Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 368, 14 May 1856, Page 6

Local Intelligence.

Kaiapoi.—A public meeting' was held at the Kaiapoi Hotel, on Friday evening last, to consider the amendments proposed by the Provincial Government lo the Waste Land Regulations,' as well as the propositions made by Messrs. Barker and Bray. The Chair was talcen by Mr. Black, who read the advertisement convening the meeting. The following resolu-

tins were unanimously agreed to. The meeliij was addressed by Messrs. W. C. BeswiCk, I>bbs. and G. Hall, in support of the several riohitinns. The latter gentleman condemned tb' principle contended for in the amendment Imposed by Mr. Bray. The opinion expressed I Mr G. Hall that the rights should cease vien challenged by a purchaser, was generally etertained.—Mr. Hall dwelt at some length yon the absurd demands of the pre-emptive xyht holder's rights, which, if recognized to the ctent they ask, would virtually hand over to tern the whole of the available and most fertile Ind of the Province. He concluded by ex--essinjr his approval of the Government propotion, which he considered i'ren and liberal.—. Ir.Oi-LlviKß attended, and at the request of :>« Chuirman, addressed the meeting. Me took 'review of the proceedings of the Association i the origin of the pre-emptive right, and con•311 ded that there was no right of property in hem; and, therefore, he thought no compenBtion could be fairly claimed. He agreed with vlr. Hall in the opinion he had expressed, and vhieh seemed to be so commonly entertained ,-»y the meeting, as to the satisfactory character ■>f the Or ivernment proposition. The ol)ject of •the Government in the publication of these amended regulations was, to elicit discussion and to ascertain fully the opinion of the people. No regulation could be passed by the Council under the act of the General Assembly that had not been before the public for its consideration for upwards of 28 days. * The following resolutions having been adopted, after a vote of thanks was proposed to Mr. Ollivier for Ms attendance, and to the Chairman, the meeting separated.

1. Proposed by Capt- Beswick, seconded by Mr. Buchanan, "That the system of, pre-emptive rights under the Canterbury Association, especially as at present claimed to be exercised, is a source of evil and a great detriment to this Province." 2. Proposed by Mr. Dobbs, seconded by Mr. Fraser, " That this meeting is of opinion that the Government proposals regarding the purchase of lands covered by the pre-emptive rights referred to, are most liberal and advisable ; provided the said pre-emptive rights be not removed to other unoccupied lauds after the lands which they now corer shall have been bought up, aud that after the purchase of such lands the said, pre-emptive rights shall be deemed to be extinguished."

3. Proposed by Mr. G. Hall, seconded by Mr. Sheers, " That, taking into consideration the present financial position of this Province, this meeting considers that the granting of either land, scrip, or money, as compensation for the relinquishing of the 'pre-emptive rights by the present holders, would be a withdrawal from the public revenue of an amount of money which the Province can ill afford to lose, and which is absolutely necessary for the prosecution of public works, indispensable to the inhabitants of this Province. 1' At the suggestion of Capt. Beswiok, seconded by Mr. Chas. Young, it was resolved that a Committee be appointed to embody these resolutions in a memorial to the Provincial Council, signed by the inhabitants and to be presented to the Council at its next meeting. Colonial Items.—A destructive fire occurred at Wellington, on Saturday, tiie 26th of April, destroying property to the amount of from £'20,000 to £25,000.—Another fatal fray hail taken place at Taranaki between the native tribes, in which about nine were killed and others wounded. At present no fears were entertained tliat the settlers would be interfered with. We see by a ' General Government Gazette,' that William Sel'ton Moorhouse, Esq., has been appointed a Resident Magistraie. In order that we may syive as much as possible of the European intelligence brought by the 'Zinsjari,' we are compelled to postpone several notices of local matters till Saturday.