Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 585, 12 June 1858, Page 4

Local Intelligence.

We understand that during Mr. Moorhouse's absence at Auckland, Mr. Hamilton has consented to perform such duties as can only be performed by a Justice holding a Kesident Magistrate's Commission. This duty, we believe, is undertaken in order to remove any obstacle to the full representation of Canterbury, in this Session.

On Tuesday evening last, Mr. E. Mills delivered the concluding lecture of a series on astronomy, at the Town Hall. The subject selected was the Sidereal Heavens, and the lecturer's jnanner of elucidation was received by the audience with interest and applause. The subdivision of the lecture comprised descriptions of Lord Rosse's Telescope, the Galaxy, Nebulsß, and Magellan Clouds j and included the principal points of information acquired of late years, of the' vast magnitudes, distances &c, of these immense infinitudes of glittering clusters of stars. The subject was partly illustrated by numerous diagrams, &c, the formation and arrangement of which indicated both the ingenuity and industry of the lecturer in substituting simple contrivances for the requisite but unattainable apparatus generally used elsewhere on such occasions.

A melancholy suicide was committed on Wednesday last, at the Police Station, at Christehurch. It appears that a German named Hunrich Himmelman was on that day committed for trial, at the Magistrate's Court, on a charge of obtaining money vmder false pretences. He was locked up in a cell at Christehurch previous to being sent to gaol at Lyttelton. While the constable was away on duty he managed to hang himself with his handkerchief to a rail over the door. Two or three hours after he "had been locked up, the ; corporal of police on entering the cell found hir /.' hanging, and immediately cut him down, hf:'.] life was extinct. The evidence taken at t-'f

n . r > g inquest held noxt day went to prove She was of unsound mind. Verdict acC° We ferret to say that the Coroner, on his refrom Lyttelton after the inquest, met with severe accident. His horse put his foot into a deep rut, and came down on his head. Dr. nonalcl fell on his right shoulder, and broke his collarbone. The injury is not likely to be of a very serious nature. ,„,,., „ The election of member for the Akaroa district in the Provincial Council, took place at the Court House, Akaroa, on Thursday last. T S Duncan Esq. was proposed by Mr. Henderson, and seconded by Mr. Parr; and Robert d'Ovley Esq. was proposed by the Rev. W. Avlmer, and seconded by Mr. Garwood. Mr. d'Oyley, however, begged to decline the honor, having not previously thought of being requested to come forward; and considered the seat could not be better filled than by Mr. Duncan. The latter gentleman A was therefore declared ' d u ly elected. Mr. Ross has addressed the electors of the Kakflia district, offering himself as a candidate for the seat in the Provincial Council, made vacant by the death of Mr. Haslewood. There is not likely to be any opposition. The establishment of a fanners' club at Christchurch is a sign of the times, and a proof of the rapidly increasing importance of the agricultural interests. At a meeting of the club, held at the Golden Fleece, Christ«hurch, on the sth inst., Mr. Bridge, the president, stated the objects which the founders of the club had in view, viz., to procure the best and speediest information as to the current prices of produce \n all the markets with which we deal, —to obtain from Government the erection of a markethouse for the convenience of sellers and buyers, —and for mutual instruction in the science of agriculture. A deputation from the Club waited on the Superintendent lately, to represent to his Honor the necessity of a market-house in Christcliurch; he assured them of his good wishes and promised to lay their memorial before the Executive Council immediately- ' We believe that it is the intention of Government to propose a vote for the erection of a market-house at the next session of the Provincial Council. In the meantime we wish the Club all the success it deserves for imitating- a step in the right direction. The next meeting is to take place at the Golden Fleece Hotel, on the 3rd July.