Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 512, 30 September 1857, Page 4

Local Intelligence.

Mr. Mtz Gerald, still Superintendent of Canterbury till his successor shall be elected, is this day on the _ point of departing from the shores of the province. In so doing he virtually resigns into other hands the honour and duties of the office to which he was elected four years ago. This is not the place or time to review Mr. Fitz Gerald's actions or the public events which have marked his term of office. They are neither few nor unimportant, and will form the materials of a most interesting chapter in the history of Canterbury. To the pen of the historian and to the memories of us "all who have seen Canterbury progress from 1853 to 1857, the events of that period, their causes and consequences, may well be left. We but record, as it occurs, the real termination of the first period of self-government in Canterbury, with the several circumstances of more or less importance which attend it.

On Monday, Mr. Bowen, late Speaker of the Council, was appointed Deputy Superintendent, and a proclamation which appears in our advertising columns to-day notifies the fact. An address was presented to Mr. Pitz Gerald on Saturday last, by a deputation from the subscribers to the Pitz Gerald Testimonial Fund, or, we may say, the general public. We have not been able to obtain a copy of the address nor of the reply; a prominent feature of which was, as on former occasions, the earnest expression of an intention to return to Canterbury. Mr. Fitz Gerald's offer to perform in London whatever services lay in his power for any of his fellow-colonists, has been taken advantage of extensively; photographic portraits in particular have been forwarded to friends at home by scores. The display of these at the Emigration Rooms in London would form a great attraction to that nucleus of Canterbury interests. The model of the Port Hills and the two towns, constructed by His Honor, was visited by crowds of people on Saturday and Monday. The table, which formed the testimonial from the Lyttelton Colonists' Society, was also exhibited there. The model will be a very interesting object to those at home, who reauire something more substantial than a picture to fix their ideas as to the appearance of this country. The table will, we are convinced, be an object of great admiration for its beauty and finish. What

with specimens of the natural productions, a model of the country, and photographic portraits of the principal inhabitants, Mr. Fitz Gerald will take with him a very fair representation of things as they are in Canterbury. Talking of photographs,we are led to observe that Mr. Crombie advertises his departure by the Wonga Wongaon her next trip northwards, which is announced for the Bfch of October. He will leave behind him no practiser of his particular branch of the art. The daguerreotype has many advantages of its own, and those who appreciate it will do well to pay Mr. Crombie a visit during the ensuing week. The theatre was well attended on Friday ni^ht, when the performances were under the patronage of the Superintendent. The Eifle Brigade, Box and Cox, and Bombastes Furioso, were played, in the first two of which Miss Sutton appeared, making her debut upon the Lyttelton boards. She displayed a naturally graceful manner with a good deal of sprightliness, and was well received. The house was fuller than on any occasion since its opening, and, as might be expected from the pieces presented, was kept in roars of laughter till the conclusion of the evening. On the 26th instant, according to advertisement, a meeting of persons interested in the formation of a Building and Investment Society was held at the Town Hall. Mr. Alport was called to the chair, and briefly explained the objects of the proposed society, and the principles upon which it is intended to be worked. A resolution, affirming the desirability of establishing such a society, was unanimously agreed to, and a list of intending shareholders was handed in, from which a provisional committee of nine ,was selected, to prepare rules, &c, to be submitted at a future meeting. The shares are intended to be £100 each, the payments being 10s. per month. The society is nominally to extend over ten years, but its projectors are of opinion that the objects will be accomplished in about ■eight years. The meeting was respectably attended, and from the interest then shown the shares are likely to be readily taken up. # We wish the undertaking every success, as it will tend to foster provident habits in our industrial classes, and will in other ways prove beneficial. On the sth of October (next Monday), the anniversary of the Lyttelton Choral Society occurs. At this period a re-union of the members of the Class always takes place, and such is announced for this occasion. The Society has proved itself useful not only in its independent action, but in the ready assistance which it has rendered on various public occasions, and deserves the support of the public. _ Referring to our report of the speeches delivered by the candidates for the Superintendence at the late meeting in Lyttelton, we feel it incumbent on us to state, for our own sake as well as that of those gentlemen,that the speeches as published were not furnished by them nor even revised by them, but were simply compiled from the notes of our own reporter. The report will he found on inspection to be too accurate to have been submitted to the revision of the speakers.