CHRISTCHURCH COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 98, 20 November 1852, Page 7

CHRISTCHURCH COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

[Communicated.] At the meeting on Monday, Mr. Packer took the chair, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman being absent. The business was to consider who were the fittest persons to represent the Christchurch Districts in the Provincial Council. After a good deal of discussion, the following resolution was carried :— " That in the opinion of this Society the following gentlemen are most entitled to its confidence in local affairs, and should therefore be requested to allow themselves to be put in nomination as Candidates for seats in the Provincial Council:—Messrs. Tancred, Packer, Dobson, Phillips, Rose, Bridge, and Samuel Bealey." The Committee already appointed to take steps for the election of persons approved by the Society to be Members of the General Assembly was requested also to carry out the preceding resolution. ■.••'■Conversation ensued on the subject of the office of Superintendent; and it was determined, in accordance with the rules, to send the requisition of 20 members to the Chairman of the Society, to call a Special Meeting as soon as possible," for the purpose of taking most prompt and effectual measures for promoting the return of H. J. Tancred, Esq. to the office of Superintendent of this Province." The requisition was signed by 20 members immediately, all of whom are qualified to become electors. Mr. Wakefield undertook to despatch the requisition to the Chairman by the earliest opportunity. It was understood that other steps for securing Mr. Tancred's return would be taken at once, even before the Special Meeting can take place.

Mr. Bishop read the replies which he had received from some of the gentlemen to whom he had signified the request of the Society that they should become Candidates for a seat in the General Assembly.

The answer of Mr. Watts Russell was to the effect, that " it would give him great pleasure to be returned a Member for the town of Christchurch in the Central Legislature."

Mr. Fitzgerald replied, " that he had acceded to the request of a large number of the electors of Lyttelton to stand for that place ;" but added, " that he should feel grateful for any assistance which the Colonists' Society of Christchurch could offer him in the event of his election being contested."

Mr. Stoddart declined the honour, in consequence of his affairs being too much in their infancy to incur the risk and expense attendant on the proper performance of Legislative duties at Wellington ; and also on account of a sense of the want of business habits, and ignorance of the routine of public business, as compared with better qualified persons. The Hon. J. S. Wortley writes, that had it not been for the flattering terms of the requisition, he would not have ventured to put himself forward where there are so many gentlemen of greater age and more mature judgment; that he even now hesitates to solicit their suffrages, because it is as yet unknown bow many Members will have to be elected, and he is unwilling to enter into a contest with any one better entitled to their support. He states that, should the constituency still continue to wish him to be put in nomination when the proper time shall arrive, he will gladly avail himself of the support which the Society have offered, and of the influence which they will possess at the elections. The meeting was then adjourued to the 29th instant. The Candidates for seats in the General Assembly are, — Town of Lyttelton —J. E. Fitzgerald, Esq. Town of Christchurch—J. C. W. Russell, Esq. Christchurch Country — Major O'Oonnell; Captain Simeon; W. G. Brittan, Esq.; E. J. Wakefield, Esq.; and the Hon. J. S. Wortley, if again called upon.