The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 564, 31 March 1858, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times.

Wednesday, March 31st. By the arrival of the Dart on Monday we have some later colonial news to record.

A few facts of the Melbourne ministerial crisis will be found in another column. As the late papers of this colon} r have not come down we have no other news but this, which has reached us via Sydney.

From j\ Tew South Wales we are informed that the elections were over, and that the Assembly would most likely meet within a month. The imperfect arrangements for the conveyance of the European mail were attracting constant animadversion. A new consequence of irregularity has been lately developed j a quantity of merchandise taken by the company in England for the overland route, and paying proportionate freight, had been left at Suez, as the steamer on this end had not sufficient carrying capacity. Though the bills of lading are so framed as to leave the company as little as possible liable in such a case, it is contended that when the abandonment of goods is occasioned by a distinct breach of contract the freight at least ought to be refunded. A passenger ship, the Stebonheath, had arrived in Sydney from London, with a large number of passengers,among whom were several single women. Immorality and impropriety between the female passengers and the crew had prevailed during the voyage; and one poor girl suffered from such agony of mind as to cause death. The particulars were brought to light on the inquest. I\o particular negligence was imputed to the captain, officers, surgeon, or matron, nor any misconduct against the other passengers; it seems that the most energetic measures would have been necessary to restrain effectually. the women and the crew.

From Wellington our dates are to last Saturday, a.paper of that date having been obligingly furnished to us by a passenger on.hoard, the Dart. We have mentioned before the opening* of the Council, the appointment of the Officers of the Council, and the address of his Honor. This occurred on the loth March. 'The appointment of Select Committees to examine into the various departments of the Government with a view to reform, and the discussions which arose out of each motion, together with a few direct questions and collateral sparring, occupied the opening days. The former advisers of his Honor had resigned their seats in the Executive, together with the public offices they held, until their successors should be appointed. His Honor, before appointing, ; seems to have awaited a special vote of the Council on some question of importance. A good deal of time was spent in ascertaining at what date the Executive resigned, and' whether they were responsible for his Honor's address. On the 23i-d instant, a ' reply to the address' was moved by Mr. Fox in a speech of nearly three hours, and an amendment was proposed by Mr. Wakefield in another speech of about the same length. Adjournment for the night followed, and the debate was resumed on the 24th, when the majority of the members addressed the Council. Mr. Fox concluded in a reply of two hours duration, after which the amendment was carried .■ by " a majority of 12. His Honor accordingly sent for Mr. Wakefield, who asked for time till Tuesday, (yesterday), to form a ministry. Speculations were also afloat as to the names of the new officials: Mr. Wakefield was talked of as Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. Stokes as Commissioner of Crown Lands, and Mr. Hunter without office. The Council consequently adjourned from Thursday till Tuesday. 'Mr. Fox was urging the Ballot question. Mr. Clifford is the only member of the General-Assem-. bly for Wellington who has proceeded to take his seat. We observe that Mr. Fitzherbert and Mr. Revans have resigned their seats, but we are unable to find any movement of the other gentlemen recorded. The Bishop of New Zealand has visited Wellington, and consecrated the Te Aro church, and held, a confirmation. His Lordship left for the Chatham Islands on the 23rd instant. The Native Land Purchase Staff under Mr. McLean had arrived in Wellington after purchasing the Porangahan block.