Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XII, Issue 744, 24 December 1859, Page 4

Local Intelligence.

The clipper ship Mermaid madea gaL\day of it on Thursday, when she received on board the firstbales of her homeward cargo of wool. The event was signalized in the usual manner by running up a „ bale to the main-top-sail yard-arm, hoisting all her ,s colours, and firing a salute of several guns.' Captain?J\ rMtie took the opportunity cf entertaining a large party of ladies, and gentlemen from Lyttelton and the Plains. ■

We are awaiting the October mail with some anxiety. The Airedaile (which we believe to be the mail steamer on this occasion) has been due since "Wednesday. It seems, therefore, that the boat seen going into Wellington by the Ashburton could not have been the mail steamer, or she would, certainly have turned up before this time. The Northam is said to be the P. and O. steamer between Suez and Sydney, due on the Bth inst.

We observe that the new Wesleyan Church in Christchurch is to be opened on Christmas Day (Sunday next). This building is capacious and handsome, and does credit to the taste and liberality of the members of the congregation. The Eevds. J. Buller, of Wellington, and C. Frazer, will preach —the former morning and evening, the latter in the afternoon.. There will be a tea meeting and a public meeting afterwards in the church on Monday evening. •

An advertisement in our columns, issuing from the Post Office, informs us that after-the period for the annual renewal of contracts for conveyance, a line of branch posts is to be established to Okain's Bay and the Saltwater Creek. We hope shortly to see the Hurunui and Oxford brought within the range of posts. ,

The Freemasons' Lodge of Unanimity, Lyttelton, celebrated their, anniversary, as usual, on Thursday; when brother Thomas Gee, the master elect, was duly installed in the chair of the lodge, and the officers of the year were appointed. A large attendance of brethren of the St. Augustine Lodge, at Christchurch, and the Southern Cross Lodge,. of Kaiapoi, assembled to join in the ceremonies and festivities of the occasion; among them were C. B. Fooks, Esq., Deputy Grand Master of the Province, the Yen. O. Mathias, Master Elect of the St. Augustine Lodge, and C.' G. Hodgson, Esq., Master of the Sonthern Cross LoiJge. In the evening the brethren sat down to a sumptuous banquet provided in the Hall, at which several visiting brethren were present. The spread of Freemasonry in the province is evidenced by the fact announced by the Deputy Grand Master, that a new lodge is shortly to be opened at Rangiora. We may observe also that the present Master is the first in the Lodge of Unanimity elected from the list of brethren initiated in the colony.