The Lyttelton Times. December 38, 1852.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 102, 18 December 1852, Page 7

The Lyttelton Times. December 38, 1852.

We. are authorized to state that Mr. Godley will, on Monday next, the 20th instant, resign the office of Chief Agent of the, Canterbury Association in this Settlement, and that he will be succeeded by <Daptain Simeon. Mr. Godley proposes to sail in the " Hashemy" for Sydney on Tuesday.

The perusal of the English Journals received during the week confirms the information already given in our columns, that the result of the elections would not materially modifly the position of parties as represented in the last House of Commons. The journals which advocate the political views entertained by the Derby Ministry claim indeed no less than fifty-nine seats gained from the opposition, and admit the loss of twenty-six; but this is not allowed by their opponents, and it would appear that at most ?the Ministry have bettered their position by some ten additional adherents. We publish in another column an article from the Observer, expatiating upon the indifference manifested'by the 'constituencies''; whereby it appears that .little more than half-of. the registered voters have taken part in the elections, and this, notwithstanding the great interests at stake—'Free Trade, or Protection;, a Liberal pr a Conservative Ministry.

:, .Whilst, however,- this apathy has existed with respect to politics, a religious animosity has been displayed such as has not been witnessed for many years. England has not altogether been exempt from this feeling ; but it is in Ireland that it has raged with incredible fury, and in the chief towns of the North and South

displays of violence have been exhibited by both parties, Orangemen and Papists, such as, according to the Times, would have suited the propensities of Caffres and the inhabitants of Dahomey. When we consider that the Members returned have a most potential voice in all that concerns the colonies of England, and that in seeking to be returned they claim no higher motive than that of pandering to the worst passions of the • people, we may well be excused for drawing attention to such scenes. It is not pleasing to know that Colonial and Imperial interests have never once been considered, and that we are subjected to the power of men who have probably not given the colonies a thought. The Times makes the following reflections on the elections :—" A population of some six millions are required to make a selection of the best men they can find to represent their local interests in Parliament, and assist in making the laws which are to serve as rules of conduct to all subjects of the British Empire. These men are to have a potential voice in ordering the course of events, not only throughout our domestic seats of industry, but from the Himalayan snows to Port Philip—from the Magnetic Pole to the great frontier lakes which divide the Canadas from the United States. They are to aid by their counsels in the decisions taken upon foreign alliances Avith Continental Europe at so eventful a period, that a resolution of the English House of Commons may turn the whole course of history for centuries to come. They must lend their active co-operation in the laborious task of reviewing the administration of justice throughout every country where the English tongue is spoken. In a word, they are to be affected with a responsibility "which no conscientious man would undertake if he did net feel himself in some degree capable of exercising a sound judgment upon the questions which might be submitted to his decision. Nor is the duty of the electors less clearly indicated. If they are entrusted with the suffrage at all, it is because they are supposed to possess certain qualifications of common sense and common honesty, which fit them, for so momentous a duty as that of selecting a competent person to serve in Parliament. Now, how has this duty been discharged ? All other considerations have been lost sight of but the yearnings of a besotted bigotry on either side. We will not spare one stroke of the lash to the Orangemen of the North more than to the priest-ridden Papist of the West and South. On all sides the great interests of.the country have been completely lost sight of that the fierce passions of the momenrmight be gratified." Who after reading such a passage can hesitate in the desire to be free from such controul, or for a moment think that our interests can be better looked to, and cared for, in England, where, save by a comparatively few distinguished men, we are held as if we did not exist ?

Amniversaey Festival. —We regret that owing to the lateness of the hour we received the account of the Sports, Ike. held to commemorate the.Second Anniversary of the Settlement, we are unable this week to give a full report of the proceedings; we shall, however, do so in our next. We are happy to say that everything went off most admirably, a magnificent day attracting crowds of spectators. The

Horticultural Exhibition surprised every one, and we were much gratified and delighted at the astonishing success which attended the attempt to add the attraction of a flower show to the other amusements of the day. We had no idea that ornamental gardening had been so much attended to, —and we learned with much satisfaction that the labouring man and the cottager had competed, and successfully, for the prizes offered. We particularly admired some'pelargoniums exhibited by Mr.Brittan,—and among many beautiful specimens of Sweet Williams, one white one, by Mr. Watts Russell.- The roses also were much to be admired. But the bouquets of cut flowers, we think, must have puzzled the judges to decide the comparative merits of the several exhibitors, when all were good. The vegetable department also deserved every commendation. Among the fruits, the strawberries were much admired. The rOom was crowded during the greater part of the day, and we think every one expressed themselves as delighted and astonished as ourselves. It is worthy of remark that the Spectators were so anxious to watch the racing, that though very liberal prizes were offered for a Jingling Match, Quoits, &c, nobody would enter for them. The Committee have, therefore, arranged to apply the money thus unappropriated toa prize for a Handicap Race to-day, (Saturday), to come off at about 3 p.m. The Consolation Stakes for horses beaten on Thursday, will alsd be run for to-day. We shall give next week full particulars of the Racing, &c. A public Ball took place in the evening, at the Land Office, which was appropriately fitted up for the occasion. Upwards of eighty persons were pre-^ sent, and the party did not break up till broad daylight.

The " Tory" arrived in our harbour on Sunday from Portland. We regret to state that owing to a prolonged passage caused by bad weather, that only 840 sheep have been landed out of 2,200 shipped. The " Hashemy" which arrived on Wednesday, was more fortunate, having experienced a rapid passage from Newcastle, and lauded over 1,900 sheep out of 2,100 shipped, together with several Cows and Horses,

In consequence of Mi". Godley's intended departure he will not be able to deliver his second lecture on the Constitution of New Zealand; but we hope to be enabled to publish it as it would have been delivered, but for this unforeseen circumstance.

Mr. Francis Knowles has been delivering in the School-room at Pigeon-bay a series of Scientific Lectures, the last of which was given in the afternoon of Wednesday last. At the close of the lecture, Mr. Hutcheson rose, and in the name, and at the request of those residing in the Bay, thanked Mr. Knowles for his great kindness to all classes amongst them ; and after complimenting him on his success-as a teacher, and expressing how much they were indebted for the able course of lectures given, presented him with a purse of sovereigns. Mr. Knowles acknowledged the gift in a feeling and friendly address; and stated his intention, if he remained another winter in the Bay, to deliver a second series of Lectures.

Information has been received from Porirua of a very melancholy and lamentable accident by which the Surgeon and four men belonging to H.M.S. " Fantome" were drowned. From the particulars we have been able to collect, it appears that Capt. Gennys left the " Fantome," which is lying off the Island of Moua, about four miles from the shore, on Thursday morning the 11th November, in a boat with the Surgeon and a crew of eight men, and pulled for the shore in the direction of Titai Bay. Unfortunately a heavy surf was on, owing to the strong north-west gales which have been 'recently prevalent; and as soon as the boat entered" the surf it was upset, and all hands were thrown into the sea. Capt. Gennys and four of the men were saved, but we regret to add that the surgeon and four men were unfortunately drowned. We understand that Capt. Gennys and the survivors are much bruised in being dashed against the rocks by the violence of the waves. As soon, as the melancholy intelligence was received in Wellington, his Excellency Sir George Grey rode out to Porirua, accompanied by Lieut.-Colonel M'Clevertv and Dr. Prenderoast of the 65th Regt. Every exertion has been made by Captain Gennys to recover ti:e bodies of those who were drowned, bin hithorio his exertions have not been successful.— h ellington Sp.ectator, 13th Nov,