JOURNAL OF THE WEEK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 24, 21 June 1851, Page 5

JOURNAL OF THE WEEK.

The turbulence of the elements (hat we were last week called upon to notice, has been succeeded in the present by an interval of delightful weather, favourable every way to the first operations of the newlyarrived settlers. Our harbour has been filled with vessels from other ports, and an impetus given to the business of the to\vn v The road from Christchurch to Riecaiv ton is now open for foot passengers. The results of the agricultural operations on the plains are begining to be seen— ploughed and sown lands are becoming general, and in some few places the crops of wheat are springing above ground, and present a very healthy appearance. We are glad to be able to announce that a Building Society is in course of formation; here, the first general meeting of which will most probably be held about the mid-/ die of next month, ■ .;

WELLINGTON,

We have before us the Independent to the 7th, .and the Spectator to the 14th inst. A meeting of the subscribers to the Wellington Equitable Mutual Association, took place on the 16th May. It is intended during the present sessions to apply for an Act -of Council legalizing' Building Societies of this kind. The papers of the 31st May record the death by drowning of an old and valued settler, Mr. John Synionds, of Goathurst Farm, Ohiro,-while crossing the Otaki river, on his return from a visit to Manawatu, where lie had a cattle station. His body was found at the mouth of the river on the morning of the 28th May. Mr. Waitt sold 130 bales of wool at his sale on June 3. which realized about 2,500/. The highest price given was 17j$d., and the lowest lOd,, the average being 14rf.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The proceedings of the Legislative Council, which was adjourned to Thursday, May 29, may be briefly stated as follows : Friday, May 29. First reading of the Land Fund Appropriation Bill. First reading of the New Zealand Company's Land Claimants Bill.

Sir George Grey laid on the table a draft of the Regulations for Depasturing cattle, which, on the motion of the Colonial Secretary, were ordered to be printed. On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, the Council went into committee on the Naturalization Bill, whichy with one or two merely,formal alterations, was agreed to, it being arranged that the schedule should be left open until later in the session, in order that any further applications for natirralization might be received. Tuesday, June 3. The Hon. 0. A. Dillon, and F. D. Bell, Esq., Commissioners of Crown Lands, and G. Cutfield, and W. O. Gautley, Esqrs., non-official members, who had arrived from Nelson since the last sitting, took the oath of allegiance. . His Excellency Laid on the table a memorial which had been presented to him, praying that tobacco for sheep washing might be taken out of bond free of duty, or subject only jo a light impost.

The Colonial Secretary presented a petition from certain inhabitants of New Ulster, in which the petitioners, referring to a clause in tlie New Zealand Company's. Land Claimants' hill, desired that the holders of scrip might be allowed to purchase land in any part of the province. Mr. Cautley presented a petition from Nelson, signed by 120 persons, requesting' that a bridge should he built by the Government over the Maitai, to connect Nelson with the suburban districts, and. a petition from the dwellers in Waimea and Motueka, for assistance from the government in making roads and bridges in those districts. On the motion of Mr. Flickson, the Council went into Committee on the Customs Duties Bill. An amendment in the Bill was moved by the Collector of Customs, by which goods in bond at the passing of the ordinance would be included in its provisions. The consideration of the Schedule attached to the bill, was adjourned to Thursday, June 5. The Land-Fund Appropriation Bill was read a second time. Thursday, June 5. On meeting at the usual hour, the Council went into Committee on the Debtor's Writ of Arrest Bill. Mr. Hickson moved an amendment to the second clause, to the effect that every person leaving the colony should give 48 hours previous notice thereof to the Collector of Customs, and inflicting a penalty of 1001. on any master of a vessel who should take p isseiigers who had not given such notice. This amendment was lost. Some verbal ameudinents having been proposed, were adopted, and the committee adjourned. After some discussion in committee on the Customs Duties Bill, the various items scheduled were considered seriatim. We are only able to learn from the reports in the W'-lliiiirton papers the proposed duly under the New Tariff upon such articles as came under discussion. Most unaccountably, no publicity appears.to have been given to the Schedule in full, at any rate up to the latest "Government Gazetto" that lias hitherto readied us. It was agreed that the article of coal should be struck out oi' the schedule, and added to the list of articles free of import duty. The duties

upon ale, beer, and porter, in cask, were fixed in discussion at 4d. per gallon ; bottled ale and porter being reserved for future consideration. Dried fruits §d. per lb.; preserved, 2d.; fresh, per bushel, Is. 3d. Flour, per ton 0f.2,000 lbs., £1. Grain, 4d. per bushel. Iron, sheet, bar, rod, bolt, and hoop, £\. per ton. The question as to anchors and chains for the use of coasting vessels being allowed to be taken out of bond duty free was reserved for'further consideration. Hollow-ware to stand as per schedule, viz. £2. per ton. Junk, Is. 6d. per cwt. Laid, §d. per lb. , Leather, sole, 7s. per cwt. The munitions of war were struck out of the tariff, leaving them under the'ad'valorem duty of 10 per cent. Split peas Is. 3d. per bushel. Friday, June 6. The debate on the Customs Bill was resumed. Mr. Hickson proposed to reserve the consideration of the duty on spirits, as it would probably be found advisable to recommend an increase of duty.

Mr. Cautley strongly urged the exemption of tobacco used for sheep washing from duty, as important to the interests of the sheep owners, and their efforts to eradicate the scab from the colony. The subject underwent discussion, until the Committee adjourned. In the discussion on the Land Fund Appropriation Bill, Mr. Bell proposed as an amendment, that one-half of whatever sum was appropriated by the Government out of the proceeds of the sales in any hundred, should be expended by the wardens of such hundred. The amendment was adopted.