Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 550, 10 February 1858, Page 5

Local Intelligence.

Owing to the state of the weather on Thursday, no sitting of the Provincial Council took place that evening, and at the usual meeting the next morning the only business transacted was the renewal of notices of motion. Consequently, till yesterday evening, of which we have no record, there has been no business transacted for a week. In fact there have been only seven sittings in all, and only five of these for the "despatch of business," making a sum total of not quite twelve hours of deliberation. The business that has been got through in this time is not, however, of small amount. The two Government bills already introduced have been advanced almost to their last stage, and a private bill (Inwood's Mill) is ready for committee. Only two others are at present impending ; one (Slaughter House) introduced and ready for discussion, the other (Customs Reserve) still to be brought forward. As to the Estimates, the items of current expenditure have been passed; those for public works are ready for consideration immediately on the committee's report; and some miscellaneous items are now under consideration. A grant ot £1000 as a bonus for local steam was proposed on Tuesday evening, and deferred until the full particulars of the agreement between the company and the Government could be laid on the table of the house. The clay after the discussion upon this item the boat purchased by the Steam Company arrived in harbour, and the operations of the proprietors at once commenced, a material guarantee being thereby afforded, if any was needed, that the bonus recommended by the Government would not be an idle vote. Looking at the amount of the annual bonus granted to the Wonga Wonga by the Wellington Government, and taking into consideration the troublesome and perilous service which coasting steamers in this province will have to perform, the amount of assistance asked tor by our local company appears very reasonable. The local posts question is one which will also come presently before the committee of supply in the shape of a money vote. Solar as we are informed at present, it is likely that the Government willrecommend the grant of a larger sum than at present appears on the estimates for this purpose. The main question contained in such a recommendation is whether facilitating business and binding the extremities ot the province together is worth the expenditure of a certain sum per annum. It must be remembered that when a grant of public money gives a specific advantage to only a portion of the public, the remainder are to that extent unfairly treated; but that a grant which is applied to the service of the whole body, be it ever so heavy a charge upon the public revenues, is. at least an advantage or a burden to all alike. The local posts if extended through the country are likely to be expensive; the whole cost of the service, allowing for receipts, may perhaps reach £1000 per annum. But every year the returns will bo greater and the expenso of the service without doubt less, sinco the increase of passenger and parcel traffic will aid in remunerating the contractor. As to tho particular points of tho scheme to which attention will be drawn, no doubt amendments in the present service will bo first considered; the establishment of a district office and officer in Christchurch is one thing recommended. Then the

adoption of the Akaroa mail into the local post service, and its elevation from fortnightly to weekly, are anticipated. The extcnuion from Kaiapoi to Eangiora, and the cstahliHhment of a post office at the latter place has boon already , proposed, and a very reasonable tender for the service has been made by a person prepared to carry it out effectively. Then come the services for the outlying districts, one north and one south. That to Thnaru can be accomplished with regularity once a fortnight, while to the Waitangi the mail may run fortnightly from Timaru, but replies will not be received from Christchurch in less than a month. Should the English mail be forwarded .to Otago by this line, of course the Otago Government will pay for it, but if only provincial letters are to cross the border it will be only a question of adjustment of postages. It is not by any means likely that the Otago Government will be at any expense for transmission of their heavy mails by land when a small additional cost would secure a water service, which would be much more rapid, and would also provide for passenger and other traffic. The northern mail; from Kaiapoi to the Hurunui, might, if necessary, be carried once a week; an arrangement with the Nelson Government would be necessary for the extension of the service to the < north of the Hurunui, and the inhabitants of that district will doubtless bestir themselves with that object. We understand that the most accurate estimates attainable have been supplied by the Postmaster in Lyttelton to the Government of the cost of the whole of the above-mentioned services except that from Timaru to the Waitangi, and that from Kaiapoi to the Hurunui. This and other information on the subject was to be laid before the Council last night.

A return laid before the Council and printed in the Government Gazette shows the amounts voted on the estimates of last April, as compared with the amounts spent on each item up to Dec. 31st, 1857. It appears that of about £60,000 voted for the service of the year on all accounts, more than one-half was still unexpended at the end of nine months. A dinner and ball took place at Bruce's Hotel, Akaroa, on Thursday evening, Feb. 4, to inaugurate Mr. Gibbs's entrance upon the command of that establishment. The chair at the dinner was taken by Mr. White, M:P.C, and the vice-chair by Captain Greaves. The style of the repast reflected great credit upon Mr. Gibbs's talents as a caterer for the public. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been given and honored, the chairman in a neat and complimentary speech proposed the health of Mr. Gibbs, wishing him success in his business speculations. Mr. Gibbs briefly returned thanks and proposed the health of the ' Ancient Admiral', his predecessor, who in his turn gave thanks in his usual laconic style. Captain Greaves proposed the health of 'our American friends and visitors, Captain Soule,and the officers and crew of the Milo.' Captain Soule returned thanks for the compliment, and wished that success to Akaroa which, he said, with the resources at her command she must ultimately enjoy. After the health of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman had been duly honoured and responded to, the party adjourned to the ball room, where the festivities were kept up with great spirit till long after darkness had flown away and Sol had tipped the hills with gold. Every one was highly delighted, and grieved only when the time came to part. On Monday evening the theatre in Lyfctelton was well filled. The Serious Family, which was the first piece, is not one which wins our admiration at best, and it was imperfectly presented on this occasion ; some of" the ' makeups' were however, admirable. The Rifle Brigade, which followed,"was capitally played, and redeemed all the deficiencies of its predecessor. Mrs. Foley and Mr. Henries deserve the highest praise, and Miss Emma Melville for her fair performance of a difficult role must not be overlooked. Mr. Montague in both his characters of Monday evening showed considerable advancement. The Rough Diamond, Bachelor's Buttons, and Mary White are announced for Monday evening.

The election for the Heathcote District on Saturday resulted in the return of Mr. Harman, the account which we have received states that a large number of electors did not come to the poll. The Planet got up her steam for a trial trip yesterday afternoon, and coming alongside tho jetty, took several passengers on board for Pigeon Bay. She started against a strong N.E. breeze and a flood tide a little after three p.m., and had not returned at the time of our going to press. Her progress, as far as she was visible, was very satisfactoiy. On Friday evening last the Odd Fellows of Lyttelton gave a ball in the Town Hall, which was attended by about eighty or ninety persons representing all classes of the community. The music for the evening's entertainment was provided by the best band of musicians that we have ever heard in Lyttelton, and this circumstance added much to the success of the ball. The festivities began rather late, and were kept up with great spirit till about six o'clock the next morning.