Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 578, 19 May 1858, Page 5

Local Intelligence.

Our readers will be glad to hear that pending the arrival of Mr. Fitz Gerald in England, Mr. Selfe has agreed with Messrs. Willis and Co., to send the Maori direct to Canterbury, with about 100 emigrants on hoard. The Maori, which had been advertised to sail for Wellington first on the 10th March, will, therefore, sail for Lyttelton direct on the 23rd of March. On the 16th Feb. (the latest date from England) news had reached London that the Speedy, in which Mr. Fitz Gerald sailed from Sydney, had put intoPernambuco on the 14th January, and had sailed again for England on the 16th. This news arrived by the South American mail, so that Mr. Fitz Gerald was probably soon after this in London. In the meantime, we may congratulate ourselves on having a friend who is willing to take trouble and responsibility on himself as Mr. Selfe has always proved. We may expect the Maori early in July. On Saturday evening, a meeting was held in the Town Hall, Lyttelton, for the purpose of originating a Total Abstinence Society. The attendance was both numerous and respectable. Mr. C. W. Turner was unanimously called to the chair, and opened the business in a very neat address, in which he drew attention to the fact that the five largest buildings in this town were hotels and taverns, and that as the male adult population did not exceed 400, each of those houses could only be supposed to have 80 customers ; from which he inferred that the individual consumption of alcoholic drinks must be excessively large. Passing on to the medical part of the question, he argued that the use of spirits, wine, and beer as beverages was fraught with disease, and, in proof, read some medical testimonies on the subject, as also a certificate signed by 1,500 physicians and surgeons in practice, which averred that a very great portion of the disease and crime which afflicted the human race was traceable to the indulgence in intoxicating drinks; and further asserted that the practice might with safety be entirely and immediately discontinued. Mr. Turner then made a few eloquent observations on the miseries resulting from drunkenness; on the danger to which the moderate drinker exposes himself; and on the duty devolving upon each to aid in reclaiming the victims of intoxication. He concluded by reading a pledge to the effect that the subscribers would abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors except for medicinal and sacramental purposes. Mr. Turner sat down amidst cordial applause. Other speakers followed, and at the close of the proceedings upwards of 20 persons came forward to sign the pledge. The grain crops of this year throughout the province have been very heavy, far outstripping those of previous seasons, and thus showing that the land has not lost any of its productiveness. Mr. Lewis, butcher, has grown on 4 acres of the Town Reserves 359 bushels of oats, besides a large quantity which the wet prevented him from thrashing out, and which was therefore left in the straw. Another instance of 80 bushels to the acre is reported. On one farm upwards of 60 bushels of ' Talavera' wheat has been grown to the acre. This species is well worth attention, having been proved by bakers to produce the strongest flour ever made here; it is of a good colour, better than ' white chaff red,' and does not shake out by the wind when ripe. There are many other instances of 50 to 60 bushels of wheat to the acre. Mr. Peacock has saved from Mr. Compton's farm on the Papanui Road, 179 bushels from 2£ acres. Barley has been prolific, producing from 50 to 65 bushels, and has escaped ' the grub' in a great measure. Potatoes are also most abundant. In fact farmers' prospects must be called better than usual, for though no article is bringing a high price, all are in great plenty and generally saleable at paying rates.

An inquest was held on Tuesday, before Dr, Donald, coroner, on board the ship Westminster, on the body of William Francis Marks, a colored man, cook of that vessel, who was found dead in his berth on the previous morning. The evidence of the second mate, boatswain, and carpenter, was brought to show that deceased had gone to rest on Sunday evening in good health and spirits; that no symptoms of anything the matter had occurred during the night; and that he had been found cold and stiff at half-past . live in the morning, when called to get up. It was also proved that he had been subject to epileptic fits. The verdict was accordingly, " Died by the visitation of God." CHRISTCHURCH HARMONIcTsOCIETY. Pursuant to advertisement, a public meeting was held in the Town Hall, Christchurch, on Thursday evening, the 13th instant, for the purpose of taking the first steps towards the formation of a vocal and instrumental class, under the name ofthe "Christchurch Harmonic Society." His Honor the Superintendent occupied the chair, and the meeting was composed of about 100 persons. After a few preliminary remarks from His Honor, it was moved by Mr. Hiciiens, seconded by Mr. W. Wilson, and unanimously carried:— _ " That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable, in order to encourage the development of a musical taste in this town and its environs, that a society be formed, to be called the Christchurch Harmonic Society." It was then moved by Mr. C. W. Bishop, seconded by Mr. J. Bealey, and carried: — " That the society do consist of ordinary and honorary members, a president, a committee, a treasurer, an honorary secretary, and a conductor; the said officers or such of them as the society, when formed, may deem proper, to be elected annually." After which it was moved by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Dunnage, and carried:— "That the amount of subscription be paid annually, in advance, and be limited to the sum of one guinea for each member and two guineas for the admission of a family; and that the said subscription shall entitle each respectively to admittance to the general concerts of the year and to the weekly rehearsals." It was then moved by Mr. J. O'Neal, seconded by Mr. Bishop, and carried:— " That Mr. H. W. Packer be requested to act as secretary pro. tern., to enrol members, receive subscriptions, and initiate the preliminaries of the society." His Honor in closing the proceedings of the meeting expressed the hope that unanimity and concord might ever characterise the conduct of the society and that its aim might be to promote in the province a refined love of vocal and instrumental music, thereby securing to itself the support and patronage of the general public in the formation of a most delightful and innocent recreation. Mr. Hitchens then moved and Mr. Wilson seconded a vote of thanks to his Honor on leaving the chair, which was carried with acclamation. After which the Secretary enrolled the names of 36 members, with subscriptions to the amount of £47. There is reason to believe that many more subscribers will be added before the Secretary calls the first meeting of members for the formation of a working committee.