LYTTELTON COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 88, 11 September 1852, Page 6

LYTTELTON COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

At the meeting of the Society on Wednesday. Mr. Bayfield enquired what "steps had been taken by the Fire Committee in reference to the purchase of an engine and other apparatus for the extinction of fire. He complained of the apathy existing, and of the entire want of organization to meet such a dreadful calamity as might be expected at any moment in a town constructed entirely of wood. Mr. Alport, in reply, denied that the Fire Committee had been guilty of negligence; so far from that being the case, they had provided all the apparatus in their power ; the apathy existed with the public who, as soon as the agency of a LondoVFire Insurance Company was establishecl.W: the town, ceased to. take any interest in the matter, as they were insured againt loss. Mr. Fitzgerald said it was no use asking the Committee to meet, as but few attended -he vindicated the Committee from negligence as they had done everything in their power ; it was not their fault that there was no engine ; they had repeatedly written to Sydney for information as to the cost of one, &c, but no reply had been received. Captain Parsons had been appointed Fire Inspector General, and under him several Lieutenants to act on the first alarm of fire. The Committee had plenty of funds to provide an engine. A member said that but a few minutes ago he had heard that a check for fifteen shillings drawn by Captain Parsons and the Fire Secretary had been dishonoured. (laughter). Mr. Fitzgerald replied that the funds had been promised, (great laughter) and would no doubt be forthcoming on application. After a rather amusing discussion, Mr. Bayfield withdrew his motion on the Fire Secretary promising to communicate all that the Committee had done. Mr. Birch called the attention of the meeting to a valuable present which had been made through the Society to the public of Lyttelton, viz., a portrait of their Chairman. Dr. Donald was the. donor, (hear) and he (Mr. Birch) was assured that,, the. gift'would-be duly appreciated under any circumstances, and the more so. when he: added that the portrait was painted by Mrs. Donald. (Cheers). He therefore moved that. their Secretary be instructed to write a letter ,/ to Dr. Donald, conveying to him the thanks of the Society for his valuable present, and to Mrs. Donald their gratitude for the kindness which had induced her to execute the Portrait. The Rev. B. W. Dudley seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously amidst lively applause* Mr. Godley then delivered the first portion of Ins promised lecture on the early colonization of New Zealand. We hope it'may lie in pur power at no distant period to publish this lecture in externa; as there are but few Colonists, we apprehend, who possess other than a very limited knowledge of their adopted country. It is impossible to condense a lecture of such interest within limits that can render it aught but a bare narration of facts: we there-

fore refrain from doing so. Suffice it at present, that the Lecturer brought the hir.tory of New Zealand down to the period when the English Government formally annexed the Islands to the British Crown, and the first serious steps were taken to colonise them. We, therefore, will not venture to' mangle the subject now, in the hope and expectation that our columns may be made the medium of publishing it fully and satisfactorily to our subscribers and readers hereafter. Mr. Fitzgerald moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Godley, who briefly responded, and the Meeting broke up.