Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 565, 3 April 1858, Page 4

Local Intelligence.

The meeting on Wednesday evening was not considered larjje enough to arrange definitely the steps to be taken in this town in aid of the Indian Relief Fund. An adjournment was therefore resolved upon to Thursday next, the Bth instant, at the Town Hall,-at Seven o'clock. We gain information by degrees as to the value of the West Coast Country. The last item lias been supplied by Mr. Lee, who has taken up a run on the Grey, where Mr Mackay

had indicated the existence of about a quarter of a million of acres of available land. Mr. Lee has been put in possession of his run by the Maories of the vicinity and intends stocking it with importations of sheep by water, taking them up the river Grey by a road which he intends to cut along the banks as far as necessary. The whole available country in this district consists, it appears, of but 60,000 acres, one-half of which is pasture land of a good sort, and one half flat bush. Mr. Mackay's estimate was consequently much beyond the mark. Terapui, the West Coast Chief in that district, with his brother Tainui of Kaiapoi accompanied Mr. Lee, and have returned with him. They bring specimens of gold in small scales, which, they say, is brought down in quantities from a hill called Whakapoi, on the north side of the mouth of the Buller river in the Province of Nelson, by the native inhabitants of that place. Our Maori informants add that the gold is in immense abundance, and that crowds of both white men and natives are now at work at Whakapoi, the gold being found in the soil of the mountain when washed in the stream below. There is of course a great deal of the usual Maori exaggeration in these statements; but the existence of the gold is undoubted, many specimens having reached town.

On the Waipara river, between Mount Browrn and Mount Grey, an interesting collection of fossil remains of the Moa has been lately discovered. There are numbers of skeletons all parts of which are to be found transmuted into rock. The toes and feathers exist there for the inspection of the naturalist, "and will no doubt form a rich treat. They are found in boulders in a bed of old sandstone beneath blue clay, chalk, new sandstone, and gravel, and appear therefore to have lain for ages. We hope that Dr. Nelson, who has paid some attention to investigation of these fossil remains, will shortly report fully as to his discoveries.

It may be worth while for visitors to Banks' peninsula to know that the bridle-track is now in a state for traffic between Purau and the head of Akaroa harbour. From the beach to the top of the hill at-Purau the ascent is long, as a great altitude is attained at last, but the incline is easy and the benching so cut that there is very little difficulty even for travellers on horseback. The works are still rapidly advancing. His Honor the Superintendent has been paying a visit of inspection to this line and the other Peninsular public works, this week.

We observe that the break-up of the theatrical company, which has been playing for the amusement of our town since July last, is announced as to take place immediately. Easter Monday evening is set apart as the closing night, when Mrs. Foley will be presented .with a complimentary benefit by the members of the amateur corps. We are sure that Mrs. Foley's brilliant abilities as an actress, and her able management of the theatre since Mr. Foley's departure, will be recognised by the public on this occasion in a bumping-house. Two new pieces are announced, sufficient of themselves to draw a crowded audience; they are Sheridan Knowles' play of the 'Wife,' and the farce by Sterling Coyne, 'Did you ever send your wife to Camberwell?'