JOURNAL OF THE WEEK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 15, 19 April 1851, Page 5

JOURNAL OF THE WEEK.

The only important incident of the past week, has been the first sale by auction of town lots in Lyttelton and Christchurch on the part of the Association. It took place in the upper floor of the Association's store, on Wednesday last. Mr. Alport, before commencing- the business of the day, said that he desired to remind those present, that [in acquiring land from the Association, the purchasers would become members of the Society of LandPurchasers, and would thus have the pri-

vilege of exercising a control over the expenditure of the funds at the disposal of the Association. They could not acquire any legal right to do so, but simply a privilege arising from the courtesy of Mr. Godley, who made it a rule to consult the Society in matters relating to the expenditure of money by the Association. He was also instructed to say that certain lots would be put up to auction which were claimed by Mr. Dampier at the uj3set price of 121. A letter had been received from Mr. Dampier, which any one might read who desired to do so. The Association had taken legal advice on the subject, and were perfectly satisfied that Mr. Dampier's claim was utterly untenable. The sale would therefore go on as though that letter had not been written. Mr. Dampier requested that the letter might be read. Mr. Wormald who attended the sale as solicitor on the part of the association, read the letter; after a few remarks from Mr. Dampier and Mr. Brittan, the sale was proceeded with. Most of the lots put up in Christchurch sold for the upset price ; one, for which four parties had lodged the upset price, was run up as high as forty pounds. Out of the thirty-five offered, eight lots were bought in at the upset price, and are still open to purchase by any one who desires to have them. The competition for the Lyttelton quarter acre sections was much more spirited, many of the lots fetching more than double, some three times, the upset price. As each of the four lots for which Mr. Dampier had lodged his deposit, were put up to auction, he claimed them at the upset price. This, however, seemed to have no effect on the competition, as plenty of bidders came forward for all these sections. On the whole, the land may be said to have sold well, although not at such an extravagant price as to indicate that gambling spirit in land sections which has proved so mischievous in some new settlements. One of the greatest wants at present felt in Lyttelton, is that of dairy produce. Milk is selling at sixpence a quart, while fresh butter brought to market daily from the churn, is a thing unknown. Several of the colonists have bought cows, but the cows were here before, and the change of ownership unfortunately does not increase the quantity of milk. One of the most valuable imports which we could receive at present, would be a number of milch cows. We may notice, only as showing how the luxuries of the old country are stealing, upon us already, that any inhabitant of Lyttelton may now have fresh sausages on his breakfast table, and few were probably without hot cross buns yesterday.

We are informed that a Company is about being formed for the purpose of establishing steam communication between Lyttelton and the plains, and the various bays in the Peninsula. We hope we shall be able to publish a complete prospectus of this useful undertaking in our next, number.

On Thursday we received by the " Katherine Johnstone," tiie Alteon Examiner to the sth of April, the Wellington Independent to the 12th of April, and the Auckland papers to March the Bth. As our office was closed on Good Friday, wre did not receive these files in time to make any extracts. They contain however no news of pressing importance.