LYTTELTON COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 86, 28 August 1852, Page 6

LYTTELTON COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

At the meeting on Wednesday evening, Mr. Birch agreeably with notice to that effect, seeing a member of the Road Committee present, requested to know whether that Committee had received any communication respecting Mr. Roy's estimate for carrying on the Sumner Road, and, if so, whether any steps had been taken with reference to it. Mr. Fitzgerald in reply stated that the Road Committee had been convened, but that nothing had been done, as but few members attended. He had, however, Mr. Roy's report with him which he would read for the benefit of the Society. Mr. Fitzgerald read the report, which we insert elsewhere. Mr. Fitzgerald then read a lengthy statement which Mr. Mountfort had drawn up, in which he detailed a plan to complete the road at considerably less expense than had hitherto been entertained. Mr. Mountfort's plan was accompanied by several drawings. We do not deem it necessary to add more on this subject at present, as Mr. Mountfort's plan will, doubtless, be fully entertained by the Committee, which Mr. Birch moved, be appointed " to consider Mr. Roy's report on the road, and all matters bearing upon the subject." The motion was seconded by Dr. Donald. The following were nominated on the Committee : Messrs. Fitzgerald, Donald, Birch, Willcox, Bayfield, Luck, B. Mountfort, Alport, Allwright, and Cookson; with power to add to their number. The Library and Coal Committees applied for extension of time to make further enquiries. The Rev. R. B. Paul delivered a lecture on the Reformation in England, which created as much gratification as his previous one on that of Germany. A vote of thanks was extended to him, and the meeting broke up. We purpose publishing Mr. Paul's lecture as soon as our space will allow.

The ''Tory" left our harbour early on Wednesday morning for Melbourne, taking'a full compliment of cabin passengers, and fifty-two in the steerage. Many of these, however, came, down in the " Tory" for the trip, and a large portion have left their wives, families, and properties behind, intending to return as soon as, they have made the fortunes they anticipate, await their labours at the Diggings. We wish them success. The great meetings held in this settlement about this period last year, have been noticed by the English press. Mr. Adderley has issued Mr. Godley's speech in the shape of a pamphlet and appended some remarks thereon, which we purpose publishing,next week. The Guardian says, "We have received a very interesting number of the Lyttelton Times, giving a full account of the first political meeting of the Colonists. The paper presents in itself an interesting episode of colonial life. The variation of brevier, minion, and nonpareil type in the same speeches, show the struggle against dim-

culties of no mean character on the part of the infant organ of Canterbury, to meet the unwonted calls on its time and space ; and are so admirably overcome by an evident spirit of determination, that we accept the omen as a happy augury of the success which we hope will crown the efforts of the enterprising colonists."

By the " Duke of Roxburgh" we have Sydney Papers to the 14th ult. ; they do not contain much news. No late intelligence had been received from England. The Legislative Council had passed a most liberal tariff, abolishing ail ad valorem duties, and confining the Custom's duties to eight articles only, which appears to have created great satisfaction. The Sydney Herald says :—" In lieu of the long catalogue of articles formerly subject to Custom's duties, the New Tariff enumerates only eight classes. These are —1. Malt liquorsj rated at one penny per gallon in wood, and twopence in bottle; 2. Coffee, chocolate, and cocoa, three farthings perponnd; 3. Dried fruits, at half-penny per pound ; 4. Spirituous liquors, brandy and gin six shillings per gallon, all other spirits four shillings; 5. Sugar, refined, three shillings and four pence, unrefined two and sixpence, molasses one and eight-pence, per hundred weight; 6. Tea, three half-pence per pound; 7. Tobacco, manufactured eighteen pence, unmanufactured, a shilling, cigars and snuff two shillings, per pound ; 8. Wine, sixpence per gallon in wood, and a shilling in bottle. Here is a table, simple, definite, clear, and concise, leaving no room for frauds, mistakes, or disputes, about invoices and market values. The merchant knows exactly what he has to pay, and the custom house officer what he has to exact.'' We have files of the Otago Witness to the 14th instant. Nothing of any particular interest seems to have occurred in the Settlement. No arrivals of shipping had taken place for a long time, and our contemporary is looking anxiously for some arrival, as, he says, " we are short of Paper, and have purchased every scrap we can hear of in the Town, and have only enough for another issue, and unless some one can supply us, next number will close our publication for a time." We have received the proceedings in the Resident Magistrate's Court, Lyttelton, too late for insertion this week.