Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XII, Issue 736, 26 November 1859, Page 4

Local Intelligence.

The Provincial Council has resumed active service, for which the province ought to be duly thankful. All wants will now be satisfied, all wrongs redressed, Vill fours removed, and all hopes confirmed.; Not, probably, that the revenue will bo increased or the balanco at tho bank put right by mere sitting and conversation—on the contrary, some caslr will be oxpended in the process,—but the province will huvo the groat'satisfaction of hearing all its miseries detailed and bewailed, and probably the pleasure of finding what might seem a general public calamity cleared and proved to be the fault of somebody in particular. The Council will deal with its finances as a housekeeper with a broken saucer—find relief in comparing the fragments and scolding the servants. Every member who is dissatisfied with tho fact that cash is scarco will have a grievance against the officials in whose time the revenue fell oh*'. Every member who wishes to be held a statesman will find a character for wisdom secured by prophesying what is past, and a character for prudence by doubting for the future. It was crime of deep dye for Mr. Ollivier to suffer the land sales to fall off in .July; but it is a still more heinous offence for him to have any expectation1 of revenue* from land for the future. This is not only the prudent line for councillors to take; but it is the one1 most useful to ,the country.- It is the line taken of old by the staunch "friends" of the distressed patriarch. 'You are very bad indeed—nothing could be worse—but it is entirely owing to.yonr own bad conduct. We cannot lead, you to -hope for any material improvement—indeed your circumstances must grow gradually worse and worse —but it is all your own fault. We knew very well what would happen allalong—and we told you so.' /Ihe Government of course can expect no mercy; ■the moment an official stirs in the chamber of'the ! people, a* representative is ready; to ,run at; Win. Their position is like that of a sheep dog, with a good deal of • hardwork and responsibility on the" ;part of the flock at large, but with, so little, credit {among them that if he gets among a mob of jrams. i in a pen he can scarcely save his life from ?their :blind butting. We do not mean to say that the •' past week has shown any inclination among mem- j hers in general; but it is pretty clear thai if Mr. Packer succeeds .. in getting together a following,. isuchwill be thijir tactics! We have often mentioned Mr., Packer's name before, and as often as we have done bo it has been with a hope that it was for the last time. Biit he continues to'jstand.: prominent, and for want of other public men to hold responsible for the conduct of the public body we are constraihed to take him to task'occasionally. - His little speech on Tuesday is a pretty,one—is it ■ not? So delicate -in tone,'so free from snobbery ! and vulgarity, so high principled and consistent. jThe reader is constrained to believe that Mr. Packer is the only member in the Council whose ideas are above eating and drinking; that he is the : only person conversant with the common courtesies of life; and that, he Has been the only Provincial | Secretary in whose hands "the. pffice did «o^.fall into | disrepute. Mr. Packer's speech goes forth to the ! world to prove him a man of refind mind, and a successful politician in theory and practice. . His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson will sit in chambers at CKristchurcH on Tuesday next,.as, the Circuit Court; sits -on Thursday. " The .Judge expects to be at Dunedin on the 4th of Januaryto settle issues, previous to the sittings on the 15th of the Circuit Court at Dunedin. :