LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 277, 27 June 1855, Page 5

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Lyttelton Colonists' Society.—The committee of this society are making arrangements for the delivery of a course of lectures. We understand that lectures have been already promised by His Honor the Superintendent, the Rev. Mr. Cotterill, and by Mr. Spowers. A " discussion and reading class" has also been established in connexion with the society, and of which the following- gentlemen have been elected a committee, viz.':—Messrs. Spowers, Turner, Ahvright, Wright, Wilcox, Fyfe, and Alport. The first discussion to take place on Friday, 6ih July ; subject (to be introduced by Mr. Spowers) " ihe desirability of establishing a Savings' Bank in Lytteiton." ' Cmambbr oii- CoMMiSitcis.—A movement is taking place for the purpose of forming a "Chamber of Commerce!' in Lyttelton. Our increase of commerce will now justify the establishment of some such Council, to which dis-put-s in mercantile matters may be referred for adjustment, without the delay of appealing to a court of' law. We observe the following' rumour in the Wellington Independent, we do not know upon what authority it is given : —''lf report speaks truth th" next meeting of the General Assembly will be held at Wellington, and this city, upon the arrival of the new Governor, will be proclaimed the seat of the General Government of New Zealand." '

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sik, —" Knickerbocker," in his philosophical work, " History of New York," gives a very interesting account of the origin and early career of that important state. An account the more particularly interesting to ourselves, as it serves

to show us how this settlement may hope, by treading in the same steps, to arrive at a position of equal grandeur and importance. It is encouraging to think that, so far as the difference of our circumstances will allow, out government is beginning- to copy very exactly this great inoilel. I find that the first lawgiver of the infant settlement of New York was Wouter van Tuiiller, which is Dutch for Walter, the Doubter (New York having been originally a Dutch settlement.) 1 his eminent man doubted about every thing, and was during the whole course of his administration only once known-to come to a decision; but that decision was a most judicious one, and every body was aston-, ished at the depth and sagacity of its originator. He decided to leave every thing as he had found it. Our law givers, the Provincial Council, display an equal amount of sagacity. They have uosv been doubling some mouths about the waste lands, and have at last determined to return to the point from which they-first started. The spontaneous adoption of this system, at so, early a period in the history of. this-settlement, proves, I think conclusively, that our legislators are thoroughly imbued with the true principles of.'government. But besides this we have one •Treat advantage over the early settlers in New York, for whereas these last had only one law giver to doubt for them, we have the benefit of a council consisting of 24 doubters,- each one of whom is a match for bis Dutch prototype. I am free'to confess that the seemingly absolute rejection of Mr. Hall's plan for the sale of the waste land very nearly made.me do the Provincial Council the injustice of supposing that they came to a decision by originating a plan of their own ; in this, however, I am happy-to find that I am mistaken ; and I hope there is every prospect, after a little more doubting, that they will follow the Dutchman's example, and leave the question in the same state as it was when first proposed to tb»-m. Yours, &c, - Spectator.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sir, —1 hope yon will permit me through you to bring before the public a matter which I think is of peat interest to the Canterbury settlement. I refer to the manner in which we -may be represented"™ the General Assembly at its next meeting. We might to have five representatives; namely, his Honor the Superintendent, Mr. Sewell, Mr.. E. J. Wakefiehl, Mr. Stuart Wortley, and Mr. Moorhouse. But if the assembly should be convened any time within the next three months, we should probably lose the advantage of Mr. Moorliouse's vote. Nor is this all; report says Mr. Wortley is about to return to England. Tf so, we lose two out of. live representatives. This, sir, appears'to me a very serious matter. Mr. Moorhouse is absent, and we can do nothing to mend matters in that quarter. But I think before Mr. Wortley leaves us we ought to know whether or not we can depend upon his being in his place at the next session, and I suggest to my brother electors the importance of having this matter clearly understood. I rale this question with no unfriendly feeling towards Mr. Wortley, on the contrary I am sorry to lose him. He did his duty "well in the General Assembly the last session. But we ought to take care he does not leave us in the lurch. I think be should be requested to state distinctly whether or not ho. will be in his place at the next meeting. If he is not able to pledge himself, we ought to know as much that we may find a substitute in time. The next meeting of the General Assembly will prove a critical one in the history of New Zealand. Canterbury ought to have every one of its members in his place. ] had intended this for last Saturday's paper, that it might have come under Mr. Wortley's notice, it may yet reach him in time to consider the matter. 1 trust we may not lose his services the coming session, at least. I remain, sir, your obe.uieut servant, A CiiKisxCHUßCii District Elector.