HOUSE OF LORDS. May 14th, 1852. BISHOPRIC CHRISTCHURCH (NEW ZEALAND) BILL.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 742, 11 September 1852, Page 3

HOUSE OF LORDS. May 14th, 1852. BISHOPRIC CHRISTCHURCH (NEW ZEALAND) BILL.

The Bishop of Oxford in moving the second reading of this bill, in the absence of its mover, Lord Lyttelton, briefly 'explained the object of it. It had been found expedient, on account of its extent, to separate a portion of the diocese from the diocese of New Zealand, and to constitute a second bishopric in that island. The necessary consents had been given by all parties, when it was objected by the law officers of the Crown that there was no power in the Bishop of New Zealand to surrender any part of his jurisdiction, and that it was necessary to bring in either a declaratory or an enabling bill — for there was some doubt which was necessary — authorizing the bishop to separate his diocese into two parts. The bill, of which he then moved the second reading, was intended to carry out that object. The Earl of Desart observed, that the geographical condition of this island rendered such a bill necessary. There wasno communication between the settlements even by horseback, and the present bishop had been obliged to charter and navigate a small vessel himself in order to visit the different divisions of the island. The bill was then read a second time.