JOURNAL OF THE WEEK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 36, 13 September 1851, Page 5

JOURNAL OF THE WEEK.

"We are glad to see that a regular transmission of letters and small parcels between the Port and the Plains has been commenced by two parties recently arrived in the colony, and we express the hope that it may be continued with regularity, and answer the ends both of its promoters, and of those whose convenience it is intended to meet. A second shock from an earthquake was felt on Sunday last here ; stronger than the former one. The sensation produced was very similar to that experienced when travelling in a railway train. The first was felt, we learn, at Wellington, and still more severely at Nelson. The shock of Sunday last was felt by the " Fair Tasmauian " at sea, the progress of the vessel being momentarily checked. The new road made to Dampier's Bay, below the Bridle Path, bids fair to rival, as a promenade, the Sumner Road. A little town is springing up in its locality, for which the extent of level ground there provides. Perhaps no more healthy symptom, as regards the prosperity of the settlement, than this rapid population of the suburbs, could be adduced. A meeting of members of the Church of England was held on Tuesday last at the School Room, Lyttelton, to take into consideration the desirableness of procuring additional church accommodation at Lyttelton, the present building, besides answering the purposes both of public worship and of education, being found far too small since the recent arrivals of ships from England. The Rev. Mr. Dudley, as minister of the parish, was called to the chair, and after some remarks explanatory of the reasons for calling

the meeting, said, he was aware that many persons felt, as he did a short time back, that the building of churches was a work that belonged properly to the Canterbury Association, but that the Association were only pledged to do what they could, and had, in fact, made an appeal to the'public to assist, in the first instance, in the building of churches and schools, he had himself collected a small sum for that purpose. The smallness of their sales of land in comparison with what had been anticipated, was he thought a sufficient reason.fur their not having clone more. Not only would a church greatly add to the appearance of the town, but he trusted it would diffuse around in increased measure those beneficial influences and blessings which flow from the publi* service of God. At present the interests of both the church and the school were materially interfered with, by their being held in the same room, and the instruction of boys and girls in separate rooms was prevented. He thought every one would wish to contribute something towards the building of the first Church in Lyttelton, even some labouring men he had spoken to expressed their willingness to give a clay or two's work towards it. He should not trespass further on their patience, as there were those present who were able better to explain the position in which they stood, but should beg leave to call upon Mr. Godley to move the first resolution. Mr. Godley said that he would first state the circumstances under which the present meeting had been called. When the Canterbury Association commenced their undertaking, they hoped to sell, before any colonists came out, so much land as would have provided them with a fund sufficient for the entire spiritual wants of the settlement. In that expectation they had been disappointed, and he would show, from a statement of account which he held in his hand, that the sum received had fallen short of their necessities. In round numbers 22,500 acres of land had been sold in England up to the last accounts, besides which about 3000?. had been received for land sold and leased in the colony. This would give 23,5Q0/. to the ecclesiastical and educational fund. On the other hand, again speaking in round numbers, up wards of 20,000/. had been spent, or liabilities incurred in England on account of that fund, principally in constituting permanent endowments, 2,800?. had been spent in the colony for the same purposes, and within the next month the Association would be liable for about 500/. more. This was not the time to enter in to details, but he could vouch for the general accuracy of this statement. Under these circumstances it was clear that the whole of the ordinary ecclesiastical fund actually known to be in hand was absorbed, and that if he had no other resources to draw upon, he could do nothing at present, even in the most pressing cases. But several public-spirited members of the Association had made an arrangement by which he was enabled, in cases of extreme necessity, to overdraw his ordinary credits, they engaging to meet his bills out of their own private means, if sufficient public funds should not have accrued to do so. He was sure that '.no one here present would wish him to take advantage of such disinterested liberality by making use of it, except in a case of real necessity. But at the same time he did think that to provide adequate Church accommodation for the Port town, was an object which they would themselves consider to be such a case, and he had therefore determined, if the colonists approved of it, to draw within a certain limit, upon the credit alluded to, for that object. He need not tell them how much additional church accommodation was wanted, or how desirable, in fact how necessary it was, with a large and increasing school, that a separate building should be devoted to each purpose. Mr Godley then read a letter which he had written to the Colonists' Council, proposing that he should offer 500/. towards a Church in Lyttelton, in case 600/. were subscribed for that purpose. Since he wrote that, however, he had come to the opinion that it would be better to offer, always providing the colonists should consent to it, 500/. unconditionally, as a beginning to a voluntary subscription, leaViug it to a committee to be appointed at a public meeting, to begin the work, when a sufficient sum should be subscribed to justify them in doing so. Mr. Godley then went on to combat the argument of those who said that they had already paid for churches and schools in the price of their land, and that no further contributions ought to be asked for. '1 hat argument could only be used conscientiously by a man svho could say that in the land

sold to him, he had not got value for his money, but had deliberately given more for it than it was worth, from a religious and charitable motive. He hardly thought that many of the land purchasers could say that. The fundamental principle he meant to lay down was this, that every man ought to contribute some portion of his substance to the service of God. Now, surely no man could say that he had done so merely because part of a public fund to which he had contributed, and for contributing to which he had received a valuable equivalent, was devoted to religious uses. If the existence of religious endowments was to dry up the springs of private liberality, he should hold them to be a positive evil, because he held the exercise of such liberality to be a sacred obligation on every Christian man. .But he had never heard of such an effect being produced. In England certainly, where there were large public endowments, every newspaper, as well as their own experience, would tell them that the public were very far from thinking themselves thereby discharged from the necessity of giving. And the same was the case in all the other countries where there were churches endowed by the public. The endowments were intended and felt to be a help, not a hindrance or a substitute, for the exercise of private liberality. But at any rate, those who, like himself, had paid nothing-, directly or indirectly, to the religious purposes of this settlement, were bound to do so, and not to make other people's contributions an excuse for doing nothing themselves. For himself, he would be ashamed to argue the question with a view to finding" an excuse for doing as little as possible for such a purpose. He claimed it as a right and a privilege to be allowed the opportunity of contributing, so far as his means would allow him, to the service of God's Church. He would leave others to act as their consciences might dictate, but he could not avoid discharging his own. He would now read the resolution he held in his hand.

1. " That the existing Church accommodation of Lyttelton is evidently insufficient for the growing demand upon it, and that the building now used as a Temporary Church is urgently required for the purposes of Education exclusively." Mr. Woemald seconded this resolution, and said that after what had fallen from Mr. Godley, little was required to he said ; for his part where lie could now put down one pound, he wished heartily he could put down one hundred—he felt all present would concur in such a work as was proposed, especially after the explanation that had been given with so much clearness. Dr. Donald proposed the second resolution, and remarked upon the liberal manner in which the Canterbury Association had come forward to. head the subscription list; he hoped he was not betraying- Mr. Godley's confidence in stating that that gentleman had determined to put down his own name for 100 Z. (loud cheers). The resolution was as follows: 2.. " That the Funds at the disposal of the Canterbury Association being at present, to meet the whole spiritual wants of the settlement, it is necessary to supply, so far as possible, the deficiency from other sources, and that for this purpose a voluntary subscription be entered into, upon the understanding that the Association will grant a contribution out of the Land Fund of 5001." Mr. Longden seconded this resolution, expressing his conviction that all must now be satisfied that the Association had carried out their objects as far as the funds in their possession would allow them. Mr. Alvobt moved the third resolution, and expressed much pleasure in concurring with Mr. Godley in his view of the matter, thai as Churchmen they were bound to assist in the erection of a Church, and that while they were building » vises for themselves, they, must not forget the House of God. The resolulion was, 3. "That the following gentlemen form a Committee to collect subscriptions, and to. take all otlier steps necessary to carry out the objects of this Meeting ; with power to add to their number: The Rev. B. W. Dudley, J.R. GoDLEY,Esq. The Rev. H. Jacobs, Dr. Donald, Mr. Longden-, Mr. Bayfield, Mr. Wormald, Mr. Packer, Mr Fitzgerald." Mr. Charles Mountfort had great pleasure in seconding this resolution, which, with the previous ones, was carried unanimously. The meeting then dissolved, with a vote of thanks to the Rev. Chairman. Subscriptions were collected to a considerable amount at the end oi' the Meeting,

Report to the Canterbury Association from the Committee of Management, April 25, ISSS. The Committee of Management of the Canterbury Association hare published the Annual Report of their Proceedings up to Api'il 25 th, 1851. Only a few copies have arrived in the Settlement, with one of which we have been favoured. The report is as follows: " Your Committee have to report to you their proceedings since their last Report, presented to you on the 25th June, ISSO. Your Committee have already laid before you the general nature of the arrangement come to with the New Zealand Company. The terms of that arrangement, as finally settled (although not perfected before the dissolution of the Company), have been held binding, and acted upon, and form the basis of the Act of 1850, hereafter referred to. This Agreement was not formally completed when the Company surrendered its Charter to the Crown on the sth July last. Previous to that date, your Committee had communicated with her Majesty's Government with the view of obtaining an Act of Parliament to enable them, in any events to carry their plans into effect. They were, however, unable to proceed with this measure until the actual termination of the Company's Charter, Upon this event occurring, your Committee, with the assistance of her Majesty's Government, carried through Parliament the measure which is embodied in the Act of 13th and 14th Vie, cap. 70, appended to this Report (marked A.) Under this Act, the Committee have proceeded to sell land, and have sold, up to the Ist of March inst., 17 3 500 acres, with pasturage rights annexed, extending over 87,500 acres. The gross sum realized by the sale of land has amounted to 52,500/. The accounts of their receipts and expenditure, up to the 13th November, 1850, (the anniversary of the Association's Charter), have been audited by the Board of Trade. A general statement of this account, and its continuation, to the Ist of March, 1851, is appended to this Report, (marked B.) It will be seen that the finances of the Association are in a sound and healthy state ; and (with the exception of money required to complete the unfinished works at Lyttelton, to which your Co2mrmtee will presently advert) the means at disposal for colonizing purposes appear adequate to ensure the successful continuance of their work. The sales of land are steadily and gradually on the increase. It will be observed that Mr. Godley, in his last despatch, annexed to this report, refers to his financial position, and to the measures taken by him in reference thereto. The Committee's despatches by the " Sir George Seymour," will have placed him in possession of the'requisite funds. The correspondence appended to this Report (marked C), will shew the preparations and arrangements made, in contemplation of a large emigration in the ensuing months of May and June. Your Committee would call your attention to a few points in particular, connected with the past management of your affairs. The general result of their emigration service has been stated with great clearness and ability in a Report by their late shipping agent, Mr. Bowler, which has been already printed and circulated, a copy of which is appended to this Report (marked D). The recommendations contained in it have appeared to your Committee extremely judicious, and have been accordingly adopted' as a rule for future guidance in this department. In connexion with this plan, they have adopted a resolution as to the disposal of the Emigration Fund, a copy of which is appended to this Report, (marked E). Your Committee have invested with the trustees of the Colonial Bishopric's Fund, the sum of 10,000^, as an endowment for the proposed new see of Lyttelton. They have also made arrangements in order to the purchase of 1500 acres of land for the use of the Church and College. In making the latter investment, your Committee are of opinion that they have laid the foundation of a far mure valuable endowment for the Church and College, than could be obtained in any other form. Having regard to the small quantity of laud as yet appropriated, the absence of speculative purchasers, and the concentrated nature of the Settlement, there is

no doubt the value of all land purchased at the present time, and judiciously selected, will rapidly increase.

Your Committee have framed a scheme for the future administration of the fund vested, or which may become vested in them, for religious aud educational purposes.

They have also framed a scheme for the establishment of a College. Copies of both schemes are annexed to this report, (marked F and G).

Your Committee received intelligence of the arrival of Mr. Godley in the colony in the month of April last.

His first despatch informed them that on his arrival, he found that the Surveyor of the Association, Captain Thomas, had exhausted the funds at his disposal, and, in fact, had exceeded the limits of his credit.

The preparation for the arrival of the first body of colonists was far advanced. A large quantity of land had been surveyed, and great progress had been made with the road from Port Lyttelton to the Great Plain. The latter was, however, still incomplete. The funds being- exhausted, Mr. Godley very prudently suspended all further progress till the receipt of farther advices. Your Committee being strongly impressed with the importance of completing these works, in which view they have been confirmed by Mr, Godley's last despatch, have decided upon obtaining, if possible, in the present session of Parliament, an Act to enable them to obtain a Loan, to be applied towards this object. They have submitted the heads of a proposed Bill to Her Majesty's Government, and are under the confident expectation of being able to carry it through Parliament during the present Session.

Your Committee received, on the 22nd inst., a despatch from Mr. Godley, of the date of the 4th November, being-, in fact, the most recent intelligence received from the colony. They annex it to their report (marled H) as conveying the most exact information as to the state and progress of matters in the colony. They learn indirectly that Mr. Godley had actually reached Canterbury previous to the 10th December, and will therefore have been in readiness to receive the first body of colonists on their arrival, which was expected towards the end of that month.

Your Committee annex to the report (marked I) copies of correspondence between themselves and Her Majesty's Government, on the subject of forming the Canterbury Settlement into a distinct province, with the power of managing its own local affairs. Yon will perceive the exact position of this question. The Committee look forward confidently to the speedy realization of this object, which they regard as of the first importance. They have called your attention to the diffei*ent subjects of interest relating to their undertaking in the foregoing brief manner, considering that the documents which they annex will convey in themselves the fullest and most satisfactory information. They conclude by expressing their gratification at the progress which has been made, and at the prospects of the settlement which they are engaged in founding. So far as it has gone, their plan, in all its parts, has been attended with perfect success. H. F., Alston, Secretary." The Appendices referred to in this Report are too voluminous for publication, they may be briefly described as follows:—A, is a copy of the Canterbury Land Act; B, a statement of accounts, from which we extract the following:— Balance Sheet from the Ist of March, 181*8, to the Ist of March, 1851. March 1, 1851. Receipts. £. s. d. To cash from the New Zealand Company, peragreement for Home purposes . 5,000 0 0 To cash proceeds arising from the sale of 17,4-50 acres of Land . 52,3-50 0 0 To cash from the Rev. Thomas Jackson, on account of subscriptions collected by him . . 1,000 0 0 To passage money and freight by the first eight ships chartered by the Association .• . . 11,813 14 1 To Subscriptions on account of the Bishopric Endowment Fund and Colonists Exhibitions . . 12 5 6 To Balances due to Alfred Lake and W. A. Cliowne . . 28 8 5 £70,20 i 8 0

March 1, 1851. Payments. £ s. d. By Casli on account of the Ecclesiastical and Educational Fund . 15,988 19 4 By ditto ditto the Emigration Fund 20,422 3 7 By ditto ditto Miscellaneous Fund 10,644' 11 1 By ditto ditto " The Crown" . 4,325 0 0 By remittances to the Colony in Specie and Letters of Credit . 3,520 0 0 By Freights charged in account, and to be refunded in the Colony . 108 17 6 By Payments on account of the Rev. Thomas Jackson . . 736 7 \ By Balances, viz.: In Exchequer Bills and Interest . . 5,719 G 3 Cash at the Bankers . 8,722 3 9 Ditto with the Secretary . 10 13 5 Ditto Emigration Department 6 6 0 v ' 14,458 9 5 £70,204 8 0 Then follows the correspondence relating to the departure of the main body of Canterbury colonists, reprinted in our paper of April sj; D, is Mr. Bowler's Report on the Management of Shipping for Emigration, alluded to in the Lyttelton Times of June 14 ; E, a resolution of the Committee of Management adopting the suggestions made in Mr. Bowler's report, as the basis of the future disposal of the Emigration Fund ; F and G are elaborate schemes for the administration of the Beligious and Educational Fund, and for the management of the College, an account of which we hope to be able next week to give our readers; H, is a dispatch from Mr. Godley from Wellington, dated Nov. 4, 1850 ; the following correspondence, relative to the formation of the Canterbury Settlement into a separate province, is the last. It was this correspondence which originated the movement recently made in favour of Local Government for this district. Correspondence relative to the Formation of the Canterbury Settlement into a Separate Province. Office of the Canterbury Association, 9, Adelphi Terrace, March 25th, 1851.

My Lobd, —By the direction of the Committee of Management, I have the honour to call your.lordship's attention to your letter of the 31st May, 1848, to Lord Lyttelton, in which you state ' that you will be prepared to instruct the Governor of New Zealand to report to you whether the district which may be ultimately selected for the Canterbury Settlement can be formed into a distinct province, without injury to existing interests, and regard being had to the policy which the Governor may find it necessary to pursue with respect to the native tribes : and if it can, what boundaries can be conveniently assigned to it.' Your lordship further stated,' that it would be advisable that the Association's Agent should communicate the site ou which he might fix immediately to the Governor, in order that your lordship might receive that officer's repoi% at the same time that the Association was informed of the choice made by its agent, and as you considered it highly desirable that the wishes of the promoters of the enterprise should in this respect be complied with, you would learn with satisfaction that a district was fixed upon, cwhich united the advantage of being capable of erection into a distinct province with other favourable conditions for colonisation.'

Your lordship also stated,' that you would not fail to express to the Governor the desire you entertained as far as possible to meet the wishes of the Association, as you were convinced that the success of that undertaking would be attended with very great advantage both to New Zealand and to this country.' I am directed by the Committee respectfully to request that your Lordship will be good enough to favour them with copies of any communications that have passed between your lordship and Governor Grey.on this subject, with which it may be proper that the Committee should be furnished. . I have, &c. H. F. Alston, Secretary. The Right Hon. the Earl Gkby. Downing -street, April 10th, ISSI. Sin, —In answer to your letter of r the 25th ult., I am desired by Earl Grey to request that you will inform the' Committee of Management of the Canterbury Association, that the instructions to which you refer were communicated to Sir George Grey, by Lord Grey's despatch of the

19th of June, 1848, which will be found at page 162 of the printed papers presented in August, IS4B, and which was answered by Sir George Grey in his despatch of .December 6th, 1848, which will be found at page 58 of papers presented in July, 1849. 2. On the 19th of February last, Lord Grey informed Sir George Grey that his lordship relied in great measure on his (Sir George's) ■ judgment as to the sub-division of New Zealand , in general, or of New Munster into provinces, and that he was disposed to consider such subdivision desirable. That the parties interested in the Canterbury settlement, and also, he believed those interested in Otago, wished to have those districts created into separate provinces, in which case Nelson would probably remain in connexion with. Wellington, as at present. But that the decision as to the limits of the provinces was left to Sir George Grey, subject, however, to these conditions ; —that no new province should, in Lord Grey's opinion, be constituted, unless the representative element could ■ be introduced into its legislation ; nor unless it was able to support its, own peculiar expenses, and also contribute its fair proportion to those general expenses which might be charged on the whole community of New Zealand. 3. Since this despatch was sent, Lord Grey has received from Sir George Grey a despatch inclosing a draft ordinance (which Sir George Grey intended forthwith to submit to the general legislature, constituting Provincial Legislative Councils, on the model of that existing in New South Wales, for each of the two provinces, but containing provisions adapted to the contingency of a further sub-division. This measure is intended to remain in force until the suspension of the constitution of 1846 expires, or until parliament should make further provision on the subject. 4. Lord Grey is anxious that the Committee should be fully aware of these, the only communications of importance, he believes, which have taken place respecting the division of New Zealand into provinces, since the date of the last japers printed for parliament. But as the despatches themselves, of which this abstract is given, will probably be presented to parliament in due course, together with other papers on the subject of the government of New Zealand, it would, in his lordship's opinion, be inconvenient to the public service to place them at the disposal of private parties in the interval. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, (Signed) B. Hawes. H. F. Alston, Esq.