The Lyttelton Times. September 13, 1851.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 36, 13 September 1851, Page 5

The Lyttelton Times. September 13, 1851.

The Mitre Hotel at Lyttelton was again the scene of active festivity on Thursday night, although on a very different occasion from that which we had to record a few weeks ago. Then we met round a wellfnrnished table to commemorate the first great and unanimous expression of political opinion in the settlement. An unfinished building, and inhospitable weather, but rend&red the good cheer more enjoyable, nor damped the spirits of the guests in the cause which brought them together. On Thursday night, however, the still unfinished walls were again decorated with every available ornament, to receive the guests at the first public ball given in the Canterbury Settlement. The Bachelors of Canterbury received their friends with true English hospitality, and an extraordinary amount of English comfort; especially we could not help noticing the card room with its snug appearance, and its English coal fire. Of the supper we need only say it was worthy of the artist to whom we were indebted for the dinner on the 14th August. The night was warm and lovely, a passing shower laid the dust, and a brilliant moon lit the revellers to their homes. Mr. Compton's excellent house of entertainment has been well inaugurated, long may its hospitable doors stand open on the threshold of the settlement to welcome the newly arrived, and long may a train of colonists arrive to take advantage of its accommodation. It is not in vanity that we dwell on these passing evidences of the social progress of our settlement, and the growth of the forms and fashions of civilization, —it is rather that these notices may tell our friends in England, —friends who are watching our steps with anxious hope, that the trials and difficulties of the early settler's life, tnxve not diminished our taste or capacity ior enjoyment, nor wholly deprived us of means of obtaining it.