The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 562, 24 March 1858, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times.

Wednesday, March 24ilh. There are but few items of Colonial intelligence at present demanding our attention, but as, under the pressure of an Eng-

lish and Indian mail lately arrived, and with the possibility (for it is no more) that another may arrive about the time, that it is due, that is, immediately, we may not be able to devote much space to details we take the opportunity of briefly noticing1 the principal points. From Melbourne our regular files extend to the 20th of February, on which day the Victoria arrived with the English mails. The City of Sydney however had arrived from the same voyage six days before, arid we have consequently full particulars of Indian as .'well as English news carefully collated for us by the Melbourne press. The first balloon ascent in Australia was accomplished at Melbourne in safety on the 2nd February. As the dates now received are not so late as those by the Corsair via Hobart Town, we have no explanation of the * Ministerial crisis' in victoria, the bare announcement of which our readers will remember was the last information obtained under date the 26th ult.

From Taranaki a few days later news informs us that the Militia was summoned to meet at Mount Elliott on the 12th instant for training and exercise; the summons is from Major. J, Y. Lloyd, who takes the command. Every inhabitant of the Province of the proper age, and. not specially exempt is summoned. The papers say there will be a force of about 300 men raised.

Our Nelson papers are to the 13th inst. We observe that a motion in favour of vote by ballot was carried through the Council by a large majority, on the-24th' ult. The races came off on the 9th, 10th, and 11th inst. The 'Examiner' says the running was not quite so good as in -'previous years, but a larger number of persons assembled to witness the sport. "We must promise a more extended notice to this meeting. There is not a word said in* favour of the Gold Fields.

From Wellington the latest papers are those brought by the Hastings, extending to the 17th inst. An important meeting on the Tariff was held on the 10th instant, at Which a memorial antagonistic to the report of the Chamber of Commerce was adopted and numerously signed. On the 15th the Provincial Council was opened by Dr. Featherston in an able and lengthy address. The first step taken by the' Council was to dislodge the former clerk and place in that office the renowned Dr.' Welch. Mr. Ludlam was elevated to the speakership, and Mr. Toomath to the chairmanship of Committees. The * notices of motion' enunciating Reform r doctrines are numerous. The members of the Go-1 vernment resigned office previous to the meeting of the Council.

From Ota go we have a few papers by the Gertrude, but we find nothing to notice in the present crowded state of our columns.