CORRESPONDENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 23, 14 June 1851, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times,

Sik, —I feel loth to trespass upon your valuable paper, —the columns of which being already so monopolised by such varied and interesting matter, —but as the subject I am about to allude to is one of so much interest to myself and many others, I take permission to intrude upon a little of your space.

Some months have now elapsed, during which time the appearance of this city has undergone a very great change, a most cheering change,— for it seems hut the other day that I, in search of a fancied section, walked right through Christchurch, and arrived at the Bricks, without knowing that I had passed through the very heart of the city—and retracing my steps, was occupied two hours in searching amongst the tutu and fern for the boundary posts of the section required; but since then sections have been chosen, occupied, built upon,—exhibiting at this moment a goodly sprinkling of goodly houses. Now, Sir, what I lament in our city is its undefined appearance. When the ship in which I was a passenger anchored off your port, I well remember the expressions of surprise and delight expressed by almost every one at the pretty appearance it bore; for though there were but some half dozen houses or so, yet the streets were so marked out that at a single glance one could see the exact intended formation of the whole town, but in our case, even up to the present moment, visitors and strangers are puzzled beyond description to make out the formation of our town; and it really is so—with regret I say it—that Christchurch, the capital of the Canterbury Settlement, is so undefined in its appearance, that the houses look as though they had been built without reference to streets, roads, or anything else. Having, Sir, thus taken the liberty to draw your attention to the subject, may I solicit your co-operation in drawing attention thereto from the proper quarter. What I would suggest is this, —that the line of streets, "&c. as laid down in the mapped plan be regularly marked out, and at each comer of a street, &c. let a stout finger-post be planted, exhibiting the direction and name of such street, &c. This could be done without any serious expense, would release our visitors from their present perplexity, and would be a general benefit to the city at large : this done, I would compel all traffic, except the foot passengers, to maintain the marked line of streets under penalty. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, TJx DES PREMIERS. Christchnrch, June 11th, [We agree in a great measure with the above remarks. The alterations proposed, however, involve the outlay of money. This money has been subscribed by the Land-Purchasers. We would therefore suggest to our correspondent, that as the proposed measures must emanate from their Society, the subject should be laid before them. —Ed.]

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times.

Sir, —Allow me to make use of your columns in endeavouring to call the earnest attention of the public to a most important practical question—one on which the prosperity of the colony greatly depends. The scab in sheep is the pest of all the settlements of Australia and New Zealand: it has materially retarded their advancement, from the great havoc that the disease makes among large flocks in an open undivided country.

In this settlement we can, if we choose, take warning by the mistakes made in others, and try seriously to avert an evil which will have more serious consequences here than in most places, on account of the peculiar nature of the country. It is true that an inspector has been appointed for this settlement as well as the others: but these officers have not the power, under the existing laws, to prevent disease being introduced into the country. It evidently is not sufficient to appoint a* separate landing-place for unsound flocks, and the only way of averting the evil, seems to be the passing a law to prevent any but sound flocks being disembarked within the limits of the settlement, or driven through any part of the district. At this present time a highly infected flock of sheep is depasturing near the place where imported sheep are landed; so that the latter

must almost inevitably contract the malady, and spread it over the country as they are driven to the stations.

Presently we shall deplore the carelessness and want of forethought which neglected to regulate a matter of such consequence, of which we could only show a due sense by holding a public meeting, and with the assistance of practical persons preparing a memorial to the Governor on the subject. I am sir, your obedient servant, A Canterbury Settler.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times,

Sir, —The following Notice was published in the Colonial Gazette very shortly after the Registration Ordinance came into operation, and by your favour the numerous readers of the Lyttelton Times may become acquainted with its provisions.

His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, in consideration of the. recent establishment of the Canterbury Settlement, has been pleased to allow a temporary relaxation of the law which requires the payment of a fee of 10s. 6d. in all cases where births are not registered within 42 days. According to my instructions, the fee in question will not be exacted on the registration of any birth before the Ist of November next, in this district. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, Edward Wright, Deputy Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages.

" Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, May 15th, 1848.

" His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor directs it to be notified for general information, that the Ordinance for the Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, came into operation on the Ist January, 1848, and that persons neglecting its provisions;,are liable to certain fines and penalties therein particularized. " By the said Ordinance it is enacted that every birth must be registered within 42 days after it happens, by the mother or father of the child born, or the occupier of the house wherein the birth takes'place. "And every death, by the occupier of the house wherein it occurs, within 10 days.

" Penalty for default in either case not exceeding 101.

"After 42 days, the deputy registrar may register the birth, upon a solemn declaration of the particulars by the father or guardian, or some person present at the birth, and upon payment of a fee of 10s. 6rZ.

"Penalty for registering otherwise, after 42 days, not exceeding 50/. " But births of children, born at sea, or out of the colony, of parents ordinarily resident in the colony, may be registered after 42 days without fee, declaration being made as aforesaid. " But no birth can be registered after the expiration of six months from the day it happens. " Certificates of the names given to children by baptism, or before the deputy registrar, are to be obtained from the minister officiating, or the deputy registrar, on payment of Is., and delivered within seven days after the naming to the deputy registrar who has registered the birth, who will then register the name and naming, on payment of Is. " No burial is to take place without a certificate from the deputy registrar to the undertaker or person having charge of the funeral, that the death has been registered. If a funeral take place without notice of the death having been given, then the person burying, or performing service at the burial, is to give notice of it to the deputy registrar, within one month. Penalty for default not exceeding \ol. " By His Excellency's Command, "Alfred Domett, Col. Secretary."