LYTTELTON.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 601, 7 May 1851, Page 3

LYTTELTON.

[From the Lyttelton Times, April 19.]

The only important incident of the past week, has been the first sale by auction of town lots in Lyttelton and Christchurch on the part of the Association. It took place in the upper floor of the Association’s store, on Weduesdav last. Air. Alport, before commencing the business of the day, said that he desired to remind those present, that in acquiring land from the Association, the purchasers would become members of the Society of Land Purchasers, and would thus have the privilege of exercising a control over the expenditure of the funds at the disposal of the Association. They could not acquire any legal right to do so, but simply a privilege arising from the courtesy of Mr. Godley, who made it a rule to consult the Society in matters relating to the expenditure of money by the Association. He was also instructed to say that certain lots would be put up to auction which were claimed by Air. Dampier at the upset price of £l2. A letter had been received from Mr. Dampier, which any one might read who desired to do so. The Association bad taken legal advice on the subject, and were -perfectly satisfied that Air. Dampier’s claim was utterly untenable. The sale would therefore go on as though that letter had not been written.

Air. Dampier requested that the letter might be read.

Mr. Wormaid, who attended the sale as solicitor on the part of the Association, read the letter ; after a few remarks from Air. Dampier and Mr. Brittan, the sale was proceeded with. Alost of the lots put up in Christchurch sold for the upset price ; one, for which four parties had lodged the upset price, was run up as high as forty pounds. Out of the thirtyfive offered, eight lots were bought in at the upset price, and are still open to purchase by any one who desires to have them. The competition for the Lyttelton quarter acre sections was much more than double, some three times the upset price. As each of the four lots for which Mr. Dampier bad lodged his deposit, were put up to auction, he claimed them at the upset price. This, however, seemed to have no effect on the competition, as plenty of bidders came forward for all these sections.' On the whole, the land may be said to have sold we'd, although not at such an extravagant price as to indicate that gambling spirit in land sections which has proved so mischievous in some new settlements.

One of the greatest wants at present felt in Lyttelton, is that of dairy produce. Milk is selling at sixpence a quart, while fresh butter brought to market daily from the churn, is a thing unknown. Several of the colonists have bought cows, but the cows were here before, and the change of ownership unfortunately does not increase the quantity of milk. One of the most valuable imports which we could receive at present,would beanumber of milch cows. ' u

We may notice, only as showing how the luxuries of the old country are stealing upon us already, that any inhabitant of Lyttelton may now have fresh sausages on his breakfast table, and few were probably without hot cross buns yesterday. We are informed that a Company is about being formed for the purpose of establishing steam communication between Lyttelton and the plains, and the various bays in the Peninsula. We hope we shall be able to publish a complete prospectus of this useful undertaking in our next number.

[The following letters addressed to the editor by Messrs. Tancred and Cholmondeley, rebuking the arrogant and offensive tone assumed by him in reference to the Nominee system, are extracted from the Lyttelton Times, April 26th :—] To the Editor of the “Lyttelton Times.” Sir, —Though entirely disagreeing with you inthe sentiments expressed in the article in your 1 aper of the 12th inst., on the nominee system, I had intended to pass the matter over in silence, but, having since the appearance of that article been invited to take part in the deliberations of the Legislative Council for New Zealand, now about to assemble, and having declined to attend, 1 feel that silence on my part, under the circumstances, would necessarily imply my acquiescence in your views, and it is only due to myself, and to the opinions 1 hold, to give an explanation of the reasons which have induced me to refuse attending. My only reason is, that a lengthened absence from home, just at present, would be attended, with great personal inconvenience to myself, without a corresponding benefit to the public. Had this not been the case, I should undoubtedly have complied with his Excellency's wishes in this respect.

1 may as well, before going further, state that I entirely agree with you in your general views as to the desirableness of-acquiring for this colony a greater degree of self-government than we at present enjoy, and I shall be always happy to act with you in any legitimate endeavour to promote this object, but I differ with you entirely as to what is, and what is not a legitimate method of bringing about this our common end. In the first place, it is not clear to me that my attendance at this council would necessarily infer my approval of the nominee system, it would be nothing more than a recognition on my part, that the present government is a legally constituted government, and that it is so, you yourself will scarcely deny, In the second place, I must protest against your assertion that your view of the matter is the view taken by every man of “station independence, wealth, and integrity, in New Zealand,” as I am convinced that very many te whom this character would apply, are directly opposed to both of us on this point. I remain, dir, i our obedient Servant, H. I. Tancred.