Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 582, 2 June 1858, Page 5

Local Intelligence.

' Mr. Dobson, the Provincial Engineer, has returned to Christchurch, having spent about a fortnight with a party; on the ranges inland from the Hurunui. Though we are not ; at present.in-a position to give.the details of his discoveries, wp may say that they haves been as to render the formation of an easy road towards, Nelson la matter'of greater probability than before. : He has been delayed and impeded considerably, by the bad. weather, cold, and snow, though the doubts which were entertained of the safety of i his party turn out to'have been unfounded. Except during the abovementioned fortnight, Mr. Dobson has been employed during his absence from Christchurch in, arranging for the cpnstructiori of roads &c. in the northern districts."

The " grand vocal "and instrumental concert in aid of the Indian Relief Fund," advertised in our last'issue, canae off on Monday evening, in the Town Hall. The building was well filled ,on the occasion, which evinced as well apprecia)tlon pf our musical students as the warm sympathy of all parties, even at this* distant point from .the seat of war, with'the struggles and'sufferings of our cpuhtryraeniu India.. .The hall was simply and, appropriately decorated.with a garland of roses, oyer which were written Delhi, Cawnpore, liUcknow; on three riiburriing tablets, in bold relief ; which rivetted the attention at once to' the sacred object of the concert. Some delay -occurred beyond the appointed time of commencing, from the circinristance of some of the gentlemen taking part in the proceedings, having to come over the same evening from Christchurch, in the midst of the bad weather which prevailed. An explanation of the cause of the delay quickly dispelled the symptoms of impatience previously evinced by the audience. As it; is invariably a matter of courtesy with the press not to' indulge in ultra-critical strictures on amateur performances, especially those conducted in behalf of benevolent purposes, we gladly abstain from pointing, put minute deficiencies/and more so,from the fact that they were infinitely counterbalanced by the real merits of the performances. In short, these were perfectly successful, and the strained attention, applause, and encores of the audience fuUy exhibited the intensity of their gratification. In ; making this statement, it remains necessary • merely to refer briefly to the most successful portions of the concert, without specially adhering to .their respective order of execution. In' the first part, Mr. Merton's " Friend of the brave" was excellent and most deservingly encored! Mr! Merton has a rich voice, under careful command, and succeeds admirably in the very.difficult matter of sudden transition from alto to bass notes, and vise ■. v : ersa^ His compass is fully equal to the extent of the hall. The duett, *' Oh Albion;" by Messrs. Ypunger and' Allwright, was well1 sung; : the former giving 'a'well finished execution, and the latter, giving very rich notes m bass. Mr. Younger's humerous medley of " Alonzo the Brave" was rapturously and deservedly encored; and > was i sufficient of itself to establish him as a capital comic singer. ' H Taricredi,' in the second part, was admirably executed. The semichorus, "Peace to the Souls of the Heroes," was sung in excellent time; a great improvement on the preceding choruses. " God Save the Queen" was heartily joined in by the audience, among whom we noticed some sweet voices, that might have added materially to the attractions of the evening had they taken part in the concert. At the conclusion three hearty cheers were given for the Queen, and on the motion of Captain Thompson of the Acis, who warmly expressed his keen gratification with the proceedings, three additional cheers were given for the originators, conductors, and stewards of the concert, —an ovation which was certainly well deserved, and heartily accorded by the audience. .The following remarks have been handed to us under the heading of/"Canterbury, its first impression on a new-comer.—" To rush abruptly into the subject, T believe the experienced and intelligent traveller can hardly be otherwise than favorably impressed with the general outlines and bold, open aspect pf-the country. The safe and commodious harbor of Lyttelton, especially in stormy-feather, inspires a rhore lively interest from the aggreable suddenness of the transition to a calm and well-protected haven, from a tempestuous ocean. No graduating scale of waves prepares for the change; but the ship is precipitated at a bound, from the crested and angry mountains of the deep into a calm basin enclosed with lofty and verdant ranges. The town -of Lyttelton,. although circumsciibed by ■•)'''

nature within rather narrow limits to allow its future extension Jto a great city, is both agreeably and picturesquely situated in the bosom of a steep and lofty range, forming, the site of the town into an irregular amphitheatre, of easy ascent from the shore to its outskirts, and thence rising abruptly with a rugged and defiant aspect against the encroachment of man. To ascend this height, however, fully; repays those who take the trouble;-—by. the bye, rather a formidable aflair to any person afflicted with gout or asthma,—rfor the expansive, fertile plain, studded with the scattered town of Christchurch with its ' sown suburbs',' surrounding farms, and shipping on its winding river,.all magnificently bordered by snow-crested cordilleras that, limit and relieve the vision at once with a bold, a grand, and abrupt variety, present a beautiful, —I might say,—a gorgeous picture. To me, at least, it appeared a worthy subject for the highest efforts of landscape' painting. The most superficial, glance at the obvious facilities of improvement, and' apparent resources of the country, must impress the observer at once, with the certainty of its rapid advance and prosperity. Christchurch in particular, possesses comparatively unlimited facilities of- extension; and whenever its ftort and inland communications shall have been rendered efficient, nothing short of some direct visitation of Providence can materially check its rapid advance. Its abundance of motive water-power for _ driving machinery, is apparently one of its prime resources although obviously overlooked or neglected hitherto. The town itself has wonderfully grown for its age, although its buildings yet are placed at distances as if they were merely intended as landmarks, leaving ample space for future filling up. ,The principle desiderata appear to be harbor improvements; a tunnel from Lyttelton tp the plains; a railroad to Christchurch, and inland, good" road communications. The province may probably be yet too young for all these undertakings; but whenever they are accomplished, Canterbury' mayyfrom *that date, record progress by "gigantic strides. Of the social status, of the community, I cannot, of course, judge beyond '.' first ihapressions.' These, however, are equally' favorable,—-a circumstance not always happening with tourists in New Zealand^ The absence of party animosities, either religious or;political; the prevalence of. mutual good feeling; the subdued, easy, dignified, and unostentatious courtesy pervading society ; and the order, calm and. regularity of the inhabitants, even in their crowded thoroughfargs, becoirie iriiinediately conspicuous to the strangfF; especially if he be a ..visitant from some of trie neighbouring provinces. Under the influence of such favourable impressions, Pmost heartily join in the shout,^--Advance: Canterbury! Let her hopefully act up to the meet motto of imitative and: progressive■genius,-- Respice, aspice, prospice, quiequid fiervpotuit potest, y.