HOUSE OF LORDS, MAY 14, 1852.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 90, 25 September 1852, Page 7

HOUSE OF LORDS, MAY 14, 1852.

Bishopric of Christchurch (New Zealand) Bill.—The Bishop of Oxford in moving the second reading of this bill, in the absence of its mover, Lord Lyttelton, briefly explained the object of it. It had been found expedient, on account of its extent, to separate a portion of the diocese from the diocese of New Zealand, and to constitute a second bishopric in that island. The necessary consents had been given by all parties, when it was objected by the law officers of the Crown that there was no power in the Bishop of New Zealand to surrender any part of his jurisdiction, and that it was necessary to bring in either a declaratory or an enabling bill—for there was some doubt which was necessary—authorizing the Bishop to separate his diocese into two parts. The bill, of which he then nioved the second reading, was intended to carry out that object. The Earl of Desart observed, that the geographical condition of this island rendered such a bill necessary. There was no communication between the settlements even by horseback, and the present bishop had been obliged to charter and navigate a small vessel himself in order to visit the different divisions of the island. The bill was then read a second time.

. At the Lyttelton Colonists' Society, on Wednesday evening, the report of the Library Committee on cataloguing the Books was read and adopted ; extension of time was granted to the Secretary of the Fire Committee to prepare his Report ; the Members of the Christchurch Reading Rooms were, on the proposition of Mr. Reader, and carried nem. eon., admitted to the Library of the Lyttelton Colonists' Society, as honorary Members, on their conforming to the Library rules. Mr. Davis proposed that the fees for the choral class be Is. per quarter for practice,"and Is. 6d. per quarter for lessons; and Mr. Alport moved that Mr. McCardell be requested to undertake the management of the choral class and the office of instructor, and that those inclined to form the class do meet at the News Room on Monday evening next, at 7 o'clock ; carried. Mr. Godley gave his second Lecture on New Zealand: it was confined chiefly to a narrative of the formation of the New Zealand Company, of the impediments thrown in their way by the Government, and their ultimate, success, in spite of all opposition, in founding Wellington, the early trials of which were graphically pourtrayed.

We have been requested to notify that the Subscriptions to the Lyttelton Colonists' Society for the ensuing" quarter are clue, and it is requested that they be paid to the Secretary > on Thursday evening nest, at the News Boom. The Christchurch Colonists' Society decided on Monday evening-, after a long discussion and by an overwhelming- Majority, against the proposition brought forward by Mr. Fitton, "that it is not desirable that two distinct Societies, professing virtually the same objects, should exist in opposition to one another ; and that it is advisable that this Society do adjourn for the present, untU it can be 'ascertained whether either, and if so, which, of the two Societies at present existing- at Christchuvch, is likely to meet with general support from the inhabitants."