The Lyttelton Times. December 31, 1853.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 156, 31 December 1853, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times. December 31, 1853.

In July, 1852, the British Parliament enacted that immediately and without delay the colonists of New Zealand should, through their representatives, settle for themselves the future mode of disposal of their public lands and land-fund. In our last week's number we published a letter from the Civil Secretary to the Crown Commissioner, dated the 3rd October, 1853, (a year or thereabouts after the Constitution Act ought to have been in force,) directing that officer to tender to the

Superintendent the privilege of introducing within the Canterbury block the Governor's land code of March last. What a field of remark this presents! An Act of Parliament practically thrown aside! A Governor, not merety assuming powers to himself beyond the law, but proposing to delegate such powers to another individual— the Superintendent. Not a word about the General Assembly, nor even about the Provincial Council, who, as representing the Colonists, might at least have been consulted on this most important question affecting their Province. His Honor the Superintendent declines the gracious offer in terms which, properly construed, convey a temperate but severe rebuke. His Honor acquaints the Crown Commissioner that " the Provincial Council has passed certain resolutions" on the subject;—thus reminding the Governor that this question was meant to be decided by the colonists themselves through their representatives, not left to the discretion either of Governor or Superintendent. Then His Honor announces the resolutions of the Council, which are short but full of expression. The Provincial Council have resolved—" that the laws for the disposal of the Waste Lands ought not to be altered except by the General Assembly." His Ex- | cellency is here told by implication that the code of Regulations proffered for acceptance is an alteration of the law— which it was alone competent to the General Assembly to make : consequently, that it wants the force of law, is an arrogant assumption of power without law, is a breach of the Constitution Act, a trespass on the rights of the General Assembly, an affront to that body, and through them to the whole colony. Acting on these considerations His Honor '•'feels it his duty to request the Crown r Commissioner not to introduce the regulations referred to." In thus intimating what His Honor feels to be his own duty in respect of this Province, he conveys obviously an opinion as to what was the Governor's duty in a like case, viz., to have abstained from such undue assumption of powers intended by Parliament to be vested in the colonists themselves. We have ventured thus to expand and interpret the language of His Honor's letter, for the purpose of shewing more distinctly its force and meaning. We need scarcely add that we heartily approve of it. In truth it contains all which at the present moment need be said upon the subject.

By the "Carnatic," which anchored in our bay on Thursday afternoon from Qtago, we have a few papers of various dates from England, the regu'ar mail having, as we learn from the Otuyo Witness, been forwarded by the " Constantine," which left England about the same date for Wellington. The ''Carnatic," an experimental vessel of the Messrs. Green, of London, brings but few .passengers for this port, and a very small cargo. The condition of England is represented as being most flourishing'; her domestic peace disturbed only by the strikes among the various workmen, occasioned by the drain of labour for the colonies. The Queen had visited Ireland, and Her Majesty's reception among her Milesian subjects in their ancient capital is described as most enthusiastic. Sir Charles Napier and Sir George Cockburn were dead. The Oriental question was considered settled, and the fleets of Great Britain and France were to be withdrawn from Besica Bay" while by a letter dated Bucharest, Aug. 17, we learn that Russia had agreed to evacuate the Principalities in September. The wheat harvest had failed iv many of the depart-

ments of France, causingl a rapid rise in both the English and French grain markets Wool Sales.—The second series of sales of the new clip .commenced on the 14th of J»]y and will continue to the 13th of August These sales opened under unfavourable circumstances. The serious doubts entertained for the crops, and the non-settlement of the Eastern question, produced a feeling of uncertainty tas to the course of events. The fears, however I which had been entertained by some of the serious decline, were not realised ; for the bulk of the wool offered prices receded only Jd. to Id. per 11)., while the demand for the better classes of wool was good. The clothiers are well employed ; indeed, the demand for woollen goods is so great that very much of the present series'^ has already passed into consumption. Much" inquiry exists for the choice clips, and the high range of prices obtained will prove how necessary it is for the colonist to study condition and breed, and the proper classing, of his wool. Deep grown skirty wool is difficult of sale ; and manufacturers have great objections to purchasing any description of wool in greasy condition. On the score of humanity, wools should not be shipped in this state. Two large vessels, the " Conder" from Port Philip, and the " Adelaide" from Adelaide, have both been on tire, the cargo of the former entirely lost, while that of the latter was so damaged that her cargo was sold at the Mauritius at a frightful loss to the underwriters. It is anticipated the October sales (the last for the year) will comprise about 50,000 bales, and a general opinion prevails that, in the absence of any extraneous cause of excitement or danger, prices will rule a shade higher—indeed the Wool Market never presented more cheering features. Stocks are exceedingly light, and prices, it is remarked, were never on the average so free from violent fluctuations. So large a number of bales meeting with ready purchasers at the full market value, and the anticipation of another large quantity being submitted, are the best proofs of a very healthy trade, based on sound principles. The number of bales announced sale on the 14th July was 60,636; and the number passed the hammer to 3rd August was 41,128. The range of prices of colonial wool for July and August weve : —Superior flocks in best condition, Sydney, 2s. to 2s. 4d. ; Port Philip, 2s. to 2s. 4d."; V.'D. Land, Is. Hd. to 2s. Id.; New Zealand, Is. 9d. to Is. IQ^d.; Cape, Is. 9d. to 2s. Ordinary and ill-conditioned flocks, Sydney, Is. 4d. to Is. Bd. ; Port Philip, 2s. sd. to Is. Bd.; Y. D. Land, Is. 4d. to Is. Bd.; Adelaide, Is. 4d. to Is. 6d.; New Zealand, Is. 3d, to Is. 6d. ; Cape, lOd. to Is. sid.— Rome News, August 4. Parliamentary Summary. — The recent proceedings in Parliament have been distinguished by work done rather than by speechmaking, which the members, anxious to escape from the toils of a protracted session, are beginning at last to regard with impatience. The Succession Duties' Bill has got into the Lords, after a long and vexatious struggle. The At-torney-General has brought in his |Bill to define newspapers, and to equalise the duty, without reference to size or price. A Bill to amenS^ the University Tests in Scotland, substituting a declaration for an oath not to disturb existing establishments, or to teach doctrines inconsistent with the national?creed, has made successful progress, notwithstanding an amendment, moved by Sir Robert Inglis, that it be read six months jpience. The new Navy Regulations, and the authority for establishing a Naval Volunteer Coast Guard, have been recognised by the Commons, in the shape of two bills introduced by Sir James Graham. The repeal of the Attorney's certificate duty, carried by a majority a short time since, has been finally rejected, at the instance of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He argued the question on the necessities of the Budget. Looking to the unfavourable prospects of the coming harvest, he could not calculate on a surplus of more than £50,000, or £100,000, even on the supposition that his scheme should be accepted entire. But the House bad required two retrenchments—the Advertisement Duty and the Attorney's Certificate Duty—each amounting to £80,000. Both had been condemned by indep_endeiit votes. Having shewn that both coulcl not ue granted without destroying the budget, he declared his willingness to meet the House half way, and offered the alternative of Repealing the Advertisement Duty. The.House accepted the proposal, and the Attorneys were ihrown over-

board by a majority of 84. On account of the lateness of. the session several bills were withdrawn, to give move time for the consideration of their provisions; but the most important ■ measure of practical legislation that has passed through the Lords is the Lord Chancellor's Bill authorizing penal servitude, in lieu of transportation, as a secondary punishment. The details of the plan are of great interest. It is proposed to substitute four years of penal servitude for seven years' transportation, eight for ten, and ten years of penal servitude at Malta, Gibralta, or Bermuda, for 15 years' transportation or upwards. As there are about 5000 persons to be transported, out of which provision can be made for the transportation ot only 1000, Government had resolved that the law and practice should correspond, and that those sentenced to transportation should be transported, and that those who are not should know the nature of their punishment. Lord Grey concurred in the measure, but objected that it held out no inducement to pood conduct, and suggested .that the ticket of leave system, which had answered so well at Bermuda, might be advantageously adopted in England. Government, however, did not respond to his Lordship's objections. The session, upon the whole, up to the present time, has been characterized by unprecedented activity. It appears from a Pariiamentary Paper just publiseed, the Bills and Papers already amount to the unexampled number of 900.— Home Neivs.

On Monday evening last, the second public Concert of the Lyttelton Choral Society was performed in the School-room, Lyttelton, before a numerous audience, comprising, besides most of the Lyttelton public, many from Christchurch and the plains. The pieces were partly sacred, and partly secular, the former being chosen as appropriate to the season of the year then commemorating. The Concert commenced with the solo and recitative from Handel, beginning " There were Shepherds," sung by Miss King]; the chorus being spiritedly taken up by the whole body. This was followed by Mr. Packer playing on the Cornet the air " With Verdure clad," from Haydn's Creation, in a style of intonation enabling the hearers to follow the words of the air throughout. The chorus from the Messiah, " Their sound is gone out," succeeded this, and was rendered with great accuracy. An alto solo from Mendellsohn's " Elijah" was then sung by Mr. M'Cardell, after which the chorus, " The last day," composed by Whitaker, was given in full choir. We look upon this as the chef d'ceuvre of the evening's performance; for although the former chorus, " Their sound is gone out," enabled the Society, from its fugue arrangement requiring more artistic handling, to. exhibit their great improvement in time, still the variety of expression in this chorus, carefully attended to, rendered it very successful. An unanimous call for a repetition was cheerfully complied with. Mr. Smeaton's solo on the violin, from Mozart, followed —then a trio from the " Elijah," which from the unequal voices of the singers, appeared one of the least successful efforts of the evening. The " Hallelujah" chorus completed the arrangement of the sacred pieces. The secular portion of the, music commenced with, a piece on the piano-forte by Mr. Bilton; after which the Madrigal, "As the stream that shineth bright," was sang. The glee, "Hail, smiling morn," which succeeded, called forth an encore. Mr. Packer's playing " Then you'll remember me," on the cornet, was very effective. The pieces that followed were generally well rendered, but perhaps the two most effective were the glees, " For the woods at morn I yearn," and " Hark ! the lark at Heav'n's gate sings," The concluding piece, "God save the Queen," was joined in most heartil y by the greater part of the audience.

Throughout the entertainment the advance made during the last twelve months by the Society, especially in chorus-singing, was very striking, reflecting the greatest credit on its indefatigable conductor: and we sincerely hope that the public spirit of Canterbury will at no distant day, furnish the Society with two very necessary accessories—a better room, 'and an effective musical instrument.

The Bank being closed on the 2nd, and 3rd, for half-yearly balances, we understand that the merchant's and public offices will all be closed on Monday the 2nd. New Year's day falling on the Sunday, we anticipate there will be but little business done on the Monday. We have been shewn a letter from a gentlemen at Akaroa, who states 'that the " Mary Jane," having put in there on her way to Otago, reported the " Northfleet" at Wellington, having made the passage from England to Wellington in 88 days. The '• Northfleet" is advertised for this port, and should the information of her being at Wellington prove correct, we may look for her arrival here in about a fortnight. Freemasonry.—The members of the " New Zealand Lodge of Unanimity of Free and Accepted Masons," celebrated the anniversary of St. John the Evangelist on Tuesday last, in the large room in the store of Brother Alport, the W. M. of the Lodge. The Brethren of the Craft assembled at 5 o'clock, p.m., shortly after which, the Lodge was duly opened by the W,M., in the presence of the members of the Lodge, assisted by P.M. Brother Fooks, and several of the Officers and Members of the St. Augustine Lodge, Christchurch. At about 6 o'clock, p.m., the duties of the Lodge having been concluded, the Brethren adjourned to refreshment, and about forty sat down to a sumptuous banquet, provided for the occasion by Brother Gee, which gave general satisfaction. The usual loyal and masonic toasts were given, and heartily responded to in true masonic style. After doing ample justice to the wine furnished by Brother Cuff, and spending a very pleasant evening, the brethren separated, highly delighted with the proceedings of the evening, and with the progress of the noble science, Freemasonry, had|made since the opening of the Lodge in May last, a science alike beneficial to the individual and the community. By the receipt of the Morning Chronicle, of the 21st of July, we find that a Public Dinner was given to Mr. Godley, on the day previous, at Greenwich, at which Lord Wharnecliffe presided. Amongst the company were Lord Lyttelton, Sir John Pakington, Sir W. James, Bart., C. B. Adderley, J. Simeon, T. Cholmondeley, and others interested in Colonial matters. The paper containing this report reached us so late in the week, when the greater portion of our papejr'was in type, that we cannot find room for more than a short announcement ; next week we hope to give the report at full length. ResidentjMagistbate's Court, 26th Dec.— On the information of the Serjeant of Police, Mr. Sidey was fined 20s. with costs for leaving sheep unburied after proper official warning. (v- George Whitten who escaped from the custody of the Police, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment in addition to his present term.