Local Intelligence.

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

Local Intelligence.

The brig. Gertrude, appointedto convey mem-, bers of the General Assembly from Otagb and Canterbury to Auckland for the approaching session, arrived from Dunedin on' Monday, irid will sail for the north without delay. She brings from Otago one member of the House of Representatives, His Honor. Captain Cargill, .and ; one member of the Legislative Council, Dr. Menzies.. She will take^hence, in addition, three members of the lower House, Messrs. Hall, Oilivier, and Packer, and two of the the upper House, Messrs. Tancred and Blakiston, in all a party of .seyeii from the extreme South. Unless unusually favoured by the winds, the Gertrude is not likely to reach Auckland in time for the openingday of the session. "We must hope that no further delay will occur that can by any means" be" prer judicial to our interests. '::'' '-J r *

. We are informed that it is hot unlikely, that a vessel will be despatched from Auckland to the various provinces without any delay, after the issue of writs specially to bring down those writs and carry back members returned to fill seats now vacant in the House of Representatives, of which there are a large number in the aggregate. This will be a. wise proceeding, though attended by much expense; for though we cannot expect that* any but the most iihpbrtant business will be delayed till the House is is nearly complete, a little expedition may .bring the Southern recruits up in time to do much service towards the conclusion of the session.

The departure of members is the same.thing, unfortunately, as the withdrawal of some officials from our staff, and the vacancies have to be filled up, ad interim. Mr. Hall's duties of Resident Magistrate will be undertaken by his Honor the Superintendent, .who, as will be recollected, holds an appointment to that office of old standing. The duties of Sheriff and Commissioner of Police will be performed by Dr. Donald, J.P., during Mr. Hall's absence. While Mr. Ollivier is in Auckland the duties of the Provincial Secretary's Office will devolve upon Mr. Keele, the Chief Clerk, and Mr. Cass is appointed temporary keeper of the public records. Mr. Packer holds no office but that of Assistant Commifisioner of the Waste Lands Board, and Mr. Harman, who at present exists somewhat as extra Commissioner, or '* odd man,' is at hand to supply the place vacated. To use a nautical expression, our state ship for the next few months will sail 'jury rigged.*

We are informed that Mr. Bishop, the present deputy Post Master at Christchurch, has intimated that he will tender his resignation of that appointment from the end of this month, and that Dr. Back, of the Lincoln-road, has been appointed in his place. A meeting of merchants of Lyttelton and Christchurch to consider the question of amending the present tariff has resulted in a circular letter addressed to our Members in the General Assembly urging them to press for the adoption of the principle of the tariff of Victoria, as recommended in the report of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce; not insisting, however, upon the details of that proposal. Mr. BradwelFs benefit, on Monday night, was a bumper; we do not recollect having seen the theatre so well filled. The first piece was perhaps rather an ambitious attempt for. a company, of whom many must necessarily from the number demanded be new to the stage. The play of Hamlet, though reduced to three acts, is not on that account relieved from the necessity for careful representation throughout. Those gentlemen who undertook the subordinate parts deserve thanks, however, if it were only for the mere circumstance of consenting to come forward to assist in the presentation of the piece. The largeness of the audience was fully justified by the able personification of the principal character by Mr. Bradwcll, of the Queen by Mrs. Foley, and of Horatio by Mr. Henries. Mr. Rae as Polouius, and Mr. Parsons as the ghost, likewise contributed to the success of the entertainment: Mrs. Rae, as Ophelia, managed to add very materially to our previous estimate of her abilities. After the tragedy, songs were given by Messrs. Allwright, Henries, and Poulter, all of which were encored. The farce of 4 Mary White' came last,' screaming,' as usual, but with a shade less rattle, owing to the absence of Mr. Mordaunt from the part of Jacob Brown. The. house laughed and applauded to the. echo throughout. Mrs. Foley's benefit, the very last opening of the theatre, was announced to take place shortly.