Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 525, 14 November 1857, Page 5

Local Intelligence.

The Election Ball in this Town, on Wednesday evening, proved the gayest and most successful of the whole catalogue of our public festivities. The good feeling which had prerailed throughout the election obviated the possibility of any annoyance being felt by the supporters of any candidate at the celebration of the success of others; and, as we anticipated, people of all parties and opinions were there. If any proof had been wanting, that there is no antagonism of interests in Canterbury, and no opposition of class against class, such a festivity as that of Wednesday evening would testify to the fact, more strongly than any written or spoken asseverations. The marked success of our popular ball is everywhere hailed with satisfaction, but is nothing more than might have been expected from the liberality of sentiment prevailing among all sections of our community. His Honor the Superintendent and Mrs. Moorhouse were among the guests.

AH the accommodation afforded by the Town Hall buildings in their improved state was brought into use; giving ample space for cloak rooms and refreshment rooms. The dancing room was in the large Hall itself: the stage of the Theatre remaining, by Mrs. Foley's kind permission, and being used by the orchestra. The room was neatly and prettily decorated by the Committee, and was comfortably filled throughout the evening. We have not been able to ascertain the exact number present, but it was considerably more than one hundred and fifty. Dancing commenced at the fashionable hour of half-past nine and continued till after five o'clock in the. morning, being sustained the whole time with the greatest spirit. At about half-past twelve a liberal, substantial, and handsome supper was provided under the direction of Mr. Gee, the well-known confectioner of this town, who deserves great credit for his skill as a purveyor. Mr: Cookson was in the chair and Mr. Davis in the vice chair. The toasts of the evening were given before the departure of the ladies from the tableland we recommend the adoption of this plan in future. After the health of Her Majesty, the Prince Consort, and the Governor, were duly honoured, the health of his Honor the Superintendent was proposed, drunk with a round of cheers, and acknowledged by Mr. Moorhouse, who returned the compliment by proposing the ' Members for Lyttelton.' Messrs. Cookson, Davis, Alport, and Waitt spoke to _ the toast in turn, the latter gentleman concluding by proposing the health of Mrs. Moorhouse and the ladies ; to which Dr. McCheane was called upon to respond on their behalf. Our reporter would have given the speeches on this occasion if he could have remembered them ; and might have remembered them if he had heard-them, but that essential requisite for a report was wanting. We cannot wish for more elections, but we do desire to have further opportunities of witnessing innocent festivities so pleasantly conducted, and so harmoniously supported by the public. The masons have commenced putting in the foundations for the new Church of St. Peter, Heathcote. The site for the building abuts on the Ferry-road, and was presented to the parish by Mr. Bowler, of Wellington. The church is intended to have cob walls, two feefc thick, on a stone foundation, with quoins, buttresses, and window dressings of stone. It will consist of nave, 40 feet by 18 feet; north porch, vestry, and chancel, 15 feet 6 inches, by 11 feet, having a semicircular apsidal termination. Thenavewill be lighted at the west end by two single lights and a vesica window; on the north side by small quatrefoils; and on the south side by two threelight dormers. The chancel will be lighted by three single-light stone dormers; it is expected that these windows will be filled with stained glass, as memorials. The roof of the nave will be divided into four bays by principals, with, collars and arched braces, rising from corbels. The chancel will have simple couple rafters. The roofs will all bo high pitch, shingled, with ornamental ridge pieces, and metal gable crosses. Provision will be made at the west end for adding a bell cote. The stone font, altar table, and lectern, are all provided by private donations. The church is being erected from designs and under the superintendence of Messrs. Mountfort and Luck, architects, of Christchurch. The stone employed is the red stone, similar to that found on the Lyttelton side of the hills, and is quarried on Mr. M'Cormack's land, near Sumner, close to the water's edge. This stone is also about to be used at Christchurch by the name architects in the foundation for the new Government Offices and ■ Council Chamber, the

contract for which has just been takea by Mr. exSto^SP W<K Pa? U3 a sommhat «»- expectea visit on Wednesday.no notice of the Sa? und' P "7° b6en #™ be^ X eneia understanding that.she U laid onto D>rKn Pr? r nfcill>'- She br!n *» som* imEohn,^l^" 1 aew-. ! VOm WeUrngton, but nothing of Commercial or general interest. krttMc s from the papers wilfle found in ano ther column. The Wonga Wonga left yesterw n- Utl!° On ' Wlfch afaip wind, on her return to Wellington.

A General Government Gazette received by the last, mul from Auckland, notifies, under date -r e *£\ oi October, that the Governor has, in Her Majesty's name, summoned the Hon. Charles Robert Blakiston, Esq.ofthi* province to the Legislative Council of New Zealand, by writ of summons under the seal of the Colony. We are glad to announce that the preparations tor improving the town of Lyttelton have been commenced by the Government. The great requisite has always been a map of "the town or which purpose an engineering survey has to be taken. This is to be put in hand'at once, Mr. Bray undertaking the survey departmunt and Mr. Mallinson the mapping. When.thi*« completed the Provincial Engineer will be able to proceed with the necessary works, the levelw° °f sfcreefcs ' an? tne provision of water. We are therefore in a fair way to obtain the satisfaction of our desires.

A Yankee Love-letrjsu.—i'ue touowmg sweet morceau which originally appeared in the " New York Union," is reported to have been picked up in the Park. We insert it as a model worthy the imitation of the " love sick swain " whose situation may be such as to compel them to conduct their courtship in writing:—"Dear sweet, oh my love of loves, clarified honey and oil of citrons, white loaf sugar of my hope, and molasses of my joyous expectation, you have been absent three long days ! The sun is dark at mid-day—the moon and stars are black when thou art absent. Thy step is music of the spheres, and the wind of thy gown when you pass by is a zephyr from the garden of Paradise in the time of early flowers. I kissed you when we last met, and my whole frame was filled with sweetness; and one of your curls touched me on the nose, and that organ was transmuted into loaf sugar. Oh spices of spices, send me a lock of your hair; send me anything that your blessed finger hath touched, and I will go raving mad with ecstasy! One look from thy bright eyes would transport me incontinently into the third heaven. Your lips are red roses gathered from Eden by the hand of an angel. My heart blazes at the thought of thee! .My brains is an everlasting fire; the blood 1 burns and scorches my veins and vitals as it passes through them; and when you come be sure and bring that 2s. that you borrowed off me, as I want to buy some tobacker."