Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XV, Issue 896, 12 June 1861, Page 4

Local Intelligence.

On Friday night last, in the midst of half a gale of wind from the southward, a man named George Holmes, articled seaman of the Rhea Sylvia, left the ship in an unusual way. He cast adrift the accommodation ladder which hung over the side placed boards on the two ends and a cask in the middle, and launched himself with this raft clear of the ship. Another man, who was about to accompany Holmes, stopped short through fear and returned on board. Holmes is a big powerful man of indifferent character, and left a family in Bristol to come to sea. The ladder was picked up on Sunday in Polhills Bay and the cask between that place and Lyttelton, so that it is probable-that Holmes got safe ashore. A warrant is out against him as an absconder. The Glentanner brings, as an important part of her cargo for this port, 31 Spanish sheep consigned to Messrs. Miles and Co, for Mr. Geo. Rich, and 5 Hampshire Downs rams. The former consist of 10 pure Spanish merino ewes, and 10 others of the same blood crossed with one-third French; these 20 ewes have 11 lambs, which complete the number. Five lambs were lost on the way out; the remainder are in as good condition as when put on board. These fine sheep are from Mr. Rich's English flocks and, like all that gentleman's importations, are quite a spectacle for a connoisseur in sheep. A mistake occured in our short summary on Saturday of Mr. Haast's explorations. The sources

of the Hinds are erroneously said to come from a glacier. In fact, the Hinds is a very small river, often dry in summer. Mr. Haast after visiting this stream proceeded thence to the sources of the Ashburton, which come from a most magnificent glacier. AH the branches of the Rangitata come from glaciers, some of them of enormous size.

We hear that the agent of the owners of the Planet steamer has offered to call at Akaroa at least once a fortnight, and should sufficient inducement offer oftener, if tho Government will grant a yearly subsidy to the extent of £1000. Though it would be very desirable to have regular communication with Akaroa it is questionable whether so large a sum should be expended to secure such a service as the Planet would render. The subsidy granted by this province for direct steam communication with Melbourne is not more than £1,500, and £500 a year would appear quite enough to pay for steam communication with Akaroa.

His Honor the Superintendent, in reply to a communication from the General Government, has recommended the Chief Surveyor of this Province for the appointment of Commissioner to examine and report upon the boundary question between this Province and Otago. We understand that the Provincial Government in a letter to the English Agent have decided upon refusing the demand of Messrs. Smith and Knight for further compensation, on the ground that the contractors have no legal or equitable claim. The Government considers that the Province has not received value in work done, to a greater amount than the £3000 allowed up to 24th April, and that if Messrs. Smith and Knight thought fit to send out a larger staff than was required for the purpose, the extra expense should fall on themselves. The fact is borne in mind also that at the above date the contractors would have undertaken the work at the original price fixed, and that therefore the delay, by affording them time to reconsider their estimates, was clearly an advantage to them. Saturday being the day advertised for the enrolment of Volunteers at Christchurch, seventeen names were entered on the list, making a total of about twenty-seven enrolled up to this date for the two companies. A meeting is advertised for Saturday next, at three o'clock, at the Town Hall, Christchurch, to consider the question of-starting a pack of hounds. The probable expense of such an establishment in this country is estimated at about £1200 a year. Several gentlemen at Nelson and elsewhere have headed the subscription list with sums of £50 each. Liberal support is promised from those interested in sporting matters and in improving the breed of horses in this country. It is intended, to begin with a drag, and then to import deer from Tasmania, which can be obtained at moderate cost. A pack of hounds has been in existence for some time at Melbourne, and has been successfully maintained for £800 a year. The officer commanding the Militia has received orders from the General Government to divide the Christchurch district into two parts for the purpose of facilitating the enrolment of two regiments, and also to furnish other returns preparatory apparently to the final act of calling out that force in this province. On Monday night, P. E. Wright, Esq., President of the Lyttelton Colonists' Society, opened the winter series of lectures of the institution by a reading from Sir E. B. Lytton's play, " The Lady of Lyons." The attendance was numerous, and Mr. Wright proved himself highly successful in personifying the various characters and pourtraying the scenes of this celebrated drama. The entertainment was one to which the public would willingly go again.