Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 687, 8 June 1859, Page 5

Local Intelligence.

Her Majesty's brig Elk, which has paid us a ten days visit,' got under way and stood down the harbour yesterday, on her way to Nelson, whence we understand that she will go northward for a cruize among the islands, and thence home, withouttouching at any New Zealand port again, except perhaps at Auckland on her way. The Elk has therefore paid us her first and last visit, and those who form her ship's company have but this one occasion by which to form a favourable opinion or otherwise of the place. As the best means, perhaps, of impressing our visitors "pleasantly/his Honor the Superindent gave a ball on the evening previous to their departure, Monday last, at which Captain Campion and several of his officers were guests of honour. The scene of the festivity was the Town Hall, i whose space was quite inadequate to the reception i of all who attended, even though the additional | rooms now building were temporarily prepared for the accommodation of guests. The ball, as being given by his Honor and possessjngpeculiar man-of-war attractions, ol' course brought together all persons from all quarters, and proved, accordingly, the best attended as well as the most prosperous of all such festivities which the town of Christchurch has witnessed. We hope that from this and other circumstances of their visit the ' Elks ' may be able to carry this little spot of the world in a pleasant corner of their memories for the future, and report it as one which likes to seize an agreeable opportunity like the arrival of one of her Majesty's vessels for announcing its allegiance to Great Britain. We understand that the screw steam frigate Niger may now be'expected on the coast of New Zealand, and that we shall in due course have a visit from her.