Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 452, 4 March 1857, Page 6

Local Intelligence.

MEETING OF CHURCH PROPERTY

TRUSTEES

A meeting of the above body toolc place on Monday last, March 2nd, at which there was a large attendance of members. A public notification by the Bishop of Christchurch invited the attendance of all members of the. church in the diocese on this occasion, it being deemed a fitting opportunity for electing a lay representative for the diocese in the General Convention of New Zealand. This business was first proceeded with.

At the motion of Mr. Hall the meeting was declared public. Mr. Wtlde then moved the adjournment of the meeting to a future day, as he did not believe a meeting so little of a public character was competent to proceed to the election of an

assessor, , , Mr. Gbesson thought "no meeting could be called which should be more public than this. Mr. Olliviek Avas of opinion that though the public were invited to be present, they had not power to vote, and that the body of churchmen would be satisfied if the election was made by the Trustees^ He thought the necessity of electing an assessor was so urgent that it was expedient to proceed at once to election. Dr. Donald thought an ordinary public meeting would not so fairly represent the different parishes as the present; however the churchmen of the distant parts of the provinces might desire it they could not well attend, and such a meeting would consist only of the people of Christchurch.

Mr. Gresson remarked that the Trustees were responsible for the actions of the assessor and ought therefore to have the principal voice iv the election.

Mr. Hall said the Trustees would not be responsible for the acts of the assessor until the time of the transference of the property; the laity generally should have a voice. If the meeting was adjourned to a'day which was not a day of meeting of trustees there would not be such an attendance of gentlemen from the distant parts of the province. The Bishop of Christciiubch and the Rev. J. Wjibon then explained that the duties of iha

assessors would at first be confined to the adop. tion of a general trust deed at the'opening of the Convention, and that they would have no power of transfer "of the .church property unless such power was specially given to them. Mr. Wyxdis's motion not being seconded fell to the ground) and Mr. Thomson proposed and Mr. Hichens seconded the following motion :—- ---" That this meeting do now appoint the Hon. H. J. Ta'ncred as Lay Representative of tho Church in Canterbury at the ensuing meeting of the Convention."

An amendment to insert the words " the lay trustees present at" before the words " this meeting " was rejected and the motion was carried. , '

In answer to a question from Mr. Hall, tho Archdeacon of Akaroa stated that Mr. Tancred was prepared to abide strictly by th& instructions he should receive.

Mr. Pitz Gerald thought it most important to consider at once the conditions and instructions which should accompany the appointment of a church representative. This part of the business was the most important of all, and this was just the time to consider it; it would be too late for the churchmen to object as a body to any arrangement after it was entered into by the assessor at the Convention.

A discussion then arose as to the body by whom the instructions to the assessor should be prepared, and the following resolution on tha subject, proposed by Mi. Jacobs and seconded by Mr. Hichbns, was adopted:— " That a committee be appointed to consist partly of clerical and lay trustees and also of the lay members of the church now present, who shall draw up instructions for the clerical and lay assessors; such instructions to be submitted to a public meeting." ■ • The business of the public meeting here closed; and the business before the 'board of trustees commenced by the Secretary reading the Report of the Committee of Management, The principal topics touched upon were the satisfaction of that body at the consecration, of a Bishop of the diocese; the statement of the accounts of the late agent of the trustees which had been at last furnished, and in .which thereappeared a considerable deficiency, steps.for the liquidation of which had been taken; an application from the churchwardens of Kaiapoi for a reserve of five acres for a parsonage*and glebe for the incumbent, accompanied by a recom-.' mendation from the committee that reserve* should be made for < these purposes in every parish ; applications for the purchase of certain lands of the trust in the Town of Lyttelton, with a recommendation to effect sales of certain of these lands to clear the rest of the estate from, encumbrances ; and a statement from the present agent that the whole amount which might be considered applicable for the stipends of the clergy during the coming year was £500. The following clergymen and gentlemen were then elected to serve with the Bishop of Christchurch as a Committee of Management for the ensuing; y ear: —The Yen. Archdeacon of Akaroa, Revs: W. W. Willock, J. MRaveii,; and J. wiWilson, Messrs. Bowen, Thomson^ Packer and W. G. Brittan. Some business which seemed of Ismail importance to the public was then brought forwardj duringthe discussion of which our reporter and several members of. the board left ; ,the meeting. We are informed! however, that a rather important resolution' was brought for-, ward and carried to the effect that the distribution of the salaries of the clergy from the fund should be £50 for every parish where two services were performed on Sundays, and £30 to. each parish where only one service was so performed. The meeting afterwards separated. > ! The Supreme • CoußT.—-We. are iuformed that His Honor Mx. Justice Stephen purposes holding a session of the Supreme Court in Lyttelton on the 15th of April, next, or as soon after as may be practicable, Mr. Justice Wakefield still continuing an invalid and unable to perform the duties of Puisne Judge for the Southern'district.': :■•■.<-. :' ■■■.;■ -, ::: :■■■ ■■•'> ! The; Resident MAaisTRATE's Court.—-An unfortunate misunderstanding appearsto:have, arisen between the General Government and the; Provincial Government of Canterbury relative to the appointment of the Resident: Magistrates.; for the province. Hitherto the cours&has been practised by the provincial authorities of nominr ating 'to the office and sending the.nomination, to Auckland to be supplemented.by the General. Government. We are informed .that on tne> : late appointment of Mr. W. G. : Brittan; to ; .b$

Resident JVEagistrate ;atjphrjstchurch the; -• Colonial Secretary objected to the above practice", and, instead oteupplementingithe; appointment threw out in his reply various difficulties arid doubts as to .the legality of $ie appointments, and the; action? of theCcourts, under, them.; This conduct, will seriously, embarrass/the, course of legislation in this province* since it leaves no resource to the gentlemen concerned but to resign their appointments and leave the, offices vacant, which we believe they have;already done. Of course, whether the appointments have been made, formally :or informally; the government are bound to bear the gentlemen blameless for any action^ taken by them in their temporary jurisdiction. .'■- At best,: the delay before the recommendation of the,Superintendent',approvedi by the Governor, can reconstitute the officers will be a very serious hindrance to the course of legislation. Billaebs. —By the Belisama two billiardtables by the best .makers have .been imported into the pjoyince.; s They have been removed, we understand, to ' ohristch urch, and will be erected in the new rooms lately built by Mr. W. Stewart, near the ;Eoval»Hotel, in that town, i:

The Shambock Cup,;-T-The prize gained by the winner of the Shamrock Cup at the late; races hasjust arrived in the shape of a veritable silver cup of chaste workmanship, and of that style which usually .belongs to .such iinatters. The ceremony of presentation will take .place; afc an approaching meeting ,of the Jockey Club. It is the gift of J.C. Watts. Kussell, Esq., and is presented by ? him to,the ; owner of the wining foal of Shamrock's^ of the Season 1853, the first produce of the settlement in racing stock.