Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 580, 26 May 1858, Page 5

Local Intelligence.

During the past week this province has lost by a fatal accident one of its prominent settlers. Mr. C. C. Haslewood, to whom we allude, died at his station, some six miles from Christchurch, on Saturday morning last from the effects of a wound received on the previous Thursday afternoon by the explosion of a gun from which he was drawing the charge. At ah inquest wiich ..was held on Monday, the nature of the acciaent, "which was a simple one, was fully explained. Mr. Haslewood had drawn the shot from both, barrels of the gun and exploded the powder from one of them.. The other barrel had been loaded some time; from that he took out the wad and shook; out part: of the powder, and then Kriapped a cap on it. Imagining that the remainder of the charge had by this means been exploded, he took the gun into a room in the house, placed the butt on the floor, and blew down the barrel to see if the nipple was clear. It seems that a lighted candle was in close proximity, on the floor, Mr. Haslewood in the account he was able to give afterwards to the medical gentlemen who attended him (Drs. Barker and Fisher) remembered the fact of the light on the floor, and could recollect an explosion, and that was all. A smothered discharge and a cry succeeding were heard by two persons in the garden, who running in and finding what had happened sent for medical aid. That evening and the next day Mr.'Haslewood was afßle to speak and to write, but on Saturday morning at about seven o'clock he expired suddenly. Medical evidence indicated that a considerable quantity of powder must have been discharged into the throat together with a piece of the wadding; but that while the injuries thus received were sufficient to cause death,: the proximate cause was apoplexy of the lungs. The coroner's jury returned a verdict of accidental death. ThefuneraVis appointed to take place this day in Christchurch. Mr. Haslewood had just completed his 40th year, He was a , son of Colonel Haslewood, an officer in the East India Company's service, and had himself also held a commission in the same service in early life. He had not, we believe, any relaI tions in this colony, but had transmigrated \ hither from Victoria in the second year of this ' settlement, and had been an active man among us ever since. By his decease a seat in the Council for the Kakaia district is vacated. By the arrival of a few days' later news from England, via Sydney, we learn that the ship Speedy, in which our late Superintendent, Mr. EitsGerald, and family took their departure from Sydney, had arrived before the 19fch February. „ Monday last, being the anniversary of the Queen's birthday, was observed as a general holiday, with the usual accompaniment of successive cannonading both fronv the port and shipping; the latter presenting a very gay appearance with their brilliant array of flags. The Montmoreney rendered herself in this respect specially conspicuous for loyalty.

The concert to bo given by the Lyttelton Choral Society on behalf of the Indian Relief Fund is now announced to take place on Monday next, the 31st instant. We observe by the advertisement that the members of the excellent Clirisfcchurch band will give their services on this occasion to contribute the instrumental t portion of the programme. This concert is therefore likely to be the completest of its kind in Lyttelton.

The writs for the election of members of the House of Representatives for Lyttelton and Akaroa having come down by the Spray last week, the Returning officers have used all expedition in issuing notices of the times of nomination and polling. The nomination day for Lyttelton is Friday next (the day after tomorrow), and for Akaroa Monday next. The only candidates forward are his Honor Mr. Moorhouse, for the latter seat, and Mr. Ward for the former. It is not expected that there will be opposition in either case.