The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 566, 7 April 1858, Page 5

The Lyttelton Times.

Wednesday, April 7. Another mail has arrived from England within a moderate number of days after it was due. It seems that the anxiety ex-

pressed by the public to obtain the satisfaction of their postal requirements has begun to produce its effects., As to the prospect of New; Zealand corning under the operation of the contract with the Imperial Government, we are glad to observe that the steamers promised by the Company whose spokesman and manager is Captain Gribbs, were to leaye for this colony, shortly after the mail. If the steamers themselves are secured a great point is gained; and at any rate some gratification must be expressed at the recognition by the Imperial Government of the broad basis of the original mail contract, by which New Zealand is admitted as one of the places to which the ocean postal service ought to be-ex-tended at a price to the colony proportioned to _ the amount of correspondence j this price being in our case exceedingly low, compared to the expense of the branch line. Consequently, should Captain Gibbs and his company not prove strong enough to carry out the present scheme, we have still the satisfaction of having our claim for consideration fully recognized. From the latest information which we possess on the subject, the share to be paid by New Zealand, if simply enjoying the benefits of the general Australian postal service, would amount to £8000 per annum. We are glad'to observe tl;at Mr. Sewell with Captain Gibbs and Mr. Mangles receive credit for their activity in this matter. The news from the colonies is not of any great amount, but important as far as it g-oes. The ministerial changes in Melbourne were completed on the 6th ult., wben Mr. O'Shanassy came forward again as premier, Mr. Harker Treasurer, Mr. Chapman and-Mr. Ireland Attorney and Solicitor-General, Mr. Miller Trade and Customs, Mr. Duffy Land and Works, Dr. Evans Post-office. The new ministry do not seem to command much puSlicsupport. We have nothing later from Sydney. * From Nelson our last news is to the 20th March. Another theatrical company had arrived but could find no house. The gold-news from the Slate River is still called ' encouraging, but the cry for roads continues. The brig Colorado, full of oranges and cocoanuts, from Tahiti bound to California, had been driven into Nelson. The members of the House of Representatives resident in Nelson, to. the number of five (Mr. Stafford being the sixth), decline to go to the north for the approaching session. One, Mr. Domett, will perhaps go at the same time as those returned at the

new elections. The Duchess of Leinster "had left for London with a cargo of exclusively Nelson produce to the value of £20,000 in wool, and £10,000 in gold. The whole amount of g-old produced in the province is said to be 3/232 ounces, or about £12,000 worth.

From Wellington we have a paper of the 31st ult., by the Canterbury. Its news is that Mr. Wakefield had formed a ministry which his Honor would not accept, the method of filling- up the appointments not being consistent with the ' Executive Council Act' or with the principles of Responsibility. Mr. Wakefield appealed to the Council, who affirmed that he had done the best he could. This would seem to be a l fix 'for the Reformers ; so much so that without explanation we should be ver} r much inclined to doubt a report which nevertheless reaches us with every appearance of authenticity, namely, that at the departure of the Canterbury Dr. Featherstoh had resigned the Superintendency. The proximity of the date of the rumour to ' All Fool's Day? is somewhat damaging to,its credit.

We observe that Mr. Sew ell's return' to New Zealand is announced. He would probably proceed -at v once to Auckland, where his assistance and advice would, of course be invaluable to the Government: and it is not probable that he can pay Canterbury a visit before the close of the session. It will occur to most of us that there is a seat in the House of Representatives now vacant in this province, that for Lyttelton; and we are sure that our fellow townsmen will join us in a unanimous desire that Mr. SewelT should fill itj,for- the! advantage of the colony at large as well as of ourselves. It is just possible that the, Legislative Council would be opened to Mr.. Sewell, or that a northern constituency mig-ht anticipate us ; but in the absence of distinct intelligence it would be for our own interest to secure his return for fear of accident. Mr. Sewell deserves at least this compliment at our hands, and we shall be happy to record in an early issue that individuals of all shades of politics in Lyttelton v.re of our opinion, and that some action has been made to secure such a desideratum.