Local Intelligence.

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

Local Intelligence.

A warning as to the state of Lyttelton Jetty was given by a misadventure on Saturday evening last. The boiler, furnace, and the accompanying machinery belonging to a steam saw mill ex Hastings were being hoisted on to the jetty out of the lighter alongside, when the chain broke and the valuable load was dropped to the bottom. Fortunately, by the help of a portion of the crew of the Hastings, the mass was successfully raised the next day. We cannot omit to remark upon the fact that it is quite probable that accidents to life as well as property may result from the present state of the jetty; and that there is no work which more urgently demands the attention of the Public Works Office. The jetty is to be enlarged, soon we hope; and it was stated before the Council that the present portion could be made good for years to come; if so, the less it is allowed to fall into disrepair the better.

Information has been received, in answer to enquiries about the repairs of the streets of Lyttelton, for which a sum of money was voted at the last session of the Council, that before repairing the roadways it will be necessary to provide for drainage, &c, for which no money supply has been furnished. Was it not possible to inform the Council of this necessity, that the required sum might have been provided, or has the necessity only now arisen? Surely reports of the Provincial Engineer and Committees on Public Works, under the over-ruling hand of the Executive, are not to be considered as simply engines to force the will of the Council for the time; their recommendations not implying either soundness or sufficiency, and being neglected at the session's close.

The ' bus' was conveyed safely from Lyttelton to Christchurch by the Sumner-road on Saturday morning. As the construction of the vehicle does not permit the wheels to 'lock' more than six inches it could not be turned with the pole fixed on the zig-zags; the horses were accordingly taken out at two of these elbows, but some of the passengers did not quit their seats. Another difficulty arose from the looseness and depth of the"sand in the Sumner Valley where it was as much as two horses could do to draw the vehicle along. All obstacles were, however, safely surmounted, and the omnibus, drawn from the Ferry by four horses, crowded with passengers, and with colours flying, reached Christchurch in due time. This tripgis worthy of note, since those who superintended the passage by the Sumner-road allege, though not before favourably disposed towards that line, that very unimportant alterations would render the road well fitted for the traffic of a similar conveyance.

The little steamer Planet is doing her work even better than at first. She left Lyttelton for. Akaroa on Friday last, called in at both Macintosh Bay and Le Bon's Bay, where she took up and set down passengers, and, though wind and tide were unfavourable, Akaroa was reached in ten hours. On her homeward trip on Monday, with a fair wind, she called in again at Macintosh Bay, and reached Lyttelton in seven hours, the shortest time yet, even without allowing for the detention

The highest price spoken of for wheat on Saturday last, in Christchurch, was ss. for the best samples of white. The slight improvement has led farmers to look with increased hope on the harvest, which is not yet complete. The lateness of the season is very remarkable. Barley maintains its price at ss. 6d. and sales have been latterly effected at that figure. The price of the best flour fell last week on the plains to £18 per ton, and 18s. per cwt, while the 4 lb. loaf is reduced to lOd. This has not however affected the retail price in Lyttelton. The pretty little church just built at Riccarton is to be consecrated next (Easter) Tuesday.

On Sunday last the Bishop of Christchurch held a confirmation in the temporary church, Lyttelton, at which 23 young persons presented themselves as candidates.

We beg to call particular attention to an unobtrusive advertisement in. our columns to-day, which summons a public meeting in Lyttelton this evening at half-past seven o'clock, at the Town Hall, to consider the steps to be taken for adding our contributions to the Indian Relief Fund. The idea of subscribing to this Fund has, we know, been taken up warmly already on all hands by our fellow-townsmen, and there is little need that we should be urged to action. The value of a public meeting,- however, is that the town as a body and not simply a few individuals start the movement, which thus represents a universal feeling and bears its true meaning to our neighbours and the world. We shall be glad to see this night's gathering graced by the presence of the gentler sex: tho object is one specially appealing to their sympathies.