CHRISTCHURCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 208, 28 October 1854, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH.

Colonists' Society, Tuesday evening.—At a meeting of the Christchurch Colonists' Society, Mr. J. Brittan, who was in the chair, brought under the consideration of the members the several bills which had been introduced in the General Assembly at Auckland upon the subject of the Waste Lands, with a view to their elucidation- His Honor J. E. Fitz Gerald and Mr. E. J. Wakefield being present, he especially invited those gentlemen to afford to the meeting any information upon the subject which might be compatible with the position in which they stood. His Honor briefly stated that his presence at the meeting was in the character of an elector and not as Superintendent of the province. He could not of course venture to state what course was intended to be pursued by the Executive in reference to the question before them, but as there appeared considerable anxiety to obtain information on the subject, he would read to them the bills which had been under the consideration of the General Government, and would give, clause by clause, such a commentary upon them as seemed necessary. He should of course avoid, as was understood should be done, all allusion to subjects that would give rise to irritating discussion. His Honor proceeded to read over" and to explain the principal features in the several bills, and to notice the amendments which were introduced upon the occasion of the'bills beinobefore the house. Mr. Wakefield addressed the meeting in a few words, but desired to adhere to his previous declaration not to go into the consideration of the subject until the documents relating to it had been fully before the electors. In the course of conversation it was stated that under the bill which had passed the General Assembly the initiation of any measure would not necessarily depend upon the Executive, but that it was competent to any or nil of the members to introduce proposals of their own, and that these propositions would be before the public for 28 days for their consideration prior to their being brought before the cuncil for adoption. It was subsequently determined to postpone discussion upon the subject of the management of the Waste Lands until some measure had been submitted to public notice, the meet- !

ing agreeing to a resolution pledging themselves to the support of such measures as would secure to the province the entire control and management of the Waste Lands. MEETING OP CHURCH TRUSTEES. On Thursday last a meeting of Church Trustees was held at Christchurch. Present —Revs. O. Mathias, Jacobs, Dudley, Cotterill, Raven, Wilson, Willock, and Mackay ; Messrs. Simeon, W. G, Brittan, Barker, and J. Hall. The Rev. O. Matthias, in the chair. Rev. Mr. Jacobs read the minutes of the last meeting, which being affirmed, be proceeded to bring up the report of a Committee, by whom a case was drawn up and referred to Mr. Gresson for his opinion. The case when briefly summed up contained questions, the substance of which may be said to be—l. What is the effect, if any, to the first body of colonists if they held under the New Zealand Company instead of the Canterbury Association ? 2. As to the validity of the mortgage. 3. Whether a declaratory act of the Provincial Council would give the Trustees a sufficient title. 4. Whether the Association had the power to delegate its functions to Mr. Sewell. 5. Whether the grants of land and the disposal of land with purchasing clauses at Kaiapoi, or elsewhere, were legal. 6. What steps he (Mr. Gresson) would advise the Trustees to pursue. To the first Mr. Gresson replies that such a charge would not have any practical effect. To the second, that the question is one of great difficulty, but he is disposed to adopt an opinion unfavourable to the Canterbury Association. At the same time, the mortgage deed was properly prepared, and the fact of two members of the Ecclesiastical Committee in Eugland repudiating the trust did not violate it. 3. In his opinion a declaratory act of the Provincial Council would not give the Trustees a sufficient title. 4. Mr. Gresson considers that upon the case submitted to him the Association had no authority to delegate its powers to Mr. Sewell. 5. That the alienation of land at Kaiapoi and elsewhere would be set aside by the Supreme Court. And lastly, ,he recommends that every attempt should be made to bring about a friendly arrangement, but if these fail, the only remedy is by application to the Supreme Court/] Mr. Hall said, as one of the Committee, that in the report he had just heard read, there were many facts contained which were not within his own knowledge, and therefore it must not be supposed that he was bound by it. Mr. Bbittan proposed the adoption of the report. It opened up snbjeats of vast importance to {the province—so great, that he felt it would be dangerous to take another step without legal advice, and therefore he would propose that Mr. Gresson be appointed their legal adviser. Rev. Mr. Ra7EN proposed that tie document they had heard read should stand over for a short time to allow time for the members of the Trust to innke themselves fully acquainted with it. Rev. Mr. Mackay seconded Mr. Bhutan's motion. Rev. Mr. Willock doubted whether they had any position whatever; he thought it would be proved that it was for the Provincial Council to interfere in this painful business, and not them. It was a point upon which Mr. Gresson's opinion must be sought. The Constitution Act gave power to the Association to transfer its functions to the Provincial Council; it had to be proved yet that the Council could again divest itself of its powers. Mr. Bhutan said he had himself grave doubts upon the subject, but the question was simply whether the report of the Committee should be received. This involved no sacrifice or declaration of principle, and he thought it was a necessary step to their future proceedings. Rev. Mr. Jacobs thought that whether the report was received or not, they might request Mr. Gresson to confer with Mr. Sewell, as it was very desirable there should be no longer any delay in their negotiations. The Chairman, here rose and informed the meeting that he fully concurred in this opinion, and thought that all " future communications with Mr. Sewell should be through their leyal adviser, Mr. Gresson. The motion whs then put and carried. A letter was then read from JNIr. Sewell, in which he requested Mr. Jacobs to convey to the Trustees his desire to transfer the property held by the Association for endowments, to the Trustees.

Capt. Simeos, —rose to read a letter which bud been placed in his hands addressed to Dr. Donald who was unfortunately prevented by professional duties from attending the meeting of the trustees. It urged the importance of the lav trustees proceeding to an election, in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance prior to the discharge of any other business. The document would have been much more numerously signed but for the objection entertained by many to its being addressed to an individual member of their body instead of the whole. He concurred in the opinion that the trustees ought to resign, but there were certaiu duties to be discharged, and certain machinery to be first created, which rendered it of the greatest importance that they should not comply will) this request immediately. He should therefore move the appointment of a Committee to agree to rules and regulations to divide into Ecclesiastical Districts, and to form parishes. The Committee to consist of the Rev. H. Jacobs, and Mr. Hall. The Chairman here interfered, and said that he must protest against any Sub-Committee being appointed without his name being included ; because, as Commissary of the Bishop, he would have to appoint the Ecclesiastical Districts. Captain Simeon : " Of course, then, I m USt bow to the Chair." The Rev. Mr. Dudley believed the feeling was almost universal that the present body of Trustees should be dissolved. An opinion iii which he fully concurred: if they required that the trustees should really represent the church feeling of the province, they irmst proceed to another election ; he thought with Capt. Simeon, that it was most important that the preliminary business of the Trust should be first disposed of. Mr. Hall seconded the motion, and thought that the case and the opinion which they had received from the Committee should be sent to Mr. Sewell that he might have an opportunity afforded him of commenting upon it: at present the case submitted to Mr. Gresson might be said to be a one sided statement, and he knew there were many who would so speak of it. If the case itself was before Mr. Sewell, and the opinions arising out of it, Mr. Sewell would then be enabled in his conferences with Mr. Gresson to place the matters upon whom he differed in opinion in such a point of view as might materially affect the case.

After a lengthened conversation upon the Status and the powers which the Ordinance would give to the trustees, Mr. Brittan proposed as an amendment that the meeting be :uljourued for a furtni^ht in order to enable Mr. .Gresson to confer with Mr. Sewell as well as to afford the former gentleman an opportunity of examining the Ordinance.

Here the Chairman again rose to give his opinion. He supported the amendment, but said that the resolution would only be put off till Mr. Gressou's answer as to the powers of the trustees was received.

The amendment was put and carried, six hands being held np for it, and five against it.

The Revs. Messrs. Jacobs, Raven, Willock, and Maclcay, and Messrs. Brittan and Barker, for the amendment.

The Rev?. Messrs. Wilson, Dudley, and CoHerell, and Messrs. Simeon and Hall, for the original motion.

Lincoln Eoad Cricket Ci.ob. —On Wednesthiv, the inhabitants of the Lower Lincoln road met together at the house of Mr. Thos. Wilkinson, Cor the purpose of establishing :i Cricket Club, to be called " The Lincoln Koad <Jlub." This first gathering brought together about 24 of the residents upon the road. A club was forthwith established of 20 members, of which Mr. Wilkinson was elected President. Wickets were pitched at 2 o'clock, and some good games were played. The whole of the company afterwards adjourned to their President's bouse, where a really sumptuous entertainment was provided to do honour to the inauguration of the Ciub. The practice meetings of the club are to take place on Thursday, and the wickets will be pitched at 2 o'clock.

PiKsiDENT Magistrate's Court, CihustCHUKCII. TuUI'.SDAV, Oct. 13tl). Present —H. G. Goulano, Esq., Chairman, Capt. Wkstkxba, C. L. Hose, and J. Hai.i,, Inquires. Oougreve v. Campion.—This was on action

brought by the Inspector of Sheep, against Mr. Campion of Kensal Station on the Selwyn, for having Scabby Sheep in his possession. Sir Wm. Congreve stated that on the 30th September, he went on the prosecution of his duty to inspect Mr. Campion's flock. He found 2 scabby sheep in the flock : on that he did not proceed further in his inspection. He declared the flock to be scabby according to the Ordinance. The flock consisted of 614, and appeared to have been dipped very recently. He thought he examined a dozen before he found any scab. He was quite certain that 2 of the sheep he examined had scab. He saw the insects crawling about, aod they were sufficient to re-infect the whole flock if immediate steps had not been taken to check the progress of the disease. The first spot he found was a small spot in an active slate of disease. The flock appeared to be in a thriving state, and to have been very carefully treated, hut to have been formerly very bad. His opinion was that there was now very little scab in the flock. He felt convinced the defendant must have taken every pains to clean his flock. Mr. Eowlaud Campion stated that 12 sheep had been lost which he searched for a day or two and then found they had joined the dressed flock. A south-wester came on and the yards were in a very dirty state. He went from home for a few days, intending on his return to overhaul the flock and to take the sheep out to dress. On his return he found Sir W. Congreve had the sheep in the yard inspecting them, when 2 small spots of scab were found on 2 sheep. Since he took possession of the sheep in June he had dressed them 3 times. The sheep were now clean. It was 7 weeks from the time he" took the sheep before he could get stuff to dress them. The sheep which had got away, broke away during the last dressing. Convicted.—Fined £30 145., and £4 17s. costs.

Bamford v Oambpell.—This action was brought to recover the sum of £17 10s. for services rendered at the election of the Superintendent for the Province of Canterbury. Plaintiff stated that he was employed by Mr. Moorhouse, to act as Colouel Campbell's agent to canvass the Christchurch district at the late election, at a salary of 15s. a day aiid expenses. That Mr. Moorhonse stated to him (the plaintiff) that he was instructed by the Colonel to employ an aeent; that he had various interviews with the Colonel and made reports to him continually during the canvass.—The Plaintiff was nonsuited.

Pigeon Bat.—Considerable activity prevails in this Bay in ship-building. Three vessels are now on the stocks, two of which are nearly ready for sea. The first to be completed belongs to the Maories, and built by them with the assistance of one European, on the principle of a sealing craft. Another cutter, clinker built, will be ready shortly after the Maori boat. The third is the vessel designed by Messrs. Grubb and Marshall as a river and coasting steamer, to measure about 35 tons, the hull of which is already in shape. The convenience for shipbuilding in this Bay, and the immense supply of excellent timber close at hand, will prove very valuable as the colony advances.

Akaeoa.—We hear that the body of Mr. Magee, lafe of Akaroa, has been found. The Coroner of the district is now on his way to hold :in inquest respecting the death.