LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 295, 29 August 1855, Page 5

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

We understand that Mr. Bury has undertaken to bring down an iron steam boat, suited for the navigation of the Heathcote river before the Ist of December, for £2,500. Three persons, resident in Cbristchurch are, it is said, to pay £500 each towards the purchase, the remaining £1,000 being- advanced to the owners by the Provincial Government, bearing interest at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum. The boat will I be mortgaged to Government for that amount, the mortgage to be paid off in case of her leaving the Province. The "Alma" is 65 feet long with a beam of 13 ft. Her burden is 45 tons measurement, she is a screw steamer of 12 horse power, and she draw? about 4% feet | water. According to description she would seem to be admirably adapted for the river navigation ; if this is found not to be the case on her arrival here the bargain will not hold. We have been favoured with a copy of the following Despatch relating to the Canterbury Association's Ordinance:— Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, Wth August, 1855. Sir, —I am directed by His Excellency the Officer administering the Government to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter of the 23rd ult., transmitting an authentic copy of the Canterbury Association's Ordinance passed by the Provincial Council at Canterbury and assented to on behalf of His Excellency by your Honor; together with attested copies of all the schedules appended to it. As the subject of the Act is purely Provincial, and affecting only the Province of Canterbury, and, as the Legislative and Executive authorities of that Province are anxious that the matter should be arranged in the manner proposed, His Excellency sees no reason for exescisiug his power of disallowance iv respect to that Act ; and, acting upon the understanding that the General Government would confirm, so far as law would permit, any arrange in en t for settling the differences between the Province of Canterbury and the Canterbury Association, His Excellency will execute the proposed Grant from the Crown in confirmation of the Grant from the Canterbury Association of the lands transferred to the Province. The Grant when executed will be forwarded to the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Canterbury by this mail. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your must obedient, humble servant, • (Signed) Andrew Sinclair, Colonial Secretary. His Honor the Superintendent of 'Canterbury, -Sec, &c, &c.