Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 521, 31 October 1857, Page 4

Local Intelligence.

Yesterday was the polling day for the election of Superintendent throughout the province. The result, as far as could be known in Xyttelton last night, is given elsewhere in our columns. The day was of course kept as a holiday almost universally; the display of men and banners in this town exceeded any similar occasion, and good humour everywhere prevailed. The details of the day's proceedings it is not yet in our power to give. The principal Returning Officer has fixed noon on Wednesday next for the official announcement of the poll; but we have reason to believe that our issue of that morning will contain the returns from all the districts. We would draw the attention of our readers to the actual commencement of the business of the Lyttelton Building Society.. By an advertisement in our columns it will be seen that the first monthly payments are to be made at a general meeting on Wednesday next, the 4th November. We have very credible information of the actual discovery of gold in the province by the explorers of the country above the gorge of the fiver Waimakariri. . „ The specimens brought down are highly indicative of the existence of a rich auriferous

region} and we believe that several experienced diggers are confident of the favourable result of further explorations which they are about to make. , "We have much pleasure in mentioning that the advices from Sydney, received by the Dart, relative to the steamer whose purchase is contemplated by our Local Steam Company, are of the most favourable character; and that no difficulties have presented themselves in the way of completing the undertaking. We were most highly gratified by the performance of the Lady of Lyons at the theatre in this town on Thursday evening. The care which we knew had been bestowed on the cast and getting up of the piece-had not even led us to expect such success, nor had we calculated upon such appreciation of its merits as the crowded and enthusiastic house on Thursday evening displayed. The part of Pauline is evidently a favourite with Mrs. Foley; and the audience applauded to the echo her rendering of a part which for the first time has drawn out for the delight of our citizens those tragic powers which she possesses in so high a degree. Mrs. Foley was thoroughly well supported. Mr. Bradwell, as Claude Melnotte, showed the most thorough conception of the spirit of his rdle, and a consummate knowledge of the more practical part of his art, which was totally unlooked for in an amateur, and, if we may so speak, took the house by storm. Miss Button's presentment of Madame Deschappelles was very characteristic; her 'make up' for the part, with that of Mr. Willis, and the acting of both, were most successful. Our readers know how Mr. Mordaunt would play-Grlavis, and Mr. Henries Beauseant. We need only say that the evening's performance proved that Mrs. Foley has gathered together a corps dramatique of no small strength in all departments of the art. We are, in fact, delighted with the performance of the Lady of Lyons, and with the appreciation which the public of Canterbury show of Mrs. Foley's exertions to provide a high class of entertainment for them. The house was filled, particularly the box portion of itj and we observed present several visitors from the other side of the hill.

The evening's programme was closed by the representation for the second time of the Secret. This most amusing farce was greeted with roars of laughter from beginning to end; Mr. Mordaunt's "Thomas" being wonderfully and inimitably comic. Altogether last Thursday was the night of the greatest success since the opening of the theatre J.n Lyttelton. We are well pleased to observe that we may expect a repetition of such performances, since the tady of Lyons is announced for representation on Thursday next, together with that ludicrous farce, the Clockmaker's Hat.

We have much pleasure in recording the first appearance of Mr. Merton and his musical friends before a Kaiapoi audience. The inhabitants of the town and district have hitherto appeared *to be too much occupied with the downright'4iard work incident .to the first few years of colonization to give any" time or thought to the humanizing influence of music; but now that their first struggles are past, and a more than wonted share of prosperity has rewarded their efforts, we hope that any opportunity of agreeable relaxation which may be offered to them-will be as well received as was Mr. Merton's concert on Monday. The large room at the Northern Hotel was well filled with a very attentive audience, who appeared fully to appreciate the excellent selection of music provided by Mr. Merton. Amongst others the performance of the Overture to Saul and Lutzow's Wild Chase gave Especial satisfaction, the last being honoured with an encore; though we think the greatest praise was due to the execution of Grluck's Overture to Iphigenie; in spite of the little hesitation and want of confidence apparent in the first few bars, this was really a most creditable performance. We must however urge Mr. Merton to endeavour to procure a second flautist before this is performed again; for, although the part of second flute was sustained by Mr. Bilton as well as the power of his instrument (the harmonium) admitted, it was but a poor The effect however of the harmonium in the rolling accompaniment to Hohenlinden was exceedingly good. A little harmless political feeling shewed itself at.the end of the concert, when the "Red white and blue" was called for; and played by the performers and sung by the audience, with most hearty unanimity. We hear of a narrow escape from drowning in the ford of the Waimakariri, on the road to Kaiapoi. A gentleman with his horse was swept a considerable distance down the stream, and after being some time in a situation of great peril, was rescued with difficulty, by a line of flax from the bank. He was taken to the Kaikaiui Hotel and soon recovered. We hope this will be sufficient to remind the public that such a river as the Waimakariri is not to be trusted in spring time, and that a ferry exists a little lower down.

- We are informed that a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Cookson, Banks, Beswick, Blakiston, and Lee, waited upon the Deputy Superintendent a few days since, to request that immediate steps might be taken to survey the bar of the Waimakariri, and to have the channel marked out. Mr.Bowen concurred in the importance of the object, but thought that no steps should be taken in the matter till it could be referred to the next Superintendent and Council. We under-stand-that the gentlemen forming the deputation offered to bear all the expense of the survey, etc., themselves, if the Government would appoint the proper persons, and have it done immediately. . The news from Wellington brought by the Uira informs us that Dr. Featherston was virtually successful in the election of Superintendent, by a majority of about 300; all the returns being received except that from AhurirL