JOURNAL OF THE WEEK.

Wellington Independent, Volume VI, Issue 559, 19 February 1851, Page 4

JOURNAL OF THE WEEK.

Nothing of sinking importance has occurred since our last number. The town continues to increase rapidly; but the stylo of buildings are not of a very permanent description. A hard rain which occurred in the middle of tho week, gave a foretaste of what we are to expect in the rainy season, and reminded numbers that more durable tcuements will be necossary before that time. Accounts from tho plains say that there was little rain there, which was fortunate for tho settlers as the temporary buildings at Christchurch are evcu slighter than thoso at Lyttelton. The voting papers for tho council of colonists have been opened, from which it appeared that the following gentlemen are elected. Mr. Brittan, Mr. Burke, Mr. Cholmondelcy, Mr. Dumpier, Mr. Deans, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Longden, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Watts Russell, Mr. Tancred, Mr. Townsend, Mr. Waid. We aro very glad to see the name of Mr. Deans on tho council. His election speaks equally well for himself, and the colonists, who have taken this first opportunity of testifying their respect at the hospitality which so many of them have received at Riccarton, and the liberality with which Mr. Deans communicates his cxporienco of the country to all. Several ships have arrived with cattle ■horses, and sheep from Sydney, and hove ■been busy discharging their cargoes. Notwithstanding tho departure of the Charlbtte Jane, and Randolph, tho harbour - still looks busy. Horses just arrived aro selling for £30. Cows and bullocks ' for about £8, and sheep for about 18s. a heud. A sale of stores took place by auction on Thursday, at the Association's store yard. Flour sold at first tit the prices of last'week, but the single barrels which were submitted to competition, realised from £3 to £3 2s. 6. Biscuits fetched lis. Audi 125.-a bag. The selection of town sections goes on rapidly, aiid a great many sections have been recently chosen in tho capital in preference to Lyttelton. To judge by the popularity of the plains, both for climate and agriculture, there can be no doubt but that the capital of the "district will be rapidly peopled, and the-town land acquire a considerable Although it may be said that no speculation of any kind has yet commenced in land, (for there was only a .population of 300 beforo the arrival of the "first body of colonists,) tenants at good rents still continue to come forward for the town lands of Lyttelton. One of tho emigration barracks which had been cleared out for a temporary church, w«s open for Divine servico lust Sunday. The arrival of tho Castle Eden, with tho Bishop elect on board, is now daily expected. The union bank of Australia has opened its branch at Lyttelton, at its temporary offices in Oxford-street. Its operations are at present confinod to advances on lette.s of credit, which are paid by cheques on tho branch at Wellington. Tho arrival of tho Inspector from Sydney is anxiouslyexpected, who will, it is anticipated complete tho arrangements necessary for placing the operations of the bank on a more extonsivc and permanent footing. By the latest accounts from tho;plaius houses aro springing up rapidly. But there is still a difficulty in moving timber nnd goods from one place to another, The recent arrivals of horses will in some measure remove this difficulty. We hear that ono of the colonists is about to establish a regular communication between Christchurch and Lyttelton, by means of packhorses along the bridlepath. This is sure to succeed for light goods. There is at present a great want of a regular post; which will n. doubt now bo' established.

Lyttelton Markets.—Retail Prices, Jan. 25.—First flour, 30s. per cwt.; Bread, per 21b. loof, Bd.; Beef, sd. per lb.; Pork sd. per lb.; Fowls, per pair, 35.; Ducks, per pair, 45.; Fresh butter, Os. Od. per lb.; Salt butter, Is. 3d. per lb.; Potatoes, £6. per ton ; Eggs, 2s. per doz.; Cheese, New Zealand, Is. 4d. per lb.; Maize, ss. 6d. per bush.; Ale, 2s. Bd. per gallon ; Ham and Bacon, 7d. per lb.; Firewood, per cord, £1; Sawn Timber, 18s. to 20s. per 100 feet.