Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 590, 30 June 1858, Page 5

Local Intelligence.

Captain Fisher, of the Harp, informs us that when he passed Port Levy on Monday last, he observed the Corsair at anchor with another whale alongside, undergoing the process of cutting up. When we reported Captain Gay's last expeditious capture we were not certainly so sanguine as to anticipate similar luck at so early a period; but it seems the Corsair has really fallen on the whaling groundof the New Zealand coast, and that he is not the man to let the opportunity slip passively and disadvantageously out of his hands. That the coast abounds with whales there can be no doubt, and the fact is fully confirmed by Captain Fisher, and Captain Anderson of the Swan, who both report having met several during their present voyage hither from Otago. This is a substantial encouragement for a more extensive and equally vigorous prosecution of the whale fishery, and this is .-evidently the most suitable position in the colony for conveniently carrying it on. During the last fortnight the weather has been exceedingly fine and agreeable for this period of the year; being generally calm and of mild temperature, with the exception of the usual bracing night and morning frosts. Yesterday evinced symptoms of change by a slight drizzling rain in the afternoon, with no prospect, however, of similar storms as had prevailed during the end of May.and a considerable portion of the present month. On Friday evening a Concert of vocal and "instrumental music was given in the Town Hall, by Mrs. H. Beeehey and Mr. Jeffreys, aided by Mr. Bilton, Mr. Younger, several young ladies ((pupils of Mrs. Beeehey) and the German band lately arrived in Lyttelton. The programme consisted principally of classical pieces of high character,'which, on the whole, were very fairly rendered. Mrs. Beeehey was most successful in Donizetti's " O luce quest d'anima," which elicited a rapturous encore. The lady's voice is a good soprano, but it struck us that she laboured under a nervous diffidence—tlie result, probably, of appearing before a new audience—which retarded her executive power, and we consequently observed a want of that abandon which gives so

peculiar a charm to operatic music. We hope ere long to have another opportunity-of hearing the fair cantatrice, when, having mastered the ; diffidence of a first appearance, she may have an opportunity of doing justice to the taste and voice with which she is eminently gifted. Mr. Jeffreys played two short solos on the sax-tuber, and a fantasiaj by De Beriot, on the violin, in all of which the executant manifested considerable skill. The buffo songs, by Mr. Younger, as usual were rapturously received, and we cannot here ' refrain from an expression of regret that this gentleman leaves Canterbury to-day, in the Westminster, for England. His absence from " our popular entertainments (alas, how few they are !) 'will be materially felt. Sonic disappointment was experienced by the audience at not hearing a dtiet from "Norma," put down for Mesdames Beechey and Jeffreys, which was withdrawn in consequence of the latter lady labouring under severe cold. The pieces given by the band were well selected, and played with admirable precision and taste. The body of a man named Nelson, a late resident at Governor's Bay, was found in the bush, on the hills overlooking Cashmere, on Sunday evening last. It seems the unfortunate man had been missing for three weeks previously, but hardly any apprehended such a melancholy and fatal result. These are all the particulars that ; we could hitherto ascertain, but more may be elicited at the inquest which will be held to-day, before W. Donald, Esq.* Coroner. Mr. Sewell has made a contract with Messrs. Pearson, Joleman & Co. for the supply of the necessary steamers for postal service. The two steamers for inter-provincial communication were to have sailed from England on the lOth of May, and were to steam all the way, so that they may be shortly expected. A larger steamer for communication with Melbourne was to sail in July or August. \