Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 410, 8 October 1856, Page 8

Local Intelligence.

We understand that the Key. H. C. Harper, M. A., Vicar of Mortimer, has on the nomination of the clergy and laity in public meetings assembled, accepted the "bishropic of Christchurch, in the settlement of Canterbury; NewZealand, and will be consecrated in England towards the end of July. Mr. Harper was educated at Hyde Abbey. Winchester, and Queen's College, Oxford. ~He is 50 years of age, andhas devoted the larger portion of his life to tuition. Having, as private tutor, accompanied the sons of Sir Charles Coote, Bart,, M.P., to Eton, he subsequently accepted there the office of conduct, or curate, to Eton College. In that position, he not only won the love °and respect of the parishioners of all classes, but gradually imparted a far higher tone of religious feelin°and practice to the College and School. On his departure from Eton, in 1840, he received handsome testimonials from masters, collegians, oppidans, parishioners, and school-children. While 'at Eaton, he contracted an intimate inendship with Mr. Selwyn, then private tutor to the present Earl of Powis, and now Bishop of New Zealand. This, the most distinguished man of our age, in a sermon preached not long ago on the opening of the new church, at Eton, declared that he had taken Mr. Harper as th£ model of his own ministerial conduct. In 1840, Mr. Harper accepted from Eton College the vicarage of Stratfield Mortimer, a benefice of almost nominal value, but provided with a roomy house and pleasant grounds. Here he has ever since been engaged in private tuition, but by-no means to the abandonment or slack performance of the duties appertaining to a large rural charge. In the remotest corner of the parish, his face is as iamiliar as it is ever beheld with reverence and attachment; and the day of his departure to a distant and wider field of labour will be one of unfeigned and bitter jsojtow to the people whom he has served so _ faithfully and disinterestedly. In the various excellencies necessary to constitute the perfect parish priest, few men can surpass him; for he combines, in a remarkable degree, the most spotless integrity and purity of life, firmness and sweetness of temper, largeness of views, and unflagging zeal ever accompanied by prudence and moderation. With a family of ibur■tesn children, all doing credit to their parental training, he has always abounded in almsgiving and Jilxniity ; and. as one instance of tils'trait*, ie should be recorded that when, a few years Ante, the parish church of Mortimer was repaired in a .simple and unpretending style, lie defrayed, out; of his own private means, and over and above his own previous contribution, the large sum of £300, winch the subscription of tilt- parishioners did not cover. In Mr. jf arper.t'ie churchmen of Canterbury will obtain it Bkhop belonging to no party, but' sincerely sat&'hed to the principle;-: of lh« lieforniatimi, and in even' way qualified to build up and enlarge the Colonial Church, not only by his firm

wisdom and singleness of purpose, but by his clear and vigorous intellect, his capacity and imprcssiveness as a preacher, and his practical acquaintance with the varied duties of the ministerial office.— Heading Mercury. Election Meetings.-—Mr. Ollivier and Mr. Ward appeared at Kaiapoi, on Saturday evening last, to explain their views to the electors of-the district. The meeting was a full one, A. A. Dobbs, Esq., in the Chair. Both candidates were very well received, and listened to attentively. The speeches and lines of argument on both sides were much the same as on former occasions. The same may be said of the meeting at Papanui for the same purpose, on Monday night, at which W. Thompson, Esq., M. P. C. presided. The only peculiarity here was that a resolution has been prepared and was submitted to the meeeting, denouncing in strong terms the principle of nominating Superintendents. It was expressly stated not to apply to either candidate: and, after some objection, was passed with a modification of the language. The Resident Magistracy.—H. J. Tancred, Esq., M.L.C., has returned irom the north, via Nelson, by the overland route, and resumed his duties as Resident Magistrate. W.S.Moorhouse, Esq., who held the office during Mr. Tancved's absence, gives up his appointment as Resident Magistrate, in order to be enabled to practice in that court.

Imitigkatiox and Emigration.—We are sorry to observe that most vessels leaving this port for Australia, now carry with them a few of the immigrants who have been lately brought into this province under the Government scheme. The Coila carried away about five, and the Dart, we believe, also took a few. Those who have gone htxe been generally Germans, tempted, perhaps, L-y the New South Wales new diggings, whilst suuering from the stoppage of the public works in this province. No case, we believe, has yet occurred of departure without previous repajTnent to Government of the money advanced for the passage here. The Wyverit.—We regret to find that no intelligence has been received in Sydney of this vessel) so tbat we are bound to conclude that she is lost. The Wyvem sailed from Nelson for Sydney, on the Ist July last, and had on board the following passengers:—Mr. Alexander, Mr. Henfrey, Mr. Pordham, Mr. and Mrs. Withers, Mr. Evans, Mr. Morris, Mrs. Bertheau, servant, and child.