nd Bayfeild.

Public Works. —No time has been lost in commencing the various public works for which sums of money Avere voted during the last session of the Provincial Council. To begin near Lyttelton, the Governor's Bay bridle road is nearly completed, six feet Avide up to Dyer's Bay. In about one month it will he completed up to Gibbie's flat, at the head of the harbour. We understand that the work has been done by contract, partly by gangs of Maories. The widening and metalling of the Ferry Road, from Christchurch Quay to 3' the Heathcote Ferry, has progressed rapidly. The widening of the road is nearly completed, and from 20 to 30 chains of metalling laid doAvn already. On the North Road, tAvo contracts have been let for work between Papanui and the neAV ferry, embracing all the bad places within that distance. The bridges required betAveen Kaiapoi and the Ashley are in hand, as well as the embankments and side-cuttings between the Salt Water Creek and the Kowai. The bridges and culverts between the loth mile and the Rangiora Bush have been commenced. The Sumner Road is going on sloAvly and quietly by means of prison labour. We believe that the Bridle Path repairs will commence immediately. Several smaller works are in progress which we Avill take another opportunity of enumerating. The total number of men notv employed on public works is about 120. New Year's Day.—On Thursday evening, a preliminary meeting was held at the Mitre Hotel, to consider the propriety of celebrating tlie advent of the coining year by a regatta and sports at Lyttelton. It was agreed that every exertion should be made to render that day a festival, with all the observances due to a public holiday ; and, with that object, that a programme of sports and amusements should be drawn tip and submitted to a public meeting to be held on Monday evening next, and a subscription set on foot to provide the necessary funds. A committee was appointed to take the conduct of the business, and to carry out the objects of the meeting ; to consist of Messrs, •"•tB-S/ard, Davis, Rule, BradAvell, Mason, Cook, Giubb, SAvanson, and Genet. Arrtvat, of the Bishop ot? New Zealand. — The Southern Cross, with Bishop Selwyn on board, arrived in this harbour on Thursday evening last. His Lordship had visited Otago and called in, on his Avay here, at Akaroa, Okain's Bay, Pigeon Bay, and Port Levy. We are informed that it is Dr. Selwjm's intention to Avait in the province for at least ten days, in expectation of the arrival of the B|_'!_o,_ c.f Christchurch, in the Egmontj within that period. His Lordship Aviil, Aye believe, during that time, visit the sheep stations round the country, as far as is practicable, and afterwards (to-morrow week as Aye are informed) preach sermons in Christchurch and Lyttelton for the public charities which it is his custom so to support.