EXTRACTS FROM THE DESPATCHES OF THE ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 7, 22 February 1851, Page 6

EXTRACTS FROM THE DESPATCHES OF THE ASSOCIATION.

( Concluded from, our last.) The Endowment fund for the new bishopric provided by the Association, ought obviously only to be supplied proportionately to the benefit which the Canterbury Settlement will derive from the services of a bishop. As his duties will be extended over the remainder of the Middle and Southern Islands, Mr. Jackson has proposed to raise an additional Endowment fund, in aid of that provided by the Association; and I have much satisfaction in informing you, that by his own great exertions, he has already succeeded in obtaining voluntary contributions to a large extent for this object. -Part of these funds have been invested in the purchase of land in the Settlement; as an endowment for the bishopric. The particular appropriation of this endowment, as well as of some others which have been obtained for the use of the college, must (so far as they will fall within the province of the Association) be the subject of future communication. Mr. Jackson himself will represent the interests of the bishopric and the college in these particulars. He -will, if necessary, return to England for consecration. I turn to another point of equal interest; I mean the present and future administration of the civil affairs of the colony. I will first advert to that future and permanent provision for its civil government, which the Committee, in common with yourself and the general body of colonists, look forward to, which will embrace, as they hope, in the fullest and most complete manner, the principal of inherent, independent action, in all matters affecting their lccal interests. Such a scheme of government cannot, according to the maxims at present recognised in the colonial administration of this empire, be applied to the colony in its present infant stat^ It requires an adequate population upon which to act, a state of society capable of supplyingpersons competent to administer public affairs, and revenue sufficient to sustain the charge. All these requirements will, in the opinion ;jTnd belief of the committee, be very soon founiim the new colony ; and they are under the fhVn persuasion (grounded on Lord Grey's repeated assurances) that at the earliest, moment, when these requirements are complied with, the colony will receive its own separate civil institutions, founded on the principal of self-govern-ment. The Committee have been in communication with his lordship on the subject. In _a_S^ ei>al wa J* * may venture to state the result, "though, as the communications have been principally oral, it is possible that in some points they unay have misapprehended his lordship's

views.i The Committee are of opinion that his lpfjsrap will entertain a proposal for constituUn^the new colony into a separate province under the New Zealand Government Act, so soon as the population has numbered, say,.from 3000 to 4000 souls, or thereabouts, and when its revenue shall amount to GOQOI. a year. You must, however, consider these as approximate estimates, as nothing- as yet has been determined definitively on the subject. As to the precise form which the civil institutions then to be created may take, it is impossible .to speak confidently. They may follow the scheme laid down in.the royal instructions founded on the New Zealand Government Act, or they may (as.;>ve hope may be the case) be modified to meet the particular views of the Association and the colonists. It would be highly satisfactory to the Committee, in anticipation of this event, to receive from you any suggestions on the subject; and they desire you to be good enough to elicit and communicate (so far as you can) the general sense and opinion of the leading colonists upon the subject, in order that they may be laid before the Government, if time should permit, so that measures may if, possible, be founded thereupon. But to avoid delay, the Association will venture to proceed in this matter upon their own discretion, relying on the perfect unity of sentiment between themselves and the colonists.

Two points occur to the committee, to which they in particular draw your attention. First, that it will be expedient, if possible, to embrace amongst the new civil institutions a plan for an improved system of transfer of real property. I send you herewith a Report of the Royal Commissioners appointed to examine the subject. The Association are strongly persuaded that this question is one importantly affecting the interests of the colony, and they think the introduction of such a system would be attended with peculiar facility in a virgin settlement, especially having regard to the fact of the valuable survey of which you will now be in possession, and which will serve as a basis of operations for a plan of registration.

The second point refers to the constitution at the earliest possible period, within the colony, of some of those inferior popular jurisdictions, such as Hundred Courts and the like, which although they have become obsolete in this county, from general social changes, have been, as they think, in the early stages of English society, (which may be regarded as somewhat analogous to your own at present) highly instrumental, in the development of a healthy popular spirit. I forbear at present to enter into details on this subject, upon which, assuming your own sentiments and those of the colonists to agree with those of the committee, they will hereafter communicate with you more fully. As a general principle, they are persuaded that the active participation of the people of all classes in the work of government, whether as juries upon trials, as municipal bodies transacting local affairs, as parishioners in vestry, or in the other innumerable forms of a similar kind, which in this country are familiar to us, has in a degree, greater even than the elective franchise and legislative power exercised vicariously, led to the formation of that national character on which we pride ourselves, and which comprehends in happy proportions the distinct elements of reverence for authority, contentment with lawj ancl a spirit of self-reliance •and true liberty.

It would be highly satisfactory to the Committee to receive from you upon these and any other points which you may deem of interest or importance, a full expression of your views, and those of the colonists. They undertake, so far as in them lies, to assist in the accomplishment^" these objects. To recur' to the necessary provision for the management of civil affairs in the colony, during the intermediate period, and before the colony' shall receive its own proper institutions, I have to inform you that Earl Grey has, upon the application of the Committee, intimated his reu-inness to make certain recommendations

' to his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, suggesting that he should follow as far as possible the wishes of the Association (to be expressed through yourself), as to the individuals who shall fill'the present civil appointments in the

colony. The substance of the desired arrangement s has, in consequence of a suggestion from his '-' lordship, been reduced by them into the form of '', an official Tetter, a copy of which I herewith

transmit. Although as yet the Committee has not received an official reply, they are aware that his lordship is disposed to entertain favourably the application contained in it, and they hope and believe that it will be in substance acceded to. You will bear in mind, however, that any communication from Earl Grey to the Governor-in-Chief of New Zealand on this subject can only assume the form of recommendation, and cannot be expected to fetter his Excellency's discretion in the mode of acting upon it. The actual direction of civil affairs, including necessarily all questions as to local appointments, is vested in the local authorities, subject to the control of the Home Government. The Committee, however, doubt not that a recommendation of such a nature, and, as they think, in itself so reasonable, proceeding from Earl Grey, will be entertained and acted •upon by his Excellency. Assuming that this will be the case, the letter referred to will be a sufficient guide to you upon this subject. Upon certain points connected with it, I shall address you in a separate letter. I trust I may be enabled to send you Earl Grey's official reply by the next ship. It would seem most desirable that upon these and other matters you should place in communication with his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, or with the Lieutenant-Governor, as the case may require, either personally or through some confidential medium, at the earliest possible moment after the receipt of this dispatch. There is only one remaining point on which I have occasion further to address you. It has reference to the future administration of the Ecclesiastical and Educational Fund, and the general ecclesiastical arrangements of the colony so far as they fall within the province of the Association. Upon this subject I transmit to you herewith a Minute passed by the Committee,'which embodies their views. I need do no more than refei' you to it as fully expressing them. You will, we trust, at the time you receive this, be in personal communication with your future Bishop. He will act in concert with you upon all matters:'affecting the interests of of the Church in the colony; and I doubt not that you will find in him an entire harmony and concurrence of opinion upon all essential points contained in the above-mentioned minute. The colonists now departed have already been made acquainted with its effect, and have expressed their assent to the principles there laid down. The Committee will proceed forthwith to elaborate the details of a scheme founded on these principles, in which they will endeavour to embrace as far as possible (but to that extent only which properly belongs to them) the future permanent administration of the temporal concerns of the Church in the coloiiy, involving with it as of necessity its educational institutions, and including a permanent plan for the future college, an object which they regard as of the highest importance to the interests of the colonists. It is more than probable that in a field so wide I may have omitted to notice many topics of interest and importance. lam under the necessity of closing the present dispatch, but will review it, and endeavour to supply any omissions which may present themselves, by the next ship. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, (Signed) li. F. Alston, Secretary.