Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 370, 21 May 1856, Page 8

Local Intelligence.

At a public meeting1, held at the Town Hall, Lyttelton, on Friday evening last, in pursuance .of a notice in the Lyttelton Times, to "consider the claims put forward hy the holders of preemptive rights, and to take such steps as shall thereupon be deemed expedient," Air. Hamilton being moved to the chair, it was proposed by Mr. Bayfeili>, seconded by Mr. Oixivier, and carried —

1. That this meeting is of opinion that the pre-emptive rights, as at present claimed to be exercised under the regulations of the Canterbury Association, are seriously detrimental to the interests of this Province, inasmuch us they are a great impediment to the sale of land, and, as a necessary consequence, to the promotion of Provincial prosperity.

Proposed by Mr. Allweight, seconded by Mr. Thomson, and carried—

2. That this meeting having also had under its consideration the proposition of Mr. Bray to introduce a system of compensation to the extent of one-tenth of the land covered by the pre-emptive rights, is of opinion that no right of property in the soil was conveyed through the rights in question, and that the claim to compensation is unjust and extortionate.

Proposed by Mr. Fyfe, seconded by Mr Olliyieb, and carried—

3. That this meeting considers the Government proposition to be just and equitable, but desires to record its opinion that pie-emptive rights should not hereafter be transferable, and that when they have beeu challenged by a land purchaser they shall be deemed to be extinguished.

Moved by Mr. Aixwkight, seconded by Mr, Rak, and carried—

4. That a memorial, embodying the above resolutions, be drawn up for signature and for presentation to the Provincial Council.

Moved by Mr. Rae, seconded by Mr. Fyfe, and carried—

5. That such memorial be prepared by n committee, to consist of Messrs. Bayfeild, Hiitchiuson, and Alhvright, and be presented by the Chairman of this meeting.

The meeting- was very thinly attended. We should, on public grounds, De glad if some other rather than Friday evenings were selected to hold public meetings in Lyttelton, as from the well-known fact that all our hands are fully engaged on those evenings we cannot get a report of the proceedings of any meeting that may so take place.

The "Amherst" has arrived from Otago, bringing copies of the Witness to the 10th inst. These papers are mostly filled with discussions on the Education Question, to which we may refer at some future opportunity. A high price, apparently, still ruled for bread-stuffs in that

Province:—Flour (Ist) being q loted at 355. per lOOlbs., and 30s. for 2nds.; wheat was selling at 9s. and 10?. per bushel. We find no later English intelligence in the papers now received. The rumour to the.effect that "peace had been proclaimed in London,' 1 appears l<» have' no foundation. We have been informed on the authority of a gentleman, lately returned from the " rtiuff," that the capabilities of that part of theOtago Province have been much exaggerated.