The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 496, 5 August 1857, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times.

Wednesday, August stk. In another column is published the circular issued by the committee appointed to collect subcriptions for a testimonial to Mr. Fitz Gerald on his leaving the colony for England. It will be observed that the promoters of the testimonial do not wish it to be regarded merely as one of those marks of respect which have become so common now-a-days, on the resignation of any officer whose duties have been sedulously and respectably fulfilled.

We are not aware yet in what shape it is proposed to present the testimonial to his Honor. This must depend a good deal upon the amount subscribed. The general opinion seems to be that it should be invested in land, which would be a lasting token of the estimation in which Mr. FitzGerald's service were held by his fellow colonists.

We publish to-day an article from the ' Nelson Examiner' on a subject which requires the immediate and earnest attention of the Imperial Government as well as of all the colonies of the South Seas. The Chinese, who have up to late years confined their emigration to the immediate vicinity of the Asiatic coast, are beginning to pour down in swarms upon the Australian goldfields. Their presence^wherever they have descended, has always been a source prolific of evil and disquietude. Immoral, sanguinary, and cowardly, they unite every vice which tends to make a race despicable. Their ingenuity and talent in many mutters have caused many writers to ov-'rlouk the total want of those higher traits of character, without which savages are far nobler men. The egregious vanity of these neinibarbarians, which induces them to aspire to a, higher position than they can command, their unscrupulous desire to attain an object, and their overwhelming numbers, render imperative the necessity of putting a stop to their rapid immigration to Australia. The graphic remarks of our contemporary render any further comment on our part superfluous. We agree in thinking that the question should be at once agitated. It is not when the evil comes to a head-that means of prevention should be considered. The late cowardly attack of Chinese Immigrants on Rajah Brooke is a warning of what may be expected at the hands of such people.